Refusal, Sweet Deal, an Irresistible Dowry~

Hopefully, you truly understand where you went wrong.

Thanos, seated on his throne, watched his adopted son's departing figure and sighed inwardly.

He didn't believe that this experience would completely erase the pride ingrained in Beckett's bones; he only hoped that this experience would make his adopted son understand the truth that "there are always people better than you, and there is always something beyond your understanding."

Great power breeds an unbearable arrogance, and Thanos hoped his adopted son would understand this.

After Beckett's figure completely disappeared at the base entrance, Thanos his hand and created a light screen, and magnificent cosmic images were immediately reflected in Thanos's pupils.

Midgard, marked with the symbol of the Time Stone.

Asgard, marked with the Space Stone symbol.

Including the Mind Stone and Reality Stone he already possesses, he now knows the whereabouts of four of the six Infinity Stones. The only remaining unknown are the Soul Stone and the Power Stone.

With the Space Stone in Odin's possession, Thanos wouldn't act rashly without a firm grasp on how to defeat the King of Asgard.

The same applies to the Time Stone in Agamotto's possession.

Who knows if these two might hide the Space Stone and Mind Stone while they're fighting? After all, they're both of similar strength right now, and if Odin and Agamotto are determined to send the stones into the vast universe to find their destined owners, he's powerless to stop them.

Therefore, rather than risk losing both his money and his people after a falling out, Thanos decided to hold back for the time being and let the two stones stay peacefully in Odin and Agamotto's hands.

Waiting for a final, permanent solution.

"According to Beckett, the Power Stone was once owned by the Great Sage Gapha, but he is dead, and Gapha has become a dead star. There is no trace of the Power Stone."

"The Soul Stone, we have absolutely no clue."

Thanos, his index finger tracing patterns on the screen in front of him, fell into deep thought.

Compared to the Soul Stone, which has been nowhere to be found, it's more practical for him to find the Power Stone first.

"Ebony Maw, pass the word down: send a portion of our people outwards from Gafa to conduct a thorough search of every planet in the vicinity."

"Report to me immediately once you detect any energy reactions from the Infinity Stones isotopes."

After pondering for a while, Thanos waved his hand to wipe away the mark about the Soul Stone from the screen and gave an order to Ebony Maw, who was waiting in Gafar.

"Hmm? Odin?"

After giving the order, Thanos suddenly noticed that the communication icon in the lower right corner of the screen had started flashing. When he clicked on it, he found that it was a call invitation from Odin.

[Is it because of Beckett and Hela?] Subconsciously, Thanos thought of his little brat "forcibly kissing" a pretty young cabbage.

"Is there something you need, Odin?"

Click "Accept," Odin's 3D virtual image immediately appeared before Thanos's eyes.

"We need to talk, Thanos." Odin, holding the Gungnir, sat solemnly on his majestic throne.

"For example?"

"Hela and Beckett".

Odin cut to the chase and explained his purpose very readily.

They're all ancient monsters who have roamed the universe for thousands of years, no need to be so hesitant.

Odin immediately laid his cards on the table.

"Just because of a kiss?"

Thanos crossed his fingers and leaned against the cold throne beneath him, his face showing no emotion whatsoever.

"Not entirely."

Odin denied it firmly. "I'm leaving."

"I'm going to challenge those high and mighty Kami."

Even though they were separated by countless star systems, Thanos could still feel the intense fighting spirit emanating from Odin's ever- Gungnir eternity after he uttered those words.

"So, before I leave, I have a question I'd like to ask you."

"I want to know if your son likes my daughter."

"If they do have feelings for each other, I think we could hold a wedding for them."

"A grand wedding."

Thanos squinted, his mind racing with thoughts.

"You seem to lack self-confidence, Odin."

"You should know what kind of beings those Kami are, Thanos."

Odin did not deny that he was indeed prepared not to return this time, and that was why he wanted to pave the way for Frigga and Hela.

Thanos's Dark Realm is the best escape route he can find at this stage.

"I refuse."

Taking on the potential burden of Asgard for the sake of a mere woman is absolutely not in line with Thanos's principles.

If Beckett truly loved Hela, he could have intervened to save Hela when Asgard was being wiped out.

"Are you sure you don't want to reconsider, Thanos?" Odin, who had already anticipated Thanos's response, slowly pulled a square, azure object from his robes.

"What if I told you that the Space Stone was Hela's dowry?"

"I will place the Space Stone in Agamotto's hands, and if I am not able to return in time on the day of the wedding, Agamotto will give it to you."

"How is it, Thanos?"

Odin smiled gently and offered Thanos a deal that was hard to refuse.

"..." Thanos closed his eyes on the throne, his hands resting on the cold armrests.

After a long silence, he opened his eyes and said, "Deal."

In the Dark Realm, in Beckett's side hall, inside the dining room.

The orange cat, wearing a white scarf pinned to its chest, sat on a chair custom-made for it by the domestic whiz Gates. Its two pink paws gripped the knife and fork, tapping incessantly on the dining table, while it meowed "meow meow meow" with obvious annoyance.

The mountain of delicious food on the table was dwindling at a visible rate. Forced by Beckett to refrain from using their species' devouring abilities, the Energy Devouring Beast could only watch helplessly as Beckett's mouth was stuffed with food, while they themselves moved at a snail's pace.

Enraged, it pounded the table. "Meow! Meow! Meow meow meow!!!" ( In the Energy Devouring Beast's language: This isn't fair!)

"Ah, Lord Thanos!"

The Other, who had secretly snatched two pieces of meat from the orange cat's bowl, hadn't even had time to chuckle when he spotted the purple figure appearing at the door. He quickly stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Father?"

Beckett looked up when he heard the sound, a bit of meat still sticking out of the corner of his mouth, looking puzzled.

"Father, what brings you here?"

"Let me ask you a question, Beckett."

Thanos reached out and touched the Energy Devouring Beast had instantly quieted down and become incredibly docile, then smiled and turned his gaze to Beckett.

"Question?"

"Beckett, I'm asking you,"

"Do you like Hela?" Thanos asked, toying with the Energy Devouring Beast's soft head. The next second, some food scraps suddenly appeared in front of Thanos's eyes.

"Puff!"

"Cough cough cough, cough cough cough..."

Beckett, who nearly choked on his drink, took the handkerchief Gates handed him and began wiping the spilled beverage off his loose Battle Suit.

"Father, why are you asking that too?"

How could I possibly like her?

"She's someone I've defeated."

After carefully wiping his clothes, Beckett looked up again and met Thanos's calm gaze.

"Hmm, a defeated opponent."

With a calm expression and a firm gaze, he declared firmly, "How could I possibly like a defeated opponent?"

"Mother, I will absolutely not marry him!"

Faraway Asgard, the royal palace.

Upon hearing her mother mention the marriage alliance, Hela clearly expressed her stance.

"Absolutely not!"

Only one update today~

Taking the high-speed train home!

The six-hour drive from Guangzhou to Shangrao left me with a sore back and aching waist. ╯╰

Going home to eat mooncakes, so delicious! (≧≦)/