Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 111 The Escaped Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Revised!)

What happened after Thor picked up Mjolnir again was far more complicated than Salomon had told Bayonetta; his version was a simplified one. Especially after receiving Bayonetta's delightful punishment for staying out all night, he was even less inclined to speak; that jerk could no longer enter his mind.

It's important to understand that spellcasters' attire is extremely complex. Kamar-Taj's uniform was merely shortened at the hem for easier movement, but Salomon also donned a scutes robe. The dust kicked up by Thor's spinning hammer alone was enough to keep Salomon clean for quite some time. Not to mention what happened later when Thor destroyed the Destroyer armor; if Salomon hadn't erected a shield to block the sandstorm, his hood would have been filled with sand from New Mexico.

At that time, he also had to endure Tony Stark's endless questioning, because the guy was even more interested in him than in the Destroyer. He kept nagging Salomon, almost interrupting Salomon's focused spell cleansing.

Salomon hasn't figured out how to get revenge on Nick Fury yet.

"You can't take this." Agent Coulson arrived alone in his car as Salomon cast his spell on the damaged Destroyer. He greeted Tony Stark first, then addressed Salomon. He said, "Salomon Damonette, I don't know why you're here, but Director Fury has ordered me to stop you from taking this."

"Ha, Nick Fury found another loophole, only telling you my name but not the rest of the information?" Salomon was so angry he almost laughed, but due to the illusion concealing his face, no one could see his features. "He didn't break the contract by doing this. Doesn't that old fox dare to come down and face me himself? He should know I can find him."

"What is a contract?" Tony Stark's interruption went unnoticed by others.

"I've investigated you, but that was many years ago," Agent Coulson replied calmly. "In Salem, the robbery of Senator White and the fire in town—that's when I started investigating you. Then there was the murder in Colin, and all the evidence pointed to you."

He glanced at Salomon's pink diamond ring on his right hand and said, "I assume that's Senator White's ring. I don't know your relationship with Director Fury, but my orders are to leave the Destroyer armor."

"You've certainly given everything for this investigation, Agent Coulson." Salomon removed the illusion concealing his face; after all, the other two present knew his name and appearance, so there was no point in hiding it any longer. "While I'm very impressed with your efforts, I've already reached an agreement with your superior. Your investigation can no longer proceed."

"That operation also put me under investigation." Agent Coulson remained expressionless, revealing little information to Tony Stark. "But that's all in the past. Now, S.H.I.E.L.D. is in charge here."

The reason Nick Fury urged Salomon to take action was simple: Salomon had shown Nick Fury his bottom line from the very beginning, and Nick Fury then naturally conducted a test to see how much Salomon tolerated his exploitation of loopholes in the contract (lawful evil behavior).

Constantly testing, constantly approaching the line, stopping just before completely enraging Salomon. This is part of what's taught at S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, a mandatory course for all agents—manipulating an object you can't control. By tentatively crossing the line, observing the object's reaction, it's like trying to touch a strange cat—carefully and slowly reaching out, quickly withdrawing just before being bitten.

For experienced people, they will eventually be able to pet the cat. This method is called PUA among ordinary people, but Professor X's methods are much more sophisticated, and the name is not so bad.

His bottom line was exposed too quickly, and his extensive interactions with Nick Fury gave him a clear understanding of Salomon's character. He knew that even if he truly angered Salomon, Salomon wouldn't vent his fury on innocent bystanders, but would instead come after him. This was why he had Agent Coulson contact Salomon. Furthermore, dealing with someone as disciplined as Salomon was incredibly easy for Nick Fury. He could simply claim he was acting for the safety of the public, ensuring the Destroyer armor wouldn't threaten ordinary lives after achieving its objectives—and as Nick Fury expected, this excuse was extremely effective. For an organization like Kamar-Taj, using a moral high ground to blackmail them was the most effective approach.

The remaining task is to mend the relationship.

Nick Fury promised that once Salomon calmed down, he would make amends for what had happened—a privilege no one else received. This was entirely because Salomon had the ability to enter the Tri-Wing at any time, find Nick Fury, or enter the White House and kill the President of the United States.

He said those things via text message, like an apology text message. Nick Fury didn't dare risk completely enraging Salomon; he knew he wasn't exactly a friend of Salomon's, and he would always have to pay a price for doing something like this. However, he was more willing to pay the price he wanted to pay.

"Nuclear fusion strike detected en route!" That was Salomon's reply.

