Strange was rendered speechless.
He was learning for the first ti 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 how flawed my ntal state is. This makes it difficult for 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 beco leaders."
"This does make so sense. You’re a psychiatrist, understand everyone’s ntal 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 ntally, still believe their decisions are the most correct when it’s ti to make them. But if you don’t believe your decisions are correct enough, why force others to have no choice?"
"It’s not forcing you to have no choice, but your greed. If soone can truly overco 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 mories, but he had to admit that many tis it seed 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 outcos. Just retreat from the raging current, and greed naturally won’t have its way.
But also, scrutinizing these mories, 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 ditated alone or perused ancient books, he understood better than anyone else that greed would destroy everything. Yet when it’s ti 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 ho the battlefield?
Hadn’t he still failed to learn any lessons after the war, happily looted and scavenged equipnt, even longed for another war?
Hadn’t he still sat before this devil nad greed, still listened to him, attempted to understand his aning, 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 ss?
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 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 eting 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 ti, so he could only follow suit and exit.
Arriving in the conference room, which was crowded, though the atmosphere wasn’t very harmonious. The eting hadn’t even started, and they were already quarreling.
Luckily, it wasn’t a battle eting, 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 soone 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 ti to write it."
"No worries," Coulson said. "There’s still a little ti before the eting 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 so 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 beca the Supre Magician—neither of these professions required any writing skills. He thought for a long ti but didn’t know how to start writing.
At this mont, 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 extrely selfish. If he becos the leader, he’ll just fill his own pockets and maybe throw others so 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 na—he’s a dangerous person. And there’s talk of him practicing dictatorial rule in his own country. What if his thods 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 departnt like he shut down the weapons division? Soone who’s impulsive like this shouldn’t be the leader.
Thinking over and over, he couldn’t co 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 !
He’s the Supre Magician, a mber 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 fa of the Supre 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 so respect when they hear his na. It can be said that being the leader is perfectly fine.
Though voting for himself is indeed a bit arrogant, at this ti, what’s the point of being modest? The people ntioned 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 so pressure. He felt he must list out sufficiently convincing reasons to win despite having fewer supporters than others.
With pressure cos motivation, and although he isn’t adept at written work, in persuading others, he has so skill. With ti pressed, he didn’t have ti 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 ca out holding that big pile of opinion letters to host the eting, 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 recomndations 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 na. He suddenly stood up and waved, saying, "Folks, Stephen Strange has self-recomnded in this suggestion letter, listing nurous 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 sothing’s up. Sure enough, when he turned his head, he saw Shiller and Nick making eye contact, and the expressions on their faces seed to say, "See what I told you?"
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