Nick Fury nodded.
Truthfully, even if Adrian had never asked for this favor, Fury would still have investigated the mystical forces rumored to exist on Earth.
For years he had suspected that something—some unseen "law" or hidden world—operated outside normal human society.
What surprised him was something else entirely.
The mage organization he had always imagined living in complete seclusion…
Was actually located in three of the world's most important cities.
"Isn't it strange," Fury said slowly, "that it has to be these three places?"
Adrian noticed the confusion on his face and chuckled.
"New York. London. Hong Kong."
"Those places aren't random."
He leaned back slightly.
"They're the sanctums guarding the Time Stone."
"Maybe their founder, Agamotto, simply looked into the future and realized those locations would become extremely important."
"So he reserved the land early."
"…Huh?"
Fury blinked.
"Is that actually possible?"
"I'm guessing."
Fury's lips twitched.
He looked like he wanted to say something—but stopped himself.
Guessing?
You can't just casually guess something like that.
Adrian shrugged.
"Believe it or not."
He wasn't entirely joking.
If Agamotto hadn't used the Time Stone to glimpse the future, why would the sanctums have been placed in those specific locations centuries ago?
A thousand years ago, Britain and southern China already had developed civilizations.
But the Americas?
Back then it was still mostly wilderness.
Were the sorcerers really planning to defend the world from primitive tribes?
And as for why the Eastern sanctum stood in Hong Kong instead of Shanghai—
That was obvious.
A thousand years ago, large portions of modern Shanghai were still underwater.
Beep.
Just as Fury was about to respond, the communicator on his belt buzzed.
"Yeah?"
"Understood."
"I'm coming out."
He clipped the radio back onto his belt and turned to Adrian.
"The perimeter team is finished setting up."
"Now we just need to deal with the inside."
"If possible…"
"You want me to let those people in?" Adrian asked with a faint smile.
Nick Fury immediately shook his head.
"No."
"I'll handle it personally."
Only after Adrian mentioned it did Fury realize something important—
The fewer people who knew about this place…
The better.
"You're doing it yourself?" Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"I can help too," said Captain Marvel.
And so—
For the next half hour, the future director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and one of Earth's strongest heroes worked together to help Adrian and Hela set up their internet connection.
Eventually, Nick Fury left.
In his hands was the Sword of Olympus, now nothing more than an ordinary iron blade.
"I'm leaving Earth soon."
Carol stepped forward and hugged Adrian lightly.
"Maybe we won't see each other again for many years."
"I hope you'll be out of that seal by then."
Although they had only just met, the memories she had experienced earlier had left a deep impression on her.
Anyone who could destroy an entire pantheon of gods…
Deserved respect.
"When are you leaving?" Adrian asked.
His eyes briefly flicked toward the annoying mission still sitting in his system panel.
"About a month from now."
Carol thought for a moment.
"I still have preparations to make."
"Supplies to gather."
"One month?"
Adrian's eyes lit up.
"Then come back here once more before you leave Earth."
That timing was perfect.
Exactly when the system missions would refresh.
Who knew—maybe the next mission would finally be something he could complete easily.
"All right."
Carol agreed immediately.
"But why?"
"Can't tell you yet," Adrian replied with a grin.
"You'll know when you come back."
"…Fine."
Carol shook her head helplessly.
Then she stepped outside.
Golden cosmic energy ignited around her hands.
With a burst of power, she shattered the magical seal at the edge of the area and shot into the sky like a meteor.
"Finally…"
Adrian collapsed onto the sofa.
"Peace and quiet."
He glanced toward the table nearby.
Hela was already sitting in front of the computer, studying the device with intense curiosity.
Adrian's mouth twitched.
"Too bad this is still the 90s."
"These computers are terrible."
Still—
Something was better than nothing.
Unfortunately, it was only 1995.
Games like StarCraft, Command & Conquer: Red Alert, and Diablo hadn't even been released yet.
The only title Adrian vaguely remembered from this era was The Legend of Sword and Fairy.
But obviously Nick Fury hadn't brought that game disk.
Fortunately, the computer still had a few pirated classics installed.
Games like Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., and Contra.
Good enough to pass the time.
While Adrian played games lazily on the couch—
Hela experimented with the computer herself.
Soon she opened a search engine and began browsing information about the modern world.
Her expression slowly grew thoughtful.
Several days later.
Having grown bored with retro games, Adrian registered a social media account and began chatting online.
Suddenly—
A notification echoed in his mind.
[Mission Completed]
"The Skeptic's Trust"
Increase Nick Fury's trust level to 50%.
Adrian blinked.
Then sighed.
"That old fox really is cautious."
He leaned back and looked at the completed mission panel.
If he wasn't mistaken—
Nick Fury must have already ordered scientists from S.H.I.E.L.D. to investigate the remains of Olympus.
Only after confirming some evidence…
Had Fury finally chosen to believe Adrian's story.
Typical Fury.
Trust nothing.
Verify everything.
Only then decide whether to believe.