Evenson rattled off a long string of official posts and noble titles, most of which Coulson could not understand. Still, he felt vaguely that they sounded incredibly impressive. But he knew Evenson had this in the bag!
With all these impressive-sounding identities, Evenson at least had diplomatic immunity. Although Earth had not yet established diplomatic relations with Asgard, no government on Earth could openly investigate Evenson without going through Asgard, much less invite him in for a little chat. Otherwise, the mildest consequence would be alarm among friendly nations!
Thinking of this gave Coulson another headache. He had imposed an economic blockade on Evenson without knowing any of this. Would Asgard feel gravely insulted?
Melinda was even more troubled than Coulson, because she understood far more than he did. When Evenson had introduced his titles earlier, he had simply used their Chinese pronunciations. And compared to worries that Earth and Asgard's diplomatic relations might be damaged, she felt a deeper, stranger unease.
At first, it had been all right. Scholar of the North Gate was technically a close attendant, but one elevated through favor, little more than a senior adviser. The title of Bugeng was also very low-ranking. Everyone knew that—what was a Bugeng? Nothing too serious. But then came Da Liang Zao! It meant a man who created for his lord, one excellent among those who created for the high lord. It ranked sixteenth among the military merit noble titles of Qin and Han. Shang Yang, Gongsun Yan, and Bai Qi had all held this title, which showed just how exalted it was.
And the Xandar Grand Protectorate was clearly the title of a regional military governorship. Its ruler commanded the army in the saddle and governed the people on the ground, practically equivalent to holding a carved-out domain.