mtl008 Chapter 4710 X Royal Clash (6)
Chapter 4710 X Royal Clash (6)
Chapter 4710 X Royal Family: Fierce Battle (Sixteen)
Professor X paused slightly, then lowered his eyes. Schiller had indeed pinpointed his innermost concern very accurately. In truth, establishing a mutant nation was a goal he and Magneto could strive for together, because they had never been enemies, merely two sides of the same coin. They had a tacit understanding and wouldn't truly harbor resentment towards each other because of a temporary disagreement.
However, the younger mutants might not feel the same way. They hadn't experienced that most difficult era, and amidst the atmosphere of antagonism between the two sides, they already harbored resentment towards each other. Not only did many in the X-Men dislike Magneto, finding him too ruthless, but the new generation of the Brotherhood of Mutants also found fault with Professor X, viewing him as too conciliatory.
The two sides have fought before, from major battles to minor skirmishes, resulting in casualties on both sides. Young people are often hot-blooded; they were once enemies, even sworn enemies, and now suddenly they want to sit down together to build a mutant nation. Even if they are both reasonable and willing to temporarily set aside their past grievances, this remains a potential problem.
Of course, even a major villain like Apocalypse has attacked other mutants. But as the saying goes, a prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold. Apocalypse is strong enough, and no one had any hope for him; his mere presence was a pleasant surprise. Even those who came to help wouldn't harbor much hostility towards him.
However, the young people on both sides already looked down on each other, each believing themselves to be superior and their own ideals to the other, while seeing the other's involvement as pointless. This situation easily led to conflict. Not to mention, both sides were known for their short tempers; if a fight broke out on Krakia, it would be a major problem.
Professor X and Magneto are like that blended family; the two of them have no conflicts, but the children under them can't stand each other. Even in this raid, the X-Men were the main force, rather than a mix of both groups, because they all knew that mixing the two groups might cause trouble.
Professor X had pondered for a long time how to resolve this conflict. However, he preferred a gradual approach, believing that if everyone worked together towards a common goal, they would naturally come to understand each other over time.
However, Schiller was clearly the type of person who preferred drastic measures. As long as they both felt indebted to each other, the conflict would naturally subside. But this approach was perfectly timed, precisely meeting the needs of both sides.
Magneto giving Nimrod's body to Cyclops proves he is the kind of good person with a spirit of sacrifice and compassion recognized by the X-Men; while Cyclops's desperate efforts to save Magneto will naturally lead to acceptance by the Brotherhood of Mutants, who idolize their leader. This move is undeniably brilliant.
“I’m sometimes very curious.” Professor X’s tone finally relaxed as he took off his helmet and looked at Schiller.
"What are you curious about?" Schiller asked, looking at him. "Are you curious about me? That's only natural."
Professor X lowered his head and chuckled. He shook his head and said, "I'm curious about what your friends are like."
"Haven't you already met Tony?"
"Yes, he is indeed different from many Iron Men. But I guess he's not the most different one. He lacks a bit... control over you?"
"What's there to talk about?" Schiller raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve mentioned that your friends made you realize that even if you could be resurrected, the death of a loved one is unacceptable. There must be someone who made you understand this more deeply. I don’t think that person is Tony Stark.”
"Oh?"
“A person who is more tolerant than you can never restrain you,” Professor X said with a smile. “Only someone more extreme than you can.”
He tapped his fingers lightly on the corner of the table: “To be honest, as a psychiatrist, it’s a great honor for me to meet Tony Stark like this. I saw how you rescued him from the quagmire of anxiety and uncertainty. You didn’t just give him a bigger piece of driftwood, but an entire island, like Clarkia.”
"It is my honor to receive such praise from you."
“But he’s not that person,” Professor X said. “It’s like I’m actually far more extreme than Eric, which is why I can control him. I’ve also taught him a lesson in some ways, just like you have.”
“I have indeed learned my lesson,” Schiller said with a soft sigh, “but it’s all my own fault.”
"Who isn't?" Professor X seemed to have thought of something again, and smiled with narrowed eyes. "Let me guess, you used this method to resolve the contradictions in your universe, which prevented many people from falling into tragedy like their counterparts. But at the same time, smooth sailing will make them have a more extreme desire for control and stronger methods, and only in this way can they stop you."
“It wasn’t a complete halt,” Schiller argued, “it was just a slight relief.”
"Considering how amazing the series of things you've done since you came to this universe are, even if it's just a slight mitigation, you're a benefactor to the entire multiverse," Professor X said with a smile.
"Since you've enjoyed all of this, don't act innocent after getting all the benefits." Schiller sneered. "I hope you'll still have the same patience when you see him."
Professor X watched him walk away. He had a premonition that some trouble was about to begin, but it certainly wouldn't be involving mutants. Someone was probably in for a lot of trouble.
