Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1130 The Dust Settles (Second Update)

T'Challa thrust out his short spear. This time, his movements were much slower than before.

Erik Killmonger, or rather, N' Jadaka, unsurprisingly deflected the oncoming weapon and then struck the edge of the shield with his short spear, forcing T'Challa to spread his arms, exposing an opening for the spear to pierce. However, N' Jadaka failed to follow up with another spear thrust, as T'Challa sidestepped and thrust his blade forward. The spear, which should have been delivered slowly, suddenly accelerated, forcing N' Jadaka to dodge quickly to avoid being struck in a vital spot.

Immediately afterward, T'Challa kicked him hard in the shin, the shield slamming into his wrist. En Jadaka felt his wrist go numb instantly, unable to even grip his weapon. "I know a few tricks too," T'Challa chuckled pathetically. But his smile vanished quickly, and amidst the roar of the waterfall, T'Challa said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, cousin. I know my father wasn't perfect, and I apologize for what he did in the past. Those weren't my true feelings."

"Don't feel bad, T'Challa," En Jadaka said, rubbing his red, throbbing wrist and grinning.

He was not swayed by T'Challa's words, not at all.

He forced himself into the most terrifying battlefields, letting those hellish battlefields and the cries that echoed repeatedly in his mind as night fell hone him into a sharp and resilient weapon. Whenever he wanted to give up his life, he would think of the crimes committed by his father and his blood relatives, and then force himself to continue honing himself, eliminating his weaknesses.

"We cannot control our own destiny, and destiny has pushed us to this precipice."

He flicked the blood and water droplets off his spear, assuming a stance around T'Challa like a cheetah crouching in the grass, poised to pounce. He had now cornered T'Challa near a waterfall shimmering with white water. The evening breeze, carried by the setting sun, caressed his blood- and water-soaked body, causing an indescribable emotion to brew in his chest and abdomen, spreading through his body like a real disease—the poison of patricide. Even though he had never met T'Challa before, he would bear this sin. From that very first embrace, Eric Killmonger knew that T'Challa's friendliness was genuine, completely different from the malevolent image of the T'Chaka bloodline he had held for decades.

But fate had thrust them into this place of life and death, and neither he nor T'Challa could resist this unseen hand. He didn't know if T'Chaka had felt this way when he killed his father, but he knew he was about to plunge into this tar-filled, stinking hell, condemning himself to eternal damnation. En Jadaka pointed his spear at T'Challa, the blade firmly aimed at T'Challa's eyes. "Don't hesitate any longer, cousin. Good and evil have nothing to do with this duel," he gritted his teeth. "Win or lose, you and I will live on carrying the hatred of the previous generation. This is fate. Let's prepare for the final performance."

The nobles in the audience couldn't help but stand up to watch the gladiatorial game come to an end.

Dora Mirajane's members, spears in hand, watched T'Challa nervously at the edge of the waterfall. The leader of the War Dogs, his face grim, ordered a secret evacuation of some members to catch up with Princess Shuri, who had fled earlier. Queen Ramonda, in the audience, bowed her head, her eyes tightly closed, seemingly in prayer. Even Emperor Latvinia stood, watching the decisive moment in the arena below. Although civilians couldn't watch the fight, drones hovering in the sky broadcast the footage to the holographic communication beads of every Wakanda citizen. The entire nation held its breath, unwilling to miss a single second.

Emperor Latvinia watched T'Challa fall from Warriors Falls, then closed his eyes to mourn the passing of his friend.

Countless sighs and even sobs erupted from the audience, yet there were also suppressed cheers and joy.

When the black panther shaman Zuli, loyal to T'Chaka, proclaimed N'Jadaka as King of Wakanda according to procedure and welcomed the challenger, Emperor Latvinia did not watch the duel between M'Baku, the chieftain of the Jabari tribe who worshipped the white ape god, and N'Jadaka. Throughout Wakanda's history, the Jabari tribe had challenged for the throne at every change of rulership, but each time they had failed. Whether or not N'Job had told this story to the then-young N'Jadaka, N'Jadaka had undeniably secured the throne. The coronation ceremony had concluded, and N'Jadaka had raised the Spear of Klanga; whatever Princess Shuri found could not undo the damage.

