As promised, I sent the remaining food supplies to Sokovia and was looking for a site to build a factory that required simple labor. However, the person who came to guide me from the Sokovian side was Colonel Helmut Zemo.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Colonel Helmut Zemo."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Cassian."
"Let me show you the factory sites we've prepared. I'm sure you'll like them."
"I see. Let's take a look."
In the moving vehicle, Zemo explained various aspects of investing in Sokovia. He actively promoted the low labor costs, hoping to attract more investment. It was the kind of pitch that might sway an ordinary investor. Seeing this, I had to admit he was clever.
"Hmm... The conditions are certainly good. But it's also true that the political situation is still unstable, so let's build one factory, operate it, and monitor the political climate for a while."
Zemo realized I wasn't easily persuaded and didn't push further.
"I understand. Very well."
But I could sense a genuine desire in Zemo's words to somehow revive his struggling country.
We toured several factory sites. Sokovia, located in Eastern Europe, was a beautiful country surrounded by mountains, but flat land was scarce. The fact that they were offering such land indicated how seriously they took this investment.
"This one looks good. It's a bit far from the city, but the site is spacious, and there's a major road nearby, making it easy to transport materials."
"But won't it take a long time for workers to commute?"
I had a reason for choosing a location away from the city. Though I didn't know the future, I selected this site considering that Ultron might turn Sokovia into a mess.
"That's true, but it's close to other countries, which is advantageous for exports, and it's free from noise issues, so it could be better. We'll solve the workers' commute problem by operating company buses."
"Understood."
When I explained it that way, Zemo didn't say much else. With that, I wrapped up the Sokovia business and returned to New York.
Perhaps because I mentioned that Thor missed Loki, he said he'd visit Asgard in a few days. Since the HYDRA matter was somewhat resolved, we decided to throw a party at Avengers Tower before Thor left.
Jane, Darcy, Helen, and Hansen hadn't been here long and seemed to lack dresses, so I decided to buy them some as gifts. I took them with Natasha to a luxury boutique. The store owner, having seen me shop there often, came out to greet and guide us from the entrance. Darcy was impressed.
"Wow... Being the world's richest person really comes with different treatment."
Hansen was somewhat familiar with it, but Darcy, Jane, and Helen were experiencing a new world. Natasha smiled as she looked at them.
"Right? Cassian is amazing."
They chatted and took nearly four hours to pick and order five dresses each. Then, we went to a nearby pizzeria for a late lunch before heading to a jewelry store to gift them a few accessories that weren't too flashy but matched the dresses. Natasha also excitedly bought things for herself. Of course, with my money.
Next, I gifted them two pairs of shoes and two bags each. This time, too, Natasha happily picked out her own bag. Again, with my money.
"Natasha, didn't you buy a lot last time?"
"What's wrong with spoiling me a bit? Let me enjoy having a rich boyfriend."
Natasha was rather bold.
'Honestly... Where did the Natasha who trembled after buying five luxury dresses go?'
It was a bit unbelievable, but since I hadn't given her gifts lately, I just went along with it.
By the time we finished shopping, it was already evening. We had dinner at a restaurant and then dropped everyone off at headquarters. This was the first time I spent an entire day shopping. The funny part was that the bodyguards, who just drove around, were more tired than the women who enjoyed shopping.
'Women are something else.'
Anyway, a few days passed, and on the day of the party, everyone gathered at Avengers Tower. Many people came, but Motherfucker couldn't make it due to work, so Maria Hill came instead. Tony also invited war veterans to enjoy the party, and among them was Stan Lee. Curious if he was the creator, the One Above All, I decided to approach him.
"Are you the one?"
I spoke quietly, and after taking a sip of his drink, he replied.
"I am that one."
"I see. It's an honor to meet you."
"How is it? Is the world I made interesting?"
Stan Lee asked about his world. I answered honestly.
"It's magnificent. An exciting and wonderful world. I consider it truly lucky to be part of it."
