Marvel's master of cosmic magic

Chapter 577

"Rowan, I can’t make the call myself," Evan Clarke said carefully, "but I’m certain the company will agree to cooperate with you."

From Evan’s perspective, this wasn’t even a question worth debating. Rowan Mercer’s strength was beyond strategic assets or deterrence theories. Whether or not Rowan wore the crown of Nason Island, he was someone any organization would treat with extreme caution and deliberate goodwill.

Now that Rowan was the King of Nason, the incentive only multiplied.

A public alliance between the company and Nason Island would shift the international balance overnight. Any faction thinking of pressuring the company would have to consider the possibility of Rowan Mercer stepping in personally. No one wanted to test what that looked like in practice.

"That works," Rowan said, nodding once. "Then I’ll outline the terms."

He spoke plainly, without ceremony.

First, all resources produced on Nason Island would be supplied to the company without charge.

Second, the island’s citizens would receive full legal domestic status. They would be free to study, work, or settle on the mainland. Whether they joined the company or lived ordinary civilian lives would be their own choice.

Third, any crimes committed by islanders would fall under Nason Island’s jurisdiction and be judged internally.

Fourth, as partners, Nason Island would provide armed support if the company faced a serious external threat. In extreme situations, Rowan himself could intervene.

Fifth, while the island would remain closed to the public, the company could, when necessary, send expectant mothers to give birth on the island. Children born there would have their abilities awakened by the Sacred Tree, without exception.

Sixth, the company would assist with outreach and coordination. In return, Nason Island would accept exchanges involving techniques, arcane systems, spell frameworks, and other supernatural knowledge from around the world.

The terms were blunt. Calculated. Dangerous in how reasonable they were.

Nason Island would no longer exist as a sealed relic frozen in time. Its people would gain access to modern life without losing their protection. At the same time, the island’s unique nature could be leveraged openly, turning isolation into influence.

As for Rowan, it meant he could remain on the island and still collect, study, and refine the world’s supernatural systems at his own pace.

Evan swallowed and nodded. "I’ll pass this to the board immediately. I don’t see any scenario where they refuse."

He didn’t need to say why. A guaranteed awakening for the next generation rewrote every existing hierarchy. For families and institutions that understood what ability-users meant, that clause alone outweighed every other demand.

"Good," Rowan said.

He produced a small metal token engraved with the name Nason Island and tossed it to Evan. "Once a decision is made, channel energy into this. It’ll bring you straight here. Coordinate the details with Mae Jenson."

A moment later, a spatial sigil unfolded beneath Evan and his team. Light folded, space twisted, and they were gone—returned directly to the company’s warship offshore.

After they left, Elia stepped forward and dropped to one knee, emotion plain on his face.

"Thank you, my King," he said. "For everything you’ve done for the island."

His voice shook despite himself. For generations, many of Nason’s native citizens had lived without education, media, or even basic comforts. Some had never seen a screen. Some had never tasted processed food. Their lives had been safe—but small.

Rowan waved a hand dismissively. "Your earlier beliefs weren’t entirely wrong. But your approach was. This world doesn’t grant rights out of kindness. It respects strength. If you want something protected, make it untouchable."

He paused, then added, "Now, the time’s up. It’s time for the island to disappear."

Rowan closed his eyes.

The Sacred Tree answered immediately.

Deep beneath the island, its roots surged outward, burrowing through stone and soil under Rowan’s command. They rearranged themselves with unnatural precision, forming layered geometric arrays beneath the island’s foundation.

Rowan pressed both palms to the ground.

Power flooded into the earth.

Golden light erupted from the root formations. The island trembled—once, violently—then began to rise.

Water cascaded from its cliffs as the landmass lifted free of the sea. Higher and higher it climbed, breaking through the cloud layer until its silhouette dissolved into the sky itself.

Then it vanished.

In another world, Rowan had once created a floating academy using spatial artifacts. Now, using the Sacred Tree and his own magic, he had done the same for Nason Island.

From this moment on, the island would drift unseen at an unreachable altitude. The only way in or out would be through the keys Rowan himself created.

On the decks of retreating ships, ability-users from every faction stared upward in stunned silence.

An entire island... gone.

"Who is this new King of Nason?" someone whispered.

No one answered.

The following morning, Evan Clarke, Fiona Barlow, and company chairman Zachary Ford arrived using Rowan’s token, signed agreement in hand. The board had debated through the night and reached a unanimous conclusion.

They accepted.

Rowan left the finer points to Mae Jenson, Elia, and Elena. Administration bored him. Power structures didn’t.

He had unfinished business.

He found Martin Gray waiting alone.

The old man straightened when Rowan appeared. "My King."

Rowan gestured for him to sit. "Martin, someone made a deal with me. He asked me to find a person."

He paused. "That person is Lucan Kade."

Martin’s face drained of color. Old memories surfaced—mistakes he thought time and distance had buried.

"So even here," Martin murmured, "the past still reaches me."

Rowan placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "You’re Mae Jenson’s grandfather, and you’re a citizen of this island. The deal was to locate you, not to kill you. I know what happened back then."

He met Martin’s eyes. "Go see Lucan. Whatever comes of it, I’ll keep you alive—and I’ll bring you back."

The tension left Martin’s shoulders in a slow exhale.

Above them, hidden beyond the clouds, Nason Island drifted silently—no longer a refuge begging for protection, but a fortress ruled by someone who needed none.