Looking at the troubled expression on Kner Hamis, Nolan spoke calmly.
"I won't make things difficult for you. But since you were directly involved in this matter, you can't just walk away from it entirely."
"So when this issue is raised later, I need you to provide reasonable recommendations."
Compared to his earlier firmness, his tone now was clearly much softer.
"Of course. Now that I understand such a terrifying crisis is hidden deep within Earth, I will spare no effort in this matter."
Kner Hamis spoke loudly, almost as if he were swearing an oath.
He would never gamble away his own future, but as long as the conditions had flexibility, he had no problem agreeing.
General Gill quickly followed suit when he saw Kner Hamis take the lead, nodding immediately.
Whatever else happened, they needed to get through this situation first.
Nolan smiled faintly.
People were always like this. So-called principles and bottom lines constantly shifted depending on the situation.
If he had demanded their cooperation from the beginning, they would never have agreed.
But if you first forced them to the edge, then offered a step back, obtaining their "agreement" became much easier.
Of course, all of this still depended on one thing. Strength.
Coulson sat quietly to the side, not daring to speak a single word from beginning to end.
As an observer, he could see exactly what was happening, but that did not change anything.
At this moment, staying silent and pretending not to exist was the most beneficial option for S.H.I.E.L.D.
After the two groups left, Nolan turned his gaze to Coulson.
"So, what brings S.H.I.E.L.D. here this time?"
"I always thought our cooperation was, well… quite pleasant."
As for whether Coulson himself felt pleasant about it, Nolan didn't know. At least after dealing with Nick Fury, he had felt quite comfortable.
Coulson gave a bitter smile.
"Mr. Locke, S.H.I.E.L.D. is here purely out of duty. You understand, this situation falls within our jurisdiction."
Honestly, if he could avoid it, he would never want to be involved in Locke Technology's affairs.
But duty bound him here personally, even as deputy director.
After all, he was no longer just a field agent. There was no need for him to be here at all.
"Let's hope so."
Nolan smiled lightly.
"I hope our friendly relationship won't be disrupted by unnecessary trouble."
"Of course."
Coulson nodded without hesitation.
"I assume S.H.I.E.L.D. will also submit a report regarding this incident?"
Nolan asked again with a faint smile.
It was a reasonable request, so Coulson naturally agreed immediately.
Seeing this, Daisy Johnson curled her lips in disdain.
A group of opportunists.
They had been so aggressive before Nolan arrived, yet now they were obedient to the extreme. Not a trace of shame.
Sharon Carter, however, had a complicated expression. At least now, she was no longer a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
After Coulson also left, the vast conference room finally quieted down.
"Simon, you did well."
Without Nolan present, and even when he was present, most of Locke Technology's operations were handled by Simon Philip.
This incident, if Nolan had not intervened, would have placed Simon under immense pressure from the entire government.
Even Nolan knew that in such a situation, any decision Simon made would have been understandable.
But at least from what he saw, Simon Philip had not shown weakness in the face of anyone. That was rare.
"It's my duty, boss."
Simon Philip smiled.
He also felt extremely fortunate.
Because at that moment, he had truly hesitated.
Fortunately, things never reached that point.
But he also made up his mind.
If that moment ever came, he would no longer hesitate.
Because behind him stood a man named Nolan Locke.
As it grew very late, Nolan quickly dismissed everyone.
After all the chaos, everyone deserved rest.
And he immediately relaxed, disappearing from the office before the three women could even react.
Joke. If he didn't run now, when would he?
On the other side, Tony Stark did not have Nolan's ease.
Facing government and military representatives, he had used more eloquence than ever before just to barely get through it.
He even gave himself a perfect score for his performance.
But early the next morning, Tony Stark arrived at the top of Locke Tower in his armor.
Without any permission, he barged directly into Nolan's office, looking furious.
"Fuck, did you really reveal the magic world and the dimensional war?"
Nolan nodded calmly.
"Yes. Is that not normal?"
"I don't think it's something worth keeping secret."
Tony Stark glared at him.
