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All-Father, Odin.
Anthony's pupils shrank slightly.
From this old man, his spider-sense detected a threat.
A real threat.
Were Odin at his peak, Anthony knew he'd likely be beaten senseless.
But now… the old man is on the verge of death.
His life-fire is already a candle in the wind; he won't strike casually, unless he wants to schedule his own funeral early.
"Odin." Anthony offered no obeisance, didn't even lower his head.
He straightened his back, his feet lifting slightly off the ground so that, eye-level, he matched Odin on his eight-legged steed.
"Long heard your great name," Anthony said with a smile.
"I'm Homelander. Earth's… Guardian."
"Guardian?" Odin's single eye fixed on him coldly, as though boring through his soul.
"I see into your heart, mortal."
"I see not guardianship, but desire."
"You crave worship, you crave power, you crave standing above all beings."
"Father!" Thor interjected hastily. "Though his character's vile, he just saved Jane, and before that he rescued Midgard—"
"Silence, Thor. You forever turn deaf ears to my words!" Odin barked. "Bringing mortals to Asgard is grave offense. They do not belong here, just as goat meat has no place on a banquet table."
"Goat meat?" Anthony chuckled.
"Are all one-eyed men this obnoxious, old man? Time you got glasses for that aging eye."
Anthony drifted slowly until he hovered three meters from Odin.
The golden-armored soldiers instantly drew their swords, killing intent thick in the air.
"I prefer another term—God of Earth."
Anthony pointed at himself.
"You, self-proclaimed king of the gods, ruled the Nine Realms for millennia—but you… are old."
"Look at you, Odin. Your hands tremble; what frightens you? Ragnarok? Or that after death you won't enter Valhalla?"
"Insolence!!"
Heimdall exploded, his great sword already descending.
"Stop." Odin raised a hand, halting Heimdall.
He stared deep at Anthony, a cryptic gleam flashing in that lone eye.
"You've courage, Midgardian."
"But this is Asgard. Here, strength is not the only law."
Odin glanced at the unconscious Jane Foster, sensing the Aether Particle's fluctuations.
"Take the woman to the infirmary," he ordered Thor.
"As for this… guest—"
The corner of Odin's mouth hooked into a cold smile.
"Since he's come, let him see what a true divine realm is."
"Arrange a room for him… close to Valaskjálf dungeons."
"Father?" Thor blinked.
"Take him away." Odin turned, no longer sparing Anthony a glance.
"Don't let him wander. Asgard… dislikes rats."
Anthony shrugged, utterly unbothered.
Dungeon? Sounds fine. Heard an interesting… second prince lives down there?
He looked at Thor and gave a meaningful grin.
"Lead on, Hammer-God. I'm tired; feels like nap time."
…Asgard's guest chambers were undeniably luxurious.
This so-called "near-dungeon" room surpassed any five-star hotel on Earth.
Anthony stood on the balcony, gazing at the distant Bifrost Bridge.
He was under house arrest.
Four elite Asgardian guards stood at the door—no more than paper to him, but they made Odin's stance clear.
"Since I'm here, might as well relax."
Anthony wasn't worried.
He was waiting.
Waiting for the Dark Elves' invasion.
Per the plot, that villain Malekith would soon sense the Aether and sail his cloaked fleet straight into Asgard.
When that happened the whole realm would descend into chaos.
That would be the perfect moment to fish in troubled waters.
"However…"
Anthony rubbed his chin.
"Right now half the Aether is inside Jessica, half inside Jane Foster. The storyline has already changed."
"What will Malekith do?"
Just as he thought that—
Knock knock knock.
Someone rapped on the door.
"Come in."
The door opened.
The visitor wasn't Thor, wasn't a guard.
It was an elegant, noble woman radiating maternal warmth.
Queen of Asgard, Frigga.
"Mr. Starr, first meeting; I'm Thor's mother, Frigga." She smiled, entering with a fruit platter in hand.
"I heard Midgard's guest had arrived, so I brought some Asgardian specialties. These are golden apples—beneficial to the body."
Anthony was taken aback.
This wasn't in the script… the Queen herself bringing fruit?
"Your Majesty," he said, giving a slight bow, showing due gentlemanly courtesy.
"You're too kind. I'm merely… an unwelcome intruder."
"Odin can be too stubborn at times," Frigga said, setting the platter on the table and looking at him gently.
"But I can tell—you're not a bad man."
"Oh?" Anthony raised an eyebrow. "Why so? We've never met."
"A Witch's intuition." Frigga smiled.
"Though your heart brims with desire and pride, I see the will of a Guardian."
Anthony fell silent.
This woman… was no simpleton.
First mage of the Nine Realms; Loki learned his magic from her. It was no surprise she could read hearts.
"What is it you wish to say, Your Majesty?" Anthony wiped the smile from his face.
"I want to ask a favor of you."
Frigga stepped to the balcony, gazing at the starry sky, a trace of worry in her eyes.
"I sense… darkness is coming."
"Thor is too rash, Odin… too old."
She turned back to Anthony.
"Should catastrophe strike… should Asgard fall into despair—"
"I hope you can… help Thor."
Anthony looked at the mother who, in the original plot, would soon die protecting Jane Foster.
In the prime timeline she would perish at the hands of the Dark Elves.
"Help Thor?" Anthony picked up a golden apple and bit into it.
Crunch.
Juice burst forth; pure energy slid down his throat.
"Your Majesty, I'm a businessman running a company," he mumbled while chewing.
"My appearance fee is… rather steep."
"I know." Frigga smiled, a hint of cunning in her eyes.
"There's something rather nice in Asgard's vault. If you help Thor through this crisis—"
"I can tell you… how to use that thing safely."
Anthony froze mid-chew.
"Which thing?"
"The Infinity Stone," Frigga said softly.
"A mortal body can't draw out its true power. But… if you can use that item—"
Anthony's eyes lit up.
"Deal."
He swallowed the apple and flashed a brilliant smile.
"You are truly… a great mother."
"There's something I could repay you with right now—something life-threaten—"
"Mr. Starr," Frigga cut in, "destiny is already sealed…"