"Are these the fireworks?"
"Well, do they look good?"
"Yes, they're truly beautiful. They surpass anything I've ever seen. I didn't expect such beauty in this world."
"Yes."
Rhodes ignited a dazzling fireworks display. Given that Muspeldamm lacked a sun, maintaining the sun and rain for an extended period consumed a significant amount of energy. Setting off such an extensive fireworks show right after conquering Helag was conspicuous.
Helag had already fallen to Asgard, and the flame giants had suffered heavy losses. Flame Giant King Surtur would undoubtedly take notice and send reinforcements. Staying here for too long was unwise.
If Flame Giant King Surtur discovered that not only had Rhodes conquered his city but had also celebrated with fireworks and flirted with Hela, it would infuriate him.
Once all the Asgardian warriors had assembled, Rhodes halted.
He noticed a hint of reluctance in Hela's eyes.
Rhodes remarked, "It's not safe here now; we shouldn't linger. I'll release them for you more frequently later."
At that moment, Hela snapped back to her usual self.
"After we've defeated all the flame giants and frost giants, we'll have plenty of time to watch fireworks."
"But there's still the matter of our mission."
With Hela's encouragement, she went to attend to the legion soldiers.
Rhodes pondered Hela's words, sensing an underlying meaning. However, he couldn't be sure.
If he couldn't figure it out, he decided not to dwell on it.
Rhodes called out to Bell, "Bell, gather all the heroes."
"Understood."
After some calculations, it was revealed that in this battle, fewer than a thousand Asgardian fighters had fallen from the Hela Legion.
Bell's heroic warriors had suffered less than a hundred casualties, a small fraction of the Hela Legion's losses.
Hela couldn't help but envy Rhodes' heroic warriors.
Rhodes could see Hela's thoughts and reassured her, "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, they'll be here. We've achieved victory in this battle and inflicted a severe blow to the flame giants. When we return to Asgard, God King Odin will be delighted. He'll likely assign more soldiers to you and dispatch more heroic warriors to assist."
Hela nodded.
Rhodes had saved many lives during the battle, significantly reducing the Hela Legion's casualties.
In light of their resounding victory, all the fallen Asgardian warriors were returned and given a hero's funeral in Asgard.
In the Flame Giant Temple of Muspeldam, Surtur, an immensely tall figure with bull horns, roared in fury.
His punch sent several flame giants, each four or five meters tall, flying into stone fragments.
Other flame giants cowered and dared not meet his gaze.
"Are you all a bunch of imbeciles? You allowed so many Asgardian fighters to escape?"
"Hela dared to assault such a vital city as ours this time, yet you failed to chase and intercept them promptly, allowing them to escape?"
"Answer me."
Initially reluctant to speak, the few flame giants eventually found the courage to respond to Surtur's direct inquiry.
"We pursued them immediately, without pause, but these Asgardian warriors were inexplicably fast, much swifter than those we've encountered before. We tried our best to catch up but didn't manage to do so until we reached our destination."
"They all retreated via the Rainbow Bridge."
"Idiots!"
Surtur pounded the throne's armrest ferociously, causing the entire Flame Giant King's temple to shake.
"All Flame Giants, attack Asgard! Target Midgard and several other worlds! Spare no effort to eliminate Hela at any cost! Do you understand?"
"Yes."
Without hesitation, the flame giants acknowledged his orders and fled quickly, fearing Surtur would slay them for any delay.
...
Rhodes and Hela had secured a victory, annihilating over 18,000 flame giants at a remarkably low cost. God King Odin, seated on his throne, grinned broadly.
"Hahaha... My beloved daughter, Rhodes, you've done exceptionally well. I'm proud of you. You're the pride of Asgard."
Rhodes saluted.
"The great God King Odin, this is our duty. Safeguarding the security of Asgard and the Atrium is our responsibility."
God King Odin beamed with satisfaction.
"Excellent! I never expected that, after your training, these heroic warriors would exhibit such formidable might."
"If we can severely weaken the Frost Giants and Flame Giants, Asgard's glory will shine for all eternity."
Presently, the Frost Giants and Flame Giants posed the greatest challenges for God King Odin. Frequent victories by Rhodes and Hela could potentially solidify Asgard's dominance.
God King Odin remarked, "My children, Asgard will forever remember your contributions. As such, all the warriors of the Temple of Valor shall be entrusted to Rhodes for deployment. I hope you can lead them to achieve great feats and fight for the glory of Asgard."
"It's an honor, Great God King Odin."
"My daughter, Hela."
Hela stepped forward.
"I'm here."
