The Victor is King, the Vanquished is a Bandit
People always choose to forget the loser.
Odin's conquest of the Nine Realms was a feat so great that the kings of other worlds seemed insignificant.
A millennium had passed since Odin and Laufey fought on Earth.
A thousand years later, when Odin was mentioned, he was respectfully called the "Father of the Gods."
But when Laufey was mentioned, the first impression was merely of a loser conquered by Odin.
Seeing the battle before them, everyone realized how biased that evaluation had been.
Yes, Laufey had been defeated by Odin, but he was by no means weak or incompetent. On the contrary, he was exceptionally powerful and ruthless—not only to others, but even more so to himself.
Originally, it had been a contest between kings, but at first glance now, it looked like two street thugs fighting:
"You stab me with a sword, I stab you with a knife; you punch me, I slap you."
Though the fighting style was crude, its ferocity made people's scalps tingle. Toward the end, the two even stopped dodging entirely, turning their attacks into attempts to gouge out each other's internal organs.
But ultimately, it was Laufey who could no longer hold on.
His method of gaining strength had always been a forbidden technique—an extreme exploitation of potential. This was entirely different from Rimuru's abilities. With sufficient magic, everything was effortless for her.
Moreover, Rimuru's skills were inherently rogue-like.
In bravery, ruthlessness, and attrition, Laufey had lost—fairly, without injustice.
Pfft!
Laufey returned to his original size, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.
At this moment, his left arm was severed, his right leg torn, a massive hole gaping in his abdomen, and one of his eyes blinded. Almost no part of him remained intact.
Rimuru, also back to her original size, looked at the heavily scarred Laufey—now a broken body—and couldn't help but feel admiration.
Strictly speaking, Laufey was not a bad person. He was an ambitious and capable king, but his luck was terrible.
He had planned to make his move on Earth only to encounter Odin in his prime. He had endured for a thousand years, waited for Odin to weaken, and even retrieved the Casket of Ancient Winters. He thought he would reach the pinnacle of his life… only to meet the even more unconventional Rimuru.
Laufey looked at Rimuru with a bitter smile. "I lost… I lost again. Rimuru King, what do you think of me?"
Rimuru answered earnestly, "Brave and resourceful, skilled in warfare, adept at endurance, decisive and ruthless. You possess all the qualities of an enlightened ruler… except for luck."
A glint appeared in Laufey's sole remaining eye. To receive such praise from Rimuru before death made his life feel worthwhile.
"Except for luck… except for luck… except for luck! Hahaha!"
Laufey laughed loudly, his voice echoing across Asgard, yet tinged with palpable desolation.
Since ancient times, beauties lament their twilight years, and heroes are not allowed to see their white hair. Laufey was not old, considering a Frost Giant's lifespan—he was far from his twilight years. But he had reached the end of his life.
Unlucky… what can one do but sigh?
Seeing the desolate Laufey, Rimuru couldn't help but feel some sympathy.
Throughout the Marvel Universe, aside from the "What If…?" series, Laufey and the Frost Giants had always been entities sacrificed. Whenever it concerned Asgard, Frost Giants were slaughtered in waves, and Laufey was repeatedly beaten.
In terms of bad luck, Laufey might even rival the Devourer, constantly ganged upon.
Just then, Laufey reached into his chest and pulled out the Casket of Ancient Winters.
"Rimuru King, your ice magic is second to none. Throughout the Nine Realms, none can surpass you. After you devour the Casket of Ancient Winters, perhaps no one in the universe will surpass you in ice magic."
What did he mean?
Rimuru looked curiously at the dispirited, dying Laufey.
Laufey continued, "Rimuru King, the Casket of Ancient Winters is the ancestral artifact of Jotunheim. Only the king is qualified to wield it. I pass it to you. How about also serving as King of Jötunheimr?"
Huh?
Passing the casket to her and making her concurrently King of Jötunheimr? Laufey's calculations were brilliant.
If Rimuru became king, she would bear responsibility for the Jotunheimr people. With her presence, even if the Frost Giants were defeated, the Asgardians would show restraint.
Most importantly, the Casket of Ancient Winters would remain effectively in Jotunheimr's hands. And he would gain Rimuru, a master, for free.
Rimuru shook her head. "The Casket of Ancient Winters is now my spoils of war. I prefer to claim it myself rather than accept it as a gift."
Laufey ignored her and loudly declared, using the casket:
"All Jotunheimr people, hear me! I, Laufey, pass the throne of Jötunheimr to Rimuru King. Ice Giants, Frost Giants, Mountain Giants, Wind Giants, and all other Frost Giants shall revere the new master!"
"King!"
Hearing Laufey's final will, all the giants in Asgard and Jotunheim knelt, weeping uncontrollably.
Rimuru's eyes were complex; she did not refuse. Laufey, having finished his last will, was like a candle in the wind—holding on by his last ounce of willpower, wanting to hear Rimuru personally agree.
Rimuru, feeling a pang of pity, nodded. "I agree."
Laufey smiled faintly. "Thank you. Please… devour me."
To be devoured by Rimuru and die like Fire King Surtur—perhaps it wasn't so bad.
Rimuru nodded.
Laufey's smile remained, though his eyes were unfocused. In his dying moments, he saw his lifelong rival, Odin, whom he had hated, feared, and admired. Once majestic, Odin now looked old and frail.
Had Odin come to see him off? This funeral didn't seem too shabby.
In life, he had never defeated Odin… but in a way, he had won.
The new King of Jötunheimr—whom he had broken tradition to bestow—was far superior to Odin's immortal son. He had finally won once.
The scene shifted.
Laufey seemed to return to Jotunheim, back to the side of the ancestral giant Ymir. For the prosperity of the Frost Giants, he had imprisoned the ancestor, taking from him again and again. It was against reason, against morality—but he had no regrets.
The King of Jötunheimr had passed away.
Feeling Laufey's complete death, Rimuru sighed. She did not dislike him. She reached out and helped close his single eye.
"Go to the underworld and summon your old subordinates. With a hundred thousand banners, slay the Yama Kings. May you have a good journey."
After speaking, Rimuru transformed into blue liquid and devoured Laufey's remains along with the Casket of Ancient Winters.
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