Watching Hela and Frigga walk deeper into the palace, Heisenberg thoughtfully shook his head.
Could Hela truly abandon her obsession with the throne so easily?
Hmph…
Give her some time to make up her mind!
With that, Heisenberg left the palace and headed into the city, now bustling with ongoing repairs and construction among the common folk.
"Your Majesty!"
"It's His Majesty!"
"Keep it down, you fool!"
"Should we bow?"
"I don't know—Odin never strolled here before!"
"Are you an idiot? Don't mention Odin near His Majesty!"
The civilians near Heisenberg gradually noticed him, greeting and bowing to him.
But Heisenberg could only see fear in their eyes.
Do you think Heisenberg would feel disappointed by that fear?
No!
That was exactly the emotion he wanted.
Being close to the people might be one way rulers treat their subjects, but for any ruler, when your subjects no longer fear you, trouble is on the horizon!
As a ruler, you must maintain your position and image in the hearts of your people, keeping their mindset balanced between reverence, fear, and hatred.
Some reverence, great fear, but not hatred!
This is the mindset Heisenberg needed from his subordinates and subjects!
So, Heisenberg silently passed through the bowing civilians, eventually reaching Heimdall, who was personally overseeing the restoration of Asgard's Grand Library.
As the long-time guardian of the palace, countless generations of Heimdall had been beyond reproach in their loyalty to Asgard.
But this generation's Heimdall…
According to the information from the movies, this Heimdall placed great importance on the common people and was overly indulgent toward Thor.
So, Heisenberg decided to have a chat with him. After all, Heisenberg didn't want random troubles related to Thor and Loki popping up once the palace returned to normal!
Noticing Heisenberg's approach, Heimdall set down the massive stone on his shoulder and bowed slightly.
"Your Majesty."
"Hmm."
Heisenberg nodded and gestured around with his hand.
"Tell me about this city, will you?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. This is your territory, your city!"
Heimdall nodded decisively and stepped beside Heisenberg.
"The area beneath your feet belongs to Asgard's War Academy, but since there haven't been large-scale wars for too long, Asgard hasn't recruited young people from the common folk for training.
So, the academy was converted into the Grand Library.
The wisdom of Asgard, spanning millions of years, is buried here!"
"Well, that's unfortunate. During our battle with Odin, we fought quite fiercely here."
"It's nothing, Your Majesty. Our light-energy information network can easily restore all lost information.
And rest assured, all of Asgard's knowledge is backed up in my mind!"
"Your power is truly astonishing, Heimdall!"
Heisenberg looked at Heimdall, wondering how this golden-armored guardian was also the keeper of Asgard's culture.
Hearing Heisenberg's words, Heimdall shook his head slightly.
"This isn't my power, but the power of the All-Father, Your Majesty!
You've only inherited the runic legacy of the gods, not yet fully mastered the knowledge of the Aesir.
I hope you'll find time to systematically learn everything you need to master.
Even with infinite power, you must rely on a wise mind to wield it."
At this, Heimdall glanced deeply at the library under restoration.
"I'll prioritize rebuilding the War Academy, because I believe Your Majesty will need Asgard to conscript soldiers.
Perhaps in my lifetime, I'll see the War Academy shine again, with countless new gods emerging from the academy and battles!"
Heimdall spoke while raising his eyes to the distant sky.
"I wonder what Odin was thinking—over the past three millennia, countless gods have died.
And after their deaths, no new lives have replaced them.
Wind, fire, earth, war, moon and shadow, plunder, agriculture, victory—all have lost their rightful heirs.
I am Heimdall, the guardian of the palace, the eternal observer of Asgard.
But sadly, I see less and less!"
Heimdall suddenly bowed to Heisenberg, then straightened up and asked softly.
"Can you restore this realm to its former glory?
Or do you intend to?"
At this moment, Heimdall's gaze at Heisenberg was unusually serious.
Heisenberg paused, finding this interesting.
A conversation between monarch and subject?
He nodded slightly and said softly.
"If not, why would I have fought for the throne?"
"I hope you keep your word, Your Majesty. Heimdall will shed every drop of blood for you and Asgard!
Let's start with the Bifröst's usage. In Midgard, even without the Infinity Stones, I heard your conversation with the Sorcerer Supreme.
As the new All-Father and King of Asgard, you must master the Bifröst's power yourself!
Come with me. I'll use this sword to teach you how to use the Bifröst for teleportation, whether it's intact or shattered!"
"This sword?"
Heisenberg asked, glancing at the massive sword Heimdall always carried or wore.
Noticing Heisenberg's gaze, Heimdall nodded solemnly and drew the sword from its sheath.
