[Mobius, in a low voice, asked:]
"How are things with the Time Keepers?"
[Ravonna Renslayer didn't answer, instead she countered:]
"What do you think?"
[Mobius smiled:]
"I don't know, because I've never actually seen them."
Hearing this, Ravonna Renslayer leaned forward eagerly and said:
"The Time Keepers monitor every step of this case. I've never seen them care so much.
"They want to capture that Variant."
[Mobius replied:]
"Same here."
Hearing this, Ravonna Renslayer grabbed a pen and pointed at Mobius:
"This is your last chance to work together with this Loki on the case."
[In the alternate-universe live-stream room.]
Loki frowned tightly at this point. He could see clearly that Ravonna Renslayer's reaction when Mobius mentioned the Time Keepers was unusually intense—almost excessive.
Then he heard Tony's voice:
"This woman must be hiding something."
Loki turned and noticed Tony was looking directly at him. Their eyes met briefly, then both looked away at the same time.
Seeing these two still sparring with each other, Strange let out a small scoff.
A billionaire and an Asgardian god, arguing like children…
However, by now, Strange had started to doubt…
Do these Time Keepers really exist?
If they did, how could a seasoned agent like Mobius have never even seen them?
And if they truly were those… beings capable of compressing the multiverse into a single Sacred Timeline, how could they be helpless against a single escaped Variant?
In fact, both Tony and Loki had already thought of similar doubts.
After all, Ravonna Renslayer's words earlier had revealed far too many inconsistencies.
[After leaving Ravonna Renslayer's office, Mobius found Loki sitting outside waiting for him.]
Seeing Mobius' somewhat grim expression, Loki immediately rushed over, babbling explanations:
"You probably don't understand why I did what I did during the mission.
"Actually, this is your first lesson in capturing Loki—it's about predicting someone else's prediction…"
Hearing Loki chatter in his ear, Mobius finally lost his patience:
"Please, just shut up. Whatever happened to that 'precious words are gold' person I rode the elevator with?
"You're here to help me catch a higher-level version of you. As for everything else, I don't care."
"What?"
Loki, a bit annoyed, said:
"I don't think you should call that guy a 'higher-level' version."
"Here we go again, exactly like this," Mobius sneered:
"I used to foolishly think that your need to prove yourself would motivate you to catch the criminal.
"It's not because you care about TVA's mission or want to be some hero.
"It's because you can't tolerate the fact that this Variant is stronger than you. You can't accept it!"
"Well said."
[Hearing Mobius' blunt provocation, Loki's face broke into a carefree smile. He even reached out to help adjust Mobius' tie.]
"But if you think that can affect me, you're far too naive."
[Spreading his arms, Loki's smile became increasingly arrogant.]
*"I'm at least ten steps ahead of you!
"I've always had my own plans!"
[Mobius immediately countered.]
"What do you want? To sweet-talk the Time Keepers, deceive them, and take control of the entire TVA?
"Am I right? Is this the double con of history's greatest trickster?"
[Hearing this, Loki's expression gradually stiffened. His mouth opened in shock, and horror finally crept across his face.]
[Seeing Mobius walk away to press the elevator button, Loki couldn't help but ask:]
"Since you knew all along, why did you just vouch for me in the office?"
[Mobius pointed at Loki and said:]
"I'll give you two reasons. Believe whichever one you like."
[a: Because I saw a frightened little boy shivering in the cold wind and felt compassion.]
[b: I really, really want to catch that escaped Loki!]
At this moment, Peter Parker swallowed hard, forcing himself not to look at Loki. Otherwise, he feared his expression might provoke this extremely prideful trickster.
After all, in this confrontation on the screen, Loki was clearly at a total disadvantage!
Not only had he fallen for Mobius' provocation, but all his schemes had been completely seen through.
He was utterly crushed.
Then Peter heard Loki's laughter:
"Hahaha, truly worthy of me. That guy Mobius… seems completely fooled."
~~----------------------
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