Shadow of the Beautiful World

Little Eric's first meeting with May and Ben was perfect.

Merlin's cousin and brother-in-law have no plans to have children for the time being, but they are all kind people. After hearing that Eric's father disappeared, they all sympathized with the child's experience.

The emotional Mei also expressed that she would take care of the child when Merlin was on a business trip, and even adopted Eric instead of Merlin.

But neither Merlin nor Eric could agree to May's request.

the reason is simple.

They are people with secrets, and their secrets will hurt innocent people around them. So they can only move forward alone in a group.

However, Merlin promised his cousin that he would let little Eric come to Mei's place often, or occasionally stay for a while, and finally managed to get rid of his kind and gentle cousin.

After bidding farewell to his loving cousin and brother-in-law, Merlin bought little Eric the latest game console as promised, then sent him back to the orphanage, and met with Father Paul, asking the priest to help take care of the little boy. Eric.

For this reason, Merlin also specially donated a sum of money to St. Matthew's Church and St. Agnes Abbey.

It's embarrassing to always bother people. After all, Father Paul is a priest, not a nanny who specializes in taking care of his children.

Merlin stayed in New York for another day. After Fury completed all the secondment procedures for him, at night, Merlin boarded a non-stop international flight to London. What awaited him would be as long as several months. , and even more than a year of secondment career.

Sitting on the plane, Merlin looked down at New York, which was getting smaller and smaller. What happened recently was very complicated. When he was about to leave this city, Merlin felt a burst of exhaustion.

He set the alarm clock for 5 hours and 30 minutes, then drank a glass of water, leaned back on the chair, and fell into a deep sleep.

And at the same time when Merlin left New York, outside a certain coffee shop in Brooklyn, John Constantine put his hands in the pockets of his windbreaker with a displeased face. He looked at the coffee shop in front of him. There was a flash of outrageous rage.

Just 4 hours ago, a letter was sent to the apartment he was currently renting. The letter was harsh, and it collected five local girls accusing Constantine of defaming their confessions. There are many photos of the incident and Constantine's bad resume in England.

Clearly, this is a threat. Someone was reminding him in this way.

At the end of that letter was the address of the cafe in front of me, and an invitation.

Okay, then let me see, which idiot dares to threaten Lord Constantine!

The down-and-out detective cursed viciously, adjusted his clothes, opened the door, and walked into the cafe. He soon discovered that a mysterious guy was sitting at the corner table.

The guy covered his face with an open newspaper, and he looked like he was reading today's news. At the guy's feet, there was a black handbag.

boom

Konstantin walked up to that guy angrily, slapped his hand on the table, and said in a low voice:

Are you just pretending to be a ghost?

Sit down, Monsieur Constantine.

Nick Fury put down the newspaper in his hand, and he glanced at the angry Constantine. He crossed his legs, stretched out his hand, made a please gesture, and said:

Forget that letter, it was just a little 'joke'.

Fury looked at the bohemian and bad-ass detective in front of him, and said:

I've been struggling with something lately and a friend of mine recommended you and he told me you're the one of all the charlatans in New York who's got a little bit of power. So I was thinking, maybe, you can Help me solve the problems I have.

It takes sincerity to ask for help, Mr. Negro.

Constantine leaned back on the chair and lit a cigarette casually, ignoring the no-smoking sign in this cafe. He looked at Fury and said sarcastically:

But I don't see your sincerity, so I'm not going to help you. I'm here to tell you, sir, that you're trying to threaten me with those sly little things? Go ahead and dream!

The guy raised his middle finger fiercely at Fury, and he said:

By the way, let your friend who pretends to be a ghost also go to hell!

Fury looked at Constantine, not angry at Constantine's humiliation. On the contrary, Fury calmly listened to the series of swear words from the guy in front of him, and he waited patiently.

A few minutes later, Fury's cell phone vibrated. He made a pause gesture to Constantine, who was swearing endlessly, then picked up the phone and put it to his ear.

After more than ten seconds, Fury hung up the communication.

He crossed his fingers and propped his chin. He looked at Konstantin, with a gleam of victory in his piercing eyes, and he said:

Mr. Constantine, two officers of the New York Police Department have just found a large amount of pornography in your apartment, as well as some counterfeit banknotes, and some stolen goods related to the theft. At the same time, when you have no My subordinates, in the illegal detective agency, without a license or any professional certificate, have found something of the same abominable nature.

It is therefore with regret that I announce, sir, that you are under arrest.

Fury threw a handcuff on the table, put his hands together, and said to the astonished Constantine:

According to federal law, you have to spend at least 7 years in prison, plus you just insulted and threatened public officials, and in the police station, there are 4 others who can testify that you participated in theft and fraud at any time The lady is taking a statement.

Fury paused, and he glanced at Constantine, whose face was now very ugly.

Fury emphasized his tone and continued:

Your sentence is likely to be extended again without bail. Now, has this harsh and cold reality calmed you down?

Would you like to talk to me?

Who the hell are you fucking with?

Constantine stared at Fury, the guy in front of him really looked very energetic and wrist-like. He was hesitating whether to cast a powerful Oblivion Charm and turn the bastard into an idiot.

But he ended up not doing that.

John Constantine is a man of time. After a few minutes, Constantine calmed down. He looked at Fury and said:

What do you want me to do for you?

I want a list.

