Asgard readily accepted the Earth United Government's proposal. Loki saw it clearly: ever since Odin had been defeated by He-El, Asgard no longer had any room to bargain.
The Earth United Government had not interfered in the political affairs of the other nations of the Nine Realms, but the goodwill radiated by this diplomatic move—even if it was not intended to drive Asgard to extinction—would still reduce Asgard's deterrent hold over the Nine Realms to the lowest point, making it difficult for the other nations to trust Asgard.
Asgard might not perish before Earth, but it would inevitably lose its former prestige bit by bit, eventually becoming an ordinary power among the Nine Realms, one that supported Earth.
After merely two or three generations of Asgardian kings, the Asgard that had once ruled the Nine Realms would cease to exist.
When Loki, disguised as Odin, announced in the great hall of Asgard Palace that diplomatic ties had been established with the Earth United Government, that Nine Realms trade would be centered around Earth, and that diplomats would be sent to Earth at a later date to express goodwill and hold preliminary trade discussions, the gods of Asgard erupted in uproar, finding such humiliation impossible to accept.
What kind of place was Earth?
Was it worthy of Asgard sending diplomats to establish friendly trade relations?
And Earth was to be the center?
It had always been the center of the Nine Realms, but it had only been a barbaric wilderness, trampled upon by Asgard at will, and Asgardian territory since ancient times.
But then He-El had emerged, placing the dignity of Earthlings above that of the gods.
Even though many gods resisted and voiced their dissatisfied protests, believing there was no need to join such a trade alliance.
Asgard had always