Chapter 169

DxD World, Asgard.

In certain grand study rooms with rustic spaces reflecting ancient Norse designs. Sturdy wooden beams and intricate carvings frame the room, illuminated by warm candlelight. A large wooden table, cluttered with books, scrolls, and artifacts, serves as the centerpiece, surrounded by shelves filled with ancient tomes and mystical relics. Animal hides cover the floor, adding comfort, while carvings and symbols on the walls depict Asgardian history. The space embodies wisdom, power, and the endless pursuit of knowledge.

In the room sits an old man at a wooden table, murmuring as he writes on scrolls. He wears a brown leather eyepatch with a silver button behind his ear, and his grey hair and receding hairline reflect his age. Dressed in a finely crafted light blue tunic, woad-dyed to complement his eye, and adorned with golden embroidery, he exudes an aura of authority. His hands bear eight rings, symbolizing the realms beyond Asgard. Around his waist, an excessive rope belt holds a magical anchor, beaded cat tails, and a carved reindeer antler, likely containing magical reagents. Walnut-brown leather boots complete his attire.

The Old Man stopped writing as he looked up and stared at the double door with his wizened eye as if he was waiting for something. He only stared at it for a while before putting down the quill and reviewing the scroll a bit. He already saw who was the one coming to interrupt the recording of his research, so he planned to stop what he was doing in advance.

After a bit of silence passed in the room, someone knocked on the wooden double door. However, the Old Man ignores it as he keeps himself busy.

The man outside knocked once and waited patiently for permission to enter. He had a handsome face, pale skin, braided blonde hair, and striking glowing purple eyes. A gold tooth and earring added to his distinct appearance. He wore a sumptuous white tunic reaching his knees, adorned with finely tooled leather on the chest, back, and shoulders, featuring knotwork symbolizing Asgard's dominance. 

Underneath, he layered a golden shirt with brown gambeson sleeves and a thick leather skirt adorned with silver plates, secured by dual belts with a bronze-plated waist guard bearing sun symbols. Iron tiles edged his tunic for added protection, while his belt held a decorated scabbard and a horn. His forearms were shielded by tanned Graðungr hide bracers, matching his high-quality leather pants and thatched boots detailed with traditional Aesir gold knotwork. 

The man's patience was unmatched as he waited for the old man to call for him to enter. The reason for the man's infinite patience with the old man is that he deeply respects and reveres the old man. However, his infinite patience only works for the old man because if it's any other being then he/she will receive his wrath.

It didn't take long for the man to wait as the old man said with a low but hearable voice "Why hell are you just standing outside? Don't make me wait Heimdall as I got things to do"

The calm demeanor of the waiting man or god outside turned into a panic state as he entered the room frantically. The god's name is Heimdall, the God of Forsesight and Watchman of the Aesir. After he entered, Heimdall put his hand to his chest before bowing his head to the old man behind the sturdy table. "Lord Odin," Heimdall said respectfully.

The Old Man reading scrolls on the table is Odin, King of Asgard, God of Wisdom, Lord of the Hanged, The Raven King, etc. but he is most commonly known as All-Father of Asgard.

Odin did look up even after the greeting of Heimdall "I'm busy Heimdall so make it quick" He said.

"Hermes, the Messenger of Olympus sent a message from Zeus," Heimdall said while gritting his teeth as he hated what the Olympian message was.

Odin stops what he's doing, he then looks toward Heimdall with narrow eyes. He was about to say something before he looked to his right side with a frown as if he saw someone lingering around but he ignored that thought and focused on Heimdall. "What did the Almighty Sky Father say?" He said with a sarcastic voice.

"The messenger said that stay away from their territory and do not get involved with GAIA or help her but if we can't do both of that they'll send their whole army to.....destroy Asgard and our other realms," Heimdall said with boiling anger.

Odin frowned after he heard the message from the Olympians but he did not think any further as he just asked Heimdall for additional information.

"The messenger did not say anything more," Heimdall said. However, Odin did not react yet as he knew there was a follow from Heimdall. 

"However I did read his surface thoughts but I can only discern keywords like wicker man, huntress, Dionysus" Heimdall added staring at Odin's one eye which made the former lower his head as he couldn't stand or be scared of the single eye. Unbeknown to him, Odin is not really staring at him but staring at someone invisible beside him.

The invisible being notices this before shrugging and sitting on the nearby chair. Odin just stared at the invisible figure with annoyance that he forgot Heimdall in front of him for almost five minutes.

