"So that's how it is."
Noah was quick to piece everything together.
In fact, it wasn't just him. Hermione had already reached almost the same conclusion, and even Nebula-impulsive and hardly known for her intelligence-understood her own situation clearly.
Precisely because she understood it, and because she knew Asgard and Thanos were fundamentally opposed, Nebula behaved with remarkable obedience during her time in Asgard.
During questioning, she deliberately-and sometimes inadvertently-revealed how deeply she hated Thanos.
None of this was difficult to understand.
Given the origins of Thanos's adopted daughters, such emotions were hardly surprising.
On top of that, most of Nebula's body had been modified. It was easy to infer that her childhood had been anything but pleasant.
Hating Thanos from the bottom of her heart was only natural.
Once this was confirmed, Nebula's life in Asgard became noticeably easier.
No one deliberately made things difficult for her anymore.
After detaining her for some time and observing her good behavior, Thor eventually released her from confinement.
She no longer lived in a pristine, well-equipped, but tiny cell.
Instead, she was given a house of her own in a remote area on the outskirts of town.
She could move freely.
She lived like an ordinary Asgardian civilian.
This kind of life was completely new to Nebula.
No killing.
No endless training.
No harsh words.
It was... comfortable.
So she remained obedient.
Almost too obedient.
She looked as if she truly intended to settle down in Asgard.
This left Thor, who had been watching closely and half-expecting trouble, completely at a loss.
After some discussion, one name naturally came up.
Noah.
When something went wrong, look for a sorcerer.
When nothing went wrong, still look for a sorcerer.
Thor embodied this logic perfectly.
Without hesitation, he discussed the matter with Odin and summoned Noah.
The only one who didn't want Noah to come was Loki.
In his view, he had finally escaped Noah.
Seeing him again was a nightmare.
Unfortunately for him, Odin agreed wholeheartedly.
Noah nodded after hearing the situation.
It really did feel like reusing waste.
Of course, Nebula herself wasn't exactly "waste."
Her combat abilities might not amount to much in Noah's eyes, but her understanding of machinery and advanced technology certainly wasn't worthless.
From another perspective, perhaps Noah was the real waste.
At least in terms of mechanics.
"Let her choose for herself," Noah said after a moment's thought. "This is Asgard. She hasn't betrayed it, and most of her crimes stem from her father."
"If we're not planning to kill her, then let her decide."
"Woman's kindness," Loki muttered under his breath.
The moment he noticed Noah's gaze, he immediately lowered his head and pretended he hadn't said anything.
Noah glanced at him.
Loki might talk too much, but he clearly knew when obedience was the better option.
Odin agreed with Noah's suggestion.
He tapped the ground with his scepter and spoke calmly.
He first harshly condemned Nebula's past actions.
Then his tone shifted.
"However, given that your plans were thwarted, and your conduct in Asgard has been acceptable, we will not pursue your crimes excessively."
Nebula looked up at Odin on the throne.
Then at Thor and Loki beside him.
Then at Noah and Hermione standing nearby.
Especially Noah.
She remembered him vividly.
Ronan had died by his hand.
Countless of Ronan's subordinates had died as well.
Along with an entire Kree warship.
Not a small one.
A massive behemoth.
And it had been reduced to cosmic dust in a single blow.
What kind of power was that?
Could a single person really do that?
Nebula suspected this man might truly possess the power to contend with Thanos.
Even as these thoughts ran through her mind, she listened carefully to every word Odin spoke.
With most of her body modified, processing multiple streams of information simultaneously was effortless.
When she heard that Asgard would not further pursue her crimes, she felt no joy.
If anything, she liked her current life.
So even though it sounded like her confinement was ending, she had no plan for what came next.
"Of course," Odin continued, "you are given two choices."
"The first: complete exile. You will be banished far from the influence of Asgard and Xandar."
"If you return, you will be executed-even if you seek shelter with Thanos."
"The second: you may remain under Asgard's protection."
"But you will go to Earth and serve this young man before you."
"He is an excellent sorcerer. One day, he will stand on equal footing with the King of Asgard."
"He himself is a sorcerer, but his apprentice has a strong interest in technology."
"You may put your skills to use there."
"Now," Odin concluded, "make your choice."
With that, he set down his scepter and took a sip of wine.
Thor crossed his arms, watching Nebula with interest.
Loki looked bored, his gaze drifting between Noah and Hermione.
Nebula found the choice... strange.
Within Asgard's protection.
Working for Noah.
The more she thought about it, the less it felt like punishment.
And more like opportunity.
The power Noah displayed was excessive.
Terrifyingly so.
Between exile and staying by Noah's side for a time, the choice was obvious.
She needed revenge.
And revenge required strength.
The man named Noah was the closest thing she had ever seen to someone who could truly oppose Thanos.
She had already told them everything she knew.
Thanos trusted no one.
Not even Gamora.
Exile would be suicide.
So Nebula chose the first option.
She would stay.
She still had value.
Technical knowledge.
Experience.
More importantly, she wanted to observe Noah up close.
To determine whether he truly had the power to challenge Thanos.
If he did, she would give everything she knew.
If not... she could always request to leave later.
Whether that request would be granted was another matter.
Noah stood quietly beside Hermione.
As Nebula assessed him, he knew exactly what she was thinking.
Both of Thanos's daughters hated him.
Gamora hid it better.
Nebula never did.
Nebula had always searched for someone strong enough to oppose Thanos.
She had once believed Ronan might suffice.
That belief had ended in dust.
Now, she had found a more suitable candidate.
"I am willing to serve you..." Nebula lowered her head, then paused.
"Noah," he said casually. "Noah Finnell."
"Mr. Finnell." Nebula nodded. "What can I do for you? Or for your apprentice?"
"You're familiar with advanced technology," Noah said. "My apprentice obtained... technology beyond this era."
"But some materials and processes are troublesome."
"I think you can help."
Nebula nodded.
It wasn't difficult.
She didn't understand why a sorcerer cared about such things, but that didn't matter.
Gaining his trust came first.
Revenge could wait.
"It seems everything worked out," Thor said cheerfully, clapping Noah on the shoulder.
"Looks like someone will help you deal with those things from other universes."
"More or less," Noah nodded. "But we'll still need your help with materials."
"That's easy." Thor laughed. "Materials are never a problem for Asgard."
Then his voice dropped.
"By the way... thank you. For everything you did for Loki."
"That was his effort. And your father's," Noah replied calmly.
"No," Thor shook his head. "Without you... Loki might not have made it."
He sighed, then quickly changed the topic.
"Do you remember Peter Quill?"
Noah nodded.
How could he forget?
He had searched for the seed left behind by that old bastard the moment he returned to Earth.
He'd even mentioned it to the Ancient One.
She already knew.
And had already dealt with it.
"Of course," Noah said. "His bloodline isn't simple."
"My father confirmed it," Thor continued. "His lineage goes back to ancient times."
"His father is... a planet."
"A planet?"
"Yes. A weakened one."
"He's searching for Peter."
"And if he finds him..."
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