Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1002 The Meaning of Real Names (Second Update)

In the girl's memory, she saw Bayonetta talking to a noisy white box. Salomon only realized the "white box" was actually a telephone when he reached the dining room. Seeing Salomon place the girl on a chair, Bayonetta waved the receiver at him, a mischievous smile on her face—a month-long vacation was supposed to be a peaceful and tranquil manor life. The Royal Guard training camp, Latveria, Laura Crawford's search for the location of Quetzalcoatl's resurrection, and so on—although each matter required serious attention, he had planted the seeds, and now he only needed to wait for the harvest according to plan. However, this was only Salomon's own understanding; to others, a vacation was a good opportunity to do things that couldn't be done because of work.

Salomon wasn't sure if he'd misunderstood or if someone else had, but he had to answer the call regardless. "It's Minerva. She's invited us to an art salon," Bayonetta said, extending the receiver to the sorcerer. "I know you can't refuse her, so I accepted for you."

He sighed and took the microphone.

The witch leaned leisurely against the marble wall of the restaurant, arms crossed, openly and leisurely "eavesdropping" on the conversation. Seeing this, the sorcerer pressed the speakerphone button and gave the witch a wink. Bayonetta simply raised her chin, pretending not to care about the conversation, but Salomon noticed more than once that she was paying attention. After listening to Athena's request, Salomon said helplessly, "I hope next time it's a symposium at CERN. How could you think I'm more interested in fashion shows than those old guys in the Mayhem region? They discovered the Higgs boson!"

"I know that Jane Foster is actually the person you attend the most parties with, but you have to come this time."

"I'd rather eat snow peas at Jamie Oliver's restaurant than go to a fashion show."

The witch almost burst out laughing. She had already rated that members-only restaurant as one of the worst in London, and Salomon absolutely loathed snow peas. He had no idea whether this devilish vegetable existed solely to kill him, demonstrating that not all life on Earth was truly necessary. Bayonetta reached out and patted Salomon's arm. The sorceress responded gently to Athena, "Believe me, I'm serious! No, even if Taylor Swift were there, I wouldn't go, and I'm on vacation, which means I don't want to see anyone—"

“You need to come help, and little Lorna needs to come too. She’s reached the age where she needs to attend social events, and you’re the art director of the gallery,” Athena said. “You haven’t forgotten about Vanessa, have you? I need your help.”

"—When did I become the art director of your gallery? You mean, when I just turned 18? Then Vanessa left New York, so… you should have told me sooner. I absolutely don't want to be in the public eye. My biggest enemy is the IRS. Besides, I can't even remember my age anymore. Anyway, the number on my ID is definitely too young… Okay, but I insist that Bayonetta and Jeanne both participate. I can't bear this hardship alone. Don't worry, I'm sure their entire wardrobe of a thousand gowns will come in handy. We'll be wearing at least one form-fitting evening gown every night."

"He was just joking! Absolutely not!" Bayonetta quickly interjected. The witch's cheeks flushed, and she hurriedly said goodbye to Athena before hanging up. However, Athena on the other end of the line had already sensed something; Salomon had even heard her mocking tone before she hung up. "You actually wanted your foster mother to think I was a—" She was both ashamed and angry, a rare expression for the usually strong-willed witch. But she hadn't anticipated Salomon's next move, "There's a child here, you pig!"

The girl stared wide-eyed as Salomon scooped the witch up in his arms, then cheered and clapped excitedly, uttering incomprehensible words. To her, it seemed like some kind of amusing performance, and she even hoped Salomon would do it again. The witch glared at her fiercely, thinking to herself when she could throw the little one back.

"We'll make it after afternoon tea." Bayonetta patted the sorcerer's head. "Joan of Arc will be arriving at the restaurant soon; it's two against one this afternoon. When are you planning to name this girl? She can't live like this forever; you need to start educating her. At least... at least teach her not to come into our room and snuggle into your arms in the early morning—we're all naked then!"

"I believe Diana will be able to teach her, and as for a name... I already have one in mind."

The name Miriam is perfectly suited to her as a root word. In the Bible, this name belongs to Moses' sister, the prophet. Salomon wants to help the girl escape the power of the First Demon Pillar, and the most effective way is to use his own power and protect her. This name defines the girl as someone who conveys Salomon's voice, which is far more powerful and direct than words like "protector." Generally speaking, a true name can be understood as a kind of mathematical formula for interpreting the soul; solving this formula means mastering all the secrets of that person.

Secrets are power, which is why extradimensional beings fear their true names being known by other beings. It signifies absolute control, even threatening their very existence. Salomon possesses the true names of the seventy-two Demon Pillars, and aside from the most loyal Phoenix, the other Demon Pillars consider him a threat. Without the true names, Salomon's negotiations with Malbus would not have gone so smoothly. If it were only candy, Malbus would never have relinquished the extradimensional foundry and betrayed the other extradimensional beings with Salomon. This is also why the First Demon Pillar, Baal, was determined to kill Salomon—the threat posed by Salomon, who possessed Marduk's true name and its seal, was simply too great. As long as he lived, the Seventh Throne could never belong to Marduk; all of its tricks to interfere with the material universe would be seen through and understood by Salomon, even its sneezing would be known. For example, when this girl fell into Salomon's hands and was given direct protection, the First Demon Pillar's plan completely failed; it could no longer descend into the material universe through her soul.

The reason why Commander Constantine of the Guardian rushed to the S.H.I.E.L.D. warehouse to steal the boxes and documents was to master the technology for creating special magical lattice materials. The first use of this technology was to isolate and suppress the girl's connection to the outer dimensions, preventing her from being possessed by the First Primal Primal. Salomon's choice of name for her serves the same purpose; he won't be at peace unless he buries the First Primal Primal in a coffin and hammers ten thousand nails into it.

"That name is awful, darling," Bayonetta said, patting the girl's head as she was put down. The witch Amber was also a magic expert; the competition for the witch's title required more than just fighting. Alchemy, summoning, mythology, and history were all part of the assessment. Bayonetta immediately understood Salomon's plan. On one hand, she admired the sorcerer's kindness; on the other hand, she felt it was too dangerous for Salomon to directly provide protection. Others might use the girl's name to uncover bits and pieces of Salomon's true name. "I'll solve this problem," she said. "There are so many gods in this world; there's bound to be a way, isn't there?"

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)