Chapter 1079: Father and Son (8) (Patreon)

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After Lady Loki entered the portal, she didn't feel any abnormalities. There was only a flash of light before her eyes, and within a mere two seconds, the environment before her completely changed.

Stepping out of the portal, Lady Loki first noticed that her field of vision suddenly became brighter. After her eyes adjusted to the light, she found herself in a magnificent and spacious hall.

The entire hall was circular, not only large in size but also so tall that the ceiling couldn't be seen. The most eye-catching feature was the enormous statue at the center of the circular hall.

Lady Loki squinted and looked up, discovering that the statue was carved entirely out of smooth and sturdy rock. It depicted a majestic male figure with short hair, wearing a somewhat peculiar uniform. Over the uniform, there was a long cloak draped, and one hand rested on the sword at his waist while the other arm extended diagonally upward.

Observing the posture of the statue, Lady Loki slowly narrowed her eyes. At this moment, Helen jumped down from Lady Loki's body, holding her hand, and walked alongside her.

B15 walked at the front, while her subordinates surrounded Lady Loki and Helen. When they arrived in front of the statue, B15 led them to the right side of the circular hall. As they moved through the hall, Lady Loki kept turning her head, observing the employees passing by, all of whom wore the same uniform.

The employees were humanoid, but their skin colors varied. They had not only white, yellow, and black skin but also blue and green skin, and even transparent individuals without skin. Their appearances were strange and diverse, not all having two eyes, a nose, and a mouth.

Just from brushing shoulders with a few employees, Lady Loki noticed individuals with one eye and even peculiar creatures with eight eyes on the sides of their faces.

Lady Loki and her group stopped in front of a door. Just as Lady Loki thought B15 would lead them inside, B15 halted and stopped Lady Loki and Helen from advancing. B15 approached the door, picked up a communication device, and said into it:

"I am Hunter B15. We have encountered an unusual situation here. Can you come over?"

After ending the communication, B15 waited in place for a while. A man wearing a suit, accompanied by a large group of guards, rushed over while saying, "Be on guard! Everyone, be on guard! Where is the uncooperative prisoner?"

The suited man stepped forward, looking at B15 and saying, "Is this another dangerous mission in the perilous space? Where is the prisoner? Do we need to request higher-level reinforcements?"

"No, Mobius," B15 called out the name of the man in front of her and said, "The unusual situation I mentioned does not involve the prisoner's resistance, but... there is a significant discrepancy between the information provided by the prisoner and the information on the wanted poster. Moreover, she has brought a family member."

Mobius adjusted his tie in front of his chest. This middle-aged man appeared cultured and refined, but from his slightly weary complexion and the dark circles under his eyes, it could be seen that he had been busy lately.

"I can understand that there might be discrepancies between the prisoner and the wanted poster. Our wanted posters are not updated in real-time, and those prisoners are peculiar. Who knows what kind of mess they might cause during the non-updated periods..." Mobius shook his head, as if he was accustomed to such situations.

Then, he looked at B15 with some puzzlement and asked, "But when you mentioned a family member, what do you mean?"

"Literal meaning," B15 extended her arm and pointed to Helen behind her. When Mobius saw such a small girl among the crowd, he was also taken aback and exclaimed, "My goodness! A temporal criminal of such a young age?"

Just as he finished speaking, Mobius seemed to remember something and awkwardly stopped himself. He exchanged a glance with B15, and both of them made eye contact. B15 and Mobius then approached Helen together, bending down to look at her.

Helen shrank back timidly, but Lady Loki, with a helpless smile, supported her back and pushed her forward, saying to B15 and Mobius, "Sorry, children can be shy. Helen, call them Uncle and Aunt..."

Helen stared with wide eyes, blinked, and hid in Lady Loki's embrace. Mobius didn't mind and stood up straight, turning his head to look at B15, asking, "Are you sure it's a case of a mother and daughter committing a crime together?"

"She is Lady Loki," B15 once again dropped a bombshell, leaving Mobius breathless and nearly choking himself.

She took two steps back, staring at Lady Loki with wide eyes. Lady Loki was holding Helen's hand, admonishing her not to pull on her braids. However, Helen completely ignored her and reached out to grab Lady Loki's hair. Lady Loki dodged to the side while scolding her.

Witnessing this scene of motherly love and filial piety, Mobius's face wrinkled in deep concern, and he took a deep breath.

B15 turned his head with a hint of helplessness in his tone and said, "By the time we arrived, things were already like this, which is hard to believe... The culprit is Iron Man from her world."

Mobius's facial features, which were creased moments ago, quickly relaxed, and his eyes widened in shock.

"Helen Stark! I warn you! Put your hand back!" Lady Loki pulled on her last remaining braid and said, "This is your grandmother's work. She spent over an hour braiding it for me. If I go back and she finds out that I messed up my hair, I'll tell her it was your doing!"

