Solomon in Marvel

Wakanda possessed outstanding aerospace technology, and their Hall thrusters were powerful enough to propel spacecraft. However, applying this technology to atmospheric fighter jets was currently unfeasible, as the lack of a production line for advanced Hall thrusters meant that costs could not be controlled.

At present, the Sisterhood had only two transport aircraft. In a few years, once the new combat personnel completed their training, these transport aircraft would inevitably be in short supply. Adding to this the issue of production capacity, the Immortal City simply did not have the time to build something as massive as a Helicarrier. Therefore, Solomon needed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s aircraft engine technology, particularly all the technology behind the Quinjet.

Even Stephanie, who was on vacation, had received Solomon's request. She actively offered suggestions, attempting to help Solomon plunder S.H.I.E.L.D.'s technological reserves.

Currently, no one within Hydra wanted to provoke Alexander Pierce. Everyone knew that this head of the snake placed immense importance on the soon-to-be-completed Insight Program—any disruptive action would be seen as sabotage. Thus, Solomon dismissed Stephanie's plan of using the Insight Program as leverage to obtain all of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s technology. Taking such a step now would only make Alexander Pierce fight back with reckless desperation.

Once the construction of the Helicarrier was complete, that would be the time for Solomon to reap the rewards.

As an arcanist, Solomon couldn't dedicate all his energy to the Immortal City. With Christmas approaching, he took on a mission to visit several individuals under Kamar-Taj's surveillance. While the Prime Material Plane was no longer strongly linked to magic, the Winter Solstice (December 23rd) still had a profound effect on the Earth—especially for tieflings.

Solomon brought a Christmas present for Danny, the child of Mephisto's avatar.

As the boy grew, the question of whether his devil's blood would awaken became critical, particularly during the Winter Solstice, when its influence on the mind was at its peak. Solomon asked Danny a series of questions:

Had he been experiencing hallucinations lately? Had his dreams become abnormal? Had he noticed any new physical traits like scales, a tail, horns, or sharp teeth? Did he frequently suffer from migraines?

Each question corresponded to either spiritual or physical corruption.

Solomon had no doubt that Mephisto would attempt to tempt Danny into corruption through their bloodline connection—or even forcibly strengthen the devil's blood, causing him to grow horns and claws.

The arcanist meticulously documented everything, categorizing it under all known types of tieflings.

This task normally required at least two people. However, the stewards of the Three Sanctums were preoccupied with handling the surge of cultist activities and rampaging dark magical creatures during the Winter Solstice. In particular, vampires and werewolves—much like cockroaches—were never solitary creatures. If one werewolf appeared, it meant there was a whole pack nearby. Under the influence of the Aether Tides, these dark magical beings would go into a frenzy during the solstice.

Assigning this relatively low-risk task to Solomon was a consensus among the stewards of the Three Sanctums. No matter how powerful he was, Solomon was still a young arcanist who had only recently reached adulthood.

Although the boy's mother worked in a gift shop owned by Kamar-Taj, she was not pleased with Solomon's visit. She had never forgotten that he once sought Danny's life.

"Madam, please do not interfere with the investigation."

Solomon had just finished examining Danny's pupil color when he let the boy go. The woman immediately pulled her son into a protective embrace.

Solomon's inspections were rough and oppressive. If Danny confirmed the symptoms, Solomon would throw him into Hell. If Danny denied them, Solomon would inflict pain to determine whether he was lying.

The logic of this examination was reminiscent of the absurd witch trials of old. The only difference was that, at least in this case, the child was connected to magic. Fortunately, with modern scientific advancements, Solomon no longer needed to resort to the same brutal methods of the past—he simply drew a vial of blood from each subject.

Any mutations could be detected through testing. Additionally, with arcane sight, Solomon could conduct a preliminary assessment of the blood samples himself.

Danny was not the only tiefling on the list.

The Helltrom siblings of Marduk—Daimon Hellstrom and Ana Hellstrom—were also among Solomon's visits. Compared to her brother Daimon, Ana was far easier to get along with. She accepted the non-invasive examination without complaint.

After completing the formalities, Solomon even received a fake antique as a Christmas gift—a plastic voodoo head, perfect for hanging from a car's rearview mirror.

Like Solomon, Ana was deeply concerned about her brother Daimon's declining mental state, especially after she learned that Sister Gabby was pregnant with Daimon's child.

With their mother's soul completely devoured by a devil, Daimon had been searching for new emotional support. But anyone could see that the excommunicated Sister Gabby was not a good choice. That stubborn, naïve nun had—at least in some way—accelerated Daimon's awakening.

Ana begged Solomon to let her accompany him when visiting Daimon. Solomon agreed.

Ever since Solomon exorcised the demon from the Hellstrom siblings' mother, Daimon had harbored resentment toward him. If Solomon visited Daimon alone, Daimon would assume he wanted to harm his unborn child—which, in truth, Solomon did want to examine.

Earth had never seen a second-generation tiefling before.

Moreover, the First Pillar of the Demon Gods had been banished unwillingly, and Sister Gabby's pregnancy had occurred without warning. The circumstances surrounding Marduk's second-generation offspring were highly suspicious.

Solomon needed to investigate whether the First Pillar of the Demon Gods had tampered with the child.

"This is my fault."

Standing in the less-than-ideal living environment before him, Solomon nudged an empty beer can with his foot.

After Sister Gabby became pregnant, she was excommunicated. But Daimon, still devoted to Catholicism, had followed her to Vatican City, where they had rented an apartment.

It was obvious they had received help from Dr. Hastings, the director of that infamous mental asylum.

Solomon had always disliked that arrogant woman. From the way she looked at people, he could see the blind superstition and ignorance of religious dogma.

"Why do you say that?"

Ana, now with longer hair, asked. Solomon had grown taller than her, and their striking figures stood out no matter where they went.

However, here—deep in the slums of Vatican City—they were surrounded by cheap motels catering to tourists, no better than rundown American roadside inns.

"I told the Church to take Gabby back," Solomon exhaled, his voice echoing through the moldy, peeling walls of the damp alleyway. "I never expected Daimon to let go of your mother's memory and follow Gabby here."

"I can only imagine what they're going through right now… Come on, let's go see your brother. I just hope his mental state isn't too bad."

"Oh, by the way!"

Solomon paused on the rotting wooden staircase.

"The thing I wanted you to do—"

"No problem."

Ana raised her hand, conjuring a tiny flame to illuminate the dimly lit stairwell.

The flickering defective ceiling light buzzed. The air reeked of dead insects.

The firelight cast eerie shadows across Ana's face, twisting her expression into a mocking sneer.

"I know exactly what to do," she said. "I've mastered most of the magic you taught me."

"Shh… This never happened. You figured it out on your own."

Solomon gripped Ana's hand, extinguishing the flames in his palm.

Teaching Ana Hellstrom—or rather, Satana, the Succubus—had never been a spur-of-the-moment decision.

This was part of his grand scheme against Marduk.

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