Chapter 107: 107: The Oath of the Gods
The atmosphere in Asgard's great hall was heavy, the silence almost suffocating. The gods stood motionless, processing the enormity of what they had just learned: Kevin, the mortal guest from the continent of Eileen, was now effectively the Walking Rhinegold.
This wasn't just an exaggeration—if Kevin's new identity as the living embodiment of wealth were to leak, it would undoubtedly shake the foundations of the Nine Realms. And this time, unlike the commotion with the Jotunheim giants, the fallout would be far more dangerous.
It wasn't merely the giants or a few ambitious individuals they had to worry about. Kevin's newfound status would drive everyone—mortals, gods, and creatures alike—to a state of maddening greed.
The last incident in Jotunheim had been somewhat mitigated because of Balder, the God of Light. After the chaos that ensued, she had publicly declared Kevin to be her younger brother. As the goddess loved by all things, her proclamation had shielded him from further threats. Even many giants respected her enough to hold back their anger.
Her protective aura had extended to Kevin, allowing him to roam freely without constant harassment. It was why, despite the residual tensions from Jotunheim, Kevin was allowed to venture to the human world.
But now, things had changed.
With Kevin now carrying the blessing of the Rhinegold, Balder's influence might not be enough to keep him safe. If word of this ever got out, even gods might turn against him.
The silence was broken by Odin's deep, commanding voice. His one eye scanned the hall, glinting with an authority that brooked no defiance.
"Let me be clear," Odin said slowly, his voice filled with endless majesty, "what we have learned today must not leave this hall. No one—no one—is to speak of this to anyone outside these walls."
The gods nodded in silent agreement, but Odin wasn't finished.
"Swearing an oath is necessary," Balder interjected, her voice steady but laced with tension. She stood straight, her golden hair framing her resolute expression.
Many gods frowned at her suggestion. While Odin's command carried immense weight, to swear an oath was another matter entirely. It was binding, eternal, and sacred.
At that moment, Freya, the Goddess of Beauty, stepped forward. Her melodic voice, calm yet firm, cut through the growing murmurs.
"She's right," Freya said, glancing around the room. "An oath is the only way to ensure secrecy. We all know what this child has become, and we all understand what could happen if this knowledge spreads."
She paused, her bright eyes sweeping over the gods. "Do you really want your weapons, your treasures, and even your realms to be threatened by the greed of the Nine Realms?"
Her words struck a chord.
The gods knew all too well what the Rhinegold represented. As a symbol of wealth, it wasn't just about gold and riches—it carried a dangerous power that could shape destiny itself.
The blessing Kevin received wasn't just good fortune. It was more than the ability to stumble upon treasure wherever he went. It was a power tied to fate itself, a power that could even affect the ownership of magical artifacts.
If Kevin desired something strongly enough, even if it was a god's weapon, there was a theoretical chance it could end up in his possession.
This wasn't just a hypothetical threat. The gods understood that Kevin, while still unaware of the full extent of his blessing, was now walking with the potential to influence the destiny of objects.
The gods exchanged glances, their hesitation evident. Swearing an oath over a mortal child felt absurd, even humiliating. But the weight of Freya's warning, combined with the unspoken pressure from Odin's presence, was enough to make them reconsider.
"Swear," Odin commanded. His tone left no room for argument.
"For once, I agree," Loki added, his usual smirk absent. Despite his penchant for mischief, even Loki understood the gravity of the situation.
Slowly, one by one, the gods stepped forward to swear their oaths. The golden light of Asgard's sacred hall reflected off their solemn faces as they pledged their secrecy.
"We swear to speak nothing of Kevin's blessing."
"We swear to protect this secret from the Nine Realms."
The final oath came from Odin himself, his deep voice echoing through the hall like a thunderclap.
As the echoes of their oaths faded, Odin turned to Balder, his gaze sharp and thoughtful.
"Balder," he said, his voice softer now but still commanding, "how long has Kevin been in Asgard?"
Balder hesitated, biting her lip nervously. "Less than three months, All-Father."
Odin's expression darkened slightly. "From this day forward, as his sister, you must keep a closer eye on him."
Balder's shoulders slumped. "Yes, my Lord Father," she muttered, her voice tinged with weariness.
Odin nodded but added nothing more. The unspoken message was clear: Kevin's presence was both a blessing and a curse. While he brought joy to those around him, he also carried with him an uncanny ability to stir up chaos.
As the gods began to disperse, the atmosphere remained tense. While the oath ensured secrecy, many still felt uneasy about the future.
Balder rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.
"Troublemaker," she muttered under her breath. It was becoming increasingly clear that Kevin's time in Asgard would be anything but peaceful.
Nearby, Loki stood quietly, his arms crossed as he observed the departing gods. For once, his trademark smirk was gone, replaced by a faint frown.
He knew better than anyone that the Nine Realms were rarely predictable. Despite their oath, Loki couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was already brewing.
Back in the human world, Kevin and Slude continued their journey, blissfully unaware of the storm they had narrowly avoided.
Kevin, ever the optimist, chatted cheerfully with Slude as they rode their white horse through the forest.
"You know," Kevin said, grinning, "I think I've been handling things pretty well so far."
Slude raised an eyebrow but said nothing, a small smile tugging at her lips.
For now, the two of them could enjoy a brief moment of peace. But somewhere in the back of her mind, Slude couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.
After all, with Kevin, peace never lasted long.
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