Chapter 89: The Ice-Blue Curse Reveals Ancestry, the Son of the God of Light Breaks Through the Winter
The cold winds of Jotunheim howled through the icy valley, whipping up gusts of bone-chilling snow.
Loki stood frozen in place; the arm that had been grabbed by the Frost Giant had now turned completely into a deep, abyssal blue.
That blue spread up his arm, and strange patterns even began to surface on half of his face.
He looked at himself, his eyes devoid of their usual cunning and confidence, leaving only a void of confusion and terror.
"This... what is happening?"
He tried to shake off that hand and tried to use magic to conceal this eerie color, but no matter how he channeled the magic within his body, that patch of blue seemed to have taken root and could not be erased.
Thor sent a giant attempting a sneak attack flying with a hammer strike and turned around just in time to see this scene.
His azure eyes widened instantly, and his mouth fell open into an 'O' shape.
"Loki? You..."
"Have you been poisoned? Or did that big fellow cast some kind of curse on you?"
"Quickly, shake him off! Don't let him touch you!"
Thor roared, wanting to rush over to help, but he was held back firmly by several other giants.
The Frost Giants' encirclement slowly parted, opening up a path.
Laufey's massive frame stepped out from the shadows, each step leaving a deep footprint in the snow.
His pair of blood-red eyes stared intently at Loki, his lips curling into a cruel and mocking smile.
"Poisoned?"
"No, this is not poison."
"This is the call of the bloodline; it is the appearance of returning to one's origin."
Laufey walked up to Loki, looking down from his height at this 'kinsman' who was much smaller than himself.
"So it was you..."
"That weak little thing I abandoned in the temple."
"I didn't expect you to still be alive, and living quite comfortably at that."
"What? Having become one of Odin's dogs, have you forgotten who your Master is?"
Loki's body shuddered violently, as if struck by an invisible bolt of lightning.
He looked up, staring fixedly at Laufey, his voice trembling with fear and anger.
"You... do you know me?"
"What abandonment... what origin..."
"What nonsense are you talking!"
Laufey let out a cold laugh and extended a finger, gently tilting Loki's chin up, forcing him to look at him.
"Of course I know you."
"Because... you are my son."
"Though a shameful, naturally frail failure of a product."
"But the blood in your body is indeed mine."
"No... that's impossible!"
Loki slapped Laufey's hand away and retreated two steps until his back was against an icy rock, with no further room to retreat.
"This must be your trickery! This is an illusion!"
"I am Loki Odins Son! I am the son of Odin!"
"I am the Third Prince of Asgard!"
"I cannot possibly be the offspring of monsters like you!"
He shouted hysterically, trying to use his voice to drown out the panic in his heart, trying to convince himself as well as those around him.
But that blue arm was like a silent mockery, constantly reminding him of that cruel fact.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Laufey erupted into a burst of piercing, wild laughter that echoed through the icy valley, shaking the surrounding snow loose.
"Son of Odin?"
"Little thing, you are far too naive."
"Do you really think that old fox Odin treats you as a child?"
"The reason he took you in, I could guess with my eyes closed."
Laufey pulled back his smile, his gaze turning cold and full of malice.
"He simply wanted to raise you and then exploit that identity of yours."
"To make you a tool for his control over Jotunheim, a pawn for his unification of the Nine Realms."
"That dog Odin, after thousands of years, is still so sinister, so hypocritical."
"Impossible... this is absolutely impossible!"
Loki shook his head desperately, his eyes filled with struggle.
"Father loves me..."
"Queen Mother also loves me..."
"They gave me a name, gave me power, gave me a home..."
"They would not treat me as a tool!"
Though he said this, in the depths of his heart, a seed of doubt had already quietly sprouted.
Ever since he was young, he had always felt out of place in Asgard.
Everyone championed martial prowess, while only he liked magic.
Everyone was bright and cheerful, while only he was gloomy and sensitive.
Could it be... that all of this really was a lie?
Laufey seemed to see through Loki's wavering and continued to twist the knife in his heart.
"Love?"
"If they really loved you, why does the throne of Asgardhave absolutely nothing to do with you?"
"If they really considered you a son, why does everyone only look at that big idiot who only knows how to swing a hammer, and that eldest prince?"
"Have you never thought about it?"
Loki froze for a moment, his gaze instantly dimming.
"This... I truly haven't thought about it."
"Since childhood, Big Brother has been the heir to the throne; that was only natural."
"And Big Brother is indeed more outstanding than me, more qualified than me."
"Hmph, Huwen Odinson?"
Laufey let out a disdainful snort.
"That is because he is Odin's child, the successor of the Asgardian bloodline, which is why he is qualified."
"But what about you?"
"You are not even as good as that blonde-haired fool."
Laufey extended a finger, pointing at Thor, who was fighting fiercely over there.
"Even that fool whose head is filled only with muscle might inherit the throne."
"But you alone cannot."
"Because from the moment you were born, you were an outsider, a monster, a tool that could be sacrificed at any time!"
Thor, who was currently entangled with several Frost Giants, had originally been listening to the commotion over here with his ears perked while fighting, worried to death.
As a result, suddenly hearing Laufey's sweeping insult, the movements of his hands instantly stalled.
He turned his head, looking at Laufey with a face full of disbelief.
"What?!"
"Who are you calling a fool?!"
"What do you mean 'even a fool like me might'?!"
"Is there some mistake! I'm not a fool at all, okay!"
"I'm very clever! I even know how to do math!"
Thor was so angry his beard bristled; thunderous light surged on the mjolnir in his hand, crackling incessantly.
At this moment, his shock over Loki's origins was completely overshadowed by the defense of his own intelligence.
Looking at Thor's bristling appearance, Loki's heart, which had been on the verge of collapse, unexpectedly surged with a hint of warmth.
He couldn't help but let out a "pfft" of laughter.
This idiot...
Even at a time like this, he was still so... so speechless.
But he also had to admit that Thor's brand of "stupidity" did, to some extent, alleviate his anxiety.
At least, this brother was real.
His anger and his concern were not faked.
Laufey did not pay any heed to Thor's protest; in his eyes, both of these people were already trapped like turtles in a jar.
"However, since you've come, don't think about leaving."
"Odin sending you back has saved me quite a bit of trouble."
"By capturing you two princes, I will have bargaining chips with Asgard."
"I will make that dog Odin kneel down and beg me."
"And I will make him obediently return the divine artifact that belongs to our Jotunheim—the casket of ancient winters!"
With a wave of Laufey's hand, the surrounding Frost Giants immediately tightened their encirclement, their ice spears glinting coldly, pointed directly at the two.
Loki's gaze sharpened; although his heart was still in chaos, his clever mind grasped the key point in this instant.
The casket of ancient winters.
So that was the reason Laufey had sent troops to the border.
It was also the core objective of their investigation this time.
Regardless of whether Odin treated him as a tool, regardless of whether he was a Frost Giant.
At least for now, he was Loki of Asgard.
He had received years of nurturing from Frigga and years of brotherhood from Arthas and Thor.
Were those things fake?
No, those were all real.
Even if just for those things, he could not let Laufey have his way.
"So it was for the casket of ancient winters..."
Loki murmured in a low voice, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Thor! Stop tangling with them!"
"The intelligence has been obtained!"
"We have to go! Bring this news back to Big Brother!"
As he spoke, his hands quickly formed seals, green magical radiance dancing at his fingertips as he attempted to construct a large-scale illusion to cover their retreat.
However, Thor did not move.
He stared fixedly at the high-and-mighty Laufey not far away, veins bulging on the back of his hand gripping Mjolnir.
"Go?"
Thor squeezed the word out from between his teeth and suddenly turned his head, a raging fire burning in those azure eyes.
