Lucas released his grip on Loki's throat, then stepped forward and offered a formal greeting.
"Pleased to meet you for the first time, Mr. Odin."
Odin cast a glance at Loki, whose face immediately turned pale. Startled, Loki hurriedly retreated to the side, not daring to lift his head to meet Odin's gaze.
"This is hardly a place to receive guests," Odin said with a faint smile. "Why don't we return to the palace and talk there instead?"
"As you wish," Lucas replied with a courteous nod.
Odin turned around and lightly tapped the ground with Gungnir. Instantly, a stream of multicolored energy separated from the Rainbow Bridge and enveloped everyone present.
Moments later, the sphere of energy rose into the air and carried them directly into the palace.
---
Inside the great hall.
Odin struck the ground once more with Gungnir and coldly looked at the kneeling Loki.
"Guards, seize Loki!"
Several palace soldiers stepped forward, fastening specially made restraints around Loki's hands and feet before forcing him into a half-kneeling position.
"Loki," Odin said solemnly, "there is no need for me to list your crimes again. I sentence you to one hundred years of imprisonment in the Eternal Dungeon. Do you accept this judgment?"
"I accept. I plead guilty," Loki replied with his head lowered.
At this moment, Loki was utterly dejected and had no will to resist.
Nearby, Frigga sighed helplessly and shook her head. These two troublesome children had never given her peace of mind since they were young.
A hundred years of confinement might at least give him time to reflect.
Lucas could not help but inwardly scoff. To humans, a hundred years of imprisonment sounded terrifying.
But to Asgardians, it was roughly equivalent to five years in a human prison.
If this had been any other ruler, a son who attempted fratricide and usurpation would already have had his grave prepared.
Still, for Loki—who was only a little over a thousand years old—it was not a light punishment.
"Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Lucas,"
Odin said aloud from the throne. "Your help to Thor in Midgard did not escape my notice. On behalf of Asgard, I offer you our sincerest gratitude."
Lucas smiled faintly. "You are too kind, Mr. Odin. It was merely a small effort."
A flash passed through Odin's eyes as he replied in a forthright tone, "That was no small effort, nor would it align with Asgard's principles to treat it as such. Speak—how should Asgard repay you?"
At this moment, Lucas glanced at Thor. Thor immediately understood.
Thor valued honor deeply, and coupled with his genuine gratitude toward Lucas, he stepped forward of his own accord.
"Father," Thor said earnestly, "Lucas's help to Asgard this time was immeasurable. I believe we should present him with a precious treasure as a token of our thanks."
As soon as he finished speaking, Thor felt Odin's gaze settle upon him.
The pressure was immense, as if a mountain bore down upon his shoulders.
Clenching his teeth, Thor continued, "Only then can we demonstrate the purity and nobility of Asgard's character—and the importance we place on repaying kindness!"
Loki could not help but laugh aloud, only to have Frigga, wearing an exasperated expression, slap his head and force it down.
"This is the great hall," she scolded softly. "Have you not caused enough trouble already?"
When Thor finished speaking, the hall fell into complete silence—so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
Thor swallowed unconsciously.
Heimdall, who had fully recovered, glanced at the future heir and revealed a faint look of approval.
He knew Odin was not angry. On the contrary, he approved of Thor even more.
A king must possess broad-mindedness and magnanimity.
Treasures were merely lifeless objects stored in a vault. If they could be exchanged for the friendship of a powerful individual, only then did they become true treasures.
"Well said. Approved."
Odin's voice echoed through the hall, betraying neither joy nor anger.
"Thank you, Father!" Thor exhaled deeply and stepped back.
At this moment, Lucas stepped forward.
"My thanks for the Allfather's generosity," he said calmly. "However, my visit to Asgard also has other purposes."
Odin curved his lips slightly. "Go on. I had already guessed as much."
Unfazed by Odin's knowing expression, Lucas continued, "First, I want three items from your vault: the Tablet of Life and Time, the Orb of Agamotto, and the Eye of the Sorcerer."
"And second, I want information regarding the location where the Aether is sealed."
After hearing this, even Odin fell silent.
After a long pause, Odin finally spoke. "I can understand your desire for those three artifacts. That information must have come from the Sorcerer Supreme."
"Kamar-Taj has coveted the magical artifacts in my vault for a long time. That does not surprise me."
"But the location of the Aether," Odin continued slowly, "that is not something the Sorcerer Supreme would tell you—am I correct?"
Odin's voice remained steady and emotionless, yet Lucas could clearly sense the energy within him gathering, poised to strike.
Any misstep in Lucas's answer, and Odin would act immediately.
Lucas remained completely calm.
"That's correct," he said. "But I believe you've misunderstood."
Odin narrowed his eyes and took a step forward, striking the ground with Gungnir.
"I do not know why the Sorcerer Supreme told you these things," he said heavily, "but I advise you to abandon any thoughts of coveting the Aether."
"Otherwise, you will be making an enemy of Asgard!"
With his final words, an overwhelming pressure surged toward Lucas.
Yet Lucas remained standing, unmoving.
"I said—you misunderstand."
Lucas's voice grew colder. The respectful 'you' he had used earlier was gone.
He said calmly, "The Nine Realms are about to align."
Odin's expression changed instantly. His body even trembled slightly.
Frigga's face also turned pale, as if the words Convergence of the Nine Realms carried unspeakable dread.
Thor, Loki, and the younger generation of Asgardians looked on in confusion.
Lucas continued, "During the previous convergence, your father—the former ruler of Asgard, Bor—"
"He waged war against the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim."
"The conflict engulfed all Nine Realms, and even spread to other worlds."
"Countless lives were lost. Entire realms were reduced to ruin."
"I have no intention of allowing the Earth I live on to suffer such a catastrophe again."
"So tell me—what is wrong with wanting to know the whereabouts of the Aether?"
As he spoke, Lucas took a single step forward, pressing Odin's imposing aura back.
He did not push further.
He had not come to make enemies—only to obtain information and artifacts.
Sometimes, it was enough to let others understand how strong your fist was. There was no need to swing it around like a fool.
"There is no problem."
Odin slowly sat back upon his throne.
No matter how he tried to conceal it, a trace of weariness surfaced on his face.
_____
T/N:
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