~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For 40 advanced chapters, visit my Patreon:
Patreon - Twilight_scribe1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After helping resolve the Mahd Wy'ry afflicting the Eternal Thena, Henry had earned the friendship of three Eternals. Though it wasn't a complete cure, it was enough that Kingo greeted him so warmly today.
Although Henry had lost contact with both Thena and Gilgamesh afterward, he never forgot to stay in touch with Kingo during holidays and special occasions, exchanging gifts from time to time.
Incidentally, although Henry had resigned as CEO of Stark Pictures, he still retained the profit-sharing rights from the Indian subsidiary that had been established through his cooperation with them. Stark Pictures had never reclaimed those dividends.
This was because Henry was entitled to technology royalties regardless of whether he remained CEO. Long ago, he had redirected his share of those royalties to the Indian subsidiary rather than continuing to collect money from the California headquarters.
Unlike many local partners who sought ways to seize a foreign collaborator's stake and eventually push them out entirely, taking over their technology and equipment, this Eternal always faithfully transferred every penny of profit that Henry was owed.
As a result, even after leaving his position, Henry continued to receive dividends from Stark Pictures India.
That connection only strengthened the relationship between Henry and Kingo.
Faced with the Eternal's enthusiasm, Henry smiled and said,
"My friend, I actually have a favor to ask of you. Do you have some time to talk? In person."
"Sure. Today? You're coming here?"
Kingo immediately replied.
"My filming schedule today isn't that important. The director can shoot someone else's scenes first. Come straight to my house.
"I've got some Darjeeling tea prepared using green tea processing methods. You should try it."
"Oh, now that I definitely have to taste."
Henry laughed.
"Give me a moment. I'll head over right now."
After hanging up, Henry shot straight into the sky.
He traveled through the stratosphere before descending vertically over Mumbai, India.
His landing point was the front courtyard of Kingo's luxurious estate.
Naturally, Henry didn't crash down like a meteor or generate hurricane-force winds.
His descent was completely silent.
Not even a speck of dust was stirred.
It was clear that his control over flight and his biofield had become increasingly refined.
Just as he was about to knock on the door, however, the mansion's entrance opened first.
Karun Patel stood there smiling warmly.
The plump Indian valet greeted him in English.
"Mr. Brown, it's been a long time."
"Good day, Mr. Patel."
It was nighttime in New York but morning in Mumbai.
Henry smiled.
"I didn't expect you to open the door before I could knock."
Patel chuckled.
"Every time you finish a phone call with us, you appear at almost exactly the same interval afterward.
"Please, come in. The master has already ordered water to be boiled. He's waiting to share breakfast with you.
"He's in the Autumn Hall."
"Looks like my timing couldn't be better."
The Autumn Hall was one of the mansion's more comfortable reception rooms.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, one could admire the autumn scenery of the estate grounds.
For tropical Mumbai, autumn colors were about as seasonal as things ever became. A true winter landscape was nearly impossible.
Since he was at home, Kingo was dressed casually but comfortably.
His loose linen tunic was lightweight, breathable, and perfectly suited to the climate.
The moment Henry entered the Autumn Hall, the Eternal rose to greet him.
After exchanging pleasantries, they sat down.
Kingo immediately got to the point.
"Henry, you didn't come all the way here for something minor, did you?"
After directing the servants to set out a table full of breakfast dishes, Karun Patel dismissed them.
He remained behind personally to prepare a pot of green tea.
The two men chatted while eating and drinking.
Henry asked,
"Kingo, do you know any pharmaceutical companies?"
"Pharmaceutical companies?"
Kingo looked surprised.
"I know several pharmaceutical owners. I also know some of the Indian executives for major international drug companies.
"Why? Looking for some miracle medicine?"
"I've developed a treatment for dementia and want to find a partner to conduct efficacy and safety trials."
"A treatment for dementia?"
Kingo blinked in surprise.
"Where did that come from?"
"Have you heard of the Supreme Intelligence of the Kree Empire?"
Henry asked.
The Eternal's eyes widened.
"You didn't storm Hala and rob the Supreme Intelligence, did you?
"How could something like that end up on Earth?"
Henry laughed.
"Of course not.
"I found some related research data and synthesized the formula myself. Everything is still within the limits of Earth's technology.
"Whether it has side effects, however, still requires testing.
"The formula was originally designed for the Supreme Intelligence. I can't guarantee it works the same way in humans."
Kingo looked puzzled.
"Why were you researching something like this in the first place?"
"You know Katharine Hepburn, right?"
"You mean that little Hollywood girl? The one who won several Academy Awards?"
A little girl...
Well, given Kingo's age, he technically had the right to call her that.
Suppressing his speechless reaction, Henry continued.
"I'm currently responsible for looking after Ms. Katharine Hepburn.
"She's suffering from dementia, so I went looking for a treatment.
"I just don't know whether it'll actually work."
Kingo nodded.
"I understand.
"Do you have any specific conditions for cooperation?
"You should realize that if this drug works, it'll create a massive sensation.
"The profits involved could be enormous."
Henry replied,
"I don't have any hard requirements.
"I just need to confirm that it's safe for human use.
"The thing is, among the Kree, this medication was intended for the Supreme Intelligence.
"Basically, each detached brain only used it once every hundred years.
"So I don't know whether humans would be cured permanently with a single treatment or require regular doses.
"If problems arise during human use, I can help adjust the formula through further research.
"As for profits, just offer something reasonable. I honestly don't know the market.
"Licensing production within India is fine.
"As for the rest of the world, I have other ideas."
After a moment of thought, Kingo said,
"I actually know a suitable company.
"Would you like to negotiate with them directly?
"I can probably arrange for their owner to come meet you within the next couple of days."
Henry's gaze drifted toward the stout valet standing nearby.
Grinning, he asked,
"Mr. Patel, interested in earning some extra money?
"Or perhaps you have a trustworthy relative who could help me with a small task?
"I can offer a ten percent commission."
As he spoke, Henry placed a 3.5-inch floppy disk on the table.
Karun Patel responded with his trademark Indian smile.
He neither accepted nor refused.
Kingo ended up answering for him.
"Karun, doesn't your nephew work in international trade?
"Wasn't he struggling a bit? Have him come handle this project."
"Yes, Master."
Patel's round head swayed side to side as he stepped forward and accepted the floppy disk.
One burden lifted from his shoulders, Henry relaxed and shifted the conversation.
"Oh, right. I visited Australia in the spring.
"Have Gilgamesh and Thena left their old retreat?"
Kingo laughed.
"Thena was cooped up for too long.
"Now that she's free from the burden of Mahd Wy'ry, she wants to see the modern world, so she's been traveling everywhere.
"Gilgamesh follows her around to make sure nothing unexpected happens."
Then he suddenly remembered something.
"Oh, that's right. Let me give you a phone number.
"If you ever need to reach them, call this satellite phone.
"And where are you living these days? Is your contact information still the same?
"If they end up visiting America, help look after them for me."
Henry gave a wry smile.
"Do those two really need anyone looking after them?
"As long as they don't start causing trouble, everyone else should be grateful."
Even so, he took the note and wrote down his current address and contact information.
Taking the paper, Kingo laughed heartily.
"I only mean acting as a guide and showing them whatever strange and interesting things New York has to offer.
"Our principle has always been simple:
Cause no trouble.
And don't draw attention to ourselves."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
🎉 Power Stone Goal Announcement! 🎉
I'll release one bonus chapter for every 500 Power Stones we hit!"
Let me know what should I do
Your support means everything—let's crush these goals together! Keep voting, and let the stones pile up! 🚀
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~