Odin stared at Lucci, his one eye filled with shock, trance, and complex emotions that trembled at the level of the soul.
Mixed? Hidden injuries? Longevity?
Lucci had spoken Odin's deepest secret—and most desired future—in the most ordinary tone imaginable.
And this Secret Codex of Divine Power Refinement was the solution to all of it.
In that moment, Odin's heart filled with ecstasy and excitement unlike anything before.
He'd thought his life had reached twilight, and Asgard's glory was nearing its limit.
He had brought Lucci back for Asgard's "next" ten thousand years.
But now Lucci offered more than the future—
he offered the "now."
This codex wouldn't only solve Odin's personal problems—it would fundamentally change the fate of the entire Asgardian god-race.
It could strengthen every warrior's divine power, purify every mage's magic, elevate Asgardian civilization by an entire level.
What a feat!
Odin gazed at Lucci and suddenly realized:
Limits.
All of his previous arrangements and "teachings" were, in fact, a kind of restriction.
A being like Lucci didn't need someone to teach him, nor anyone to arrange his path.
What he needed was absolute freedom.
Any rule, any prohibition—was merely an obstacle to understanding and transforming this world.
"I see. I understand completely."
Odin took a deep breath, summoned his subordinates, and issued an oracle that shook all of Asgard:
"Proclaim my command as God-King!"
"From this day on, the Fourth Prince, Lucci, holds the highest authority in Asgard!"
"All areas of the Asgardian palace, including but not limited to—"
"'Odin's Vault,' which holds countless rare treasures from the Nine Realms!"
"'Valhalla Hall,' where heroic warriors of every dynasty sleep!"
"The underground forbidden lands that seal ancient taboos!"
"Even the foundational core of the World Tree!"
"All regions are opened to Prince Lucci unconditionally and without restriction!"
"He may go wherever he wishes! See whatever he wishes!"
"No one may obstruct or question him for any reason!"
"This is Asgard's highest oracle!"
The moment the order fell, all of Asgard fell into dead silence.
Then it erupted into uproar that seemed to lift the sky.
Countless Asgardians stood dumbfounded, unable to comprehend the meaning.
Highest authority? All forbidden zones opened?
What kind of favor was this?
Even Thor, the eldest, had never been granted such treatment!
Why would the God-King issue such an unbelievable oracle for this new Fourth Prince?
…
In the Holy Queen's palace, Loki had finally finished his confinement and came to greet his mother.
At that moment, he heard several maids talking not far away:
"Have you heard? The God-King issued an order. Fourth Highness Lucci has the highest authority—Odin's Vault, Valhalla, forbidden lands… he can go anywhere!"
"Of course I heard! Gods—this is an honor not even Prince Thor has!"
Loki froze.
His eyes widened; his mouth fell open. Shock and disbelief spread across his face.
What?
That Lucci… holds the highest authority in Asgard?
"Why?!" Loki shouted, his voice echoing down the palace corridor. "Odin's Vault! Valhalla! Even Thor and I can't just enter those places whenever we want! Why can he—he's a newcomer—go anywhere!?"
He had coveted the legendary treasures in Odin's Vault for ages.
No matter how much he begged, Odin always told him, "The time is not yet."
And now that privilege was given to an outsider?
With resentment boiling, Loki stormed to Frigga.
Frigga looked at Loki's jealous, furious face and sighed softly.
She raised a finger. A beam of spiritual light passed, transmitting part of the Secret Codex of Divine Power Refinement into Loki's mind.
"Loki. Look with your own eyes."
"That's why your father made this decision."
As the flood of information entered him, the envy and anger on Loki's face were instantly replaced by another, more extreme emotion—
Numb, stunned terror.
As Asgard's magical genius, Loki understood better than anyone the greatness and horror of this codex.
Purify divine power? Repair hidden injuries? Raise the bloodline's upper limit?
This…
This was created by Lucci?
This wasn't just shaping the future of a person.
It was creating the future of an entire race.
Loki's mind went blank. His proud intelligence and talent felt like dust before Lucci's achievement.
He finally understood why his father issued such an oracle:
Because what Lucci gave to Asgard was far beyond what Asgard could give him.
And yet…
Even understanding it clearly, dissatisfaction and jealousy still gnawed at him like venomous snakes.
"I… still won't accept it," Loki gritted his teeth. "The treasury… I want to go in too…"
A dangerous thought spread.
Since Father gave him the highest authority…
Then… could I secretly follow behind?
Yes.
That's it.
Loki's eyes rolled, and a new scheme took shape again.
…