Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1631 Kamar-Taj: The Chess Game

The dazed look in Daniel's eyes disappeared, replaced by a firm and clear gaze.

The white-robed sorcerer led a group of equally white-robed sorcerers, standing in the small plaza in front of the highest courtyard. This was the residence reserved solely for the Sorcerer Supreme, and since the Sorcerer Supreme returned to Mars, only Mordo had ever entered it to listen to the Sorcerer Supreme's divine will.

The Emperor walked directly towards the sorcerer Daniel. To the surprise of the Royal Guard, the sorcerers did not use their magical implements or spells to stop him. Amon, seeing the insignia on the robes of the sorcerers behind Daniel, immediately understood why Daniel was standing there—their robes bore inconspicuous family crests. As appendages of a long-established organization, the sorcerer families had the time and energy to make their rituals appear both luxurious and understated. Mordo could not possibly summon all the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, for his position was merely Grand Instructor. Even with his exceptional talent and the High Priest's favor, he still did not wield the most powerful authority. Violence is a tool for wielding power. Kamar-Taj has a history of ambitious figures, though later power struggles were relatively peaceful, the stench of bloodshed still lingers.

"By His Majesty's will, you now preside over the affairs of Kamar-Taj. When the Sorcerer Supreme is unable to fulfill his duties, the successor will assume the position of Sorcerer Supreme, King of Midgard, Lord of Mankind, Lord of the Kamar-Taj Sanctuary, and Rune Lord..."

The monk Daniel recited the layers of titles in an extremely fluent voice and bowed to the Emperor with the most elaborate and highest etiquette. As an organization whose history far surpasses that of all human civilizations and which collects characteristics from various civilizations around the world, Kamar-Taj's formal etiquette is quite complex.

The Emperor saw Stephen Strange and Sherlock Holmes standing behind Sorcerer Daniel. As arcane apprentices who hadn't been able to go on their mission to Fort Attilan on the dark side of the moon, they were clearly being deliberately protected by Daniel. The Emperor was only temporarily assuming the position of Sorcerer Supreme; his power wouldn't be limited to the title itself. The title would eventually be given to someone capable of taking over the psionic division, and both Stephen Strange and Sherlock Holmes were candidates. Whoever held the position would be under the jurisdiction and control of Victor von Doom, who oversaw all psionic divisions. They clearly hadn't heard of the Sorcerer Supreme's full title; it took Daniel over a minute and twenty-six seconds just to pronounce it, and the Emperor had no patience to stand there for even that long. After only about ten seconds, the Royal Guard arrived and ordered all the arcane mages to step back, using the excuse of "maintaining a safe distance."

In any case, Master Daniel's rambling has finally come to an end.

"Greetings, Sorcerer Supreme," said Sorcerer Daniel in a low voice. "I am glad you did not make this attack too bloody. The dark things are craving conflict, bloodshed and misunderstanding, and your handling of the situation reduced many unnecessary casualties. I am referring to Sorcerer Mordo; I believe he was simply misled."

"I don't care about Mordo's offense; the Ether Sea merely showed him a glimpse of a specific future," the Emperor said. "In my view, he is still a usable asset."

"You don't know why he refused to see any more, do you?" Mage Daniel smiled, speaking in his usual nonchalant tone. "Even I can foresee your attack, see through the darkness lurking behind the etheric storm, how could Mordo, who controls the Cosmic Cauldron, not see it?" He turned to look at the locked courtyard gate. "A dark storm is descending upon this peaceful land; you must make a choice."

"I have plenty of time to deal with the Mordo problem," the Emperor said calmly. "The sorcerers Hamil, Wu Guiyue, and Kasirios will handle most of my daily affairs."

Master Daniel raised his head and glanced at the royal guards standing on either side of the emperor, then nodded noncommittally.

"I understand. You should go and face the Venerable One. If possible, please don't point the nuclear missile here. I don't think this matter is worth resolving with thermonuclear warheads." He stepped aside to make way, simultaneously summoning a golden laurel wreath. This was the crown to be used for the Emperor's formal coronation after he left the courtyard. It was a laurel wreath that the Sorcerer Supreme had spent ten years crafting and completed before departing for Mars. Like the Dragon Fang Sword, it was a weapon of immense power, a gift from the Sorcerer Supreme to the Emperor. The difference was that he could unleash the full power of this artifact. However, it was not appropriate to wear this treasure now. "Perhaps you intend to see Lady Calamity? But I must warn you beforehand, her mental state has been quite poor lately."

"I will order the sorority to take over the care of Lady Calamity."

The emperor stood in front of the courtyard gate, took a rare deep breath, and composed himself.

This day would eventually come. He foresaw it when he learned to sift through the cacophony of his mind and organize his preconceived notions of the future. Every detail, every battle replayed in his mind; he could feel the pain of psionic lightning piercing his armor and burning his skin. He and the Sorcerer Supreme had chosen a relatively perfect ending, and now it had to be carried out no matter what. Some things had to be done, and no one but him could do them.

