CHAPTER 2

"Five hundred years… exactly five hundred years. Do you know how I've lived these five hundred years? My Gold Finger is finally online!" Ragna was overjoyed. 

Indeed, the system was his necessary Gold Finger. If it hadn't activated, Ragna would have had no choice but to remain silent. Confronting Odin might feel satisfying in the moment, but in his current state of extreme weakness, the consequences would be dire. 

With the strength of an ordinary Asgardian soldier and the identity of Odin's son, venturing into the universe would be suicidal. Within a week, he'd likely be captured by scavengers and sold to some civilization for research or as a rare collectible. After all, an Asgardian—especially the son of Odin—was a prized commodity. 

As for choosing obedience to please Odin, Ragna couldn't bring himself to do that either. Silence would have been his only option. 

But now, the Gold Finger was online. Compared to a mere +1 to magic ability or a random Asgardian treasure, Ragna would undoubtedly choose the Awakening of the Solar Power. 

Magic abilities take time to master, and treasures are too unpredictable. Even if he were given something as powerful as the Eternal Flame or a Space Stone, his current abilities wouldn't allow him to wield or explain such items. What if he were randomly given an Infinity Gauntlet without any gems? Would he put it on and punch his chest with his tiny fists? 

No, thank you. 

"That's right, the great God-King Odin, ruler of the Nine Realms, I am dissatisfied with you!" Ragna declared loudly, his face alight with excitement. 

Some things had been weighing on his heart for far too long. 

Odin had never shown much care for his son, but Queen Frigga and his sister Hela had given Ragna immense love and support. Frigga never cared about Ragna's weakness. She patiently taught him, encouraged him, and never gave up on him. 

Hela, as the commander of the Asgardian legions, was often busy fighting alongside Odin to conquer the Nine Realms. Yet, every time she returned from battle, she made sure to visit her younger brother, always bringing him strange and wonderful gifts. 

Not long ago, Hela had even told Ragna, "I want to venture beyond the Nine Realms. I've found a target. Once the battle is won, I'll bring you a special gift—something to make you stronger!" 

Hela knew how much Ragna longed to be strong. 

But now, it was all over. 

Ragna had tried to warn Hela, but it was no use. Odin was too powerful, and his mind was made up. In a swift coup, the militant commanders loyal to Hela were wiped out, along with a large number of pacifist generals. The most elite Valkyrie legions of Asgard, under Odin's stern orders, turned on their once-beloved commander. 

Hela was slaughtered. 

Odin then imprisoned her in a realm of eternal darkness and despair. Even Fenrir, Hela's mount—the demon wolf who used to affectionately lick Ragna's face—was executed by Odin and placed in the Soul Forge. 

With the loss of Asgard's elite, the Nine Realms finally achieved true peace. But no one understood why Odin had done this. 

Ragna didn't call Odin "Father." His dissatisfaction wasn't about Odin ignoring him—after all, he had experienced a father's love in his past life. What he couldn't understand was why Odin had treated Hela and Asgard's elite warriors so cruelly. 

"I've heard a joke," Ragna said, staring fearlessly at Odin. "During war, people are called heroes and beloved. But after the war, they're called butchers and executioners, reviled by thousands. Well, that's not even funny!" 

"But what's even stranger is when someone who led the war, in the name of ending it, throws a former hero into hell and transforms themselves into a symbol of peace. Now, that's a real joke!"

Ragna finished with a sneer, clapping his hands mockingly as if applauding his own joke. 

The hall fell dead silent in an instant. Many of the guests broke into a cold sweat. Everyone knew that the person Ragna was referring to had become a taboo subject in all of Asgard. 

"Hahaha!" Odin burst into laughter, his voice echoing throughout the hall. 

"That truly is a ridiculous joke," Odin said, his hair and beard bristling, his single eye wide and bloodshot, as if fury were boiling within him. 

"So, are you defending your sister, Hela?" 

"Are you questioning the God-King—your father's decisions?" 

"Do you, in your weakness, dare to challenge the aftermath of war?" 

Odin abruptly rose from his throne, gripping the Eternal Spear, Gungnir, in his left hand. Step by step, he descended toward Ragna. 

Then, he raised Gungnir and pointed it directly at Ragna. 

"Your Majesty," Heimdall, sensing the danger, stepped forward to plead for Ragna, but Odin waved his hand dismissively. A bolt of lightning struck Heimdall, sending him crashing to the ground. 

Queen Frigga, her belly slightly swollen with pregnancy, hurried forward to hold Odin back and intercede for Ragna. But Odin harshly reprimanded her, forcing her to retreat. 

No one else in the hall dared to intervene. They all shrank back, hiding behind Odin. 

Ragna glanced at Heimdall, who lay collapsed on the ground. Odin's strike had been precise, but Heimdall would be fine. 

Then, he looked at Frigga, who had been pushed back, and a rare softness flickered in his eyes. 

Finally, he turned back to Odin and spoke firmly: "I don't seek war, but I know that peace is won through strength!" 

"Peace is not given—it is fought for and maintained by power!" 

"But our beloved God-King Odin, why did you destroy Asgard's elite and imprison your own daughter, a former hero, all in the name of so-called peace?" 

"I simply cannot accept it!"