Odin looked at Forn calmly, then cast a brief glance at the sword she was holding.
He let out a small sigh, shook his head, and said in a steady voice:
"If you raise that sword at me again… I will cut off your head. Is that understood?"
The moment Forn heard that—and felt the strange aura surrounding him—she released the sword from her hand without resistance.
It wasn't mere fear… it was realization.
She knew that if she used her power in her current state, she would be defeated easily. She was not at full strength yet, and her injuries were still severe.
When she sensed Odin's power and the terrifying aura filling the air, what had happened earlier resurfaced in her mind.
She had already considered killing the raven that carried her here. She had regained consciousness while it was transporting her—but she had awakened when they were already over the middle of the sea.
If she had killed it then… she would have found herself alone in the ocean, gravely injured.
So she allowed it to continue.
It wasn't out of weakness… but curiosity.
She wanted to see who had dared to abduct her in such a manner.
But the moment she arrived on this island, she felt something strange.
As if she had been… cut off from the outside world.
She carried a second teleportation gem with her—but she couldn't use it here.
When she realized that, she decided to pretend she was still unconscious.
But she hadn't expected to be exposed so easily.
Forn quickly regained her composure, lifted her head with feigned arrogance, and said:
"Who are you? Do you know who you stand before?! You are standing before Forn, Princess and Crown Heir of the Human Empire! Kneel before me at once!"
No trace of surprise appeared on Odin's face.
He simply replied in a calm voice:
"There is no need for all this fear, Forn. We are not enemies. We are the race of Asgard. We do not kill the wounded, nor do we harm them. So there is no need for this foolish talk."
Forn's face flushed slightly for a moment, then she quickly said, trying to steady herself:
"I… I truly am the Princess of the Human Empire! If you don't believe me—"
Odin raised an eyebrow slightly and said:
"I already know that. But your status in the outside world means nothing here."
Then he added in a heavier tone:
"You are standing on the land of rulers… and I am the ruler of Asgard. I am Odin… the Ruler of the Sky."
The moment those words left his mouth, the weather changed abruptly.
The sky darkened with thick clouds like a vast black shadow, and terrifying bolts of lightning struck down, as if threatening every creature on the island with annihilation.
Forn trembled and stepped back, murmuring:
"He's… as strong as my father… How is that possible?!"
But she quickly regained her calm and lowered her voice slightly.
"Who are you really? Where am I? And what race do you belong to?"
Odin smiled faintly and waved his hand.
Suddenly… the clouds vanished, the lightning disappeared, and the sky returned to perfect clarity as though nothing had happened.
When Forn saw the clouds disperse so easily, she muttered inwardly:
"He created those clouds just to scare me… didn't he?"
No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than Odin said calmly:
"It seems you have many questions… and that is your right. Do not worry—I will answer them all. And do not worry either… we are not thieves. We will not steal your sacred weapon, Forn. There is no need for such caution."
Forn wanted to respond with sharp words to preserve her pride, but he continued before she could speak, gesturing toward a cave not far away.
"Rest inside that cave. When you feel you have recovered… stand here and call for me, and I will come to you. Do you understand?"
Forn hesitated for a moment, then quickly said:
"Fine."
But the moment the word left her lips… Odin vanished from the spot.
Her eyes widened in anger as she exclaimed:
"How… how can he ignore me like that?! Yes, he may be stronger than me—but I am the Princess of the Human Empire!"
Her words abruptly stopped at the mention of the Empire.
The defiant spark in her eyes dimmed, replaced by bitter realization.
She knew very well that the Emperor was searching for her now—not to bring her back… but to kill her and reclaim the spear.
The moment that thought surfaced, she whispered inwardly:
"I have to rely on myself from now on. I must not rely on anyone… nor trust anyone."
A faint, cold smile curved her lips as she walked toward the cave Odin had indicated.
"It's good that he's letting me heal and regain my strength. There is nothing safe I can rely on except my own power."
Her steps were steady, but she released her aura throughout her body to keep herself from collapsing—her injuries were far from minor.
In one of the island's caves, Odin stood before his three twin daughters, speaking in a slightly hesitant tone:
"Was it really necessary to treat her so gently? Wouldn't taking the sacred weapon from her be easier than all this?"
The three twins looked at him calmly and answered in one synchronized voice:
"No, Father. You must earn Forn's favor and make her swear loyalty and submit to Asgard. She will be very important in the future."
Odin frowned slightly and said skeptically:
"But she is human… How could she be important? She is too weak to pose a threat to me… or even to my brothers."
The twins exchanged glances, then shook their heads in strange harmony and said:
"That is not your concern, Father. You only need to follow orders. This is the will of Asgard."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Odin lowered his gaze slightly and said in a quiet but firm voice:
"As long as Asgard… my father… has commanded it, I will carry out the order without error."
There was no doubt in his tone—only absolute commitment.
Meanwhile, in the distant cave, Forn sat alone, unaware that her fate was no longer hers alone… but had become part of a far greater plan than she could ever imagine.