This remark made everyone else frown; it was practically blatant nonsense. Captain America pursed his lips and then said, "Tony, I know you actually don’t want to admit defeat. But we truly..."

Main Universe Iron Man closed his eyes and shook his head. He said, "Different lives of superheroes, advanced technology levels, that weird doctor, are all just different forms of expression on the surface. Before, we could only see these."

Hawkeye seemed thoughtful. He spoke up, "We haven’t interacted much with them and are not familiar, only able to see the surface."

"Yes. But after dealing with the Iron Man from the Central Universe, I realized, compared to our similarities, these differences in surface forms are insignificant."

This statement did seem somewhat arrogant, after all, the so-called insignificant surface forms have a big gap. However, they all trusted Iron Man not to say contradictions like this, so they just listened quietly.

"The similarity is that we changed each other with love and then together transformed the entire world," Main Universe Iron Man looked at them and said, "In this regard, almost all the Avengers across the universes are the same. The Central Universe is no exception."

"Then why do they behave so differently? Is it because their love is extraordinarily more?" Black Widow felt this argument didn’t quite hold up.

"Because they changed Shiller, and Shiller changed them," Main Universe Iron Man said, "Shiller is indeed a key factor, his differences created the uniqueness of the Central Universe. But his differences from us are not important, what’s important is his similarities with us all—he can be changed by the love of friends."

Everyone was momentarily stunned. Main Universe Iron Man continued to explain, "If in a certain universe, there’s a randomly named super genius, what kind of transformation he would bring to this universe depends on what?"

"Perhaps it indeed depends on how strong his abilities are. The stronger the ability, the more thorough the transformation of the universe, and the better the universe develops. But ultimately, it depends on what aspect he decides to use his talents on. After all, can the ability to shape the universe not be used to destroy it?"

"Shiller is like this too. The way his abilities manifest and how strong they are isn’t the fundamental reason the Central Universe appears as it does today. The root reason is that he has a group of friends who changed him and made him want to transform the universe for the better. Otherwise, how do you know the Central Universe wouldn’t spiral out of control like some near-collapse universes?"

"I understand," Captain America said solemnly, "No matter what stage of life, a person can be educated and changed. Only, when young, influenced by family and teachers, while growing up, by friends. Whether a person will use his talents for justice or evil depends on what kind of influence he has received."

"Rather, the fact that he will be influenced by friends is itself one of his similarities with us," Black Widow spoke up, "because we are like that too. The Avengers team changed us greatly, deepening our emotional impact on each other, making us eventually a superhero team, not some supervillain group. Originally people who can be changed by love are more likely to walk down the bright path."

"Such a noble lady of literature," Hawkeye couldn’t help but exclaim, "this sentence should be at the end of ’War and Peace’ or ’Crime and Punishment’."

Others agreed. Black Widow just smiled lightly, rested her hand on the back of the sofa, stood up, and said, "Thank you for still willing to listen to an old grandma speak."

Hawkeye thought with his thumb pressing against his lower lip, "Do you mean our previous suspicion of them wasn’t necessary, and they’re actually not dangerous?"

"Of course not," Main Universe Iron Man’s tone shifted, "Shiller and the entire Central Universe are very dangerous. But precisely because they, like us, are influenced and changed by their friends, we shouldn’t treat them with resistance and suppression."

"Wait," Main Universe Spider Man suddenly spoke, "so you guys are just now realizing they’re also human?"

"It’s very difficult, Peter," Dr. Banner said sardonically, "It can be considered a major breakthrough. Because interventionists usually, when faced with newcomers or new things, first view them as weapons and beasts. Either create equivalent weapons for deterrence, or shoot to kill or drive them away. Making them realize their opponents are, like them, emotional, idealistic human beings is very difficult."

"Sounds a bit like..." Main Universe Spider Man didn’t say anything, just looked at Captain America’s Stars and Stripes uniform. Captain America gave a slight threatening look but didn’t verbally counter. Spider Man understood the threat part was just to remind him not to lump him together with the US Government.

But this low-pressure threat was ineffective against Black Widow. She let out a cold laugh, Captain America immediately turned to look at her, asking, "What are you laughing at?"

His implication was clearly "How are you any better?" But who knew Black Widow wouldn’t be intimidated, sat down on the other side, crossed her legs, rested her elbow on the armrest, pressed her fingers against her head and said, "The downfall of the Soviet Union began when it no longer viewed other countries as comrades but as weapons and votes."

She said it like that, Captain America really had nothing to say. Because the Soviet Union paid the deserved price for such actions, while the leader in this matter continued to live well, shamelessly as ever, even worse than before. This made him unable to bring it up as openly as Black Widow did.

