Chapter 10

Magnificent, splendid, and resplendent with gold! These were the words Ian used to describe Asgard at this moment. Although he had been there for three days, every time he saw the golden buildings, he was still amazed by their opulent style.

Three days ago, Zeus brought him, Pantheon, and Sona across the Bifrost to Asgard. The first to greet them was a tall and robust man, holding a massive sword with deep, shining eyes. When he saw Zeus, he first bowed, then gave a meaningful look at Pantheon, and suddenly a smile appeared on his stern face. He gently removed his helmet, and a head of hair, even more grizzled than Zeus's, fell down, instantly transforming his cold and serious demeanor into a warm and friendly one.

"Hello there, brave little one, hehe!" the man laughed at Ian.

Ian awkwardly waved his little hand. Before Zeus could say anything, a group of golden-armored warriors approached. It was then that Ian realized the end of the Bifrost was actually a huge circular hall. In the center of the hall, where the man was standing, there was a sword-shaped mechanism, and the walls were adorned with numerous mysterious patterns. It seemed that the entire building was the control hub of the Bifrost.

Pantheon nodded lightly at the man, seemingly casual, but from an angle where Zeus couldn't see, Ian noticed a deep meaning in his eyes.

The golden-armored warriors helped Pantheon and Sona down, while Ian was taken to the palace. However, they didn't know that a discussion about them was taking place behind them.

"Heimdall, what did you see?" Zeus turned and asked the man calmly.

"What do you mean?" Heimdall's eyes flickered, feigning confusion.

Zeus raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "You are the perfect guardian of Asgard. Your mouth is the most reliable I've ever seen!"

Heimdall laughed, "Everyone says I earn my living with my eyes and ears, but they don't know that my mouth is the tightest in the universe!"

"If your mouth weren't so tight, who would dare let you be the guardian of Asgard? Just the small actions you see could ruin many people's reputations!" Zeus smiled, perhaps only around this old friend could he smile without any worries or pressure.

Heimdall sighed, his face full of nostalgia, "I almost forget how long it's been. Those days of fighting together keep flashing before my eyes, with joy, sorrow, and regret!"

Zeus suddenly fell silent, his face darkening, "Is your time coming?"

Heimdall was silent for a moment, then laughed, "There's no need to be sad, is there? Which god in Asgard doesn't fall into a deep sleep? I've lived long enough and am tired enough!"

Zeus's eyes were filled with sorrow, even more so than when Laufey provoked him, "But you are different. You don't even have the chance to sleep."

Heimdall shook his head with a broad-minded attitude, "This is my destiny! I have accepted the worship of the people of Asgard and enjoyed unparalleled power. This is what I must pay, all for Asgard!"

Zeus paused, knowing that further words were futile, and said, "How long can you hold on?"

Heimdall thought for a moment and replied, "Rig is still too young. I should be able to hold on for another ten to twenty years. I just hope he works hard, so I might enjoy a few years of peace, hehe!"

Zeus encouraged, "Rig is the most talented child I've seen, and he is also the most hardworking. He won't disappoint you."

Faced with Zeus's encouragement, Heimdall just smiled and said, "Let's talk about you. Do you really intend to carry out that plan? No one can predict the child's future. Are you so sure that Anthony can educate him well?"

Zeus took a deep breath, "You must have seen it all. Laufey still hasn't given up on Midgard. He's not the same as before, and even I have no confidence in defeating him. The only reason he's restraining the Frost Giants is because of the child. If I give up the plan now, it will surely provoke him. The battle with Malekith has already exhausted me. I fear I can't win against him!"

Heimdall paused, then said hopefully, "Have you considered that maybe Laufey really..."

"Don't say it! There can be no true love between Frost Giants and humans! Laufey only wants to possess. I already regret it, and I won't let him continue to disturb her on Earth! Never!" Zeus almost irrationally interrupted Heimdall.

Heimdall sighed, then said, "So you plan to sacrifice yourself?"

