Fate

The reporters had not captured the contents of the meeting, so the news ended with Heisenberg's retreating figure as he entered the theater.

No one knew what others thought, but Peter Parker, sitting in front of the television, naturally found Heisenberg's back exceptionally imposing.

After that, the New York evening news did not stop discussing Heisenberg.

On the contrary, they even invited several renowned public intellectuals into the studio to explain Heisenberg's situation.

At the end of the day, those public intellectuals had all been paid by Night Devil to polish his image.

Still, they had earned their money professionally. Just listen to what they said on television.

"Hello, viewers! I am your favorite newsman, the owner and chief writer of the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson. It is an honor to sit here and discuss Lord Superman!"

The horse-faced man on television seemed to be giving it his all.

Even merely mentioning Heisenberg's codename made him look as though he were about to reach a physical climax.

"Folks, I simply cannot believe it. The absolute protagonist of the comics, movies, and of course television dramas I grew up watching—the idol I have always admired.

Superman actually exists, and he has settled in our great city of New York!!!"

"Yes, Mr. Jameson. Looking back on everything that has happened over the past two months, I feel thirty years younger. At the same time, it feels as though I have traveled into the world of those childhood comics!"

The host obligingly played along.

Meanwhile, J. Jonah Jameson continued his declaration of praise.

"If that is all you think, then your view is far too narrow. After collecting countless clues, I must share some news with everyone!

The Superman who has now confirmed his residence in New York is absolutely not the kind of superhero from the comics who only rescues people during disasters!

Do you know what I did? I collected New York's crime records from the past two months.

Take a guess: compared to two months ago, how much do you think crime has dropped?"

"Uh, my God, has Superman stepped into our streets too? Could the decrease be as high as thirty percent?"

"Haha, of course not. It is eighty percent! The current crime rate is only twenty percent of what it was two months ago!"

Jameson's face flushed red with excitement. Then, gesturing wildly, he continued his introduction to the audience.

"Do you understand how terrifying that number is? Every single criminal case means at least one family has suffered a devastating disaster.

Let us compare the crime records from March alone. In March, New York saw a total of 432 robberies, resulting in 86 casualties.

And those were only robbery cases.

But last month, after Superman arrived!

The entirety of New York saw only eighty-two similar incidents, and every single suspect was arrested. Not one got away with it!

Compared with the Superman from the comics who only rescues citizens already in trouble, I prefer the Superman we have now.

Because he does not just help those already suffering. He also helps those of us who are gradually being surrounded by danger!

He stops everything before disaster strikes. That is our Superman. He is practically a great man!

And most importantly...!!!"

At that point, Jameson gave the audience a mysterious smile.

"Most importantly, he never wears that comic-book skintight suit with the underwear on the outside, haha!"

Heisenberg casually turned off the television. He had long grown tired of the Daily Bugle owner's flattery.

Programs like today's aired on New York's major television stations almost once every three days.

Although Heisenberg had spent a large sum of money on it, and more than twenty of his subordinates had gone to prison for threatening public figures...

In any case, their efforts had been worthwhile.

Every once in a while, Heisenberg would activate his super-hearing and listen to what New York's citizens thought of him.

Overall, it was fairly good.

With that pleasant mood, Heisenberg fell into a deep sleep.

In the boundless universe, aboard the Sanctuary Flagship.

The ring-shaped vessel carried countless Beasts, Thanos's proudest army.

At the center of the ship, within his personal command room.

He sat upon a towering throne, receiving an unexpected guest with a thoughtful gaze.

Beside the throne, the thin yet exceptionally elegant Ebony Maw lightly waved his right hand.

"Welcome, Prince Loki of Asgard. Please present yourself before our master."

"Your master, not mine!" Loki replied with a smile.

As soon as those words fell, dissatisfaction appeared on Ebony Maw's previously elegant face.

He turned to look at Thanos, silently asking how the matter should be handled.

Should they kill this arrogant Prince?

But before Thanos could respond, Loki continued speaking to them.

"However, I hope to serve as your vanguard, great Emperor Thanos."

With that, Loki quietly bent at the waist, showing his submission to Thanos.

Only then did Ebony Maw nod in satisfaction. Then, speaking on Thanos's behalf, he softly said to Loki,

"The Prince of Asgard wishes to join Lord Thanos's empire. Are you seeking to provoke a war between the empire and Asgard?"

