Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1406, Chapter 1402: An Introduction to Martian Society

Leopold Fitz has worked with a combination of machine and flesh, the most famous of which is the Death Warrior.

While the Death Warriors using the Centipede Serum also have numerous mechanical implants, they still retain the most basic human form. The Rangers' modifications, however, go even further, almost to the point that Leopold Fitz, whom normal people would consider a "mad scientist," finds unacceptable. In his words, even Frankenstein is more complete than these cyber warriors.

That's why, when Leopold Fitz first inadvertently saw the implants beneath the Alpha-Bronze 2 robes, he was so horrified he was speechless. A body filled with implants was something that only appeared in nightmares; the rough stitching completely disregarded any concept associated with aesthetics. Even the human body on which the modifications were based was filled with unnaturally grown muscles, as if what mattered more was the machine than flesh and blood. The Rangers never showed what was under the robes to anyone other than the Martian Sages, not entirely to protect the fragile nerves and worldviews of ordinary people, but also because each Martian Sage's cyber warrior guards, in addition to standard implant modifications, also possessed the creativity and technology of their master.

The hormones transplanted into Alpha-Bronze 2 promote the overdevelopment of muscles, which not only accommodate denser bio-cables and receive more electrical signal stimulation, but also do not affect his original athletic ability, keeping muscle load, balance and energy consumption in a relatively balanced state. Other Rangers made based on Alpha-Bronze 2 technology have similar technology because they all underwent modification by the same Martian sage, namely Epsilon Rodney Radium 223.

Although Mars still possesses the concept of "patents," every Martian sage has undergone eye modifications. With just a pair of basic electronic eyes and visual nerve data storage devices, they can roughly discern the subtle differences between various devices—they can judge power consumption by the heat generated during operation and measure the device's volume using built-in ranging software—these subtle differences are the culmination of wisdom and hard work. In the eyes of Martian sages, the material world is a data-driven world; boundless creativity and insatiable curiosity are their greatest assets. Even a low-level Martian sage possesses their own unique technology and experimental theories, surviving numerous experimental accidents and gaining genuine education by stepping on the heads of many clone servants who emerged from incubation tanks and were deemed unqualified.

The riot had been quelled, and Constantine, using the excuse that the Lighthouse base was not safe enough, planned to relocate all the agents on his mission list. Enoch, who had just emerged from the safe house, participated in the relocation. He tilted his head, looking at Leopold Fitz, who was pointing at the Alpha-Bronze 2 and gesturing wildly incoherently, his logic engine filled with bewilderment.

Enoch also saw the Rangers' mechanical implants, but it wasn't surprised. In some civilizations, the worship of machines over flesh and blood was quite common, because machines were stable, precise, and tireless—qualities that easily inspired the relatively weaker flesh-and-blood bodies to worship them. The Immortals, in particular, were a purely mechanical race, and Enoch had always held the belief that machines far surpassed flesh and blood. In its eyes, these Rangers, like Alpha-Bronze 2, were simply a process of organic beings upgrading to inorganic forms. Such things were countless in the universe, and only mentally fragile humans would be so surprised by them.

The riot resulted in fifteen deaths, and the bloodstains still remained on the walls. Melinda May, the mastermind behind the riot, went unpunished; she was merely handcuffed and escorted by several Rangers. She was captured before she even reached Agent Coulson's room, and the field agents accompanying her surrendered. Even so, she would close her eyes whenever she passed a bloodstain, for those lost lives were her punishment. Agent Coulson, Gemma Simmons, and Leopold Fitz were sandwiched between Rangers, following behind Melinda May.

The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents remained silent, as if they were about to descend into hell.

Alfonso McKenzie attempted to resist during the transport because, to ensure safety, Martian Sage Epsilon-Rodney-Radium 223 planned to tranquilize Daisy Jensen and Elena Rodriguez. Although the tranquilizers were ultimately not administered at Agent Coulson's insistence, both Daisy Jensen and Elena Rodriguez were fitted with specially designed explosive collars, with the remote control held by Constantine to ensure they wouldn't take any dangerous actions before reaching their destination.

