American Comic Book: Odin's Son, with Fiancées All Over the Universe
Chapter 191: Recruitment at the Border of Life and Death
Arthas listened to the Doctor's analysis and lightly clapped his hands, seemingly in appreciation of the scientist's sharp thinking.
"You are half right, Doctor"
"It was indeed I who, after those bullets hit you, used some'special' means to protect your vital organs and placed you into a state of suspended animation that could deceive all modern medical instruments. It was also I who had you brought back to this underground base in my private manor."
"But you are wrong about one thing. I do not need your so-called Super Soldier Serum formula, because in my eyes, it is not exactly a perfect masterpiece."
When Doctor Erskine heard Arthas's evaluation of the research he had poured his life's work into, a look of indignation flashed across his face. However, he did not immediately retort, instead waiting for Arthas's further explanation.
"I don't understand. Since you don't need the serum, why would you take such a huge risk to steal me from right under the nose of the United States the military?"
"Do you know what the consequences would be if this were exposed?"
"Not only would you offend the United States government, but you would also become a target for Hydra to hunt down."
"I am just a grumpy Old Man who knows nothing but how to conduct experiments. Beyond the serum, I can't think of anything else about me that would be worth so much trouble."
Arthas stood up and walked to the glass wall of the ward. Looking through the glass at the Hellfire security personnel and research assistants bustling outside, he spoke in a low and slow voice.
"The reason I saved you is that I saw what terrible things would happen to this world if you hadn't died in that laboratory."
"You are a pure scholar, single-mindedly wanting to create a perfect Super Soldier with noble character to fight against those evil Nazis."
"Steve is indeed perfect; he meets all your expectations."
"But have you ever wondered what the government and the military, who provide the funding, the facilities, and hold the ultimate power behind the scenes, are actually expecting?"
Arthas turned around and walked back to the bedside. Looking down at Doctor Erskine, a hint of stern scrutiny appeared in his eyes.
"What they expect is not a hero, but an invincible Superman army that can sweep across every battlefield without fear of casualties."
"If you were alive, they would lock you in an underground bunker even more secure than this one, forcing you to produce that serum day and night."
"Then, they would inject that serum into every soldier's body."
"The Germans have the Red Skull, and the Americans have a Superman legion."
"The level of warfare between the two sides would escalate exponentially. The killing wouldn't stop with the addition of these Super Soldiers; instead, it would evolve into a slaughter that destroys most of the Earth due to the extreme expansion of power."
"This wasn't your original intention for developing the serum, was it?"
Hearing Arthas's description, Doctor Erskine's body trembled involuntarily, and his face, already pale from blood loss, became even more unsightly.
He was right; that crude soldier, Colonel Phillips, had been thinking about mass production from the very beginning.
He didn't care at all what kind of heart that boy named Steve had; he only cared if that power could be deployed on the battlefield.
"If I were truly controlled... My God, then what I created wouldn't be hope, but a Pandora's Box that could destroy the world."
Doctor closed his eyes in pain, forced to admit that Arthas's analysis struck at the very core of the matter.
"So, to prevent such a potentially catastrophic future, you had to 'die' in that experiment."
"Only with your death would the serum's formula become the world's only swan song, and Steve Rogers would become that non-replicable hero rather than a defective product on a killing assembly line."
"After losing you, the the military will abandon the idea of mass-producing a Superman army and focus their energy back onto the normal track of war."
In an extremely rational and unquestionable tone, Arthaslaid out the underlying logic of this grand design before the Doctor
"And I saved you because, besides that serum, your brain contains a vast treasure trove of knowledge regarding human genetics, biological potential, and more."
"I do not want such wisdom to be buried by politics and war in this foolish era."
Doctor Erskine opened his eyes again and looked at the young Duke standing before him, talking eloquently. An indescribable sense of awe rose in his heart.
This man's vision transcended national borders and the narrow calculations of current politicians; he was moving the hands of fate from a perspective that overlooked the entire world situation.
"Who on Earth are you?"
"You just said you used a'special' means to put me into a state of suspended animation, means that don't conform to any common sense of modern medicine."
"Furthermore, your posture of controlling everything is definitely not something an ordinary noble or businessman could possess."
"What kind of identity are you hiding?"
Arthas looked at the Doctor, who was full of curiosity and wariness. He knew that when dealing with such highly intelligent scientists, simple verbal persuasion was not enough to completely destroy their inherent cognitive defenses; he needed to show something that truly exceeded the common sense of this dimension.
Arthas extended his right hand, flattening his palm in mid-air. His fingertips began to flicker with a faint Divine Power energy that emitted a golden glow.
This energy seemed out of place in this white ward filled with modern technological instruments, yet it carried an irresistible sense of divinity.
"My name is Arthas Odinson.
Duke is merely a forged identity I used to operate within this human society."
Empowered by Divine Power, Arthas's voice produced a resonance similar to an echo, reverberating within the ward.
"I do not belong to this Mortal world you understand."
"I come from Asgard, one of the Nine Realms. I am the Eldest Prince there, and the future God King who will rule the God Realm."
"At the same time, I am also the designated successor of the Sorcerer Supreme Gu Yi in Kamar-Taj—the ancient magic organization on Earth hidden in the shadows, responsible for resisting supernatural threats from other dimensions."
Doctor Erskine's eyes widened. He stared fixedly at the dancing points of energy on Arthas's fingertips; his worldview suffered an unprecedented shock at this moment.
Asgard? God King? Sorcerer Supreme? magic?
Weren't these just stories from norse mythology and Eastern legends used to trick ignorant commoners?
But... what are these lights before my eyes?
That couldn't be any known lighting device; it was a pure concentration of energy.
Could the suspended animation I just experienced really be the effect of some Divine Power?
The Doctor's mouth hung slightly open. He tried to explain the phenomenon before him using the physics and biology knowledge he had learned throughout his life, only to find his mind completely blank.
"You... you must be joking with me."
"This violates all laws of science. Those are just myths; how could there possibly be gods in this world?"
Doctor Erskine stammered in rebuttal. Although his heart had begun to waver, his pride as a scientist still made him try to hold the final line of cognitive defense.
He thought this might be some advanced hypnosis, or perhaps a new type of optical weapon that had not yet been announced.
Chapter 192: soul Baptism Under the Starry Sky
Arthas was not angered by the Doctor's questioning. He withdrew the Divine Power from his palm and looked at the Doctor with a light chuckle.
"I know that for someone like you, who has dedicated their entire life to science and rational logic, accepting this immediately is indeed somewhat difficult."
"Your science only explains the part of the world's rules that you can observe. Beyond that, there are countless dimensions and powers that you cannot touch."
"Since words cannot convince you, as an invitation for you to join me, I have decided to personally take you to see the true side of this world."
"Don't be nervous; this is just a short trip."
Arthas extended his right hand. Without giving the Doctor any time to react or refuse, his palm pressed directly against the Doctor's forehead.
In that instant, Arthas mobilized the magic power of Kamar-Taj and performed that classic Spell The Ancient One once used against Doctor Strange—Soul Emergence.
