Chapter 87 - Eternal Flame

"....."

Asmodeus chose silence in response to Frigga's words. If he recalls correctly, Frigga was raised by witches who taught her the art of prophecy. He understood that she must be speaking about what he would do to prevent Ragnarok or something similar.

"Let's not linger at the entrance; you are guests of my husband. I will guide you first to your chambers, and then we will proceed to the dining hall."

"Your Highness, the king ordered..."

"I know what Odin commanded you; don't worry. I will handle the task of escorting our friends."

"As you wish, my Queen." The guards bowed and returned to their routine watch.

Frigga led the group through the palace. As they ascended a couple of floors, she began showing the newcomers their rooms.

Even without space-expanding spells, the rooms were enormous, as if built not for human sizes but for giants. The tourist group appreciated the queen's hospitality.

When it was time, each room had a maid guiding them to the royal hall for a banquet.

Entering the hall, the guests saw Odin with a glass of wine, Thor with a massive beer mug, and Frigga quietly awaiting their arrival.

"Well, now that everyone is gathered, we can finally begin feasting. Sit and revel! Today, we entertain our guests as hosts. Tomorrow we will attend to matters; today, no worries!"

Odin declared as he saw everyone seated, raising his glass above the table.

The group of people, gods, wizards, mutants, started the meal. Smoothly transitioning from conversations, dinner turned into the night.

The next morning, Tony, with a headache, set out to find Thor. Yesterday, Odin mentioned that Thor would take him to the Asgardian scientists to explain the workings of the magical reactor.

While Tony searched for Thor, Asmodeus and Odin walked down the corridor towards the treasury of Asgard.

"You know, I've been searching for ways to get rid of this thing for a long time, but no matter to whom in the universe I handed over this fire, it always comes back to this treasury. As if threads of destiny lead it here. But then you appeared. When you entered our universe, Frigga seemed to regain hope, and perhaps I did too..."

"I don't know what Lady Frigga saw in the future, but I can say for sure that I don't want Asgard to fall in Ragnarok."

Upon hearing the word Ragnarok, Odin paused for a moment, turned around, and said,

"I'm grateful to you for this. No matter how I try to avoid Asgard's fall, it seems like everything is still heading towards the end. I hope this time it's not the case..."

"I won't let it happen. Asgard is one of the first allies of Elysium."

"I hope so. Okay, we have arrived."

Odin and Asmodeus stood before the entrance to Asgard's treasury, or more precisely, Odin's vault. Nodding to the guards, Odin led Asmodeus, narrating stories of various relics he had collected during his conquests.

Passing by the Crown of Surtur, Asmodeus stopped at a peculiar-looking sphere and hesitantly asked,

"Orb of Agamotto?"

"Ahem, ahem, let's not talk about that Ancient... Three thousand years ago, we wrested it from the previous Sorcerer Supreme. I decided not to return this little thing; it turned out to be quite useful, helping detect mystical activity, pinpoint its location, and present a picture of what's happening."

"Quite interesting, but this sword seems even more intriguing..."

"Yes, my sword. Ironically, I named it 'Ragnarok' back in the day. Unfortunately, since that battle, I can no longer use it. It's too demanding..."

Odin approached the enormous sword, longer than a spear, and caressed it.

"If everything goes well, I believe you'll be able to use it again. So cheer up!"

Asmodeus approached, trying to uplift Odin, who had once again fallen into reminiscences of the past.

"Yes, yes. Alright, let's go to what we came here for."

"Dryly said Odin, though he saw that everything worked with the Ancient, he still wasn't sure if Asmodeus's plan would work regarding him; their situations were too different...

But he still accepted Asmodeus's support.

You might find it strange, whether it's Odin, Nicholas, Grindelwald, or even Dumbledore. Over the course of their lives, they've long developed their own kind of pride that's hard to let go. But this only applies to those weaker.

Over time, all strong individuals become extraordinarily proud, be it Asmodeus or Dumbledore. However, such pride is concealed beneath good manners. The same goes for Nicholas, Odin, and even Voldemort.

In their eyes, only beings of their level deserve attention. Others, though not ants under their feet, still remain bugs in their eyes. But whether it's Odin or the other great wizards, they all see Asmodeus's potential and acknowledge his current strength, treating him as an equal even if he doesn't have the same accumulated experience as the others.

Therefore, such camaraderie at their level is not considered rudeness but rather an acceptable attitude and a sign that the other side has recognized you.

When they reached the cup with the burning fire, Odin said,

"There it is, The Eternal Flame... The one that foretells Asgard's destruction alongside Surtur."

"Don't worry; once I take it out of your universe, there won't be a chance for this little fire to return."

Asmodeus approached the fire with interest and touched it. When his hand touched the flame, he heard a system sound.

[Ding, the owner has made contact with unclaimed fire. The opportunity to absorb is available; percentage absorption calculation in progress...

Ding, in the current state, the owner can absorb 3% of this flame continuously. The owner's physical body is currently not strong enough to complete full absorption. Would you like to initiate the absorption process?]

'Hmm... 3% is already good,' - Asmodeus thought to himself. Initially unsure if he could make this fire submit to him, now he was confident that he could gradually merge with this flame and make it part of his power.

"Alright, I won't do anything with it while we're in Asgard. I'll study it when we're in my universe. So you don't have to worry unnecessarily. What do you think about that?"

"As you wish. As long as this thing doesn't fall into Surtur's or Hela's hands, I don't care. Just keep it away from Asgard..."

"Alright... When will you be ready to release Hela from the seal?"

"I need a day; I don't want to weaken the seal in one go. It has to be done gradually."

"Will you join us without any escort? Don't you want to bring Thor with you?"

"No. He should stay here, guarding Asgard! If everything works out, I'll let him play wherever he wants, but until the problem is solved... I don't want to risk unnecessarily."

"Okay, I understand. Let's then announce our departure. I suggest a week from now, what do you think?"

"That works; I'll have time to settle all possible issues for the next two months. By the way, the time difference..."

"Don't worry; I left a beacon in my universe with a time ratio of 1 to 3. It's not critical."

"Alright... I'm curious about the magic that allows you to travel between universes."

"Sorry, but that's a secret."

"Oh, come on. Young people these days have no respect for the elderly..."

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