Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 699 Wine Doesn't Make You Drunk (First Update)

Because this was a covert operation, Wanda's assault transport boat naturally couldn't land directly at the designated location. In fact, Wanda had already made a reservation through the Immortal City's intelligence network under the guise of a visit. Therefore, after breaking through the atmosphere and crossing the Atlantic, the assault transport boat could only land near a remote village in Essex, England, and then proceed on foot along Hall Road near the River Stow to its destination. Wanda's destination was the famous Borei Leedori Haunted House. Although the haunted house had been completely destroyed by an accidental fire, its fame had already spread to the ears of all paranormal enthusiasts. Even the London Daily News gave it extensive coverage, and the renowned "ghost hunter" Harry Pearce even wrote two books specifically about the Borei Leedori Haunted House, making a fortune.

Of course, paranormal research experts Warren and his wife also joined in the fun. The couple appeared at almost every popular haunted tourist spot, and Wanda, after reviewing numerous materials, denounced them as frauds.

Built in 1862, the haunted house was plagued by ghost stories due to its location on the site of a 13th-century monastery. These included knocking sounds, footsteps, and ghost sightings. However, the house's owner at the time, Reverend Rijns, was remarkably humorous. Instead of being bothered, he built a gazebo so that Reverend Rijns and his son, Halib, could enjoy ghostly apparitions while smoking cigars after dinner. The ghosts were said to include nuns and monks executed seven hundred years earlier for a forbidden love affair, or perhaps a nun and a coachman. The Polii-Ledori Haunted House remained relatively unknown until the 1930s when Halib's heir, Henry, moved out due to the ghostly disturbances. The Foster family, who later moved into the beautiful Victorian house, became the biggest victims of the ghosts.

Even though the building has been razed to the ground, it continues to attract paranormal enthusiasts from all over the world. Wanda booked a visit to the remaining buildings after the fire, ostensibly as a paranormal enthusiast. Several moss-covered cemeteries and a small, weathered gray chapel, whose stained-glass windows have never been directly illuminated by sunlight, have lost their vibrant colors, appearing rather somber.

It was a small task, so Salomon readily handed it over to Wanda and then slept soundly at home. He couldn't refuse the witch's request, especially regarding family matters—he'd moved both witches to the four-poster bed that very night, only learning of the witch's orders from Dinah when he woke up the next morning. However, he hadn't paid much attention, especially after Bayonetta's sarcastic remarks, such as "work is more important than girlfriends," which completely dispelled his idea of ​​forcing himself to work. According to Bayonetta, he couldn't leave the bed all day except to use the bathroom. Faced with such a demanding request, Salomon readily agreed, one important reason being the black sheer nightgown Bayonetta was wearing.

"Bring me some potions," he whispered to Diana, because the witch seemed to be getting serious.

Wanda, of course, had no idea of ​​the real reason Salomon had asked for leave. She assumed her teacher had simply assigned the task to her because he was too busy. Now that she stood before the ruins of the Poliledori haunted house, she naturally wouldn't take the records of those "ghost hunters" seriously. Salomon had explained to her countless times that those so-called paranormal experts were essentially frauds, making money by repeatedly exposing photos and fabricating stories. The Poliledori haunted house did exist, but the reality was far removed from all the legends—there were no nuns or monks who died because of forbidden love. Nuns in that era weren't so rule-abiding; mixed bathing was common in 13th-century Europe, and many nuns had to throw their newborn children into nearby rivers to avoid being discovered for breaking their vows.

"A vengeful spirit." After telling the priest she wanted to explore alone, Wanda finally revealed her discovery to Pietro. She held onto her brother's shoulder to prevent her low-heeled boots from sinking into the soft, leaf-strewn grass, which felt like a trap. "A vengeful spirit is at work, but the source isn't here." Wanda suddenly used an extremely archaic grammar, startling Pietro, who thought she was possessed. Seeing her panicked brother, the witch finally smiled. "Ghosts don't dare to do that."

She folded her umbrella, keeping the breeze and rain at bay through an invisible barrier, and then showed Pietro her exorcism jewelry, the silver stakes hidden in her sleeve that could be launched at any moment, and her fully loaded pistol. These were tools Salomon had prepared for her after their last mission. However, Salomon had also warned her that these things were not the main factor in defeating monsters; magic was the most fundamental power. Wanda naturally took his advice, but the breadth of spells she could learn was not as extensive as Salomon's. When facing certain special monsters, these items were more useful than the supernatural spells she could cast—for example, ethereal monsters like ghosts and vengeful spirits, which she couldn't easily defeat using only her mind control spells.

"I'm a professional exorcist now, you can't beat me."

"Oh! Really?" Pietro smiled too. He was pleased to see the rift between siblings disappear once again. To hell with the Immortal City and the Avengers, Wanda is my sister, Pietro thought. "Let's settle this with our most common method. Can you guess whether I'll take rock or scissors?"

"I guess it's scissors. You always pick scissors first," Salomon said slowly.

Joan of Arc stood up angrily, but bumped her head on the four-poster bed, almost rendering the ancient Renaissance artifact unusable for the witches. What was originally just a game to decide who got the potato chips turned into a gamble with the white-haired witch's treasured brandy, determined to overpower Salomon and redeem herself for her humiliating behavior hours earlier. According to Diana, her screams could be heard across the street. If Bayonetta hadn't stopped her, the enraged Joan might have grabbed a gun and gone out to kill everyone—having just graduated from witch academy and been brainwashed, working for the Ragnar Order for five hundred years, her witches' lovemaking skills had completely gone to waste. Bayonetta felt obligated to help Joan review.

As it turns out, the witches' techniques are extremely lethal, regardless of whether the target is male or female.

"No mind-reading allowed!" Joan of Arc wrapped herself in the blankets, several empty brandy bottles scattered around her, the bedroom filled with the pungent smell of alcohol. Salomon had indeed followed Bayonetta's instructions and hadn't gotten out of bed all day. He and the witch had drunk quite a bit, but they were still a long way from being drunk. However, Joan of Arc had a remarkable talent for feigning drunkenness, which allowed her to avoid the embarrassing situation of agreeing to Bayonetta's conditions afterward. All three present were aware of this, but no one pointed it out, lest Joan of Arc, in her embarrassment and anger, act recklessly and cause chaos.

Salomon doesn't want to fight naked.

"Okay, okay, but I guess you're still going to throw scissors... See? I told you so."

"You forced me to do it using magic! That doesn't count!"

Salomon shrugged.

In any case, the witch is right.

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)