Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5749 - 4772: X Royal Family: Rebirth (12)
Previously on Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics...
Strange promptly delivered the medicine. While broad-spectrum antibiotics were unavailable, fever reducers were present. After Stark ingested them, no immediate improvement was observed, leaving them to keep watch.
"Who among us should go?" Shiller inquired. "We really ought to dispatch at least one individual; otherwise, it will appear deplorably cold-blooded."
"My proficiency in combat within the cosmos is lacking," Matt stated with self-awareness. "I can perceive many things, but maneuvering is inconvenient. You all should go; I will remain here to attend to him."
"Me?" Steve questioned. However, after a moment's reflection, he added, "I lack any substantial means of large-scale destruction. It would be best if the two of you were to go."
"But we are Doctors," Strange interjected.
"We require only one Doctor here," Shiller declared, rising to his feet. "Charles and Tony both need your care, so I shall undertake the journey."
The moment he volunteered, a sense of unease settled upon the others. Yet, their concern wasn't for his safety, but rather for the precarious situation on the front lines.
"I recall your combat abilities are not particularly strong," Matt remarked. "Why don't we return to the Central Universe and summon additional assistance?"
"There is no necessity. Ordinary individuals feel ill at ease on this island, and the Mutants are occupied. Furthermore, who stated I would be going to the front lines?"
"The front line is in peril. If you are not proceeding to the front line, then where are you directing your efforts?"
Shiller offered a smile. "Precisely because the front line is in crisis, heading there would prove futile. Very well, you tend to him vigilantly here; I shall return shortly."
Departing the chamber, Shiller did not proceed directly toward the front lines, nor did he even leave Clarkia Island. Instead, he made his way to the Clarkian Totem and located the Holy Five People Group, who were in the process of incubating a body.
The Holy Five People Group constituted the core of the Revival initiative. They were five Mutants with the capacity to incubate bodies and remained under stringent protection near the Totem. The Mutants held them in high esteem, regarding them as Saints safeguarding their future.
However, Shiller's objective wasn't them. The recently resurrected Magneto had already emerged from the Totem.
Donning attire procured from a nearby Mutant, Shiller addressed him. "I am venturing to the Shi’ar Empire. It is possible I can resolve the Mutants' predicament. Would you care to accompany me?"
"Certainly. I shall not permit that faction responsible for harming Charles to escape retribution," Magneto stated, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Perhaps you are correct. Mutants have never possessed sufficient resilience; we are not robust enough. Our excessive anxieties consistently render us vulnerable."
The expedition to the Shi’ar Empire was remarkably straightforward, facilitated by direct passage through the Sun Transmission Gate; otherwise, considerable effort would have been required. Shiller once again donned Mephisto’s guise and convened with Magneto on the Ferocious Feather Star.
"Proceed to find Scott," Shiller instructed. "Pacify him or divert his attention. I intend to converse with Gabriel."
Magneto offered no reply and complied. His rapport with Scott had improved significantly, and Scott was inclined to heed his counsel, making his containment relatively simple. Nevertheless, he harbored a degree of puzzlement regarding Shiller's motive for seeking a dialogue with Gabriel.
Upon further consideration, it seemed logical. If Gabriel had not sanctioned the assault on Professor X, then his adversary might also be Gabriel's own foe. The enemy of my enemy could indeed be my ally, rendering collaboration not entirely out of the question.
"Very well, you must have calmed down by now, surely?" Shiller inquired, entering from the exterior. "I am aware that even if you did not issue the directive, you permitted it to transpire."
"I have no reason to engage in such actions," Gabriel replied, turning around.
"That rhetoric you employed with Scott holds no sway over me. If you were truly the entirely dispassionate, profit-driven individual you portray, you would not have required my assistance to seize the throne successfully."
Gabriel's eyes widened momentarily. He fixed his gaze upon Shiller and remarked, "You present differently, you silver-tongued Devil."
"My companion is unwell. My mood is somber, and I possess insufficient time to engage in verbose exchanges with you. Should you refuse, I shall place Scott upon the throne. Is that not a universally advantageous resolution?"
