31

Chapter Thirty-One: The Controversy Between Father and Son

"I'm deeply disappointed. I foolishly hoped you would be different, unique, and a benevolent king. But now I realize I was mistaken—you're just like Hela!" Odin's voice was filled with anger.

The seal he had placed held mysterious power, requiring a formidable magical ability to break. Since Kamar-Taj would never intervene in Asgard's internal matters, the only one with the power to remove it...

According to Heimdallr, Thor had disappeared from that specific location in Northern Europe five years ago...

If Odin couldn't deduce this, he would be unworthy of ruling the Nine Realms. If the powerless Thor could escape from Hela and break the seal, Odin had to prepare for the worst.

When Frigga heard the name "Hela," her expression grew more solemn. The name was taboo, and Odin rarely spoke of it.

"Hela?" Thor sneered. Now that it was out in the open, he saw no reason to hide his stance any longer. "I never agreed with your viewpoint. My stance hasn't changed—it remains as it was seven years ago."

"Thor!" Frigga exclaimed. If Thor could admit his mistakes, as the sole heir, he might avoid severe criticism. However, she couldn't predict how Odin would react.

Ignoring her, Odin spoke with a deep voice, "That doesn't justify your alliance with Hela!"

"Alliance? No, I do not support Hela. I fight to defend my people! I will not initiate unjust aggression, but those who dare to invade Asgard—" Thor said fiercely, "Even if they are far away, they will be defeated!"

"A great king must learn to be compassionate and tolerant. Often, violence cannot resolve the problem..." Odin insisted.

"My compassion will be reserved for my people, not for those who threaten them. As for tolerance..."

Thor scoffed: "Forgiveness and tolerance exist only in fairy tales and dramas. In reality, so-called tolerance is merely a helpless 'let it go.' Violence may not resolve the problem, but it can certainly deal with the one causing it!"

Odin finally understood that Thor had chosen his path and could not be swayed.

He lowered the Gungnir and said dejectedly, "If you continue this way, you will drive more people to the enemy's side and lead Asgard into ruin."

Thor remained unmoved: "Perhaps. But I believe, whatever the outcome, it's better than being consumed by the Eternal Fire in the Ragnarok?"

"What?" Odin and Frigga's eyes widened in shock. "You know the prophecy of Ragnarök?"

Ragnarök, according to Norse mythology, foretells a series of great catastrophes, including a battle that results in the deaths of many gods. In this world, the prophecy predicts that Surtur will destroy Asgard. Only Odin and Frigga know of this prophecy.

"I have known about it for a long time. That's why I hope that when the time comes, Asgard's strength will unite to face the apocalypse, rather than be squandered in meaningless royal conflicts."

Odin was silent for a long while before slowly saying, "Is this why you allied with Hela? I understand. But you must realize that she has become a lunatic. Why do you believe she will help you prevent the prophecy rather than seek to destroy Asgard herself?"

Frigga hesitated. In truth, she wanted to trust her child but felt bound to support her husband.

"Only because she has a stake in Asgard's glory, because she was once the crown princess of Asgard, because she is my sister!" Thor declared passionately.

Hela may have been obsessed with the Asgardian throne, but her connection to Asgard remained strong.

In the original timeline, when everyone fled and Ragnarök descended, only Hela fought for Asgard in the final moments.

Thor turned and walked out of the hall, glancing back to say, "I simply reiterated what I said in the hall that day. She hasn't acted against me but helped me break the seal. You don't understand her, and you don't understand me."

Odin slumped into the king's seat and murmured, "Could I truly be mistaken?"

Frigga stepped forward to comfort him: "No, you are not wrong, and neither is Thor. Your philosophies are in conflict, but both are ultimately aimed at preserving Asgard."

As the wisest individual in Asgard, she found herself aligning more with Thor. Those who seek war may perish, and those who forget it are at risk!

"I believe in Thor; he will be an excellent king!"