The Ancient One still needed to stay on Earth to guard against the Great Serpent causing trouble, and Monac was already the most suitable candidate Su Ming could think of.
Surely they couldn't bring that old mischievous one from the London Temple?
The Druid is a scholarly, kind person, Mordo is too pedantic, and Kaecilius is still too young, none of them would be of use.
The Magic Prince, who knows both black and white magic and the Voodoo Curse, is the most versatile in abilities.
However, I originally thought his casting cost was relatively low, after all, it only required a rabbit, but seeing the situation now, Su Ming hesitated.
"Is this... the Rainbow Bridge? I've only seen it in literature, it's truly fascinating..."
Monac put away the rabbit and began to observe his surroundings.
Upon seeing the Rainbow Bridge and the one-eyed old man, he almost immediately recognized this as Odin, so the guard beside him must be Heimdall.
However, he hadn't realized that this Odin was a fake...
"Welcome to Asgard!" Su Ming pretended to approach warmly and pat the mage's shoulder, but whispered in his ear: "London, scent block."
Monac's thoughts raced, he looked at Odin's face and recalled the Ancient One's recent instructions, he understood.
"So it's you." He discreetly replied in a low voice, mentioning their meeting in London and the use of the scent-blocking magic in the past, he knew this was Deathstroke.
Su Ming smiled slightly, said nothing more, and let go of his arm.
"I am the ruler of Asgard, God King Odin, and this is my loyal guard Heimdall. Mage of Midgard, I now need your help."
Monac sighed, having been brought here against his will, with no path back in sight, what else could he do but help?
Moreover, he still owed the Ancient One a favor and was more than willing to assist Kama Taiji. Deathstroke was designated as the successor by the Ancient One, this favor must be granted.
Though he still didn't quite understand why Deathstroke was disguising as Odin?
Doing this doesn't seem quite right? Rumor has it that Odin is not a god with a good temper.
If Su Ming could know his thoughts, he would surely tell him.
'It depends on the situation, with the Ancient One and Emperor Vishanti backing us, Odin can't throw a fit as long as we don't touch his bottom line.'
Odin's bottom line is actually just two things, the lives of his family and the survival of Asgard.
Although watching Odin lie back on the bed pretending to sleep, Su Ming thought he would secretly get up to prepare once he left.
During the conversation, Su Ming specifically mentioned Thor's recent situation, Odin surely wouldn't feel at ease and would likely find a way to hide Thor away, preventing him from confronting the Great Serpent.
Before feigning sleep, Odin learned about Asgard's loss of two million troops, his eyes almost popped out.
But Su Ming immediately found an excuse:
"Sending Thor away from Asgard was to avoid the Great Serpent, I even dispatched a large army to protect him, who knew he'd be so disappointing."
In Odin's heart, Thor's significance far exceeds the army, he could only swallow his anger and move past this page.
No choice, his son was indeed disappointing, this ironclad fact left no room for argument.... there's simply no way.
The army was wiped out by Hel, their souls fell into the Netherworld, still rotating within the Asgardian system, considered as a family matter.
...........
About Hel, Thor, Loki, the current states of his three children, Su Ming suspected were deliberately arranged by Odin, this was a huge game related to the Twilight of the Gods.
Odin's wisdom is undeniably acknowledged, thus there are many things that don't add up.
Like why did he never manage Thor over thousands of years, letting him naturally develop into a reckless person, but before the Twilight of the Gods, just five years before, sent Thor to Earth for 'further training'?
Completely sealing Thor's divine power? Not letting him use the Meow Meow Hammer? Odin himself immediately went into slumber?
Additionally, the issue with Loki, why did Odin specifically pick him up from the battlefield as an orphan? There were countless orphans on the battlefield, why didn't Odin pick other children to become princes? It's not like Laufey only had Loki as a child.
After taking him back, most of the time Odin outwardly favored Thor, but regardless of how many times Loki rebelled, Odin would soon forgive him, allowing him to roam freely in Asgard?
This isn't how any emperor would normally play.
Lastly, there's the question concerning Hel, Su Ming knows clearly that Hel is no match for Odin, even with Tyr and the Husky it won't work.
So then why did Odin suddenly cast Hel into the Netherworld and completely ignore her? He had the capability to imprison Hel in the Golden Palace or under the World Tree, right?
Hel raises an army in the Netherworld, openly opposing Odin, not only does Odin abstain from reprimanding her, he even blocks the information.
In fact, thinking carefully, isn't this information only unknown to Thor and Loki's generation?
Hence, summarizing these intel, Su Ming believes Odin possesses a certain level of foresight, whether from a spring or the effect of runes, but he has clearly prepared roles for his three children in the Twilight of the Gods.
This is the escape route for the entire Divine System of Asgard, the key to both the extinction and rebirth of the gods.
