Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1617 Kamar-Taj Arrival

"You'll need to equip this psionic suppressor and this stabilizer. Since you haven't had any prosthetic implants, you can only use wearable devices."

Amphitrite pointed to the equipment piled high on a trolley covered in black velvet and continued in his usual calm tone. However, Wanda Maximoff, standing before him, showed no sign of relief. She had just learned that the reason for their presence was the Emperor's intention to attack Kamar-Taj—she wasn't unfamiliar with Kamar-Taj. Even though her initial understanding of Earth's magical schools was limited, as her studies deepened, she learned that Kamar-Taj was the High Sanctuary on Earth, and also where the Emperor learned psionic arts—the Emperor, who held the title of the Sorcerer Supreme's only disciple, intended to personally lead his army to attack Kamar-Taj. This whole affair sounded absurd; everyone knew the Emperor was the Sorcerer Supreme's heir, and even with inflated ambition, there was no need for such a move.

“I know these devices are a bit heavy, but if you’re willing to have a prosthetic implant, then you can use modular equipment.” Amphitrite clearly didn’t understand the meaning behind Wanda Maximov’s expression. “There’s still some time before departure, and if you’d like, the automated surgical robot can help you quickly implant the prosthetic. Although mortal healing is somewhat slow, as long as you use a sufficient dose of painkillers, it won’t affect your concentration required to use psionic powers.”

"Thank you, but I still have no plans to have mechanical implants."

“Wanda Maximov said. Her mind was completely elsewhere; the words of the guard, Amphitryon, barely registered. When she arrived at the Astronomical Tower and, guided by Amphitryon and the fighting sisters, reached the Emperor's office, she heard familiar music—"Por una Cabeza" (One Step Away)—a famous tango she remembered vividly because her teacher, like warm sunshine, had arranged many lessons for her when she came to Hydra's prison. Among the electives was dance, and her teacher had chosen the simpler tango. To teach her this elective, her teacher had once invited her to practice in the moonlit prison corridors, a scene so romantic it made her feel weak in the knees.

She heard the song again.

When she pushed open the door, she saw a tall man in golden power armor dancing with a woman with long black hair in the lavishly decorated office living room. Only when the music ended did the woman finally tear her lingering gaze away from the man. It was the Emperor and Bayonetta, a tall, majestic god entwined with a seductive, venomous serpent; the extreme beauty and the unrestrained eroticism made Wanda tremble uncontrollably. She bit her lip, remaining silent—she knew she might never forget Bayonetta's twirling, her billowing black skirt, and her black high heels with red soles and pistols. Only when the music ended did the people in the office seem to notice her. Only then did the Emperor receive the sword from the guards, yet the warmth and sexual tension in the air lingered.

"You know, girls worry about scars on their skin." Wanda Maximov shook her head, trying to shake the irrelevant thoughts out of her mind. "I'm a girl, a member of the Royal Guard."

"Scars are a testament to honor, and hiding them for the sake of aesthetics is not the behavior of a soldier."

"Perhaps."

Scarlet Witch rolled her eyes dramatically.

She knew the Royal Guard only relayed the Emperor's orders, but she simply couldn't stand the collar-like psionic suppressor and stabilizer on the trolley. It was a dark, iron-black metal collar, its sides covered with various wires ending in EEG electrodes to detect brainwaves and psionic responses, thereby adjusting the intensity and stability of psionic output. It was obvious to the naked eye that such equipment was extremely heavy and would be a significant strain on her cervical spine, but fortunately, the Royal Guard assured her that she only needed to wear it while on missions and undergo a check-up afterward.

"Why wasn't this device used before?"

"Because the psionic index of Kamar-Taj is rising," Amphitrite said. "You failed to achieve an alpha level in the most recent psionic stability test. For your safety, you must wear these devices."

Wanda Maximov glared at him fiercely.

"She's a tough nut to crack," the Emperor said to the witches. "I know she may look delicate, but if she really only had the personality of a rich girl, she could never have lived to adulthood with her own blood relatives. I never ask her how many people she killed in her known memories before adulthood, but as a girl living in a country with US military bases, she worked hard and tried her best to save others before joining Hydra's human experimentation program, and that alone is admirable."

“She’s the family you found yourself, and I know what you think of her,” Bayonetta said. “My mother lived in Sicily, so I’m a Sicilian too. You grew up with me as a man, and I know you because I instilled some of my values ​​in you. We both know what that means, and I’m not surprised by your concern for her, but you must be fully aware of the danger she poses. Her connection to the Aetheric Dimension is far stronger than mine, perhaps even stronger than yours. The influence of Aetheric energy on her genes grants her extraordinary power.”

