Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 890 Brutal Mercy (Second Update)

The transformation of the Avengers was an inevitable outcome.

This organization was originally the product of a series of coincidences; even Nick Fury didn't intend for the Avengers to exist for long. Now that Tony Stark wants to formalize the Avengers, it's necessary to bring up the various issues surrounding this special task force for discussion among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, even without the controversy over new energy sources. No one can trust a group of self-willed individuals with strong individual combat abilities to run around recklessly. Even Natasha Romanoff, who appears to be the weakest fighter, is feared by many; her ability to disrupt administrative institutions far surpasses that of the airborne Tony Stark.

A team capable of obeying orders and possessing ample resources and rich professional expertise to combat extraterrestrial threats has become the top priority for various countries. Due to factors such as cost-saving and political lobbying, the Avengers have become the first choice, making transformation imperative. Ideally, the Avengers would accept the terms; otherwise, disbandment is the only option—no organization on Earth can oppose the five permanent members of the UN Security Council who have reached a consensus, at least not now. As for the behind-the-scenes power struggles that follow bringing the Avengers under control, that's another matter entirely. Salomon could easily guess that if the agreement is accepted, the Avengers will never be able to leave Europe and America. Various countries have seen the effectiveness of strong individual soldier capabilities without deploying large-scale armed forces, not to mention the various political clauses that come with the Avengers. Sovereign nations would rather refuse the Avengers' assistance than allow them to be restricted.

Natasha Romanoff's response was to unite the Avengers.

She wavered between Immortal City and the Avengers, much like her future actions during the Avengers' split. No one knows her true thoughts, but one thing is certain: regardless of her decision, she didn't want the Avengers to split. After obtaining the data, she traveled to the surface city via an elevator, taking with her several upgraded conventional weapons, some explosives, and a lightweight exoskeleton from Immortal City's military.

An assault rifle, two pistols, a large-caliber sniper rifle, and over two hundred rounds of ammunition—all modified for exceptional reliability and untraceability. In addition, there was an optical camouflage cloak, arm armor equipped with servo motors, high-strength composite cables, and special arrowheads; it could be worn on her most frequently used tight-fitting leather arms or concealed under her coat for assassinations. These items, along with explosives, were packed into a large crate. Natasha Romanov donned the cloak, pulled up the hood, and, with the aid of a lightweight exoskeleton, slung the crate over her shoulder.

She planned to strike first, hunting down the Winter Soldier alone—a factor that would inevitably cause the Avengers to split. However, she also anticipated the possibility of failure, as she had less than three days to act before the agents and Steve Rogers arrived in Europe. This time might only be enough to track down the Winter Soldier, not to mention she was operating without intelligence support. Gathering intelligence alone would take even longer, and she didn't expect this blind operation to succeed. Therefore, she revealed a piece of information to Salomon, ensuring that even if she ultimately failed the mission, she would still achieve her goal.

"Some people want to know who the Silver Knight was during the Battle of New York," she said. "Some believe Maria Hill knew, and she did. I don't know what others think, but I'm sure they won't tell anyone."

This means that the reason others don't know Salomon's true identity is because Maria Hill followed Nick Fury's orders and was under Tony Stark's protection without facing much pressure. If the Avengers were to split, those S.H.I.E.L.D. agents who had previously sided with Tony Stark would likely be interrogated again, and Maria Hill might not be able to keep any more secrets—Salomon's performance in the fight against the Chitauri was outstanding and powerful, making him the most unsettling figure for organizations seeking to bring the Avengers under their control. Furthermore, his later battle alongside Thor against the Dark Elves in London further proves that the Avengers should know the identity of this mysterious figure.

What was bound to happen would happen sooner or later, but little Lorna couldn't detect a trace of nervousness on Salomon's face.

Natasha Romanoff underestimated him and the Immortal City. He couldn't handle the five permanent members of the UN Security Council who had reached a consensus, but the Malik family could solve problems with certain individuals within the US with ulterior motives. Political donations from lobbying groups aren't so easy to obtain. The price of a congressman is roughly equivalent to an M1A2 SEPV2 main battle tank; politicians in certain positions demand even more, but under Stephanie's meticulous calculations, the Immortal City often recoups its costs. No politician is unbridable; if one isn't, it's because not enough has been offered. Increased investment can solve the problem; even the president has a price tag.

If even the president can't do it, then replace him with a capable one. That's the logic behind how conglomerates choose their spokespeople.

"Mr. Malik," Salomon immediately dialed the number, "I need your help."

"Ms. Minerva!" Little Lorna, after being thrown back into the apartment, began to tell Athena about everything she had seen and heard.

Everything Salomon showed her today was overwhelming for a high school girl going through puberty. First, there were the Middle Eastern refugees undergoing intensive education, the rigid academic system, and the horrific torture (Salomon took her to see people being whipped in a hospital). Then there was the blatant discussion of dirty political deals and espionage. Even if she was precocious, she couldn't immediately grasp the logic and hidden relationships behind it all. Therefore, her adoptive mother, Miranda Minerva, became the only person who could explain things to her after the sorcerer left (Salomon didn't have much time for her). "Why did Salomon become like this!" the girl said angrily. "Does he have to resort to such cruel methods? As if this is his only solution!"

"Because he is saving people, my dear, light can still be born in darkness." The goddess of wisdom raised an eyebrow.

She loved it when children asked questions, so even when little Lorna barged into the kitchen and nearly knocked over her beef sauce, Athena wasn't too angry. In fact, she knew about these things earlier than little Lorna, especially the plan to bring back war orphans from the Middle East for education—a plan that had been in the works since the founding of the Immortal City. This plan, intended to cultivate the true core of Salomon, received Athena's strong support, and the goddess of wisdom personally planned all the educational pathways. The Sisterhood's rescue of human trafficking victims from Eastern Europe was just the initial trial of this plan; now it was officially launched. Even future full members of the Sisterhood would only be recruited from within the academy to ensure they possessed sufficient qualifications (Salomon's agreement with the current actions of the homunculus didn't mean he would tolerate it indefinitely; a gradual transformation of the Sisterhood was inevitable).

The formal establishment of the academy system signifies that the Immortal City is no longer a makeshift institution, but a dynamic organization capable of regular renewal and transformation. While it will take some time for this system to truly take effect, the benefits it will bring to the Immortal City once it bears fruit are foreseeable.

"He foresaw the dark ages to come, and for the sake of hope, he had to take on more responsibility without hesitation," Athena said. "Imagine the immense pressure on the mind of someone who could decide the life and death of all humanity one day. It's a burden that humanity cannot bear, so he had to abandon some of what he cherished. He enslaved himself while enslaving others, and he knew this very well."

"for example?"

"For example, those who can't keep up, so he doesn't want anyone to fall behind." Athena looked at little Lorna meaningfully. "Those who can't keep up may face a fate more tragic than death. The brutality you see is actually a manifestation of his benevolence, because he is urging everyone to live."

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(End of this chapter)