The long white jade stairs leading to the Royal Great Hall usually felt somewhat long and tedious.
But today, Arthas felt as if the path was a bit too short.
So short that before he could fully appreciate the soft warmth in his hand for a moment longer, the towering main entrance of the Great Hall already stood before him.
The square in front of the Great Hall now presented a completely different scene.
It was no longer the revelry and casualness of last night’s bonfire party; instead, it was replaced by a solemnity that made one hold their breath.
Queen Hippolyta had already changed into her most formal and magnificent golden armor, wearing the laurel leaf golden crown that symbolized supreme power and holding her ancient scepter, standing straight at the very front.
Behind her, General Antiope led a neat Amazonian Royal Guard of Honor; two rows of female warriors in silver armor holding spears stood as still as statues, the sharp spearheads glinting coldly in the sunlight, showcasing the iron blood and majesty of this warrior race.
The sudden aura of slaughter and sense of ceremony caused Arthas, who had just been joking around with Diana, to instinctively wipe the smile from his face.
He subconsciously tightened his grip on Diana’s hand and whispered, “Whoa, such a big display?
Should I be goose-stepping my way in?” Although Diana didn’t speak, her expression also became exceptionally grave.
She gently squeezed Arthas’s palm, signaling him not to be nervous, and then led him, step by step, to stand by Hippolyta’s side under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
“They’re here.” Hippolyta didn’t turn back, only speaking softly.
Her gaze was locked onto the sky above, which had been cloudless but was now beginning to look strange.
Arthas followed her gaze and saw that the sky, which had been sunny just a moment ago, had somehow started to turn gloomy.
The change wasn’t gradual; it was abrupt, as if forcibly distorted by some powerful force.
The originally calm sea breeze suddenly stalled, and immediately after, a heavy low pressure enveloped the entirety of Paradise Island.
It was the silence before the storm, the prelude to a god’s descent.
“Rumble—” A dull thunderclap seemed to roll in from the deepest reaches of the horizon.
The sound wasn’t loud, but it carried a soul-shaking tremor that made the heart of every Amazonian Warrior present skip a beat.
Immediately after, massive patches of dark clouds gathered as if by an invisible hand, quickly obscuring the Sun’s brilliance.
The entire Paradise Island plunged from daylight into darkness in an instant, with only the occasional bolt of lightning snaking through the clouds, signaling the accumulation of some terrifying power.
The sense of static in the air grew stronger; Arthas even felt the hair on his arms stand up.
The divine power within him began to stir restlessly; it was a sensation from deep within his bloodline, a response to a source of the same power.
He’s here!
The All-Father, who rules the Nine Realms and whose name shakes the universe, is finally coming!
“Crack!” A blinding flash of lightning tore through the gloomy sky, followed by a brilliant, rainbow-colored pillar of light—seemingly containing infinite mysteries—crashing down from the rift in the clouds.
This pillar of light was countless times more powerful than the commotion Arthas had made during his teleportation; it carried an overbearing aura that crushed everything in its path, landing directly in the center of the square.
“Boom!!!” The earth trembled, as if the entire island was wailing under this force.
The space around the pillar of light distorted violently, producing a tooth-aching grinding sound.
Under this God King level pressure, the faces of many Amazonian Warriors, who had been standing straight, turned pale, and the spears in their hands trembled slightly.
This was the power of Asgard, the might of the Bifrost Bridge!
The light gradually faded, revealing the scene within.
A magnificent, eight-legged giant warhorse was proudly treading through the void, slowly landing.
Every time its hooves touched down, a circle of golden ripples was stirred on the ground.
Seated upon that warhorse was a one-eyed old man dressed in golden armor and a bright red cape.
He held the Eternal Spear that symbolized the authority of the God King—gungnir, radiating a terrifying aura of natural majesty.
Behind him, two full squads of Asgardian Imperial Guards in fully enclosed golden heavy armor marched out of the pillar of light with synchronized steps.
Every step they took seemed to land on the heartbeats of the onlookers; their iron-blooded aura of strict discipline and battle-hardened experience instantly clashed with the aura of the Amazonian Warriors.
Odin Borson, Lord of the Nine Realms, had arrived!
