With Brynhild under my control, the rest of the Valkyries soon followed without resistance. It seemed my gamble—breaking and rebuilding Brynhild—had paid off.
This was a unique experience, to be honest.
I'd never thought of myself as a good person. But I also didn't believe I was outright evil. Maybe it was hypocritical, but if something benefited me, I had no issue taking drastic measures.
At least, what I did to Brynhild didn't weigh on my conscience.
On a scale of 1 to 10—where 1 was pure goodness and 10 was absolute evil—I'd probably rate myself around a solid 7. Not entirely heartless, but certainly not a saint.
These thoughts circled in my head as I left the palace, taking a casual stroll through the golden streets of Asgard.
No matter how many times I saw this realm, it never failed to amaze me. The grandeur, the beauty—this was the best place I had ever lived in, across both my lives. And the fact that all of it would one day be mine? That thought alone put a smile on my face.
The living standards here were among the highest in the universe. Even commoners lived like nobles compared to Earth's standards. That prosperity was what made Asgard unique. Despite its small population and size, its name carried weight across the cosmos.
The only problem? Most of that reputation belonged to Odin, not Asgard itself. If Asgard was to truly become the greatest force in the Nine Realms, then its people—not just its king—needed to be recognized.
As I walked, people bowed in respect. It was the usual sight, yet today, I found myself paying more attention to it. Their reverence wasn't just for me—it was for what I represented. I had work to do.
But for now…
"Haah… this is getting boring," I muttered, stretching my arms. "I don't know what to do... What I wouldn't give to binge-watch some reels right now…"
[I could create some reels for you if you wish.]
"Hah... let it be," I sighed, suppressing the urge.
No need to fall into that time-wasting pit again.
Instead, I had a better idea.
"I've decided. I'm going to visit my lovely fiancée. She must be missing me," I announced to no one in particular.
With that, I turned to the nearest soldier.
"You there! Go inform my father that I will be heading to Vanaheim to visit Freyja."
"Yes, Your Highness!!" The warrior shouted before sprinting off.
That was that. Now for transportation.
I raised my hand. "Gate!"
A shimmering portal appeared before me, revealing the path to Heimdall's observatory. Brynhild, standing by my side, remained silent.
"Brynhild, come with me. We're going to Vanaheim," I ordered.
She bowed slightly. "As you command, Master."
I stepped through the portal and onto the Bifrost, the brilliant rainbow bridge stretching across the cosmos.
Heimdall stood at his usual post, his golden eyes watching everything as always.
"Hey yo, Heimdall, wassup?" I greeted, flashing a lazy wave.
He exhaled sharply. "A pleasure to see you as well, Your Highness," he responded in his usual serious tone.
"Send us to Vanaheim," I commanded.
Without hesitation, Heimdall raised his sword and plunged it into the control mechanism.
With a blinding flash, the Bifrost activated, and the next moment, we were gone—hurtling toward the lush, peaceful lands of Vanaheim.
The colorful glow of the Bifrost faded, leaving us standing amidst the vibrant beauty of Vanaheim.
Unlike Asgard's structured grandeur, Vanaheim felt wild and untamed, which always brought me some sort of peaceful joy...now that may be biased due to Freyja, but it is what it is..
Towering trees with golden leaves stretched into the sky, their thick branches forming a natural canopy that filtered the sunlight into dappled patches on the ground. The air was rich with the scent of fresh earth, blooming flowers, and faint traces of ambient magic.
This was Freyja's home.
And also the perfect setting for a romantic getaway.
The Vanir warriors stationed nearby noticed our arrival and bowed respectfully. Compared to Asgard's rigid, disciplined soldiers, these men and women carried themselves with a more relaxed confidence—less focused on war, more in tune with nature.
"Welcome, Your Highness," one of them greeted.
"Yeah, yeah, where's my fiancée?" I asked, scanning the area.
[She is sitting by the lake, writing a song] Raphael replied before they could.
Of course, she was. That was the kind of poetic, romantic thing she'd do.
"Nevermind, found her." I said, ignoring them.
I turned to Brynhild. "You can take it easy for now. Feel free to explore. Just try not to scare the locals." I had only brought her along since I needed to bring along a guard at the very least... So her being here anymore would only disturb us.
She nodded. "Understood, Master."
Satisfied, I started walking toward the lake, my pace quickening slightly with excitement, I called it the Freyja effect.
The lake was just as stunning as I remembered—crystal-clear waters reflecting the sky, surrounded by soft grass and blooming flowers. And sitting at the edge, dipping her feet into the water, was Freyja.
Her long golden hair cascaded down her back, shimmering under the sunlight. She was wearing a flowing white dress, simple yet elegant, and as I approached, she absentmindedly traced some words on the paper.
She turned at the sound of my footsteps, a smirk already forming on her lips.
"Well, well, the great prince of Asgard finally graces me with his presence," she teased. "Should I kneel?"
"You should," I said, smirking right back. "But only if you're planning to propose first."
She rolled her eyes. "Still as insufferable as ever."
"And yet, you love me."
She scoffed but didn't deny it.
I sat beside her, letting the cool water lap at my boots. "Did you miss me?"
"Hmm… maybe," she said playfully. But there was a softness in her voice, one that gave her away.
"You don't have to act tough," I teased. "It's okay to admit you were waiting for me."
She shot me a look. "And let your ego inflate even more? No thanks."
I chuckled, leaning back on my elbows. "Fair enough."
A comfortable silence settled between us. The gentle rippling of the lake, the distant chirping of birds, and the warm sunlight created a peaceful atmosphere.
Then, Freyja broke the silence.
"Magnar," she murmured, her gaze fixed on the water. "Do you ever think about the kind of ruler you'll be?"
That was an unexpected question....
"Of course," I admitted.
"And?"
I smirked. "I've decided to be whatever Asgard needs me to be."
She studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she smiled—a soft, genuine smile.
"You always make things sound so simple," she said.
"Because they are," I replied. "Overthinking ruins the fun."
She sighed, shaking her head. "You really are impossible."
"I try my best."
She nudged me with her shoulder. "So, is this just a casual visit, or do you actually have something planned?"
I grinned. "Oh, I definitely have something planned."
Her eyebrow arched. "Oh?"
I stood up, offering her my hand. "Come with me. I have a surprise."
She hesitated for a second before taking it. "This better not be another one of your pranks."
"Would I ever do that?"
"Yes."
"...Okay, fair."
"But don't worry, I promise that this will be good." I said and raised my hand, performing a spell,
GATE!!
"May I have your hand, my Lady?" I asked, in a gentleman like tone
She giggled a bit, and put her hands into mine...
With her hand in mine, I led her into the gate—toward a secluded cliffside overlooking the entire realm. A place perfect for a date.