Chapter 1025: Chapter 98 Lao Luo, Come Out to Greet the Guest_2

Hela, even if she didn’t say it outright, probably didn’t have much of a favorable impression of her malicious stepmother’s son.

However, unexpectedly, Hela took out a small boat engraved with intricate runes and casually tossed it onto Odin’s desk:

“This is called the Sun Spirit Boat, a warship I crafted from dragon bones. Consider it a gift for your precious son today.”

Odin and Freya were instantly skeptical upon hearing this.

Out of caution, the couple thoroughly inspected the Sun Spirit Boat. After confirming there were no hidden tricks, their doubts weren’t alleviated–instead, they were even more surprised at Hela’s attitude.

What’s with her today? Had she changed suddenly?

Even if she wanted to reconcile with the Immortal Palace, this transformation was way too abrupt!

As Odin puzzled over the situation, Hela raised her hand:

“I’ve delivered the gift I was supposed to give. I’m not staying to drink wine. Where’s my return gift?”

Seeing the meaningful glint in his daughter’s eyes, Odin suddenly understood. Forcing a smile onto his old face, he pushed one of his Blood Alliance brothers forward:

“Loki, take Hela to the treasury and let her pick a few treasures she likes. Oh, and kindly help me see her off.”

“I know the way–it’s this way!”

Hela extended her misty right hand, grabbed Luo En’s arm without waiting for permission, and dragged him out of the hall.

But the direction wasn’t toward the treasury–it was toward the Rainbow Bridge.

The dazzling bands of rainbow light shot straight into the Underworld.

After a flash of glowing patterns, Luo En looked at the familiar yet somewhat alien Death Temple before him. At this moment, he finally understood: he was the so-called “return gift.”

Odin, you bastard!

Half an hour ago, you were going on about how brothers united in mind can accomplish anything.

And now, just to appease your daughter and stop her from causing trouble at the banquet, you’ve sold me out, haven’t you?

Fuck you!

As Luo En silently cursed that damn fake brother to oblivion in his heart, a pair of slender, fair arms extended from the darkness behind him and pressed onto his shoulders.

“Master, on such a wonderful day, you wouldn’t want everyone to lose face, would you?”

A graceful head emerged from behind a veil and leaned in close to Luo En’s ear. Her soft whispers carried a teasing tone, her playful gaze filled with amusement.

Luo En turned his head and saw in the shadows a figure draped in gauzy fabric, her skin faintly flushed with excitement, and a newly replaced luxurious bed.

Suddenly, the doors of the Death Temple slammed shut with a resounding clang, and violent rumbling echoed through the hall.

—-

Meanwhile, in the Immortal Palace.

The square was filled with sweet aromas, and the guests were indulging in their revelry, the entire atmosphere immersed in a sea of joy.

Since the other protagonist of the banquet, Luo En, had been sent away as a gift, Odin was forced to personally accompany Goddess Freya, navigating between different factions and tables to exchange pleasantries in order to keep the peace.

Only after two days and nights of endless efforts was this grand celebration finally brought to a close.

Exhausted by the socializing, Odin and Freya felt completely drained, leaving the aftermath to others as they retired to the Golden Palace for rest.

Meanwhile, Thor, Freya, Bragi, and other Chief Deities, along with Brynhild, Eden, and various uniquely positioned deities, took on the chore of escorting the guests from the Nine Great Kingdoms out of the palace, thus officially concluding the banquet.

But as the banquet ended and guests departed, one of the escorting staff failed to return to their divine office.

~~

“What? Eden’s gone missing?”

Luo En stormed out of the Death Temple to meet Brynhild, who had come to deliver the news. His expression darkened.

Brynhild nodded and solemnly recounted the details:

“On the day the banquet ended, Eden was responsible for seeing off the leaders of the Seven Dwarf Clans. However, after the seven dwarf leaders left the Immortal Palace and returned to the Dwarf Country, Eden did not come back afterward.”

“Eden personally escorted them to the Dwarf Country?”

“Yes! As you know, she hails from the Dwarf Country herself, so she went the extra mile to ensure her uncles and elders were safely seen off.”

“So, the girl disappeared on her way back to the Immortal Palace from the Dwarf Country?”

Luo En furrowed his brow and asked, “Could she have lost her way, or could there have been a malfunction in the teleportation technique on the Rainbow Bridge?”

“We’ve already checked and deployed numerous Valkyries to search, but none have found a trace of Eden along the way.”

Brynhild replied in a grave tone, then added,

“Moreover, the World Tree seems to have been affected, with some of the Youth Fruits showing varying levels of decay.”

This is trouble!

Luo En’s heart sank, his expression tinged with gloom.

Back then, not only did he entrust Eden with overseeing the Eternal Garden and the maintenance of the World Tree as part of her divine office, granting her the position of Goddess of Youth, but he also imbued her with the protection of the tree’s divinity to ensure this overly naive girl had at least some capacity for self-defense.

Now, with the World Tree showing signs of decay, it’s clear Eden might be in grave danger.

“Where’s Odin? What’s his response?”

“Father God has already dispatched search parties at full capacity, but Goddess Freya accidentally overexerted herself trying to slow the decay of the World Tree, which has caused complications with her pregnancy. She needs urgent rest and care, so Father God couldn’t handle everything personally. He sent me here to report the situation to you and ask for your guidance.”

Brynhild lowered her head and replied respectfully.

Luo En nodded slightly, understanding another layer of Odin’s intent.

To abduct Eden without leaving any trace of resistance, the culprit must possess considerable strength and be quite familiar with the routes between the Immortal Palace and the Dwarf Country.

That means the target is likely among those who attended the banquet and has some connection to Eden–at least enough to be considered an acquaintance.