It had to be said that this move was quite useful for reshaping a Mortal's perception.
A powerful and irresistible energy surged through Arthas's palm into the Doctor's brain. Doctor Erskine felt his vision undergo an extremely violent distortion and stretching in an instant.
A strong sense of weightlessness enveloped the Doctor's entire body. He saw his own body, dressed in a white hospital gown with gauze wrapped around the chest, still lying quietly on the hospital bed as various instruments continued to beep.
Yet his current perspective was floating in mid-air. He tried to wave his hands, only to find that his arms were in a translucent, illusory state, emitting a faint blue light.
In terror, he tried to shout out loud, but found he couldn't make any sound at all.
Just as he was falling into extreme panic, Arthas's soulform also separated from that suit-clad physical body and hovered beside him.
"In this state, you don't need to use vocal cords to speak; our consciousnesses are directly connected."
Arthas's voice, carrying a divine majesty, rang out directly within the Doctor's consciousness.
Then, Arthas snapped his fingers in the the void. The scene of the hospital room before the Doctor's eyes shattered instantly, and the two transformed into two streaks of light, soaring into the sky at a speed exceeding that of light.
The Doctor only felt the surrounding space receding frantically. New York's city lights, the vast layers of clouds, and even Earth's atmosphere were left behind in the blink of an eye.
When the weightlessness stopped, Doctor Erskine found himself floating in the pitch-black vacuum of the Universe.
Beneath his feet was a massive planet emitting an azure light—Earth—while above and around him was an endless, brilliant galaxy.
In this soul state, freed from the constraints of the flesh, he could clearly see that the space around Earth was not a simple vacuum, but was filled with energy networks and dimensional barriers of various strange colors.
Those were the defensive formations constructed by the three major magical Sanctums established by Kamar-Tajon the outskirts of Earth. They were like a massive energy shield, enveloping Earth within.
"Can you see it clearly, Doctor?"
"This is the world you live in."
"This shield protects you from being devoured by those terrifying existences from other dimensions."
Arthas's consciousness echoed beside the Doctor
Immediately after, Arthas waved his hand, and a massive spatial rift suddenly tore open in the distant starry sky.
Through that rift, the Doctor saw a terrifying dimension filled with lava, dark monsters, and the scent of sulfur. Several demons as large as mountains were trying to tear through the rift and rush out, only to be ruthlessly repelled by that energy shield, turning into a cloud of ash.
This scene completely shattered all of Doctor Erskine's pride and stubbornness as a modern scientist.
His illusory soul trembled in space. The shock of facing the grand and terrifying truth of the Universe made him feel his own insignificance even more than the death he had just experienced.
My God... so this is the truth.
Those myths are all true. In the face of this power, we are as fragile as bacteria in a petri dish.
If not for this shield, if not for him guarding it, humanity would have perished in an instant long ago.
He really is a god, a great existence who governs everything.
These thoughts churned frantically in the Doctor's consciousness. He no longer had even a shred of doubt regarding what Arthas had said earlier.
Arthas looked at the Doctor's soul fluctuations, which were now in a state of complete submission, and nodded with satisfaction.
He snapped his fingers again. The souls of the two re-penetrated the atmosphere like falling meteors. After a dizzying visual shift, they slammed back into their respective bodies in that white underground hospital room.
On the hospital bed, Doctor Erskine's body jerked violently. He gasped for air, his chest heaving heavily, his forehead covered in large beads of cold sweat.
He stared wide-eyed at Arthas, who was standing by his bed and had just withdrawn his right hand. In his eyes, there was no longer any panic or wariness, replaced instead by an awe bordering on religious pilgrimage.
He swallowed hard, trying to calm his heart, which was still beating frantically from the experience of inter-dimensional soul travel.
"I... I believe you now, Your Highness."
The Doctor even directly changed his form of address to a respectful title for royalty or a deity. Though his voice was weak, it was full of conviction.
"I understand now. My research, in the face of the things you confront, is simply a child's toy."
"If I hadn't died, and if my Serum triggered a civil war among humanity, it would undoubtedly be weakening Earth's own defensive strength, giving those terrifying things an opportunity."
"What you did was right."
Arthas pulled over a chair and sat down again. He took out a silk handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to the Doctor to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
"I'm glad you could understand my painstaking efforts so quickly, Doctor"
"Humanity is a race full of potential and creativity, but you are also easily blinded by desire and power, leading to self-destruction."
"As the future Guardian of this planet, I cannot stand by and watch such a thing happen."
"I need to establish a hidden force that can guide and protect humanity in the shadows, and confront those unknown threats when necessary."
"The Hellfire Club and Red Room I currently control are just the starting point of this plan."
Arthas looked at the Doctor's gradually calming eyes and began to describe that grand blueprint to him.
"In this world, besides the Super Soldiers modified by Serum, there also exists a group of humans born with a special gene. I call them Mutants."
"They possess all sorts of bizarre supernatural abilities."
Chapter 193: Erskine's Awakening
"Without guidance, they would be captured and studied as monsters by the government, or exploited by extremists to become terrorists who destroy society."
Arthas leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and looked directly at the Doctor
"I plan to establish a school specifically to accept and educate these Mutants. At the same time, I will also secretly form a covert scientific research organization—well, let's call it the Celestial Bureau for now."
"The mission of this organization is to utilize knowledge and technology that transcends this era to explore the potential of humans and Mutants, researching means that can truly be used for protection rather than mere slaughter."
"Doctor Erskine, you are the top expert in human biology and genetics of this era. I need you to serve as the chief scientist in this organization."
Listening to Arthas's words, a fanatical light belonging to a scholar gradually lit up in the Doctor's eyes.
As a scientist, what he feared most was not death, but that his research would be stifled or distorted due to politics and war.
Now, a God stood before him, offering a stage free from any government restrictions, with infinite resources, and a noble goal of protecting all of humanity. For him, this was simply an irresistible temptation.
"I am willing, Your Highness."
The Doctor did not hesitate; he nodded with difficulty on the hospital bed.
"I am willing to join your plan."
"If my knowledge can contribute a little to protecting this world instead of becoming a tool for creating killing machines, it would be my greatest honor."
"It's just that my current physical condition might require some time for recovery before I can return to work."
Hearing the Doctor's agreement, a satisfied smile appeared on Arthas's face.
"You don't need to worry about physical recovery at all."
"I will have someone send over some potions with life-nourishing effects later."
"Moreover, this underground facility has the most advanced medical equipment in the world today."
"During your recovery period, you can first use this terminal device to learn some basic information about Mutantgenes."
Arthas reached out and pressed a control panel by the bed. A huge holographic projection screen lit up on the wall opposite the bed, and preliminary research data on human gene mutation began to scroll across it. These were the phased results left by Orochimaru's previous research on Azazel and other Mutants at the base.
"You have plenty of time to adapt to your new life here."
"I will provide you with all the experimental materials you need."
