Chapter 89 - Preparations before Departure

For the next six days, Tony diligently enhanced his suit through various means, applying magic to it. While he couldn't independently improve his suit magically, Nicholas was delighted to have a new toy to experiment with his alchemy. The only issue was that the suit gradually deviated from the appearance New Yorkers were accustomed to.

You see, despite living for almost 700 years and adapting to modern fashion, Nicholas still cherished the old knightly suits that once existed. This unconscious preference led him to alter not only the internals but also the external appearance of Tony's suit. Thus, on a beautiful day, Tony's heart ached when he saw his suit.

What a high-tech suit! It resembled the armor of a medieval knight joining an order like the "Red Rose" or a similar one! A golden helmet with pointed edges, the lower part of the suit changed too. Instead of perfectly fitted plates, the torso now featured overlapping plates, with additional protective layers on the thighs! Runes illuminated the entire suit, occasionally flickering orange.

However, Tony couldn't do anything about it. Tonight, they were venturing into the universe of wizards, and he wouldn't have time to make any adjustments before leaving. Tony had already bid farewell to Pepper, explaining everything to her. She would be responsible for Stark Industries while Steve remained at the base near Kamar-Taj, guarding it and attempting to learn some magic.

In addition to wizards and Odin, the magical universe would be visited by Tony, Natasha, the Ancient One, and Loki...

Yes, both the Ancient One and Loki were accompanying them. The Ancient One by her own desire, eager to see the territory of Kamar-Taj and Asgard's ally. As for Loki... Odin asked Asmodeus to take him for safety reasons and paternal concern, hoping Loki could learn something from Asmodeus. At least, that's what Odin told Asmodeus when asking him to take Loki along. Odin didn't mention his desire for Loki to become a mediator between Asgard and Elysium, foreseeing the potential of such an academy. Elysium, a school gathering knowledge of magic from multiple worlds... Not that Asgard lacked books on magic from other realms, but all those magics essentially resembled the Asgardian proto-magic rooted in Yggdrasil. In short, Odin already envisioned what Asmodeus wanted to create—an inter-universal magical empire—and he wanted to send someone he considered family into that empire in advance.

Tonight, this group was supposed to gather in Norway on one of the hills. Tony couldn't understand why they had to do this and why they couldn't simply set out from Asgard, but no one explained anything to him...

Due to everyone needing to settle their affairs before departure, and Banner having to return to Earth, the group divided. Odin and the wizards would go to Norway first, as Asmodeus mentioned, "we'll all have to wait for something there."

Banner went to Kamar-Taj with the Ancient One, who needed to finish her business before joining the main group with Natasha. Tony remained in Asgard until the departure to continue reading local books.

Speaking of books, Asmodeus had already obtained copies of most books from Kamar-Taj and Asgard, thanks to automatic quills and copying magic. Almost all books, except for certain ritual books, were now in his possession. While Asgard had more books than Kamar-Taj, they were mostly diverse in their focus, and Asmodeus didn't have to copy as many.

Everyone went to their respective places.

*Zoom!*

A rainbow bridge landed in the lands of Norway, leaving Odin, Asmodeus, Nicholas, Albus, and Gellert in its wake.

"Is this the place?"

"Yes... When the seal falls, it will appear here."

"Alright, we'll be ready. You can start."

Odin nodded and sat on the nearest boulder, gradually removing the seal from Hela.

At the same time, near the wizards, a portal appeared, and the Ancient One, with Natasha by her side, stepped out.

"Has he already begun?"

"Yes. Now that you're here, we can start forming the seal circle."

"What should we use for it?"

"My little trinket here will help."

Nicholas emerged, holding something resembling a black sphere for divination.

"I initially created it as a result of an experiment to bring ghosts back to life... I tried to give the souls of the deceased, wandering our world, a new form they could control by placing their soul in this sphere. Unfortunately, the energy constantly corroded the bodies I built for them. But to temporarily contain a still-living being, this thing works better than ever. No wonder I carry it with me!"

"Um, just out of curiosity, I've been meaning to ask you earlier. Old man, why do you carry a little ball for sealing souls?"

"It's Albus's fault, who can't control ghosts in his castle! Every time I go to Hogwarts, I get bothered by the Hogwarts ghost - Peeves. So, one day, I decided to scare him off. It worked perfectly, but he occasionally forgets what it's like to sit in emptiness without the ability to communicate. That's why every time I go to Hogwarts, it's with me. Hehe."

Upon hearing Nicholas's explanation, Grindelwald thought to himself, 'Can you believe they call me the dark wizard!? He's the real devil!'

Setting aside the peculiar feud between Nicholas and Peeves, Asmodeus turned his attention back to the Ancient One.

"How long can your charms hold Hela?"

"Not long if sealed in an object, about five to six hours."

"When we arrive on the other side, can you create a mirror space and seal her inside?"

"Yes, but it's not creating a mirror space; it's opening one. This means we'll need to set up barriers inside that space when we arrive, but we won't have much time for that..."

"No worries, I have an idea."

"What's the idea?"

"

Albus, do you remember the state Rovena and Salazar were in when they first returned to the world?"

"You mean..."

"Yes, let's hope Rovena and Salazar can do the same thing to Hela against her will."

"...You know your plan doesn't sound very reliable?"

"Do you have a better one?"

"Well... kill her?"

When Gellert suggested this, Odin, who had been distracted by the wizards' conversation, joined in.

"Cough, cough. You're talking about my daughter, and besides, she's immortal. Literally immortal. She is Death herself, and unlike Thor, she perfectly controls her power. Although she weakened, it didn't affect her basic abilities, and immortality, strangely enough, is one of her inherent traits. Let's act according to the situation. And right now, don't disturb me; your mumbling is disrupting my concentration!"

Hearing this, the others stepped back and continued their discussion. Only Natasha sat and watched the scene, not quite understanding what was happening. She was told it was time to go to the magical world, and if she wanted to go, she had to go now. But when she arrived, she saw the god-king sitting on a stone and a bunch of arguing wizards...

Time passed, and near them, the rainbow bridge reappeared. From the bridge's light, Tony in armor with a suitcase in hand and Loki emerged.

"Did we make it in time?"

Tony asked.

"Well, as far as I understand, it's still early..."

"Huh?"

"Okay, let's go to the wizards. They say they're preparing to seal someone or something..."

"Alright..."

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