Since mythical figures like Odin, Thor, and Loki are known on Earth, it was natural that Asgardians visited Earth in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.
However, it was clear that Earth was still very primitive at that time.
So, the powerful Asgardians were directly revered as gods!
Since Earthlings revered Asgard as gods, it was only natural for Earth to become Asgard's little brother.
What the hell is "no problem"?!
Who wants a new boss suddenly appearing above their head?
And a group of long-lived gods at that?
What if Thor restored his primae noctis on Earth?
Putting yourself in others' shoes—just think about what colonizers did in their colonies!
"Relax, relax. Asgardians are very loyal. They're generally good to their obedient little brothers!"
Noticing Nick Fury's worry, Rimuru kindly comforted him.
Nick Fury was speechless; it was too naive!
Between nations, where is there any friendship?
Among the various kings of Europe, if you trace back two or three generations, aren't they all relatives?
And didn't they still fight like dogs?
Also, how could gods and mortals become true friends?
No matter how good the relationship between humans and cats or dogs, it's not equal.
On Earth, there are dog lovers who treat dogs as family, but there are also many who like to eat dog meat!
Oh, the worry!
"How much do you know about Asgard? Tell me in detail!"
"Actually, I don't know much either, but you really don't need to worry too much. Asgard's rule over the Nine Realms is mostly nominal. There are quite a few unruly little brothers under their command. Earthlings, in Asgard's eyes, are the kind they can trust!"
Nick Fury fell silent, thinking about Earthlings being the "trustworthy" kind in Asgard's eyes.
A million grass-mud horses galloped through his mind!
What kind of little brother can be trusted?
For example, Haiti to the U.S.—so backward it can't even pose a threat!
Complex feelings!
Earthlings must strive for self-improvement!
Nick Fury: "What about those unruly little brothers? How are they now?"
"They're doing okay! Jotunheim, the Frost Giants' kingdom… In the 1st century AD, Laufey, the king of Jotunheim, wanted to occupy Earth and turn it into an Ice Age suitable for Frost Giants."
"You know, Earth is also called Midgard, and it's a transportation hub connecting the Nine Realms. Occupying Earth would allow them to use it as a bridgehead to attack the other eight realms. Odin naturally wouldn't allow it, so he led Asgard's army and fought a decisive battle against the Frost Giants on Earth. The result, as you know, was that Asgard's army won."
"Odin was still very benevolent; he didn't wipe them out. After the war, he merely placed the Frost Giants' source of power, the Casket of Ancient Winters, in Asgard's treasury. And he conveniently adopted the Frost Giant king's son. This battle brought 1,000 years of peace!"
Nick Fury: "..."
Do you have a misunderstanding of benevolence?
Isn't this like Napoleon trampling the Kingdom of Prussia, taking the "Quadriga of Victory" statue from the Brandenburg Gate back to France, and conveniently adopting the Prussian king's son?
Go ask the Prussians if they'd think Napoleon was benevolent!
And what does it mean to conveniently adopt the Frost Giant king's son?
A long-term plan to let his adopted son legitimately inherit Jotunheim in the future?
What a vicious heart!
"Anything else?"
"Muspelheim, the land of Fire's beginning. This is the Fire Giants' territory, and their king is a Fire Giant named Surtur. Legend says he will bring Ragnarok to Asgard."
"And then?"
"It's alright! Odin didn't kill him; he just gave him a good beating. Then he placed the Fire Giants' national artifact, the Eternal Flame, in Asgard's treasury."
Nick Fury: "..."
He even stole the Eternal Flame. Didn't that directly break the Fire Giants' backbone in one war?
And you're telling me that's 'alright'?
Do you have a misunderstanding of 'alright'?
Nick Fury's mouth was dry. "Anything else?"
Rimuru thought for a moment. "Svartalfheim, the Dark Elves' kingdom. The Dark Elves once tried to use their supreme treasure, the Aether Particle, to turn the Nine Realms into darkness. This was a very, very long time ago. Then Odin's father, Bor, beat them up and sealed the Dark Elves' national treasure, the Aether Particle. The Nine Realms then regained peace!"
Nick Fury: "..."
He finally understood. Every king of Asgard, without exception, was a warmonger.
Anyone who challenged Asgard's rule would basically be beaten first, and then their source of power—their divine artifact—would be seized.
From then on, they would never recover!
"Don't worry, a civilization like Earth, which can't even leave the solar system, won't threaten Asgard's rule. Asgard's army won't come down."
It was safe, but it felt inexplicably heartbreaking.
Even Nick Fury, a man of iron will, felt like crying.
Nick Fury: "According to you, Asgard should have enemies everywhere in the Nine Realms. Won't the Frost Giants, Fire Giants, and Dark Elves seek revenge on Asgard?"
"Of course they will, but each time they resist, they'll just get a good beating from Asgard. As long as the Bifrost Bridge is still there, Asgard's forces can strike wherever they aim. So don't worry—we Earthlings have already been Asgard's little brothers for thousands of years, so we don't mind continuing, right?"
[We do mind!]
[You don't mind, but I do!]
[Don't just speak for all Earthlings!]
[Also, where's your dignity as a strong person?]
[As Earth's strongest superhero, your backbone must have been pickled in vinegar!]
Nick Fury was raging internally, feeling that Rimuru was simply a genius at comforting people.
Damn it, what she said made him lose all courage to face the Asgardians.
Although he had always known that in this vast universe, humanity might not be alone,
humanity had always prided itself as the "primates of all things," naturally having the right to dominate all species.
Don't look at the recent years, where various human protection associations have sprung up; these are just a tiny bit of pitiful compassion shown by humans after establishing absolute dominance.
Now you're telling me that we've actually always been their little brothers?
And in their eyes, something like "Haiti"?
WTF!
"Besides Earth, does Asgard have any other obedient little brothers?"
"Yes, the Dwarf kingdom of Nidavellir has a very harmonious relationship with Asgard. Asgard's famous artifacts are basically all forged by the Dwarf King. For example, the hammer you are currently studying!"
"Oh, right. Nidavellir's defense is handled by Asgard. This is somewhat similar to Canada next door!"
Nick Fury: "..."
Go ask Canada what it's like to be neighbors with the U.S.!
He couldn't continue this conversation. Rimuru was simply the king of awkward silences, the topic terminator, the courage destroyer.
Almost every sentence he spoke was a stab to his chest.
Damn!
Nick Fury even suspected if Rimuru was an Asgardian spy!
Nick Fury took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to throw his phone, and asked the last question.
"How is Loki, Asgard's new monarch?"
Huh?
Rimuru's eyes widened, and she said in shock, "New monarch? What new monarch? Odin has always been the King of Asgard! Director, what's your English listening level?"
Nick Fury: "..."
Damn it. After all that talk, Asgard's coup didn't succeed?!
In other words, Thor is still the Crown Prince?
The Crown Prince was exiled to Earth?
And his father, during the exile, conveniently threw the divine artifact down with him?
Damn it, doesn't this mean Earth is about to be drawn into a dispute over 'two dragons contending for the heir'?
Wouldn't Earth be even more dangerous?
Nick Fury was almost in tears. What a conversational genius! Were they not on the same wavelength?
Could it be that his English listening skills really weren't up to par?
Nick Fury doubted his life.