Dou Jian stepped forward, his unshakable confidence radiating like a gravitational force. He met Ragna's gaze, sensing his wariness, and declared with authority,
"Hand over all Angels. Surrender your knowledge of faith-based energy! Do this, and the Shi'ar Empire will no longer be your enemy."
Beside him, the Supreme Intelligence projected its massive holographic form, its voice reverberating across the battlefield like an omnipotent decree.
"Yield your over-the-horizon response technology. Surrender the secret of large-scale interstellar teleportation. If you comply, the Kree Empire will allow you to leave—alive."
For the Kree, territory was secondary to technological superiority. Now that they had acquired instantaneous galactic travel, even a fourth-tier cosmic powerhouse like Ragna could be contained.
Of course, "allowing him to leave alive" did not mean they wouldn't cripple him first.
Ragna chuckled darkly, running a hand through his golden hair before breaking into laughter.
"In this universe, the strong devour the weak."
His expression hardened.
"Between civilizations, only power and interests matter."
He stepped forward, his very presence warping space with sheer might.
"But tell me—who is truly weak here?"
The sudden alliance between the Kree and Shi'ar had triggered a reaction from a long-dormant force within Ragna's mind.
A system notification appeared in his consciousness.
[Warning! The Kree Empire and Shi'ar Empire have formed a coalition to subdue the host. The system is initiating a selection process!]
[Choice 1: Defeat the coalition forces of the two empires and spread your reputation across the cosmos. Upon reaching a sufficient level of prestige, you will receive the title: "Cosmic Overlord." This title will cause all enemies who recognize your name to suffer a 10% decrease in combat ability when facing you.]
[Choice 2: Negotiate a truce and sign a peace agreement with the two empires. Reward: The Angelic Reincarnation Pool's belief-collection rate increases by 30%.]
[Choice 3: Surrender to the coalition, abandon Angel Star, and retreat. Reward: Cell Activity +1, Physical Strength +1.]
Ragna scoffed, barely acknowledging the system prompt.
"Is this even a choice?"
With a sharp motion, he raised his hand and commanded,
"Angel Legion—attack! Crush them!"
A resounding battle cry erupted across the battlefield.
"We fight and die for our ruler!"
Holy Keisha, radiant with divine might, unsheathed the Blade of Fire and led the First Angel Legion into the fray. The newly promoted mid and low-ranking Angels clashed directly with the Shi'ar Imperial Guard, their celestial blades igniting the skies.
Liang Bing spearheaded the Second Angel Legion, integrating elite Plunderers stationed on Angel Star. Together, they engaged the Kree Empire's elite fleet and Starforce warriors.
Among the Kree Starforce soldiers, Valina's gaze locked onto familiar figures—former allies turned adversaries. Her grip on her weapon tightened before she launched herself into battle.
Ragna's face turned cold.
Without hesitation, he activated the Space Stone's power.
With a mere gesture, he exiled Dou Jian and the Supreme Intelligence into the void.
Angel Star, despite being protected by the Reincarnation Pool's magical defenses, could not withstand a battle between three cosmic-tier beings.
Thus, words were unnecessary—only battle remained.
Ragna struck first.
A blinding solar flare erupted from his palm, engulfing Dou Jian in a superheated inferno.
Simultaneously, he wielded the power of the Space Stone, isolating the Supreme Intelligence from the battlefield.
The Supreme Intelligence's true form remained on Hala, the Kree homeworld. Even if this avatar was destroyed, it could immediately regenerate using its vast network of clone bodies.
Ragna knew the threat. If the Supreme Intelligence ceased direct combat and targeted his Angelic forces instead, he would be placed in a difficult position.
After all, even with an Infinity Stone, he had not yet reached the pinnacle of cosmic-tier power.
Even Malekith, who once wielded the Reality Stone, had been defeated by Odin, despite possessing the strength of the Aether.
Facing both Dou Jian and the Supreme Intelligence simultaneously could be catastrophic.
From the flames, Dou Jian emerged—completely unscathed.
His scarlet cape billowed, his golden-trimmed helmet reflecting cosmic light.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
"That's it? You'll need more than fire to take me down."
His body, pulsating with raw strength, stood impervious to Ragna's flames.
This was Gladiator, the Praetor of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard.
Ragna's eyes narrowed.
Gladiator's power was unique—the greater his confidence, the stronger he became.
At his peak, he could withstand Black Bolt's screams, survive supernova explosions, and even battle Thanos on equal footing.
This was why the Shi'ar Empire coveted faith-based energy.
The Shi'ar had long mastered emotional-energy technology, but if they obtained Angelic faith-energy, their warriors could achieve unparalleled cosmic strength.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Intelligence continued its relentless analysis.
"Space manipulation detected. Not technological, but an innate ability."
Its vast psychic network expanded, attempting to tear through Ragna's barriers and rejoin Gladiator.
But Ragna refused to allow it.
Another spatial distortion rippled through reality—he exiled the Supreme Intelligence again.
Inside the core processing chamber on Hala, an urgent Supreme Council Meeting commenced.
"Target's strength approaching Odin-level. Immediate risk assessment update required."
"Spatial teleportation confirmed as innate, not technological. Probability of capturing this ability: near zero."
"Abandon ability-acquisition protocols. Initiating full-scale termination efforts."
The Supreme Intelligence adapted.
Instead of seizing Ragna's space-manipulation power, it now sought to eliminate him entirely.
It continuously ripped through reality, forcing Ragna to burn enormous amounts of energy to keep it sealed away.
Meanwhile, the fight between Ragna and Gladiator intensified.
Ragna's Solar Flare attacks failed to breach Gladiator's defenses.
His Flare Bombardment yielded no damage.
Even when Ragna attempted to transmute both himself and Gladiator into miniature suns using space energy, Gladiator remained unscathed.
The more confident Gladiator became, the less damage he suffered—and the stronger he grew.
Ragna's mind raced.
The Shi'ar had truly mastered the science of emotional energy.
Now, they sought Angelic faith-energy—a power that could elevate their entire empire to godlike status.
Faith and emotion—though seemingly different—both fueled an unstoppable force.
Ragna clenched his fists.
He wasn't just fighting for his people.
He was fighting to prevent the birth of an unstoppable cosmic empire.
An empire that could reshape the balance of power across the universe itself.
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