For a moment, Loki was recalling if he had seen this person before.
But quickly, he went through all the residents in Valhalla and found no trace of this person's existence.
Maybe it was the eye patch, and that uncanny smile that reminded him of Odin, causing a sudden jolt in his heart, a feeling of familiarity.
But that was only for a brief moment; then, he became wary. This was a stranger, appearing beside the burning World Tree…
This can't help but make Loki think more about it.
However, the person merely glanced at them and then turned his head, looking at the item on the spit he held.
Loki noticed that these were some fruits from the Immortal Palace, being roasted near the flames, rapidly becoming steaming hot.
The skin turned charred black; any longer, and it would catch fire.
The man retrieved the fruit, took a bite, seemingly unconcerned about the effect of the high temperature, and nodded in satisfaction.
"Who are you?"
But the person roasting the fruit gave an irrelevant answer, calmly asking, "You've come, have you? Children."
Thor tilted his head; why did these words sound familiar yet odd?
Loki frowned. He began preparing a spell, first an illusion technique, then an offensive magic.
"Stop it, Loki. Around the World Tree, any act of channeling magic power will pass through it, and right now, it means you might just become a torch, very dangerous."
Loki's fingers stopped behind his back, feeling a bit uncertain.
The other person didn't even turn his head yet knew he was casting spells, what kind of level is this?
Loki's eyes shifted, and he promptly forced a smile: "May I ask who you are? What brings you to Asgard?"
"Put away your pretentious tone and fake smiles, Loki, you know I hate that." The person glanced at him coldly and stood up from the ground: "Me being in Valhalla isn't unusual…"
While saying this, he took the fruit off the long spit he had sat with at the edge of the cliff, turning to throw it to Thor.
Soon after, the roasting spit shortened, quickly emitting dazzling golden light in the red flames, gradually forming into a long spear.
The intricately designed spearhead, wholly golden, appeared filled with solemn deterrent power.
Eternal Spear Gungnir.
This weapon was firmly grasped in the one-eyed man's hand, and now his aura was unabashedly spread out, supreme authority, none but him.
"Because I am your father."
Loki opened his mouth, finding it hard to accept this statement at the moment, why did Odin appear younger than he was?
But Odin is an omnipotent god, able to alter his appearance at will, even becoming a crow or a thousand-meter-tall giant.
No wonder neither he nor Thor could find him, this old schemer had changed his looks and returned to his old dwelling, mingling with the Dead in the Heroic Spirit Hall.
Is that what Odin's Sleep truly means?
And the blind right eye, that was precisely Odin's mark.
Loki's doubts only lingered for a brief moment, because Gungnir cannot be faked. It wasn't an illusion; he himself is a master of illusions, capable of easily discerning any magic affecting vision.
Thus, Loki's focus quickly shifted to another aspect.
He bowed and saluted, secretly envious of looking at Thor.
Just now, Odin gave all the roasted fruit to Thor, why not give him one?
Odin often acts with hidden meanings, if these fruits represent Asgard that has gone through the fire, does it mean Odin intends to pass Asgard to Thor?
Why? Clearly, in every respect, he is better than Thor. Why does Odin never give him a second look?
Loki's mind was in turmoil, even though maintaining a smile, he was already caught up in various fantasies.
Thor didn't notice at all, he just smiled foolishly, rubbing the fruit on his chest before gobbling it down, while slightly bowing to greet Odin:
"Why are you here roasting fruit? Father."
"I am the King of Gods, my kingdom is on fire." Odin merely nodded in response, motioning for them to rise: "My sons, look at the burning World Tree before you, what thoughts do you have? I noticed you wanted to put out the fire just now."
"Yes, Father, just watch me, see me put out these flames with just a stream of urine."
Thor's mouth was full of fruit; roasted fruit tasted surprisingly good. On hearing Odin's query, he unthinkingly replied.
The young Odin neither affirmed nor denied, his one eye turned towards Loki, his body glowing gold under the firelight.
"Loki, my youngest son, you answer this question."
Loki was woken from his scheming; he first graciously praised Thor a few times before then expressing his own thoughts.
"I think such a scale of blaze definitely isn't ordinary flames, we need to first analyze its cause, then gather more people to brainstorm solutions."
Odin still neither nodded nor shook his head, he simply turned around, facing the direction of the blaze.
"My sons, you've said a lot, and it's well said… but the methods are wrong; the true way to extinguish the fire is to let it burn out."
"Ah?"
Thor heard this method for the first time, the half-bitten fruit in his hand fell off.
But on thinking it over, it seems to make sense.
When all burnable things have burned out, doesn't the fire naturally go out? Only now, it's the World Tree that's on fire, letting it burn… isn't that not okay?
Loki's eyes turned; he felt Odin was hinting at something, was it time? Telling the two that time is the necessary process leading to results?
So does that mean there's still hope for me to become the king?
So he didn't speak, just quietly listened.
The three stood on the edge of a cliff near the World Tree, a tree that had grown from some unknown place, piercing through the ground of Asgard, as if it had always been here.