He needed to do something to warn Nick Fury not to play tricks, that refusing his request would be asking for trouble, and that he wasn't so easy to talk to, nor was he some wildcat to be petted. Nick Fury had tricked him once, and he would naturally return the favor; he was now dragging S.H.I.E.L.D. into a trap.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. should know what they should and shouldn't do. I have no interest in showing you what Nick Fury saw again." Salomon stopped rambling because he suddenly had an idea, an idea that could break Nick Fury's heart.

Nick Fury was unaware of the Destroyer Armor's immense importance. It was the supreme weapon used by the Allfather to repel the Celestials, second only to Gungnir in importance to Asgard. Otherwise, Odin wouldn't have entrusted the Destroyer Armor as the guardian of his treasure vault. If S.H.I.E.L.D. insisted on taking on this hot potato, a conflict between Asgard and S.H.I.E.L.D. would be inevitable when the Allfather wanted to reclaim the armor.

Salomon didn't know how Asgard planned to retrieve the Destroyer armor—whether it would be retrieved directly via the Bifrost or by sending Heroic Spirits. Salomon felt the first possibility was most likely, as Asgard didn't have military access rights on Earth. Furthermore, Heimdall controlled the Bifrost, and his eyes were not something S.H.I.E.L.D. could block with cement and alloy plates. The Bifrost, essentially a planet-destroying magic system, could easily penetrate S.H.I.E.L.D.'s defenses, no matter where they hid the Destroyer armor.

But how do you instill Nick Fury's greed and make this skinny she-wolf (Divine Comedy, Chapter 1) fixated on the armor? The only way is to tell Nick Fury about the Destroyer armor's power while omitting any mention of its importance.

Salomon then began to praise the armor in an extremely exaggerated manner.

"This is the Allfather's most powerful armor, its history dating back to before the birth of human civilization, embodying the power of countless gods," he said. "That power is immense, far greater than you can imagine. Don't think Thor damaged it; it's because Loki couldn't unleash its full power. Given time, it will regenerate on its own."

"S.H.I.E.L.D. can guarantee that this thing won't fall into anyone's hands. The Destroyer armor is safe with S.H.I.E.L.D. We'll put it in a 'sandbox.' No tags, no archives, no one will know it exists." Agent Coulson explained patiently, but Salomon was certain that he had a headset in his ear, and Nick Fury heard what Agent Coulson heard as well.

Thus, the fox fell into the trap.

"I don't know where the sandbox is, but I can assure you that as long as Heimdall wants to find the Destroyer Armor, he can see it. Even if you bury the Destroyer Armor in the Earth's core or launch it into the sun, Heimdall can still see it." Salomon didn't mention the true nature of the Bifrost. If S.H.I.E.L.D. knew, Nick Fury would back down, and he would likely hand over the Destroyer to Salomon to take back.

The statement "The Rainbow Bridge will descend upon Earth again" is true, but Salomon did not say where the Rainbow Bridge would descend to, whether it would descend directly upon S.H.I.E.L.D., or whether it would send people there through the Rainbow Bridge. He didn't mention it at all.

Then, offer a condition that the other party cannot accept: "The best option is for me to take it away, thus preventing the wrath of the Father of Gods from descending upon Earth."

Then, I offered a more reasonable condition: "I know what S.H.I.E.L.D. is up to. No problem. If you insist on going your own way and are willing to bear the wrath of the Allfathers, then I have no objection. You can take the Destroyer armor, but you'll have to bear the consequences yourself."

[Pre-warning of threats], a contractual clause, which Salomon fulfilled. He was telling the truth, just not the whole story.

"I will submit your report. But until then, the Destroyer armor will be handled by S.H.I.E.L.D.," Agent Coulson said. "I fully understand your concerns. Your opinions will be taken seriously by higher-ups, and S.H.I.E.L.D. experts will conduct thorough research and careful consideration of your opinions, ultimately producing a satisfactory result."

Nick Fury chose the second option, albeit through Coulson's words. Agent Coulson's rhetoric was as forceful as Nick Fury's desire for the Destroyer armor. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s choice was within Salomon's expectations; even though he had made the facts clear, Nick Fury's greed meant he would never let go.

Salomon speculated that his confidence in facing Asgard stemmed from Jane Foster's presence. Nick Fury was already aware of the importance of Jane Foster's research, and S.H.I.E.L.D. would support it. Furthermore, she was Asgard's heir and Thor's girlfriend. Nick Fury believed Asgard would value Thor's opinion, and even if Asgard wanted to reclaim the Destroyer armor, they would send someone to communicate with them.

At that point, he could seize the research results of the Destroyer Armor while simultaneously handing it over under pressure from Asgard. He believed he could then justify his actions to everyone, and even Congress and the World Security Council would be unable to hold him accountable.

