The moment they heard Nolan's words, every member of the Council wore a grim expression.
None of them knew whether they should believe what Nolan Locke had just told them.
But they did know one thing.
At this moment, they had no room to argue.
Not while Nolan was standing here.
Because none of them could be certain he wouldn't act if they pushed him too far.
And if Nolan really decided to use force, no one in this building could stop him.
At the same time, another thought quietly surfaced in their minds.
What if...
What if everything Nolan had said was true?
That possibility alone was enough to fill them with dread.
They believed some of his words were meant to intimidate them.
Even so, they also understood that if those Dimension Lords truly learned that Earth had entered a full-scale war, there was every chance they would seize the opportunity to invade.
The only thing they weren't certain about was whether those Dimension Lords truly existed...
Or whether they were really as terrifying as the footage they had seen suggested.
Nolan only glanced at their expressions before immediately reading their thoughts.
"There are countless legends and historical records about Dimension Lords throughout the world.
Take Mephisto, for example.
The devil who delights in corrupting human hearts.
He is a Dimension Lord.
One of the strongest.
His power is no weaker than Dormammu's, the one who invaded Earth before.
Oh, right.
I almost forgot.
Dormammu was the Dimension Lord you saw in those battle recordings."
The room instantly fell silent.
Several Council members' faces turned pale.
Mephisto.
Not everyone recognized the name.
His legends weren't widespread across every culture.
But most of them had at least heard stories about him.
Even those unfamiliar with Mephisto had similar figures in their own mythologies.
Devils.
Demons.
Dark gods.
The names differed, but the concepts were strikingly alike.
"And Mephisto isn't the only one.
Even the angels and gods worshipped in many religions could, in a sense, be considered Dimension Lords.
Many of Earth's ancient myths originated from encounters with beings from other dimensions.
Most legends are based on something real.
And in many cases, that reality traces back to the Dimension Lords.
They have rarely set foot on Earth themselves.
But their followers have never disappeared.
Once Earth goes to war with Thanos, those followers will inevitably report everything to their masters.
The Dimension Lords have coveted Earth for countless years.
There is absolutely no chance they'll ignore an opportunity like this."
One Council member asked with a strained expression,
"Are you absolutely certain?"
He was beginning to waver.
But he still didn't know whether Nolan's words deserved his trust.
Nolan looked at him before smiling faintly.
"Why would I lie to you?
You know perfectly well what I possess.
I have enough wealth.
Enough power.
There is very little left on Earth that truly matters to me.
If I wanted to, I could leave this planet tomorrow with my fortune and live comfortably anywhere in the universe.
The only reason I'm staying...
is because I'm an Earthling too.
No one can escape this conflict.
Not even me.
So I'll fight.
I'll fight to protect this planet.
I don't want to defeat Thanos only to inherit a ruined world.
And I certainly don't want my home to become another playground for those damned Dimension Lords.
My family...
My friends...
They're all here."
His sincerity resonated throughout the chamber.
At least, it convinced many of the Council members.
No one sitting in this room lacked intelligence.
Their talents might differ from Tony Stark's, but every one of them understood the logic.
If even Nolan couldn't escape what was coming...
Neither could they.
A Council member finally stood.
"Everyone.
You've heard Mr. Nolan Locke.
Let's put this to a vote.
If you believe what he's saying...
Raise your hand.
Personally, I choose to trust him.
He may be a businessman.
But above all else...
He's a son of Earth.
I believe he would never deliberately betray his own home."
As he spoke, he looked directly at Nolan.
His reasoning was simple.
They had no better option.
Since they had no choice but to trust Nolan, he hoped that showing sincerity now would ensure Nolan had no reason to deceive them.
It was the only thing left within his power.
Soon, the vote began.
Hands slowly rose across the room.
The Council had many members.
Not everyone was willing to accept Nolan's claims.
After all...
This decision wouldn't affect only a handful of people.
It would affect the entire world.
So they had to proceed with extreme caution.
Nolan simply smiled.
He wasn't bothered.
More than half the Council voted in favor.
But it still fell short of the required two-thirds majority needed to pass a resolution.
Seeing the result, the Council member spoke again.
"I know this is a gamble.
But unfortunately...
We're already sitting at the table.
And the chips we're betting are everything."
Normally, such words had no place during Council proceedings.
But this situation was different.
Every previous vote had affected only a nation...
Or perhaps an entire region.
This one could decide the fate of the world.
Perhaps even the universe.
If they guessed wrong, everything would be lost.
But if they prepared for the worst and Thanos never came...
The only cost would be wasted manpower and resources.
"So...
Let's begin a second vote."
This time, hands rose almost immediately.
Nearly everyone voted in favor.
Because they all realized the same truth.
They were already gambling with everything they had.
And this vote was the only way to improve their odds.
The motion passed.
The Council member nodded before turning toward Nolan.
"Then let's discuss the next issue.
