I sparked a mythological frenzy in Marvel.

Chapter 212 The Beginning of the East-West War

"Director Xia, this is terrible! Something horrific has happened!"

On the other end of the phone, Tony's voice was filled with unprecedented tension and shock, as if he were witnessing the end of the world.

"What's wrong, Tony? What happened on your end? You're the President of America, don't panic like this." Director Xia unconsciously tightened his grip on the phone; he could sense the seriousness of the situation from Tony's tone.

"Director Xia, do you remember that mysterious church I mentioned before? The Dagon Church that worships the deep-sea deity Cthulhu? Just now, my agents reported the appearance of a massive city and the reappearance of Cthulhu!"

Upon hearing this, Xia Ling frowned slightly and asked tentatively.

"Are you sure, Tony? This is no joke."

"It's absolutely true, Director Xia. My agents have taken photos and videos. The city that rose from the seabed is enormous, and the runes and carvings on it are completely consistent with the information we obtained from the Church of Dagon. Moreover, according to their description, Cthulhu's true form has indeed appeared."

Most of the agents who went to investigate have probably gone insane by now.

Tony's voice betrayed a hint of helplessness; clearly, the scene before him had exceeded his expectations.

"That's really bad luck, I also have some bad news to share."

Xia Ling began, "Natasha's forces were cornered in the battle against the Plague Legion and the Khorne Legion. Although they eventually managed to escape the battlefield, they suffered heavy losses, and neither of these forces seems willing to give up."

"What?! Natasha...is she alright?" Tony's voice was filled with obvious worry.

"She seems safe for now, but the situation remains very serious," Xia Ling said in a deep voice. "Moreover, with the reappearance of Cthulhu now added to the mix, we are facing an unprecedented challenge."

"The situation has never been so dire. Apart from England and a small part of Germany, all of Europe has fallen into the clutches of the monsters."

The once-thriving Great Russia is now in ruins, and now this evil god from America has returned with renewed force. Does humanity truly still have hope?

Tony looked distressed. He was the most precarious president of America. The whole world was about to fall. Was the end of the world really coming?

Xia Ling was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, seemingly thinking about something, before his voice rang out again, carrying an undeniable firmness: "Tony, no matter how difficult the situation is, we cannot give up hope. Humanity has experienced countless crises throughout history, and every time there have been brave individuals who have stepped forward. This time will be no exception."

"But, Director Xia, what should we do? The reappearance of Cthulhu, the threat of the Plague Legion and the Khorne Legion, and those fragmented nations—it all seems so hopeless." Tony's voice was filled with helplessness.

"First, we need to confirm the reality of Cthulhu's return and its scope of influence as soon as possible. Tony, you need to organize more agents, especially those with psychology backgrounds, to deal with those agents who have suffered psychological trauma and ensure that they do not become new destabilizing factors," Xia Ling calmly analyzed.

"At the same time, I will contact Natasha and have her lead the remaining troops back to America. We need to gather all available forces. In addition, we need to activate our emergency communication network to see if other countries have any fighting troops or if anyone knows how to fight these evil gods and monsters."

"As for those areas controlled by monsters, we need to find a way to cut off their supply lines and weaken their strength. Perhaps we can also try to establish contact with those areas that are not yet fully controlled to see if it is possible to form an alliance."

Tony nodded on the other end of the phone. Although the situation remained grim, Xia Ling's words seemed to bring him a glimmer of hope: "Okay, Director Xia, I'll make the arrangements right away. We will definitely find a way to fight these evil gods and monsters; humanity will not be wiped out!"

After hanging up the phone, Tony immediately began to take action, knowing that every minute and every second was crucial.

Xia Ling sat at her desk, gazing at the sky outside the window.

He quickly picked up another phone on the table and dialed Natasha's number.

When the call connected, Natasha's voice sounded tired but still firm: "Director Xia, it's me, Natasha."

"Natasha, I have a general understanding of your situation." Xia Ling's voice was calm and strong, coming through the telephone line as if it could bring a bit of comfort to Natasha in the distance. "You did a great job. Being able to escape from such a desperate situation is a victory in itself."

Natasha sighed softly and said, "However, we have suffered heavy losses, and... the situation is now even more complicated. The Plague Legion and the Khorne Legion both seem to be focused on each other and have no time to spare for the time being, but I don't know how long this balance can last."

"I understand." Xia Ling nodded. Although he couldn't see, his tone revealed a clear grasp of the situation. "Tony just reported some startling news to me about the return of Cthulhu. It seems we are facing an unprecedented global crisis."

Upon hearing this, Natasha's eyes sharpened, and she said, "Cthulhu... that deep-sea evil god? If it's really as Tony says, then we're in big trouble."

"Yes," Xia Ling said in a deep voice, "However, Natasha, we cannot be defeated by fear. Now, I need you to lead the remaining team back to America as soon as possible. We need to gather all available forces to deal with this crisis together."

Natasha was silent for a moment on the other end of the phone. Her voice came through the line, carrying a complex mix of hesitation and determination: "Director Xia, I understand how urgent the situation is right now, but... I really don't want to leave like this."

Her tone carried an unspoken resolve: "My team has endured countless battles here. We've fought the Plague Legion and the Dreadnought Legion, paying a heavy price. Although we've temporarily escaped their pursuit, our mission is not yet complete. If we retreat now, what will happen to those innocent lives? What will happen to those still fighting the monsters?"