"This fellow insulted Asgard, insulted Father, and even insulted you!"
"If we just leave like this, where will the honor of the Odinsons be placed?!"
"Loki! You go first! I'm going to knock this guy's teeth out!"
Before his voice had even faded, Thor let out a roar, and his entire being rushed out like a red cannonball.
"Laufey—! Prepare to die!"
He leaped high into the air mid-run, dazzling lightning coiled around the mjolnir in his hand.
With this strike, he held nothing back, channeling almost all the divine power within his body.
The sound of thunder echoed through the entire icy valley, and thick bolts of lightning tore through the dim sky, crashing straight down toward the top of Laufey's head.
Those Frost Giants blocking the way were flipped over by the violent thunderous Shockwave before they could even raise their weapons.
Facing this aggressive strike, Laufey stood his ground, motionless.
He looked at Thor descending from the sky, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes.
"Too green."
Just as the hammer was about to strike his forehead, Laufey suddenly raised his left hand.
Countless shards of hard ice instantly condensed in his palm, transforming into a thick ice shield.
Clang—!
A deafening sound of metal clashing rang out.
Mjolnir slammed heavily onto the ice shield; the terrifying force caused the ice layer beneath Laufey's feet to instantly shatter, spiderweb-like cracks spreading for dozens of meters around.
But that was all.
Laufey's arm only bent slightly, steadily catching this heavy, powerful blow.
Thor's pupils contracted sharply, his face full of disbelief.
"What?!"
Before he could react, Laufey's right hand had already moved.
A massive fist, formed entirely of condensed ice, slammed viciously into Thor's abdomen.
Pfft!
Thor felt as if he had been hit by a mountain; a mouthful of blood sprayed out, and he was sent flying backward.
He tumbled several times in the air, landing heavily on the snow in front of Loki, sliding for over ten meters before stopping.
Cough, cough...
Thor struggled to crawl back up, only to find that the armor on his abdomen had completely caved in, the sharp pain of broken ribs making him suck in a breath of cold air.
Laufey brushed the ice shavings off his arm and walked over step by step.
"This is the son of Odin? This is the so-called Celestial of Thunder?"
"Besides having a bit of strength, what else do you have?"
"Your combat techniques are laughably crude, and your divine power is pitifully weak."
"In the face of Jotunheim's extreme cold, your lightning doesn't even count as a spark."
With every step Laufey took, the surrounding temperature dropped several degrees.
He raised his hand, and the surrounding snow seemed to hear a command, rapidly condensing behind him into countless sharp ice spears.
"Thousands of years ago, when I was fighting Odin, you weren't even born yet."
"Want to challenge me? Go back and train for another two thousand years!"
Thor wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, staggered to his feet, and raised his hammer once more.
"Cut the crap..."
"Even if I die... I won't let you lay a single finger on Loki!"
He stood in front of Loki; though his body was trembling, his eyes remained resolute.
Watching this scene from behind him, Loki's mind—which had been in turmoil because of his origins—suddenly became exceptionally clear.
This stupid brother of mine...
He clearly can't win, and he clearly could run away.
Why does he keep standing back up?
Just because... I'm his brother?
Even if I'm a Frost Giant?
Laufey lost his patience; he didn't want to watch this nauseating display of brotherly love any longer.
"Since you want to die, I will grant your wish."
"I'll send you two brothers on your way together!"
With a violent wave of his hand, ice spears fell from the sky like a torrential rain.
Thor let out a roar, desperately swinging his hammer in an attempt to weave a lightning net to block them.
But under Laufey's absolute suppression of power, the lightning net shattered instantly.
Several ice spears pierced Thor's shoulders and thighs, pinning him firmly to the ground.
"AH—!"
Thor let out a scream of agony as fresh blood stained the pure white snow.
Loki was not spared either; although he used magic to block, he was still sent flying by the Shockwave and fell beside Thor.
The two lay back-to-back in a snow pit, surrounded by a dense crowd of Frost Giants and the insufferably arrogant Laufey.
An aura of despair enveloped the entire Ice Valley.
Thor gasped for breath, looking up at the sky.
"It's over..."
"Loki, it looks like we're going to meet our end here."
"But being able to die with you isn't a bad deal."
"At least I'll have company on the way."
Loki gave a bitter laugh, looking at the hideous faces surrounding them.
"Who wants to die with you..."
"I don't want to die yet."
"Big Brother... Big Brother will surely come to save us, right?"
For some reason, at this moment, the face that surfaced in his mind was actually Arthas's, with that ever-present confident smile.
Just as Laufey raised the ice spear in his hand, preparing to deliver the final blow to these two "prey."
In the distant sky, a golden light suddenly flared up.
At first, the light was faint, like a single star in the polar night.
But in an instant, it became dazzlingly bright, like the sunrising over the horizon, dispersing the driving wind and snow.
A warm and powerful fluctuation of divine power instantly enveloped the entire Ice Valley.
"Who dares touch my brothers!"
A voice full of fury and majesty came from within that golden light, echoing between heaven and earth.
"Radiance: Omni-directional Strike!"
With that angry shout, the sphere of golden light in the sky instantly burst apart.
Countless golden light orbs poured down like a torrential rain.
Each light orb contained pure divine power of light, landing precisely on the heads of the Frost Giants.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!"
Violent explosions rang out one after another, and flames soared into the sky.
Those previously insufferable Frost Giants fell in swaths like wheat before a scythe under the dense bombardment.
Screams, explosions, and the sound of shattering ice blended into one.
A huge gap was instantly torn open in the entire encirclement.
A golden figure descended from the sky, landing heavily in front of Thor and Loki.
The Shockwave sent several giants trying to approach flying, kicking up clouds of snow and dust.
As the dust cleared, that familiar figure was revealed.
Arthas was wearing a set of ornate armor with Light Wings spread behind him, looking like a Celestialdescending to the mortal realm.
He turned his head and glanced at his two brothers in their wretched state, a reassuring smile appearing on his face.
"It seems I've arrived just in time."
"Are you alright? My foolish brothers."
"Big Brother!"
Thor shouted excitedly, almost unable to resist rushing forward to hug Arthas's leg.
"I knew you would come!"
"This guy is too arrogant! He actually dared to call me stupid!"
"You have to help me beat him up!"
Loki, on the other hand, stared fixedly at Arthas, his eyes turning slightly red.
He opened his mouth to say something, but found his throat felt as if it were stuffed with cotton.
The fear, confusion, and sense of grievance he had felt just now seemed to find an outlet the moment he saw this back.
Arthas reached out and ruffled Loki's hair, his movements as gentle as if he were soothing a frightened kitten.
"Don't be afraid, Big Brother is here."
"No matter what happened, no matter what others said."
"As long as I am still standing here, no one can harm you."
Laufey's expression became exceptionally ugly as he looked at this sudden interloper.
He could feel the terrifying fluctuation of divine power from Arthas; it was the power of light and fire that completely countered their Frost Clan.
"Who are you?"
Laufey gripped his ice spear tightly and asked warily.
"When did Asgard produce such a character?"
Arthas turned around and looked coldly at Laufey, the smile in his eyes completely gone, replaced by an endless chill.
"Who am I?"
"I am Huwen Odinson."
"I am the Big Brother of these two 'idiots'."
"And I'm also here to teach you how to behave."
"Huwen Odinson?"
Laufey narrowed his eyes, seemingly recalling the name.
"So it's that legendary genius, the First Prince."
"Hmph, you certainly talk big."
"So what if you are Odin's son?"
"This is Jotunheim! This is my territory!"
"You want to take them away? Have you asked the ice spear in my hand?"
