Until this very moment, Heisenberg truly understood what it felt like to be a king.
On Earth, even though he held tremendous power and commanded countless subordinates, those people would never willingly kneel before him like the people of Asgard did. These were a people who still kept the traditions of a divine dynasty, and they offered their knees with absolute willingness!
And when you see an endless sea of lives kneeling before you... you begin to understand why kings so easily become corrupt and tyrannical.
Because they hold absolute control!
Of course, Heisenberg wasn't about to let something like this go to his head. He had already been tested by power long ago.
So, after about five seconds of kneeling, Heisenberg lowered the spear Gungnir he had raised high and tapped it lightly against the battered ground.
At the sound, the legion commanders surrounding him rose first, and the Asgardian civilians followed right after, surging upward like a tide.
Looking out at those pained, confused, yet slightly hopeful faces, Heisenberg pursed his lips and gave a soft command.
"You need not fear me. I am merely an ordinary man who defeated Odin, not some man-eating beast or evil dragon. So, everyone, please return to your homes. I will only invite you to witness the official coronation ceremony when the time comes.
Also, Heimdall!"
"Here!" Heimdall responded, his brow furrowed as he answered Heisenberg's call.
Staring at the solemn-faced warrior gripping his greatsword, Heisenberg nodded with satisfaction.
"You will remain stationed at the palace. The restoration work within the city shall be led by you and the civilians. Prioritize repairing the people's living quarters quickly. The palace itself does not need immediate attention."
"Understood!"
Receiving his orders, Heimdall nodded crisply. To him, after swearing fealty and allegiance to Heisenberg, as long as the orders were not reckless or tyrannical, he had no reason to refuse.
Besides, he genuinely liked the task Heisenberg had assigned him. He had always been the god who prioritized the people of Asgard.
Wasting no time, he stepped forward and began issuing a series of instructions to the gathered civilians. With his sharp eyes and keen ears, he could hear everyone's voice and remember every name. Under his direction, the chaotic crowd quickly organized themselves and began repairing the residential areas according to their respective zones.
Meanwhile, Heisenberg turned his gaze to the assorted goddesses and handmaidens gathered near the palace.
"Ladies, there is no need to stand here gawking at me. You'll grow sick of my face soon enough. Those with duties, return to them. Those without, find someone who is busy and offer your help. But the legion commanders and Lady Frigga will remain."
Hearing this, the palace servants collectively let out a long sigh of relief. Earlier, when they heard that Odin had fallen and a new king had taken the throne, they had been genuinely terrified. Who knew if Heisenberg was some lecherous, brutal tyrant? But now, at the very least, they caught a glimpse of his relaxed, witty side. So, their worries eased and they trickled back into the palace in twos and threes.
Though the servants couldn't possibly repair the main palace hall, they could still tidy up the side halls. Even frail girls like them could clear away the smaller pieces of rubble, ones that only weighed a few tons or maybe a dozen tons...
Once the civilians and servants had all departed, only thirty-three legion commanders and Frigga remained before Heisenberg.
Heisenberg immediately appeared much more at ease. He clapped his hands lightly and addressed them.
"I understand your confusion. The news came far too suddenly. One hour ago you were waging war, and now even the throne has changed hands. But sudden as it is, I implore you all to see the situation clearly. Do not make things difficult for our future interactions when even Odin himself has already surrendered."
While speaking, Heisenberg's gaze drifted toward the four most visibly furious individuals in the crowd. Who else could it be but Sif, Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg?
Heisenberg looked at them and smiled in the face of their indignant expressions.
"I know you four. You have all been to Earth, or as you call it, Midgard. It seems you share a close bond with Thor. So, this discontent you feel... is it because you believe I've stolen Thor's place?" Heisenberg drifted over until he stood right in front of them. "If so, then I must advise you this: I defeated the mightiest warrior of the Aesir through sheer strength. Is that not as legitimate and honorable as when the Aesir conquered other races? In the presence of a victor, a powerful man, and your future king, do not wear those looks of sheer resentment, as if I've just slaughtered your kin! Otherwise, who knows what terrible things might truly happen."
His words sent a shiver through the legion commanders. Sigmund shot a sharp glare directly at Sif and the other three. Having heard Heisenberg's threat loud and clear, Sif and her companions reluctantly bowed their heads and begged forgiveness.
"Sif knows her offense!" "Fandral (Hogun, Volstagg) knows his offense!" They made to half-kneel before Heisenberg, but with a simple exertion of his force field, Heisenberg stopped them from even bending a knee. Seeing the shock in their eyes, Heisenberg smiled nonchalantly and gave a soft scolding.
"If witnessing that battle still hasn't taught you to respect my power, then either you are fools, or I am not yet fearsome enough! Which do you think it is?"
"We were narrow-minded, Your Majesty!" Sif hastily answered, then, frowning, she made a request. "But Your Majesty, our legions are still locked in battle with the Chitauri on Midgard. I request permission to return to the battlefield and resume command!"
