Returning to the Marvel Universe with a smug look, Tony was very satisfied with this trip. He had been away for several months, but in the Marvel Universe, less than a week had passed.
"With such a short time, Pepper won't be angry either."
"After all, my strength is improving. If I keep working hard, I can better control the timing of 'landing'. By then, I can make you return at the exact moment you left. For this world, it will be as if you never left at all."
Tony naturally understood how difficult this would be. Ethan was already incredibly powerful to be able to control time within just a few days.
This level of strength was already enough for Tony to look up to. In his opinion, Ethan's power should be no less than Thanos'.
But what surprised him was that Ethan never seemed satisfied, always climbing toward an even higher peak.
"How strong do you want to become?"
"I don't know. Since I can become stronger, I'll just keep moving forward."
If there was still a path ahead, why not take it? He could think about that question when there was truly no path left. After all, getting stronger was addictive.
Not to mention the benefits: eternal life, maintaining peak physical condition, and a perfectly optimized physique and appearance. Although, after gaining power, one couldn't do whatever they wanted since they had to consider friends and other factors, they could at least ensure they would never have to do anything they didn't want to do.
"That's true. I also want to go a bit further."
All his life, even with his privileged background and outstanding abilities, Tony couldn't guarantee that he could avoid doing things he didn't want to do. For one reason or another, he always had to deal with some annoying matters.
Now, after hearing about these benefits from Ethan, he felt he should work harder.
Of course, hard work and relaxation were not mutually exclusive.
"After I finish this busy period, take me to see Oliver Queen next time."
"...Why do you want to see him?" Ethan looked at Tony with surprise.
"Just curious."
"You're not planning to be a teacher again and give him some kind of armor, are you?"
Was this guy trying to infiltrate the Justice League step by step? What would happen when the two sides met, and half of the people on the other side were his students?
"Hahahaha, I'm really just curious. Enough about that, I need to call Pepper and tell her I'm back."
To avoid any potential trouble, Tony decisively chose to inform Pepper of his return.
What the actual reason was, was hard to say. Besides Pepper, he had no other excuse to use right now.
Howard Stark had already begun handling company affairs, and even Pepper was now mostly assisting Howard. She was just waiting for Howard to build up enough prestige before he could officially become the CEO of Stark Group.
By then, Pepper and Tony could do whatever they wanted, free from any constraints.
Considering that both of them were no longer young, although their lifespans were far beyond ordinary humans after their enhancements, perhaps their stable relationship should also have a conclusion?
Maybe when Howard officially took charge of Stark Group under the name "the Second", it would also be the time for Tony and Pepper's wedding?
Besides that, Tony also needed to start modifications on the Prometheus. He would be incredibly busy for the next few months.
Since Ethan didn't involve himself in the specific details and gave Tony complete freedom, Ethan didn't need to stay around during this process. He could find something else to do in the meantime.
"Do you have any plans?"
Before Ethan left, Tony asked. Ethan thought for a moment. He really didn't have any particular plans.
However, there was one thing he felt he should deal with.
"To save someone."
"Save someone?"
Tony didn't think one of Ethan's companions was in trouble. He knew Ethan understood the "detailed development trajectories" of many worlds. This so-called "saving someone" might mean going to a certain world to help someone he favored. Maybe that person would even become a member of the Prometheus crew?
"Do I need to add a few extra cabins on the Prometheus?"
"Just the normal modifications will do."
The Prometheus already had cabins that could accommodate more than twenty people. At that time, there had been seventeen official crew members, along with Weyland and his medical team who were secretly hidden, so there was enough space for at least thirty people, and it was still spacious.
"Got it." Seeing Ethan preparing to leave, Tony waved his hand. "Good luck."
Ethan waved back over his shoulder, then stepped away and disappeared instantly.
Watching Ethan's teleportation magic, Tony suddenly felt that he should work even harder. Otherwise, he might not even be qualified to join Ethan's team in the future.