However, Thor's wife can only be Sif, chosen by the Queen of the Gods, not Jane Foster. On important matters, Odin will not give Thor any leeway.

"Are you serious?" Tony Stark's eyes widened. "You're just giving me that bureaucratic babble, Philip Coulson! Aren't we supposed to be discussing solutions? If you can't, then bring Nick Fury. Someone can always fix this."

"Sorry, this is an order," Coulson said.

"Alright, but I need the opportunity to study it." Tony Stark's eyes darted around. He glanced at Salomon, then at Agent Coulson. "Surely that's possible? I can at least study that thing before the results are in, right?"

"But S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't have the authority to decide on the Destroyer armor, and I hope you understand that. Given your rank, Agent Coulson, I can't say too much to you."

[To clarify the facts regarding matters of the magical realm and to discuss them together] Contract complete.

After saying that, Salomon turned and left, shaking off Tony Stark who wanted to follow him. If S.H.I.E.L.D. had divided the Destroyer armor, then the number of pieces would allow for multiple attacks on the Bifrost. However, for this to happen, Salomon needed to push things along; he needed to go to Asgard to retrieve the documents Sif had taken, which needed to be archived in Kamar-Taj.

However, before doing so, Salomon needed to consult the Sorcerer Supreme, because the fate of the Destroyer armor was decided not only by Odin, the Allfather, but also by the Sorcerer Supreme. Odin naturally wanted to reclaim the Destroyer, but Earth was the Sorcerer Supreme's territory. Only after the Sorcerer Supreme's order was given could Salomon find a loophole to exploit.

Salomon opened a portal to London, bought some fries, and then opened another portal to Kamar-Taj headquarters to meet His Holiness.

After hearing Salomon's account, the Sorcerer Supreme made no comment regarding the fate of the Destroyer armor. Whether S.H.I.E.L.D. researched it or Odin retrieved it, Kamar-Taj's objective had been achieved; the rest was no longer important.

"Thor will be a worthy king of Asgard." The Venerable placed a cup of tea with honey before Salomon. After so many years, Salomon's taste had become quite similar to the Master's. The Venerable said, "This 'worthy' refers to Earth, not Asgard. He does not yet possess the judgment of a monarch, but he values ​​the lives of the Nine Realms enough, and that is sufficient. His growth is just right."

"Master, was all of this part of your plan?" Salomon asked, slowly sipping his cold tea. "I always feel something's not right. Why are Thor and his hammer on Earth, and not somewhere else in the Nine Realms?"

"This is Odin's scheme." The Sorcerer Supreme unhesitatingly pinned the blame on Odin, "because Kamar-Taj is here."

"I think there are probably more reasons than just these?"

"Alright, I also did my part," the Venerable One said with a hint of helplessness. "Of the Nine Realms, apart from Jotunheim (the land of frost giants) and Muspelheim (the land of fire), which are complete enemies of Asgard, all the others have completely submitted to Asgard. Earth is special, though. Because of my existence, Earth has autonomy. Here, only a very few people know about Asgard and Thor. To allow Thor to become a mortal and experience mortal life, landing on Earth is indeed the best choice. For this, I made a small deal with Odin."

"trade?"

"Yes. The deal is that Thor will become the king of Asgard, the protector of the Nine Realms, instead of a ruthless ruler like Odin." The Venerable One concealed part of the conversation, saying, "Odin is running out of time; he has no choice but to agree to this condition."

"So..." Salomon asked hesitantly, "Then Jane Foster... my aphrodisiac didn't work, and I didn't see any other Kamar-Taj sorcerers there."

"Perhaps this is fate, Salomon." The Venerable added a spoonful of honey to Salomon's tea without changing his expression. "Jane Foster was destined to meet Thor, and she was destined to fall in love with him. I did not interfere with any of the conditions, but that's how it happened. As long as Jane Foster met Thor, she would fall in love with him. Perhaps this is fate."

"This is truly... creepy." Salomon downed the cloyingly sweet tea in one gulp. If the Venerable One were to continue adding honey, he would be the first to develop diabetes.

"This is a subject you cannot yet approach: despair in the face of fate." The Venerable seemed somewhat displeased with Salomon's reduced sugar intake. "Now, go take a shower. You've missed a day of classes, and Dormammu hasn't seen you all day either."

"Alright then," Salomon raised his hands in surrender. "Today, we'll choose this story, 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.' What do you think? I'm sure the Faltin man has never heard this story before; he'll like it."

Released on New Year's Day! Two updates daily! Even more for donations!

However, I still need to ask for your recommendation votes first!

(End of this chapter)