CHAPTER 223: CHAPTER 224: EMBRACING VIRTUE AND PEACE, SOOTHING ALL BEINGS

"Tomorrow, I will personally travel to Jotunheim to meet with Laufey and discuss the drafting of a peace treaty between Asgard and Jotunheim."

"Tomorrow..."

The Universe, aboard the ship.

Aboard the vessel returning to the Centauri system, Lothar stood before the window, eyes fixed in the direction of Asgard. Odin’s words from the throne room still echoed in his ears.

"A peace treaty...?"

"Interesting."

He recalled the look of astonishment on Hela’s face when she first heard the news, and his tail swayed involuntarily.

Odin’s behavior today was completely at odds with the version of him Lothar had come to know.

The Odin of the past had once been ruthless enough to surrender the Reality Stone to Thanos just to ensure the annihilation of the Dark Elves, now he wanted to shake hands with Jotunheim, a realm far inferior to Asgard in raw power?

It didn’t add up.

"Woz, have you completed the analysis?"

"I’m afraid not, Prince Lothar."

"From both a bio-magnetic and energy signature perspective, Odin is still... Odin."

Woz’s report effectively shut down Lothar’s suspicion that "this Odin isn’t the real Odin."

"Then so be it. Prepare for a spatial jump. Destination: the Skrull Empire’s homeworld."

Lothar turned and sat back down in his chair. The orange tabby on his shoulder mimicked him, hopping down and strapping itself in with its tiny paws.

Lothar had always been a man of his word.

A principle instilled in him by his adoptive father, Thanos, through both teaching and example.

He said he’d teach both empires an unforgettable lesson, so neither would be spared.

"I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Prince Lothar."

"A message from Lord Thanos. He requests your immediate return to the Black Quadrant."

With a respectful wave of his hand, Woz projected the transmission before Lothar, a message bearing Thanos’ personal signature.

"Father...?"

...

Asgard, the Royal Palace.

Unable to comprehend her father Odin’s decision, Hela had locked herself away in her chamber, protesting in silence.

"Odin, why won’t you just tell her the truth?"

"You must know that this decision will be incomprehensible to her."

Frigga spoke softly as she approached her husband with a tray of fruit.

From a young age, Odin had raised Hela with the clear intent of using force to unify the Nine Realms. For him, a warlord’s crown had always seemed the only path.

Now, the same Odin who once wore the mantle of Asgard’s chief warmonger was suddenly withdrawing? Hela’s disappointment and confusion were only natural.

"I can’t tell her, Frigga."

Odin sighed and lifted his gaze to the ceiling mural above, painted with the great victories of their past. The warhammer raised high in his daughter’s hand burned into his vision like a brand.

"I know her too well. The moment she learns the truth, a seed of enmity will take root in her heart."

"Enmity toward those ancient beings."

"And that would be extremely dangerous for Hela."

Odin closed his eyes, memories flooding back, of that Celestial who had, with a mere wave, shattered the power he had spent eons cultivating.

In that moment, Odin had truly felt the approach of death, real death.

If Hela learned the truth, she might suppress her feelings for the sake of the bigger picture. But one day, when she felt strong enough, she would undoubtedly arm herself and seek out those gods of legend.

Just as he had done.

Brimming with confidence.

Only to be brought to the edge of annihilation.

He wouldn’t let his daughter repeat his mistakes.

"I would rather she be angry with me than know those ancient deities even exist."

"Because I won’t kill her, but they would."

"They won’t hesitate. Believe me, Frigga. That kind of disdain, they hold it for all life in the cosmos."

"For anyone."

Odin’s voice grew weary.

"But what if those gods really do descend upon Asgard and begin a massacre, as you fear?"

"Then I’ll tell her everything." Odin opened his eyes, resolve gleaming within.

"I admit... I’m gambling, Frigga."

"But this is the best choice I can make right now."

It was a coin toss. If he won, Asgard would remain safe, and at worst, Hela would resent him as her father, but not hate those ancient gods.

Her resentment, he could mend with time.

A father’s love, coupled with Asgardians’ long lifespans, Odin believed he could eventually remove the thorn from her heart.

After all, they were father and daughter. What could she really do, rebel against him just because of some peace treaty?

"Let’s hope you’re right," Frigga murmured, still uneasy. Something deep within her stirred with apprehension.

"Don’t worry. I’ve got this."

"If Asgard makes it through this unscathed, I’ll start reshaping Hela’s personality, bit by bit."

"I’ll mold her into a true queen."

His brush with death had left Odin spiritually transformed. This peace treaty wasn’t born solely from fear of those gods.

To embrace virtue and peace, and to soothe the suffering of the people...

That was the essence of a ruler in times of prosperity.

The resources from unifying the Nine Realms alone would keep Asgard occupied for a long time. There was no longer any need for ceaseless warfare and reckless expansion.

He had raised Hela with the ideals of a wartime ruler, values that now revealed themselves to be lacking.

But it wasn’t too late.

He was still in his prime, with time enough to correct the character he had once twisted.

"And what about Lothar?"

"The engagement between Hela and him?" Frigga asked, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I don’t see Hela objecting, do you?"

When it came to his future son-in-law, Odin was quite pleased.

He had led armies in battle, carried out assassinations solo, and possessed solid personal strength.

As for character, he trusted Thanos’ upbringing to a degree. Besides, from their interactions, Lothar didn’t seem to share Thanos’ twisted ideals.

And most importantly, if their union truly came to pass, then should one of those ancient gods descend upon Asgard, Odin could buy time with his life, just enough for Thanos to quietly extract Hela to the Black Quadrant.

A dual-layered contingency.

"After I return from Jotunheim tomorrow, I’ll contact Thanos."

"To prevent any further complications, if Thanos agrees, we’ll hold the wedding seven days from now."

Seven days would be enough to prepare a wedding Hela would never forget.

Odin closed his eyes, carefully mapping out every step that lay ahead.

...

At that moment, in Hela’s bedchamber.

She had long since shattered every ornament in the room.

Sitting atop the steps, she panted softly.

Seething with rage.

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