Mobius swallowed and leaned in next to B15, saying, "...How did Iron Man manage to do it? Lady Loki is a god. Are there no... possibilities between them? Could it be an accident?"

Mobius seemed to have suddenly realized something. He stared at Helen's chest and said, "Now, I can be certain that she is indeed Iron Man's daughter."

But then, he raised his voice and said, "But why does she inherit the arc reactor?! Is that something that can be inherited?!"

It wasn't until Lady Loki removed the thick cloak from Helen's body that B15 saw the glowing arc reactor on Helen's chest. It was unmistakably connected to Iron Man's chest, suggesting that the saying "like father, like daughter" held true.

Lady Loki tapped her forehead with her staff in frustration and said, "That doesn't matter. The problem now is that Lady Loki's daughter is not a time criminal, but due to certain special circumstances, Lady Loki couldn't keep her in place, and I couldn't either. That's why I brought her here..."

Mobius seemed to quickly grasp what his colleague meant. His face turned serious, and he lowered his gaze, saying, "You should know what Lavona is like. Once someone enters the Time Variance Authority, they are all time criminals, regardless of age..."

"Exactly because I know that, I wanted to ask you..."

Before B15 could finish his sentence, the door suddenly opened, and a strange machine in the door made a noise. Mobius's expression changed, and he said to B15, "The trial is about to begin. We're running out of time!"

B15 pursed his lips, turned his head to look at the innocent and lovely Helen, tightened his grip on the staff, but then he waved his staff and said, "Prisoner Lady Loki, go inside and change. Prepare for the trial..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Helen jumped into Lady Loki's arms again and refused to let go. Mobius also tried to pull her away a couple of times, but his thin arms and legs couldn't do much. Thus, he could only watch as the mother and daughter walked into the dressing room together.

"This is an independent space," Helen immediately said, "There are no devices that can transmit images and sound outside, nor any magical eavesdropping. If you have anything to say, it's best to say it quickly."

"What do I want to say?" Lady Loki tidied up her slightly disheveled hair and said, "Capture, trial, and imprisonment, well, even though I don't know where these righteous enforcers came from, if I can avoid going back to Asgard, I'll stay imprisoned here."

Helen widened her eyes and looked at her, saying, "You're not planning to give up, are you? Mom?!"

"I am not your mother," Lady Loki immediately denied. "Don't try to get close to me, you little brat who's identical to Tony Stark."

But to her surprise, Helen reached out with both hands and held Lady Loki's cheeks, saying, "Wake up! Mom! Haven't you realized that there might be a big secret hidden here? Haven't you noticed that the staff they're carrying can neutralize Asgard's divine power? That's something valuable!"

Lady Loki stood still, adjusted her clothes, and then said, "Among those who have been deceived by me, who doesn't have secrets? From advanced interstellar civilizations to primitive tribes on undeveloped planets, every victim claims to want to judge me and make me pay a price. But am I not still standing strong?"

"The so-called Time Variance Authority is the same. Perhaps some victim has discovered the existence behind it and wants to test me. Well, let them come. I want to see how long they can keep me imprisoned."

LadyLoki's voice was filled with confidence and defiance as she spoke. Helen looked at her, her eyes shining with determination.

"But what about me, Mom?" she asked. "I don't want to be imprisoned here. I want to go back home, to my world, to my father."

Lady Loki sighed and gently removed Helen's hands from her face. "Helen, you have to understand that going back might not be possible. This Time Variance Authority, they have the power to erase entire timelines, to prevent any interference with the sacred timeline. If they deem it necessary, they can erase your world, your father, everything."

Helen's eyes welled up with tears, and she hugged Lady Loki tightly. "I don't want that. I don't want to lose my father, my home."

Lady Loki held her close, her voice softening. "I know, my dear. I'll do everything I can to protect you. We'll find a way, together."

Just then, the door to the dressing room opened, and Mobius walked in with a serious expression. "It's time," he said. "The trial is about to begin."

Lady Loki nodded and looked down at Helen. "Remember, no matter what happens, stay strong. I'll be right beside you."

Helen wiped away her tears and nodded, determination shining in her eyes. She took a deep breath and walked out of the dressing room, her hand firmly clasped in Lady Loki's.

As they entered the trial room, they were met with a grand chamber filled with judges, all clad in regal robes. The atmosphere was tense, and the gaze of the judges bore down on Lady Loki and Helen. But Lady Loki stood tall, her head held high.

The trial began, with accusations hurled at Lady Loki, questioning her actions and the potential dangers she posed to the timeline. Lady Loki defended herself fiercely, her words sharp and eloquent. She argued that her actions were necessary to maintain balance and prevent greater threats.

Helen watched her mother, her heart filled with admiration. She knew that Lady Loki was not just fighting for herself but also for her and their freedom. She clung tightly to Lady Loki's hand, drawing strength from her presence.

