Ancient One stepped through the portal, thoroughly satisfied, while Aaron was left with a bellyful of complaints and nowhere to vent them.
"Why did you suddenly change your mind?" Jean asked in confusion.
"Because he had no other choice." Hela smiled gleefully. "The Sorcerer Supreme came to him in person and laid her cards on the table right away. She clearly gave him no chance to refuse."
Aaron shrugged helplessly, leaning his head back against the sofa with a bitter smile. "Ancient One's scheming is famous among the Dimension Demon Gods."
"I couldn't refuse this favor even if I wanted to. Otherwise, if she contacts Odin, things will only get messier.
"Odin can't die yet. Right now, he's a lion. No matter how old a lion grows, as long as it hasn't drawn its last breath, it can still keep the restless tigers, leopards, wolves, and jackals in check.
"A god-king capable of taking the whole world down with him at any moment is someone everyone has to avoid."
"More importantly, Ancient One is planning to retire too.
"In other words, she might decide to throw caution to the wind at any time. If I don't help, who knows whether she'll sell me out before she dies? The trouble I'd face then would be even worse."
"Surely not?" Wanda's eye twitched. "Master Ancient One doesn't seem like that kind of person."
"I wouldn't entrust my safety to someone else's character, especially Ancient One's character... Heh."
"Actually, there's nothing bad about it. Sooner or later, we'll be leaving this universe with you.
"Before we leave, helping Earth stop an extinction-level catastrophe would be quite meaningful." Jean spoke earnestly.
"I once signed a contract promising to help Earth resolve one crisis within my capabilities.
"Then let it be this one. At least