Fury took a sip of coffee and said to Constantine:

A monitoring list of all supernatural creatures in New York City. I know you can find them. I also know that you are a straightforward person who can do things for money and has no professional ethics, so

boom

The box in Fury's hand was placed on the table. He opened the box, took out a wad of dollars from it, and handed it to Constantine. He said:

This is the first phase of activity funding. In two months, all the information about supernatural creatures in Manhattan will be sent to me. Then there will be the second phase. I will conduct an evaluation based on your results. If you do good enough”

Fury turned the case around, and it was filled with wads of tempting banknotes.

This made the desperate detective swallow his saliva.

He thought for a few seconds, then quickly put the money in his hand into his pocket. He whistled, and said to Fury in front of him with a pleasant face:

It turned out to be a business. You said it earlier, sir, I am most willing to serve a person who spends money like you. Two months, right? No problem.

After finishing speaking, Constantine was about to leave, but was stopped by Fury.

Fury handed him something, it was a black watch, Fury said calmly:

With it, we can see where you are. Once you suddenly disappear, all your evidence will be sent to the police station Mr. John, I know, as a wizard, you have many ways to hide from us. But Please believe that once you dare to let me go, I can guarantee that every city in North America will be filled with your wanted posters.

Fury stood up, put the hat on his head, and picked up the suitcase. He said to Constantine who was stunned:

You can break the contract at will, you can run away at will

But if you can live comfortably in North America in the future, I will lose!

He stretched out his hand and helped Constantine straighten the wrinkled windbreaker collar. He patted Constantine on the shoulder and said:

By the way, my friend Merlin, ask me to say hello to you.

Go back and have a rest, John, take less medicine and start working tomorrow.

Oh, brother Merlin, we meet again.

At London's Heathrow Airport, the person who came to greet Merlin was Agent John Gartler, who had fought side by side with him a few days ago.

He familiarly helped Merlin carry the luggage, and led him all the way out of the airport.

The weather in London was as bad as the rumors said. On the day Merlin arrived, the sky here was gloomy, as if it was going to rain.

I've booked a restaurant for you, Merlin.

Gartler was driving the car while smoking a cigar. The old cowboy-like agent said to Merlin who was sitting in the co-pilot:

Is Fury okay in New York? Did Kohler bother you?

Of course there is.

Merlin said helplessly:

I heard Khloe broke into Fury's office and threatened to send him to jail, but Fury kicked him out with a gun. The story has spread around the bureau, and Khloe is a big loser. But he couldn't punish Fury. I heard from Fury that Chief Pierce had a rage in the Senate with his body full of injuries, and he almost didn't name who planned it. There's a coup.

Hey, I knew they'd choose that approach.

Garrett shook his head, and said with a relaxed face:

Pierce is smart, he puts it on the table, but gives those who want to kill him a step. They will soon reach a new consensus. Maybe Kohler will not be replaced immediately. , but it is undoubtedly impossible for him to cover the sky in the Strategic Danger Intervention and Espionage Logistics Department.

You mean it's not going to end anytime soon?

Merlin frowned and asked:

I thought we had already won.

It's still early, Merlin.

Gartler exhaled a puff of smoke ring, and said to Merlin with an old-fashioned look:

This kind of political game is not so easy to end. We just pulled back a game. It is still too early for the real end. We have to find another opportunity, one that can kill Kohler and all his subordinates at once. A chance to drive away! And this matter must be done aboveboard, so that no one can find the problem.

Gartler breathed a sigh of relief, and he said to Merlin:

Okay, don't think about those things. I'll take you to the hotel first, put your luggage, and then we'll have a meal.

In a few days, I'll take you to Paris. The headquarters of the European branch of the Strategic Danger Intervention and Espionage Logistics Division is in that city, and the agents there are all on Fury's side, all of us.

Gartler patted Merlin's shoulder friendly, and said:

Young man, when you come here, it is equivalent to going home.

Merlin was flattered by Agent Gartler's enthusiasm. After entering downtown London, Merlin said to Gartler while admiring the street scene that was different from New York:

John, how long have you been in London?

For a long time.

Gartler replied:

I have been in the European branch since I joined the Strategic Science Corps. We have a base in London, so almost every year I spend at least 3 months in this city. Frankly speaking, this city Cities, in fact, are not very suitable for living.”

Then have you heard of some legends in this city?

Merlin glanced at Guttler, and he pretended to ask casually:

Such as urban ghost stories, magic, wizards, etc. I personally like such stories.

Yes, a lot.

Gartler turned the steering wheel disapprovingly, and said to Merlin:

London is a legendary city. There are so many urban ghost stories here, such as Edward Scissorhands, there are even more rumors about magic. If you really want to hear it, then during the meal, I will pick a few interesting stories to tell you.

OK.

Merlin breathed a sigh of relief, he began to look forward to the arrival of this dinner.

Speaking of which, Merlin, do you know?

Gartler suddenly spoke again:

Sir Pierce thinks highly of you.

Um?

Merlin looked at Gartler, he shook his head:

I don't know. That trip to Panama was the first time I met Chief Pierce.

Well, he does value you very much.

Gartler smiled, looked at the street in front of him, and said softly:

He also called me specifically, asking me to treat you well and train you well. He said, you are the future star of the organization.

Oh, that would be an honor.

Merlin smiled, and Gartler also laughed, and he echoed:

Indeed, you should really feel honored. The attention from big people always makes people feel honored. You may not realize it now, but Merlin, you will know in the future. Pierce values ​​you and your future development. Words, how important it is.

Okay, the hotel is here!

Go to rest, young man, at 9 o'clock in the evening, I will pick you up!