Chapter 751

Fifteen hundred? No. Fifteen thousand? Still no.

The territory Evenson had just handed over to Zahaid covered a full 150,000 square kilometers. That was an enormous stretch of land, comparable in size to an entire province.

Evenson, however, had waved it away without a second thought.

Owning an entire planet had a way of changing one’s perspective on real estate. Besides, he had acquired the planet without paying a dime in the first place. Giving away a sizable chunk of it hardly qualified as a painful sacrifice.

As for the possibility that the land contained valuable mineral deposits, Evenson wasn’t particularly concerned. This was an entire planet. Surely there were other places to mine.

Even his notoriously awful luck couldn’t possibly be bad enough for that one patch of land to contain every worthwhile resource on the planet.

Could it?

No. He refused to dignify the thought with further consideration.

With his deal with Zahaid settled, the other matter at hand finally reached its conclusion as well.

The Ancient One’s abdication ceremony was complete.

After considerable persuasion, Clea had reluctantly agreed to become Earth’s new ruler.

Whether the Ancient One had finally convinced her by laying out the greater good and explaining the consequences of refusing, or whether Clea had simply realized something far more personally appealing, was difficult to say.

After all, once she became Queen of Earth, her future marriage to Evenson might take on a rather different character.

Instead of marrying up, she could have him marry into her family.

And then, when she returned to the two demonesses who had been giving her grief, she could finally hold her head high.

There were advantages to monarchy after all.

Thor had been rather dazed throughout the proceedings, but he had at least witnessed the ceremony and signed his name in the appropriate section of the contract.

More importantly, he wasn’t entirely stupid.

He might not have been the sharpest tool in Asgard’s armory, but he was the crown prince of Asgard. He had lived long enough to understand that certain formalities mattered, especially when kingdoms were involved.

Once the contract had been signed, he cleared his throat.

"Well, that’s settled. But this is a matter of considerable importance. Out of respect for my father, and for the sake of proper relations between our realms, one of you should inform him personally. So, which of you is going?"

The Ancient One carefully put away the contract.

Now that the deed was done, the remaining formalities should be manageable.

They had already proceeded without consulting Odin beforehand. That was one thing. Failing to inform him afterward would be an entirely different matter, and one that would amount to a deliberate insult.

Even the Ancient One had limits when it came to offending the All-Father.

The problem was deciding who should deliver the news.

She immediately ruled herself out.

Thor might not have realized what had happened, but Odin certainly would. If she appeared before him now, the message would be unmistakable.

Yes, Odin. I arranged Earth’s political independence, installed a new ruler, and secured your son’s endorsement without consulting you. What are you going to do about it?

It would be the diplomatic equivalent of backing someone into a corner, slapping him repeatedly, and then asking whether his face hurt.

Odin was not a man who took kindly to being humiliated, and the Ancient One had no desire to discover exactly how much destruction an insult of that magnitude could provoke.

Unfortunately, Clea wasn’t an option either. Sending her would accomplish much the same thing.

The Ancient One looked up at Thor.

"Perhaps you could do us one final favor and explain the situation to your father on our behalf."

Thor’s brows drew together. He looked distinctly displeased.

"Wouldn’t that be rather... abrupt?"

According to the contract, Earth would enjoy far greater autonomy than any other realm under Asgard’s protection. Its relationship with Asgard would be almost entirely nominal.

Nevertheless, there were still customs to observe. Even if Earth was a special case, surely its leaders could show the All-Father the courtesy of informing him properly.

Before Thor could elaborate, Sif tugged lightly at his arm.

"Perhaps we should agree to it."

She had realized something was wrong, but unfortunately, her realization had come a little too late. By the time she understood the implications of what was happening, Thor had already signed the contract and committed himself to witnessing the ceremony.

There was no undoing that now.

All she could do was prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

"Earth has just suffered an unprovoked invasion by the Dark Elves," Sif continued. "The aftermath must be considerable. And with a new ruler taking the throne, they’ll have countless internal matters to settle. We can at least spare them the trouble of making a special trip to Asgard."

Her reasoning was not especially airtight, but it sounded respectable enough.

Thor turned to her with an expression of profound disappointment.

"Sif, you’re missing the point!"

She stared at him.

"I understand that they have a great deal to deal with. That’s precisely why I’m trying to help them. You know my father’s temper. If I deliver the news myself, he’ll interpret their absence as a lack of respect. That could sour relations between our realms and create unnecessary trouble."

