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Chapter 320: Winning Over, Deceiving
2022-10-19 Author: Great Demon Spirit
A great war had erupted between Asgard and Jotunheim. Tony was unaware of this at the time, and even if he had received the news, he wouldn't have cared.
That brainless Laufey was destined to be played to death by his own son, Loki.
He was already suffering from wounds that were difficult to heal, yet he still courted death by running off to invade Asgard.
A person like that required hardly any effort; a single stab with the Spear of Eternity would be enough.
"The next time we come to Earth, we'll be sure to notify you in advance," Thor said seriously.
Tony stared at him for a long moment, then nodded and waved his hand, signaling Dormammu to release Sif and the others from their restraints.
Jane rushed directly into Thor's arms, her eyes sparkling like little stars.
The warrior Sif had initially looked relaxed, but upon seeing this scene, her expression instantly stiffened. She was filled with discomfort, and a sour feeling welled up in her heart.
"Thor, if you can keep your promise, then I will keep mine," Tony pledged in a very serious tone, seizing the opportunity to farm some favorability points.
Sure enough, the tough guy Thor was moved.
A thousand years, heh heh heh, that should be more than enough time.
After bidding farewell to Thor, Tony returned directly to Kamar-Taj. The Destroyer, weighing a full ton, was as light as a giant toy in Tony's hands.
He tossed it to the ground with a loud crash, shattering a large patch of floor tiles.
"There you go again! These are the new floor tiles I just laid!" Wong, hearing the noise, ran out fuming, his face a mask of anguish.
Tony waved his hand dismissively. "Aren't you just upset about the money? Is the Kamar-Taj account empty again? I'll transfer a million dollars to you. Eat whatever you want, buy whatever floor tiles you want!"
The sorcerers of Kamar-Taj lived quite miserably, often having to meticulously manage their financial deficits.
After all, Kamar-Taj wasn't a company. Providing food and drink was already good enough; there was no reason for them to be paid a salary. Besides, who would pay for it? The Sorcerer Supreme?
Well, it seemed that since Tony had taken over, he had indeed poured a lot of money into Kamar-Taj. The place was practically a poor man's boot camp; self-sufficiency was no problem, but earning any extra money was a huge issue.
Tony pondered for a moment. Before the delighted Wong could finish calculating how to spend the money, he asked, "Where's Mordo?"
"I don't know. He spoke with Stephen and Nicodemus, then left in a hurry. There's been no word from him since he left. Perhaps he found some kind of clue," Wong replied.
Tony thought for a moment, a look of realization dawning on him. He called out, "Stephen?"
"Still in the library. He and Nicodemus have an extremely strong talent for magic, and with their diligent studies, they will definitely become excellent sorcerers."
"Bring them to me. I have something to ask them," Tony ordered.
He had done all he could. Without being able to resort to force, he had already said all the right things.
Now, it was all up to Mordo.
...
Mordo walked cautiously down a street. He was like a phantom, his steps completely silent.
Anyone familiar with him would have keenly sensed that something was wrong with Mordo's state.
This meticulous sorcerer, the right-hand man to both the previous and current Sorcerer Supreme, always kept his spirit at its peak, ever ready to fight all kinds of enemies, and always held himself to the highest standards.
The normal Mordo would never walk in such a dejected manner, as if his entire body were full of openings.
Mordo stopped abruptly. The face shrouded by his grey robes was filled with unease and caution.
"Come out," Mordo snapped coldly at a certain shadow.
The motionless shadow suddenly squirmed as if it were alive. Accompanied by a low rustling sound, a nauseating aura began to spread.
A tall figure emerged from the shadows. It had two goat-like horns that extended from the top of its head in a strange curve, sweeping back along its red scalp toward the back of its head.
Its eyes, glowing with a yellow light, were full of evil. Its crimson skin looked as if it had been soaked in lava. This demon wore a wide cape, but its upper body was bare, shamelessly displaying muscles that looked as if they were forged from steel.
Archdemon Mephisto's strongest clone left on Earth, appearing in the form of his true body, displayed itself without restraint.
The Ancient One was hunting Mephisto's main body, which provided Tony with the opportunity to completely eliminate Mephisto's remaining clones.
But for Mephisto, how was this not also a precious opportunity!
On this planet, there was no longer anyone keeping an eye on him at all times. He could do whatever he pleased.
It was just a pity that the power of his clones was truly limited; he had very few that were even presentable. This current clone was already Mephisto's strongest one.
"Hehehe, Mordo, I have been waiting for you, waiting for you to seek me out..." Mephisto revealed several rows of sharp teeth in his mouth, giving him a ferocious look.
