He explained what the Celestials stood to gain from having him join them.
That was far more useful than any fancy rhetoric.
"Stark, won't you reconsider?" Mercer asked.
"No. Sometimes thinking too much isn't a good thing. A little impulsiveness isn't so bad."
Stark smiled. "Besides, this is a chance to become a god. I can't pass it up."
"Good. I'm short on people right now, too. Having you join would be ideal."
Mercer spoke.
He couldn't afford to fall behind the times, either.
With Stark's wealth and status, operating in the outside world would be easier.
With Stark setting the example, Nick Fury and Natasha spoke up as well.
"I'll join, too. As Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., I can monitor the entire Earth. Though I'm sure you already have the technology for that, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s influence in the outside world certainly won't disappoint you."
Nick Fury spoke on Natasha's behalf as well as his own.
Mercer considered it for a moment, then nodded.
"Then you'll form a separate division, codenamed the War God Army. The forces aboard my Cloud Heaven will be called the Celestial Army."
Of the divisions he had formed among the Celestials, even the weakest force, led by Thanos, could overwhelm the firepower of every nation on Earth.
The disparity was too great. It felt like using a cannon to kill a fly.
A powerful force for the mortal world was necessary, too.
And so, Mercer agreed.
Nick Fury joined the Celestials on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Later, he would select some trustworthy veterans from S.H.I.E.L.D. and let them choose whether to take the opportunity to transcend ordinary humanity.
"All right, I'll give you something. It's a teleportation device that will take you to our headquarters. You can visit when you have time."
Mercer raised his hand and traced