The few remaining members of the War Dogs attempted to guide Emperor Latvinia out of the arena, but Hammurabi blocked their path with his halberd, preventing them from approaching the emperor while keeping a watchful eye on his hands to prevent him from reaching for the pulse pistol hanging at his waist. The former leader of the War Dogs was N'Jadaka's father. Many within this intelligence organization held ambiguous positions; some firmly supported T'Chaka's bloodline, while others believed T'Challa should bear responsibility for N'Job's death and therefore chose to support N'Jadaka.

Hammurabi knew why the mission Princess Surrey had given to the War Dogs had been delayed until now: the organization had split into two factions after receiving the order, even before N. Jadaka arrived at the palace. This internal strife only temporarily subsided after several bodies were created. As a precaution, War Dog agents who supported the T'Chaka bloodline went to Oakland, USA, but time did not allow them to return in time.

"I am loyal to my king." The war dog agent said impatiently in a low voice, "Please come with me. The queen has made arrangements, and we have no time."

"No." Emperor Latvinia shook his head, refusing the War Dogs' request. Hammurabi distrusted the War Dogs, and so did he; he would accept advice when the Royal Guard believed he should be wary of something. "Return to the palace. I will await En Jadaka in my room," the Emperor said. "The rest is up to you. Go find Surrey and my men, and tell Malcolm everything you know. He will arrange everything. If you finally reach T'Chaka… then tell the Queen that I am sorry for everything that has happened today and in the future."

"You're stationed so close to the Wakanda border! And we're completely oblivious to what's happening right under our noses!" Princess Shuri jumped angrily from the anti-gravity vehicle, followed by a group of Dora Mirajane and members of the War Dogs. "So, you guys were involved in En Jadaka's infiltration of Wakanda?" she said. "So, is this all a conspiracy?"

"Wherever the monarch goes, there is an armed force ready to strike at any time, and we are merely a reconnaissance unit." The Fire Knights' First Company Commander, whose original name was James before his conversion, now bears the Legion's soldier name Aparisha, though the Legion Commander prefers his former name. Aparisha coldly surveyed the soldiers behind Princess Shuri, who were on high alert. The Wakanda were extremely wary of the First Company Commander's gaze, the explosive guns in their hands, even the members of his guard and the armored personnel carriers they rode in.

Heavy bombardment rifles and laser cannons mounted on both sides of the vehicle were aimed at the Wakandans in front of the company commander. These Infernal Knights were always on high alert, even when facing seemingly unarmed Wakandans. Scattered around keeping watch and inspecting the convoy, the Infernal Knights registered the types of Wakandan cargo, with vibranium being the most abundant item. A small box carried by a member of the War Dogs organization was under heavy guard by the Wakandans. "Follow me, the legion commander is waiting for you," Aparisha said. "Now, hand over all your communication equipment. This is military protocol; if you want to cooperate, you must abide by it."

"It seems these Latvians planned this all along. Should we really trust this genetically modified monster?" a member of the Warhounds whispered in Princess Shuri's ear. "Why not return to the Golden City, gather soldiers, and overthrow N'Jadakar? The legacy left by the previous king is enough to get their support, Shuri. A few political concessions will be all it takes to make them submit."

"The soldiers are loyal to the king, and Dora Mirajane is loyal to the king. It is impossible to let them break their oath."

“I have already done so,” the member of the War Dogs said. “I am loyal to T’Challa, not to En Jadaka, and so is Dora Mirajane, who came here with you.”

“That’s because you’re T’Challa’s girlfriend, Nakia. You just got back from abroad and don’t know how serious the charges against N. Jadaka are. Even your mother can’t deny them.” Princess Shuri shook her head and said to Company Commander Aparisha, “I need to make a private call.”

Aparishia nodded, agreeing to the request. "If you wish to contact the monarch, we can do so. If not… then please act quickly. Executing the contingency plan requires time to prepare, and time is our biggest shortage."

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(End of this chapter)