Chapter 187: Odin, the Genie of Wishes

In the magnificent palace hall of Asgard, Odin sat high on his throne, gripping the Eternal Spear. By his side stood the queen, Frigga.

Below them knelt Loki, bound and subdued, flanked by two rows of Asgardian guards.

Thor entered the hall with George and the others, addressing Odin: “Father, George and his companions have arrived.”

Odin nodded but did not immediately address George and his group. Instead, he sighed and looked at Loki, asking: “Loki, do you have anything to say for yourself?”

“Father, I could have completely destroyed Jotunheim! Everything I did was for you, for the glory of Asgard! Why can you only see Thor and never me?”

Loki’s voice was filled with despair and sadness.

“Loki, I hope you reflect deeply during your time in the dungeons and come to understand the words I’ve just spoken to you.”

Odin shook his head and announced to the guards: “Take him to the dungeons. He will be imprisoned for ten years.”

'Ten years—at least we won’t have to worry about Loki stirring up trouble for a while.'

George, standing nearby, nodded silently upon hearing the verdict.

It was evident that Odin still harbored feelings for Loki. Otherwise, such a grave crime, akin to rebellion, would have warranted execution.

For an Asgardian with a lifespan of 5,000 years, ten years was but a fleeting moment.

“Loki, reflect well! If you act out again after your release, I’ll personally beat you up!”

Thor, upon hearing the judgment, gave Loki a light smack on the back of his head. Loki, however, dismissed his despair and retorted sarcastically: “Dear brother, have you managed to lift your hammer yet?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll have it lifted long before you’re out.”

As the guards escorted Loki out, Thor seized the moment to land a playful kick on his brother’s backside.

At this point, Odin turned his gaze to Thor. “Thor, have you still not been able to lift Mjölnir?”

“Father, I have understood your teachings. I won’t recklessly wage war against Jotunheim again. Perhaps now you can lift the enchantment on Mjölnir and end my exile?”

Thor glanced at Mjölnir, which Steve was holding for him, and proposed this to Odin.

Odin shook his head again. “If you cannot lift Mjölnir, it means you still haven’t fully grasped my teachings. You cannot return to Asgard until you do.”

“Hahaha, Thor, maybe I’ll be out of the dungeons before you manage to come back!”

Loki, now at the hall’s exit, clearly overheard Odin’s words.

“Rest assured, I’ll be back long before you are.”

Thor wasn’t particularly upset by the comment. In truth, he found life on Midgard with Jane to be rather pleasant and wasn’t in a rush to return to Asgard.

“Enough of that. Your situation is settled.”

Odin turned his attention to George and the others.

“Now, let us thank our friends from Midgard. It is thanks to your assistance that Loki’s schemes were thwarted. As a token of my gratitude, I am willing to grant each of you a reasonable wish.”

“Really? Then can I have a chest of gold?”

Darcy’s eyes lit up as she eagerly asked the question.

Beside her, Jane quickly pulled her arm. “We didn’t even do much to help! How can you make such a greedy request?”

In Jane’s view, merely being able to visit Asgard was reward enough. Since they hadn’t contributed significantly, asking for a chest of gold seemed excessive.

“I was just joking!” Darcy stuck out her tongue.

Odin smiled warmly. “It’s no issue. Gold is as common as stone in Asgard. When you leave, I’ll have a chest prepared for you.”

Darcy’s eyes widened in delight. She hadn’t expected Odin to actually agree.

“And you?” Odin turned to Jane next.

Jane thought for a moment before replying: “If possible, I’d like some knowledge about astrophysics.”

“I’d like the same as Jane,” added Professor Erik Selvig, raising his hand.

They weren’t interested in wealth but couldn’t resist the allure of knowledge related to their field of study.

“If it’s not possible, then forget it,” Jane added.

“This is a small matter. When you leave, I’ll have relevant knowledge compiled for you.”

Odin then looked at Bruce Banner. Banner hesitated before saying: “I’d like to rid myself of the Hulk and become an ordinary man again.”

“My wish is the same—to help Banner return to normal,” Betty said, stepping forward and holding his arm.

Living with the Hulk constantly lurking within made even the most intimate moments a challenge for the couple.

Odin studied Banner for a moment before responding: “I cannot completely rid you of the Hulk. He is a manifestation of another side of you, a part of your soul. Removing him would harm your essence.

However, I can help you merge with him, allowing you to control your transformation freely.”

“That would work,” Banner said after some thought. Betty nodded in agreement, so Banner did too.

Odin gestured, and Banner floated to him. Placing his hand on Banner’s forehead, Odin chanted ancient incantations as golden light enveloped his body.

In less than a minute, Odin released him back to his original position.
“It’s done.”

Banner slowly opened his eyes, murmuring,
“I feel… different. It’s hard to describe, but it feels complete.”

The Hulk’s consciousness had fused with his own, bringing him a newfound sense of balance. He tested his transformation, swelling into the Hulk’s form yet retaining his calm demeanor.

“This… this feels amazing!” Banner leaped several meters into the air, thrilled with his newfound control.

Realizing now wasn’t the time for testing, he quickly reverted to his human form, bowing alongside Betty to thank Odin: “Thank you, All-Father!”

George, witnessing the scene, waved his hand and cast a spell to repair Banner’s torn clothes. Internally, he marveled:

'Odin’s power truly is monstrous!'

Reflecting on Odin’s unification of the Nine Realms and his ability to seal even the likes of Hela, it was clear just how fearsome Odin’s true strength was.