Shadow of the Beautiful World

It seems that you know me?

Merlin was not surprised to hear Thalia call out his nickname.

In fact, he would only feel surprised and disappointed if the famous Assassin's League didn't even find out his name and information. After all, judging from the information he has learned so far, the Assassin's League is a hidden and powerful organization.

He looked at Thalia and asked:

Have you collected my information on purpose?

No, no.

Thalia frankly denied it, she put down her glass and said:

Since we're friends, I won't hide some things from you.

The League of Assassins had a split a few years ago. Just before Bruce joined us, our power on the east coast of North America was almost wiped out. We hardly have any decent branches on that land. I just know your name, I don't know what I did with you, you were my 'old friend' back then.

Well, it seems that your current situation is indeed not optimistic.

Merlin says:

So the Batman was sent to attack those gangsters in order to regain control?

Yes. There is no need to hide these things from you.

Thalia's expression became serious, and she said to Merlin:

That was my father's plan, but I don't really agree with this kind of violent way to solve problems. Always relying on those gangsters will not get things done. Past failures have proved that the methods of the previous era have been used in this era. failed.

This cunning and charming woman flicked her long black hair, and she said to Merlin:

Now that we've spoken, I'll say it straight, Merlin.

I need your help!

help?

Merlin replied:

What help?

Help me become the leader of the Assassin League!

There was a gleam of ambition in Thalia's eyes. She made no secret of her desire for the organization behind her. She said:

My father has lived for more than 700 years. I admit that he is a great leader. But he has been a little behind the pace of this era, from forcing away his successor by himself, to fighting against Bruce, to planning Gotham The invasion and then a disastrous failure, and this attack on North America was a blunder.

Thalia shook her head, with a strong sense of disappointment in her tone, she said:

No matter how bright the sun is, there will be a moment when it sets. The era of the head of the devil should be over.

Sorry, I can't help you.

Merlin refused:

I am a public official and should not deal with killer organizations like yours. This is not allowed.

Assassin organization?

Talia sneered, and she said in a playful tone:

I don't know where you heard the news that we are a killer organization. But Merlin, you really underestimate us. Let me think about it, you live in New York, it seems to be in Hell's Kitchen, right?

Um.

Merlin nodded, and Thalia chuckled lightly, and she said:

That one has St. Matthew's Church?

right.

Merlin's expression became strange.

He has long noticed that St. Matthew's Church is a bit weird. Eric, who has been there for several years, also told him that St. Matthew's Church seems to be protected by a mysterious force.

Is that your territory?

Merlin asked.

No, that's the property of the Sisters of Divine Grace.

Thalia replied solemnly:

You should have heard of the Sisters of Divine Grace? One of the largest religious forces in Europe.

Well, I've heard of it.

Merlin nodded and said:

It is said to be one of the largest charitable organizations in the world, and there are orphanages and monasteries belonging to them all over the world.

Well, the Sisterhood of Divine Grace is one of the industries under the League of Assassins.

Talia snapped her fingers and said to Merlin:

And it's not the most important one.

She looked at Merlin, who was a little surprised, with a smile on her face, and she said:

Merlin, we, the League of Assassins, although our name bears the word assassin, we have never been a pure killer organization from the moment we were born.

We have experienced the age of great voyages. With the prestige of the Armada, we spread our power all over the world!

We have witnessed the turmoil of the French Revolution. In the Louvre and on the guillotine of Louis XIV, there are all our marks!

Our ancestors walked on the battlefield in the Civil War, using the double blades in their hands to maintain and fulfill our justice!

We hid behind the scenes of the Second World War and were the most important intelligence providers for the Allied Forces in the European battlefield. On the beach of the Normandy landing, it was our warriors who lit the fire for the Allied Forces to land.

Merlin, the League of Assassins was not established by my father.

Thalia whispered in Merlin's ear:

Everything in the outside world is just rumors. Only people in my family know that my father just inherited an ancient belief. Let me tell you, where he found the pool of Salaru, he found many, many ancient records , our history can even be traced back to 400 BC!

We have many names, Orderer, Guardian, Assassin. We are not just a product of history, we create history!

It's just these years that the Assassin's League has gone astray, but it doesn't matter. After I bear my father's banner, I will personally bring this organization back on track! But I need your help, Merlin, there is no good or evil in power, Do you want the League of Assassins to be used to maintain order? If you do, then please help me!

The power of S.H.I.E.L.D. is blank in many parts of the world. As long as we cooperate, you will be able to monitor the entire world very quickly.

Thalia's body was almost attached to Merlin's shoulders. This posture made Merlin subconsciously swing his body outward. He said:

Just speak well and don't get so close.

Hehe, it's really interesting.

Thalia slowly returned to her chair, she looked at Merlin frivolously, and she said:

You remind me of the old Bruce, a restless ascetic. You are really like him, with suppressed anger roaring in your heart.

Let's not talk about that.

Merlin waved his hand, he didn't want to say too much on this issue.

He thought for a moment, then looked at Thalia, and said:

I can't give you an answer. I don't have that authority. But I remember your proposal, and I'll submit it if I get the chance.

No.