"No, wise Lord Ebony Maw. Though it happened only recently, I must admit that I no longer belong to Asgard.

I launched a failed rebellion in Asgard. I was defeated by my foolish yet fortunate brother, and eventually drifted through the endless universe.

Your Majesty Thanos, I need a suitable position worthy of my former identity as a Prince, so I have chosen to join your ranks.

As a gift, I will offer you the Space Stone among the Infinity Stones!"

Loki raised his right hand. A clear image flickered across his palm.

If Heisenberg had seen that video, he would have recognized its protagonist at a glance.

Because the protagonist was Professor Selvig, the man in charge of Project Pegasus.

In the image, Selvig first wandered aimlessly through some sort of base.

Then, a Black man wearing an eyepatch called his name.

Following the man's guidance, Selvig approached him.

Next, the eyepatched man offered Selvig a sincere invitation.

He invited him to join a project that could grant humanity limitless power.

At that moment, the eyepatched man took out a case.

The treasure he claimed could bring limitless power was inside that case.

When the Black man opened the case, Thanos on his throne finally became interested.

Of course he knew what it was!

Inside the case was a cube shining with crystalline blue light. Before Odin had sealed it away, it bore a name Thanos had pursued for countless years.

"The Space Stone!"

Thanos spoke, his voice filled with weariness and age.

Yet beneath that weariness, Loki could hear nothing but the wails of countless lives in Thanos's voice.

Even knowing Thanos would not harm him, Loki could not stop himself from feeling nervous.

He did his best to control his expression as he spoke to Thanos.

"Honorable Lord Thanos, I wish to exchange the information about the Space Stone for the right to rule Midgard."

"Only information...?" Thanos asked personally.

"Of course not. I need you to provide me with an army, one strong enough to crush Asgard's Valhalla. I wish to win a true victory from my father. In exchange, I will offer the Space Stone with both hands!"

After those words, the ship fell silent for a time.

A moment later, a trace of reminiscence appeared on Thanos's face, a visage equally majestic and terrifying.

"Five thousand years ago, Odin became the king of Asgard. Controlled by ambition and desire, he attacked me.

I lost to him, and the cost of that battle was the Space Stone.

After that, his armies swept across the universe, until he had obtained five of the six Infinity Stones.

But afterward, he stopped. He recalled his armies, ended his conquests, and even abandoned the Infinity Stones he had collected.

I do not understand him, but he does not need my understanding.

And now, his son has come before me and decided to retrieve the Space Stone for me.

It makes me feel the meaning of fate.

I will give you the army you desire. I will also give you the Mind Stone I have acquired recently.

Go. Retrieve what belongs to me!"

"Yes!"

Loki immediately bowed, offering Thanos Asgard's most solemn salute.

Yet even as he accepted the Scepter of Mind from Ebony Maw, he could not understand what Thanos had meant.

Odin had once defeated Thanos?

Odin had once nearly gathered all six Stones?

Odin had once nearly conquered the universe?

Then why had Odin become a doddering old man who constantly spoke of mercy and forgiveness?

And an old bastard who failed to recognize talent, showed no affection, and kept no faith at that!!!

Carrying his doubts, Loki grasped the scepter embedded with the Mind Stone.

At once, invisible mental power spread through Loki's entire body.

He seemed able to sense every person's thoughts. He even felt as though he could control everyone he saw!

The Infinity Stones, even when wielded indirectly through a tool, had increased his power countless times over!

If he had possessed such terrifying mental power before, he could have directly ordered Thor to kill himself!

But feeling that power only left him more confused.

If the Infinity Stones truly were as powerful as the legends claimed, why had Odin abandoned them?

"Loki!"

As Loki continued pondering his doubts, Thanos gave an order.

"I will alter the plan to attack the Kree Nova. The Chitauri warriors gathered for that purpose will fight for you.

Do not disappoint me!"

"Yes!"

Loki quickly lowered his head in reply. He decided not to think about those baffling questions anymore.

No matter what secrets lay buried in the past, he had no path left to take.

The moment Odin refused to acknowledge Loki for the last time.

The moment Loki chose to release Thor's hand and drift through the universe.

He had already lost all way back!

Either he would defeat Odin, defeat the father who had never loved him, and prove his worth to everyone.

Or he would die in the universe, becoming an unnamed set of dry bones left behind by Asgard.

That was all!