After Stark repeatedly promised to provide the ingredients for dinner, Solomon finally agreed to sit down for a proper conversation. This was a discussion between Stark and Solomon alone, as Pepper Potts had work to attend to. Most of Stark Industries' operations now fell under her management, leaving her anything but idle.
"I want to know more about you and your organization. It's important—I don't want to be clueless about my future friends," Stark said, handing Solomon a glass of apple juice. Solomon had already drained the previous juice, and this was the last non-alcoholic beverage in the room. If he wanted more, Stark would have to send someone out to buy it.
"Does S.H.I.E.L.D. know about your organization?" Stark asked. "I noticed you have a decent relationship with Nick Fury."
"You wouldn't believe it, but he once shot at me—a defenseless minor at the time," Solomon said with a wry shake of his head. The cold juice clearly rejuvenated him after eight hours of work—magical potions were best consumed sparingly.
He checked his watch.
Plenty of time. He didn't mind sharing a bit more of what Stark was allowed to know.
"He's a tough nut," the arcanist said. "His methods are steeped in mysticism, but we've become 'friends' of a sort. He doesn't have the typical arrogance of an American official. If he were my ally, I'd trust him within limits. Sure, he always has a plan, but nobody knows what secrets he's keeping. That's why I've kept certain things from him—to avoid having to kill him."
"I'm curious," Stark mused, recalling the time Fury had hacked into Stark Industries' security, snuck into his home, and taken him to a S.H.I.E.L.D. facility to show classified intelligence. "You know he's relentless when it comes to achieving his goals. How did you get him to back down?"
"Oh! I stuffed him into the body of an extradimensional bacterium for about a minute. When he came out, covered in slime, he was much more willing to talk reasonably," Solomon said with a smirk, raising an eyebrow. "Beyond our world lies a realm of unimaginable phenomena. I know you won't believe it until you see it, but parasitic soulworms and dimension-hopping creatures are far beyond human comprehension. Since you'll be spending time with Miss Potts tonight, I'll spare you the visuals. Don't look at me like that, Stark… you wouldn't want to lose your appetite or spend the night plagued by nightmares, would you?"
Stark expressed interest. However, when Solomon declined to elaborate, Stark didn't press further. Instead, he shifted the conversation to Kamar-Taj and Solomon's teacher. But when Solomon finished sharing what Stark was allowed to know, Stark began questioning the Supreme Sorcerer's title as "Ruler of Humanity."
"Look around, Solomon," Stark said. "We don't live in a feudal society. This is a modern, democratic world. The idea of your teacher claiming kingship over humanity is ridiculous. If they're so powerful, why not just rule all of humanity outright?"
"First, the entire universe recognizes my teacher as the Ruler of Humanity and the King of Earth. Whether ordinary people agree is irrelevant, as you don't even have the qualifications to stand on the cosmic stage," Solomon said, irritation flashing in his eyes. Stark's arrogance, despite his recent growth, still reflected his core identity as a proud technological genius.
"Just as it doesn't matter whether you acknowledge Asgard as Earth's suzerain, Earth remains protected from extraterrestrial threats from the Prime Material Plane because of Asgard's deterrence. In this universe, none dare challenge the All-Father or the Supreme Sorcerer," Solomon continued. Their perspectives on the world were so fundamentally different that even discussing social structures became heated. Solomon decided to change the topic before he felt the urge to strangle Stark.
"Do you know what the other nations of the Nine Realms are like? They're like colonial-era Europe, with colonies continuously exporting resources—grain, minerals, you name it—back to the homeland, which in turn floods the colonies with cheap industrial goods, perpetuating exploitation. Asgard is a colonial power. So, why do you think Earth doesn't send resources to Asgard but instead uses them wastefully for humanity's benefit?"
"You mean… the Supreme Sorcerer? Alright, if that's the case, then the title isn't just self-aggrandizing," Stark admitted, taking a deep breath. The truths about the Nine Realms unsettled him. "Can we resist? I mean… against Asgard?"
"No." Solomon shook his head. "And it's best not to discuss such topics when you're alone. Heimdall can see and hear everything happening in the universe. If he's watching, it'll be as if you're having a face-to-face conversation with him."
"Hiss—" Stark immediately glanced nervously at the ceiling before looking back at Solomon. "You're calm about this, so you must have a solution, right? I don't want… you know… awkward moments with Pepper."
"Heimdall doesn't bother with ordinary Earthlings. Earth's currency is meaningless to Asgardians," Solomon said. "As for me, I'm not worried. The sacred shroud I'm wearing prevents Heimdall's sight. Kamar-Taj is also protected by powerful concealment spells, making it impossible to locate unless one possesses profound knowledge. That's why we don't fear Asgard's surveillance."
"Can you…"
"No. Not up for discussion."
"Fine, fine." Stark raised his glass in frustration. He hated this sense of powerlessness. Ever since the Asgardians arrived, he'd been trying to understand this alien power, but the gap was insurmountable for him alone.
"And don't forget Asgard has the Bifrost. I'm sure you've seen it in action," Solomon added, twisting the knife to repay Stark for his earlier disrespect toward the Supreme Sorcerer.
"Ah, I've seen it. Finally, something I understand," Stark said with an eye roll. "Einstein-Rosen Bridge. Asgard has universal projection capabilities—I get that much."
"Not just that. The Bifrost is also a planetary destruction weapon. It can split any planet in half effortlessly. How do you think Asgard maintains cosmic dominance? Even the Kree Empire fears them."
"Cough, cough!" Stark predictably choked on his drink. Solomon had intentionally timed his revelation for maximum impact, his petty revenge in full swing.
Only when Stark was left coughing and gasping did Solomon finally seem satisfied.
"So… how did the Supreme Sorcerer win?" Stark asked between breaths, still shaken. He took another sip to steady himself.
"That, I don't know," Solomon said with a mischievous wink. "But don't worry too much. Earth isn't entirely powerless—because Earth has its own planetary destruction weapon. And it's in my hands."
"Cough, cough, cough!!!"
---
"Why did you buy so many premium steaks today?" Athena picked up a vacuum-sealed pack of raw beef and inspected it closely. Then she eyed the pile of vacuum-sealed cuts and beef Solomon had brought to the orphanage kitchen. "USDA Choice filet mignon, ribeye, T-bone, and even USDA Prime sirloin? Did you rob a warehouse?"
"Just the Stark Industries kitchen," Solomon said as he casually sliced open a vacuum-sealed filet with a small knife. "This includes all the beef Stark Industries planned to use this week. Tony Stark has other things on his mind, so I scared him enough to forget about it."
As he expertly trimmed the beef with a flair reminiscent of Dubai's top chefs, he directed young Lorna to clean the broccoli. "There's too much for us and the witches to eat alone, so I figured I'd bring some for the kids here."
"I make sure they eat well every day, but this is excessive," Athena complained. "Indulgence hinders growth, Solomon."
"Oh, just this once, my dear Athena," Solomon said with exaggerated glee. "A taste of luxury won't hurt. These steaks deserve to be appreciated, not wasted on the idle rich. Right, Lorna?"
"Yeah! Screw the rich!"
"Lorna! Watch your language!"
"Lorna! Watch your language!"
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