"Leopold Fitz was not on the original list."

Compared to the towering Royal Guards, Enoch was rather short, but when facing Constantine, Enoch displayed the composure typical of mechanical lifeforms. It had expressed its desire to study the Royal Guards more than once, but Constantine had always chosen to ignore it. "Leopold Fitz will be a crucial variable," he said. "In my calculations, Leopold Fitz's participation will increase the success rate of the mission. Although his current mental fortitude isn't sufficient to shoulder such a heavy responsibility, I believe he can do it."

“As agreed, we must share all intelligence.” Constantine gripped the Spear of the Guard, the power switch beneath his thumb. He desperately wanted to kill Enoch here, or at least remove his mobility; any level of caution was necessary when facing a mechanical lifeform that had survived for over 30,000 years. “I don’t know your calculations.”

"That's hard to understand," Enoch replied honestly. "It's not just a mathematical calculation; there are forces involved that I don't understand."

"I'd love to hear your thoughts," Epsilon-Rodney-Radium 223 said as she returned to the Lighthouse Base from Latvinia. Since another immortal was transferred to the research facility in Latvinia, Epsilon-Rodney-Radium 223 had spent a considerable amount of time dealing with the scrutiny of the Martian scientific ruling class. Thanks to the support of the Emperor, the Regent, and the Guardian Order, she had finally gained complete control of the immortal analysis project amidst several quiet Martian political struggles.

It's hard to say that another Martian sage wouldn't imitate their colleague's novel creations or steal their knowledge, because Mars is teeming with creativity and mystery. When a Martian sage finds themselves unable to explore the infinite science with their relatively limited lifespan, the wisdom of their colleagues becomes an important reference point. To ensure that the wealth they've acquired through intelligence and luck isn't stolen, even the lowest-ranking Martian sages protect their inventions as if they were their own lives. Sometimes they'll take the most drastic measures (at least deploying the cyber warriors assigned to their rank) to prevent potential competitors from observing their innovations, waiting until the technology is mature before submitting it to their superiors to gain more credit points, social status, and research opportunities.

Just as students on Earth are exploited by their professors to produce academic results, a similar situation exists on Mars, only the exploitation between different social classes is far more extreme. This is because Mars hasn't fully transitioned to financial capitalism. Instead, it has built a semi-feudal, semi-capitalist society where a ruling class of highly accomplished scholars operates, and a production currency based on integrated knowledge, engineering, research, and industrial production. In this environment, only those with value have the right to survive. The only opportunity for novice researchers to acquire more knowledge and currency is to work relentlessly and avoid mistakes, gaining the chance to refine themselves and continue this process until they leap into the true research class.

As for the losers, the mechanics who worked in the Olympus furnace were the losers.

High-ranking Martian sages who survived in this environment were all those who, in the past, would kill their colleagues for a few secret technologies and strategic resources they didn't possess, excelling in the rigidly hierarchical social structure and countless tasks of this barren planet. When the Emperor discovered the accelerated Martian social structure, it was too late for him to change anything. The only one who allowed him to intervene in Martian society, the Great Sage of Forging, was also unable to attend to the almost rampant growth and the invisible wars constantly raging beneath the surface of Martian society, as he was busy carrying out more important research projects to meet his own research and engineering needs.

However, with swarms of war engines traversing the red sands, mass-produced war equipment and ammunition in the forge, a constantly rising void shipyard atop Mount Olympus, and small warships under construction, all the sacrifices are worthwhile, for these things will be used to fight against the alien scum attempting to exterminate humanity. For the sake of humanity's continuation, the Emperor doesn't mind exploring all possibilities, and Kamar-Taj has no binding force on him.