As the trial continued, new evidence was presented, and witnesses were called forth. It was a battle of words and wits, with Lady Loki and the judges engaging in heated exchanges. Lady Loki's intelligence and cunning were on full display, but the judges remained unyielding.

Finally, the trial came to a close, and the judges retreated to deliberate. Lady Loki and Helen were left standing in the center of the chamber, their fate hanging in the balance.

Minutes turned into an agonizing wait, but finally, the judges returned. Their expressions were inscrutable as they announced their decision.

"Lady Loki, you are found guilty of timeline interference and endangering the sacred timeline. However, due to the unique circumstances surrounding your case and the potential value of your knowledge, we offer you a choice."

Lady Loki and Helen exchanged glances, their hearts pounding.

"You can choose to be imprisoned within the Time Variance Authority, where we will closely monitor your actions and ensure your compliance," the judge continued. "Or you can assist us in our efforts, using your expertise to help maintain the integrity of the sacred timeline."

Lady Loki hesitated for a moment, then looked down at Helen. "What do you think, my dear? What should we do?"

Helen considered the options, her gaze steady. "We should help them," she said. "But on our terms. We won't be their prisoners, but their allies. We'll work together to protect our world and our loved ones."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Lady Loki's lips as she nodded. "Agreed."

"Yes, I must be crazy. In your eyes, Asgard should be a good place. It has a loving grandmother who dotes on you, a goddess sister who plays and frolics with you, respected guards and officials, and countless delicacies and toys." Lady Loki looked at Helen in her arms and spoke.

"You would love to stay there forever, and many aliens who come to Asgard think the same. Therefore, they can't understand why someone would rather be imprisoned outside than return home. Besides, I am the esteemed prince, His Royal Highness..."

Helen was about to say something when the sound emanating from the strange machine in the dressing room caught her attention. Her eyes shifted, and she leaped from Lady Loki's embrace and landed on top of the machine.

"What are you doing? Come back!" Lady Loki instinctively shouted.

But Helen jumped behind the machine and reached out, capturing the connection between the machine and the wall. She then began to clang and bang on it until she removed the back cover of the machine.

By the time Lady Loki rushed to the back of the machine, Helen had already dismantled two components. Lady Loki gasped and said, "Helen Stark! What are you doing? You'll break it!"

"I just wanted to study its structure," Helen said calmly. She pushed up her non-existent glasses and pointed to the circuitry inside the machine. "It's a fascinating structure—rudimentary, primitive, yet remarkably efficient. What kind of energy does it use? How can it operate smoothly within what appears to be steam-powered pipelines?"

Lady Loki covered her forehead and said, "Is this the time to study this problem? Isn't this a dressing room? Where are the clothes? We need to change quickly because we have a trial later..."

She looked around the nearby environment, trying to find a wardrobe. At that moment, a small hand emerged from behind the machine, handing her a component, saying, "Here, the clothes you wanted... But I have to put it back before I can conjure the clothes."

"Come out quickly!" Lady Loki shouted hysterically. She gathered her long hair behind her head and walked quickly to embrace Helen's waist, pulling her outward and shouting, "Don't embarrass Asgard! The princess of Asgard is different from you humans. You should have manners and respect. You can't cause such havoc!"

"I'm not causing havoc!" Helen shouted while dismantling. Lady Loki realized she couldn't pull her at all, so she gave up and walked to the opposite side, peering through the gap behind the machine.

Lady Loki noticed that Helen's expression was serious, completely unlike playing around. Lady Loki saw her expression and was reminded of Tony Stark, although they didn't look very similar.

And when Helen looked up again, she caught a glimpse of envy in Lady Loki's eyes.

Helen's hand movements slowly stopped, and when their gazes met, Lady Loki turned her head away.

At that moment, Lady Loki heard a voice coming from outside the dressing room door, "Why hasn't the second program started? Is the machine broken? Or can't it recognize two people?"

Lady Loki's face showed extreme panic as she looked at the scattered parts on the floor. She lowered her voice and said, "Hurry, hurry! Put them back!"

"It's too late!" Helen said calmly, "But without a relationship, I have a way..."

Then, to Lady Loki's shocked gaze, Helen slowly opened her mouth. Her neatly square human teeth retracted, replaced by terrifying sharp fangs, one after another.

Before Lady Loki could react, a horrifying forked tongue, at least two meters long, extended from Helen's mouth, sweeping the parts on the ground and swallowing them.

"Is there any movement inside?" Mobius asked, pointing at the door with some confusion. "Open it and take a look."

B15 pressed a button, and the door opened, revealing Lady Loki holding Helen.

The mother and daughter both smiled friendly smiles. Lady Loki gestured with her hand towards the machine in the room and said, "The machine doesn't respond. It's probably broken."

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