Chapter 53: The Long Game

I had only just obtained the Superior Magicule Body, and now I was already thinking about buying two more Primordial Demons.

I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to spend that much money yet.

There was no reason to rush.

I had time, and I didn’t want to make a decision now only to regret it later.

“I think we should take some time before doing anything,” I said.

“Diablo, I want you to investigate Wakanda. Find its exact location, their defenses, important people, security systems, and anything else we might need to know.”

I paused.”Wait.”

Another thought suddenly came to me.

“Research Assistant.”

“Awaiting instructions.”

“Can I mind-control someone from Wakanda and make them take the Vibranium for me?”

“Yes.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Who would be the best choice for this?”

“The King.”

“The King?”

“The King possesses the necessary authority to access Wakanda’s primary Vibranium reserves and authorize access to its storage facilities. Controlling him would therefore provide you with a direct route to the Vibranium without requiring an open attack on Wakanda.”

I nodded slowly.

“So if we control the King, we can simply make him give us the Vibranium.”

“Correct.”

I looked toward Diablo.

“Can you do that?”

Before Diablo could answer, the Research Assistant responded.

“Diablo is capable of doing so.”

I looked back at the system.

“Explain.”

“The advanced version of the curse he previously demonstrated can be modified for this purpose. However, the control should be applied carefully. If the King is forced to remove an unreasonable amount of Vibranium, the discrepancy could be discovered through Wakanda’s records.”

I frowned.

“Because the Queen and the royal family could check the records?”

“Correct. They would have access to the kingdom’s records and could notice if the amount removed did not correspond with what the King could reasonably authorize.”

That made sense.

I didn’t want to steal the Vibranium only to leave behind evidence that something was wrong.

I was about to tell Diablo to investigate the King when the Research Assistant spoke again.

“However, I recommend a different approach.”

I looked toward it.

“What?”

“Rather than directly controlling the current King, locate Erik Killmonger.”

“Killmonger?”

“Yes.”

I thought about it for a moment.

“How would Killmonger help us?”

“If Diablo replaces Killmonger and successfully assumes his identity, he can enter Wakanda through a position that naturally provides access to its political structure.”

I slowly began to understand.

“And Killmonger becomes King?”

“That is the recommended objective.”

My eyes widened slightly.

“So instead of controlling the current King…”

“You would eventually replace the current King with Diablo and remove the political obstacles that could prevent you from obtaining the Vibranium.”

I looked toward Diablo.

He remained completely calm, as if we were discussing something as ordinary as a business transaction.

“So he replaces Killmonger, becomes him, removes anyone who might interfere with the plan, and then takes the throne.”

“Correct.”

The more I thought about it, the better it sounded.

No invasion.

No army.

No massive battle.

No sudden disappearance of Wakanda’s Vibranium reserves.

Instead, Diablo would enter Wakanda as Killmonger, gain influence, become King, and gradually bring the country under my control.

“How long?”

“Approximately ten years would provide sufficient time to establish your influence while minimizing the appearance of an unnatural political shift.”

Ten years.

That was a long time, but I wasn’t in a hurry.

I’d already accomplished almost everything I’d wanted to do for the moment, and I was still waiting for the geological survey of the islands in the South Atlantic to finish.

If that operation succeeded, I might not even need Wakanda for Vibranium.

“Okay.”

I nodded.

“I think this is better.”

Then I turned back toward the Research Assistant.

“Wouldn’t this break the timeline?”

“It would alter the timeline, but alteration alone does not necessarily create a significant problem.”

I waited for the explanation.

“If the changes remain gradual and do not create excessive deviations from the expected progression of events, individuals capable of observing possible futures may interpret the changes as natural variations within the timeline.”

“So as long as we don’t change too much too quickly…”

“Correct. The greater the deviation, the greater the probability of attracting attention. A gradual change is considerably safer than an immediate conquest or a sudden disappearance of Wakanda’s resources.”

I nodded, and that settled it.

“Then we’ll do it this way. Five days from now, we start.”

“Understood, My Lord.”

I turned toward Testarossa.

“White, you’ll be coming home with me.”

She smiled gracefully.

“Of course.”

I hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“After we return, I want you to take responsibility for my mother’s business. I want you to help it grow.”

Her expression remained composed, though I could see a hint of surprise in her eyes.

“Your mother’s business?”

