Chapter 122: Deception at Its Core
This is a crucial piece of intelligence.
The Bifrost, which Asgard used to traverse the Nine Realms, has been destroyed, seemingly in the struggle for the throne in Asgard.
Therefore, it is now completely impossible for Asgard to send a large force to Earth.
This not only further increases the reliability of Thor but also emphasizes the importance of the Cosmic Cube.
"It seems you believe that you have Earth in your hands... You have great confidence in your subordinates, Lord Loki."
A green light flickered in Oaks's eyes.
"But I don't believe that someone like you, who enjoys the limelight, seeks attention, and strives to place themselves at the top of the world, overseeing everything, would give up on witnessing the suffering of the target you want to conquer...."
He took a few steps forward, approaching the cell, and wore a sarcastic smile.
"Therefore, you will definitely appear on the battlefield at the most prominent place, announcing your existence, your strength, your will... So when will Agent Barton come to rescue you, and how will he do it? Even if he can gather some enemies of S.H.I.E.L.D. as helpers, how will he break through this helicarrier?"
"You... are not an ordinary person."
Loki couldn't muster his trademark smirk this time.
He stared at Oaks's smiling face intently, feeling as if he was about to be seen through behind those slightly green-tinged eyes.
"Of course not. I am a Druid, a messenger of nature. Although I had doubts about whether my abilities belong to magic, you have made it clear to me—indeed, it is magic."
Oaks raised an eyebrow.
"Speaking of which, I have to thank you, Loki. The Destroyer you sent is quite something. There is no Uru metal on Earth."
"You have indeed done your homework."
Loki fell silent for a moment, then smirked again. He looked at Oaks with undisguised admiration.
"A person like you is actually willing to serve a... mortal espionage organization like this? Are you their consultant? It's such a waste... You should have a brighter future, like... becoming my right-hand man?"
He extended his arms in a trance-like manner.
"Power, knowledge, authority—your vision is limited to this tiny Earth, completely unaware of how vast and marvelous the universe beyond is. You..."
"You, a 'god' with 'magnificent' power and knowledge, are scheming to seize the power of this 'tiny Earth' by using the strength of outsiders."
Oaks shrugged.
"You see, Earth is quite special, isn't it? And besides, you've deviated from the main topic. Do you think the will of a spellcaster can be easily shaken by a few words from you?"
He snapped his fingers, and vines quickly grew on Loki's wrist, binding him like a dumpling.
"Ah... is it finally starting? Will there be cruel torture next?"
Loki struggled a few times but couldn't break free.
"As the strongest... cough, the second strongest sorcerer in Asgard, can a third-rate wizard from the primitive Earth like you shake my spirit?!"
"No, this is just to conveniently assess the condition of your body."
Oaks crossed his arms and spoke earnestly.
"I am a biologist—so whether you answer or not is up to you."
Loki widened his eyes in disbelief. Seriously, as a god, this guy wanted to use bodily reactions to detect lies?!
What a primitive and useless method!
"I have complete control over my body. I won't..."
"First question, do you want to buy time and wait for Barton's rescue?"
"I..."
"Agent Romanoff, take note, he admits it."
Natasha: "..."
Loki had an expression of "Are you kidding me?"
"When did I..."
"Second question, do you intend to provoke our emotions and create internal conflicts among us? I could tell from what you just said to the baldy."
Nick Fury, watching the surveillance feed: "..."
"So, whom among us do you plan to target? Me? The beauty by my side? Iron Man? Hulk? Your brother? Or..."
"Heh heh heh, I won't..."
"Agent Romanoff, take note, he wants to target Dr. Banner, although it seems Agent Barton is a bit outdated with his information about the Hulk."
Banner, also watching the surveillance feed: "..."
Loki shouted in anger, his eyes wide open.
"You scoundrel! I never said that!"
"That's what you were thinking. I've encountered enemies with mind-control abilities before. Although I can't learn their methods, the encounters greatly enhanced my mental perception. Even with you, it is possible to discern your emotions through bodily reactions."
Oaks spread his hands.
"Final question, how do you plan to provoke Banner's transformation? You know we can see you on surveillance, so are you using language as a weapon? It's quite fitting for the Trickster God that you are."
Loki sneered, determined not to show any flaws this time.
"Ah, I remember now. You controlled Agent Barton and Dr. Selvig using that scepter... And it seems you don't care about our research on it."
Oaks clapped his hands, causing Loki's heart to skip a beat.
"You know that we will certainly study the scepter, which can release energy and is evidently connected to the Cosmic Cube. You don't care, which means it's your contingency plan..."
He took a few steps back.
"We should go now, Agent Romanoff. Loki has confessed everything. I believe we will be able to meet Agent Barton very soon."
Loki: "What the hell did I confess to!?"
"But we haven't asked him how to release Agent Barton from mind control..."
Although Natasha could distinguish the gravity of the situation, she was still greatly concerned about this matter.
"Do you know that the effects of all mind control can be reversed by recalibrating consciousness?"
Oaks and Natasha hurried towards the control room, and Oaks pressed his earpiece. It was the dedicated communication channel for him, Tony, Banner, and Steve.
"Recalibrate consciousness? How do we do that?"
Natasha's face brightened. So, as long as they capture Barton, they can release him from mind control.
"Hit him hard on the head."
Natasha: "..."
Ignoring Natasha's countless expressions of disbelief, Oaks heard Tony's voice through the dedicated frequency earpiece.
"I've hacked into S.H.I.E.L.D's database... As expected, they're hiding something from us."
"Ah, I've also found their armory."
It was Steve's voice, filled with suppressed anger, just like Tony's.
"These are weapons made using the power of the Cosmic Cube... I've seen this kind of technology before, Hydra's technology."
"It seems we need to have a frank conversation with Director Fury."
Banner's voice sounded somewhat subdued.
"I sense... anger..."
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