"What the hell is that?!" Even the Main Universe Green Lantern couldn't help but curse. Standing on the edge of the Andromeda Galaxy, he had to look up at that Magic God Statue, fused with countless powers. That Eye Demon, which already looked terrifyingly large, seemed like it could be held within the palm of the statue's hand.
"Are you kidding me? Who among you is the Demon God?!" The Main Universe Green Lantern couldn't help but say into the headset to the Main Universe Batman, "If this guy had gone all out in that previous battle, we wouldn't have escaped."
"He must have a reason not to go all out," the Main Universe Batman said slowly. His tone was calm, but his heart wasn't as steady as he appeared.
He knew he had been tricked. Just now, he found a clue on the interstellar internet.
The defeat of the Three Great Empires in the invasion of the Nine Major Kingdoms is no secret. In the Central Universe, this news has spread everywhere. Even the Three Great Empires can't suppress all the news.
However, the way the war started, there isn't a single word on the interstellar internet. Almost everyone thinks it was just a minor skirmish that eventually escalated into such a tragic situation.
But the Main Universe Batman discovered that the origins of this war had been deliberately concealed. Especially the initial confrontation process in the Xia Empire's Capital Star Fierce Feather Star System, where there are few records online, with not a single positive image. Someone must have erased it.
When the Main Universe Batman learned that the Earth of this universe could perform planetary-level faster-than-light jumps, he realized: Someone deliberately erased this information to cover up Earth's mobility, causing the enemy's plans against Earth to be misguided.
The Main Universe Batman fell for it. Before making this arrangement, he had investigated the Solar System's situation, not just sending The Flash to investigate, but also gathering significant amounts of information from the interstellar internet. Yet, there were no indications that Earth could move.
This proved that the opposing side must have the ability to control the interstellar internet, able to cleanly erase certain reported information. Recalling what the Arkham Batman mentioned, that this universe's Jarvis is a top-notch electronic lifeform, the Main Universe Batman had an idea of what was happening.
In fact, the Main Universe Batman can't be blamed for not being cautious. He had indeed anticipated that the other side might use electronic lifeforms to cause trouble, like invading command systems or modifying key information to mislead them. The Main Universe Batman had considered that the information he collected from the interstellar internet might have been purposefully released by Jarvis, so he didn't use it as the main reference, instead having The Flash to investigate specifically.
But even if the Main Universe Batman was a master strategist, he wouldn't have suddenly thought that the humans of this universe had modified Earth and took it on a run.
To this day, the Main Universe Batman still has doubts about this, because to him, unless everyone on Earth and all the superheroes went insane, how could such a thing happen?
The logic of Batmen needs to be sound, but equipping Earth with an engine to run across the cosmos is beyond what humans can logically deduce. There's no situation requiring such a capability, nor should there be any situation warranting humanity to take such a risk.
Most humans can't survive in the cosmos, and even if they can hold on for a while, it won't be for long. If Earth explodes, humanity would truly be on the brink of extinction.
Additionally, theoretically, this isn't scientific. Never mind how a moving Earth handles temperature and tidal issues, what about the Solar System's gravity? The Solar System isn't actually stationary, it revolves around the Milky Way's center at a certain speed with its planets. If Earth runs, other planets would be affected, right? How is this resolved???
Of course, the Main Universe Batman knew with Magneto around, these might not be issues. But the question is, why would Magneto help? He's someone who understands magnetism and magnetic fields better than any scientist and wouldn't be unaware of the risks. Why would he think of helping?
The Main Universe Batman increasingly felt that the universe of Greed was as crazy as he was. Either Greed drove the Central Universe insane, or the Central Universe drove Greed insane; in any case, insanity is spreading globally. If he were an alien, he'd designate the entire Milky Way as a psychiatric hospital. And if the Milky Way were the Arkham Psychiatric Hospital, then Earth would undoubtedly be the Joker. Asgard isn't any better, at least it's a Bane — all connected, all tangled up.
The Main Universe Batman tapped his head. Staying in this universe for so long, he was starting to feel unstable, his thoughts running wildly like an unleashed hound.
The Main Universe Batman took a deep breath. He knew that his strategy of "surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao" might not be effective.
Because the Demon Gods were mostly interested in Earth itself; they had no interest in the Solar System and wouldn't recklessly destroy a solar system without Earth, but would definitely pursue Earth. Yet their chase might not be as fast as Earth, and whether they can catch up is another matter.
Earth itself is like an assassin-sized Berserker, seemingly a small house. If you rush in and kick the door, a carload of bread men will spring out and beat you up.
The Demon Gods can't be counted on, so now it was all up to the Three Great Empires' performance. The Main Universe Batman logged back onto the interstellar internet to search for detailed information on that previous battle.
