Schiller knew there was no escaping this ordeal, so he did not refuse. He merely looked at the two of them and said, "I won't hide it from you. In my universe, I have indeed made some minor contributions to humanity's development. But that isn't limited to technology or magic, and I am certainly not the leader of the magical side. I'm afraid some of your questions can only be answered by the Sorcerer Supreme."
"I heard you have a good relationship with him," Main Universe Batman said.
"We are friends, but you are also friends with other Batmen," Schiller said tactfully. "Besides, if anything happens in the magical world, the Sorcerer Supreme is fully responsible. That means only he has the authority to decide which path the magical world should take. I can offer some suggestions, but that is all."
"We have no intention of interfering with your universe's magical world. I simply want to know a few things."
"Such as?"
"How did you obtain so much magical energy?"
"That is a long story." Schiller leaned back, putting on the air of someone about to give a detailed explanation, but all he said was, "The key lies with the Sorcerer Supreme, so you can only ask him."
Main Universe Batman could tell that Schiller was not lying. In fact, what Schiller had said was true. The abundant magical energy in their universe did indeed originate with the Sorcerer Supreme—but not Strange. It had originated with The Ancient One.
The Ancient One was not someone who tolerated being wronged. She had fought across the cosmos and found no equal among the Cosmic Demons. Back then, Kamar-Taj had not been as wealthy as it was now, but it had not been particularly poor either. At the very least, it was far