He folded his arms, evidently satisfied with his own reasoning.

"One of them must go. There’s no other way."

Sif gave the Ancient One a strained smile.

You do understand that your father is going to be furious, then?

If either woman went to see Odin personally, he wouldn’t merely be displeased. There was a very real possibility that the news would knock the old king clean off his throne.

The Ancient One and Sif exchanged a look of mutual helplessness.

Fortunately, Evenson had been listening.

"I’ll go."

He stepped forward before anyone else could object.

"I’ll represent Earth and explain the situation to the All-Father personally. Will that suffice?"

He understood perfectly well why the two women were reluctant to make the trip. If they were in a bind, he had no reason not to help them out.

More importantly, Odin had previously promised him a reward for his assistance during the Dark Elf crisis. Once everything was over, Evenson would be allowed to choose one treasure from the Asgardian royal vault.

He had absolutely no intention of letting that opportunity slip away.

He had already put in the work. This was the part where he collected his loot.

Thor gave him a strange look, then hurried over and pulled him aside.

"What are you doing? Why are you making this more complicated?"

He lowered his voice, as though trying to save Evenson from an embarrassing mistake.

"According to protocol, when a throne changes hands, the new ruler must personally appear before my father. Since the former ruler is still alive in this case, the old ruler could go instead. Even if Earth enjoys a special status, you would at least need to send a high-ranking minister with sufficient authority."

He looked Evenson up and down.

"And you..."

The implication was clear enough.

Evenson might be qualified to serve as an envoy in ordinary circumstances, but this was a matter of royal succession. His position simply wasn’t important enough.

Besides, Thor had learned a valuable lesson from their previous trip to Asgard.

The last time Evenson had come here, the Dark Elves had invaded almost immediately afterward.

Thor was beginning to suspect that Evenson himself was some sort of walking catastrophe. If he brought the man home again, he half expected Asgard to explode on the spot, leaving nothing behind but a crater and a very unfortunate archaeological site.

Before he could voice that particular concern, Clea suddenly pointed at Evenson.

"His position is perfectly adequate."

Thor blinked.

Clea hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words.

"He’s... he’s..."

Then she straightened.

"He’s my fiancé! Yes, that’s right. He’s my fiancé!"

A violent coughing fit erupted from the two Eredar Twins, who had been standing nearby and listening to the entire conversation.

They couldn’t believe it.

Clea had actually used the opportunity to establish Evenson’s status in public.

How devious.

And here they had thought the little girl was still learning the ropes.

Evenson, meanwhile, looked as though someone had just informed him that he had won the cosmic lottery.

"Exactly! I’m her fiancé. Her future prince consort. Surely that gives me sufficient standing?"

The twins glared at him with the sort of murderous intensity usually reserved for enemies who had personally destroyed one’s favorite artifact.

Evenson didn’t notice.

Thor’s mouth twisted as he considered the situation.

He had to admit that being the future husband of Earth’s queen gave Evenson a rather stronger claim to diplomatic standing.

Still, he seemed reluctant to accept it.

Evenson mistook his hesitation for a sign that his new title wasn’t impressive enough.

He exchanged a glance with Clea, then raised his voice.

"I also hold the office of Prime Minister, First Secretary of the Cabinet, Grand Chancellor, and Chief Military Adviser!"

He paused.

"And... Master of Ceremonies? No, wait. Never mind that one. The point is, I’m a very important person!"

Clea nodded enthusiastically beside him, supporting every word.

The Ancient One could only smile helplessly.

The man certainly knew how to seize an opportunity. In the span of a few seconds, he had appointed himself to half the government.

Not that any of those titles meant much in practice.

Still, if it helped get the job done, why not?

"Fine," Thor conceded at last, though he sounded anything but pleased. "You can go."

Evenson immediately brightened.

With that settled, Thor took care of the Aether, containing the Infinity Stone’s power before summoning the Bifrost.

As the rainbow bridge prepared to carry them to Asgard, Sif abruptly stepped closer and wrapped both arms around Thor. She pressed her face against his chest.

Thor glanced down at her in confusion.

What’s this about?

Sif was hardly a novice when it came to traveling by Bifrost. She had made the journey countless times. There was no reason to cling to him as though this were her first ride.

He considered pushing her away, but decided against it. Instead, he slipped an arm around her waist.

Evenson, meanwhile, took up his usual position near the edge of the group.

Thor didn’t kick him off the platform. Evenson considered that a generous gesture.

