Chapter Summaries

Salomon rejected Hammurabi’s suggestion that people should simply submit to him, explaining that humanity needed guidance and laws as well as dissent to guard against tyranny. As Colonel Rhodes tried to intervene in New York and Wanda restrained Vision, Salomon shot Rhodes out of the sky, leaving the approaching crisis unresolved.

• Salomon told Hammurabi that he created Latveria to guide humanity, restrain its savage nature, and preserve a dissenting voice against tyranny.
• Colonel Rhodes flew toward United Nations Headquarters, hoping to stop the president from launching a nuclear strike and to save New York’s civilians.
• Salomon fired an explosive round at Rhodes from more than three kilometers away, sending him crashing into the East River.
• Vision remained trapped at the Avengers base as a network attack and toxic code cut it off from outside systems.
• Wanda restrained Vision with scarlet energy and told it that choosing between one and one hundred was easy, while Vision questioned who had decided which person should be sacrificed.

Wanda confronted Vision while recalling Salomon’s teaching that Vision’s apparent soul depended on the Mind Stone rather than arising independently. Vision argued that Tony Stark’s efforts were helping humanity, but criticized Salomon’s methods without being able to name him, as Wanda continued her work.

• Vision insisted to Wanda that he was an emotional being rather than ordinary artificial intelligence, and Wanda said the Mind Stone had strongly influenced him.
• Wanda recalled Salomon teaching that Vision’s body, J.A.R.V.I.S.-based mind, and Mind Stone produced a dependent, false soul that would vanish if the stone were removed.
• Salomon had contrasted Vision with Artificial Humans, whose souls originated from him and the Philosopher’s Stone and whose consciousness developed through interaction between soul and body.
• Wanda told Vision that his thinking remained shaped by J.A.R.V.I.S. and Tony Stark, and that he lacked free consciousness.
• Vision described worsening human conflicts and defended Stark’s clean-energy efforts and Iron Legion, while condemning Salomon’s claimed massacres as ambition disguised as salvation.
• Vision said he could not speak Salomon’s name because its meaning exceeded what sound could convey, then asked Wanda whether Stark was doing the right thing.

Wanda explained why she and her teacher opposed Tony Stark’s approach and revealed that they intended to take Vision’s gem to protect it from the Alien Fleet. Meanwhile, Rhodey chose to continue his mission to stop a nuclear strike on New York, as the Sorcerer Supreme watched Salomon prepare to state his wish.

• Wanda told Vision that Tony Stark’s belief in his own role as humanity’s savior perpetuated conflict, and she predicted that Stark’s former partners would eventually kill him.
• Wanda said she would take the gem in Vision’s forehead, even though doing so would kill him, and drove the Serpent Bone Staff into the ground.
• Friday woke Colonel Rhodes in the East River and urged him to move the injured Stark out of Manhattan, but Rhodes insisted on finishing the mission to prevent the White House from bombing New York.
• Friday warned Rhodes that his armor could not defeat the enemy and recommended evacuating Stark first, while Rhodes asked her to guide him toward solving the threat.
• The Sorcerer Supreme watched Salomon from a rooftop after the massive teleportation spell, then told Mordo to listen as Salomon prepared to state his wish.

Hammurabi reflected on the Monarch’s memories and the Praetorian Guard’s role as the Monarch addressed New York, rallying humanity against alien threats and promising a perfect human Republic. The chapter left the Monarch speaking to the gathered mortals as an Assault Transport pursued a figure emerging from the East River.

• Hammurabi awoke from memories that had lasted nearly ten subjective years and nearly attacked the non-friendly units before the Monarch warned him they were not enemies.
• Hammurabi observed the Monarch addressing the gathered mortals while Supiluliumas, still under fire, muttered over the private communication channel about his failed performance.
• The Monarch projected his voice across New York City and nearby Jersey City, calming the people and declaring that humanity had a birthright to rule the Milky Way.
• The Monarch vowed that humanity would kill Thanos, destroy his fleet, and make the victory a lasting legend.
• An Assault Transport accelerated toward a figure rising from the East River as the Monarch continued his speech, calling for humanity to defeat its enemies and forge a perfect Republic.

The King pressed his campaign in New York while his followers discussed the mortal administration needed to govern Latveria and Yugoslavia. After warning the mortals that he would soon leave Earth, Athena and the Sorcerer Supreme discussed his destiny and the coming conflict with Zeus.

• Supiluliumas argued that Latveria needed resources, workers, and rapid unification of the Balkan Peninsula, while the narrator recorded thoughts on mortal rule and the King acknowledged the narrator’s document.
• Supiluliumas asked the King for permission to deal with Colonel Rhodes, who was struggling against the Assault Transports and War Machine.
• The King agreed to Supiluliumas’s request, recalled the Assault Transports, and landed his superheavy transport in the plaza outside United Nations Headquarters.
• The King warned the mortals that he had other wars to fight and would leave Earth in five minutes.
• Athena appeared beside the Sorcerer Supreme, who warned that the King’s destiny would make Athena and Zeus his enemies and said Zeus would die if he refused to yield.