"Additionally, to prevent Hydra or the U.S. the militaryfrom noticing anything unusual, you will need to operate in this base under a new identity from now on."
"As for the specific details, I will send someone to coordinate with you later."
Arthas stood up and straightened the hem of his suit.
He knew that this extremely crucial scientific research chess piece had firmly landed on his chessboard.
In the time to follow, he needed to deal with the other tasks and emotional entanglements waiting for him to complete.
"Get some good rest, Doctor"
"The world is still very large, and our cause has only just begun."
Arthas nodded slightly to Doctor Erskine on the bed, then turned and walked toward the electronic door.
After the door frame slid open, Arthas stepped out of Observation Room No. 2.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Emma Frost leaning against the wall across the corridor with her arms crossed, waiting for him.
Emma's white haute couture professional suit today perfectly outlined her full and proud figure, with the deep V-neckline revealing a large expanse of snow-white skin and a deep cleavage.
Seeing Arthas come out, she immediately stood up straight and walked over in her high heels, her azure eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.
"Seeing your beaming face, did the recruitment work inside go smoothly?"
Emma walked to Arthas's side, leaning her body slightly toward him, bringing with her the scent of high-end perfume.
"Did that Old Man accept his fate of being a dead man and working illegally in a hidden base so easily?"
"Don't underestimate the adaptability of a Geniusscientist."
"Especially when he sees something grander and more mysterious than the science he has insisted on his whole life."
As Arthas spoke, he naturally reached out and wrapped his arm around Emma's slender waist.
"This Old Man will be the chief brain of our Mutant school and the Celestial Bureau from now on. You must cooperate well with his work and provide him with all necessary resources and security."
Emma felt the irresistible force coming from her waist. She didn't break free; instead, she submissively leaned the weight of her body against Arthas.
"The Celestial Bureau? Understood. As long as it's your command, I will certainly carry it out beautifully."
"However..."
Emma's tone suddenly shifted. She looked up, a deliberately aggrieved expression appearing on her cold and glamorous face.
"Just now in that the military base's observation room, you were held and kissed by that female Agent right in front of me. Shouldn't we settle that matter properly?"
"You said you wanted to take a good look at the construction of this outfit of mine in a place where no one is around."
Arthas looked at Emma's seductive eyes and her rosy, full lips. He knew this Hellfire Queen was once again seeking the affection and comfort that belonged to her.
This process of emotional tug-of-war and physical interaction between different women was also a fun pastime for Arthas.
"I have never broken a promise I've made."
Arthas leaned down and gently bit Emma's earlobe, causing a slight tremble in her body.
"In this underground base, you should have prepared a room specifically for resting, right?"
"Take me there."
"The rest of the time belongs to you."
Hearing this, the grievance on Emma's face instantly turned into pride and coquettishness.
She reached out, tightly hooked her arm into Arthas's, and pulled him toward another large door at the end of the corridor.
Behind that door was a private lounge that was extremely luxurious and perfectly soundproofed. It was something Emma had specially prepared to have a private space for the two of them in this base.
As the door closed behind them, this underground base, filled with cold technology and crazy experimental equipment, was about to host a revelry of primal passion and carnal desire in another corner.
Meanwhile, in the outside world, that young man named Steve Rogers sat in an empty office that once belonged to Doctor Erskine, looking at an old photo of the two of them in his hand, and secretly swore an oath to uproot Hydra.
Chapter 194: Ambiguous Tussle with the Black Queen
Arthas walked to the wide leather sofa, bent down, and stretched out his arms. With extremely gentle movements, he reached behind Emma Frost's back and under her knees, picking up the Hellfire White Queen in a princess carry as she lay in a deep coma from excessively intense and high-strength exercise.
Emma's body was limp, with no point of strength; her head rested weakly against Arthas's chest, and her golden wavy hair cascaded down his arm, obscuring her face, which still bore traces of tears and a lingering flush.
Holding Emma, Arthas's mind stirred slightly. The Divine Power of Light within him rapidly converged in the air before him, and the barrier of spatial dimensions was easily torn asunder by this powerful energy.
A circular Portal with edges shimmering with golden light instantly formed above the lounge carpet. The other end of the Portal connected to a luxurious bedroom decorated with black velvet curtains and Gothic-style furniture inside the Hellfire Club headquarters building in the bustling district of Manhattan.
Arthas took a step forward, directly crossing the golden ring of light and bringing Emma into the private domain of the Black Queen, Selene.
Only a few dimly lit wall lamps were on in this bedroom, and the air was filled with a scent that mixed high-end red wine with some kind of ancient spice.
The reason Arthas chose not to take Emma back to Dawn Manor on Long Island, but instead used his Divine Powerto teleport here, was largely because Queen Hippolytawas currently staying at the manor.
That Amazon Queen, who was also Diana's mother and his nominal mother-in-law, always maintained a cold and haughty posture on the surface, looking down upon mortal affairs.
But Arthas knew very well that her possessiveness and jealousy, hidden beneath that arrogant exterior, were not a bit less than those of other women.
After resolving the Ares crisis on Mount Olympus, Arthashad focused all his attention on the tenderness of his reunion with Diana, indeed neglecting to separately appease this Queen who had helped him so much.
She had kept this neglect in her heart until she could no longer bear the torment of longing, leaving the affairs of Paradise Island behind to drop into the United States to find him, wearing modern Stockings and short skirts.
As Arthas replayed Hippolyta's duplicitous and tsundere actions in his mind, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve into a doting arc.
This Queen, who had lived for thousands of years, was actually like a green young girl when it came to feelings, needing others to guess her thoughts and coax her.
This sense of contrast made him find her exceptionally cute.
Arthas carried Emma to the massive double bed covered in black silk sheets, carefully laying her down and pulling a nearby quilt over her body, which still radiated an aura of passion.
Just as he finished this and turned around, a woman wearing a black Gothic deep-V long dress with a slit up to the root of her thigh walked out from behind the door leading to the private bathroom.
It was the other ruler of the Hellfire Club, Selene Gallio, the Black Queen who had lived for over ten thousand years. Her snow-white skin appeared even more dazzling against the black dress, and the black suspender Stockingson her legs squeezed out a noticeable fleshiness.
Seeing Arthas standing by the bed, an undisguised fanatical light immediately lit up in Selene's deep and ancient eyes.
Stepping in her red-bottomed high heels and swaying her plump waist, she quickly walked up to Arthas. Her body almost pressed against his suit as she looked up and spoke in a voice full of charm and desire.
"Your Highness, why have you suddenly come? And you even brought this girl who is already tired to death."
"She has already received your blessing. Don't you plan to favor me as well while you're here?"
"Selene reminisces about the feeling of being conquered by you every night here."
Looking at Selene's exquisite and seductive face so close at hand, and hearing her undisguised and direct demands, Arthas reached out his right hand and pinched Selene's smooth chin with his index finger and thumb.
Arthas applied a little force, tilting Selene's face upward and forcing her to look directly into his eyes.
"Next time, my Black Queen."
