Steve’s Devotion and Ideal

"Something to devote yourself to and an ideal that could help you endure the long years ahead?"

Steve fell into thought upon hearing those words.

"I want to control Hulk Power so I can live entirely according to my own wishes. I wonder if that counts as an ideal?"

Banner was not surprised when he heard Harvey say that he already knew what he was thinking.

After all, both Tony and Thor had said that Harvey was an extraordinarily mysterious and powerful being.

"Though this idea is ordinary, it does count as an ideal."

"Bruce Banner, like Tony, you are a genius who has made achievements in technology."

"The greatest difference between you and Tony is that you lack Tony’s confidence."

"But once you see the broader universe and more powerful beings…"

"You will fully accept your power and become stronger."

"So, I can give you an opportunity."

After hearing Banner’s plain and unadorned ideal, Harvey offered his assessment before speaking slowly.

"Thank you for your praise."

Banner was stunned for a moment by Harvey’s words, but he quickly came to his senses and spoke gratefully.

He had thought gaining recognition would be extremely difficult, but Harvey had unexpectedly given him an opportunity outright.

"Mr. Harvey Anberlaka, could you tell me what Tony’s ideal and devotion are?"

Seeing Harvey directly acknowledge Banner, Steve hesitated before asking.

"Steve Rogers, there is no shortcut in matters like this."

"Other people’s ideals and devotions will always belong to other people, not you."

"The difference between you and Tony and Banner is…"

"Because you were injected with the Super Serum and frozen in ice for decades, you have indirectly experienced the passage of time."

"Although you did not witness it firsthand, after waking up, you learned that your former comrades and friends around you had long since passed away."

"So you should have experienced the cruelty of time and the separation of life and death from family and friends."

"If you gain my recognition and blessing, the cruelty brought by time’s trials will play out again and again."

"So tell me, what are your ideal and devotion?"

"Follow your heart and say it."

Harvey looked at Steve and spoke slowly.

Every day on Xandar, there were people who hoped to join the Void Cult and yearned for power.

Thus, Harvey had witnessed many people holding different ideals.

Some people’s ideals were genuine, and they were willing to work toward them, praying patiently and waiting until they finally received a blessing.

Others merely spoke of them, without showing the drive or determination to take action.

Harvey certainly did not doubt that Steve Rogers possessed a sense of justice and the willingness to act for his ideals.

However, while the power of the Void was mighty and could grant others far longer lifespans, a long life was not suitable for everyone.

Witnessing one’s family and friends die again and again over the years would undoubtedly be agonizing.

That was why Harvey did not go out of his way to make friends. He did not want his mood to be ruined.

"If one can obtain a much longer lifespan, then if Peggy received it, could she continue living?"

After hearing Harvey’s words, Steve’s eyes flickered. He questioned his own heart, then voiced the matter he cared about most.

"Of course. If I can grant someone a lifespan of over a thousand years, making someone young again is naturally no difficult matter."

Harvey nodded calmly.

"Make someone young again?"

Banner, standing nearby, was utterly shocked.

He had imagined Harvey to be incredibly powerful and capable of accomplishing many things ordinary people would never dare imagine, but he had never expected Harvey to possess such an inconceivable power.

"I have thought about it carefully. I want to protect what I wish to protect, so I want even greater power."

"But the reason I am willing to protect others now and continuously temper my strength is all because of Peggy."

"Although I know this request may be somewhat excessive, could I ask you to let Peggy receive the blessing as well?"

Steve had initially only intended to ask, but he had not expected Harvey to truly be able to do it. His expression turned exceedingly serious as he asked.

"You and Peggy have been separated for decades. Peggy has already lived out a mortal life."

"If a dying mortal receives power and returns to youth, her thoughts may not remain the same as they were in the past."

"You should know that the human heart is fickle."

"Are you certain you want me to do this?"

Harvey was not particularly surprised by Steve’s request and spoke slowly.

"I owe Peggy far too much. I have even thought that if I could return to the past, I would spend my entire life by her side."

"It is simply that I did not possess such great power, nor did I have anything I could rely upon."

"Now, you say that Peggy can continue living and even return to youth."

"Even if Peggy’s feelings truly change, as long as Peggy is still alive…"

"Then she will be my devotion, carrying my ideal."

As Steve said these words, his eyes were filled with guilt and longing.

Back then, he and Peggy had been only one step away from marriage and spending their lives together.

But because of his mission, he had been frozen for decades. By the time he awoke, everything had changed.

Just as Peggy had said before, he had been gone too long and returned too late.

So late that Peggy was about to die, leaving no possibility of rekindling the love they had shared in their youth.

Previously, he had no way to make amends, but now he had met Harvey and learned that he had an opportunity to compensate her.

Therefore, no matter what, Steve wanted to secure this chance for Peggy. It would be compensation for her, and some comfort for his own heart as well.

"I never expected you to be such a devoted lover. Although I do not recommend that you do this, I can give you and your beloved Peggy an opportunity."

"But before that, Tony, tell them about the Void Cult. There is no need to hold anything back anymore."

"Afterward, I will bestow my blessing. They will become your kin on Earth."

Seeing the look in Steve’s eyes, Harvey considered it for a moment before speaking.

Tony Stark and Steve Rogers had both chosen the women they loved as their devotion, wanting them to accompany them through the long years ahead.

In Harvey’s eyes, that kind of devotion was ordinary and not particularly reliable.

The human heart was fickle. Even the most inseparable love could change with the passage of time.

However, since Steve truly felt this way, Harvey would give him an opportunity.

After those words fell, Harvey’s figure vanished.

Second update delivered.