Back within the Origin Wall, Lucifer heaved a sigh of relief, considering what just occurred to be his most dangerous experience in years. The incident proved that no matter how powerful one is within their own home, venturing out invariably leads to a downfall.
After the close call, he immediately turned to Shiller, angrily accusing, "Are you mad? Were you trying to get me killed?!"
But Shiller paid him no mind, instead fiddling excitedly with the blue cube levitating in the dark recesses of the Universe Space. "As the saying goes, the audacious often overreach, but the meek starve. Do you know what this is?" He asked.
Lucifer scrutinized his expression, then followed Shiller's gaze to the blue cube.
It wasn't excessively large. When Lucifer first saw it, it was the size of a planet, but it had significantly shrunk during their journey here, now about the size of a shipping container.
However, the cube currently contained a full cosmos— the universe where Shiller resided and the one that Lucifer had driven them out from with a car.
Although Lucifer had driven into the Universe Cube, even with his powerful ability to call upon God in the last moment to rescue himself and Shiller, the car remained stuck inside the cube, unable to be extracted.
The strange object had turned into a cube encasing a sphere, which represented the DC Universe Shiller inhabited.
In the pitch-black Universe Space, the blue cube was striking in its isolation. Sensing the immense power it exuded, Lucifer asked, "What is this exactly? Is it worth risking our lives for?"
"If I'm not mistaken, this thing is called the 'Universe Cube'. Its primary function is to interfere with reality, to create universes…" Shiller explained.
Lucifer interrupted with a scoff, "That's nothing, I can do that too..."
"Excellent, next time I feel like messing with reality, I'll make sure to give you a call."
"Spare me. Take it and get lost." Lucifer immediately retorted.
Looking at the Universe Cube, Shiller was deeply satisfied.
Within the Marvel World, the Universe Cube and Cosmic Cube were two distinct things.
Due to translation errors, audiences often confused the Cosmic Cube, which contained the Space Gem, with the Universe Cube. In fact, the container for the Space Gem that had been lost on Earth was the Cosmic Cube, and the Universe Cube was an entirely different artifact.
The combat prowess of the Universe Cube is a disputed topic. Some argue that it's an omnipotent divine artifact capable of rewriting reality and creating universes, whereas others claim that it's on a similar level as the Infinity Gauntlet.
Both perspectives are valid. While the Universe Cube has demonstrated considerable power, particularly in the "Heavy Metal" comic series, where it can reboot the entire Omni Universe, it does not display such capabilities in the Prime Universe.
Well-known characters such as Thanos and Doctor Destruction have previously wielded the Universe Cube. However, the effectiveness of such artifacts largely depends on the user.
After obtaining the Universe Cube, Thanos defeated Kronos, but when Doctor Destruction received it, he impacted the entirety of the Omni Universe, which has been officially acknowledged by Marvel.
When Shiller discovered that OAA was using the Universe Cube as his cage, he realized that the artifact's level might be higher than he had originally assumed. After all, anything OAA deemed worthy of use definitely couldn't be rubbish.
So, he called upon Lucifer and coerced him into freeing him. Lucifer, due to his lesser dimensional level than OAA, would not detect the higher-dimensional watcher OAA unless he took action himself. As soon as Lucifer acted, OAA would counterattack.
Although Lucifer couldn't defeat OAA, he had an emergency trick, the Dad-to Technique. His relationship with God was complicated, but in essence, he was still God's beloved son.
If his son was getting beaten up by the boss next door, God would surely not remain passive.
Lucifer broke into the Universe Cube, and God chose not to bother with extracting him. He simply took Shiller, Lucifer, Lucifer's car, and the Universe Cube back into the Origin Wall of DC Universe.
Because Lucifer had previously driven his car into the cube, it was now stuck inside, turning the Marvel's divine artifact into a protective shell encapsulating Shiller's entire universe.
Shiller hadn't forgotten that, in a distant universe, there was a threat equivalent to Deadpool, waiting to invade the Multiverse.
In terms of repulsiveness, the Laughing Bat was no less dangerous than Deadpool.
There was no guarantee of absolute safety within any DC Universe, and even with Lucifer's protection, as soon as the phrase "The Laughing Bat has foreseen his actions," was uttered, Lucifer would fall under the unassailable power of the DC editorial department.
The unpredictability of the Laughing Bat's laughter leading to life and death situations was precisely the case.
However, while the Laughing Bat may be the favored character of the DC editorial department, his powers would drastically decrease outside of the DC Universe. The Marvel editorial department would undoubtedly refuse to acknowledge such a troll-like character and allow him to belittle Marvel characters and divine artifacts.
DC swords could not harm Marvel officials. Shiller's universe was now located at the center of Marvel's Universe Cube. If the Laughing Bat wanted to invade, he would have to break Marvel's Universe Cube first.
