Chapter 734: Symphony of Victory (Part II)

A bird streaked across the sunset horizon, and the magnificent, majestic city on the skyline turned into a pitch-black silhouette.

The scenery of Asgard was always more magnificent and splendid; this city, hanging alone in the void of space, appeared both lonely and brilliant in the light of the setting sun.

The people living in Asgard always liked to go to the bathhouse for a soak after a hearty battle in the training grounds, and the royals were no exception, though their bathhouse was more ornate.

The Heart of the World Tree was a mysterious space that only the Asgardian royal family could visit, though they didn't go there to pray—they just went to soak.

The World Tree was not a real tree; the Nine Realms were merely leaves on its branches. Deep within the core of the World Tree lay a lush green space, and deep within the meadows and woods, there was a hot spring bubbling with steam.

At this moment, Shiler, Loki, and Strange were soaking in the hot spring.

Strange pulled over a wooden board floating on the water, which held fresh, delicious fruit. He broke open a fruit covered in thorns and took a bite, shivering from the sourness.

Shiler took a sip of wine and rested his head against the stone at the edge of the spring. The cool surface of the stone dispelled the heat from having soaked for so long, and he let out a satisfied sigh, feeling drowsy.

"You'd better stay awake. Falling asleep in a hot spring isn't a good habit," Loki reminded him.

He also pulled the fruit platter floating on the water toward him, cut another fruit into pieces with his divine power, picked up a piece with a silver fork, and popped it into his mouth, casting a disdainful look at Strange, who was biting directly into his.

"Seriously, how did you suddenly manage to negotiate such a difficult deal?" Loki asked, looking at Shiler with some confusion. "Coincidentally, I've encountered a difficult client recently. I think I could learn from your experience."

"What kind of client could make you feel troubled?... Forget it. In short, if you want someone to open a window for you, you have to tear off their roof. That way, they will be very happy to have you visit their home."

Loki wore a thoughtful expression and nodded, seemingly having gained something, but he quickly asked, "By the way, you said you had business with the All-Father. What do you want to do?"

"Don't mind it, I'm just a little curious," Loki added afterward.

"I want to discuss a business deal with him. You should believe me—he will definitely be interested." Shiler smiled and said.

Loki wore a curious expression; he didn't know where Shiler got the confidence to think Odin would definitely be interested in his business.

But no matter how he pressed, Shiler refused to reveal any more. The group soaked until dark, and by the time they returned to the Xiangong, most of the goddesses and guards had already retired for the night.

Shiler rested in a guest room of the Xiangong for the night. When he woke up the next morning, the Gray Mist told him that his cellular activity had improved significantly. If he were an ordinary person, it would have extended his lifespan by at least fifty years. Even though he wasn't an ordinary person, the Gray Mist factors had gained more vitality because of it.

Early in the morning, a dedicated palace attendant came to escort Shiler to the palace where Odin, the All-Father, resided.

Odin sat on his throne, appearing lazy and casual. He wore no armor and carried no spear, looking more like an ordinary old man than a God King.

Shiler walked in and said to Odin:

"Hello, God King."

"I am no longer the God King. They address me as Father only because they are the people of Asgard. You may call me Odin," Odin said, his voice no longer booming with vigor, but sounding very casual.

"It is clear that you are satisfied with the new God King." Shiler smiled. Odin also smiled slightly, then asked, "I heard from Loki that you have business to discuss with me. You should know that not just anyone can trade with Asgard."

"Of course. Even a great entity like Death refers to you as one of the most powerful beings in the universe..."

Odin's expression stiffened. He looked at Shiler and said, "You have met Death?"

"Yes. Some time ago, I went to her realm and struck a deal with her."

"You are lying. As far as I know, Death no longer trades with individuals," Odin said, always speaking directly without beating around the bush.

"That is true, but there should be more changes beyond that. For instance, the vast majority of Valhallas in this universe have been strictly restricted; the number of people who can be resurrected has dropped, and resurrection now comes with many conditions, doesn't it?" Shiler shook his head and said.

Odin narrowed his eyes and asked, "So, the deal you speak of is..."

Shiler produced a contract. Odin could clearly feel the aura of Death upon it—it was even more concentrated than the token he used to control Valhalla.

"Just recently, I signed a contract with Death. Due to certain reasons, she was willing to sign very favorable terms with me, and there is a loophole in this contract. I have come precisely for this."

Odin took the contract, flipped through it, and asked, "What loophole?"

"I believe you must have already seen that although this contract stipulates quantity and time, it does not stipulate race. In other words, the resurrected can be human, or they can be Asgardian."

