Guardian Kyle

"I refuse!"

His voice was not loud, yet it echoed back and forth through the now-silent grand hall of Asgard, making everyone who heard his answer—except the deeply inscrutable Odin—change expression in unison.

He actually refused?!

Loki stared at the expressionless Kyle with his mouth agape, desperately wanting to demand, Do you even know what you just refused?!

Guardian of the Divine Realm! It was practically a step into godhood! Other than the lofty Odin, even princes like them could not give orders to a Guardian. In a sense, it was an honorary position equal to that of the divine royal family!

And the place he would guard was not the Bifrost, the gateway in and out of the Divine Realm, but Valhalla deep within Asgard. It was practically the most leisurely and secure assignment possible.

Thor and Fielder lowered their heads even further. If Kyle rejected Odin’s proposal at a time like this, it might become the fuse that triggered a major upheaval!

When Odin was enraged, all Nine Realms would tremble!

Otherwise, how could the All-Father have conquered and ruled the vast Nine Realms without a temper and prowess in battle? Of course, in recent years, burdened by old injuries and intending to abdicate, Odin had become much more restrained and mild-tempered, increasingly resembling a gentle old man in his twilight years.

Buzz!

Odin’s scepter struck the floor. Sensing that something was wrong, Thor hurriedly pleaded for Kyle. "Father King. Kyle has always wanted to return to Earth. I said earlier that there was another matter because I wanted to open the Bifrost and send him back."

Odin remained silent, staring at Kyle with authority as if waiting for his response.

Kyle’s expression remained calm as he spoke earnestly. "I left Earth and have spent an unknown amount of time in outer space. I’ve wanted to return for a long time. Asgard is wonderful, but in my heart, nowhere can compare to my home on Earth."

That was naturally the truth, though he had put it more tactfully.

In reality, Kyle did not care in the slightest about the so-called position of Guardian of the Divine Realm. Have him stay in Asgard and guard Valhalla? They were thinking too highly of themselves!

Why should he stop being a proper Earth hero just to become a guard watching the gates for the Divine Realm?

Unless Odin offered something enough to move him, there was no way he would let Odin get what he wanted for free. If Odin thought he could force him through threats alone, that was not happening!

"Father King, in my opinion, why not bind him with Sky Lock and make him the vessel for the Fire God’s inheritance?" Loki suggested in a soft voice.

How vicious. Do you have some kind of grudge against me?

Kyle glanced at Loki and silently added another mark to his little ledger, saving it for a slow reckoning in the days ahead.

"Father King. Kyle was never from our world to begin with. The matter of the Fire God Power was purely an accident. Please let him return to Earth," Thor pleaded.

Odin remained silent, his focused gaze resting on Kyle. Kyle’s body tensed slightly as he inwardly sighed in relief. Fortunately, the previous Fire God Divine Power clung to the surface of his body, concealing the divine power within him.

If Odin learned that Kyle himself was one of the gods, it would likely become another, even more troublesome situation. After all, the Asgardian and most other branches of the gods were enemies.

"You may return to Earth."

The first half of Odin’s words had not yet allowed Kyle to relax before the second half followed. "However, you must still accept the position of Guardian of the Divine Realm. Otherwise, I cannot allow you to leave Asgard."

"What do you mean?" Kyle asked seriously.

"You may possess part of a Guardian’s authority, such as using the Bifrost to travel between Asgard and elsewhere, or entering the palace. In exchange, when Asgard faces foreign enemies or calamities, you must provide aid as a Guardian of the Divine Realm."

After Odin finished speaking, not only was Kyle stunned, but even Thor and Loki wore expressions of disbelief.

The rules of this position were far too loose… Or rather, the terms being offered were a little too merciful and generous.

At that moment, both Thor and Loki wondered whether they were truly Odin’s biological sons. They had grown up this much and had never seen their Father King willingly compromise.

All for a human from Earth!

"That’s all?" Kyle asked in surprise, eyeing Odin suspiciously. Could this ancient old monster, who had lived through who knew how many eras, be plotting something?

"That’s all." Odin nodded.

"Then I’ll accept this position of Guardian of the Divine Realm for the time being." Kyle nodded. The conditions were unexpectedly easy.

"Very well, Deputy General Fielder." Odin abruptly changed the subject. Fielder immediately straightened up and shouted, "Here!"

"Take Kyle to the Divine Realm Treasury and let him choose any one item to take with him as a Guardian’s token," Odin said gravely.

"No problem!" Fielder rose happily, as if he himself had received the reward. He grabbed Kyle’s hand and quickly led him out of the cold, imposing golden hall.

Only after the two had left did Thor rise to his feet. He and Loki stood there in a dazed state, looking up at Odin on the throne in confusion.

"Do you two know of Earth?" Odin asked calmly.

"Yes. Father King once went to Earth to wage war and drive out the Frost Giants."

"It lies in the Human World, at the edge of the Milky Way Galaxy—a barbaric and desolate land."

Thor and Loki gave their answers respectively.

"People say our Divine Realm is the foremost of the Nine Realms, standing above countless domains. But in truth, among the Nine Realms, the Human World has the strongest overall power."

Odin paused, complexity appearing in his single eye. "And though people say the Human World revolves around the Galactic Alliance, in secret, Earth is the rapidly developing rising star with limitless potential."

Thor and Loki still did not think much of it. Sometimes, ideas ingrained over hundreds of thousands of years could not be completely overturned with a few simple words.

"Was it only because he is from Earth that Father King chose to let him go?" Loki asked incredulously.

"Of course, it is not that simple." Odin shook his head. Looking at his two beloved sons, he said cryptically, "You will understand in the future. I am not letting him go—I am forging a connection between him and Asgard."

"Kyle… It has been a long time since I heard that name…"

In the underground chamber of the palace lay Odin’s Vault.

Along the passage leading to the vault, pale floors exuded an eerie chill. Faint blue flames swayed on either side, while tall guards stood silent and motionless like sculptures.

"Brother Kyle… No, I should call you Guardian Kyle now!" Fielder beamed as he led the way, enthusiastically saying to Kyle, "You’ll have to look after your little brother in the future."

"Little brother?" Kyle glanced at his rugged, weathered face and his thick, coarse black beard, then sighed. "You’re the older brother. That can’t be changed."

"Hahaha, you’re too polite." Fielder laughed heartily. "His Majesty must have been in a good mood today. He actually agreed to make you a Guardian, reward you with a treasure, and even let you return to your home planet."

"It is rather unusual." Kyle shrugged, equally surprised inside.

Honestly, no matter how he looked at it, this matter should not have been resolved so smoothly.

Could it be that Odin had read the script?

In this world, Kyle was probably the only one who knew the future course of Asgard’s destruction.

A new arc begins tomorrow. Please support it with your votes, QAQ.