Hearing Sif's words, Heisenberg frowned. These four were clearly stubborn loyalists to Thor. However, as long as Thor himself didn't cause trouble, the most these four could do was needle him with their expressions. They couldn't actually bring him any real trouble. So Heisenberg nodded.
"That is exactly what I was about to address. Sigmund!" He turned to the Chief Legion Commander and issued his command. "Take your colleagues back to the battlefield. Do not let the Asgardian spirit falter. Once I finish settling matters at the palace, I will join the battle at a suitable time!"
He stepped closer and patted the towering Sigmund on the arm. He had heard that name many times during his fight with Odin. Though the man rarely appeared in the movies, it was clear this Sigmund was the true heavyweight within Asgard's army. Heisenberg spoke quietly to reassure him.
"This is our first conversation. You don't know me yet, so I won't offer grand promises. But I can guarantee one thing: whether our enemy is the Chitauri, Supergiant, or that idealist Thanos, on whatever battlefield I stand, I will always lead you to the victory you deserve! I don't know what you seek, be it wealth, treasures, or the honor you eternally pursue. But whatever it is, victory will bring you what you desire. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, Your Majesty!" replied Sigmund.
In that instant, Sigmund felt a sudden surge of goodwill toward his new king. As the chief leader of the Berserker Legion, once the mightiest berserker warrior and a dragonslayer, Sigmund was a hawkish officer who loved war. But as Odin aged, Asgard had not fought a truly large-scale campaign for too long, and Sigmund had gradually lost the thrill of battle. After all, not every skirmish involving a few hundred men required the presence of the Legion Commander. And now, as he gazed into Heisenberg's flame-lit pupils, Sigmund saw the ambition he craved! War and victory! Those were the things he truly pursued and yearned for forever.
Receiving his orders, Sigmund immediately turned and looked expectantly at Frigga. As for our Queen Dowager... she nodded gracefully and gave a gentle wave of her hand. The light of the Bifrost descended upon them instantly.
But at that exact moment, Heisenberg appeared beside Sif. Before her utterly astonished eyes, he gave her hair a rough ruffle.
"A little gift for you!"
"You...?!" Sif froze, and then she and the other thirty-two legion commanders were whisked away by the Bifrost.
Once they were gone, only Heisenberg and Frigga remained in front of the palace gates. Frigga smiled gracefully at Heisenberg.
"Your Majesty just gifted Sif a new head of golden hair. You are perhaps far more thoughtful than anyone would ever imagine."
"Hmm, just a small token. After all, nearly everyone on Midgard knows the stories about Sif and Loki," Heisenberg replied.
"Oh? And how do the mortals of Midgard tell that tale?"
"Something about Loki cutting off Sif's long golden hair as a prank, which made Sif extremely distraught. To make amends, Loki used magic to conjure new golden hair for her, but he played another trick. His spell caused the hair Sif was so proud of to fade and remain forever black."
By now, Heisenberg and Frigga had entered the palace hall. Hearing the story, Frigga nodded.
"Essentially accurate. Just childish mischief, in the end. Come with me, Your Majesty. I will take you to the Royal Vault. It provides a path to the roots of Yggdrasil, and the Rune Power you seek hangs within those sprawling roots!"
"Thank you, my queen," Heisenberg replied, instinctively paying Frigga a compliment.
But the moment the words left his mouth, Frigga gave a soft, pointed cough. Heisenberg looked at her quizzically, and she offered a helpless, bittersweet smile.
"Please, do not call me that. You will have your own queen one day. As for me, I am now merely a Vanir witch who has lost her husband." With that, Frigga continued walking forward.
Heisenberg followed and spoke casually. "You should continue to sit on the queen's throne for now. Asgard needs stability, and both Thor and Loki need to be pacified. The existing legion structure is very mature. If you step down from the queen's position, it will inevitably alienate too many legion commanders who are familiar with you."
Upon hearing this, Frigga's expression completely shifted. She stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face Heisenberg with utter seriousness. It was only then that Heisenberg truly saw the startling charm of the former queen. The goddess of love and wisdom, Frigga was practically the merger of Athena and Aphrodite! Her radiant golden hair paired with features so fine they were almost elven nearly blinded him.
And then, she spoke, her words laced with cold mockery as she stared him down.
"Are you insulting me? Odin is not even dead yet, and Your Majesty is already using his two sons to threaten his queen? Or is it... that like the oldest traditions of the Aesir, you are so impatient that you wish for his queen to become your queen outright?!"
"I...!" Heisenberg was utterly stumped and frustrated. Did he admire her? Absolutely. Did he have some thoughts about her? Well... even if he did, he wouldn't be so damn blatant about it!
But before he could even attempt to explain, Frigga suddenly let out a soft, light laugh. She turned back around with a sparkling smile, her steps graceful as she continued leading the way and gently teasing him.
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I didn't truly take offense. It's simply that since Your Majesty gifted me a Midgardian story, I repaid you with an Asgardian joke, that's all. Now, come along. Let me take you to claim the Rune Power, Your Majesty."
/-\
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