Prometheus's expression was grave. Although it seemed the most crucial part of their plan had been completed, and the outcome was satisfactory, a variable had emerged.
They had originally thought Lange would use his abilities to control Mario Cuit, and then issue commands through that control.
However, they never expected Lange to actually possess Mario Cuit's body!
They were well aware of Lange's formidable and dangerous abilities.
But Lange's own body was very frail, so as long as Lange was controlled, he couldn't cause much trouble.
Yet now, Lange had taken over Mario Cuit's body. And Mario Cuit was a strong, ability-wielding individual!
This meant Lange now fully controlled all of Mario Cuit's assets and the forces under his command.
Prometheus greatly disliked this loss of control over his subordinates' power.
"Lange, your actions put us in a very passive position... this is not in line with our original plan."
"Heh heh, Lord Prometheus, I understand your concerns. I can assure you, your worries are completely unnecessary! I am still an American, and even though I control Mario Cuit's power, I will still choose to cooperate with Americans."
Mario Cuit, or rather Lange, said with a smile.
Hearing his promise, Prometheus felt a little more at ease. It seemed Lange was still sensible.
Just then, Arthur, whose mental energy was almost depleted, also caught his breath. He stood up and looked at the vibrant Lange with a complex expression.
"Lange, how do you feel now? You've inherited Mario Cuit's body, have you inherited his abilities? And you've inherited his body, but do you still have your own abilities?"
"This..." Lange fell into thought. After a while, he shook his head.
"I don't know, but I can try..."
Lange finished speaking, extended his right hand, and pointed at a pair of medieval swords hanging on the wall more than ten meters away.
These European tycoons were very fond of decorating their homes with weapons and armor. Mario Cuit, who dreamed of being a king, was no exception.
The pair of swords hanging on the wall were inlaid with numerous gems, and even the hilts were made of gold. If these two swords were put up for auction, they would likely fetch tens of millions.
Prometheus and Arthur stared intently at the two swords on the wall. They desperately wanted to know the result, because if Lange inherited Mario Cuit's abilities as well, things would become very troublesome, and he would be completely out of control!
Suddenly, the two swords hanging on the wall trembled. Prometheus and Arthur were both dismayed, as it meant the worst had happened.
They turned to look at Lange again with complex expressions. However, at that moment, an unforeseen event occurred. The two swords hanging on the wall suddenly flew up and, at extreme speed, pierced Arthur's back.
The two swords entered through his back and exited through his chest.
Arthur looked at the two swords protruding from his chest with an expression of disbelief.
"Why?"
He uttered a single word and immediately died, his body collapsing heavily onto the ground.
Prometheus, standing beside him, was shocked. He immediately turned and put distance between himself and Mario Cuit. Two fireballs slowly rose from his palms.
"Lange, are you insane? Do you know what you're doing? Your actions are a provocation. Do you want to start a war with the United States?"
"Jie jie..." Lange let out an unpleasant laugh.
"I said I would cooperate with Americans, but this cooperation means Americans will obey my orders!"
"That's impossible! You're delusional, Lange, you madman. I won't let you succeed... Ah!"
Prometheus suddenly screamed. He felt as if countless steel needles were piercing his brain.
The fireballs in his hands immediately dissipated, and he clutched his head, rolling on the ground.
This intense pain lasted for more than ten seconds before it finally ended. By then, Prometheus had straightened up and opened his eyes.
However, his gaze was now different, similar to the expressions of the four remaining bodyguards of Mario Cuit in the room.
"Master, Lord Lange, your loyal servant Prometheus greets you!"
Unbelievably, the usually proud Prometheus knelt on one knee before Lange, his expression one of extreme piety.
Almost simultaneously, the other four bodyguards of Mario Cuit also knelt in unison, pledging their loyalty to Lange.
"Prometheus, I command you to pacify the other Americans and await my orders!"
"Yes, Lord Lange!"
"You should change how you address me!"
"Very well, Lord Mario Cuit!"
Prometheus left. Not long after his departure, several staff members from Paradise Island arrived at the free zone with a body bag and threw it into the lava.
Thus, Arthur, the strategist and brilliant psychologist of the American delegation, vanished from this world, leaving not even a speck of dust behind.
It turned out that just moments ago, Lange had devoured the soul of the island master, Mario Cuit, inheriting most of Mario Cuit's memories.
At the same time, Lange was pleasantly surprised to discover that he had inherited Mario Cuit's abilities.
Not only that, but Lange also found that his own abilities had not disappeared; instead, they had become even more powerful after devouring Mario Cuit's soul!
In other words, he could now use his abilities to semi-permanently alter a person's subconscious and perception, thereby controlling them!
The reason he killed Arthur was that Lange knew very well that Arthur's abilities were, in essence, of the same kind as his own. Arthur understood his abilities and was very intelligent; he could potentially find a way to counteract his powers. Therefore, Lange killed him without hesitation, wanting to nip all threats to himself in the bud.
The Americans did not notice Arthur's disappearance. Whenever anyone inquired, Prometheus would tell them that Arthur had temporarily left to carry out a very important mission.
Everything on the island proceeded as usual. No one knew that Paradise Island had been infiltrated and its authority usurped!