The scene became extremely quiet for a moment, even somewhat oppressive.
Odin’s single eye slowly scanned the field, finally fixing on Hippolyta.
He nodded slightly, restraining a portion of the divine aura that was enough to make mortals kneel, and spoke in a deep, resonant voice: “Greetings, Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta.” “I am Odin, All-Father of Asgard.” “I apologize for the unannounced visit; I have only come to retrieve my young son who wandered off.
Thank you for your country’s care of him over the past few days.” These words were extremely proper, full of diplomatic pleasantries and detachment, showing both the God King’s grace and his purpose.
Facing this great god, Hippolyta did not show the slightest stage fright.
She straightened her back, and her scepter lightly tapped the ground with a crisp “thud” in response.
She gave a slight Amazonian salute of equals, a polite smile on her face: “Greetings, His Majesty Odin.” “Although Paradise Island does not connect with the outside World, the fame of the All-Father is like thunder to our ears.” “During Your Highness Arthas’s stay here as a guest, his performance was excellent.
It was also our honor.” “Your personal arrival brings even more glory to this island.” Back and forth, it was all official jargon.
That pedantic dialogue, full of testing and politeness, made Arthas roll his eyes as he stood to the side.
Is this the World of adults?
Yesterday, Sister Hippolyta was still pinky-swearing and whispering secrets with me, so why has she become so distant today?
And Father, don’t you usually wander around the house in your boxers all day?
Why are you dressed so formally today?
You’re even riding Sleipnir?
Keep pretending!
Just keep on pretending!
Arthas was roasting them frantically in his heart.
He didn’t care about diplomatic etiquette or the majesty of the God King.
In his eyes, that one-eyed old man on the horse was the same dearest dad who would secretly give him candy, let him ride on his neck, and argue with Mother for his sake!
Moreover, he was truly homesick.
Although there was Sister Diana here, Sister Hippolyta, and lots of delicious food.
That sense of loneliness from being thousands of miles away from home, that attachment to parents that only a child has, completely erupted the moment he saw Odin.
To hell with etiquette!
To hell with being pedantic!
Arthas could no longer hold back; he suddenly broke free from Diana’s hand.
An astonishing speed erupted from that small body, and like a little cannonball, he charged straight through that suffocatingly awkward atmosphere.
“Father!!!” A cry full of childishness and grievance echoed throughout the square.
Arthas ran quickly across the long red carpet on his short little legs.
As he ran, he also spread his arms wide.
“I missed you so much!!!” This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present.
The Asgardian guards instinctively moved to block him, but seeing that it was their own Eldest Prince rushing over, they immediately retracted their spears, each of them showing a knowing smile.
And Odin, the God King who had been sitting majestically on his horse just a moment ago.
The moment he heard that call and saw that long-awaited little figure rushing over.
The mask known as the God King shattered instantly.
“Little Arthas!” Surprise instantly filled Odin’s single eye; where was even a hint of his previous coldness?
He didn’t even wait for Sleipnir to come to a full stop before jumping straight off the horse’s back.
His movements were so agile he didn’t look like a several-thousand-year-old man at all.
He tossed the Eternal Spear to the side—which a nearby guard scrambled to catch—and then strode forward to meet him.
Just as Arthas was about to leap into his arms.
He skillfully crouched down, opened his arms, and firmly caught the little cannonball flying toward him.
“Oh!
My precious son!” Odin scooped Arthas up and even bounced him in the air.
The joy and doting from the bottom of his heart made his whole being radiate a soft glow.
He rubbed his stubbly face against Arthas’s smooth little cheek, not caring if he prickled the child.
“Quick, let Father hold you!” “How are you?
Are you hurt?
Did you suffer?” “Did you lose weight?” “Look at this little face, why does it feel less chubby than before?” “You definitely didn’t eat well!” Arthas giggled as he was tickled by Odin’s beard, dodging his father’s “attacks” while affectionately wrapping his arms around Odin’s neck.
“I did not!” “I ate very well!
I had roasted meat every day!” “And I am Arthas Odinson!
How could I get hurt?” “I beat all the sisters here…
uh, no, it was a sparring match!” He bragged boastfully, completely forgetting the fact that he had almost fainted from exhaustion last time.
