A candidate for the Illuminati?
Although the Ancient One had not specified what is he a candidate for, but the name "Illuminati" immediately flashed through Richard's mind after hearing her words.
The last time he met Professor X, he suspected that the person Professor X wanted him to meet was a member of the Illuminati.
In the comics, the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, was not a member of the Illuminati. However, if the Illuminati truly existed in this universe, then the Ancient One was very likely an official member of the organization.
After all, the current "Doctor Strange" Stephen Strange had not yet experienced his fateful car accident and remained a proud and well-known neurosurgeon.
Under the Ancient One's penetrating gaze, Richard released his true demon form and reverted to his normal human appearance.
"I am Richard Wesley," he said calmly, "but I don't quite understand what you mean by 'candidate.'"
After hearing his answer, the Ancient One frowned slightly, habitually opening the folding fan in her hand and waving it with gentle, measured movements.
"Didn't Charles tell you about it?"
"No," Richard replied. "The professor only asked me to meet someone after he died. He didn't specify who it was, only that someone would deliver a letter when the time was right." He maintained his composure, feigning ignorance despite having recognized the Ancient One. "Are you the person the professor asked me to meet, or are you delivering the professor's letter?"
"I'm not here to deliver Charles's letter," the Ancient One stated. "As for whether I am the person Charles wants you to see, I cannot give you a definitive answer at this moment. However, since Charles has already made arrangements, you simply need to wait patiently."
With that, the Ancient One turned her right wrist and closed the folding fan with a practiced motion. She then performed the portal spell right before Richard's eyes.
A circular gateway shimmering with golden sparks materialized in the air.
Just as the Ancient One was about to step through the portal, she paused, turned back to Richard and said, "If you don't wish to be targeted by certain entities, try to use your demon transformation ability as sparingly as possible."
Targeted by someone? Richard frowned slightly.
A name quickly flashed through his mind: Ghost Rider!
Although he wasn't certain whether Ghost Rider existed in this world, that was his immediate thought after hearing the Ancient One's warning.
After delivering her cryptic message, the Ancient One said nothing more. She walked through the portal, returning to the Sanctum Sanctorum at 177A Bleecker Street in Manhattan.
Upon returning to the New York Temple, the Ancient One immediately closed the portal, vanishing from Richard's sight.
Though the Ancient One's appearance had been sudden and she hadn't revealed much useful information, Richard could be certain of one thing: the Ancient One currently harbored no ill will toward him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have specifically warned him about using his true demon form.
After watching the Ancient One depart, Richard returned the Yamato in his hand to his system space. Then, he used teleportation to leave the training ground and return to his bedroom.
Emma Frost was lying on the bed in a seductive white nightgown, a languid expression on her face. Seeing him return, she immediately rose and approached him, asking softly, "What happened at the mutant school?"
"Dr. Jean Grey lost control and killed Charles and some of the students," Richard answered, his voice measured. "I had promised Charles beforehand that I would stop Jean Grey if she lost control, so I went to contain her and helped her regain consciousness."
Although his tone and expression remained calm, a look of shock immediately appeared on Emma Frost's face at his words.
While she had never visited the mutant school and had limited interaction with Professor X, she still held him in high regard. Not only her—Sebastian Shaw also admired Professor X and had mentioned more than once in her presence that he wished to bring Professor X into the Hellfire Club.
Of course, Professor X would never have accepted Sebastian Shaw's invitation. The fact that Professor X didn't allow the X-Men to directly confront the Hellfire Club already demonstrated significant respect for Shaw.
After collecting herself, Emma Frost frowned and said, "If Charles is truly dead, without his deterrent influence, the authorities and the Department of Mutant Affairs will quickly move against the X-Men and the school. As far as I know, the government has long wanted to bring them completely under their control. If they can't recruit them, they won't hesitate to completely eradicate the X-Men and the mutant school to further weaken the cohesion among mutants."
Hearing Emma Frost's assessment, Richard replied slowly, "This has nothing to do with us. If Jean Grey and the others can't stop the authorities and protect the school, then perhaps it would be better for them to disband it as soon as possible."
"Will you help them?" Emma Frost pressed.
