After the chaotic events, this group of Dark Elves with questionable combat abilities were all bound, strewn helplessly across the plaza. If Asgard's anti-air defenses were a colossal failure, then the close-combat skills of these Dark Elves were an abject mess. Both sides fully leveraged their strengths, overpowering the other in their respective fields of expertise. But once Kurohane intervened and disrupted this balance, the Dark Elves were completely defeated.
Thor strode gracefully through the plaza, Mjolnir in hand, his chest puffed out. This time, he had resolved the Dark Elf crisis. Another significant achievement was added to his battle log. He had no idea that today was his mother's destined death. If not for Loki not misleading them this time, and the unexpected factor of Kurohane's presence, Frigga truly would not have been able to defeat the Cursed Warrior!
As for Thor, Kurohane didn't know what to say about him. The fight quickly devolved into a protection mission for Jane Foster. After all, the Aether had just been removed from her body, so a large number of Dark Elves were targeting her. What should have been a perfect hero-saves-girl moment felt limited and unsatisfying due to the brawl. Thor actually entrusted Jane to Sylvie for protection and even wisely gave them both weapons. Sylvie and Jane, the two women, each held a standard Asgardian longsword, and in each other's eyes, they saw four words: Unbelievable!
"If Jane and Thor end up getting married, Sylvie, as a sister-in-law, will definitely be on Jane's side!" Kurohane smirked inwardly.
More than twenty wounded and battered Dark Elves knelt in the plaza, tightly bound with Asgardian rope techniques. These were the only living Dark Elves in the entire universe, and Kurohane glimpsed that only one female remained. "To restore the glory of their race... that's a long and difficult journey!" he thought, a plan beginning to form in his mind.
Odin appeared, leaning on Gungnir, his steps slightly faltering. He had just fallen asleep again, an eternal weariness seeming to cling to him. He only struggled out of bed after all the Dark Elves had been dealt with. Seeing Queen Frigga safe and sound, he smiled faintly at Kurohane, a smile laden with a hint of meaning. Then, before all the Asgardians, he prepared to announce his decision regarding the Dark Elves:
"The wicked Dark Elf race started this war, so I have decided..."
"King Odin, could you listen to a few words from me first?" Kurohane immediately interrupted Odin's speech, his voice firm yet respectful. Although somewhat impolite to do so, he still stepped forward without hesitation, both to seek subordinates and to ensure justice was upheld. Even if it meant being impolite, he had to step forward!
"Of course, Kurohane, Mage. All of Asgard thanks you for your assistance." Odin nodded, his gaze sharply observing Kurohane.
"It's like this: the Dark Elf race committed atrocities in Asgardian territory," Kurohane began, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear, his tone full of emphasis. "Causing immense casualties and economic losses. If they simply die like this, it would be too easy for them! I believe they should atone for their deeds before they can accept death!"
Kurohane stood before the unconscious Malekith, looked up at Odin on the high platform, and slowly said: "I heard there's someone in the universe called the Collector. He's very interested in nearly extinct races in the universe. Now there are only a few Dark Elves left. They must be very valuable! The wealth obtained from their sale will be used for Asgard's construction and infrastructure repairs, and also as compensation for Asgard. What do you think, King Odin?"
Odin pondered for a moment, stroking his beard gently. He knew about the Collector; they had even known each other for a long time. He did collect life forms from various races in the universe, but only the rare ones. He wouldn't even take those who reproduced in large numbers, even if they were given away for free. Now that there were only a few Dark Elves left, perhaps they truly could fetch a good price!
"Who would refuse compensation delivered directly to their doorstep?!" Odin thought inwardly, a faint smile gracing his lips. However, doing something like this didn't seem honorable at all. It wasn't the Age of Exploration anymore. The best-selling goods were gone... so he himself couldn't agree to it at all!
Just as Odin made up his mind and was about to refuse Kurohane's proposal, Kurohane spoke again:
"If you don't agree, just give them to me as spoils of war. I don't want the humans, but I do want that cross-shaped spaceship. Earth's technological level is indeed insufficient right now. And I don't know how to pilot their warships, so let's just say they give me some pilots. At least let me bring some local specialties home, don't let me go home empty-handed. Don't worry, under my command, they will never be able to commit evil again in this lifetime!"
Kurohane's meaning with his two consecutive statements made Odin understand his intent. He just wanted to save the remaining Dark Elves, he just didn't know Kurohane's true plan. Odin subconsciously glanced at the foolishly grinning Thor, who was currently recounting his heroic deeds to Jane. His vision darkened! An inaudible sigh escaped his lips.
He couldn't rely on this son of his, but perhaps he could try to win over Kurohane as a son-in-law! The Dark Elves and that spaceship could be part of the dowry. He would reveal his intentions after Kurohane accepted everything. By then, Kurohane wouldn't be able to refuse becoming his son-in-law! As for which daughter he would marry, that didn't matter, the important thing was that Asgard didn't collapse!
"If Kurohane, the Mage, is interested, take them. Watch over these Dark Elves well," Odin said, a cunning smile hidden, his eyes radiating calculation. After Odin finished speaking, he turned and left, showing only the back of his head to Kurohane, fearing Kurohane would refuse this dowry!
Kurohane: (Eyes narrowed, expression suspicious, brow furrowed.) "Something's not right, nine out of ten things are not right! You should at least bargain with me! Why does this feel like a trap?"
Kurohane thought hard for a long time but couldn't figure out what Odin was thinking. He had already gotten his benefits, so it was better to escape quickly!
Manipulating the minds of the Dark Elves was too simple for Kurohane. A combination of Telepathy and the Mind Stone, three minutes later, Kurohane had over twenty loyal minions whose loyalty had been maxed out. The kind who would block bullets for Kurohane even if he didn't give orders!
Using the Reality Stone to repair the slightly deformed and damaged cross-shaped spaceship, Kurohane slipped away without saying goodbye to Thor and the others! Although he couldn't use the Reality Stone for permanent repair effects, it was enough as long as he could fly to Knowhere. Once they got to Knowhere, a place full of villains, weren't there spaceships everywhere?! And he had Justice and money!
The Ancient One, the Great Demon King, only gave him one year. If he didn't hurry and explore the universe, before Stephen Strange took over as Sorcerer Supreme, he would be stuck on Earth, how boring would that be! As for the option of crippling Stephen Strange's hands after he became Sorcerer Supreme, Kurohane hadn't thought about it. But every time this thought crossed his mind, the Great Demon King's bald head would appear in his mind. Although he didn't know how The Ancient One did it, Kurohane knew that he definitely couldn't hide it from her!
"Malekith, set the spaceship's destination to Knowhere. We will uphold justice!"
"Yes! Leader!" Malekith replied, his voice flat, devoid of emotion, a docile puppet in Kurohane's hands.