"This can't go on!" Captain America from the main universe gritted his teeth. His uniform was torn, and a deep scorch mark appeared on his shield, left by the Elemental Cannon. If the Winter Soldier from the local universe hadn't knocked him away, he probably would have been reduced to ashes by the cannon.
Unfortunately, Bucky from his own universe was out on a mission and hadn't come. Captain America from the main universe sighed deeply. He then looked in Iron Man's direction; the main universe Iron Man wasn't doing much better, his metal suit was already smoking. The flight control system had malfunctioned due to the recent electromagnetic storm, and he could only cling to the tail of the wreckage to maintain his balance.
The group in the local universe was still fighting, but they were clearly exhausted and unable to stop the massive Shi'ar army. Although they were all superhumans, the Shi'ar were also superhumans, and their dual divine powers were no weaker than those of other gods. Only Thor and Doctor Strange could hold their own against them; the individual strength of the others was insufficient.
"Hulk!!!!!" The Hulk from the main universe roared and charged at Iron Man again, as the main cannon was now aimed at him. Hulk slammed into the cannon barrel, knocking it askew, and then punched a hole in the spaceship, but his movements were momentarily interrupted by the source energy field.
"Bruce!" The main universe's Iron Man quickly let go, opened his hand cannon, but black smoke billowed from his palm. He had no choice but to fly over, grab Hulk, and run away to avoid the subsequent barrage of fire.
Their engagement was far too hasty; they neither maintained proper formation nor had sufficient equipment. Captain America hadn't brought a replacement shield, and his mech's energy reserves were insufficient. Even Doctor Strange and Thor were nearly out of power by this point.
“Something’s not right,” said the local Doctor Strange. “I’ve had contact with the Shi’ar Empire; they shouldn’t be this powerful…”
The people in the main universe were also somewhat incredulous; they were the Avengers. Leaving aside the others, Hulk was capable of single-handedly destroying a planet, yet they couldn't find a good way to deal with the Shi'ar Empire's ships. That source energy field seemed specifically designed to target Hulk, stopping him whenever he made a move, preventing him from unleashing his full power.
Furthermore, the combat methods of the other units were also very sophisticated, as if they had completely figured out the Avengers' strategies. Thinking of this, the main universe's Iron Man glared fiercely at the local Iron Man and said, "There must be a traitor among you!"
The local Avengers were speechless. These Shi'ar people seemed to be after the mutants, but why did they know so much about the Avengers? They had them completely outmaneuvered, both strategically and tactically. Could it be that someone on their side betrayed the Avengers?
They didn't doubt their own teammates, but the situation with S.H.I.E.L.D. and the US government was a different story. After all, if they weren't colluding with the Shi'ar Empire, where did they get their technology and materials?
Since they've already colluded, isn't it only natural for them to sell out their comrade's information?
“You guys go back first,” Apocalypse flew over and said. He looked the Avengers up and down and said, “If any of you get killed here, I’ll have to explain myself. I’ll have Professor X send more mutants over to stabilize the front line for now.”
While they claim to be stabilizing the front lines, they've actually lost control of even the Mercury line, though it's temporarily unable to reach Earth. But this "temporary" situation is very short-lived.
"How many mutants are left?" the local Captain America asked with some concern. After all, they were unaware of the Totem Resurrection Project and believed that most of the mutant's best fighters were dead.
“We still have some trump cards up our sleeves,” Apocalypse said. “You don’t need to worry about that. Go back and study how to completely crush the Shia Empire’s army.”
Ultimately, the Avengers retreated, and Iron Man in the main universe looked grim. He needed to go back and catch the mole.
The local Avengers were also wondering what went wrong within their ranks, and why this battle was so difficult.
Little did they know, the general looking at the solar system battlefield through the spaceship's camera was not a Shia, but a pure human with black hair and fire in his eyes.
In the vast command center, all the Shi'ar soldiers were dismissed by his hand. He heard a slight noise behind him, and when he turned around, a red-skinned figure with long horns on its head was standing on a chandelier, smiling at him.
"The operation went very smoothly, General Vulcan." The other party nimbly jumped down and said, "Tomorrow is the royal banquet. All you need to do is attract Emperor Deken's attention at the banquet. Soon, you will be the master of the Shia Empire."
The man, however, did not show much joy. He simply stared at the demon before him with his eyes, which flickered with the faint glow of flames: "Why do I always feel that you want far more than this, Mephisto?"
“The devil and greed are forever bound together, inseparable.” Mephisto stepped forward, looked at Vulcan and smiled. “If you didn’t want to conquer the Shi’ar Empire, why would you have agreed to cooperate with me to invade the galaxy?”
Vulcan pursed his lips: "Are you really confident you can take down Fierce Feather Star in one fell swoop? Deken is not easy to deal with."
"Since I promised you, I will not go back on my word. Just wait and see the show tomorrow."
Vulcan narrowed his eyes, staring into the devil's gray pupils. He always felt that these eyes were unlike his own; they lacked the devil's cunning and scheming, instead possessing a natural indifference, a more overwhelming and unstoppable evil.