"One problem—based on our latest intelligence, the number of Angels within the Holy Heavenly Palace is increasing exponentially, and their strength is rapidly escalating," a Kree intelligence officer reported.
"This phenomenon appears to be directly linked to faith," another strategist added grimly.
"Faith seems to be a tangible energy source for them, fueling their evolution and amplifying their power," a Kree scientist elaborated.
"If this trend continues, their exponential growth will soon pose an existential threat. At a conservative estimate, within a thousand years, they may surpass the Kree Empire in every aspect."
"In addition, their technology bears striking similarities to the Bifrost, granting them instantaneous interstellar mobility. Their expansion will only accelerate, and we currently have no countermeasure to restrict their influence beyond our occupied systems."
"That raises the question—will they eventually be satisfied with their current territory, or will they continue to expand?"
"Is the Kree Empire willing to tolerate this growing risk?"
A high-ranking Kree general, clad in deep-blue Accuser armor, spoke with unnerving composure.
"Seconded," multiple council members agreed in unison.
The holographic projection of the Supreme Intelligence flickered, its countless green eyes narrowing in calculated thought.
"The strength of the Kree Empire will also continue to grow," stated a scientist from the Science Council.
"But we lack the ability to respond at interstellar distances as swiftly as they do. We are already falling behind in terms of sheer expansion speed."
"Their ideological subjugation is also formidable. Reports indicate that many of our covert operatives embedded within their empire are gradually succumbing to indoctrination."
"Seconded."
"We must acquire the ability to strike beyond the limits of our current visual-range technologies. A vast empire means nothing if we cannot truly govern it!"
"Seconded!"
As members of the Supreme Council, all present sought to ensure the Kree Empire's continued dominance.
"Asgard must be factored into our strategy for acquiring over-the-horizon response technology," a senior strategist proposed.
"Seconded. However, the latest intelligence suggests that Asgard has yet to fully recover from the Battle of Ragnarok. Odin is old, and the throne is not as stable as it once was."
"Seconded. Precautions must still be taken, but we may leverage an exchange. The Asgardians might take great interest in the Angelic Order and their unique utilization of faith-based energy."
"Seconded. If cooperation is viable, we should pursue it."
"Then, effective immediately, recall all pursuit fleets, consolidate our main forces, and, once we acquire over-the-horizon technology, resume the offensive!"
"Seconded!"
The Supreme Council's resolution was passed. The Kree Empire once again entered a state of full-scale military readiness.
Two Months Later – Andromeda System
Following the strategic withdrawal of Kree forces, Ragna 's dominion over the Andromeda system had solidified.
With most intergalactic jump points under his control, Ragna 's forces remained vigilant, anticipating the inevitable Kree counteroffensive.
Upon the celestial surface of Angel Star, Ragna was conducting a review of the Second Angelic Legion, an elite force still in its formative stages.
Their commander, Liang Bing—whom Ragna had personally named the Angel of Original Sin—stood at the forefront. She possessed an unrelenting drive to surpass Keisha, seeking to claim greater favor in Ragna 's eyes.
Yet, despite her efforts, she was routinely bested in their encounters. And after each loss, she would seek out Ragna , demanding solace, energy infusions, and whispered reassurances.
Ragna indulged her, though with exasperated amusement.
Suddenly, his expression hardened. His golden eyes flickered toward the void, where a massive surge of space-time energy distorted reality itself.
In the next instant, a blinding light split the heavens.
The Kree Empire's elite fleet, accompanied by members of its Starforce division, bypassed the known intergalactic jump points—an impossibility under normal conditions.
They had emerged directly above Angel Star.
Ragna 's gaze sharpened. His vast psychic senses immediately honed in on a singular presence within the enemy ranks.
At the epicenter of the Kree formation stood a Kree noble, his consciousness intertwined with the Supreme Intelligence's vast mental network. The sheer convergence of Kree intellects granted him terrifying combat prowess, amplified further by the Kree Empire's Omni-Weaponry—advanced battle armor capable of elevating his abilities to the upper echelons of cosmic warfare.
Even more concerning—his power level rivaled that of Hela, Goddess of Death, during her weakened state after escaping Hel.
But he was not the greatest threat.
Ragna 's gaze shifted.
Standing beside the Supreme Intelligence's envoy was a figure whose very presence radiated an aura of absolute dominance.
A towering, muscular warrior with avian-like wings protruding from his helmet, garbed in a regal red-and-blue battlesuit, and adorned with a flowing scarlet cloak that billowed unnaturally in the void.
His unshakable confidence was evident in every fiber of his being.
This was Gladiator, Praetor of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard—the living embodiment of the Shi'ar Empire's supreme military might.
Ragna 's expression darkened.
Gladiator's power rivaled that of Thanos before he acquired the Infinity Stones.
A being of such immense strength could only mean one thing:
The Shi'ar Empire had allied with the Kree.
In that instant, Ragna understood the true reason behind the Skrull Empire's rapid downfall.
The Shi'ar had provided the Kree with their interstellar teleportation technology, allowing them to launch precise, devastating strikes across the Andromeda system.
Without this advantage, the Skrulls—who had long used Andromeda as their stronghold—would never have been crushed so swiftly.
The Shi'ar Empire was one of the three great cosmic powers, surpassing both the Kree and Skrulls in technology, individual combat prowess, and galactic influence.
Yet, as a civilization deeply rooted in commerce, scientific advancement, and genetic enhancement, the Shi'ar had little incentive to invade new territories.
So why had they mobilized against Angel Star?
Ragna narrowed his eyes, shifting his focus back to Gladiator.
Behind him, rows of Shi'ar Imperial Guardsmen stood in formation—their triangular helmets gleaming under the cosmic glow, feathered gauntlets gripping high-energy pulse rifles engineered to obliterate even the most durable foes.
The Shi'ar, descended from avian ancestry, were an exceptionally powerful race.
Every adult member of their species possessed strength comparable to an average Asgardian, making them one of the most formidable warrior societies in the universe.
This was not a simple alliance.
This was a declaration of war.
And for the first time in centuries, Ragna found himself facing an enemy he did not yet fully understand.
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