Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 697 The Witch's Wrath (First Update)

"Dr. Hank Pym's letter... what an old-fashioned fellow, handwritten at that. He claims this matter has nothing to do with the dispute between him and his students, and that he's not seeking your help but rather discussing academic matters—we haven't said anything yet. He also says... this old fellow claims he'll shoot you in the head if you believe he's approached you for help. According to intelligence, Hank Pym might use a .0.45 Colt pistol cartridge and an M1911A1 pistol with a muzzle energy of approximately 468 joules. While I don't rule out the possibility of a modern high-powered charge of 821 joules, either way, it poses no threat to your skull. To prevent assassins from dismembering a valuable scholar, I suggest you send someone to communicate with Dr. Pym briefly, lest you miss any important information."

"I'm afraid other people's skulls aren't as hard as mine," the sorcerer shrugged. "But I have no interest in going after him."

"Then let's talk over the phone. Dr. Pym's application is a minor matter; our next concern is Whitehall." Guard Zero took a breath. His silver armor, worn over a deep red robe, was covered in intricate patterns, beneath which lay a sophisticated mechanical structure and electronic components. This armor came from the Brotherhood of the Shield; after modifications by the research department, its life support system could help him overcome the pain following his genetic modification surgery and continuously release medication to promote subsequent growth and development. The growing pains were excruciating; he felt as if his leg bones might burst from his feet at any moment.

He felt the armor slowly stealing his heat.

The underground city is frigid. This man-made, reinforced cavern is far from sunlight, and the heat radiated by the massive Silver Lion Furnace is far from enough to warm the office areas. As the seasons change, this downward trend in temperature becomes more pronounced, but it will eventually plateau, at which point the underground temperature will be significantly higher than the surface temperature. Even so, heating from the core power plant and water department remains essential. They need precise temperature control in conjunction with the engineering department to constantly maintain the immortal city's rock dome; after all, no one wants the rock to collapse or the groundwater to flood the place.

"We've eliminated all the ordinary staff who had direct or indirect contact with Whitehall." The Guardian Zero test subject recalled his inspection of the office that morning, repeatedly confirming he hadn't overlooked anything, before speaking. "The assassins have murdered a Wakanda scientist who also had some connection to Whitehall. Whitehall indirectly contacted him, using his knowledge as leverage to demand the scientist build him a body. The assassins left no trace, and the Wakanda autopsy report proves the scientist died of overwork and a heart attack. As for certain high-ranking officials like Stephanie… I believe Stephanie's suspicions can be ruled out; she has proven her loyalty through her actions. The Sorority's self-investigation is also complete, and no one is connected to Whitehall. I believe Whitehall's brain is too dangerous; even if the knowledge within is invaluable, it should be sealed away, and no one except you should be allowed access."

"What's the situation inside the sorority?"

"You should be aware of the sorority's exclusivity, sir," Guard Zero sighed. "Without your orders, I don't think I'd even be able to step through the doors of the sorority's headquarters. As far as I know, this matter seems to have touched a nerve with Lady Dita; she's issued a chastity decree for the sorority, meaning that girls who officially join can never leave or find a spouse. Don't you think that's a bit too absolute?"

"My trust in the androids is the same as my trust in you, so let Tita decide for herself. Don't try to send assassins or spies in; she'll submit a report to me anyway. However, you can notify the intelligence department to conduct background checks on the Sorority's staff; I think this is a necessary measure. Remember, it's assisting in the investigation. I'll give you a written order, not just a verbal instruction, to prevent those hot-tempered girls from shooting you."

Zero smiled confidently. The genetic modification surgery was progressing smoothly. After countless secret modifications and gene alchemy, his body was gradually accepting the superhuman power. With the acceleration from the Time Stone and the Silver Key, he was beginning to familiarize himself with and utilize this power. It would probably be soon enough that he could wear that power armor.

"They won't have that chance, sir."

Hank Pym's little plan was conveniently ignored by Salomon. Whatever Hank Pym wanted to do, Salomon didn't care. His next priority was to go to Merton College to retrieve the alchemical simulacrum that had been impersonating him at class. He was going to Jane Foster's studio to prepare his dissertation, and finally, to prepare for becoming a graduate student in mathematics or physics. Of course, these were minor matters; he could also indulge in the wonderful life of feeding his cats, watching mindless talk shows on the sofa with his girlfriend, and having dinner with two witches.

"Poor boy." Bayonetta stroked Salomon's smooth, long hair, then pulled the dazed boy into her arms, nuzzling him like a giant teddy bear. Satisfied, she gestured for Jeanne to sit on the other side of the sofa, gently taking the game controller from Salomon's hands. The PS3 on the TV cabinet nearby hadn't been turned on in a long time, while a brand-new PS4 sat to the side—a gift from Bayonetta, yet the sorcerer had no time to properly enjoy the game. Bayonetta had witnessed how busy he had been for a month, sometimes working and studying non-stop for 24 hours. And he refused to activate his Stigmata in his daily life, claiming it would rob him of the joys of being human; his tone suggested that being busy was an experience even mortals desired.

Therefore, he fell asleep after playing for a short while. Or rather, his human side allowed him to fall asleep.

It turns out that even the most beautiful people drool in their sleep. Without a word, Bayonetta conveyed her thoughts to Joan of Arc. Joan remained silent, her face cold, but she still mimicked Bayonetta by lifting Salomon's arm and snuggling into the sorcerer's embrace. The maid quietly turned off the living room lights and then brought a blanket from the side, covering them both.

"How was it? Wasn't it great?" The light from the TV's standby screen shone on the black-haired witch's face, her mischievous delight almost overflowing from her sparkling eyes. Jeanne closed her eyes, pretending to sleep, refusing to answer Bayonetta's question. Bayonetta beckoned to a maid and took Salomon's schedule from her—tomorrow morning, Salomon needed to report to Kamar-Taj headquarters first, then head to a haunted house in London to investigate an extradimensional pollution incident. The incident wasn't high-level, and there was a high probability of not encountering too difficult a battle. In addition, there was a cult existing in the South American rainforest that needed to be eradicated, and the situation of the Feathered Serpent Cult needed to be investigated. All of the previous matters were official business: official duties in the Immortal City, reports from the Siberian engineering team and the London Trinity investigation team that needed to be reviewed, the intelligence department's assassination plan, the progress of experiments in the biological laboratory, the regular supply quota for the Sky Carrier's cruise, and operations of global bases and special operations teams.

This is just one day's work.

Bayonetta flipped through a few pages and handed the schedule back; she simply couldn't stand it anymore. A surge of anger rose within her. She ordered Diana to delete the entire schedule for tomorrow and logged into Salomon's personal email to send the professor a leave of absence. Immediately afterwards, she commanded the maid to bring the black leather handcuffs from the bedroom.

She didn't plan to let Salomon go to work tomorrow; she wanted her big boy to get a good night's sleep.

Can you guess who wants to sleep?

That's right, it's me!

(End of this chapter)