Chapter 1044: The Astonishing Mortal (Twenty-One)

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Sitting outside the emergency room, Peter appeared restless. He alternated between examining the spider web emitter on his wrist, staring at the spider-web pattern on his chest, standing up, and sitting back down.

Matt, feeling dizzy from Peter's agitation, intervened, "Peter, Peter, calm down. I know you're worried about Schiller, but you need to understand, the two people going in now are the world's top surgeon and Sorcerer Supreme, along with the world's best scientist and a great humanitarian. With these three combined, there's no one they can't save."

"No, I just feel... it's not that simple," Peter's breathing quickened, his chest heaving. "I know the doctor won't die, but I just have this feeling... something is about to happen..."

Matt paused, realizing Peter had Spider-Sense. His current behavior probably indicated there was more to the situation.

So, he stood up too, placing a hand on Peter's shoulder. "Remember the meditation technique I taught you? Yes, follow the rhythm of meditation breathing. Inhale... exhale... Relax your muscles... Follow the guidance of your mind..."

Guided by Matt, Peter gradually calmed down, though he kept his eyes closed. Matt, in sync with him, asked, "In your meditation scene... what did you see?"

"Space... the starry sky..." Peter murmured softly with closed eyes. "Amidst the stars... countless stars blinking..."

"Stars blinking, and then?" Matt inquired further. "Was there any pattern to their blinking? Or did you see anything else?"

"Blinking... in a pattern... stars, stars that had already extinguished... coming back..."

At this point, Peter suddenly jolted awake, gasping for air. He looked at Matt, "What just happened? What did I see?"

"Don't be afraid, Peter. This is a meditation method taught to me by Stick. It's a unique Eastern technique."

"It comes from the Kunlun Mountains in China. The Chinese call it 'Tianren Ganying.'" Matt pronounced the four words in Chinese, then translated, "Roughly translated, it means ancient Chinese practitioners believed in a special force that connects humans and the heavens. By meditating in a specific way, one could receive revelations from the heavens."

"I believe it resonates with your Spider-Sense. That's why I taught you this method."

Peter was puzzled, "But didn't you say this technique is for quickly restoring endurance? I've used it before in battles, and it worked pretty well."

"Yes, but that's just one aspect of it. I never thought it would succeed. Perhaps your focus was exceptionally high just now, allowing you to see such images."

Matt released Peter's shoulder, pacing in the hallway with a perplexed expression. "What does 'stars coming back' mean? I can't quite grasp this, it's like some kind of fate revelation. Maybe I should ask Stephen when he comes out..."

Peter also couldn't understand what he had just seen. "I do have a sense of foreboding, but it's not a bad feeling, just that things might unfold completely beyond our expectations..."

"Anyway, it's pointless to worry here. We might as well..."

Matt was about to suggest Peter go get some food, rest, and recuperate to prepare for what's to come, which was his usual practice. But as soon as he said that, the door to the emergency room was pushed open.

Stark, Strange, and Steve emerged one after another, their faces grave and somewhat perplexed.

"How is it?" Peter immediately approached them. "How's Dr. Schiller? Is his bleeding stopped?"

"The bleeding has stopped, but... he's gone," Stark's tone was filled with confusion. "Just as the Magic Circle started, Schiller disappeared in a flash. Stephen checked all nearby dimensional spaces, but there's no trace of him."

"It couldn't be a magic malfunction, could it?" Strange was even more perplexed. "Sorcerers have cast this healing spell thousands of times, how could there be a problem? And even if there were, it couldn't be a spatial teleportation, could it?"

"I told you magic isn't reliable!" Stark raised his voice. "Relying on those vague methods recorded in ancient texts is useless! Anyway, JARVIS, get me in touch with Loki..."

After Stark contacted Loki, he spent energy to ask him to help search for Schiller's whereabouts in various dimensions around.

Upon hearing that Schiller was injured and missing, Loki was even more nervous than Stark. He hurriedly rushed into Thor's chamber, only to find Sif there too, feeling awkward and considering leaving, but Sif was even more embarrassed.

Thor coughed and said, "Sif and I were discussing the fleet's reorganization. What's the matter, Loki?"

Loki immediately found a way to not feel awkward, transforming into Lady Loki and giving Sif a teasing smile like sisters. Sif became even more embarrassed.

Then, Lady Loki said to Thor, "Schiller Rodriguez is missing."

Thor immediately widened his eyes, his expression becoming serious. Turning his head to Sif, he said, "Spread the word, start searching within the Nine Realms immediately. The fleet reorganization can wait... Have all the captains and commanders of the main ships gather in the Celestial Palace hall."

Sif saluted and left, and Thor turned to Lady Loki, asking, "What about the Sanctum Sanctorum? Aren't they the best at finding people?"

"They should have started searching already. Tony called me, hoping the God-King of Asgard could help search in the outer regions of the Nine Realms. Also, he had a bit of a conflict with Magneto and was worried about his daughter getting involved, so he wants to send Helen over to stay for a few days."

Upon hearing that Stark wanted to send Helen over, Thor was overjoyed. He looked at Lady Loki and said, "Go to Earth now and bring Helen here. You don't know, Frigga has been almost crazy lately!"

"The Queen can't see her granddaughter, so she's focused all her attention on me and Sif. In the past three days, she's talked to me and Sif more than 20 times each! She just wants us to get married soon and give her a granddaughter!"

Thor sighed, covering his mouth with his hand. "Now is not the right time. Asgard's system isn't healthy enough, we need reform. While the three major empires in space are weakened, they don't have time to meddle in our internal affairs. I must complete all of this quickly. I don't have time for marriage, let alone children..."