"You wait outside," he told the guards, then pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard alone.

Darkness then enveloped him, and a colossal beast, as large as a planet, opened its maw and devoured all his psionic radiance.

Wanda Maximov walked with her head down, panting heavily.

Sweat dripped from her forehead, shattering into fragments on the pristine white marble steps, stinging her eyes. She felt she had reached her physical limit; a burning pain spread from the back of her neck to her spine, her skin flushed and red, her consciousness blurred. With each step forward, she felt needle-like psionic pressure pricking her nerves, but following the Emperor's will sustained her onward, even as the steps before her disappeared into the clouds, and the destination seemed impossibly far away. This was an unprecedented trial of will. Wanda Maximov knew she was just a girl yearning for the warmth of family, but standing on the tides of this era, whether as an Avenger or as a psionicist, the future she chose could not offer much peace.

Suddenly she felt a hand supporting her arm from the side.

The Royal Guard's hand was encased in armor, and even through the clothing, she could feel the flow of the power armor's core energy and the scorching heat of the metal. Yet, this hand was no different from a normal person's; in fact, it could be described as gentle. The hand was clean and white, with slender yet strong fingers. She felt the golden psionic glow dispel her fatigue.

"You will reach the end, Wanda Maximov," Athena said, grasping her arm. The goddess of war was clad in ancient Greek armor and wielded an incredibly sharp spear. Her shield had been given to the emperor, so she used a short sword at her waist instead. "There you will witness the coronation of the Lord of Mankind."

"Why me?"

"Because he chose you, and you occupy a crucial position in his plan." Supported by Athena, after another ten minutes or so, Wanda Maximov finally reached the top of the stairs. Here, a white-robed sorcerer and two royal guards faced the courtyard gate. Athena lowered her head and said to Wanda, "He will come out, don't worry. When he comes out, you will see a different him."

Their arrival went unnoticed by anyone else.

Aside from the Praetorian Guard and the sorcerer Daniel, who were already aware of Athena's existence, everyone else assumed the woman in the classical armor, like Wanda Maximoff, was an outsider recruited by the Emperor. Even using their second vision to perceive auras, those sorcerers unaware of Athena's existence could only discern her power; they could only wonder if this woman was also one of the legacies left to the Emperor by the Sorcerer Supreme.

"Why...?"

"The Sorcerer Supreme's soul does not belong to himself," Athena said. "Don't you understand? Even the Sorcerer Supreme cannot escape the principle of equivalent exchange, nor can he freely draw energy from the Sea of ​​Souls. You don't think the psychic energy you use is free, do you, Wanda Maximov? Have you seen those ascetics? Their sole purpose is to assume the debts of the Sorcerer Supreme, to bear the risks of the mutation of the etheric energy. Except for the first Sorcerer Supreme, Agamotto, every subsequent Sorcerer Supreme's soul no longer belongs to himself. All Sorcerers Supremes exchange their souls for eternal life to fulfill eternal duties."

Darkness enveloped him, with only a dim yellow lamp flickering not far away.

He felt the soles of his shoes tactilely like rough sand and rocks, and the scent of desolation wafted in the breeze. As far as the eye could see, there was only darkness, and only within the dim light could he barely make out anything. Without hesitation, he walked towards the small lamp. As he drew closer, two comfortable chairs and a low table appeared under the lamp. A blurry figure sat in the opposite chair, silently facing a chessboard on the low table, head bowed.

The emperor pulled out a chair and sat down.

The chair was the perfect size, conforming perfectly to the curve of his spine and his physique. He wasn't wearing armor, but simply a black suit, his raven-feather-like hair cascading over his shoulders, held back by a golden laurel wreath that shimmered in the warm yellow light. He moved a chess piece and watched his opponent respond. The chess pieces on the table were exquisitely carved, completely different from those in Western chess, each with its own symbolic meaning. Some were sculpted as swords clad in armor and cloaks, others as fortresses built of stones, and still others as busts of ancient Roman consuls wearing laurel wreaths.

"The Slavic Defense. Ancient, classic." The person across the table easily saw through his plan. "Not planning to change the opening? The game isn't over yet; you still have many opportunities."

"This is what you taught me, teacher. Only death brings an end to duty."

"If you're alluding to my life, then this is a good joke." The Sorcerer Supreme laughed, but the smile vanished instantly. In this world, the Sorcerer Supreme's emotions were far more complex than in the material universe. The warm yellow light flickered and then shone again. "Let's end this game quickly; I can't hold on much longer. Darkness is coming. I've done my utmost on Mars, and now I can't help you any further. All I can give you are these prophecies."

"He wants to liberate the Sorcerer Supreme..." Athena lowered her voice, "From now on, the Sorcerer Supreme will only be a title, and Kamar-Taj will be truly independent, free from any interference from the Sea of ​​Souls."

(End of this chapter)