Chapter 2801: Star Core Rescue (51)

Regarding the actions of Stark and Strange, Shiller's comment was only two words—God's Gold.

But after all, restoring the timeline only added a section of memories, more akin to experiencing certain stories in a parallel universe under the knowledge of what actually happened.

Indeed, because Shiller has a special nature, not truly being of this world, the timelines he splits cannot form complete universes; otherwise, the two fragments in Strange's possession could also become part of the myriad individual universes.

Stark soon went to the Time Management Bureau to overlay the time fragments, and thus an extra memory of him being taken to the Soviet Union and adopted by Howard Stark was added to Shiller's mind. In reality, he didn't have to do this, the memory was already in the Tower of Thought, rendering the effort superfluous.

The defeated Strange didn't appear very angry. He looked at Shiller and said, "You weren't yourself during university, right?"

Shiller nodded his head and then said, "But that time I was, I traveled back and then I encountered you."

Strange gave a cold laugh and said, "I knew it, but it seems you don't know what actually happened between us back then."

"My memory was erased," Shiller shrugged and said, "A revenge from a bunch of narrow-minded fellows."

Strange didn't show any surprise. He just shook the Divine Artifact in his hand and said, "Clearly, you can figure out what we talked about back then from this memory segment of mine. I don't care that the other guy won; only this segment of memory matters to you."

"Fine, make me an offer," Shiller said leisurely.

Maintaining his smile, Strange walked over to Shiller, passed the Eye of Agomoto to him in front of him; as soon as Shiller reached out, the shining orb disappeared instantly.

"I have confidence in your control over this universe, so you can go search for it yourself," Strange lifted his lips to reveal his teeth, looking at Shiller and said, "just like you once found my arm."

"Childish and boring," Shiller commented as he walked back to the desk, sat down, and continued reading the documents in his hand without looking up, "In a few days you and I must make a trip to Texas, Lisa and Aux's bodies have almost recovered, and it's time for Soul Ignition."

Strange seemed to have noticed the coffee cup that was always placed opposite Shiller; the coffee inside was not yet entirely cold. He touched it and it was still warm.

"Did you have another visitor today? Who was it?" Strange squinted his eyes and asked.

"That has nothing to do with you," Shiller looked up at Strange and said, "Has the Earth Defense Network showed any signs of the Demon God invading Earth?"

"Of course not," Strange shook his head and said, "But I know what you are referring to. Kamar-Taj has received a message from S.H.I.E.L.D. to investigate a Demon God named Incubus, but so far no one has dealt with him."

Shiller nodded his head, packed up the documents in his hands, and then said, "If you're available now, let's depart; I'm a bit worried about Lisa's condition, better to finish it quickly to avoid any complications."

Strange nodded his head; the two boarded the plane in silence, Shiller wrapped himself in a blanket to sleep, Strange read medical reports, and soon the plane landed in Texas.

Strange wasn't very accustomed to the overly bright Texas sun, so he had to visit an eyewear shop, buying sunglasses for fifteen hundred US dollars with Shiller's schadenfreudish expression in tow.

When they arrived at Lisa's home, they were busy with farm work, and a large family crowded out from the barn. Strange took a couple of breaths of fresh air tinged with the smell of cow dung and slightly frowned.

"Have you ever done farm work?" Shiller asked.

"A little bit, though I am from a small town, I wasn't raised in a farmer's family, just did some feeding of the cattle at a summer camp," Strange replied.

Although he said so, Strange didn't show disgust. He just looked up on his own, observing the decor of Lisa's family home as if reminiscing about his youth.

Lisa's face appeared rosier, dressed in jeans and boots, styled like a typical Texan girl; Aux followed behind her, taller but not as robust as Lisa and her father.

"Don't mind, Doctor, we just dealt with the cowshed," Lisa said as she fanned the air with her hand, "It might have a bit of a smell, maybe we can talk outside?"

Shiller nodded, Strange followed him outside, and the four of them stood at the door. Shiller then said, "We plan to do the Soul Ignition tonight, actually, you don't need to do anything, just sit together and think about each other."

Lisa widened her eyes, but then her face turned a bit red, she said, "Is that enough? We don't need to do some... uh... necessary for reproduction, I mean..."

Aux let out a sharp scream; the big guy's face turned crimson. Lisa had to pat him, saying, "Don't take it too hard, Doctor, Aux is from the north, just a bit shy, but we're not so particular around here."

