Marvel: What If Thanos Adopted A Saiyan?
Chapter 197 - 198: The Plan Proceeds

Chapter 197: Chapter 198: The Plan Proceeds

"Welcome back, Prince Lothar."

The Black Quadrant, Base.

After revising his "thesis" nearly ten times, Lothar’s graduation paper finally passed the rigorous scrutiny of his adoptive father, Thanos. With that, he officially graduated from the Penal Zone.

Standing at Lothar’s side with an apron tied around his waist, Gaitz beamed with joy and bowed respectfully.

"Prince Lothar!"

The Other, leader of the Chitauri, was leaning in a corner, dozing with the Scepter of the Mind Stone in his arms. He suddenly jolted awake and dashed eagerly to Lothar’s side.

"Why are you still here?" Lothar frowned.

As the head of the Chitauri, The Other technically wasn’t permitted to remain long in the Black Quadrant. Such were the rules.

Even the closest aides of the Black Order weren’t exempt from this policy.

"Please don’t misunderstand, Prince Lothar. I only arrived recently," The Other explained hurriedly. "I’m here to deliver a message."

Ever the obedient lackey, The Other wouldn’t dare violate the Black Quadrant’s rules. As he spoke, he raised a finger and touched the Mind Stone nestled in the scepter.

With a crisp ding, a beam of light burst forth from the gem. Under the vast dome of the Black Quadrant, a colossal projection slowly materialized before Lothar’s eyes.

A grand screen stretched across the heavens.

On it stood an awe-inspiring pyramid, and beneath it, clad in ornate priestly robes, stood Pharaoh Menis.

The people of Egypt, led by Pharaoh Menis, knelt in devout reverence. At the altar by the pyramid’s entrance, a bronze cauldron forged from the mystical energies within the Eye of Horus blazed with fervent fire.

"Today!"

"Under the blessing of our Savior!"

"Upper and Lower Egypt are finally united!"

The man who worshipped Lothar and Hela as saviors raised his eyes toward the interior of the pyramid, ablaze with fanatical devotion.

Mystic runes shimmered into existence at his proclamation, bursting into dazzling flames. Crimson fire leapt skyward, illuminating the faces of every Egyptian.

They chanted with passion, murmuring sacred words.

Tens of thousands prayed in unison.

The thunderous chorus echoed through the cosmos, reverberating in Lothar’s ears. Alongside the sound came countless streaks of golden light.

"What is this...?"

Lothar reached out, fingers brushing the golden radiance swirling around him. The instant they made contact, the radiant energy surged into his body, vanishing without a trace.

"Faith."

A deep voice answered from the side.

Thanos, clad in his golden armor, stood with hands behind his back, explaining the phenomenon.

"Those humans of Midgard... have begun to believe in you."

"Fervent, untainted faith."

"Father..." Lothar turned toward Thanos, closing his eyes to feel the energy within. Yet, he sensed no change.

"Faith is not easily harnessed, Lothar. This is but a seed," Thanos said calmly. "Only faith that remains pure through the passage of time can be truly transformed into your power."

"In terms of raw power gain, it’s an inefficient method, but one uniquely suited to you right now."

Lest he forget, Lothar was still a foreign entity to this universe.

Even with Thanos as his adoptive father and benefactor, gaining the universe’s full recognition wouldn’t come easily. But Midgardian faith, passed down through generations, could subtly erode and reshape the rules of this cosmos.

Faith, in many ways, was terrifying.

If the power of the Super Saiyan were fully accepted by this universe, its very fabric would undergo unpredictable change.

Even Thanos couldn’t foresee where that path would lead.

So long as the civilization established by Pharaoh Menis endured, and considering the typical lifespan of Midgardians, the volume of faith seeds this culture could yield for Lothar was potentially limitless.

"I had my doubts before," Thanos murmured, gently ruffling Lothar’s hair. "But now it seems you two truly are well-matched."

"I’m not marrying that woman, Father!" Lothar’s eyes shot open, alarmed.

He would rather throw himself off a cliff in the Black Quadrant than marry Hela!

There was still a universe to save with his father, how could he afford to get married now?

His expression turned deadly serious.

Women were nothing compared to ambition.

"Relax, Lothar," Thanos chuckled. "I won’t force you."

"Now then, prepare for departure."

Lothar’s resistance didn’t surprise him.

Ever since Odin’s departure, Queen Frigga had been the liaison for all matters concerning their children. And by Frigga’s account, her daughter Hela’s attitude was nearly identical to Lothar’s.

Thanos patted Lothar on the shoulder and, under his son’s gaze, turned and walked away.

...

Asgard, Royal Hall.

"To Xandar?" Hela narrowed her eyes.

Since Odin’s departure, Queen Frigga had taken temporary control of Asgard’s affairs. With the rebel factions of the Nine Realms still wary of Odin’s legacy, her regency remained unchallenged.

"Yes, Hela."

Frigga, draped in regal robes, looked troubled. "Word from your father is that Laufey has struck some sort of deal with a faction on Xandar."

"The Nova Corps?" Hela frowned. "But... it’s only a single faction, isn’t it? That shouldn’t be enough to threaten us."

Still, something felt wrong.

Xandar was far from the Nine Realms, and the idea of Laufey forging ties there raised more than a few suspicions.

As a high-ranking officer in Asgard’s military, Hela had never heard of this.

Having endured Frigga’s relentless lectures lately, The Many Benefits of Marriage, her sixth sense was tingling. Something smelled fishy.

And when it came to women’s intuition, no explanation was needed.

"Hela, Laufey has battled your father for centuries. He’s not to be underestimated," Frigga sighed.

"Take the Casket of Ancient Winters with you, it will help you detect any Xandarians with Frost Giant blood."

"...Understood."

Despite her misgivings, Hela gave a curt nod and left to retrieve the artifact, which had been traded from Lothar not long ago and stored in Odin’s vault.

Once she was gone, Frigga’s troubled expression vanished instantly. She opened a secure channel.

"Hela’s already on her way."

"I know," came Thanos’ voice. "Lothar’s departing soon as well."

...

Black Quadrant Base.

On the throne of the Black Quadrant, Thanos opened his eyes just as Lothar’s personal warship, engraved with a stylized "L" took flight.

"Meow!"

An excitable orange tabby cat, riding aboard Lothar’s sleek, fastest-in-the-Quadrant warship, was bouncing all over the interior, its tiny pink paws pawing at everything.

Boom!

As the thrusters engaged, the securely strapped-in Lothar and The Other remained motionless. The overexcited cat, however, was flung forward, smacking into the front glass with a thud. Its tail stood rigid as it teared up from the pain.

"Meow..."

Wincing in defeat, the cat quietly returned to the small seat beside Lothar. Curling its tail around its waist like Lothar did, it sat still, no longer mischievous. It hugged its round head with both paws, pouting in exaggerated sorrow.

-------

Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]