"Strange, why would I want to join that drifting group?"
But for some reason, Tony had a premonition that his future was tied to that place. In that instant, he wondered if he had glimpsed the trajectory of fate.
"I must be overthinking things!"
He shook his head, turned, and went back to his work.
Ethan didn't know what Tony was thinking after he left. Returning to his manor in one step, he found a spot and sat quietly.
In the vast manor, there was only himself and the cleaning and maintenance staff. Since he rarely stayed here, he hadn't hired a butler or anyone to manage daily affairs.
At this moment, he envied Bruce for having Alfred by his side. At least he had someone to talk to.
"I should have left a few people here instead of sending them all to the Starship Troopers world."
Although he didn't know how his companions were doing there, since they hadn't sent any messages or used Galahad's shield to return early, it meant they were managing well. (The time flow in the Starship Troopers world was tied to Ethan personally.)
Furthermore, his companions' individual combat power was incredibly strong. There was nothing in that world that could threaten them, especially the Earthling army, whose war instincts had degenerated after years of peace.
Look at their war with the bugs. It was so full of holes that you didn't even know where to start complaining.
Although later, due to the prolonged war, humans "relearned the correct way to fight", in the beginning they had been nothing more than weaklings with combat power barely at a five.
So there was no need to worry about his companions. Nor was there any need to worry about Laura, who had gone to the Avatar world. That world was a very primitive one with abundant natural energy. In such an environment, her Druid powers could be maximized. With Laura's immortality and the companionship of Auriel, it would already be good enough if she didn't cause trouble for others.
He silently watched the sun gradually set. Ethan didn't notify anyone to prepare dinner, and even the staff working in the mansion didn't know their master had returned.
Just as he had returned quietly, he set off quietly again.
He had wanted to do this for a long time but hadn't done it before because his strength was insufficient.
According to his original plan, he would at least use the Titan Potion before setting off.
However, due to the unexpected resolution of Ego and the huge progress he had made in magic, his current strength should be sufficient. Especially after this period of settling down, his mental force universe had begun to stabilize.
He didn't set off immediately, hesitating about which point in time he should enter.
His initial thought was to go to a time shortly after he left. In that case, he could participate in many events.
But after much consideration, he realized the real problem he wanted to solve was not in those battles, but in the events that happened afterward.
There was no need for him to participate in those major battles. In fact, to some extent, the final battle became a crucial turning point for that world, and it would be better if he didn't interfere.
Thinking of this, Ethan made up his mind. He would not choose a time shortly after he left, but would "land" several years after the great war ended.
So when he returned to the familiar yet unfamiliar Sanctuary world, the oppressive dark aura was no longer in the air. Now, it was just an ordinary world. The surrounding plants had not withered due to dark power, and no dark creatures roamed the plains to harm travelers and caravans.
Ethan stood on the vast plain. He wasn't in a hurry to move. Instead, he went behind a bush by the roadside, changed into clothes suitable for this era, and then headed northwest.
He didn't use magic to travel, just walked slowly along the traveler's path, observing the vibrant plains around him.
He knew that in a few more years, darkness would return. And in that battle, the enemies humanity would face would not only be demons from Hell.
"Should I completely separate the 'three worlds'?"
His earlier plan was to completely sever Heaven, Hell, and Sanctuary once he became strong enough, so that the humans living here would no longer be caught between two powerful races.
But as his strength grew, hidden memories gradually returned. From things he had seen before, he realized that humans in this world possessed a terrifying talent that could allow them to defeat both angels and demons.
During the great battle with Baal, the Worldstone was destroyed, breaking the shackles placed on humanity. Since then, unbelievably powerful individuals began to appear among humans. The heroes who appeared in the third game were such beings.
In other words, humans had the potential to contend with those two powerful races. It no longer seemed necessary to cut off the three worlds that were already closely connected.
That was why Ethan returned here even before he was capable of severing them. Because this time, what he had to do was very simple: save Izual.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)