Finally.
Because of Hela's refusal to acknowledge her as a sister, Sylvie's mood sank a little.
Of course, it wasn't a big deal. After all, they had no real emotional bond. To be precise, Sylvie only felt the way a traveler might upon unexpectedly meeting someone from their hometown. It wasn't family affection.
With that, the recognition phase was over. Everyone knew who was who now, and the conversation could return to the real topic.
Lorien leaned against the lighthouse railing, raising one hand in a casual gesture.
"Alright, talk. Why have you been stalking me all the way from New York? Across three countries? What's your deal?"
He already knew her issue was tied to the Time Variance Authority. She had said herself she was determined to destroy them. But what did that have to do with him? Did she want to borrow his power? Or drag him into her war?
Wanda and Gwen froze at his words, their expressions shifting as they looked at Sylvie.
Good lord.
Three countries.
If that's not stalking, what is? Straight-up stalker vibes.
Sylvie's mouth twitched at the label "female stalker." She wanted to argue back, but she couldn't. Because she really had followed him across three countries—thousands, maybe tens of thousands of kilometers.
Still, that wasn't the point. Stalking aside, the real matter was far more important.
Sylvie thought through the events, then looked at Lorien seriously.
"This morning, I sensed agents from the Time Variance Authority. They must have contacted you, otherwise they wouldn't have retreated so quickly."
Lorien didn't need to answer.
Gwen nodded beside him. "That's right."
Hearing that they had already met, Sylvie spoke more directly.
"Then I can guarantee it—they'll play three different games with you. One on the surface, one behind your back, and one in secret."
"They manipulate timelines and temporal nodes. If you're strong, they'll just bypass you and rewrite parts of your youth so conflicts never happen now."
"But if you're weak, they'll directly alter the timeline, erase your existence step by step, and finally wipe you out completely."
"That is the power of the Time Variance Authority."
"They control time itself. So you can't trust a word anyone says—except maybe the Judge of the TVA."
At that, Wanda gave Lorien a knowing smile. He smiled too.
Because Sylvie wasn't wrong.
Wanda's Chaos Magic let her sense minds. Lorien's Phoenix Force also gave him that same awareness. Did she think they couldn't tell if the TVA agents were hiding something? Impossible.
Even if the agent's apology had been genuine at the time, pulling a trick behind their backs would have been easy.
Besides, once the business was done, they'd never see each other again in this universe.
So of course the TVA layered scheme upon scheme. It was second nature to them.
Lorien chuckled, nodding.
"You're right about that."
Sylvie finally smiled, relieved. If he believed her, then what she had to say next wouldn't sound so unreasonable.
But his next words left her momentarily speechless.
"But it doesn't really concern us. Unless they actually provoke me, I have no reason to strike first."
"The universe isn't just a Dark Forest where everything is kill or be killed. Unlike you, we don't have a blood feud with the Time Variance Authority. We just find them annoying—and hypocritical."
Exactly. Her vendetta was hers, not his.
She wanted to destroy the TVA. Lorien didn't. If they were hypocrites, he could simply refuse to deal with them.
That was why he had walked away last time—after giving them a very clear warning. Unless they were foolish enough to pick a fight with him, he wouldn't bother.
Sylvie understood that logic too.
She had every reason to fight the TVA to the death. But they didn't.
She thought for a moment—then a sudden idea struck her.
"But they'll definitely come looking for you at key points in history!"
"If you're too strong for them to beat here, they'll just go back and tamper with your past—then shove you back into place once they're done!"
"Could you stand that?"
"I couldn't!"
Sylvie nodded firmly as she spoke, making it clear she would never tolerate something so disrespectful. That kind of behavior deserved only one response—destruction.
Her words drew soft laughter from the group. Not at the warning itself, but at the way she added, "I couldn't stand it."
It was just so… Loki.
No grudge? Then manufacture one. No fire? Stoke it yourself.
Lorien chuckled at her words, shaking his head with a touch of helplessness.
"I know what they're like. If they dare to meddle with my past, then let them."
"And in fact, you'd better hope they try. That way, I'll have a proper reason to deal with them."
He raised a hand, half in jest.
"But until then, I've no reason to help you, and no reason to go after them. I could just as easily bundle you up and hand you over in exchange for something useful.
"What do you think?"
What do I think? Sylvie fumed inwardly. Think my ass!
Still, she had to admit he was right. She couldn't expect two sides with no hatred between them to clash on her behalf. The only option was to wait. As long as the TVA slipped up, then the justification to strike would come naturally.
And Lorien was right—she should hope the TVA targeted him. Then, when they did, she would have her opening.
Sylvie thought it through, then gave a serious nod.
"Alright. You're right."
"Good. Gwen, tie her up."
"…"
"Wait, wait! I meant you're right about waiting for them to make a mistake—not about packing me up!"
"Fine. Then now you understand why we don't fight without a reason."
"…Got it."
The conversation wound down, and Sylvie let out a sigh. But deep down, she also felt relieved. At least there was a chance now.
She still didn't know the full extent of Lorien's power, but the fact the TVA's agents had chosen to retreat from this universe rather than confront him said enough. He was strong—terrifyingly strong.
And confident.
From start to finish, he hadn't shown the slightest worry about the TVA. That alone was proof of his strength.
For the first time, Sylvie felt genuine hope.
With that, the discussion ended. The outcome she wanted depended on the TVA making the first move. All she could do now was keep hiding and wait.
They would go looking for opportunities in the past. That much she was certain of.
…
"Mmhh~"
Wanda let out a sleepy yawn, leaning against Lorien's shoulder, her eyes struggling to stay open.
Lorien slipped an arm around her to support her and looked at Sylvie.
"We're heading back. Hope you get the result you're waiting for. Goodbye."
Gwen gave her a small wave. Hela didn't bother with so much as a glance.
Sylvie quickly waved back. "Bye."
And as the four prepared to leave, she called after them, waving both hands.
"I'll keep watch over history for you! If anything happens, I'll come find you and report it!"
"Thanks."
But there was no need.
With a casual wave from Lorien, the four vanished on the spot.