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chapter 331 part 2
"No, my master. He escaped."
"What about the other Kryptonians?"
"Them either. Corvus Glaive was injured by Zod and could only watch as Zod fled with the few remaining Kryptonians."
Thanos's expression was blank, his fingers tapping heavily, showing a hint of impatience. "Useless... Forget it. Without their homeworld, a structured army, or their scientists, the Kryptonians can't even increase their population. Such stray dogs have no value in being subjugated."
Ebony Maw kept his head bowed. Hearing the tapping sound, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt a pang of annoyance.
Thanos valued Corvus Glaive too much. Sowing discord in that trust would require more time and craftier methods.
Within Thanos's Black Order, Ebony Maw might be Thanos's chief strategist, but his status was second at best.
First was Corvus Glaive, whose strength was not far behind Thanos's own. In terms of madness and evil, he was even more extreme than Thanos. Yet, the man was loyal—Ebony Maw knew well that he was loyal to strength. As long as Thanos remained stronger than him, he would remain Thanos's die-hard subordinate.
But if Thanos were to suddenly become weak or seriously injured... Hehehe, the first to rebel would be Corvus Glaive!
Hmm, he, Ebony Maw, would be the second to betray him, at most.
Unless he was ten-thousand-percent certain he could kill Thanos, the clever and insidious Ebony Maw would never be foolish enough to stick his neck out.
"What were the casualties among the Outriders?" Thanos asked suddenly.
"Of the five million Outriders, one million were killed. The vast majority were destroyed by the Star Destroyer Cannons on the Kryptonian spaceships. However, my master, you need not worry. We have successfully analyzed some of the Kryptonian biotechnology from the spaceships they left behind, and we can more than double our production efficiency..." said Ebony Maw.
The Outrider Army was a legion of bio-weapons under Thanos's command. Unlike legions of intelligent beings like the Chitauri, these creatures called "Outriders"—two-legged, four-armed, wolf-like yet not wolves, two meters long with smooth, tough skin—were mass-produced through biotechnology.
They were also Thanos's favorite cannon fodder for his universal conquests.
Obedient, powerful in combat, fearlessly charging to their deaths, and capable of being mass-produced—they were the perfect consumables.
Thanos nodded in satisfaction and leaned back on his throne, gazing down indifferently.
Ebony Maw sighed internally with some regret, then immediately reported, "However, there is one more matter. We were warned by the Lanterns of the Green Lantern Corps."
Thanos sneered. "A ridiculous bunch who think themselves righteous. Like a pack of yapping dogs. What can they do besides bark?"
The Green Lantern Corps? For someone like Thanos, contempt and disdain were his true feelings.
So-called guardians of peace... Heh. When the Kryptonians were at their strongest, ruling a vast galaxy by force, the Lanterns of that sector didn't make a peep. And when the Kryptonians played themselves into extinction, these so-called emissaries of justice didn't jump out to help save Krypton.
Thanos himself went around destroying planets and exterminating civilizations, and the Green Lantern Corps did nothing more than issue repeated warnings.
"Warworld," stationed at the edge of the universe, frequently conquered planets and plundered slaves to use as warriors, and the Green Lantern Corps did nothing.
Their peace was a peace judged between the weak.
To powerful, overlord-class invaders, the Green Lantern Corps was equivalent to bullshit.
A bunch of guys who could only bark. If they truly wanted to practice what they preached, they would have to go to war with half the universe, because the conquests of civilizations were all too common.
That would only cause the vast majority of overlord-class factions to unite and annihilate the Green Lantern Corps.
To the weak, the Green Lantern Corps was a symbol of hope, but people like Thanos didn't give them a second thought.
"My master, should we take the initiative and teach them a lesson? You wield the powerful scepter; you could easily annihilate the entire Green Lantern Corps." Ebony Maw suggested to Thanos, his face sinister.
"Unnecessary. As long as they behave, I have no interest in bothering those idiots... To think they'd arrogantly divide the universe into 3600 sectors..."
"Yes, my great master. Your fame shakes the universe. Never mind the Green Lantern Corps; even the Guardians on Oa wouldn't dare to do anything to you. Oh, but what of this prince from Yggdrasil, the offspring of the God-King Odin? How do you plan to handle him? I think sending him to Earth would be an excellent idea."
Ebony Maw laid on the flattery, and with a flick of his eyes, turned his verbal assault towards the silently listening Loki.
Thanos was frantically searching for the Infinity Stones, and Earth was one of the most suspicious locations. More importantly, Ebony Maw wanted to drive Loki away to secure his own position as the number one strategist.
A schemer hates nothing more than having another schemer compete for limited status and resources.