He truly didn't understand how, with the armies of Asgard and Earth, they managed to annihilate the main force of the Three Great Empires.
Anyone with war experience understands that even in the modern era, with many destructive firearms, it is extremely difficult to completely annihilate a force. When reports mention total annihilation, they often mean destroying the organizational structure of the opposing force, not literally killing every single one, or even capturing them all, which is very challenging.
At the technological level of the Three Great Empires, being completely annihilated is even more unimaginable. Because their superluminal transition systems are very widespread, any ordinary equipment can perform transitions, and some even have single-soldier transition systems. In such a scenario, how could the main force not manage to escape?
Previously, the Primary Universe Batman thought that JARVIS might have deliberately altered the information for strategic intimidation. But now, it seems that might not be the case; the results of that battle weren't modified, though something must have happened during the process that they weren't aware of.
After some speculation, the Primary Universe Batman felt that this incident couldn't have been caused by the opponent's conventional weapons, otherwise Apocalypse Star wouldn't have been able to hold on, and the opponent would have adopted aggressive tactics long ago.
Since that isn't the case, it suggests that this incident might have included an element of chance or a one-time use weapon. Therefore, the Three Great Empires' conventional armed forces could still pose some troubles for the opponent.
Batman's judgment has always been accurate. Asgard is indeed at its wits' end at the moment. The Kree Empire and Skrull Empire have entirely stopped hiding their intentions, and are openly targeting Asgard.
What's more deadly is that these two empires are mechanized civilizations; for them, amassing troops is the norm. Despite losing quite a few main forces last time, their main territories weren't threatened, and all the major mines and factories remained intact. With their technology, it's very easy to bounce back.
Moreover, in order to avenge their losses, they've entered a wartime mobilization state. This time, the troops deployed are even more numerous than before, and a continuous stream of forces is making their way here, determined to make Asgard pay the price.
"How's it going?" Main Universe Thor asked Steve from the Central Universe as he walked in, "I saw online that the Nine Major Kingdoms are surrounded."
"Sort of," Steve replied, "they've blocked the main exits of the Nine Major Kingdoms and are preparing to detonate the Dimension Bomb. Once a breach is made, they'll directly attack the Asgard homeland."
Main Universe Thor took a deep breath and said, "Can we really hold them off?"
"Don't worry, Odin and Thor together, their single-soldier mechanical units are just cannon fodder. Frigga and the Magicians of Vanaheim have already gone to support, and Loki and the Frost Giants are also headed there."
"Frost Giants?!" Main Universe Thor said with some surprise, "They are willing to support Asgard?"
"It's not about willingness. Once Asgard is destroyed, can the others remain unaffected? Besides, Loki himself is a Prince of the Frost Giants with a natural right to claim the throne. He has never given up control over the Frost Giants, and there is still a faction that supports him."
Main Universe Thor slightly relaxed. Folding his arms, he said, "Batman is indeed remarkable. With the two empires attacking at full strength, even if we win, Asgard will need some time to recuperate, and it'll be difficult for the superheroes to get support from the God Clan."
Steve didn't disagree, because that is indeed the reality. Facing the Three Great Empires in direct combat, it is impossible to avoid casualties. Once there are casualties, recuperation will be necessary. Odin and Thor will probably struggle to devote further effort to support this side.
For the superheroes, it's equivalent to losing the regular army that can withstand the frontline battle. Although the Green Lanterns from Batman's side have suffered losses, their structure remains intact; with slight recuperation, they can be battle-ready again, maybe even ready to reengage in battle now.
Modern warfare seems complex, but it's actually like a turn-based game, leveraging one's strengths to strike the enemy's weaknesses, seizing the right timing. Whoever can deploy the most decisive force at the same time will win.
Previously, their regular troops were more conventional and stronger than the opponents', so in the clash of regular troops, they gained an advantage and won a battle. But Batman swiftly eliminated their regular troops. Now, it's not a matter of the enemy being strong while we are weak; rather, the enemy has something we don't, and the coming battles might be challenging.
"The Green Lantern Corps are moving," Professor X's voice suddenly rang out, "three Green Lantern Fleets are advancing towards your position, be sure to prepare for defense."
Steve's heart tightened intensely, but he soon relaxed. Better they come than not. Batman indeed intends to exploit the absence of their regular army to regain the upper hand.
"Quick, to the war room!" Main Universe Thor grabbed his hammer and hurried out, shouting back, "This time we have to go on the offensive, keep them outside the base defense line. Letting them break through would be disastrous!"
The few of them ran quickly, but upon reaching the war room, not many were present, with only Coulson and a few members of The Avengers reorganizing their gear.
"They've already set off," Coulson said, "The battle plan remains unchanged, still adopting a full defensive stance. You all take your positions too."