Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 446 Inviting a Guest to Execute (First Update)

Under her father's tutelage, Stephanie became a staunch believer in Hydra.

Although she wanted to refute Salomon's claims, the threat of death looming over the Malik family forced her to remain silent. Salomon glanced at Stephanie; he had encountered such fanatical religious individuals before, especially when such beliefs had few followers, leading to the formation of information cocoons where those within them naturally wouldn't think about anything else.

For example, fundamental questions like "What exactly is this so-called God?" and "Why should we worship Him?" have never been considered in seminaries. This is especially true when Hydra's beliefs are a standard Gothic dark religion, characterized by its antiquity, unconventionality (compared to Christianity), blood sacrifice, and other features, and are filled with a sense of ascetic martyrdom.

Just like cults that worship devils, demons, Dormammu, and Sithon, it's perfect for little kids with chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) who have nowhere to vent their frustrations.

Gideon Malik wisely recognized the truth about the Hydra faith: it was a complete lie.

The ancient martyrdom rituals continued by the Malik family have always been a means of maintaining this small Hydra faction. Belief makes no difference; the so-called martyrdom lottery is simply a way to cheat and avoid being chosen. He originally thought his daughter was among the intelligent ones, but due to her privileged upbringing, Stephanie became a true heiress. Even though she's an Ivy League graduate, nearing thirty, she has no experience with Hydra affairs, no work experience, and derives no spiritual fulfillment from material possessions.

So the ancient belief in Hydra filled the void, and she was proud that her family held such a belief.

"Extraterrestrials came to Earth long before human civilization. You've definitely heard of or even seen this race, because Dr. Hotwyl once found a Kree corpse. That corpse is now in the possession of S.H.I.E.L.D. and is being used in a project called Project Tahiti. Sound familiar? You might have heard of this project when you were working for the World Security Council." Salomon licked his lips and placed the empty glass on the table. "So, Hydra's so-called gods are actually modified products of the Kree, cannon fodder on the alien battlefield."

Although the truth was hard to accept, Salomon showed no consideration for the Malik family's feelings whatsoever.

"My organization has been eradicating the worship of evil gods for thousands of years, but Hydra has survived to this day only because what you worship is nothing more than a multi-armed creature. A multi-armed creature that is utterly useless." Salomon laughed gloatingly. "Foolish people, religion is a civilization built on lies, and Hydra is an organization built on lies. You may doubt everything I say because it is completely different from the self-comforting and blood-sacrificing Gothic cult passed down through your family for generations."

"But it's alright, even without that stone, I can still get you there." Salomon winked slyly at Stephanie, and Gideon felt a surge of nervousness. He cherished his daughter dearly; since his wife's early death, all his love had been given to Stephanie, and this constant pampering had left her lacking in worldly wisdom.

"Don't be surprised, I know a lot of things. Mortal, your little secrets are nothing to me. How about it, want to give it a try? I promise to send you back, and I promise not to tell your daughter about your little tricks."

Gideon Malik took a deep breath and finished his drink. The man before him knew everything, including the tampering he'd done during the ceremony—his deepest secret. He ignored the look in his daughter's eyes. "What do you want? Money or power?" he said dejectedly. "With your abilities, isn't what you want within your grasp?"

"What I need are people," Salomon transmitted telepathically to Dinah. Dinah nodded, left the study, and closed the door, leaving Salomon behind. "What I need is Hydra," the sorcerer said. "Hydra has people in every industry, and I need professionals to fill the framework of my organization. You might think this is the same as Project Paperclip, but I can tell you how it's different."

Under the astonished gaze of the Malik family, the oil paintings on the walls began to rotate and expand around a central point. The floor and furniture, disregarding their volume, repeatedly folded into regular geometric shapes. The study, which was not very large to begin with, began to extend outwards, and all objects seemed to be placed in a giant kaleidoscope, tumbling into geometric blocks of color. Gideon Malik immediately pulled his daughter to her feet, trying to find a stable place to stand. Salomon's seat was repeatedly piled up and then raised, like a judge high above in court looking down on the Malik father and daughter.

"I told you, this is magic." Salomon's calm voice boomed from the air, a voice as powerful as thunder. Gideon couldn't see the uninvited guest's face; the figure was already hidden by the tall desk. "I also told you, I'm going to take you to see your god."

"Who are you?!"

A longsword gleaming with golden light descended from the sky and landed in front of Gideon Malik. He recognized the sword; he had seen it more than once in briefings during the Battle of New York. This sword belonged to the man who had destroyed the alien fleet, the man who had taken the nuclear warhead.

This sword shattered all illusions.

"I'm willing to obey you! I'm willing to transfer power to you! Just let us go!" Even a fool would know he had no power to resist, and Gideon Malik was certainly no fool. Only Stephanie was surprised that her father had so easily abandoned his faith, but she couldn't utter a word in the face of such a scene. In fact, it was already commendable that she was still standing.

"Surrender! Surrender will bring rewards!"

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"How should I address you, My Lord?" Gideon Malik took a sip of his drink, still shaken. The scene before him was unlike anything he had ever witnessed; he imagined this to be what gods were like. He held his sullen daughter's hand, both of them drenched in cold sweat. "And what exactly is our goal?"

"That's fine, or rather, your name in the mortal world. I'm glad you abandoned that parasite, and so do you, Stephanie. As for my goal, it's to make humanity stand at the pinnacle of the universe." Salomon handed Malik and his daughter two contracts. The terms of these contracts were extremely generous; Salomon promised that as long as the Malik family remained loyal, they would receive the youth, beauty, and longevity he promised.

"Two hundred years. I can extend Malik's life by two hundred years and restore his youth. This is my reward. It's a blood pact; as long as any member of the Malik family is alive, this pact will be in effect." Salomon poured himself another glass of wine. "Then you'll need to help me contact some Hydra leaders; they should submit to me now. Don't contact John Gartler, Alexander Pierce, or Dr. Hotwyl; cut ties with them as much as possible. They're doomed."

"Everything in the Malik family belongs to you," Gideon Malik said, bowing his head at the opportune moment to sign the contract. "Is there anything I can do for you now?"

"I need a lot of research talent." Salomon ushered a powered android into his study. "She will arrange communications between the Malik family and me, and ensure your safety. I think Stephanie needs to broaden her horizons and not limit her focus to Earth. I'll take her to see my base, and then take her to kill a few aliens."

The woman in power armor was a threat to the Malik family, and the person before him didn't trust them at all. But Gideon knew very well that he had no bargaining chips; all worldly power was worthless to the person before him.

"From now on, the animal specimens in this manor will no longer be those wild beasts. An alien's head is more fitting to showcase this family's glory, isn't it?"

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(End of this chapter)