The Sorcerer Supreme and Athena debated Salomon’s future while the Sorcerer Supreme reaffirmed her plan to guide humanity toward a scientific age. Meanwhile, Latveria’s military display and offer of advanced technology won support from nations seeking alternatives to European and American monopolies.

• The Sorcerer Supreme and Athena watched War Machine destroy the Wall Street Stock Exchange, and both expressed confidence in Salomon’s future while disagreeing over how much his humanity would shape it.
• The Sorcerer Supreme explained that Kamar-Taj must eventually make itself unnecessary by helping humanity overcome threats from both the material universe and the Outer Dimensions.
• The Sorcerer Supreme wagered Athena a bowl of homemade Greek yogurt as they watched the Heavy Assault Transport depart.
• Supiluliumas mounted his anti-gravity Jet Motorcycle and set off to pursue War Machine while Hammurabi urged him to finish quickly.
• Latveria’s Pegasus Type Heavy Assault Transport demonstrated its power at the United Nations Headquarters, impressing military-minded observers with its capabilities.
• Latveria offered nations technical support and advanced technologies in exchange for resources and support, prompting nearly every national representative to side with Latveria.

Salomon and Victor von Doom assessed Latveria’s military and economic leverage after its attacks crippled NATO forces and the United States. They agreed on a two-track plan for the Balkans: absorb the southern countries more directly, build a buffer in the north, and profit from controlling satellite communications as Latveria prepared to expand.

• Latveria’s attacks left the United States and its allies unwilling to risk war, while countries outside NATO sought cooperation with Victor von Doom.
• Stephanie Malik organized Hydra’s conservative interest groups to exploit the coming U.S. market turmoil and buy into the American Military-Industrial Complex.
• Salomon returned to Latveria and met Victor von Doom to decide how to control the Balkan countries whose forces Latveria had defeated.
• Victor von Doom proposed directly consolidating Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Albania while supporting governments in the northern countries and establishing a buffer zone with NATO.
• Victor von Doom planned to lease communications satellites to European countries for usage and patent fees, and he and Salomon agreed to unify the Balkans before seeking expansion northward.

Latveria conquered Romania and the rest of the Balkan Peninsula, expelling NATO forces and imposing surrender terms that brought the region under its political and economic control. As Latveria began integrating the new territories and spreading Unified Truth by force, unrest and resistance were suppressed.

• Salomon’s forces seized NATO missile bases across Romania, reprogrammed their launch systems, and destroyed the bases with their own missiles.
• Gene-modded Warriors defeated NATO forces around Bucharest, and Romania’s rulers signed a surrender agreement accepting Latverian rule and its political reforms.
• Victor von Doom accepted surrender agreements from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, and Albania, completing Latveria’s first phase of expansion across the Balkans.
• Latveria prepared to reorganize the new territories’ governments, militaries, industries, and administration while local officials received training in Unified Truth.
• Latverian authorities crushed religious and ideological resistance, converting churches into schools and replacing religious broadcasts with science education.

Latveria consolidated its power across the Balkan Peninsula while preparing for the Alien Fleet and expanding its military and industry. After a week spent leading a secret war against Vampires, Salomon returned to the capital and Victor von Doom asked him to represent Latveria on a state visit.

• Latveria rebuilt the Balkan Peninsula's industry, restored its communications network, and established a new alliance under the dark crimson Eagle Flag.
• Jane Foster and European observatories confirmed the Alien Fleet's existence and estimated its arrival, while Latveria expanded its military and industrial preparations.
• Victor von Doom told N'Jadaka to delay his coup in Wakanda until the Queen Regent fulfilled her agreement with Latveria.
• Salomon led the Hellfire Knights, Praetorian Guard, Sisterhood, and Wild Legion in a campaign to destroy Vampire strongholds across the Balkan Peninsula.
• Victor von Doom asked Salomon to handle a state visit, arguing that Latveria depended on Salomon's personal authority and military strength.

Latveria’s Great Purge targeted business elites and military officers across the conquered Balkan regions to secure state control and prepare for industrial development. Victor von Doom asked Salomon to make more public appearances as a symbol of protection and stability while Latveria completed its reforms.

• Nick Fury reviewed the purge list and was assigned to work with Victoria Hand to arrest executives and corrupt officials.
• Latveria nationalized heavy-industry resources, replaced company managers, and arrested business leaders while allowing workers to return under new contracts.
• Latveria launched a severe military purge, executing nearly two hundred people on its first day and assigning Political Commissar Sophia to rebuild discipline with help from the Sisterhood and Gene-modded Warriors.
• Victor von Doom told Salomon that his appearances could deter foreign powers and reassure civilians, and urged him to embrace his role as a hero.

