American Comic Dimensional Trading Device

The following afternoon, a long convoy passed through the town of Schwangau and headed towards Neuschwanstein Castle, eventually stopping inside the castle grounds.

As the door of one of the luxury cars opened, a richly dressed Dracula stepped out.

The other night, Dracula visited alone late at night, largely to save himself the trouble.

But now that a formal agreement has been reached to hand over some industries on Earth to Josie as payment, he will definitely have to bring people to pay a formal visit.

"Welcome, Your Highness Vlad!" Josie greeted him as she stepped out of the main building.

Looking at Dracula's skin shimmering in the sunlight, Josie couldn't help but sigh. Sure enough, ultraviolet rays, which are highly toxic to ordinary vampires, were completely useless against this old monster in front of her.

Thinking of this, Josie couldn't help but turn her gaze to the followers behind Dracula. Could all of these people be vampires who are not afraid of sunlight?

“Alright, no need to look anymore. They’re not vampires, they’re all humans. They’re my agents and lawyers in charge of my secular businesses. They’ll hand over the relevant assets to your people and transfer them to your estate. Of course, there might be a slight problem with some of the businesses in Romania, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. You know the situation there, but I think with your abilities, getting those things back shouldn’t be a big problem.” Dracula patted Josie on the shoulder, put his arm around her, and whispered like a good brother.

Although Dracula is the true progenitor of the vampire race, he actually dislikes getting involved in the messy affairs of his vampire descendants. If those grandsons hadn't acted recklessly and provoked Kamar-Taj back then, why would he have stepped forward to sign that bullshit agreement with the Ancient One? He wouldn't have been forced into this predicament by the Ancient One.

After all, the Ancient One doesn't care whether Dracula actually controls the vampires or not. As long as you signed the agreement, if other vampires commit crimes, I won't go after anyone else, I'll go after you.

Because he doesn't usually get involved in things, his businesses have nothing to do with those vampire descendants; they are all his private property.

That's why they were able to use it to make deals with Josie without any scruples.

Of course, Dracula kept the most valuable assets, such as those extraordinary items, for himself, while giving Josie mostly fixed assets or equity and debt that he couldn't take with him.

The troubles he mentioned in those countries undoubtedly stemmed from Russia.

Even if these countries are still largely occupied by the Russians, and even if the Russians withdraw their troops in the future, they will still follow the Russian path for decades to come.

A crucial aspect of the Russian approach was the confiscation of capitalists' assets.

However, as Dracula said, given the relationship between Austria and the Soviet Union through several private transactions, the possibility of preserving those assets is still quite high... The transactions between Austria and the Soviet Union are naturally very secretive, but such secrecy is of little significance to a top-tier superhuman like Dracula.

“I see. Then let’s leave the matter to our men. Knowing that Your Highness likes Latour, I’ve had some more. Shall we have a drink together?” Hearing Dracula say that his men weren’t vampires, Josie nodded in relief. He then gestured to Lyndon Schneider, who had come from Paris, to entertain the men, while he himself accompanied Dracula to the terrace for a drink.

Although he didn't like drinking, he wasn't unable to drink either. Dracula wasn't a heavy drinker either. The two of them basked in the warm winter sun, savoring craft beer and chatting about all sorts of things.

A time traveler and an old-fashioned person, the two were evenly matched and chatted with great respect.

In particular, Dracula is fluent in Chinese and can speak many dialects fluently, which amazes Josie, a time traveler—but the idea of ​​sunbathing with a vampire just feels a bit strange.

"Sir, we just received word that Mr. Stark wishes to visit. What do you think?" Just as the two were getting into their conversation, Jia Ying suddenly came to report.

"Oh? He's here so early?" Josie was a little surprised to hear this, and at the same time, she had a bit of a headache.

Josie knew that news of her arrival at Neuschwanstein Castle had spread, and that some of the invited guests were beginning to arrive.

However, most of those who arrived so early were minor figures trying to build connections. Although they received invitations, they were not qualified to stay at Neuschwanstein Castle.

After all, there were more than 3,000 guests at the wedding, while the castle only had a total of more than 300 rooms. Excluding the various private halls, there were actually less than 50 guest rooms available for VIPs – which is a huge number, considering that Neuschwanstein Castle is a private residence, not a hotel.

Including the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle, which has also been renovated, there are only about one hundred VIP rooms.

Therefore, unless one has an extremely close relationship with the person and holds a very high position, they are absolutely not qualified to stay at Neuschwanstein Castle and can only stay in a hotel that has been prepared in advance in the town.

During this time, the town's original population of several thousand people all served as service staff. In addition, to ensure the smooth running of the wedding, Josie also transferred a large number of service staff from continental hotels in major European cities. They spoke almost every language, so there was no need to worry about guests and service staff having different languages.

But there is no doubt that Howard Stark, as one of the world's top scientists, a wealthy American, and someone who had some connection with Josie, was qualified to live in the castle—however, because of Howard's peculiar preferences, Josie decisively arranged for him to live in Hohenschwangau Castle, which was on the other side of the mountain.

He wasn't worried that Howard would be able to seduce Margot, but many of the guests staying at Neuschwanstein Castle were royalty from various European countries.

Although European royal families are mostly monogamous, rules are rigid, but people are flexible.

Therefore, there are an extraordinary number of women who are lonely and resentful in their secluded chambers.

Moreover, although these royal families have virtually no power, they represent the image of their respective countries to some extent.

If this causes a scandal, not only will the royal family lose face, but Josie, the landlady, will also lose face.

Hohenschwangau Castle is different. It's mostly inhabited by second-tier political figures and big businessmen from various countries. Even if Howard had some trouble with the wives and daughters of these people, it wouldn't have caused too much of a negative impact.

