Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1010, Part 1006: The Vatican's Invitation (Second Update)

Even after spending so much time with the monarch, Stephanie couldn't truly define him. A complex web of contradictory emotions seemed to reside within him; cruelty and kindness, compassion and indifference coexisted within his heart. Even his occasional expressions of emotion made it incredibly difficult for others to discern his true thoughts. Even the psychological analysis department previously established by S.H.I.E.L.D., led by Agent Melinda May's ex-husband Andrew, couldn't provide Nick Fury with a sufficiently accurate psychological model to give the King of Agents an advantage in his negotiations with Salomon.

The only successful negotiation occurred when Thor descended, which Nick Fury attempted with a casual attitude. However, Salomon, having become wary, never gave him another chance.

Fortunately, Stephanie Malik found a way to work with him: acting in the best interests of the group. As long as the actions were for the greater good, no matter how despicable, the monarch of the Immortal City would approve. That's why Stephanie could take it upon herself to complicate Helmut Zemo's mission without fear of the monarch's wrath—she knew what her superior wanted; she was the clean-cut white glove, willingly and happily playing the role. This was Gideon Malik's advice; the Malik family had never done anything to anger the monarch of the Immortal City. Whether the Malik family used their power for personal gain, gradually annexing the wealth of the conglomerate, or expanding their influence in politics, as long as it provided sufficient benefits to the Immortal City, the monarch could turn a blind eye to their actions, because those things couldn't affect his control over the Malik family.

A monarch's greatest concern is the control over his subjects, and Gideon Malik understands perfectly well where the red lines lie for someone wielding absolute violence. It must be said that this feudal, centralized ideology is extremely applicable to the Malik family and the Immortal City as a whole. Especially in recent years, Gideon Malik has never mentioned to anyone except Stephanie the fact that the monarch mentioned at the founding of the Immortal City that the Malik family could establish a private army. Even the Malik family's bodyguards are trained soldiers from the Immortal City. This old fox has left the monarch with no excuse or evidence to suggest that the Malik family harbors any disloyal intentions.

After all his negotiating partners had (been forced) to disappear, Salomon immediately got up and left the tent, heading towards the assault transport ship parked outside. Supiluliumas blinked and quickly followed the monarch's steps. He racked his brains but still couldn't figure out how his last conversation partner, Helmut Zemo, had disappeared. The magical skills involved in this matter were quite advanced; he only knew that it was exactly the same method the monarch used to send the Royal Guard to the training camp planet.

Hammurabi escorted Supiluliumas with his shield raised, and had been waiting in the cabin for some time by the time Supiluliumas boarded the assault transport. Only after the monarch was seated and fastened his seatbelt did he lower his shield and greatsword, and ask Supiluliumas, who stood guard at the slowly closing ramp door, "Did you wash the cup? The ceramic one with the cat expression? The one you took out of the armory!"

"Of course," Supiluliumas replied, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"That's my favorite mug, and you're using it to serve tea to guests?" Hammurabi glared at him. Although he was still wearing his helmet, Supiluliumas swore on his halberd that he had definitely glared at him. "I let you bring my mug so I could have tea during my breaks; it's a limited edition item I bought online!"

"Oh, I thought you were preparing for the meeting to ensure our Lord's success, since that stuff is in the armory." Supiluliumas shrugged. It wasn't easy for someone wearing power armor, especially while carrying that massive shield. Power armor could provide some assistance, but ultimately, the physical fitness of the Royal Guard was essential. "What does it matter? I won't even hold you accountable for using my peanut butter at breakfast." Supiluliumas glanced furtively at the monarch, who was resting with his eyes closed in his chair, and spoke to Hammurabi through the Royal Guard's internal communication channel. "Did you notice the pattern in the people our Lord was discussing things with today? I know our Lord often engages in educational activities, and I approve of this approach that encourages independent thinking. But given that we'll be working together for some time, I need you to prove you're wise enough to understand our Lord's profound intentions. After all, we are the guardians of the new era, aren't we?"

Hammurabi remained silent for a moment, looking at Supiluliumas with a somewhat incredulous expression. It wasn't until the assault transport began to accelerate, the engine vibrations transmitting through his powered armor to him, that he spoke, "I'd rather believe you're simply too stupid to see it."

"You two idiots, there's absolutely no deeper meaning to this." Salomon's voice, laced with mocking amusement, burst into the communication channel. "Stop overthinking, you two muscle-bound bastards. Go to the library and read some books; you're not needed for the rest of the work. Supilulius, pour me a cup of Earl Grey tea; I'm sure there's still some tea in the armory. Add a touch of brandy, please."

"My lord, perhaps your loyal servant Supilulius has other uses besides brewing tea."

"I know, I think your best skill right now is making tea," Salomon said slowly, sipping the tea served by the guards. "But coincidentally, I think a task is perfect for you. Don't worry, Hammurabi, if anyone dares to attack me, I'm sure you can take them all on your own. Let Supiluliumas's muscle brain relax a bit, or the sweat in that stupid brain will be pouring out of his tear ducts. He must have failed the transformation; I should have never let him pass the test."

"I didn't know our modified tear glands could drain hydrocephalus."

“I don’t know either.” Salomon chuckled, picked up the data desk, and sent a file to the database of the Supiluliumas power armor. “I need you to find this person, Supiluliumas. For this mission, you can retrieve an anti-gravity jet motorcycle from the garage as a personal vehicle—in fact, you can all retrieve them; I don’t need to assign these details. Just do whatever it takes to get the mission done. I need you to go to this place and secretly help these people eliminate some heavily armed mercenaries. Protect the target’s safety at all costs; she absolutely cannot be seriously injured. A major event that will happen in a few months is closely related to her, and I need to be 100% sure of her safety until then. Hammurabi, our next stop is the Vatican; I’ve received an invitation.”

It was a silver carrier pigeon.

The openwork technique and crystal glass allowed one to see the constantly turning gears inside the carrier pigeon, like those of a clock, while exquisitely carved rubies served as its eyes. Hammurabi discovered that the carrier pigeon retained its animalistic behavior when perched on the monarch's hand; even when the monarch moved slightly violently, it would flap its mirror-like wings to maintain its balance. Salomon snapped his fingers, and his clothes instantly changed into his usual deep red robes of the holy relics. Every jewel and gold ornament on the heavy fabric was neatly set in its proper place, and the hem was adorned with openwork gold decorations, like the copper edging of a heavy book.

"Jorge Mario Bergoglio is a nice fellow. I'd be happy to chat with him and, incidentally, discuss the fate of a certain nun."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)