Gabriel's eyes narrowed. Shiller continued, "Professor X harbors concerns that Cyclops may fall under your influence. Yet, if he were to ascend to the emperorship himself, such a risk would be negated. He is your elder brother and carries profound guilt towards you. Upon assuming the throne, he would undoubtedly endeavor to atone. Consequently, you need not worry. For the Mutants, he represents an entirely acceptable ally. Moreover, his innate capabilities are sufficient for the demands of that position. What is your assessment?"
"Inconceivable," Gabriel stated curtly. "The throne is rightfully mine alone."
"If that's how you feel, then conduct yourself properly. Otherwise, the same way I put you on the throne, I can put someone else there. Your Majesty the Emperor, every tyrant meets their end by being overthrown in precisely the same manner." Gabriel gritted his teeth. He appeared to want to retort, but then realized Shiller spoke the truth. He was simply incapable of quelling the internal unrest. Those nobles had already displayed inclinations toward autonomy during D'Ken's reign, and now they acted without any restraint. "Can you assist me in dealing with them?" he inquired. "No," Shiller replied with stark directness. "But the Mutants will seek retribution. You can collaborate with them." "Then why are you here?" "To persuade you about something else." Shiller paused briefly before stating, "What is your assessment of the forces stationed within the Solar System?" "Word of the rebellion circulated widely some time ago. I have no control over them whatsoever. If you expect me to compel them to withdraw, then you are mistaken." "I wasn't anticipating that," Shiller countered. "Why do you believe those soldiers still possess a viable avenue for return?" Gabriel narrowed his eyes at him, and Shiller continued, "Disclose the vulnerabilities of their weaponry and soldiers to me. I shall convey this information to the Earth Government, and then I will orchestrate their complete annihilation. It will be precisely as I informed you previously regarding the weaknesses of The Avengers." "Why would you assume I would do such a thing?" "I have already explained, you have no other option." Gabriel gazed into Shiller's eyes, experiencing an inexplicable dread. He couldn't pinpoint its origin; it simply bloomed spontaneously within his heart. This devil was no longer concealing his malevolent, cruel visage. You have no concern for anyone in the Shi'ar Empire whatsoever. You can initiate hostilities without any reservations, and slaughter appears to be as natural to you as breathing. This is because, at your core, you harbor a hatred for them far surpassing any animosity you feel towards any member of the Human race. You even perceive your sojourn on Earth as the most fulfilling period of your existence. Gabriel had never anticipated such a blunt revelation. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, gripping it tightly. He drew a deep breath and declared, "They abducted me from Earth and murdered my mother. My sole objective has always been the annihilation of the Shi'ar Empire." "All those pronouncements from Professor X regarding Cyclops's pursuit of power are entirely baseless. I offered no justification because I wished to observe the escalation of this animosity. I confess, I desired to witness the suffering of that hypocrite who abandoned me." Gabriel finally unveiled his true intentions. "Being betrayed by his most favored student must inflict immense pain, correct? However, when he deserted me back then, he should have foreseen this outcome. This is the consequence he must now face." "At this precise moment, you need only contemplate a single matter," Shiller stated, entirely disregarding Gabriel's lengthy confession. "Do you still desire to return to Clarkia or not?" Gabriel's fist clenched once more, betraying his internal turmoil and apprehension. His Adam's apple bobbed visibly as he responded, "Why would I return to a place teeming with my adversaries?" "Because that is the home of the Mutants. They have no intention of forsaking any Mutant, yourself included. And that sentiment has touched you, has it not?" "That 'no one gets left behind' drivel is nothing but falsehoods!" Gabriel finally erupted. "They are all utter hypocrites. On the surface, they treat every comrade and every student with impartiality, yet I alone was cast aside. They even went so far as to eradicate the memories of those closest to me. That is utterly unforgivable!" "Very well. Then consider your next move regarding Cyclops. He will undoubtedly endeavor to persuade you to return. He will not relinquish his efforts." "I will not accompany him." "Then you will shatter his heart. You are aware of his blamelessness. He has never truly wronged you, and he is the person closest to you." Gabriel turned away, unwilling for his expression to be witnessed. He lapsed into silence, offering no further response, yet this in itself conveyed a clear stance. After a considerable pause, he finally spoke, "The files pertaining to the combat units are located within the personal guard's headquarters. If you require them, retrieve them yourself." "I do not require the standard documentation. I seek only the vulnerabilities that would ensure a swift demise." "Such things do not exist!" Gabriel retorted. "You are certainly in possession of them," Shiller asserted. "Otherwise, you would be even more eager than I to eradicate them. Because once they return through the Teleportation Portal, they will pose the greatest threat to your reign. You must possess a weakness that entirely neutralizes them." Gabriel compressed his lips, inhaled deeply, and declared, "The Energy Crystal possesses the capability to forcibly extract the consciousness of designated soldiers. Although it was initially intended for Revival purposes, it can be repurposed for other applications."With that crucial intelligence secured, Shiller wasted no time. He proceeded to the personal guard’s headquarters, securing all pertinent files—essential for a thorough sweep of the aftermath. After all, one needs a comprehensive inventory when claiming spoils of war.