But at this moment, it was like a giant torch, turning life into light and heat.
"Don't be surprised, my sons, this flame is indeed an extraordinary thing, even I have no way with it, but today I want to teach you a lesson."
Odin thrust the Eternal Spear into the stone slab on the ground, crossed his arms over his chest, and calmly watched the flames before him, speaking in a steady voice:
"As long as there are places where leaves dance, there will be fire burning, the shadow of fire illuminates Asgard, and then new leaves will sprout again, this is the Will of Fire..."
Thor didn't understand, but felt like it made a lot of sense. Anyway, the World Tree didn't seem to have much use. It sounds like it will grow back later?
Then let it burn. No wonder Odin is so leisurely roasting fruit, turns out there's no big deal.
"Father, I understand. You wait a moment, I'll go kill two cows and bring them back, we should feast in honor of the Will of Fire."
Finishing speaking, Thor showed a naive smile, patted his chest, and flew away.
Loki thought more, understanding the hidden meaning. Odin meant that as long as the Aesir Race remains, it doesn't matter if Asgard is destroyed.
No matter how many times it's burned down, as long as there are people, it can be rebuilt. This is an allegory about inheritance.
As expected of Odin, witnessing an inextinguishable fire yet remaining calm, and thinking of using it to educate the two of them, worthy of being the King of Gods.
But he sneered at Thor's inability to understand and his avoidance behavior.
With that brain, how can he be a king? It's still up to me...
So next, while Thor was out looking for beef, Loki began flattering Odin, and from the young face, it was clear Odin was very pleased with him.
If he could keep Odin this happy every day, his future would be bright.
Thor soon returned, carrying two headless cows on his shoulders, having casually tapped their heads with Mjolnir, which exploded them.
Odin directly skewered one of the cows with the Eternal Spear, slowly roasting it by the World Tree, occasionally pulling it back to sprinkle some seasoning powder on it.
Loki fetched drinks, and the three sat together, sharing the roasted beef.
Odin took a hind leg himself, Thor got another hind leg, and Loki only received a slightly smaller foreleg.
Loki's expression was slightly gloomy but quickly passed, as if unaffected.
The meat was a bit tough, the heat from the World Tree was too much, but the World Tree indeed proved its divine quality, the roast had a special fragrance, slightly spicy and stimulating, making it addictive just by smelling it.
The three ate joyfully, knowing that it was rare for Odin to dine so amicably with them.
But what's wrong with being amicable? Would they rather suffer the wrath of the Divine King and get thrashed by Gungnir to feel satisfied?
Thor, holding a beef leg, cheerfully said: "Father, we should eat together more often, family being together is truly wonderful."
"As long as you still recognize me as your father in the future, we can eat together anytime, haha..."
Odin said with a meaningful smile.
Loki's heart tightened, a reminder that he remained the king, hinting that they should not aspire to the throne?
It seemed the Divine King had noticed his aspirations...
However, Odin was aging rapidly; even though he appeared youthful, his tone and actions were those of an old man. He just needed to wait a few more years.
Thoughts flew through Loki's mind in an instant; he smiled, pouring wine for Odin and Thor, then finally filling his own cup.
"What are you talking about, Father? Of course you're our father, what else could it be?"
Thor still didn't understand, gnawing on the beef leg, he used a cloak to wipe his mouth, muttering, as he grabbed his wine cup to drink.
Indeed, hosting a banquet in a warm place is comfortable, the old man truly knows how to enjoy life.
............
After a short while, Odin tossed aside the bone he was holding. The bone touched the burning World Tree and instantly turned to ashes.
He looked at the gradually growing crowd around, but no one dared to approach too closely.
He had to leave, it would be troublesome if Frigga came over.
"Sons, this banquet pleases me greatly, but things are not finished; I have tasks for you both."
"Say it, Father."
Thor immediately responded, while Loki remained silent, yet his eyes also turned to Odin.
"Your tasks are not the same. First, Loki, represent me in gathering all the people of Asgard around the World Tree to feast and teach them the doctrine of the Will of Fire, ensuring they all understand. Can you do it?"
"I will adhere to your will." Loki bowed slightly, his face showing a mischievous smile.
Is this a test? Does Odin want to see who performs better between me and Thor?
Odin's one eye turned to Thor: "Your task is, after the feast, to gather all the armies, everyone, including the royal palace guards and dungeon wardens, to attack Muspellheim. This fire was caused by Surtur; he must pay the price! Thor, my good son, bring his crown back to me, I want to adorn my treasury with it."
"Alright, Father, I'll place his crowned head right before you!"
Odin nodded with satisfaction: "Go then, I won't be involved in this matter, don't come to me before it's resolved."
With that, Odin stood up with the Eternal Spear, walking towards Valhalla, passing through the bowing crowd, leaving the two with only a strong back, gradually disappearing into the dark corner.
Thor and Loki exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with the spark of competition, determined to prove to their father who would execute their mission better.