Even the law itself could not remain unmoved. Every involved party and juror was struck speechless by shock. Their bodies froze, their eyes grew vacant. Having received information so overwhelming it impeded cognition, their brains nearly stopped functioning. It was too unbelievable.
In this moment, all doubts vanished from their hearts! No matter how convincing an illusion, it would be impossible to know each person's exact and unique personal past with such precision! This was no longer within the realm of "evidence." This was… a miracle! It truly happened—there could be no doubt. This was… history!
With supreme power, this god had suddenly intercepted a section of the never-returning "long river of time" and laid it out before mortals!
After a long silence, the law itself finally recovered from an out-of-body shock. The look in the official's eyes toward Lucci had completely changed. No longer mere respect for a hero—but the purest reverence a mortal could have for a god…
He exhaled slowly, deeply, speaking to Lucci with a voice that trembled with utmost respect:
"Prince Lucci… The evidence is received."
"Please… Give us a moment."
"…Let us deliberate."
"Yes, we must deliberate!"
The entire jury, as if waking from a dream, spoke up as well. Awe and excitement colored all their voices.
And so, the official immediately announced:
"Evidence presentation for this case is concluded. The law is adjourned. The court will recess for now!"
After the recess, the judge, officers, and jurors immediately entered a special deliberation chamber, their faces filled with an unprecedented solemnity and excitement.
Meanwhile, in the courtroom, Barry excitedly approached Lucci:
"Prince Lucci… Thank you!"
"It's nothing…"
"Whatever the result, I'll never forget your kindness!"
Henry too looked over, eyes full of gratitude and reverence. Bowing from a distance, he said,
"Prince Lucci, meeting you is the greatest luck of Barry's life."
His voice was hoarse, a mix of relief and a father's emotion.
"If… If I still end up unable to leave prison, I only have one wish… That Barry may stay by my side."
"He's a good kid. I hope you can care for him well."
Lucci looked at the reunited and persevering father and son, smiling gently:
"Don't worry."
"I believe the law will ensure the fairest judgment."
Of course, there was one thing he didn't say—if the law failed, if the officers and jurors clung blindly to so-called "procedural justice" and returned a verdict against the truth… He wouldn't mind using a bit of "spiritual power" to "help" them reach the "correct" decision. Before absolute truth and authority, any rule can be made to yield.
…
Waiting always seems abnormally long. Lucci had already shown a truth none could deny, yet Barry and Henry's hearts still trembled with worry. Sometimes, the processes of law are more complicated than the truth itself. The jury and officials were troubled—this "miracle" was so shocking that the official deliberations would be unprecedented, a dilemma of law and ethics.
Fortunately, what they feared did not occur. Only a few minutes passed—perhaps the shortest delay for a major case in Central City's history.
The deliberation room doors opened again. The court officials and jurors returned to their places, faces filled with rare gravity and… a pilgrim-like devotion.
The judge struck the gavel once more, its clear sound echoing through the silent hall, proclaiming the end of an old era and the arrival of a new one.
"All rise!"
The bailiff's call made everyone stand.
The judge swept his gaze over the audience, finally settling on Henry Allen in the defendant's chair, then Barry Allen in the gallery. He picked up the verdict and, without hesitation, read aloud the long-overdue judgment in a loud, clear voice:
"Based on the unanimous deliberation of the jury and the incontrovertible evidence presented in court, this court finds—"
"Defendant Henry Allen, guilty of all charges in the murder of his wife, Nora Allen… is NOT GUILTY!"
"Henry Allen… is acquitted! Released in court!"
The words "not guilty" were spoken plainly and clearly. Barry could no longer contain his emotions! The grievance, pain, self-blame, and longing suppressed for more than a decade erupted like a flood bursting its banks! Hot tears poured from his eyes, blurring his world.
He'd won! He'd done it! He'd finally cleared his father's name! All thanks to Prince Lucci!
In the courtroom, the always calm and stoic Henry Allen, upon hearing the verdict, tears streamed from his clouded eyes. As the barrier confining him opened, he suddenly rushed forward, arms wide, and tightly embraced Barry!
Father and son hugged, weeping, pouring all the suffering and separation of more than a decade into that embrace.
Thunderous applause rang through the gallery. Everyone cheered this long-delayed justice, and from time to time, cast glances at the one who had remained calm from beginning to end—the true protagonist of this trial. Everyone knew who it was.
After a long while, Henry and Barry calmed down. Henry patted his son's back, then led Barry over to Lucci. Without unnecessary words, father and son bowed solemnly to Lucci. Lucci accepted their gratitude serenely, reaching out to help them up.
Amidst the awe, reverence, and curiosity of the crowd, Lucci left the court, witnessing Henry regaining his freedom and Barry's tears of joy.
The midday sun shone warm and bright. Henry Allen breathed in the air of freedom greedily, the warmth of the sun making the world feel slightly different to him.
Lucci looked at Barry's tearstained but smiling face and said with a smile,
"Go home. Your father needs to rest."
"You too… Go celebrate properly."
"Yes! Prince Lucci! Thank you! I… I really can't put my gratitude into words!" Barry said incoherently.
Lucci waved his hand, signaling there was no need to say more. Then, before their eyes, he took a step and quietly… vanished, as if merging with the air.
"..."
Henry Allen gaped at the miraculous sight before him, unable to speak for a long time from the shock. Awkwardly turning his head, he looked at his son and asked in a dazed tone,
"B… Barry… Just who are you? How did you come to know Prince Lucci… such an unbelievable being?"
