Ch: 332-338
332. Witch Academy Banquet
Lake Lery.
George hung up the phone and walked back to where Cop was standing by the lake, staring at the vast pile of bones below.
Cop looked at George, who had returned.
"How was it? Did you talk to her?"
"Heh."
George shook his head and said, "My daughter has already become like that wild boar."
Alright.
George lied. The reason he called Gwen was because he wanted to do his own thing, like going to a famous New Orleans nightclub with his old friend, Cop.
He had originally felt some guilt and worry, wondering what if Gwen called Helen to complain?
But... Gwen didn't even ask. While George felt a bit lucky, he understood very well why.
That damned wild boar!
I should have, back when I first saw him and my daughter walk out of the restaurant, without asking or saying anything, just grabbed him and taken him to the police station, then sent him back to Texas.
Cop sensed George's resentment and, thinking of his interactions with Locke these past few days, spoke up on his behalf: "Locke is quite good, very polite, and this time, we were able to solve the case all thanks to Locke."
George glanced at Cop: "You think I don't know that?"
Cop shrugged: "I'm just saying, this son-in-law is not bad."
George chuckled: "If you knew he used to be in the CIA, would you still say that?"
Cop looked at George: "CIA? And 'used to be'? Isn't he only seventeen?"
George shook his head.
He briefly recounted how Locke had joined the CIA, and then fallen out with them.
Cop nodded thoughtfully: "No wonder."
No wonder he always felt Locke was so confident.
So that's where it came from.
The CIA actively invited him, and then he broke ties with them over a disagreement – he's probably the first person in history to do that. After all, George himself only refused the CIA's invitation back then.
And... Cop believed that if George had dared to mess with the CIA like that back then, his grave would probably be overgrown by now.
George looked at his old friend's expression, too lazy to waste words, and directly changed the subject, looking at the busy scene and saying in a low voice: "Did the Dark Overlord really say that the day the bones are cleared is the day Lake Lery will return?"
Cop nodded: "Yes."
George's eyes flickered: "That's great, we still have a chance."
"Huh?"
"The Dark Overlord must still be in New Orleans."
"..."
This was the accumulated experience of a veteran detective from years of solving cases.
The suspect must still be in this city.
He still had a chance, by catching this Dark Overlord, to then follow the clues and find that damned Peerless Assassin, who, like Locke, was his lifelong nemesis.
Locke stole his daughter, and the Peerless Assassin stole his perfect service record.
This time... "I will definitely catch you."
George vowed for the Nth time, clenching his fists, his eyes flickering with determination for the Nth time: "Peerless Assassin!"
Cop opened his mouth.
Didn't he know the Dark Overlord was still in the city?
But.
Knowing was one thing, but how to catch him, no, let alone catch him, how to even find him, was a very difficult problem.
However, Cop looked at his old friend, who had traveled a long way and was full of fighting spirit, and couldn't bear to tell him the truth, lest he dampen the spirits of his long-distance friend.
Cop thought to himself, then refocused, looking at the busy people below, and then his gaze fell on the flashing spotlights around Lake Lery, standing at high points.
If he hadn't just driven them away once, these damned media, who had heard the news, would have crammed drones into Lake Lery, filming the bones.
Tomorrow, probably all of New Orleans, no, all of the state, no, probably the entire federation, would be completely shaken.
Cop withdrew his gaze from the reporters, whose lights flashed all over the mountain, and sighed inwardly.
Actually... among the onlookers surrounding Lake Lery, there were not only countless reporters, but also other Dolan believers who had traveled from all over the federation to join the local Dolan Church in their grand endeavor.
As a result, they arrived excitedly, and then, upon reaching here, received news that left them dumbfounded.
The local Dolan Church had been completely wiped out.
Moreover, it happened in broad daylight, they were hung at the entrance of the New Orleans Police Department and burned to ashes by the angry witch's fire.
"Gulp!"
"Everyone, I apologize, I suddenly remembered I have something to do at home, so I'll be leaving first."
"Me too."
"I promised my wife and daughter we'd go to Hawaii this holiday, I just remembered, sorry."
"Ah, I just received news that my wife gave birth."
"Didn't your wife die last year?"
"...I remarried, is that not allowed?"
"..."
The Dolan believers, who were hiding among the reporters, looked at Lake Lery, which had dried up and exposed its riverbed not far away, and also thought about the Dark Overlord still being here at this moment. Immediately, they scattered like birds and beasts.
Some drove.
Some rushed to catch flights.
After all, for most Dolan believers, it was actually like those so-called high-ranking public intellectuals; opposing witches, and even burning witches, was merely a job.
It's just that other jobs require physical effort and even education, but opposing witches doesn't; you only need to offer your loyalty.
So... when they heard these reporters vividly describing how the local Dolan Church members were burned to ashes by witch fire, these people were scared.
Opposing witches was a job, but life was their own.
If they didn't cherish their own lives, who would cherish them for them?
Within half an hour.
Almost as many federal Dolan believers who had arrived, one after another, ready to participate in the grand event, had already left.
The twelve descendants of crusaders from the New York Dolan headquarters watched impassively and coldly as the Dolan believers, who had come excitedly, then trembled and left without a word, remained silent.
Don't let the Dolan Church having branches all over the federation fool you.
The Dolan Churches in various parts of the federation were actually more like franchisees than direct-operated stores.
Simply put, when the New York Dolan Church offered benefits, these franchisees licked it up more eagerly than anyone, but if they wanted them to go die, these people would run faster than anyone.
After all, those who truly hated witches were actually a minority, and oddities like Jim Rhodes and the Fox family were even rarer.
"Let's go."
The leading descendant of the crusaders withdrew his gaze from the group of traitors who had turned and left, and said indifferently: "The Dolan Church here is finished."
One of the crusader descendants heard this and asked: "Are we going back?"
The leading crusader descendant turned around.
"Go back?"
"That damned witch is right here."
The leading crusader descendant said in a deep voice: "Don't forget the glory of our ancestors. Only by slaughtering all these damned witches will the Lord's glory return and once again bless us. Then we can enter Silver City and tell our ancestors that we did not disgrace our mission!"
The words of this crusader descendant were very inspiring.
Except for the one crusader descendant who had thought of retreating, all the other crusader descendants, under the influence of these words, clenched their fists, and their fighting spirit was restored once again.
"Go!"
The leading crusader descendant saw this, took a deep breath: "To the organization that invited us."
Everyone nodded.
Yes.
Actually... they didn't come because the local Dolan Church cordially invited them. To be precise, they received an invitation from another organization, and then used the local Dolan Church's invitation as an excuse to come here.
Now, the local Dolan Church had completely collapsed, and they, the descendants of the crusaders, always regarded money as dirt. So, they needed to stay for a while with the organization that truly invited them here.
As for who invited them.
No doubt!
In the Hilton Hotel.
Gwen, feeling refreshed after two workouts a day, after pressing Locke about the "shallow" witch story, recalled the dozen or so bad guys she had seen on the plane and after landing today. Only then did she have time to tell Locke about this as a topic.
Locke raised an eyebrow: "From New York?"
Gwen hummed, tapping her chin: "Speaking of which, they gave me a similar feeling to when Zoe and the others came in."
As she spoke.
Gwen looked at Carrie, who was sitting on the nearby sofa, head down, looking at a fashion magazine: "Oh, right, Carrie, do you also know they are witches?"
Carrie looked up at Gwen, her expression calm: "Witches are pretty much like us, I don't feel anything special about them."
Gwen blinked.
Was that... an answer?
Locke, however, smiled.
