Marvel Magic Case Files

The long journey was the ultimate test of willpower. Priestess Ferrier and several other priests loudly recited from the sacred texts the story of the prophet leading the chosen people to the Holy Land and establishing a divine kingdom on earth, strengthening the mutant believers' resolve. If someone with a relatively good understanding of Earth's religious history and politics were present, they could easily discern the striking similarities between the evolutionary paths of alien religions and Earth's religions.

In both stories, the prophet receives a divine message and guides believers away from their original dwellings, separating them from their familiar environment. He then sets a goal that requires a long time to achieve. Within this information cocoon, isolated from familiar surroundings and other social groups, the prophet holds absolute authority. The prophet's authority is continuously strengthened throughout the long journey until the first believers die. The prophet's and the so-called divine authority then become the sole culture and history of this group that has lost its original way of life. This story is detailed in the Torah and recounted again by the priestess Felir. Regardless of the characters and events within the story, the underlying logic remains the same.

Priestess Ferrier had no idea that the stories she told, the doctrines she proclaimed, and even the followers she led were being watched. Several reconnaissance drones hovered silently in the air, their high-precision cameras clearly seeing and marking the face of every mutant. These markings were then relayed through base stations to the power armor of the genetically modified warriors, where they were categorized using tags from a database.

"The number of mutants exceeds five thousand and is still increasing. Armament classification: light weapons. Melee weapon A-1, unknown ranged weapon A-2. Now calling a similar model to estimate the threat level of weapons A-1 and A-2..." Aparishia didn't wait for the holographic projection tactical panel of the power armor to display all the information before blinking past it, because he had already reached the conclusion of the temporary tactical command group. Aparishia protested to the Regent, "The intelligence you gave me indicates that this group of mutants is heading towards the portal, and you intend for us to slaughter these mutants first to reduce the tactical variables near the portal. I understand all of that, but what I don't understand is, why do we all need to come here for just over five thousand mutants? There are twelve warriors here; killing these five thousand+ people won't take long. You can send the girls back first; Constantine might need help."

"Why do you harbor such hostility towards Constantine, Aparishia?"

"I only want a duel." The First Army Commander grinned cruelly, his bloodthirsty smile behind his mask sending chills down one's spine. "Every idle person in the world wants to know whether I or Constantine will emerge victorious if the First Army and the Royal Guard stand together in the arena. That's all, Your Regent."

Viktor von Dum nodded in agreement, even though he knew it was utterly unbelievable.

Without mind-reading abilities or needing to dismantle the mental barrier the Emperor had created for the knights, Victor von Doom knew the true answer. Even though genetically modified warriors had lost many of the emotions humans should possess, becoming perfect humanoid killing machines, they still retained a degree of humanity. If knights were the only type of genetically modified warrior in the world, then Aparishia and her fellow knights would certainly not feel any anxiety about their own or their comrades' existence. However, the existence of the Royal Guard, with its more ornate armor and more robust physique, made it difficult for Aparishia and her group not to harbor doubts about the Royal Guard's existence. Were the Royal Guard an evolution of the knights, or another completely different type of genetically modified warrior, almost like different species?

While the Knights' information was relatively public, the Imperial Guard's information remained shrouded in mystery. The question of which was superior sparked considerable debate within the Yugoslavian government, the Yugoslavian defense sector, military entities worldwide capable of monitoring external defense developments, and even among biologists globally. Many countries began to re-emphasize the development of their own genetically modified super soldiers, especially the United States, which possessed both the Super Soldier Serum and the Hulk Serum. The US initiated research collaborations with NATO allies, and the Pentagon received substantial funding, commissioning AIM (Advanced Imaging and Research) to conduct the research.

It is foreseeable that the clandestine underground human experimentation and human trafficking black market will experience a peak in transaction volume, with alien materials inevitably becoming a major focus of the underground trade. The two alien invasions of London and New York brought a considerable amount of untraceable experimental material to the civilian black market. Even countries that did not obtain the relevant materials would send agents to purchase them through the underground black market. However, AIM (Advanced Imaging and Research Institute) was originally a business of the radical Hydra, later acquired by the conservative Hydra. The vast majority of alien biological materials from the London and New York invasions were collected by S.H.I.E.L.D. at the time. After the Hydra rebellion, due to the destruction of a large amount of data and the exposure of numerous undercover agents, the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. archives system became chaotic. In reality, it was the conservative Hydra that truly controlled the circulation of alien biological materials in the underground black market.

Correspondingly, there is a renewed demand for the technology of Tony Stark's armor. Although Tony Stark is not an expert in weapons design, and many of his power armor designs are not suitable for all battlefield environments and are too expensive, this does not prevent people from seeing the formidable strength that the Emperor demonstrated on the battlefield after equipping superhuman warriors with power armor. If possible, every country would like to have its own super soldiers.

"I need you to eliminate this group and prevent them from approaching within a kilometer of the portal," Victor von Doom said. "They are currently imprisoned within the iconographic freak, and unless this state is broken by external forces, they will continue to walk indefinitely. Although they are a pitiful bunch, please show them mercy."

