Shadow of the Beautiful World

Merlin is a very perceptive person.

Whether it was Ms. Carter, Nick Fury, or Pierce himself, they all felt that Merlin was almost born to be an agent.

The wandering career in the early years, combined with the deep dark power in his body, brought him far more sensitive senses than ordinary people.

And those things and people experienced during the wandering process also established a quite correct value in Merlin's heart.

He wants to do good, and he is capable of doing good.

It is not difficult to do good deeds, but it is rare to do it all the time and regard it as a career in life.

Merlin has been in S.H.I.E.L.D. for more than ten years. He has witnessed the weakest time of S.H.I.E.L.D. During that time, he has learned to be patient and low-key.

And in the battle of SHIELD's resurgence, Merlin followed Carol Danforth to charge into the battle, and almost single-handedly ushered in the hope of SHIELD's resurgence in the World Security Council.

Later, with the step-by-step expansion of S.H.I.E.L.D., Merlin also held a high position.

He established a supernatural affairs monitoring and intervention system for S.H.I.E.L.D. almost from scratch, and together with the Magic Congress of North America, he set up a new order for the aliens in this land.

His experience is a legend, and what is even more commendable is that even after entering the management who sits in the office every day, Merlin still did not allow his senses to degenerate.

He is still as sharp as he was in his youth, like the best hunter.

Pierce has long been mentally prepared for the exposure of fake Fury.

He didn't think that crappy fake could hide from Merlin for long, but he didn't expect that guy to be exposed so quickly!

Hell, it's only been less than a month, right?

In the past month, Merlin has been dealing with frequent supernatural affairs around the world, and the number of times he met with that impostor did not exceed 5 times.

He was still exposed.

And from Merlin's point of view, he seemed to feel abnormal from that guy's insistence on the insight plan.

Those alien bastards are supposed to be the most devious bunch of pretenders on the planet, but are they even that bad at lying? To be able to be guessed in a few words

No.

Pierce shook his head slightly.

It's not that simple.

Thinking about it carefully, with Merlin's personality, when he saw Fury restarting the insight plan, he might have a quarrel with Fury, but the deputy director of S.H.I.E.L.D. is not a person who is used to solving problems through quarrels.

When he rarely loses control, he has always been restrained and rational.

So, the reason why the two of them quarreled so fiercely this afternoon was actually Merlin guiding them secretly?

Is he verifying his guess?

Pierce sat on the sofa, he looked at Merlin who was frowning and thinking.

Well, it's not impossible.

Fake Fury was exposed early, which caught Pierce a little off guard, but that's not a bad thing.

At least it didn't make him extremely passive.

Leaning on a cane, he quietly looked at Merlin, under the old body, his thoughts were jumping rapidly.

Merlin's thinking was led to the Skrulls. He decided to stand still and set a trap for Fake Fury and his accomplices.

Until Carol Danvers returned from the stars and wiped them all out, well, it really is his style.

But it will take a month.

Carol Danvers, that lady was able to fight against the Cree battleship formation alone more than ten years ago, and it will only be more terrifying in ten years. If it drags her back, once she intervenes in this matter, then The variables will increase too much.

Pierce, who was sitting on the sofa, replayed the pre-set thoughts in his mind. He frowned slightly and thought:

That is to say, there is still a month to complete all the arrangements before Merlin gets strong support and the fake Fury is completely exposed.

Time is a bit tight, but it shouldn't be a big problem.

Using the golden apple, the fake Fury can continue to advance the insight plan, and can also use him to attract Merlin's attention, and arrange the rest more calmly.

No, no, the incident of the tyrant's loss of control has proved that Merlin has enough resources in his hands to track many targets at the same time. At critical moments, it is no longer allowed to make the mistake of underestimating the enemy.

Therefore, we must find something for Merlin to do. Fake Fury alone is not enough.

Thinking of this, Pierce decided to find out. He frowned and asked:

If Fury is really replaced, then one month is enough for him to do a lot of things.

For example, the Insight Project. I talked to him about this. The first phase of the project he planned is probably not just the three aircraft carriers in the Numbani Industrial Park.

You also know how dire that project would be if it were implemented. I mean, maybe we should have prepared earlier.

indeed.

Merlin nodded and said:

According to the construction speed of the three motherships, one month is indeed enough for him to produce more, but this is actually not a bad thing.

Um?

Pierce looked at Merlin in surprise:

You mean, you want to let the insight plan be pushed forward? Did Fury convince you?

No, he just reminded me.

Merlin says:

Although his strong words are very disgusting, there is one thing he did not say wrong.

According to the news we got before, around 2012, that is, three years later, there will be a special astronomical situation that occurs once in 5,000 years, called the 'celestial sphere convergence'.

A trace of worry appeared on Merlin's face, and he said:

When that phenomenon occurs, thousands of dimensions in the universe will be penetrated by special energy, just like thousands of oil tankers on the sea colliding with each other.

The collision of space is a secondary issue, and an extremely terrifying alien invasion will definitely occur at that time.

Actually, according to the frequency of supernatural phenomena worldwide that sl.d. has been monitoring, the signs of the alien invasion had already appeared before the celestial sphere confluence occurred.

Those frequent supernatural events will only increase in the next three years, peak in 2012, and then slowly decline. This process may last for 10 years or even longer.