Laufey let out a roar, and the surviving Frost Giants surrounding them closed in again, their numbers still staggering.
Arthas gave a disdainful sneer, his gaze as if he were looking at a swarm of ants.
"Your territory?"
"Just a backwater, barbaric place."
"Frozen in ice year-round, without even a decent building."
"Only in a godforsaken place like this would such a wicked deed as abandoning one's own son occur."
These words were extremely scathing; not only did he insult Jotunheim, but he also exposed Laufey's secrets in the process.
Laufey's face turned green with rage as he roared and waved his arms.
"Kill him! Kill him for me!"
"Show him the might of Jotunheim!"
Countless Frost Giants roared as they charged forward with world-shaking momentum.
Arthas didn't even spare them a glance, merely waving his hand toward Thor and Loki behind him.
"Go!"
"Leave the rest to me."
Thor wanted to fight more, but Loki pulled him back.
"Go! Don't cause trouble for Big Brother!"
Loki knew very well that in a battle of that level, they couldn't even intervene in their current state.
The two sprinted toward the landing point of the Bifrostbefore the encirclement could close.
Seeing his brothers leave, Arthas could finally let loose.
He took a deep breath, and the divine power within his body began to circulate wildly.
Golden light converged in his hands, energy several times more dazzling than before.
He crossed his arms, striking a classic cross-shaped pose.
"Since you all like ice so much, I'll let you taste the temperature of light."
"Cross Ray!"
Following his movement, a thick beam of light containing devastatingly high temperatures erupted from his arms.
The beam took the shape of a brilliant cross; wherever it passed, ice and snow melted, and the air itself distorted.
The dozens of Frost Giants in the front didn't even have time to scream before they were directly vaporized in the beam, leaving nothing behind.
The beam continued without losing momentum, heading straight for Laufey in the rear.
As Laufey watched that terrifying beam of light, his pupils instantly shrank to the size of pinpricks.
This power...
This scale... this purity...
How could a prince possess such power?
Even if Odin himself were here, it would probably be no more than this, right?
Or... is he some other God-King level powerhouse?
"This is impossible!"
Laufey was terrified, but there was no retreat now.
He let out a roar, channeling the glacial power of all Jotunheim to condense an ice wall dozens of meters thick in front of him.
At the same time, he held his ice spear across his chest, attempting a final stand.
"BOOM—!"
The Cross Ray slammed violently into the ice wall.
That indestructible Ten-thousand-year Profound Ice was like paper before the high-temperature beam, instantly shattering and melting.
The beam pierced through the ice wall and slammed heavily into Laufey.
"AAAAAAH!"
Laufey let out a shrill scream, sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string.
He flew for several hundred meters, smashing through an ice mountain before crashing heavily to the ground.
His chest was charred black and emitting blue smoke, his previously powerful aura instantly withered to the extreme.
As the light dissipated, Arthas lowered his hands and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.
He looked at the huge crater in the distance, a flash of disdain in his eyes.
"That's it?"
"He's not even as resilient as Ares."
He could have taken the opportunity to kill Laufey; with his current strength, it would only take one more blow.
But...
He thought of Loki.
It would be better to leave this revenge for Loki to take himself.
Moreover, keeping Laufey alive would give Loki something to keep in mind, a goal to surpass.
If I were to take down the BOSS now, wouldn't Loki lose his motivation in the future?
Besides, if Laufey were killed, Jotunheim would surely fall into chaos, and the Nine Realms would have no peace.
This kind of dirty and exhausting work is better left for Old Man Odin to worry about.
"Consider yourself lucky to be alive."
Arthas gave a cold snort, turned into a streak of golden light, and flew in the direction Thor and Loki had gone.
He left behind only a mess everywhere and a group of Frost Giants who were scared out of their wits.
And there was Laufey, lying in the pit, spitting blood while questioning his very existence.
"How could..."
Laufey struggled to crawl up, only to find that every bone in his body felt like it was falling apart.
He looked in the direction Arthas had disappeared, his eyes filled with fear and resentment.
"Huwen Odinson... how can he be so strong..."
"This... this is the heavens decreeing the end of Jotunheim!"
At the landing point of the Bifrost, Heimdall's beam had already descended.
Thor and Loki were waiting anxiously.
Seeing that golden light fly toward them, both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Big Brother!"
Arthas landed, his armor as clean as new, without a single speck of dust on it.
"Let's go, we're going home."
He grabbed one brother in each hand and walked into the Bifrost's pillar of light.
"What about Laufey? Is he dead?"
Thor asked curiously.
"He's not dead, I left him with a breath of life,"
Arthas said indifferently, his gaze seemingly unintentionally glancing at the silent Loki.
"That kind of trash, killing him would only dirty my hands."
"When the opportunity arises in the future, I'll let Loki deal with him."
Loki suddenly looked up, staring at Arthas's calm profile.
Big Brother... did he do it on purpose?
Did he... spare Laufey for my sake?
Loki's heart was a whirlwind of complex emotions.
The shock of his origins, Laufey's cruelty, Arthas's protection...
All of this assaulted his reason like a tide.
But at this moment, within this warm rainbow light...
He tightly gripped Arthas's arm.
No matter who I am.
No matter where I come from.
At least... I have brothers like this.
That is enough.
Chapter 90: Family, Even Without Blood Ties
The radiance of the Bifrost gradually dissipated, and the magnificent dome of Asgard's teleportation hall reappeared above the trio's heads.
Heimdall stood before the console, greatsword in hand; his gaze was not on them, but remained fixed upon the endless void.
Loki kept his head down, his hand—which had already returned to its normal skin tone—still tightly clutching the hem of his clothes.
Even after escaping that frigid world, Laufey's words remained like a thorn, buried deep within his heart.
"I can't be a monster..."
He murmured in a low voice, so soft that only he could hear himself.
Thor scratched his head, wanting to say something comforting, yet not knowing where to begin.
He glanced at Arthas, his eyes full of a plea for help.
Arthas let go of his two younger brothers' hands and straightened his armor, which wasn't actually messy.
He walked up to Loki and crouched down, bringing his gaze level with Loki's.
"Loki."
He called out; his voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an indisputable strength.
Loki's body trembled slightly as he slowly raised his head. His green eyes were bloodshot, showing traces of tears being held back with great effort.
"Big Brother..."
"Am I ridiculous?"
"Thinking I was an Odins Son, only to turn out to be an unwanted Frost Giant."
*Flick!*
Arthas raised his hand and flicked Loki's forehead, the crisp sound echoing through the hall.
Loki clutched his forehead in pain, tears nearly being flicked out of his eyes.
"Big Brother, what are you doing!"
"Waking you up."
Arthas withdrew his hand, his face wearing that usual lazy smile.
"What do you mean 'unwanted'?"
"Are Thor and I not people?"
"Are Father and Queen Mother not people?"
"Besides, what's wrong with being a Frost Giant?"
Arthas stood up and extended a hand, palm upward, as a ball of golden light danced in his palm.
"Look at this light."
"It can be used for illumination, to warm people's hearts."
"It can also be used, like just now, to destroy enemies and level mountains."
"Power itself has no attributes, nor is there so-called good or evil."
"The key lies in what is held in the heart of the person wielding that power."
He withdrew the light and placed his hand back on Loki's shoulder, giving it a firm squeeze.
"So you have Frost Giant lineage, so what?"
"It only means you have one more talent than others, one more ability to control ice."
"Use that power to guard Asgard, to protect those you wish to protect."
"Then you are a hero, a god."
"Just like this sword."
Arthas pointed to the Excalibur at his waist.
"It is merely a piece of metal by itself, but in my hands, it is the King's Sword that guards oaths."
Loki listened blankly, the confusion in his eyes seeming to dissipate slightly.
