Chapter 414: Ethan, Regent of Asgard
He sat alone on the throne, like an eternal statue. But now the cold expression that had not changed in ten thousand years was visibly stirring.
His eyes, once as deep and unruffled as the stars, now glimmered with an indescribable light, as if endless stories were flowing through them.
There was even a faint sheen of moisture at the corners of his eyes. Was it sorrow? Longing? Hope?
His gaze pierced the layers of mist around the Citadel and came to rest on Odin's family.
In that moment his vision blurred, as if he were seeing his own past, seeing the family who had once been at his side and then left him.
Odin and the others saw Loki, God of Stories, seated on the throne. They saw the heavy mission he bore, and the pain of being bound by the timelines.
Every one of them was filled with shock and heartache.
"My child..." Queen Frigga was the first to break the silence, her voice trembling with grief. She looked at the Loki on the throne as if she were looking at a child she had lost.
Her face full of anguish, she stepped forward and reached out to tear away the timelines binding him.
But Loki gently shook his head and stopped her.
"Don't... Mother. I'm all right. This is my mission, and my responsibility." His voice was faint, but full of resolve.
He knew he couldn't run from it, and he couldn't give up. He was the God of Stories. The duty of guarding the multiverse rested on him.
Frigga's heart ached unbearably at his words, but she knew she couldn't shoulder this burden for him.
All she could do was carefully avoid the timelines, step forward, and hold Loki tight. In that moment, her tears could no longer be held back.
Thor, too, looked at Loki with his heart aching.
His eyes were full of anger and helplessness.
"What does it take to get rid of these damned things?!" he roared, as if he wanted to destroy every timeline binding his brother.
He took a step forward, but Odin stopped him.
Odin silently shook his head, warning him not to act rashly.
They all knew these timelines weren't something they could simply remove. They were the bonds and the pain Loki had to bear as the God of Stories.
Meanwhile, the other Loki looked at this other self before him with a tangle of emotions.
He was seeing another side of himself: a self who had become the God of Stories, yet was imprisoned here. An inexplicable sorrow and resentment welled up in him.
"Long time no see, Mother."
"Father."
"Thor. In any world, you're still just as reckless."
"Other me. You look rather lost." Finally he turned to the other Loki and gave him a long, deep look. In that moment, it was as if an endless universe flowed through his eyes, as if he could see to the essence of all things.
"As for a way, I don't know one. All I know is that the multiverse is about to face a catastrophe, which is why I asked Ethan to protect it."
Loki said it with a hint of helplessness.
"You've already become a god. Is there anything you can't handle?"
"If you can't handle it, leave it to me." With that, Thor took up Mjolnir.
As long as he was Loki, he was Thor's brother.
A big brother helping his little brother was only right and natural.
Odin said nothing. He only frowned, but anger was faintly building on his face.
These people provoked Asgardians again and again. Did they think the King of the Gods was dead?
"The enemy of the multiverse..."
"Who is it, my child?" Frigga asked, still full of worry.
"Kang, and the other evil variants he leads. He's evil and powerful. I'm ashamed to say this Kang most likely comes from my world."
"If Kang succeeds, the other universes of the multiverse will vanish and begin converging into a single Sacred Timeline."
"If he succeeds, your universe will be the first to be destroyed. And in the end, the timeline will become their favorite plaything."
Loki, God of Stories, spoke gravely. He had sacrificed his own freedom to buy the multiverse its freedom. He would not allow things to go back to the way they were.
"Kang?"
"Who's Kang? Where is he?"
"I'll go back right now and kill him!"
Thor was ready to act the moment he heard.
"You're no match for him, Thor."
"Don't worry. I've already entrusted it to Ethan. I believe Ethan has a chance of pulling it off."
"I hope you'll help him well, Thor."
Ethan was a special existence, after all. And he hadn't disappointed. In just a few days, he'd already set half a foot into the demigod realm.
Only Ethan can do it...?
Thor didn't argue. Ethan really was a good deal stronger than him.
Loki, though, felt a pang of resentment. Why?
Why can Ethan do it, and we can't?
He wanted to save his other self too.
In the God of Stories' eyes, am I really not as good as Ethan?
Odin, meanwhile, was studying Ethan. He'd known Ethan was no ordinary man, and now even Loki, a god, thought this highly of him.
Ethan must be hiding some secret he couldn't share.
Odin understood in his heart that this young man had secrets no one knew, secrets that might change Asgard's fate.
An idea suddenly flashed through Odin's mind, and he silently made an important decision.
He drew a deep breath and declared firmly, "Asgard will fully support Ethan. We offer our heartfelt thanks for everything he has done for Asgard."
Then Odin turned to Loki with a questioning look. "I have an important announcement to make. Would Lord Loki, God of Stories, be willing to stand as witness?"
Loki smiled faintly and nodded his agreement.
Thor and Frigga turned their eyes to Odin, curious what he was about to announce.
Standing to one side, Ethan felt a flicker of curiosity too. He had no idea what this scheming old King of the Gods was up to now. But he knew every decision Odin made had some far-reaching purpose.
Under the gaze of the gods, Odin walked slowly toward Ethan. His steps were steady and strong, as if each one carried the future of Asgard.
When he stood before Ethan, he drew a deep breath and spoke solemnly: "With Lord Loki, God of Stories, as witness, and in recognition of His Excellency Ethan's great contributions and selfless dedication to Asgard, I hereby grant him the office of Regent of Asgard."
The words left Thor and Loki stunned. It was without question an immense recognition and honor for Ethan.
After all, it meant that whoever became king of Asgard would be his call.
And Odin's next words shocked everyone even more: "Should Thor's performance prove inadequate in the future, Lord Ethan will have the authority to depose him. And whenever you have need, the entire people of Asgard will come to your aid, unconditionally."
"Would Lord Ethan be willing?"
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