Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1089 (First Update)

T'Challa ignored the polite farewell from the German officials.

He walked along the sidewalk of Berlin's François-François, shrouded in the shadows of the buildings, towards a hotel near St. Hedwig's Cathedral. With each step, his anger grew, forcing him to clench his fists to suppress it. Because of his special status, and the fact that his father, T'Chaka, was the only casualty of the Vienna meeting, the German government did not punish him for his involvement in the pursuit of the Winter Soldier, James Buchanan, alongside Captain America, Steve Rogers. They did not confine him to that building or confiscate all his equipment, unlike Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson.

However, a week had passed since James Buchanan's arrest, and Germany still refused to remove the Winter Soldier from the building—whose ownership was unclear—and hand him over to Wakanda for trial. The German Foreign Ministry repeatedly expressed its difficulties politely, and each time he received the same empty official platitudes: "Deepest condolences, but we are powerless to help," stating that they absolutely could not release the felons Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson.

T'Challa visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs daily to inquire about the current situation and request to interrogate the Winter Soldier. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, who eventually received him, stated that the Winter Soldier was extremely dangerous and that the interrogation process required the involvement of professionals. Germany has now hired a professional criminal psychologist from the United States to assist with the interrogation; prior to this, for security reasons, no one is allowed to interrogate the Winter Soldier alone. However, when T'Challa asked about keeping the Winter Soldier in a building instead of a prison, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stammered and used words like "influence." Finally, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, losing patience, stated that the international community demands that the Winter Soldier, James Buchanan, accept the judgment of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, not the laws of any single country.

T'Challa knew perfectly well that this was all empty talk. That so-called criminal psychologist was definitely an agent; the Americans would never hand over such a crucial intelligence source as the Winter Soldier to a "small country" like Wakanda. The International Criminal Court in The Hague wasn't a fair court, but a tool for issuing meaningless judgments. He considered using force to simply seize the Winter Soldier; it had always been an option. He could take the Winter Soldier out of that building, stuff him into the stealth aircraft, and bring him back to Wakanda. European air defenses wouldn't be a problem for him, and the stealth aircraft wouldn't be detected by current human radar technology.

But just a few days earlier, T'Challa had spoken with his mother and Shuri about Latovina.

He knew who founded that nation and the predicament Latvinia was in, as well as the cooperation Wakanda and Latvinia had forged during this time. The Queen repeatedly warned him never to let Wakanda fall into the same predicament, as this was not what King T'Chaka wanted to see. Therefore, whenever the members of the Royal Guard who had stayed with him in Germany suggested using force, he would tell them that it did not conform to his father's ideas. The King wanted Wakanda to stand on the world stage, not to be at odds with the world; Wakanda wanted to demonstrate peace, not force.

However, even he himself couldn't convince himself with these words.

A car slowly drove along the highway. T'Challa warily watched the windows, which were tinted with dark reflective film, while clenching his fists, ready to strike at any moment. The rear window slowly rolled down, and T'Challa breathed a sigh of relief, for it was an acquaintance. He opened the car door and got in, then curiously looked at the short-haired man sitting in the driver's seat.

"You're Clint, right? This is your first appearance since the Ultron incident."

"That doesn't count," Clint said with a smile and a shake of his head. "I'm retired now, I'm just helping an old friend out."

"What's your plan, Agent Romanov?" T'Challa asked, glancing at the red-haired woman sitting in the back seat. "Or do you just want to chat?"

"Secretary of State Thaddeus E. Ross will arrive in Berlin in two hours, accompanied by Tony Stark. This should be the biggest news in a week, aside from the attacks in Latvia and New York; everyone is watching." Natasha Romanoff didn't smile. She went straight to the point, wasting no time. "Our objectives may differ somewhat, but we still have common ground, Prince T'Challa. The Winter Soldier absolutely cannot be taken away by the U.S. government. If he's taken by the CIA, we'll never see him again."

"A criminal psychology expert?" T'Challa asked.

"That's exactly what I was thinking, but we don't have the tools to impersonate that expert." Hawkeye Clint looked in the rearview mirror. "All of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s assets have been divided up by the FBI and CIA. Even if there are safe houses that aren't registered, we wouldn't store that kind of thing there."

“However, I did manage to find the hotel where that expert was staying.” Natasha Romanoff handed T'Challa a tablet computer, the screen displaying the expert's public information. “This might help, but given the current situation, we don't have many better options. I suggest you talk to Tony Stark; perhaps he can allow you to participate in the interrogation of the Winter Soldier…”

T'Challa paused for a moment. "There's still half of the King's Guard left in Berlin."

"So?" Natasha Romanov looked puzzled.

“We’re not some primitive tribe in suits, Agent Romanoff.” T’Challa pointed to his ring, his eyes blazing with anger. “Primitive tribes can’t create vibranium suits. Our Wakanda’s technology is a thousand years ahead of current human society. Our isolation is no reason for the world to look down on us. Time is of the essence, I’ll handle this. Just stop at this intersection near St. Hedwig’s Cathedral. I’m staying at a five-star hotel here; I’m sure you’re aware of that, right?”

After dropping T'Challa off at the hotel, Clint turned to look at his old friend in the back seat, whose face looked rather grim. "I thought Wakanda was some primitive African country," he said. "Judging from your expression, it doesn't seem like that at all."

"Looks like we're in big trouble, Clint." Natasha Romanoff shook her head. "Have you prepared a safe route?"

"Lola has everything arranged; she and the baby will be fine."

"Thanks, Clint." Agent Romanoff sighed and began adjusting her equipment. There was a secret safe house in Berlin used by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that hadn't been seized by the CIA; she'd been living there recently, discreetly gathering information. The hotel where the criminal psychologist was staying was the information she'd found out. "I'm starting to regret dragging you out of your retirement."

"You're welcome," Clint said with a smile.

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"Flying on your private jet was a terrible experience, Mr. Secretary," Tony Stark began to grumble as soon as he stepped off the plane, a topic he had already reiterated hundreds of times on the flight. "Can't you just fly on your own private jet? I don't think it's fun to cram that PR team and the Secret Service into a Gulfstream. At least it should be a Boeing! And my pilot isn't a fighter pilot. Maybe he used to be, but next time, please don't force him to treat a private jet like an F-22!"

"This is urgent, Stark." Secretary of State Ross listened to Tony Stark's complaints without batting an eye. "Did you bring your equipment?"

"Keep it with you forever." Stark pointed to the black plane that landed later. "I promise it won't be stolen."

“Very well, just in case,” the Secretary of State said. “Perhaps your old friend will hinder our operations, after all, we all know the Winter Soldier is his old friend. It would be even better if you could persuade Steve Rogers to sign the agreement. America needs a Captain America who can represent the superiority of democracy, and he is the best choice. Tony, this is related to the presidential election in five months, so Colonel Rhodes will be coming over later.”

"I won't lay a hand on him!" Tony Stark jumped up like a cat with its fur standing on end. He felt the intense sunlight reflecting off the aircraft stinging his neck, and the heat made his skin unbearably itchy. "Never!" Although not as tall as the former Secretary of State, Tony Stark still stood in front of him, pointing a finger at him menacingly. "Ross, listen to me. I don't care about your damn presidential election, I will never lay a hand on Steve Rogers! Do you understand?"

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(End of this chapter)