“Yes. Eventually, I want it to become large enough that we can establish a space-mining project through it.”

Testarossa nodded.

“I understand, My Lord.”

I asked.

“Can you handle it?”

“Certainly. I will need to familiarize myself with the relevant laws and regulations, but that shouldn’t take long. I should be able to establish the necessary foundation within this year.”

I nodded.

“Good.”

Then I looked toward Diablo.

“I know you probably want to stay with me.”

Diablo’s expression softened slightly.

“But you’re one of the best choices for handling the political side of Wakanda. If we’re going to change their political structure without starting a war, I trust you to handle it.”

Diablo immediately bowed.

“Serving you is my greatest purpose, My Lord. Even if I cannot remain by your side, I will complete the task.”

“Thanks.”

I glanced toward Testarossa.

It felt strange.

She had only just arrived, and I was already giving her an important responsibility.

I knew she was probably better suited for the political and business side of things, but I still didn’t trust her enough to hand her the Wakanda operation.

I knew Testarossa from the explanations I’d read and watched before, but that wasn’t the same as actually knowing her.

She was noble and elegant, but she also had a tendency to look down on others.

I didn’t know how that personality would affect her decisions when dealing with Wakanda’s royal family and political structure.

Diablo was different.

I already trusted him.

He understood how I thought, had been with me longer, and had already proven that he could handle complicated situations without creating unnecessary chaos.

So Diablo was the better choice for Wakanda.

I looked at both of them.

“Let’s go.”

Diablo stepped forward and placed one hand on my shoulder and the other on Testarossa’s.

The next moment, space around us distorted.

There was no sensation of movement.

One moment we were standing in the abandoned campsite, and the next, the forest had disappeared.

We were standing inside an aircraft hangar in the United States.

I looked around for a moment before Diablo turned toward Testarossa and said.

“White, before I leave, there are a few things you need to know.”

Testarossa nodded.

Diablo continued “Lord has entrusted you with the management of his mother’s company. You will be responsible for expanding its operations, increasing its value, and eventually preparing it for the development of a space-mining industry.”

Testarossa’s expression remained calm.

“I understand.”

He continued.

“You will also be responsible for staying by My Lord’s side while I am away. His safety takes priority over everything else.”

Testarossa glanced toward me before smiling slightly.”Of course.”

“There is one more thing,” Diablo added.

“Do not involve My Lord in unnecessary business matters. If something can be handled without disturbing him, handle it yourself.”

Testarossa nodded.

“I understand.”

Diablo seemed satisfied.

“The necessary resources and personnel will be made available to you. If you require anything beyond that, contact me.”

“Very well.”

Diablo then turned toward me.

“My Lord, I will begin the preparations for Wakanda immediately.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Didn’t I tell you to take five days?”

“You told me to rest for five days,” Diablo replied calmly.

“However, I believe it would be more efficient to begin the preliminary work now. Locating Erik Killmonger and gathering the information required to assume his identity will take time.”

I sighed.

“Fine. Just don’t overwork yourself.”

“Of course, My Lord.”

He bowed slightly.

“I will contact you once I have located him.”

“Alright. Good luck.”

Diablo then looked toward Testarossa.

“White, there is a vehicle waiting outside the hangar. I had it prepared before our arrival. It will take you and My Lord home.”

Testarossa nodded.

“I understand.”

That solved one problem.

I looked toward the hangar doors as they opened, revealing a simple black sedan parked outside.

It looked completely ordinary from the outside, exactly the kind of vehicle that wouldn’t attract unnecessary attention.

I walked toward it with Testarossa following beside me.

A few moments later, I opened the passenger door and got inside.

The moment I stepped in, however, I raised an eyebrow.

The interior was nothing like the exterior.

The seats were covered in soft leather, the dashboard was sleek and modern, and every part of the cabin had clearly been designed for comfort rather than appearance.

Testarossa walked around the vehicle and took the driver’s seat.

She glanced at me.

“Ready, My Lord?”

I nodded.

“Yeah.”

The engine started, and the car smoothly pulled away from the hangar.

I leaned back into my seat and looked out the window.

Diablo had already begun his preparations.

Finding Killmonger, assuming his identity, and infiltrating Wakanda would take time.

According to him, even the initial stages could take at least a month.

There was no reason for me to worry about it now.

For the moment, I had other things to focus on.