Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1079, Section 1075: Transformation and Weakness (First Update)

"Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson are still in CIA prison. Only the Wakanda prince was released early on diplomatic grounds and is waiting outside for Captain Rogers' friend. So I can't help with this, and don't expect me to. Besides, you still owe me a payment, Tony Stark. You owe me too much."

"What do you want?" Tony Stark asked impatiently.

"I need an infectious disease expert who has absolutely no connection to the US military, and your biological lab. The virus cultivated by the US military in a biological lab in Nigeria has already appeared in Turkey, and I suspect the transmission chain has now reached Greece. Because those diseases are so rare in Europe, the whole of Europe is unprepared. The next step is either a large-scale spread leading to a tragedy, or we successfully eradicate the transmission route completely."

Nigeria? Could it be...?

"Hydra, with its no-fixed-salary system, is incredibly cheap. It's perfect for hiring them to do missions that don't want to be tracked by US intelligence. Yes, the place where the Avengers caused such a huge mess—those Wakandas were working with our people on an investigation. The main objective was to study the local infectious disease outbreak. We were supposed to compare the sample with local biological samples as soon as we got it, but nobody expected Crossbones to be so unprofessional, and nobody expected the Avengers to be so bored as to go to Nigeria! The Avengers only cause trouble, not solve problems. I've said from the beginning that the Avengers are as impulsive as teenagers, but nobody except Nick Fury listened!"

Tony Stark glanced at Peter Parker.

The young man stared at him blankly, then quickly covered his ears to indicate that he hadn't heard anything, and even if he had, he wouldn't tell anyone. Tony Stark knew the world wasn't black and white. While using Hydra remnants was unseemly, he had encountered far worse things, and he had no objection to keeping the young man away from that gray world.

"Let's continue. What else do you know about the biological laboratories in Nigeria?"

"Anyway, we eventually obtained samples from the US military's biological laboratories in Nigeria and Ukraine, biological samples from Nigerian civilians, and biological samples from Turkish civilians for comparison. The results showed that the viral RNA sequences of the four samples were highly identical, all targeting Slavic populations. The vaccines I prepared earlier cannot cope with so many types of diseases, and the number and types of vaccines prepared by the Wakanda are also insufficient. Therefore, I need to set up a shell company, and I need your biological laboratories and absolutely clean personnel to develop and produce vaccines. This matter needs to be kept absolutely secret, otherwise the pharmaceutical companies, the military, and the World Vaccine Alliance will tear you to pieces." Salomon's expression was solemn. "The next president belongs to the Republican Party, and Republican voters have always looked down on Silicon Valley elites like you. Your stable relationship with the military will no longer exist after that night because of your defeat with Colonel Rhodes. You want to be Secretary of Defense, no problem, I can help you secure that position without Secretary of State Ross's connections in the military, but I need to reach an agreement with you."

"How could you possibly help me with this?"

"I've never been a superhero. I'm not stupid enough not to recognize who the enemy is, nor am I stupid enough not to prepare once I do. In any case, I need you to provide me with detailed information on the U.S. military's biological laboratories around the world after you become Secretary of Defense." This agreement could not be put on paper, but Salomon knew how to ensure it would be implemented as planned, drawing inspiration from Nick Fury's past methods.

"make a deal?"

"Aren't we in the hospital parking lot?" Happy Hogan's eyes widened as if waking from a dream. He found himself parked at a traffic light. This was the only way to Stark Industries, near Grand Central Station in New York. He had completely lost all memory of getting here from the hospital. However, Tony Stark simply shrugged, offering little response. Only Happy Hogan was still wondering if everything he had just experienced was a dream. As for Peter Parker, the terrifying discussion and deal he had just witnessed completely extinguished any urge to speak to his idol. The information he had heard was simply too horrifying—infectious diseases, death, and behind-the-scenes deals—these unbearably heavy things plunged him into deep thought.

On one hand, a simple sense of justice was gradually rising within him; on the other hand, there was a deep-seated sense of powerlessness after learning who the instigator was. These two feelings tugged at him, almost tearing him in two. The pride that should have belonged to a teenager after realizing he was different was almost gone in this tug-of-war. For the first time, Peter Parker realized the limits of his abilities; the world couldn't be made better by mere enthusiasm. Tony Stark opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't say what he wanted to say. He no longer intended to involve this teenager in this matter; the lesson at the United Nations headquarters had been severe enough. Moreover, he had noticed the change in Peter Parker. Although this kind of adversity training wasn't popular here, he believed it was very beneficial for Peter Parker.

"You participated in Stark Industries' Youth Foundation training," he said. "Don't forget that."

Signing the agreement was only one of Salomon's purposes in coming to New York, not the whole thing.

For Salomon, the new king of a nascent empire, there were still many things he needed to resolve. After getting off the train midway, he walked to Manhattan's affluent district, entering a building he had purchased with his own wealth. Ample security completely separated this place from the chaos of Manhattan's slums; there were no gunshots, no malnourished non-white people. The building possessed a vast and luxurious penthouse. Even when New York was in utter chaos, numerous long-term contracted suppliers ensured the penthouse's supply, with a steady stream of expensive seasonal ingredients delivered, and uninterrupted electricity and gas supplies.

"Wanda." He pushed open the door and saw the woman sitting on the sofa. "You haven't been to the Immortal City for over a week."

"I know." She didn't turn around at the sound of the door opening, and remained seated on the sofa even after Salomon spoke. Salomon walked over and sat opposite her, looking at the dull gem she held in her palm. "I'm studying." She wore a wrinkled cotton nightgown, her eyes filled with weariness. Wanda's complexion was quite unpleasant, and her hair was disheveled, but the deep red horned tiara she wore was impeccably clean. "So much knowledge."

"I'm glad to see you're not wallowing in the pain of killing with your own hands, Wanda," Salomon said.

Vision's remains have been recovered by agents from the Immortal City infiltrated at the Avengers base. Aside from Maria Hill, who continues her work as usual, no one has noticed Vision's disappearance. Tony Stark is still searching for the missing Bruce Banner, and Maria Hill hasn't chosen this moment to disturb him. Therefore, he remains unaware of Vision's situation, still believing the robot is obediently staying at the Avengers base. But it won't be long before he discovers Vision's disappearance, though no one will tell him the truth unless Salomon produces the Infinity Stone.

“I’m in so much pain, teacher. I see my whole life reflected in this gem,” Wanda said. “It questions me every day. I see the scene of me killing Vision every day. I feel that Vision is very important to me from somewhere I don’t know, and it’s questioning me about why I would kill someone who is important to me. It says I made a mistake and that it can make amends.”

“If I hadn’t taught you, Vision would be very important to you, after all, he represents one of the possibilities of the multiverse.” Salomon reached out and took the gem from her hand. After he did this, Wanda’s mental state visibly improved; the crimson horned crown she wore gradually disintegrated into crimson lines and finally disappeared. “This gem possesses extremely high intelligence; those possibilities are its deductions. Your emotions are currently being manipulated by it; otherwise, that robot would be nothing to you. It wants you to submit to the emotions it created, to willingly become its agent, just like Vision. Remember what I told you at the beginning?”

"Be wary of anything that offers benefits; always seek an equivalent exchange."

"Whether it's an outer dimension or a gem, it's the same; things given away for free always have some ulterior motive." Salomon nodded and stood up. He placed his hand on Wanda's head. "Go take a shower; I'll make you a delicious lunch. Cheer up; this universe won't stop because of our weakness."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)