When a fishhook is cast beneath the water, the sinker determines how deep it can sink and the type of fish that will eventually bite. From the very beginning, Shiller's goal was not to let the fishhook stay on the surface to catch floating algae and small fish.
In the first two worlds, Shiller realized that a mysterious force was influencing their actions. So how could he not prepare in advance after coming to this world?
In the first two worlds, this mysterious force exhibited two characteristics: one was the ability to control human thought, or rather, to intensify their extre thoughts in a certain way, thus influencing their actions. The other was an adept ability to invade and control electronic devices.
In Shiller's view, these two abilities might co from two different puppet masters, who were in collaboration.
But, as the saying goes, the co-operation between such individuals is not that solid—they will haggle over contributions, who contributes less or more. They won't be as selfless as the superheroes, they are more likely to quibble over their interests and demand fairness in their contributions, even more than the superheroes do.
In a previous world, a mysterious purple light manipulated Auburn, the secret area's manager. Shiller speculated that the next hand behind the scenes might not focus on controlling humans, but would be adept at controlling electronic devices, like in the first world.
From the perspective of the puppet master, where would electronic devices be worth manipulating? Of course, the first candidate would be Stark Group's weapons.
Unfortunately, in this universe, most of the inventions Tony Stark made before going to Afghanistan were common weapons. At most, they only improved the yield and power density. These weapons didn't have smart devices, hence, nothing of manipulation value.
And if they waited until Stark developed the battlesuit before invading, it is obviously a wasted opportunity. Moreover, Iron Man in this world seems to have strayed from Iron Man's path. Shiller had observed earlier that these two murderers were not very adventurous. They probably wouldn't gamble on the Iron Man of this world getting back on track, and would be more willing to seize the initiative.
So, there doesn't seem to be much that they can invade left, pending Wakanda which appears to be the best target.
This small African country possesses a scientific and technological prowess beyond anyone's imagination. Forget whether it's scientifically possible; at least the firepower and destructive force of the weapons and ships are undeniable. In the eyes of the hand behind the scenes that wants to cause destruction, it's an excellent tool.
Although Shiller was not sure that the hand behind the scenes would definitely target Wakanda, he could warn T'Challa, soone is watching your royal guard.
Despite this, T'Challa did not make any effective asures, but it is understandable. He cannot order ergency counterasures to the royal guard based on an ungrounded conjecture from a partner.
Fortunately, Shiller had a second plan in mind. That's why he didn't avoid the two fists that Stark of this universe delivered to him. Soone on the Star Devouring Engine would not sit by and do nothing.
Simply put, Iron Demon Stark might tolerate others hurting Shiller. After all, Shiller brought injuries upon himself. If he didn't want to get hurt, he could turn into a gray mist, and nobody could harm him. After a long period of ti, Stark has gotten used to Shiller's habit of finding trouble for himself when he is idle. He won't sympathize more.
But if the one who laid his hands is another self, it's another story. Firstly, the Iron Demon God can't bear to see another universe's self so foolish, and he can't accept the slight sense of guilt in his heart when others ridicule in their spare ti.
Though the one who acted wasn't him, but if another self was the one who acted and he stood by and did nothing to stop it, wouldn't it speak to him playing favorites, only giving himself a special treatnt?
Therefore, Iron Demon God could not stand by and do nothing. Instead, he needed to be more impartial and unselfish, just so as not to fall foul of public opinion, hence, he will surely descend upon the Earth.
It is very apparent that the hand behind the scenes was not prepared for this. He probably only thought that under Shiller's plan, many indigenous ordinary people from this universe would gather together, and for this group of people, Wakanda's ships indeed are a formidable weapon of war.
The ship that T'Challa piloted wasn't entirely an offensive type, but there were three large-caliber guns on the royal guard's escort ships for repelling enemy forces obstructing their flight. This firepower is overkill on Earth.
One can imagine that without anyone else intervening, these three ships blasting the whole valley to flat ground is not a hard task, and even if a few individuals could run out, both Shiller and Iron Demon God who suddenly appeared here would lose their credibility. Because it's his appearance that brought about the sudden bombardnt, the smart people present would not give him a second chance.
However, relying on this level of firepower, they can't shatter the energy protective shield under the skilled step of Iron Demon God. He just has an abundance of energy, and the small royal guard ships of Wakanda could continue shelling for three days and three nights without piercing his shield.