He wasn't too concerned anymore about why Gwen hadn't mutated but had developed spider-sense; it was actually a good thing.
At the very least, Gwen, from a certain perspective, could also foresee danger.
As for why Gwen was like this, Locke felt that if he went back to New York and saw that mutated giant spider in person, all mysteries would be solved.
It was what Gwen had just said, those strange people she saw on the plane and after getting off the plane?
From New York Dolan?
Locke narrowed his eyes.
Interesting.
Just then.
Ring ring!
Gwen looked at the ringing phone: "It's Madison!"
She said.
Gwen stood up and answered the phone.
After a while.
Gwen said "good" into the phone, then looked at Locke: "Locke, Madison wants to invite us to dinner at her academy."
Locke raised an eyebrow: "..."
333. Visiting the Witch Academy
Madison returned to the academy?
Well, well.
Madison was killed by Fiona, and she knew it too.
So, in that case... "Ring ring!"
"Hello."
...Of course, I'll go."
Locke hung up the phone with Cordelia, who had also called to invite him to the academy dinner.
He seemed to have thought of something, smiled, and looked at Gwen: "Do you want to go?"
Gwen said, "Of course."
Come on, that's the Witch Academy.
Real, living witches?
Although Gwen, due to her vast knowledge as a top student, wasn't overly flustered, these were still witches, and she wouldn't miss a chance to meet them up close.
"My favorite TV show is 'Charmed.' When I was little, I used to fantasize about whether I might also be a witch with witch blood."
"..."
Carrie, standing nearby, was slightly startled, looked at Gwen, and blinked: "Aren't you afraid of witches?"
Gwen said, "Every group has good people and bad people, but I believe that whether they are humans or witches, good people are in the majority."
"I like watching 'Doctor Who.'"
Locke said, thinking for a moment, then stood up and walked towards the bedroom: "I'll make a call, and then we'll go."
In the bedroom.
Locke recalled the frequency of the phone number Clyde Shelton had dialed using his phone at the time, and then directly dialed it.
One second.
The call connected.
"Unified Insurance Company, how can I help you..."
"RET, code 023."
"..."
Locke listened to the voice on the phone and didn't continue speaking.
After a while.
The female voice disappeared, replaced by another, very capable-sounding female voice: "Code."
Locke said, "Ask the Nameless One yourself. My name is Locke Broughton; he knows."
With that, Locke hung up the phone.
He didn't have the Nameless One's phone number. Last time, he also contacted the Nameless One through Clyde Shelton, but Shelton was traveling with his wife and daughter, and it wouldn't be good to disturb their vacation with a phone call.
Stepping out of the room.
Locke put away his phone, looked at Gwen, who had already put on her down jacket and a plush bunny hat, and smiled: "Let's go."
He told Gwen that he was contacting the Witch Academy in the name of the CIA.
Actually... this wasn't a joke. Locke also thought that way. Even if Gwen hadn't come, using the CIA's prestige to complete the mission was part of Locke's backup plan.
Gwen's arrival simply turned his Plan B into Plan A.
Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies.
After Gwen got out of the car, she looked up at the academy, which resembled a small castle with white outer walls, and exclaimed in admiration, especially when she saw the iron gate at the entrance, which seemed to sense their arrival and automatically opened to both sides: "If you just walked by outside, you would never believe this is a witch academy."
Or rather, no one would believe a witch academy would be in the city.
Even on the way there, Gwen thought that this witch academy should be in the wilderness, or deep in a dense forest, or at the very least, in a remote, uninhabited place.
But, "Alright."
Gwen nodded, "Perhaps this is what they call 'great hermits hidden in the city.'"
Locke was already used to Gwen's occasional use of Eastern terms. Because of Locke's license plate number, Gwen, with her scholar-like attributes, had been researching Eastern culture, and her knowledge grew deeper by the day.
By now, sometimes, Locke hadn't even heard of some of the ancient poems Gwen quoted, which made Locke feel a bit frustrated. Fortunately, he was fair-skinned in this life, and from a certain perspective, he hadn't disgraced his ancestors.
Locke comforted himself in this way.
Entering the academy.
Gwen surveyed the internal architecture, turning in circles, looking around, then paused, covered her wrist, and watched the woman descending the stairs to the second floor.
Blonde.
A mature, dominant aura.
"Locke."
"Cordelia."
Locke stepped forward, smiled, and shook Cordelia's hand: "Thanks for the invitation."
Cordelia smiled, "I should thank you. Thank you for finding Madison."
"It was nothing."
Locke smiled, speaking ambiguously: "The stability of the witch world benefits us both."
Cordelia smiled, then her gaze fell on Gwen, and she stepped forward: "Hello, Ms. Stacy."
"Just call me Gwen."
"Interested in hearing about our history?"
"Of course, I'd love to."
Cordelia invited Locke and the others upstairs, then walked side-by-side with Gwen, introducing the history of the Witch Academy beneath their feet: "Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies was founded in 1790. It's a finishing school specifically for exceptional young women. During the Civil War, it was used as a military hospital. After that, the management changed hands to us. In 1868, Marianne Wharton, a distinguished East Coast socialite and the Supreme Witch at the time, bought this place. She used the school's name as a cover and established a haven where young witches could gather and learn."
Locke, walking ahead, listened to Cordelia's explanation, a slight smile playing on his lips.
A haven for witches, that's hell.
Soon, they entered a large dining room on the second floor.
Gwen curiously asked, "Are there many witches?"
"There used to be a lot."
"There are still quite a few now."
"..."
Gwen looked up, watching Zoe and Madison, who were successively walking in from two doors of the dining room.
Madison walked over, arms crossed, and looked at Gwen, saying, "There used to be many witches, and there still are, but most of them hide because of fear or persecution by the Dolan Church. After all, once caught by the Dolan Church, they will be subjected to trials by fire as heretics."
As she spoke, Madison extended her right hand and shook Locke's hand: "Nice to see you again."
Locke smiled, then his heart stirred.
Just now... when Madison shook his hand, she moved her fingers in his palm.
Was this a hint?
Well, well.
After Madison's resurrection, shouldn't she be seducing Zoe's boyfriend, Kyle, who was also resurrected by witchcraft? What, is she planning to seduce him?
Gwen, standing nearby, curiously said, "That's barbaric. But you're witches, haven't you ever thought of fighting back?"
Zoe shook her head and, along with her boyfriend Kyle, who had also been resurrected recently and needed to relearn life skills, invited Gwen and Carrie to sit down.
After Madison released his hand, she crossed her arms and walked to her seat: "Yes, but unfortunately, our generation's Supreme Witch is a bitch."
Zoe frowned: "Madison."
Fiona was indeed detestable, but she was still Cordelia's mother.
This morning, after they returned, they immediately told Cordelia about it, and Cordelia was shocked.
Of course, Cordelia had already had a premonition about who was responsible for Madison's disappearance after she went missing.
But... Cordelia chose not to believe it. However, when Madison and Zoe mentioned who the information came from, she suddenly realized that it was a message Locke had brought her.
Fiona would not stand by and watch others snatch the position of Supreme Witch.
And Locke had made it clear, directly stating that either she, a Professor X type, would become the Supreme Witch, or the recently powerful Magneto, Dark Lord Syndra, would lead the Salem witches.
So, at noon, Cordelia, Zoe, and Madison stood together and confronted Fiona, driving her out of the academy.
Cordelia told Fiona that if she didn't leave, she would tell the Salem Witch Council about Fiona killing Madison, and let the Council handle the matter.
Fiona had no choice but to leave.