He seemed pleased with my answer, showing a calm smile as he continued.
"That's a relief. I'm so grateful you enjoy my world this way. The established history has changed, and I find it fascinating to watch. Honestly, knowing everything isn't very pleasant. You've brought change to that."
"So, you're saying even you can't know how the future will unfold?"
It was surprising. That even the creator god couldn't foresee how the future would flow because of my involvement.
"That's right, because the variable that is you is too large. I can make predictions, but they're not set in stone."
"I understand."
"Now, let's enjoy the party. Keep having fun in this world."
"Will do."
I had more questions, but I didn't ask further. It felt like I shouldn't. But one thing was clear: the One Above All didn't mind that I was enjoying the Marvel universe.
'That's a relief.'
I saw Thor lingering near Jane, debating how to approach her, so I subtly brought Thor over and slipped him into the conversation with Jane and the other women.
"Hi, Jane. Congratulations on being nominated for the Nobel Prize."
Jane had been nominated for the Nobel Prize for her earlier research on the Convergence phenomenon.
"Thank you. But I'm planning to decline. I don't deserve it."
Jane seemed to want to refuse the Nobel Prize due to guilt over that incident.
"Jane, let me say it again: what happened then was unavoidable. The Dark Elves would have invaded even without you. So, don't feel too guilty about it."
I helped Thor out.
"Jane, Thor is right. The Dark Elves invaded other places besides Earth. Even without that incident, Earth would have been invaded."
"See, Jane? Cassian says so too."
Jane thanked us.
"Thank you for saying that."
Thor complimented Jane, who was dressed beautifully, and kept the conversation going. As their mood seemed to improve, I quietly slipped away.
I joined Captain America, Sam, Tony, and Vulture, where we drank and chatted.
"I'm thinking of buying a house nearby, but I'm not sure where."
Captain America seemed to want to buy a house in Manhattan. In the original story, he couldn't afford a house even in Brooklyn due to lack of money, but now he was looking in expensive Manhattan. I felt proud that the hero business was paying off.
'This is how it should be. They deserve proper treatment.'
Tony recommended a few places to Captain America.
"How about the area near Gundam Park in Central Park? The new penthouses there look really nice."
I agreed and recommended it too.
"Right, it's great for morning jogs. I used to live near there. Plus, there are good restaurants a short walk away, making it convenient for daily life."
"Really? I'll check it out. My current place is too far from headquarters and the tower."
"Sam, why don't you come too?"
When I suggested it to Sam, he shook his head.
"I need to help my sister's family, so I'll come slowly."
In Black culture, there's a tradition of supporting siblings once you succeed, so that made sense.
"Also, about the Avengers fund we've been accumulating—I've set Tony, me, and Captain as administrators, so use it when needed."
"Got it."
"I hope it never comes to that, but since we're human, we might make mistakes. That's why I prepared this as a contingency. It includes support and compensation for civilians, as well as legal dispute costs, so use it carefully."
"I see."
"But don't let it sit idle. If you think civilian support is needed during missions, you can use about 10% of the fund as you see fit."
Tony looked at me and asked.
"Isn't 10% too little?"
"It might seem that way, but I think we need to be prepared for multiple incidents or major emergencies."
"I guess that makes sense."
"Plus, even 10% is a significant amount, so it shouldn't be a problem."
I showed them the accumulated fund. They seemed quite surprised by the amount.
"Whoa~ That's enough to run a whole company."
"Compensation for civilians affected during Greenwich and HYDRA incidents has already been paid from it, so don't worry about that."
"I see."
I shared the plan I'd been thinking about.
"I want the Avengers to have a self-sufficient system, even without support from Tony or me. That's why I'm doing these businesses. Not just for the current members, but for future ones too."
Captain America agreed with my opinion.
"That's a good thought. We definitely need something like that."
Rhodey, who was listening, expressed regret.
"It's a shame. If I weren't in the military, I'd join in."
Tony responded.
"If you want in, just say the word. I'll make room. But you'll have to go through the initiation."
