Chapter 242: C207
However, even though Thor was sweating for Odin, he couldn't deny his own curiosity about his father's answer.
Sif's question on the Bifrost Bridge earlier had completely stunned him.
In his memory, there was no chance he had an illegitimate daughter.
A goddess turned into a daughter?
Could anything sound more absurd?
"Of course, she can't be my daughter," Odin said, rolling his eyes. "Frigga, don't you know me better than that?"
"Hmph," Frigga snorted and turned to leave.
She could see that Odin wasn't lying, so she chose not to press further.
Watching his mother walk away, Thor turned back to Odin. "Father, if she isn't your daughter or my daughter, then how did Sif and the others come to such a conclusion? And why would people on Earth think she's my daughter?"
Thor was completely baffled as to where this rumor had originated.
"Perhaps she really is Zeus's daughter," Odin replied with a chuckle before disappearing from Thor's sight.
"What?" Thor was left standing there, bewildered. "I don't understand."
Did he actually have an illegitimate daughter? His father's cryptic response made his head spin. Couldn't Odin just explain things more directly?
"Thor, there are some things you will naturally understand in time," Odin's voice echoed faintly in the air.
The Royal Palace.
Frigga glanced at her husband, hesitating before she spoke. "That girl is no ordinary being. Her power and purity are comparable to Thor's. There's something eerily familiar about her."
"I know," Odin said with a nod. "She is indeed connected to the gods, but not necessarily to Asgard."
"What do you mean?" Frigga asked, her brow furrowing.
As someone who had lived as long as Odin, Frigga had a broad perspective and deep knowledge. In a moment of realization, her eyes widened.
"The multiverse!" she exclaimed. "You mean she's a god from another universe?"
"Yes," Odin confirmed, his expression serious. "I'm as surprised as you are."
Standing on the palace balcony, Odin gazed out at the sun's fading light, as though looking beyond, through countless spaces, to a distant figure.
"She has an aura that doesn't belong to this universe," Odin mused. "I never thought the Sorcerer Supreme would allow someone from the multiverse to enter ours..."
Earth.
"This is finally over!" Anton exhaled deeply before finding Coulson and stating his intent to leave immediately.
Coulson didn't refuse—he had no reason to. Politely, he arranged for an agent to escort Anton to the airport.
Although Anton's time in the town, New Mexico, had lasted less than a day, that short visit had witnessed the conclusion of a massive and dangerous event.
"He said everything is completely over?" Hawkeye asked, watching Anton's car disappear down the road. He turned to Coulson with a skeptical look.
"Yes," Coulson replied. "He said Wonder Woman handled everything, including matters related to Asgard. Odin has awakened, the culprit has escaped, and Thor has regained his strength."
After a pause, Coulson added, "Anton also mentioned that Thor might show up soon to explain everything to us—and to apologize."
"So, that guy really was Thor?" Hawkeye asked, still struggling to believe it.
Even now, it felt a little too unbelievable to him.
Thor was one thing, but what truly shattered Hawkeye's perception was the realization that gods actually existed in this world.
Still, Hawkeye understood that these so-called gods were, in reality, nothing more than intelligent beings from a civilization far more advanced than their own.
These beings happened to look remarkably human and possessed powers far beyond human capabilities, which led people in ancient times to revere them as deities.
But in today's age, Hawkeye thought, no one could truly hold the title of "god."
No one was qualified to be a god.
"Are we staying here to wait for Thor?" Hawkeye asked, looking around. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the barren wasteland, giving the surroundings an otherworldly charm.
"No need," Coulson replied calmly. "I asked Anton the same question. His response was simple: 'When Thor wants to find us, he will find us—no matter where we are.'"
"Oh?" Hawkeye raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
That statement revealed a lot. It was a subtle reminder that S.H.I.E.L.D., even with all its resources, was still dealing with a civilization vastly more advanced than theirs.
"I have to head back to headquarters immediately," Coulson said, his tone turning serious. "There's a lot that needs to be reported to the Director—personally."
He then turned to Hawkeye. "Barton, once I leave, you'll oversee the evacuation and handle things here on my behalf."
"Understood. You go," Hawkeye replied.
As they spoke, the sound of engines rumbled overhead. A cloaked aircraft shimmered into visibility and descended before the group.
This was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s specialized aircraft, equipped with advanced stealth technology and capable of flying at speeds more than twice that of standard civilian planes.
It was the kind of craft reserved for high-ranking agents like Coulson.
Within moments, Coulson was airborne, leaving the town behind. Accompanying him was Dr. Erik Selvig, a physicist and astronomer who had been instrumental in many scientific breakthroughs.
This wasn't just a coincidence. After Coulson's initial report, Director Nick Fury had reviewed the personnel list and immediately requested Selvig be brought back for further debriefing.
Selvig wasn't just an accomplished scientist; he also had connections with other prominent minds, including Bruce Banner. A friend of a genius was likely a genius in their own right.
The flight was swift, and a few hours later, Coulson arrived in Washington, D.C.
"Dr. Selvig, please take some time to rest," Coulson said kindly as the aircraft landed.
Within S.H.I.E.L.D., scientific talents like Selvig were invaluable. You could never have too many.
After ensuring Selvig was comfortably settled, Coulson wasted no time heading to the top floor of the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, where Nick Fury's office awaited. Despite the late hour, Fury was already waiting.
"Director," Coulson said, knocking on the door before stepping inside.
"Wonder Woman has appeared, and her identity as a god is confirmed," Coulson began.
He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice turning grave. "Based on what I've seen, I suspect Superman may exist as well. But Clark Kent isn't on Earth right now. He's somewhere out in the universe."
Fury looked up from his desk, his face unreadable. After a long pause, he let out a sigh.
"Leave the Justice League theories aside for now," Fury said, his tone low but heavy. "We have bigger problems."
Coulson frowned, sensing the shift in mood.
"We've been compromised," Fury said slowly, each word landing like a hammer.
Coulson's eyes widened, his usually calm demeanor cracking.
"The organization has been infiltrated," Fury continued, his voice grave. "And the traitors hiding within S.H.I.E.L.D. call themselves... Hydra."
The room fell silent as Coulson stood there, stunned.
New York.
Anton returned to his base, stretching lazily as he watched the rising sun paint the city in hues of gold.
Reflecting on yesterday's events, he summed it up in one word: profit.
His justice points balance now stood at a staggering 40 million! That was more than enough to purchase a set of Batman's specialized armor from the system—a suit powerful enough to go toe-to-toe with Superman.
Of course, whether he could actually defeat Superman was another matter entirely.
In the Marvel universe, where kryptonite doesn't exist, Superman was essentially a flawless powerhouse with no apparent weaknesses.
Magic might be able to slow him down a bit, but even then, it wouldn't hold him back for long.
As for the conversation between Wonder Woman and Odin in Asgard yesterday, Anton didn't dwell on it.
He highly doubted that Odin could uncover Wonder Woman's true identity or origin.
While Odin, the All-Father, was unquestionably one of the most powerful figures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—essentially at its power ceiling—only someone like the Ancient One would have the ability to pierce through dimensions or time to discern the bigger picture.
From another angle, Anton's confidence in the System remained unshaken.
Sure, someone might notice that Wonder Woman's clone was unusual. But the idea that all these "heroes" were actually just one person in disguise? That was simply inconceivable.
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