Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 390 Responsibility and Pressure (First Update)

Steve Rogers was a law-abiding driver; he didn't drive fast. His motorcycle, which should have been roaring like a beast, moved slowly through the city towards Brooklyn. Sometimes he would stop and buy two ice creams from a roadside food truck—he wanted chocolate, and Salomon wanted strawberry.

He's a man of principle, Salomon could tell. Steve Rogers, the great Captain America, would obey every order his country gave him. He was loyal to his country, to the flag, to his team, but this loyalty, seventy years behind the times, was also the source of his torment.

Captain America's education level isn't high, at least not compared to the Avengers like Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, who all have PhDs. But he knows what's right and wrong. S.H.I.E.L.D. taking over this soldier instead of letting the military order him around again saved Steve Rogers from getting caught up in the mess between Western countries after World War II.

Captain Rogers verified some of the information Salomon had given him. He knew the CIA was behind the chaos in the Middle East, and he knew why revolutions had broken out in Egypt and Syria. He knew that if he accepted orders from the military again, he would most likely be sent to the Middle East battlefield, where those scum would abuse his loyalty and trample on this noble sentiment.

In the past, Steve Rogers fought for justice and righteousness, but now those things are gone. The anti-fascist front has crumbled, but for the sake of the world, he stands up again, even without ideals to sustain him.

Now, he needs a new goal.

For the sake of humanity, how about it?

"I need to conduct human experiments, or rather, I must." Having finally arrived at their destination, Salomon removed his helmet. Now was the time for conversation, with no one else to interrupt. Salomon couldn't understand how Nick Fury dared to let Steve Rogers contact him. Did he think the final outcome would be Captain America persuading him, rather than him persuading Captain America?

Ah, old fox! Steve Rogers is the most vehement opponent of the super-soldier program. He would oppose it the moment Salomon revealed his purpose, whatever his motives. This man opposes the super-soldier program not because he wants to monopolize the capability, but because he knows the kind of suffering that a large number of super-soldiers would bring to the world.

"Because the world is different now. I believe Nick Fury said the same thing. Perhaps everything changed from the day the Chitauri invaded. London, New York, the world is on edge now. Any rash action could ignite a conflict, even a war." Salomon jumped off his motorcycle and shoved the helmet into Steve Rogers' hands. Nick Fury was indeed cunning, but Salomon's enemies were entirely different. Captain Rogers had faced demons and dark magic alongside him, and Salomon was confident he could convince him.

"I know you hate super soldiers, and I know why you hate them." The arcane mage preemptively pricked open the stinking sore under the blazing sun. Captain Rogers' expression wasn't exactly astonished; he seemed to be ready to listen carefully to what Salomon had to say.

"You saw what I'm facing, Captain Rogers. We're facing a threat from beyond the real universe," he said. "So, I wanted to create an army. Nick Fury certainly didn't tell you the purpose of this army because he was afraid you'd be persuaded. The purpose of this army is to eradicate humanity's enemies, to kill extradimensional beings and dark magic creatures, just like those you encountered on the battlefield in the Eastern European monasteries, where you saw the performance of mortal elites."

"I know," Captain Rogers said, looking Salomon intently into his eyes. "But Nick Fury raised another issue with me. He doesn't know if you'll point this army's guns at human society if you want to conquer the world. Can you guarantee you won't?"

"No." Salomon shrugged. He intended to be frank with Steve Rogers; there was no need to beat around the bush with such a straightforward person, only sincerity could earn him favor. "There are many powerful nations in this universe: the Kree Empire, Xandar, Asgard. These nations have unified several planets, while humanity is still confined to one planet."

Salomon's tone was exactly like a parent seeing their child's terrible report card: "Especially in Western countries, Rogers, the short-sightedness of capitalism is on full display in these countries. You have to admit, the majority of people in this world are idiots, and so-called democracy is just a cloak of capitalism, because there will always be voters who are bought off by politicians' small favors—like opposing tax increases on the rich, because those voters believe that if capitalists aren't taxed, they will provide more jobs. Tell me, can a country be governed well by idiot voters electing idiot politicians? The result of this is that humanity will be trapped on Earth, and after resources are exhausted, we will never be able to leave the solar system."

"If nothing changes, I can't guarantee I won't use my own strength to eradicate those parasites. Then, a society that can be called efficient will be established."

"Do you think you're any different from Hitler, Salomon? Where did you learn all this?" Captain Rogers frowned. "I hear cruelty and disregard for life in your words."

"Since you've asked this question, I must give you an answer," the sorcerer replied with a smile. "No, Rogers, there's no difference. Hitler worshipped the Aryans, I worship all humanity. I will treat aliens the same way the CCP treated Jews. Unless you are an alien sympathizer, you have no reason to object. I know the weight of this crime, and I am willing to bear it. I value life, but only human life. I dare not say that my methods are any cleaner than America's, but you have no idea what challenges we will face. When the monarch who protects the real universe and Earth grows old, we will only be able to rely on ourselves."

"But the Avengers..."

"Are you serious, individual heroism?" Salomon glared at him, his voice sharp. "You're a true American! Individual heroism works because it's a victory built on collectivism, you should understand that. Are the Avengers that powerful? If the Chitauri hadn't been afraid of Asgard and dared not enter the solar system, those terrifying weapons would have already descended upon Earth. If S.H.I.E.L.D. hadn't found everyone, you'd still be scattered across this planet by the time the portal opened."

"That's not what I meant. I'm a soldier. And reality isn't as bad as you say, Salomon." Captain Rogers sighed helplessly. He had seen Salomon's state before; soldiers returning from the battlefield often perceived everything around them as a threat. He just hadn't expected Salomon, so young, to have such a terrible mental state.

"The Earth isn't that bad yet; people can still enjoy their lives."

“Yes, but only for a few years. How long can people bury their heads in the sand?” Salomon replied expressionlessly. “The Asgardian kings are getting old, and the Sorcerer Supreme…” He took a deep breath. “After the guardians of the Material Plane and the Nine Realms pass away, we won’t have much time left. You can’t understand my sense of urgency, Rogers. I can’t stop.”

"This is not your responsibility, it is the responsibility of all humanity."

“Is that so? It seems that only one nation on this planet has a clear understanding of its path,” Salomon said. “But one nation alone cannot carry all of humanity forward. This is my responsibility, Steve. The responsibility was mine the moment I received the holy sword forged by Gaia, the Earth Mother, and this pressure is one I must bear.”

Steve Rogers scratched his head.

Nick Fury had really given him a run for his money; neither his eloquence nor the information he had could refute Salomon's arguments. But he still had a solution: simply put the issue aside for the time being.

"While I can't fully grasp what you're about to face, I know you're under immense pressure," he said candidly. "You need a place to release that pressure. The S.H.I.E.L.D. report says you have almost no entertainment, only video games. How about trying boxing? There's no one here who can fight me, but I think you should be able to handle it."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)