章節 600: Breakfast Talk

Loki could not sleep that night. He had always been envious of his father's better treatment of his brother, and deep down, he always wanted to best him in battles. He would then gain the praise and worship of his people, and with the increase in popularity, he would have an easier path to one day becoming king.

Sadly, he had to admit he had no chance in a fair fight with his brother without tricks. Adding his people's love for warriors and slight disdain for magic, he believed he never stood a chance. But today, he saw a [Sorcerer] who defeated a [Warrior] in direct combat. He saw how his people loved said Sorcerer, and he wished it was him receiving these eyes of adoration.

'I must do something,' he thought, walking back and forth. 'The Midgard Sorcerer displayed abnormal physical prowess that was on par with Thor. He must have used a powerful spell or artifact. I must get my hands on it.' A mischievous light flashed in his eyes as he contemplated how he would achieve his goal.

Edward woke up from a state of meditation, and a servant told him Odin and Frigga wanted to see him for breakfast between only them. He knew the official meeting had started, and he was ready. After a brief eating session of Asgardian's delicacies, Odin started the conversation.

"What do you think of my sons?"

"They are great talents full of untapped potential," Edward replied. "Whoever is your successor will be an excellent choice."

"Oh, come on, I'm sure you've observed more than that," added Frigga.

"What do you want me to say?" Edward shrugged his shoulders.

"You can start with the truth. Tell us what you really think."

"The truth, huh?" he muttered. "Thor is not fit to be a king. He has the heart of a great hero, but that is all buried by his pride and arrogance. His idea of a good king is someone who is strong and can overcome everything with military might. I don't think I need to tell you what such a king would do to Asgard, which is currently in an era of peace and tranquility."

Odin was quiet. Although it was uncomfortable for people to tell him he raised his son poorly, he could not argue with these words as he had noticed some signs, especially that his son might not share some of his more peaceful views on governing. The current Thor reminded him of a young version of himself when he ruled the Nine Realms with an iron fist with the aid of his daughter — Hela.

"What about Loki?" asked Frigga.

"He has a great latent talent for sorcery. However, his character…"

"What's wrong with his character?" Odin asked. Loki was his most reliable son. Although somewhat mischievous, he believed he would one day be a great advisor to Thor's rule. The combination of Thor's might and Loki's intelligence would elevate Asgard to an era of greater prosperity.

"His envy of how much you favor Thor has twisted his mind and personality. Now, he is driven by the ambitions to become the next king, thinking only this way would he be able to prove something. Sadly, he's reached the point where he's willing to do anything for his ambition — including hurting his brother."

"Absurd!" Odin declared with a slightly raised voice. "I've never favored Thor, and Loki would never do such a thing."

"Are you sure? I know your wife has noticed for a fact," Edward replied calmly. "Isn't that why she spent so much time with him? Why do you think she taught him sorcery?"

"It can't be, right?" Odin looked at his wife. "Frigga, tell me it isn't true."

Frigga sighed, "I've mentioned this to you before. Back then, you would spend a few more days with Loki before focusing on Thor. But now, you don't even do that."

"I… always thought they had the greatest bond given how much time they spent together." Odin looked defeated, maybe even a little older, as he sat in his seat. "Is it really that bad?"

"Worse than you imagine," added Edward. "Once he discovers his true heritage, he will spiral out of control. His hatred will increase as he believes you lied to him, making him believe he might rule Asgard one day when he never had a choice. He will reject your love for him, thinking you only adopted him as a diplomatic move. Then, the only thing in his mind was destroying everything you or his brother hold dear."

"How can that be? How can he not know how much I love him?" Odin muttered.

"Hatred is a potent emotion," Edward commented.

"My poor child," uttered Frigga, resisting the urge to sob before a stranger.

"Am I such a terrible father?" Odin asked, and Frigga held his arm. Edward believes Odin was indeed, unintentionally, a bad father. Many of his decisions and actions led to how Loki and Hela turned out; they even contributed to many of Thor's suffering and the eventual destruction of Asgard.

However, his response was vague as he said: "That's not for me to comment."

