Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1431 Negotiations and Liabilities (First Update)

When another mortal walked into the office, what he saw and heard was completely different from Wanda's personal experience.

The office's ceiling, floor, and walls were all covered in pure black marble, so black that stepping inside felt like entering a void, the temperature almost like a vacuum. In his eyes, behind the massive desk sat not an official in a simple suit, but a black-haired giant in a black cloak embroidered with gold trim and a golden laurel wreath. A scepter topped with a golden eagle leaned casually against the desk—a symbol, but the golden eagle's outstretched, sharp wings indicated it was more than just a symbol; it was also the most direct expression of power: violence. Like the golden eagle scepter that Agent Coulson had photographed when he saw the Avengers fighting at Halle Airport in Germany, it held a dual meaning and purpose.

No matter how many times, Agent Coulson believed this was the largest natural being he had ever seen. Each time he saw this giant, he felt something intensely hot hovering at the edge of his consciousness, sinking, and then burning his eyes and mind. Even with his eyes closed, he could feel through his thin eyelids that the light emanating from the person before him was brighter than the unfiltered brilliance of stars. Even though Agent Coulson recognized that this was an inexplicable illusion, he couldn't convince his subconscious to dismiss the thought. Instead, he experienced a dizzying sensation, as if the person were a singularity and the starlight and planets outside the porthole seemed to revolve around him.

"I don't have much time to waste on you, Mr. Coulson."

The Emperor didn't even look up, continuing to check the bills in his hands. Hammurabi left after escorting Agent Coulson into the office. He didn't think Agent Coulson, after being searched, posed any danger; he was just an ordinary person with shooting and hand-to-hand combat skills, posing no threat to the Emperor. "I have several measures in place for you and your team, and out of respect, I intend to inform you personally."

The thunderous voice reverberated in Agent Coulson's ears, making him feel as if his skull was being crushed. "I will return the Beacon Base to you, along with the Quinjet your team desperately needs. The Wind One command transport will be modified to have void-travel capabilities, and I will cover the modification costs, as you will need these features. All of this is contingent on you and your team focusing on completing the upcoming training... especially Melinda May. If she continues to resist the training, then we will take the necessary steps to remove the SHIELD team and use another feasible option."

"What plan?"

"The mission of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents is to solve problems nonviolently, and the other viable option is naturally the opposite. Every milliliter of oxygen, every drop of water, and even every electrical charge on this space station is an asset that must be calculated. If you fail to achieve your expected goals, I will not use any assets to protect the survival of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team."

Agent Coulson forced a smile. "You're planning to throw us off the space station?"

The Emperor ignored the minor humor. "Upon completing the first course, you and your squad will return to Earth to retake control of the Beacon Base from the Royal Guard. When my messenger contacts you to request the second course, you must answer the call and complete all training again—there is no room for refusal. I believe Constantine and Enoch have explained the necessity of this mission to you in the simplest and most straightforward language, something even an illiterate cowboy in Montana could understand, right?"

"I have a question."

"allow."

"Why? Why are you so concerned about the survival of the human race?" Agent Coulson tried to shrug, hoping to ease the constant pressure on his spine. He was actually quite comfortable in the armchair, and the distance from the desk was just right—not so much that he had to stand to see the person behind it. However, he didn't look directly at the Emperor's face, because his subconscious wouldn't allow it. He looked down at his blurry reflection in the smooth black marble floor. "Just because your organization has protected humanity for so many years, does that mean you have to lead this mission?" Agent Coulson struggled to get his increasingly coarse and sluggish mind working; he felt the process of his neurons exchanging neurotransmitters was as difficult as applying semi-hardened cement. "Isn't that arrogance?"

"Because you failed, Agent Coulson." The Emperor raised his head, his gaze piercing Agent Coulson with a contempt that would be unbearable for anyone in the world. "The number of failures was 13,624,536, while the number of successes was only one. I will make the mission I lead the only one. If Enoch hadn't been exceptionally special, you and your squad wouldn't have been qualified to carry out this mission, and no one would have staked the future of humanity on you."

"Your words are as sharp as your sword."

"At least for now, nothing has been hurt except your self-esteem, and your self-esteem is worthless to me. The safety of you and other innocent people is what I need to focus on."

"That sounds reassuring," Agent Coulson said, pursing his lips. "I want my team to survive."

"Only if the mission is accomplished. Also, I need you to appease Jeffrey Mays, the newly appointed Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. by Congress. I believe you can make him understand your tendency towards secrecy..." A small, dark box was placed on the table. Agent Coulson could hardly believe he hadn't noticed such a conspicuous object before. "...Regardless of your thoughts, you understand that some things cannot be known to others, especially the mouthpieces of those interest groups in Congress. Don't tell me you believe the sham democracy and freedom of the universal suffrage system are not manipulated. If you're as foolish as Melinda May, refusing to acknowledge reality to preserve your pitiful pride, then I'll have to abandon you and choose a smarter executor."

"You mentioned Enoch. Besides S.H.I.E.L.D., who else could he appoint as the Enforcer?"

"There is one way: to make that future nonexistent, even if it means losing a vital asset that should belong to humanity and could be used to defend against alien fleets. It's better than a future where all of humanity faces utter destruction. You must demonstrate the ability I can bet on, Agent Coulson, or you and your team will be a discarded liability. Carefully consider the future of S.H.I.E.L.D., and I expect you to guide your team to make the right choices."

As Agent Coulson left the office, he realized he couldn't fully recall the meeting. All he remembered was a desk, a scepter leaning against it, a blinding light, and a black marble floor that felt like an empty void, a constant sense of downward pressure. While he couldn't remember the conversation, he did recall his mission—as the other team members rushed to greet him, Agent Coulson immediately looked at Melinda May—"We have to carry out this mission." He looked first at Melinda May, then at Daisy Jensen. At that moment, a glimpse of the future the Emperor had shown him surfaced in his memory. "Don't use your powers here, Daisy," he said. "We need to finish the course quickly and return to Earth."

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(End of this chapter)