"You bastard. The magical world has guarded this secret for countless years. How could you just expose it like that?"
Nolan sneered.
"It's already the 21st century. Things are not the same anymore. Are you saying the magical world should handle every crisis alone?"
He continued calmly.
"You should understand, technology is advancing every day. Old rules are no longer suitable."
But his words did little to calm Tony.
"In order to hide this yesterday, I burned through countless brain cells, and you just went and exposed everything…"
Nolan laughed.
"What, you didn't come here to complain just because you wasted your brain cells, did you? I knew it. You're not the type to stick to outdated rules."
Tony's expression froze.
And Nolan immediately knew he had guessed correctly.
Tony's anger wasn't about secrecy. It was about wasted effort.
And now he looked like a fool.
Nolan couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Understanding something and mocking it were not mutually exclusive.
After being laughed at for a while, Tony changed the topic.
"You've been gone for a while. You don't fully understand the situation now."
"The Earth is different from before."
"Our Watchers Alliance has developed significantly."
"Remember the Wakandan prince I mentioned?"
"T'Challa?"
"What about him?" Nolan asked.
Tony nodded.
"He's now a member of the Watchers Alliance."
Nolan frowned slightly.
"What about his father? Did the alliance start accepting underage members now?"
Tony shook his head.
"The old king died shortly after you disappeared. There was an internal assassination due to political conflict in Wakanda."
"T'Challa avenged him and became the new king."
Nolan sighed inwardly.
So history had still returned to its original path.
Even with his interference, some things still unfolded as destined.
"Are Stark Industries and Wakanda cooperating now?"
Tony nodded.
"Yes. There's still resistance in Wakanda, but with T'Challa in place, cooperation is progressing."
He then smiled with excitement.
"Vibranium is amazing. I'm already building a new suit with it."
"And once it's finished, I'll show you who truly dominates armor technology."
Nolan didn't bother responding.
He just smiled faintly.
"Good luck with that."
In Asgard.
Thor stood proudly, full of confidence.
Although he missed Loki, ever since his brother had been exiled by Nolan Locke, Thor felt more free than ever.
No restrictions. No obligations from Loki. Even Odin allowed him more freedom on Earth.
Now, he had been summoned again.
"Odin" sat on the throne, looking down at Thor with authority.
"Thor, there is unrest in the Nine Realms again."
Thor frowned.
"This is already the third uprising. What's happening lately?"
Odin spoke sternly.
"They are greedy and restless. Take your hammer. It is time to show them who the strongest warrior of the Nine Realms is."
Thor immediately grew excited.
"Father, I will not disappoint you!"
He gathered the Warriors Three and led the Asgardian army toward Muspelheim.
As they departed, "Odin" on the throne relaxed instantly, lying back lazily with a strange smile.
"My dear brother… I'll leave Muspelheim's rebellion to you."
"You must not disappoint me. After all, you are the strongest warrior of the Nine Realms."
But this Odin was not Odin at all.
It was Loki.
After being exiled by Nolan Locke, he had barely survived countless dangers before returning to Asgard.
There, he secretly imprisoned Odin and replaced him.
He had waited for this moment for a long time.
Nolan Locke's humiliation would eventually be repaid.
Loki walked into the sealed chamber where the real Odin was imprisoned.
"Father, I'm here to see you."
He reverted to his original appearance.
Odin looked at him calmly.
"Loki, it has been more than a year. You still refuse to repent?"
Loki laughed.
"Repent? Why would I? Isn't everything going perfectly?"
"If you could see it, you would know Asgard is now running smoothly under my rule."
"And the Nine Realms?" Odin asked calmly.
"Has there been no unrest?"
Loki's expression darkened. He turned and left without another word.
"One day, you will acknowledge me."
Watching him leave, Odin sighed.
This child still had not awakened.
In the next moment, Odin's body dissipated into nothingness, replaced by a flawless illusion.
And the real Odin had already arrived on Earth.
Standing before him, Nolan Locke looked at the figure in shock.
"…Who are you?"