MD-Chapter 163 A Question!

The food on the table was rapidly being consumed. Arthur kept his head down, eating and drinking, seemingly not paying much attention to Odin's words. In reality, deep inside, he was continuously pondering over the situation.

When he was first discovered, these two old guys chose to quietly observe him. And even after he emerged, they didn't immediately try to kill him…

At least up until now, it was clear that this powerful "watching duo" didn't seem to have any intention of ending his very existence. 

Not only that, but from Odin's earlier actions, it was obvious he had intentionally provoked Arthur, and then unleashed pressure on him to force the colorless energy within him to fully crystallize.

After using up a massive amount of those colorless crystals earlier, Arthur felt that there was a limit to his internal energy, though he didn't know where that limit lay. 

Now that the colorless energy had transformed into "Colorless Crystals," Arthur felt as though that limit had disappeared. As long as he had those Colorless Crystals, his power could keep growing.

Considering this, it seemed that Odin at least had some good intentions toward him. 

After weighing all this information in his mind, Arthur couldn't help but feel a bit conflicted. He hoped this wasn't just wishful thinking on his part.

"We have been speculating about your origin," Odin said after a pause, seemingly giving Arthur time to think. "But we still don't have an answer. Meanwhile, my old friend believes that you may be the hope of everything, but you could also bring about deeper despair and disaster."

"Hey, hey, hey??" Arthur quickly responded, "That's a misunderstanding! You can't just accuse me of something like that. How could I bring despair and disaster?"

"The world... the universe…" Odin stood up and said, "Many things that are happening or will happen in the future are already predestined. Myself and my old friend are bound by this fate... But you are different. Your fate is constantly changing. Every moment, every second you spend living causes your future to become uncertain. You could become the most terrifying source of evil in this world, or you might become the savior who rescues it. And all of this… comes from your heart."

"Uh…" Arthur blinked. Was it really necessary to speak so cryptically?

"And the human heart is the most unpredictable thing in the universe, it is an ever-changing thing in this world," Odin continued. "A long time ago, we glimpsed the future, but we were never sure. Some visions were so beautiful they moved us to tears, while others were so terrifying they shattered our hearts. Mountains crumbled, the universe collapsed, worlds fell apart, and people died in despair and agony. The gods perished in Ragnarok…"

Arthur blinked again. 'What does this have to do with me?'

"However, ever since we discovered you, everything has changed once more," Odin said. "After that, many of the visions included your presence. But they showed two extremes. Sometimes you were a demon, wielding a blade and slaughtering lives. Other times, you were a hero, saving the world and countless lives. This is a result that is always changing. Luckily, for now, it's something we can still look forward to."

If that result becomes something you *don't* look forward to, am I basically walking into a trap today? Arthur didn't voice this thought and instead asked, "If you can foresee so much, did you know I'd come here?"

"It's not that simple. But your arrival doesn't surprise me," Odin replied. "You could have shown up anywhere…"

"…Haha, maybe I should thank fate for always keeping me on the run," Arthur said with a wry smile on his face.

"If you reject it, fate will bring endless calamities upon you," Odin said, looking at Arthur meaningfully. "But if you accept it, fate will grant you unimaginable favor!"

"So, you're saying that if I accept it, I can do whatever I want and won't die no matter what?" Arthur asked casually.

"Yes," Odin answered.

"..."

Arthur didn't believe for a second as recklessly courting death without consequence was something only a protagonist could do.

"I have a question for you," Odin suddenly asked in a solemn tone.

This made Arthur feel that perhaps the question Odin was about to ask was the real reason he had kept him here.

His expression turned serious in response.

"What kind of person… do you want to become?" Odin asked.

Arthur was momentarily stunned. What kind of question was that? He wanted to scoff— could someone really choose what kind of person they'd become? One's environment, experiences, and encounters shape a person's character; it wasn't something entirely within one's control.

But for some reason, when he looked into Odin's one remaining eye, he couldn't bring himself to say those dismissive thoughts aloud.

He pondered deeply, seriously considering the possibilities, only to realize he didn't have an answer.

Just as he was about to speak, Odin said, "There's no rush to answer. You can take your time to think. But before that, if you're willing, could I ask you to do something for me? Of course, I'd be happy to offer you a reward in return— say, you could choose an item from Asgard's vault to take with you… something like that."

"Well, can I just ask to go back to Earth?" Arthur blinked.

"Are you sure that's all you want?" Odin shrugged. "In fact, the task I want to ask of you is on Earth. If that's truly your only request…"

"Wait, wait! I just realized there are so many great things in Asgard's vault. I'd be happy to help relieve you of a few!" Arthur immediately changed his tune, speaking seriously.

"Good, we have an agreement," Odin smiled. "Yesterday, you witnessed something of a family mess. As you can see, my family isn't exactly on good terms. My eldest daughter… well, let's not go into that. But my two sons also have their issues. Thor is too simple, while Loki is too complicated. Thor needs to undergo some trials, and during that time, I hope you can protect him."

"Alright," Arthur thought for a moment and agreed.

"Very good."

Odin stood up but suddenly seemed a bit unsteady on his feet. Sighing, he muttered, "I'm getting old."

Then, in the blink of an eye, the elderly man who had just expressed his weariness appeared before Arthur, grabbed his wrist, and with another swift movement, they were both transported to the Bifrost Hall.

Asgardian warriors stood at attention, holding their swords in hand. When they saw Odin, they quickly bowed in respect.

"Open the Bifrost," Odin commanded.

One of the warriors glanced at Arthur, then thrust his greatsword into the core of the hall's device. Amidst crackling thunder, the enormous mechanism began to turn, and a rainbow of light burst forth.

Arthur took a deep breath, glanced at Odin, and hesitated for a moment before asking, "What if I never find an answer?"

Odin fell silent.

Arthur grinned, then leaped into the Bifrost.

At that moment, Odin lifted his head, gazing into the radiant colors of the rainbow bridge, and murmured, "Then perhaps… nothing will ever change."

**(End of Chapter)**

You can read ahead up to 70 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/GGS6395

 As long as I reach 200 dollars on my Patreon, I will post 10 extra bonus chapters per month in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 300 dollars then I will post 15 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. If I reach 400 dollars then I will post 20 extra bonus chapters in batches of 5 for that month. So come and support me.