Locke listened to the course of events, smiled, and said to Cordelia, "A wise choice, Cordelia."
It was wise, but also the worst possible choice.
Fiona would not willingly give up the position of Supreme Witch to anyone, not even her own daughter.
Soon, delicious food was served one after another.
It was Gwen's first time attending a witch's dinner. She looked at the abundant dishes on the table, enjoyed her meal, and at the same time, asked Principal Cordelia about various aspects of witch knowledge.
Afraid?
Not at all.
Her fur bristling was an instinct, it didn't mean she was scared.
Because Locke was right beside her, Gwen felt fearless as long as she was with him.
Cordelia was also very willing to answer Gwen's questions and even offered that if Gwen wished, even though she wasn't a witch, she could observe classes tomorrow.
Gwen was pleasantly surprised: "Really, Cordelia? Can I?"
"Of course."
Cordelia glanced at Locke, smiled, and said, "Locke is our friend, and you are Locke's girlfriend, so naturally, you are also our friend. I welcome you to come and listen to the classes."
Gwen was very happy: "Thank you, I will definitely come."
As she spoke, Gwen looked at Locke.
Locke smiled, and just as he was about to speak, his phone rang.
He opened it.
Unknown number.
Locke apologized to Cordelia, stood up, and walked out of the door.
Mr. Nameless, who spent three hundred and sixty days out of three hundred and sixty-five days a year flying in his private jet, curiously said after the call connected, "Shelton told you his authorization number?"
"No."
Locke stood in the hallway on the second floor, his expression calm: "He called this insurance company once in front of me."
...Alright, what's the urgent matter? I remember you should be in New Orleans."
"Witches!"
334. The infamous S.H.I.E.L.D.
"Didn't you see the news?"
"I did."
"And then…"
"Our battlefield is abroad, Locke!"
"…"
Locke wanted to laugh.
Just as the FBI went abroad on the grounds that federal citizens needed their investigation overseas, the CIA also wanted to return.
After all… showing off abroad comes with risks; nothing beats the satisfaction of being dominant at home.
If the CIA didn't have this idea, then their secret bases wouldn't be flourishing all over the Federation; could the CIA only handle overseas matters?
Heh.
That's what they say, but if anyone actually believed it, they'd be a fool, because, according to the CIA, sometimes by the time they get the news, terrorists have already infiltrated the country.
The Nameless One, after saying that, also laughed, "Alright, this matter involves the supernatural; a slight misstep and we'll be blamed. We don't have law enforcement power on the surface, unlike certain agencies that can use the Homeland Security's facade and have people help them when things go wrong."
Locke nodded.
That's more like it.
Everyone is a sensible person; why talk nonsense?
But… taking the blame?
Locke's mouth curved slightly upwards, "What if I could help the agency establish a dialogue mechanism with the witches?"
The Nameless One paused slightly, putting down the handcrafted beer in his hand, "What do you mean?"
Locke said, "Exactly what it means. So, any thoughts?"
"Where are you?"
"Witch Academy."
"…Specifically."
"Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies."
"I'll land in half an hour."
"Okay."
Locke said, then decisively hung up the phone and walked back towards the dining room.
The witches needed a stable environment for his mission to be completed. Force might instill fear, but it would never create a stable environment.
Especially in the Federation, there were too many brain-dead people caused by happy education, and even the Pentagon, the House of Representatives, and the Senate had quite a few such brain-dead individuals.
So… the CIA needed to step in at this moment.
A good CIA, if utilized well, could actually be a powerful weapon, and this was one of the main reasons Locke was willing to join the CIA in the first place.
He needed the CIA to complete missions globally, and he also needed the CIA to occasionally do some work.
Back in the dining room.
There was a lot of laughter and chatter.
Locke walked over and happened to see Madison demonstrating telekinesis, sending the candlestick from the dining table into her hand.
Gwen, seeing this, exclaimed, "I thought witches only had one ability."
Just now, Madison had opened her right hand, already showing her fire control ability.
"Most do."
Cordelia smiled and said, "Actually, most witches specialize in spells and potions. Those like Madison who awaken with multiple abilities are rare."
Gwen curiously looked at Zoe, "Zoe, what about you…"
Zoe smiled.
Madison looked at Locke, who was leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed, and said to Gwen, "Gwen, Zoe's ability is very unique. She has the ability of a black widow."
Gwen was slightly stunned, "A black widow?"
Madison said, "Yes, just like a black widow eats the male spider after mating, Zoe does too."
Gwen's mouth slightly opened.
Locke also showed sufficient surprise: "A very amazing ability."
Cordelia seemed to sense something and looked at Madison thoughtfully.
Zoe, hearing Madison jokingly reveal her ability, forced a smile.
Just then.
Thud.
The door was pushed open. The laughing group turned to look and saw Fiona, whom they had driven out that morning, had returned.
Cordelia, Zoe, and the others immediately stood up.
"You've been expelled."
"Expelled, what a joke! I am the Supreme Witch!"
"…"
Gwen frowned at the tense atmosphere, then looked curiously at Locke beside her.
Locke rotated his chair.
Fiona's gaze instantly fell on Locke, who was rotating his chair and looking at her: "So, it's you, my daughter's lover?"
"What?"
Gwen heard this and immediately felt unwell, somewhat shocked, but without an ounce of doubt, only a strong sense of the unscientific.
After all… Cordelia was already over thirty. Besides, compared to Cordelia, if Locke were to cheat on her, wouldn't the young and beautiful Carrie be more appealing?
After the shock, Gwen also looked at Fiona.
She didn't like this old woman.
Gwen immediately grabbed Locke's right hand and looked at Fiona: "Locke is my boyfriend!"
Fiona looked at Gwen.
The transparent fine hairs on the back of Gwen's hand instantly stood up like radar, alert.
Fiona raised her hand.
Boom!
A ball of witch fire ignited directly.
"You have…"
"Enough!"
Locke narrowed his eyes, looking at Cordelia, who was standing in front of Gwen.
Cordelia looked at Fiona sternly: "What do you want?"
Fiona glanced at Locke, then looked at Cordelia and said, "To protect you."
"Ha."
Madison laughed directly, "Protect? You're probably trying to kill us so you can keep your position as the Supreme Witch."
Fiona looked at Madison, "Little bitch, do you believe I'll kill you again?"
Madison stepped forward, her right hand open, and another ball of witch fire shot out: "Come on."
Four against one.
The advantage is mine!
Fiona gave a forced smile twice, then looked back at Cordelia: "Thanks to that damn Dark Witch, the descendants of the Crusaders from Dolan, New York, are already here."
Cordelia frowned.
Carrie also frowned.
Locke, however, smiled.
The Supreme Witch was indeed the Supreme Witch; she had just appeared, and in less than ten sentences, she had not only offended him but also Carrie.
Impressive.
But… descendants of the Crusaders, Dolan, New York.
So, the dozen strange people Gwen saw on the plane really were from Dolan, New York.
Seeing this, Fiona walked straight over, then sat in Cordelia's seat, crossed her legs, and lit a lady's cigarette: "The council sent me to the academy to protect it. So, if you have a problem, you can go to the council, but if the Crusaders come, can you stop them?"
Cordelia fell silent.
During the Salem era, those who killed them the most were the Crusaders. Formed from the Holy See specifically to eradicate witches, they might have been mortals, but they were mortals immune to the witches' abilities. Then, relying on their powerful physical prowess, they charged to the front of the witches, using their knightly swords to kill one poor witch after another.
Gwen looked at the overbearing Fiona, and at Cordelia and Zoe, who looked conflicted and somewhat scared at the mention of the Crusaders, and curiously asked about the Crusaders' background.