Then the Bifrost carried them away.

And when they arrived in Asgard, the scene awaiting them was nothing like the one Evenson remembered from his previous visit.

This time, they weren’t sneaking around after a disastrous escape.

They were returning as heroes.

The road from the Bifrost to the Golden Palace was lined with cheering Asgardians. Great ceremonial bells, their elaborate mechanisms driven by turning gears, swung from heavy chains and rang out across the city. Their triumphant music echoed between the golden towers.

The people had every reason to celebrate.

Thor’s actions during the Dark Elf crisis had amounted to a gamble with the fate of his entire realm. Had he failed, he would have been remembered as the reckless prince whose arrogance brought disaster upon his people.

Instead, he had succeeded.

The threat had been overcome, the realms had been saved, and Thor had returned as a hero who had rescued countless lives from catastrophe.

The people of Asgard welcomed him accordingly.

Evenson, for his part, felt an enormous weight lift from his shoulders.

During their previous visit, he had helped Thor steal the Aether from Odin’s vault and flee Asgard. If anyone had decided to investigate that little incident, Evenson would have been implicated as an accomplice.

His position would have been difficult to defend.

Now, however, Thor was a celebrated hero.

And Evenson?

He was the trusted ally who had helped the crown prince accomplish a deed worthy of legend.

Funny how a change in circumstances could transform a criminal into a national hero.

Overhead, spacecraft glided through the sky. But these vessels carried no armed soldiers. Instead, elegantly dressed attendants stood aboard them with baskets of flowers, scattering bright petals along the road as the procession advanced.

Thor walked forward at an unhurried pace.

A few years earlier, he would have been thrilled by such a grand reception. He might have laughed, raised Mjolnir, and taken to the sky simply to bask in the celebration.

He had matured since then.

Now he continued on foot, respecting the feelings of his people rather than abandoning the ceremony halfway through.

A flower petal drifted down before him.

Thor caught it in his hand and rubbed it thoughtfully between his thumb and forefinger.

Then, without a second glance, he tossed it aside and continued toward the palace.

The celebrations were for his people as much as they were for him.

He would honor them by seeing the ceremony through.

At last, the procession reached the throne room.

Thor pushed open the great doors with both hands and strode into the center of the hall.

Then he removed Mjolnir from his grasp and placed the hammer on the floor.

He dropped to one knee, rested both hands on its handle, and bowed his head in silence.

High above him, Odin sat upon the throne, Gungnir resting in one hand.

"My son..."

The All-Father’s voice was warm with paternal affection.

Yet there was something else in it, too. A hint of satisfaction, almost smugness, that made Evenson wonder what exactly was going through the old king’s mind.

Odin’s expression also seemed slightly unnatural.

More importantly, his single eye flickered toward Evenson with unmistakable surprise.

He had not expected to see him here.

Evenson decided it was best to get the official business out of the way before anyone could ask awkward questions.

He stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Majesty, the ruler of Midgard, also known as Earth, has changed. The former ruler, the Ancient One, has grown advanced in years and can no longer shoulder the responsibilities of the throne as effectively as before. She has therefore abdicated in favor of the new queen, Clea Ludwig."

He paused, ensuring his words were clear.

"The abdication ceremony has already been completed, with Prince Thor serving as its witness. I have come to inform Your Majesty and request your formal acknowledgment."

Odin’s expression froze.

For a moment, the All-Father looked genuinely stunned.

His single eye flickered twice, and something almost resembling panic crossed his face.

Then he recovered.

"Since my son has witnessed the ceremony, so be it."

Evenson raised his head sharply.

He had prepared several carefully worded explanations, all designed to smooth over the political implications and minimize the chances of anyone taking offense.

He hadn’t expected Odin to accept the matter so easily.

"Thank you for your graciousness, Your Majesty. May your reign endure for all eternity."

Good heavens.

People said a prime minister could be broad-minded enough to let certain things pass. But Odin’s tolerance was on an entirely different level.

At this rate, one could probably park a starship inside the man’s chest and still have room to spare.

Then again, perhaps it made sense.

The ceremony was already complete. The contract had been signed, and Thor had served as its witness. Throwing a fit now wouldn’t change anything. It would only damage Asgard’s dignity and make his own son look bad.

Odin had little to gain by objecting.

Evenson decided not to question his good fortune.

Instead, he moved straight to the matter that had brought him here in the first place.

"Your Majesty, there is one more matter I would like to discuss."

