Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5719 - 4742: X Royal Family: Fierce Battle (9)

Numerous mutants opted to depart, viewing Clarkia as another doomed endeavor. Their self-proclaimed leader descended into madness, intent on leading them to their demise. The grand vision of reforming Utopia was left unfinished. It became clear that an early return was the only way to salvage a few more days of existence.

While not as despondent, the White Queen also decided to leave. This decision stemmed from her realization that her vision and that of Clarkia's two current leaders were fundamentally misaligned. A genuine understanding between them seemed unattainable. Remaining together, she felt, would only hasten Clarkia's inevitable collapse.

However, Sebastian made the personal choice to remain. This wasn't due to fervent loyalty or deep-seated commitment. Instead, it was Magneto's unwavering resolve to shield the vulnerable, a group Sebastian found himself a part of, that swayed his decision. Consequently, he aligned himself with their cause.

A considerable number of mutants also elected to stay, their ranks far exceeding Magneto's initial expectations. These weren't solely Epsilon Class mutants; a significant contingent of Alpha-levels also chose to remain. They understood the risks, knowing they might be designated for the next raid team, much like those who had bravely sacrificed their lives before them, yet they still chose to stay.

News of Magneto's pivotal decision reverberated globally, accompanying the departing mutants. Many branded him as insane, while others openly mocked his perceived foolishness. Nevertheless, world governments observed this development with grave concern, recognizing it as a profoundly unsettling indicator—the mutants were beginning to forge a cohesive community spirit.

Previously, a strong sense of community among mutants was conspicuously absent. While some argued that their shared spirit lay in "resisting oppression and striving for independence," this spirit inherently relied on external adversity. The problem was that once the source of external oppression vanished, the spirit itself could not endure.

Consequently, humanity had always managed the mutant population by fostering divisions. They would align with one faction while persecuting another. The persecuted mutants would invariably resist, but those allied factions found no reason to resist and even assisted ordinary humans in suppressing other mutants to secure personal advantages. This prevented any possibility of genuine mutant unity.

But now, a nascent idea was taking root within the mutant community. The powerful slogan championed by Magneto, "Not abandoning any mutant," was rapidly solidifying into a new, unifying spirit. This would become their guiding principle, their unwavering creed, transforming them into warriors impervious to external inducements and capable of immense self-sacrifice.

Once this spirit matured, human governments would find it significantly more challenging to incite internal conflict among mutants. Under the influence of this unified ideology, mutants would coalesce into a formidable and cohesive force.

As anticipated, the White Queen and a contingent of mutants departed, but not before another group arrived. These were mutants who had maintained a degree of distance from the Mutant Brotherhood and the X-Men, many possessing their own established forces. They had not immediately joined the establishment of Clarkia, preferring to observe from the sidelines.

Soon after, an unexpected visitor made their grand entrance. Magneto felt a surge of apprehension—Apocalypse, the primordial progenitor of mutants, had arrived.

He appeared as a colossal figure encased in ornate armor, still bearing the dust of Egypt's deserts. His devoted followers formed a protective circle around him. The moment he materialized within the teleportation portal, an undeniable tremor ran through nearly every mutant present—a primal urge awakened deep within their bloodlines.

Magneto descended into the heart of the teleportation hall. He met the gaze of the towering entity before him, perceiving not arrogance or cruelty, but a profound, ancient wellspring of wisdom.

"What? You are not pleased to see me?" Apocalypse inquired of Magneto.

Magneto remained vigilant, acutely aware that Apocalypse was an unyielding radical, so extreme that even Magneto, a radical himself, found him difficult to countenance. Upon awakening, Apocalypse had immediately wielded immense power to subjugate all mutants, intending to lead them in the utter annihilation of human civilization, leaving Earth solely for mutant dominion. His arrival, Magneto suspected, boded no good.

"Do not misunderstand," Apocalypse stated, "You have already encountered Moira, have you not?"

Magneto narrowed his eyes as Apocalypse continued, "Very well, we shall discuss reincarnation at a later juncture. I did not foresee you making such a momentous decision. Magneto, tell me, what precisely is the nature of the mutant nation you envision?"

Magneto hesitated, unsure if his deepest desire – "to rule the entire Earth and cosmos" – was the answer Apocalypse sought. However, unwilling to offer a platitude merely to appease Apocalypse, he stated his truth: "A genuine homeland for mutants. A place where no mutant here will ever face danger. We shall aid one another, vowing eternal protection and salvation for each other."

"Good," Apocalypse declared, walking past him without looking up. "Remember your words today."

Magneto watched him depart, then called out, "Apocalypse, do you truly believe this can be achieved?"

"It's not important," Apocalypse turned to look at him and said, "At least you're not a coward who doesn't even dare to dream. That's enough."

For some reason, Magneto felt Apocalypse bore no hostility. He just mentioned reincarnation. As the first mutant on Earth, Apocalypse was ancient enough; he might have experienced Moira's nine reincarnation cycles entirely and played a significant role in them. Perhaps everything now was the situation he desired.