After hearing about it.
Gwen was a bit confused.
Mortals.
Mortals who weren't afraid of witch magic.
But weren't they still mortals?
Gwen blinked, "We can call the police!"
"Hmm?"
Gwen looked at Locke, trying to find support for her statement: "I'm right, aren't I? We can call the police."
The Crusaders are mortals.
Then are Cordelia and Zoe not mortals?
At least, Gwen felt she couldn't tell the difference between witches and mortals from their appearance. If it weren't for Locke, if she met Cordelia, Zoe, and Madison on the street, Gwen would only think Zoe and Cordelia were sisters, and Madison was that Hollywood star.
"So…"
Gwen voiced her suspicion, then looked back at Cordelia: "We can call the police, and my dad is the chief of the NYPD."
She didn't like this overbearing Fiona, especially since Gwen suddenly remembered that it was this Fiona who had killed Madison before.
She wasn't willing to sit in a room with a murderer.
And it seemed Cordelia and the others also disliked Fiona, but were afraid to drive her away because of the Crusaders' reputation.
Gwen said, "If possible, I'll ask my dad to contact Detective Thornton and have him arrange patrol officers to increase patrols here."
What era was this?
Still the Crusaders?
The Federation operates under law.
Forget the Crusaders, even the Pope, if you dare to kill someone on the street, especially at night, the Pope would be riddled with bullets.
But… Cordelia shook her head: "It's useless."
Gwen frowned: "What?"
How could it be useless?
Gwen said, "Are you worried that the police will find out your identities…"
Cordelia shook her head: "No, the Dolan Church in New York has always been in contact with a mysterious organization. A few Salem witches who ran over from Europe told us that people from the Dolan Church even ride in the vehicles of that mysterious global organization, which can order the entire city's police to round them up."
"You mean, law enforcement has always known, and has always been helping the Dolan Church to hunt and eliminate you?"
"Yes."
"…"
Gwen blinked, somewhat disbelieving. No, the first half of the sentence, that law enforcement knew, Gwen believed. But the second half, that law enforcement had always been helping the Dolan Church hunt and judge witches? Gwen didn't believe that.
If George knew about witches and helped Dolan hunt and judge them, Gwen would definitely be very angry. If it was even good witches they were hunting, Gwen would be even angrier.
Locke, however, heard Cordelia's words and thought of a certain infamous organization in his mind.
"That mysterious organization…"
Locke looked up at Cordelia: "S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Cordelia: "…"
335. Who said you don't have a backstage?
As of now, two law enforcement agencies are on Locke's blacklist.
And they're the kind that are just one step away from being on the urgent priority list.
One, without a doubt, is MI6 from London, which he had just confronted.
The other is S.H.I.E.L.D.
These two law enforcement agencies are notorious to Locke. If it weren't for him killing the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury, and Lady M of MI6, frankly, these two agencies probably wouldn't exist.
However... the first time they provoke him, they have to exchange their director's life for his forgiveness, but if they provoke him a second time, then he won't be so lenient.
Fortunately.
Ever since Director Fury and Lady M went down, neither S.H.I.E.L.D. nor MI6 have come looking for trouble with him again.
Although S.H.I.E.L.D. still occasionally appears in front of him, with Maria Hill in charge, S.H.I.E.L.D. is no longer so condescending and arrogant.
To put it in understandable terms, it's more down-to-earth now.
Right now?
Locke frowned.
S.H.I.E.L.D. still has ties with the Dolan Church? That shouldn't be. Based on Locke's understanding of Maria Hill, she wouldn't collude with a church that persecutes witches, especially after knowing about it.
This is a simple deduction.
Maria Hill is a woman, and women naturally tend to stick together. Unless their own interests are involved, women will sympathize with other women, unless that woman is a psychopath.
So... is this another one of that damn Black Egg's lingering problems?
He's truly a scoundrel.
Good people die young, but villains live a thousand years.
Without a doubt, the connection between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Dolan Church must have been established during Nick Fury's tenure. Given the fact that Nick Fury, during his tenure, offended Captain America and the Howling Commandos, the supernatural team run by Ms. Peggy Carter, it's clear that Nick Fury hooked up with the Dolan Church, which also had the extreme view that all witches should die.
In a word.
Birds of a feather, indeed.
Cordelia listened to Locke's words, glanced at him, and then, with her right hand, used magic to draw the symbol of a law enforcement agency in the air, confirming Locke's suspicion.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
Locke looked at the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo, no, the logo of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division before it changed its name, slowly dissipating in the air, and nodded: "Nick Fury's S.H.I.E.L.D.!"
"Nick Fury?"
Gwen snapped back to attention and looked at Locke: "Didn't you have that guy put in prison, and then he was killed by the Peerless Assassin?"
Locke smiled: "Maybe the newly appointed director doesn't know what kind of organization the Dolan Church is yet, but they probably know now."
He said.
Locke checked his watch, then looked up at Cordelia: "However, even if S.H.I.E.L.D. intends to protect the Dolan Church, it's useless. Before, you didn't have anyone backing you, but now I'm here, and you have someone."
Cordelia shook her head and chuckled.
She still believed that violence could make people submit, but never truly surrender. Perhaps the Dark Overlord could suppress them for a time, but once the Dark Overlord left or was temporarily out of contact, the outcome would be even worse.
"I..."
"Ding-dong!"
Just as Cordelia was about to speak, a ding-dong sound, the doorbell, came from outside.
Cordelia closed her eyes slightly, sensing a black Chevrolet SUV parked at the door.
Locke chuckled, looking at the thirty minutes that had just passed, and then looked up: "The timing is perfect. The backer I found for you in the ordinary world has arrived."
Soon.
Locke watched Mr. Nobody, followed by the husband-and-wife agent team, Nash and Agent Yegorova, who were like his left and right guardians, walk up from the first floor. He smiled and hugged Mr. Nobody: "You're right on time."
Mr. Nobody shook his head and said, "You're not officially in yet."
Locke said, "Then let's consider this a test of loyalty."
He said.
Locke led Mr. Nobody into the dining room, then introduced him to Cordelia: "Cordelia, let me introduce Mr. Nobody, a senior special supervisor from the CIA, with his own garage, army, and airport, who takes orders but doesn't take commands. You can also call him Paige."
It should be Paige, right?
Locke looked back at Mr. Nobody, as if asking if he had said it correctly.
Mr. Nobody's mouth twitched.
His name was Peddy, not Paige. Paige was the name of a little pink pig.
However... Cordelia, listening to Locke's introduction, was first stunned, but still politely stepped forward: "Mr. Paige."
"Pfft!"
Agent Nash, wearing sunglasses, couldn't help but laugh.
Mr. Nobody turned to look at his trusted agent, contemplating sending Agent Nash to Guantanamo for an interrogation skills refresher, while shaking hands with Cordelia and listening to Locke's introduction.
Locke smiled and said, "This is Cordelia Goode, the headmistress of this witch academy. She loves peace, believes witches can coexist peacefully with humans, and will also be the new Supreme Witch making a dazzling appearance the day after tomorrow."
Agent Nash and Agent Yegorova, who had defected from the KGB for love, listened to Locke's introduction and looked at Cordelia, as well as Zoe and Madison not far away, with slightly shocked eyes.
After all, Locke was speaking directly with Mr. Nobody.
They knew they were here, but they had no idea why.
When Locke made the call outside earlier, he had already told Mr. Nobody his idea, but finding allies or anything like that shouldn't be something an agent in training who hasn't passed yet should be doing. That's why Mr. Nobody spoke to Locke that way earlier.