Lady Loki glanced towards the direction Sif had left, shrugged, and said, "Sif is also an Asgardian. Your internal matters don't involve other races in the Nine Realms, so there's no need for grand gestures. Otherwise, it will attract attention from other empires..."

Thor shook his head, "If I marry Sif, she will be Asgard's queen. There should be a coronation ceremony, and I believe it's a chance to showcase Asgard's strength. Representatives from the three empires not only need to come but must lead the delegation..."

Then, Thor shook his head again, "But now is not the time for this discussion. Finding Schiller is more important. We all know the role he played in this series of reforms. Nothing is bigger than his disappearance."

Thor shrugged off his cloak, grabbed a spear from the guard at the door, and Lady Loki followed him. They walked out of the Celestial Palace together. Loki began speaking, "Tony said Schiller was injured, but according to their speculation, he caused it himself."

As they walked through the bright and spacious corridors of the Celestial Palace, Lady Loki adjusted her cloak while saying, "You should have used divine power to see Schiller's soul. His chaotic soul situation is extremely rare and prone to misunderstanding. It's not surprising."

Thor glanced at her and noticed her struggling with her cloak due to her long hair. He came up behind her, lifted her collar, and retied the cloak straps.

While tying the knot, Thor said, "Last time, didn't he create many versions of himself and force some mysterious entities to push our world out of the main universe?"

"That was a positive change. What if it deteriorates this time?"

After straightening out their clothes and cloaks, Lady Loki reverted back to her appearance and secured her sword and staff at her waist. Thor took out Mjölnir and handed it to Loki, who then took the freshly hung staff in his hand and hung the hammer prominently on his waist.

Loki reached into the dimensional warehouse and took out a gorgeously decorated crown. Thor, looking ahead, took the crown and placed it on his head.

As the elevator doors opened, the two walked out. At the intersection leading to Asgard Hall, they parted ways.

Thor walked straight to the podium at the forefront of Asgard Hall. At this moment, the hall was filled with leaders, all armored and ready for battle, looking like they were prepared for war at any moment.

At this time, Loki walked out from the side passage, took a step forward, and saluted, "Your Majesty, the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Nine Kingdoms has sent a message. A very important and dangerous person has gone missing. I believe Asgard should spare no effort to search. All major fleets should conduct carpet searches..."

Loki's words stirred up a commotion below. Some were discussing why Asgard should interfere in Earth matters, while others argued that mobilizing the forces for one human wasn't reasonable.

Some even looked like they wanted to physically attack Loki, but seeing the hammer on Loki's waist, they begrudgingly remained silent.

Thor just stood on the podium, observing coldly. At this moment, Sif stepped forward. Now, as the leader of Asgard's palace guards, everyone knew she might be the future queen. When she spoke, the entire hall fell silent.

"Your Majesty, I believe mobilizing the entire fleet for one human isn't justifiable. Midgard is a member of the Nine Realms, but it's also our vassal. We can't show favoritism just because our relationship with Midgard is closer. If we mobilize our forces for one vassal, what about other vassal realms that get into messes? Will Asgard have to clean up after them as well?"

Sif's words garnered agreement from many, and at this moment, Loki spoke again. The two of them went back and forth, explaining the situation in detail, then pushed it to Thor, asking for his decision.

Thor was familiar with this process. He said directly, "Loki and Sif both have valid points. It's not worth mobilizing the entire fleet for one human, but if we completely ignore it, it may make the Nine Realms cold-hearted."

"So here's the plan: send out a few fleets under the pretext of patrol for search. All captains of the main fleet shall listen to orders!"

The crowd below echoed in agreement. Thor continued solemnly, "The Glory of the Victorious and its fleet will be responsible for searching within the realm of Vanaheim, while the Conqueror's Leap and its fleet will be responsible for searching within the realm of Jotunheim..."

After dispatching all the fleets to be reorganized, Thor breathed a sigh of relief. The governance plan he and Loki had worked out was practically perfect.

He didn't need to play the villain, yet he could still gradually dismantle the reform. Loki's reputation was already at rock bottom, but with Sif as the future queen, they could work together seamlessly. Before the war-crazed Asgardians could react, they would already be on board with the changes.

As the people dispersed, Loki was about to go find Thor to discuss the fleet reorganization plan, but at that moment, his mobile phone rang again. On the other end, Strange's voice stuttered, "Loki, there's no need to look anymore. Schiller is back."

"What did you say?!!" Loki asked in astonishment.

"I said he's back, and he brought back some... people who shouldn't be here. I mean... you better come see for yourself!"

Feeling strange, Loki knew that Stark was reliable in important matters and wouldn't change his mind so abruptly. So, he used the Bifrost to arrive on Earth and then used a portal to reach the New York Sanctum Sanctorum.

As soon as he landed, he saw a room full of people, including Schiller, who didn't look injured at all. He seemed in high spirits, ready to distribute Member Gifts for the new season.

What puzzled Loki was that there were several people in the room he didn't recognize.

He looked at the middle-aged couple standing against the wall. The man was not tall, wearing an old-fashioned suit and a beret. The woman was dressed like a typical lady, exuding elegance.

At this moment, Stark separated from the crowd and rushed over. When he saw the couple, he froze in place, then exclaimed in disbelief:

"How... Howard, Maria?!!!"

[Read at www.patreon.com/shanefreak, and thanks for the invaluable support!]

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 1045: Astonishing Mundanity (Twenty-Two)