"Come with me."
Odin left the Golden Palace with Alaric.
It was not suitable to talk here.
Especially after Odin had learned Alaric's true identity, his reception of Alaric should be raised to a higher level.
Even though Alaric still didn't know who he was, Odin couldn't treat Alaric like an ordinary person.
What if Alaric awakened his memories in the future, became dissatisfied with Odin and Asgard, and out of anger killed Thor?
Especially since Odin would probably be long gone by then, but the Vishanti would still be around.
Thor would have no elder to support him and would suffer losses!
And Odin also had some requests for Alaric, hoping that Alaric could, out of past connections, help and assist Thor when he faces a crisis in the future, whether it's Thor himself or Asgard.
Odin changed into a formal robe and brought Alaric into the banquet hall.
"Are we eating again?" Alaric said unconsciously.
Moreover, this hall wasn't the same one where Odin last received him and the Ancient One.
Did it really need to be this formal?
"Eat whatever you want, we'll talk while eating."
"Can we eat later, when the Queen of the Gods returns with my girlfriend?" Alaric suggested.
"Oh? Alright, then let's just have a drink and some fruit first."
Odin nodded and asked the maids to bring drinks and some Asgardian fruit.
"What brings you to Asgard this time?" Odin asked casually.
"Oh, my girlfriend is an astronomer and very interested in the celestial bodies of the Nine Realms and the Rainbow Bridge, she wants to study them, so I brought her to see."
"Ahem! That's it?!" When he heard Alaric's reason, Odin couldn't help but cough.
You're far too willful just to please your girlfriend!!
And what do you think our Asgard is?
"What a, hm… ahem, noble cause."
Odin wanted to scold this reckless youngster, but forcibly restrained himself.
Meaning: because of your identity, Alaric, I won't make an issue of it!
Alaric: "???"
"Have you been forgetful lately, sleeping poorly, and quick to anger?" Alaric suddenly asked.
"Eh, yes, people age, the body doesn't hold up anymore." Odin sighed.
"I see." Alaric nodded with understanding, accepting Odin's odd behavior today.
"Since you have no business of your own, let me speak of mine," Odin said.
"Alright."
"It won't be long before I fall into a deep sleep; before that, I had originally intended for Thor to inherit the throne as the God King."
"But Thor is not yet wise enough to understand the responsibility and meaning of the God King, and there are some who secretly watch Asgard, seeking revenge, so there will be trouble."
"That's why I want to take this opportunity to send Thor to Earth, and I hope you can look after him more."
Odin looked seriously at Alaric.
"But didn't you already inform my teacher, the Ancient One, about this?"
Alaric knew that last time the Ancient One was invited to Asgard by Odin precisely because of this.
So, why was he telling him now?
As for Odin's words about falling into a deep sleep, Alaric also knew the reason.
Because the divine power of Asgardians is proportional to their age; when divine power grows too strong, it needs to be adjusted through sleep. Odin's power is too strong and occasionally self-regulates through the Odin Sleep.
That's also the reason why Odin eventually passed—his body could hardly bear the force within anymore.
Unless he slept constantly.
But because of Thor and Loki, Odin couldn't sleep constantly.
"I told the Ancient One, and now I leave this matter to you, after all, you young ones should communicate well."
Odin also hoped that Alaric and Thor would build a friendly relationship.
"I understand, I'll take care of it."
Alaric nodded, after all, even without him, Thor wouldn't have too much trouble.
"As thanks, I'll let you enter my palace treasury and choose a gift as you like."
"Your treasury? No need, there's nothing special there anyway." Alaric declined.
Those words darkened Odin's expression.
That was his, Odin's, treasury!
Inside were all the artifacts of Asgard and various relics obtained through countless battles in the past!
And you say there's nothing good?
Have you even seen it!
"Never mind then!" Odin looked displeased.
"However, if possible, I'd like to read magical books? May I?"
Alaric wasn't interested in those so-called artifacts, but he was very interested in Asgardian magic!
He wanted to see how Asgardian magic differed from that of Kamar-Taj.
"Oh? You want to learn magic in Asgard?" Odin asked curiously.
"Yes, can't I?"
"Theoretically, outsiders can't, but you can." Odin granted Alaric's request.
Also being of the divine race, Odin had great affection toward Alaric.
"Then thank you!"
Alaric thought Odin agreed because of his identity as a student of Kamar-Taj and the Ancient One, so he didn't think much of it.
"Why are you here?"
Just as the two finished talking and the atmosphere began to drift into awkwardness, Frigga returned with Jane.
"Alaric! Look! The gods gave me this dress!"
Jane, dressed in an Asgardian white gown, ran up joyfully.
"It's beautiful!" Alaric exclaimed in admiration.
"Thank you, Queen of the Gods!"
"What thanks, we're all family!" Frigga smiled.
"Jane, this is Odin, the divine king of Asgard and the All-Father." Alaric pulled Jane over and introduced her.
"Hello! I'm Jane Foster." Jane respectfully bowed.
"Alright, no need to be so stiff." Odin quickly waved off the formalities.
This was Alaric's girlfriend!
However, Odin felt it somewhat inappropriate for Alaric to love a human woman; after all, Alaric's life was long, and humans' was very short, so Odin feared Alaric would suffer the pain of love.
Odin didn't know whether or not he should warn Alaric about this.
"Frigga, tell them to call Loki so we can have a banquet together, and I want to speak to you about something."
Odin stood and took Frigga aside.
"You two sit first~" Frigga smiled and left.
"How do you like Asgard?" Alaric took Jane's hand and asked with a smile.
"It's beautiful! Wonderful! And the Queen of the Gods is so kind!" Jane was full of joy.
Alaric had guessed right, Jane and Frigga had really gotten close quickly.
Alaric listened attentively to Jane's impressions, and after a while, Odin and Frigga returned.
With them came a reluctant Loki.
"Alaric!" Loki looked at Alaric, teeth slightly clenched.
"Loki! Haven't I taught you manners?" Odin suddenly rebuked him.
"Sorry, Father!" Loki said seriously.
"Lord Alaric!"
"What 'Lord'? Call him 'Uncle'!"
Alaric: ???
Loki: ???