Apocalypse's arrival shocked everyone. His ancient lineage was proof of his immense power, inspiring every mutant.

And shortly thereafter, another unexpected person arrived—Namor, the mutant who didn't seem like a mutant.

"You guys sure picked a good spot," Namor said with sarcasm, "Don’t you know Nemo Point is not only far from land but also far from Atlantis?"

Magneto walked over, patting his arm, "I didn’t expect you to come. Previously, you rejected our invitation."

Namor paused briefly, looking into Magneto’s eyes, and said, "You say you will accept and help all mutants, is that true?"

Magneto nodded and said, "Yes, I assure you. But why do you ask? Don’t you still have Atlantis?"

"It’s precisely for Atlantis," Namor said seriously, "Humans will never accept us. That damned Little Mustache has killed so many of us. Those submarines are always lurking around us. I’m worried that one day, Atlantis will..."

Namor stopped his words, holding his weapon tightly, and after a moment, he continued, "I’m not asking you to protect the Sea Clan. I just hope that my joining will give some people pause, at least letting them know what mutants can do to protect their kin. That’s enough."

Watching him leave, Magneto felt a mix of emotions. For a long time, he was reluctant to admit that mutants like Namor, who leaned towards ’foreigners,’ were his compatriots, because they never did anything for mutants, only caring for their own little corner.

However, during the time of establishing Clarkia, Magneto had to admit that when a person feels a sense of belonging to a place and a community, they are willing to give everything for it. Mutants cannot easily forsake the place that birthed and raised them, just as Magneto is unwilling to abandon Clarkia.

This time, Namor’s visit might be for complex reasons, perhaps to ally with Clarkia and find a way out for Atlantis, or maybe, as he said, to demonstrate to humans that a nation led by mutants is not to be trifled with. But regardless, his arrival at this time is a strong support for the ideology proposed by Magneto.

Then came another powerful ally. That was General Chasing, a powerful Omega-level mutant with telepathy and very comprehensive spiritual energy abilities. He is also one of the relatively ancient mutants, who had been in slumber until not long ago. However, his arrival was not due to supporting Magneto’s ideals, but simply because he heard about Clarkia. He believes that mutants indeed should have their own country, thus he came.

Magneto found him somewhat troublesome because this guy is an overly zealous Christian, his mind filled with Crusades. He insists on preaching in Clarkia. But fortunately, Clarkia Island is not lacking in powerful mutants, which should be able to suppress him somewhat.

Subsequently, Storm also returned. She hadn’t really left Clarkia before; it was just due to some reasons she went to Wakanda. And precisely because of her, Wakanda, which has the most conflicting interests with Clarkia, did not voice out at the United Nations General Assembly.

"Great diplomatic work, Ororo." Magneto walked over and patted her on the shoulder. Storm couldn’t help but roll her eyes and said, "Don’t make me do this job again, I’m so tired of it."

She paused and then said, "I heard you also plan to rescue the raid team. I don’t object to your decision, but what’s your plan? Humans will certainly be more prepared."

"I’m pondering over it too," Magneto said, "I plan to go personally, so I won’t act rashly and get myself killed."

"You’re going personally?!" Storm raised her voice and said, "Absolutely not. You’re the leader of the mutants. If you die there, humans would be overjoyed!"

"I said I will consider it carefully," Magneto said.

"Really, no one can be more stubborn than you!" Storm shouted at him angrily and then flew away.

Gathering again in the Central Royal Court meeting room, Magneto was surprised to find that not only had their Omega-level and Alpha-level mutants not decreased, but they had increased.

"Because you are strong enough," Shiller, standing beside him, said softly, "Many people are not afraid of making mistakes, only of indecision. It turns out that a strong stance against the world can attract more capable individuals."

Magneto furrowed his brows slightly, wasn’t he strong enough?

Schiller, seeming to perceive his thoughts, simply shook his head and remarked, "Your temper is far gentler than that of Magnetos from other universes. Both of you are."

Magneto could not resist casting a look towards Professor X. Knowing the professor intimately, Magneto was acutely aware that Professor X’s temper was not as placid as it appeared, possibly even more volatile than his own. Could the professors in other universes be even more extreme?

It dawned on Magneto then that these individuals might not be drawn solely by his ideology but by the formidable and unyielding spirit he had displayed.

Previously, Clarkia’s leadership had leaned towards pacific solutions, focusing on developing pharmaceuticals and participating in the United Nations General Assembly. Such civilized methods would undoubtedly elicit scorn from those radical mutant vigilantes.

In their eyes, cooperation with humans was sheer appeasement, a betrayal of mutant interests. These staunch individuals would certainly not opt to join. However, Magneto’s resolute stance, advocating for a fight to the death against the Red Orchid Factory without regard for casualties, aligned perfectly with their preferences, prompting an endless stream of arrivals.

With both hands planted firmly on the table, Magneto declared, "Since everyone has assembled, let us thoroughly devise a strategy to dismantle the Red Orchid Factory and liberate the consciousness of the raid team from its systemic grasp."