Roland Manor.
A man and a woman had arrived, their appointment with Effie having been scheduled days in advance. Jason Kin had rejected them several times, but today he finally allowed them entry. He knew that if he continued to refuse, the organization behind these two would no longer sit still.
Inside the manor's luxurious living room, the pair felt as though they had stepped into another world. They had never seen such a vast hall before. It stretched thousands of square meters and was filled with lush greenery, more like a miniature rainforest than a drawing room.
Towering stone pillars stood like ancient guardians, carved with mysterious tree-like patterns, as though bearing some forgotten totem. Priceless paintings adorned the walls, while the floor alternated between soft carpets, polished black marble, and gleaming crystal tiles. Every corner of the room screamed opulence and grandeur.
This was no simple manor hall. It was a palace, a modern echo of old European royalty. The sheer extravagance made the two visitors wince. With all this money, their organization could have armed a dozen battalions.
The beautiful maid who guided them in quietly departed, leaving only the two of them and their reflections on the glassy floor.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps approached, steady and rhythmic. Each step carried a strange resonance that struck directly into their hearts, forcing their blood to surge against its natural flow. Their faces paled, their bodies struggling against an unseen pressure.
Just as their endurance was about to snap, the footsteps ceased, and a calm voice spoke behind them.
"It seems S.H.I.E.L.D. has finally taken notice of me."
The voice was smooth and magnetic, cultured like that of a refined aristocrat. Yet the invisible weight it carried pressed them down, making it difficult to even lift their heads.
"My apologies. I have only just broken through a new level, and I have not fully mastered my strength."
The pressure suddenly dissipated, like a mountain being lifted from their shoulders. The two gasped with relief and turned to see who was speaking.
He stood before them in an elegant British suit, his long hair flowing gently, his face handsome enough to be mistaken for a prince from legend. Even the experienced female agent could not help but feel a flicker of admiration.
There was no doubt. This was the man they had been sent to find, the master of the Roland family, Roland Phils the mortal identity Jason Kin had assumed.
The red-haired woman spoke first. "Mr. Phils, I am Natasha Romanoff, agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. This is Agent Barton."
She had planned to introduce herself with a cover identity, but the amused look in Jason's eyes made her abandon the lie instantly. She admitted the truth instead.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.," Jason mused aloud, smiling faintly. "The organization that claims to protect Earth. Tell me, why would you suddenly be so interested in me? Do you suspect I am some kind of potential threat?"
The half-smile on his lips made their stomachs twist. If this man was not a threat, then who in the world could be considered dangerous? Both Natasha and Barton exchanged a glance, recalling the terrifying little girl they had seen at the temple, a living embodiment of destruction.
S.H.I.E.L.D. possessed vast networks and powerful surveillance systems. That much was true. It was that very power which Hydra later exploited for Project Insight. Through their investigations, they had discovered subtle links between the Roland family and the mysterious Church of Life.
Had it been any other family, S.H.I.E.L.D. would have already stormed in to investigate. But the Roland family was no ordinary dynasty. They were a financial titan, capable of shaking the American economy with the twitch of a toe.
That was why Natasha and Barton had come not with demands, but with humility. They were not here to interrogate, but to request an audience.
"Mr. Phils," Natasha said carefully, "I think you already understand why we are here."
Jason gave a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "If that is truly the case, then perhaps you should stay here forever."
Her eyes narrowed. "You would keep us here? Are you declaring war on S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
The tension in the air thickened. If this man, backed by the enigmatic Church of Life, decided to oppose S.H.I.E.L.D., the consequences would be disastrous. Natasha's mind raced, unease twisting in her gut.
At that moment, a deep voice came through her earpiece. "Enough, Natasha. Activate the projection."
Jason's smile widened. "Nick Fury. I thought you would be content to keep listening in. I see you could not resist showing yourself after all."
As a god, Jason had long since noticed their surveillance. He simply did not care. Playing along with Fury's little charade amused him, but now the director had lost patience.
Natasha exhaled slowly, then flicked her wrist. Two tiny metal spheres clattered onto the floor.
A low hum filled the air.
A shimmering holographic image appeared before them all.
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