My premonitions have never been wrong, and this time was no exception.
Frigga's eyes softened, and she reached out to take Rimuru, heading towards the palace without a word.
That wasn't a discussion; it was a definite arrangement that had already been made.
Thor watched with amusement, offering no help whatsoever.
He followed along leisurely, purely with a spectator's mentality, knowing his mother's temperament all too well.
Once you start taking your appearance and dress seriously, no amount of pleading will help.
Odin watched their retreating figures, shook his head with a helpless smile, and turned to begin arranging the banquet preparations.
Rimuru into the bedroom by Frigga, where he immediately saw the magnificent gowns hanging on the walls.
Each piece is made with the finest materials from the Asgard, featuring intricate and exquisite dark embroidery, and radiating a subtle divine glow.
Frigga examined the dress, her fingertips gently tracing the smooth fabric with a tender yet skillful motion.
As she made her selections, she casually reminisced about little things from the past, her tone tinged with a touch of nostalgia.
"When Hela was little, she was always just like you."
"She has a free-spirited personality, dislikes being restrained, and dresses casually every day, finding formal attire cumbersome and tedious."
She paused slightly, a hint of melancholy creeping into her eyes.
"I did the same thing back then, personally choosing clothes for her, tidying her up, and getting her ready little by little."
"When she was little, she was pretty, with clear eyes, and was especially well-behaved when she was quiet."
"I always thought about dressing her up elegantly and respectably, so that she could stand proudly at the pinnacle of the Asgard in the future."
A few fragmented memories drifted lightly into the air.
Rimuru stood there, feeling as if something had suddenly struck him.
No wonder Frigga is so attentive to her, patient, meticulous, and hands-on in everything.
No wonder the way she looked at me always carried a gentleness and expectation unique to an elder.
No wonder their intimacy was so natural, so tender, and so genuine.
It's not simply about observing banquet etiquette.
She saw Hela as a child in herself.
That eldest daughter, who had not yet been swallowed by darkness, nor driven to madness by the lust for power, was pure and vibrant.
Millions of years of regret, children who couldn't be properly protected, and unfulfilled expectations.
All the careful thoughts hidden deep in my heart have now transformed into tenderness, falling entirely upon me.
Rimuru's heart softened for no reason, and he swallowed back the words he had wanted to say earlier.
What was initially a feeling of helplessness at being forced to dress up instantly transformed into an indescribable warmth and heartache.
Frigga was completely unaware that her thoughts had been seen through, and continued to carefully compare the fabrics.
While fine-tuning the dimensions, he gently gave instructions.
"You're different now; you're a strong person who can stand on your own."
"Different social statuses and demeanors mean that when attending a state banquet, one must present an appearance appropriate to oneself."
She chose a dark gold-trimmed black gown with a subtle and understated pattern, its radiance gentle and unassuming.
The design accentuates a tall and slender figure, conveying both youthful handsomeness and the profound depth of Demon Lord.
She meticulously adjusted the collar, straightened the hem, and smoothed out minor wrinkles throughout the process, her movements gentle and focused.
After everything was tidied up, Frigga looked at the refreshed Rimuru, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction.
It's like trying to make up for a regret that has been silent for eternity and can never be fulfilled.
Thor, standing nearby, whistled, his eyes full of admiration.
To be frank, his aura was exceptional, more dazzling than any noble in the Asgard.
Rimuru looked down at the exquisite and luxurious dress he was wearing, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
He suddenly realized that he hadn't come to attend a victory celebration banquet at all.
He unintentionally fulfilled a thousand-year-old dream for the gentle queen of Asgard.
But the problem is, I'm a guy. ╮(๑•́ ₃ •̀๑)╭
What else can I say? Whatever makes you happy.
The atmosphere of this banquet was almost exactly the same as the last one.
The atmosphere remained one of singing, dancing, fine wine, and delicious food. The people of the Asgard chatted and laughed, creating a relaxed yet lively atmosphere.
Similarly, there were no strict rules to bind them; it was purely a joyous and celebratory feast.
But no one expected that, after a few rounds of drinks, Odin suddenly stood up and announced a momentous event that shocked the entire audience.
He officially appointed Rimuru as Asgard's representative and the agent of Asgard authority.
Odin slowly explained the authority of this identity, his explanation clear and resolute.
Ordinary Asgard messengers, such as Odin's two ravens, are merely his eyes and ears.
Responsible for traveling through the Nine Realms to gather intelligence, this role is an extension of Odin's personal power, and his authority is extremely limited.
Rimuru's status as an agent is on a completely different level.
He does not represent Odin's personal will, but directly represents the entire Asgard and all the people of the Asgard.
This is equivalent to Odin personally appointing a legitimate and compliant second ruler.
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire banquet hall fell silent.
All the gods, nobles, and warriors looked surprised and began to whisper among themselves.
Everyone understood the significance of this conferment; it was no ordinary honorary title.
At first, Rimuru was confused and didn't understand what was going on.
I just felt that Odin had given me a respectable identity so that it would be easier for me to Asgard later on.
It wasn't until Thor lowered his voice and explained it to him simply and directly that he understood.
Upon hearing Rimuru's brain went blank for two seconds, and his CPU seemed to burn out on the spot.
Then he started screaming wildly in his mind.
So this thing is basically a king with a different surname?!
Odin is still in power, and I am his agent, assisting in the Asgard.
When Odin's reign ended and Ragnarok arrived, Thor had not yet fully shouldered the burden of being the king of the gods.
He was directly the Regent of Asgard!
Holy crap!
Odin has truly gone all out, entrusting the entire future of Asgard to his own hands.
Although Odin and Thor are nominally the supreme rulers, and he is merely an assistant, Thor's power is inferior to his own after Odin's departure.
In this kingdom where strength reigns supreme, Odin truly trusts himself.
After a brief uproar, everyone in the Asgard fell silent.
All eyes turned to Rimuru, who was standing in the center of the banquet.
Previously, the gazes of the crowd reflected appreciation, respect, and friendliness towards the top experts.
But from that moment on, the flavor completely changed.
The initial friendly relations have faded, replaced by a layer of respect and submission from the subordinate to the ruler.
His eyes were devout and solemn, filled with heartfelt surrender.
The atmosphere in the entire room instantly became solemn.
Rimuru his scalp tingle instantly as he was stared at by hundreds of respectful and solemn gazes.
He was just there to freeload at the banquet and incidentally, to keep the Asgard safe.
Isn't a perfectly good foreign player job better?
How did I end up as a prospective regent of Asgard without any prior arrangement?
This was truly like a throne falling from the sky, catching him completely off guard and leaving him feeling uneasy.
However, this calculation doesn't seem quite right. When the gods of Asgard die, they don't truly die; their souls enter Valhalla, also known as the Valhalla.
Judging from the film's portrayal, the gods who enter the Hall of Answering Spirits are aware of what is happening in reality, meaning they may be able to intervene.
Otherwise, why would these Asgard gods be so convinced that they would enter Valhalla after death?
If that's the case, Odin wouldn't be afraid of suppressing Thor and taking his place.