Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1411 (Chapter 1407) Standard Negotiation (Part 2)

"You're not telling the truth!"

Tony Stark walked out of the projection area several times, but eventually came back.

"Just like always, toxic lies flow from your mouth as naturally as saliva, poisoning everyone who hears you speak—Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and James Buchanan Barnes… We've known each other for so many years, but I've never truly understood you. Before you started your war, even Nick Fury or Natasha didn't know about your double life. I know it's too late to say this, but I'll say it anyway." Tony Stark jumped up like a cat whose paw had been stepped on. He was furious at Salomon's vague statements because he had heard them countless times and done things he didn't want to because of them. "The reason you lie so much, the reason you refuse to let others be your friends, is because of your arrogance. You disdain letting others understand you because you think everyone else is a fool, don't you?"

"I think it's necessary for me to reiterate, Stark. I'm inviting you to join the Planetary Defense Program to build a defense network against alien fleets. This invitation includes several countries, but due to the nature of Stark Industries, you can only join anonymously to provide technical guidance." Salomon wasn't angry, nor did he react to Stark's emotions in any way.

He had anticipated Stark's reaction; after all, he couldn't expect someone who had once stood on the opposite side of ideological and economic conflict to remain calm. But he deliberately chose this moment, just as Bayonetta and Jeanne had asked Dinah to invite him to afternoon tea in the glass greenhouse—a veiled invitation between him and the witches, like some unspoken invitation. Next to the greenhouse was the modern, minimalist glass bedroom. After afternoon tea, the witches would want some entertainment, and Salomon would never miss an invitation from them—while Tony Stark, in America, had only recently finished breakfast, his blood sugar was rising, and his mind wasn't particularly clear.

He had read the Earth Defense Program white paper that Tony Stark submitted to the Pentagon and Congress.

With sufficient access, members of Congress could generally see the white paper; the copy he held came from Gideon Malik. Although Gideon Malik wasn't a member of Congress, the members he controlled could provide a wealth of information. It was like Gideon in the biblical story, infiltrating enemy territory to gather intelligence.

The ultimate vision of the Stark White Paper was to establish a globally integrated strategic defense. This overly idealistic concept, requiring participating nations to relinquish some military information security and sovereignty, was destined to be unrealistic. However, many elements of the white paper, taken individually, closely aligned with the US operational philosophy of building military and information hegemony in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, the white paper underwent extensive revisions upon reaching Congress, ultimately becoming a naval strategy white paper released by the Pentagon, whose core ideas would contradict Tony Stark's original vision.

"Or are you saying that you want to go through the long approval process in Congress, and the intricate web of interests between the Pentagon, NSNA, and the military-industrial complex, so that only 10 percent of the funds that should be invested in research and development actually go to projects that save humanity? No one knows better than you that this will happen. If you want to continue to achieve your goals through a corrupt system and a sham democracy, then I won't object. You can go to your doom along with those parasites, and take hundreds of millions of people and useless financial games with you."

The emperor calmly extended his hand in an inviting gesture.

"You know I'm right, Tony Stark. You know what your white paper to Congress will ultimately become, which is why you're angry." Tony Stark wanted to retort, but he hadn't studied debating and completely missed the Emperor's tactic of obfuscating the issue. Coupled with his rising blood sugar and the rush of blood to his stomach after breakfast, he was distracted by other arguments and couldn't immediately recall the real contradiction. "You know I've always been doing the right thing. You know I see further than anyone else. You know I never waste time and energy on useless people and things, so you see me as very cold-blooded. But I have no intention of changing, because I don't have the time, and my responsibilities don't allow me to."

Tony Stark remained silent, unsure how to respond.

The world now knows that Latvinia possesses extremely advanced genetic modification technology and has a company that specializes in life-extending surgeries, catering exclusively to the wealthy. As far as he knows, although Latvinia is now on the opposite side of the United States, several tycoons who have received organ transplants and whose bodies are already failing have contacted Latvinia. All the emperor needs to do is express some wishes, and the congressmen who have received funding will propose and pass them.

"If you agree, I will send an aircraft to pick you up. However, for secrecy, you will need to use your powered armor to fly to the designated coordinates. My Pegasus super-heavy assault transport will be waiting for you in the air." The Emperor waved his hand, and the Cheshire Cat obediently moved closer to the holographic projection switch. "You know how to contact my worldly identity, Tony Stark. No one can eavesdrop on our conversation, not even the Homeland Security. I will send you the coordinates. Don't worry, the coordinates aren't too far from your and Pepper's vacation home."

A very standard negotiation process, expressing both the ability to cause harm and the willingness to cause harm simultaneously.

He didn't explain how he knew Tony Stark's location, nor when he deployed his forces near that country cabin. In a traditional superhero comic, the Emperor would have considered him a major villain gracing several issues. Without giving Tony Stark time to think, the Emperor ordered the Cheshire Cat to jump up and press a button, ending the secret conversation.

"A private conversation, huh?" Bayonetta knocked on the door, holding a glass of liquor in one hand and raising an eyebrow at Salomon. The pale red liquor was clear and transparent, with a plump cherry sinking to the bottom. "Try my cocktail and see how it goes this time."