Thanos shot Ebony Maw a cold, smirking glance. That single look made Ebony Maw shudder violently and bow respectfully.
Thanos rested one hand on his throne. With the other, he tossed down a magnificent scepter. With a clatter, it landed precisely in front of the long-silent Loki.
Ebony Maw's breathing nearly stopped. His eyes, shot with blood, unconsciously darted to the side, glaring at Loki with a jealousy so tangible it could have burst into flames.
He didn't dare glare at Thanos, let alone question him. He could only stare at Loki, his heart raging with jealousy.
He knew very well what this scepter was.
On the surface, it was an item for controlling minds. In reality, sealed within the scepter was the Mind Stone.
Yet Thanos had given the scepter to Loki so easily!!!
Ebony Maw was going mad with jealousy. He couldn't stop himself from wanting to scream, rush over, strangle Loki, and snatch the scepter back!
In his heart, a demonic voice was desperately tempting him, whispering that if he were just a little bolder, he could snatch the scepter and kill Thanos on the spot! He, Ebony Maw, would be the new master!
The temptation was so strong that Ebony Maw's breathing became uncontrollably rapid.
This was an Infinity Stone! And one that was already housed in a specially crafted carrier! Even a pig, if it picked up the scepter, could wield a fraction of the Mind Stone's power!
Just like the Tesseract which carried the Space Stone, and the Eye of Agamotto which carried the Time Stone, it was a powerful medium that allowed for the direct use of the stone's power.
Otherwise, if a mortal were to touch the stone directly, they would instantly be brought to their knees before bursting with a *bang*, overwhelmed by the stone's power.
Loki looked down at the scepter, which had rolled to a stop before him, slightly bewildered. But soon, a confident smile appeared on his face.
Loki knew very well that now that he had met Thanos, he either had to prove his worth and gain greater benefits, or he would be mercilessly cast aside.
Loki slowly picked up Loki's Scepter. He glanced at the panting Ebony Maw, his smile widening as numerous speculations flashed through his mind.
"I am willing to serve you. I, Loki, will not disappoint you. I will conquer Earth as a gift to pledge my allegiance."
Loki promised with a face full of sincerity, vowing solemnly.
The wool comes from the sheep's back. Loki's Scepter, the army—it all belonged to Thanos anyway. He wouldn't feel the sting of any losses.
It was nothing more than writing a bad check for a massive sum.
(end of chapter)
"No, my master. He escaped."
"What about the other Kryptonians?"
"Them either. Corvus Glaive was injured by Zod and could only watch as Zod fled with the few remaining Kryptonians."
Thanos's expression was blank, his fingers tapping heavily, showing a hint of impatience. "Useless... Forget it. Without their homeworld, a structured army, or their scientists, the Kryptonians can't even increase their population. Such stray dogs have no value in being subjugated."
Ebony Maw kept his head bowed. Hearing the tapping sound, his heart skipped a beat, and he felt a pang of annoyance.
Thanos valued Corvus Glaive too much. Sowing discord in that trust would require more time and craftier methods.
Within Thanos's Black Order, Ebony Maw might be Thanos's chief strategist, but his status was second at best.
First was Corvus Glaive, whose strength was not far behind Thanos's own. In terms of madness and evil, he was even more extreme than Thanos. Yet, the man was loyal—Ebony Maw knew well that he was loyal to strength. As long as Thanos remained stronger than him, he would remain Thanos's die-hard subordinate.
But if Thanos were to suddenly become weak or seriously injured... Hehehe, the first to rebel would be Corvus Glaive!
Hmm, he, Ebony Maw, would be the second to betray him, at most.
Unless he was ten-thousand-percent certain he could kill Thanos, the clever and insidious Ebony Maw would never be foolish enough to stick his neck out.
"What were the casualties among the Outriders?" Thanos asked suddenly.
"Of the five million Outriders, one million were killed. The vast majority were destroyed by the Star Destroyer Cannons on the Kryptonian spaceships. However, my master, you need not worry. We have successfully analyzed some of the Kryptonian biotechnology from the spaceships they left behind, and we can more than double our production efficiency..." said Ebony Maw.
The Outrider Army was a legion of bio-weapons under Thanos's command. Unlike legions of intelligent beings like the Chitauri, these creatures called "Outriders"—two-legged, four-armed, wolf-like yet not wolves, two meters long with smooth, tough skin—were mass-produced through biotechnology.
They were also Thanos's favorite cannon fodder for his universal conquests.
Obedient, powerful in combat, fearlessly charging to their deaths, and capable of being mass-produced—they were the perfect consumables.
Thanos nodded in satisfaction and leaned back on his throne, gazing down indifferently.
