"Since the king is waiting, let's go meet him first."
Nolan was not the type to waste time.
Since he was already here, meeting the King of Wakanda was obviously the priority.
As he thought about it, he glanced at T'Challa.
According to what Nolan knew of the original timeline, T'Challa's father would have been assassinated by Ulysses Klaue, after which T'Challa would return to Wakanda to inherit the throne.
But this time, Klaue had been killed early by Nolan himself. Naturally, that future no longer existed.
With the Wakandan king's enhanced physique, Nolan suspected that T'Challa's status as Black Panther would remain… awkward for quite some time.
Still, that had little to do with him.
After giving Nolan a brief look, the captain of the guard walked alongside T'Challa.
"Okoye, how is my father's health?" T'Challa asked.
"The king is in very good health," Okoye replied. "But you have been away for a long time. I believe His Majesty misses you deeply."
T'Challa nodded. As long as his father was well, that was enough.
As for being gone so long, that could not be helped.
America was far away, and he had his own responsibilities. Returning was never simple.
Before long, Nolan began to see what made Wakanda truly unique.
Despite being an advanced nation, most Wakandan civilians lived simple, ordinary lives. At a glance, the countryside looked no different from other regions in Africa.
But the moment they entered the royal city, that illusion vanished completely.
"This place feels like the future," Nolan said honestly.
"Thank you," T'Challa replied with a trace of pride.
"This is the heart of Wakanda. As you know, our technology far surpasses that of the outside world."
Nolan glanced at him but did not comment.
The capital was indeed astonishing, but the people outside it had gained very little from that advancement.
In Nolan's view, a truly strong nation should be strong in every aspect.
A powerful capital meant little if the common people did not benefit.
That imbalance was the inevitable result of Wakanda's long isolation.
Perhaps that was why King T'Chaka had sent T'Challa abroad to study, hoping he might someday change this unhealthy structure.
As they walked, Nolan observed Wakandan technology everywhere.
Even with just a cursory glance, he could tell that vibranium-based technology had evolved along a completely different path from the rest of Earth's science.
They soon arrived at their destination.
"The king is inside," Okoye said, stepping forward first.
Nolan followed, adapting himself to local customs.
Okoye and T'Challa both performed the traditional salute. Nolan, however, did nothing.
Okoye's expression darkened immediately.
"Foreigner, when you stand before the king, you should show proper respect!"
Nolan ignored her completely.
In his entire life, he had never bowed to anyone.
T'Chaka raised a hand.
"Enough, Okoye. Mr. Lock is not Wakandan. He is not bound by our customs."
With that, T'Chaka rose from his throne.
Though no longer young, his movements were powerful and steady, his physique clearly formidable.
"Mr. Lock," T'Chaka said calmly, "I am aware of your request. You wish to trade for vibranium."
The moment those words fell, the entire hall went silent.
Vibranium was Wakanda's deepest secret.
Even though the prince and a few others had ventured into the outside world, vibranium itself was an absolute red line.
"Your Majesty, this is unacceptable!"
W'Kabi, commander of Wakanda's border tribe, stepped forward, glaring at Nolan with undisguised hostility.
"If I had known this outsider's purpose, I would never have allowed him to set foot in the royal palace."
Nolan remained calm.
T'Chaka had spoken far too quickly. It was obvious he had not discussed this matter with the rest of Wakanda beforehand.
Though T'Chaka was king, the council of elders still existed to restrain royal authority.
This was a deliberate move.
Was T'Chaka being careless?
Nolan dismissed that thought immediately.
The king was doing this on purpose.
T'Chaka wanted to use Nolan as a way to open Wakanda to the outside world. At the same time, this was clearly a test.
Nolan could practically read the message in the king's eyes.
You want vibranium? Show me that you are worthy of working with Wakanda.
Standing nearby, T'Challa spoke up.
"W'Kabi, Wakanda must communicate with the outside world. Mr. Lock is an excellent bridge. Vibranium is precious, but it will eventually be discovered. Total control is impossible. What matters is that everything remains under Wakanda's control."
But W'Kabi had no intention of listening.
Without even giving Nolan a chance to speak, he turned and stormed out, his face dark with anger, offering no respect even to the king.
T'Chaka frowned slightly.
"I apologize," he said. "Vibranium is too important to Wakanda. Trading it will be extremely difficult."
The message was clear.
Look at this reaction. Even as king, I cannot push this through lightly. If you want cooperation, words alone are not enough.
Nolan felt a wave of helplessness.
This was exactly why he hated dealing with schemers.
Nick Fury had been one. The Ancient One was another. He could not even defeat her yet. Now T'Chaka was clearly the same type.
For a moment, Nolan felt the urge to summon Netero just to simplify things.
"Your Majesty," Nolan said evenly, "vibranium is the foundation of this negotiation. To be frank, aside from vibranium, Wakanda offers me nothing of interest."
"Oh?"
T'Chaka's expression cooled.
Nolan's words displeased him.