“Father, you’re the one—look, you have dark circles under your eyes.” “Did Mother make you kneel on the washboard again?” Hearing this, Odin’s old face turned red, and he quickly coughed twice to hide his embarrassment.
“Ahem!
Nonsense!” “I was worried about you!” “You’ve been gone for two days; your Mother almost flooded the Golden Palace.” “I also…” His voice dropped slightly, carrying an imperceptible tremble.
“I was also very worried about you, silly boy.” “Being away from home for so long, you must have been very scared, right?” “Did you hide under the covers and cry every night?” “I did not!” Arthas immediately retorted, puffing out his little chest with a look of pride.
“I wouldn’t cry!” “And I wasn’t alone.” “The big sisters here are all super nice!” “Especially Sister Diana and Sister Hippolyta!” “They bought me clothes, told me stories, and…
and even held me while I slept!” As he said the last sentence, a shy yet sweet smile appeared on his face.
He was completely unaware of the weight of his words.
“What?” “Sister…
Diana?” “Sister…
Hippolyta?” Odin’s expression froze instantly.
The title “Sister” was like a thunderbolt striking him out of the blue.
He subconsciously turned his head, looking at Queen Hippolyta nearby, and then at Diana standing beside her.
Hippolyta looked like a Demigod at least several thousand years old; although well-preserved, her aura clearly suggested she should be of his generation!
Calling her sister?
Wouldn’t that…
mess up the seniority?
Then what should I call her?
Little sister?
And that Diana looked young, but she was clearly an adult woman as well.
Calling her sister?
No…
son, isn’t that title a bit too…
much?
That old witch Hippolyta…
cough, Her Majesty the Queen, actually accepted you calling her sister?
Just how much charm do you have?
Or…
does this Queen have some special hobby?
Odin’s inner monologue was incredibly vivid, and the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but twitch.
He had originally thought it was just ordinary care, but now it seemed this relationship…
was much more complicated than he had imagined!
And what on earth was “holding him while he slept”?!
Those are the Queen and Princess of the Amazons!
You’re only seven years old and you’re already this smooth?
If this gets back to Asgard, the ministers will have to worship you as a god of romance!
Odin looked at the two women opposite him with an extremely strange and complex gaze.
That gaze contained shock, vigilance, and even a hint of admiration.
Hippolyta naturally noticed Odin’s strange gaze.
But instead of being embarrassed, she showed a meaningful smile.
She stepped forward elegantly, her posture and aura not yielding to Odin’s in the slightest.
“His Majesty Odin.” She spoke first, breaking the strange silence.
“It seems Your Highness Arthas is quite satisfied with our hospitality here.” “Since you have come from afar, why don’t I host a welcome feast for you?” “Coincidentally, we also have some matters regarding Asgard and Paradise Island that we need to discuss properly.” Although her tone was polite, she emphasized the words “discuss properly.” Obviously, it was more than just a simple greeting.
Who was Odin?
He was an old fox who had lived for tens of thousands of years.
As soon as he heard this, he immediately smelled the scent of politics.
And he indeed had many questions that needed answering.
For example, the issue of his son’s divine power awakening, or the deeper meaning behind that unsettling title of “sister.” So, he nodded, put away his fatherly expression, and resumed his posture as the King of the Gods—though holding a child in his arms ruined the image slightly.
“Hmm, very well.” “Since the Queen has extended such a warm invitation, I shall not refuse.” “I also want to hear exactly how much trouble my mischievous son has caused everyone here.” Arthas snuggled in Odin’s arms, his big eyes darting back and forth between the two.
Although he couldn’t understand those profound political metaphors…
…he understood one thing: “Welcome feast” = “Eating.” “Discuss properly” = “Will take a long time.” That meant…
he didn’t have to leave immediately?
He could stay a bit longer?
He could even get another meal?
This realization made him instantly excited.
The slight excitement of reuniting with his father was immediately eclipsed by the joy of being able to continue playing with Sister Diana.
Great!
I can play for a bit longer!
Why am I still lingering in this old man’s arms?
It’s hard and prickly; how can it be as comfortable as Sister Diana’s embrace?