The dining room became quiet for a good five minutes. Most people would feel uncomfortable in this silence, but not Edward; he remained quiet to give this old man time to process his words. Odin took a deep breath:

"If I understand correctly, some of the information you stated was because you saw the future?"

"That is correct."

"The Ancient One promised me you had something important to show me about the future?"

"See for yourself." Edward placed a device on the table that showed a hologram with images of one of the futures he saw. He chose specific events that focused on Asgard — like Loki interfering with Thor's crowning ceremony, Thor's banishment, the return of the Dark Elves, Frigga's death, Odin's death, Hela's return, the destruction of Asgard, New Asgard, and the main event, the Convergence where countless timelines crashed into each other.

Odin and Frigga had no words. Frigga was a witch with special abilities, so she had long predicted her death date, so she was relatively calm after she saw it. Meanwhile, Odin was growing weaker by the day and relied on the Odinsleep to keep him alive, so he was also not too concerned about his death. The true worry was their children's fate and Asgard's fate.

None of them could accept such a result. The worst part is after Asgard barely kept a flame of their former civilization with New Asgard on Midgard, they still faced annihilation after the Convergence started. Even Thor, their last descendant, did not survive this universal phenomenon.

Odin caressed his temple. "She told me it was bad, but I never thought it was this bad."

"We cannot allow this to happen." Frigga accepted her death because she knew this was a natural part of life. Furthermore, death was not true death for her as she would enter Valhalla afterward. However, she did so because she believed her children and her legacy would be fine after her departure.

"That's for sure, but what steps must we take?" Odin was old and tired; he grew closer to death every time he used the Odinforce. He had made many preparations to prevent this future, but he was tired both physically and mentally.

"That's why I'm here," Edward interjected. "I came here for an official allyship to prepare for the future."

評論 38條評論

投票

章節 601: Treatment

"It seems you came up with a plan. Why don't you tell us what's on your mind?" said Odin.

"I'll speak freely," nodded Edward. "The plan is actually straightforward: train enough powerful fighters to face the upcoming universes and dimensions. In simpler terms, both of you cannot die, and not only can you not die, you must also become more powerful."

"That is not as easy as it sounds," Odin replied.

"How so?" In most of the futures he saw, this family was long dead, so he did not know much about them. Of course, that does not count the powerful variants he saw in some of the universes that fused with this timeline. Still, given the vastness of the multiverse, he could not count on these variants to provide accurate information.

Odin looked at Frigga, and she nodded.

"I was raised by witches, who believe in following the natural order of the universe," she explained. "Many of my abilities originated from that belief, and if I change my fate, I will break that natural order and lose many of my powers."

"As for me," added Odin, who briefly paused. "My body is on the verge of collapsing. It has reached the point that even the Infinity Stones cannot help me."

Edward frowned. "Can I ask whether your connection to the ideologies of these witches is unmendable?" He could not be as direct as he was with the Sorcerers back home, so he had to choose his words wisely.

"I am."

Edward frowned.

"But I'm willing to give them if it means I can say my children."

Edward sighed in relief. If the Asgardian Queen chose to remain stubborn, he doubted anything he said could change her mind/personal beliefs. Luckily, things have not reached such a state.

"Good," nodded Edward before projecting a gate of truth. The door opened to show this couple a vast library, unlike anything they'd seen before — including their own.

"One of my goals in coming to Asgard was exchanging knowledge. I believe this library holds enough information to rebuild a new magic system so you don't have to rely on what you've learned from the witches."

Edward granted her access, so Frigga's spirit entered the library directly in the section labeled [Illusion]. She instinctively took a book called [Introduction] to Illusion Magic] and flipped through it, her eyes shining in wonder and curiosity. She checked a few books before walking to a few other sections, mainly the one titled [Witchcraft] and [Divination/Clairvoyance].

"I did not expect Midgard's sorcery to evolve to such a level," Frigga commented after returning to her body.

"They are not," replied Edward, but did not elaborate. His gaze shifted on the Asgardian King: "May I examine your body?"