But... it's still the same old saying.
Locke wasn't particular about joining the CIA; rather, Mr. Nobody wanted Locke to join. So, despite what he said, if it involved witches, Mr. Nobody would be very happy to ally with the Witch Academy.
Moreover, "Supreme Witch"—that name sounds incredibly domineering!
Mr. Nobody smiled and shook Cordelia's hand: "The CIA is very happy to provide whatever the Witch Academy needs."
Cordelia opened her mouth.
It really was the CIA.
Cordelia possessed special sensory abilities, and after confirming that Mr. Nobody in front of her truly came from the CIA, she looked at Locke with a somewhat surreal feeling.
They had dealt with agencies like this before.
But without exception, under the description of the Dolan Church, almost all agencies sided with the Dolan Church, which is why they chose to hide.
Locke said from the side, "Maybe you should call S.H.I.E.L.D. I heard that S.H.I.E.L.D. has dispatched a group of elites from New York, specialized in witch trials by fire, intending to raze this place. Oh, by the way, have you been to Lake Leary? Tsk tsk, that scene was utterly devastating. If I were a witch, I would fight humanity to the death."
Mr. Nobody nodded, looked at Cordelia, and said in a deep voice, "Ms. Goode, personally, I completely understand the actions of that Dark Overlord. Don't worry, I will investigate this matter thoroughly."
Locke said from the side, "Maybe you should call and ask right now!"
Mr. Nobody's eyebrow twitched.
If Agent Nash had said that, forget about the next day, he would have been immediately arranged to go to Guantanamo Bay prison for interrogation skills training.
But... he's the son of an old friend, and besides, I admire him.
Mr. Nobody smiled slightly, looking at Locke: "You're right."
After speaking.
Mr. Nobody turned to Nash: "My phone."
Soon.
Mr. Nobody took the phone and directly dialed Maria Hill's private number. Then, as the phone rang, Mr. Nobody thought for a moment and directly put it on speakerphone.
Either don't do it.
Or, do it perfectly.
"Ring-ring!"
Maria Hill was gathered with a few friends inside a bar called'sBar' McLaren's Pub in Manhattan, New York. She then looked at the ringing phone and raised an eyebrow: "Oh, a call from the TV station."
She said.
Maria Hill, holding the phone, walked towards the bar's entrance.
The call connected.
Maria Hill, who had already walked out of the bar, stood by the roadside, holding the phone: "Nobody?"
Mr. Nobody looked up at Cordelia: "Director Hill, I'm in New Orleans right now."
"Oh."
Maria Hill paused slightly, then seemed to think of something: "Because of the hit list incident?"
"Yes."
...Is Mr. Nobody planning to intervene in the investigation?
Maria Hill turned to look at the bar and chuckled: "If that's the case..."
Mr. Nobody shook his head: "No, Director Hill, do you know what the Dolan Church has been doing here?"
Maria Hill paused slightly: "I'll call you back in an hour."
"Alright!"
Seeing this, Locke temporarily stepped back, returning to his seat, and looked at Fiona, who was sitting silently after Mr. Nobody arrived.
How should I deal with you?
Forget it.
Just destroy her.
Locke thought to himself, directly sentencing Fiona to death. If Fiona had intended to harm him, she would die, but Fiona had just intended to harm Gwen, in which case... she definitely had to die.
He had promised George that as long as Gwen was by his side, he would never let her be bullied.
Therefore.
I clearly gave you a chance to live out your remaining years in peace, but you, on the other hand, eagerly came looking for a one-way ticket to hell.
Locke had originally, out of consideration for Cordelia, told her about Fiona's situation in advance, thinking that although Cordelia didn't care for Fiona, she wouldn't take Fiona's life, leaving her a glimmer of hope.
What a pity.
Like everyone who opposed him, Fiona also failed to grasp that glimmer of hope...
336. Another Mess Left by the Black Egghead
"Lily!"
New York, inside MacLaren's Pub.
Maria Hill put down her phone, walked back inside, and said to her friend Lily, "Sorry, something urgent came up at the TV station. I need to go back and handle it."
"Oh, no!"
Lily looked at the beers that had just been served. "We just started."
Maria Hill looked apologetic, repeatedly saying sorry. She also apologized to Ted and Barney sitting opposite her, as well as Lily's fiancé, Marshall, before walking out of the bar.
At that moment,
A black sedan was already waiting at the door.
She got in.
Maria Hill, who had just been disguised as an aspiring host from Canada, changed her attire in a second, returning to her usual capable and decisive appearance as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Marshall, Lily, and the others didn't know her true identity.
This was good.
Hill liked it that way and wanted to keep it that way.
Soon.
New York S.H.I.E.L.D. Operations Command Center.
"Victoria."
After Hill entered the command hall, she greeted Commander Victoria, who basically stayed there even after work hours, and then nodded to a nearby S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent. "Connect me to the New Orleansoffice."
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent immediately dialed the pre-prepared line.
The large screen lit up instantly.
Kara Palamas, the Agent-in-Charge of the New Orleans office, appeared on screen.
"Director!"
"Commander Hand."
"Supervisor Palamas."
Maria Hill looked at Palamas, known as Agent 33, who had taken over as the head of the New Orleansoffice after Nick Fury's influence was purged. She said directly, "Have the people from the Doran Church arrived?"
Palamas nodded. "Yes, everything is arranged. Do you need..."
Hill cut her off. "What else has happened in New Orleans these past few days?"
Palamas was slightly stunned.
Then,
Feeling somewhat confused, Palamas recounted the Dark Sovereign's Notice, the Witch execution that happened at the Police Department entrance around five this morning, and the discovery of countless Witch remains in Lake Lyre.
Maria Hill's eyes narrowed slightly as she listened, stunned.
What the fuck?
After Maria Hill received Hawkeye's report and suspected Witch involvement, she had her subordinates find the Doran Church—partners Nick Fury had used to handle Witch cases during his tenure.
The same principle applied:
Cleaning up the mess afterward was always better than taking the blame.
But now?
Maria Hill said in a low voice, "Is it confirmed that those Witch remains were the work of the Doran Church?"
Beside her, Victoria Hand had already ordered an Agent to access the S.H.I.E.L.D. Satellite. Under real-time satellite imagery, the brightly lit Lake Lyre was filled with dense, clearly visible white bones.
Even though the New Orleans Police Department had been cleaning up all day, the number of bones in the riverbed didn't seem to have decreased at all.
"God!"
"Oh my God!"
"Is this... a mass grave?"
"..."
The S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents in the hall watched the satellite images on the screen. One by one, they involuntarily stood up, covering their mouths.
The images were too horrific, causing extreme discomfort.
Supervisor Palamas was curious about Maria Hill's question but answered honestly, "Yes. It's because the Dark Sovereign executed the local Doran Church in New Orleans that the Doran Church members from New York came to us."
"They deserved it!"
"Ah."
"Why wasn't this reported immediately?"
"Didn't you say to let professionals handle professional..."
"I know what I said."
Maria Hill pointed at the satellite view of Lake Lyre on the screen and asked sternly, "Why wasn't this incident reported?"
Good heavens.
What kind of church was this Doran Church?
This looked like a full-blown evil cult.
Palamas was confused. "I thought you kn—"
Hill frowned.
A second later.
Hill suddenly remembered something and looked at Victoria Hand. "Victoria, who handled the partnership audit for the Doran Church?"
For S.H.I.E.L.D. partners, there were dedicated people to audit them, checking if they were qualified to collaborate and if they could keep secrets.
