While Schiller was busy at the tavern, construction officially began on Crux II in the Southern Cross, and it was proceeding at a feverish pace. Large amounts of construction equipment were moved onto the site, along with engineers from various advanced civilizations. Before entering the worksite, however, they naturally had to follow the Nine Realms' old tradition and go to Asgard for a welcoming feast.
The God King and Queen of the Gods received them warmly. To be honest, most of them had never expected to be treated kindly by the gods. After all, Asgard had beaten them badly, but that was because Asgard had the strength to do so. They, on the other hand, had banded together to push Asgard out of interstellar society, which was rather petty. Seeing that neither the God King nor the Queen of the Gods held it against them, they breathed a sigh of relief.
This time, Thor was not merely putting on a show of generosity. He genuinely did not think much of it. The gods were good at warfare because of their own abilities. Other people were good at politics, and if the gods could not beat them at that game, then they could only admit defeat. There was nothing shameful about acknowledging it.
It now seemed that the wisest decision Odin had ever made was taking Loki in all those years ago. Without him raising Asgard's average level of political maneuvering, they still would not be able to outplay those politicians with their heads full of schemes even after another ten thousand years.
The welcoming banquet was grand, and Asgard Palace was filled with celebration. The engineers drank and laughed with the gods. Platter after platter of roasted meat was brought out, only to be swiftly devoured. All kinds of fruit