Peter smacked his lips, flashes of past memories swiftly passing through his mind. He wasn't a fool; he recalled the magnitude of the chaos Schiller had previously caused, and how he had always played a significant role in Schiller's plans mainly because he was easy to deceive.
"We have to find Schiller, but not for Schiller's sake—it's for the sake of our cosmos," Stark said, clutching his forehead. "Think about it; if in the past he was able to cause such trouble and still have the energy to fabricate alibis, now that he isn't even showing his face, imagine what kind of grand surprise he must be preparing."
In an instant, most of the people in the room shivered. Stark observed their reactions, muttering to himself: "And I haven't even told you about the time Schiller planned to ram our cosmos into another one."
Out of consideration for the elderly present and their heart health, Stark decided against sharing such a shocking fact. However, Peter had already raised his hand to ask a question.
"Who was the last person Doctor Schiller saw?"
"He last came to see me to ask about the liver source for Stephen's brother," Nick reflected. "Schiller was the one who calmed Victor and convinced him to stay here for the surgery. Therefore, he'd surely be waiting outside the operating room for the surgery to finish."
"I'll call the Elders Council Hospital," Stark said.
After Stark made the call, the Elders Council Hospital took it very seriously and consulted the nurse on duty that day. When the nurse mentioned that Strange had called Schiller into the operating room, the expressions of everyone in the room changed significantly.
"Stephen is in big trouble," Stark coughed twice to hide his laughter and said, "It appears, Schiller's grand plan this time must center around the Supreme Magician."
Loki pondered for a moment before remarking, "Stephen hasn't offended Schiller, has he? They have somewhat similar temperaments and belong to the same field--they've always gotten along well."
At this point, Matt said, "I remember that after a car accident where I was severely injured, it was Dr. Strange who performed my surgery. At that time, he seemed reluctant and was threatened to do so by Schiller."
"Oh!" Peter exclaimed in realization and then somewhat regretfully said, "I remember now. Several years ago, I was responsible for Matt's grave injury. Doctor Schiller and Dr. Strange operated on him, and Dr. Strange seemed pretty furious."
"That's not exactly Stephen offending Schiller; it's Schiller antagonizing Stephen. But what can Stephen really do to him?" Stark smirked, dismissively stating, "Can he actually pose a threat to Schiller?"
At the end of time, in a dilapidated tent in the desolate exile land, Schiller glared at Strange and said, "So just because I threatened you with a ballpoint pen years ago, you're getting back at me now? Isn't that a bit excessive?!"
Strange nonchalantly poured himself a cup of tea with his only remaining hand and glanced at Schiller, saying, "If you hadn't levitated the ballpoint pen back then, I would have never known that in this world, there existed magic that could cause one's arm to vanish. Fascinating, isn't it?"
Schiller's grip on his teacup tightened instantly. He took in a deep breath, teeth gritted, and uttered, "What do I have to do to make you revert your arm back to normal?"
"I can't." Strange looked at Schiller very seriously and said, "I pushed the power of the Time Gem to its limit, and then completely obliterated all timelines in this universe associated with this arm."
"In other words, in all possible timelines of this universe, I only have one arm. Even if you were to go back in time, you couldn't bring it back."
"But you were once a surgeon, and not just any surgeon—you were the world's most renowned, brilliant surgeon. If in the past you only had one arm, then how would you…"
"That's just the residue of timeline disturbance that hasn't disappeared yet." Strange took a sip of his tea and then lowered his head to explain, "Soon, besides you and me, no creature in this universe will remember that I was once a surgeon. In their memories, I was born with one arm."
In total shock, Schiller froze, staring blankly at Strange. After a long while, he finally muttered in disbelief.
"Do you really know what you're doing, Stephen! This is a reputation and achievement you worked for countless day and night. Are you just willing to give it all up???"
But Strange just quietly blew on his tea, not saying a word.
Schiller sat across from him, leaning in close and looking him in the eyes.
"Think about your father and your brother. They may not be good with words, but they've always been proud of you. Your achievements are more than just your own, they are the pride of the Strange family."
"You spent half your life breaking down the barriers of wealth, perspective, and education, becoming a miracles that transcends class. Are you willing to set all this ablaze, not even leaving behind a hint of your reputation for charity?"
Strange's hand holding the tea cup paused. He didn't look at Schiller, but quietly watched his tea and said, "Of course I'm reluctant."
Then, he put the tea cup on the table, and as if remembering something, started speaking in a reminiscent tone.
"Everyone knows how hard I've worked because they realize these achievements can't be achieved with talent alone. They think I must be the kind of aloof genius who naturally doesn't need to interact too much with ordinary people. They think I must love studying and researching, and gain a lot of pleasure from it."
"But every night when I studied until dawn, I would think about the meaning of all this. Can these textbooks and notes that have accompanied me to see the sunrise stay with me for a lifetime? And if not, then what will replace them?"
"I hated those rich people who received elite education, had countless like-minded friends and connections in all fields just after graduating from university. At first, I envied the connections that facilitated their promotion, then I despised the bustle.
"But since you pressed a ballpoint pen against my head and kicked me into the current of the times, I've also become one of those people, mingling with the Mages, my colleagues at the Holy Sanctuary, and the members of the Luminous Alliance."
Strange took another sip of tea, finally raising his head to look at Schiller and said, "People call me the 'Hand of God', but God didn't even spend a moment to comfort me, to make me feel less lonely in every sunrise like that. But you did."
Strange revealed a smile, within it, a customary arrogance and a slight hint of malice that was not easily detectable.
"Schiller, if all the fame and status I've earned in my life just added a few points to God's reputation, then why can't I convert them into firewood, and let you taste the sensation of being in hot water?"
Strange covered his smile with his tea cup and continued, "Every time you see my arm after returning to Earth, you will think it was your unchecked greed that forced me to pay my debt this way."
"Each time you unintentionally mention my surgical identity and only get a bunch of surprised and bewildered expressions in response, you will remember what I have sacrificed to remind you of the potential consequences of offering oneself too much."
Strange's gaze fell on Schiller's arm, at that moment, Schiller began to tremble.
In the end, Schiller inhaled deeply, turning his head away to avoid Strange's gaze.
The setting sun outlined a golden line on his face, while a sigh filled with anger, regret, and helplessness echoed across a barren landscape.
"Miracle Healer, Dr. Strange."