Upon his return to Earth, Shiller presented all the gathered intel and files to Captain America. Captain America regarded him with considerable surprise for a prolonged moment, but ultimately attributed Shiller's knowledge to the man’s personal intelligence System, used to infiltrate the enemy unit. Nevertheless, he promptly took the material and began formulating a strategy.
Coincidentally, just as Shiller reappeared, Matt informed him that the servers hosting Clarkia Island’s virtual assets had indeed been subjected to an attack. However, they seemed to possess a robust defense mechanism, impenetrable to any hacker. The impending sanctions, Matt added, would commence soon.
"Their window for negotiation is rapidly closing," Shiller remarked, a hint of weariness in his voice. "The Avengers have already pinpointed the Shi’ar Empire’s critical vulnerability. This conflict will conclude shortly."
"Why do I have this peculiar sensation that this wasn't your initial objective?" Steve’s voice echoed back. "You must have harbored numerous other aspirations, correct?"
"Not an excessive number," Shiller replied, shaking his head. "My original intention was to leverage this military unit and the intertwined relationships of Gabriel, Scott, and Professor X to instigate a schism within the Shi’ar Empire. This would ensure the Sun Transmission Gate’s continuous operation. Subsequently, I planned to acquire another living island, identical in origin to Clarkia, and transform it into a mobile territory capable of traversing between the two nations. This would have provided an ideal resolution to the Mutant predicament. That was the entirety of my plan."
"And your current objective?"
"At present, the Shi’ar Empire is unlikely to fracture completely, though its stability will be severely compromised. As for the living island, they can locate it themselves. My sole aim now is to expedite this entire affair and bring Tony back home."
"You needn't fret excessively," Matt reassured him. "Tony's fever has subsided, and his condition has significantly improved. The Life Support System integrated within the Battle Armor effectively shields him from the island's environmental effects. Moreover, from my observations, he appears to be thoroughly enjoying himself."
Shiller exhaled a lengthy sigh. "If I permit him to indulge his whims, he'll exhaust himself completely. But you all have only just arrived; it's natural that your satisfaction is yet to be fully realized."
"Every endeavor requires both a commencement and a conclusion," Steve stated. "We are keen to witness Clarkia's further development. Furthermore, Bucky and Natasha will likely find themselves with some leisure time soon. Having perused the scenic photographs we dispatched, they've expressed a desire to visit and partake in the experience."
Shiller remained steadfast in his resolve. It was only Strange who rose from the sofa, remarking, "Rather than concerning yourself with their diversions, perhaps you should focus on your own situation. Should Tony require rest, all his responsibilities will inevitably fall upon your shoulders. The undertaking of establishing Clarkia Island is immense—encompassing agricultural oversight and industrial development. Are you confident in your capacity to manage such a workload?"
"...Shiller, tasked with industrial development? Absolutely not!" Stark exclaimed, sitting bolt upright in his sickbed. "He must not touch anything! I have absolutely no desire to spend the remainder of my existence confined to this island!"
A wave of laughter erupted from everyone present.