She paused for a moment.

"Just like you, the ether will change her body and mind. Although you played the role of the Sorcerer Supreme in influencing you, it's still too late for her." This was the first time the witch had commented on Wanda Maximoff. He listened attentively without offering any opinion. Ceresia was an Italian woman, or more precisely, a Sicilian woman. Although Ceresia wasn't a woman with traditional Sicilian values, the Sicilian spirit of eternally refusing to submit to authority was passed down from Rosa to her. Aside from intimate or family time, no one could expect to hear her utter a single gentle word, not even Joan of Arc had her reservations.

"Be vigilant," she said. "I don't really trust her."

"I'll keep an eye on it; her test scores aren't up to par."

"You should consider the compensation for inviting me to carry out this mission."

Amon glanced at Wanda Maksimov. She was a member of the combat unit, the Emperor paying for her New York penthouse, limousines, and all sorts of living expenses. It's worth noting that the payments made to Wanda Maksimov were enough to cover the basic living expenses of an ordinary citizen in a small Yugoslavian town. Even employees from humble backgrounds at conglomerates like JPMorgan Chase couldn't enjoy such a high salary and standard of living—even just having an Instagram account and posting about her daily life would be enough for her to make a fortune through social media. Yet, Wanda Maksimov, as before, tried to avoid social media, using only Twitter, specifically to follow the Avengers, Steve Rogers, and her own brother's accounts.

Especially the latter.

Wanda Maximov knew her younger brother couldn't keep secrets, which is why she chose to monitor Pietro Maximov's social media accounts. However, the communication devices she used didn't use chips from companies like Qualcomm or Samsung; instead, they were civilian devices manufactured using a portion of Mars' production capacity. These devices were equipped with numerous specialized spyware programs to ensure user information security and, if necessary, to hack into the databases of the CIA, FBI, Homeland Security, and the former S.H.I.E.L.D. Therefore, calling them civilian devices is somewhat of an exaggeration, given that the computing power of quantum chips far exceeds the combined server computing power of these organizations.

As soon as she spoke, Wanda Maximov realized that the topic was inappropriate.

The emperor, seated in the main seat of the assault transport ship, did not open his eyes.

Wanda Maximov could smell the metallic, sweaty, and cleansing scent emanating from him. Her sixth sense told her that this man, whom she could never accurately observe in the Sea of ​​Souls, seemed to be trying his best to suppress his power within his body—this was a serious military operation, and jokes were not appropriate now—she recalled seeing human soldiers in black all-environment combat suits, and combat sisters in gold-trimmed black belted power armor taking off from the hangar aboard several gunboats, as well as large aircraft such as transport planes and assault transport boats, which could quickly transport personnel and armored vehicles to high-altitude mountainous areas inaccessible by conventional vehicles.

This was not the mission the Emperor described in a casual tone from his office. It was not a quick in-and-out operation, a swift resolution that might not even result in casualties.

The Emperor took this mission very seriously; he certainly didn't just want to talk to the Sorcerer Supreme.

Many questions welled up in her throat.

"Smart girl, I can hear the question lingering on your lips. Since you want to know, I will choose some questions to answer."

As if the entire cabin had brightened, a tall, blonde woman with beautifully defined muscles entered. The Emperor's supernatural radiance, though suppressed, intensified the light the moment this woman appeared. In Wanda Maximov's vision, the edges of everything in the cabin seemed to blur and glow, and everything began to feel unreal. The woman caressed the Emperor's heraldic shield, which was set in the upper left of his breastplate, with an intimate gesture. When Wanda tried to move a finger and stand up, she found herself unable to—then she could move—Wanda Maximov twisted her neck, crimson psychic lightning flashing in her eyes, arcs of psychic energy crackling through the air and leaping between her fingers.

"First, step back. Second, who are you?"

"The one who will crown Him. The Sorcerer Supreme is unable to fulfill this duty, therefore I will perform this ceremony in his stead." Only then did Wanda Maximoff notice that the woman was wearing a golden laurel wreath almost identical to the emperor's; she hadn't even noticed it before because of the woman's dazzling golden hair. The woman in ancient Greek armor said, "I educated him, I bestowed this shield upon him; I am his mother. I know you are somewhat surprised; perhaps you have never heard the witch mention me, after all, the witch and I have some conflicts regarding the allocation of time concerning him. But this cannot stop him from returning to my side, for it is his mission."

(End of this chapter)