บท 621: Unstable Factor
"Excuse me for being blunt," the queen interjected. "Do you have technology of that level? I don't mean to doubt you, but you're a sorcerer, and…"
"I understand your concern," Edward nodded. "I'm not just a sorcerer but a pursuer of knowledge. I've traveled to many dimensions and worlds, including ones with very advanced technological civilizations." He waved his hand to use illusion to create a holographic rendering of the technology he would grant them.
T'Chaka motioned for Chief Makana to check, and the scientist immediately started reading the information. After less than five minutes, he shook his head and sighed in disappointment:
"Is something wrong?" the king asked.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but this knowledge is beyond my understanding."
"What are you saying?"
"They appeared to be true, but it's beyond what I can comprehend."
"Apologies," Edward stated, remembering that not everyone was Tony Stark. In fact, even Tony Stark might not be able to digest such advanced technology without years of study or a sufficient knowledge foundation. Edward raised his hand to summon a helmet.
"This contains lessons for you to be able to understand the technology I will provide." Edward thought of something, so he summoned a second helmet. "It's my understanding that the princess is also very talented. This is for her."
Makana took the helmet, and before the king could warn him, he put it on and stood in the middle of the room with his eyes closed. Everyone waited for him for more than 10 minutes before he woke up.
"Is there really such an advanced civilization?" Makana muttered.
"Master Makana."
"My apologies, Your Majesty," he swiftly said as he realized he got carried away.
"What's the result?"
"There are no issues."
"And what level of technology are we talking about?"
"Hmm, how do I put it plainly," Makana muttered. "Enough for us to wield energy on a universal scale."
King T'Chaka squinted his eyes as he finally understood everything. This man wanted Wakanda to be one of the main fighters in this upcoming war, so he chose to elevate our technology so we could compete on these creatures' level. The vibranium and knowledge are only his secondary goals.
King T'Chaka's first instinct was to reject this proposal. Although their nations would indeed benefit immensely, there is also great danger that came with it. However, he soon understood that doing so would be a grave mistake. No matter what choice he makes, this catastrophe is coming, and Edward's proposal is an opportunity for them to be the main players, an opportunity to have the power to determine their fate instead of relying on others for protection.
"I accept your proposal," King T'Chaka decided. A few of his council members did not agree with this decision, but they would not contradict their king's decision before an outsider — let alone before Goddess Bast.
"Excellent," Edward nodded. In the comics, Black Panther – T'Challa — is the Marvels' version of Batman. Not only was his intelligence on par with his sister, but he also created technology that could be considered Tier 10 and added it to his suit.
Black Panther had contingency plans for Hulk (not the weak one in the MCU, but the monster in the comics); he had weapons that could kill Galactus and the Celestials, could naturally control Mjolnir, had magic-based weapons, and a list of other powers and accomplishments—for example, invited Shadow Physics, which combined Alchemy and Quantum Physics, allowing him unlimited teleportation, including access to anywhere in the Multiverse.
"I'm glad you can come to an agreement, but what will I do?" Bast said. "How am I supposed to prepare for this catastrophe?"
"Goddess Bast, you have been our guardian since antiquity. We will protect you as long as a single Wakandian is still breathing," Queen Ramonda stated.
"This may be the only way, " Bast muttered before raising her hand to condense a mark in the shape of a panther. "This mark will allow the king to converse with all your ancestors from the Ancestral Plane and gain all their wisdom, knowledge, and experience."
Edward squinted his eyes. In the comics, T'Challa became the King of the Dead and had the same ability.
"Thank you," T'Chaka immediately said.
"Lastly, I recommend you make the Heart-Shaped Herb something universal for all Wakandians." After saying these words, Blast hurried left. Although she needed to rely on Wakanda for safety, she also wanted to prepare.
Meanwhile, Edward thought deeply, but not about the Heart-Shaped Herb. He had already analyzed that thing and realized it was a natural way to optimize a human's gene. He classified the herb as an excellent magical herb, and many potions have been optimized by Morgana after being used as a main or secondary material.
