Deep within Odin's one eye, countless threads of fate and compromises of interest clashed violently.
Finally, he spoke slowly, his voice like grinding glacier ice:
"The Valkyries... yes. Týr, as their leader, is not impossible to accompany them to Vanaheimr for 'communication'."
He took a step back, acknowledging that Týr and the Valkyries could be used as bargaining chips.
But then he changed his mind:
"But since it's an exchange, it shouldn't be one-sided. In return, my two brothers, Vili and Vé, will also accompany me to Vanaheimr. They helped shape the world with me, sharing ancient wisdom; their insights may help the Vanir... better understand Ásgarðr's sincerity."
Odin threw out his 'counteroffer'.
'Narcissus (Hades)' instantly understood Odin's intentions.
Vili and Vé were Odin's brothers, vaguely mentioned in mythology, even attempting to seize the throne while he slept.
They had ancient names and lineages, but lacked equal power and wisdom. In modern Ásgarðr, they were more like two troublesome burdens.
Odin's move was called 'peer communication', but in reality, it was 'clearing the portal'.
Listing two potential internal instability factors to the Vanir side in the name of 'communication' could not only weaken possible internal opposition but also add weight to the negotiations, making them appear 'beneficial'.
Moreover, these two 'useless people' could still serve as eyesores or create minor problems in Vanaheimr.
"Using two wastes to fill the numbers, trying to balance the trade? This is indeed... typical Odin-style arithmetic."
Hades's will judged.
He naturally didn't want these two problems, but they were insignificant; accepting them or not didn't affect the overall situation.
However, Odin's initiative to give up the concept of 'brothers' and the justification of 'exchanging wisdom' immediately reminded Hades.
A more important target appeared.
'Narcissus' did not immediately object to Vili and Vé joining, as if considering it.
He was silent for a moment, his gaze seemingly involuntarily gliding over the ravens on Odin's shoulder, and then calmly spoke in a tone inspired by Odin's words about 'exchanging wisdom':
"Since the God-King mentions the exchange of wisdom... Therefore, to ensure the depth and value of this 'exchange', I'm afraid relying solely on your two brothers is insufficient."
His voice was still level, but carried undeniable seriousness.
"I need someone who can truly bear and interpret ancient wisdom."
Odin's one eye narrowed slightly, sensing that the opponent was about to increase the stakes.
'Narcissus' looked directly at Odin and slowly uttered the name:
"Mímir, the guardian of the Well of Wisdom."
The air in the stone hall seemed to freeze.
Mímir, by the root system of the World Tree, the guardian of the Well of Wisdom, an ancient figure with supreme wisdom!
Odin had once sacrificed an eye to him in exchange for the right to drink from the Well of Wisdom!
Asking for Mímir was far more about Odin's foundation than asking for Týr!
Týr was an important war god, but Mímir was a kind of source of Odin's wisdom and an important advisor in the face of Ragnarök!
"Absurd!" For the first time, Odin's voice was filled with incredible fury.
"Mímir is the guardian of the Well of Wisdom; his existence is tied to the secrets of the well and the balance of the World Tree! How can he be used as an object of trade?!"
'Narcissus' remained calm in the face of Odin's anger.
He had already prepared rhetoric that would suit the persona of 'Narcissus, the Vanir God-King' and not arouse suspicion from the world of Chaos.
"Precisely because he is about wisdom and balance, I need him."
'Narcissus's' tone carried a pure thirst for wisdom and an emphasis on 'balance' as a god of nature.
"Odin, you drank the well water and gained wisdom, but you were also cursed with the weight and sacrifice of seeing the end. Your path is to conquer and control wisdom."
"And my path is to live in symbiosis with the world and understand its inner rhythm. Mímir's wisdom should serve not only the survival of the Æsir side but also provide a more macroscopic and transcendent understanding of the fate of the entire Nine Realms. In Vanaheimr, by my side, he can free himself from the narrow perspective of the Ásgarðr-Vanir struggle, consider the truth of Ragnarök from a higher level, and explore other possibilities that may exist, different from what you and I see."
He paused, his gaze gliding over the void in Odin's sacrificial gaze, and added meaningfully:
"Besides, you have obtained from him what you need most—knowledge of the prophecy and the answer to the end of the world. Mímir is more of a symbol for you than an irreplaceable asset. Transferring him to me symbolizes Ásgarðr's true willingness to share its deepest wisdom, the greatest sincerity in establishing lasting peace and jointly confronting the end."
"As for your two brothers, Vili and Vé..." 'Narcissus' seemed to have just remembered this, a faint, elusive hint of contempt in his voice.
"Since the God-King insists, they can accompany him as well. Perhaps, under Mímir's guidance, their dusty wisdom can also be re-illumined."
These words were remarkable.
They packaged the motivation for asking for Mímir entirely under the grand narrative of the 'Vanir King seeking supreme wisdom to deal with shared destiny', which was reasonable and vaguely stood on a moral high ground—for the sake of the Nine Realms, not for his own selfishness.
At the same time, he pointed out that Mímir was 'not as valuable as before' to the current Odin, and 'incidentally' accepted Vili and Vé—the two wastes—as if he had to accept additional conditions to achieve the main goal.
Odin's one-eyed gaze fixed on 'Narcissus', trying to discern the true intentions behind his calm exterior.
He admitted that the other party's words held some truth.
After obtaining the key prophecy, Mímir's direct strategic value to him had indeed diminished.
Moreover, if Mímir were placed in a 'neutral' but Vanir-leaning position, perhaps information could still be obtained in the future through old ties?
But giving up Mímir was too great a symbolism!
It was almost tantamount to admitting that Ásgarðr had bowed to Vanaheimr at the level of wisdom!
However, the chips the opponent offered were equally heavy.
More importantly, the other party had mentioned 'jointly confronting the end' and 'exploring other possibilities'.
This touched Odin's most secret desires and fears.
What if... what if this 'Narcissus', living in symbiosis with the World Tree, could indeed rely on Mímir's wisdom to find a glimmer of life different from the desperate prophecy?
Long silence reigned again.
In the end, the desire to survive and the hope for possible variables in 'Ragnarök' overwhelmed everything.
He slowly nodded, extremely heavily.
This action seemed to drain the immense power of the God-King.
"Mímir... you may 'consult'." Odin's voice was hoarse and low, each word seemingly squeezed from stone.
At this moment, the core terms of the negotiation were finally finalized amidst the calculations and compromises of the two God-Kings.
Ásgarðr would pay:
Týr and all the Valkyries under his command would go to Vanaheimr for long-term 'exchange'.
The wise giant Mímir would accompany him to Vanaheimr for 'wisdom discussion'. Vili and Vé would go along as additional 'communicators'.
Interpretation of the seven basic runic runes.
Part of Ásgarðr's treasury resources would be used as compensation.
Vanaheimr would give back:
Release all imprisoned souls of Æsir warriors.
Freyr and Freyja would visit Ásgarðr as 'peacemakers' to establish ties.
Return part of the Ásgarðr equipment captured in the war.
The great war that had engulfed the Nine Realms finally ended with such an agreement, full of exchange, calculation, and hidden dangers for the future.
The two God-Kings stood across the stone table, their gazes meeting for the last time.