Marvel Magic Case Files.

Chapter 37 Necessary Sacrifice (Seeking Investment!)

Five lifelike statues were placed in the training plaza at Kamar-Taj headquarters. The mystical apprentices who were training in the protection class were not surprised by the appearance of these statues, and they did not even know who had placed them there.

However, they also felt that the expressions of these statues were too vivid, as if they were made of flesh and blood, which made people feel a little uneasy.

Some apprentices even tried to poke at the statues' gossamer-thin garments, but Baron Mordo caught them and dragged them back.

There was not a trace of joy on Mordo's face. He knew what his junior brother was facing, and Salomon had already made a decision, the consequences of which were now before him.

This made him somewhat worried, and even somewhat resentful of the Supreme Master's arrangements.

After all, his junior brother was a true caveman who rarely left Kamar-Taj, and he worried that Salomon might be facing such a thing too early, as he was too young.

Meanwhile, Salomon, who had moved the statue to Kamar-Taj, was sitting in front of the Sorcerer Supreme. He drank the tea on the Sorcerer Supreme's table, and his listless spirit was revitalized.

He recounted everything he had seen and heard on his journey to His Holiness, including the moral dilemma he faced. Now, he earnestly hoped to receive some helpful advice.

"You live in a peaceful environment like Kamar-Taj, so naturally you wouldn't have made this choice."

But once you leave here and go out into the world, all sorts of problems will come your way, and what you faced before was just one of them.” The Venerable One pointed in the direction of the training ground, “But I am very satisfied with your decision, child.”

I know you have some doubts, so let me give you an example from my own experience that I think will be helpful.

"Dormammu didn't just start eyeing Earth now; he wanted to swallow it into the Dark Dimension even before humanity rose to power, but he was stopped by the first Sorcerer Supreme, Agamotto. Later, I also became the Sorcerer Supreme and did the same work."

In the past, countless people worshipped Dormammu. There was once a small village where almost everyone worshipped Dormammu as if he were God, devout and foolish.

They were unaware that they were worshipping an evil god, but their lives did indeed improve. They could raise livestock, had bountiful harvests year after year, and no one starved anymore. Soon after, they held a feast in the area, using the year's surplus to attract many merchants and villagers from nearby villages.

At that time, the planetary defense system was still in its early stages, and they easily summoned Him using the magic bestowed by Dormammu, which I also detected through the planetary defense system. Just as Dormammu was about to be successfully summoned, I appeared there.” The Sorcerer Supreme paused, then asked Salomon, “What do you think I will do?”

Salomon shook his head; if he were in that situation, he really wouldn't know what to do.

Those who worship Dormammu are guilty, even if they don't know what they're worshipping. But what about the villagers of other villages and the passing merchants?

"The answer is simple. As Dormammu was about to descend, I summoned a burning meteor, which fell from the sky and killed everyone present," the Venerable said. "This included not only Dormammu's followers, but also nearby villagers and merchants. Do you know why I did this?"

Salomon shook his head again. "I don't know."

"Because I cannot distinguish who among those present are followers of Dormammu and who are not. But Dormammu will descend soon, and by the time I have identified the innocent, Earth will have already been swallowed by the Dark Dimension. The simplest, quickest, and most effective way is to kill everyone present and interrupt the summoning ritual."

"Just like what you've encountered, you're trying to kill a vampire, but ordinary people are protecting him. If you insist on doing so, then you'll inevitably harm those ordinary people as well." The Venerable's tone was very serious as she said, "But you don't have much of a choice, Salomon. No one can guarantee that those two vampires won't turn to humans as food in the future out of their thirst for blood. You can't put the safety of the other people in that town on the conscience of a vampire; that would be extremely irresponsible."

We are protecting humanity as a whole, not just individuals.

I think you should already know Barnabas's rank. There can absolutely not be another Dracula on Earth, otherwise it would be a catastrophe for humanity, and on the scale of the safety of all mankind, some lives can be sacrificed.

This principle is understood by every arcane mage in Kamar-Taj. Although it is ruthless and cold-blooded, it is undoubtedly the right choice. With the planetary defense system already in place, Kamar-Taj can monitor magical fluctuations worldwide, allowing us to often stop the spread of events as soon as Dormammu's followers, demonic followers, or anything else begins to be summoned.

Even so, we must constantly confront this kind of problem.

Salomon lowered his head, pondering the Sorcerer Supreme's words. From the Sorcerer Supreme's perspective, from Kamar-Taj's perspective, and even from the perspective of protecting all humanity, this method was indeed advisable; if those terrible beings were summoned, even more people would perish.

The Sorcerer Supreme was pleased to see Salomon deep in thought. Many in Kamar-Taj were blindly following the Sorcerer Supreme's decision, but she still hoped that the mages would have their own thoughts. She hoped that Salomon would understand her good intentions in doing so.

His Holiness continued, “What Kamar-Taj is doing does not mean disregarding life. If possible, we will choose to save as many people as possible; otherwise, we would become typical utilitarians, measuring life simply by quantity, which is unacceptable. We know that the value of life is immeasurable, but for the sake of more lives, we have to destroy a few. Cherish life, and make every decision carefully, especially when you are determined to give up the lives and souls of others.”

In fact, all the enemies Salomon faced this time were within the Venerable's predictions, including ordinary members of the Collins family.

This mission was also arranged by His Holiness, so that Salomon could face this choice in advance and make the decision himself.

Only in this way can Salomon discard unnecessary weakness, possess a decisive mindset, and ultimately grow into a qualified guardian, as His Holiness envisioned.

"But this choice is painful, isn't it?" Salomon looked up. "Have you carried such a burden for so long?"

"This is our duty. While protecting humanity, we also bear the burden of humanity's sins." His Holiness's expression remained unchanged. "As long as we continue to protect humanity, such things will happen. Even without Kamar-Taj, without the Sorcerer Supreme, someone would make this decision. It is a necessary sacrifice, and this is the price you will have to pay."

Cherish the compassion and kindness you have now; they are precious. Keep them. Only in this way can you avoid disregarding the value of life when making decisions, and only in this way can you use life better. When necessary, this includes your own.

I'm sorry, Salomon, this isn't your pain, it's mine.

The Venerable Master closed her eyes in pain, but soon she opened them again, her eyes no longer filled with hesitation.

Note that this is a lawful good.

(End of this chapter)