Rogers finished speaking, raised his glass, and continued drinking. It had been far too long since he'd last gotten drunk.
After he'd resolved to leave S.H.I.E.L.D. and abandon his heroic duties,
he felt he deserved a good drink.
Watching Captain America like this, Barton furrowed his brow and nodded helplessly.
"Sorry, Captain."
"Why apologize? Isn't this how the world works? No one is entirely right, and no one stays right forever.
If my feelings about Heisenberg are wrong now, then Earth's future will be far better than I imagine, and I look forward to that future."
Saying this, Rogers patted Barton on the shoulder.
"That's all. Let this old man drink alone. Go on."
"Mm."
Barton nodded and stepped away from Rogers. Despite the lively atmosphere, Rogers, who had been arm-wrestling earlier, showed no interest in rejoining the games.
…
On the other side, Heisenberg calmly accepted the cheers of the Asgardian warriors. He also raised his hand, giving a subtle nod to the Hydra members.
"Everyone!"
He smiled, his voice amplified by the bio-force field, echoing clearly in everyone's ears.
"On this night of victory over the Chitauri, as the victors, you have every right to celebrate however you choose!
My Asgardian people, you are heroes who have fought for millennia. Enjoy this victory once more!
I've prepared a grand feast for you in Midtown, New York. After tonight's warm-up, tomorrow we'll head to New York for ten days and nights of Asgardian revelry!
And to my Earth allies, whether Hydra or S.H.I.E.L.D., in my eyes, there's no distinction between good and evil.
What defines your morality isn't just your allegiance, but your past actions!
No matter what you've done before, since joining my ranks, have you done anything that made innocent civilians weep?
You even fought against the Chitauri, and standing before me alive proves your valor!
At least tonight, you are comrades and heroes!
So let's raise our glasses—to the Nine Realms!!!"
"Hooray!!!"
"Cheers, Your Majesty!!!"
"To the Nine Realms!!!"
"Midtown, I love feasts, haha!!!"
"Your Majesty, thank you for my hair!!!"
Sif's bold yet captivating voice rang out, and Heisenberg turned to her.
The woman, as fierce as a Valkyrie, rushed forward with a small fishbowl in hand.
She stopped before Heisenberg, raised the bowl, and drank it in one gulp.
Smashing the empty bowl, she wiped her mouth, then threw herself into Heisenberg's arms.
"Thank you so much for the gift, Your Majesty!"
Sif hugged Heisenberg, whispering in his ear, then quickly pulled away, her face flushed as she returned to her table amid whistles and cheers.
With a thud, Sif buried her head on the table, glancing sideways at Thor.
But Thor was still engrossed in conversation with Jane Foster, exchanging words of affection.
Sif felt utterly dejected. Even after so many years, did Thor not care about her at all?
Thinking this, Sif lifted her head, grabbed a nearby bowl of wine, and drank it dry.
Noticing Sif's conflicted expression, the experienced Heisenberg knew exactly what she was thinking.
But seeing Thor and Jane…
Heisenberg couldn't help but sigh for Sif.
Thor, single for two millennia, had suddenly found his first love…
At this moment, not even Sif could draw his attention—not even if you brought Victoria's Secret angels.
What could he do? Everyone has a first love, right?
Thinking this, Heisenberg smiled, shook his head, and walked to the tables where the legion commanders sat, taking a seat.
Sigmund sat to his left, and Sif, beating others to it, sat to his right.
Tony and his lover sat across from him.
The atmosphere instantly improved.
Asgard's long tables could seat many, and besides those near Heisenberg, there were Bullseye, Jessica, Natasha, and Vandal.
The group surrounded Heisenberg, drinking late into the night.
Sigmund's three millennia of war stories spiced up the conversation—a boastful tale or two always makes a drinking session more fun, right?
Even Heisenberg joined in, sharing snippets of the Kryptonian elder's memories, satisfying everyone's curiosity about his past.
In high spirits, Loki even performed the traditional Vanir war dance Frigga had taught him, while Bullseye organized a knife-throwing contest.
Representing Asgard was Hogun, Earth by Barton, and Heisenberg's side by Bullseye.
The three competed all night without a clear winner…
But the spectators were thrilled to the core.
As midnight passed, even the brooding Captain America couldn't help but cheer up.
Drunk, he finally realized that no matter what the future held, Earth had already emerged from the Chitauri's attack.
Countless satellites watched over the planet, and planes inexplicably patrolled Denver's skies.
