Only those who have experienced war understand this truth: when people share an ideal, the purity of humanity blooms into its most beautiful form. Solomon was such an idealist. Anyone who had seen him speak about the future of humanity would describe him as "someone whose eyes burn with the fire of hope." The world he envisioned for mankind was radiant—so radiant that it bordered on impossible.
To help the boy understand his vision, Solomon taught him personally, leading him to meet with experts across the fields of social sciences, dissecting—like a scalpel—all of the issues that plagued human society. From now on, all the children genetically reshaped under Solomon's hand would receive this same education. They would come to understand the nature of societal operation and evolve into philosophers, artists, thinkers, and generals. That was Solomon's purpose in creating them.
A moving human library. A bearer of wisdom and strategic guidance. That was what the future demanded. The immense power bestowed upon them was merely a necessary means to achieve that end.
"History is a cycle. When we speak of feudalism, we're not talking about inherited titles from centuries ago—not about crowns and thrones—but about the inherited assets of the present-day aristocracy," Solomon said. The clang of metal striking metal did not drown out his lecture, echoing through the coliseum-like training arena as if it were not a place of combat but the marketplace of ancient Athens.
He paced in a circle, calmly discussing complex problems as the boy in the center grew increasingly agitated. Education was not about filling a vessel, but lighting a flame. Solomon embraced Socrates' philosophy entirely, always guiding the boy toward thought through relentless questioning.
"Compare modern society to feudalism. When workers are forced into debt to gain access to jobs, education, and housing, a new feudal society emerges. The only difference is that modern people are bound by debt, while serfs were bound to land."
A gunshot cracked through the air—then ceased. The red-hot barrel of a high-carbon steel rifle fell to the ground. Between bursts of electric sparks, the gleaming blade of an adamantine sword clashed once more.
"So, the question is: how do we fix this?" Solomon said calmly. "How should Marxist industrial finance and liberal market theory be implemented? How do we allow neoliberalism to take over the market without birthing the Federal Reserve and Russian kleptocratic oligarchs? How do we stop unproductive classes from draining all economic value?"
"Law and order," the boy panted.
His vision stung. Sweat had run into his eyes, nearly costing him three fingers—only his swift reflexes had saved them. Nearly a hundred blazing black-iron braziers circled the secret training coliseum, their fuel incomplete, filling the space with thick smoke. The air was searing; the sweat rolled down his skin in burning streams.
He was used to sudden questions during training. He believed this was just his master yanking a live thread from his mind at random. He had no idea how many unsolvable questions his master was juggling at any given moment.
"A powerful government. One capable of erasing poor people's debts. One capable of wiping out the savings of the rich. One capable of halting financial monopolies," the boy said through gritted teeth. "The kings of the new feudal society are the banks. So someone must seize their crowns. The top 1% who hold the wealth can't climb any higher—only with sword and fire can power be unified. Otherwise, humanity will perish in endless stagnation and economic collapse."
"You know," Solomon said, slashing his sword again, forcing the boy to respond faster, "last night, a robot told me how bleak the future of humanity looked to him. Your enemy is one who sees from the perspective of every species on Earth. But I see from humanity's point of view. And I think we may find answers in Kree society."
"The Kree?" the boy asked, still defending.
"The Supreme Intelligence is a quantum computer created with incomprehensible technology. It governs every aspect of the Kree Empire, including their finance. Doesn't that sound like exactly what we need?"
"An artificial intelligence?"
"A machine without emotion, making only rational decisions, eternally loyal to humanity," the arcanist said, pausing. "Don't hold back. You have the right to offer suggestions. I'm willing to talk more now, because such chances will be rare in the future."
"Are you planning to become that kind of machine?"
"Maybe that's the price we have to pay. Every ideal demands sacrifice. But don't worry, that future isn't here yet. It's not time to abandon our humanity."
Solomon moved again. His swordsmanship accelerated, the blade slashing so fast it became a silver blur of lightning, sweeping up the sand from the arena floor and snuffing out the man-high flames of nearby braziers.
He was a roaring lion claiming his domain. His roar was the ringing clash of steel. The fire in his eyes was too blinding to look into. This was the first and only time the boy ever saw his master unleash such sheer nobility and fury.
The arrogant would kneel and beg for forgiveness that did not exist. The despairing would plead for mercy that was never real. He stood like a raging god in the clouds, passing judgment with flames that could melt steel and thunder that could shake the heavens.
Even after every surgery, the boy could never erase this memory. Even after psychological adjustment had purged his fear response, something in his genes still shuddered in the presence of an apex predator.
"How many fathers, how many children will die by my hand!" Solomon bellowed. "Guilty or innocent, I'll send them all to hell without hesitation! You'll see that city rise from the ground soon—and you'll see even more innocent blood! More! Boy, this is the future you're damn well going to face! Hands soaked in blood, just like mine! I'm a damned idealist! A hypocrite of the highest order! A butcher cursed a thousand times! FUCK! FUCK!"
His scream howled like a storm, tearing at the clouds above. The boy barely kept up with his movements. Then he saw it—tears had welled in his master's eyes, evaporating from the heat of the fire in his gaze.
He had never imagined his master could be so furious, and so heartbroken.
"Maybe you think I'm an ascetic. A monk. I'm not! Never have been!" Solomon roared. "I love beautiful women! I love rare, vintage whiskey! I love roaring steel monsters tearing through roads! Now come on, boy—faster! Faster!"
"We should enjoy these things! We should wear the finest suits! We should drink until dawn! We should spend like kings! We should sing like wild beasts! Let us claim our birthright! Let us savor the last taste of luxury before the dark age comes! Let us ignite the flames of greatness with iron and blood! Let us live without regret!"
"Because I am Solomon Messiah Damonet Pendragon! I am humanity's first and final emperor! Its last guardian! The wieler of Terra's Sword! I am the weapon! I am the violence! I am DEATH!"
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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