Barry wiped his tears, a bright, mysterious smile appearing on his face. Bringing his face close to his father's ear, he whispered proudly,
"Dad! I'll tell you a secret… Your son are now superhero!"
"Superhero?"
Henry was momentarily taken aback, but seeing his son's sincere eyes, recalling the incredible events in court, was struck by realization! No wonder… so that's why Barry could access someone of that level!
He grabbed Barry's shoulders, excited:
"What about… Prince Lucci? Is he… also a superhero?"
A look of deep reverence appeared on Barry's face. He smiled, shaking his head.
"Him?"
"No!"
"He's not a superhero."
"He's a savior!"
"He's the guardian of the earth!"
"He's… a god!"
….
Meanwhile, on the Sanctuary.
Seated high upon his throne, Thanos quietly studied the metal gauntlet suspended before him. The gauntlet was a dark gold, rough in its lines, the joints appearing somewhat stiff. Though its surface was smooth, it lacked a natural, divine aura. Compared to the masterful work of Nidavellir's dwarven craftsmen, this gauntlet was a crude, hasty imitation.
"Not as good as I hoped," Thanos' voice echoed through the bridge, tinged with dissatisfaction. Yet his general, Corvus Glaive, had failed him in a humiliating fashion.
Fortunately, before that, Supergiant had already acquired the complete design of the Infinity Gauntlet. Thanos thus found another race famed for their forging skills, destroyed half their people, and forced them to build—in the shortest time possible—a makeshift version of the Infinity Gauntlet.
Of course, neither the materials nor craftsmanship could compare to the dwarves' original. Still, it was better than nothing. Thanos donned the clunky metal glove, then retrieved the Power Stone from his cosmic vault—a purple gem radiating infinite power.
He pressed the Power Stone into the first slot on the back of the gauntlet.
Buzz—
The instant the Power Stone touched the gauntlet, violent purple energy erupted, powerful enough to rend stars, bursting forth like a caged beast set free! Purple energy flames raged along the gauntlet's crude lines, instantly enveloping Thanos' entire left arm!
The energy was so pure and overwhelming that the gauntlet's joints screeched under the strain! But Thanos sneered. His mighty Titan physique now showed its terrifying endurance! Clenching his teeth, muscles taut, he suppressed, absorbed, and tried to control this fearsome power—power that tried to bite back at its master!
An unprecedented, indescribable sensation filled his whole being! It felt as if he held a pulsing star, each heartbeat triggering the most primal laws of the universe.
He even fancied that, if he wished, he could turn distant planets to cosmic dust with a punch!
"Heh… heh heh… hahah!"
All dissatisfaction vanished from Thanos' face, replaced by wild excitement and fanaticism! He felt the geometrical progression of power in his body, unable to help but laugh with joy.
"…Is this the power of the Infinity Stone?"
"As expected… it's astounding!"
Ebony Maw, Black Dwarf, and Proxima Midnight immediately knelt, offering their most respectful congratulations:
"Master, congratulations!"
"Master, congratulations!" Ebony Maw's voice was full of flattery and sincerity.
"The fate of the universe is already in your hands!"
"Our master is great!" Black Dwarf roared in anger and awe. Proxima Midnight's eyes shone with excitement and reverence, though deep inside, unhealed grief and hatred gnawed at her, like a viper, as she remembered her lost husband, Corvus Glaive.
She looked up, pleading and murderous intent filling her icy blue eyes.
"Master! Now that you possess divine power, please… avenge Corvus! That cursed Asgardian must pay with soul and blood!"
Thanos smiled coldly, looking down at her:
"Don't worry. No one can challenge your master, and you are safe. Once we have all information on that Asgardian, I will deal with him."
Hearing Thanos' promise, Proxima Midnight was overjoyed, bowing deeply:
"Thank you, master!"
At that moment, a priority message alert sounded from Thanos' personal communicator—a top-level message from Supergiant.
"Oh? It seems the answer is already here," Thanos remarked with interest. He pressed the device, and a stream of encrypted data appeared on a small screen.
But when Thanos saw the detailed dossier of "the Asgardian on the screen," for the first time, his always confident and indifferent purple face… froze in shock.
"What's wrong, master?"
Ebony Maw sensed his master's odd expression and asked suspiciously.
Thanos did not answer, instead pressing the projection button. Though the information had shocked him, he displayed it for all to see on the bridge's main holographic display.
Ebony Maw, Black Dwarf, and Proxima Midnight looked up, and their reactions were even more dramatic than Thanos'!
At the top was a clear portrait of a black-haired, black-eyed Lucci, face expressionless. Below, a series of titles and records:
[Name: Lucci Odinson]
[Race: Asgardian]
[Identity: Odin's son, Asgard's God King, current Crown Prince.]
[Identity: Supreme Sorcerer of Earth, Kamar-Taj.]
[Identity: Recognized Master of Earth's mutant race.]
[Identity: Guardian of Earth's civilization; single-handedly repelled the Chitauri invasion.]
[…]
Each identity represented unimaginable power and influence!
Asgardian Crown Prince? Supreme Sorcerer of Kamar-Taj? Mutant Master? Each seemed unrelated, yet all were astonishingly significant… and all belonged to the same person?
The entire bridge fell silent, everyone shocked by this extraordinary dossier.
Finally, Ebony Maw broke the silence, pondering:
"That's right… Loki's lost Mind Stone probably… ended up in the hands of this Lucci?"
At those words, Proxima Midnight and Black Dwarf gasped!
Space Stone! Time Stone! Plus… the lost Mind Stone from Loki's scepter?
So, Lucci actually holds at least… three Infinity Stones?
…