Arthas's voice was low and magnetic. As he finished speaking, he lowered his head and pressed his lips directly onto Selene's, which were coated in dark red lipstick.
Arthas pried open her teeth and drove his tongue deep, conducting an aggressive sweep within the mouth of this ten-thousand-year-old vixen, to which Selene immediately gave an extremely passionate response.
Her hands gripped Arthas's arms tightly, and a sweet, muffled moan escaped her throat due to her arousal as their tongues intertwined, exchanging their fluids.
This intense and long French kiss lasted for a full two minutes, until Selene's breathing became ragged and her body began to uncontrollably soften and lean against Arthas, at which point Arthas took the initiative to end the kiss.
He released his grip on Selene's chin, looking at her blurred gaze and her lipstick, which was somewhat smudged from the kissing.
"I have other matters to attend to. Leave Emma here to rest today."
Arthas resumed his authoritative tone as a superior and issued instructions to the still-dazed Selene.
"Go and notify Orochimaru later. Have him take a few absolutely loyal subordinates who are skilled in concealing their tracks to the Dawn Manor underground base on Long Island."
"I have placed an extremely important figure in the Observation Room there, the researcher of the Super Soldier Serum, Doctor Abraham Erskine."
"Have Orochimaru bring him safely to the Underground Core Laboratory here at the Hellfire Club. Remember, the entire process must not attract any outside attention."
Selene was still immersed in the intense afterglow of the kiss. She panted heavily, trying to clear her mind from the hormone-induced haze.
Hearing Arthas mention Doctor Erskine's name, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. Wasn't he dead?
But she didn't ask a single question about why the doctor had returned from the dead.
"I understand, Your Highness."
Selene nodded repeatedly, her voice still carrying a hint of raspiness from her unfulfilled desire.
"Orochimaru has always had an extremely fanatical obsession with research into biological genetic mutations. If he knows you're putting him in charge of interfacing with the doctor who developed the Super Soldier Serum, he'll surely go mad with excitement."
"The two of them together will indeed have a great deal to talk about."
"I will go and arrange the personnel now."
Chapter 195: Warm Manor
Arthas nodded with satisfaction, looking at Selene's submissive and efficient attitude.
He once again condensed the Divine Power of Light at his fingertips, and a golden Portal quickly opened on the other side of the room. Arthas didn't linger any longer and stepped directly into the Portal, returning to Dawn Manorin Long Island, New York.
When he stepped through the Portal and appeared in the manor's spacious and bright first-floor living room, which was covered in thick Persian carpets, the golden light immediately caught the attention of the several people in the room.
Natasha and Yelena, the two little girls from the Red Roomwho had once undergone brutal training in the snows of Siberia, were currently wearing extremely comfortable pink cotton loungewear. They were lying on the living room's massive wool carpet, holding brushes and drawing something.
Seeing Arthas appear, the two little girls immediately dropped their brushes and ran across the carpet with bare feet.
"Brother Arthas! You're finally back!"
Natasha's short red hair bounced up and down as she ran. She was the first to rush in front of Arthas, reaching out her arms to tightly hug his thigh, looking up at him with eyes full of reliance.
"You were gone for so long today. Was there anything fun at that military base?"
"Those U.S. soldiers all look so stupid; they're definitely not as good as us."
Yelena was half a step behind, but she wasn't to be outdone, running over to hug Arthas's other thigh. She puffed out her slightly chubby, baby-faced cheeks, her eyes filled with curiosity about the outside world.
"Yeah, Brother, when are you going to take us out to play?"
"All we do here every day is train or read books; it's boring to death."
"Even though Sister Hippolyta, who teaches us combat, is very impressive, she's too strict. She just made us run ten laps around the courtyard."
Arthas looked down at the two little girls who were clinging to his legs and chirping away like little sparrows, his gaze becoming very tender.
He leaned over, reached out both hands to ruffle Natashaand Yelena's soft hair, and then picked the two little ones up from the floor, letting them sit on his strong forearms.
"I went to that military base to handle some things that adults need to worry about; it wasn't fun at all."
"Besides, you two are still too small right now. There are many dangerous bad people in the outside world."
Arthas spoke to the two little girls with the patient tone one would use for younger sisters.
"Sister Hippolyta has you train so that you can have the strength to protect yourselves."
"When you grow up and become strong enough, I will not only take you out to play but also assign you some very important tasks."
"Now, go wash your hands obediently. We're getting ready for dinner."
Just as Arthas was having this warm interaction with the two little girls, the crisp sound of high heels clicking against the marble floor came from the spiral staircase leading to the second floor.
Arthas looked up and saw Hippolyta slowly walking down the stairs.
The Amazon Queen had changed into an extremely form-fitting black silk slip nightgown.
The fabric of the nightgown was very thin, perfectly outlining her tight and full body curves that had been refined by time. The hem was just long enough to cover the tops of her shapely thighs, and with every step she took down the stairs, her two long, explosive legs appeared alternately in the air.
Her long hair was draped casually over her shoulders, and there was no trace of makeup on her face, yet she still exuded a mature charm that made it impossible to look away.
"I thought our great Duke Arthas would be staying out tonight to keep all those flirts company, with no intention of returning to this home that only has a few little girls and an old woman."
Hippolyta walked to the center of the living room, her sharp eyes scanning Arthas, particularly noticing the mixed scent of Emma and Selene's perfume on his suit collar that hadn't fully dissipated.
She crossed her arms over her chest, a gesture that made the full contours of her breasts appear even more prominent under the silk fabric.
"What? Are the wildflowers outside not as fragrant as the ones at home?"
"Or did you take a liking to some little girl in uniform at that Scientific Legion, which is why you're back so late?"
Hearing Hippolyta's barbed and jealousy-filled probing, Arthas didn't show any guilt or panic like an ordinary man would.
He placed Natasha and Yelena back onto the carpet, patting their backs to signal them to go to the dining room first. Then, he took a long stride directly up to Hippolyta.
Arthas didn't offer any words of explanation. He directly reached out his large hands, which had recently been stained with blood and bodily fluids, and firmly grasped Hippolyta's slender yet muscularly elastic waist, pulling her abruptly into his embrace.
Hippolyta gave a symbolic struggle, but when Arthaslowered his head and took a deep breath of the fresh scent unique to women of Paradise Island at the crook of her neck, her defensive posture, which had been erected out of jealousy, instantly crumbled.
"No matter what happens in the outside world, you will always be my most cherished Queen."
Arthas rested his chin on Hippolyta's shoulder, whispering into her ear in an ambiguous voice that only the two of them could hear.
"Didn't I rush back to be with you as soon as I finished handling things?"
"And in my eyes, you are ten thousand times more charming than any little girl."
Hearing such blunt praise, an uncontrollable blush immediately surfaced on that cold and elegant face.
Her arms, which had been crossed over her chest, slowly lowered and then naturally wrapped around Arthas's back. She pressed her cheek against Arthas's warm chest, listening to the powerful heartbeat, and her tone softened.
"You only know how to coax me with these sweet words."
