"By the way, Lucas, where have you been all this time? You disappeared after the battle in Vanaheim with that... Dark Elf leader Malekith." Gwen asked.
Although Lucas wouldn't easily intervene even if he were present, having a powerful figure in the background always gave one more confidence during a fight.
Lucas answered, "I found the person who was providing power to Malekith, so I went to have a chat with him."
Hearing what Lucas said, Steve immediately asked, "Who is that person? Is he the mastermind behind this war?"
Lucas shrugged, "He is Knull, the God of Abyss and Darkness born at the beginning of the Seventh Cosmos. He can at most be considered an instigator of this war, not the mastermind."
Looking up at the Asgardian sky, Lucas said meaningfully, "Once this war begins, it's like the rolling tide of history, difficult to resist."
Gwen frowned and said, annoyed, "Lucas, speak plainly."
Lucas said, "Simply put, this war was bound to happen sooner or later. Knull, merely pushed it along inadvertently, accelerating the process."
"There's nothing new under the sun. Who can guarantee that what is happening now hasn't happened before?"
Not just Gwen, but the other people who had heard the voices and walked out of the palace into the corridor all had a few black lines appear on their foreheads.
The first sentence was mysterious, and the latter was still mysterious.
What was the difference between saying it and not saying it?
"Lucas, stop being a riddler. Just say what you mean." Wanda also couldn't help but urge him.
Riddlers were the most annoying.
"What has been done will be done again, and what has been will be again." Lucas continued to ramble, saying irrelevant things.
It wasn't that he didn't want to speak, but that this matter had little to do with the people here. Matters are accomplished in secret, and ruined by disclosure.
At this moment, the gods hidden behind the World Tree had already cast their gazes upon the Nine Realms, though not many yet.
"Damn you, Lucas."
Seeing that Lucas refused to speak plainly and kept everyone in suspense, Gwen couldn't help but take action. She jumped up, ready to punch him on the head.
Lucas tilted his head to dodge, catching the blow with his shoulder. Then, he casually embraced Gwen as she lunged, resting his chin on her head.
"Gwen, you're not trying to make me shorter, are you? It's not my fault you haven't grown taller in the past two years."
Feeling Lucas's chin bobbing on her head, Gwen struggled free and complained, "Lucas, don't mess up my hair."
Tap... Tap...
A series of footsteps approached, and soon Thor and Loki emerged from around the corner, walking towards the group.
As soon as he got close, Thor enthusiastically greeted everyone.
"I just heard some noise over here and came to check it out. I didn't expect you to be here too, Lucas."
Lucas and Thor exchanged a polite hug. "Yes, I was wandering in other Universes for a while, and I just got back."
Releasing Lucas, Thor asked curiously, "Lucas, can you explain in detail what you just said about this war?"
It was Lucas's voice that had attracted him and Loki over.
Lucas hesitated, unsure whether to tell Thor.
The main participants in this matter were the Asgardians and the Giants. Theoretically, Thor, as the current second-in-command of Asgard, had the right to know about this matter.
Seeing Lucas's hesitation, Thor waved his hand and complained, "What's wrong today? Father, mother, and you, Lucas, have all become riddlers."
Hearing Thor's complaint, Lucas felt relieved.
Since Odin hadn't told Thor, why should he say more?
Looking at the sky again, Lucas guessed that the unspeakable matter he and Odin referred to was likely the same thing.
—Ragnarok!
The twilight of the Asgardians and the Giants.
At the same time, it was also the feast of the gods behind the World Tree.
Withdrawing his gaze, Lucas smiled. "Thor, since your father didn't tell you, he naturally has his reasons, so it's not convenient for me to tell you either."
Loki asked in surprise, "You know what father wanted to say?"
Lucas shouldn't have seen Odin recently, right? Why did he know what he wanted to say but didn't?
Lucas nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, what he and I are thinking is probably the same thing. I wonder if Odin is available, I'd like to pay him a visit to discuss important matters."
"Father just entered his slumber, he probably doesn't have time to receive you now. However, I can speak with mother and have her summon you when father awakens." Thor said.
"Alright." Lucas nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Gods behind the World Tree, don't disappoint me.
After a brief exchange of greetings, Thor and Loki hurried away again.
A guard reported that the Four Realms had agreed to negotiate, and their leaders would communicate via video.
In Gladsheim, the Hall of the Council of Gods.