Talia shook her head and refused:

I don't trust your organization, Merlin, I trust you! I'm asking for help from you, not from S.H.I.E.L.D. I heard from my father that Hydra is hiding in the shadow of your S.H.I.E.L.D. , until you get rid of that shadow, I don't want to have anything to do with you.

I?

Merlin shook his head and said:

Except for being a SHIELD agent, I'm just an ordinary wizard, how can I help you and your cause?

You promoted the heterogeneous order in New York. As far as I know, more than a dozen heterogeneous gathering places in New York are managed by your department.

A gleam flashed in Thalia's eyes, and she said:

In the next step, your power will expand to the entire east coast. Listen to me, Merlin, I don't need you to help me grab the territory with open fire. I just need you to let go of your fingers when necessary. I only need a small gap. A little shade to hide in, and that's enough.

The remaining things, the assassins under my command, will naturally take care of it.

It seems that you already have your own power, Thalia.

Merlin says:

You look pretty sure.

If Bruce hadn't left, I'd be the Queen of Assassins by now.

Thalia said with some dissatisfaction:

But my father was too anxious. His strength successfully pushed Bruce to his opposite. Really, the situation at that time was only the last step before Bruce joined us. If I were to persuade him, he would definitely Will be with me and Damian.

How is it? Merlin.

Thalia asked:

Do you agree?

I need time to think.

Merlin said ambiguously:

But if you can give me some news that I'm interested in, maybe my hesitation time will be appropriately reduced. For example, about the information about Hydra, who is the Hydra hiding in S.H.I.E.L.D.?

I have no idea.

Thalia said bluntly:

I only know that Hydra has several factions operating on the east coast, and they are also very good at hiding themselves. And a few months ago, a high-level Hydra code-named 'Banker' died suddenly, which made the group The hiding is deeper, relying on our weak strength in New York, it is too difficult to find out more information.

But if you are willing to help me reorganize the Assassin Alliance's forces on the east coast, maybe it only takes a month, and I can bring you some good news.

Thalia brushed her hair, she said gently:

You are fans of the authorities. You are in the middle of the game and can't jump out. How can you find the bugs in your back? This kind of thing should be observed by a third party outside the game. It will be more efficient.

A month?

Merlin narrowed his eyes, he looked at Thalia, and after a while, he stretched out two fingers:

Brooklyn and Queens I can allow you to operate in a few heterogeneous sanctuaries there. Take this as a demonstration of your ability, Thalia, give me a definite message in 20 days, and we can talk next step of cooperation.

make a deal!

Thalia stood up happily, and reached out to Merlin, who also reached out to hold Thalia's hand, which represented the completion of the transaction.

Calculating the time, we should be almost at Nandarbat.

Thalia and Merlin reached an agreement, and she was in a very happy mood. The shadow that had been hanging over her heart recently seemed to be cleared up. She leaned back on the chair, picked up the wine glass, took a sip of the wine, and said to Merlin:

When I get off the plane, I will take you to see my father.

Speaking of which, I'm curious.

Merlin asked:

How do you deal with your relationship with your father? I don't think that a person like Lars Al Ghul would willingly hand over his throne to you, even if you are his daughter.

Of course he won't.

Thalia's expression became a little hazy, and she said:

Remember what I said to you when we parted 8 years ago?

Remember.

Merlin nodded:

At that time, you told me that you had to prove that you were no worse than a man.

right.

Thalia picked up the wine glass and put it in front of her eyes, she looked at the liquid flowing in the glass, she said with a hint of loss:

As a result, I lost.

When I met you, I already got acquainted with Bruce, but at that time, I didn't like him, I just regarded him as a competitor. My father taught Bruce himself, and he discovered Bruce's talent. In his original After the successor was forced to leave, he deliberately trained Bruce to become the next demon leader.

That was supposed to be my place!

Thalia said in a low tone:

I spent several times more time than that man in training and sharpening myself, but I still lost in the end. My father, he is very rigid, he loves me very much, I can feel it, but he stubbornly believes that , women are inherently weak and emotional, and cannot control an organization like the League of Assassins, so he chose Bruce between me and Bruce.

To this day, Merlin.

Talia looked at Merlin, she said frankly:

I swear to become the leader of the Assassin League, and a small part of the reason is because of the unwillingness in my heart. I will prove that I am more suitable than Bruce to lead this organization. Bruce is too upright. A part of his heart has been burned by justice. , he walks in the shadows, but he will never be of the shadows.

The woman laughed, and she said to Merlin:

If you have never been a part of the shadow, how can you command it?

I'm not the same as Bruce, I was born in the shadows, I grew up in the shadows, I know the rules in the dark, I follow those rules, when necessary, I make new rules, I will eventually become the queen of the shadows

you're drunk.

Merlin said calmly:

The shadow will not have a queen, and it will not obey anyone. Thalia, are you sure that you yourself are not affected by the pool of Salaru? In my opinion, your current mental state is also somewhat

leader!

Before Merlin finished speaking, the door of the cabin was pushed open. A pilot anxiously pointed out the porthole and said to Talia:

Nandarbat, our city, has been attacked!

It is burning.