Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1068, Section 1064: Pride and Prejudice (Second Update)

"It's not because of personal grudges, but because Tony Stark's efforts were destined to fail. Our disagreement isn't about the methods of protecting life, but about how we see ourselves." Wanda shook her head. "You can't understand this way of thinking because you can only identify problems, not solve them, because your way of thinking is exactly the same as Tony Stark's. Problem creators often can't recognize the limitations of the problem. I ask you, do you think you can stop an alien fleet that fills the entire solar system?"

"No," Vision thought, enduring the pain. "No one in this world can do that."

“My teacher could have done it, but he chose to rely on others. He firmly believed in humanity’s potential and the power of ordinary people. Tony Stark, on the other hand, sees himself as superior to ordinary people, believing he has the ability and obligation to be humanity’s caretaker and savior. A savior is a god, an omnipotent prophet. He sees himself as a prophet of the technological age, so he wants to save everyone.” Wanda gave the answer directly. “My teacher didn’t yearn for that kind of life. I know he loved the sunsets in the countryside and carefree children playing. Bearing that responsibility would be painful for him, but he didn’t turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. He was always ready to swallow the bitter fruit of his own making. Tony Stark, however, believes he will never make a mistake. That’s the biggest difference between him and Tony Stark: one sees himself as a god among humans, and the other sees himself as a human being who is a god.”

"It sounds about the same, but Mr. Stark's approach is more humane."

"Tony Stark developed the Iron Man suit based on his experience in Afghanistan, but his so-called righteous cause—fighting terrorists—only intensified America's plunder of Afghanistan and created more terrorists. This is one way the military-industrial complex profits from war: by constantly creating enemies. You and Tony Stark protect humanity in exactly the same way; you both think you are humanity's caretakers, but you are only creating problems, perpetuating problems, not solving them. My teacher taught those who suffer to be their own heroes. There are no superheroes in this world; the highest justice is for everyone to do their part and contribute everything to the survival of the human race."

"I never imagined Mr. Stark's work could be explained this way. It sounds rather arrogant," Vision asked curiously. He felt his presence slowly fading away. "So this is your teacher's way of solving problems, with another war?"

"Can you really solve a problem with words? The best way to solve a problem is to solve the person who created it. The best way to end a war is to end the one who started it. I've experienced war. I know the pain it brings. Humanity can always rebuild its homes, but continuous war can destroy that hope. No one can live in an environment where bombs could fall from the sky at any moment. That's the life of Afghans, Syrians, Yemenis, and Sokovians. I've experienced this war firsthand. Vision, this kind of pain can destroy a person's will. Tony Stark hasn't changed at all. He's always been an accomplice, never has. Only my foolish brother would believe him and forgive him."

Vision stared intently into the witch's eyes, seeing pain within them. "You're telling the truth," it said. "I'm sorry."

"You have to admit that if war breaks out on American soil, its overseas plundering will stop, and far fewer civilians will be killed by the American military. Or do you think Middle Eastern lives are much cheaper than American lives?"

"You know I wouldn't think that way, Ms. Maximov."

"You and Tony Stark both think this way, otherwise you wouldn't admit his actions are correct. Arrogance is ingrained in your hearts, you just don't realize it. Tony Stark wants to feed a beast with insatiable greed, but when the vested interests discover that the value he creates exceeds the efficiency of his raids, or that the value he creates cannot offset the losses he causes, that beast will bare its fangs at him. Now it seems that this has become a reality. Tony Stark has signed the Sokovia Accords, and the next step is for Tony Stark to die in an accident, and then the Patriot Act will be invoked to requisition Stark Industries to mass-produce the steel legions needed by the military."

"That's not a possibility," Vision denied. "No one in this world can replace him."

"Since you believe you possess emotions, then use those emotions to speculate about the greed of those who benefit from the status quo, don't rely solely on logic. Reality has no logic; anything can happen." Wanda shook her head. "It's not just you who can calculate the future; I can also see it, with my sixth sense. Although it's not that precise, my teacher was able to guide me to see the future he envisioned. Tony Stark is not far from death."

"Are you referring to Mr. Stark, who's currently in the intensive care unit?"

"No, he will live tonight unscathed. If my teacher hadn't done this tonight, the person who killed Tony Stark would have been his former partner."

"So you're going to kill me too?"

"Yes, the gem on your head is one of the targets of the alien fleet's invasion of Earth. Taking the gem means your death," Wanda Maximov said with a complicated expression. "You are unable to protect it, and you refuse to cooperate with us, so we must find a safe place to store it."

"Where? Who?"

Wanda waved her fingers, then slammed her snake-bone staff into the ground, saying, "Me."

On Friday, a piercing alarm blared on a loop, waking Colonel Rhodes from his coma.

"Where am I?" Colonel Rhodes opened his eyes groggily. The last thing he remembered was that he had gone through great lengths to break through the blockade of those aircraft and enter the airspace near Manhattan, and then he seemed to be hit hard by something, and after that he knew nothing more.

"East River, Colonel Rhodes, you've been unconscious for one minute and forty-six seconds," Friday's voice was very gentle. It brought up the information Colonel Rhodes needed at this moment, displayed on the HUD projection model that visually showed the armor's integrity in real time. The helmet, chest armor, and additional weapon modules had all suffered varying degrees of damage. Fortunately, the armor's seal hadn't been breached, otherwise Colonel Rhodes would have drowned long ago. "Mr. Stark needs your help; he needs to be moved," Friday said. "Manhattan is no longer safe; we need to get him to the Avengers' bunker."

"I can't do it now, Friday." Colonel Rhodes changed his posture according to Friday's instructions, guided by artificial intelligence to fly out of the dark river. The moment the thrusters propelled him out of the water, Colonel Rhodes saw the brightly lit New York City again, the crimson taillights like blood flowing in the city's veins. "I have to complete the mission first, or the White House will drop a nuclear bomb on New York! I have to save these people, Friday, if Tony were here he would do the same!"

"The conclusion is correct; Mr. Stark's behavior pattern does indeed lead to this behavior," he said on Friday. "But my job is to protect Mr. Stark's safety."

"Then guide me to solve the problem," Colonel Rhodes said. "That's the best way to protect him."

"Rejected." On Friday, while making the marker indicating Tony Stark's location on the HUD projection flash frequently, he gave his opinion: "The enemy is too powerful. The Veronica system has failed, and your armor is incapable of dealing with the threat. If you fail, the White House will drop a nuclear bomb, and Mr. Stark's chances of survival are practically zero. Recommendation: Move Mr. Stark out of New York first."

The Supreme Master, dressed in an earth-yellow robe, stood on the rooftop, overlooking everything.

Even ordinary teleportation spells would trigger the planetary defense system's alarm, let alone teleporting hundreds of soldiers, a battle group of assault transport ships, and two war machines to the other side of the Atlantic. When that spell was cast, the monitoring department of the New York Sanctum's planetary defense system was almost torn apart by the sudden alarm, as if the weight of the war machines had crossed a torn veil and descended into the real world, crashing down on their minds. Few humans in this world could cast such powerful spells; the Sorcerer Supreme was one of them, and the other was Salomon. Mordo opened his mouth as if to say something, but the Sorcerer Supreme waved his hand, and he could only swallow the heat emanating from the war machines, the howling evening wind, and the words he wanted to say.

"Don't speak, listen carefully." The Supreme Master smiled broadly, his eyes fixed on his favorite student. "He's about to express his wish."

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(End of this chapter)