"Let’s get back to business," Thor wasn’t very interested in human politics, so he hadn’t spoken earlier, now he shifted the topic back, saying, "How’s your request for aid from the Central Universe coming along?"

Main Universe Iron Man shook his head and said, "No aid needed."

"Do you have another solution then?"

He shook his head again and answered, "I’m confident this invasion is tied to Shiller, so the people from the Central Universe won’t really let Shiller’s actions destroy Earth. Even if we don’t ask for aid, they’ll solve the problem."

"I’m serious," Dr. Banner couldn’t hold back, "Is Earth the condom of you lunatics?"

"Oh, God!"

"Don’t say that!"

"There are kids here!"

"Bruce!"

Everyone turned their heads away, wanting to pretend they heard nothing, but beyond The Hulk, Dr. Banner wasn’t someone with a very good temper either. He said, "I have never agreed with Doctor Strange more than today. No matter how many more rounds you madmen want to go through, I just want to take up my responsibility, and I’m doing so right now."

With that, he left. However, he was also the least injured among them, his main body completely unscathed, and The Hulk was basically fine, so no one stopped him.

Spider Man scratched his head and said, "I need to personally confirm this with the Central Universe’s Iron Man. After all, Earth Defense shouldn’t be trusted as much as safety measures."

Before anyone could throw something at him, he vanished in a flash. The few remaining in the room sighed.

"What’s this now?" Thor placed his hammer on the coffee table and spread his hands, saying, "Have we become abnormal and irresponsible cowards?"

No one dared to respond because Thor had been hit by the main cannon in his chest, and the wound there still emitted a strong smell of blood.

"Taking responsibility for Earth’s safety is not my immediate concern," Main Universe Iron Man said, "I need to find Stephen. If I wait until tomorrow, we’re completely done."

Captain America waved him off, though these two often conspired together, influencing team decisions with their interventionist beliefs, a breakup would be unacceptable.

Captain America understood Doctor Strange well too. If someone offended and angered him, he would try to maintain composure due to his status, but he might secretly hold a grudge. So, it’s better to reconcile quickly, or it’ll be a real breakup if it’s too late.

Since Thor was more seriously injured, he went back to rest. Hawkeye went to replenish his equipment. Only two empty-nesters, Captain America and Black Widow, remained. Captain America went to make two sandwiches.

"Stephen is truly angry this time," Black Widow said, "I have never heard him speak such harsh words to Tony."

"Nor has he done so to us." Captain America handed her a sandwich, took a bite himself, chewed, and said, "Tony has completely ticked him off. But he deserves it. Stephen’s hands have always been his taboo..."

"I thought he had gotten over it." Black Widow paused before continuing, "But when you think about it, how easy is it to truly let go?"

"Fortunately, the surgery was successful," Captain America said, "I think this might give him some confidence. If Tony can win him back, perhaps he can indeed resume being a surgeon."

"Then we’re doomed," Black Widow laughed and said, "We’ll have to fish him out of New York’s upper-class mire again."

Captain America puffed out his cheeks and laughed along.

Doctor Strange stood atop the dome of the Fierce Feather Star Palace. The wind blew his cape, making it flap loudly. He stared at his hands, lost in thought, until Shiller stood behind him, finally snapping him out of his trance.

He turned his head, instinctively reached for the Eye of Agomoto. Upon realizing it was Shiller, he sighed and said somewhat helplessly, "Why do you insist on impersonating Mephisto?"

"It’s because you have some misunderstandings about Shiller."

"Apparently it isn’t a misunderstanding." Doctor Strange snorted coldly and said, "Who would have thought that you would lead the armies of the Three Great Empires to invade the Solar System."

"You’re an accomplice too," Shiller reminded him, "You just killed the Emperor of the Shi’ar Empire."

Doctor Strange averted his gaze to the distance and said, "I really lost my head, agreeing to help you."

"I usually call that fate," Shiller said, "Of course, I’m not talking about between you and me, but between our universe’s Stephen Strange and me. People like us always attract each other, with little rationality in our interactions."

"Do you think Tony will recognize that it wasn’t me?"

"Of course," Shiller said, "You two are just too different. Not recognizing that would be blindness."

"In your universe, how is their relationship?"

"Not better than between you two." Shiller shook his head and said, "Each day they’re embroiled in debates and comparisons between technology and magic."

"How can that be?" Doctor Strange was a bit puzzled, "How can external factors like these impact their relationship?"

"Do you think that it was me adding notes to medical records or fixing light bulbs that impacted their relationship?" Shiller rolled his eyes.

Shiller paused and then continued, "If anything, perhaps it’s because both of them are so successful that they can’t stand each other’s temperament."