"But..."
"Did Father really adopt me back then just to..."
"Just to use me?"
Arthas sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"What's the use of guessing blindly here?"
"Instead of hiding in a corner and overthinking things by yourself, why not just go and ask clearly?"
"Let's go."
He turned and walked toward the main gates.
"Where to?"
Loki asked subconsciously.
"Where else?"
Arthas waved his hand without looking back.
"To the Golden Palace, to confront the old man face-to-face."
"Some things, you must hear him tell you personally."
Loki looked at Arthas's carefree back, then at Thor, who had a face full of encouragement beside him.
He took a deep breath and clenched his fists.
That's right.
I am the God of Mischief, the Incarnation of Wisdom.
How could I be defeated by something like this?
Even if the truth is cruel, I must know it.
"Let's go!"
Loki set off and followed behind.
Thor grinned, swung his hammer, and followed as well.
"Wait for me! I'm going too!"
The Golden Palace.
Odin sat upon his throne, holding gungnir, his expression somewhat weary.
Ever since Arthas returned, he had indeed become much more relaxed.
But some things, in the end, cannot be avoided.
When the hall doors were pushed open and he saw the three brothers walking in side-by-side, a flash of understanding crossed Odin's single eye.
He waved his hand, signaling the surrounding guards to withdraw.
Only the father and his three sons remained in the hall.
The atmosphere was heavy for a moment, with only the sound of footsteps echoing in the vast hall.
Arthas stopped at the foot of the throne's steps, winked at Odin, and made a 'please begin your performance' gesture.
He then pulled Thor to the side, leaving the stage to Loki.
Loki stood there, his body somewhat stiff.
He looked at the father he had admired and feared since childhood; his throat felt dry.
"Father..."
He called out, his voice a bit raspy.
Odin set down his spear and leaned forward slightly, looking at him with a soft gaze.
"Loki."
"Whatever you want to ask, just ask."
Having received permission, the emotions Loki had suppressed in his heart finally erupted.
"Who am I?"
He looked directly into Odin's eye and asked the most central question.
"Am I an Odins Son?"
"Or that abandoned monster from Jotunheim?"
"Why exactly did you bring me back all those years ago?"
"Was it to save me? Or was it... to use me as a bargaining chip?"
"A tool to connect Asgard and Jotunheim, to achieve your so-called 'permanent peace'?"
These rapid-fire questions were each like a knife, stabbing at Odin's heart.
Odin remained silent for a moment, not avoiding Loki's gaze.
"You are Laufey's son."
"After the great war back then, I found you in the temple."
"You were too small, too weak, abandoned by Laufey as a disgrace."
"I brought you back."
"Indeed."
Odin's voice was low and candid.
"I did indeed have such thoughts at the time."
"I thought that if I raised you and let you become a bridge between the two races,"
"Perhaps it could end this endless war and bring peace."
Hearing this, Loki's body swayed violently, and his face turned pale.
Though he had been mentally prepared, hearing Odinadmit it personally still caused him a pang of heartache.
"As I thought..."
"I'm just a tool..."
His voice trembled, and tears finally fell uncontrollably.
"I knew it... you're biased..."
"You gave all your love to Thor and Big Brother..."
"Only I... I'm redundant."
"No."
Odin suddenly stood up from his throne and walked down the steps, step by step.
He walked up to Loki and reached out with his large, calloused hands to grab Loki's shoulders.
"That notion was only a thought in that single instant."
"When I held you in my arms and looked into your clear eyes, when I watched you learn to walk for the first time and call me Papa for the first time,"
"That notion had long since vanished like smoke."
"You are not a tool, Loki. You are my son, no different from your eldest and second brothers."
"If I treated you as a tool, why would I teach you magic? Why would I let you have the status and glory of a prince?"
"Even... why would I clean up the mess every time you caused trouble?"
"That wasn't because you were a bargaining chip, but because... I am your father."
"My strictness toward you was because I knew the sensitivity and pride in your heart."
"I wanted you to become stronger, strong enough to ignore those rumors and slanders."
"But I didn't expect that my protection would instead cause you to misunderstand."
Loki raised his head and looked at Odin, who was right in front of him.
That aged face was full of concern and guilt.
In that single eye, his own reflection was mirrored.
There was no calculation, no indifference—only deep love.
Loki's lips moved as if he wanted to retort, but he found he couldn't find a single reason to do so.
That's right.
If he were a tool, how could he have received Frigga's unreserved love?
How could he have received the life-and-death brotherhood of Thor and Arthas?
Could the happiness and warmth he had gained over all these years in Asgard really be fake?
Just then, Arthas, who had been standing to the side, walked over.
He threw an arm around Loki's shoulder and placed his other hand on Odin's shoulder.
"Alright, alright, we're all grown men here, let's not get so sentimental."
"Since everything's out in the open, I'll join in the fun too."
"Loki, actually, there's something you should know as well."
Arthas's face wore that inscrutable smile.
"Do you think you're the only one who isn't biological?"
"Actually..."
He pointed to his own nose.
"I'm not biological to Old Man Odin either."
"What?!"
This exclamation didn't come from Loki, but from Thor, who had been acting as background noise the whole time.
The hammer in Thor's hand nearly dropped to the floor, and his eyes looked like they were about to pop out.
"Big Brother?! You too..."
Loki also looked at Arthas in shock, even forgetting to wipe his tears.
"Big Brother, you... you're joking, right?"
Arthas shrugged.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"I was conceived solely by my Queen Mother, Aphrodite, though a little bit of the old man's Divine Power Seed was used."
"But in terms of bloodline, I don't have much of a direct relationship with this old man either."
"At most, I'm just a... friendship sponsor?"
Arthas glanced at Odin; Odin rolled his eyes helplessly but did not deny it.
"So you see."
Arthas spread his hands.
"Out of us three brothers, the eldest was picked up, and the third was picked up."
"Only the second one, this dummy, is biological."
"But what's the result?"
"I am the First Prince, the future God King."
"You are the Third Prince, Asgard's smartest mage."
"Thor... well, he's Asgard's best drinker."
"What does this show?"
Arthas withdrew his smile, his expression becoming incredibly serious.
"This shows that bloodline is complete bullshit."
"What matters is where your heart is."
"If your heart is with Asgard, then you are an Asgardian."
"If your heart loves this home, then you are a part of this family."
"The name Odins Son isn't passed down by bloodline."
"It's passed down by glory, by responsibility, and by love."
He patted Loki's chest heavily.
"As long as you carry Asgard in here, you will forever be Loki Odins Son."
These words completely shattered the last line of defense in Loki's heart.
He looked at Arthas, then at Odin and Thor.
The gaze in all three of their eyes held the same determination and acceptance.
The bit of inferiority, resentment, and confusion that had been in his heart dissipated in an instant.
In its place was an unprecedented sense of belonging.
"I..."
Loki lowered his head and wiped his face hard.
"I understand."
"I am Loki Odins Son."
"Whether I'm blue-skinned or green-skinned, I'm a member of this family."
Thor finally snapped out of it at this moment.
He rushed up and pulled both Arthas and Loki into a hug.
"Great!"
"Like I said! Big Brother is always Big Brother! Little Brother is always Little Brother!"
"Who cares where they came from!"
"As long as we can drink and fight together, we're brothers!"
Odin looked at his three sons hugging each other, a gratified smile appearing on his face.
He reached out and pulled all three children into his embrace.
Just like many years ago, when he first took them hunting.
"Children..."
"As long as we are here, Asgard exists."
"Home exists."
The atmosphere in the hall became warm and lively.
The previous estrangement and suspicion completely melted away at this moment.
Arthas broke free from Odin's embrace and fixed his hairstyle.