The poor Heimdall could not take it anymore as he started yapping that he'd improve his ability to the point even if Zeus had protection against mind-reading ability, he'd still be able to read the Olympian God's mind.

"Stop it!" Odin said raising his hand "Don't try to reason your failure to do your job." Odin stated. Though he understood the limit of Heimdall's ability against Higher gods or Olympian gods, it's understandable he'd fail but Odin did not want to give the Gods under him some leeway for failure.

"Forgive me Lord Odin," Heimdall said while lowering his head and gritting his teeth as he couldn't help but get angry at himself.

Seeing this Odin smiles inwardly as this is a good motivation for Heimdall but he thinks he hasn't said enough yet, so he adds "Do not be sorry, be useful"

"Odr, don't be harsh on Heimdall," said a chuckling woman.

Heimdall turned to the the previously empty chair and saw a woman who made him bow "Queen Frigg, I didn't notice you there, please forgive my insolence." He said.

"It's okay Heimdall, I'm not as stiff as Odr here," Frigga said, she had a striking and regal presence, exuding mystery and power. Clad in a form-fitting green and black outfit with a scale-like texture, it reflects a cunning and serpentine nature. The deep-green bodice features a plunging neckline, complemented by jagged golden accents and a wide, ornamented golden belt that cinches the waist.

Long sleeves continue the scale-like pattern, and sleek knee-length golden boots complete the commanding look. A light grey fur cloak drapes elegantly over the shoulders, adding a majestic and imposing touch. Sharp facial features, piercing eyes, and flowing black hair enhance the allure, embodying an essence of beauty, intelligence, and mischief.

Odin stared at Frigg with a scrutinizing eye before turning to Heimdall "Now go do what you do best and guard Asgard from external threats" Odin said as he did not give Heimdall another chance to say something.

Heimdall bowed in shame to The King and Queen of Asgard before leaving the two in the room.

After Heimdall left, Odin stared at Frigg with anger "Don't call me by that name!" He hissed.

"I'm just trying to get some reaction, don't take it to heart," Frigg said with a shrug "But still the pet name she gave you is quite cute indeed" She added.

Odin ignored that remark "What did the Olympians mean by that" He asked as he steered the topic to the important.

"Why are you asking me?" Frigg asked innocently.

Odin did not answer; he just waited for Frigg to answer.

Frigg rolled her eyes "Fine! Your no fun" She then explained that An attack happened to Olympu's doorstep and the attacker was a monster with divine ability of nature and was able to create Nature's creeps. The said monster also was able to create a Wicker Man.

"Wicker Man" Odin murmured under his breath while thinking of something.

Frigg heard it loud and clear. "Yup, that's the reason why the Olympians accused you of colluding with GAIA against them," She said while crossing her legs and sitting comfortably. "You're the only one who can use Wicker Man" She added.

Odin then chuckles before sighing.

Frigg raised her eyebrow "Don't tell me you taught someone that magic?" She questions.

"Yes, and it's the Hound of Ulster" Odin answered before sitting down on his own chair.

"huh? Baldur's best friend... in a bad way" Frigg said before questioning Odin "But why though?"

"I did on a whim while spying on them but I didn't think he'd master it" Odin answered while thinking that the hound must have a master who helped him decipher the primordial runes for the Wicker Man spell. 'I must try and find who that is so ensure our weapon is closely guarded" Odin thought to himself.

"So they colluded with GAIA to drag the Olympus to our war...smart" Frigg said and she also thought GAIA would easily accept the offer as this could make Olympu's fighting prowess weaken.

"What's the plan, my dear?" Frigg questions "Should inform Balor and the wannabe heroes to intensify the attack against the Tuatha De Danann or should I make other associates create some chaos on Olympus and frame it to GAIA?" She added with a smile.

Odin frowns at the option "You know I don't like them" He does not like them because of their fake motivation of creating chaos but all they want is Order under their rule.

"Sooooo...???" Frigg said annoyingly.

Odin had a thoughtful look before saying "Find GAIA and tell her that you can find her easily wherever she hides"

"And every time she finds a new hiding place, we inform the Olympians of her location" Frigg added with a smile and Odin nodded in response.

"how evil" Frigg said "But why me, can't you just order your Tracker to find her" She added. Odin then explains that Baldur is busy tracking the power source from the East.

"Ah...I forgot about that... The Norms became cray-cray " Frigg said.

"And I have a feeling that this is only the beginning," Odin said while looking with his eye to the distant east to where the location of the Land of the Rising Sun.