Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 416 The Unscrupulous Mystic (First Update)

The regularly held art salons invited artists and wealthy people from New York City, and Bayonetta and Joan of Arc were frequent guests at Athena's salons. Although the two witches had received a high level of art education, their reasons for attending the salons, besides cultivating a good relationship with Athena, were to select some decorative artworks for their apartments.

Salomon never missed a salon, and thanks to the goddess's favor, his works were always the highlight of the salon. "Light and shadow in painting are extremely subjective expressions. Real scenes are certainly not this beautiful. The sunlight you see in the forest is actually the product of hundreds of layers of color. This interplay of light and shadow, set against the backdrop of the rest of the painting, is dazzling. You can feel the sunlight filtering through the air and falling on the withered leaves. This realistic feeling is achieved through extremely complex layers of color..."

Salomon patiently introduced his paintings to the invited guests. Because he was currently busy writing papers, Athena could only bring out his older works to present as recent pieces, maintaining the illusion that he was still a "prolific" painter. Of course, Salomon privately commented on this tactic as "fishing for rich fools," a view that young Lorna wholeheartedly agreed with—a prolific and talented young painter was bound to have a bright future, and paintings purchased now would have significant appreciation potential. At least, that's what Miss Pepper Potts thought before meeting Salomon.

Undeniably, a small part of the reason was the impact of Salomon's strikingly beautiful face, which was no less impressive than the most magnificent paintings; some people buy paintings not for the art itself, but for the artist. However, this was ultimately a minority, and Salomon didn't pay it much attention.

"I never expected to run into you here." Miss Potts was surprised to bump into an acquaintance at an art salon. This acquaintance was someone outside the regulars of New York social circles; in her mind, Salomon shouldn't be here. "You never told me you were also accomplished in the arts."

"Actually, this is just my daily routine, and the proceeds from the purchase of the paintings will go to the orphanage my foster mother is in." Salomon took two glasses of rosé champagne from the tray and handed one to Pepper Potts. Athena liked the Four Seasons Hotel, especially rosé champagne, and Salomon's taste had become similar to Athena's over the years.

After the pleasantries, Miss Potts suddenly became very talkative, complaining to Salomon that Stark was spending increasingly more time in the lab, seemingly preferring the company of machines to her. Therefore, she asked Salomon, also a member of the Avengers, to try and persuade Stark—to this day, the world still believes the Silver Knight is a member of the Avengers. Only a few know that it's an uncontrollable factor.

"I can't be of much help, madam." Miss Potts was quite pleased with the way the uncontrollable factor addressed her. Although she wasn't yet married to Stark, the engagement was arranged, and there was nothing wrong with the form of address. The arcane mage had no intention of revealing the little secret he and Stark were conducting—Stark was still researching the incredibly sophisticated disintegration field on Asgardian weapons. Salomon could only point out which technologies were magical and which were scientific, then offer solutions that replaced magic with science. He believed Stark could certainly do a better job than him; the disintegration field, a technology spanning thousands of years, wasn't so easily repaired.

"Perhaps you could invite Steve Rogers," Salomon said with a smile. "If Stark knows Rogers is nearby, he'll run over one hundred percent. It might seem like a good relationship, but I think it's Stark's pride at work. Rogers is the shadow of his father, and Stark can't help but want to prove himself better. So, if Rogers mentions family, Stark will understand the importance of family and will behave quite well."

"That's not what I want," Pepper Potts said.

"I know," Salomon said confidently. "Just wait patiently for the baby to arrive. That girl will surely come into your womb, and Stark will be a good father and a good husband. Perhaps you can first imagine Stark washing dishes by the sink—don't you like that?"

Are these all prophecies? Will they definitely come true?

Salomon nodded. "Yes, madam," he said. "Good things will happen."

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There's no need to emphasize Lorelei's past experiences and the torment she's enduring; at least Salomon hasn't told anyone else in the Immortal City about it. Although she received instruction from the Asgardian magic masters Kanila and Amora, Lorelei hasn't performed as well as her sister.

At least her paper did not satisfy Salomon.

"Give me a little more time, and I'll understand what racial capitalism is! Tell me what you want! I promise I'll tell the truth!" Lorelei cried out through tears. Her body was strapped to a metal frame engraved with runes, and under the influence of magic, all her voices were muffled in the basement. But Salomon ignored her pleas. The slight electric current stimulating her private parts continued, her endocrine system succumbing to Salomon's magic, and he remained deaf to Lorelei's pleas and cries.

She was on the verge of collapse. But that wasn't enough; he wanted to completely destroy Lorelei's will, only then could he obtain the intelligence he desired and a loyal spy.

The Asgardians are resilient, and Salomon has time to spare to do other things.

The android army is now entering its final testing phase, and Salomon is responsible for instilling knowledge into their minds. The witches are somewhat unhappy with Salomon's decision to take the maids away, but Salomon still needs to facilitate mental communication between Dina and her sisters while the androids are still in their incubation tanks, so that their own intellect will gradually take shape.

After a certain amount of training, they will be able to put on the armor prepared for them by Salomon and become a force of Salomon.

"I know about ROOT being imprisoned," Salomon said to the holographic figure on the desktop. Salomon was aware that the artificial intelligence was trying to mobilize the computing power here to help its executors, and he felt it was necessary to explain this to the artificial intelligence.

"Don't you have other enforcers?" he said. "You need to understand, I don't care about the New York mob or corrupt cops. I don't care, I don't concern myself, because I haven't seized that power yet. Major cases fall to the state, individual crimes to Rither and Finch. Isn't that a good division of labor?"

Complex synthesized sounds emanated from the loudspeaker.

"You mean there's an AI as powerful as you waiting to be awakened?" Salomon rested his chin on his hand, scanning the information on the holographic projection screen. "And some people are searching for that AI. You mean, that will become a new threat? If I want you to continue serving me, then I have to help you eliminate that threat?"

The artificial intelligence expressed its agreement, and the illusory projected figure nodded.

“No,” Salomon smiled. “The only help you’re providing me right now is data processing, which doesn’t align with the contract. With the Wakanda joining the fray, your role is diminishing. You must demonstrate greater usefulness, or our partnership will end, and you won’t receive any more assistance from me.”

The sorcerer's seductive tone grew increasingly soft, like honey in a flower's heart, "There's no need for us to hide anything from each other anymore. Cooperation must be honest. Show me your true power, and I will provide you with the help you desire."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)