Marvel: Awakening the Universe.

Chapter 496 Betting His Own President (First Update!)

In front of the monument at the Quantico military base.

Hawke looked at the so-called monument with great interest, while occasionally discussing something with Wanda beside him.

Meanwhile, presidential aide Ida stood to the side, trembling with fear.

Because of the content of Hawke's conversation with Wanda.

"Do me a favor."

"what?"

"Go to my timeline and see if there really are that many people."

Hawke said, stroking his chin and looking at the hundreds of names engraved on the Quantico monument in front of him: "I have some doubts about whether they falsified their accounts."

Well known.

In the federal government, you rob a bank and only get $500,000, but then you find out that the bank claims you stole more than $5 million.

and so--

He strongly suspected that the federal government was also cheating him on the books here.

As soon as these words came out.

Presidential assistant Ida, standing nearby, snapped to attention and quickly looked at Hawke: "Mr. Phoenix, the names on this monument don't originate from the misunderstanding two years ago. They are mostly those who perished during the reconstruction. You see, it's written at the bottom of the monument."

Upon hearing this, Hawke looked in the direction that Presidential Assistant Ida was pointing.

into the eye.

really!

He saw a 'disclaimer'!
The font is small.

Hawke glanced at it, couldn't help but chuckle, and looked at Presidential Assistant Ada: "The designer of this thing must be Asian, right?"

Ada was slightly taken aback.

"Yes, Dr. Mi is indeed Asian. How come Mr. Phoenix is..."

"Guessed it."

After all, this kind of eye-catching trick of using large characters to absolve the young man of responsibility has almost become a local specialty industry.

but……

Hawke was just saying it casually, then looked at the still tense presidential assistant Ida and chuckled again: "Don't worry, I won't be angry because you erected such a monument."

Presidential assistant Ida's expression stiffened slightly, as if Hawke had seen through her thoughts.

But he quickly realized what was happening.

"Thank you."

"No need, after all, it's about freedom of speech."

Hawke waved his hand and said with a smile, "This is a free country, and I approve of it. Most importantly, it's just talk, and it doesn't have any real power. As long as you don't talk to me in front of me, I usually won't get angry, and I might even forgive the other person once."

Ada's expression softened.

But then, his expression changed again because of Hawke's next words.

“But my mercy will only be given once, and you have already used up all my mercy. If there is a next time, I will not hesitate to destroy this planet.”

Hawke spoke in a low, enigmatic tone, then looked at Presidential Assistant Ada with a half-smile: "So, Mr. Ada, you can't be that stupid, can you?"

Ada shuddered, and under Hawke's gaze, she almost instinctively shook her head and waved her hands: "No way, how could that be? We absolutely couldn't do that."

Again.

For a politician, especially a federal politician, lying is a basic skill, and a politician's skill in lying is the measure of their caliber.

Clearly, presidential aide Ida is not a top-notch politician.

Although he said this without blushing or panting, his response was very simplistic. Any competent politician could have seen through his lie with just that one sentence.

Hawke is not a politician.

But he had X-ray vision, so he could immediately see the panic in Ada's heart as the president's assistant.

However, Hawke didn't expose him, but just chuckled.

"Really? That's a shame."

"To be honest, I don't really like your planet."

“But my wife told me that although I am not a good person, I can try to be a kind person.”

"So even though I really dislike this place, I won't actively destroy this planet."

"But if you give me such an excuse, believe me, I will not hesitate to destroy this planet before I leave."

"...Gudong!"

Presidential Assistant Ada, meeting Hawke's calm gaze and enigmatic smile, subconsciously swallowed, quickly calming herself. She composed herself and said in a deep voice, "Please rest assured, Mr. Phoenix, no one will disturb you before you leave here."

Hawke chuckled.

"That's regretful."

"..."

Presidential assistant Ida fell silent. Fortunately, at that moment, President Barron Turner's motorcade had already entered the base gates.

Hawke heard the sound of the vehicle and turned to look in that direction.

Ada took the opportunity to touch her back.

His back was soaked with sweat.

Because of what Hawke just said.

really.

This guy is a demon king. If we don't find a chance to get rid of him, then we'll be the ones who die.

At this moment, Presidential Assistant Ida did not feel fear or have any intention of backing down because of Hawke's words. Instead, she was terrified and decided to strike first.

