บท 620: Technology Exchange
"There are many possibilities," Edward uttered. "We can pursue an extreme path for Luke Cage and Daredevil."
"You want to develop Luke Cage's Impenetrable Skin and Daredevil's Extreme Senses?"
"We can model Luke Cage's skin after the Fer race. It would be excellent if he could develop defensive capabilities that are on par with Tier 10. Daredevil can develop Cosmic Awareness, Jessica Jones' super strength should fit perfectly with Kryptonian DNA, and Iron Fist's Chi is another form of magic/energy in this world."
"All of those are doable," Morgana agreed. "How about we turn them into a reconnaissance team? Once our world experiences a convergence, we send them inside to gather information and disturb the situation."
"That's actually a great idea," Edward nodded. "The issue is how to convince them. These guy's personalities mean they care more about their small neighborhood than the larger cosmic things; that's why they are street-level heroes."
"They might indeed choose to save the lives of the people in their cities rather than try to help the entire universe," Morgana nodded. "So, what now?"
"I'll leave a clone that will be intertwined in their lives. Hopefully, I can use it to convince them later down the line," Edward stated before leaving the clone and leaving. He had a lot of work to do as things were unraveling faster than he anticipated.
His next destination was Wakanda. After sending a reminder, the king personally received it, and this time, he was not wearing armor — albeit the Dora Milaje still accompanied him. In the past three years, after many exchanges — including the location of Ulysses Klaw, the relationship with Wakanda can now be classified as friendly.
"Your message made it seem this was an official visit instead of a friendly one?" King T'Chaka asked after a brief salutation.
"It is," Edward replied seriously.
"In that case, follow me to the throne room. We will convene with the advisors."
Edward followed the king to the discussion room where the queen and other advisors — including Master Makana, the Chief Scientist of Wakanda. He sat in a chair facing the crowd, and the meeting immediately started:
"So, friend, what happened to make you so somber?" the king asked.
"Time is running out, and I can no longer take things slowly," Edward replied, confusing everyone. However, he did not explain — not yet. "Before we start, I would like to call the Goddess Bast as a witness to this meeting."
As his words finished, and to the crowd's shock, a white mist manifested in the room before a five-meter-tall path with glowing blue eyes appeared. It looked around before slowly condensing into a humanoid form.
"Are you the one who summoned me?" she asked, looking at Edward. However, before he could answer, the Wakandians quickly saluted their Goddess, and Bast nodded to them.
"My name is Edward Bones, the new Sorcerer Supreme, and yes, I 'm the one who summoned you."
"Sorcerer Supreme? I think I've heard that term before. Oh, right, the guardians of Earth from mystical threats?"
"That's us."
"Many of your predecessors were powerful and accomplished sorcerers. I hope you can live up to their legacy."
"I do, too," Edward replied politely.
"So, why did you summon me to this realm?"
"I'm going to discuss something very serious with the Wakandans, and I believe your presence would give my words more weight."
"Just for that?"
"I believe this information will also be crucial to you as well."
"Oh?"
"Yes, and it's to the point I must request you make the highest oath not to release the information."
"Do you understand what you're asking me?"
"I do, and if you wish, I can contact the Allfather to vouch for me."
"Even the Asgardians are involved? Now, I'm intrigued," Bast muttered with a frown. She pondered for a few seconds. "Very well. I swear on my godhood that I, Bast, the Goddess of Panther, Felines, Protection, and Fertility, will not release any information discussed in this meeting."
A golden chain appeared before and directly entered her forehead. "I hope you're not wasting my time."
"I'm thankful for your cooperation," Edward said.
"Immediately get a chair for the Goddess," T'Chaka said to his son, standing on his left. "No, she can take my seat." He stood up, and his wife followed him.
"No need," said Bast as she walked between the two groups and created a chair on the far right, leaving some distance in the middle. Edward does not care about her position; instead, he focuses on the young T'Challa.
"What I'm about to say or show might be too much for his young mind."
"Don't worry. As our next king, T'Chala's mind was trained as a warrior. He will be fine," said T'Chaka.
"If you say so," Edward shrugged. In the worst-case scenario, he'll just erase the boy's mind. He first isolates this room to prevent any prying eyes.
"As you may know, our sorcerer's duty is to protect the world from magical threats. One of the ways we've been so successful at a task was due to our ability to peek at the future.
"However, we recently detected a dire future. Let me show you a portion."
He waved his hand to show them an illusion of the future. He did not show everything now, but enough for them to understand the general situation. The room was immediately quiet for more than five minutes.
"My boy, are you alright?" the Queen suddenly asked as she remembered her son being here.
"I'm fine," replied T'Chala, his body trembling uncontrollably.
'The boy's willpower is better than I thought,' Edward commented.
"This can't be true," announced one of the advisers. "These images must be created with very advanced holographic technology or magic." Many people agreed with this thought; to be precise, they had to believe it.
"Goddess Bast," Edward said.
"I must say, I'm also having a hard time believing this," she announced. "I've heard of convergence, but that is an extremely rare phenomenon. Now, you're telling me it's happening on such a grand scale?"
"Your Highness, pardon me if I'm too bold, but I would like to ask a question," Makana asked.
"Go ahead."
"Are you saying that convergences or universes crashing into each other are real?" Makana could not describe the flurry of emotions his old heart was experiencing. He had first learned that the multiverse was real, which is groundbreaking news for any scientist. But that good news did not last long.
"That is correct," Bast nodded. "My father, Ra, once told me about this after noticing the event with his All-Seeing-Eye."
'Sun God Ra? All Seeing Eye? Maybe these gods may be more useful than I anticipated,' Edward thought.
"So, logically speaking, such an event could happen?" Makana continued.
"Yes, but who could have such power?" she replied. "Even the Celestials with the Infinity Stones do not have such power."
"Celestial? Infinity Stone?"
"Don't worry about it."
"As you wish." Makana stopped asking questions. King T'Chaka had regained his bearing. He looked at Edward: "Why are you telling us this?"
"My job as Sorcerer Supreme is to protect this timeline. So, after learning this news, I already started planning how to survive."
"Is that why you contacted us three years ago?"
"Correct."
"I'm guessing there are others?"
"Yes, but the main one is the Asgardians."
"And they are?"
"You've heard of Norse Mythology?"
"You're talking about Thor and Odin? Are they real? Well, I guess that makes sense." Many people think Bast is also just a myth," King T'Chaka nodded. "I understand your purpose. But what can we do in such an event?" Their technology might be the most advanced on Earth, but they were powerless before such a catastrophic event.
"That's why I'm here," Edward stated. "I will provide you with technology that will make you a real threat in the upcoming catastrophe, and you only need to digest it as soon as possible."
"And what do you want in exchange?" King T'Chaka did not believe the man would share such knowledge for free.
"First is vibranium."
Everyone expected this.
"Secondly, all the new technology you develop from now on will be shared with me."
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง