Shadow trail of the beautiful world

Chapter 472 57. Night Banquet

Merlin received an invitation letter.

The above address is on a commercial street in Manhattan, not far from Hell's Kitchen.

And the sender of the opening invitation letter was an organization called Continental Hotel, and Merlin had never heard of it before.But after carefully checking the invitation letter, Merlin knew who sent it.

The invitation letter was printed out, but there was a line of handwritten words where the final payment was made.

"Looking forward to your visit."

There was no beginning or end of the sentence, but there was a hint of sharpness in the curvaceous font, which Merlin had seen before.

"Thalia..."

He threw the invitation letter in his hand on the table, and said:

"This restless woman, the recovery of the League of Assassins has only just begun to pick up. What is she planning?"

"But, it's okay to go and have a look."

With this in mind, Merlin made a decision.

SDOLD currently has a cooperative relationship with the League of Assassins. Thalia's "eyes" hidden in various social classes continuously gather information about the dangerous radical mutants who are hiding, and then pass it on to Merlin.

In exchange, Merlin acquiesced in allowing them to occupy a place in the new order of the alien world enforced by SDOLD.

The League of Assassins, which had been hit hard before and its power was greatly reduced, was also on the fast track to recovery because of this kindness.At least in North America, their influence is developing rapidly.

New York is the headquarters of the League of Assassins in North America. There are three SDOLD branches in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Miami, and the League of Assassins has also established branches there.

And in Europe, because of the friendly relationship between Merlin and Gatler, the European headquarters of the Assassin Alliance has also received some "care". After a period of dormancy, their forces there have resumed their activities.

In short, Thalia took over the power of the demon leader Lars al-Ghul. This ambitious woman was lucky. Under the protection of Merlin, all her plans were initially rewarded. After the most turbulent period of time, Thalia has firmly secured the throne of ninja master.

Thalia is really a very smart woman, she is different from her father, she does not have the tyrannical force and strong personal charm of the demon head, she knows that she needs to rely on the power of Merlin and S.H.I.E.L.D. to complete the League of Assassins Therefore, at least during this period of time, Thalia almost never refused Merlin's requests.

Whether it is tracking down the remnants of Hydra or looking for radical mutants, the sub-assassin alliance under the command of Thalia has helped a lot.

Their powerful information gathering capabilities saved Merlin's agents from spending a lot of time tracking down clues.

This kind of mutual cooperation can be called mutual benefit, but it is temporary. After the Assassin Alliance becomes stronger, S.H.I.E.L.D. will definitely find a way to put shackles on this organization that operates in the dark.

But that's for the future, at least for now, the two sides are still in the honeymoon period.

"I don't know if that woman will invite Bruce."

Merlin picked up another document at hand, flipped through it, and thought:

"Maybe there will be a resurgence of old feelings between them? And Damian who is sandwiched between them, hehe, it's very interesting to think about it."

"However, it seems that this banquet will bring a female companion to attend."

Merlin rubbed his forehead:

"I don't know where Elsa is now... Oh, forget it, take Hill."

----------------

A few days later, another weekend arrived.

Changing into a decent black suit, Merlin drove his two younger sisters to the opening site of the newly built Continental Hotel.

When they got there, Agent Maria Hill was already there waiting for them.

"Sill, this dress suits you very well."

Merlin opened the car door and looked at Agent Maria Hill who was wearing a long black dress, carrying a handbag, and had her hair and makeup done. He praised without any pretense:

"You are also very well dressed today."

"is it?"

Hill felt a little unsuited to the tight-fitting long skirt. As an internal affairs agent, Hill did not often carry out field operations, and he was not like Natasha, who could naturally blend into various environments. .

She always wears a smart uniform, and it is very unusual for Hill to dress like today when she doesn't participate in entertainment activities much.

But what Merlin said was right, Hill tonight was indeed very feminine.

"Really, don't be so nervous."

Merlin stretched out his hand to Hill, who hesitated for a moment, and put his hand on Merlin's arm. The two looked like a couple.

"Treat it like work."

He said to Hill beside him:

"You are an excellent agent, and I believe you can do it perfectly."

"Ah."

Hill took a deep breath to calm down her emotions, and she said to Merlin:

"Director Fury asked me to observe this force. He is also very curious about the League of Assassins."

"I'll introduce you to Thalia."

Merlin looked at the decorated hotel in front of him, and said softly:

"I believe that cunning woman is also looking forward to your arrival."

Since Thalia generously sent an invitation letter to Merlin, it proved that the new ninja master didn't mind having more in-depth exchanges and cooperation with S.H.I.E.L.D.

Of course, Merlin wouldn't bring Fury to the banquet directly. On the one hand, Fury was very busy and probably wouldn't be able to spare time. On the other hand, it was a little too strange for two men to come to the banquet.

"He's really caring."

Behind Merlin and Hill, Lorna, who was wearing a beautiful dress, said in a low voice to Raven, who was beside her with an indifferent face:

"Elsa, Zatana, and this Hill, and Carol in his diary..."

"They're just colleagues."

Ruiwen glanced at Agent Hill who was chatting and laughing with Merlin, and there was a trace of dissatisfaction in her cold tone, she said:

"It's their job, but he better hold back tonight."

"Come on, let's go watch him."

Two little girls who looked like dolls followed Merlin. Lorna grabbed Merlin's other hand and looked around curiously. I have to say that the hotel opened by Talia is really good from the outside. .

It is not as luxurious as other high-end hotels. It inherits the decoration style of the League of Assassins, and is low-key and restrained, but also has a different taste.

Its entrance is not big, it can only accommodate 4 people to pass side by side. After entering the hotel, there is a long aisle covered with carpets, and the lights above are also very gentle, a little dim, not so dazzling.

On the walls around the hotel lobby, there are various murals. The reliefs from Europe, Africa and Asia add a touch of humanity to the lobby.

The opening ceremony held by Thalia didn’t seem to invite too many people to watch the ceremony, but for agents like Merlin and Hill, they could easily see the background of the Continental Hotel from these invited people. strong background.

As Merlin turned his gaze, the identities of the invited guests around him constantly appeared on Icarus' lens. After connecting to the S.H.I.E.L.D. database, Icarus' information collection ability was almost unlimitedly magnified.

Merlin pushed his glasses, turned his head, and whispered in Hill's ear:

"There are at least 6 big businessmen from Europe in the hall, as well as the executive directors of several famous foundations. I also saw representatives of several senators. The Osborne Group, the Quinn Group, and...Wei En Group, it seems that Ms. Thalia has not been idle in recent years, she has found many powerful partners for herself."

"I'm more curious about what this hotel is for?"

Hill stared at the security personnel in suits and sunglasses around her. She could feel a chilling aura from these people. She said:

"Are those assassins from the Assassin League? When will these people be able to act publicly?"

"This is probably a reform of the way of life."

Merlin led Hill to the front desk, and he said softly:

"It seems that it's not just us, the ancient Assassin Alliance has also begun to change its form of existence in the new era, and they are trying to catch up with the changes of the times."

He took out the invitation letter from his pocket and put it on the front desk.

The bald black deacon in front of him picked up the invitation letter, looked at it, then took out a key from the counter with a normal expression, handed it to Merlin respectfully, and said:

"Please go to room 204, the lady is waiting for you there, honored guest."

"Ah."

Merlin nodded. He picked up the key and walked towards the elevator with Hill and the children. After a few seconds, the elevator opened, and then Merlin saw a very familiar guy.

"Merlin?"

In front of Merlin, Tony in a gray suit was holding the slender waist of a lady in a red dress. The moment the elevator door opened, the playboy said in surprise:

"Why are you here too?"

"I'm more curious, what are you doing here?"

Merlin replied:

"Do you know where this place is?"

"Of course I know."

Tony snorted and said:

"That's why I came here, I have some spare money, and that beautiful lady Thalia needs funds, and I also need some information, so we became friends."

"friend?"

Merlin shook his head, and said softly:

"Then you have to be careful, Tony, be careful that Thalia eats you with bones."

"Tony."

