Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1467 Eternal Victory (Part 2)

Although Athena's story encompasses centuries-old family feuds and bizarre unsolved cases, the essential information, stripped of the fluff, boils down to an artist encountering a sorcerer and being cursed. Athena invites the unfortunate artist's descendant to an art exhibition, hoping the witches will discover the artist's identity. Bayonetta doesn't mind playing a few intellectually stimulating games before another family member arrives, especially one set by Athena. Whether she can find the painting's owner within the time limit and break the collector's curse is irrelevant; she simply wants to prove herself capable of solving the puzzle Athena has set for her.

"Did you anticipate this situation, which is why you invited that unfortunate soul to the art exhibition?" Bayonetta asked, glancing at the crowd. She was now somewhat thankful that she had sent Laura Crawford and Wanda Maximoff to visit her personal jewelry designer first, instead of letting them linger at the exhibition. "Aren't you worried that the curse might affect innocent people?"

"This is just a minor problem that Kamar-Taj hasn't been able to resolve. To me, it's just an interesting little rumor in the art world," Athena responded rather calmly. "Why would you think I'd care about an innocent person being affected by a curse?"

"Are you threatening me with the lives of civilians?" Bayonetta narrowed her eyes and asked bluntly, "Are you saying that all so-called gods are cruel and heartless?"

"You find out too late now." Athena's expression remained unchanged. "He's always known about this. I believe anyone who's read mythology, excluding the part about Zeus in heat, knows that humans aren't important to the gods. Do you think this art exhibition is just about auctioning off paintings? The new bourgeoisie certainly needs art to adorn themselves, but only if it's used to demonstrate their ability and collecting desires to everyone. Nobody will waste money on the work of an unknown postmodern painter. Buying art is about self-promotion, not about art itself; nobody's a fool. This isn't an art exhibition with extensive marketing, yet wealthy people still show up. Why do you think that is? Do you think he wouldn't know what's happening here?"

"What do you mean?"

"Supernatural forces are just a minor episode in this art exhibition. What's truly important are the people who came. Although I funded the exhibition, it was he who brought Vanessa from America to England, and he was the one who blocked the FBI's investigation of Vanessa. Even the money for renting the venue came from the Yugoslav Federal Ministry of Justice; it just passed through my hands. If it weren't for Vanessa's art exhibition, there would have been a Christie's auction. The nature of these events is essentially the same: an exchange of interests," Athena said slowly. "London is one of the largest intelligence hubs in continental Europe since the Cold War. MI5 and MI6 work closely with the CIA and the Department of Homeland Security. Many mercenary organizations with employers also have offices in London. What you just received is the invitation list for this exhibition. The checked boxes are for guests who have already arrived. You can see who came and who didn't, and guess why those who came came, and where those who didn't go."

Joan of Arc gave a soft hum, seemingly unconcerned about the underlying theme of the art exhibition.

"The wife of the executive secretary in the administration department? The finance director of a telecommunications company?"

Bayonetta seemed to have grasped a larger mystery. While she didn't have access to the "Thumbelina" system, thanks to the CIA and Homeland Security's deep understanding of European officials, she didn't need to know the intelligence networks used by the Yugoslav Federal Ministry of Justice or the Secret Guard to obtain this information. "The Permanent Under-Secretary Management Group… He told me that while studying at Oxford, he was introduced to a former and current Cabinet Secretary. He mentioned that Sir Jeremy Heywood was in poor health and urgently needed reliable treatment for lung cancer. This Sir Jeremy Heywood seems to be the chairman of the Permanent Under-Secretary Management Group."

"So who in this world can extend the lifespan of cancer patients by 100%?" Athena said. "The former has access to MI5 secrets, and the latter has access to the equipment used to eavesdrop on diplomats' communications and the call data. Now you know who will spend a fortune at this art exhibition. But what he wants isn't money, but something far more valuable than money. However, he doesn't have the authority to carry out such a task himself; he's just creating an opportunity for his subordinates to do it."

She then pointed to Vanessa and Jane Foster not far away, "Inviting that Nobel laureate in physicism wasn't my idea, it was his. Unfortunately, Jane Foster recently violated experimental protocols and came into contact with radioactive materials during a work assignment… He wanted to make sure Jane Foster was healthy, which is why her name was on the list. Poor Darcy, she seems unaware that she's also affected. Darcy is his good friend… the term 'fellow buddies' is more fitting to describe their relationship, after all, not many people in this world would throw up on him when drunk."

Even Athena didn't know how to evaluate Darcy.

If I had to describe it in one word, it would be chaos, utter chaos.

No one knew what kind of whimsical ideas and bizarre schemes would spring from her mind, nor how her next words might challenge the bottom line of social morality and public order. It was as if she no longer cared about anyone in this world; her personal image was no different from a piece of waste paper to Darcy. She always lived carefree and oblivious, as if the universe couldn't do anything about her. Athena even suspected that Darcy was a mentally deranged immortal, otherwise, it would be impossible to explain how someone born after the 20s would know so many old TV tropes from the 90s.

But that didn't stop Salomon from enjoying talking to her, because it made him realize he wasn't going crazy.

"So, he used our short trip for official business too?" Joan raised an eyebrow angrily. This trip to London was supposed to be about viewing next season's jewelry designs and selecting gemstones, not about backroom politics and shady deals. She brandished her fist. "That bastard!"

Athena responded with a smile and continued to help the witches unravel the secrets behind the art exhibition.

"You may have heard about the riots that broke out in Bulgaria. Some people wanted to restore the alliance with NATO, re-elect the president recognized by the West, and avenge the officials who were hanged and the local dignitaries. Of course, those who stood up for the gang leaders and corrupt officials did so in the name of resisting the emperor and democracy... It's a bit ridiculous, but the real rebels against the emperor were those who had oppressed the common people, and they used the ideals that the common people longed for to rally for those who oppressed them."

