Chapter 11: The Prince of Asgard
Lan Xingyu arrived at the palace, chatting and laughing with Thor and the others. Just then, the sound of an object striking the ground echoed from the royal palace in all directions; it was the signal that the God King was about to announce something.
Everyone began gathering toward the palace. Thor said, "Father is about to begin. Let's head inside!"
"No problem, we can get there faster! Gate!" Lan Xingyu said, and a Teleportation Gate appeared before them.
"You know, I really don't know if there's anything you can't do," Sif marveled. The other companions expressed their deep agreement.
"Hehe, it's alright. Let's not talk about that and just go," Xingyu said, changing the subject. He couldn't help it; being too strong was its own kind of burden...
Entering the grand hall, they saw Odin seated upon the throne. They all paid their respects and moved to the side. After a moment, seeing that everyone had arrived, Odin struck his divine spear against the floor once more. Another ripple spread outward, signifying the formal start of the court assembly.
"I have summoned you all today to make two announcements. First, our hero, my son Thor, led his team to successfully suppress a rebellion in Alfheim, bringing peace and honor to Asgard. Thor, The Warriors Three, Sif—please step forward to receive my blessing."
Thor and the others stepped before Odin and knelt on one knee. Odin released a beam of divine light that entered the bodies of the five.
"Your achievements will be forever recorded in the history of Asgard." Another beam of divine light appeared, illuminating a mural on the ceiling. The mural transformed to depict their heroic figures fighting in Alfheim.
"You may step down!" After completing this, Odin waved his hand for the five to retreat.
"Next is the second matter. Would the disciple of the Sorcerer Supreme, Lan Xingyu, please step forward to receive his title." Lan Xingyu was completely bewildered; he hadn't expected this to involve him. Though confused, he still walked forward.
Everyone was shocked to see it was a child. What kind of ability did he possess to be summoned before Odin at such a young age?
"I, Odin, God King of Asgard, hereby formally announce that from this day forward, Lan Xingyu shall be the first Prince of Asgard with a foreign surname. He shall hold all the rights of a Prince, including the unrestricted use of the Bifrost Bridge and the authority to bring others into Asgard."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone, including Lan Xingyu, was stunned. What? A Prince? Unrestricted use of the Bifrost Bridge? And he could bring others to Asgard? This was an immense amount of power. One must realize that even the current Thor could not use the Bifrost Bridge at will, let alone bring outsiders. It was clear just how much authority Lan Xingyu now held in Asgard.
A Flash of realization suddenly crossed Lan Xingyu's mind (yes, I'm playing with a Conan trope). Could Odin be trying to win him over, binding him to Asgard so that he would also participate in defending against Ragnarok?
Regardless, the gift Odin gave was truly massive; Lan Xingyu couldn't find a way to refuse. Fine, so what if it's Hela? As long as she dares to come out, I'll dare to stuff her back in. Having strength really allows one to do whatever they want.
Witnessed by everyone, Lan Xingyu knelt on one knee and said, "Thank you, God King." This signified that Lan Xingyu had accepted the responsibility of protecting Asgard in the future.
Odin nodded with satisfaction. "Rise. Now that you are a Prince, you need not kneel to me or any King of Asgard. You may go."
Lan Xingyu stood up and walked to Thor's side. Thor nudged him with his leg, and when Lan Xingyu looked over, Thor winked at him and gave him a thumbs up.
Lan Xingyu smiled at Thor's endearing side. He made a funny face back and stood to the side.
"Next is the banquet to celebrate Thor's victory and our new Prince. Everyone, enjoy yourselves." After speaking, Odin struck the ground with his divine spear once more. The plaza in front of the palace split open, and dining tables appeared one by one, laden with delicacies, with many chefs standing ready. Thus, the banquet began amidst the sounding of horns.
Lan Xingyu watched Thor's group bragging everywhere and felt a bit curious. Where was Loki? Why wasn't he there? But it wasn't easy to ask. Suddenly, he noticed his teacher wasn't there either. It was very strange. Just then, Frigga walked over to Lan Xingyu's side.
"How is it? Is the food at the banquet good?"
"Mhm, it's delicious. By the way, Aunt Frigga, have you seen my teacher? Why haven't I seen her?"
"She had an urgent matter and went back first. She told me to tell you to have fun and return when you're tired. Oh, she also said not to use your own ability to go back, but to take our Asgardian Bifrost Bridge instead; she said it might give you some insights."
