Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 692 Amateur (First Update)

This open-air pub was a popular spot for students to eat, located at the crossroads of Corpus Christi College and the Town Hall, not far from Merton College. The mystic arrived shortly after class by bicycle, encountering several other students who also frequented the place for a meal. Even though Salomon lowered his voice, his size and the barely concealed anger still drew attention—students who directly entered Oxford, those who entered Oxford because of their family background, and those who attended public school before gaining admission based on their grades were completely different. Experienced people could distinguish them at a glance, because only the last one would have such a demanding requirement for their suit; even the most meticulous honorary headmaster couldn't find fault with that.

Good looks easily inspire likability, and Coulson in his baggy American suit and Skye in her tactical gear clashed sharply with Salomon's elegant demeanor. Coupled with the sorcerer's erudition and athleticism, he was a minor celebrity among the academies he frequented; even the private theological school had some recollection of him. While not everyone liked him, some would lend a hand in unusual situations—students were already gesturing to the sorcerer, asking if they should call the police to get rid of these two mysterious figures.

Coulson noticed the students' gazes directed their way, and Skye immediately looked around nervously. "That's why I wanted to go to the pizzeria," Agent Coulson sighed quietly, reassuring Skye to calm down and not lose control, causing innocent casualties. That would lead Salomon to break the contract and attack them directly. "We have no hostility; Skye just wants to find her mother..."

"A being who sees himself as superior to humanity, a being who attempts to exterminate humanity." The arcane mage scoffed at this statement, but still managed a forced smile and wave to his classmates to prevent them from actually dialing the police. "There have been many like this throughout history. You should know how Kamar-Taj treated people like this, right, Coulson?" He maintained his smile. "I won't consider whether she should be disappointed in humanity after experiencing such torment. I'll only consider whether she has the right to elevate the Inhumans above humans. You can't expect everyone to pay for Whitehall's actions. Skye, you've already detached yourself from humanity and think that Jia Ying's revenge against humanity is justified, isn't it?"

"I absolutely never thought that! You're the one who's been changing the subject and slandering the Inhumans!" The mixed-race girl growled almost inaudibly, gripping the wooden table tightly with both hands, looking as if she might smash it into the sorcerer's face at any moment.

"Since you still stand on the side of humanity, then don't blame me for defending humanity. I won't deny my cold-bloodedness, because caring about Inhumans isn't something I need to consider. I don't care how those Inhumans who consider themselves non-human are treated; I only accept Inhumans who can sacrifice for humanity. Only those Inhumans are worthy of being called Inhumans." The arcane mage's smile grew increasingly sinister. "And you, Coulson, you've caused the deaths of other agents several times while trying to save Skye. Do you think Inhuman lives are more valuable than human lives?"

"You know perfectly well that's not true, Salomon." Agent Coulson shook his head. "That's a vicious claim."

"Those who share my stance will feel safe because of this attitude." The sorcerer swept his eyes across them. "I don't trust you. No matter what your past was like, without Nick Fury's leadership, you are no longer on the side of humanity. Girl, don't take your anger out on me, and don't think that having superpowers gives you the right to attack me. I don't need to go through all that trouble to kill you."

Agent Coulson gripped Skye's arm. He said sincerely, "You'll see our position, Salomon. S.H.I.E.L.D. is always S.H.I.E.L.D., and I will stand firm in my duty."

"Perhaps. I still need you to complete the task fate has given you. After that, I will take you all seriously and settle accounts for your mistakes one by one." The sorcerer pulled out a napkin, took out a pen, and wrote down an address on it. "Jiaying is at this location. I put her in a shipping container, injected her with a sedative, and attached an explosive collar to prevent that teleporting superhuman from taking her away. I think dismantling that thing shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"

"An exploding collar?" Skye stood up abruptly. "You treated her like a dog?"

Salomon rolled his eyes at her, and under Agent Coulson's pleading gaze, he ultimately refrained from saying anything too drastic to provoke Skye's mind. However, to prevent her superpowers from causing injury or death, he still delivered a mental blow. "Thank you," Agent Coulson said, taking the napkin and the dazed, almost wooden-like mixed-race girl. "Although our trust is almost gone, I still believe you understand our purpose. How long can she maintain this state?"

"Three minutes. I went easy on you. That's enough time for you to put her in the car."

Following the address given by the arcane mage, Coulson's team found the unconscious Jia Ying, and Skye rushed over to check on her.

The mixed-race girl was unusually angry when she saw the new scars on Jia Ying's body.

"You just let him go like that!" She was so angry she was almost crying. Simmons from the science team rushed forward to check Jia Ying's vital signs, while the rest of the team watched Coulson silently, waiting for his response. "Don't you know a lot about him? You can expose what he did!"

"And then let him kill us?" Melinda May's words calmed Skye somewhat. "Is that what you want, Skye?"

“Salomon is extremely dangerous. Before the Hydra rebellion, he was already guiding S.H.I.E.L.D. to assist him in his missions.” Coulson shook his head. “We don’t know why he suddenly handed Jiaying over to us, but I’m certain he didn’t do it because of the Avengers’ persuasion, and he’s not lying about that. I’ve received intelligence proving that they lost a large number of agents after I informed the Avengers about this, and I suspect that Salomon is involved. And—”

"—A task given by fate," Leopold Fitz said. "That's why he spared us. He seems so different. What happened? I could joke with him the last time I saw him!"

"Right now, he just sends chills down my spine." Simmons sniffed. "Jiaying's fine, just some superficial injuries, looks like the result of interrogation. We'll have to get back on the Airbus to check the details; I don't know if Salomon used any interrogation drugs on her."

"They've left? Report back, Agent L3-A."

"Yes, Ms. Hand, they've boarded the Quinjet." The agent holstered his sniper rifle, pressed his earpiece, and said, "I've already installed tracking equipment on the landing gear. I must say, I enjoy playing the drunkard. No one would suspect a drunkard crying like a child because his favorite team lost, especially with a Liverpool accent. Ha, this is the first time Liverpool people have given something instead of taking something (Liverpool has a high theft rate). How could Coulson's squad not see through this trick?"

"Because they're no longer secret agents," Victoria Hand sneered. "They're incredibly amateurish now."

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(End of this chapter)