"However... seeing as you at least knew to come back, I won't hold those perfume scents against you tonight."
"But, after dinner, you must come to my room and give me a proper report on exactly what you were doing outside today."
That night, Dawn Manor was filled with a warm and ambiguous atmosphere (it hadn't gone all the way yet, just an ambiguous tension, much like the previous massage).
To a being of Arthas's level, the concept of time was merely a scale used to measure the development of Mortalaffairs.
Soon, the night outside the manor windows was replaced by the first light of dawn, and a new day arrived.
Chapter 196: The Agent Shattered by Reality
Early the next morning, Orochimaru led several HellfireAgents into the underground base of Dawn Manor, following Selene's instructions.
This pale-faced, cold-tempered scientist's golden slit pupils erupted with a fanatical light, as if he had seen a peerless treasure, upon seeing Doctor Erskine lying on the medical bed with his bodily functions fully restored to normal.
Using extremely efficient and professional methods, Orochimaru successfully transferred Doctor Erskine to the Hellfire Club's massive secret laboratory located beneath Manhattan, New York, without alerting any outside forces.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Steve Rogers—who had just experienced the murder of his mentor and possessed unparalleled physical power but remained mentally lost—faced a reality that felt incredibly humiliating and helpless.
After confirming Doctor Erskine's death and the impossibility of replicating the Super Soldier Serum, the high-ranking officials of the U.S. the military immediately convened an emergency closed-door meeting.
Looking at Steve, who was strong but only one man, they reached an extremely short-sighted conclusion colored by political utilitarianism.
These generals, whose minds were filled only with weapons of mass destruction and massive armies, believed that even if Steve possessed superhuman physical capabilities, throwing him alone into the European theater where millions were fighting would be like throwing a pebble into the ocean; it couldn't change the overall course of the war.
Conversely, if they used his perfect image as the "American Miracle" for a nationwide promotional tour, it could greatly stimulate the patriotic fervor of the fanatical masses, thereby selling more war bonds and raising massive the military funds for the the military to buy planes and cannons.
Thus, this Super Soldier, who harbored dreams of going to the front lines to fight the Nazis and avenge his mentor, was forced by the the military into a ridiculous-looking red, white, and blue tight-fitting Star-Spangled Banneruniform, given a shield model with a pentagram on it, and stuffed into a performance convoy consisting of an Art Troupe and actors.
Steve was forced to repeat fake, rehearsed battle sequences day after day in city squares, theaters, and even rear-line the military camps, performing on stage like a clown, lifting motorcycles or knocking down actors dressed as Nazi soldiers to earn cheers and donations from an unsuspecting audience.
Night fell once again over the bustling and desire-filled city of New York.
In a hidden VIP booth of a high-end French restaurant in Manhattan, Arthas sat at a table covered with a pristine white tablecloth, swirling a glass of dark red Bordeaux Wine.
Sitting across from him was Peggy Carter, who had just finished a long and depressing day of clerical work.
Carter wasn't wearing her signature the military uniform today; instead, she had changed into a deep blue backless evening gown that perfectly outlined her tall and powerful curves. Her hair was meticulously pinned back, revealing her long, fair neck.
However, in this romantic dating atmosphere, no joy or relaxation could be seen on her face. Her brows were tightly knit, and her naturally bright brown eyes were filled with fatigue and deep helplessness.
"Arthas, I really can't stand the Strategic Scientific Reserve anymore; it's full of bureaucracy and short-sighted politicians."
Carter set down her silver cutlery. She hadn't touched the exquisite foie gras in front of her at all, instead picking up her water glass for a sip in an attempt to calm the resentment in her heart.
"Do you know what decision Colonel Phillips and those gentlemen in Washington have made?"
"They are actually treating Steve as a money-making tool for sideshows!"
Carter's voice echoed within the soundproof walls of the booth due to her agitation. She recalled the lonely look in Steve's eyes when she saw him in that ridiculous uniform at the base earlier that day, and her heart felt a series of sharp stabs.
"Doctor Erskine gave his life and a lifetime of effort to create such a perfect warrior; he is meant to go to the battlefield to eliminate the enemy."
"Not to entertain wealthy ladies buying war bonds on some wooden stage."
"This is simply the greatest insult to the doctor's sacrifice!"
Arthas set down his wine glass. He didn't respond immediately, instead quietly watching the woman before him who was incensed by her sense of justice.
In his eyes, while Carter's anger seemed somewhat naive, it was precisely one of her most attractive qualities.
In this human world full of darkness and calculation, she was one of the few who still held onto such pure ideals.
"What makes me feel even more desperate is that I can't do anything."
Carter cradled her head in her hands, her fingers digging deep into her hair. She leaned back against the chair, her voice becoming somewhat choked.
"Even though I hold the title of an Agent and spend every day moving through offices filled with classified documents, I am essentially still a woman with no real power."
"In this the military System dominated by men, my suggestions regarding strategic deployment and direct participation in the war are like a gust of wind; no one truly cares."
"I don't have Steve's strength to punch through a sandbag, and I have no way to change the minds of those high officials who control the distribution of the military funds."
A deep sense of powerlessness showed in Carter's eyes. She looked at the man across from her, who always seemed composed, as if she were pouring out her most hidden frustrations to a listener.
"Those who truly have power and decision-making authority sit in safe offices, thinking about how to maximize profits; while those who truly want to change the worldand sacrifice themselves on the front lines are tied to a stage. Why is this happening?"
Arthas watched Carter's near-accusatory outpouring, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop.
He understood Carter's current predicament very well; it was the inevitable result of the deep-seated power structures of the Mortal world.
These people would always convert immediate resources into the most direct benefits, ignoring the forces that could truly change the course of history.
"You feel that you have no power, only a heart full of passion, right?"
Arthas spoke then, his voice extremely steady, as if stating a foregone conclusion.
Carter looked up, her watery eyes meeting Arthas's, and she nodded with a bitter smile.
"Yes, in the face of those massive War Machines and deep-seated prejudices, a heart full of passion seems so laughable and pale."
"But have you ever considered that power doesn't just come in one form?"
Chapter 197: Comfort
Arthas stood up, walked around the dining table, and came to Carter's side.
He reached out and gently placed his hand on Carter's exposed, somewhat chilly shoulder, speaking in a tone laced with a strong sense of allure.
"If Steve's fists are a force used to destroy enemies on a physical level, then the power those politicians use to bind him is also a form of force."
"And what you lack now is not the strength that comes from muscle, but true power—the power to control resources and ignore those foolish rules."
Carter felt the warmth from her shoulder, her body trembling slightly. She looked up at the man standing beside her. Arthas's words were like a key, attempting to unlock a door deep within her heart that she hadn't even noticed before.
"I... how could I possibly obtain that kind of power?"
Carter asked somewhat dazeedly, "I'm just an Agent from Britain."
Arthas's gaze became incredibly deep, as if the depths of his pupils held a swirling light that could see through the future and destiny.
He knew Carter was a person of great potential, but she needed an opportunity—an opportunity to completely transform and break away from that pedantic the militarySystem.
