I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/Heroicverse
—------------------—
Mordo turned to look at the other members.
"Strange is always Strange. Conceited, arrogant, thinking he can control everything," Mordo said loudly, "He claims he is willing to give up magic, but this is just an excuse he made up to survive. Traveling through the multiverse is a crime in itself. Crossing the Universe to come here makes him the greatest threat."
"To protect our Universe, I propose the Execution of this Strange variant. We cannot take any risks. He must pay the price for his actions of traveling through the multiverse."
Black Bolt sat in his chair, looking at Strange with a cold gaze.
He remained silent, slowly raising his right hand to make a gesture of approval.
Captain Carter leaned back in her chair, her brow furrowed tightly.
She looked at Strange, then at Mordo, a hint of hesitation flashing between her brows.
Obviously, what Strange said earlier about Steve touched her to some extent.
Moreover, she instinctively rejected the direct Execution of someone who had not yet committed a crime.
But this concerned the safety of the entire Universe, and she did not dare to gamble lightly. Her heart wavered between reason and morality.
Captain Marvel Maria said with disgust, "I agree. The sooner we deal with him, the sooner I can go back for coffee."
Mr. Fantastic Reed looked at his companions' reactions, then said indifferently, "From the perspective of risk probability, Mordo's proposal is indeed the safest solution."
In his helpless situation, Strange did not beg for mercy, but simply felt that all of this was extremely absurd.
"No."
Professor X Charles put forward a different opinion.
His gaze swept across the remaining members, and he said with a compassionate expression, "One Strange took the wrong path, but that doesn't mean every him in the multiverse is doomed to fall. He has voluntarily given up his power. Advocating the direct Execution of someone who has no ability to resist and is willing to reform goes against our original intention. We should give him a chance to prove himself."
"Professor, your mercy will harm us all," Mordo did not back down, "Have you forgotten those lives that died because of the incursion event?"
"I haven't forgotten," Charles replied calmly, "But I haven't forgotten even more that the reason we established the Illuminati is to protect this World, not to become indiscriminate executioners. We cannot kill the innocent indiscriminately due to unknown fear."
"Since there is a divergence, we will follow the rules of the Illuminati. Those in favor of the Execution of the variant Stephen Strange, raise your hands to vote."
Mordo raised his right hand first.
Followed by Black Bolt, Mr. Fantastic, and Captain Marvel.
Mordo looked at Captain Carter. "Captain, your decision?"
Captain Carter sighed and put her hands down. "I abstain."
Charles shook his head. "I object, history will prove today's decision is wrong."
"Professor, your vote can no longer change the result," Mordo smiled smugly.
"The vote is concluded. Four votes in favor, one against, one abstention," Mordo announced the result coldly, "The proposal passes, the Execution is carried out immediately."
As the final verdict fell, the side door of the hall opened.
Ten fully armed ultron robots stepped out in unison, surrounding Strange tightly.
Strange stood in the circle of encirclement, looking at those indifferent faces on the high platform.
He did not struggle, just suddenly feeling that all of this was somewhat ridiculous.
He had crossed endless multiverses, found the woman he loved most, and even successfully proposed.
Yet in the end, he was going to die at the hands of this group of guys who claimed to be righteous.
"Take him to the Execution room," Mordo waved his hand, then said to Strange, "Rest assured, this won't be painful."
Right at this moment.
"Stop!"
An angry woman's voice resounded through the hall.
Everyone turned their heads over.
"Stop! All of you stop!"
Christine stormed into the trial hall, strode through the blockade of the ultron robots, and blocked in front of Strange.
She was still holding that bouquet of roses in her arms, and the diamond ring on her finger sparkled.
"Dr. Palmer," Mr. Fantastic Reed frowned, "This is the trial court of the Illuminati, you have no right to break in. Please leave immediately and do not interfere with official duties."
"Interfere with official duties?" Christine sneered, glaring at the Illuminati members on the high platform, and loudly retorted, "Is your official duty to take lives recklessly?!"
"He didn't do anything to you! He handed over his power, he put on handcuffs! You want to execute someone who hasn't committed any crime just because of an absurd possibility? This is simply outrageous!"
"He is a variant, his very existence is a threat," Captain Marvel Maria said impatiently, "Richards has already explained the risk of Universe incursions."
"That is a theoretical risk!" Christine retorted without yielding, "As a senior researcher of the Bast Foundation, I understand the data of the Multiverse Waveform Monitor better than you do! As long as he doesn't use dark magic, the probability of triggering a Universe incursion is infinitely close to zero! He has voluntarily put on the magic-suppressing handcuffs! He is just an ordinary person now!"
Christine turned her head to glare at Mordo.
"And you, Mordo! You took advantage of his candor! You tricked him into wearing handcuffs just to make him lose his ability to resist, making it convenient for you to carry out this murder without a fair trial!"
"Watch your words, Dr. Palmer! This is the final resolution of the Illuminati! You have no qualification to question it!" Mordo said angrily with a dark face, "Pull her away! If she continues to block, arrest her together! Convict her of the crime of obstructing universal security!"
Receiving the order, the ultron robots immediately stepped forward, and their mechanical arms mercilessly grabbed at Christine's shoulders.
"Christine!" Strange's expression changed drastically, and he immediately stepped forward to shove away an Ultron Robot, shielding her with his body.
"Don't touch her!"
Strange let out a fierce roar, his eyes no longer holding the compromise and gentleness from before.
He stared coldly at Mordo.
"You can come at me," Strange's voice was suppressed very low, yet it made people's hair stand on end, "But if you dare to touch a single hair of hers. I assure you, I will let you witness what a true monster is."
At this moment, the ultron robots surrounding them suddenly retreated a step in unison.
It was Professor X who took over the system and issued the order to retreat.
"Enough, Mordo." Professor X gave Mordo a stern look, then turned to look at Strange, sighed, and spoke to appease him.
"Stephen. Although I do not agree with this final resolution of the Illuminati, I cannot forcibly stop it by my own strength alone. These are the rules we established." Charles's tone was sincere and full of apology, "But no matter what, I assure you, they will never harm Christine a single bit. You can rest assured."
Strange stared at Charles, he could distinguish the sincerity in the other person's eyes.
Then he turned back to look at Christine, whose face was full of sadness, and the anger deep inside his heart gradually subsided.
He knew very well in his heart that if he stubbornly resisted, it would ruin everything Christine had in this Universe.
He came here to love her, not to ruin her.
The iciness on Strange's face dissipated, and he once again put on a gentle smile.
"Christine, being able to hear you say those words 'I do' to me with my own ears, I have no regrets left in this life."
"But I hope you know..." He looked straight into Christine's eyes and bid farewell solemnly.
"No matter how reality changes, in every Universe, I love you."