"Alright, alright, haven't you hugged enough?"
"I'm about to be strangled to death."
"Since the misunderstanding is cleared up, shouldn't we celebrate?"
"Tonight's on me, let's go to the best tavern!"
"No going home until we're drunk!"
"Hell yeah!"
Thor was the first to respond.
"I want to eat whole roasted sheep!"
Loki laughed too; though there were still tear stains at the corners of his eyes, that smile was more real than ever before.
"Since Big Brother is treating, then I want to drink the most expensive wine."
Odin looked at these three troublemakers and smiled as he waved them off.
"Go on, go on."
"Don't drink too much, there's a morning court session tomorrow."
"Got it, Old Man!"
The three of them walked out of the Golden Palace with their arms around each other's shoulders, laughing and joking.
Stepping out of the gates, Asgard's night sky was brilliant with starlight.
Arthas looked up at the sky full of stars and breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.
He finally managed to defuse this massive landmine.
And the effect was even better than expected.
After this, Loki probably won't be easily tricked into going astray, right?
And...
He glanced at Loki beside him.
This kid's gaze was clearly much firmer than before.
That confidence belonging to a king was slowly returning.
"Big Brother, what are you thinking about?"
Loki keenly noticed Arthas's gaze.
"Nothing."
Arthas smiled.
"I was thinking, if anyone dares to bully you in the future,"
"I'll definitely let them know why the flowers are so red."
"Tch."
Loki gave a proud snort.
"I don't need your protection."
"I'm very strong now."
"Especially... after mastering the power of frost."
As he spoke, he extended his hand, and a ball of blue chill danced at his fingertips, forming an exquisite Ice Rose.
"This power is indeed not bad."
"Of course it is."
Arthas hooked an arm around his neck.
"In the future, with us brothers joining forces, plus that dummy Thor,"
"Won't we be able to walk horizontally through these Nine Realms as we please?"
"Hey! Who are you calling a dummy!"
Thor protested from the side.
"I am the God of Thunder! God of Thunder!"
"Right, right, God of Thunder dummy."
"Big Brother, you!"
The sounds of the three of them playing and bickering gradually faded, merging into the never-extinguished lights of Asgard.
Chapter 91: Queen Hera Forced to Charge
After processing the last memorial regarding border fortifications, Arthas threw his quill into the pen holder and stretched broadly.
These past few days were spent soothing Loki's sensitive little heart.
While he was at it, he sorted through centuries of backlogged Asgardian administrative affairs.
He felt his mind was even more cluttered than that pile of documents.
"Finally, it's done."
Arthas rubbed his aching neck and stood up.
"This God-King business really isn't a job for a normal person."
"No wonder the Old Man loves running off to Earth so much, calling it an 'incognito inspection'."
"I think he's just looking for some peace and quiet."
He walked out of the Council Hall's main doors.
Standing at the door weren't the usual Asgardian guards in golden armor.
Instead, they had been replaced by two goddesses wearing Greek-style short skirts.
They were Hestia and Demeter.
Upon seeing Arthas come out, their eyes instantly lit up.
That gleam made Arthas subconsciously take half a step back.
"Your Highness Arthas, you've worked hard."
Hestia approached him, holding a tray of freshly baked pastries.
"These are Honey cakes I just made. Would you like a taste?"
"They can even replenish divine power."
Arthas smiled somewhat awkwardly.
He reached out, took a piece, and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Uh... thank you, Aunt Hestia."
"It tastes good."
Hearing the word "Aunt," the corner of Hestia's mouth twitched slightly.
But she still maintained a gentle smile.
She even went a step further, trying to wipe the crumbs from the corner of Arthas's mouth.
"Why call me 'Aunt'? Just call me'Sister'."
"We gods don't care about age."
Arthas quickly turned his head to dodge that slender hand.
"Ahem, well... I still have some things to do. I'll head back to the palace first."
With that, he scurried away like a rabbit being chased by a wolf.
Walking along the corridor back to the Private Chambers.
These "chance encounters" didn't end there.
At the corner, Artemis was leaning against a pillar, wiping her silver bow.
Seeing Arthas, she put away her bow and walked over with her long legs.
"Going back so late?"
"You should take care of yourself."
As she spoke, she reached out and patted Arthas's shoulder.
Her palm lingered on his firm arm for a bit too long.
The sensation transmitted through his clothes gave Arthas goosebumps.
"I know, I know, Sister... Artemis."
Arthas could only brace himself and play along.
After much effort, he finally returned to his Private Chambers.
Arthas closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a long sigh.
"What on Earth is going on?"
"Why has everyone been acting so strange these past few days?"
"They were polite before, but not this... enthusiastic, right?"
Those looks... they didn't seem like they were looking at a savior at all.
It was more like...
Arthas shook his head, tossing that ridiculous thought out of his mind.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible."
"I'm not exactly 'God Realm Currency'; how could everyone like me?"
"I must be too tired lately and having delusions."
To verify his hypothesis.
Or rather, to put his mind at ease.
With a thought, Arthas activated the skill he had a love-hate relationship with—Echo of Love.
A faint pink halo expanded before his eyes.
A virtual list emerged.
The top three names still shone with golden light: Diana, Sif, and Brunhilde, with whom he had already achieved a perfect bond.
The status bar displayed in large characters: [Conquered / Soulmate].
Looking further down...
Arthas's pupils contracted sharply.
A long, dense list of names was lined up below.
Hera, Athena, Artemis, Hestia, Demeter...
Basically, every goddess of any renown in Olympus was on it.
And the affection bars behind their names were all a deep, purplish red.
The status bar read: [Extremely Infatuated / Craving Physical Contact / Ready for Conquest at Any Time].
Arthas's hand trembled, nearly failing to maintain the interface.
"Holy crap..."
"Is there a bug in the system?"
"How could everyone be in this state?"
Moving his gaze further down.
At the very bottom of the list, two more names stood out glaringly.
Frigga.
Aphrodite.
The affection levels behind these two names were even higher than Hera and the others.
It was practically off the charts.
Arthas felt his scalp go numb and quickly closed the interface.
"No, no, this is definitely not right."
"This crappy skill still can't distinguish between maternal love and romantic love."
"It's counting the care elders have for the younger generation as affection."
"Right, that must be it."
Arthas patted his chest, forcing himself into this mindset.
"Aphrodite is my birth mother, and Frigga is my adoptive mother."
"Their kindness to me is naturally maternal love."
"This looks-obsessed system isn't smart at all."
"Nearly scared me to death."
He walked to the table, poured a glass of water, and drank it in one gulp.
Although he said that, the status phrase [Ready for Conquest at Any Time] he just saw...
...was still swirling in his head, impossible to shake off.
At the same time.
In Hera's suite on the east side of the Golden Palace.
The atmosphere was exceptionally solemn.
Or rather, exceptionally awkward.
Hera sat upright on a magnificent cushioned chair, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her skirt over her knees.
She had gripped the expensive silk into wrinkles.
Her face was as red as a ripe tomato, and her eyes darted around, not daring to look at anyone.
Surrounding her were Athena, Artemis, Hestia, and the rest of her 'dear sisters'.
Athena held the Golden Apple that symbolized wisdom, tossing it up and down idly.
"Sister Hera."
"If I remember correctly, three days ago you vowed solemnly."
"That for the future of Olympus, you would lead the charge."
"That you would win over Arthas and break the ice for us."
Athena stopped tossing the apple and leaned forward, her wisdom-filled eyes staring intently at Hera.
"But what about now?"
"Three days have passed."
"Forget winning him over; you haven't even held his hand once, have you?"
"Just now, I saw him encounter Artemis in the corridor, and he ran faster than a rabbit."