"The Sorcerer Supreme... no, I mean, The Ancient One, has she really... been stealing Dark Power to extend her life?" Mordo asked in anguish.
"You already know the answer, so why do you still ask me? Otherwise, you wouldn't have chosen to call upon me." Mephisto's yellow eyes revealed a deep greed and malice.
A characteristic cunning and slyness flashed through his eyes. Looking at Mordo's suddenly pale face, Mephisto felt that he was not far from success.
If he could get Mordo to join him, he would obtain what he desired.
"Heh heh heh, if The Ancient One knew I had won over her prized disciple, the look on her face would surely be a sight to see," Mephisto thought to himself, yet his expression became even more aggressive.
"Make your choice. Continue to follow that group of hypocrites and protect this world full of sin and hypocrisy, or follow me and build a new world together?" Mephisto tempted.
Mordo's face was deathly pale. His lips trembled, his mind roared, and his body began to shake.
Pain, unwillingness, disbelief, anger...
And an unconcealable doubt...
The Ancient One's lifespan had always been a mystery. Mordo had been curious about it many years ago, but as time went on, the more he understood The Ancient One, the more he revered her bottomless strength and respected her character, the more he subconsciously avoided such trivial questions.
Because the Supreme Venerable, whose character was impeccable, could not possibly do anything to harm the world.
That was until the ever-curious Stephen, along with his assistant Nicodemus, deduced the answer after studying the numerous records in the library. Their superior intellect, coupled with a curiosity and vigilance that was etched into their very bones, allowed them to do so.
They had originally wanted to ask Tony, but Tony wasn't around, so they naturally sought out the second-in-command, Mordo.
And then Mordo showed signs of becoming unhinged. The more silent his demeanor, the more it was a cover for his crumbling heart.
It was all as if destined. The Ancient One's secret was still keenly discovered by Stephen, who then told the stubborn, even paranoid, Mordo.
Mephisto grinned, and highly corrosive saliva dripped from his long, sharp teeth onto the ground, making a sizzling sound and raising a small puff of white smoke.
He slowly extended a red palm, his nails, which could easily slice through rock, glinting with a cold light.
"Mordo, you have actually already made your choice. Why do you still hesitate? Come, join me, and verify it for yourself. Use your own eyes to prove the vile lie you suspect, and then build a new world with me! The Ancient One, Tony, Kamar-Taj—none of them matter!"
(end of chapter)
2022-10-19 Author: Great Demon Spirit
A great war had erupted between Asgard and Jotunheim. Tony was unaware of this at the time, and even if he had received the news, he wouldn't have cared.
That brainless Laufey was destined to be played to death by his own son, Loki.
He was already suffering from wounds that were difficult to heal, yet he still courted death by running off to invade Asgard.
A person like that required hardly any effort; a single stab with the Spear of Eternity would be enough.
"The next time we come to Earth, we'll be sure to notify you in advance," Thor said seriously.
Tony stared at him for a long moment, then nodded and waved his hand, signaling Dormammu to release Sif and the others from their restraints.
Jane rushed directly into Thor's arms, her eyes sparkling like little stars.
The warrior Sif had initially looked relaxed, but upon seeing this scene, her expression instantly stiffened. She was filled with discomfort, and a sour feeling welled up in her heart.
"Thor, if you can keep your promise, then I will keep mine," Tony pledged in a very serious tone, seizing the opportunity to farm some favorability points.
Sure enough, the tough guy Thor was moved.
A thousand years, heh heh heh, that should be more than enough time.
After bidding farewell to Thor, Tony returned directly to Kamar-Taj. The Destroyer, weighing a full ton, was as light as a giant toy in Tony's hands.
He tossed it to the ground with a loud crash, shattering a large patch of floor tiles.
"There you go again! These are the new floor tiles I just laid!" Wong, hearing the noise, ran out fuming, his face a mask of anguish.
Tony waved his hand dismissively. "Aren't you just upset about the money? Is the Kamar-Taj account empty again? I'll transfer a million dollars to you. Eat whatever you want, buy whatever floor tiles you want!"
The sorcerers of Kamar-Taj lived quite miserably, often having to meticulously manage their financial deficits.
After all, Kamar-Taj wasn't a company. Providing food and drink was already good enough; there was no reason for them to be paid a salary. Besides, who would pay for it? The Sorcerer Supreme?
Well, it seemed that since Tony had taken over, he had indeed poured a lot of money into Kamar-Taj. The place was practically a poor man's boot camp; self-sufficiency was no problem, but earning any extra money was a huge issue.
Tony pondered for a moment. Before the delighted Wong could finish calculating how to spend the money, he asked, "Where's Mordo?"