"Use bombs and blades." Aparishia held out her hand, gesturing a tactical movement. The guards immediately followed his lead, and the Sisterhood Commander, Tita, didn't hesitate either, quickly forming a formation to keep up with the knights. "Perhaps also flamethrowers, plasma, and thermals," a guard member added in a cold tone, "and the bomb girl has chainsaw swords too."

"Casel, can you shut up? It'll make you look smarter, or at least smarter than you appear," Aparisha replied dryly. "I heard you applied to include your projection in your psychological intimidation tactics?"

"At least those enemies will know who they're going to die at," Cassell said. "I'll settle things with my combat knife."

"They'll wish they were dead sooner after seeing your ugly face. At least until you arrive."

When Aura turned her questioning gaze to Tita, even the Sisterhood's chief commander couldn't quite put her finger on it; she didn't understand the knights' pointless humor. It wasn't that she couldn't comprehend this cold, trash-talking humor, but rather that she didn't understand why the knights always engaged in these meaningless, utterly unhelpful conversations before battle—if there had to be a reason, it was related to their military careers before and after the modification surgery—but the one who knew the answer wasn't there. Regent Victor von Doom had vanished as a noisy image, just as he had arrived, and neither the knights nor the battle sisters had seen any trace of the hovering drone.

The passionate hymns seemed to rekindle hope, and the priestess, Feliel, recited them aloud with joy, banishing the whispers and mocking laughter that lingered in her ears. Led by the priests, the believers gradually transformed from sporadic humming into a chaotic chorus, interspersed with rough roars and screams from mutated and twisted throats. But this did not dampen the increasingly fervent emotions within the procession, as the sense of loss felt from being separated from the angels gradually returned.

The song made Priestess Feliel feel as if she were soaking in clean, warm water, her whole body filled with warmth. Invigorated, she began reciting the next hymn. Immediately afterward, a bomb pierced the body of a priest, his upper body exploding into a bloody mist. Priestess Feliel instinctively dropped to the ground. Then, several cannonballs, trailing flames, crashed down like lightning onto the crowd of believers crammed onto the steps, sending plumes of blood and charred bone fragments flying everywhere.

"Yes, I will," the emperor repeated. "I have other plans for you."

"What do you want to do?" Bayonetta asked, arms crossed and head tilted.

Although she pointed her gun downwards, no one believed she couldn't aim and pull the trigger before the others could react. Amon's leg muscles tensed, ready to rush to the Emperor to shield him from the bullet. Even Diana, affected by the tense atmosphere, was prepared to grip the dagger strapped to her thigh. Reluctantly, she would still attack the witches if necessary, at least to hold one of them back. Her target was Joan of Arc—the white-haired witch clearly noticed the maid's tension, merely rolling her eyes without gripping her pistol—which visibly relieved Diana. But she dared not relax too much, having witnessed the witches' fighting prowess. If they so desired, the castle wouldn't remain unscathed, and the diplomats who had been entertained by the Regent all night and were resting in the castle would also be affected.

Bayonetta didn't expect an answer, for she was familiar with the Emperor's enigmatic nature and didn't believe He would reveal His preparations here. "I will go to Kamar-Taj," the Emperor said calmly. "His Holiness foresaw this possibility, which is why he entrusted me with the weapon. I once asked His Holiness where to go after being freed from the mission of the Sorcerer Supreme, and he told me that nothingness is the only destination, and eternity is the end of all. Death is not the end, Bayonetta; death is merely the beginning of another journey. My wish is for His Holiness to reach eternity, not to remain trapped in the mortal world. Do you understand?"

Do you know what the consequences of your failure will be?

"I will not fail," the emperor said with his usual certainty. "This is the result of calculations."

"I'll go with you." Bayonetta released her arm and strode up the steps until she stood before the Emperor. Amon's nerves tensed, ready to intercept her at any moment, but ultimately he didn't. She was one of the few gifted individuals who could look the Emperor in the eye, or perhaps the Emperor had deliberately suppressed his psychic radiance, diminishing his presence. "If you fail, I will help you solve the problem."

The Emperor stared intently into her grey eyes, remaining silent for a moment. "If I fail, you must immediately retreat to the island. I will meet you there and begin the next phase of the plan ahead of schedule." He reached out and placed his hand on the witch's shoulder. "This is not something to be discussed, Ceresa. Even if we fail, I will not die, but the future we face will be far more severe and terrifying. I must employ more extreme contingency plans. A world war is inevitable, and its flames will engulf the entire galaxy. We must prepare for it."

"Don't look at me, I have no objection." Joan of Arc brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, saying with a mix of nonchalance and seriousness, "She rushed here like a madwoman, using the witch clan's inherited artifact to kick open the anti-teleportation barrier!"

"Joan of Arc!"

"I invite you to join me in witnessing the end of this thread of fate. Please remember, whatever happens, remain calm and do not take any further action."

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