I have finished translating this fanfic, IMUC (I Am In Marvel With Unlimited Cards) and have posted all the advanced chapters on Patreon. (https://www.patreon.com/c/marvel6395). You can read all the advanced chapters there.
*Tap, Tap!*
Boots echoed on the floor of the pyramid's altar hall as Caesar, dressed in a sleek black and gray coat that extended down to his calves, strode in. The coat fluttered behind him due to the high-speed flight.
He was holding Jean in his arms in a princess carry. Gently, he set her down on the ground and even helped fix her golden hair, which had been blown out of place by the wind.
Archangel felt a burning sting on his face as if he had been slapped. Just moments ago, he had boasted that no one could break through the natural barrier. But in reality, there were few people in the world capable of ignoring the storm and lightning, and Caesar just happened to be one of them.
Meanwhile, Psylocke and Storm weren't in the mood to tease Archangel. Their bodies were tensed, remembering their last encounter with Caesar. Seeing him now, despite his seemingly harmless appearance, they couldn't help but fear him like a terrifying monster in human form.
Only those who had fought Caesar truly understood how vast the gap was between themselves and the strongest man on earth.
Caesar ignored the three frightened Horsemen, and even Apocalypse, as he looked toward Charles, who was bound on the stone bed. Unable to suppress his laughter, he said, "Charles, you just keep getting worse. First, you were paralyzed, then you lost all your hair, and now you're being used as a sacrifice for this old immortal."
"Mmff, muff!" Charles glared at Caesar in annoyance. Even in such a miserable state, this damned jerk of a friend had to poke at his wounds and tease him. Couldn't he catch a break?
But despite his frustration, Charles suddenly felt a wave of calm wash over him. His chaotic mind settled, and his tense muscles relaxed.
He knew very well that as long as Caesar was here, everything would be fine. Why? Because he was Caesar. **Superman Caesar**.
"It's you."
Apocalypse raised his glowing eyes, staring directly at Caesar. His dark blue face remained calm, but for the first time, his voice showed a shift in tone. "You are the strongest being I've encountered since I gained awareness in this world. None of the so-called gods from the old era can compare to you."
"Aren't you also a self-proclaimed god?" Caesar asked curiously, looking at Apocalypse. Apocalypse, with his unusually tall stature and hooded ancient cloak, resembled an old Western God from ancient times.
"I am different from them. I am different from all ordinary humans, even from mutants. I am the true god of the old world."
Apocalypse spread his arms as if declaring an unquestionable fact, his tone proud yet calm. "No matter how strong others may be, they still face death, while I have lived for nearly ten thousand years. My body is immortal, and my soul shines like the stars in the sky. I possess nearly 500 different mutant abilities, mastering all the knowledge in this world!"
"I am all-knowing and all-powerful, that is the realm only a god can achieve."
As Apocalypse's voice carried an imposing weight, Archangel and the other three Horsemen knelt in reverence, their previous fear of Caesar completely swept away.
If Apocalypse were to order them to die right now, they wouldn't hesitate to kill themselves.
"That's quite the unique telepathy…" Jean whispered softly beside Caesar.
"What's wrong, Jean?" Caesar asked curiously.
"That blue-skinned creepy uncle is using a special telepathic ability on us," Jean said, gripping Caesar's coat tightly and shrinking behind him as she pointed at Apocalypse.
Apocalypse didn't respond, though his eyes flashed white as he stared at Jean, deep in thought.
Psylocke snapped, "What are you talking about? Lord Apocalypse hasn't used any telepathic abilities!"
Psylocke's own powers were a branch of telepathy, so if someone was using telepathy on her, she should have sensed it— unless that ability was so well-hidden that even a telepath couldn't detect it.
"As I thought, you're using some kind of special telepathic power," Jean continued. "You make your words more persuasive, subtly influencing others' minds, guiding them to subconsciously accept you."
Caesar looked at the silent Apocalypse, as if he had seen through everything. He glanced at Archangel and the others and said, "Rather than calling them knights, it's more accurate to call them puppets."
"You!" Archangel spread his Iron-like wings, ready to lash out, but was quickly stopped by Storm, who reminded him, "You can't beat him." Archangel halted all his movements at once.
Psylocke's eyes flickered with a complex expression, but she didn't say anything further.
"Arrogant mortal," Apocalypse finally spoke, his eyes on Caesar, a faint but undeniable killing intent emanating from him. He was truly angry.
"Yeah, I'm just a mortal. And I really don't want to be a god. Being a god is exhausting— constantly riding Bifrost, fighting battles across the Nine Realms," Caesar said, as if casually letting loose thoughts that no one present could understand. "Oh, and you mentioned I was the strongest you've encountered, right? Too bad, among the people I've met, I can count more than five who are stronger than you."
"More than five stronger than me? That's impossible..." Apocalypse's voice remained calm, but his expression finally betrayed some surprise.
"Oh, it's possible." Caesar shrugged, counting on his fingers. "There's one who's just a mortal with no special powers— well, unless you count being rich as a power. If that's the case, forget I said anything. His name is Tony, and as a mere human with the heart of Iron, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with gods.
"Then there's a big green guy. He doesn't like being called fat. His name is Bruce— also known as Hulk. Hulk is his hidden second personality. He once pinned a real god to the ground and smashed him to pieces."
"Then there's an old woman named the Ancient One. By the way, like Charles here, she's bald. She lived for over 500 years, and like you, she is ageless and immortal. If she were here, you probably wouldn't even stand a chance to do anything."
"There's a man who carries a hammer everywhere. His name is Thor. Even though he has plenty of human flaws, he's the real deal— a true god and he is much stronger than a self-proclaimed god like you."
"And there's a goofball who I won't even bother naming. He holds the power of the stars within him, and his father is a living planet..."
As Caesar listed each of his old comrades, his voice was filled with excitement and nostalgia. After counting out on one hand, he concluded, "And there are many others stronger than you."
"Impossible! Tony, Bruce, Ancient One... Who are these people?" Apocalypse looked towards his three Horsemen, but they were equally puzzled, clearly having never heard of such powerful figures.
"They're not here. They're far, far away," Caesar sighed, patting Jean on the head, and then dropped a bombshell. "There's also one more— my new apprentice, Jean. She's stronger than you too!"
The moment those words fell, both Apocalypse and the Horsemen were stunned, and even Jean herself was left speechless.
(End Of Chapter)