"On Earth, I do not have that many subjects to resurrect, but I can sell this quota to Asgard. After all, you need to wage war across the universe; your losses should be far greater than those of humans. I am willing to sell half the quota."

"What reward do you want?" Odin asked directly again.

"We can discuss that in a moment. Does Asgard have the desire to trade with me?" Shiler asked.

Odin pondered for a moment. Shiler was right; ever since the conditions for resurrection had tightened, Valhalla had become a mere shell of its former glory. Although Asgardians lived long lives, being able to resurrect only three people every ten years—what difference did that make from having none at all?

Asgard had indeed gradually reduced its wars, but guarding the Nine Realms was still very dangerous. More importantly, the fact that Valhalla no longer held its former glory would surely cause panic if it got out.

After thinking for a while, Odin nodded and said, "Resurrection is very important to Asgardians. State your terms."

A few hours later, in the back garden of the Xiangong, Loki, who was playing chess with Strange, asked with some confusion, "What on earth are they talking about? Why is it taking so long?"

"I guess they probably couldn't agree on the price and are currently in a tug-of-war," Strange said, placing a chess piece.

Just then, footsteps came from behind the bushes. Loki turned his head and saw Shiler walking out.

Shiler had a smile on his face and looked very happy. Loki stepped forward and said, "It seems the negotiation went smoothly?"

"That's right. The deal has been struck. I believe there will be results very soon."

Looking at Shiler's smile, both Loki and Strange knew that someone was likely about to have a very bad day.

The next day, a typhoon swept through New York. Outside the window, the wind howled, but Shiler slept soundly in his room.

A breeze would slip through the window cracks, but it wasn't cold. Soon, however, a sound sharper than the wind rang out—the Obelisk kept in the cabinet began to vibrate violently.

Shiler's ears twitched; clearly, he heard the commotion, but he simply turned over, pulled the quilt over his head, and continued to sleep.

This was actually very rare; he seldom woke up after 7:00 AM. However, a typhoon day was perfect for sleeping, and he had no intention of getting up.

The Obelisk rang for a full hour. By the time Shiler woke from his beautiful dream, the Obelisk had been vibrated onto the floor and was currently scurrying around at full power.

Bending down, he reached out and grabbed the Obelisk. Shiler wore a brilliant smile, then placed the Obelisk back in its original spot.

By noon, Shiler went to the S. H. I. E. L. D. cafeteria to eat, taking the opportunity to chat with Steve and observe the status of his recovery from anxiety.

"Doctor! I'm really better! Can't you tell after a dozen checkups in a week?" Steve said while eating his steak.

"Yes, but some follow-up observations are still needed because you haven't changed your environment. Certain things might still become triggers for anxiety. You must remain vigilant," Shiler cautioned.

Steve nodded, then looked at Shiler with some confusion and said, "Actually, I've been wanting to ask since just now—Shiler, what is that by your hand? Is it a sculpture? Why does it keep trembling?"

Shiler smiled and said nothing.

In the afternoon, Shiler went to Stark's lab for a follow-up. Stark was very impatient. He shouted, "I said I'm fine! I'm not Steve; you really should check his brain!"

"Your physical data shows that everything else is fine, but your brain is a bit too active," Shiler said, looking at the medical report.

Stark sighed helplessly and said, "Yeah, because you only know how to change lightbulbs, so of course your brain waves aren't active. Come on, I'm a scientist. I was in the middle of an experiment when I was dragged off for a physical. Of course my brain is active—the knowledge in my head can save the entire Earth!"

"Alright, there's nothing else... Oh, what are you looking at?" Shiler followed Stark's gaze to his hand, where the Obelisk was still vibrating.

"What kind of weird gadget did you come up with again?" Stark frowned, staring at the strange item.

"This is my phone," Shiler smiled and said nothing more.

In the evening, when Peter came to Arkham Asylum, he also looked at the strange sculpture on Shiler's desk. This time, before he could ask, Shiler said:

"This is a phone."

"But why is it ringing?"

"Because it's playing music."

"What kind of music?"

"The Symphony of Victory!"

In the boundless universe, in a galaxy darker than any other space, Thanos slowly opened his eyes in his grand and spacious palace on a dark planet. In his dream, he had seen his beautiful lover once again.

Perhaps he missed her too much; her wonderful voice rang in his ears once more. Thanos knew she must be telling him to spread death.

And just as he rose, intending to arrange for war, Thanos suddenly discovered that Death's voice sounded wrong.

He listened intently, only to hear a distraught female voice ringing out:

"Find that bastard Shiler!

!

! Make him!

! Answer the phone!

!

!"