The lady in the red dress next to Tony seemed to sense the unfriendly relationship between Tony and Merlin, she interrupted the conversation between Merlin and Tony just right, she said:

"Won't you introduce me to this gentleman?"

"His name is Merlin."

Tony said to the pretty lady with freckles next to her:

"My... well, acquaintance, barely a friend. As for his profession, he's a secret worker, a guy who's hard to get close to."

After speaking, he said to Merlin again:

"This is Potts, my girlfriend and assistant."

"Hello, Miss Potts."

Merlin pushed his glasses, and Icarus quickly updated Miss Potts' information card on the lens, adding a new note, and with a gentle smile, Merlin said to the blushing lady:

"It's rare for me to hear Tony announce his girlfriend so formally. He can change his girlfriend faster than he can change his clothes. You have to watch him closely. I mean... it's better for him to restrain himself Undisciplined, especially when he starts planning something dangerous."

Merlin glanced at Tony, and he said:

"I persuaded him, and it seems that he finally made a regrettable choice."

"You talk too much, Merlin."

Tony took Miss Potts' hand and walked out of the elevator quickly. He said dissatisfiedly:

"Every time I see you, it makes people angry."

"Trust me, me too."

Merlin walked into the elevator and said to Tony:

"Have a nice evening, both of you."

"Ding"

The elevator door closed the next moment, and the elevator went up smoothly. A few seconds later, the elevator door opened again. Merlin brought Hill and his two younger sisters to room 204. He stretched out his hand and pushed the door open. I saw several guests already sitting in this big house.

As the owner of the Continental Hotel, Thalia was sitting in the living room of the suite, talking to a silent man.

When Merlin pushed open the door, Thalia, who was wearing a wine-red dress, also turned around, and she said to Merlin with a smile on her face:

"Come on, Mr. Merlin, Bruce and I were just talking about you."

"Sure enough, you still invited him."

Merlin greeted Bruce who was sitting on the chair, and then said to Thalia:

"What is this? Resurgence of old love?"

"There is a child here."

Talia glanced at Damian who was sitting on the sofa, and the two girls behind Merlin. She brushed her hair and said to Merlin:

"Better be serious when we talk...I don't want to give the kids a bad impression."

As she was talking, she reached out and tried to touch Rui Wen's head to show her kindness, but Merlin stopped her quickly.

Ruiwen had already pinched a seal in her hand, the child didn't like strangers touching her.

"If your father was here, he would never rashly contact the most dangerous people here."

Merlin squeezed Thalia's wrist, and he whispered:

"I really doubt how you survived in the dangerous Assassin League until now, Thalia, your vigilance is too low, right?"

Thalia also saw Ruiwen's indifferent gaze and the seal pinched in the girl's hand. She took a step back, but she wasn't too embarrassed. Bruce getting up, she said:

"With the two of you here, I think I can properly relax my tense mood..."

"Come on, sit down."

Thalia invited Merlin and Hill to sit on the chairs, and Lorna sat on the sofa on the other side very familiarly. She sat beside her curiously, with an indifferent face and folded arms, just with a Little grown-up Damian, she said:

"Little brother, why don't you speak?"

Damian still maintained that indifferent attitude as if he didn't hear it.

Ruiwen came over and sat next to Lorna, she glanced at the cold Damian, she snorted:

"Lorna is talking to you, you really have no tutor, you deserve a beating!"

Damian glared at Ruiwen, but he still didn't speak. Until then, Bruce, who noticed the conflict between the children, held a teacup and said kindly to the two girls:

"Don't worry, kids, it's not that Damian doesn't want to talk to you... For some special reasons, his throat was injured, and he can't speak now."

"Oh, how pathetic."

Lorna glanced at Damian with pity. She quickly lost interest in this handsome little brother. She reached for the remote control and started watching her favorite cartoons.

Rui Wen looked at Damian next to him from time to time, and she could feel that this black-haired boy also had a faint breath of Sangong magic power.Moreover, at his young age, he has a chilling aura that doesn't match his age, and there are traces left by real battles.

He is very similar to Raven, the kind of child who has no childhood.

This made Rui Wen even more curious about Damian.

(End of this chapter)