Just as Heimdall fell silent, Odin suddenly spoke from his throne. "Is that mortal still in Asgard?"
"Hm? Yes, he is in Prince Thor's palace."
"Tomorrow, I will host a banquet in the Rear Garden. Invite him."
"Yes, my king."
Heimdall answered respectfully, though his tone sounded a little strange.
Was it really appropriate to rely on a mortal to resolve Asgard's crisis?
The thought felt odd, but remembering Tony's terrifying strength put Heimdall at ease.
Someone who could fight Odin to a standstill, and even gravely wound him, would surely make Asgard's crisis seem insignificant if he intervened.
With those thoughts, Heimdall quietly withdrew, leaving Odin undisturbed.
Before long, a day slipped by without a sound.
Unlike on the Blue Planet, a day in Asgard lasted thirty-six hours, and its nights were almost twice as long.
When Tony woke in Thor's palace the next day, he opened the doors to find Heimdall waiting outside.
At the sight of him, Tony raised an eyebrow, a faint smile curling his lips.
"What brings you here so early?"
People never came calling without a reason. Tony had seriously injured Odin not long ago, and Heimdall and the others could hardly avoid him fast enough. Now Heimdall was waiting outside his door first thing in the morning. Tony would never believe he had come for nothing.
Heimdall wasted no time and stated his purpose directly.
"The king invites you to a banquet at noon, sir. He specifically sent me to inform you."
"He invited me to a banquet?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Tony's eyes.
He and Odin were hardly on good terms, and Odin was not the sort to appreciate a fellow hero simply for his strength. Why would he suddenly invite Tony to a banquet?
Though suspicious, Tony did not refuse.