I have added this story to my Patreon. You can support me and read the 40 latest and advanced chapters there. It also fed and motivate me to write more chapters!
Link: Patreon.com/Heroicverse
—------------------—
"In 1943, your father began researching the occult under that leader's orders. With the help of the Thule Society, he successfully deciphered ancient runes and learned the whereabouts of a sealed artifact from them."
Baron Zemo recounted everything he knew in a calm, steady voice.
"To obtain this artifact and help that leader rule the World, your father traveled to Mexico and slaughtered a large number of Mayans."
Using their skin and blood to perform black magic rituals, he successfully summoned that artifact to Earth."
"But for some unknown reason, your father was unable to control that artifact, so he could only leave it at its landing site in the North Pole and establish a secret underground Base to prevent it from being intercepted by others."
"Later, your father mysteriously disappeared, and this map eventually fell into my father's hands following the collapse of the Nazi forces."
Sin listened to Baron Zemo's narrative, but her expression remained largely unchanged.
"You think this thing is enough to buy your life?"
She sneered, then gave a perfectly sharp critique:
"A hammer that most likely cannot be lifted by anyone? Such a thing has no value to me."
An ordinary person hearing these words from Sin would likely have been scared out of their wits on the spot.
But Baron Zemo was no ordinary man; having ruled the HYDRA of Eastern Europe for so many years, he was naturally no fool without depth.
"Why engage in such meaningless testing, Miss Sin?"
Baron Zemo folded his arms, showing no fear of being intimidated by her. Instead, he wore a confident smile as if he had a plan all along.
"You and your forces have never considered returning to the embrace of HYDRA, yet now you'd rather risk being targeted by The Arbiter to trade with me. This fact alone is enough to explain the situation."
"So let's speak plainly. If I have the map to the treasure, then without a doubt, you already have the key to the treasure in your hands."
"Instead of trying to squeeze the last bit of value out of me, why not cooperate with me? Two people scratching lottery tickets together always have a better chance of winning than one, don't they?"
Sin didn't answer Baron Zemo's question directly, but the almost imperceptible smile that curled at the corner of her mouth said everything.
"Baron, you are indeed a clever man."
As she spoke, Sin stood up and walked toward the oil painting of Red Skull on the wall. She reached out and pressed the bottom right corner of the frame, and a hidden compartment popped open.
Inside was a palm-sized metal plate, densely inscribed with script that Baron Zemo had never seen before.
"My father did indeed leave some things behind." Sin tucked the metal plate into her pocket.
"But whether it's the key you're talking about, we'll have to wait until we get to the site to find out."
Hearing this, Baron Zemo's eyes couldn't help but light up.
"So... shall we set off together?"
Sin glanced at him and finally extended her hand.
"I wish us a pleasant cooperation."
...
Meanwhile, above the Atlantic Ocean.
The quinjet flew steadily at an altitude of ten thousand meters. The atmosphere inside the cabin was completely different from when they arrived.
The previous tension and killing intent had been replaced by the relaxation of having survived a disaster.
Tony glanced at Wanda and Pietro, who were not far away, separated from the other Superheroes by a cabin door. He couldn't help but turn to Peter and joke:
"Buddy, I'm starting to understand more and more what people mean when they say the end of science is theology."
"Today's experience has made me poignantly realize that I really do need Anti-Wizard Armor. You'll have to help me with that when the time comes."
Peter looked at him with a playful expression.
"Who was it that just said so righteously in a global live broadcast that they would atone for the mistakes they made back then? What, changed your mind?"
Hearing this, the smile on Tony's face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly adjusted his emotions.
"I'm a man of my word. If I said I'd compensate those siblings, I will definitely give them compensation!"
"But at the same time, I still have my unfinished business to achieve. Until then, I cannot die no matter what."
"So... to avoid a situation like today's from happening again, I must have the ability to protect myself, or even conversely control that dangerous element."
"With all due respect, Tony." Peter patted Tony's shoulder lightly, his tone becoming somewhat earnest.
"If you always maintain such wariness toward Wanda, the hatred between you will never fade."
At this point, Peter instinctively glanced at the Superheroes who were gathering and chatting in the cabin, and he subconsciously raised his voice slightly.
"That girl is a natural Sorcerer Supreme, and at the same time, she has a strong sense of insecurity. Therefore, the more wary you are of her, the more easily the energy inside her will go out of control."
"What she needs has never been chains or a cage, but full trust."
Hearing these words, it wasn't just Tony who fell into deep thought; others present also showed contemplative expressions.
It had to be said that the power Wanda had previously displayed truly exceeded all their expectations and created an unprecedented sense of crisis in their hearts.
This sense of crisis stemmed from the fact that if Peter were not on Earth or was too busy to handle her issues, none of them would be able to restrict her.
Forget about restricting her; if she wanted to crush them all to death, it wouldn't be much harder than crushing a swarm of ants!
Under such circumstances, asking them to give her full trust was no easy task.
"After she wakes up, I'll try to become friends with her." As Peter's most trusted main wife, Gwen was the first to respond.
Felicia followed immediately after.
"Although your concern for her makes me feel a faint hint of jealousy."
"But whether it's out of humanitarian concern or an early inspection of a potential future sister joining the family... anyway, count me in on making friends with her."
Compared to Gwen and Felicia, who could express their emotions without restraint,
Natasha, Daisy, and Sif were much more silent.
Daisy and Natasha were silent because they were not yet Peter's public girlfriends on the surface, and they didn't intend to directly join Peter's household and cause him trouble.
As for Sif, she simply couldn't let go of her pride as a goddess.
As a goddess, she felt she should treat everyone equally except for Peter.
So, even if that girl had unprecedented magical talent, Sif maintained a "fight if you're not convinced" attitude.
Just when everyone thought no one else would speak up to state their position, Mantis weakly raised her hand and spoke timidly.
"Um... maybe, I can help too."
"I'm very good at helping people relieve stress and, in the process, helping them get a good night's sleep~!"