"A dry martini? It's better than last time." Salomon walked over, took the glass, and took a sip without hesitation. If it weren't for the fact that he was taking the food from the witch, Hammurabi or Dinah would have definitely rushed over for a quick toxicology test. "I feel like this is Dinah's usual bartending style; she doesn't like adding too much absinthe." He handed the glass to the ubiquitous small floating housekeeping robot, then deliberately leaned closer, supporting Bayonetta's slender waist. A few years ago, he could only look up to Bayonetta, but now it was Bayonetta's turn to look up to him. The black-haired witch smiled broadly, poking his chest with her finger, her slender high heels deliberately stepping on his toes. The close proximity made her almost press herself against Salomon.

"Did Diana teach you how to make a martini?"

The traditional way of afternoon tea doesn't suit this estate.

While this doesn't mean that delicate tea and sweet black tea are unpopular at the estate, the witches clearly prefer the latter to Salomon's usual favorite—cocktails. The cocktails served at afternoon tea are low in alcohol and mostly quite sweet and elegantly presented, perfect for enjoying on a perpetually overcast English afternoon, accompanied by rain, snow, and meadows. Only dinner and the period after dinner are the best times to savor spirits and wines: whiskey with American-style smoked grilled meats, wine with a refined French meal, and brandy as an after-dinner indulgence.

In one night, more than twenty bottles of wine would be changed on the manor's dining table.

However, this isn't too much, since Salomon's program continuously extracts valued numbers from the stock market of financial capitalism and then fills those numbers into his secular identity and social status, maintaining his and the witch's standard of living under these identities. This lifestyle makes him and the witch somewhat isolated from the world; attending high-society social dinners is merely out of boredom, not specifically for the purpose of meeting certain people. They also don't need to pretend to donate to charities or simply start a charity to avoid taxes. Salomon's biggest enemy in this lifestyle is the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, because the latter has always believed that his secular identity involves insider trading.

"I really like her bartending style." The witch raised her chin. "You taught her all her bartending techniques, didn't you?"

"Hmm, the subconscious infusion of the artificial soul is all my preference. After all, Diana's original role was that of a maid..."

"Not combat personnel?" Bayonetta raised her voice slightly. "Including all androids?"

"Well..."

"Don't waste time, my lovely little boy," Bayonetta chuckled. She cupped Salomon's face in her hands, tiptoed, and kissed his lips. "Joan of Arc wants to make up for the entertainment she missed last night, and I want to savor it a little longer." She blinked, pleased with Salomon's unusual embarrassment, savoring his emotions like a banshee in a folktale. "We all love your magic; it's delicious."

"I'll send Constantine a message and I'll be there, darling."

Salomon couldn't resist returning the kiss several times; the warm, soft lips almost made him lose himself. In the end, Bayonetta pushed him away, otherwise, they would have spent the afternoon tea time in the office. Bayonetta bent down and picked up the Cheshire Cat with its tail raised next to her, her movements light and elegant, like picking up a designer handbag.

"You only have ten minutes," the witch said with a smile. "Don't exceed that time."

"Listen, I only have ten minutes!"

The relocation of Lighthouse Base proceeded smoothly. Agent Coulson's team had been transported to a training ground whose location they themselves didn't know, where they would receive training including spacewalks and vacuum first aid. Constantine also required them to learn constellations and scientifically modified astronautical navigation techniques to ensure they could determine their location within the galaxy. The First Classified Regiment soldiers and Rangers on duty remained at Lighthouse Base, awaiting intelligence from the rear to conduct a thorough inventory of all items in the base's warehouses. Therefore, some key personnel remained at Lighthouse Base to assist with the work.

This includes the immortal Enoch.

Although most of the armed personnel had withdrawn, the bloody suppression of the two riots had finally brought the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to a complete standstill, eliminating any concerns about the reduced security presence. Moreover, the Sorority, who had only learned of the Emperor's arrival minutes earlier, could prepare in ten seconds. These heavily armored girls, even without weapons, could break bones with their bare hands and eliminate any threat to the Emperor's safety within the base with their iron fists alone.

"Have you seen me, Enoch the Immortal?" Besides the Emperor himself, only Enoch the Immortal and Constantine of the Royal Guard were present in the control room. No one could hear the conversation or interfere. "If so, when?"

"How could you…" Enoch was somewhat surprised. This was the first time he had faced the Emperor in reality, and he felt an abnormal increase in current in his processor core. "How do you know these things? Are you spying on me?"

"Your conversation with Agent Coulson wasn't kept secret; all the footage you showed him was recorded. Your footage is extremely important to me, Enoch. Just as Agent Coulson is embarking on a time travel journey, I will too, but I'm going to the past." The Emperor extended his hand to Enoch. "Your camera system is excellent; it can even see through supernatural cover. I already have your facial recognition data, Enoch, but I need your experience even more."

Why?

The Emperor glanced at Constantine, then nodded to him. "Constantine will reveal more secrets to you, Enoch. Although you have been on Earth for thirty thousand years, you have never witnessed the war behind the curtain. And... I also see a power within you that I do not understand."

"If I leave the lighthouse base, the efficiency of the warehouse inventory work will decrease by 56.2%."

"Compared to inventorying the warehouses, I think you have more important things to do." The Emperor gestured to the Royal Guard. "This friend needs a day trip to Kamar-Taj."

"I don't think this is of any use, my lord."

"My opinion is exactly the opposite." The emperor looked down at the immortal, his eyes full of meaning. "The immortal is a mechanical race, which means that there is more than one person looking at us through his eyes."

"Is someone spying on us?" The Imperial Guard immediately loaded their explosive rifles.

"Don't be nervous, Constantine. Not now, not here."

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(End of this chapter)