For many, distant concepts are only vague impressions in their minds—like how almost no one knows that Bangkok's full name is actually 167 letters long. Even if they did, they wouldn't remember it.
Magic and Kamar-Taj exist in a similar state in the eyes of those aware of them in secular society.
When Solomon first had a "friendly" exchange with S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury devoted considerable effort to uncovering the secrets of magic. Over the following years, he even established a classified division [Note 1] tasked specifically with investigating Solomon's abilities.
But the department's results were laughably insignificant.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s methods for screening psychics were as ridiculous as the old Stargate Project [Note 2], including but not limited to clairvoyance, telepathy, precognition, mediumship, and psychokinesis.
Among those they recruited, a handful indeed had some talent—minor abilities, barely developed.
Some could predict vague events or perform crude tarot readings, but none could summon creatures, control the elements, or exhibit abilities remotely close to Solomon's.
As for exorcisms—that was even more absurd. Most so-called demonologists turned out to be frauds, no different from the Warrens.
When S.H.I.E.L.D. attempted to have psychics remotely "predict" Solomon using only a photograph, every single capable medium met a horrific end.
The results were so disastrous that Fury ordered the records sealed and destroyed.
Even worse, some S.H.I.E.L.D. agents present at the experiments went insane, found mumbling incomprehensible gibberish, drooling like they had lost all reason. Those agents were placed under lifetime surveillance.
That surveillance is no longer possible now.
With S.H.I.E.L.D. reduced to just Coulson's small team and a few safehouses, there was no longer any way to contain the aftermath of those failed experiments.
This was the merciless crushing of mortal minds by extradimensional forces.
For an ordinary person, direct exposure was no different from suicide.
The deaths of those psychics and the madness that infected S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were, in part, due to the protective spell placed upon Solomon by the Sorcerer Supreme from the moment of his birth.
Even now, with his Saint Mark granting him immense power, that protective spell remained active. It ensured that his true name could never be exposed.
The spell was so powerful that it required part of an Elder God's true name as a binding component.
The Ancient One paid a heavy price to cast it.
The agents who went insane were the lucky ones.
If they had come into direct contact with the Dark Dimension or Chthon's influence, they would have become hosts to otherworldly horrors.
A Kamar-Taj sorcerer would have been sent to eliminate them on the spot.
Death would have been mercy.
---
Even though Solomon repeatedly explained the Ancient One's power and status, Nick Fury never truly believed it.
To Fury, it was an invisible, untouchable force.
But now?
Now, Solomon wielded something far more tangible—something that Nick Fury could see and touch.
The pinnacle of modern warfare.
Steel-clad battleships. Mobile fortresses. Tanks. Armies clad in power armor.
This was something Fury understood.
The might of man, comprehensible and undeniable.
---
Agent Romanoff couldn't help but sweat as she stood before the massive artillery turret.
The barrel, as tall as a full-grown man, seemed to ignite the very air of this underground city.
Even without seeing a battlefield, she could smell the lingering scent of gunpowder.
This wasn't a prototype.
This thing had been fired before.
Yet, S.H.I.E.L.D. had no idea where this monster had been unleashed.
And this was just one turret—not even the main cannon.
The anti-aircraft weapons that originally lined the Helicarriers had now become mere ornaments, dwarfed by the monstrous siege weapons Solomon had installed.
She couldn't imagine what could possibly fight against these war machines in the air.
According to Solomon, they were still not complete—he still planned to install electromagnetic shields, advanced missile defense systems, upgraded engines, new thrusters, and improved targeting systems.
With proper logistics, these airborne dreadnoughts could annihilate a mid-tier air force—or, at the very least, India.
And yet, Solomon still wasn't satisfied.
---
This hadn't been built overnight.
Solomon had been silently constructing his empire for years.
And S.H.I.E.L.D. had seen nothing.
Only Nick Fury had noticed that Solomon had been spending less time on video games in recent years.
At the time, he assumed it was because of academic pressure—and hadn't thought to investigate further.
---
"Because our enemies are beyond human comprehension," Solomon said.
"It's not just aliens.
"It's demons.
"It's devils.
"It's the Ancient Serpent that slumbers beneath the Silent Sea.
"It's the mad gods locked away in forgotten castles.
"No amount of firepower is ever enough.
"And even with modern technology, my new warships will take centuries to fully realize."
---
"No wonder Fury thinks you're paranoid," Romanoff muttered.
Solomon merely shrugged.
"Come, I should show you the division you'll be joining."
"I never said I'd join."
Romanoff smirked.
"At least let me see what it is first."
"You'll like it."
Solomon gestured toward the tallest building in the city.
Its double-spired copper-plated Gothic rooftops gleamed under massive floodlights, reminiscent of a grand cathedral.
It was the main headquarters of the Sisterhood, the training and education center for new recruits.
The entire city was spotless.
Not even a single insect corpse lay on the ground.
When they stepped into an old but lavishly decorated elevator, it felt like entering a theater from a century ago.
---
"I rescued these girls from Albanian gangs, underground brothels, and European human trafficking rings," Solomon said, ignoring Romanoff's instinctive scowl.
"They have freedom of choice.
"They can return home.
"Or they can stay here.
"Those who choose to stay, I heal their wounds, replace their missing limbs, and provide them with the finest education available."
---
"And in return, they fight for you?"
---
"I told you, they have the right to choose.
"But I also gave them the ability to take vengeance.
"This isn't a master's dominion over his property.
"This is the pursuit of a greater ideal.
"I forge them into the sharpest blade, one that will fight alongside me in wars beyond the reach of ordinary men.
"They are not spies.
"They are not assassins.
"They are soldiers."
---
His face was cold.
Every word carried the weight of blood and sacrifice.
---
This was an emotion that only a few could understand.
The tragic necessity of bloodshed to secure survival.
It was a burden that Kamar-Taj had borne for over a thousand years.
---
"You can call me ruthless, but their sacrifices will secure millions of lives.
"Perhaps even the survival of the entire human race.
"A fair trade.
"Humanitarianism means nothing on a battlefield, because I include myself in that ledger.
"Now, we need instructors.
"You're the perfect candidate.
"Join us, Natasha.
"For humanity."
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