"Is this your grand result?"
Artemis, holding her silver bow, added a cold remark.
"Indeed, Sister Hera."
"We've all been watching from behind."
"We were counting on you to set an example for us."
"But instead, you're just hiding in your room doing embroidery?"
"If this continues, Arthas will be completely snatched away by those Asgardian little vixens."
"When that happens, we goddesses of Olympus will have no choice but to serve as their handmaidens."
Faced with everyone's interrogation.
Hera finally snapped.
She jerked her head up, her eyes actually glistening with a hint of tears.
With that aggrieved look, there wasn't a shred of the Queen's majesty left.
She looked just like a bullied young bride.
"You... all you know how to do is nag!"
"Do you think I don't want to?"
"But... but this kind of thing isn't that easy!"
Hera grabbed a nearby throw pillow and buried her face in it, her voice coming out muffled.
"I... I've never even been in a relationship before!"
The room fell silent instantly.
A deathly silence.
Athena's hand, which had been tossing the apple, froze.
Artemis's movement of wiping her bow stiffened.
Even Hestia, who had been watching the drama, had the cookie fall out of her mouth.
After several seconds, Athena cleared her throat, breaking the silence.
"Ahem, well... Sister Hera."
"Weren't you and Zeus... a married couple for thousands of years?"
"Even if it was a political marriage, at the very least..."
Hera suddenly threw the pillow aside.
"It was just in name only!"
"That deadbeat was out fooling around all day; he and I did nothing but argue! And we've always slept in separate beds!"
"What does he know about being in love?"
"What does he know about courting?"
"There was never any process like that between us!"
Hera grew more agitated as she spoke, her face turning redder.
"Now you want me to pursue a boy thousands of years younger than me..."
"And even expect me to actively seduce him..."
"I... I really can't do it!"
"I don't even know what the first thing I should say is!"
She looked up at the circle of sisters around her, her eyes full of a plea for help.
"You just keep pushing me."
"Do you have any experience?"
"Athena, you're the Goddess of Wisdom; have you ever been in a relationship?"
"Artemis, you're the goddess of the hunt; have you ever pursued a man?"
"If any of you are so capable, you go first!"
"Don't just count on me alone!"
Now it was the sisters' turn to be embarrassed.
Athena turned her head away, pretending to look at the scenery outside, but the tips of her ears quietly turned red.
"Well... wisdom is mainly manifested in strategy and academics..."
"Irrational things like emotions... are not within my scope of research."
Artemis lowered her head, scrubbing for dear life at the silver bow that was already polished to a shine.
"I am a virgin goddess... I don't touch men."
"I didn't before... and now... I haven't figured out how to yet."
Hestia simply retracted her head into her scarf.
"I... I only know how to cook."
Looking at this room full of goddesses who were thousands of years old.
It turned out they were all complete novices in love.
Hera sighed helplessly and slumped back into her chair.
"See? We're all the same. No one should laugh at anyone else."
"How are we supposed to 'charge' like this?"
"We can't just tie him to the bed, can we?"
"He would definitely be angry then."
Just as everyone was at a loss.
Athena finally stepped up, weakly raising her hand.
"Well... although I don't have practical experience either..."
"...I've read a lot of books."
"And as the Goddess of Wisdom, my theoretical knowledge is quite extensive."
The goddesses' gazes instantly converged on her.
Like a drowning person clutching at the last straw.
Being stared at by so many heavyweights, Athenaswallowed nervously.
"I think... a man of Arthas's type..."
"...is more susceptible to persuasion than coercion."
"Moreover, he feels protective toward us of Olympus."
"As long as Sister Hera can set aside her pride..."
"...and show a bit of... a vulnerable side."
"Or... a bit of 'gap moe'."
"For example... being the Queen but not knowing how to tie a necktie? Or being an elder but being afraid of thunder?"
"Seeking his help at such moments..."
"...after a few interactions, won't the opportunity present itself?"
Hearing this, Artemis's eyes lit up.
"That makes sense!"
"Exploiting the protective instinct of the strong—that's a good tactic."
"And it can create opportunities to be alone."
She turned her head to look at Hera.
"Sister Hera, did you hear that?"
"You don't need to confess directly, nor do you need to seduce him."
"You just need to create some minor troubles and have him help you solve them."
"You should be able to do that, right?"
Hera bit her lip hesitantly.
"This... pretending to be weak?"
"Isn't that a bit too artificial?"
"I am the Queen, after all..."
Hestia walked over and placed her hand on Hera's shoulder.
"What about being the Queen?"
"In front of the man she likes, even a Queen is just a woman."
"Sister Hera, for the happiness of everyone..."
"...please sacrifice a bit of your majesty."
"There are no outsiders here anyway; no one will laugh at you."
The goddesses nodded one after another, each looking at Hera with expectant eyes.
Hera looked at her sisters.
She remembered Arthas's stalwart figure back in the Abyss.
She thought of her own lonely heart over these thousands of years.
She took a deep breath, seemingly making a major decision.
"Fine!"
"I'll go for it!"
"Isn't it just pretending to be weak?"
"I don't believe I can't handle an eighteen-year-old kid!"
"So... what's the first step?"
Hera asked somewhat nervously.
A cunning smile curled on the corner of Athena's mouth.
"Tomorrow night, the Golden Palace is hosting a banquet to celebrate Loki."
"Arthas will definitely attend."
"When the time comes, Sister Hera, you can..."
The several goddesses huddled together, beginning to plot their 'hunting plan' targeting Arthas.
Meanwhile, Arthas, who was drinking water in his room...
...suddenly sneezed for no apparent reason.
"Achoo!"
"Who's badmouthing me?"
He rubbed his nose and looked at the moon outside, feeling a bit uneasy.
This night was a sleepless one for many.
Arthas was worrying about his 'purity'.
Hera was practicing how to 'pretend to be weak'.
Loki was excitedly studying his newly acquired Frost Power.
And Odin... was sleeping like a log.
Early the next morning.
Arthas walked out of his Private Chambers with dark circles under his eyes.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw several handmaidens busily setting up the venue for the banquet.
Flowers, fine wine, colorful ribbons...
The entire Golden Palace was filled with a festive atmosphere.
"Good morning, Your Highness!"
The handmaidens stopped their work and bowed upon seeing him.
Arthas waved his hand, intending to go see how that kid Loki was doing.
But then he saw Hera approaching with a group of goddesses.
Today, Hera had clearly dressed up meticulously.
She wasn't wearing the heavy formal gown that symbolized her majesty as the Queen.
Instead, she had changed into a light purple Greek-style long dress.
The cut of the dress was very form-fitting, perfectly outlining her mature and voluptuous curves.
The neckline was slightly low, revealing a large expanse of snowy skin and a deep cleavage.
Her hair was also let down, draped somewhat languidly over her shoulders.
The whole person looked less sharp and more charming and gentle.
"Good morning, Arthas."
Hera walked up to him, her voice as soft as a spring breeze.
Her eyes also intentionally or unintentionally darted away, as if she didn't quite dare to look at him.
She was practically a different person from the Queen who used to always look at people with her chin held high.
Arthas froze for a moment and subconsciously swallowed.
"Uh... good morning, Aunt... Sister Hera?"
He suddenly didn't know how to address her.
Calling her 'Aunt' might get him hit, but calling her'Sister' might mess up the generational hierarchy.
Hearing that 'Aunt', Hera's brow furrowed slightly.
But she quickly masked it.
She took a step forward, getting a bit closer to Arthas, and a faint fragrance wafted into his nose.
"Well... about tonight's banquet."
"I'm not very familiar with Asgardian etiquette."
"Could I please ask you to... guide me a little?"