"No. Stopping Jean Grey's rampage is enough to repay them for caring for and guiding Clarice," Richard stated firmly. "Unless they can offer me something interesting or worthwhile compensation, I can't think of any reason to continue helping them."
Though Professor X hadn't revealed much to him, Richard sensed that the telepathic mutant wouldn't die so easily. For instance, he might have transferred his consciousness before death to a body prepared in advance—one with functional organs and nervous system but without consciousness. While this approach didn't align with Professor X's usual ethical stance, in matters of life and death, anything was possible.
"What if Clarice begs you?" Emma Frost raised her eyebrows and smiled knowingly.
"Then we'll address that when it happens," Richard replied.
The following day at noon, in the reception room on the first floor of the manor, Natasha, Banner, and Hawkeye sat on the living room sofa, regarding Richard with varying expressions.
"The Department of Mutant Affairs and the White House are aware of Jean Grey's loss of control last night, which resulted in the death of Charles and several students," Natasha began.
"And?" Richard took a sip of the black tea the maid had just brewed.
"After deliberation, they've decided to capture Jean Grey to prevent further casualties," Natasha explained, her brow furrowed.
"Whether they want to arrest Dr. Jean Grey is their business," Richard replied. "What I'm more curious about now is why S.H.I.E.L.D. sent you three to speak with me."
Although he could have used telepathy to read their memories directly, he chose not to. Using telepathy to probe others' memories without permission wasn't merely impolite—it would make him feel like an intruder, a voyeur into their private thoughts.
"The Department of Mutant Affairs has requested that S.H.I.E.L.D. assist in capturing Dr. Jean Grey," Natasha explained without hesitation. "Nick Fury asked us to come here and solicit your opinion. If you oppose the arrest of Dr. Jean Grey, S.H.I.E.L.D. will reject the Department's request and find a way to persuade the White House officials."
Hearing her explanation, Richard frowned slightly. Although S.H.I.E.L.D. currently lacked anyone who could challenge him directly, this approach didn't seem characteristic of S.H.I.E.L.D. or Nick Fury's usual tactics.
He doubted that "Nick 'Fuck You' Fury" actually feared him enough to send Natasha and the others to seek his input. What is that one-eyed mastermind planning?
After contemplating for a few moments, Richard said deliberately, "I am neither an X-Man nor a student of the mutant school. Although I have met Dr. Jean Grey several times, we are not friends and we don't have any relationship. Whether S.H.I.E.L.D. should assist the Department of Mutant Affairs in capturing her is up to you to decide."
Just as Natasha was about to respond, Richard's cell phone rang unexpectedly.
After checking the caller ID, he addressed Natasha and her companions: "If there's nothing else, you may leave now."
"Very well, we won't trouble you further," Natasha replied, rising from her seat.
She departed from the living room with Banner and Hawkeye in tow. Only after they had followed the maid out did Richard answer the call.
Before he could speak, a commanding voice with years of gravitas came through the line: Magneto! The caller was none other than the Master of Magnetism himself.
"Is Charles truly dead?" Magneto asked without preamble.
"I didn't see his body personally," Richard replied, "but according to Logan and the others, yes, Charles is dead."
Upon hearing this confirmation, Magneto fell silent. Nearly ten seconds passed before he continued, "I've heard that you visited the school several times in recent months. Did Charles share anything significant with you? For instance, did he try to recruit you to the X-Men, or ask you to protect the school?"
"He did attempt to win me over," Richard answered, "but I declined."
"When is Charles's funeral to be held?" Magneto inquired.
"You should direct that question to Jean Grey and Logan," Richard replied with a slight sigh.
"Didn't you intervene when Jean lost control?" Magneto asked, puzzled. "Haven't they even informed you about Charles's funeral arrangements?"
"I haven't received any notification yet," Richard said curtly. "Is there anything else? If not, I should go."
"I may visit New York around that time. We should meet," Magneto suggested.
"Sure," Richard responded before ending the call.
Time passed swiftly. A week went by almost imperceptibly.
During this period, Richard partially resumed his previous lifestyle as a decadent capitalist, engaging in several intimate encounters with New York socialites, celebrities, and other notable women. For him, the week passed without particular incident.
