Look, That's How Easy It Is to Talk Someone Into Something

"The interrogation is over."

Although Alvin was saying this, he remained seated in his chair.

"Is there anything else?" Completely terrified after being beaten, Loki had lost all the arrogance he had shown at their first meeting. He looked at him cautiously, swallowing hard. "If you need help, I can help you too."

As long as he doesn't hit me again.

"That's not it." Alvin found it somewhat amusing and shook his head helplessly. "I wanted to ask you..."

Why do you go to such lengths to seize the throne of the Celestial Palace?

For what?

No one had ever asked Loki that before, and he was momentarily stunned.

"I..." Loki fell into deep thought, his gaze somewhat lost, but after a moment his resolve hardened. "I must prove to my Father King that I am his most outstanding son, that I am the best choice to inherit the throne, not that idiot Thor!"

"You call him an idiot, but I don't think you're any better."

Alvin chuckled, his gaze unflinchingly disdainful. "Leaving aside the fact that you rashly stormed into the enemy's headquarters and got captured, just the fact that you believed Laufey's nonsense shows that you and Thor are both exceptionally stupid."

Throughout history, usurping power has always been an extremely bloody path.

Loki's usurpation of power was merely a prank to prove to Odin that he was stronger than Thor.

They neither purged Thor's faction nor gained control of Asgard's military.

Everything seemed like a farce.

No wonder Odin didn't show the slightest concern throughout.

It's likely that this setup was deliberately orchestrated out of consideration for the two princes.

If Loki can truly demonstrate that he is superior to Thor in skill, Odin might actually consider passing the throne to him.

Unfortunately, considering Loki's hasty seizure of power and the mess he left behind, he is clearly not up to par, and is basically on par with the "idiot Thor" he called him. Neither of them should laugh at the other.

If you disregard Loki's identity and background, and throw him into the Purgatory Galaxy, he'd be lucky to survive even a day on any planetary Hive City!

Looking at the unconvinced Loki, he slowly said, "I know you're not convinced, are you?"

Although Loki didn't say it explicitly, his stubborn little eyes proved his thoughts.

Why compare him to that muscle-bound idiot Thor?

Alvin went straight to the point. "Then can you tell me why you believe Laufey is willing to help you consolidate Asgard's rule after conquering Earth?"

"I am Laufey's direct descendant!"

Loki answered without hesitation.

"Just because of that?" Alvin looked at Loki with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot. "You don't really think that just because you're his bloodline, you can get his help after Laufey takes over Earth?"

"It's not entirely like that," Loki said hastily, somewhat flustered. "I know Laufey can't be trusted completely, so I've prepared a backup plan. If Laufey decides to betray me, I'll turn the Bifrost towards Earth and destroy him completely."

"The Bifrost is one of the greatest earthquakes in Asgard, do you think Laufey wouldn't have thought of that?" Alvin retorted.

"I, I..."

Loki suddenly froze, unsure how to respond.

Only then did he realize that he had only anticipated Laufey's betrayal and his use of the Bifrost.

But they completely failed to consider what would happen if the Bifrost's power didn't work as expected.

"Don't forget, behind Laufey, there's a mysterious figure with a vast cosmic influence supporting him." He sighed, clutching his heart, and looked at Loki with exasperation. "What makes you think that mysterious figure won't interfere?"

A series of probing questions plunged Loki into deep self-doubt.

Am I really an idiot?

"You're not stupid, you just like to play clever tricks." Alvin looked at him and commented mercilessly, "Just like a clown who likes to use pranks to gain sympathy."

2

At this moment, Loki seemed lost and bewildered, his eyes vacant and blank.

"So, you're here to mock me?" His tone was bitter, and he slumped into the chair as if his spine had been ripped out.

He wasn't stupid; he guessed the outcome from just a few words from Alvin.

Laufey wasn't a fool, nor did he care about his bloodline. Once they conquered Earth, their next target would be...

That is Asgard, the heavenly palace!

And his sole purpose, from beginning to end, was to prove to Odin that he was more powerful than Thor, not to destroy Asgard.

He seems to have messed things up again, just like he did with his previous pranks.

"No, I'm here to give you a choice." Alvin's lips curled slightly as he looked at Loki had finally taken the bait.

He said slowly, "You've committed such a grave crime. Even if Odin and Thor forgive you, you'll probably be locked up in prison from now on. Am I right?"

Loki remained silent upon hearing this, only nodding.

"You should know very well that staying in Asgard will never allow you to prove yourself to Odin."

Alvin leaned forward slightly, exuding an inexplicable sense of oppression, like a colossal mountain pressing down on Loki's heart. "But, leaving Asgard, leaving Odin's protection, I can give you a chance to grow, to help you prove to him who the most outstanding son is!"

"You... help me?"

Loki was puzzled, then he understood Alvin's meaning. "You want to... recruit me?"