Thor and Loki rushed in, greeted Baldr, Sif and other high-ranking Asgardians, then ordered a connection to the leaders of the Four Realms' allied forces.
A shimmering, colorful light spread out, and the scenery within the palace hall shifted. Moments later, several sets of tables and chairs appeared out of thin air, laden with various fruits.
Then, projections of Surtur, Laufey, Angel Queen, Sindr, and an unknown Dark Elf formed.
Seeing the fruits on the table in front, Laufey's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt. He picked up an apple-shaped fruit with a touch of curiosity, bit into it, chewed, and swallowed.
Feeling the real sensation from his taste buds and stomach, a look of surprise involuntarily appeared on his face. Although it was only a projection, it possessed a real sense of touch and could even perform actions like eating and drinking, as if the actual body had descended.
Since when did Asgard have such technology?
Laufey was surprised in his heart, but his face feigned disdain.
Frost spread from his hand, freezing the fruit into a block of ice, which he then casually tossed at Thor.
"Flashy and impractical. It seems Asgard has been at peace for too long, becoming corrupt and rotten."
"Odin's boy, you called us here, surely not to show off these technologies meant to entertain nobles but utterly useless, right?"
Crack!
Loki reached out and caught the ice block Laufey had thrown at Thor, crushing it into shards with a squeeze, and said meaningfully, "Whether this technology is flashy and impractical, I believe Laufey, you should know."
"Hmph!"
Laufey snorted, not responding.
He believed that this projection technology must have certain limitations.
For example, it could only be used in certain special places in Asgard. Otherwise, Asgard would have deployed it on the battlefield long ago.
Nevertheless, Asgard had subtly flexed its muscles to the Four Realms' allied forces this time.
Sindr looked at Thor, licking her lips. "Alright, Laufey, let's first hear what this young boy wants to achieve by inviting us to negotiate."
During this time, Thor had shone brightly on the battlefield. His valiant fighting figure had quite captivated her. If only the two of them weren't from opposing factions.
"Laufey, Surtur, Sindr, Angel Queen, and this Dark Elf."
Thor's gaze swept over the five attendees, and he said in a deep voice, "I invited you all here to discuss ending this war."
"End this war!?"
Angel Queen sneered, drawing her longsword with a swish and striking down the table in front of her, scattering fruits everywhere.
"It's simple. Once I destroy Asgard and slaughter the Aesir, this war will naturally end."
"Presumptuous!"
Hearing her words, the gods behind Thor angrily rebuked her.
"Presumptuous? I will be presumptuous, what can you do to me?"
Angel Queen coldly retorted, then ignored the angry rebukes of the Asgardians.
She was a queen, it was beneath her to engage in verbal squabbles with these people.
Seeing this, Thor raised his hand, stopping the gods behind him.
Once the gods fell silent, Loki stepped forward, his tone sincere yet containing a hint of threat. "Angel Queen, this war has already caused heavy casualties among the races of the Nine Realms. If it continues, I fear there will be widespread devastation and rivers of blood. Perhaps, even the Nine Realms will shatter."
"The Nine Realms are inherently one, I believe no one wishes to see such a situation."
"The Nine Realms are inherently one? When Odin exiled Heven, he didn't care if the Nine Realms were one. Now that it's Asgard's turn to face annihilation, the Nine Realms are one?" Angel Queen laughed angrily at Loki's words, retorting with sarcasm.
Laufey and Sindr, however, focused on other things.
The Nine Realms shattering?
With the Bifrost Bridge destroyed, what could Asgard use to destroy the Nine Realms?
Could there be a hidden card?
Loki frowned, unable to refute the accusations.
For a moment, the negotiation reached a stalemate.
Just then, a frail, old voice broke the impasse.
"Angel Queen, I didn't expect this matter to make you harbor resentment for such a long time."
"Odin, it's truly wonderful that you're still alive. I must make you watch Asgard be destroyed before your eyes, and feel the pain I experienced then. Only then can I quell the hatred in my heart."
The newcomer was indeed Odin, who walked slowly, his steps faltering, leaning on Gungnir.
Seeing Odin, especially Gungnir in his hand, Loki's brows furrowed slightly. Then, as if in thought, his brows relaxed, and he remained silent.
A sorcerer helps a sorcerer.
Although Loki didn't know why Lucas was disguised as Odin to be here, he wouldn't expose him.