Odin regarded him.

"Some time ago, you promised that once the Dark Elf crisis had been resolved, I would be permitted to enter your royal vault and select one treasure as a reward."

He waited.

Odin’s single eye widened.

"Did I?"

Evenson stared at him.

You’re not seriously going to pretend you forgot, are you?

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

For a moment, the All-Father seemed to consider the matter.

Then he nodded.

"Very well. You may choose your reward. Sif, take him to the vault."

"As you command."

Sif bowed and motioned for Evenson to follow her.

With his business concluded, Evenson left the throne room in high spirits.

Behind him, Thor remained kneeling before the throne, both hands still resting on Mjolnir.

Only after Evenson and Sif had nearly reached the doors did Thor finally lift his head and look at his father.

Evenson caught a glimpse of the exchange over his shoulder.

The atmosphere had changed.

The reunion of father and son was about to become a much more personal affair.

Evenson had no intention of being caught in the crossfire.

He turned around and hurried after Sif, moving so quickly that he might as well have been fleeing a collapsing building.

He had survived the Dark Elves, negotiated a planetary land deal, and secured access to the treasures of Asgard.

He was not about to ruin the day by lingering for a family argument.

Once the doors closed and the last of the visitors had departed, Odin and Thor were finally alone.

The All-Father looked down at his son.

"You once told me that there could be no wiser ruler than I. You were wrong."

Thor remained silent.

"When the entire universe stood in danger, you chose the right path and saved countless lives. Now, how should Asgard reward its new king?"

Odin delivered the words with remarkable fluency.

It sounded almost as though he had rehearsed the speech many times before.

Thor, however, found little comfort in the praise.

He had been rather active during the earlier stages of the crisis, but the final battle had been another matter entirely.

He had spent much of it unconscious.

When it came to his actual contribution to the victory, his performance had been... modest.

Extremely modest.

Depending on how generously one rounded the numbers, his contribution might even have approached zero.

Still, his father had offered him the chance to ask for a reward.

Thor had no intention of wasting it.

"My life, Father. That’s what I want."

He rose slowly to his feet.

"I cannot be king."

Odin’s expression remained unreadable.

"I will spend the rest of my life protecting the Nine Realms. I will fight for them whenever the need arises. But I cannot do that from a throne."

Thor drew a breath.

"Loki has his faults, but he understands things I never will. The throne demands sacrifices, and it forces its occupant to make cruel decisions. Power changes people. I would rather remain a good man than become a great king."

The Dark Elf crisis had taught him more than he would ever have learned from years of courtly instruction.

When the Aether had fallen into Malekith’s hands, Thor had finally understood the true danger of the path he had chosen. He had also come to appreciate the wisdom behind Odin’s cautious approach.

His father had not been timid or blind to the danger.

He had simply understood that a king could not afford to gamble recklessly with the lives of his subjects.

Thor understood that now.

But understanding the correct course of action did not make it easier to accept the cost.

Odin’s caution had been the right strategy, yet even the right strategy demanded sacrifices from those who followed it. Every decision had consequences, and the people who paid for a ruler’s mistakes were rarely the ruler himself.

Thor knew he could never become comfortable with that reality.

If another crisis came, he would still be tempted to take desperate risks to save those in danger. He would still choose to act rather than sit safely behind a throne and weigh the lives of his subjects against the needs of the realm.

That was who he was.

And it was precisely why he could never be the king Asgard needed.

Odin leaned back against his throne, his expression heavy with resignation.

"One son desired the throne above all else. The other wants nothing to do with it. Is this truly the legacy I am leaving behind?"

Thor hesitated.

"Loki died with honor."

At those words, a strange light flickered in Odin’s eye.

It vanished almost immediately, too quickly for Thor to notice.

The prince continued without realizing that his father had reacted at all.

"I will do everything I can to protect the Nine Realms. Isn’t that enough?"

What he meant was simple.

Father, please stop trying to make me king. I want to live my own life. I want to be with the woman I love. I won’t sit on the throne, but I’ll never abandon Asgard when it needs me.

He was not turning his back on his people.

He was merely refusing to become something he was not.

Odin fell silent.

For a long moment, the All-Father studied his son, weighing the request and whatever thoughts lay hidden behind his own eye.

At last, he gave a weary nod.

"Go, then."

Thor bowed his head.

And just like that, the future of Asgard was left hanging on the decision of a prince who had finally realized that the throne was not his destiny.