Yet this is their family affair, even though Su Ming knows in his heart, there's no need to meddle. The mode of earthly emperors does not suit Asgard, this is a world with superheroes.
"Come, Mage, let's talk as we walk."
Monac's mouth twitched slightly, he was already used to the neurotic nature of Deathstroke and his cousin, but he didn't expect Deathstroke to make it to the Immortal Palace.
This Odin really acts convincingly... Could this be the personality split mentioned by Holloway?
Thinking about it, Monac couldn't help but hold his pocket tightly, where his last remaining Magic Beard Wax was stored; this time he couldn't let Deathstroke snatch it away again.
Recently, he hasn't been idle at all; Captain America may have taken a break, but the SSR certainly hasn't.
Colonel Philip negotiated his retirement by using it as a bargaining chip to have Nick Fury reinstated as the leader of the Roaring Assault Team.
The blame had almost been taken, and having Nick Fury sweeping floors might look like severe punishment, but upon closer thinking, it was actually just internal discipline.
Although Philip was older and not very skilled in espionage, he excelled in politics and fundraising, always staying quite clear-headed.
Hydra may lose one head but grows two back; without patriots like Nick Fury, SSR could be in danger during what seemed to be peaceful post-war times.
While Su Ming led Steve and others to play mahjong, the Roaring Assault Team was actively sweeping the remnants of Hydra and dealing with new adversaries underground in West Germany.
Leviathan.
East and West Germany combined occupy such a small area, yet underground warfare blossomed everywhere, with constant skirmishes.
After his treatment, Monac returned to the team and found Steve and others had gone back home; he originally planned to sneak away but was caught red-handed by Nick Fury.
Braised Egg envied Captain for a long time; he also wanted a mage in the team.
Fury's oratory skills were beyond question, and Monac got fooled by him, resuming his fight against Hydra and Leviathan.
However, in recent operations, SSR encountered Hydra and Leviathan in a roadblock, erupting into a fierce underground battle.
To protect his teammates, Monac had to call upon the power of the Ancient Demon God Faratel, unleashing formidable water magic.
The battle ended with SSR's victory, causing Hydra and Leviathan to retreat, but Monac's stomach was now full of ascites.
These Otherworld fluids are slowly corroding his internal organs, which is the cost of magic.
He can only use rabbits daily for exchange; without prior preparation, the subsequent exchange of magic cost is a prolonged process, achievable only by a dark magic master like Monac.
But being a mage naturally means bearing some costs.
The current requirement is merely to focus more on using Emperor Vishanti's protective magic for his organs and then blocking his sense of pain.
Monac's combat power hasn't declined much; it's just his bulging stomach makes things rather inconvenient.
Su Ming simply told Monac that Hydra arrived at the Immortal Palace, with one of the leaders being Little Zemo.
"Again with Hydra and NAZI, these bastards never end."
Monac instinctively stroked his beard, it was well-maintained and shining, but when he noticed Deathstroke staring at his beard, he quickly put his hand down.
To preserve his beard wax, he turned his gaze to the starlit sky beyond the Rainbow Bridge.
Even for mages who have seen sights from other dimensions, the scenery of the Immortal Palace is truly refreshing.
However, this moment doesn't seem suitable for appreciating the scenery.
"You seem to have become more robust, mage."
"Just a minor aftereffect, it's fine."
Su Ming glanced at the puzzled face of Heimdall without asking further questions, careful to avoid slipping with Immortal Palace people present.
"Heimdall, lead the way, watch out for suspicious persons, take us to Mist's residence."
The tall warrior nodded and proceeded to the forefront of the team, his eagle-like eyes scanning every face on the street.
But the biggest counterfeit was right behind him, the integration of symbiote and host disguising so thoroughly that it rendered Heimdall's illusion-piercing vision impotent.
Currently, aside from the military, there are no civilians in the Immortal Palace, meanwhile in the chaotic alleys, some have begun feasting.
They beat their shields, letting golden liquor flow down their beards, creating a rowdy noise.
This couldn't compare to the Golden Palace banquets, at best offering some roast meat with plenty of spirits.
Yet when Odin passed by, everyone would toast him, not only the Asgardians but also many of the Vanir Race.
It seems Gullveig has already conveyed 'Odin's' new decision to them, they know at least equality has descended.
Su Ming had another drink along the way, yet he was still rather sober upon arriving at Gin's cabin.
Gin's home didn't differ much from Brynhild's, both were small in area, and decorated simply.
After seeing it's Su Ming from the door crack, Gin opened the door for him.
At that moment, the transparent souls of the Valkyries gathered around the living room, blankly staring at the beast hide on the floor.
The sight was chill-inducing, the presence of the Dead combined with the long-vacated house making the room quite eerie.