"Oh, I see. Okay then, Aunt Frigga, I'm going to find Thor and the others to play."
"Mhm, go ahead! Have fun," Frigga laughed, pinching Lan Xingyu's cheek. *Ah, I touched it. So fun. No, Frigga, you are the Queen, you must restrain yourself.*
"Okay, I'm going then," Lan Xingyu said with a dark expression he couldn't show after having his cheek pinched again. Finished speaking, he turned into a Flash and reached Thor's side, joining them. Because Lan Xingyu was so cute, he was often the focus of the ladies; now that he was also a Prince of Asgard, he became the center of the banquet...
A day later, Lan Xingyu woke up in the palace that belonged to him. Looking at this massive palace and thinking back to the apartment he lived in in his previous life... tsk tsk, there was simply no comparison. By now, the name Lan Xingyu had spread throughout the Universe. After all, Asgard's cosmic status was right there; even when people of The Warriors Three's level went to see The Collector, he was of a race that even The Collector had to bow to. Now, Asgard had sent Lan Xingyu's portrait to all the major powers in the Universe, informing them that he was the new Prince of Asgard. All the major powers were shocked. Asgard actually had a six-year-old Prince of a different race! This news immediately took the front-page headlines of the Galactic News!
Not long after Lan Xingyu woke up, there was a knock at the door. "Come in," he said. Two maids opened the door and walked up to him, asking, "Prince Highness, do you need us to help you change?"
"Oh, no need, no need. If you two sisters could just bring me some breakfast, that would be great." Lan Xingyu wasn't used to having others watch him while he changed.
"Understood. Please wait a moment, Prince. We will bring it to you immediately." With that, they withdrew. Lan Xingyu couldn't help but sigh. Is this the corruption of the capitalist life? I will not fall for it!
However, while eating the incredibly lavish breakfast, Lan Xingyu said with a smile, "So good."
After eating, Lan Xingyu thought it was time to bid farewell to Odin and the others. He walked toward Odin's temple. After having a guard announce him, Lan Xingyu entered. Seeing the God King Odin, he walked over.
"Good morning, God King Odin. Thank you for the hospitality these past two days. However, I'll be heading back today." Lan Xingyu bowed slightly upon seeing Odin and spoke after greeting him.
"It is no trouble. In the future, treat Asgard as your home. No need for formalities. Don't forget, you are a Prince now!" Odin said kindly.
"Mhm, then I'll go say goodbye to Thor and the others and leave. Thank you, God King Odin. Goodbye, God King Odin!" Lan Xingyu waved his small hand, looking very cute in the sunlight.
"Yes, goodbye, child! Remember to come back and visit often."
"Mhm!" After speaking, Lan Xingyu opened a Teleportation Gate to find Thor and the others. Unfortunately, they were all sleeping, and he only saw Sif practicing her swordsmanship. After saying goodbye to Sif, he arrived at the Bifrost Bridge. Looking at the eggshell-like Bifrost Bridge station, Lan Xingyu's eyes were full of curiosity. Just then, a warrior in gold armor with dark skin approached him.
"Heimdall greets Prince Lan. Is there anything I can help you with?" Heimdall, the gatekeeper of Asgard, said to Lan Xingyu.
"No need to be so serious. I'm just here to take the Bifrost Bridge back. Thanks for your hard work, Uncle Heimdall!"
"It is my honor. Please follow me."
Under Heimdall's lead, Lan Xingyu came to the entrance of the Bifrost Bridge. Heimdall inserted his sword into the circular disk in the center of the Bifrost Bridge and said, "I am about to begin. Please be careful, Prince Highness."
"Mhm." Lan Xingyu nodded to indicate he was ready. As Heimdall rotated the sword, Lan Xingyu was sucked into the Bifrost Bridge tunnel by a beam of light. Looking at the colorful walls of light around him, Lan Xingyu couldn't resist touching them. But that touch caused a problem. Countless amounts of spatial energy surged wildly from the walls through his hand and into his body.
Back on Asgard, Heimdall also noticed something was wrong and was about to close the Bifrost Bridge to bring Lan Xingyu back, but a hand stopped him. The owner of that hand was none other than God King Odin!
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Thank you for reading to the end of this chapter, and if you can help by giving me votes of confidence, I would appreciate it ^_^