"I don't know. He spoke with Stephen and Nicodemus, then left in a hurry. There's been no word from him since he left. Perhaps he found some kind of clue," Wong replied.
Tony thought for a moment, a look of realization dawning on him. He called out, "Stephen?"
"Still in the library. He and Nicodemus have an extremely strong talent for magic, and with their diligent studies, they will definitely become excellent sorcerers."
"Bring them to me. I have something to ask them," Tony ordered.
He had done all he could. Without being able to resort to force, he had already said all the right things.
Now, it was all up to Mordo.
...
Mordo walked cautiously down a street. He was like a phantom, his steps completely silent.
Anyone familiar with him would have keenly sensed that something was wrong with Mordo's state.
This meticulous sorcerer, the right-hand man to both the previous and current Sorcerer Supreme, always kept his spirit at its peak, ever ready to fight all kinds of enemies, and always held himself to the highest standards.
The normal Mordo would never walk in such a dejected manner, as if his entire body were full of openings.
Mordo stopped abruptly. The face shrouded by his grey robes was filled with unease and caution.
"Come out," Mordo snapped coldly at a certain shadow.
The motionless shadow suddenly squirmed as if it were alive. Accompanied by a low rustling sound, a nauseating aura began to spread.
A tall figure emerged from the shadows. It had two goat-like horns that extended from the top of its head in a strange curve, sweeping back along its red scalp toward the back of its head.
Its eyes, glowing with a yellow light, were full of evil. Its crimson skin looked as if it had been soaked in lava. This demon wore a wide cape, but its upper body was bare, shamelessly displaying muscles that looked as if they were forged from steel.
Archdemon Mephisto's strongest clone left on Earth, appearing in the form of his true body, displayed itself without restraint.
The Ancient One was hunting Mephisto's main body, which provided Tony with the opportunity to completely eliminate Mephisto's remaining clones.
But for Mephisto, how was this not also a precious opportunity!
On this planet, there was no longer anyone keeping an eye on him at all times. He could do whatever he pleased.
It was just a pity that the power of his clones was truly limited; he had very few that were even presentable. This current clone was already Mephisto's strongest one.
"Hehehe, Mordo, I have been waiting for you, waiting for you to seek me out..." Mephisto revealed several rows of sharp teeth in his mouth, giving him a ferocious look.
"The Sorcerer Supreme... no, I mean, The Ancient One, has she really... been stealing Dark Power to extend her life?" Mordo asked in anguish.
"You already know the answer, so why do you still ask me? Otherwise, you wouldn't have chosen to call upon me." Mephisto's yellow eyes revealed a deep greed and malice.
A characteristic cunning and slyness flashed through his eyes. Looking at Mordo's suddenly pale face, Mephisto felt that he was not far from success.
If he could get Mordo to join him, he would obtain what he desired.
"Heh heh heh, if The Ancient One knew I had won over her prized disciple, the look on her face would surely be a sight to see," Mephisto thought to himself, yet his expression became even more aggressive.
"Make your choice. Continue to follow that group of hypocrites and protect this world full of sin and hypocrisy, or follow me and build a new world together?" Mephisto tempted.
Mordo's face was deathly pale. His lips trembled, his mind roared, and his body began to shake.
Pain, unwillingness, disbelief, anger...
And an unconcealable doubt...
The Ancient One's lifespan had always been a mystery. Mordo had been curious about it many years ago, but as time went on, the more he understood The Ancient One, the more he revered her bottomless strength and respected her character, the more he subconsciously avoided such trivial questions.
Because the Supreme Venerable, whose character was impeccable, could not possibly do anything to harm the world.
That was until the ever-curious Stephen, along with his assistant Nicodemus, deduced the answer after studying the numerous records in the library. Their superior intellect, coupled with a curiosity and vigilance that was etched into their very bones, allowed them to do so.
They had originally wanted to ask Tony, but Tony wasn't around, so they naturally sought out the second-in-command, Mordo.
And then Mordo showed signs of becoming unhinged. The more silent his demeanor, the more it was a cover for his crumbling heart.
It was all as if destined. The Ancient One's secret was still keenly discovered by Stephen, who then told the stubborn, even paranoid, Mordo.
Mephisto grinned, and highly corrosive saliva dripped from his long, sharp teeth onto the ground, making a sizzling sound and raising a small puff of white smoke.
He slowly extended a red palm, his nails, which could easily slice through rock, glinting with a cold light.
"Mordo, you have actually already made your choice. Why do you still hesitate? Come, join me, and verify it for yourself. Use your own eyes to prove the vile lie you suspect, and then build a new world with me! The Ancient One, Tony, Kamar-Taj—none of them matter!"
(end of chapter)
