Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 781 A Stupid Agent (First Update)

If one sets aside superficial observations and focuses on the truth, one will discover that although the Immortal City possesses a large amount of high-tech weaponry and well-trained soldiers, and continues to train soldiers and conduct genetic modification experiments, it is essentially a military organization, and Salomon is a warlord. He is well aware that the term "warlord" is not pleasant to hear, but he also knows that sooner or later he will have the opportunity to change this title to a more prestigious one.

After all, this world is full of fools who call themselves gods once they have a little ability, and who dream of ruling the world once they have a little money. He's definitely better than those fools. Stephanie is ambitious about the bright future, and her loyalty is beyond question. The power-hungry nature of her Hydra bloodline makes her keenly aware of what she should and shouldn't do.

For example, she chose to ignore communications from Agent Coulson after answering them, because she could make the decisions herself regarding such messages.

S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Immortal City's research on the monolith took two completely opposite directions. S.H.I.E.L.D. relentlessly pursued the monolith's whereabouts after the Napoleonic Wars, while the Immortal City ventured into the Middle East to search for ancient legends. This was the research direction set by Salomon, and Stephanie firmly believed in it, as she had never seen a monarch make a mistake. However, given that the Immortal City lacked a professional archaeological department, Stephanie specifically contacted Laura Crawford, the adventurer and archaeologist Salomon knew best, requesting the assistance of this woman who had experienced at least two thrilling archaeological adventures.

"Paintings, sculptures, books—these are all works of art created by humankind in the past to praise something, a virtue, or a legend. These things are the foundation for defining a group's culture and way of thinking. Culture is another ship that carries us to the stars. If we lose these things, if we lose our culture and way of thinking, then even if we reach the ends of the universe, we can only be called beasts using high-tech tools." Salomon once expressed his views on art and culture in the past. "In the future, we will establish a similar department to protect and explore the world's relics and protect our culture. This is an important way to define who we are, and it is also part of the conquest."

This means a large grant, Stephanie thought.

Laura Crawford called back with astonishing speed, eagerly inquiring if she had discovered any interesting relics.

Salomon was Laura Crawford's only investor, because she could never reveal the truth she had uncovered. Even so, the adventurer remained undeterred—especially after the Immortal City began its purge of Trinity. Even the slanderous reports about her in the London tabloids lessened considerably, and she became much more cheerful, even finding time to practice shooting and hand-to-hand combat. Given Salomon's past tendency to squander money on Laura Crawford's adventures, Stephanie could only reluctantly allocate a sum of money and promise a certain amount of armed support, so that Laura Crawford could make an indelible contribution to world cultural heritage.

And that damn private jet!

Although the private jet was nominally Salomon's personal property, Laura Crawford was the primary user. Stephanie also wanted to fly on that private jet, but Salomon preferred the assault transport's safety, speed, and firepower; comfort was secondary. Therefore, Stephanie, who frequently traveled with him, had to endure the assault transport's hard seats. It must be said, the assault transport's bumpy ride was truly unpleasant. What angered her even more was the rumor that the archaeologist had some kind of ambiguous relationship with Salomon. Although she couldn't use intelligence to investigate, this rumor was enough to make her unhappy.

"I still need to go to Norway to visit a friend of my father's," Laura said apologetically.

Stephanie gritted her teeth and sent a message to the airport, beginning to arrange Laura Crawford's trip to Norway. The archaeologist claimed that once he finished his personal affairs, he could begin studying the data provided by the Immortal City, and it wouldn't be delayed for long. Stephanie had no interest in investigating which of Laura Crawford's father Richard Crawford's friends was in Norway, otherwise she would have discovered that the travel records of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents sent by the intelligence department would overlap with Laura Crawford's schedule.

"I have guests to attend to!" Professor Randolph was thoroughly annoyed by Agent Coulson and his group. "Leave the documents here and come back to me in a few days," he said. "If I can't give you an answer, then whatever you want is fine with you."

“We’re not thugs, Professor Randolph,” Agent Coulson smiled. “We just want your help. And I’m afraid we don’t have many days left; we need to resolve this now.”

"I understand." Professor Randolph stood up and glanced down the corridor leading to the cell. He lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Did you bring me anything?"

"There are checks at the prison gate."

"You agents, you must have a way to bypass the checks!"

Agent Coulson gave Daisy a look that said, "I already told you." Daisy frowned and pulled a small sachet from her bodice. "This is all you have." She shoved the sachet back in. "No comments, and no smelling."

"Human women are such a hassle," Professor Randolph muttered as he eagerly opened the small bottle of liquor and downed it in one gulp.

Daisy's face scrunched up in disgust.

"Now, take a look at these. This is all the information we have so far." Coulson handed over the photos of the monolith, the video of the liquefaction, the scanned images of the parchment, and Fitz's speculations about the monolith. Professor Randolph skipped over the data and charts written by Fitz and, like a child who had just learned to read, turned directly to the page with pictures.

"A portal?" Professor Randolph looked up in surprise and doubt.

“Yes, a portal,” Coulson said. “I believe that after hiding on Earth for so many years, you must have been worried that the Rainbow Bridge would take you away one day, so you must have studied the related legends.”

"But I've never seen this stone."

"Think about it again."

"I haven't finished... I've seen this before, an ancient Hebrew word meaning death." Professor Randolph pointed to the scanned image on the parchment. "Where did you find this?"

Daisy answered eagerly, "It's in the hands of a thug boss in Tangier's old town. Since you care about this, it means you've seen it before."

"It's just a common Old Hebrew word. But your observation is quite keen. Although this word is common, I saw it once, in England, where it shouldn't have appeared." Professor Randolph licked his lips. "I was invited to a noble banquet. Although European nobles had relearned to bathe, the smell was still not very pleasant. I saw a very beautiful lady there, but by morning, after her perfume had dissipated..."

Agent Coulson promptly interrupted the old man's reminiscences, "Ahem, we're not here to hear you talk about your past romantic escapades, Professor Randolph."

"Okay, okay. I did see the word in England. It was engraved on the wall of an old castle in Gloucestershire. I was a bit drunk at the time, so I didn't pay much attention to it."

"If we provide a map, could you point out the location of that castle?" Agent Coulson asked.

Faced with this question, Professor Randolph simply pointed to his head. "How did you get so stupid, Cole's son?" he said. "Can't you just open Google Maps and find it?"

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)