Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1225 King of Spies (Second Update)

An eerie silence spread through the moss growing on the walls. The humidity in the air grew increasingly high, making it stifling and hot, with occasional drops of water falling from the ceiling of the corridor. Along the way, they saw many bizarre corpses: the bodies of indigenous people with their lips cut off, and the dismembered remains of Trinity mercenaries. The pungent, foul stench of blood spread, flowed, and diluted along the damp stone floor. Camilla and her team members felt the stone beneath their feet becoming increasingly slippery, their anti-slip tactical boots slowly becoming unreliable.

Everything here suggests that the Trinity mercenaries engaged in a long-term conflict with the indigenous people.

Under normal circumstances, Trinity, equipped with modern rapid-fire weapons, could easily wipe out the indigenous people with their superior firepower. What the Spanish, British, Dutch, and French could do with muzzle-loading muskets, there was no reason why these Trinity mercenaries couldn't. However, in Camilla's team's eyes, the corpses of Trinity mercenaries far outnumbered those of the indigenous people. Many indigenous people had been shot multiple times before falling, and they had even encountered dying indigenous people who, despite having their limbs severed by bullets, still howled and lunged at them.

“They’re not afraid of pain.” Laura Crawford picked up a knife and scraped a black, paste-like substance from the teeth of a native. It could be a mixture of dried blood, plant debris, mineral powder, or something else. “It could be some kind of stimulant, coca leaves, or something similar. Perhaps they know of some secret passage we don’t, which is why they caught these mercenaries off guard. Watch your head and your surroundings; natives might suddenly appear from some unknown corner.”

Camilla reassured Laura Crawford; she and her squad had received systematic CQB training. However, the same was true for the Trinity mercenaries. Many were former Marines, whose adherence to law-abiding behavior was questionable; brawling and violations of military discipline were commonplace. After all, their education levels before enlisting were low, unlike those upper-class individuals who joined the military for prestige. Many soldiers with no hope of promotion would use their leave to earn money in the city, and after retiring, they would join private security companies with the skills and tactics they learned in the military. While their skills and tactics were more specialized than in the military, there was no reason for them to be slaughtered by natives wielding only stone spears.

There were many forks in the cave, and after some consideration, Laura Crawford pointed in one direction.

She confided in Camilla that she wasn't sure if she was pointing the right finger. "I'm not someone who would disregard other people's lives, Camilla," Laura Crawford said with a hint of guilt. "I want you to live, not die because of my research. If I do that, then I'm no different from Trinity."

Faced with these comforting words, Camilla simply shrugged and offered no comment.

The further they went, the more spacious the cave became, and starlight shone through the rock layers.

Laura Crawford frequently halted the group to take photos and examine the ruins piled high with the corpses of Trinity mercenaries and natives, while Camilla tacitly signaled to her companions to prepare for defense. The plasma rifles, which had been unusable in the previous battles, now proved invaluable; regardless of whether the natives had taken drugs, the stellar heat instantly vaporized their bodies, completely eliminating the attackers.

"If only we had life detection radar," a soldier grumbled under her breath. The Mayan script carved into the stone looked to her like crudely assembled patterns, so she couldn't understand why Laura Crawford was trying to decipher it using a star map. "Are you sure you can find the volcano you're looking for here?"

"Maybe." Laura Crawford pressed the shutter and then checked the photo in the camera.

After finding it unsatisfactory, she took another picture to clearly and intuitively show all the details.

"We saw Christian sculptures along the way, which means that the Holy Trinity came with the Spanish when they landed in South America. Missionary activities were very frequent at that time, and all missionaries took pride in changing the beliefs of the indigenous people and were dedicated to spreading the glory of God to them. Therefore, the Holy Trinity was very likely a missionary group at that time. Ordinary missionaries did not have the financial resources to build sculptures, murals, and Catholic churches. Even the Evangelical and Quaker churches in North America were typical Puritan churches." Unlike when she was giving directions earlier, Laura Crawford was now filled with unparalleled confidence and certainty. "Since they came here and even took Dr. Domiggs as a child from the indigenous people, it means that the Holy Trinity's emphasis on this place is justified."

"This is an ancient order." Nick Fury grinned, toying with a symbolic gold ring, his remaining eye scrutinizing the former Swiss diocese bishop his men had arrested. "A Catholic sect, involved in the Crusades, and like the Knights Templar, initially upheld an oath of poverty. But no faith is immune to the power of money. Seeing the Knights Templar begin venturing into banking and real estate, Trinity followed the same path."

"Uh..."

Nick Fury nodded. "Until Philip IV massacred all the Templars, including Jacques de Morais, the Trinity was just a minor player and therefore didn't suffer much. In modern times... I really don't know how you guys got onto this comic book villain path, but you've really learned your lesson. With financial conglomerates and military-industrial complexes, and connections with the CIA, Zionism, and other forces, you've gained the opportunity to sit comfortably on the couch, but you certainly didn't expect that there are people who aren't in your game."

"Uh..."

"You're right. Is there anything else you'd like to say?"

"Sir, he's passed out from the pain," Maria Hill said, displeased. She was now in control of the Pegasus heavy assault transport ship. Nick Fury led a group of soldiers to the ground, following clues to the former Swiss diocese bishop's residence. "You should evacuate immediately. The CIA agents are very restless tonight; spy satellites have been circling overhead several times."

Nick Fury readily accepted the advice.

"Gather the intelligence and send it to headquarters. All agents, withdraw according to the established plan." He waved his hand, then put on the black leather coat that had been placed next to the sofa during the interrogation. He pulled a black woolen hat from his pocket, put it on, rubbed it on his clothes and trousers, and hunched his back. In an instant, he transformed from a menacing agent into an inconspicuous old man on the street, who might at any moment join a homeless person by a fire littered with oil drums. "Don't come looking for me. I still have my own mission to complete."

“Sir, you’re not the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore,” Maria Hill reminded him. She noticed the communications officer making a subtle movement but didn’t report it, instead continuing to urge Nick Fury not to do anything foolish. “Your actions will be considered defection, and assassins will come after you. The Regent of Latveria is a ruthless man; he will absolutely not allow your actions.”

"I will not defect; the Emperor of Latvia knows what I am doing."

Nick Fury nonchalantly tossed his communication headset to his men and left through the fire escape, disappearing into the Swiss night. Maria Hill sighed and began ordering agents to destroy the scene, pondering how to explain the incident to the other intelligence officers of the Praetorian Guard and Victoria Hand, so as not to provoke the Regent of Latvian into sending assassins to hunt down Nick Fury. At the same time, she also needed to coordinate with the private security company based in Italy, demanding they strengthen the Pope's security measures.

The reach of Trinity is far greater than they imagined; there is no one in the Vatican they can trust.

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)