"You did very well. When we return, I will reward you greatly," Roland Phils said with a warm smile as he looked at Kitazume and Atago.
The two women's faces lit up with excitement. To them, no treasure or glory could compare to the reward he promised, a bond that touched both body and soul, a joy beyond all others.
Then Roland turned his gaze back to Hela. "Your nature is not evil. I see endless potential in you. If you are willing to submit to me, I can help you achieve your dream."
"My dream?" Hela's eyes widened as she stared at the man before her. She had never told anyone what her true ambition was, yet this man seemed to know it already.
"Yes," Roland said lightly. "Do not be surprised. Others may not know your dream, but I do. You want glory, a lasting legacy, and to stand as a ruler above all. You want to be an empress who commands the world. To me, that is but a small matter."
"You…" Hela was shaken to her core.
Because he was right. Ever since she was young, she had been ambitious. Not the petty ambition of women who fought for favor, but the drive to carve out an empire as great as any man. She wanted to be a queen above all others, a sovereign who controlled the fate of countless lives.
That was why she had followed Odin onto the battlefield, conquering realm after realm, becoming feared as the Goddess of Death. But just when she thought her dream was within reach, Odin had turned against her, sealing her away for a thousand years in the abyss.
How could she not be filled with rage? How could she not seek revenge?
Yet now, as she looked at the man before her, Hela understood she could not act recklessly. He was not someone she could oppose. She had only just regained her freedom, and she did not want to lose it again so soon.
She wanted to live. She wanted to continue chasing the dream she had never been able to reach. And deep down, she already knew her answer.
"Very good. The wise know when to yield. I like followers who can see the truth. From now on, you will serve under me. Follow me, and I will show you the highest wonders this universe holds." Roland spoke before she could even answer, already certain of her choice.
Hela trembled. In her long life, she had never feared anyone. But this man, she admitted, made her feel fear. And beyond that fear, another feeling stirred within her, a woman's instinctive admiration for a true strong one.
"Thank you, my Lord. I, Hela, swear eternal loyalty. I will fight for you and never betray you," she said solemnly.
Roland nodded in satisfaction. His power to see into hearts made it impossible for her to lie. Hela was proud and arrogant, but once conquered, she would be more useful than most. Unlike Carol, Hela had no rigid sense of justice. What she had was ambition, ruthlessness, and decisiveness.
She was a blade. A weapon that cared nothing for right or wrong, only for cutting down her target. And he needed a blade like that.
"Good. Since you have chosen wisely, I shall grant you the power of Hell to strengthen you further."
With a wave of his hand, a crimson light shot into Hela's body. It was a fragment of his divine power of Hell.
Hela was already at the sub-god level, but far from reaching the All-Father tier. This gift was a taste of power, meant to bind her loyalty and help her grow.
As soon as the energy entered her, Hela's face filled with joy. The force was unlike anything she had ever felt, vast and overwhelming. She knew that if she could fully absorb it, her strength would soar. Perhaps not enough to reach the All-Father level instantly, but far beyond what she was now.
Her eyes burned with reverence as she looked at Roland. Just a trace of his power had given her this much. No wonder the other women had become so strong under him.
For the first time, she dared to hope she could rise higher than ever before, high enough to finally grasp the dream she had once lost.
As she continued absorbing the divine power, her strength climbed until she stood at the peak of the sub-god stage. Only then did it settle.
Roland smiled in approval. "You have not disappointed me. Now that you understand your path, follow me. I have important tasks for you."
"Yes, my Lord. I will give everything to fulfill your command," Hela answered with newfound determination.
Her strength had risen beyond even her peak in the past. How could she not feel joy?
"Good. Let us leave."
Roland raised his hand. In an instant, the forces of life and reality burst forth across Asgard.
The realm was covered in radiant light. The ground healed, trees and grass grew again, shattered buildings rebuilt themselves. Even the wounded Asgardians were restored before everyone's eyes.
In only a breath, Asgard was alive again, thriving as if the battle had never happened.
The people stared in awe. Not even their All-Father had wielded such power. Could it be that this Lord of Life had surpassed even Odin? The thought left them trembling.
Before they could recover, a flash of divine light took Roland, Kitazume, Atago, and Hela away.
When Hela blinked, she found herself standing before a vast and majestic palace.
"Where is this?" she asked, overwhelmed.
"This is the Palace of Reincarnation, one of the Ten Great Palaces, a foundation for spreading our Lord's will across the universe," Kitazume explained.
"The Ten Great Palaces?" Hela's eyes widened. "Then there are nine more like this?"
Each one was vast, comparable to Asgard itself. For there to be ten such palaces meant her new master's power eclipsed even Odin's imagination.
Atago nodded. "Yes. Each stands in a different part of the universe, carrying out our Lord's mission."
Roland chuckled softly. "The Ten Palaces are only the beginning. Soon there will be more. And once you step into true godhood, you too will gain a palace of your own."
"Truly?" Kitazume and Atago's faces shone with joy. To have a palace in their own name would be the greatest honor, proof of their Lord's trust.
"Of course," Roland said with a smile. "But first, you deserve a reward."
Hearing this, the two women blushed, nodding shyly. With a flick of his hand, Roland and the two of them vanished, leaving Hela alone in the hall, confused.
"What kind of reward needs to be kept secret?" she muttered in bewilderment.
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