Odin frowned. The health status of any monarch is vital information as it could cause chaos and destabilization to a nation. He was already taking a major risk by revealing his weakened state. As he was about to object to this request, he sensed his wife squeezing his hand and sighed.

"As you wish."

"I'm warning you in advance that I will be intrusive. You should prepare." Odin just nodded. His wife was one of the most intelligent beings he knew, and since she counseled him to do this, he wouldn't regret his decisions. A magic circle appeared before the group, releasing a light that enveloped Odin. An invisible screen containing the data gathered floated before Edward.

'Wow. This man was not lying when he said his body was collapsing,' commented Morgana.

'The worst part is it's not just his physical body: his soul, energy, life force, genes, and even his Soul Flame was weak and on the verge of extinguishing,' grunted Edward.

"I told you it was useless," commented Odin, and Frigga's yes — who previously had hoped — flickered. However, Edward did not respond as he was deep in thought.

'What do you think?'

'Most of our methods — including all attempts to heal his soul or body by cloning him or other forms – won't work,' commented Morgana. 'What kind of energy is this Odinforce that the backlash is so severe?'

'At his peak, he might have been on par with an upper Demon God, maybe even a king. However, this is the price he paid for such a power,' Edward concluded.

'According to my analysis, the Odinforce might be the cause of death of most Asgardian Kings. However, the situation might not have been as severe as before.'

'You think Odin upgraded this energy to make it more potent, and that's why he's in such a terrible state?' Edward asked. 'That makes sense. It would also explain why it's named after him now despite being part of their lineage for who knows how long.'

'I think I may have a solution,' said the purple-haired elf.

"I'm listening.'

'We must perform something similar to Soul Divinity to revive his Soul Flame.'

Edward nodded. The Asgardians were not [true gods] with their own [Authority] like the ones in Fate. Instead, they were a highly evolved race born with enhanced physical capabilities, long lifespans, and natural talent for sensing and controlling energies, and some of them — like Thor, Odin, and Hela — were born with a source of power/energy inside of them.

'Something similar?'

'I assumed you don't want to reveal such information to anyone yet?'

'That's true.' As much as he wanted Odin as an ally, he would not go above and beyond to save him. 'What's next?'

'According to my calculations, his body cannot bear the process of Soul Divinity even if we wanted to.'

'Even if we take precautions to support it?' He had many ways to strengthen the body, including the most basic things like [Aura].

'Yes, and the situation might be worse. We don't know much about the Odinforce, and from some basic calculations, many of our methods might further aggravate his situation.'

'In that case, we might have to study the Odinsleep since this magic can actually delay his death,' suggested Edward.

'That would be ideal. However, this is not the end. Soul Divinity-esque operation can only prolong his life but not prevent his decline and eventual death.'

'So, what's your solution?'

'He needs to become one with the Odinforce.'

'Are you suggesting he rewrite his life code and embed the Odinforce into every part of his molecular composition?'

'Yes. He will then become the Odinforce and eliminate its negative effect on him.'

'This will also mean Asgard will forever lose access to this power, and Odin will also become a Pure Energy Lifeform — both things that might affect his decisions.'

'We're only providing him with a viable solution, and it's a choice whether he follows it,' Morgana said nonchalantly. 'Plus, he can still recreate a new force — especially since this one is so dangerous. As for children? He's old, and I doubt he wants anymore.'

'Well, he will be immortal if he succeeds, so he might have other ideas. However, you're correct.'

Edward's eyes finally gained his focus.

"So?" asked Frigga, who had regained hope after seeing how long he was thinking about the situation.

"I have a solution." He saw her eyes lit, but Odin was calm. "But, as you can imagine, it's terribly complicated."

"Explain it to us then."

Edward did so, starting with the Soul Flame. Despite these people's strengths and accomplishments, this field was not their expertise, so he had to start with the basics. After more than an hour, they understood this treatment's gist and its danger.

Odin sighed deeply. This was indeed complicated, involving many risks and efforts on his part — including revealing some of Asgard's greatest secrets. He could not make a decision lightly.

評論 11條評論

投票