"If that System is unwilling to give you a stage to show your strength, then step outside of it."
Arthas's voice rang exceptionally clear in the private room, every word striking heavily against Carter's heart.
"In this world, there are many rules and powers hidden in the shadows that transcend nations."
"As long as you are willing, you can become a guide for these powers, rather than a clerk in a the military camp responsible for handing over documents."
"You could even possess power like Steve's if you wanted."
"However..."
Arthas paused. He lowered his head, his lips nearly brushing against Carter's ear.
"...before we discuss such grand topics, I think our current date night should be used to relax your nerves, which have been tense all day."
"Tonight, forget all about the annoying the military, the politicians, and the Super Soldier on the stage."
Listening to Arthas's whispers and feeling his embrace, which carried a sense of control and infinite security, Carterclosed her eyes and leaned her head against his waist.
At this moment, she temporarily set aside the heavy burden that had troubled her all day, deciding to enjoy a moment of feminine vulnerability and peace under this man's protection.
Then, Arthas stood up and picked up the bottle of vintage Bordeaux red wine with his right hand, steadily pouring the dark red liquid into the wine glasses before them.
Watching Arthas's unhurried manner, Carter's excitement slowly settled in the quiet atmosphere. She reached out with her hand, clad in a long black velvet glove, picked up the glass, and tilted her head back to drain the remaining wine.
Arthas didn't stop Carter's somewhat hasty way of drinking. He picked up his own glass, took a small sip, and watched Carter's cheeks, which were slightly flushed from the alcohol.
Carter set down the empty glass. Her brown eyes shimmered with a determined light under the dim lamps of the private room. She spoke in a very faint voice, yet one filled with feminine tenderness.
"Arthas, that dinner just now and the things you said... they made me feel like I've come back to life."
"I don't want to go back to those cold, oppressive Officers' Quarters. Take me back to your place—whether it's the estate in Long Island or your apartment in Manhattan, I want to stay and be with you tonight."
Upon hearing this, Arthas set down his glass and stood up. He walked behind Carter's seat, gripped the edges of the backrest with both hands, and pulled the chair back slightly.
Carter stood up with the movement. She turned around and, without hesitation, stood on her tiptoes to press her lips, painted with bright red lipstick, firmly against Arthas's.
This was not just a kiss representing affection and gratitude, but a signal full of straightforward invitation for intimacy. Carter's brown eyes, which were usually filled with an Agent's shrewdness and vigilance, were now completely covered by a hazy mist.
"No rush, Carter. Our night is still very long."
"I promised you in the restaurant that I would take you to find the true power that can control the rules. And the place that can change your destiny isn't the soft, large bed in my bedroom."
Arthas's tone was steady and firm. He reached out his right hand and gently caressed Carter's smooth cheek twice to calm the restless passion within her.
"Now, I'm going to take you to see some things hidden beneath the surface of this world—things that will completely subvert your understanding."
"After you've seen them, if you are still willing to give me your everything, then we can discuss the matter of staying over."
Arthas gently wiped away the lipstick smudge from the corner of Carter's mouth with his finger. His voice was low and carried an unquestionable sense of authority.
Hearing Arthas's refusal, a flicker of bewilderment and disappointment flashed in Carter's eyes, which had been full of desire.
She thought that Arthas's ultimate goal in bringing her to such a private restaurant and listening to her complain all evening was to possess her.
But now, Arthas had stopped at the most logical moment, causing her proud Agent's heart to feel a touch of frustration once again.
Arthas took several large-denomination bills from his pocket and placed them on the table. He took Carter's hand and led her out of the secluded French restaurant.
The two of them got into the black luxury car parked outside the restaurant. Arthas didn't instruct the driver to go toward the Officers' Quarters or Long Island; instead, he gave an address in a bustling district of Manhattan.
The black car drove off the main road, turned into a relatively quiet one-way street, and finally stopped in front of a massive building with an ancient Gothic architectural exterior, where several security guards in black suits stood by the entrance.
Through the car window, Carter recognized the place. It was the headquarters of the Hellfire Club—the private club where the top wealthy and powerful members of New York's elite loved to gather.
Arthas pulled out the car key, pushed open the door, and got out. He walked around to the passenger side, opened the door for Carter, and reached out a hand to help her out of the car.
Standing before the Hellfire Club's heavy door, which was inlaid with intricate brass carvings, the security guards immediately bowed their heads the moment they saw Arthas appear, opening the heavy door for him with an extremely respectful posture.
This level of courtesy, almost akin to facing a monarch, left Carter, standing beside him, feeling somewhat astonished.
Chapter 198: Confession
The two of them walked through a corridor lined with dark red carpets and various precious oil paintings on the walls. Arthas led Carter directly toward a hidden elevator at the end of the hallway that required dual retina and fingerprint authentication.
After completing the identity verification, the elevator doors slid open to both sides, and the two stepped inside. The elevator began to descend at an extremely smooth speed, the numbers on the indicator light flickering continuously, showing that they were going deep into the depths beneath this building.
When the elevator doors opened again, what appeared before Carter's eyes was a massive space with a style completely different from the classical luxury above.
This place was filled with various large computer devices flashing with indicator lights of different colors, complex biological cultivation pods, and countless intersecting lines and pipes. Dozens of researchers in white protective suits were busily moving between these instruments, and the entire underground space was permeated with a chilling sense of technological austerity.
Arthas led Carter through the outer experimental area, heading directly toward an independent laboratory at the core of this underground space, surrounded by thick bulletproof glass.
The moment they reached the glass wall, Carter suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened, her pupils constricted sharply, and her gaze locked onto a figure busy in front of a holographic operation screen inside the laboratory.
It was a man with graying hair, wearing round-framed glasses and a clean white research coat.
At this moment, Carter's brain felt as if it had been struck by lightning. Her rigorously trained memory clearly preserved every single feature of this man.
Not long ago, she had watched with her own eyes as this man was shot in the heart by a Hydra spy in the underground base in Brooklyn, falling into a pool of blood and losing his breath. She had even personally participated in some of the arrangements for the man's funeral.
"Doctor Erskine... this... how is this possible?"
"I clearly saw him die; the Doctor confirmed his death, and the the military was even preparing to bury his remains in secret. Why is he standing here alive and well?"
Carter's voice became stuttered due to extreme shock. She reached out a finger to point at the familiar figure inside the laboratory and turned to look at Arthas, her expression completely losing its usual calm and efficiency.
At that moment, Doctor Erskine seemed to sense the gaze from outside. He turned his head and saw Arthas and Carter standing outside the glass.
The Doctor put down the data tablet in his hand, walked to the laboratory's electronic door, and pressed a few buttons on the control panel. The heavy metal door slid to the side, and he walked out with a smile.
"Good evening, Agent Carter. I am very glad to see you again in this place. Looking at your complexion, you seem to have recovered from that terrible assassination incident."
Doctor Erskine greeted Carter in a gentle tone full of scholarly temperament. His body looked very healthy, without any of the weakness one would expect from a fatal gunshot wound.