As she spoke, she also looked up at Arthas with those watery eyes.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, making her look pitifully vulnerable.
Arthas felt a buzzing in his head.
This... this was Hera?
This was the Queen known for being the most jealous and difficult to deal with?
How did she suddenly turn into a little white rabbit?
Could this be the [Craving Physical Contact] shown by 'Echo of Love'?
He felt cold sweat all over his back.
But seeing Hera's expectant gaze, he really couldn't bring himself to refuse.
"Well... alright."
"It's just eating and drinking anyway, nothing complicated."
"You can just follow me then."
Hearing this, a brilliant smile instantly bloomed on Hera's face.
Meanwhile, Athena and Artemis, who were hiding behind a pillar not far away...
...excitedly high-fived each other.
"Plan successful!"
Chapter 92: The Pure Love War God Encounters a Big Sister
Arthas stood in place, his finger lightly rubbing the tip of his nose, where the faint, delicate fragrance from Hera's body seemed to linger.
He recalled the adorable way Hera had just acted.
His heart betrayed him by skipping a couple of beats.
"This gap moe..."
"It really is a bit of a foul."
He muttered in a low voice, a helpless smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Who would have thought that the high and mighty Queen of Heaven...
...would actually have such a... such a side that makes one want to protect her?
Is this the so-called charm of a mature woman?
That sense of contrast from switching freely between being strong and being fragile?
Arthas shook his head, trying to shake out the messy thoughts in his mind.
"Steady yourself, Arthas, you have to stay steady."
"You are the Pure Love War God, how can you be bewitched by such small tricks?"
Just as he was still in the middle of his mental self-reconstruction...
...a teasing voice came from behind a nearby pillar.
"Yo, Big Brother."
"It seems your charm has become truly unstoppable."
Loki stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the pillar, his green eyes full of mockery.
"Even Queen Hera has been won over by you?"
"Looking at her just now, she was practically like a young girl in her first love."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Big Brother, your methods are truly beyond my reach."
As Loki spoke, he even gave an exaggerated shake of his head.
It was as if he were lamenting the decline of public morals and the corruption of people's hearts.
Arthas gave him an annoyed glare.
He walked over and flicked Loki's forehead.
*Snap!*
"What nonsense are you talking!"
"She was just... she was just unfamiliar with Asgardian etiquette."
"As a hospitable Master, what's wrong with me giving a little guidance?"
"What kind of messy things are you thinking about in that little head of yours all day?"
Loki rubbed his forehead, not minding Arthas's "violence" at all.
Instead, he laughed even harder.
"Yes, yes, yes, 'guiding etiquette.'"
"Guiding her until her face turned red? Guiding her until she practically wanted to stick herself onto you?"
"Big Brother, to explain is to cover up."
"And..."
Loki leaned in closer and lowered his voice.
"I don't believe you didn't see that she was faking it."
"Such obvious acting would only fool a fool like Thor."
Having his thoughts exposed, Arthas's old face turned red.
Of course he had seen through it.
Hera's stiff body movements, her flickering gaze...
No matter how you looked at it, it didn't seem like she truly didn't understand etiquette.
But that was exactly the point!
Even though he knew she was faking, he still couldn't help but feel his heart flutter just a little bit.
This was an overt scheme!
"Fine, fine, shut up already."
"Hurry up and go change your clothes, the banquet is about to start."
"Tonight is to celebrate your safe return."
"If you're late, let's see how the Old Man deals with you."
Arthas gave Loki a push, not wanting to get entangled in this topic with him any further.
Loki shrugged with an "I get it, I totally get it" expression.
He turned and walked toward his own palace, humming an unknown little tune.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the corridor...
...Hera was hiding behind a giant vase.
Her hands were clamped tightly over her face, which was so hot it could practically fry an egg.
"Aaaaaah!"
"So embarrassing! So embarrassing!"
"What was I doing just now!"
"To actually say those kinds of things... and make that kind of expression..."
Hera screamed frantically in her mind, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
This was easily the biggest dark history in her several thousand years of life.
If Zeus found out...
Oh wait, Zeus is already dead.
Then it's fine.
"Sister Hera, well done!"
Athena's voice suddenly rang out beside her.
It startled Hera so much she nearly knocked over the vase.
Athena, Artemis, and the others had surrounded her at some unknown point.
Each of them had a "teachable student" expression on their faces.
"Although the acting was slightly exaggerated, the emotion was spot on."
Athena pushed up her non-existent glasses and gave a professional evaluation.
"I saw Arthas's stunned expression just now very clearly."
"This wave is in the bag!"
Artemis also gave a thumbs up.
"Sister Hera, that look in your eyes just now was superb."
"That feeling of wanting to speak but hesitating... even I felt my heart flutter."
"It seems that as long as it's for love, a person's potential really is limitless."
Hera lowered her hands, revealing her flushed face.
She looked at them with some uncertainty.
"Really?"
"Is it... really useful?"
"Did he not think I was very strange?"
"No! Absolutely not!"
The goddesses answered in unison.
"Men, after all, like this feeling of being relied upon."
Athena added from the side.
"Especially someone like Arthas who has a bit of a macho tendency."
"Sister Hera, the more weakness you show, the more he will want to protect you."
"At tonight's banquet, you must keep up the good work."
"Strive to win him over in one fell swoop!"
Hearing the encouragement of her sisters, Hera felt a bit more confident.
Since she had already taken the first step, there was no reason to turn back.
For the future of Olympus...
...and for her own heart that had been lonely for thousands of years.
She would give it her all!
Hera took a deep breath and smoothed out her skirt.
Her gaze became determined once again.
"Good!"
"At tonight's banquet, watch me... watch me be 'fragile' to the very end!"
As night fell, the banquet hall of the Golden Palace in Asgard was brilliantly lit.
The long dining tables were covered with all sorts of delicacies.
Roasted whole sheep, God Realm Wild Boars, exotic fruits from various worlds, and endless flowing wine.
The musicians played a cheerful melody.
The guests filed in one after another.
Odin sat in the main seat with Frigga beside him.
Both of them seemed to be in very good spirits.
Especially Odin; looking at his three sons below, his single eye was full of gratification.
Arthas sat in the first seat on the left, with Loki and Thoracross from him.
And Hera was specifically arranged to sit beside Arthas.
This was, of course, Frigga's "thoughtful" arrangement.
*Ahem.*
Odin cleared his throat and raised his wine cup.
The entire hall fell silent instantly.
"Today is a day worth celebrating."
"My son, Loki, has returned safely."
"Not only that, he has also cleared the confusion in his heart and found himself once more."
"This is a joyous occasion for our Asgard, and a joyous occasion for our Odinsson Family."
"Come, let us toast to Loki, and to Asgard! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Everyone cheered in unison and drained their cups.
The banquet officially began.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually became lively.
Thor, with his loud voice, had already started a drinking contest with the warriors beside him.
Although Loki drank more refinedly, his face also carried a rare flush.
Only at Arthas's table did the atmosphere seem a bit... subtle.
Hera sat upright in her chair, holding her knife and fork.
Facing that piece of perfectly roasted lamb chop on her plate, she seemed a bit at a loss.
She stole a glance at Arthas beside her.
She found him focused on dealing with a chicken leg.
And so, Hera began her performance.
"Oh my..."
She let out a very soft exclamation.
The knife in her hand made a piercing sound against the plate.
*Screech—*
This sound wasn't obvious in the noisy banquet hall, but it was heard clearly by Arthas's ears.
Arthas put down the chicken leg and turned to look at her.
"What's wrong?"
Hera put down her knife and fork with some embarrassment and pointed at the lamb chop on the plate.
She looked at Arthas with a face full of grievance.
