Chapter 18
The Kree Empire was the most ruthless of the three major superpowers in the universe.
For them, efficiency came first.
Cold logic ruled their society. Their pursuit of reason was so extreme that they had created the Supreme Intelligence, a super-biological computer that had long since become the true ruler of their empire.
And now, inside the Grand Council Hall, chaos erupted.
---
The blue-skinned Kree filled the chamber, their voices clashing as they debated.
"We had a pact with the Dark Quadrant! As long as we didn't overexploit resources, we wouldn't invade each other!"
"Are you an idiot?! That was a deal with Thanos! He's dead!"
"Exactly! We should strike first while their forces are still unstable! Seize key planets and use them as leverage!"
The arguments raged. Some wanted to maintain the status quo. Others wanted to invade immediately.
But the moment the Supreme Intelligence arrived, the debate ended.
The decree was final.
The Kree Empire would enter a state of war.
All border planets would have their military forces tripled in preparation.
The only reason they weren't already invading?
The footage.
The recording of The Anomaly wiping out an interstellar fleet single-handedly.
Even the warlike Kree hesitated.
For the first time in their history, they were afraid.
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Similar tensions played out across the other two super empires.
The Skrull Empire had begun moving their spies, gathering intelligence, waiting for the moment to strike.
The Shi'ar Empire had fully mobilized, preparing for open war.
Lin Fan had expected all of this.
The moment Thanos fell, the balance of power was broken.
A new war was coming.
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Meanwhile, on the capital world of the Dark Quadrant—
Lin Fan sat upon his throne, watching Ebony Maw kneel before him.
The dark sorcerer's hands were raised high, holding a strange, blackened blade.
His head was pressed to the ground, his voice filled with reverence.
"The weapon of the Dead Blade General, Sire. And now, it is yours."
Lin Fan took the blade, glancing at it briefly before resting it against the arm of his throne.
Then, he turned his attention to Ebony Maw.
"You had something else to report?"
Ebony Maw bowed deeply.
"Yes, Sire. The search for the realm of Nidavellir—we have found it."
Lin Fan's gaze sharpened.
"Good."
He stood from his throne.
"It's time to forge it."
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Nidavellir.
A legendary realm, hidden from the eyes of the universe.
A massive, multi-ringed megastructure orbiting a neutron star, its colossal rings absorbing the raw power of the dying star's energy.
This was the home of the Dwarves—the most skilled blacksmiths in existence.
And now—
Lin Fan was going to make them work for him.
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After several consecutive space jumps, Temple One arrived at Nidavellir.
The massive warship descended, casting an overwhelming shadow across the colossal rings.
The forges of Nidavellir burned bright, rivers of molten metal flowing through the superstructure like glowing veins of power.
And before its greatest forge, the Dwarf King stood, surrounded by hundreds of armed warriors.
The moment the Dark Legion deployed from Temple One, their numbers stretching like a tidal wave across the platforms, the Dwarves tensed.
They were not warriors.
They had always relied on their craftsmanship, not combat strength.
And yet—
The Dwarf King stood firm.
"Why do you trespass in Nidavellir?"
His voice was strong, but Lin Fan could see the hesitation in his eyes.
The King knew what had happened.
The news of Thanos' fall had spread even here.
And now, the one who killed him stood before them.
Lin Fan didn't answer.
Instead—
The Dwarf King continued.
"I will give you a chance," he declared. "Leave now, and we won't report this to Odin."
A bold statement.
The Dwarves, though neutral, had close ties to the King of Asgard.
They believed in Odin's strength.
They believed in the Nine Realms' protection.
The Dwarf King stood tall, his warriors bracing for battle.
But Lin Fan—
Lin Fan simply chuckled.
"Odin?"
He took a step forward.
"Do you really think Odin matters to me?"
The wind howled.
The neutron star flared in the distance, its gravity warping the space around them.
The Dwarves hesitated.
And in that moment, they knew.
They were standing before a force far beyond Odin.
The war was already lost.
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