Ebony Maw sighed internally with some regret, then immediately reported, "However, there is one more matter. We were warned by the Lanterns of the Green Lantern Corps."
Thanos sneered. "A ridiculous bunch who think themselves righteous. Like a pack of yapping dogs. What can they do besides bark?"
The Green Lantern Corps? For someone like Thanos, contempt and disdain were his true feelings.
So-called guardians of peace... Heh. When the Kryptonians were at their strongest, ruling a vast galaxy by force, the Lanterns of that sector didn't make a peep. And when the Kryptonians played themselves into extinction, these so-called emissaries of justice didn't jump out to help save Krypton.
Thanos himself went around destroying planets and exterminating civilizations, and the Green Lantern Corps did nothing more than issue repeated warnings.
"Warworld," stationed at the edge of the universe, frequently conquered planets and plundered slaves to use as warriors, and the Green Lantern Corps did nothing.
Their peace was a peace judged between the weak.
To powerful, overlord-class invaders, the Green Lantern Corps was equivalent to bullshit.
A bunch of guys who could only bark. If they truly wanted to practice what they preached, they would have to go to war with half the universe, because the conquests of civilizations were all too common.
That would only cause the vast majority of overlord-class factions to unite and annihilate the Green Lantern Corps.
To the weak, the Green Lantern Corps was a symbol of hope, but people like Thanos didn't give them a second thought.
"My master, should we take the initiative and teach them a lesson? You wield the powerful scepter; you could easily annihilate the entire Green Lantern Corps." Ebony Maw suggested to Thanos, his face sinister.
"Unnecessary. As long as they behave, I have no interest in bothering those idiots... To think they'd arrogantly divide the universe into 3600 sectors..."
"Yes, my great master. Your fame shakes the universe. Never mind the Green Lantern Corps; even the Guardians on Oa wouldn't dare to do anything to you. Oh, but what of this prince from Yggdrasil, the offspring of the God-King Odin? How do you plan to handle him? I think sending him to Earth would be an excellent idea."
Ebony Maw laid on the flattery, and with a flick of his eyes, turned his verbal assault towards the silently listening Loki.
Thanos was frantically searching for the Infinity Stones, and Earth was one of the most suspicious locations. More importantly, Ebony Maw wanted to drive Loki away to secure his own position as the number one strategist.
A schemer hates nothing more than having another schemer compete for limited status and resources.
Thanos shot Ebony Maw a cold, smirking glance. That single look made Ebony Maw shudder violently and bow respectfully.
Thanos rested one hand on his throne. With the other, he tossed down a magnificent scepter. With a clatter, it landed precisely in front of the long-silent Loki.
Ebony Maw's breathing nearly stopped. His eyes, shot with blood, unconsciously darted to the side, glaring at Loki with a jealousy so tangible it could have burst into flames.
He didn't dare glare at Thanos, let alone question him. He could only stare at Loki, his heart raging with jealousy.
He knew very well what this scepter was.
On the surface, it was an item for controlling minds. In reality, sealed within the scepter was the Mind Stone.
Yet Thanos had given the scepter to Loki so easily!!!
Ebony Maw was going mad with jealousy. He couldn't stop himself from wanting to scream, rush over, strangle Loki, and snatch the scepter back!
In his heart, a demonic voice was desperately tempting him, whispering that if he were just a little bolder, he could snatch the scepter and kill Thanos on the spot! He, Ebony Maw, would be the new master!
The temptation was so strong that Ebony Maw's breathing became uncontrollably rapid.
This was an Infinity Stone! And one that was already housed in a specially crafted carrier! Even a pig, if it picked up the scepter, could wield a fraction of the Mind Stone's power!
Just like the Tesseract which carried the Space Stone, and the Eye of Agamotto which carried the Time Stone, it was a powerful medium that allowed for the direct use of the stone's power.
Otherwise, if a mortal were to touch the stone directly, they would instantly be brought to their knees before bursting with a *bang*, overwhelmed by the stone's power.
Loki looked down at the scepter, which had rolled to a stop before him, slightly bewildered. But soon, a confident smile appeared on his face.
Loki knew very well that now that he had met Thanos, he either had to prove his worth and gain greater benefits, or he would be mercilessly cast aside.
Loki slowly picked up Loki's Scepter. He glanced at the panting Ebony Maw, his smile widening as numerous speculations flashed through his mind.
"I am willing to serve you. I, Loki, will not disappoint you. I will conquer Earth as a gift to pledge my allegiance."
Loki promised with a face full of sincerity, vowing solemnly.
The wool comes from the sheep's back. Loki's Scepter, the army—it all belonged to Thanos anyway. He wouldn't feel the sting of any losses.
It was nothing more than writing a bad check for a massive sum.
(end of chapter)
