Strange was rendered speechless.
He was learning for the first time that there was an intact safety engine above greed. Truly, thank heavens. If OAA knew, he would have to wake up at midnight to light incense for God.
"This is a rather abstract explanation. If you want a more reasonable reason, it's probably: in my current state, it's hard to consider myself perfect. No one knows better than me how flawed my mental state is. This makes it difficult for me to place myself in a leadership position above others with a clear conscience. Every excellent political leader must have ample narcissistic traits. They must believe themselves wise and brave, rational and clear-headed, convinced that their decisions are correct. This enables them to make decisions quickly without needless hesitation or humility. Those who are always self-doubting cannot become leaders."
"This does make some sense. You're a psychiatrist, understand everyone's mental state, including your own. So from your perspective, there are no perfect people in this world, including yourself. Many people, while claiming imperfection verbally or mentally, still believe their decisions are the most correct when it's time to make them. But if you don't believe your decisions are correct enough, why force others to have no choice?"
"It's not me forcing you to have no choice, but your greed. If someone can truly overcome their greed, they naturally have choices. Everyone has their price; I just place bids. Whether or not the deal succeeds depends on yourselves."
Strange's mind wandered through a long series of memories, but he had to admit that many times it seemed like they had no choice when there was actually a hidden option, which was to give up.
Give up benefits within reach, give up the beautiful future of the human race that's possibly close, give up the ideal life, give up paths that might lead to better outcomes. Just retreat from the raging current, and greed naturally won't have its way.
But also, scrutinizing these memories, no one has ever done it. They complain while accepting the offer, sell everything of themselves, and press the devil-like button, which is precisely their own greed.
Strange increasingly understood that greed and arrogance are inevitable original sins of the human race. When he meditated alone or perused ancient books, he understood better than anyone else that greed would destroy everything. Yet when it's time to make real decisions, he's unable to reject his own greed.
Just like this multiverse war, he knew how dangerous it is, understood what kind of chaos it could cause, knew the entire cosmos could be dragged to destruction, and indeed it reached a brink of destruction. But hadn't he still unhesitatingly agreed to make his home the battlefield?
Hadn't he still failed to learn any lessons after the war, happily looted and scavenged equipment, even longed for another war?
Hadn't he still sat before this devil named greed, still listened to him, attempted to understand his meaning, giving him space to tempt himself?
Although he said he didn't understand politics and didn't like handling such work, hadn't he still refrained from turning away and returning to Kamar-Taj for isolation, completely ignoring this mess?
It can only be said, if anyone could withstand the temptation of greed, Adam and Eve would still be living happily in Eden, with nothing to do with their descendants, the humans.
Strange sighed deeply, accepting this reality. Then he said, "Who do you think is fit to be the leader?"
"Currently, I've decided to abstain," Shiller said, "because, like you said, each of these candidates has their strengths and their faults. If not lacking ability, then lacking steadfast position; if not lacking steadfastness, then too steadfast. Watch, there's going to be quite a quarrel soon."
Strange's eyes lit up, and he said, "So abstaining is an option! Then I'll abstain too!"
"I can abstain; you definitely can't. I represent only myself, but you represent all mages. That's an undeniable significant force..."
"Aren't you yourself an undeniable significant force?"
Shiller shook his head and said, "In politics, it's always the seat that determines the mind. Who you support depends on what kind of benefits you want. Do you think there's any difference in the benefits each person could bring me if they take office?"
"I think anyone who takes office couldn't possibly force everyone to fill out those psychological evaluation reports," Strange said, "So, it seems that whoever takes office doesn't matter to you."
"But it does matter to you. Who on the stage can help mages achieve the greatest benefits? You really need to think about that. Oh, the meeting is about to begin; let's go."
Strange hadn't had a chance to think deeply when Shiller already walked out the door. He glanced down at his watch and realized it was indeed time, so he could only follow suit and exit.
Arriving in the conference room, which was crowded, though the atmosphere wasn't very harmonious. The meeting hadn't even started, and they were already quarreling.
Luckily, it wasn't a battle meeting, or else to showcase their good image and composure, the most they'd do was sit in their seats mocking each other coldly. Otherwise, the whole S.H.I.E.L.D. might have been lifted up by them.