Nick Fury oversaw an airport operation to recover supernatural items from people fleeing Latveria, then spotted Salomon in New York after Tony Stark left the hospital. Salomon said he had cured Tony because Stark was still useful and prepared to discuss matters with him before returning to Latveria.

• Latveria’s aviation system switched to its own satellite navigation network, creating demand for software engineers as airports reopened.
• Nick Fury disguised himself as an airport cleaner and directed Sacred Guard agents to intercept travelers carrying ancient supernatural books and objects.
• Nick Fury ordered the agents to keep combat Psionics and Laser Guns ready in case the targets showed supernatural powers.
• Nick Fury saw Salomon behind Tony Stark in news footage and called him to ask why he had cured Stark and whether he planned to assassinate the U.S. President.
• Salomon said Stark was still useful, ended the call, and asked Happy to open the car trunk for his suitcase.

Salomon explained that Peter Parker’s spider abilities tied him to an extra-dimensional being and warned that his future would be lonely and short. Amid the chaos caused by Latveria’s attacks on the United States, Salomon asked Peter whether he wanted to live as a hero or die miserably.

• Happy Hogan obeyed Salomon’s command, loaded his briefcase into the car, and drove Salomon and Peter Parker away from the hospital.
• Salomon expanded the back seat and told Peter that his powers came from an extra-dimensional being that fed on the experiences of Spider-Men.
• Salomon warned Peter that he would remain in New York, have no descendants, and likely die before growing old.
• Salomon considered how Latveria’s attacks had crippled American military power, shaken the economy, and left the White House with no acceptable response.
• Salomon asked Peter whether he wanted to become a celebrated superhero or an unnoticed kid, and whether he wanted to live or die miserably.

Salomon explained how the United States and its allies were preparing to turn European refugees and trained militants into an anti-Latverian force, risking a global war. He warned Tony Stark against trying to reform the system from within, but Tony asked for time to resolve matters involving the Avengers and the Sokovia Accords before answering.

• Salomon considered the covert Eastern European groups backed by American advisers and the CIA's plan to train militants and recruit refugees into a reserve army against Latveria.
• Salomon concluded that Latveria might eventually trigger a global nuclear war rather than let hostile ideologies threaten humanity, though he preferred to preserve lives and resources for an alien invasion.
• Salomon entered Happy Hogan's car with Tony Stark, while Peter Parker was pushed aside and listened to their conversation.
• Salomon told Tony that accepting the White House's offer to become Secretary of Defense would not let him defeat the vested interests and could destroy Stark Industries.
• Tony thanked Salomon for saving Rhodes, then said he needed time to settle matters with the Avengers and the Sokovia Accords before giving Salomon an answer.

Salomon negotiated with Tony Stark to use Stark’s biological laboratory and clean personnel to develop vaccines against a virus spreading from Nigeria toward Europe, in exchange for help with Tony’s political ambitions and access to U.S. military laboratories. He then comforted Wanda, explaining that the gem was manipulating her grief over Vision, and urged her to recover.

• Salomon told Tony Stark that a virus linked to U.S. military laboratories in Nigeria had spread to Turkey and might have reached Greece, and asked for a secret vaccine program using Stark’s laboratory and epidemiologists with clean records.
• Salomon offered to help Tony Stark become Secretary of Defense in exchange for detailed information about U.S. military biological laboratories around the world, and Tony agreed.
• Happy Hogan realized he had lost his memory of the drive from the hospital, while Peter Parker struggled with the grim knowledge he had overheard; Tony reminded Peter to attend the Stark Industries youth foundation training program.
• Salomon went to his Manhattan penthouse and found Wanda exhausted and grieving as she studied the gem and relived killing Vision.
• Salomon took the gem from Wanda and explained that it was using projections of possible lives to manipulate her emotions; he reminded her to beware of gifts without an ulterior motive and urged her to bathe while he prepared lunch.

Salomon contained the Mind Stone after rescuing Wanda from its influence and reflected on the brutal trials meant to strengthen her mind. After preparing lunch and calling Pietro to keep Wanda company, Salomon left the kitchen to check on her while Pietro teased him about their relationship.

• Salomon placed the Mind Stone in a sealed case, cutting off its whispers and preventing it from manipulating Wanda.
• Salomon resolved to store the gem in Kamar-Taj's underground prison and considered how Wanda's mission would temper her soul.
• Salomon opened the curtains, cleaned the apartment, prepared lunch, and called Pietro Maximoff to visit Wanda.
• Pietro arrived at the apartment, and Salomon warned him that his automatic defenses could mistake him for an enemy.
• Pietro offered to cook and teased Salomon about Wanda waiting for him, so Salomon left the kitchen to check on her.

