During the five minutes they waited for Aparajita to enter the Throne Room, Regent Victor von Doom arrived. Most of the lighting fixtures flickered briefly at his appearance, and even the rose stained-glass window overhead suddenly dimmed. Only after the system reacted and rerouted the current did the lights stabilize again. He had not come in person, nor could his physical body enter the Throne Room, for he was not currently in Latveria. This was merely a dim mental projection. Though powerful, it had its limits; the remaining light passed through his translucent body, making him seem as unreal as a wisp of smoke. The strange sight startled Hammurabi, who hurriedly raised the Spear of the Garrison at the phantom. The castle possessed an exceptionally powerful anti-magic array. Ordinary spellcasters could never cast their astral projections into the castle, much less the Throne Room where the Emperor resided. Only after the Emperor confirmed that it was the Regent's projection did Hammurabi lower his guard and nod to the Regent.
"Relax, Hammurabi. Your master isn't that fragile." The Regent stood at the foot of the steps, looking at Wang Di on the throne. "You never let me stop worrying. Now you're making your final arrangements again. Once when you faced the Feathered Serpent God, and now again! Can't you have a little confidence in yourself? Every time, you act as though you're facing death!"
"I do. That's why I need to prepare. This is only a contingency plan."
The light behind Regent Victor von Doom illuminated his iron mask, making it as glaring as his emotions. "Including letting Camila learn so much classified information?"
"So that's the real reason you're angry?" The Emperor laughed. The modified Volkov family throne was just large enough to accommodate his frame. Above its tall back