He knelt before Heisenberg, holding the sword aloft and offering it to him.
Meanwhile, he explained softly.
"As one of the Twelve Primordial Aesir, I am the God of Dawn in the Light Pantheon and the Guardian of Asgard.
This sword was forged 142 million years ago by the first Heimdall and the first All-Father, using the teeth of Nidhogg as raw material, Surtur's eternal flame, dwarves for the blade, elves for the runes, and blessed by all Nine Realms' gods—it is the Guardian Sword, Buldra Steel!
It symbolizes the strongest gate of the Nine Realms!
Grasp its hilt, Your Majesty, and feel the omnipresent power of the Bifröst. It will take you anywhere you wish and keep out anyone you don't want entering the Nine Realms!"
Seeing Heimdall's genuine acknowledgment, Heisenberg nodded and took Buldra Steel from his hands.
Heimdall rose, ready to explain how to master the Bifröst's power.
But Heisenberg suddenly returned the sword to him.
"The Bifröst's usage is indeed important, but not now.
I'm afraid I have another battle ahead. I'll come learn from you afterward."
"You mean with Lady Hela?"
Heimdall turned, gazing toward the distant palace.
Heisenberg followed his gaze, looking past the War Academy to the now-ruined yet still majestic palace hall.
"Of course. She won't give up the throne easily—it's her obsession.
And I promised her: first, I'll take her home, then give her a chance to challenge me. Hmph."
"Because the throne was her duty and her only solace during her imprisonment.
Your Majesty, I beg you not to be too harsh on this reckless princess.
No one loves this land more than she does—the land that abandoned her, yet welcomed her back.
She just loves it in her own way."
"Hmm, of course. But you seem to think I'll win?"
"Absolutely!"
Heimdall nodded decisively.
"Even five millennia ago, Lady Hela wasn't Odin's match.
You defeated Odin after he amassed five millennia of power. How could you lose to Hela, imprisoned by Odin for five millennia?"
"True enough!"
Heisenberg smiled, then shifted his feet, floating into the air.
In the distant palace hall, the sound of weapons clashing against the floor suddenly echoed…
Not long ago, Frigga led Hela into the ruined throne hall.
Looking at the shattered yet still dazzling golden splendor, then at the now-different murals…
Hela abruptly snapped out of her reverie and pulled her hand from Frigga's embrace.
"From your expression, this hall has changed greatly since you left?"
Frigga asked softly. Hela scoffed disdainfully.
She walked beneath the slightly damaged dome mural, laughing as she went.
Gazing at the mural of Odin and Frigga embracing, with Thor and Loki beside them, especially the golden halos above their heads symbolizing divine power…
Hela sneered.
"In my time, that mural wasn't about your family's warmth and sweetness. Hmph!"
With that, Hela raised her hands, and dozens of hiltless longswords shot out, embedding themselves around the mural.
Moments later, the mural cracked and fell from the dome.
Frigga's previously tense expression relaxed as the mural of her and Odin was destroyed.
"Lies. Tsk tsk. Now the palace is filled not with the iron and honor of my time, but his shameless lies!"
As Hela spoke, the old mural hidden beneath the new one gradually revealed Asgard's former glory.
The once golden, righteous mural now turned blood-red.
Countless crimson hues symbolized the blood of enemies, trampled under the hooves of Odin and Hela's celestial steeds.
The Asgardian warriors in this mural no longer stood guard as before.
Instead, they were on the battlefield, their blades piercing every enemy's body!
Gazing at the now-familiar palace dome, Hela nodded in satisfaction. Turning to the pensive Frigga, she said.
"This is the true Odin, the true Asgard—a realm forged in blood and fire, the Aesir known for conquest and invasion!
And this is what I've always pursued and will lead my warriors and subjects to achieve!"
At this, Hela clenched her teeth and glanced toward the city outside the palace.
Heisenberg's divine power glowed nearby, radiant as the sun!
Facing the pressure of Heisenberg's aura, Hela strode boldly to the throne.
Gazing at the throne just inches away, she sighed deeply.
"I disagreed with Odin. He's no longer the king I fought for, but a man spouting love and justice.
Imprisoned for over five millennia, I don't know what Asgard has endured.
But I see it now—Asgard has barely any named gods left, no invincible army like five millennia ago!
Even the All-Father's throne has been taken by an outsider!
Look—his mercy and justice cost him everything. So he's wrong!
And everything he lost in his mistakes, I'll reclaim for the Aesir in my way!
The Aesir fear no challenge, not even death in battle.
Because life can be lost, but not honor!"
Her words fell, and Hela resolutely sat on the throne.
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