Coulson's brows furrowed, as though he had been dragged into truly heavy thought. After a moment, he slowly shook his head. "I don't know."
Arthur tilted his head. "Then what do you think? With Xandar's level of technology, isn't it already incredibly powerful?"
This time, Coulson nodded without hesitation.
"Very strong."
"But lacking in combat strength," Arthur pressed. "The Nova Corps is a formidable force, no doubt. But when they face a battle beyond their limits, they're stretched thin. Otherwise, people like us wouldn't even need to step in at all."
Arthur's voice hardened. "And remember, we cannot represent Earth's true level."
Coulson blinked, caught off guard, staring at him.
"You think I enjoy dragging this team around the galaxy every other day, fighting this, fighting that?" Arthur let out a humorless breath. Resting his hands on the balcony railing, he gazed out at the glittering skyline.
"Technology doesn't always equal military power. Military power doesn't always equal weapons. Even if Earth's armies became the strongest on the planet, that would still only mean 'on Earth.' Even if we developed weapons capable of destroying the entire world, it would still only be measured in terms of Earth. But this universe is vast. For Earth to truly stand, to survive on its own among the stars… it still has a long, long way to go."
Coulson closed his eyes quietly, as if trying to imagine such a future.
Arthur sighed. "That's why I've never really wanted to drag people from Earth into the universe just to stir up trouble. What I really hope for is that Earth itself gains the strength to leave its small corner and walk into the galaxy on its own terms. Not a handful of accident-born superhumans, speaking in the universe for Earth. Tell me… if the weakness of Earth were fully exposed, do you really think the rest of the galaxy would choose peace, simply to protect the weak?"
Coulson exhaled slowly. "So what should we be doing right now?"
Arthur turned to him. "You're in a unique position. For Earth, the greatest gap is in knowledge, in access. Now, I've opened one such channel."
He looked Coulson dead in the eye. "And you are the man who holds authority over that channel. How much advanced technology Earth can acquire depends entirely on what information you decide to send back."
Coulson's brow furrowed. "I thought our mission was to monitor the universe…"
"That's the official story," Arthur said bluntly. "Nova Prime only knows a little about me, she doesn't know Earth. Because I exist, she won't dare covet it. But that's not an excuse for Earth to stagnate. You know the saying, 'Fall behind, and you'll be beaten.'"
Coulson gave a small nod. "I've heard it. So… what are you really trying to tell me?"
Arthur's gaze softened, though his tone was still steady.
"Before such a cause, I hope you can temporarily set aside S.H.I.E.L.D. Believe me, if I wanted to, with this team as it is now, I could dominate the entire world. But I haven't. And I won't. So you don't have to worry that just because I gain greater strength, I'll turn it against Earth. Truthfully? If I had my way, I'd rather take the woman I love and travel the world. Or lose myself in the stars. Not drown in paperwork, politics, and duties I never asked for. Everyone has their own pursuit. So I hope, at least between us, there can be mutual understanding, rather than constant suspicion and endless weighing of benefits."
Arthur's voice turned firm, almost sharp. "When facing a true external enemy, the most foolish thing one can do is divide allies and enemies within the same camp."
He fixed his eyes seriously on Coulson.
Coulson mulled over Arthur's words before finally asking, "Then why are you unwilling to trust S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D. is too big," Arthur answered without hesitation. "Too bright. It's like the largest billboard on Earth, every faction, every government, every hidden power wants their people inside it. The deadliest flaw is this: the moment critical information reaches S.H.I.E.L.D., it won't survive the night. Before midnight, those files will already be sitting on the desks of world leaders. And instead of preparing to face external threats, their first instinct will be to storm Camp Lehigh and start a suicidal war."
"…Suicidal?" Coulson frowned.
Arthur's lips curved, but not in humor.
"Or do you think I'm easy to deal with? Do you really believe that if the entire world forced me into a corner, I would still choose restraint?" His voice hardened. "No. I'd burn the whole planet with nuclear fire, then build a new civilization on its ashes. Don't ever give me that chance."
Coulson drew in a sharp breath. He didn't think Arthur was bluffing.
The sheer truth was enough: with his abilities, Arthur could assassinate any key figure on Earth, anywhere, anytime, plunging the planet into chaos with barely an effort.
It clicked for Coulson then. Technology was power, yes. But such power was always external, something carried, something wielded. Arthur's power was different. He held lives themselves as bargaining chips. That was far more terrifying.
"This is terrifying. I hope this is only a joke," Coulson muttered.
Arthur kept his gaze on the window, voice quiet but firm.
"I hope so, too. I've always wanted to maintain peace. Always. But don't give me the chance to go mad. I don't want to… I'll do everything to avoid it. But if the day ever comes, I will not hesitate to drag the entire world into hell with me." His eyes flicked back to Coulson, hard as steel. "Whether that day comes or not, it depends on you."
"We won't!"
This time, Coulson didn't hesitate. His reply landed like a vow.
No one could afford to push a warrior willing to die for Earth into becoming a monster ready to kill the world. That served no one.
And Arthur was right.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had never been a unified monolith. The very weight of its banner meant being shackled by the expectations, scrutiny, and interference of every global power.
But the Superhero Alliance bore no such burdens. They existed in the shadows, deep and untouchable.
(End of Chapter)
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