"Sacrifice?"
Mordo's already overheated brain got even more muddled when he saw the ring.
Could this ring be some kind of supreme artifact, powerful enough to make Dormammu leave the Dark Dimension for it?
"There's a world inside."
Lyon gave a simple answer but didn't explain in detail. Instead, he led the group directly into the ring.
After letting everyone take a good look at the vast continent and the lofty deep space within the ring, they returned to the library.
"This world is a trillion kilometers in length, width, and height—roughly about 0.1 light-years. I believe that with such a temptation, Dormammu won't be able to resist."
As Lyon spoke, he tossed the ring into the air.
"Although Earth holds a unique allure for Dormammu, this ring should be just as tempting."
He then flung out several magical chains to anchor the ring in place, and around it, he inscribed the defensive runes of the Vishanti.
"Because the world inside the ring is an independent space, in its current state, it's equivalent to a miniature dimension embedded within our universe. So after this, I'll take Kaecilius inside and perform the ritual."
"At that time, Dormammu will bypass the protective shield held up by the three Sanctums and directly enter the world inside the ring to devour it."
Lyon clapped his hands as if brushing off non-existent dust. "And that's when I'll fight him. As long as I drive him away, the plan will be a complete success!"
Since Dormammu's exact strength was still unknown, he couldn't say for sure that he would win.
But at the very least, he shouldn't lose.
Mordo and the others were still dazed from the sights inside the ring's world, and after hearing Lyon's explanation, they could only gape in astonishment.
They looked at Lyon as if they were three African tribesmen from the mid-19th century, seeing a wealthy European gentleman landing at the Cape of Good Hope aboard a steamship, whistling through the fog.
"Did we just see a… a portable world?" Mordo stood frozen like a statue.
Wong could almost hear his own heart creaking painfully in his chest. It was the sound of heartbreak. "Such a precious thing, and you're going to use it as bait?"
Banner scratched his head. "Is that Dormammu guy really worth using such a treasure to lure him out?"
Only Tony, because the world inside the ring had no signal, had seen nothing at all.
"What world? What are you all talking about?" His semi-transparent projection kept looking around at the four of them.
"I've been meaning to ask from the start—what's all this about the Sanctum, dimensional demon gods, and Dormammu?"
Tony hadn't studied Kamar-Taj's magic yet, so he had no understanding of these concepts.
Wong looked at Tony and sighed softly. As expected, ignorance truly was bliss.
"You probably haven't fully understood yet. The duty of Kamar-Taj is actually to protect Earth from invasions by evil beings from other dimensions."
"Mortal conflicts have nothing to do with us. All our enemies come from other dimensions."
"For example, dimensional demon gods. They are rulers of extra dimensions, and they want to devour Earth into their own realms, which is why they keep attacking us."
"Our main method of resisting these demon gods is the three Sanctums left behind by the founder of magic, Agamotto."
"The three Sanctums are located in London, Hong Kong, and New York, and together they support a shield that covers the entire planet."
"If the Sanctums are destroyed, beings from other dimensions will be able to descend upon Earth without any obstacles."
"What Kaecilius wants to do is exactly this. He wants the lord of the Dark Dimension, Dormammu, to devour Earth!"
Wong finished explaining everything in one breath.
His mind was still reeling from the sight of the world inside the ring.
The reason he had fired off this long string of explanations, like pulling a trigger, was actually to reassure himself that, when facing an enemy like Dormammu, even sacrificing something as precious as the World Ring was worth it.
But… damn it!
Wong quietly clenched his sleeve.
He didn't understand why, even though the World Ring clearly belonged to Lyon, he still felt so much heartache over it for just being used as bait.
On the other side, after listening to the explanation, both Banner and Tony fell into silence.
Both of them were still just apprentices in magic, and this was the first time they had heard about any of this.
In New York, Tony took a few steps back and sat down in his chair, exhaling a long breath silently.
He looked out the floor-to-ceiling window, where the neon lights of the night lit up the entire city. Even the sky was glowing red, the decadent atmosphere swirling in the misty haze.
Behind this prosperous world, there were so many hidden crises.
And yet he had thought that the superhumans and aliens recorded in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files already accounted for most of the truth about the world.
Fortunately, he too was now part of the community of sorcerers.
"I'm coming too, Lyon! Bring me over to Kamar-Taj. I can help you all!"
Tony suddenly slapped the table and stood up, speaking to Lyon through the projection in front of him.
Lyon raised an eyebrow. "Eh? Haha. Actually, even if you hadn't said it, I was already planning to."
With a wave of his right hand, he opened a mystical portal connecting Kamar-Taj and Tony's office, not even needing to wear the Sling Ring.
On one side of the portal was the night scene of New York, and on the other, the clear sky above Kamar-Taj.
Tony grabbed his wand from the drawer and stepped through the portal.
Banner frowned in hesitation. "Lyon, you're planning to bring Tony along? But if we're going up against a dimensional demon god, Tony might be in danger!"
"Not that I want to say this, but aside from that big guy inside me, I'm afraid the rest of us would have a hard time protecting ourselves. So, take me too, Lyon. We'll go together," Dr. Banner said as he put down his suitcase.
Inside it were his most precious magical creatures.
Since he wasn't sure if he'd return from this trip, he hoped Mordo would take good care of them.
"Hold on, Banner. Don't put down your precious suitcase just yet."
Lyon smiled wryly. "I never said I was bringing you along. It's enough if I go fight Dormammu myself. I'll be taking Kaecilius and his followers to summon Dormammu."
"You have a different mission!"
His gaze swept over the four of them. "Once Dormammu leaves the Dark Dimension and the battle begins here, other dimensions will very likely sense it."
"When that happens, if those evil beings follow the commotion and arrive, they will definitely take the opportunity to attack the Sanctums."
"What you need to do is protect the three Sanctums during this time!"
Lyon had no intention of holding a democratic discussion. He gave his orders directly. "Wong, you go to Hong Kong and lead the sorcerers there to guard the Sanctum."
"Mordo, you're in charge of the London Sanctum. Make sure to bring along Master Daniel and Master Hamir."
"Tony, you'll handle the New York Sanctum. You can have the Men in Black assist you."
"Banner, you stay at Kamar-Taj. If any of the Sanctums are in danger, you go to support them."
Wong and Mordo realized these were orders from the Sorcerer Supreme. Their expressions grew serious as they bowed in a sorcerer's salute. "Understood!"
Lyon thought of something else and looked at Tony. "By the way, are the Maximoff siblings still hostile toward you?"
"Umm.. Not really," Tony replied. "They said they'd let time prove everything... That sounds pretty straightforward, not much hostility there. But why are you asking about this now?"
"Good, since you've made peace with them, I can safely bring them in." Lyon drew a portal and stepped through it.
"You're bringing them here? Are you sure? Why?" Tony asked, full of confusion.
"Because they're exceptionally gifted," Lyon's voice came through.
"They can help guard the Sanctums."
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