Early the next morning, the morning sun shone through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows onto the black long table in the top-floor conference room of the Demon Group headquarters.
The conference room was filled with an atmosphere of palpable excitement and solemnity.
On both sides of the long table, seats were lined up in order, and behind each seat stood or sat powerful figures.
Asgard's King Loki.
Earth Alliance President Matthew. (The President who was bought off at the beginning)
Mutant Earth administrator Charles.
Kryptonian General Zod.
Stark Industries' Tony Stark.
Science Division's Dr. Banner.
Mutant Legion's Magneto.
...
It had been three years; this core conference hall, symbolizing the group's highest power and decision-making, was truly full for the first time.
Everyone's gaze, as if drawn by a magnet, was firmly focused on the main seat.
Nolan, the existence revered as the "Demon King" and "Leader," sat casually in that large black chair.
Dressed in a well-tailored, simple black robe, his figure appeared even more upright, yet he carried an indescribable sense of laziness and control.
He did not deliberately release any pressure, but just by sitting there, it was as if he were the center of the entire space.
"Long time no see, everyone."
A very simple greeting, yet it made the entire conference hall fall into silence.
The brief silence was broken by a teasing voice.
"You finally came back."
Tony, who had already handed over all affairs of Stark Industries to Pepper, curled his lips into his signature cynical smile.
"My little Morgan has almost forgotten what her godfather looks like; if you were any later, she would probably only know you from Pepper's bedtime stories."
In this setting, only Tony dared to speak like this.
A strong man dressed in an exquisite suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, but with an aura as if he were ready to go to the battlefield at any time, coughed lightly to bring everyone's attention back to the topic.
Demon Group Acting President — Tom.
"Welcome back, Leader. During your absence, the group's overall operations have been stable, major business lines have not suffered significant impacts, and some emerging fields have seen slight expansion. A detailed report has been completed."
Loki, sitting opposite Tom, spoke up.
"Stable? Tom, you are still too modest; quite a few aliens have already come to the Nine Realms to look for goods and do business."
"But thanks to you, Asgard has also made a big profit."
After becoming King, Loki's personality had changed; he had learned quite a bit of Earth's financial knowledge, and under his leadership, Asgard had also become prosperous.
Everyone was without exception convinced by King Loki.
A man dressed in traditional Kryptonian attire, with a calm and capable demeanor, stood up; he was Zo-El.
Kara's father, currently responsible for the integration and application of Kryptonian technology and Earth technology within the group.
"Leader, the transformation and application of Kryptonian technology in Earth's civil and defense fields are progressing smoothly. The second phase of the 'Watchtower' project has been completed, and the efficiency of the global defense matrix has increased by 47%."
"Hmm, thank you for your hard work."
Nolan nodded slightly.
Next, Pierce from HYDRA, who was in charge of the intelligence network.
President Matthew, who controlled the massive commercial empire of the Earth Alliance.
Frank, leader of the Red Lantern Corps, who commanded the group's armed forces.
One by one, the core high-level members, whether by codename or real name, rose in turn to report the core situation of their respective fields over the past three years in the most concise language.
There were no long-winded reports, no unnecessary boasting, only the most core data, the most important progress, and the most critical challenges.
Everyone understood that their leader only needed to know the results and key nodes.
The meeting proceeded efficiently. Nolan spent most of the time listening quietly, occasionally asking a pointed question or giving a brief instruction.
His return seemed to have instantly injected the core driving energy into this huge and precise machine, allowing every gear to find its most precise rhythm of operation again.
When the last executive finished reporting, the conference room fell silent again.
Everyone's gaze focused on the main seat again, waiting for his final decision.
"Very good."
His voice remained calm, yet it carried an intangible power that made everyone's back straighten involuntarily.
"It seems that in the three years I was away, you didn't fight each other, nor did you break the sky. Worthy of praise."
A witty affirmation caused the tense atmosphere in the conference room to relax significantly, and many people showed smiles on their faces.
To say that such a huge organization was united was impossible; if not for Nolan acting as the link, falling apart would only be a matter of time.
"However, I brought back some bad news."
Nolan changed the subject.
"A war is about to begin."
The air in the conference room suddenly froze, and the atmosphere that had just eased was shattered like glass hit by a heavy hammer.
Tony subconsciously rubbed the reactor device on his cuff, Charles pushed his glasses, and flames ignited in Frank's eyes.
"Leader, what scale of war?"
General Zod took a half-step forward, his Kryptonian boots clashing with the floor with a dull sound.
"Is it a new wave of invasion from the previous Earth collision event, or a counterattack from other dimensional demon gods?"
Having finally endured until the time of Kryptonian prosperity, no matter who wanted to destroy this prosperity, he would twist off their head.
Nolan shook his head.
"Neither. It is a war from outside the Universe. The opponent's goal is to destroy the World—a complete, irreversible destruction. To destroy every dimension and every form of existence we know."
"So my requirement is..."
Nolan's eyes suddenly became sharp.
"Become stronger!", "From today on, the Demon Group and all its affiliated forces will enter the highest level of combat readiness!", "All core businesses, all resources, all manpower, everything—immediately and unconditionally—are to be pushed forward according to the original highest priority!", "Everything is centered on improving overall combat power!", "Loki: Asgard's magic library, forges, and training grounds—all open! Nine Realms resources are to be prioritized for the war sequence!", "General Zod, Zo-El: Integrate Kryptonian technology and Earth technology even faster! The 'Watchtower' defense matrix is to initiate the final contingency plan!", "All registered Kryptonian warriors of age, enter extreme training! I want to see a super legion capable of adapting to the multiverse environment! Civil use? Now, only military use!", "Tony Stark, Dr. Banner: Your gamma research, Tony, your nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, dimensional engines... all those 'toys' in your heads that are still on the drawing board.", "Now! Immediately! Build them for me! I want to see weapons that can change the rules of the battlefield! Resources? Take whatever you need! Permissions? All open!", "Magneto, Charles, the potential of Mutants is far more than this! All registered Mutants, restart potential assessment! Extreme development! Tell them, this is not a choice, it is survival!", "Seven Lantern Corps, expand the scale of your corps! Upgrade equipment! Go hunt! Go plunder all resources that can make us stronger!", "Pierce (Intelligence Department): Pierce, your intelligence network is the tentacles! My mission for you is the entire Universe, and even beyond this Universe—find me every warrior that can be used.", "Matthew (Earth Alliance)! Global mobilization! All social resources are to be tilted toward the War Machine! Logistics, production, troop sources, morale! I don't want to hear any discordant voices internally! Tell everyone.", "This is not a war between nations, but a war of survival! Slackers, traitors, deserters...", "Nolan's voice was cold and bone-chilling.", "I will let them know what 'wrath' truly is!"
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