"There is no need to intervene," replied Edward. "It's not yet time for me to deal with the Multiverse variants of myself–especially the dark, mad, twisted, and cruel versions."
"That would indeed be a nightmare," nodded Morgana. "Regardless, we need a development plan for this Dark Multiverse."
"Obviously, we must study it and why it differs from the other Multiverse," commented Edward. "Secondly, this place is a resource-gathering spot. We can mine as many resources as we need."
"We should be able to create another Tier 10 Floating City very soon," added Morgana. "However, we have to worry about that force that stopped us from intervening in the Multiverse."
"This place is full of chaos and violence. I doubt anyone will care about our mindless plunder. However, to be careful, we will slow down our mining of resources to a reasonable level."
"That's a good approach."
"However, this is not the most valuable thing about this discovery," said Edward, who looked into the sky. His eyes seemed to be glazing at something unknown.
"The Mana Grid," uttered Morgana.
"Correct. The Mana Grid means infinite mana and resources," said Edward. "We need to find a timeline where the Gods do not know about the grid, or they lost control of it.
"Then, we can harness its power for ourselves."
"When we return, I will create a team in charge of this mission," replied Morgana as she took note.
"We need a team to capture Herpo and Guzznad if they exist in any of these timelines. These two are great ways to acquire more Divine Energy while the Milky Way Galaxy is under the watch of the gods."
"That's a good idea, but these two might become even more powerful in this place.'
The Dark Multiverse seemed a place to favor evil and darkness. So, Morgana's words were not groundless.
"You're right, so we need to be more careful," nodded Edward. "Lastly, warn the Time Aurors to set up defensive measures against threats from the Dark Multiverse."
"Will do."
Edward nodded as he took one last look at this place before dispersing his Astral Projection. He returned to Planet Green Sour. He took one last look before stepping into his floating city. He waited until Morgana took over the Intelligens' monitoring system on this planet before heading to their current main habitat.
The Intelligens' current main planet was called Chug, the fourth planet in a Cain Belt System. Upon arrival, Edward immediately detected signs this planet had recently terraformed to resemble their previous main planet.
"How long will it take you to infiltrate their system?" asked Edward.
"With the previous data, give me half an hour."
"Alright, this was more than enough time to read a book," nodded Edward, who calmly waited. Then, when the time arrived, she appeared before him.
"Done?" said Edward as he closed the book.
"Yes, and I've found something."
"Oh?"
"There is a place with extremely advanced technology."
"How advanced are we talking about?"
"It would take me days to break into their system with my current state."
"That is indeed advanced. The Intelligens were never this powerful. Do you have any information on this place?"
"Yes," replied Morgana as she showed him a screen. "It is the main lab of the most talented scientist of the Intelligens–Albert Swchartz."
Edward saw a picture of a man in his middle 30s with blond hair and blue eyes. He looked handsome by all human standards; however, his face displayed great stoicism. The first impression of this man to anyone who met was he was extremely serious and was probably dull to converse with.
"Who is this scientist?"
"That's another odd point. There is little to no information released about him to the public. So far, all I know is he rescued countless Intellingens after the Fall of Darkness and gathered them together.
"The people believed him as a savior since he preserved the Intelligens' civilization by saving most of their technology; he even improved on them.
"However, his approval with his people has plummeted recently."
"Is it because of the Cosmic Energy Experiments?"
"Yes. The Intelligens have not completely removed their feelings toward supernatural/extraordinary powers despite the current situation. However, Albert advocates for them."
"Such a closed-minded and extreme civilization would not last long in this cruel cosmos–especially with how inflexible they are," commented Edward while shaking his head. "This person should be our target. Let's check him out."
Edward headed directly toward Albert's secret laboratory while remaining undetectable. It was a state-of-the-art lab with probably the best security on this planet. However, after being cautious–especially towards the Energy Sensors–he swiftly infiltrated this place and met Albert.
At first sight, Edward knew something was wrong with this man.
"Did you see it?"
"Yes, his mind is protected by a strange power," nodded Morgana.
Edward looked directly at the man, and the latter sensed something and looked around. However, Albert saw nothing out of the ordinary and continued his work.
"That's the power of law," added Edward.
"Do you think?"
"Most likely. Let's observe more."
They observed Albert for the next few hours and found nothing new. Then, the man finally rested, but the two did not move; they prepared to spend the next few days secretly observing.
Luckily, they did not have to wait long.
After sleeping less than three hours, Albert suddenly woke up and summoned a holographic projection before him. He then began to draw the schematic for a new application of Dark Matter as an energy source.
"Another breakthrough from my dream," muttered Albert, his eyes seeming lost and hopeful simultaneously.
"I guess we now know what's happening," commented Edward, who deduced the situation. So, he quietly left just as he came and returned to his city before contacting Olivier.
"What's the situation?" she asked.
"If I guess correctly, some Tier 10 Gods from outside have a way to bypass Guzznad's blocking," explained Edward. "They used Dream Revelation to grant the Intelligens with technology. Their plan should be to cultivate a pawn that can intervene in the current situation."
"The situation is about to reach a tipping point. The last thing we need is outside intervention," groaned Olivier. "Do you have any idea who it is?"
"Our information about the Gods residing in the Central Region is limited. However, we can narrow it down since such a feat would require Tier 10 powers and Artificer or Technology Authority."
"There is no point in worrying about this now. The real issue is, what do you want to do with the Intelligens?"
"A part of me wants to eradicate them and remove the trouble." The Intelligens were too much of a hostile group, so it was impossible to integrate them into the Empire without extreme measures with great risks.
"Another part wants to use this opportunity to get technology from these Gods."
"Assuming your assumption is correct, the Tier 10 God will never give technology that surpasses Tier 9 to prevent any backlash. So, as long as we have Netheril, we should have no problem using them as leeches.
"We only need to monitor all their movements."
"In that case, let's do that."
"Then, what do we do with them once they are no longer useful?"
"Try to incorporate them. If not, kill them or be merciful by sending their planet into another dimension. I don't really care."
"Alright."
With just a casual conversation, they decided the fate of an entire civilization. Sadly, that is the fate of the weak in the universe.