Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1466 Politics in the Closed Chamber (Second Update)

“I lean towards pragmatism; their lives need to improve first before we need to consider these kinds of issues,” James Buchanan said. “You can look at Rome, giving Wakanda citizenship to Kenyans. The United States has spent a century trying to create democracies around the world but has always failed because changing social systems isn’t something you can do by dropping a few bombs or overthrowing a few leaders. Some countries simply don’t have the foundation for democracy. If you want to bring them a better life, you first have to fundamentally change their way of life and their environment…”

Steve Rogers was surprised by his friend's philosophical and profound remarks, especially considering their identical educational backgrounds. Theoretically, there shouldn't be any books, TV shows, movies, or music videos that James Buchanan hadn't seen—theoretically, yes, but Steve Rogers had always assumed he adapted to modern society more quickly, even though he wasn't used to smartphones yet. Even Sam Wilson was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected James Buchanan to become so familiar with modern life in this African country so quickly. He had recommended many things Steve Rogers needed to know now, but definitely not video games. Faced with the questioning, James Buchanan's response was quite calm: "Haven't you guys played Call of Duty? The one with Kevin Stacy as the villain, about a giant corporation called Colossus?"

Sam Wilson smiled.

"I'm just curious how you play games, since you only have one hand."

James Buchanan wasn't offended at all; instead, he couldn't help but laugh, as it was just a friendly joke. "About that," he said, "I still have toes!"

"Can you guys be a little more mature, friends?" Steve Rogers chuckled to himself. Men's fun is that simple, but it was clearly inappropriate here, as this was an occasion for serious discussion. "The King is still here!"

"It's my fault. I invited you here to enjoy beer, not puzzles," T'Challa said, using a local word that the others didn't understand—a pun on beer and puzzles. "There are online games and social media here," T'Challa said, raising his glass with feigned nonchalance. "But you might be surprised to learn that the African king might be more popular in a bar than some guy who's been asleep for over seventy years."

Sam Wilson shrugged.

“Now I know I don’t need to bow to the King anymore. How much longer are we going to stay in this dull setting?” He pointed to a tall man not far away, surrounded by Wakandan nobles who were chatting happily with the Queen Mother, while none of the Wakandan nobles seemed interested in paying attention to them, the outsiders. They had been invited over to make things easier for the Emperor, who was also an outsider, but no one expected that they would be of no help at all. Even T’Challa himself was excluded from the discussion of the backroom politics. However, everyone in this “psychological support group” was completely ignorant of backroom politics and power struggles, and they didn’t even think that being ignored was a bad thing.

"As far as I know, there's a pretty good bar outside the palace." Sam Wilson smiled deliberately at Dora's guards behind T'Challa, earning him a few eye-rolls from the guards. "Do you think you, as king, can escape these women and leave the palace?"

"I will send a new ambassador to the Yugoslav Federation." Queen Mother Ramonda glanced at T'Challa, who was leaving the reception room, and sighed quietly. She gestured for the Dora Guard to follow them at all costs. "Sure is not suitable to be a diplomatic ambassador, but I believe she can play a greater role at the Immortal City research base. I once heard the late King T'Chaka say that the Immortal City is a research center no less than Hahnburg, where there are many advanced technologies, even alien technologies."

"Yes, Princess Shuri worked there for a period of time, overseeing the improvement and optimization of the Void Engine." The Emperor was somewhat annoyed by Queen Mother Ramonda's greed, but he didn't show it. The joint mining of Antarctic Vibranium by the Yugoslav Federation and Wakanda had just begun when Queen Mother Ramonda and the Wakandan nobles behind her couldn't wait to jump in and get a piece of the pie, almost exposing the secret of the Immortal City's transfer of Celestial bodies. "This time, she will participate as a student in many of the Immortal City's research projects, including the Immortal City's genetic engineering. We have created many methods to extend lifespan and have begun to promote them. I believe Princess Shuri has the ability to optimize the procedures and methods of life-extending surgery."

"This is a very generous gift," Queen Mother Ramonda said hypocritically.

"This technology is perfect as a bonus in this deal," the Emperor said calmly. He had no interest in continuing the conversation with Queen Mother Ramonda. If it weren't for his own presence, displaying his supernatural charm and authority, and if it weren't for the performance of the genetically modified warriors during the Civil War, Queen Mother Ramonda and the Wakandan nobles behind her would never have been so agreeable. After all, in their eyes, Wakanda's power was superior to that of all other nations on Earth. "The Yugoslav Federation absolutely cannot afford to lose Wakanda's help in the interstellar exploration project. We don't have much time to build a defensive line against alien invaders."

"Wakanda is happy to take responsibility for the human race."

After hundreds of conversations, Queen Mother Ramonda finally said what the Emperor wanted to hear.

Athena glanced down at her phone.

"He's finished his work and will be here to meet us soon," she said to the witches who were also sitting around the small white round table. "Cheer up, he doesn't get many chances to go on trips with you." She then glanced at Vanessa, who was chatting happily with Jane Foster in the courtyard. "I can foresee how busy he'll be."

Joan of Arc's long legs were restless; she first kicked at the empty chair next to her, then crossed her legs to make herself more comfortable. Bayonetta was equally restless, though her resistance wasn't as conspicuous as Joan's; after all, they couldn't afford to have a verbal or even physical altercation with Athena here. "He's not a boy who needs a mother, Athena," Bayonetta said slowly and gracefully, picking up her teacup. "I think this is our time. Or is there something here that we need to kill?"

“You may know that my friend Vanessa is an artist. As an artist, she naturally appreciates certain ancient paintings. Many years ago, she saw a technically exquisite but unsigned painting, and despite consulting numerous books and visiting many artists, she still couldn’t determine its author.” Athena took a Polaroid photograph from her purse. It was a photo taken many years ago, depicting the painting. Athena then added some details, including the painting’s owner’s later fate and the heir’s story, which immediately captured the attention of the two witches. “I don’t know much about witchcraft, at least not as much as Hecate,” she said. “The owner of that painting is among the people who came to the museum today, and I think we can solve this problem before he arrives.”

(End of this chapter)