Zeus was taken aback, then smiled bitterly, "Nothing escapes your eyes, but I haven't told anyone else!"

"I don't just see and hear; I also think! Since you've already taken Odin's lightning spear, it's clear you have a plan. I assume you invited Laufey to test his true strength as well!" Heimdall gazed deeply at Zeus, his eyes shining as if they could see through the soul.

Zeus met his gaze for a moment, then laughed, "Yes, fortunately, Laufey doesn't have your ability, or we would have no hope in Asgard!"

Heimdall rolled his eyes and laughed bitterly, "Even if I can read minds, what can I do? I can't see the future, or I would never have let you make that deal with Laufey!"

Zeus waved his hand in a pleading manner, "Are you really trying to make me regret? Let's not talk about this. By the way, did you turn your gaze to where Malekith and I fought with Laufey?"

Heimdall paused and asked directly, "What do you want to know? Or are you suspicious?"

Zeus nodded without hesitation, "It's wrong to doubt a hero, especially one who has just lost his wife. But I must say, Pantheon's strength is not enough to deal with Malekith! The original mission of the suicide squad was just to buy some time, but the Aether, the supreme artifact created by the ancestors of the Dark Elves, resisted far beyond my expectations. I had to put in a lot of effort to take it away, thinking the scheduled time wasn't enough. But who knew Pantheon would hold him off for so long! There must be many secrets I don't know!" He looked at Heimdall.

Heimdall suddenly burst out laughing and said, "Do you know why I praised that little one? Because he was the one who delayed Malekith the most!"

Zeus was stunned and immediately interested, "Tell me more!"

The two chatted for a while, and the hall suddenly echoed with the hearty laughter of Zeus and Heimdall. Zeus said, "So that's how it is, hahaha! That kid even claimed to be the strongest god in the Nine Realms! To think he was defeated by a little kid and lost half his face! No, this must be publicized!"

Heimdall agreed, "That's right. Maybe you and Laufey won't kill him, but he might die of anger!"

"Ahahahaha!" *2

The two laughed for a long time. Fortunately, they had dismissed all the guards beforehand, or the two most important figures in Asgard would have lost all their dignity.

"By the way, how are the Dark Elves being handled?" Heimdall asked with a smile.

"That's not a problem. I didn't occupy Alfheim; it's still theirs. But they've destroyed Alfheim themselves, and it's time they faced the consequences!" Zeus sneered.

"What about the Aether?"

Zeus was taken aback and frowned, "You're asking a difficult question!"

"Have you considered destroying it? The Aether was created by the Dark Elves, and as long as it exists, Malekith can sense it. If Asgard's defenses are ever weak, he will surely return!" Heimdall asked with concern.

Zeus shook his head, troubled, "No! The Aether was created by the Dark Elves, but what's inside is even more troublesome. Fortunately, the Aether's exterior blocks its power, or if the cosmic giants sensed it, Asgard would be in real danger! So destroying the Aether is not an option!"

"Then what do you plan to do?"

Zeus thought for a moment and looked at Heimdall, "This will be a trouble for you. Hide it, bury it deeply in a place even Malekith can't sense! A place even I don't know!"

Heimdall pouted, suddenly feeling bitter, "It seems I have one more secret to keep!"

"Thanks, brother!" Zeus patted Heimdall's shoulder, "You already have many, so one more won't hurt!"

Heimdall waved his hand, "I suddenly don't want to see you anymore."

Zeus chuckled and shrugged, then picked up his lightning spear and walked out. Heimdall watched the already aged back and shook his head, suddenly feeling dispirited and wanting a drink, "Pantheon, I've kept your secret. Shouldn't you bring out some of that fine wine you've been hoarding?"

At the same time, Pantheon, who was receiving treatment in the palace, suddenly sneezed, startling the medical staff. Could Captain Pantheon be so injured that even a common cold could invade his body?

Page break for AD start

Page break for AD end