After settling Snow’s family of five into their new home, Lucian returned to the palace’s main hall.
Reaching into his robes, he pulled out a small notebook.
It had been given to him by the Ancient One.
Inside was a record of every known superhuman on Earth that Kamar-Taj had identified over the past several years, along with their abilities and known locations.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Lucian opened it.
The first page read:
Logan Howlett
Alias: Wolverine
Born: 1832, Canada
Abilities: Accelerated healing, slowed aging, retractable adamantium claws.
Threat Level: Moderate
Danger to Earth: Low
Looking at the entry, Lucian couldn’t help chuckling.
“If he became an Assassin…”
“He wouldn’t even need Hidden Blades.”
Closing the notebook, he suddenly realized that none of the information inside was particularly useful to him.
Based on what he remembered from his previous life…
The strongest defenders of Earth at the moment were still the Ancient One and Kaluu.
Beyond Earth…
There was Odin of Asgard.
Somewhere out in deep space…
Thanos.
There was also Ego, Star-Lord’s Celestial father.
And Odin’s firstborn daughter…
Hela, Goddess of Death.
Any one of them possessed the power to destroy worlds.
Yet…
To Lucian, who possessed every known Piece of Eden…
They weren’t truly beyond dealing with.
The Apple of Eden and the Staff of Eden together could dominate the minds and bodies of living beings while creating convincing illusions.
The Sword of Eden—
An ancient weapon capable of destroying almost anything.
Its wielder gained the power of a god of war.
It even possessed a devastating ability known as Wrath of Ares, capable of slaughtering thousands in an instant.
The Holy Grail granted true immortality.
The Shroud of Eden could temporarily resurrect the dead and heal any illness or injury.
The Crystal Skull could track anyone whose blood had been placed within it, projecting their location as a holographic image.
The Spear of Destiny—the legendary lance said to have pierced Jesus Christ—protected its wielder from death.
However…
The moment its owner lost possession of it…
They would die instantly.
The Philosopher’s Stone could transmute anything it touched into pure gold.
And Anti-Metal could nullify attacks from firearms and similar weapons.
These…
Were only some of the legendary Pieces of Eden from the Assassin’s Creed universe.
Lucian had collected every one of them.
With such artifacts in his possession…
He believed there was only one being in this universe who might truly rival him.
Dormammu, Lord of the Dark Dimension.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
In the movies…
Dormammu had been forced to retreat after Doctor Strange trapped him within an endless time loop.
The comics portrayed an entirely different level of power.
But Lucian already knew which version of reality he had entered.
The Ancient One here was a bald woman…
Not the elderly white-haired man from the comics.
That meant this world followed the Marvel Cinematic Universe far more closely.
“…Come to think of it…”
“I’ve been calling the Ancient One ‘Master Nun’ all this time.”
“I should probably start calling her ‘Master Sorcerer’ instead.”
He laughed to himself.
Then…
A new idea suddenly ignited inside his mind.
“What if…”
“I rebuild the Assassin Brotherhood in the Marvel Universe?”
The thought spread through his mind like wildfire.
Memories surfaced one after another.
Altaïr.
Ezio.
Edward.
Connor.
Arno.
Bayek.
And…
The one he remembered most fondly…
Shao Jun.
His eyes slowly brightened.
“The Brotherhood must rise again.”
“Not only for my own sake…”
“But for this world as well.”
Having made up his mind…
Lucian stood and walked outside.
Once in the courtyard, he gave a sharp whistle.
Moments later…
Snow and Storm swooped down from the sky.
“I’m going away for a while.”
“I may not return for several months.”
“Take good care of the palace while I’m gone.”
The two gyrfalcons landed on his shoulders.
“Chirp…
chirp!”
Snow called twice.
Lucian smiled knowingly.
“No.”
“You don’t need to come with me.”
“You have chicks to look after.”
“Stay here and protect them.”
With that, he left the palace.
The two great birds spread their wings and soared high into the sky.
Standing outside the palace gates, Lucian waved one final time toward the pair circling overhead.
Then…
He sprinted down the mountainside.
Following the mental map he had already memorized, he climbed to another high vantage point and activated Eagle Vision.
Everything within a hundred-mile radius unfolded inside his mind.
Among the countless images…
He spotted another temple.
After mentally marking its location…
He leapt from the cliff and headed directly toward it.
An hour later…
He arrived at the foot of the mountain.
A small village rested there.
The villagers stared curiously at the strangely dressed traveler.
In their experience…
The revered sorcerers living atop the sacred mountain certainly didn’t dress like this.
A grey-haired elder slowly approached him.
“Greetings, honoured traveler.”
“May I ask who you are?”
Lucian smiled politely.
“Hello, Elder.”
“I’m only passing through.”
“I’m on my way to the temple above.”
For elderly people…
And kind-hearted villagers…
Lucian naturally felt a sense of goodwill.
After all…
The very first friend he had made after entering the Assassin’s Creed world had been Bayek, Protector of Egypt.
Living alongside Bayek for so many years had influenced him greatly.
Of course…
That kindness was reserved only for good people.
“I see!”
“You’re heading to the sacred temple.”
“It’s nearly noon.”
“Would you care to share a meal with us first?”
“Afterward, we’ll have someone guide you up the mountain.”
The elder spoke warmly.
Only then did Lucian realize he was genuinely hungry.
Since the Ancient One had left the previous day…
He hadn’t eaten anything at all.
I should ask the temple to send food to my palace later…
“Haha…”
“Thank you, Elder.”
“To be honest…”
“I really am hungry.”
He accepted without hesitation.
“Good!
Good!”
The old man beamed.
“Honoured guest, please come inside.”
Then he turned and shouted toward a man bundled in thick winter clothing.
“Durba!”
“Go slaughter a bharal!”
“We’re entertaining an honoured guest today!”
“Right away, Village Chief!”
The man named Durba answered immediately before hurrying off at a run.