Yes.

To strike first is to be strong, but to strike later is to suffer disaster.

Presidential Aide Ida's thoughts shifted, but her expression remained unchanged as she walked towards the presidential motorcade parked not far away. Wanda glanced at Presidential Aide Ida, who had stepped forward half a step ahead of them, and then her voice echoed in Hawke's mind.

"Now I finally understand why you said the people here are spoiled."

"How to say?"

"You've been so blunt, yet they not only show no sign of backing down, but their urge to take action has only grown stronger."

This would be impossible in this universe, or even in universe 616.

After all, these two cosmic federations, though wicked, are not stupid; they know that when faced with a powerful force, the right thing to do is to submit.

But the Federation here, just as Hawke said, is not only bad, but also stupid.

Stupid and bad!

"That's why I just said I don't like this world."

Upon hearing this, Hawke, while communicating with Wanda in his mind, watched as President Barron Turner stepped out of the car and walked toward him with a forced smile, and a polite smile returned to his face.

As President Barron Turner approached Hawke, he jogged a few steps and extended his right hand.

His attitude was enthusiastic, and his tone was humble.

“Mr. Phoenix, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

"Hello."

Hawke smiled slightly, shook hands with President Baron Turner, then raised an eyebrow as if he had thought of something: "By the way, what was your name again last time?"

Baron Turner paused for a moment, but his smile remained unchanged.

“Turner, Baron Turner, Mr. Phoenix, just call me Baron.”

“Okay, Barron.”

"May I call you Hawke?"

"No."

Hawke immediately rejected the idea, his smile unwavering as he looked at Baron Turner, whose expression visibly stiffened at his words: "My name can only be called by those I acknowledge. So, are you my friend, Baron?"

Baron Turner answered without hesitation.

"of course."

"is it?"

"I sincerely want to be Mr. Phoenix's friend, and I am willing to be his friend."

"But I don't want to."

Hawke chuckled and decisively ended the conversation: "You can continue to call me Phoenix."

damn it.

I'm the president!

The federal president.

Barron Turner, who had completely forgotten how he got the presidency, was extremely angry when Hawke spoke so disrespectfully.

After all, he is the president of the Union, theoretically the first person in the Union.

result!

Even in his condition, Hawke showed no mercy whatsoever.

This made Baron Turner furious, how could he not be furious? After all, in his eyes, Hawke was showing him contempt.

Hawke's disregard for him was tantamount to disregarding the Union.

This is unforgivable.

As everyone knows, the Federation doesn't need rebellious people; it needs obedient citizens who enjoy a happy education and can be easily fooled.

At that moment, Baron Turner was also very glad that he had agreed to the Sentinel robot project.

If Hawke leaves, that's one thing, but if Hawke stays here, wouldn't he just pee on his head?

and so--

Hawke must be brought under their control!

Baron Turner's mind raced, but his skill surpassed that of Presidential Assistant Ida. Not only did his expression remain unchanged, but even his aura remained the same as he invited Hawke: "Alright, Mr. Phoenix, thank you for your help this time."

Hawke smiled.

"You're welcome. So, you came all this way just to say thank you?"

"There is indeed one more thing."

Baron Turner smiled and said, "I just learned that you will be leaving here soon?"

Hawke stood with his hands in his pockets, looking at Baron Turner.

"and then?"

"Don't misunderstand, Mr. Phoenix."

Baron Turner smiled and said, “If it’s alright, I’d like to invite you to dinner. Actually, I’ve been planning this for two years, but I was worried about bothering you. Now that you’re in Washington, D.C. again, if it’s alright, could I do my part as a host? If you don’t want the hassle, we can just have dinner at the Quantico base. After dinner, a private plane will take you, your wife, and your daughter back to New York City.”

Having finally managed to get Hawke here, and with the Sentinel robot's program still running, how could Hawke leave?

This doesn't work.

This approach was perhaps too risky for Baron Turner.

But political games are inherently gambling games.

This time too.

If he wins, he is certain that he will be able to use the opportunity of defeating the Demon King and obtaining the secret of interstellar travel to secure his re-election.

The most important thing.

Interstellar travel.

Maybe--

There is a way to achieve immortality!
……

(End of this chapter)