The banquet proceeded without disturbance.
However, it became an opportunity for all Asgardians—both gods and mortals—to sing the praises of Leon, Wanda, Natasha, and the other Atrium guardians. This war against the flame giant Surtur shattered the arrogance of the Asgardians and challenged their long-held perception of Midgard, the realm they once considered insignificant.
Now, that world of mortals had a guardian as formidable as Odin himself.
Leon's command was no weaker than, if not superior to, Thor and the Aesir gods. Natasha and Wanda fought side by side with Thor, battling the mighty Surtur without retreating a single step. Even Pietro risked his life, unleashing dangerously reckless moves.
At the war's most critical moment, Leon effortlessly froze all of Muspelheim, stripping the Fire Giant of his power, saving Asgard, and eliminating the crisis.
This heroic feat was not only celebrated but also moved the hearts of all Asgardians. It cemented their belief that their friends from Midgard were true allies, bound by an eternal friendship.
Leon's proposal for Wanda to learn rune magic was readily accepted. Asgard even provided rare materials, including Uru metal, to aid her studies.
With Leon's intervention, Asgard had successfully erased the threat of Ragnarok. Even after Odin's fall, Asgard had secured a powerful alliance with Leon and his companions. Unlike the original timeline, where Surtur brought Asgard to ruin, this time, he had been utterly destroyed.
For Leon, this journey had yielded immense rewards: Asgard's friendship, control over the Eternal Flame, the ability to summon the Heavenly Father-level Surtur at will, and invaluable rune knowledge for Wanda.
A true win-win situation.
As for Surtur's feelings on the matter? Neither Leon nor Asgard cared.
Back in New York
By the time they returned to their New York manor, it was already the evening of the following day. Under Kayla's instructions, the housekeeper had prepared a lavish feast, notified via phone message.
After the battle in Muspelheim and Asgard's warm hospitality, everyone was in high spirits—especially Pietro and Sergey, who had spent a rather eventful night with several Asgardian shieldmaidens.
It had been an unforgettable experience.
Asgardians weren't conservative when it came to relationships. In fact, they could be considered too open-minded. To them, a passionate encounter with a strong, handsome warrior was nothing unusual. Even bearing children wasn't a concern, as long as their hearts were won.
Sergey, Pietro, and the others easily met these requirements.
Though they hailed from Midgard, their status was unquestionable. In Asgard's eyes, Leon was the Guardian of the Atrium—a ruler of Earth, a god in his own right. By extension, his companions, Pietro, Sergey, and Gennady, were seen as royalty, akin to the Aesir gods.
Their evolving lifespans had long surpassed human limits, their strength rivaled Thor's, and their appearances were strikingly perfect. They met every standard of desirability for Asgardian women.
Had Pietro and the others wished, they could have taken Asgardian wives and forged lasting bonds.
However, Leon knew them too well.
Despite their bold and flirtatious personalities, they were no different from Thor—playboys at heart. No way would they trade an entire forest for a single tree.
In other words, they were still young and wild.
When the time came for them to mature, they might settle down with someone truly special.
But for now?
They were just enjoying life.
Wanda had no objections. As long as they didn't toy with anyone's feelings, it wasn't her concern. She had far more important matters to focus on—like mastering black and white magic, studying rune writing, and, most importantly, spending every moment she could with Leon.
She had no time to worry about these idiots.
Natasha, on the other hand, had a different perspective. She had already accepted her role as Leon's wife, and as the eldest in their unconventional family, she believed the household needed many more members.
Fewer than twenty core family members?
Unacceptable.
It should be at least in the tens of thousands.
If Pietro, Sergey, and the others could bring in more beautiful women and have more children, she wholeheartedly encouraged it.
...
After dinner, the group lounged lazily on the sofas. Some scrolled through their phones, others closed their eyes, reliving the memories of their Asgardian encounters, while a few simply watched TV and made idle conversation.
Wanda, however, wasted no time. Finishing her meal, she immediately stepped through a portal back to Asgard to continue her rune studies.
Her dedication was unmatched—she studied with the intensity of a top student determined to ace every exam.
Leon, watching his lazy family sprawl around the room, wrapped an arm around Natasha's slim waist and sank into the cushions. He had half a mind to lecture them...
But seeing his own exhausted state, he let it go.
A while later, Natasha nestled against his chest. Her lips curled into a teasing smile as she whispered in his ear, her warm breath tickling his skin:
"I asked Sif to get me some new clothes."
Leon froze.
A split second later, he sprang to his feet, letting go of Natasha as if burned.
With a righteous expression, he roared at the group:
"Look at you all—so lazy! You can't even compare to a few kids! Anyone watching would think you've been on a streak of victories!"
"This is the golden age of your strength! How can you afford to slack off?!"
"In a few days, you're all going to hell for training! I don't want to be collecting your corpses in the future!"
Pietro and the others shot up like startled beasts, scrambling out of the manor as if their lives depended on it.
Their panicked retreat left Leon immensely satisfied.
Mission accomplished.