Edward continued his meeting, discussing the nitty-gritty. Once they agree on a detailed contract, both sides sign. Edward then handed over the technology, especially the one about technomancers. He hoped the Wakandians would build a Black Panther Suit capable of destroying universes.
His next stop was Talokan to meet Namor. He had previously tried to make contact, but the latter was not friendly. Despite Edward's best efforts, the first mutant did not want to listen. Once teleported underwater, he talked to Namor one last time, even revealing the upcoming catastrophe.
"Why are you being so stubborn?" Edward asked.
"The affairs of the surface world do not matter to us," Namor replied.
"Do you think you can remain unscathed? Do you think you can hide underwater while we're forced to deal with the people?" Edward asked, not hiding his frustration.
"We will be fine on our own," Namor continued. "And, who knows if you're even telling the truth?"
Edward stared into his eyes. After what felt like an eternity, he said calmly: "You're officially an unstable variable. It's a shame. Talokan is such a beautiful and unique civilization."
Namor's sense of danger suddenly went on like an alarm. He wanted to immediately attack his opponent despite knowing the vast differences in their power. Unfortunately, his eyes turned white, and his body started floating on the water. While he only fainted, this was not the same for all his other citizens. Edward ruthlessly wiped out their souls, killing everyone. Then, with a wave of his hand, he put away all of Talokan to take away their vibranium.
"Do you think this was a little rash?" Morgana asked.
"What do you think was the probability of him changing his mind?"
"3.2%."
"What about the probability that someone would free him from my mind control if I tried to force him to work for me?"
"Hmm, let me see. With beings like Mephisto, your current luck backlash, and how this world seems to operate differently than home — as high as 72.64%."
"That's why they needed to die," Edward added, making Morgana sigh. "I've already recorded his Life Code."
"Did you find the X-gene?"
"I did."
"What about his soul? Did you record all the data?"
"Yes."
"The other Talokan? Their Life Code should also be interesting."
"It's done."
"Good." Edward wiped out Namor's soul and body before disappearing. His next destination was the Nova Empire. After so long, he had finally thought of a way to make them useful in this upcoming catastrophe.
บท 622: New Corp
Before his three-year retreat, Edward had yet to have a concrete plan for what to do with the Nova Empire. So, he controlled a few people of the Nova Empire, including a struggling, talented scientist, and had the latter rapidly rise through the ranks. Now that he had a plan, he began using these pawns.
During an experiment involving the development of external dimensions and exploring the multiverse, the scientist known as Kirul discovered an unknown green lamp. The thing was soon labeled as the highest secret of the Nova Empire, despite no one knowing that the lamp was. However, the origin of the lamp and the massive energy they detected once they first discovered it was more than enough to pay attention to it.
Then, a few days later, when Kirul repeated the experiment, he recorded a terrifying saw — the destruction of a universe. To be precise, the crashing of two universes/timelines. At first, Kirul and the rulers of the Empire thought this was a rare cosmic phenomenon that they were lucky to encounter. However, the experiments kept showing more timelines crashing together before destroying.
Everyone started panicking, wondering why these timelines were being destroyed and whether theirs would be next. More importantly, they asked how to prevent it or protect themselves in a worst-case scenario. No one had an answer since Doctor Kirul had only recently developed the technology to observe and interact with dimensions.
The upper echelons debated their next step. Some thought they should find ways to escape this timeline, others believed they should continue fighting, and many considered telling other factions so they could prepare. Sadly, no decision could be made as everyone bickered incessantly.
Luckily, before the dispute escalated to a severe level, Doctor Kirul had unrivaled the effect of that lamp. After a meeting with the ruling class, an order was given to gather people from across the Empire. They had to have a clean background, noble or decent character, and a person of high willpower. The Empire accelerated the recruitment of these individuals, almost alerting their enemies or allies.
Special Location:
Kirul was a humanoid alien with slightly purple skin and two small horns as small as three centimeters. He had a stoic demeanor, especially when focusing on the tablet. After a few seconds of tapping on the tablet, he finally raised his head to look at the group of 15 individuals before him.