"Can't you see it on your end?"
"It was deleted. I thought Nick Fury did it to protect an informant."
Not only were some files deleted by Nick Fury, but during her time taking over, Maria Hill also discovered that S.H.I.E.L.D.'s funds seemed significantly depleted. At least several expenditures were unclear or fictitious. Alexander Pierce had already sent accountants to secretly audit every fund flow during Nick Fury's term.
However, this matter was still confidential. No one else knew except Maria Hill, Alexander Pierce, and the secret auditors.
Data from S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters had backups in the New York operational command system. Files deleted at the Triskelion were found here in the New York center.
Nick Fury had authorized the deletion of some Agents' files, including data on a set of quintuplets.
Naturally,
The records regarding who approved the Doran Church audit were also in New York.
"Found it."
Victoria Hand used her highest clearance to log into the system, directly unlocking the hidden content for the Doran Church and finding the evaluating Agents: "Phil Coulson and Melinda May."
"Heh."
Hill heard the names of these two Agents close to Nick Fury and then looked at the satellite images. "Can such an ally really be our ally?"
They were S.H.I.E.L.D., not some Inquisition.
Hill had heard of the Doran Church when she was Deputy Director; Nick Fury had mentioned that they specifically targeted witches planning to do evil.
But... if Hill had known that the Doran Church didn't just target evil witches but all witches, she would never have continued the alliance.
Then.
Hill thought of the pointed phone call she just received from Nameless.
"fuck!"
Hill swore irritably and looked at the Agent in charge of communications. "Connect to the Triskelion!"
The Agent nodded and quickly connected to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
Soon.
Hill looked at her appointed assistant on the screen and said sternly, "Send out the Notice: S.H.I.E.L.D.Triskelion, New York Operations Command Center, Slingshot Launch Base, Sandbox Base, S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, and all regional branches are to immediately cancel all certification and authorization for the Doran Church. This order is effective now!"
The assistant nodded.
Instantly.
A pop-up appeared directly on the large screen in front of her.
A Director's order from the S.H.I.E.L.D. Supreme Command Center at the Triskelion.
Canceling all certification and cooperation with the Doran Church.
Victoria Hand, standing nearby, nodded. "Pass it down!"
A second later.
Ding-ling-ling!
Ding-ling-ling!
A dense flurry of message alerts sounded from every S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent in the hall. The messages were, without exception, about the order to cancel the Doran Church's status.
Maria Hill turned and walked out. "Get the jet ready for takeoff. We're going to New Orleans!"
The New Orleans supervisor on the screen opened her mouth. "Director, what about the Doran Churchmembers here..."
Hill stopped, turned, and looked at the supervisor on the screen. "Was my order not clear?"
Supervisor Palamas swallowed. "Understood!"
Kick them out with a broom.
"Wait."
Hill suddenly thought of something and said sternly, "Keep an eye on them. Someone will be coming to take them soon."
Shortly after.
A quinjet carrying Maria Hill and Victoria Hand took off. With a roar, it sped toward New Orleans at its fastest speed.
Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies.
Just as the one-hour mark was reached.
Ding-ling-ling!
"Ms. Hill!"
"Mr. Nameless."
Maria Hill sat in the jet and said in a low voice, "I have ordered all S.H.I.E.L.D. departments to fully cancel cooperation with the Doran Church. This order was issued by me, while the original cooperation agreement was signed by Nick Fury. Sorry, you should know just how many messes Nick Fury left for us!"
I certainly know.
Don't be fooled by how impressive S.H.I.E.L.D. looked while Nick Fury was in charge.
Few law enforcement agencies that knew the truth respected them. If they were given the Howling Commandos, they would treat them like royalty, but Nick Fury had managed to exhaust all the goodwill left by Captain America and Peggy Carter in less than six months.
However, knowing was one thing.
Mr. Nameless glanced at Cordelia Goode, lowered his head, and said to Maria Hill on the call, "But that's not the answer I wanted to hear."
As he spoke,
Ding-dong!
Mr. Nameless looked at a set of coordinates received on his phone.
"This is..."
"The fourteen people who came from the New York Doran branch."
Maria Hill's tone was calm. "Mr. Nameless, they are yours. While S.H.I.E.L.D. currently lacks the strength to maintain the boundary between the supernatural and ordinary Worlds, collaborating with such an inhumane organization is definitely not S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mission—at least, not mine."
If strength was lacking, Maria Hill would rather propose suggestions to the Five Overlords to confirm S.H.I.E.L.D.'s legitimacy through resolutions than resort to such methods.
"Thank you."
"I'll be in New Orleans soon."
"...I'll wait for you."
"Thank you."
Maria Hill hung up.
A second later.
A call from her assistant!
"Director, The 36th Generation Dolan Priest from New York is requesting a call!"
"Tell him to get lost!"
"...Yes!"
"By the way."
Maria Hill listened to her assistant's report. "Start gathering information on the Doran Church in New York. If you find anything illegal, hand it directly to Chief Inspector George Stacy of the NYPD."
"Yes!"
337
Specialties of Nebula 337 and M78
Maria Hill was no fool.
She came out of Chicago and worked her way up to her current position, partly due to Peggy Carter's appreciation, but mostly due to her own strength.
Otherwise, after Nick Fury's demise and during Alexander Pierce's return, she wouldn't have shed the title of interim director in such a short time and settled into her current position as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Even Alexander Pierce, who seemed to have originally intended to re-enter S.H.I.E.L.D., could only retreat to the second line and once again serve as his federal councilor.
The Unknown's call was short, and the information revealed was very little.
But... Hill still deduced a possibility.
The Unknown had likely connected with the Unrivaled Assassin's group, the Dark Overlord, or if not, then possibly with the Coven.
Otherwise, there was no way to explain why the Unknown would suddenly care about the affairs of the Dolan Church.
If S.H.I.E.L.D. sometimes liked to make a profit without investment,
then the CIA was genuinely driven by profit; if the reward for eliminating the Dolan Church wasn't higher than the benefits of letting it continue to exist, the CIA would never get involved.
After all, once the media found out that the CIA was conducting operations domestically...
Hehe!
The flood of criticism against Langley in the House and Senate would probably drown Langley completely.
So, Hill went with the flow, directly telling the Unknown the location of those fourteen people, and just as frankly, told the Unknown that she would be there soon.
After all, this could be credited to the Unknown, but more importantly, it was a favor from her S.H.I.E.L.D.
Compared to the CIA, S.H.I.E.L.D. needed to re-establish contact with supernatural forces to see if certain cooperation agreements could be reached.
As for why New York Dolan was mentioned?
Hill looked at a satellite photo on her tablet.
In the tablet, a silver-white Audi parked by the roadside was particularly eye-catching, making Hill feel even more that her guess about a certain person might be correct.
It seemed that wherever this person appeared, a major event would follow.
New York, Unrivaled Assassin.
Osguta, Witches.
Poseidon, Tsunami.
Argo, Sea Monster.
Lake Kali, Vampires.
New Orleans, Coven?
Indeed.
It's you again, Locke.
At this moment, Hill thought of Nick Fury, whose grave was already overgrown with weeds. Frankly speaking, if it were her, she would also think that even if Locke and the Unrivaled Assassin had no direct connection, they certainly had a deeper relationship.
Hill gazed at the iconic Audi in the tablet, thinking to herself.
Robbie Jocks Miss Outstanding Women's College!
"Nash!"
"Sir."