On the other hand, Shiller notified S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Sky Carrier to arrive early and fight alongside the suddenly out of control Wakanda ship. Shiller knew that the Sky Carrier that Nick built was equipped with a complete scanning device, according to the scanning results, he would know that the unwelcod guest who suddenly controlled Wakanda's ship had nothing to do with the descending Iron Demon God.
This can very well eliminate T'Challa's suspicions, and allow Iron Demon God to take actions boldly without worrying about being accused of engineering the event.
Simply put, there are three parties present: Wakanda, S.H.I.E.L.D., and Iron Demon Stark. Among these three parties, as long as one can provide fair evidence proving the other two parties are not hostile, then the divisive effect that the hand behind the scenes wants to achieve will not be achieved.
Indeed, seeing the arrival of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Sky Carrier, Iron Demon Stark no longer hesitated. He gave it his all, and nurous drones appeared around him.
First, the drones forming the protective shield intercepted Wakanda's ship attack, then suicide drones were sent for an attack. Multiple light streams hurried towards the ship like falling teors.
T'Challa and Nick looked up together, watching the gradually darkening sky blossoming with one bright firework after another.
When the fireworks died out, Iron Demon God, with his arms spread out, slowly landed down. He turned and looked at T'Challa and Nick, saying, "I have to warn you, this is no accident. There's a mysterious hand behind the scenes eyeing your universe, and his goal is to destroy all universes..."
Stark squinted his eyes and looked at Shiller. Shiller shrugged nonchalantly, but he was still wiping off the blood splattered on his neck with his fingertips. Stark walked up to him and handed him a handkerchief.
"Thank you."
"You..."
Shiller shook his head and said, "I didn't lie. Everything I said was true. It just happened in another universe."
"I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. As I said before, Tony, don't see as a victim. I had countless opportunities to rebuild myself, but I didn't."
"Why?"
Shiller looked up, under the night sky, his grey eyes still twinkling with an elusive light.
"The love of ordinary people is much more intense than you can imagine, and I must have an equally intense foundation to shape the greatest emotion. The most intense and violent for is my insanity."
"Born out of this, I can never abandon it to be normal; I don't want to be forever indifferent and aloof, reject everything in the real world. You can see this as a self-help of a person with autism."
"For this great emotion, I'd rather deal with all the troubles that this morbid insanity brings to . These are all my choices, not compelled, so don't sympathize if you can't empathize."
Stark looked at Shiller and understood deeply - if love doesn't co from insanity, it wouldn't always end with hysterical madness.
"Are you pursuing a murderer? Is he dangerous?"
"Not dangerous for us. Do you want to help?"
"How can I help?"
"Perfect your battlesuit, and maybe we'll et again."
Shiller returned to Star Devouring Engine with Iron Demon Stark, leaving Stark on the ground gazing up at the huge figure flashing through the sky, realizing just how powerful the other was.
Stark clenched his fist, for the first ti realizing it's aningless being the smartest person on Earth, because there are countless universes out there, and he needed to be the smartest among all Iron n.
Soone was already ahead of him, and he had to catch up. But how could he surpass the limits of Earth technology in a short ti and truly step into the cosmos? Stark suddenly thought of what Shiller had said.
A week later, Stark watched Pierce being taken away by a SHIELD Agent, turned to Nick and said, "Congratulations, Director Fury."
Nick shook his head, looking at Stark, "You know, Tony, the research on the force controlling the Wakandan ship that day is not promising. That is not a power of our universe. This ans that soone has been watching our universe."
Stark turned his head back, staring ahead, "I'll handle it."
"Rember what Shiller said?" Nick looked at him, "You can't always stay in the past, assu everyone else as fools while you're the hero saving the world."
"So, what do you want to do?"
Ten minutes later, both appeared underground at SHIELD secret base. Nick opened a life pod of peculiar shape. At that mont, Stark felt a bone-chilling cold.
"I don't know whether you've heard the story of your father. In that story, there is still an unforgettable legend."
Stark and Nick both looked towards the life pod. Nick reached out his hand slowly to brush off the frost.
And as the cold white frost dissipated with the temperature, it revealed the red and blue Stars and Stripes flag that was stamped on a tal shield, once the brilliance of an era.
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