The rumour that Shichiro had left the Rune Knights had circulated through Odin's contacts, someone as well respected as he couldn't just disappear, but the Lich hadn't fully believed it until Hitomi gave him then confirmation. The man who had defeated Odin was no longer there to stop him. The boyish disappointment in not getting a rematch with him was quickly quelled by the revelation that one of his greatest foes had been taken off the board. Without Shichiro to lead the Rune Knights, their power was significantly weakened.
He chuckled at the discussion of his bounty, always forgetting how high it actually was. probably because he spent much of his time with Erebus, who sported the highest active bounty in Fiore, "I've heard retirement is really boring though, there's nothing to do. You'd lose your mind." He smiled with her, although it could never show on his face, and was genuinely glad to have her back in his life, regardless of how long or fleeting this moment would be.
The question that followed evolved Odin's chuckle to a full-blown roar of laughter. It was a sound very few, if any, had ever actually heard from the Lich, but he couldn't help himself. So many viewed Eternal Nightmare as the 'bad guys' due to their relation to Zagan, but that was a long time ago now. "Everyone thinks Eternal Nightmare want to destroy the world because of me and because of Zagan, but it's not at all true", Odin began the story. It made sense the Rune Knights weren't told the truth of his guild, for fear they would defect.
"Eternal Nightmare hasn't had any contact with Zagan since its inception, and the demon's purpose was its own. We only sided with him in the beginning to gain the ancient power he promised. Turns out that was a very big house." He took another sip of his wine, straight from the bottle as he had spent the day so far. "Our purpose is to change the inequality of the world. Give everyone a chance regardless of the circumstances of their birth. That's why I sided with Hildegard in Bosco: to prove to the people of Fiore that, just because we've always been a monarchy doesn't mean it's the right way to lead a country. I want to create a Fiore that is a meritocracy, where someone's limits are purely based on their power, and how hard they are willing to work. Will it be more chaotic? Of course, that is the nature of people, but I'm fed up of someone unworthy sitting on that throne just because they were born to the correct family."
Not realising how loud his voice had raised, Odin took a moment to breathe and collect himself. After the death of Arthurias, he was fed up of incompetent rulers hurting their people, but even he hadn't realised just how passionate he was about the cause.