"Hahaha, this is interesting, truly fascinating. I was just bored and heard the Norn of Fate's messenger constantly muttering my name, sounding quite agitated, so I followed out of curiosity. But I never expected..."
As he spoke, Loki, who couldn't stop laughing, raised his head at that moment.
His mischievous eyes met Promise's.
And in that instant of eye contact, Promise once again deeply understood just how dangerous Loki was.
Because Loki's eyes were all too familiar to him.
He had seen them before—in the eyes of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, in the eyes of Prometheus, the foreknowing titan, and in the single remaining eye of Odin, the King of the Gods.
Eyes that represented absolute wisdom, capable of seeing through everything in the world...
"Look at what I've found. The aura of a god who doesn't belong to this world, the attention the world has cast upon you, the Norn of Fate's concealment of you, and..."
Loki smirked wickedly. "The 'script' designed by that old fool, Odin!"
Hearing this, Thrud was stunned, turning her head to look at Promise in disbelief.
The All-Father Odin's... script?!
"Yes, and not just that... I see now, I see! It's you, it's you! Hahaha!"
As if he had finally understood, Loki covered his eyes with his hand and laughed loudly once more, this time so hard that tears streamed down his face.
Absolute wisdom meant knowing everything.
Thus, how could Loki not be able to see the future?
So, when the Norn of Fate wandered the mortal realm, seemingly searching for something, how could he not have seen the end of all things, consumed by flames?
And the figure standing amidst the inferno, burning Yggdrasil to ashes.
"Finally..."
Loki's smile grew even more unrestrained as he lowered his hand, his gaze fixed intently on the boy in front of him. "I've found you."
What kind of gaze was this?
Shini felt as if she had been hunted by a ferocious serpent, frozen in place on Promise's shoulder, unable to move.
Yet, even under such pressure, Thrud stepped forward with a serious expression, shielding Promise behind her.
"Lord Loki..."
Biting her lip, she spoke with great difficulty under the immense pressure.
Loki glanced at her briefly, then dismissively turned his attention back to Promise, whose emerald eyes remained clear and unshaken.
"Hey, little one, let's play a game to mark our first meeting."
Loki smirked mischievously, and as soon as the words left his mouth, Thrud tightened her protective stance around Promise.
"Lord Loki, please don't trouble this child... If my elder sister were to find out, she would be heartbroken."
She spoke with difficulty, but her tone was firm.
Loki, his mood soured by the interruption, frowned slightly at Thrud, his hand beginning to rise...
"It would be my honor, great Trickster God." Promise spoke up, and as he did, he gently began to play the harp in his arms.
The soft, haunting melody filled the air, instantly dispelling the oppressive atmosphere brought by Loki's arrival.
Light gathered at that moment, and in an instant, Thrud, who had been tense, felt her body relax, even swaying slightly.
As Loki listened to Promise's music and watched him step forward, standing calmly before Thrud and meeting his gaze, the smiling god lowered his hand.
"You seem... quite familiar with 'games'?" Loki remarked, noticing something, his tone filled with interest.
Hearing this, Promise's face naturally broke into a smile as he replied warmly, "Yes, respected Trickster God. In my past journeys, 'games' have often accompanied me."
At this moment, Shini quietly left Promise's shoulder, landing on Thrud's,
She looked at the Valkyrie, whose feathery ears drooped as she breathed lightly under Loki's overwhelming pressure.
Then she turned her gaze to Promise, who stood before the trickster god, speaking with the same gentle tone and smile as always.
"...This can't be real."
The little birdie couldn't help but mutter.
Her heart was in turmoil, unable to reconcile the image of Promise, who now stood fearlessly before Loki, with the same person who would playfully bicker with her, a little bird.
Thrud felt the same.
Her crimson eyes looked at Promise as he stood before her.
In fact, from that fleeting glance years ago, when she had seen the lingering affection in Brynhildr's eyes before her departure, Thrud had secretly vowed to stand by Promise's side when he grew up, to protect him in Brynhildr's stead.
But what Thrud hadn't expected was that, now, it wasn't her standing in front of the child, but him shielding her.
"Therefore..."
Promise continued, addressing Loki, "Great God of Trickery, what kind of game do you wish to play with me?"
"...It's still about the mane for Sif."
Loki, unable to suppress his grin, spoke with immense satisfaction and delight. "Since the Norn of Fate has shown you the future, and you still choose to challenge me, how could I not oblige?
But a simple contest would be too dull. Let's add a wager to it. For example... if you lose, you must surrender your head!"
This echoed the earlier bet Loki had made with the dwarves over Sif's mane.
And what the dwarf had sought was Loki's head.
Hearing this, Promise smiled and asked, "Then, if I lose, may I also stipulate that my neck must not be harmed?"
His words carried a hint of mockery.
Shini, perched on Thrud's shoulder, shivered, staring at Promise's back in horror, wondering how he could be so bold.
Teasing a god, and Loki of all beings—did he truly have no regard for his life?!
"Of course, you may say such a thing."
However hearing his words, Loki, seemingly unbothered, continued to smirk, though his eyes narrowed slightly. "But at the same time, you can also try and see if I can take your head without harming your neck!"
"Is that so? What a pity. I suppose there won't be a chance for that."
Promise feigned a sigh as he said. "Because I am almost ready to offer my tribute to the goddess of harvest, Sif."
When he spoke these words, the scene fell silent once more.
Shini, perched on Thrud's shoulder, trembled in fear, her face filled with despair.
She truly believed Promise had a death wish.
Then, without waiting for Loki to speak again,
"By the way, esteemed Trickster God Loki, if I am fortunate enough to win this game, may I ask for a reward?"
Promise spoke up, posing a counter-question.
"Of course," Loki nodded. "State your wish."
Promise smiled and said, "The reward I seek is simple. If I win, respected Trickster God, I ask that you swear an oath.
From that moment on, you will no longer play pranks on or harm the Norn of Fate's messenger, Shini, or the Valkyrie Thrud."
When he calmly stated this,
Shini, who had been trembling in fear, stopped shaking.
She looked up in surprise, her eyes filled with confusion as she stared at Promise.
Thrud was equally stunned.
Even Loki, hearing such a request, looked at Promise with genuine surprise.
"That's all?" Loki asked.
"Yes," Promise nodded, glancing back at the two behind him. "That will be enough."
"Very well." Loki smiled again.
"I agree... and not only that, I also promise you that during this 'game,' I will not interfere with you in any way.
Because I am looking forward to it, even hopeful.
Little one, win this 'game' and prove yourself to me.
I hope this is not our first and only 'game.'"
With those words, Loki vanished in the next moment.
He truly hoped Promise would win this time, because only then could Promise prove his worth, and Loki could look forward to more 'games' in the future.
But at the same time, Loki's words were also a warning to Promise.
If he lost, he would undoubtedly take his head!
.
.
.