Humm—!!
A pillar of golden light erupted from Gungnir, instantly engulfing Antony's entire body.
"As long as Midgard exists," Odin's voice thundered with divine authority,
"As long as human civilization there continues to multiply and endure—your power shall never run dry."
"You are the Guardian of Midgard," Odin declared.
"And now—you are a god acknowledged by the Realm Eternal."
At the same time, the system notification exploded inside Antony's mind.
Clear. Crisp. Almost heavenly.
"System Notice: High-Dimensional Divine Energy Infusion Detected!"
"Congratulations, Host! You have acquired an Epic-tier BUFF—"
'God of the Mortal Realm (Asgard-Certified Edition)'!
BUFF Effect 1:
You are now bound to Earth's planetary origin. While within Earth's domain, your vitality receives epic-level enhancement.
Base regeneration speed +1000%.
You are extremely difficult to kill completely.
As long as human civilization on Earth persists, even after death, you will regenerate and return over the passage of time.
BUFF Effect 2:
Popularity Value Conversion Rate +20%!
"…Holy shit…"
Antony lowered his head, staring at his hands as faint divine light shimmered across his palms.
Inside, a tidal wave crashed through his thoughts.
This old man…
He really doesn't hold back when he gives rewards!
Bound to Earth's civilization?
So as long as I don't blow up the planet myself, Earth is basically my respawn point?!
The light faded.
Antony straightened and faced the crowd—cheers crashing over him like a tsunami.
"God of the Mortal Realm!"
"God of the Mortal Realm!"
"God of the Mortal Realm!"
The fanaticism here was purer than anything he'd ever felt on Earth.
More intense. More sincere.
Antony raised one hand.
Slowly pressed it downward.
The plaza fell silent.
He didn't use amplification magic—but now, his voice naturally carried divine resonance, piercing and profound.
"Thank you."
His gaze swept across the crowd, meeting the eyes of every warrior.
"Odin calls me a god."
He shook his head and pointed to an elderly Asgardian veteran—bloodied, battered, yet still standing straight.
"You—when the ship cannons struck, you used your body to shield three children.
You are a god."
He pointed to a young mother still wiping away tears.
"You—when Dark Elf rifles were aimed at you, you did not retreat. You protected your child.
You are a god."
Antony spread his arms, his star-spangled cape blazing in the sunlight.
"This honor. This title. It doesn't belong to me alone."
"It belongs to every soul who, when darkness descended, chose to stand up and face the abyss."
"It is your courage that forged Asgard's glory!"
"You—"
He took a deep breath and delivered the line that never failed.
"—are the true gods!!"
ROAR—!!!
Asgard erupted.
"HU—HA!!"
Thousands of warriors roared in unison, spears raised like a forest of steel.
"For Homelander!!"
"For Asgard!!"
Civilians wept openly.
Even Odin, seated upon the throne, let a glint of approval flicker through his lone eye.
"That bastard…" Thor laughed loudly beside him, clapping hard.
"He said it so damn well I almost want to kneel."
Frigga smiled softly and whispered to Odin,
"See? I told you. He's a good child."
Odin snorted but did not refute it—his grip tightening around Gungnir.
"Ding! Asgard Popularity +35,222!"
"Ding! Asgard Popularity +41,212!"
"Ding! Asgard Popularity +38,127!"
"Ding! …"
"Current Asgard Regional Popularity: 5,652,012!"
"Ding! Asgard Popularity Rank Upgraded: Household Name!"
"Ding! Ability Enhancement—"
Invulnerability (Stellar Tier),
Super Strength (5,000 tons),
Heat Vision (18,000°C),
Super Speed (Mach 255)…
The deification ceremony ended amid wild celebration.
…..
But when the cheers faded—shadows fell over the war council chamber.
A massive holographic sand table revealed the grim truth.
"Our situation is dire, Your Majesty."
Fandral, one of Asgard's three greatest warriors, reported grimly—fear unhidden in his voice.
"The Kurse destroyed the palace's energy nexus. The shield generators are offline."
"Our cannons can't detect them. Even Heimdall can't see them."
"…We have no defenses left."
Silence.
Everyone understood.
Asgard now stood like a giant stripped of armor—bare before the Dark Elves' blades.
If Malekith returned, he could fly his flagship straight to Odin's bedroom door.
"We must strike first."
Thor slammed the table, breaking the silence.
"Malekith wants the Aether. As long as it exists, he won't stop."
"And how do you propose we do that, Thor?" Odin asked coldly.
"I take Jane."
Thor pointed to a dark region on the map.
"I go to the Dark World—Svartalfheim. Their home. Where Malekith must go."
"I take Jane there. Take the Aether out of Asgard."
His eyes burned with madness.
"When Malekith extracts the Aether from Jane—
That moment is when it's weakest."
"I'll destroy it.
And then I'll kill that Dark Elf bastard."
"ABSURD!!"
Odin roared, beard bristling, voice shaking the hall.
"If you fail, Malekith gains the weapon to destroy everything!
Not just Asgard—the Nine Realms will fall into eternal darkness!"
"Then are we supposed to sit here and wait to die?!" Thor shot back.
"Wait for him to burn our home to ashes?
Wait for him to kill Mother again?!"
"We will fight!" Odin bellowed.
"Here! On Asgardian soil! To the last drop of blood!"
"That would be pointless sacrifice!!"
"That would be honor!!!"
Father and son locked eyes like battling bulls, tension thick as gunpowder.
Antony watched silently from the corner.
This wasn't just stubbornness.
Odin was afraid.
Thousands of years ago, Odin's father Bor paid a terrible price to seal the Dark Elves away.
Now Odin was old. Ragnarok's shadow loomed over him.
He didn't dare gamble.
At that moment, a gentle hand rested on Odin's trembling shoulder.
"Calm yourself, my king."
Frigga stepped forward. Her voice was like cool water, quenching Odin's fury.
"Anger clouds wisdom."
"Thor's plan is dangerous," she said softly, glancing at Antony,
"But it is not without hope."
"And we are not without options."
She turned—toward the man leaning casually against a pillar, watching everything unfold.
"We have…"
She smiled.
"…a God of the Mortal Realm."
--------------
T/N:
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