Additionally, this protective shell was not just a defense against the Laughing Bat; it could also deter many other threats. Most importantly, with this protection, Shiller could devise plans for the Multiverse without any reservations. Even if there was a mishap, he just needed to retreat home and shut the door to ensure basic safety.
Ever since the discovery of the Laughing Egg within Bruce, Shiller had been contemplating how to protect the safety of his universe. The events of the DC Multiverse were fraught with danger and fast-paced, leaving no room for respite.
Shiller understood that any Laughing Bat, from any universe or timeline, was akin to an incurable disease—once contaminated with its filth, it couldn't be excised.
It was hopeless to fight a battle of wits against the Laughing Bat. It was not a contest of intelligence, but a circular game of predictions. The Laughing Bat foresaw your plan, you anticipated that the Laughing Bat saw through your plan, the Laughing Bat then predicted that you anticipated that it saw through your plan…
Shiller had no interest in anticipating the actions of the Laughing Bat. He thought arguing with such an Arrogant Dragon would be a waste of time. Hence, he had long pondered the idea of shielding this universe.
But in the DC Universe, political correctness wasn't very effective. DC already had plenty of dark plots, so any push towards political correctness could easily backfire.
Unexpectedly, OAA himself gave him the Universe Cube, and Shiller willingly accepted it with a smile.
At this time, Lucifer tutted and said, "I just tried a moment ago, this universe is completely stuck inside, I can't get it out at all."
"That's a problem of your driving skills," Shiller immediately shrugged off the blame.
Lucifer snorted coldly, glanced at Shiller in a way that seemed to say, "Don't think I don't know what tricks you're playing." At that moment, Shiller took out a recording pen from his pocket.
"Click, Dad!!!!!"
"Click, Dad!!!!!"
"Click Dad...Click Dad... Click Dad..."
"Stop!" Lucifer yelled, looking at Shiller, "How could you be so despicable???"
"What gave you the impression that I was an honest person?" Shiller retorted.
After a brief squabble, Lucifer asked, "So the question is, how do we go back now?"
Then, he saw Shiller making the sign of the cross on his chest and starting to pray softly:
"Omnipotent savior, your dear son forgot to bring his keys and now can't get home. I pray to you for a key to allow us free passage in and out of this universe. Believers should always have a secure, warm shelter..."
With a "clang", a key fell in front of Shiller. He picked it up, put it on his keychain, and waved it at Lucifer, saying, "Let's go."
"Give me back that recording pen!!!" Lucifer shouted as he went chasing after him.
When they returned to Earth, Lucifer was furious, "You dared to record a friend's embarrassing moment and play it over and over again. I am shocked at your shamelessness and despicability! ...Alright, what do I have to do to get you to give me back the recording pen?"
"Simple." Shiller waved the pen and said, "Last time, you didn't fulfill the request I made. This time, I have to make a wish to you again, great Lucifer Morningstar, can you resurrect Batman's parents?"
"My bar is busy, I have to go!" Lucifer decided without hesitation and turned to leave.
Shiller shook his head, then bought a ticket for the next flight back to Gotham.
Upon returning to Gotham, he did not rest but immediately went to Gotham Cathedral. In the church, he encountered an old priest. After exchanging pleasantries, Shiller said:
"Recently, I've been feeling somewhat anxious. I hope to have a personal chat with the Lord..."
"Oh, I understand. After the snow disaster, we're all having it tough. Go ahead, professor, God will certainly bless good people like you..."
After saying this, the old priest turned and left. Shiller went to the statue of Jesus, then took out the recording pen.
Making the sign of the cross, he said:
"Hello, God, I just successfully made your most beloved and rebellious son call me 'Dad,' and even recorded his voice. I believe I should be rewarded for this..."
Suddenly, Shiller felt a faint light emanating from the recording pen in his hand. It then tried to fly out of his hand, but Shiller didn't let go. Instead, he took out a bill on the spot.
"God, your favorite son has undergone five years of psychological therapy with me. Since he isn't fully capable, I think therapy results and treatment fees should all be discussed with his parents..."
Apparently, the word "parents" was very satisfying to the other party, and the bill instantly took off.
An invisible existence in mid-air was flipping through the bill. Just going through the first page, the bill instantly fell to the ground with a "pap".
In a daze, Shiller saw Jesus on the cross shaking his head, and faintly heard a phrase:
"Your greed shocks me."
"Of course, I could compromise. I need just a small condition. I can offer a discount on Lucifer's therapy fees, extend the duration of the psychological therapy package to ten years, and offer this recording pen as a tribute to our dear Lord," Shiller immediately said.
A voice came from the void:
"What do you want?"
"I want to enter Heaven."