Mind Stone

"There’s no conflict between Asgard and us Earthlings, is there?"

Hawkeye Barton frowned. Now that he knew the other man was an Asgardian prince, he found himself somewhat constrained.

"That’s right. There is no conflict between Asgardians and Earthlings. But isn’t there also no conflict between ants and boots?"

Loki spoke with a wicked smile. In both his words and manner, he seemed not to regard humanity at all, and in truth, that was exactly the case.

As an Asgardian prince, he had never given Earthlings so much as a proper glance.

Of course, China was the exception. He believed he could not afford to provoke its military.

Even though Thanos stood behind Loki now, and a Chitauri army was currently waiting in the distant reaches of space for him to use the Tesseract to open a portal so they could invade.

Hmm, now that he thought of it, he needed to warn the Chitauri army. They absolutely could not provoke the Chinese. Who knew what unpredictable consequences might result if they offended that nation?

Still, China’s relationship with America was not particularly harmonious, which was why Loki had the nerve to invade Earth.

Of course, he meant invading America. As for China, Loki did not have the guts for that.

"So, you want to crush us underfoot?"

Nick Fury, having caught his breath, stepped forward and glared at Loki as he asked in an unfriendly tone.

After being struck by lightning, his skin had become even darker. Fortunately, he had no hair, or he might have looked like a hedgehog by now.

It had to be said that Nick Fury was tough. Loki had struck him with lightning, yet he was completely fine. After a brief rest, he was already back on his feet.

"Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."

Loki looked at Nick Fury with mockery written all over his face. "I remember now. Chen Mu mentioned you people and even praised your armor technology. Hmm, that should be what this guy is wearing, right? Heh, but it’s only an imitation. Compared to the real Kirin Armor, it’s far too inferior."

As he looked at Nick Fury, Loki seemed to recall something. He let out a cold laugh and said this.

Back in Asgard, Loki had asked Chen Mu for the Kirin Armor technology, hoping to obtain it, but Chen Mu had not been willing to trade.

At the time, Chen Mu seemed to have mentioned that S.H.I.E.L.D. also possessed armor technology. However, Loki had not paid much attention to it. Then, after fighting Thor, he had accidentally fallen into outer space and been teleported away.

Fortunately, Loki was blessed with great luck and survived. Instead, he encountered his own opportunity.

Thanos had lent him the Mind Stone to invade Earth. Once he opened the portal, the Chitauri army would come to Earth and seize the Space Stone.

Thanos wanted the Infinity Stones, so he had promised to let Loki govern this planet.

To prove to his father that he was the finest ruler, Loki agreed without hesitation. He intended to conquer Earth, become the king of Midgard, develop it properly, and let his father Odin see his talent!

Naturally, to avoid causing trouble for himself, Loki would not provoke China. Occupying America would be enough.

"…"

Nick Fury looked deeply displeased. S.H.I.E.L.D.’s two sets of Kirin Armor were not imitations at all. They had been properly acquired from the God Spear Bureau!

Of course, they were also the most outdated versions. They were Kirin Armor that could not even use magic, and no matter how much S.H.I.E.L.D. modified them, it had not been of much use.

However, Loki’s words caused Nick Fury to misunderstand.

Sure enough, China had received Asgard’s support. The Kirin Armor technology must have been given to them by Asgard. Look, hadn’t Loki’s words just confirmed it beyond doubt?

Thinking of the Destroyer armor that had appeared in New Mexico, it was clear that the Kirin Armor was not Earth technology.

"We are willing to establish friendly relations with Asgard. Tell me, Mr. Loki, what have you come to Earth for?"

A great man knew when to bend and when to stand tall. So what if he had been struck by lightning?

It had hurt quite a bit, but it was not unbearable. Thus, Nick Fury prepared to hold friendly negotiations with Loki, see whether he could keep him placated, and establish a decent relationship. Perhaps in the future, he might even be able to obtain some useful technology from Asgard through Loki…

As for those S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Loki had killed with throwing knives and stabbed to death with his spear?

Please, only a few people had died. How many times did he have to say it? This was America. What did the death of a handful of people matter? It was not as though S.H.I.E.L.D. could not afford to lose them!

Black Nick Fury’s thoughts were certainly beautiful, but Loki clearly had no such intention.

"Heh, I came to Earth only to bring you an unburdened world."

Loki gave a cold laugh, holding his spear as he slowly paced around the base. He looked calm and composed, as though everything was under his control.

"Unburdened by what?"

Nick Fury looked puzzled.

"Freedom!"

Loki wore a smile as he sneered, "Freedom is the greatest lie in this world. Only by casting it aside will humanity truly understand what peace is."

As soon as he finished speaking, Loki vanished from where he stood and appeared behind Hawkeye. Before Hawkeye could react, the spear in Loki’s hand was already pressed against his back.

The spear shaft, forged from vibranium, was hard and sharp. Under Loki’s immense strength, it pierced through Hawkeye’s Kirin Armor. The spearhead had already punctured Hawkeye’s skin, and the Mind Stone glimmered with a faint light. Within the armor, blue light flashed in Hawkeye’s eyes. At that moment, Loki had used the Mind Stone to control him.

"…"

Nick Fury looked extremely grim. Was Loki saying that he wanted to rule Earth?

When it came to "freedom," perhaps no one on Earth understood it better than America. Wasn’t that precisely the excuse they used to invade other small nations?

Freedom truly was the greatest lie in this world.

"Please stop what you are doing. Does Your Excellency intend to start a war between Earth and Asgard?"

At this sight, Nick Fury could not help frowning tightly as he stared nervously at Loki.

"Heh, I represent only myself."

Loki gave a cold laugh and said so.

He did not dare take responsibility for that. China was still on Earth, and he knew perfectly well that he could not afford to provoke it. But could small fry like S.H.I.E.L.D. represent Earth?