When he awoke from his regular sleep, Hammurabi brought him a report.

The report, wrapped in plastic film, sat on the dining table. The blood beneath, though dried, still emitted a pungent odor and had slightly corroded the paper. It wasn't human blood or that of any known animal. "Experiment on the ultimate stability of psychic mechanics failed." Salomon showed the report to a disgruntled Bayonetta, who waved her hand dismissively, annoyed that he'd placed such a filthy object on the table. "Rodin's technology is powerful; he always pushes the limits of mechanical performance. But he lacks the capacity for mass production, nor is he interested in manufacturing standard weapons. My experiment was about mass production and standardization, exploring the limits of psychic mechanics and ergonomics."

As the most renowned craftsman in the magical world, Rodin's most iconic invention was a giant chainsaw sword made from the heart, tendons, and scales of a dragon, along with steel. Bayonetta had frequently used that sword, and now she had given it to Dinah, believing that Dinah would eventually need a melee weapon to overcome obstacles. However, no explanation could dissuade Bayonetta and Jeanne from leaving this object, reeking of engine oil and blood, on the table. After being reprimanded several times, he had no choice but to hand the report to Hammurabi, instructing him to clean the bloodstains from the documents.

"Is Rodin now your technical advisor?"

"Not entirely. He wanted to remain in the material world, but my policies didn't allow him to continue living, so he wanted to work for me in exchange for opportunities. I agreed, but we haven't signed a formal contract yet." Salomon shook his head. The Sorcerer Supreme allowed Rodan to live on Earth solely because Kamar-Taj needed him to provide weapons for those hunting extradimensional beings. Now, under Salomon's rule, Kamar-Taj had begun integrating magical schools, and the Immortal City had sent genetically modified warriors on missions, making Rodan's existence less necessary. "Even rational extradimensional beings fear death. He is powerful, but not powerful enough; he fears my sword and my spells."

The Sorcerer Supreme banished all extradimensional beings who came to Earth, and the Holy Sword and Holy Lance played a crucial role in this.

The Holy Sword and the Holy Lance are essentially special concepts, weapons salvaged, stripped, and forged from the Sea of ​​Souls into reality. They can utterly destroy extradimensional beings rather than simply banishing them from the material universe—the extradimensional beings killed by the witch, after losing their physical bodies, were merely banished back to their original planes, not completely disappeared. They lack the concept of life and cannot die; after being banished, they will eventually reappear in the Sea of ​​Souls, it's just a matter of time. However, the Holy Sword and the Holy Lance are among the few weapons that can cause extradimensional beings to "die," because they destroy not only the physical body of the material universe, but also concepts and souls. The emotions, souls, and other extradimensional forces that constitute extradimensional beings will melt away under the influence of the Holy Sword and the Holy Lance.

Although Rodan possessed a body from the material universe, he was still an extradimensional being, and it was understandable that he feared the Holy Sword. Moreover, Salomon's special status was one of the reasons Rodan was willing to work for him; even if Rodan betrayed his original lord, he couldn't refuse the even more powerful Salomon.

Joan of Arc then turned her gaze towards him. "Then will you kill him?"

"Perhaps, if he disobeys orders."

Bayonetta was somewhat surprised by these words, but she did not show any objection. Even though Rodan was her friend, she would not interfere with Salomon's decision at this time. After all, Salomon was speaking on behalf of Kamar-Taj and the Sorcerer Supreme, and there was no room for sentimentality; he was merely a cold symbol of power.

"Fortunately, he's still behaving himself for now; otherwise, certain death would be his only fate." Salomon finished speaking, a smile returning to his face. At this moment, he was again the master of this manor, an Oxford-educated real estate investor and banker, not the ruler of Kamar-Taj. He reached out and touched the head of Milia, who was dozing beside him, deliberately messing up the hair Bayonetta had painstakingly combed for her. "I think it's time for dinner now, isn't it?"

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(End of this chapter)