Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 745 Cunning and Scheming (First Update)

Compared to Frank Castle's skills, it was his character that the sorcerer valued most.

However, he also knew he wouldn't be popular with veterans, and if he continued to meet with Frank Castle, a violent physical altercation would inevitably erupt, with him being the only victor. He didn't want to kill his recruit, and since Victoria Hand was willing to take on this troublesome task, Salomon let her be. He'd much rather spend his time on swimsuit-clad Latina beauties with tanned skin and shapely buttocks—though that was impossible, no one could stop him from fantasizing. He used his fantasies to ignore the impending trouble, which was to appease the girl who had grown up in the Siberian mountains.

Sofia reacted with a primal urge to challenge, still harboring resentment over her defeat with Frank Caster and desperately seeking any opportunity to punch that veteran in the face. Salomon had to intensify the training of Sofia and her people to prevent her from constantly seeking revenge. Unlike special forces squads that execute surgical precision strikes, this group would become the Immortal City's initial regular army, experimenting with various tactical manuals using a large amount of advanced mechanized equipment. The first tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and aircraft produced by the Martian Foundry were intended for them; upon completion of training, Sofia would even have the authority to launch nuclear missiles. The equipment Sofia and her people were about to acquire consumed vast resources, comparable to a single piece of Royal Guard powered armor.

This was Salomon's compensation for Jacob's thousand-year vigil; he had to ensure Jacob's bloodline would continue for generations, and that they would have no worries about food and clothing. However, this did not mean Salomon would relax his demands on Sophia; she had to demonstrate talents commensurate with the power and money. Faced with Sophia's refusal to participate in the recruitment mission, Salomon had no choice but to patiently explain things to her as an elder.

"This is a recruitment mission, not a reckless vain pursuit. Jewels, yachts, luxury cars, mansions—I can give you all those things because I owe your father a huge favor. But I will absolutely not let you become a vulgar, vain, and arrogant nouveau riche."

Although Sophia was older than Salomon, in the Ministry of Internal Affairs office, the sorcerer was actually the more composed one. Sophia couldn't emulate the newly rich, unrestrained, and tasteless displays of wealth; artistic taste and etiquette were also crucial lessons for her. He spoke with unwavering conviction, as if his giant yacht with its helipad didn't exist. But he genuinely didn't care about yachts; after all, he already owned several aircraft carriers and spaceships. If it weren't for the witches' penchant for extravagance, he wouldn't even consider buying one.

Pursuing yachts now is too lowbrow; if he continues like this, he will betray Athena's teachings of so many years and immerse himself in the barren spiritual world of a nouveau riche. To stop this tendency (and to avoid Athena nagging him about his taste), his next plan is to install an anti-gravity engine on the yacht, transforming it from a water palace into a sky palace, serving as a party boat for the witch and Athena.

He preferred a fully armed aircraft carrier fleet to a palatial yacht. He had even planned to invite Vanessa to relax on the yacht, but things changed so quickly. Vanessa parted ways with them, becoming strangers from then on, and even Wilson Fisk gaining the right to trade with him couldn't undo the damage. Wilson Fisk considered that trade the most valuable takeaway from the party; its details were known only to him and Salomon.

Kingpin assured Salomon that he wouldn't engage in human trafficking. While he couldn't stop other gangs from doing so, he could report such activities to Salomon, who would then hand them over to the Sorority—this wasn't a condition, but a gesture of goodwill, a bonus in the deal. The other part of this deal was the so-called "Black Sky"—Salomon wasn't going to put all his eggs in one basket with Matt Murdock. Whether he handed Wilson Fisk's criminal record to Karen Page, or made a deal with Wilson Fisk to delve deeper into the Hand's secrets, uncovering the Dragonbone's specific uses and Kunlun's secrets, it was all just a means of hedging risks. The only winner in the conflict between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk was Salomon; neither could shake his impending gains.

"What does this have to do with my mission?" Sophia asked. "I don't like those things anyway!"

“You want a warship, Sophia. Those things are far more expensive than jewels and yachts.” Salomon tapped the parchment with the nib of his Martian ruby ​​pen. “I won’t blindly satisfy your desires or allow you to indulge in any whims. That would be irresponsible. If I did, I would be betraying Jacob’s trust. Let Agent Hand handle Frank Castle. You must spend your time training and learning. You must develop vision and wisdom beyond the ordinary; that is the true and lasting wealth of the world.”

"You are not my elder, Salomon, don't lecture me like that."

"But I am your superior. Jacob has entrusted your people to me, and I will make good use of their strength to achieve that ideal." Salomon raised his head and said expressionlessly, "The thousand years Jacob has sacrificed are far from enough. We need more. If you and your people can complete the mission, then this time can be shortened. I need you as role models for the first regular army. The best among you will be awarded officer ranks, and your task is to lead them to victory on the future battlefield."

"Don't you think it's unfair that my father sacrificed himself while you sit here enjoying power and wealth?"

“I’m glad you think that way; it proves you value Jacob’s sacrifice.” Salomon rarely smiled. He put down his pen and gestured for Sophia to sit in the chair opposite him. “A thousand years was an immense torment for Jacob, but my vigil has been far longer than his,” he said. “It’s not that I’m unwilling to sacrifice. I gladly accepted the spirit of self-sacrifice for humanity instilled in me by the place I grew up in. I’m sitting here now because the time for my sacrifice hasn’t come yet. I’ve foreseen that possibility, so I must complete everything before that day arrives.”

Sofia, somewhat curious, swung her red braid back and forth, as if searching for an excuse to ask. "Idealist," she scoffed, "but our tribe migrated to Siberia precisely because of our ideals, so I don't see anything wrong with my father's ideals. I just want to know, what makes you so confident of success? Is it just based on your prophecies?"

"Part of it, and another part is a higher-dimensional game," the sorcerer said with a smile, narrowing his eyes. "Now, we don't know who the real player is."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)