"The power of technology? You really are a hypocrite. You used to deceive those who lost faith in science with theology, making them your pawns, and now you use technology to deceive those with extraordinary powers. Hahahaha, how laughable!"
Seeing the two casually chatting about recruitment topics, Kaecilius, feeling ignored, immediately felt insulted and roared out to interrupt their conversation.
The two stopped their conversation. The Ancient One released Skye from her embrace and slowly stood up.
At this moment, the Ancient One's other clones had already dealt with the dark cultists, grabbing them by their necks and standing in a row behind her.
Like a mafia boss, the Ancient One stood at the very front, looking down with a disdainful gaze at Kaecilius, whose spine was broken and who could not stand up:
"I have never deceived anyone. I only gave them what they needed. Some people needed theology to save themselves, so I gave them theology; some people needed science to save themselves, so I gave them science. I treat everyone equally, including you, Master Kaecilius..."
"But your obsession was too great. You read those forbidden books when your mind was fundamentally unable to accept the temptation of darkness, leading you to fall into darkness and become a follower of Dormammu. You took the wrong path..."
Every word the Ancient One said was like a piercing arrow striking his heart, making him want to refute it, but he could not say a single word.
Because he knew clearly in his heart that everything the Ancient One said was true; she was actually equal to everyone.
Equal teaching, equal sharing of all knowledge.
The only thing she didn't share with them was regarding those forbidden books.
But those forbidden books were not something the Ancient One hid away unwilling to share, but rather, those whose mental fortitude was insufficient would inevitably fall into darkness upon reading them.
Just like... myself right now...
This was what the Ancient One told every mage from the beginning, something all mages knew.
But... was he really wrong?
"No! I am not wrong!" Kaecilius, with bloodshot eyes, let out a heart-wrenching roar at the Ancient One:
"I came to Kamar-Taj just to resurrect my wife and daughter. You couldn't do it, but Dormammu could. I only chose the only way out. What did I do wrong!"
Hearing this, the Ancient One shook her head gently, her calm eyes becoming indifferent.
"Hopeless."
After she finished speaking, the 'crack, crack' sound of breaking bones kept ringing out.
Behind the Ancient One, the necks of all the dark cultists held by her clones were snapped.
"Kaecilius, you previously murdered the former librarian of Kamar-Taj to seize the Book of Cagliostro for summoning Dormammu, severing his head. Now it is time to atone for your sins..."
The Ancient One herself unfurled the fan in her hand. The fan shone with golden light, and like holding a guillotine, she walked step by step toward Kaecilius.
Facing the threat of death, Kaecilius's expression changed drastically:
"No, no, my wife and daughter haven't been resurrected yet, you can't do this! I am Dormammu's most valued follower. If you kill me, He will not let you go, He will not let Earth go!"
"You are just an insignificant piece of livestock He keeps. He can summon you back at any time to replenish Himself. And whether I kill you or not, He will not let Earth go..."
The Ancient One walked up to Kaecilius, ruthlessly shattering his last fantasy, and raised the golden fan in her hand.
"No, no, Dark Messenger, save me!"
Seeing that the threat was ineffective against the Ancient One, Kaecilius looked once again at the purple-robed woman who had remained motionless from the beginning, and reached out a hand for help toward her.
But the purple-robed woman remained indifferent, looking over with cold eyes, as if she were merely a spectator.
Puchi—
Blood gushed out from the severed neck of Kaecilius, and his head and body fell to the left and right sides with a 'thud' sound respectively.
Kaecilius, died!
The Ancient One retracted her fan and also looked at the purple-robed woman: "As one of the Inheritors of the Dark Dimension, watching your own followers die before you without lifting a finger to help, aren't you afraid of chilling the hearts of other followers?"
Facing the Ancient One, the purple-robed woman remained calm: "They are Dormammu's followers, not mine. Why should I save them? Besides, I don't need such trash followers; what I need are elites!"
"I have heard Dormammu mention you. You are not bad. Come, become my follower. When I take over the Dark Dimension in the future, you will be second only to one and above ten thousand. How about it?"
Seeing that the other party was actually recruiting her, the Ancient One's eyes turned slightly, and she smiled: "That sounds pretty good, but why should I believe you can take over the Dark Dimension from Dormammu? Do you have the ability to do that?"
Hearing the Ancient One's questioning, the purple-robed woman slowly removed the large hood from her head, revealing her delicate and enchanting face, as well as her slightly curled silver-white hair.
Her purple lips parted slightly, and she raised her hands high with an excited expression:
"Since you asked so sincerely, I will tell you with great mercy. My name is Clea, niece of the Dark Dimension ruler Dormammu, and also the next Inheritor recognized by the Flame of Faltine of the Dark Dimension. In the future, I am destined to inherit the rule of the Dark Dimension!"
The air was silent for a few seconds, but no one applauded.
This made Clea somewhat embarrassed. She lowered her hands and looked at the Ancient One: "So, Master, have you decided to follow me?"
Hearing this, the Ancient One just shrugged lightly: "I'm afraid that won't do. Even if I were willing, I'm afraid the other two guys wouldn't be. After all, while I'm alive, I'm actually working for the boss of the Spider Family, and even after I die, my soul has to go work for Boss Eternity..."
"Is that so?" Clea nodded slightly, and then her face darkened: "Then there is no need for this Planet to exist~"
As she spoke, two deep purple blades appeared in Clea's hands, causing the air to warp. She waved them, slashing twice at the air in front of her.
Immediately, the space in front of her, under these purple blades, was as fragile as tofu, instantly being cut into an X-shaped gash.
Furthermore, this gash was rapidly enlarging in front of the purple-robed woman, soon becoming larger than she was.
"Dormammu asked me to come to this Planet to help Him open a gap in the Dark Dimension from the inside. Originally, I wanted to see if there was anything fun on this Planet, but apart from you, it seems there isn't a single thing that interests me. Now that you are unwilling to become my follower, there is no need for me to protect this Planet that Dormammu needs, so you all can fend for yourselves..."
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