Carter took half a step back, her hand instinctively reaching for her waist where she usually kept her sidearm, only to find it empty. She then remembered she was wearing an evening gown today.
She gasped for air, looking at this scientist who was supposed to be a dead man, then looked at Arthas, who stood to the side maintaining a calm smile throughout.
"What kind of scam is this?"
"Who is the body lying in the the military's cold storage?"
"Arthas, what kind of role are you playing here?"
"And what is this underground laboratory for?"
Arthas stepped forward and reached out a hand to gently pat Carter's shoulder, trying to use this physical contact to calm her nerves, which were on the verge of collapse.
"Calm down, Peggy. This is not some evil scam, but a necessary measure taken to save this Genius scientist and, at the same time, to prevent your short-sighted government from heading toward destruction."
Arthas waved his hand, signaling Doctor Erskine to return to the laboratory and continue his work.
Then he turned around, facing Carter's gaze filled with countless questions and vigilance. He knew that to win over this Agent who had her own belief system, he had to reveal all the trump cards that surpassed Mortalperception.
"Before answering your question about why the Doctordidn't die, I need to re-introduce myself to you."
Arthas's voice echoed in the empty corridor, his eyes becoming extremely deep. The Divine Power of Lightbelonging to Asgard began to flow within his eyes, radiating a majesty that made it impossible to look directly at him.
"I am not some Duke with vast industries; that is merely an identity I forged for the convenience of acting within your human society."
Arthas straightened his back, and the God King aura he had developed from long-term rule was released without reservation at this moment.
"My real name is Arthas Odinson."
"I do not belong to this world as you understand it. I come from Asgard, one of the Nine Realms. I am a deity there, and the future king of the gods who will rule the entire God Realm system."
Hearing these words, Carter's brain experienced a period of absolute blankness lasting ten seconds.
Her lips parted slightly as she looked at the man before her, trying to find even a trace of a joke or mental instability on his face.
But all she saw was an absolute certainty, as if he were stating a truth of the Universe.
"What madness are you talking about? What Asgard? What deities?"
"Those are all fictional stories that exist in norse mythology books. There are no such things as gods in this world."
Carter finally found her voice. She shook her head forcefully, trying to drive this absurd information out of her mind.
"Have you joined some cult? Or is this a new brainwashing plan from Hydra?"
Arthas did not feel annoyed by Carter's questioning. He reached out his right hand and held his palm flat in front of her.
Under his mental control, a ball of extremely pure golden energy, radiating a soft yet dazzling light, converged and took shape out of thin air above his palm.
The light emitted by this ball of energy instantly illuminated the surrounding area, even dyeing the cold metal walls with a layer of sacred color.
"Human perception is always limited to the things their eyes can see. You attribute powers you cannot understand to mythology, and then you try to deny the existence of mythology during technological development."
Arthas turned the ball of energy over in his palm, displaying it for Carter to see.
"This is not any known energy source on your Earth; this is my Divine Power."
"And my other current identity is to succeed the position of Sorcerer Supreme, continuing to guard this planet from being devoured by terrifying existences that you cannot even imagine."
Chapter 199: Celestial Bureau
Carter stared fixedly at the cluster of leaping light in Arthas's hand; she could feel the terrifying power contained within it.
Her common sense as an Agent told her that those things were impossible, but what she saw before her eyes and the temperature her skin felt were cruelly destroying the world view she had built up over twenty years.
This massive influx of information left Carter's brain in a state of total shutdown.
Her proud logical analysis skills became fragile in the face of terms like "God King," "Sorcerer Supreme," and "Asgard."
She stood in place like a puppet, her gaze shifting back and forth between Arthas's face, which carried a divine radiance, and that energy ball.
"I know this is hard to accept, Peggy."
Arthas retracted the Divine Power in his hand, and the corridor outside the laboratory returned to its cold artificial lighting.
He stepped forward and grasped Carter's somewhat cold shoulders with both hands.
"That is why I faked the Doctor's death and brought him here."
"Your government wants to mass-produce that Serum to build an invincible army. If that power goes out of control, it will only lead to the infinite expansion of war and a disaster for all of humanity."
"As the future God King and Guardian, I cannot watch such a thing happen."
"I came to Earth to establish my own faction—one that can truly control the rules, is not bound by those foolish politicians, and aims to protect Earth from a higher dimension."
Arthas revealed his grand plan to Carter without reservation.
"In this underground space, besides Doctor Erskine's biological research, the Red Room assassin organization hidden in the snow of Siberia, and the Manhattan Hellfire Club with its vast resources where we are now, have all completely sworn allegiance to me. They are now all components of my faction."
Carter listened as Arthas listed these terrifying names. Whether it was the Hellfire Club, which controlled immense wealth, or the legendary Red Room, specialized in training lethal weapons, any one of them could cause massive waves in this world.
And now, this man was telling her that all of this was under his control.
Arthas watched Carter's eyes as they gradually recovered from the shutdown state and began to refocus; he then threw out the ultimate goal of his long speech tonight.
"I have named this faction the 'Celestial Bureau'."
"Haven't you always complained about not having the power to achieve your ambitions in that bureaucratic legion?"
"Haven't you always wanted the power to change everything?"
"Join me, Peggy Carter."
Arthas's voice carried an irresistible allure.
"In this fortress called the Celestial Bureau, there are no prejudices against women, and no politicians who only know how to calculate military expenditures."
"You can use your exceptional talents as an Agent to help me manage and integrate these factions hidden in the shadows."
"Here, you will obtain the power you have always dreamed of to truly change the course of this world."
Listening to Arthas's invitation, Carter's brain, after undergoing a complete destruction and reconstruction, began to work frantically.
She thought of the image of Steve performing on stage in a ridiculous uniform, remembered Colonel Phillips' cold decisions, and then looked at the miraculous power and grand vision this man before her was showing.
In the world this man depicted, she saw a stage where she could truly spread her wings and fly.
Carter took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the remaining shock and fear into the deepest depths of her heart.
She looked up, her brown eyes reigniting with the sharpness belonging to an Agent and a strong desire for unknown power.
"Can what you've said... really be achieved?"
"Can I really have the power in your 'Celestial Bureau' to ignore the rules and directly confront those dark forces?"
Although Carter's voice was still trembling slightly, her tone had become exceptionally firm.
"Of course it's true."
Arthas nodded with a smile and released his hold on Carter's shoulders.
"But I won't just give you an empty promise and a title."
"In that pedantic army, they are unwilling to let a woman possess power beyond ordinary people to charge into battle."
"But here, I set the rules."
"Tonight, you will not only gain the power to manage this faction, but I will also bestow upon you the absolute power to match it."
Just then, Doctor Erskine, who had been in the laboratory all along, and a man with skin as pale as paper and golden slit pupils like a venomous snake, walked out.
The man was wearing an Eastern-style robe and had a cold aura; he was none other than Orochimaru, who had been subdued by Arthas.
