"So the coronation ceremony is happening the day after tomorrow!"
Inside the palace corridor, Loki complained nonstop, while Thor walked beside him with tightly furrowed brows.
"I'm telling you, brother," Loki snapped, growing increasingly irritated,
"she's about to become the new King of Asgard, and you don't even react?"
Seeing Thor remain silent, Loki finally exploded.
"You weren't like this before! Last time you nearly went berserk—so why are you suddenly so calm now?"
"Did going to Earth turn you into a coward?"
Thor relaxed his brow slightly and looked at Loki.
"Let me ask you something first—can you defeat her?"
Loki opened his mouth, then stopped.
"Or do you think you can use me to defeat her?"
Thor shook his head. "Don't be foolish, Loki."
"She is Father's child—our sister. And the throne was given to her by Father himself."
"If you're dissatisfied, then go challenge her yourself. Don't take me for an idiot."
Watching Thor walk away without hesitation, Loki stood there, stunned.
Since when did his thick-headed brother start thinking things through?
What in the world was going on?
The more Loki thought about it, the angrier he became—until a vicious idea suddenly surfaced in his mind.
He glanced around. Seeing no one nearby, he vanished in a flash.
---
Inside the royal bedchamber, Frigga looked at Odin, who stood by the window.
"Are you certain giving her the throne is the right decision?" she asked softly.
"As long as Asgard remains stable and Ragnarök does not occur,"
Odin replied without turning around,
"then who sits on the throne makes no real difference."
"But aren't you worried she might become the Hela she once was?" Frigga asked, concern evident in her voice.
"No," Odin said with a faint smile.
"She is no longer the Hela she used to be."
"She has changed."
"And Thor?" Frigga pressed. "Will he truly accept this?"
"He?" Odin snorted lightly.
"That son of yours is no longer the reckless brute he once was."
"I believe that," Frigga nodded.
"People grow—especially after everything he's been through lately."
After a brief pause, Odin frowned slightly.
"Frigga… why do I feel so uneasy?"
"Haven't you already resolved everything?" she asked, puzzled.
"Yes," Odin said slowly.
"Half a month ago, Thor went to Muspelheim and slew Surtur. His helmet is now sealed in the underground vault."
"As for the other key—the Eternal Flame—I placed it in a separate treasury. Without my presence, no one should be able to retrieve it."
"Hela has already achieved her goal. There's no reason to believe she'll cause further destruction."
"I truly cannot see how Ragnarök could still occur."
Frigga stepped forward and placed a hand on Odin's shoulder.
"Why do you cling so tightly to that prophecy?"
"It's only a prophecy—nothing says it must come true."
"You've done everything you possibly could. What more do you expect of yourself?"
Odin's gaze softened. He placed his hand over hers.
"Thank you."
---
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out, and the ground began to tremble violently.
The citizens panicked and fled in all directions.
In all their years living in Asgard, they had never experienced an earthquake of this magnitude.
Asgard was thrown into chaos.
"What's happening?!" Odin exclaimed in shock.
From the palace windows, he saw the golden road in front of the palace split apart as massive cracks rapidly spread.
"Frigga!"
Odin immediately wrapped his arms around her and leapt out the window, soaring into the air.
A winged horse galloped through the sky and swiftly reached them, carrying the two safely onto its back.
Odin's expression turned grim. His lone eye glowed with golden light as he stared downward.
"Surtur!"
From beneath the enormous rift, a pair of blazing, flame-filled eyes stared back.
Odin's face changed instantly.
---
Three minutes earlier.
At the entrance of Odin's vault, four guards stood watch, silent and vigilant.
A figure dressed in everyday attire—Odin—approached slowly.
The guards immediately saluted.
"Your Majesty!"
"Mm."
"Odin" nodded slightly and walked to the vault door. He raised his hand and traced a series of intricate, arcane patterns across the rune-covered stone wall.
With a deep rumble, the massive doors parted.
The guards did not move.
Only Odin knew the rune sequence. There was no reason to doubt him.
Once inside, the vault doors closed automatically.
Surveying the treasures within, "Odin" smiled faintly.
"Good thing I didn't open this place immediately after deciphering the runes back then."
His gaze fixed on a flame burning fiercely within a recessed alcove to his right.
"There you are."
He quickened his pace.
Midway, his form began to shift—rapidly transforming into Loki.
"Since you think your throne is secure," Loki sneered,
"then I'll make sure it isn't."
With a resentful gleam in his eyes, Loki placed Surtur's skull directly into the Eternal Flame.
"Let me see whether a king who faces Ragnarök on the very day of ascension can truly hold onto that throne!"
The instant the skull touched the Eternal Flame, its hollow eye sockets erupted with violent fire.
"By the Eternal Flame, be reborn at this moment!" Loki shouted, madness filling his eyes.
The Eternal Flame flared violently, as if fueled by some catalyst.
---
Five minutes earlier.
After watching Loki and Thor leave, Lucas turned to Hela, who sat upon the throne wearing a satisfied smile.
Hela noticed his gaze and teased him,
"What's wrong? I'm already the King of Asgard. So—care to become my vanguard commander?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Then you'd have to worry about me rebelling at any moment."
Hela laughed, resting her chin on her hand and flashing him a seductive look.
"I wouldn't mind. Too bad you're not Asgardian."
"Or perhaps," she added softly,
"you could become one."
Lucas was no fool—he could clearly see what she was implying.
_____
T/N:
For readers who would like early access, my Patreon is available for just $4 per month. You'll unlock 90+ advance chapters and help support ongoing works.
🔗 patreon.com/user?u=79514336
You may also search Translator-Sama directly on Patreon.
Your support is sincerely appreciated