Chapter 199: War is Just a Money Pit
He began to ponder as he observed Tony and his cosmic allies fighting with a distinct purple glow emanating from them.
Initially, he had assumed this was merely a product of Tony's technological advancements.
But now, it was clear to Fury that Tony had completely transformed.
Although Tony had rapidly improved due to his cosmic experiences, such incredible speed and power would be impossible for a normal human body to endure. The fact that Tony could handle it implied that his physical condition was far beyond ordinary.
The question lingered in Fury's mind: who had enabled this metamorphosis in Tony?
An ominous figure crept into his thoughts—Harvey Amberlock, a veritable demon capable of bestowing such change upon Tony.
If the beneficiary were someone else, Fury might have considered how to leverage or even threaten them for a similar power.
But with Harvey, there was no avenue for persuasion or coercion, which left Fury feeling frustrated.
His earlier impulsive probes had soured the relationship between S.H.I.E.L.D. and Harvey, and it was a stroke of mercy that Harvey had chosen not to annihilate them and had allowed Tony to aid in humanity's protection.
Yet, witnessing how much stronger Tony had become with Harvey's assistance made Fury wonder just how powerful Harvey truly was.
He recalled Harvey's ominous warning: don't think about calling Captain Marvel for help; even she would be useless.
With Harvey around, Earth felt like an impregnable fortress.
Even if Harvey chose to stay uninvolved, Tony's enhanced abilities provided a substantial safeguard for the planet.
Now, Fury had to consider who else might receive Harvey's blessings.
After S.H.I.E.L.D. completed their assessments of the battle, it became clear that in just over ten minutes of fighting, 6,396 lives had been lost, with about 80% of casualties being Black and the remaining 20% White.
The majority of White casualties were military and police officers, as most civilians had been evacuated.
As for the Chitauri, the death toll was estimated in the tens of thousands.
Humanity had emerged victorious with minimal losses compared to the Chitauri's massive casualties.
In terms of property damage, S.H.I.E.L.D. would compensate based on established ratios.
This was simply the reality of modern warfare—wars are expensive.
Soldiers need funding, weapons cost money, and compensation must be paid to those affected by the conflict.
Rebuilding damaged infrastructure also requires a significant financial outlay.
However, this battle was necessary, and Fury had achieved his goals.
With the revelation of extraterrestrial life, governmental authorities would grant S.H.I.E.L.D. more authority in the future.
Tony would soon bask in praise from the public, and the heroes who participated in the battle would also gain considerable acclaim.
Honor and fame were coveted by many men, and while Tony was already a significant figure, having eradicated numerous terrorists and being a billionaire in New York, Fury believed no one would mind their notoriety expanding, as a greater reputation brought many conveniences.
On the other side, Harvey had been closely monitoring the battle.
The swift and decisive conclusion was largely due to Tony's advancements in technology and strength.
Additionally, the arrival of four incredibly reliable allies had bolstered their chances.
Reno and his companions showcased their formidable abilities, proving that the members of the Void Sect were indeed powerful.
This was both a blessing and a potential hazard, prompting Harvey to pay closer attention to the internal order of the Void Sect.
For now, the Void Sect maintained a stable atmosphere, with members treating one another as equals and refraining from any sense of superiority.
Yet, if this camaraderie were to break down, it could lead to discord among the members.
Harvey couldn't dictate how they wielded their newfound power, but he was determined to prevent any fragmentation or violence within the Void Sect.
Steve and Banner had surely gained a wealth of experience from this conflict.
Banner would likely seek Harvey's guidance soon since Tony had indicated he should approach Harvey for help in controlling his power.
As for Steve, it remained uncertain if he would choose to join the Void.
Harvey could easily entice Steve into the Void Sect by offering his beloved Peggy eternal youth and life.
But Harvey had grown past the need to actively recruit individuals; he would simply wait for the influence of the Void Sect to expand.
Countless individuals would eventually come seeking the opportunity to gain transformative power.
After the assembly of the Avengers, many superheroes would likely emerge on Earth.
If they sought Harvey out, he wouldn't mind giving them a chance, provided they weren't too morally bankrupt.
Tony had grown more confident with his blessings from the Void, and Harvey was eager to see how the others would change as well.
As for the battle, Harvey couldn't help but wonder if Tony had deliberately avoided destruction, as only three of his thirty-plus estates in New York had sustained damage.
This reduced the potential payouts significantly, thwarting Harvey's plans to profit immensely from the devastation of the city.
Still, he didn't dwell on it too much; after all, he was making money effortlessly.
Even if he indulged in lavish spending, his income would continue to rise—his earnings from doing nothing surpassed his expenditures.
Now, it seemed like a good time for Harvey to head back to Xandar for a while after spending over a year on Earth.
Reno had mentioned the skill "Glide," which hadn't been taught by him.
He had yet to visit Xandar, spending all his time on Earth, and Sonia hadn't brought it up either.
Still, Harvey had a hunch that Sonia, with her knack for power, had learned it from Tony's inspiration after discovering the potential of Void energy.
In due time, once he arrived in Xandar, he could ask Sonia for details.