Merlin moved his fingers, and he said to Pierce:

We do have to prepare ahead of time

The Insight Project cannot be used to deal with security incidents around the world. Trials without trial will lead to the death of many people. This is tantamount to destroying the rule of law and order we have always adhered to.

But it can be used to resist the invasion of foreign enemies.

Merlin breathed a sigh of relief. He spread his hands and said to Pierce:

There is also the omnic plan that has entered the final stage. The fifth impact of the fire source will inevitably give birth to more free omnics than before. That will be the last stage of the omnic event's impact on order.

Relying solely on S.H.I.E.L.D. monitoring around the world may not be sufficient for such a global event.

So, let him make it.

The more he makes, the more cards we have in the face of such emergencies in the future. The advantage of the insight plan is that it can be launched into the sky at any time, just like plug and play

Merlin stretched out his hand to caress his eyes, and he said to Pierce:

Actually, if the alien invasion event during the celestial sphere convergence becomes normal, then we estimate that we will actively produce more insight motherships in the future.

Oh, that's a good idea.

A smile appeared on Pierce's face, and he felt relieved and awkward at the same time.

It is gratifying that Merlin finally recognized the insight system he proposed, although his starting point is completely different from Pierce's.

But from his point of view, the insight system should continue to be promoted in the future, and truly become part of the defense force of the order system.

But the awkward thing is that Merlin didn't consider using it to maintain order in the world at all.

Merlin only regards the insight system as a weapon, a weapon for the outside world.

But in reality, it can do much more.

In Pierce's mind, the insight system can completely maintain the stability of the world's internal order while resisting external enemies, and there is no conflict between these two things.

Given more time, Pierce is confident he can convince Merlin to try, but the problem is

3 years.

Merlin may not activate the first insight motherships until 3 years later, and Pierce

Can he wait another 3 years?

The old man touched his already emaciated wrist, plus he had already signed a contract with the devil, there was no doubt that he couldn't wait for 3 years.

What a pity, that's how fate plays tricks on people.

I'm going to apologize to Fury tomorrow.

Merlin reached out to pick up the teacup on the table, took a sip of the cold tea, and said to Pierce:

I will not meddle in his relationship with Project Insight again, but I will continue to follow him, and it will all be done in secret.

If it is confirmed that he is a fake, then we have to confirm that the real Fury is not there before we crack down on them

Having said that, Merlin's tone became low and gloomy.

Neither he nor Pierce spoke again.

If it is true that Fury is dead, it means that the two lost a mutual friend at an unknown time in the past.

But if he is still alive, then Merlin will definitely rescue him!

no matter where he is

You have to be ready, Merlin.

A few minutes later, Pierce reached out and patted Merlin's wrist. The old man said to Merlin softly:

If Fury is fake, then your succession is a given.

If Fury is real, after making such a stubborn and thoughtless decision, he is obviously not suitable to continue to serve as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., I will give him a decent ceremony of resignation.

Pierce said to Merlin in an absolutely sincere tone:

So after a month, no matter what the outcome is, you have to actually take over S.H.I.E.L.D. This is a heavy responsibility, a terrible burden, not to mention that there are still bad times to come

Can I still trust you, Merlin.

Pierce asked.

Merlin looked into the old man's eyes.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded silently.

Will you continue to maintain order unswervingly as in the past, and regard this drudgery as your life's work?

No matter what kind of pressure you encounter, no matter what difficulties you face, can you stick to your heart and do the right thing?

Will you carry the safety of the entire world on your shoulders and move forward for the well-being of countless people?

Pierce was leaning on a cane. He looked at Merlin and asked questions one after another with a serious expression.

This made Merlin's expression change, and he said:

What is this doing? Pierce, are you making me swear? Since when did you believe this?

Oaths are required.

Pierce said:

Many people think that becoming a secret agent is becoming a running dog of the government and the powerful, and dealing with some shady troubles for the powerful all day long.

Just like stupid people always think that there is no real justice and axiom in this world, and use narrow and paranoid thinking to hate everything in this world.

But only we know

This is a job that needs to be supported by ideals. When we choose to shoulder that heavy responsibility in the dark, only ideals can support us to continue walking.

And for the ideal

Pierce breathed a sigh of relief and said:

Isn't it right to swear an oath?

There was a smile on his old face, he looked at Merlin as if he was looking at his younger generation, and he said:

Remember what I said to you when we encountered the Kree's imminent invasion?

Um.

Merlin nodded, his memory is very good, he said softly:

The world needs a new order to get it out of a future that's stuck in the mud. We need to recognize the imperfection of the world and push it forward with both hands toward a better future.

You also said you were a man of faith and you wanted me to be a man of faith too.

That's what I expected for a new star in the industry back then.

Pierce waved his hand, and he said to Merlin seriously:

And now, you're a man of faith, and you're on the same path as me.

And you, you will eventually inherit the beliefs that Fury and I have stood by.

You will become our successor, continue to uphold the order of this world in the future and let a new order come.

Merlin, every old man hopes to see an excellent successor before he dies, it's human nature.

Pierce raised his cane, as if he was joking, or as if he was performing a certain ritual, and tapped on Merlin's shoulders, his smile was tinged with seriousness.

He said:

and you

It is the best and most perfect successor I can find.

PS:

Thank you for your concern, rest assured, the story line will not be affected, after all, the old author~

The fact is that the style of web articles is not suitable for such a heavy story.

There are indeed some problems with the rhythm of the previous story, but don't worry, this is the final stressful plot.

I promise!