"Your legion has made significant sacrifices during this time, and I'm deeply concerned. Recruit more valiant warriors from Asgard to fight alongside you."
Upon hearing God King Odin's order, Hela's spirits lifted.
"Yes, the Hela Legion stands ready to fight for Asgard."
After the resounding victory in this battle, although Flame Giant King Surtur seethed with anger and the Flame Giants mounted a frenzied counterattack, they suffered further losses.
Rhodes and Hela seized this opportunity to regroup and recover.
Hela sought Rhodes' guidance on training Asgardian warriors, and Rhodes shared his knowledge generously.
Frequently, the city of Asgard witnessed massive groups of Asgardian warriors training rigorously under Rhodes' supervision.
Rhodes aided Hela in recruiting additional Asgardian fighters for training.
During his free time, Rhodes read books. Meanwhile, his relationship with Hela blossomed through conversations, dates, and battles. They became close friends, confiding in each other about everything.
As time passed and numerous battles ensued, the Hela Legion rapidly expanded.
With Rhodes' assistance, the Asgardian warriors under the Hela Legion became formidable and fiercely loyal.
Rhodes discreetly helped Hela assemble her legion and forces. Hela's power grew to an unprecedented scale.
Even the legions led by renowned Gods of War in Asgard, such as Tyr, Baldr, Holder, and Heimdall, combined, paled in comparison to Hela's legion.
Frost Giants and Flame Giants experienced consistent losses in their confrontations with Rhodes and Hela, their power waning.
One day, Holder, the God of Darkness, approached God King Odin.
With a smile, God King Odin inquired, "What brings you here, Holder? Do you have something to discuss?"
Holder, the God of Darkness, replied, "Great God King Odin, Hela's legion is becoming exceedingly potent. Allowing Hela to grow unchecked could pose a threat to Asgard."
God King Odin chuckled at this.
"Holder, you are overly cautious and suspicious. Hela is my child, my daughter. Won't her strength bring greater prosperity to Asgard?"
"The Great King of Gods should be vigilant. If, one day, Hela's power becomes overwhelming, it will be too late to address it when she's strong enough to easily conquer all of Asgard."
"Because of the substantial power she wields, there are many opportunities for her to vie for the throne, Great God King. I urge you to consider this matter carefully."
Odin, the King of Gods, fell into contemplation upon hearing Holder, the God of Darkness's words.
He could overlook many things, but if his position as God King were truly jeopardized one day, it could result in significant problems.
While Hela had consistently demonstrated loyalty to Asgard, the matter of the God King's throne was not to be taken lightly. It was imperative to prevent issues before they arose.
God King Odin thought for a while before addressing Holder, "Very well, Holder, I've heard your concerns, and I'll address them accordingly."
"You may return now."
Satisfied that God King Odin had taken the matter to heart, Holder, the God of Darkness, departed.
God King Odin sat on his throne, deep in thought.
In the days that followed, Rhodes enjoyed a leisurely life. He occasionally sparred with Hela, read books in his free time, and when Hela came to visit, they went on dates, explored the scenery, and dined together.
This peaceful existence proved quite comfortable. Even when Hela returned from battles and sought rest, she couldn't stay away for more than a couple of days without coming to chat with Rhodes.
Rhodes shared tactical knowledge, soldier training methods, and various aspects of life with Hela during their conversations.
Thirty years flew by in the blink of an eye.
Hela now spent nearly all her time with Rhodes. Apart from sleep and official duties, she was almost always by his side.
As a result, many of Asgard's servants began to suspect the nature of their relationship, but with time, it remained a vague notion.
However, as time passed, God King Odin and many other Asgardian gods distanced themselves from Hela. They began excluding and alienating her.
In response, Hela sensed their animosity and, in turn, became increasingly proud.
Since God King Odin didn't wish to see her, then nobody should. Hela spent most of her time with Rhodes.
As a consequence, God King Odin and Hela hadn't met for a long while. Many other gods of Asgard began to avoid Hela as well, creating distance between them.
Hela became aware of the increasing opposition from God King Odin and the gods of Asgard. Yet, she took pride in her growing power.
With God King Odin unwilling to see her, Hela simply focused on spending time with Rhodes.
God King Odin no longer troubled her, and she enjoyed her newfound leisure.
One day, Rhodes came to visit Hela.
Hela greeted him with a smile and even helped him remove his cloak.
"Would you like some water?"
"Yes."
Rhodes took a seat next to Hela.
Addressing the Asgardian guards standing at the door, Rhodes instructed, "You all can leave for now. I'll call if I need anything."
"Understood."
The six Asgardian guards saluted Rhodes and departed with their spears in hand.