Whoa!
Ronan didn't expect Odin, that old man, to be so in tune!
People always say he's a sly old fox, and it seems like this is him paying protection fees to Kamar-Taj… oh wait, to the Ancient One.
Who knows if the Ancient One will even care about this small fee.
"Since that's the case, let Ronan handle this matter."
"He will definitely find you a good place."
The Ancient One didn't refuse and simply handed the task over to Ronan.
Ronan perked up immediately.
"Master, you truly understand me so well!"
No one knows more than me how to reimburse—no, how to live more comfortably.
"Don't worry, Allfather! This is all on me!"
"I'll definitely find you a place with comfortable surroundings and beautiful scenery."
Ronan patted his chest and agreed wholeheartedly.
Even though paying doesn't necessarily make you a lord, giving money shows respect, and I respect that.
Respect is mutual, after all.
"Are you sure it's not about the money?"
Thor quietly walked up to Ronan and whispered.
After all his earnest talk earlier, it didn't work as well as a single word from Odin.
Thinking about it made Thor uncomfortable.
Ronan glanced at Thor and subtly took a step away.
"Money is just an external thing."
"Although it can't help you resist Ragnarok, as an ally, I can provide you with a stable base!"
"You go ahead and fight; I'll support you from behind!"
As he said this, Ronan patted Thor's shoulder.
And let it be known, he didn't even need to tiptoe!
Odin just smiled at Ronan's words. With a wave of his hand, a key-like object fell into Thor's hand.
"Take our ally and let him choose something suitable."
"Consider it a token of Asgard's apology."
Thor looked at Odin, then at the key, and finally glanced at Ronan.
His expression was a bit awkward.
What do you mean by that, brother?
Ronan, noticing Thor's expression, wasn't having it.
You already smashed the phone I've had for years, what more do you want?
Do you think it was just a phone?
No, that was the best companion I've had on my journey!
Exchanging a mere artifact for my best companion—honestly, you guys got the better deal!
Following Thor out of the hall, the two walked through Asgard's corridors, and Ronan couldn't help but marvel at the unique scenery of Asgard.
He had to admit, the landscape of Asgard was truly stunning.
That bridge they crossed earlier was like one of those glass bridges where you can see everything beneath it.
In many of the halls they passed, there were still many Asgardian warriors drinking and celebrating.
You could tell that with a lifespan of five thousand years, they had to pass the time somehow.
Otherwise, such scenes wouldn't exist.
"This is one of Asgard's best welcoming traditions. I could let you experience it too,"
"As long as you agree to help me with a small favor."
Noticing Ronan's focus on the shaking scenery, Thor put his arm around Ronan's shoulder.
He was trying to tempt Ronan!
Hmph!
Thor seriously underestimated Ronan—did he really think Ronan could be tempted that easily?
Didn't Thor know Ronan had principles?
"Well, tell me about it."
Ronan's eyes sparkled, but his principles were flexible.
After all, principles are still principles, even if they're a bit flexible.
"Just help me—"
Before Thor could finish his sentence, Ronan interrupted.
"Alright, I agree!"
Ronan's sudden response left Thor stunned.
What did I even say that made you agree so quickly?
Why does it feel like you're brushing me off?
"Isn't it to help you look after Jane Foster?"
"Even though she's far away in England, I could ask my master to figure out a way to bring her back to the U.S."
"I can help you look after her then!"
"Surely there's nothing more important than your girlfriend, right?"
Ronan looked at Thor with genuine curiosity, digging deep with a soul-searching question.
"Well, you're right, but—"
Thor hesitated, but Ronan interrupted him again.
"If that's the case, it's settled. I'll take good care of her, no worries."
"Relax, your wife—I'll raise her well."
"Now, let's head to the vault. I've been dying to check it out."
After finishing, Ronan patted Thor's shoulder and walked forward without looking back.
Thor tried to speak a few times, but all he could see was Ronan's back.
What Thor had originally wanted to say wasn't that!
But then, thinking about it, Ronan wasn't entirely wrong.
After all, Jane Foster was alone on Earth and could easily be in danger.
Since he couldn't go to Earth from Asgard, it actually wasn't a bad idea.
"Wait for me! You're going the wrong way—it's this way!"
Thor's shout stopped Ronan in his tracks.
Ronan calmly turned around and said, "I know, I was just checking things out over here."
"I noticed that the scenery here is quite nice."
Saying this, Ronan began walking back slowly.
Thor had a weird expression on his face.
That area Ronan had been looking at was where the Valkyries rested.
Did Ronan see something he wasn't supposed to?
After another ten minutes of walking, the two finally arrived at the treasury of Asgard's palace.
After confirming with the guards, verifying their identities, and using the key Thor had received, the guards finally let them in.
This was a subterranean vault, almost identical to the one Hela had entered.
When Ronan stepped into the treasure room, he was stunned.
He saw something incredibly rare—
The Orb of Agamotto!
This orb is the artifact passed down through generations of the Sorcerer Supreme. It can foresee universal dangers and the source of magical power.
If Ronan guessed correctly, Odin's ability to foresee Ragnarok might have come from this very item.
Wow, I want it!
But the next item caught Ronan's eye even more.
Tablet of Life and Time!
This artifact came from the lost civilization of Atlantis.
Legend has it that this item can evolve an ordinary human body until it becomes the highest form of life.
Wow...
I don't want it.
Ronan quickly dismissed this choice.
The reason was simple—he was certain this thing was fake!
According to the records in Kamar-Taj, the Life Stone didn't disappear with Atlantis but was taken to a higher dimension by some beings.
Apparently, that person was evolved by the Life Stone.
Then, Ronan's eyes moved to the next item.
Replica of Infinity Gauntlet!
Now this—this was what Ronan wanted most!