"This should be Group 2. But why is there only so few?"
"The others have still not passed basic training," replied his assistant, a green-skinned alien of the opposite gender. "I could ask them to accelerate the speed."
"No need. We want quality, not quantity," Kirul replied before focusing on the group. "Welcome to the Green Lantern Corp. Stay quiet and follow me." He led the group through an enormous door, and everyone gasped as they looked at that towering green lamp.
"Hyros, ID: 3A765FE. Step up to the lamp and recite the activation code."
Hyros was a lizard alien with four arms. He hesitated briefly before following orders.
[In brightest day, in darkest night,
[No evil shall escape my sight.
[Let those who worship evil's might,
[Beware my power — Green Lantern's light.]
The giant lantern released a green light immediately after Hyros finished his words. Then, a green ring floated before him, and he put it on with a smile. Basic information about the ring entered his mind, so he only focused before creating a sword projection.
"You'll have plenty of time to use your power after training. So, stand to the side so the others can proceed," Kirul stated, waking Hyros from his excitement. Kirul called someone else, and the ceremony proceeded.
Edward — who was invisible and the mastermind behind everything — calmly watched this ceremony. "This Green Lantern Corp should serve as the middle-level powerhouse for the Convergence."
This timeline needed powerful Tier 10 and above powerhouses to survive, but they also required middle-tier fighters (Tier 4 to Tier 9). He chose the Nova Empire to fill this role, and by using such a method, he managed to select individuals willing to fight for this timeline's survival without the need to force, mind-control, or trick them.
These people knew the objective of the Green Lantern Corps and what they were fighting for. That's why Edward chose people with good morality and a sense of duty. It's also why he used the Green Lantern's oath. Words have powers, and a group's motto or philosophy can significantly influence cohesion. The oath's ideas and philosophies will bind the Green Lantern Corp members.
"What about the other corps?" Edward asked.
"We've built the Yellow (Fear) and Red (Rage) Corp and even recruited demons as members," Morgana replied before showing him an image of the newly established corps. Clones and golems were responsible for everything, including controlling the souls of these demons.
"The Orange Corp (Avarice)? We should have the technology to make it."
"We do, but according to my calculations, these demons become more difficult to control because of the ring and augmented greed. There is a chance of troubles coming our way if we make the Orange Corp. Do you still want to do it?"
"No need. I trust your judgment." Edward was delighted with Morgana's new upgrade as she could finally keep up with him and anticipate his actions.
"The Death Corp?" He asked.
"A prototype is being built," she replied, showing him the current construction. "However, you'll need to add the final touch once you've regained control of your Death Law."
"Excellent. In that case, our work here is done. Let's return home." He opened a portal to return to Earth. "What do you think our next move should be?"
"The Eternals," Morgana responded without hesitation. "However, you should know that your clone is about to meet Tony Stark."
"Oh? What's the current time?"
"A week after the Iron Man event."
"So, the world already knows he's Iron Man? Let's see how things are going over there."
Tony Stark's Malibu Mansion:
Edward was conversing with Pepper Potts, and the TV sound was in the background. Something covered was next to him, but no one cared about that as the two laughed and conversed as if they were old friends. A door slid open, and Tony, wearing pants and an undershirt, walked inside while washing away his sweat with a towel.
Pepper frowned as soon as she saw him. She sighed internally as she had messaged him that they were having an important guest. "Tony, this is Secretary Bones from SHIELD. He's here to meet you." Edward slowly stood up. "Mr Stark." However, he did not offer a handshake.
"Can we do this another time? I'm in the middle of something really important." Tony had come up to get something to eat before returning to his lab.
"It won't take long."
"You say that because you don't know how valuable my time is," Tony responded before walking to the fridge. "Are we changing him hourly?"
"Tony," yelled Pepper.
"I'm just saying," he uttered before taking a sandwich and a drink from the fridge. He took a bit and returned to the living room. "You have five, no, three minutes," he said to Edward with food in his mouth.
"Fine by me," Edward replied calmly before pushing a button on his watch to display a hologram. Tony's eyes immediately squinted.
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