"Oh, come on," William scoffed. This was such an obvious test that only an idiot would fall for it. "I'm not an Asgardian, nor do I have any interest in ruling the Nine Realms.
Just managing the dozen or so companies I own, with sixty or seventy thousand employees, already gives me a headache. If it weren't for Abigail helping me run things, I might have already brought in other professional partners to handle the businesses.
So even if you handed me the throne, I wouldn't want it. Better leave it to Thor, the proper prince."
Looking into William's clear eyes, Odin couldn't help but recall the reports he had seen on television and in newspapers during his occasional stays on Earth over the years. They all mentioned how William had handed over the management of all his companies to his mother and his woman.
Given that William was only in his twenties and showed no desire for power, his words made sense.
But now that Odin was certain William posed no threat to Asgard, he found himself in a dilemma.
People who neither lacked money nor craved power, whose strength didn't require external help or guidance, were the hardest to win over.
Moreover, in terms of magic, it was still uncertain who would be teaching whom.
And when it came to equipment, William's armor was so formidable that even Odin himself wanted to take a set back for study. As for weapons, he already had Merlin's legendary staff waiting for him.
Considering all this, Odin suddenly regretted mentioning Merlin's staff. Otherwise, judging by the situation, even if William knew of the staff's existence, he might have mistaken it for some ordinary artifact.
But now, things had changed. If Odin wanted to recruit him, would he really have to use those secret treasures as bargaining chips?
Thinking about the various treasures he had collected over thousands of years and stored in his treasury, Odin felt a pang of reluctance. He wasn't exactly a miser—if absolutely necessary, he wouldn't hesitate to part with them.
However, knowing he could have just used Merlin's staff but now had to offer his own valuables instead made him feel quite bitter.
Some of these treasures were things he didn't want others to know were in his possession, which ruled out letting William pick something from his vault.
With no other choice, Odin straightened up and said, "Since we've spoken this much, let's stop testing each other. Just tell me—what do you want?"
"The Casket of Ancient Winters or the Aether?"
Odin's expression stiffened. "The Aether, I expected. But what do you want with the Casket of Ancient Winters?
And once the Frost Giants learn you have it, you'd better be prepared for endless assassination attempts and sneak attacks from them."
"Just say yes or no," William shrugged, completely uninterested in explaining.
Odin shook his head, unbothered by William's attitude. If he were in William's shoes, he wouldn't reveal his secrets either.
After weighing the pros and cons for a long moment, Odin finally said, "Once the Tree of Life fully matures, and we've confirmed the Dark Elf leader who can use the Aether is either dead or has been drawn out and eliminated, I'll give you the Reality Stone as your reward.
Until then," Odin chuckled meaningfully, "you'll just have to wait. And one last thing—I must remind you that, apart from artifacts like the Infinity Gauntlet, no two Infinity Stones should exist together in the same space."
"You said 'in the same space'?" William's eyes lit up as he asked, "Then what if one stone is stored in a consciousness space and the other remains in reality? Would that work?"
"By Bor's name, you actually stored the Space Stone in your consciousness?"
Odin abruptly stood up, stepping forward as if to place his hand on William's head.
But William wasn't about to let him check him out so easily. He raised a finger, and his mental power immediately blocked Odin's hand.
Feeling the invisible force stop him, Odin quickly regained his composure, but he still explained, "Relax, child. I won't harm you.
But you really should let me examine you, or at least come with me to Asgard and let Frigga and the others use our advanced medical equipment to run a full check-up. We need to ensure your consciousness hasn't been harmed by the Space Stone."
Like hell he would. William rolled his eyes. The Space Stone was sitting safely in his storage space.
Besides, he didn't believe for a second that Odin was being entirely honest. There was no way Odin fully trusted that the Space Stone was actually in William's consciousness. The old fox was probably just looking for an opportunity to probe him—perhaps even set something up.
If William really went to Asgard for an examination, who knew what the seemingly kind Frigga might do?
After all, Odin wasn't exactly famous for his benevolence, and as his wife, there was no way Frigga was a saint.
"Not necessary."
A faint blue glow flickered in William's eyes. Before Odin's hand could get within half a meter of his head, he was suddenly pushed several meters back to his own couch by the power of the Space Stone.
"You…"
Odin glanced down at the couch beside him, then looked at William, now several meters away, his expression darkening. Leaning back, his not-so-tall frame seemed to sink into the couch as he fell into deep thought.
After a long silence, he finally spoke in a low tone. "That saying really is true—what's meant to be yours will be yours.
The Space Stone has been in my hands for thousands of years, and in my father's and grandfather's hands for who knows how long.
But aside from using its properties to build the Bifrost and generate energy, we never discovered any other functions.
Yet the moment it fell into your hands, not only did it recognize you as its master, but it even entered your consciousness space on its own. And now, with just a thought, you can transport me, the King of the Asgardian Gods, without any effort.
William, if you weren't already married, how about I marry my daughter to you?"
"Hai…"
Before the word "Hela" could escape his lips, William quickly changed his tune. "Ha… never mind. Do you really think I'm some backwater fool who's never left the solar system?
In the Nine Realms, who doesn't know you only have two sons, Thor and Loki?
And even if you did have a daughter, judging by your build, if she took after you, she'd probably be all muscle—not exactly my type."
"You…" At that moment, Odin truly wanted to strangle William. The idea of introducing his illegitimate daughter, Angela, to William instantly faded.
And in his rage, he didn't even catch William's hesitation when he said "Ha…".
"You can get out now, Duke Devonshire. I'm old, and I need to rest."
As soon as he finished speaking, Odin let out a loud command. "Elder, see our guest out."
Seconds later, the sound of footsteps approached, and the Transformer steward quickly appeared before William.
With a slight bow, he gestured, "This way, Lord Devonshire. I'll escort you to the parking lot."
"Wait," Odin suddenly called out, just as he was about to leisurely walk away. "That extended Phantom is already mine.
And that Devonshire brat still owes me a luxury RV. Elder, make sure to remind him—don't let that little scoundrel try to weasel out of it."
The Transformer elder looked at the 1.9-meter-tall William, then at Odin, standing a dozen meters away with a smirk, and sighed with a helpless expression.
"Yes, Master. I'll inform Lord Devonshire and keep in touch with him regarding the RV's production progress."
As soon as Odin finished speaking, William had already started walking out of the castle, preparing to teleport away. But just as he was about to leave, he heard the elder call out from behind, "Wait a moment!"
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