Arthas was a typical man of action, and even more so a typical little rascal who favored the new over the old.
Without a word, he began to struggle in Odin’s arms.
Like a fish trying to escape back into the water.
“Let me down!
Let me down!” He kicked his legs and shouted.
“Father, if you have business to discuss, go ahead!” “Children shouldn’t listen to adults talk!” “I’m going to find Sister to play!” Before Odin could react, his arms were empty.
The precious son who had just been holding him and saying, “I missed you so much.” Slipped down like a gust of wind.
Then, without looking back or even giving him a glance…
…he ran towards Diana with cheerful little steps.
While running, he shouted: “Sister!
Sister!” “I’m not leaving!
We can continue playing!” “I want to eat that fruit I didn’t get to eat earlier!” His departure was quite decisive and heartless.
Odin remained in the posture of holding a child, his hands still frozen in mid-air.
His one eye widened as he watched that cheerfully departing figure.
A sea breeze blew by, swirling a few fallen leaves.
It was as if they were spinning around his head.
That sense of desolation and abandonment was truly heart-wrenching.
This…
he just ran off?
Was that “Father, I missed you” just now a lie?
Is this the legendary “discard after use”?
I, the All-Father, am actually no match for two women he just met a few days ago?
Or am I being rejected by my son?
Odin stood in the wind, feeling his fatherly heart break.
What a mess.
“Pfft.” Hippolyta looked at Odin’s face, which was full of defeat and self-doubt.
She could no longer maintain her cold queenly facade.
She covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh.
This laughter contained a hint of teasing and a hint of pride.
“It seems, His Majesty Odin…” “…your son is indeed a very independent child.” “And…” She looked at Arthas, who had already plunged into Diana’s arms and was being doted on as she stroked his head.
Her gaze became meaningful.
“Many things happened when this child came here.” “Some things might be much more exciting than you imagine.” Hippolyta’s words were like a needle, puncturing Odin’s self-doubt.
They instantly snapped him out of his feeling of abandonment.
He narrowed his one eye and followed Hippolyta’s gaze.
Over there, Diana was crouching down, stroking Arthas’s head.
That movement, that expression…
…it was so gentle it was almost overflowing.
Arthas was enjoying it, even rubbing his face against Diana’s palm.
The atmosphere between the two, that intimate connection…
…didn’t look like strangers who had only known each other for two days.
Instead, they were like…
a pair of siblings separated for many years?
Or even…
no, something’s not right.
Something is really not right.
That girl named Diana, the way she looks at Little Arthas…
it’s not just affection; it’s a protective possessiveness!
And this Queen…
her cryptic words earlier were clearly hinting at something!
Bonds?
Exciting?
What exactly did my son do here?
Could it be…
a fatherly intuition rose in Odin’s heart.
He felt that if a young, beautiful, and powerful Demigod like Diana really had feelings for his son, it would be a good thing.
After all, if this marriage were to happen, it would definitely be a legendary tale in the Nine Realms.
But…
looking at Hippolyta, why do I feel like her attitude towards Little Arthas isn’t quite normal either!
Forget it, I’m definitely overthinking.
Odin withdrew his gaze and looked back at Hippolyta.
This time, there was less embarrassment in his eyes and more scrutiny and gravity.
Even in the depths of his one eye, a glint that only the King of the Gods could possess flashed.
“Hmm.” He hummed thoughtfully and slowly nodded.
His tone became low and serious.
“It seems…” “It’s very necessary to discuss my son’s affairs properly.” “About his experiences on Paradise Island.” “And…
certain ‘accidents’ I do not wish to happen.” Hippolyta was not afraid of this scrutiny.
She maintained her elegant smile and even made a graceful “please” gesture.
“Of course.” “I have the same intention.” “This way, His Majesty Odin.” “I believe our conversation will be very pleasant.” The two walked side by side toward the main hall.
Seemingly harmonious, but undercurrents were surging beneath the surface.
A high-level negotiation concerning the future of two divine races…
…was about to begin in this ancient hall.
Meanwhile, Arthas, who had no idea he had become the biggest bargaining chip on the negotiation table…
…was holding Diana’s hand, laughing lightheartedly.