"You can interpret it that way," Alvin said calmly. "Unlike Odin, I prefer you to Thor."

"You... you're not kidding, are you?" Loki swallowed hard, genuinely tempted.

After all, given his current status, even if the war ends, he will still be sent back to prison.

Rather than this, why not... take a gamble?

"No need to rush to answer me." Alvin slowly stood up, giving him a meaningful look. "Wait until this war is over, and you've thought things through before you answer me. In a person's life, opportunities to change their destiny... are few and far between."

After the interrogation, Alvin went to the next room.

This is a room used by S.H.I.E.L.D.. agents for interrogation. There's a one-way transparent glass partition next door, Thor is inside.

He was there the whole time and heard Loki's narration.

Of course, he didn't hear the rest of the conversation because it was blocked by Psychic Power interference.

"What are your thoughts?" Alvin leaned against the door, gazing at the prince of Asgard.

Thor slumped into the chair, head bowed, looking as pitiful as a defeated lion driven from its pride.

"I don't understand, why did it turn out like this..." He crossed his arms, clenching them tightly until his knuckles turned white, veins bulged on his temples, and his eyes were bloodshot. His voice was hoarse as he said, "We should have been the closest of brothers. Even though he wasn't Mother's biological son, Father King, me, and Mother... we have never wronged him!"

It seems that in my memory, my mischievous younger brother has long since transformed into a "Daemon" without me even realizing it!

The sins that cost millions of lives are all inextricably linked to Loki.

At this moment, Thor was plunged into unprecedented confusion.

Since arriving on Earth, in just a few days, he had experienced so much; his pride had been shattered by Alvin...

Interrupted in an almost cruel way.

What was supposed to be a brotherly and respectful relationship has deteriorated into the current situation.

The Father King, enraged, has fallen into hibernation; the queen's condition is unknown; Asgard will be dragged into an unfathomable abyss by Loki's obstinacy!

The prince was troubled by far too many problems.

"What should I do?" Thor finally abandoned his former pride and, for the first time, looked at the human before him with humility.

He desperately wanted an answer from Alvin: what should he do?

Do you want power?

Alvin walked in from the doorway, patted Thor on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "Thor, we need your power now. We need you to become the God of Thunder again and take on the responsibilities of Asgard. This is what you, as a prince, truly must do: maintain peace in the Nine Realms!"

"Can I really do it?"

Over this period of time, Thor's confidence has been almost completely eroded.

The longer he spent with Alvin, the more he felt his own insignificance. Whether in terms of the military prowess he was so proud of, or in strategic and political matters, he was completely no match for this "young human" who was much younger than himself.

Gradually, Thor's initial resentment and indignation subtly transformed into admiration and respect.

He admired the strong, and Alvin was such a strong person.

He even sensed in Alvin a quality almost identical to that of his Father King.

The majesty that can lead thousands of troops to conquer battlefields, and the majesty that can rule a country and bring peace and happiness to its people.

Like a king!

"No one is born knowing everything." Alvin gripped Thor's shoulder, his eyes seemingly containing a vast galaxy and profound wisdom. "Don't ask yourself if you can do it, but tell yourself you must!"

"You must believe in yourself, learn with humility, and learn from failure."

Don't be discouraged by one or two failures. As long as you keep walking on the path of perseverance, you will eventually become a worthy king!

These words seemed to touch Thor's heart, moving the man to tears.

Thank you, thank you so much.

Thor's voice trembled with emotion. "I will never let you down, I will definitely become a worthy king!"

Looking at Thor's expression, Alvin wondered if he had been too harsh on Thor lately.

How did this guy develop feelings for someone he's been manipulated into?

But it seems the result was pretty good.

"Very good, I believe you!"

Alvin patted him hard on the shoulder. "Now, pass the test I've given you and reclaim your power, Thor!"

I can do it!

Thor yelled, his face flushed red, and strode out of the room with his head held high.

Waiting for him outside was none other than Marquez, the Chief Librarian of the Dark Angels!

"Thor?" Marquez frowned, glanced at the agitated Thor, and said calmly, "Come with me. I will unleash your potential and help you rediscover your true power."

As for how to stimulate it, don't ask.

In short, it's not a proper method; after all, considering Space Marine training, from a certain perspective...

That's enough to completely transform Thor!

Believe it or not, it means exactly what it says... a complete transformation!

Watching Thor being led away by Marquez, Alvin scratched his chin. "Was I a bit too much? Such a fine prince, and I just fooled him like that? Hopefully, Odin won't be so angry he'll vomit blood when he wakes up."

When I woke up, both of my sons were "gone".

Sometimes, even Alvin himself felt that he was truly gifted in the art of deception.

No wonder that Tzeentch old man, Qi, has been keeping a close eye on me!

Tan, if the Yellow Skin could speak, just for his loyalty, he really should be made a king!