"Nikkor, listen to me. You are already a true warrior, so you must understand that the future of our planet rests on your shoulders."
"You are the most gifted warrior in the history of our race. As long as you live, we have hope for revenge against Thanos and those cursed Chitauri."
The universe—Centauri system—Centauri Prime, already surrounded by Thanos' army.
Inside the royal palace, the Centaurian King solemnly raised the scepter, symbolizing the royal authority of the Centaurians, and handed it to the young man kneeling before him.
"Thanos' army has not yet fully assembled. This is our only chance. In thirty minutes, our forces will launch our third and final assault against Thanos' army."
"We will do everything to create chaos. Nikkor, that is your chance. You must lead the young Centaurians to escape through the confusion."
"From this moment on, Nikkor, you are the new king of the Centaurians."
The brown scepter shimmered with the light of hope in the grand hall. Driven to desperation, the Centaurians had no choice but to sever a limb to preserve the last spark of their race.
Hooves clattered against the floor. The kneeling young man, tears streaming down his face, could not bring himself to reach for the scepter.
Nikkor raised his head, gazing at the king who remained in the Centaurians' strongest battle form—half man, half horse. A profound sorrow choked his throat, rendering him speechless.
"Child, perhaps this is cruel, but this is war."
"Once war begins, there is only victory or defeat. Unfortunately, this time... we are the defeated."
"Now go—prepare to forge your own future."
The Centaurian King planted the scepter into the palace floor without hesitation and turned away. His hooves thundered with a death-defying resolve as he vanished into the grand hall.
Beyond Centauri Prime, aboard the Black Order's flagship, Thanos sat upon his throne, clad in golden armor. His gaze fixed upon the purple-skinned Centaurian informant before him—emotionless, his silence unsettling.
The spy fidgeted, unsure if he had spoken out of turn or delivered his message incorrectly.
He cast a pleading glance toward Ebony Maw, who had orchestrated his contact with Thanos.
Ebony Maw shook his head, signaling not to worry. Thanos always kept his word—if he promised to spare the spy's family, no harm would come to them.
"Nikkor... I've heard that name before. The most gifted warrior in Centaurian history, correct?"
At last, Thanos broke the silence. He vaguely recalled the young man's name—after all, the Centauri system was now under his dominion.
"I will grant your request. Return to your family. Go to the agreed location—Ebony Maw will send an escort to take you and your family to a safe system."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Overwhelmed by sudden fortune, the Centaurian spy could only express gratitude.
He had never been a supporter of the war. From the moment the Centaurian King was manipulated by the Chitauri, he had voiced opposition.
In his eyes, the Centaurians were no longer the mighty race that once ruled the Centauri system. Thanos' power was beyond their ability to resist.
Yet the king, blinded by the Chitauri leader's promises of restored glory, ignored all warnings—stripping the spy of political rights and branding him a traitor.
Reluctantly, the spy had become Ebony Maw's informant, sabotaging Centauri Prime's defenses in exchange for his family's survival.
Bargaining with the tiger was dangerous—but better than being reduced to cosmic dust.
"Lord Thanos, about Nikkor... should we...?"
After the spy departed, Ebony Maw turned to Thanos.
According to the informant, Nikkor had likely obtained the scepter that could greatly enhance his power, along with the Centaurians' secret formation techniques. Ordinary forces might fail to stop him.
"Lothar will handle this."
A rare smile flickered in Thanos' eyes at the mention of his most favored adopted son.
Ebony Maw shuddered. Bowing deeply, he returned to his place without another word.
Thirteen years had passed. The boy who once stood at Thanos' side had become a feared warlord.
Since the age of ten, Lothar had followed Thanos across countless battlefields. At seventeen, he began leading his own assassination squads.
In three years of service—undefeated.
A record that commanded respect.
Only two figures in Ebony Maw's database could match Lothar among the younger generation: Hela, the Asgardian princess who had awakened her divine connection to death, and Lothar himself.
Curiously, Ebony Maw wondered who would lose their undefeated streak first.
Yet such a confrontation seemed far off. The universe was vast, and Asgard's conquests rarely intersected with Thanos' domains.
The nutrient pod's hatch hissed open. A man emerged—his muscular frame glistening with moisture. Behind him, a crimson tail swayed conspicuously.
"Forty-five days of absorption this time?"
He dried himself and donned his black battle suit.
"Prince Lothar, Thanos has issued a new mission."
The blue feline robot, Woz*, now barely reached Lothar's knee—far smaller than the child it once stood beside.
Lothar glanced at Woz, tapping its head. A light screen flickered into existence, displaying Thanos' message.
"Eliminate the Centaurian traitor Nikkor and his companions."
Lothar dismissed the screen with a swipe.
"Those Centaurian fools... did they really think Chitauri support could challenge Father?"
He knew the whole story.
Once this rebellion was crushed, Thanos would likely purge the Chitauri leader as well—replacing him with a puppet loyal only to Thanos.
"Woz, plot the coordinates."
"Understood, Prince Lothar."
Lothar's ship departed the Dark Sanctuary, streaking toward the coordinates provided by Thanos.
At first, I thought this was the author's mistake, but after translating up to Chapter 35, I found out that the feline robot that serves Lothar when he was under training was called Gaitz, while this another feline robot in Lothar's ship is called Woz. They are different robot with the same appearance and function.
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