"Are you sure it was a Berserker Beast?"
"I mean that pure white beast."
Nolan asked Eden, her voice trembling slightly, "Do you know how strong that beast was?" Perhaps she hadn't realized it before, or maybe she had never imagined that one day, when speaking to her own child, she would feel such fear and disbelief.
"If you're talking about that pure white 'big' cat, then yes. That's correct."
"If you still don't believe me, you can check with the Defense Agency. Ask for Cecil."
"He's currently using the Berserker Beast's remains to make me a fur coat!" Eden said after a moment of thought.
"Damn it."
Nolan felt her mind go blank. That legendary Berserker Beast—renowned throughout the universe—had been killed? And it had been done by her son, who, at only eighteen, was barely considered an adult by Earth standards. To the Viltrum people, whose lifespans spanned thousands of years, he was still a child—an infant—yet he had managed to take down such a creature.
Honestly, Nolan had already experienced too many surprises from Eden today.
"I have a better way to test it, Eden," Nolan said, her eyes flashing with determination.
Without any warning, she swung her fist directly at Eden's face.
"Calm down, Mother, calm down!"
Eden's expression remained relaxed. He caught Nolan's fist with one hand and, with a gentle flick, sent her flying several thousand meters away.
"Damn it."
"Kruge doesn't even have that much strength," Nolan muttered, completely convinced that her seemingly unassuming son could indeed defeat a Berserker Beast.
In fact, from a simple arm-wrestling match, Nolan concluded that Eden could instantly overpower her. She even began to suspect that he could easily defeat the current supreme ruler and strongest fighter of Viltrum, the 'Regent' Kruge.
"My son is the strongest in Viltrum—or perhaps even the universe?" Nolan murmured to herself.
Had Eden been eight hundred or even one hundred eighty years old, her surprise wouldn't have been so profound. But the problem was that he wouldn't turn eighteen until next week. Nolan couldn't dare imagine how powerful Eden would become after countless years of training and growth.
"Mother, have you calmed down now?" Eden appeared in front of her again with a flash, smiling.
"Completely calm now," Nolan said robotically, her voice void of emotion. Her heart had grown numb, overwhelmed by disbelief and awe.
"I know you care deeply about your people, Mother, and I also care about the Viltrum people's current plight," Eden began. "But Mother, please use your mind. Really think: isn't the Viltrum strategy flawed?"
"Viltrum itself doesn't have many people left. Even counting all pure-blooded individuals, there are fewer than a hundred."
"With our current strength, we can't even rule a single galaxy, let alone an entire universe."
"What we need now is to reproduce, restore our population, and overcome Viltrum's weaknesses—not endlessly shed blood and wage war!"
Eden's words were calm but resolute. "Otherwise, even if the Viltrum people conquer countless civilizations and take countless planets, what would it matter? Others once destroyed us with a virus; they can do it again—or even a third time."
Eden had clearly analyzed the Viltrum people's situation and laid out his vision for their future.
After a period of silence, Nolan nodded. "Although your words lack a bit of persuasiveness coming from your mouth," she admitted, "I agree with all your choices, Eden."
Even as she verbally agreed, she couldn't help but inwardly complain: "Haven't you already secretly controlled everything on this planet, Eden?"
Indeed, the feeling she got from Eden's calm lecture was unmistakable: "Mom, this planet isn't for you or the Viltrum people behind you to conquer—it's my planet."
"I knew you'd understand me, Mother." Satisfied, Eden gently embraced her.
"This hurdle is passed," he thought to himself with quiet relief. He had successfully averted a war and once again saved Earth—truly a hero.
"So, Eden, what's your next plan?" Nolan asked.
"Call all the remaining Viltrum people to Earth," he replied thoughtfully. "They need a new leader and a new survival strategy."
"Indeed," Nolan said gently. The Viltrum people truly needed new leadership. They had always obeyed only the strongest. The moment someone stronger appeared, the previous leader should step aside.
"Mother, do you have a way to summon the other Viltrum people to Earth?" Eden continued, seeking her support.
"Of course." Nolan nodded confidently. "I just need to send a message to Viltrum that my son has successfully awakened his superpowers and wishes to take the Viltrum enlistment test. Naturally, others will come."
"Then, when we defeat the Viltrum person who arrives to test you, Viltrum will realize my betrayal and send enforcers."
"At that point, we will defeat every enforcer sent to Earth. After several consecutive defeats, Kruge himself will likely intervene."
"Understood." Eden nodded, clearly grasping her meaning.
"So it means beating them all up, right?" he asked confidently.
"Precisely," Nolan confirmed.
"Too simple!" Eden laughed.
"Good." Nolan smiled, satisfied with his response, and began figuring out how to contact Viltrum.
Meanwhile, in another dimension…
"Oh ho~" Clark muttered, looking at his watch on a barren planet. "It seems mother and son have finished their heart-to-heart. Considering the time, I should head back too."
"Don't come back, Clark," the World Forger growled, sprawled on the ground and bruised. He roared in anger at the arrogant Superman.
Sighing, Clark let out a long breath. Calmly, he grabbed the World Forger by the collar. "Listen. This is the last time I'll tell you: my universe is never for you to invade."
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