"No need, ma'am, if that were necessary, I would definitely inform you beforehand to prepare for privacy, but actually, this child is special, he wasn't created in the usual way inside your body, although still requiring pregnancy and delivery, but no need to complete the entire reproductive process," Strange said.

"That's a relief," Lisa sighed with relief and said, "I was actually a bit worried, given a natural pregnancy, my body might not... well, hopefully everything goes smoothly."

"How did you two meet?" Strange suddenly asked, but it seemed he just wanted to change the subject, anything better than discussing cow dung.

Lisa suddenly furrowed her brow slightly. Thinking she didn't want to answer the question, Shiller said, "No worries, ma'am, I heard you milked the cows, the sterilization must have been done by now, maybe we can have some milk tea?"

"Oh, you sound like someone from England." Lisa said with a smile as she turned and walked inside, but Shiller noticed she had glanced at Strange before turning.

Sure enough, as evening approached and Shiller wanted to step out for some fresh air in the fields, he had barely left the house when Lisa caught up with him, her Texan energy allowing her to quickly close the distance. She then asked him, "Who is that friend of yours?"

"You don't know him?"

"I have a faint memory, but the news doesn't travel well here, and my mental state hasn't been great lately, so even if I've met him I might have forgotten."

"His name is Stephen Strange, a very famous surgeon known as the Hand of God, and he's also a Supreme Magician, so he had to be present for the Soul Ignition."

Lisa showed a hesitant expression, and Shiller, a bit probing, asked, "What's wrong? You seem very interested in him."

"No, I mean, are the two of you close friends?"

"Yes, why?"

Lisa hesitated more, and Shiller reassured her, "Don't worry, ma'am, I am not one to make biased judgments, you can tell me anything directly, I can discern for myself."

"His voice..." Lisa lifted her head to look into Shiller's eyes and said firmly, "It's exactly the same as the person in my dream speaking to the Middleman."

Shiller's eyes widened instantly.

"Are you sure you didn't hear wrong, ma'am?"

He asked the question but immediately realized there was no need for further inquiry because he had just remembered the most astounding part of all the data related to Incubus.

"I swear I'm not lying. The voice in my dream saying the Middleman couldn't do it was exactly the same as Mr. Strange," Lisa said, lowering her eyelids, "If, like you said, this dream isn't just any dream, then perhaps..."

"Yes, I know, I know, ma'am," Shiller repeated, then said, "Let's go back, I need to talk to Stephen."

The two of them returned to the room. Shiller knocked on the door of the room where Strange was resting. Soon Strange, dressed in his pajamas, opened the door, a hint of confusion in his eyes as he had clearly instructed that no one should disturb him before he had to go over some reports.

In fact, Shiller was the last person who should have disturbed him, knowing that both of them were doctors and understood each other well; Shiller knew how much Strange hated being disturbed when he was deeply focused on something.

"Unexpected situation, Stephen, sorry," Shiller started with an apology, and so Strange let him in. Shiller glanced at the report on Strange's desk; all good, autopsy sketches that seemed more like they should belong in some high-profile criminal files.

Then he scrutinized Strange from head to toe and tentatively asked, "How has your father been lately?"

"He was defeated by illness again, now working in Hell," Strange said. "In a while, I might have him clean at the Holy Sanctuary or something, but he probably just wants to go home."

Shiller wasn't surprised. Strange's father had always been in poor health. In fact, he had already died once before, then again, and after Strange had pulled him back once more, he died again, after which Strange didn't bother to retrieve him.

Mainly because, after being pulled back, the stubborn old man hadn't changed his living habits at all; it hardly required a serious illness to strike him down, a slight touch was enough, so Strange had simply arranged a job for him in Hell through Mephisto, but heard he wasn't doing well there either, still drinking and boastful every day.

"What exactly is it?" Strange looked at him and asked.

"Do you remember the Incubus I told you about before?"

"I know, I know you're eager to figure out what it really is, but you have to give us some time," Strange said as he sat down and crossed his leg, looking up at Shiller, "You're not usually imprudent, ensuring Lisa's health is more important than chasing after the manipulator behind the scenes right now."

"Yes, but the premise is that it was the Incubus that targeted Lisa, and not something else related to him, or... someone."

Strange furrowed his brow deeply and said, "You mean someone is driving the Incubus?"

"No, there's a more terrifying possibility," Shiller slowly shook his head and stated, "He is the Incubus, the Incubus is him."

"Who?"

"You," Shiller paused before adding, "To be precise, another you."

"Who is he?"

"Dream Power Doctor Strange."