The Ancient One listened quietly, looking at Homelander.
She was not some stubborn old fossil, and a moment later, she smiled with relief.
"From now on, you are in charge of everything on Earth; it's your call." The Ancient One bowed slightly. "I have always believed that taking you as my disciple was my wisest decision."
With that, the Ancient One traced a circle with her hands, opening a golden portal before her, and stepped through it.
Notification! Gained special popularity value +10000! (From the Ancient One)
Only Homelander and Strange remained inside the New York Sanctum.
Strange stood where he was, his eyes shifting, hesitating to speak several times.
In the end, he stepped forward and spoke.
"Teacher." Strange lowered his voice. "Kaecilius said before that the Ancient One has been drawing power from the Dark Dimension to sustain her life..."
Homelander looked at this conflicted Doctor and chuckled softly.
"Pure light cannot defeat the abyss, Stephen."
"Sometimes, to save others, you have to dirty your own hands."
He patted Strange's shoulder gently.
"Do not be deceived by appearances. To judge a person, do not look at where she obtains her power, but rather at where she uses that power."
"Just like the scalpel in your hand; when it cuts through flesh, whether it saves a life or takes one... is determined by the person holding the blade."
Leaving behind these meaningful words, Homelander turned and walked out the door of the Sanctum.
Strange stood alone in the Sanctum hall, carefully ruminating on the words Homelander had left behind.
To save others, one must dirty their own hands...
Power has no good or evil; the key lies with the user...
Light and shadow flickered in Strange's eyes.
If the Ancient One could touch the Dark Dimension to protect Earth.
Then, to bring back Christine, why couldn't he break the rules and use forbidden power?
Strange clenched his fists, as if he had realized something, his eyes becoming incomparably determined.
...
The next day.
As the morning sun just began to bathe Earth, a massive media storm swept across the globe.
Almost simultaneously, the television screens of all mainstream media outlets in the World, video websites, various long and short video apps on mobile phones, and even electronic billboards in public squares were all forcibly switched.
The background of the broadcast cut to the press conference hall of Vought International.
A red alert symbol flashed incessantly at the edge of the screen, accompanied by a tense, highly oppressive BGM that instantly gripped everyone's attention.
People stopped what they were doing; even a thief being pursued stopped running to see what was going on.
Ashley Barrett, head of the public relations department at Vought International, appeared in the center of the frame with a stern expression.
"Citizens of the Federation, I am Ashley, spokesperson for the Vought public relations department."
"We have just confirmed a public incident that threatens the survival of the entire Earth. Hereby, Vought International issues the highest level red doomsday warning to all of humanity."
On the screen, a piece of edited surveillance footage began to play: a violent explosion occurred at the London Sanctum, with the building collapsing and sustaining damage.
Several people dressed in Strange costumes with pitch-black eye sockets displayed destructive methods that defied the laws of physics amidst the ruins.
"For some time now, Vought International has been secretly building a global dimensional defense system to fend off threats from unknown dimensions."
Ashley pointed to the footage of the ruins on the screen. "Our secret London dimensional defense center was hit by a terrorist attack yesterday. The attackers were a group of fanatical extremists completely brainwashed by the cosmic evil god Dormammu."
"Dormammu, a cosmic terrorist existing in the Dark Dimension. He intends to swallow our Earth into endless darkness."
"Currently, only two dimensional defense centers remain operational globally, located in New York and Hong Kong respectively."
"To prevent the next terrorist attack from affecting civilians, Vought International has officially issued an evacuation order."
The screen quickly displayed detailed electronic maps of New York and Hong Kong, with large red areas highlighted.
"From this moment on, all residents living in the designated blocks of Manhattan, New York, and the designated areas of the Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong, must complete a full evacuation within twenty-four hours!"
"Repeat, you must evacuate the red alert zones within twenty-four hours!"
Upon these words, public opinion erupted, especially among those living in those areas.
But Ashley quickly threw out a solution.
"Everyone, there is no need to panic. Vought International will bear all the expenses and actions of this evacuation."
"During the evacuation, all living expenses, daily consumption, and even the rental of temporary office spaces for all citizens will be paid for in full by Vought International!"
"Regarding economic concerns, we have reached a mandatory agreement with major financial institutions and banks. Until this crisis is resolved, the repayment dates for all loans and credit cards of affected citizens will be frozen, and no interest will accrue!"
Finally, Ashley made the most powerful promise to the camera.
"Facing this cosmic-level doomsday crisis, Vought International will never back down. Our Superheroes are ready for battle!"
"Please trust Homelander; he will save you all once again!"
The press conference ended with a burst of stirring music, and the screen returned to normal programming.
With the broadcast of this news, the entire World was once again thrown into an uproar.
However, what left major scholars and experts stunned was that the social atmosphere after the announcement of this doomsday crisis became completely different from the past.
The anticipated large-scale panic, panic buying, and even city riots were nowhere to be seen!
In the streets, in cafes, in offices, people whispered and talked about this "doomsday crisis," but there was not much fear on their faces; instead, they had an inexplicable anticipation for this crisis.
In a cafe on the streets of New York.
"Hey, man, did you hear? The Dark Dimension!" A programmer in a plaid shirt raised an eyebrow at his colleague. "A new breed of alien boss."
"Whatever." The colleague shrugged, lowering his head to continue scrolling on his phone. "I only care if what Vought said about the loan freeze is true. God, my house is finally saved! Thanks to that idiot named Dormammu!"
Inside a tea restaurant in Hong Kong. Several citizens were drinking milk tea and eating pineapple buns, watching the TV news on the wall.
"Crazy! Aliens causing trouble again?" A young man slapped the table angrily.
"Youngster, you don't know the World." An old man nearby waved his hand. "With Homelander here, what is there to be afraid of? Finish this basket of shrimp dumplings before going to the shelter. Vought is covering the hotel stay; just treat it like a vacation."
On Twitter and major social media platforms, related topics dominated the trending lists, but the atmosphere in the comment sections was as cheerful as a holiday.
@Error404Motivation: Do these cosmic bumpkins not have internet at home? They didn't even investigate before invading Earth; don't they know that Earth is protected by the invincible Homelander?
@BarelyFunctioningAdult: Stay in a five-star hotel for free? And credit card bills can be frozen?! God, long live Vought! Mr. Dormammu, please make sure to invade once every month!
@ProfessionalOverthinker: "The evacuation buses here in Kowloon have already arrived. Vought's service is truly thoughtful; they're even handing out free Vought Heroes burgers on the bus. No more talking, the whole family is going on a vacation."
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