The deployment plan.
Thanos' military strength.
Where he's most likely to attack.
And how we can seize the initiative."
He listed question after question.
Nolan's reply was surprisingly simple.
"The initiative has always belonged to us."
A confident smile appeared on his face.
"Thanos is coming to Earth for one reason.
The remaining three Infinity Stones.
And all three are in our possession.
That means...
We choose the battlefield.
With Thanos' confidence and his obsession with the Stones, he won't waste time slaughtering the entire planet before claiming them.
As for the Dimension Lords...
That battlefield cannot be avoided.
We have no choice but to keep them contained inside the dimensional rifts."
"That's good news."
One Council member smiled.
"At least we're not completely on the defensive anymore."
Another quickly added,
"But where should that battlefield be?"
Nolan turned toward Wakanda's representative.
Now that Wakanda had joined the Council, it held equal standing among its member nations.
"I believe this decision must be discussed with King T'Challa."
The Wakandan representative frowned.
"You want the battlefield to be... Wakanda?"
His expression darkened.
Everyone understood what that meant.
Whichever place became the battlefield would inevitably suffer unimaginable destruction.
"That's right."
Nolan answered without hesitation.
"Wakanda is the best possible choice.
Its population density is low.
Its technological capabilities are unmatched on Earth.
More importantly...
It possesses a planetary-scale energy shield capable of protecting the entire nation.
That shield will give us a tremendous advantage."
The Council members exchanged glances.
Their eyes brightened.
It really was the best option.
Perhaps the only realistic one.
And, more importantly...
Nolan hadn't chosen his own country.
"I can't make that decision myself."
The Wakandan representative shook his head.
"I need authorization from His Majesty before I can give you an answer."
"This matter is too important."
Nolan nodded.
"That's understandable.
But please contact Wakanda as quickly as possible.
We don't have much time."
The representative stepped outside and immediately placed a call.
"Your Majesty.
Nolan Locke is here at the Council.
He proposes making Wakanda the battlefield against Thanos."
On the other end of the line, T'Challa frowned.
His first thought was that Nolan was taking revenge on him.
But after hearing the explanation...
He fell silent.
Because Nolan was right.
There was no better battlefield than Wakanda.
"If this war truly decides the fate of the universe...
Then we have no choice.
Begin preparations.
Tell Nolan that Wakanda accepts.
But we expect appropriate compensation afterward."
"Shouldn't we consult the Tribal Council first?"
the representative asked.
T'Challa slowly shook his head.
"We don't have time.
And honestly...
I don't want to ask for their approval.
I can't guarantee they'll agree.
But Nolan is right.
Wakanda is the best battlefield.
We'll proceed.
If the Tribal Council disagrees...
They can remove me as king after the war is over."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
While that conversation took place...
The discussions inside the Council chamber continued.
Choosing the battlefield was only one part of the problem.
The greater issue was assembling enough military power.
Without overwhelming force...
Even the perfect battlefield would be meaningless.
"We'll need enormous numbers of mechanized weapons."
One Council member looked at Nolan.
"So, Mr. Locke...
Could your weapons perhaps be a little cheaper?"
Every Council member stared at Nolan expectantly.
Not long ago, Nolan had opened nearly all of Locke Technology's military products for international purchase.
The problem was...
They were incredibly expensive.
Even major nations struggled to afford them.
If they could negotiate lower prices now...
It would save them an astronomical amount of money.
Nolan simply laughed.
Lower the prices?
Then where would the funding for my Third-Generation Super Soldier Program come from?
He was still just short of reaching his goal.
And these governments...
Were exactly the customers he had been waiting for.
"The current prices are already close to production cost.
Locke Technology is practically selling these weapons without profit.
If you expect them to be any cheaper...
I'm afraid that's impossible."
Many of the Council members sighed helplessly.
They knew it.
Nolan Locke...
The world's greatest profiteer...
Would never give them a discount so easily.
Still...
They had no alternative.
Another enormous purchase was unavoidable.
"We'll prepare additional procurement orders.
But can Locke Technology's factories actually keep up with global demand?"
"Of course not."
Nolan answered honestly.
"Our production capacity is impressive.
But we're still only one company.
Supplying the military needs of the entire world is impossible.
Fortunately...
There's an easy solution.
Many manufacturers already possess compatible industrial equipment.
Locke Technology can lease those production facilities, install our manufacturing systems, and use them to produce our standard weapons.
The most advanced equipment can't be mass-produced this way.
But basic military hardware certainly can."
The Council members nodded.
Even Locke Technology's standard equipment far surpassed the weapons produced by other defense companies.
Besides...
Nolan had always offered foreign governments better prices than the major American weapons manufacturers.
Now was the perfect opportunity to purchase massive quantities at a relatively reasonable cost.
For a brief moment...
Some of them even felt relieved.
Then reality returned.
Within days...
Countless people would die.
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