Mr. Unknown looked at the disconnected call, then clicked on the coordinate information Hill had just sent during the call, glanced at Cordelia Goode, the dean of this genuine witch academy, and handed his phone to Nash, saying to Cordelia, "A friend's business is our business."
Cordelia looked at Locke, who was sitting not far away.
Locke, sitting on the study sofa and tasting what was said to be witch wine brewed by the witches themselves, accepted Cordelia's gaze and shrugged.
The Unknown directly said to Nash, who had taken the phone, "Arrest them!"
Nash nodded, and with Yegorova, who was in fact his fiancée, turned and walked out. The information for the coordinated operation on his phone had already flown to the local secret CIA base.
Mr. Unknown smiled and said to Cordelia, "Ms. Goode, are you satisfied with this handling method?"
Exchanging the friendship of witches for a group of utterly depraved, inhumane beasts.
This was a good deal.
No.
It was an extremely good deal.
One witch was much more useful than five agents.
Locke finished the witch wine in his glass, looked at the Unknown, who was already imagining a beautiful future with witches joining his team, and directly said, "I heard that Dolan Churches from all over the country are coming here, planning to take advantage of Cordelia's coronation as Supreme Witch in two days to round up all the witches attending the grand event."
The Unknown looked at Cordelia and said in a deep voice, "Starting tomorrow, there will be a team outside, not for surveillance, but for protection. Anyone who enters this building without permission will be immediately arrested."
Cordelia opened her mouth, "That's not necessary."
The Unknown shook his head, "No, Ms. Goode, you don't understand human nature."
Frankly speaking.
If Cordelia hadn't just told him that only women with the bloodline of the Salem survivors could awaken witch talents, the Unknown would have already been thinking about mass-producing witches.
What if other people or organizations found out?
Even if some crazy organizations knew about this witch stronghold, they would probably want to put the witches on dissecting tables for slicing and research.
Of course.
These so-called crazy organizations included some secret departments within the CIA, just like him.
So... Mr. Unknown's expression was serious: "Cordelia, I hope it's okay for me to call you that. You are Locke's friend, and naturally, you are my friend. Since Locke has found me, then I believe we can explore a win-win path for cooperation. Perhaps, after you become the Supreme Witch, we can discuss the details of our cooperation."
Settle it quickly.
Too late?
Someone will come to disrupt things soon.
Cordelia sensed the Unknown's sincere attitude and looked at Locke hesitantly.
Locke raised an eyebrow, yawned, and looked at the Unknown: "Maria Hill is coming? I don't have a good impression of S.H.I.E.L.D. I'm leaving first."
His goal was only one.
Complete the mission.
As long as his mission was completed, and he ensured that the Supreme Witch he personally supported would not become his enemy in the future, then whatever Cordelia wanted to do was her business.
So.
How Cordelia wanted to cooperate with the Unknown was Cordelia's business, not his.
"I'm leaving."
"I'll come find you later."
"Haha."
Locke, who had already reached the door, turned to look at the Unknown who had spoken, and with a smirk, said, "Mr. Unknown, perhaps you don't have a girlfriend, but I do."
The Unknown: "..."
In the middle of the night, only someone with a screw loose would choose to accompany an old man.
I have a girlfriend.
And... Locke felt, whether it was an illusion or not, that after Gwen inexplicably gained spider-sense, even her stamina seemed to have improved to a certain extent.
However, that was at noon and in the afternoon, when time was not too ample, and it had not been fully verified or observed.
Tonight was a good opportunity.
Walking out of the study, Locke went to the witches' training hall. Inside, Gwen sat on a chair, wearing a witch hat, while Nan, with braided pigtails, sat opposite Gwen with a serious expression.
Locke blinked and walked over to Carrie's side.
"What's going on?"
"Gwen wants to experience Nan's abilities."
"Hm?"
"Telepathy, and foreseeing the future and such."
Carrie shrugged, then looked at Locke with some curiosity, and in a voice only the two of them could hear, asked with some curiosity, "Witches in Salem all have specialties when they awaken, why don't we?"
Locke looked at Carrie: "Why don't we?"
Carrie blinked: "Do we?"
She remembered that before she received Agatha's education, she only knew one skill, which was to haphazardly create dark orbs as bombs without any technique.
Look at the people in Salem.
Teleportation.
Telepathy.
Resurrection from the dead and so on.
Too buggy.
Locke curled his lips: "Our energy is endless, that's the best talent."
Magic power is equivalent to bullets.
And, other people's bullets are limited, only their M78 Nebula dimension's bullets are endless.
No matter how many abilities one has, what's the use without energy support?
Take the witches of Salem, for example, the current Supreme Witch Fiona. Her abilities are powerful, but if Fiona faced Locke, no, if she faced Carrie...
Perhaps in the early stages, Fiona would have the upper hand, but within ten rounds, as Fiona's energy was depleted, Carrie, with her endless energy, would definitely win.
No other reason.
The Salem dimension is currently dormant. Even the dimension providing energy is dormant. Witches using Salem's power are like Ultramen transforming, they have a time limit.
And Carrie?
She's like Sandy, even her normal attacks can achieve super-special effects with the blessing of endless energy.
"Oh, right."
Remembering Fiona, Locke raised an eyebrow: "What about Fiona? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her?"
"She left."
Carrie shrugged: "I originally wanted to chase after her, but then I thought about it and didn't go. However, I put a magic mark on her. Should I get rid of her?"
Carrie was not surprised by this at all.
After all... Fiona had just tried to attack Gwen.
If Fiona was still alive under such circumstances, it was definitely not because Fiona was strong enough, but because Locke hadn't gone to kill her yet.
So Carrie believed that Fiona wouldn't live, and therefore, marked her location.
"Of course."
Locke nodded and chuckled, but then, after thinking for a moment, he let out a laugh: "Forget it, let her stay one more night."
When they went back later, he and Gwen still had an experiment about stamina to do. According to the estimated time, it would probably be four or five in the morning by the time they finished.
"Let's talk about it tomorrow."
"Okay."
338. Director Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D.
On one side, there was a beautiful woman, as lovely as a flower.
On the other side, there was an old witch who had lived for over two hundred years.
Late at night, choosing who to accompany wasn't a multiple-choice question at all; it was a no-brainer.
Locke's tone shifted as he said something to Carrie, then casually walked over to Gwen, who was sitting in a chair, watching Nan as if she were diligently listening to a lecture.
Nan sat opposite Gwen.
Her baby-fat cheeks and innocent eyes were fixed on Gwen.
Nan, who possessed the gift of telepathy because of her pure soul, stared at Gwen with a somewhat surprised expression.
After a while.
After several attempts, Nan finally shook her head, "I can't sense your thoughts."
Gwen blinked.
"Huh?"
"It's like there's a barrier in your mind, preventing me from entering."
"…"
Hearing this, Zoe looked at Gwen, "You're not an ordinary person?"
Madison glanced at Locke, who was walking over, and, hearing Zoe's words, also looked at Gwen curiously.
Gwen opened her mouth, "I'm sure my grandparents were ordinary people, and there were no witches in my ancestry."
"Then how could this be?"
"Amazing."
Zoe and Nan exchanged glances.
Gwen paused slightly, then thought of something and looked at Nan, "Could it be because I've studied psychological defense?"
This time, Locke also raised an eyebrow.
Nan pondered for a moment, "It's possible."
After all, their power came from the Salem dimension, and now that the Salem dimension had fallen dormant, naturally, the power of many witches' skills had significantly diminished.
Just like this telepathy, Nan could sense the thoughts of passersby on the street because those passersby had no defenses. But if she tried to sense someone who was prepared, it would naturally be very difficult.
