Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1326 False God and Righteous Man (Second Update)

Steve Rogers has taken courses on emotional management.

That was one of the countless lessons Nick Fury arranged for him after he was dug out of the ice and became somewhat familiar with modern society. The director of S.H.I.E.L.D. at the time was well aware of the social influence Steve Rogers wielded as Captain America. Even though much of the influence of the Captain America title came from Cold War propaganda and the exaggerated portrayals in Hollywood films, and the embellished historical events were unfamiliar even to Steve Rogers himself, none of this could change his influence or the fact that he would eventually have to face the public.

Emotional management courses are important; he needs to present a perfect Captain America image that conforms to the public's imagination.

Back when he was just getting used to modern society, there had been discussions about the title of Captain America. The Emperor showed him why he had to rid himself of religious superstition and personality cult. Even though Steve Rogers didn't realize the Emperor's foresight at that time, he can now see that everything mentioned in that almost prophetic conversation is coming true.

"They're just idolizing their own Captain America."

"What are you talking about?" Sam Wilson, who had just been stuffing a pie into his mouth, suddenly stopped. "Who idolizes Captain America? Or is it so strange to idolize Captain America?"

“That’s not what he meant, Sam.” James Buchanan Barnes didn’t look up, continuing to eat his late dinner at a leisurely pace. Eating in an armored vehicle wasn’t particularly bad; everyone here was used to it, except for the reusable, automatically heating cooker, which was rather advanced. “Steve meant that those people idolize Captain America, not him.”

"I'm a little confused. Why would you say something like that? Is it because our operation was terrible?" Sam Wilson frowned. "I admit this operation was a bit of a disaster, but the reality is, even the Avengers couldn't have done it perfectly. We were too few in number, and we don't have S.H.I.E.L.D.."

"It is indeed terrible, but not for that reason. I'm talking about something else." Steve Rogers shook his head. "███ once talked to me about the impact of the title Captain America, not some pointless psychologist talk, but the real significance of this title."

"Who did you say?" James Buchanan Barnes gripped his stainless steel spoon warily, still coated with the sauce from the braised beef. The armored personnel carrier had driven along a mountain road bombed during the Civil War, nearly spilling their food. "I'm not sure if there was something wrong with my hearing. Sam, where are you?"

"I didn't hear you either. Could you repeat that, Steve?"

"It's Emperor Latvian. He once said that the title Captain America was an alternative name for the Righteous One of God among the American Puritans, a religious title used to explain the essence of religious worship." Steve Rogers waved his hand, realizing he had inadvertently mentioned that magically protected name again. "He hypothesized a scenario: if Jesus were to return to this world to perform miracles and then deny all the various denominations on Earth, would the result be the denial of the denominations or the denial of Jesus?"

Sam Wilson's family had a typical American religious atmosphere, and he was fairly familiar with religious stories. He thought for a moment, then said rather reluctantly, "It's Jesus. People will try every possible way to find flaws in Jesus' miracles and trace his identity. It's exactly like the story in the Bible."

"Because deep down, humanity knows that Jesus is just a myth and could never actually come to earth, so they continue to deceive themselves by claiming to believe in God." Steve Rogers shook his head. "He once said that human superstition is actually believing in the God in one's own heart, and if that God doesn't conform to one's imagination, one will deny it. If the Messiah stood on the streets of Israel claiming that Jerusalem belonged to the Palestinians, then the Messiah would only be stoned. He extended this theory to the worship of Captain America, claiming that there is no difference between personality cults, idolatry, and religious superstition, and that any deity whose beliefs cannot be confirmed by the believers is considered a false god."

James Buchanan Barnes smiled, while Sam Wilson seemed somewhat taken aback. "That's not like something you'd say. I remember you even made a GG video for the church." James Buchanan Barnes shrugged. "If you had said you were an atheist back then, that would have been a huge deal."

"I didn't realize this at the time, and I thought my fame could help the Avengers," Steve Rogers sighed. "But reality is unfolding exactly as he planned. We've now betrayed America, the World War II Museum in Washington has removed my picture, and I've been stripped of the title Captain America. No matter what contributions I made in the past, I'm no longer Captain America but a traitor, no longer an object of American worship. The reality is perfectly in line with his expectations, which is just too darkly humorous."

"I'm not following you because of your reputation, Steve, but because of the qualities you've shown." Sam Wilson puffed out his chest. "Whether you believe it or not, there are still many people back home who support you. They believe in you, and in their hearts you will always be Captain America, just now being persecuted by the US government."

"What if Captain America wanted to overthrow America, to overthrow the America that deceives the masses with democracy and freedom?" Even James Buchanan Barnes gasped, then turned and turned up the air conditioning in the armored vehicle. Steve Rogers continued, "You all know the outcome. The title 'Captain America' is a false cult. I am Steve Rogers, not someone who can be defined by the title 'Captain America.' My fight against Nazism and God has nothing to do with me; I just want people to live."

"Why are you suddenly bringing this up?" Sam Wilson asked.

"Because I intend to find out the whereabouts of those refugees. Emperor Latvinia is not a gentle man; even if he provides us with refuge, disobeying orders could still be punished." Steve Rogers looked at his companions. "I will not abandon my principles of justice, but I don't know if you will support my next steps. Bucky, you…"

“Although I have a new arm, my old one still works.” James Buchanan Barnes held up his black prosthetic arm made of vibranium. “Just tell me what you’re planning to do.”

“Me too,” Sam Wilson said. “I know they’ve installed tracking devices on my wingsuit, and I’ll remove them if necessary.”

“I’ll go ask him first.” Steve Rogers nodded, somewhat moved. “An extremist told me before he died that they weren’t the first armed group to land. But until now, we haven’t been able to contact any other extremists, witness their crimes, or even see the refugees who smuggled themselves in with them. I have to find out the answer to this, but I have a feeling it won’t be satisfactory.”

"You mean…" Sam Wilson glanced around, lowering his voice. He had served in the Middle East and knew about the atrocities committed by NATO forces there, so he didn't think the Latvian government's bottom line was very high. "They're all dead?"

"Not necessarily. He's unlikely to waste human resources." Steve Rogers shook his head. "Perhaps our final destination is a sweatshop, but that's better than a mass grave. But don't let your guard down. I need you to stay alert when we return to the capital."

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(End of this chapter)