Hearing Charles's words, Hela was momentarily stunned before speaking:
"You're not sent by Odin."
Clearly, Hela wouldn't believe that someone as ambitious as Charles would be sent by Odin.
After all, when she wanted to continue her conquests, Odin had sealed and suppressed her.
And someone like Charles, who aspired to become an emperor of the universe, was even less likely to be working for Odin.
Even if Odin had a change of heart, he wouldn't choose an outsider to rule the universe.
However, what Charles had in mind was his plan to plant the Chakra Tree. In this vast universe, there were still many powerful beings, and relying solely on his ninja forces might not be enough to ensure success.
Thor might not actively interfere, but it was unlikely that he would help either.
On the other hand, Hela, standing before him, would make an excellent vanguard—ruthless and decisive, she wouldn't care about the devastation caused by planting the Chakra Tree on various planets.
In fact, the constant killing might even strengthen Hela's dominion over death.
But for this plan to work, Charles needed to subdue her, and even within the next two years, he had to have enough power to suppress her.
"No, Odin did send me."
"But Odin's reasons for sending me don't conflict with the invitation I'm offering you."
Hela gazed at the man in front of her, pondering for a moment before saying, "Tell me more about your plan to become the emperor of the universe."
Seeing that Hela didn't inquire about Odin's motives for sending him but was more interested in the plan to rule the universe, a slight smile appeared on Charles's face.
With a wave of his hand, a table, chairs, and a variety of food and drinks appeared in front of them.
"Perhaps we could discuss this over a meal."
…
Meanwhile-
In the lab aboard the Quinjet-
Ward was undergoing a medical examination.
Ward looked at Simmons and said, "This really isn't necessary."
Simmons, focusing on the data displayed by the equipment, replied, "It's very necessary."
Nearby, Killer Bee, observing the shirtless Ward with sensors attached to him, remarked, "Ward, you passed out earlier, and the power you unleashed at that moment was far beyond what a physical enhancement serum could explain."
Skye, concerned, asked, "What exactly happened in that moment?"
Simmons looked at Ward and said, "Coulson ordered a full examination, so I'm following his command."
"Before you lost consciousness, did you experience any claustrophobia?"
Ward, puzzled, responded, "Why are you asking?"
Fitz chimed in, "She's trying to rule out a fear-based reaction."
Ward immediately retorted, "I'm not afraid of anything, never have been."
Simmons nodded, "Alright, that's ruled out."
Killer Bee asked, "It was after you touched the staff that you had that burst of power, right?"
Ward nodded.
Simmons continued her inquiry, "Are there any lingering symptoms?"
"Do you think that extraordinary power came from the staff?"
Ward, looking at the monitor displaying Coulson and Elliot Randolph in the interrogation room, said, "Let me try it on that guy."
Skye quickly protested, "Let's not, okay?"
Fitz, glancing at the readings on the monitor, asked, "What's the last thing you remember before you blacked out?"
At this point, Ward angrily yanked his arm away from the equipment and said, "This is a waste of time."
He then shouted to the group, "We need to find that staff as soon as possible."
Fitz asked again, "What do you actually remember?"
Ward looked at him, remained silent for a second, and then said, "Something I haven't thought about in a long time."
Skye suddenly spoke up, "Maybe we shouldn't press him any further."
Simmons joked, "He just pulled his arm out of the machine."
As the three began arguing, Ward shouted, "Quiet!"
Once everyone fell silent, Ward continued, "I want to hear what he's saying."
Frustrated, Ward tapped the screen multiple times, syncing the audio from the interrogation room. Coulson's voice could be heard as he faced Elliot Randolph, seated and handcuffed at the table.
Coulson said, "My men are hurt, and the staff is missing."
Elliot Randolph, with his hands bound, replied, "I didn't want that."
Coulson stepped closer to the table, leaning in, "Then what do you want?"
"To keep the power of the staff for yourself?"
Elliot shook his head, "It's not like that at all."
"I just wanted to be the first to study it, to prove that the Berserker Warriors really existed—that they're part of history."
"Just think about it."
Coulson, clearly not buying his story, said, "Oh, I'm thinking."
Just then, the video feed suddenly cut off.
Ward turned to Simmons, annoyed, "What are you doing?"
Simmons explained, "Your heart rate's spiking, and your adrenaline levels are through the roof."
"You need to calm down. You can't get worked up like this."
Ward took a deep breath, attempting to cool off, but his internal fury only seemed to rise.
Skye asked Ward cautiously, "Is this memory about your brother?"
Ward glared at her, "Don't ask."
"Ward, if you need to vent, I'm here. I can—"
"Talk?" Ward cut her off sarcastically, "Because that's all you do. You never shut up."
Frustrated, he yelled, "Don't you get tired of hearing your own voice?"
Fitz gently tried to calm him, tugging his sleeve and whispering, "Ward, don't do this."
Simmons interjected, more agitated, "That explains it! Ward, what you're feeling right now is a chemical reaction."
Skye, staring at Ward in shock, added, "I hope that's all it is."
Simmons affirmed, "Yes, it's his adrenal cortex hormones. It's like those stories you hear about mothers lifting cars to save their children. That adrenaline rush can produce incredible—"
Before she could finish, Ward shouted, "Enough talking, find a solution!"
Simmons tried to offer a plan, "I'm trying. We can mitigate the symptoms. I'll give you 10 milliliters of benzodiazepine."
Skye chimed in, "A calming agent. Good idea."
Upon hearing this, Ward yelled, "No sedatives!"
Fitz turned to Ward, trying to reason with him, "Be reasonable. Look at yourself right now."
Ward snapped back, "If I get sedated and we run into those maniacs, those guys flipping cars and crushing people—"
At that moment, Killer Bee stepped forward and calmly said, "Maybe it doesn't have to be that complicated."
In the blink of an eye, Killer Bee appeared in front of Ward and delivered a powerful kick, sending Ward crashing into the glass door.
Boom!
The reinforced glass shattered instantly but remained loosely held together.
"Oh my god, Killer Bee, what are you doing?"
"Stop it, Killer Bee! You can't just hit him!"
###
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