How Are You Again?

Xandar is the birthplace of the renowned Nova Corps in the universe.

As a powerful force capable of rivaling the Kree Empire, the Nova Corps is the source of Xandar's confidence in taking such action.

Even a powerful empire like the Kree Empire couldn't easily conquer Xandar. Its troops stationed on the border had clashed with the Nova Corps countless times, each time ending in failure.

Beckett's purpose in going to Xandar was to meet someone on the Thanos of his adoptive father, Thanos.

Jack Jones, a Ronin supposedly enjoys roaming the universe.

According to Thanos's information, this Ronin Jack is very likely to possess information about the Soul Stone.

With himself busy with numerous affairs and unable to leave, Beckett, as Thanos's most trusted adopted son, naturally took Thanos's place and went to Xandar.

To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, Beckett did not bring the Chitauri army within Xandar's perimeter. The massive starfleet, under The Other's command, remained hidden in space, silently awaiting Beckett's next orders.

To avoid being caught in the crossfire of the war between the Kree Empire and Xandar, The Other deliberately chose an extremely quiet location.

Under The Other's control, the entire Chitauri soldiers, which had entered hibernation mode, became invisible along with the warship, while The Other himself, along with Beckett, boarded the spaceship and landed openly on Xandar.

"Meow!"

The Energy Devouring Beast climbing onto Beckett's shoulder couldn't hide its excitement. It wagged its tail, its pink claws slapping Beckett's cheeks, and its amber eyes were filled with curiosity about the planet Xandar.

The city is brimming with technology; this environment is far better than the Dark Order or Chitauri Prime.

Although it's not a cat that's materialistic or snobbish, living in such an environment is still beneficial to its physical and mental health.

"This is your number plate."

The Other very conscientiously put away the number plate handed to him by the staff at the spaceship's docking bay, and, clutching the scepter inlaid with the Mind Stone, jogged to catch up with Beckett.

"Woz, Jack's location."

Stepping out of the spaceship's docking bay, the bustling scene prompted Beckett to subconsciously issue a command.

"Yes, Your His Highness Beckett."

A dot flashing with crimson light suddenly appeared on the azure screen, and the calculated distance made Beckett unconsciously frown.

Is it that far?

"Your His Highness Beckett, Xandar has a strict flight control system. Woz suggests that you take Xandar's exclusive transportation to the shop of the mysterious merchant Jack."

"It's highly likely that Jack possesses the Soul Stone, so it's best not to reveal it."

Perhaps knowing Beckett's personality, Woz immediately added a restriction on the Soul Stone after making his suggestion.

If Jack, who might know the location of the Soul Stone, were captured by others interested in the Infinity Stones due to a momentary impulse, it would be a great loss.

In particular, there exists an extremely powerful force on Xandar — the Nova Corps.

If the Nova Corps, which has long been at odds with the Kree Empire, also sets its sights on the wandering merchant Jack because of Beckett's unusual behavior, it will obviously cause a lot of trouble.

"Your His Highness Beckett, I have made all the arrangements." The Other, a seasoned sycophant of Beckett, understood perfectly and arranged everything meticulously.

"Let's go."

Having grown accustomed to The Other's attentive service, Beckett was no longer moved by it.

Just as Thanos was pleased with, Beckett, who had just finished writing his self-criticism, had learned to respect the mysterious and the unknown, and was no longer as reckless and ignorant as before.

Sitting in the hovercar, Beckett gazed silently at the floating scenery outside the window; everything was taken care of by The Other.

"You're Jack Jones?"

On Xandar, Hela, having found Jack's residence using the map given to her by her mother Frigga, frowned as she looked at the [burly] middle-aged man before her.

The blue skinny jeans accentuated the man's overweight physique, the black jacket, and the graying beard that highlighted his age... as well as his shiny bald head.

Looking at the man's round face, Hela couldn't help but take out the portrait that Frigga had given her again.

That was painted by Asgard court painter, based on Frigga's description.

The man in the portrait is well-proportioned and tall, with captivating and deep-set features, flowing black hair parted in the middle, and dressed in extremely fashionable and trendy clothes.

Hela simply couldn't reconcile the dashing man in the portrait with the pot-bellied, balding middle-aged man before her.

"You are Odin's daughter?"

Jack Jones, who was eating, lifted his eyelids slightly and took in Hela's face. He put down his bowl, chewed on the meat in his mouth, stood up casually, took five chips from the counter next to the table, and placed them in front of Hela.

"This is evidence of collusion between Frost Giant King Laufey the Frost Giant and certain high-ranking officials of Xandar."

"They are still negotiating the cooperation."

As he spoke, Jack Jones, who had started picking his teeth, pressed one hand onto the five chips.

"?" Hela frowned as she reached out to take the chip.

"I'm not doing charity work, daughter of Odin," Jack Jones scoffed.

"This information is not free."

Hela squinted, the power of the Death Divinity surging within her. Jack Jones, picking his teeth, showed no fear on his face, sitting imposingly in his chair, playing with the bracelet on his left wrist.

A silver bracelet with a diamond-shaped logo.

"You have a new customer!"

"You have a new customer!"

"You have..."

The notification device at the door made Jack Jones spit out his toothpicks, rub his shiny bald head with one hand, and open the door with his mind.

Beckett, dressed in a loose black Battle Suit, with the orange cat perched on his shoulder and The Other following closely behind, was reflected in Hela's pupils.

"It's you again?"

Why are you everywhere?

Before Jack Jones, the host of the room, could speak, Hela and Beckett, who were already acquainted, spoke to each other first.

They all spoke in an impatient tone, which made Jack Jones smirk inwardly: "You guys—"

"Shut up." ×2

Beckett and Hela's unanimous rebuke instantly wiped the smile off Jack Jones's face.

???