Chapter 128: An Explanation

When one is under the eaves, one must bow one's head.

Aside from his cunning, Loki’s greatest trait is his ability to adapt to circumstances; otherwise, he would never have mastered the art of telling people what they want to hear. Without needing much interrogation from Gu Zhongyan, Loki laid out the entire sequence of events.

It matched the events in Gu Zhongyan’s memory almost perfectly: during Thor’s coronation, Frost Giants infiltrated the Asgardian vault. This disrupted the ceremony and incited Thor’s fury. Prodded by Loki’s manipulations, Thor led Sif, the Warriors Three, and Loki into Jotunheim for a battle against the Frost Giants. During the skirmish, Loki accidentally had his arm grasped by a Frost Giant, only to discover that his skin did not freeze, but instead turned the same icy blue as the enemy.

This revelation led Loki to doubt his own origins. He sneaked into the vault, retrieved the Casket of Ancient Winters, and used its hidden power to unravel Odin’s magic, realizing he was, in fact, a Frost Giant. Following a confrontation with Odin, the All-Father fell into the Odinsleep, leaving Loki to take charge of Asgard with Frigga’s support. To ensure he could become the true King of Asgard, he had come to Earth to scout Thor’s situation and ensure he would never return.

Naturally, while Loki was forthcoming, he embellished his account and omitted several details. He neglected to mention his true heritage or that he had secretly assisted the Frost Giants in bypassing the vault’s defenses during the coronation. At the time, he hadn’t known he was a Frost Giant; he had simply been disgruntled by the coronation and intended a prank. After all, the vault was guarded by the Destroyer, and he assumed a few Frost Giants would be walking into a death trap. He hadn't expected a simple prank to become the catalyst that unveiled his true lineage.

To everyone except Gu Zhongyan, it appeared that Loki was merely worried about the throne and had come to check on his brother. Power struggles have played out countless times in human history. Fratricide and betrayal between kin are common enough throughout time and across cultures that the others found his motive plausible. Even Thor didn't take the matter seriously, foolishly clapping Loki on the shoulder.

"I knew it was just another one of your pranks! But you were always more suited to be King of Asgard than I am. If I had known you wanted it, I would have told Father long ago," Thor said. "Come on, let’s return to Asgard. When Father wakes, I will tell him myself to make you the King."

Most of the agents watched Thor as if he were an idiot. That was the throne—was he really just going to give it away so easily?

Loki’s expression darkened. He felt no joy, only a sharp, stinging resentment, and he cast a vicious glare at Thor. Gu Zhongyan understood that Loki’s desire for the throne wasn't born of a genuine passion for ruling, but rather a need to spite Thor and Odin, and to prove his own worth. It wasn't so much a political power play as it was a neglected child acting out to command attention. It was just that this child was older, more powerful, and caused far more destruction. To Loki, Thor’s offer to abdicate felt like a mockery—as if he were only capable of receiving what Thor rejected.

Unfortunately, Thor remained oblivious, excitedly asking Gu Zhongyan to release Loki, acting as if they were just two brothers ready to head home. Gu Zhongyan, speechless, refused. "Thor, I understand your feelings, but Loki attacked me. There must be an explanation."

"Even though we are friends, I cannot let this slide. I need a reasonable compensation plan before I can release him."

Before anyone else could react, Nick Fury’s ears pricked up. He glided over with the fluid grace of a master, so silent that Gu Zhongyan hadn't even noticed the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. approaching until he began to speak with a stern, professional air.

"Sean is right. Look at this place—look at the ruin you’ve caused. Your actions have dealt massive damage to our Earth. As Director of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, I must express my strongest condemnation."

"This area is a key site for our operations. Whether it was the hammer falling from the sky or your battle just now, you have caused significant losses to our work. If you do not provide a reasonable compensation plan, we reserve the right to issue a formal diplomatic protest."

Gu Zhongyan blinked, stunned by Nick Fury’s audacity. The man was gesturing at the desolate wasteland as if it were a scientific laboratory worth hundreds of billions of dollars. No wonder he was the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.—he could squeeze money out of the World Security Council with ease. His ability to lie with a straight face was truly unparalleled.

The big, simple-minded Thor was completely taken in, looking at Loki with a troubled expression. After all, he was no longer the Crown Prince; he was a powerless, exiled sinner without a penny to his name. He knew that if these two were being this serious, the compensation would be substantial, and he had nothing to offer.

Watching Thor’s "golden retriever" expression, Loki felt a wave of nausea. He rolled his eyes, wishing he could disown the man as his brother. Thor might be a fool, but Loki was not. He could see that this was nothing but a barren wasteland; even if it were torn to pieces, the losses would be negligible. Those two were clearly just exploiting Thor’s stupidity to extort him. If Thor wasn't his biological brother, he would have wondered how Odin could ever favor him. He worried that if Thor became King, he would sell Asgard and thank the buyer for the privilege.

Just as Loki opened his mouth to deliver a cutting remark, Gu Zhongyan leaned in and whispered in his ear:

"Are you truly content to accept the throne Thor hands down to you? To live in his shadow forever, admitting that Odin’s favoritism was justified and that he was right all along?"

"What do you mean?" Loki’s expression shifted.

Gu Zhongyan raised his hand. The Darkhold flickered, opening a mirror dimension behind him. He looked at Loki with a meaningful smile. "As for the specifics of the compensation, let us find a quiet place to discuss it properly. What do you think, Prince Loki?"