In truth, with Karl's current strength, traveling to another universe was no longer particularly difficult.
The real problem was that he could not yet freely transcend the boundaries of the entire Marvel multiverse.
More importantly, he had no coordinates for Yan's original universe.
Without a destination, even possessing the power to cross realities was meaningless.
Furthermore, the Celestials were still actively pursuing him.
According to Karl's own estimates, only beings who had reached the Multiversal level—or perhaps even the level of an Omniversal existence—could truly step beyond the framework of the Marvel multiverse itself.
Of course, this was merely speculation.
No one had given him a definitive answer.
...
The next moment, Karl entered the Shadow World.
Soon afterward, he arrived within the sealed dimension that housed the Olympian goddesses.
Looking at the imprisoned goddesses before him, Karl revealed a thoughtful smile.
Golden energy flowed from his hands.
A magnificent palace rapidly emerged from nothingness.
Its architecture resembled a blend of divine Greek grandeur and imperial luxury.
White and gold dominated every structure.
Countless pillars, carvings, and decorative patterns covered the halls.
Every detail reflected extraordinary craftsmanship.
At the center stood an enormous throne hall.
Unlike ordinary palaces, no sofas or common furnishings occupied the main chamber.
Instead, a magnificent golden throne rested at the heart of the palace, surrounded by flowing curtains and divine decorations.
...
Numerous rooms extended throughout the palace.
Each door bore a name.
Every room had been assigned to a specific goddess.
Among them, the largest and most luxurious chamber belonged to two individuals.
The names engraved upon the double doors were:
Hera.
And Gaia.
...
Hera, Queen of Olympus.
Gaia, the Primordial Mother Earth.
Both possessed status far above that of ordinary Olympian gods.
Gaia's strength had even reached the peak of the Skyfather level.
Karl had been somewhat surprised by that fact.
As one of the primordial beings of Greek mythology, Gaia should theoretically have stood among the strongest entities in the pantheon.
Yet Zeus had eventually surpassed her.
Still, there was little point dwelling on ancient history now.
The outcome had already been decided.
...
Karl ignored the various expressions directed toward him.
Hatred.
Fear.
Resentment.
Defiance.
Despair.
Every goddess reacted differently.
Under Karl's control, they entered the palace.
...
Upon reaching the upper floors and seeing the room assignments, many of the goddesses seemed to realize something.
Hera and Gaia exchanged glances.
Athena's expression gradually changed.
As the Goddess of Wisdom, she immediately understood Karl's intentions.
Others soon reached the same conclusion.
The realization spread throughout the palace.
Fear began replacing anger.
Several goddesses attempted to struggle against Karl's restraints.
It was completely futile.
...
Persephone lowered her head silently.
Athena clenched her fists.
Even many of the more composed goddesses showed visible unease.
Karl, however, remained indifferent.
He had never concealed his intentions from the beginning.
...
Arriving within the central hall, Karl raised a hand.
The Mind Stone.
The Soul Stone.
The Self Stone.
And his own immense spiritual power activated simultaneously.
Invisible energy entered the minds of every goddess present.
A spiritual seed was planted deep within their consciousness.
At the same time, Karl completely sealed their divine power.
Their remaining energy could only sustain basic existence.
They would not starve.
They would not age.
They would not die.
But they could no longer access their divine abilities.
...
The spiritual seeds served another purpose.
Any attempt at self-destruction would immediately trigger unbearable mental backlash.
Karl had no intention of allowing his captives to escape through death.
...
When the process ended, he released his direct control over them.
Many goddesses immediately collapsed.
Some sat silently on the floor.
Others stared blankly ahead.
Several simply closed their eyes.
...
Karl looked over the hall one final time.
Then he waved his hand.
Blue spatial energy erupted.
Instantly, every goddess was transported into her assigned residence.
Wardrobes filled with divine garments had already been prepared.
Most retained the style of traditional Olympian attire.
Only Hera's wardrobe differed noticeably.
As befitted the former Queen of Olympus, her clothing was more elaborate and dignified than that of the others.
...
Afterward, Karl appeared inside the room shared by Hera and Gaia.
The two goddesses looked toward him immediately.
Neither spoke.
...
As the highest-ranking women remaining from the Olympian Pantheon, their position among the captives was naturally unique.
Karl spent some time speaking with them and observing their reactions.
The atmosphere remained tense and complicated.
Neither side had any intention of yielding their positions easily.
...
A day later, Karl left the palace.
Before departing, he expanded the surrounding area.
Gardens appeared.
Artificial lakes formed.
Elegant pathways stretched throughout the grounds.
Several luxurious courtyards and pools were added as well.
Finally, a golden barrier descended over the entire region.
...
Without Karl's permission, nobody inside could leave.
Even if their powers had not been sealed, escaping a barrier created by a mid–Single-Universe-level powerhouse would have been virtually impossible.
Now, with their abilities suppressed, escape was even less realistic.
...
Within the palace, Hera and Gaia remained inside their chamber.
The events of the past day had left both women deep in thought.
The reality of their situation had finally begun to settle in.
Their former identities.
Their former authority.
Their former status.
All belonged to the past now.
...
After leaving the palace, Karl received a notification from the System.
Two additional sign-in opportunities had been obtained.
However, Karl had no intention of using them immediately.
He planned to wait until all of his future arrangements had been completed before beginning a large-scale sign-in session.
That would maximize the rewards.
...
The next moment, Karl returned to the warship.
The instant he arrived—
Three figures appeared before him.
Yan.
Dark Phoenix.
And Hela.
All three stared directly at him.
...
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