"This organization—or nation, or sect—guards Earth's safety in the shadows. And it is highly likely a magical entity," Nick Fury said.
"Judging from the fear in Lucas's diary, a magical origin is the most probable. Magic was his biggest weakness, and he just patched it."
"This also fits basic history. For hundreds, even thousands of years, humanity's technological strength was basically zero. The development of technological civilization only happened in the last two or three hundred years since the Industrial Revolution. Most of the breakthroughs occurred in just the last few decades," Fury continued.
"If the Ancient One were a technological powerhouse, protecting Earth would be fundamentally impossible. Theoretically, a hidden region cannot possess technology hundreds or thousands of years ahead of the outside world. Technological research requires generations of people and countless researchers working in succession. A hidden society simply doesn't have the population or resources for that. The deeper the technology, the more true this is. Even a single branch of our current tech tree requires massive personnel and resource allocation."
"Because of this, the probability of the Ancient One being a magical powerhouse increases significantly. Magic doesn't have such requirements."
Fury elaborated.
Magic didn't need mass production or industrial chains. More importantly, magical heritage could be thousands or tens of thousands of years old.
In novels and movies, magic from thousands of years ago was always stronger. The older the lineage, the more powerful it was.
Technology was the opposite. The future was always stronger. They were completely different domains.
Fury said this confidently, unaware that there was such a ridiculous setting in the Marvel Universe: a hidden African nation called Wakanda that, with a population of a few million, achieved technology far surpassing the rest of the world combined.
And there was another one: Talokan. And eventually, they would fight each other.
It made no sense logically, but hey, this was a "Series of Stories" world. Logic took a backseat to plot.
"The Ancient One likely belongs to a hidden organization that has passed down its knowledge in an orderly manner, lurking within human society for ages," Fury concluded. "And since it has been passed down for generations, the Ancient One can find a successor to replace her!"
Fury's brain had already constructed an image of the Ancient One: a selfless guardian silently protecting Earth from the darkness.
After guarding Earth for so many years, why couldn't she enjoy life? Why couldn't she enjoy retirement?
Keep the music playing, keep dancing!
Suddenly, a video appeared in the diary. Fury clicked on it immediately.
The video expanded.
In the underground dungeons of Asgard, a group of Asgardian soldiers escorted a line of Dark Elf prisoners past a cell.
Inside the cell, Loki watched the scene and remarked dryly, "Odin continues to bring me new friends. How thoughtful."
"Loki? He's not dead?"
In Asgard, Thor saw his brother in the video and was overjoyed.
This confirmed it: Loki really didn't die. He was alive in some corner of the universe (or rather, in an Asgardian prison in the future).
"Not dead!" A look of relief also appeared on Odin's face.
The video continued. Queen Frigga's voice was heard.
"The books I sent... do they not interest you?" Frigga asked.
She had walked into the cell unnoticed.
"Is that how I am to while away eternity? Reading?" Loki glanced at his mother and complained.
"I have done everything in my power to make you comfortable, Loki," Frigga said gently.
"Have you? Does Odin share your concern? Does Thor?" Loki retorted. "It must be so hard for you to sleep at night, knowing I am here."
"You know exactly who is to blame for you being here," Frigga replied.
"No. That doesn't sound like Mother," Thor frowned outside the screen, sensing something wrong.
"Indeed. She is not the type to say such harsh words to Loki," Odin agreed immediately.
After sharing a bed for so many years, he knew his wife. She loved her children immensely. Even if Loki committed great crimes, she wouldn't speak to him with such coldness.
"Who is to blame?"
In the video, Loki looked angry.
"I merely sought to rule the people of Earth as a benevolent god! Just like you!"
"We are not gods!" Frigga interrupted sharply. "We are born, we live, we die. Just as humans do."
"Give or take five thousand years," Loki sneered.
"All this because I discovered my true parentage!" Loki shouted, turning his back. "He is not my father!"
Hearing this, Frigga asked quietly, "Then am I not your mother?"
Loki paused. The anger drained from his face. "You're not."
Unlike his vehement denial of Odin, his voice lacked confidence this time.
No matter how much resentment he held for Odin and Thor, he had little anger towards Frigga. Everyone knew she treated him well. He felt it.
Suddenly, Frigga smiled—a strange, knowing smile.
"Always so perceptive about everyone but yourself."
She reached out her hand. Loki reached out to touch her... and his hand passed through her.
It was an illusion.
It wasn't Frigga. It was a projection created by Loki's own magic.
He was alone in the cell. His mother hadn't come to see him.
The truth was revealed.
Now Get The FULL AVAILABLE NOVEL at Once!
@patreon.com/Authorizz/shop