Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1562 The Lunar War (Seventy-Four)

Like steel behemoths, the genetically modified warriors were slammed away by an invisible force, crashing into the rubble of a mountain of twisted steel ruins. The sonic waves pressed them firmly against the rubble, and the visible milky-white shockwaves in the air gradually compressed their ceramic alloy armor, causing dense cracks to appear in the power armor of the genetically modified warriors. Even the seemingly indestructible armored vehicles were thrown out like pebbles from a child's slingshot.

One of the genetically modified soldiers, barely managing to move his fingers under the immense pressure, raised his arm holding the explosive gun and pulled the trigger. The gunshot interrupted the sound waves, and in the shadows of the ruins, the steel behemoth collapsed with a deafening roar. Life support and medical systems promptly injected painkillers and combat elixirs. The genetically modified soldiers, whose bones had been cracked by the sonic shock, shakily rose to their feet with the help of their power armor. The drugs didn't take effect immediately, and their movements weren't as agile as before; even so, their gun barrels remained firmly pointed forward.

"Lay down your weapons," said a voice with a strange accent speaking Latin. "Lay down your weapons and you will live."

While the terrifying shockwave failed to completely damage the power armor, and power armor is known for its sturdiness and durability, it was still an early model, and the production of many components was not entirely automated. Some chip solder joints may have had problems; under the impact of the shockwave, the image on the tactical squad leader's helmet holographic display immediately began to flicker before finally going out.

Without hesitation, the squad leader removed his helmet and pulled the trigger towards the source of the sound. He gritted his teeth against the pain and strode forward, only drawing his chainsaw sword after emptying a magazine. He activated the power and, under the cover of his squad's fire, charged into the unknown area. They had encountered many unusual situations before, and a sudden sonic attack was not difficult for them to handle.

"C-87 area under enemy attack, requesting fire support."

"H2 Command received. Firing data has been calibrated. Artillery support is in position and ready to commence strikes at any time."

"Hey, mutant!" The genetically modified warrior brandished his chainsaw sword, cleaving the mutant in front of him, gun and all, in two. "Come on, prepare to die!"

A Centaur Inhuman was about to say something when it was startled by the genetically modified warrior lunging at it. It was a psionicist, but its ability was a form of verbal magic, allowing it to understand all written language and its meaning, without any offensive intent. For some reason, the Centaur clan had kept it hidden until now. When the genetically modified warrior's blade was less than a finger's width from its neck, a milky-white shockwave crashed into the warrior, blasting away the plasma clusters and explosive bombs in mid-air, their whereabouts unknown.

Before the Centaurus Inhuman could say anything more, another slender figure appeared from the side. The genetically modified soldiers didn't notice him; although their powered armor detection systems provided relevant data, they subconsciously ignored it. This psychic power wasn't as strong as psychic energy that could ignite flames or create lightning out of thin air, but it worked silently, and the genetically modified soldiers' strained brains simply ignored the information they should have noticed.

"Your Majesty," the Centaur clan psionicist bowed humbly, "I have done my best to persuade you."

"I know you're not wrong," Black Bolt said, gesturing to himself. His helmet covered the upper half of his face, leaving the lower half exposed to the frigid air of Starfortress, white condensation billowing out like steam. Using that power was harmful to Black Bolt himself; he struggled to control the sonic range, only able to avoid harming allies. "These savage invaders don't understand our mercy. Their minds are devoid of any human compassion. They are beasts, beasts born for war, devoid of any empathy." He spoke resolutely to the nearby Inhuman warriors. Amidst the flames of the collapsing settlement buildings, he spread his arms, the cloak behind his combat suit making him appear like a gigantic creature emerging from the fire. "Kill them! Kill the beasts that invade our homeland by any means necessary! Drive the invaders from our home!"

The shells whistled in, but Black Bolt opened his mouth and squeezed out a sound from his throat.

Black Bolt was unaware that his every move was being watched.

Some people who were cheering just a second ago secretly slipped away from the shadows when no one was looking.

A message about Black Bolt's movements was delivered to dozens of decks below the settlement within half an hour, via a damaged sewer pipe, an unsuspecting member of the logistics force, and a conspiracy between spies from certain cults. Maximus watched the video recorded by the cult members with a disdainful smile—he had known his brother would give a mobilization speech, and he anticipated the audience would be deserted, but he hadn't expected Black Bolt to use his powers in battle—if anyone in the world truly understood Black Bolt, besides the deceased King Argon and Queen Linda, and the now severely injured Medusa, it was Maximus himself. He had participated in Black Bolt's power tests and knew that what he saw in the video represented Black Bolt's most powerful control; if he allowed himself to unleash his abilities, the genetically modified human warriors would certainly not survive, and all the Inhumans in that area would be killed by the sonic waves.

He scoffed at his brother's soft heart.

“Those civilians should be honored by their sacrifice,” he said to the priest beside him. “If they could exchange their lives for the death of a human squad, then their lives would have achieved a value that could never have been attained. It is an honor, but my weak brother refused to grant that honor to those civilians, as if the lives of others were worthless. I am different; I will grant you honor.” He stretched out his hand, and a group of robed followers bowed their heads before him, their faces displaying a variety of features. “You should be blessed; it is your right. Today I will return that right to you.”

"Long live the King of Attilan!"

Someone shouted it first, and then the same slogan echoed continuously. Maximus smiled and nodded, then pressed the button in his hand. A violent explosion instantly filled the darkness in the distance, and the twisting sound of metal echoed like a lament for the world's fall. The upper deck crashed down with a terrifying roar, and faint screams emanating from the smoke and dust sent chills down one's spine.

"The road ahead of Assembly Point D has collapsed?" Aparisha looked doubtful. "How did these mutants manage that? Didn't the technicians assure me that the road ahead could support our heavy machinery?"

(End of this chapter)