Overthrowing One’s Superiors

"Tyrant Martial God" had retaken Wakanda and rebuilt the Pan-African Alliance.

Under normal circumstances, such an event would certainly shake the world again and provoke backlash from all sides. But because Magneto had gone berserk for the second time, destroying countless cities and their populations and even creating an Abyss of Sin in Washington, the mess in Africa seemed insignificant by comparison.

Especially now, Europe had been almost completely wrecked. The remains of the Sentinel Robots that Magneto had casually tossed down had mostly crashed into major European cities. Europe’s population had been cut in half, its major cities had been almost entirely destroyed, and every country was in chaos, with crazed people looting everything in sight.

The truly wealthy had mostly fled the cities and returned to the countryside. At least Magneto had never massacred a small village, so they might even live a little longer there.

Once order was gone, Europe became a playground for every demon and monster.

Europe had always been home to vampires, werewolves, and the like, but they had been suppressed by various superheroes and could only hide in dark corners, struggling to survive.

However, during Magneto’s first wave of slaughter, their natural enemies had fought bravely and then been exterminated. As a result, these supervillains began acting without restraint. One after another, they emerged from the shadows, established their own forces, and plunged the entire European continent into chaos.

The vacancy left by the superheroes could originally have been filled by the Magnetic Field Warriors. But Europe’s Magnetic Field Warriors had been terribly unlucky as well. First, Erik had captured them and imprisoned them to practice The Way of Erik. Then, after T’Challa finally released them, they encountered Magneto throwing garbage around again.

The places guarded by the Magnetic Field Warriors were basically all major cities. No one had gone to suffer in the small towns.

As a result, anyone struck by the remains of a Sentinel Robot tossed down by Magneto was basically finished if they had not been wearing Strong Magnetic Armor 2.0 at the time. Only those lucky enough to be far from the impact site, or those wearing armor, had managed to survive.

Even those who survived had lost their nerve.

A pack of terrified, starving wolves was hardly any better than a pack of wild dogs.

When the nobles of the various European countries fled, they also needed bodyguards and enforcers. Thus, the two sides hit it off perfectly: both ran for their lives, abandoning the entire city to those dark creatures.

During this period, all kinds of devils and other hellish creatures traveled between the human world and their realm, harvesting souls in large numbers and making a fortune. They went everywhere urging people to sign contracts, waiting for the next period of upheaval so they could return and reap the rewards.

Meanwhile, citizens who had lost all hope for the future lived for the moment. Quite a few signed contracts with devils in exchange for a single bottle of whiskey.

By comparison, things were far more peaceful in Africa. As long as you were black, did not cause trouble with gangs, and did not oppose the king’s policies, you were almost completely safe.

Thus, large numbers of black people fled Europe and returned to their homeland, the land where their ancestors had lived: Africa.

After Erik rebuilt the Pan-African Alliance, he found an excuse to replace the upper echelons of the original African countries, filling their positions with Wakanda’s own people. In practice, he turned the alliance into an empire.

After that, he reinstated the original Civil-and-Martial Emphasis System and vigorously promoted basic education throughout Africa.

For these newly returned black compatriots, he worked to gather them in, arranging jobs for them according to their educational levels, while also dividing all the black people in Africa into different ranks.

This was a measure born of necessity.

He had discovered that many useless black people remained unwilling to improve themselves even after arriving in Africa. They neither studied nor practiced martial arts, spending every day fooling around.

To encourage black people to advance, Erik established a strict Adult Ranking System. All children would also have to be assessed and ranked after turning eighteen.

Those with academic education were divided into three grades and nine levels according to their qualifications, while martial artists were divided into several levels according to their Martial Dao realms.

Superiors had authority over their subordinates, and upper-class people had control over the property and lives of those below them. However, once someone reached the middle class, these restrictions no longer applied.

He wanted to force everyone to study hard and raise their rank. Once everyone met the requirements for the middle class, the problem of the lower class would naturally disappear, and no one would have to worry about having their lives or property taken away.

The standards for the upper class were very high. One had to have received higher education or possess a rare specialty in some field.

The standards for the middle class, however, were actually quite low.

In the academic category, one only had to be literate and have received at least primary-school education in any country, or pass the African Standard Primary School Examination.

In the martial category, one only had to reach the Current Drive Realm.

To accomplish this, he had the engineers of Wakanda rush out a batch of Vibranium rings with DNA-recognition capabilities, which would serve as identification for the upper class.

Put bluntly, these systems had been designed for the illiterate.

This approach was opposed not only by the black people at the bottom, but also by many educated people with privileges.

Even Hydra disagreed.

"You might be the only person in the world whose methods Indians would like," Baron Strucker said sarcastically. "You might as well just kill all the illiterate black people. That would be even simpler."

Erik glanced at him and said:

"Many black people aren’t incapable of learning. They simply never had the opportunity. Now we’re vigorously promoting basic education, giving them opportunities to study and providing them with food and lodging subsidies. As long as they’re willing to learn, they can become the pillars of Africa’s future. What I want to clear out is trash, not gold buried in the trash."

"You’re too eager for quick results. Governing a country has always required patience and care."

"The reason I lack patience is that I know all these systems will be abolished if I die. So while I’m alive, I have to lay a solid foundation for certain things. As long as we solve the education problem, with the abundant resources and vast population of the African continent, black people will inevitably have a place in the world of the future."

"Suit yourself. This is your country, after all. I only care about Hydra’s interests on the African continent."

Baron Strucker shrugged and said:

"I’ve already contacted the branch of Hydra led by Alexander. Next, they’ll promote Wakanda in the United States and build public support for it, forcing the European and American powers to withdraw completely from the African continent. In addition, all of Shuri‘s research results will be shared with us in real time."

"And in exchange, we’ll make it easier for their branch to establish a presence in Africa."

"Fine. Why would I refuse something mutually beneficial?" Erik nodded, then said, "All the black members of Hydra are to be pulled out. I’ll arrange for them to work in various departments or teach in schools."

Baron Strucker frowned and shook his head. "Impossible. Our organization has plenty of work to do. We can’t pull out large numbers of personnel to help you."

"I’m not discussing this with you. I’m ordering you. Do you understand, Strucker?" Erik finally revealed his fangs. He stared darkly at Baron Strucker, looking as though he would kill him if he dared refuse.

Baron Strucker stared at the black king, whose killing intent was fully exposed, shocked and furious. He said incredulously, "You want to seize power? You’re a newcomer with no foundation in Hydra. So what if you’re powerful? You don’t even know how to contact the other heads…"

Erik gave him a contemptuous smile, no longer bothering to argue. With a light snap of his finger, Baron Strucker’s head exploded with a bang.

The Hydra guards nearby were startled. They hurriedly raised their weapons and aimed them at Erik, but they were wary of his overwhelming strength and did not dare fire.

Erik hovered in the center of the base, looking around coldly. "Cut off one head, and two more will grow in its place. That is Hydra. Now, one of the heads needs to be replaced."

"Long live Hydra!" Erik raised his arm and shouted.

After exchanging glances, the guards stowed their weapons, raised their right hands, and shouted along with him:

"Long live Hydra!"

You see, becoming the leader of Hydra was just that simple!