No one knew if Athena was thinking of Socrates' death at this moment; the witches only saw a sigh on her face. "Although that riot was quickly suppressed by genetically modified warriors and war engines, can you guess where the riot originated? That's right, it was the former cabinet secretary and the National Endowment for Democracy. This art exhibition was just a counterattack. We all know he has a bad temper and is very vengeful."

"What you're saying only makes me want to shoot him in the head!" Jeanne pulled out two hilts that looked like lightsabers from the Star Wars series. In reality, these hilts were designed to project and concentrate the user's mental energy into a high-temperature blade; they weren't entirely technological creations. Salomon often used these to demonstrate lightsaber duels from Star Wars to Milia. Although the latter couldn't understand anything, the bright light still made the girl clap happily.

"Or slice him up!"

"Regardless, I gave you a chance. You could find that unfortunate soul possessed by the evil spirit and prevent innocent people from being affected, or you could do nothing at all," Athena said. "That person is an artist I found, so finding him shouldn't be too difficult, since there aren't many people on the list who actually belong to the art world. There are many ways to achieve your goal; I just helped him a little by killing a few key figures for him."

"You think you understand him, Athena? You treat him as a tool, not a human being," Bayonetta asked bluntly. "What do you want? The glory of the Olympian pantheon? A subservient, inhuman chosen champion? Or an emperor who will share the throne with you?"

"I can't use him. I've known that since the day I learned of his existence. I tried, but not during the time I was educating him, but much further back in time." Athena slowly picked up the small sandwich the waiter had brought her. Even resting in the courtyard, the service, bought with money, was impeccable. She loved the service of mortals; it reminded her of happy times in the past. She said meaningfully, "His relationship with me is longer than you think. His life has no end, and neither does mine. You should see how angry he got when I refused to make chicken nuggets for dinner..."

You may be underestimating me.

Bayonetta glanced at her companion, and Joan of Arc, with perfect understanding, pulled a pistol from her hair and handed it to the black-haired witch. It was an unregistered pistol; there was no ballistic testing or serial number. Hair was the embodiment of witches' magic; pulling a weapon from their hair was simply taking something from a pocket dimension they had created. "This gun's magazine is full. Now it's your turn to choose. You think I've been flirting with him since he was fifteen because I like little boys? Maybe that's part of it, since he was so adorable back then…" Bayonetta shook her head vigorously. "No, it's because I saw his soul and potential, I saw his humanity. That's something you gods can't do. You can't understand his ideals, no matter how much you pretend to be a sexually charged mother conforming to Freudian psychoanalysis."

"You want to completely destroy this art exhibition?"

"If you don't stop the curse from spreading, yes. I don't care about the people who squandered money at this exhibition; I care about the people who provided the services for us. They just wanted to make a quick buck; they are the biggest victims."

Bayonetta disengaged the safety and cocked the Sig Sauer P226 pistol.

Under Athena's watchful gaze, she aimed her gun at the fire alarm behind the floor-to-ceiling glass window. In reality, it didn't need to be this complicated; she could simply fire a few shots at the ceiling, and those in the art exhibition who considered their safety paramount would scatter like headless flies, and the nearby police maintaining order would rush over in the shortest possible time. After all, this place was packed with dignitaries; the police might avoid the slums where refugees congregate, but they couldn't avoid this place. Moreover, Jane Foster was here, and for some reason, MI5 had been watching her, monitoring her every move but not daring to go too far.

"I believe his subordinates can find other opportunities, but you only have one chance to gather these people together in a short time. Now I'm on the high ground, Athena, it's time for you to make a decision." The black-haired witch suddenly hesitated, so much so that even Joan of Arc, who had been wearing an indifferent expression, turned to look at her curiously. "No, no matter what I do, you'll be the winner, won't you?"

"I won't let myself fail." Athena shrugged. "Now it's your turn to choose."

"The Queen Mother of Wakanda seems somewhat displeased with your early departure, my lord," the Royal Guard said. "Furthermore, there's no need to wear powered armor to visit the art exhibition. The suit you wore earlier is already bulletproof and can protect you when only the Sorority is providing security."

"Hammurabi, you don't understand. If Athena and Bayonetta clash, the androids can't intervene. Their mission is to follow the steps of the regular counter-terrorism forces, not to intervene militarily." Although it's just a force-feedback powered armor, this armor isn't designed for long-term, permanent combat. Therefore, its power supply doesn't use a fusion backpack but rather micro-batteries, and it doesn't offer any digital functions other than bulletproof and stab-proof protection. Furthermore, its form-fitting design, completely hidden beneath a suit, makes it a preferred street-fighting weapon for many Ministry of Justice field agents and spies, suitable for elite, specialized operations.

The reason He chose this bulletproof, force-feedback armor was because the Guardian Order received information from the Sisters of the Witchcraft and Archangel—there was a pistol on the small round table in the courtyard where Bayonetta, Joan of Arc, and Athena were. Although the Sisters of the Witchcraft and Archangel couldn't decipher their conversation from lip reading, they could guess that Athena and the witches had argued—meaning He had to end His work early and travel from Wakanda to London to prevent a potential violent conflict. The police deployment near the art gallery had already been sent to the chain of command. If a conflict did break out, the Sisters of the Witchcraft and Archangel accompanying Him would emerge from their armored vehicles, armed, to intercept any London police attempting to approach. Armed helicopters parked on the Oxfordshire underground helipad would arrive in London to clear the scene before the British government intervened.

As for the outcome of Vanessa's art exhibition, that's not His concern. He had given Vanessa the opportunity to live a good life, but she refused.

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)