Wakandans were naturally proud, especially when facing the outside world.
"Mr. Lock, you may not yet understand Wakanda. Our technology far surpasses that of the rest of the world."
Nolan chuckled softly.
"I have never denied that. But Lock Technologies also possesses technology far ahead of the world."
The implication was obvious.
He was not impressed.
Sensing the tension, T'Challa stepped in.
"Father, Mr. Lock is right. Lock Technologies is renowned worldwide, especially in robotics. In that field, they have already surpassed Wakanda."
T'Chaka looked slightly surprised but nodded, letting the matter drop.
He did not take T'Challa's words too seriously.
Surpassing Wakanda in robotics was not particularly impressive in Wakandan eyes. They had never valued that field, seeing it as an inefficient branch of technological development.
While Nolan and the king spoke, W'Kabi returned home in a fury and immediately reported the matter to the council of elders.
He respected the king, but vibranium could never be allowed to leave Wakanda.
The elders were equally shocked.
"The king has lost his way. Vibranium is the foundation of Wakanda. If it leaks out, it will invite the world's greed and expose our technology."
"The king has not made a final decision," W'Kabi said gravely, "but I believe he is already considering it."
An elder spoke firmly.
"We will discuss this with His Majesty. We will never allow anything that threatens Wakanda's future."
With the council involved, even the king could not act freely.
Over the following days, the elders met with T'Chaka repeatedly.
Meanwhile, Nolan toured Wakanda under T'Challa's guidance.
He did not rush the vibranium issue.
This was not something that could be forced. Understanding Wakanda first was far more important.
But W'Kabi and others had already realized the king's intentions.
The fact that T'Chaka neither agreed nor rejected the proposal spoke volumes.
That alone was dangerous.
It was then that a man named Erik Killmonger approached W'Kabi.
"Killmonger? Aren't you studying abroad?" W'Kabi asked in surprise.
Killmonger's father had been T'Chaka's younger brother, one of the earliest Wakandans to leave the country and engage with the outside world.
"Klaue is dead," Killmonger said quietly.
W'Kabi sprang to his feet.
Ulysses Klaue was the source of Wakanda's hatred.
If not for him, vibranium would never have leaked, and Nolan Lock would never have learned of its existence.
"Do you have proof?" W'Kabi demanded.
Killmonger shook his head.
"It happened last year. I killed him myself. I didn't think much of it at the time, so I left no evidence."
W'Kabi's expression shifted several times before he finally nodded.
The truth would surface eventually.
Killmonger continued,
"Because of Klaue, Wakanda faces all this trouble. And now the king wants to hand over vibranium himself. We stand on the same side. This must be stopped."
W'Kabi frowned.
"What are you proposing?"
Killmonger smiled.
"The king has been misled by Nolan Lock. If Nolan Lock dies, this issue ends, regardless of the king's intentions."
W'Kabi stared at him in shock.
He had never expected such a suggestion.
And yet, at that moment, he was tempted.
Killmonger watched him closely.
He had his own agenda.
Klaue could never have stolen vibranium alone. Wakanda's surveillance and defenses were centuries ahead of the world.
Without internal help, it would have been impossible.
Killmonger had been that help.
Through Klaue, he had lived a life of luxury.
Now Klaue was dead, killed by Nolan Lock.
Killmonger was furious, but he dared not show it.
Then he learned of Nolan's attempt to trade for vibranium.
That was when ambition took root.
T'Chaka was opposing Wakanda itself.
And since Killmonger's father was the king's brother, he had a legitimate claim.
He wanted the throne.
"Have you decided?" Killmonger asked.
After a long pause, W'Kabi nodded sharply.
"Fine. I will gather the Border Tribe's warriors and kill Nolan Lock. But I will report this to the council."
"Of course," Killmonger said with a smile.
With the council involved, his path to legitimacy would be far smoother.
Only then could he rightfully claim the title of Black Panther and its power.
Greed flickered in Killmonger's eyes.
Nolan, meanwhile, was completely unaware of their plotting.
But he could feel trouble approaching.
"T'Challa," he said casually, "I have heard many stories of the Black Panther. Each one possessed extraordinary strength and speed. How is this achieved? Is the Wakandan royal bloodline naturally different?"
T'Challa hesitated, then chose honesty.
"Wakanda is the land of the Panther Goddess. Each Black Panther gains power under her witness. That is the true source of the king's strength. I have also been granted this power. If I fail to become Black Panther, the goddess will take it back."
Nolan was surprised.
So the power could be withdrawn.
That confirmed his suspicions.
The Heart-Shaped Herb was not the true source of power.
This was mystical energy.
With that answer, Nolan's last bit of curiosity about the herb vanished.
Just then, a female guard hurried over.
"Prince T'Challa. Mr. Lock. The king summons you."
The two turned toward the palace.
As they walked, Nolan felt uneasy.
T'Chaka had shown no urgency before. Now he was suddenly calling for him.
Something had changed.
Trouble had arrived.