"That... this knife seems a bit dull."
"I... I can't cut it."
"And... this piece of meat seems a bit tough..."
Arthas glanced at that silver dining knife, which was sharp enough to blow a hair across and cut it.
Then he glanced at that piece of lamb chop, which was so tender you could practically squeeze water out of it.
The corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
If this couldn't be cut, then all the pigs in Asgard could climb trees.
But he didn't expose her, instead very cooperatively taking Hera's plate.
"Oh, is that so?"
"Then I'll cut it for you."
He picked up the knife and fork and, in a few swift motions, cut the lamb chop into evenly sized small pieces.
His movements were as smooth as flowing water, as elegant as if he were carving a piece of art.
Then he pushed the plate back to Hera.
"There, it should be easy to bite now."
Hera looked at the plate of cut meat, secretly delighted.
Plan success!
She picked up her fork and poked a piece into her mouth.
She chewed twice and then revealed a satisfied smile.
"Thank you, Arthas."
"You're so thoughtful."
"You're much better than those people before."
She almost said "that dead guy Zeus" but quickly changed her words.
Arthas smiled and didn't speak, continuing to gnaw on his chicken leg.
But in his heart, he thought: This is just the beginning, right?
Sure enough, before long, Hera had another situation.
"Oh my..."
This time it was because she didn't hold her wine cup steadily, accidentally spilling a bit of wine on her skirt.
"Oh my..."
This time it was because she didn't know what a certain dish was and didn't dare to take a bite.
Every time, Arthas patiently solved it for her.
Helping her wipe her skirt, introducing the dishes to her.
This "nurturing-style" interaction made Hera more and more addicted.
It also made the surrounding goddesses, who had been peeking the whole time, watch with great interest.
Athena even took out a small notebook and was frantically recording something.
Halfway through the banquet, Odin, in high spirits, suggested that everyone dance.
The musicians switched to a soothing dance tune.
Thor grabbed Loki and rushed into the dance floor.
Loki: "You idiot, this is for finding a female partner! Don't drag me to dance, what do two men dancing look like!"
Hera glanced at the dance floor, then at Arthas, calculating that ultimate move in her heart.
"Um... Arthas, I want to go over there to get some fruit."
"Can you... accompany me?"
She pointed to the long table on the other side of the banquet hall. Arthas didn't think much of it and stood up.
"Sure, let's go."
The two walked one after the other.
Hera walked behind, her eyes fixed on Arthas's back.
In her heart, she silently recited the formula Athena had taught her.
"Three, two, one..."
"Oh my!"
Just as they reached a slightly open area, Hera's foot suddenly seemed to be tripped by something.
Her whole body lost balance and fell forward, and the direction of the fall was very precise, heading straight for Arthas's arms.
Arthas heard the exclamation and instinctively turned around before he could see clearly what had happened.
A soft body carrying a delicate fragrance had already crashed into his arms.
He instinctively reached out his hands and caught Hera, one hand around her waist and the other supporting her shoulder.
The distance between the two instantly narrowed to zero.
Hera's face was pressed against his chest, and she could clearly hear his powerful heartbeat.
*Thump, thump, thump...*
That sound caused her fluster, which was originally faked, to instantly become genuine shyness.
"Are... are you okay?"
Arthas looked down at the person in his arms, his voice a bit tight.
This touch... this softness... this scent...
It really was a Queen-level enjoyment.
Hera nuzzled against his chest and looked up, her eyes misty as she looked at him, her cheeks as red as if they were painted with rouge.
"I... I seem to have sprained my ankle."
"It hurts so much..."
Her voice was so soft and sweet it felt like it could melt, with not a hint of her usual majesty left.
"Sprained your ankle?"
Arthas glanced at that pair of exquisite high heels, then at the floor that was as flat as an ice rink.
You can sprain an ankle on this? This was too ridiculous, wasn't it?
This was practically rubbing his IQ into the ground!
But...
Looking at Hera's "it really hurts, hurry up and comfort me" expression...
Arthas once again chose to cooperate with her performance.
"Then I'll help you sit down and rest for a while."
As he spoke, he was about to help Hera to a nearby chair.
"No... no."
Hera gripped his lapels tightly, pressing her entire body weight onto him.
"The chairs are too hard..."
"And... I can't walk now."
"Can you... can you help me back to my room?"
"Or... carry me back?"
As soon as these words came out, the surrounding goddesses eavesdropping almost couldn't help but scream.
Too direct! Too aggressive!
Sister Hera is going to become famous in a single battle!
Arthas's body stiffened for a moment.
Carry her back?
In front of this large crowd? In front of Odin and Frigga?
Carry the Queen of Olympus back to her room?
If this got out, would he still have his reputation as the Pure Love War God?
He glanced at Odin in the main seat.
He found the Old Man busy drinking, not looking this way at all.
He looked at the people around them; everyone seemed to very tactfully look away, pretending to look at the ceiling or count ants.
"This..."
Arthas was a bit hesitant.
"How about I call a maid..."
"No!"
Hera interrupted him, her voice carrying a hint of a sob.
"Do you dislike me that much?"
"I'm already injured..."
"Can't you... be a little more considerate?"
As she spoke, tears really did start welling up in her eyes; that look was enough to make anyone's heart break.
Arthas sighed, completely defeated; he really had no way to deal with this kind of tearful offensive.
Especially when these tears came from a queen who was usually high and mighty; the lethality brought by this contrast was practically nuclear-level.
"Fine, fine, I give in to you."
"I'll take you back, alright?"
Arthas said helplessly, then bent down, one hand going under her knees and the other around her back.
With a slight exertion, he picked Hera up horizontally—the legendary Princess Carry.
"Ah..."
Hera let out a low cry, her hands naturally circling Arthas's neck.
She buried her face in the crook of his neck to hide her cheeks that were about to catch fire and her frantically rising smile.
Success! It really worked!
This feeling of being cared for, of being held in someone's arms...
...it really was too good!
Ten thousand times better than being some Queen of Heaven!
Arthas carried Hera through the banquet hall, under the meaningful and celebratory gazes of the crowd of onlookers.
He headed toward Hera's suite.
With every step, he could feel the heartbeat of the person in his arms and her increasingly hot body temperature.
"This woman..."
"Is her temperature regulation system broken?"
"Why is she so hot?"
He complained in his heart, but his steps were very steady.
He was afraid of jostling this precious "injured person."
In a corner...
Athena closed her small notebook and pushed up her glasses.
"Phase one of the plan: successfully completed."
"Next, it'll depend on their performance in the room."
Artemis wiped away some non-existent drool from the corner of her mouth.
"Sister Hera really was hiding her light under a bushel."
"That final tearful offensive just now was practically textbook-level."
"Learned something, definitely learned something."
Hestia, meanwhile, had her hands clasped together, a look of intoxication on her face.
"This is love..."
"Love that transcends age and status..."
"So romantic!"
Loki watched this scene and shook his head.
"Big Brother, oh Big Brother."
"You're really going to be done in by women in this life."
"But..."
He looked at the blockhead in front of him who was dragging him to dance.
"Thor, that's about enough from you! Dancing requires a female partner! Aaaaaah!"
Odin put down his wine cup, watching Arthas's departing back.
A meaningful smile appeared on his face.
"It's good to be young."
And at this moment, Arthas was carrying Hera down the quiet corridor.
The person in his arms was no longer trembling but was quietly curled up in his embrace like a kitten that had found its nest.
Arthas looked down at her and found she was secretly opening one eye to look at him.
Their eyes met.
Hera quickly closed her eyes again to play dead.
Arthas couldn't help but laugh.
"Stop pretending."
"We're here."
He stopped in front of a magnificent door.
This was Hera's suite.