Heisenberg's celebration, with all his followers gathered, truly amazed the world.
How to describe the night's atmosphere?
Even with Pepper, his newlywed, keeping an eye on him, Tony ended up under the table.
Even Hill, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., passed out beside Heisenberg's bed…
When Heisenberg woke the next morning, Hill was still asleep, a mess. He was certain she was truly sleeping—no one could deceive a Kryptonian's eyes.
Looking at her, Heisenberg smiled.
He reached out, tapping her slightly open mouth.
Feeling the tap, Hill opened her eyes, confused.
Recognizing Heisenberg, she blinked, thought for a split second, then smiled naturally.
She snuggled closer, patting his chest.
"We're in New York, right? I remember you sent everyone there with the Bifröst last night!
I must've overslept. Today's the day you host your Asgardian people—about 230,000 of them. It's a huge task, and I wouldn't trust anyone else with it."
Finishing, Hill got up and headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower, she dressed in the clothes Butler Billy had prepared.
She hugged the lazy Heisenberg one last time, then left, once again the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Cold yet confident, arrogant yet willing to yield.
Especially with her figure and demeanor.
…
In the vast universe, on Xandar!
Brilliant light streaked across the sky as Carol carried a furious, resentful woman, landing in Xandar's square.
"Wow, Captain's back!"
"What a surprise! May your 130,000th cosmic year be prosperous, Captain!"
"The Centauri tail flame shines upon us, Captain!"
"Is that… Her Highness? You brought her back?"
The Xandarians greeted Captain Marvel warmly, and Carol smiled in response.
Hearing the last question, Carol raised the woman slightly.
"Yes, it took effort, but she's in my hands. This disappointing royal will finally face justice!"
Saying this, Carol brought Deathbird to the council. After a tedious process, Deathbird received her punishment: exile…
Finishing with Deathbird, Carol left the council, heading to her favorite bar.
Nearly everyone on Xandar recognized the powerful warrior, and countless people greeted her. Their admiring gazes filled Carol with satisfaction.
As Captain Marvel, Carol was devoted to her mission and insatiable in her achievements.
Watching the flamboyant yet beloved Carol, a small, unnoticed mercenary at the square's edge grew irritated.
The raccoon grumpily patted the tree-man's shoulder, muttering.
"I don't know what to say. She's just a flashy woman, but so many trust her. Even the Xandarian royal family gives her missions!"
The raccoon frowned, patting the tree-man again.
"I've only got one thing to say. She's just a female. Give me enough energy, and my cannon could take her out in one shot!"
"I am Groot!!!"
The tree-man quickly covered the raccoon's mouth, as his boast drew the attention of countless low-level mercenaries.
When they saw the speaker was just an animal, they burst into laughter.
One mercenary laughed, retorting:
"You must be new to Xandar, hick!
That's Carol Danvers, a hero on par with Nova Prime, even rivaling the Sword Master!
When the Sword Master was alive, even Galactus couldn't defeat him!
You two think you could hurt Captain Marvel?"
As the mercenary spoke, the raccoon broke free from Groot's grip.
"Pfft, I don't know any damn Nova or Sword Master. If anyone can be a 'Prime,' then I'm the Prime Weapon Master!
Give me enough energy, and I'll destroy Xandar in one shot. No one can stop me, damn it!!!"
"Wow, this raccoon's got guts. I like you, buddy, haha!"
"Right, we love hot-headed guys. Raccoon, come drink with us!"
"And Groot, by the Eternal, it's been ages since I've seen a Groot. He's probably the last one in the universe, right?"
"Come on, you two newcomers. All drinks are on the house tonight. That's Xandar's mercenary hospitality!"
Who knows how mercenaries think? Instead of being annoyed by the raccoon's bravado, they welcomed him.
Thus, the raccoon, recently escaped from a lab, experienced human warmth for the first time.
But this warmth came with strong drinks…
The raccoon quickly got drunk.
That night, in the same bar, another young man with no reputation or achievements passed out drunk.
Peter Quill, a young man who'd recently left a pirate crew, arrived on Xandar full of energy and dreams.
But like most young people, he faced setbacks in this new environment.
He ended up at the bar, stirred by Carol, the legendary mercenary.
Three months ago, the Xandarian Empire's most challenging mission—capturing the traitor Deathbird—was completed by Captain Marvel, a legend Quill could only admire.
Drinking, Quill felt desolate.
When would he complete such a legendary mission and become a legend himself?