Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 516 Threat and Little Coal Ball (First Update)

King T'Chaka of Wakanda wanted to open Wakanda, supposedly because he saw the turmoil outside and wanted to take on some of the responsibilities of humanity. But Salomon absolutely refused to believe that his reasons for making this decision were so simple. His reasoning was understandable, as T'Chaka was a quintessential feudal monarch, and the art of feudal rule was a compulsory subject in Salomon's childhood. Athena's constant guidance had taught him to absorb all the mistakes of past feudal dynasties and to learn from the excellent decisions of all monarchs. Therefore, he simply couldn't believe that a king would make any decision concerning the fate of the nation without any basis.

This is definitely a well-thought-out decision!

The opening of Wakanda to the world was no secret within the royal court, and many Wakandan scholars offered their suggestions and raised questions, resolving many potential issues. For example, Wakanda decided to open itself to the world, but was the world ready to accept Wakanda? What challenges would Wakanda face after opening itself? However, the biggest question remained unresolved—how should Wakanda open itself? To what extent?

Regardless of the final outcome, Wakanda will face scrutiny after opening its borders. All nations will test Wakanda's ambitions for a place in the world and its potential impact on the global economy. This includes factors such as agricultural imports and exports, industrialization level, military strength, and the location and reserves of vibranium—specifically, the location of Wakanda's capital.

Wakanda possesses advanced technology unmatched by other countries, and its highly automated agricultural and genetically modified technologies have enabled it to achieve high food yields. This means that Wakanda does not need to rely on external agricultural products to feed its people. However, besides common coal and iron, Wakanda's natural resources are limited in reserves of other metals. The biggest advantage of opening up to the outside world is that it can purchase large quantities of industrial raw materials.

To do business on the international market, Wakanda must accept the dollar-dominated global monetary and trade system. This is why T'Chaka proposed pegging the domestic currency to the dollar. Wakanda would exist as an exporter of technology and high-end industrial products, exchanging high technology for upstream industrial resources. However, the drawbacks of this approach are obvious: excessive dollar issuance would lead to inflationary exports to Wakanda, reducing it to a situation similar to Europe's current state. This would then be followed by a global war fought over vibranium, against which the sparsely populated Wakanda has no hope of complete victory.

This is evident from the fact that Wakanda kills smugglers at its border every year. When Wakanda opens up, the people coming will be much more than just smugglers.

A pessimistic scholar proposed partially opening up vibranium reserves, hiding them, and establishing a company to import industrial raw materials. Simultaneously, he suggested strengthening military capabilities and announcing the results of nuclear missile tests to prepare for potential external conflicts.

T'Chaka is a monarch who readily accepts advice. He has taken this advice, so Wakanda will certainly showcase its advanced technology in some areas to deter any greedy nations. Considering how T'Chaka treated his Black Panther brother Erik, who was determined to launch a Black rights movement, King T'Chaka holds extremely conservative views on Black issues. Salomon has little hope for T'Chaka's knee strength.

So the answer is obvious: he has either already made contact with the United States in secret, or he is about to do so. This is the optimal solution made by a king full of "American spirit" from his own perspective before opening Wakanda. The immortal city built by Salomon is the best springboard for Wakanda, allowing him to obtain resources through the immortal city without fully opening it up.

T'Challa forgot that Salomon himself was a spellcaster, and he saw T'Chaka's orders through the eyes of the Wakanda scientists in the Immortal City. Only the naive little princess still believed it was her mistake, unaware that without her subordinates' interference, the document would never have reached her.

Tchaka was a wise monarch; he knew how to acquire power that did not belong to him, so he had to die.

The temple murals depict the first generation of Black Panther warriors consuming heart-shaped herbs under the guidance of the Black Panther God, and the Black Panther tribe warriors, led by their chief, slaying mutants. The earlier the murals, the more ancient they are; the first mural depicts a meteorite falling from the sky. The lower half of the exquisite murals, painted with pigments made from ground iron ore, is reflected by the glow of burning braziers, while the upper half, near the dome, is shrouded in darkness, like the caves where the ancestors lived.

Guided by a small black cat, Salomon strolled into the Black Panther Temple as if no one else was there. The cat trod on the smooth obsidian floor, leading Salomon on a full circuit of the incense-scented temple corridors, without encountering a single priest. The sorcerer slowed his pace, glanced at the murals a few times, and then followed the little black cat. When the cat stopped, he picked up the tiny, pink-tongued lump of coal and stood before the massive black panther statue deep within the temple.

In the firelight, the statue cast a huge, flickering shadow.

The exceptionally talented artists sculpted the panther's powerful muscles and the noble wildness hidden in its obsidian eyes with metal. It looked down at Salomon, but Salomon was only staring at the furry little black cat in his palm.

"I've made my decision," he said to the little black cat.

The little black cat stretched out its paw and licked it, listening casually.

"He must die, and you know why," Salomon said coldly. "If you don't do it, I will. This isn't what you want, because I will destroy everything."

"I know," a deep, resonant female voice came from the little black cat's mouth, "but that's not a reason to compromise."

"It has to be a compromise, it has to be you who compromises, Bastet," Salomon said. "Don't forget, this is Earth."

"The war ended long ago!"

"This fucking war will never end!" Salomon roared, his voice echoing through the empty temple. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled his rage. "I won't allow anyone to hold me back in this, Bastet. My alliance with Wakanda is fair, and T'Chaka's actions have crossed the line for allies."

"He is my chosen one."

"Then let's choose someone else, or I'll support someone else. I happen to know someone who is extremely dissatisfied with the current Wakanda royal family."

"How many people are you going to kill, Salomon Damonette?" the little black cat said. "How many fathers and sons have died at your hands? Whether guilty or innocent, you'll send them all to hell, won't you?"

"My mission is to liberate humanity, and nothing that claims to be God should interfere with humankind!"

Golden light gathered around him and then gradually faded, revealing the holy sword forged by the Earth Mother Goddess in his hand. The dim temple hall was filled with dazzling light, and Salomon's figure, with eyes gleaming with an unbearable golden light, began to grow taller, seemingly taller than the statues, like a giant from mythology. Salomon placed his thumb on the little black cat's chest. "You crossed the line from the very beginning! The souls of all the kings of Wakanda reside in your divine realm; you have stolen the souls of humanity. Now you must make a choice, Bastet! Do you intend to wage war, or submit?"

Bastet remained silent.

"Wakanda's faith isn't enough to make you powerful; you don't even dare to show yourself before me." Salomon suppressed his anger and gently placed the little black cat on the ground. He knew Bastet had made her decision. Her goal was to ensure the survival of the Egyptian pantheon; Wakanda was merely a force she had developed to cling to for survival.

"T'Chaka must die because he coveted what I wouldn't give him," Salomon said softly. "If you want to have proper control over Wakanda, you'll have to do more. Taking back the blessing is just the first step."

The little black cat crouched and leaped, its sharp little claws hooking onto the arcane mage's trousers. It climbed upwards and found a good spot, intending to take a nap there. Salomon glanced at the little black cat burrowing into his pocket, then at the idol, before opening a portal and leaving.

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(End of this chapter)