"Psychological defense?"
After returning to the hotel, Locke and Gwen went back to their room, and Locke curiously asked Gwen, "Does psychology have that branch?"
Gwen took off her scarf and smiled, "Do you still remember Ms. Cahill?"
"The police department's medical expert, as well as the negotiation and psychology expert?" Moren Cahill, another person at the NYPD who was used as three people but only paid for one.
So… Moren Cahill chose to resign directly and then moved to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Gwen hummed, "Ms. Cahill taught me this the week she resigned. She said that if I learned this, no one would be able to steal anything from my thoughts or dreams."
"…Dream stealing?"
"Yes, that's what Ms. Cahill said."
Gwen shrugged, taking off her pink down jacket, "Cahill taught me to train my own psychological and dream guardians. I have to say, it feels quite magical."
Locke chuckled.
Alright.
He hadn't realized that Moren Cahill was a dream thief… No.
Someone who infiltrates others' dreams is called a dream thief. What do you call someone who protects others' dreams?
Locke thought to himself; there was no way, that movie was too brain-burning and not suitable for Locke, who consistently preferred simple and direct things, so Locke hadn't watched it closely.
But this was a good thing.
Moren Cahill wasn't turning Gwen into a dream thief; she was teaching Gwen a skill to resist dream thieves. From any perspective, it was all good and no harm.
So… Locke walked forward, embraced Gwen, who had taken off her down jacket and was wearing a fitted sweater that showed off her figure, and smiled, "Darling, it's time for bed."
He was very curious about how much Gwen's stamina had improved.
The next day.
The Hilton Hotel's breakfast buffet restaurant.
Mr. Nobody crossed his legs, "Youth is truly wonderful."
Sitting opposite him, rubbing his lower back, feeling that he might have overexerted himself last night, or perhaps due to a prolonged repetitive motion, resulting in a slightly sore back, Locke looked up at Mr. Nobody, "What do you want to say?"
Mr. Nobody smiled, "Just a reminder, you're very young right now."
Locke looked at Mr. Nobody with some suspicion, then thought of something, and couldn't help but shake his head, drinking the coffee in his hand, "Don't you have anything to do today, like interrogating the Doran Church to see if they have any secret bases for detaining witches?"
"They ran away."
"…Huh?"
Locke looked up at Mr. Nobody, "Are you kidding me?"
Ran away?
Mr. Nobody shook his head, "No, SHIELD leaked the information. By the time Nash and Yegorova led their team to make arrests, the people were no longer at the hotel."
Locke couldn't help but laugh.
However, this reason seemed plausible. After all, SHIELD agents were all moles — no, it should be that SHIELD agents were mixed into Hydra.
Mr. Nobody said, "When Hill came over, she mentioned that the thirty-sixth generation Doran priest called. Hill directly told him to get lost. Maybe that old guy got suspicious."
How to put it?
Mr. Nobody felt that Hill had done it on purpose.
First, she gave him those people's addresses as a favor, then allowed Hill to come and meet the witches with him.
Then… she secretly tipped them off, causing Mr. Nobody's people to come up empty-handed. After that, she would secretly round up those Doran cultists and hand them over to the witch coven herself.
Agents' hearts are all very dirty.
Especially those from SHIELD; they're so dirty they could open a dye factory.
But… he had no evidence.
Locke nodded, looking at Mr. Nobody with some curiosity, "Then you still have time to come to me."
Mr. Nobody said, "People can run, but the church can't. I pulled some strings, and the FBI is now investigating Doran churches across the country. As soon as any illegal activities are found, they'll make arrests."
As for the dozen or so people who ran away?
Heh.
Where could they run to? Besides, even if the people ran, I'd still take down their home, and it would be the same.
Locke sipped his coffee and gave Mr. Nobody a thumbs-up.
"Overbearing."
"Not overbearing. Why else would we be called the CIA?"
"…You're right."
Locke looked at Mr. Nobody, who was not hiding anything, and chuckled speechlessly.
Just then.
The restaurant elevator opened.
Gwen, feeling refreshed after less than an hour of sleep, walked out of the elevator with Carrie. Then, Gwen, who had originally intended to walk towards Locke, saw Mr. Nobody sitting opposite Locke and immediately pulled Carrie to go choose breakfast first.
Mr. Nobody glanced at Gwen, then looked at Locke, "Your girlfriend knows you joined the CIA, hasn't she accused you of hiding it from her?"
Locke sipped his coffee, "Mr. Nobody, who said I was hiding it from her?"
Mr. Nobody paused slightly, looking at Locke.
Locke's expression was very calm.
The next second.
Mr. Nobody took out his sunglasses from his pocket and put them on, "Alright, I'm leaving. Everyone else has the boss giving orders and the subordinates running themselves ragged. With me, it's the other way around. Could it be that you're the boss and I'm the subordinate?"
Locke looked at Mr. Nobody, who was standing up and teasing him, a smile playing on his lips, "You can call yourself Old Mr. Nobody, I don't mind!"
Speaking of which… Mr. Nobody seemed to have a Little Mr. Nobody in the future.
So, what's wrong with having an Old Mr. Nobody too?
But.
"I mind!"
Mr. Nobody said, somewhat speechless. He was just teasing a little, and Locke immediately took it as an opportunity to become his boss.
"I'm off."
"Take care."
"…"
New Orleans Port!
"Click!"
"Don't move!"
"DHS!"
"Drop your weapons!"
With a thud.
A warehouse at the port was directly opened from the outside. Then, before the descendants of the Crusaders, who had just relocated there less than five hours ago, could react, they had just grabbed their demon-slaying weapons when they saw the dense red dots aimed at them.
The descendants of the Crusaders looked up.
What they saw.
They were surrounded.
"Who are you?"
The captain of the Crusader descendants, who was leading the team this time and felt that his luck had been bad for years, raised his hands high and looked at the heavily armed law enforcement officers in front of him, "We haven't done anything illegal."
"I know."
"…"
Agent Hawkeye Barton, holding his compound bow, walked over from behind and looked at the captain of these Crusader descendants, "We don't need evidence either."
After saying that.
Hawkeye Barton waved his hand, "Take them away!"
The descendants of the Crusaders stirred a bit, but no matter how much they stirred, it was no match for the suppression of genuine weapons. Soon, the SHIELD agents, disguised as Homeland Security, easily subdued the twelve descendants of the Crusaders.
"Twelve?"
Hawkeye Barton walked to the back of the armored vehicle and looked at the handcuffed captain of the Crusader descendants, "I remember there were fourteen of you when you came over. Where are the other two? The two who came from Portland, they're also from your Doran Church, aren't they?"
By the way, Hawkeye Barton had always thought that the Doran Church was dealing with dark witches.
But… good heavens.
The captain of the Crusader descendants looked at Hawkeye Barton expressionlessly, without speaking.
Barton, seeing this, also said nothing, waved his hand, and directly called Maria Hill.
"This is Hill."
"Director, the twelve people from New York have all been caught."
"What about the two from Portland?"
"Missing."
"…They went back."
"Huh?"
Hill looked at the facial recognition program her subordinate had just brought out, as well as the passenger information for the last flight to Portland at midnight, and directly said, "Have the Portland branch take over this matter, Barton. Take the people there."
Hawkeye Barton nodded.
Hill hung up the phone.
A slight smile played on her lips.
Yes.
Indeed, just as Mr. Nobody had guessed, she was the one who gave Mr. Nobody the hotel information, but Hill wouldn't admit to tipping them off.
She was just being extra prepared.
After she told the sixty-third generation Doran priest to get lost…