For others, however, the situation was dramatically different.
News of Professor X's death had spread completely.
Although neither the X-Men nor government authorities had deliberately disseminated this information, ubiquitous reporters had nonetheless uncovered numerous "insider" details. They reported that Professor X had been killed by Phoenix Girl; that the out-of-control Jean Grey had demonstrated power far beyond that of an Alpha-level mutant, single-handedly defeating all the X-Men; that Richard had subsequently contained the rampaging Phoenix; and that government authorities and the Department of Mutant Affairs were developing plans to capture Phoenix.
The immediate consequence of these reports was that both Richard and Jean Grey were classified as Omega-level mutants.
Richard had previously displayed abilities exceeding those of other Alpha-level mutants, but observers had remained hesitant to categorize him as Omega-level, despite his nickname: "the humanoid self-propelled nuclear bomb."
Now, with direct comparisons to Jean Grey and Professor X, the public swiftly labeled him an Omega-level mutant.
The rampaging Jean Grey had defeated Professor X and the entire X-Men team single-handedly, establishing her immense power through this undeniable feat. Yet Richard had subsequently subdued this same Jean Grey.
In addition to the Omega-level mutant designation, Richard acquired a second title beyond "humanoid self-propelled nuclear bomb."
King of Mutants!
Initially, this title circulated only within a limited range of his fan forums—a new honorific bestowed by his most devoted followers after Magneto's "New Era of Mutants" speech.
As reports of Professor X's death and Jean Grey's rampage continued to spread, major American media outlets began referring to Richard as the "King of Mutants" to boost ratings and website traffic.
Although Richard had never publicly acknowledged this title, it was well understood that titles and nicknames weren't self-determined, but resulted from collective recognition. Thus, despite his lack of confirmation, the public widely regarded him as the King of Mutants.
At the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, a black Rolls-Royce arrived at the plaza before the main building.
As the car door opened, Richard emerged wearing a black suit, followed by Clarice in an elegant black dress.
The moment they exited the vehicle—or more precisely, the moment Richard stepped out—they drew considerable attention.
Today marked Professor X's funeral. The mutant school, typically closed to the public, welcomed numerous guests for the ceremony.
Attendees included alumni, Professor X's friends, mutants who had received assistance from Professor X or the X-Men, government representatives, civilian delegates, and leaders of other mutant organizations.
Though the authorities and the Department of Mutant Affairs were already planning to apprehend Jean Grey, they had nevertheless sent representatives to attend Professor X's funeral.
Richard ignored the stares directed his way and proceeded with Clarice toward the garden behind the school's main building.
Three days after Professor X's death, he had received a call from Wolverine, who invited both him and Clarice to attend the funeral on behalf of the X-Men.
Though he and Professor X had never developed a deep personal friendship, Richard ultimately agreed to attend. Regardless of their limited connection, Professor X was an elder worthy of respect.
Besides, even if he had declined, Clarice would certainly have attended alone.
En route to the garden, people continually nodded acknowledgment to him. Though Richard didn't recognize these individuals, courtesy compelled him to return slight nods in response.
Soon, he and Clarice reached the garden.
After a week of restoration efforts, both the main school building and the garden had largely been returned to their original conditions.
A substantial crowd had already gathered in the expansive garden. Before Professor X's tombstone lay numerous bouquets of white flowers.
Upon their arrival, Iceman Bobby Drake and Shadowcat Kitty Pryde, dressed in formal black attire, approached and presented them with white chrysanthemums.
Accepting these offerings, Richard and Clarice approached Professor X's tombstone, bowed respectfully, and placed the chrysanthemums before it.
Afterward, they moved to the seating area and located chairs marked with their names.
Despite the hundreds of guests in attendance, each had been assigned specific seating—some positioned toward the front, others toward the rear.
Richard and Clarice had been placed near the front.
Shortly after taking their seats, Richard observed four figures approaching Professor X's tombstone.
Though he had never met them personally, he recognized them instantly: the Fantastic Four.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
New fanfic :
Marvel : The God Of Punishment System
I Am Raditz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~