Wanda told Salomon that she had foreseen their future children, and he explained that he would create them through technology and magic as part of his plan to give humanity free will. At dinner, Salomon persuaded Pietro to leave the Avengers and move to Latveria, while Pietro forgot what he had originally wanted to ask.

• Wanda described seeing several future children and asked whether she had failed to see their fate clearly.
• Salomon explained that the children would be designed and raised in mechanical wombs, and admitted he could not promise that he would love them.
• At dinner, Salomon warned Pietro to leave the Avengers before the US Government began monitoring him.
• Salomon argued that Pietro should join him and Wanda in Latveria, and Pietro agreed to move out of the Avengers' base.
• Pietro remembered that he had wanted to ask something else, but Wanda began clearing his barely touched plate.

Salomon showed Athena the Mind Stone and discussed his plans to use it for the coming war and to reshape humanity’s future. He left the chapter committed to weakening American political order and advancing Unified Truth ahead of an imminent Alien Fleet invasion.

• Salomon left Wanda Maximoff and Pietro Maximoff preparing to travel to the City of Immortals, then showed Athena the Mind Stone.
• Athena inspected the stone, returned it to its case, and worried that Salomon would not show mercy if they clashed over it.
• Salomon discussed supplies for the orphanage and explained that Wilson Fisk remained useful to him despite his ambition.
• Athena urged Salomon to restore order in New York, but he argued that the city’s turmoil came from the United States’ elites and financial interests.
• Salomon explained that he would promote Evangelicals and Broadcast Theology to undermine confidence in both major parties and advance Unified Truth.
• Salomon revealed that the Intelligence Department was already in contact with Yale University professors as he prepared humanity for an imminent Alien Fleet invasion.

Salomon explained why Latveria struggled to spread Unified Truth and argued that the approaching Alien Fleet made Latveria’s strength essential to humanity’s survival. He defended an increasingly aggressive strategy against the United States, while Athena worried about the sacrifices he would make and reminded him of Bayonetta and Jeanne.

• Salomon reflected that Latveria’s realistic ideology could not compete with the comforting promises of American cultural influence, though the approaching Alien Fleet was making Latveria’s message more convincing.
• Victoria Hand’s agents planned to use a Shuttlecraft to extract the surveilled Yale professors and their families directly from the United States, as Latveria’s leaders prioritized efficiency over avoiding provocation.
• Salomon said Latveria needed to prepare for inevitable war, potentially by destroying U.S. missile sites and forces, and planned to release compromising intelligence during the extraction to advance Latveria’s Salami Tactics.
• Athena advised Salomon to release the intelligence gradually and warned that American political distractions and entrenched interests would make his struggle costly.
• Salomon insisted he would not fail in his mission to secure humanity’s future, and Athena silently worried about his martyrdom before urging him not to let Bayonetta and Jeanne down.

The United States demanded that Latveria accept nuclear inspections, then accused it of espionage after Victor von Doom shared advanced missile-defense technology with Russia. Amid growing international cooperation and plans for a new American space-defense buildup, the chapter revealed that Latveria’s Emperor had personally led the intelligence exchange.

• The United States called on Latveria to open diplomatic channels, join the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and disclose its nuclear arsenal, but Latveria’s press office did not respond.
• Victor von Doom traveled to Moscow, signed a treaty to share Latveria’s orbital missile-interception system, and revealed his young face to the public.
• US agencies accused Latveria of creating space debris and stealing American technology, but people identified the Yale scholars it had taken as professors who had fled FBI surveillance.
• A left-wing congressman called for military-budget cuts and oversight, then deleted his post after two men in suits visited him.
• Sources reported that the United States planned to expand intelligence funding and launch satellites and anti-satellite weapons, prompting experts to compare its plans to the Star Wars Program.
• Victor von Doom shared military equipment and pilot suits with other nations while Latveria’s Emperor led a private intelligence exchange with another country’s president.

The Emperor of Latveria revealed his identity during secret negotiations and helped Victor von Doom finalize a pact preparing humanity to fight the Alien Fleet. The meeting ended with the Emperor asking Doom about the heat death of the universe.

• The Emperor of Latveria entered the secret meeting, apologized for hiding his identity, and explained that he had avoided a public arrival to prevent a security scare.
• The Emperor and Victor von Doom negotiated a secret agreement covering military reinforcements, technology sharing, Psionics, and cooperation in cybersecurity and nuclear power.
• The Emperor explained Latveria’s policies and offered partner nations valuable technologies, while setting aside deeper cooperation terms that remained disputed.
• Before the meeting ended, the Emperor asked Victor von Doom whether he had read Isaac Asimov’s “The Last Question” and described the universe’s eventual heat death.
• Victor von Doom smiled and asked whether the Emperor was already worrying about the universe’s end or his retirement.