Chapter 174: Anyone Involved with Mephisto Will Become Unfortunate
Two days later, the Sokovia temporary Base.
The atmosphere in the command center was a bit oppressive. On the holographic screen, Stark Industries' global satellite network was still operating at high speed, with countless data streams flashing by, but the result was always: None.
"Still nothing?" Tony Stark paced back and forth in the command center. He hadn't closed his eyes for two days, and heavy dark circles had formed. The alloy floor beneath his feet creaked as he stepped on it.
"Cannot find them," Jarvis reported in a steady tone. "The Maximoff siblings and Sergeant Barnes have seemingly evaporated from the Earth; there is no trace of them in my global monitoring network. Their method of movement exceeds the scope of conventional physical tracking."
Steve Rogers, sitting in the corner wiping his shield, looked up. The shield was still pristine under the lights, but he also hadn't slept for two days, his bloodshot eyes staring intently at the coordinates where Bucky last disappeared on the screen.
"Two grown people, carrying a super soldier with a prosthetic limb, where could they hide?" Tony suddenly slammed a fist onto the console, letting out a dull, loud bang. "This isn't scientific!"
"They have that girl," Steve's voice was a bit hoarse. "Her ability... is very eerie."
"I know!" Tony spun around abruptly, glaring at Steve. "Don't look at me like that, Captain. I want him to be safe even less than you do! Don't forget, he still hasn't paid back the blood debt he owes the Stark family!"
He took a deep breath, walked to the holographic screen, turned his back to Steve, and said stiffly, "Before he pays back the Stark family's blood debt, I won't let anyone touch a hair on his head. So, drop that look; we have to find a way."
Steve stood up and walked to his side, looking at the man, his gaze softening slightly.
"We've already used all the power we can," Steve said. "Maybe... it's time to find some power we can't understand."
Tony fell silent.
"Jarvis," he finally compromised, his tone carrying a hint of reluctance, "connect to Lin Huai's encrypted line. Also, tell him that if he dares to brush me off with some 'guidance of fate' again, I'll shove that divination crystal necklace of his into his..."
"Tony," Steve interrupted him helplessly.
"...Fine, just say I have something to discuss with him." Tony waved his hand, his face full of annoyance... Meanwhile, Eastern Europe, the Monastery.
Under the dim candlelight, no one spoke at the long table; the atmosphere was heavy.
Lin Huai returned here with Nadia and her son, Danny. Under Dean Daniel's arrangement, they were temporarily staying in a guest room. But now, the atmosphere in this guest room felt like an Inquisitorial court.
Lin Huai, Dr. Banner, Johnny, Father Moreau, and Dean Daniel sat around a long table. Their gazes were all focused on the other end of the table.
The young Mother, Nadia, tightly held her son Danny in her arms; the child's face was buried in her chest, sleeping fitfully. Her eyes were hollow, and her body was still trembling uncontrollably.
Lin Huai pushed the cup of hot water in front of her, then spoke, revealing everything.
He spoke of how the Hell Lord Mephisto, in order to descend to the human world, needed a vessel with his own bloodline, and thus chose her. He also spoke of God Almighty's youngest son, the Angel of Time Amon, who, to watch a drama about human nature, used the Mother and son as pawns to lure Mephisto into descending.
He finished speaking calmly, yet the room was terrifyingly quiet.
Upon hearing terms like Mephisto's bloodline and the son of the Hell Lord, Dean Daniel and several warrior monks present turned pale. They subconsciously gripped the crosses on their chests, and their gaze toward the sleeping child, Danny, had completely changed. Two young warrior monks even instinctively moved their chairs back, as if the child were the source of some plague.
This subtle movement made Nadia's heart twitch sharply.
After she finished listening to Lin Huai's entire narration, her hollow eyes finally changed.
She first widened her eyes, then stared fixedly at Lin Huai, and finally let out a scream.
"Why? Why me!"
She began to wail: "I just wanted to live! Yes, that's right, I made a deal with a Demon, I bore a child for him! But now, I only want to protect my child!"
"I thought running away was enough! I thought hiding was enough! When that lady in black appeared, I thought I could finally be protected and live with Danny! But now... now you tell me even God Almighty is using my son as a toy?"
Her voice pierced through the entire room.
"What did I do wrong? What on Earth did I do wrong! To be hunted by Demons and toyed with by God Almighty! You high and mighty beings, by what right do you play with our fates like this! By what right!"
Nadia held her son and wept loudly, her cries heart-wrenching, making everyone present feel a tightening in their chests.
The entire room was deathly silent.
Dean Daniel and the monks bowed their heads one after another, rapidly reciting scriptures. There was pity in their eyes as they looked at Nadia, but they no longer dared to look at the child in her arms. In their view, this child was the descendant of a Demon and would bring calamity to this holy land.
Banner and Johnny watched this scene, also looking heavy-hearted, not knowing how to comfort her.
Lin Huai looked at the collapsing Mother before him, then at the group of monks with complex expressions waiting for his explanation. He opened his mouth but couldn't say a single word.
Explain what?
Explain the cruel truth of this Universe to them? Explain that in the eyes of those Outer Deities and external gods, Mortal lives are as light as dust?
He suddenly felt very tired.
He waved his hand, directly opting to just give up on explaining.
"Anyway... the God Almighty I'm talking about isn't the same one you believe in." His voice carried a hint of hoarseness. "Maybe there will be a chance to introduce you to him in the future. Now, don't bother me; I need to find a way to deal with Mephisto."
After saying that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving behind a room full of silent people.
Lin Huai walked alone to the Monastery's Bell tower. The cold night wind blew past, clearing his chaotic mind a bit. He leaned against the stone railing, looking at the distant night sky.
Just then, a rapid ringing broke the silence of the night.
It was Tony's encrypted call.
Lin Huai frowned and answered the call.
"Mr. Lin, Mr. Stark needs your help." As soon as the call connected, Jarvis's electronic voice came through. "Mr. Barnes has been captured, and we can't find him."