Of course, Josie's arrangement cannot completely prevent Howard's bad behavior, but it would be unreasonable not to invite him.

So at that point, he could only send people to keep a closer eye on this guy.

What Josie didn't expect was that Howard would arrive so early, even though there was still more than a month to go!

What a restless fellow!

"What's wrong? You seem to be having a lot of trouble with this guy named Howard?" Dracula couldn't help but be curious when he saw Josie's subtle expression.

Josie didn't hold back much when it came to this old monster, and just mentioned some specific details about Howard, naturally emphasizing his unusual hobby.

"Hahaha, there's such a wonderful person! I'm quite interested. Why don't we invite him over to meet me? As for the matter you're worried about, I have a solution. Doesn't he like women? I'll arrange for a few vampire brides to keep him occupied, ensuring he won't have the energy to bother your guests!" Dracula slapped his thigh and laughed heartily after hearing Josie's words.

As he was laughing, he noticed that Josie was looking at him with a strange expression.

"What nonsense are you thinking? Although they're called vampire brides, they're nothing more than songstresses and playthings I keep. If you're interested, I can give you ten or eight of them. My real wife will only ever be Mirana. But I lost her a long time ago..." Dracula said irritably to Josie's gaze, a hint of sadness appearing on his face as he spoke, especially when he mentioned Mirana.

As he said, every few decades, Dracula would gather a few beautiful women and, with their consent, turn them into his vampire "brides".

But just like Howard's relationships with women, these relationships don't last long—of course, "not long" is relative to the vampire's long lifespan.

They both got tired of each other, so they broke up and found new partners.

Many vampire brides even keep numerous male lovers after separating from Dracula.

However, if Dracula gives the order, these vampire brides, as his bloodline, will not disobey.

Of course, most of them wouldn't want to resist the idea of ​​seducing men.

For them, life is too long, so they always want to find more fun.

As for Mirena, whom Dracula mentioned, she was his wife when he was still the famous Grand Duke of Transylvania. However, she died not long after Dracula became a vampire, and refused to become a vampire before her death.

And she became Dracula's eternal torment.

"I'm sorry, this has brought back some unpleasant memories for you. But as for the vampire brides, let's leave them to Howard. I think he'll really like them!" Josie refused, his lips twitching, when he heard that Dracula was going to give him a few vampire brides.

I'm getting married right now, and you're telling me this in front of my subordinates?

However, Josie wholeheartedly agreed with Dracula's idea of ​​sending a few vampire brides to harass and drain Howard dry.

He immediately instructed Jia Ying to send someone to pick up Howard by helicopter.

Before long, Howard arrived, followed by his butler Jarvis, who also looked very gentlemanly.

Upon seeing Howard, Josie instantly felt the temperature around her drop several degrees.

Turning his head, he saw that Dracula's face had suddenly turned icy cold, and his gaze toward Howard looked as if he wanted to devour him.

What? Howard slept with your wife too?

That's not right... Your wife has been dead for hundreds of years.

A vampire bride? Didn't you say you didn't care before?

Josie was confused by Dracula's changes and was also worried that Dracula might really lose his temper and kill Howard.

Howard also saw Dracula's expression and his heart skipped a beat... Who is this? Could it be another one of the men I slept with? I have absolutely no recollection of him.

Well, Howard said he's slept with so many women that he doesn't remember most of them, let alone his daughters' husbands.

"Sir, do we know each other?" Howard first looked at Josie, and seeing that he also looked puzzled, he asked tentatively.

"No, I don't know him." Just when the situation was getting awkward, Dracula suddenly smiled, shook his head, and said.

Centuries have passed, yet he still can't forget, Muhammad, my brother!

"Alright, Josie, everything that needed to be handed over has been handed over. I won't bother you any longer. I'll come find you again before we leave!" Dracula said, patting Josie on the shoulder. Then, ignoring Howard, he left the reception room without looking back.

"Who is he?" Howard, somewhat puzzled, walked to Josie's side, watching Dracula's departing figure, and asked thoughtfully.

For some reason, even though they had never met before, this aristocratic young man gave him a sense of familiarity.

This feeling is very strange.

"It's nothing, just a business partner. By the way, why are you here so early?" Josie glanced at him, imagined the scene of him being exploited by the vampire bride, and smiled as she spoke.

"To be honest, I'm a little embarrassed to say this, but the reason I came so early is because I need your help with something!" Howard said with a dry cough.

"What's going on? Is it S.H.I.E.L.D.? You don't mean to ask Carter to go with you, do you? I have no objection as long as she's willing!" Josie said with a slight smile.

The establishment of S.H.I.E.L.D. was finally officially approved at the end of last year.

Before long, Howard's title should also be Director.

In the original timeline, the first director was none other than Peggy Carter.

After all, Howard was a scientist and not good at intelligence work. As for the other founder, Dam Dugan, he was good at fighting and killing with the Howling Commandos, but it would be too much of a burden to be a bureau chief.

As for General Phillips, the former director of the Strategic Scientific Corps?

It's very sad that he passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage at the end of last year—Josh doesn't know if the council had any involvement, but it certainly wasn't his concern. He even attended the funeral with General Ross and his family.

However, Peggy Carter had already been kidnapped by Josie and had become a super soldier.

Previously, due to the issue of Captain America's blood, the relationship between the two had also deteriorated to a freezing point, and Peggy Carter would never cooperate with him again.

So now, Howard himself is the only one who can take the director's position—we can't just go through all that hard work and planning only to hand over control of S.H.I.E.L.D. to the military, can we?

"Of course not. The main reason I came so early this time is that I want to cooperate with you!" Howard shook his head.

"What kind of collaboration?" Josie asked, somewhat curious.

"The Cosmic Cube!" Howard's expression turned unusually serious.

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