Hahaha~
The members laughed at Tony's playful remark.
As the party went on and night deepened, some guests left, and only the members remained, gathering around a large central table to chat over beers. Then, the conversation turned to Mjolnir on the table. It was Hawkeye Clint who brought it up.
"The standard for 'whoever is worthy' is a bit vague, isn't it? Is it a trick?"
Thor answered.
"No, not at all."
"'Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy.' Don't make me laugh. It's all a trick!"
"Then try lifting it yourself."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Clint stood up and grabbed Mjolnir's handle. The members watched with keen interest.
"Alright!" He grunted, putting all his strength into it, but it didn't budge. Embarrassed, he laughed it off.
"Haha~ I don't see how anyone could lift this."
Tony chimed in.
"Now you know why I kept quiet."
"Well then, Tony, you try."
Tony stood up confidently.
"Can't turn down a challenge. It's all physics."
He grabbed Mjolnir.
"If I lift this, do I get to rule Asgard?"
"Of course."
"Then I'll institute polygamy. Hup!!"
Tony strained, but it didn't move either.
"Hold on."
He went somewhere and returned with Iron Man armor on his arm, then tried again.
The boosters whined as he strained, but still, it didn't budge. He asked Rhodey to help him pull.
"Are you pulling?"
"We're a team, right?"
"Put some muscle into it!"
"Alright, pull!"
"Huuuuh!!!"
"Damn... I give up."
When Rhodey gave up, Tony finally gave in and sat down. Next, Banner tried.
"Grrraaaah!!!"
Banner roared like the Hulk, putting all his strength into it, but it still didn't move. Everyone seemed tense, worried he might transform. Then, Jessi tried. All the women cheered her on.
"Go, Jessi! The pride of the female members is at stake!"
"You can do it, Jessi!"
"You've got this!"
"Why does it feel like I have to lift it? Anyway, hup!!!"
Jessi also failed to lift it.
"Sorry, no dice."
When Jessi gave up, the women were quite disappointed. Next, Vulture and Sam tried, but still no luck. Then, Captain America took his turn. He rolled up his sleeves, grabbed Mjolnir, and strained.
"Don't feel pressured, Steve."
"Come on, Cap!"
"Hup!!!"
Creak~
As Mjolnir shifted slightly, Thor's expression changed in panic. But Captain America tried for a bit longer before giving up.
"Ha... It won't budge."
"See?"
Thor looked very relieved. Then, Natasha looked at me and said.
"Cassian! You try."
I stood up, lifted Mjolnir effortlessly, and handed it to Thor. Everyone seemed utterly shocked.
"Wow! How did you do that?"
"Impressive! So, does Cassian rule Asgard now?"
Thor explained.
"Cassian has lifted Mjolnir before. But he just returned it to Asgard. Cassian is a worthy friend."
"Well, if it's Cassian..."
"Right, that makes sense for Cassian."
In the unanimous agreement, I was the one who felt embarrassed.
'Ahem... I don't know why everyone's acknowledging me like this...'
Then Tony spoke up.
"There must be some device we don't know about. Like fingerprint recognition."
Clint agreed.
"Exactly."
Maria Hill reported to Captain America.
"Steve, Clint used bad language."
Captain America scolded us.
"Really... How long are you going to milk this? I'm starting to understand Nick Fury."
"You mean Motherfucker? That's a term of endearment. Anyway, there's a fingerprint scanner on the handle, right?"
Thor stood up, lifted Mjolnir, and explained.
"Interesting theory, but the answer is simple. Except for Cassian and me, none of you are worthy."
Everyone booed at Thor's words.
Boo~~
"Funny, really!"
"There has to be a device."
Tony still seemed unwilling to accept it. Suddenly, the lights in Avengers Tower flickered on and off, and a mechanical sound began screeching from the speakers at an unbearably high pitch.
A sharp screech echoed!
Everyone looked around to see what was happening.
[Worthy... worthy... What makes you worthy? You're all murderers.]