Shiller and Strange walked over, and someone reached out to them. Shiller handed over his opinion letter. Strange, on the other hand, rubbed his hands awkwardly and said, "Uh, I didn't write one. I just got back, haven't had time to write it."
"No worries," Coulson said. "There's still a little time before the meeting starts, you can go back to your seat and write, even if it's just a casual one."
Strange wanted to see how others wrote, but thinking that this might be a vote, he didn't want to see who others voted for. So he took some paper and a pen, went back to his seat, and began scratching his head.
Strange was never good at written work. Previously he was a surgeon, later he became the Supreme Magician—neither of these professions required any writing skills. He thought for a long time but didn't know how to start writing.
At this moment, Shiller's words echoed in his ears: Who can bring the greatest benefits to the mage community?
Nick? Don't even think about it. This guy is extremely selfish. If he becomes the leader, he'll just fill his own pockets and maybe throw others some scraps. He's definitely not suitable.
Magneto? This guy's from the mutants' side. If he takes the stage, he'll definitely prioritize mutant interests, and others will have to step aside. That won't work.
Doctor Destruction? Just listen to the name—he's a dangerous person. And there's talk of him practicing dictatorial rule in his own country. What if his methods are too harsh after coming on stage? Mages have their own pace and wouldn't accept a tyrant pointing his finger at them.
Stark? This guy is even less suitable. He can't even run a company properly—what if one day he decides to shut down the mage department like he shut down the weapons division? Someone who's impulsive like this shouldn't be the leader.
Thinking over and over, he couldn't come up with a suitable candidate. But soon, Strange smacked his head: Who else could bring the greatest benefits to the mage community? Of course, it's me!
He's the Supreme Magician, a member of the mage community, and he used to be an ordinary human, able to consider issues from a human's standpoint. Plus, he's never offended mutants and doesn't engage in national or racial discrimination. Everyone here is a friend. Letting himself take the stage benefits everyone, at least doesn't harm.
Strange's eyes darted. The fame of the Supreme Magician resounds throughout the cosmos. Becoming the human race's political leader isn't embarrassing. On the contrary, those aliens who look down on humans would have to give humans some respect when they hear his name. It can be said that being the leader is perfectly fine.
Though voting for himself is indeed a bit arrogant, at this time, what's the point of being modest? The people mentioned before, just thinking about them reveals many supporters, while he hasn't offended anyone, but isn't particularly close with others. Fear is hardly anyone will vote for him.
At this thought, Strange felt some pressure. He felt he must list out sufficiently convincing reasons to win despite having fewer supporters than others.
With pressure comes motivation, and although he isn't adept at written work, in persuading others, he has some skill. With time pressed, he didn't have time to craft fancy language, so he quickly wrote down the reasons he found most convincing.
He filled the paper completely, then simply folded it and handed it to Coulson, who had already gathered a thick stack of opinion letters to prepare backstage.
Strange was the last to submit the opinion letter, which led his letter to be placed on top. So when Nick came out holding that big pile of opinion letters to host the meeting, Strange's letter was taken out first.
"Alright, let's see the first person's opinion. The owner of this letter is Stephen Strange, and his suggestions are... uh, various recommendations on the selection of the human race's political leader in the interstellar council?"
Nick widened his eyes and looked down, skipping all the reasons and seeing only the final name. He suddenly stood up and waved, saying, "Folks, Stephen Strange has self-recommended in this suggestion letter, listing numerous incredibly reliable reasons to propose himself as the human race's political leader, truly a noble spirit. So at this point, there is no other choice, let's applaud this spirit of self-sacrifice!!!"
Everyone stood up, clapping wildly, looking at Strange with admiring eyes.
Strange was a bit bewildered. This wasn't the scene he imagined—wasn't the competition supposed to be fierce? Wasn't everyone supposed to have many supporters?
He thought he'd undergo a bout of verbal sparring, and then his eloquence lashing others, ultimately capturing the leader's position after a hard fight—how did he just take it directly?
He first looked at Nick, who was clearly more than satisfied. Looking left, Magneto was applauding, although still expressionless, but clearly not upset; looking right, Doctor Destruction was also applauding, showing no intention of dissent; then looking back, even Tony Stark was clapping for him. Is the sun rising in the west today?!
No matter how insensitive, Strange realized something's up. Sure enough, when he turned his head, he saw Shiller and Nick making eye contact, and the expressions on their faces seemed to say, "See what I told you?"