Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 899 The Great Serpent (First Update)

For the next few months, Salomon lived a normal life.

Here, "normal" refers to attending school and working simultaneously, not the use of alchemical simulacra.

The Immortal City's primary task now remains assimilating and absorbing the Italian Mafia's influence. Salomon has entrusted this entirely to Stephanie and Constantine. Aside from occasionally participating in Tony Stark and Malbus's laser technology development, he can finally attend school and attempt to begin research on his own Gauss weapon project. Salomon is quite certain that Mycroft Holmes is watching him closely through Oxford University's cameras, and he doesn't mind showing his research project to the Cabinet Secretary—Salomon knows Mycroft will definitely investigate the lab, and Mycroft knows Salomon won't keep his research results in the lab, but the Cabinet Secretary must ensure this high technology isn't stolen. Therefore, he must send someone to infiltrate Salomon's lab to investigate the research progress and do everything possible to protect Salomon's research project.

Regarding who truly holds power in Britain, Mycroft Holmes was in the minority, believing that the real authority in Britain lay with 10 Downing Street, not the White House, Congress, or the Foreign Relations Committee. He desperately wanted Salomon to hand over some of his high-tech achievements, though he knew it was impossible. In any case, manipulating the Cabinet Secretary was incredibly enjoyable, to the point that Salomon had time to socialize with political economy students, personally mend his long-neglected network of relationships, and even reconnect with Lady Amelia Windsor, whom he had met once before.

Of course, this was done to provoke Mycroft, as Salomon had absolutely no interest in Lady Windsor.

During this period, Laura Crawford visited Oxford University.

As London's social season approached in April, the Duchess's research findings in the Middle East made headlines in London tabloids. Compared to her two previous outlandish expeditions, this time she brought back a substantial number of artifacts. The tabloids' description of her changed from "mad archaeologist" to "excellent archaeologist." Laura Crawford told Salomon that she wanted to continue following in her father's footsteps and therefore requested funding from Salomon for a trip to South America.

“When have I ever refused you, my dear Laura? Your work glorifies all of human history, unearthing secrets from the soil. Though some of them are not suitable for public display, you should know that I am deeply grateful for what you have done.” Salomon was very pleased with Laura’s ambition. He received Laura in the drawing room of his manor and selected a bottle of wine from the cellar. He had been waiting for this day for a long time; he had to resolve this matter before Ragnarok. Father Morru’s dream prophecy had indicated what he was to do, and he would complete this destined task—as someone who had witnessed the radiance of the Stigmata, the drunkard father’s precognitive dreams had a certain credibility. Coupled with the prophecies of the Kamar-Taj mystics, all of this was guiding Salomon’s actions.

"Bring some high-tech equipment with you; I have a feeling your investigation might not go very smoothly."

"You still have a lot of the weapons you prepared last time. As agreed, I will put those artifacts in the museum."

"Put it in the museum I'm building for you, Laura. It's not finished yet, though; the British workers are just too lazy, and those refugees would rather collect welfare than work." Salomon took a document from the android and handed it to the archaeologist. "The Crawford Family Museum—don't use my name. I don't like fame. Once it's built, everything you find during your explorations can fit in. With this private museum in London, the entire London high society will call you a duchess. You've always wanted to prove Sir Richard Crawford, and I think this is a good opportunity."

Laura Crawford was overjoyed. "This gift is absolutely precious."

"Compared to what you brought me, a museum is nothing. Cheers!"

"Cheers... Wow! Why is this wine so sour?"

"Because this is monastery wine, it has a history of nearly two thousand years, and there are test reports. You can take some and put it in a museum. I believe many wealthy people would spend a lot of money just to taste it. They can only pretend not to spit it out, and they can't say it tastes bad."

"Great idea!" Laura's face broke into a mischievous grin. There were always gossips during social season; the tabloids had so much to talk about because some of the Crawford family's acquaintances had betrayed Sir Richard Crawford's friendship. The bottle of wine Salomon had gifted them was enough to embarrass them without completely ruining their relationship, preserving the fragile self-esteem they'd built up with money, hair transplants, and cosmetic procedures.

"I can't wait!"

"Me too."

After Laura Crawford left, Salomon immediately called Malbus.

"Maintaining the power armor," he said, "preparing for war."

"Only a few months later, and we're facing another war?" Stephanie hurried to catch up with Salomon, her high heels clicking sharply on the marble floor. She was dressed in her usual business suit, carrying several documents. "Who's the enemy?" she asked. "It can't be a real enemy; we've already begun taming Italy!"

“It’s a god,” Salomon said. The corridor connected Stephanie’s office in the Interior Ministry to Salomon’s office, and Salomon wasn’t worried about unauthorized personnel overhearing him. “Based on Kamar-Taj’s observations of the etheric waves and a priest’s prophetic dream, we’ve found the enemy,” he said. “A god who has enjoyed blood sacrifices, endless reincarnation, and rebirth. Don’t be intimidated by the name; we’ve killed a god before.”

"I'm not worried about the so-called gods, but about our fleet. It will take them time to get to South America. Fimbulle's First Secret Regiment is already dealing with the remnants of Trinity, and they are unlikely to be able to hinder Laura Crawford."

"Have you ever seen a war that starts immediately? We still have time. As usual, you'll be in charge of logistics, and at the same time, order our satellites to conduct reconnaissance over the South American rainforest," Salomon said as he walked. "Secret societies are never completely eradicated; you should know that well. Cut off one head, and two grow back."

"How much longer?" Stephanie asked.

"A few more months." Constantine stood there, weapon in one hand and a roll of parchment from Kamar-Taj in the other. Salomon took it and continued walking towards his office. There were many more rooms in this corridor, but they were all used by clerks handling classified information and intelligence liaisons. Through these people, Salomon could freely control satellites, fleets, and various departments of the Immortal City.

"Serpents, rain, floods—these are not good signs," Constantine said, pointing to the vague prophecy on the parchment. "We have detected an earthquake and are now determining its epicenter. If Father Morru's conjecture is correct, then these signs indicate that the resurrection of Quetzalcoatl is imminent."

"Laura Crawford will dig it out."

"She has already departed on your private jet," Constantine said. "She also carried a communication beacon."

"Very well." Salomon stopped in front of the office door, turned to face Stephanie and Constantine, "Gentlemen, we are about to kill another god."

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(End of this chapter)