"How the Roland family thinks is their problem," General Ross said coldly, showing no respect for them at all.
"General Ross, I know you're an atheist, but the Lord of Life is different. He saved countless people and carries immense prestige. If you anger him, the consequences will be unimaginable!" the fleet commander warned anxiously.
"People are foolish. Don't tell me you are foolish too? Thousands of years of human history prove that our destiny must remain in our own hands. No so-called god is worthy of trust. There is no such thing as a free lunch. Everything in this world is an exchange of interests. The so-called Lord of Life must also want something from humanity," Ross replied coldly.
He had always been a pessimist, and like Nick Fury, he was a schemer. His methods seemed blunt and straightforward, but he was anything but stupid. In fact, he was very smart.
"General Ross, stop talking like that. If the followers of the Lord of Life hear you, we'll all be finished!" the commander whispered in fear.
Unlike Ross, the commander lacked deep thoughts. He only knew the Church of Life was unimaginably powerful. Even with their entire fleet, they couldn't compare to them. Against the Roland family, backed by the Lord of Life himself, the safest choice was to keep their heads down.
Those women who wielded world-ending power, and that Lord of Life who even drove back the ruler of Hell… they were not to be provoked.
The only reason this fleet was here was because Ross had forced it. If Ross truly wanted to fight, the commander would wash his hands of it. After all, the President had given him instructions. He had justification, so he wasn't worried about punishment.
Ross's face darkened. Even his own naval commander feared the Lord of Life by instinct. And not just him, the surrounding soldiers looked uneasy after hearing his words. This was not a good sign.
Ross sighed. He didn't want to provoke such a terrifying and mysterious being either, but Hulk…
Just then, the alarm suddenly blared.
Woo! Woo! Woo!
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" came the panicked voice through the comms.
Ross and the commander exchanged a glance and rushed toward the deck of the carrier, with Blonsky and the other soldiers following as guards.
On deck, rows of soldiers raised their weapons toward the sky, their faces tense.
High above, Effie, the Roland family's chief butler, floated in the air. She looked down upon the fleet that claimed to be the most advanced in the world.
"Who is the commander of this fleet?" she asked.
The commander immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Honored lady, I am Howard, commander of the First Carrier Fleet of Sam. May I know who you are?"
"I am Effie, chief butler of the Roland estate. I'm here to tell you this. Leave at once, or die!"
Buzz…
A terrifying pressure descended, like a mountain crashing down on everyone present. Waves surged wildly, tossing the massive carrier as though it were nothing. Thunderclouds gathered overhead, lightning flashing within the heavy storm clouds.
The soldiers felt an almost irresistible urge to kneel. Even Blonsky, who had dared face Hulk head-on, was drenched in cold sweat, gripped by fear. Yet soon, desire filled his eyes.
"A mere butler has such strength. She can fly, and with a glance she suppresses the strongest fleet on Earth. If I could gain such power… how strong would I become? I must have it! First Hulk's power, then this!" Blonsky's heart roared with greed.
The same ambition burned in Ross. His pride would not allow him to bow to a business family. He would obtain Hulk's strength and build the strongest army in the world. Then even the Church of Life could be challenged.
But unlike them, Commander Howard understood the situation. He was terrified. How could he possibly oppose the Roland family? He quickly said, "Miss Effie, you misunderstand. We mean no harm. We respect the Lord of Life for saving New York and the world. We only came to discuss the matter of Hulk with your master."
"Discuss? This is how you discuss? I'll give you one minute. If you don't leave, you die," Effie said coldly. Her sharp gaze locked on Ross and Blonsky. "On the Lord of Life's land, do not entertain wild thoughts. Otherwise, I'll send you to Hell right now."
Her pressure grew heavier. Ross and Blonsky collapsed to their knees, their faces pale, sweat pouring down as the stench of death filled their minds.
Howard's heart skipped. He glared at the two men, then quickly tried to explain. "Miss Effie, we truly have no ill intent. General Ross is here only to capture a dangerous fugitive. The scale of our operation is aimed at him, not your family. Based on our information, this fugitive infiltrated your estate, putting your master at risk. For the safety of the Roland family, we ask you to search and help us capture him."
Effie's face showed little change. She knew the truth better than anyone. Hulk had been rescued by her. Yet the commander dared twist words, claiming Hulk had snuck in himself. Interesting. Clearly the Sam military feared the Roland family deeply.
She sneered and glanced at her watch. "Thirty seconds left. If you keep talking nonsense, you won't live to see the sunrise."
Howard's face stiffened. He had said so much, yet she hadn't listened to a word. Rage swelled inside him, but he dared not show it. He knew if he did, he'd be in Hell within seconds.
Inside a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. base, Nick Fury rubbed his forehead, staring at Maria Hill.
"Hill, tell me this isn't true. Tell me that idiot Ross hasn't surrounded the Roland estate."
"…" Hill stayed silent.
"Sir, I wish it weren't true, but he really went."
"Damn it. Is he an idiot, or is the President who authorized this insane? They actually sent a nuclear carrier fleet to blockade the Roland estate? Have they lost their minds?" Fury roared in anger.
"Sir, according to our intel, Banner was intercepted midway. The people who took him were from the Church of Life. You know the Roland family has deep ties to them," Hill explained.
"So Ross, the moron, suspected Roland Phils and sent a carrier fleet to demand Hulk?" Fury shook his head in disbelief.
"More than that. He also deployed ground tanks and fighter jets," Hill added.
"Damn it, damn it! Does he not realize this is provocation, this is war? He'll get Sam killed!" Fury slammed the table, unusually furious.
He had dealt with Phils before and knew how terrifying the Church of Life truly was. Their power was beyond human comprehension. They were not enemies one could fight openly. If conflict was inevitable, it had to be done in secret, slowly, until strength was built up. Ross's approach was suicidal.
"Sir, you should also know that General Ross has always wanted to create a super army. After seeing the Church of Life fight demons, his ambition has only grown," Hill reminded him.
"That's no excuse to provoke the Roland family!" Fury snapped.
He knew Ross's thinking. Hulk had endless potential. If they could capture him and extract useful serum, they could create more Hulks and form the super army Ross dreamed of. But could that really stand against the Lord of Life? Fury doubted it, and doubted it deeply.
"Forget it. We won't get involved. If Ross wants to die, let him die," Fury sighed helplessly.
Back at the fleet, soldiers' hearts pounded as Effie gave her final warning. The commander felt sweat running down his back. He had thought to negotiate, but now he knew if they delayed further, disaster was certain.
"We'll go. We're leaving now!" Howard said quickly.
But Effie glanced at her watch and shook her head. "Too late. Time is up."
"What? We already agreed to leave!" Howard cried in fear.
"But you haven't actually left. Since you agreed in the last second, I'll spare your lives. But death is not the only punishment. You will taste my Lord's wrath. Magic Domain, open!"
The skies changed color as her spell unfolded. In an instant, everyone aboard was dragged into the magical realm, forced to face their deepest fears.
In reality, only the empty ships remained, drifting silently on the sea.
Effie smirked. "A fine harvest. This carrier fleet will make a wonderful gift for my Lord."
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