Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 422 A Figure Who Inspires Awe (First Update)

"Are you crazy?" Salomon switched to the other bag. The bag wasn't too heavy, but it was making his hand ache. He pointed to his head and said, "Or maybe you think I'm crazy enough to agree to your demands."

"This is not a condition, it's a request," Father Moru sighed.

It was only then that Salomon noticed how tired the priest seemed. His lips were pale, dry, and cracked, and his forehead was covered in sweat. He blinked for long periods, as if he needed to push aside some heavy object each time he opened his eyes. However, Salomon did not resort to the impolite method of mind-reading to probe Father Moru's thoughts. He was determined to refuse; staying to talk was merely a matter of courtesy.

"You can think of this as a travel invitation; the church will cover your airfare, entrance fees, and accommodations," said the priest, who rarely wore clergy attire. "If you go to Rome, you can stay at Gundolfo Castle, where there are many small towns built in the Albanian hills, where you can buy local vegetables. You can also choose to visit the Albanian volcanic lake, the Vatican Observatory, or the Pope's private gardens; if you go to London…"

"I live in London." Salomon waved his free hand, as if shooing away a persistent fly.

“Alright, but I still recommend you go to Rome instead of London. The Anglican Church is just a social organization.” Father Moru forced a smile. “I don’t really want to criticize the former pope, after all, he was my spiritual leader. But if you ask me, the current pope is much more humble than the former pope, and I think you can get along with him.”

“I didn’t go to seminary, Moru. I studied physics. I chose to understand the world through mathematics and reason, not through the ignorance of religion born of fear. Yes, fear—even in a world with a true God, the worship of God is ignorance. You can’t be afraid of someone just because they’re dressed in gold and can summon thunder, even if that person really is a god. Fear breeds dread, dread breeds worship, worship breeds ignorance, and reason disappears,” Salomon said. “In my view, religion is almost no different from the modern pursuit of idols, believing that people’s concepts of good and evil and their social order come from the worship of God, that God has shaped human society. This is undoubtedly an irrational view. Can you say that any idol has shaped human good and evil?”

“Francis wants to talk to you.” Moru ignored Salomon’s repeated criticisms, as the sorcerer had said these things more than once. “Even if you don’t like religion, there’s nothing wrong with listening to the wisdom of an elder, isn’t there? Pope Francis isn’t some aloof clergyman; on the contrary, he cares deeply about the lives of ordinary people. Talk to him, Salomon. No one will force you to do anything; this is just a conversation.”

"Is he well-mannered and polite?"

"Yes, he was very polite."

"Does he know how to use a knife and fork?"

"Of course."

"Oh, that is indeed a formidable figure." Salomon did not accept the silver dove offered by Moru. "I will go; you just need to hope that the current Pope lives a long life. Don't come again, Moru; I do not welcome clergy here."

"Don't we need to have our wedding in a church?" Bayonetta's question caught him off guard after Salomon told the witch everything that had just happened.

"Didn't you say the other day that you should date for a hundred years first?" Salomon put the things he was carrying into the refrigerator and sat down on the sofa, close to Bayonetta. "Joan of Arc said the same thing. She said that since everyone's lifespan is so long, dating should at least be measured in centuries."

"Boya, how can you take a girl's words seriously? Even so, a wedding still needs someone to officiate." Bayonetta put down the fashion magazine in her hand. She was the only woman who could pull off purple and fuchsia eyeshadow, and she had recently been experimenting with even bolder color combinations. The magazine offered a suggestion that seemed quite plausible, and Bayonetta was considering it.

She chuckled as she pinched Salomon's cheek, then sniffed the sorcerer's hair. Confirming there was no unpleasant odor, the witch boldly kissed Salomon on the lips, then chuckled and sat back down before he could return the kiss, pushing the sorcerer to the other side of the sofa.

[Endure the Environment] This spell is essential in summer and winter, otherwise Salomon would suffocate from the heat of his layers of clothing. However, this magic cannot prevent the flames the witch has ignited in his heart. Salomon felt a surge of heat, and the sorcerer couldn't help but swallow.

"Or are you saying you don't want to get married?" Bayonetta covered the lower half of her face with a magazine, her tone rising with ill intent. The witch, dressed in a thin nightgown, gently poked Salomon's thigh with her cute, nail-painted toes, and Salomon saw the mockery in her eyes.

"Of course I would. We can ask Athena to preside; there's no need to find a priest." Salomon grabbed the soft, white foot and then naturally kissed the instep. Bayonetta didn't pull her foot away, but let the sorcerer play with her toes.

"Hmm~ Or perhaps your teacher?"

"That's fine too," Salomon nodded, as long as Bayonetta could accept the Venerable One officiating the wedding in the form of a Holy Spirit. Bayonetta narrowed her eyes, gently retracting her long legs and guiding Salomon closer to her. Just as the grinning sorcerer shifted on the sofa, about to kiss the witch's collarbone, the Cheshire Cat jumped down from the cat tree at the other end of the living room, shaking its fat body and howling as it charged at Salomon at full speed, crashing into him like a cannonball.

Amid the witch's loud laughter, Salomon sighed and tossed the Cheshire Cat, which had jumped onto his lap, aside.

The Cheshire Cat had been diligently eating from its food bowl before Salomon returned, and by the time Salomon came back, it had devoured all the food. It had been fast asleep on the cat tree, but woke up immediately upon hearing the wizard's voice.

This pig hasn't eaten for an hour and is now clamoring for a snack!

"Little spy!" Salomon poked the Cheshire Cat's chubby head and grumbled, "Did Joan of Arc send you to cause trouble?"

"Meow~" The gray shorthair cat, sensing trouble, tried to snuggle into Bayonetta's arms, seemingly forgetting who took it to the vet for its neutering surgery. Salomon angrily grabbed the Cheshire Cat's tail, and the cat pitifully begged the witch, trying to escape its owner's punishment.

"You heartless idiot, have you forgotten whose pet you are?" Salomon said angrily. The Cheshire Cat hadn't fulfilled any of its duties as a pet; all it did was eat and sleep, not even helping to get a drink. Salomon could say that the Cheshire Cat was the most useless pet in the world. Besides bullying the intruding male cat and monopolizing the female cat in the building, it couldn't do anything else.

Bayonetta held the Cheshire Cat and Salomon together in her arms.

Please vote for me! My fingers are killing me, I hate keyboards so much.

(End of this chapter)