Ever since the last Dark Elf invasion ended, All-Father of the Gods Odin had fallen seriously ill, unable to see and incapable of governing.
Though the court ministers were surprised, they did not find it strange. He had surely been angered sick by his own sons. Forget a royal family with the burden of Asgard's realm upon its shoulders—even in an ordinary household, anyone saddled with two such troublemakers would be furious enough to cough up blood.
After some time, however, everyone discovered that Heavenly King Odin's illness was not only severe, but extremely peculiar. If they sought him out to discuss matters of state, he could neither see nor hear a thing. But if they let him return to the old palace to watch operas and enjoy life, he immediately became sharp-eyed, keen-eared, and full of lively conversation, as though he had made a miraculous recovery.
Still, the ministers could understand. Heavenly King Odin had suffered all his life. In the first half, he had fought for Asgard and carved out a vast empire. In the latter half, he had spent his days being angered into coughing blood by his two sons. Now that he was old, perhaps he had finally accepted it. Perhaps his sons' barbs had left him utterly disheartened, and he simply wanted to retire peacefully in the inner palace for a few quiet days. How could his subjects not sympathize with him?
But if the subjects sympathized with the king, who would sympathize with the nation? The king had gone on strike; someone had to step forward and handle affairs!
By ordinary custom, if the king was gravely ill and unable to govern, the Crown Prince should supervise the realm and prepare to ascend the throne at any time. But Asgard's two princes... were truly