"Your Highness, as per your instructions, we have completed the most perfect refinement and preparation of the Super Soldier potion."
Orochimaru reported to Arthas in that hoarse and cold voice.
"Combining the Doctor's formula with some of my research data on Mutant genes, this current potion has completely eliminated the previous need for extremely harsh external energy irradiation conditions. Furthermore, it will not cause the side effect of muscles bulging to the point of deformity in the recipient; it is more like a deep optimization and enhancement at the genetic level."
Doctor Erskine also nodded in agreement beside him.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Although we have eliminated the Vita-Ray irradiation, the energy within the potion is still very violent."
"If injected directly into an ordinary person, there is still an extremely high mortality rate."
"The recipient needs extremely tough willpower and powerful energy guidance to completely absorb it."
Arthas turned to look at Carter and extended a hand to her.
"Go, Carter."
"Go to the injection room prepared specifically for you and change into suitable clothes."
"Next is the moment to witness your transformation from a complaining female Agent into the first Super Soldier of the Celestial Bureau."
"I will personally guide this power for you."
Carter looked at the hand Arthas extended; without any hesitation, she placed her hand upon it.
After experiencing the shock of having her worldview reshaped, she no longer had any fear of obtaining power, only a desire to grasp it tightly in her hands.
She stepped into an injection room nearby, which was equipped with various medical instruments.
A few minutes later, Carter shed the deep blue backless evening gown that hindered her movement and changed into a black tight-fitting jumpsuit provided by the Hellfire laboratory.
Chapter 200: The Birth of Captain Carter
The combat suit was made of a special elastic fiber that clung tightly to her body, perfectly accentuating her tall figure, full chest, and rounded hip curves.
She walked to the metal recliner in the center of the injection room, which resembled an operating table, and lay down according to Arthas's instructions, her limbs firmly secured by elastic straps.
Orochimaru pushed over a metal syringe filled with a deep blue liquid; this modified serum was much darker in color than the one Steve had injected, and it seemed as if some kind of living organism was swimming inside it.
Doctor Erskine was at the console nearby, his fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard as he monitored the initial data of Carter's basic vital signs.
Arthas walked to the operating table and waved at Orochimaru and Doctor
"Since all the preparations are complete, you two should withdraw first. Without my order, no one is allowed to step into this room."
Hearing Arthas's command, Orochimaru and Doctorimmediately stopped what they were doing.
They lowered their heads respectfully, backed out of the injection room, and closed the heavy metal door behind them, leaving the space entirely to Arthas and Carter, who was about to undergo the transformation.
The only sounds left in the injection room were the faint ticking and beeping of various instruments.
Arthas walked to Carter's side, looking at the woman strapped to the operating table, her eyes filled with a hint of nervousness, but even more so with determination.
He picked up the metal syringe and expelled a tiny bit of air from the needle.
"This process will be extremely painful. The serum will instantly tear apart your existing genetic chain and then violently reorganize it."
As he spoke, Arthas aimed the needle of the syringe at the prominent vein on Carter's arm.
"But I will use my Divine Power to protect your heart and brain. You only need to endure the pain and then absorb this power to your heart's content."
Having said that, Arthas unhesitatingly plunged the needle into Carter's vein and pressed the plunger hard with his thumb, injecting the entire tube of the modified Super Soldier serum into Carter's circulatory System.
The moment the serum entered her body, Carter's eyes, which had been open, widened sharply, and her sclera immediately became covered with fine red bloodshot lines.
She felt a searing energy, like magma, spreading wildly through her blood vessels to every corner of her body.
That energy rampaged through her body, wantonly destroying muscle fibers, bone cells, and even nerve endings.
A shrill, agonizing scream erupted from Carter's throat, and her body struggled violently against the restraint straps; the pain far exceeded any torture she had ever endured during her Agent training.
Seeing the violent rejection reaction in Carter's body, Arthas immediately reached out his hands.
He did not press on Carter's wounds but instead held his hands hovering above her body.
He released the powerful Divine Power within him, which fused the characteristics of Asgard and Olympus, without reservation, turning it into a golden halo that enveloped Carter's entire body.
The Divine Power passed through Carter's skin and permeated the flesh that was being ravaged by the serum.
This power, belonging to a God, did not crudely suppress the serum's effects, but instead acted like the most precise catalyst, guiding the violent blue energy to reorganize the genes along the most perfect path.
Wherever the Divine Power passed, the torn cells healed rapidly and became tougher and more vital than before.
"Ah! Arthas! It hurts! My body is going to explode!"
Carter screamed Arthas's name in agony, her hands gripping the metal edge of the operating table so hard that her fingers turned pale from the exertion.
Sweat poured from her forehead like a waterfall, instantly soaking her black tight-fitting combat suit.
"Hold on! Peggy! Treat this pain as the stepping stone to your throne of power."
Arthas's voice resonated directly in Carter's mind as he continuously increased the output of his Divine Power.
"Feel that power, accept it, do not try to resist!"
Under the absolute suppression and guidance of the Divine Power, the tearing sensation in Carter's body began to gradually subside, replaced by a swelling sensation that made her feel full of explosive power.
She felt her bone density increasing rapidly, and her muscle fibers became as tough as steel cables after reorganization. Even her vision and hearing were terrifyingly enhanced in a short time; she could even hear the sound of a flying insect flapping its wings in the corner of the room.
As the physical transformation deepened, Carter's already excellent figure underwent even more perfect changes.
Although her muscles did not swell to an exaggerated degree like Steve's, the lines of her body in the tight combat suit became tighter and more filled with a wild, explosive power.
Her chest became more upright, her waist more slender, and the muscle contours of her thighs and buttocks displayed a visual impact capable of kicking through rock in an instant.
The entire process of transformation and digestion lasted for nearly half an hour.
When the last trace of blue energy in Carter's body was completely integrated into her cells, Arthas slowly withdrew the Divine Power that had been enveloping her body.
He let out a long breath, glanced at the series of vital sign data on the console screen that had surpassed human limits, and nodded with satisfaction.
Carter lay on the operating table, her breathing still rapid, but it no longer had the chaotic rhythm caused by pain as before.
She closed her eyes, feeling the powerful energy surging endlessly within her.
She opened her eyes suddenly; in those brown eyes, there was no longer any confusion or weakness, but instead, the coldness and absolute self-confidence belonging to a Super Soldier.
"How do you feel, the first Super Agent of the Celestial Bureau?"
Arthas walked to the side of the operating table, unfastened the straps securing Carter's limbs, and smiled, extending a hand toward her.
Carter did not rely on Arthas's strength; she simply flipped over and leaped off the operating table.
Her feet, encased in high-heeled combat boots, landed on the metal floor, even leaving two slight indentations.
She flexed her fingers, hearing the crisp sound of bone friction at her joints. She clenched her fist and threw a punch into the air, the force of the punch actually creating a sonic boom in the small injection room.
Carter looked at her brand-new body, full of power, then turned her head to look at the man who had bestowed all of this upon her, standing before her as dazzling as a God.