Xia Ling understood Natasha's feelings: "Natasha, I understand your worries and your insistence. However, the current situation has exceeded our expectations, and the country needs your help."

"We need to mobilize all available resources to address this crisis, and your team is an indispensable part of that. Moreover, returning to America does not mean abandoning the fight here, but rather preparing to more effectively support this place and other places in need in the future."

Natasha fell silent again on the other end of the phone, seemingly weighing the pros and cons and considering Xia Ling's words. After a long while, she slowly spoke: "Director Xia, you're right. We can't be bound by our current predicament; we must consider the bigger picture. I will lead the team back to America, but please allow me to leave a portion of the team here to continue monitoring the movements of the Plague Legion and the Khorne Legion, ensuring they don't launch an attack while we're away."

Hearing this, Xia Ling felt somewhat relieved: "Natasha, your decision is very wise. Leaving some people to continue monitoring is indeed a good idea. This will ensure that we do not lose control of the situation, and it will also allow you to lead the main force back to America to prepare for the upcoming battle."

"Thank you, Director Xia," Natasha said with a hint of gratitude. "I will arrange everything as quickly as possible to ensure our team can return to America safely and swiftly. At the same time, I will continue to maintain contact with those remaining there to ensure they can provide us with timely updates."

After hanging up with Director Xia, Natasha immediately gathered the German soldiers in the group and conveyed her decision to return to America.

However, the reaction of these German soldiers was beyond her expectations. Their faces were filled with determination and reluctance, and their eyes revealed a deep longing for their homeland.

When Natasha announced the decision, the entire team fell into a brief silence, with only the howling wind outside the window seemingly telling the story of the warriors' inner struggle.

"Sir, we can't go back." A German soldier broke the silence first, his voice firm and powerful, as if every word carried his love and responsibility for his country. "Our families, friends, and compatriots are here. They are fighting against the monsters. We can't abandon them and leave alone."

The other German soldiers nodded in agreement, their eyes reflecting the same determination: "Yes, sir, we are willing to stay here and fight to defend our homeland. Please allow us to stay, even if there is only one of us, we will hold out until the very end."

Natasha looked at them, a deep sense of emotion and admiration welling up inside her. She understood that these German soldiers' decision was not driven by personal desires, but by a profound love and sense of responsibility for their homeland.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her inner turmoil, and then slowly opened her mouth.

"I understand your feelings and respect your decision," Natasha said, her voice gentle yet firm. "However, we must consider the bigger picture and the needs of the entire war. America is facing an unprecedented crisis, and we need to mobilize all available resources to address it. Your team is an indispensable part of that."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the face of each German soldier, and continued, "Of course, I understand your concerns and longing for your homeland. Therefore, I allow some of you to stay behind to continue monitoring the movements of the Plague Legion and the Khorne Legion, ensuring they do not launch an attack while we are away. But please remember, the task you undertake is equally important; you will become a bridge between us and our homeland, providing us with invaluable intelligence and support."

Upon hearing this, the German soldiers showed a hint of relief and gratitude on their faces.

They knew that although they could not all stay, at least some of them could continue to fight to defend their homeland.

They all nodded, indicating their willingness to accept the arrangement.

Over the next few days, Natasha and the German soldiers devised a detailed plan. They decided to leave a small squad of elite soldiers behind to continue monitoring the movements of the Plague Legion and the Khorne Legion, and to ensure that these evil forces would not launch a large-scale attack while their main force was away.

The squad was led by a seasoned German officer named Hermann. Hermann was known for his calm demeanor, excellent tactical insight, and unwavering loyalty to his country. Natasha believed that with him in charge, the squad would be able to accomplish its surveillance mission brilliantly and provide them with invaluable intelligence and support.

As they parted, Natasha and Herman shook hands tightly, their eyes filled with reluctance and determination. She knew this farewell might be forever, but she also understood that for the greater good, for the future of humanity, they had to make this sacrifice.

"Hermann, the mission you leave behind is equally important," Natasha's voice was deep and powerful. "You will become a bridge between us and our homeland, providing us with invaluable intelligence and support. Please proceed with caution and ensure your own safety."

Hermann nodded solemnly, his eyes revealing a firmness and fearlessness: "Sir, rest assured. We will hold out until the very end, until you return to support us."

After they finished speaking, they saluted each other, and then Natasha led the rest of the team on their journey back to America.

When they arrived, they were greeted by a scene of tension and busy activity.

Soldiers patrolled the city streets, and the air was thick with the tension of an imminent major battle.

Xia Ling was already waiting for their return at the airport. When Natasha's team stepped out of the plane and saw Xia Ling's firm gaze and strong handshake, they felt as if they had found their backbone.

Xia Ling briefly expressed her condolences to them, and then immediately convened an emergency meeting with everyone.

"Chief, what's the situation?"

Xia Ling's expression was grave. He scanned everyone present, including Natasha and her team who had just returned from the battlefield, as well as the representative sent by Tony, before slowly speaking: "The situation is more serious than we anticipated. Tony has confirmed the news of Cthulhu's return. That city rising from the seabed is not just a legend; it truly exists and is having a profound impact on the surrounding area. Many of our agents and local residents have gone mad after witnessing those sights."

He paused, then continued, "Meanwhile, the Plague Legion and the Khorne Legion that Natasha and you encountered are also expanding their power, seemingly looking for an opportunity to launch a larger-scale offensive. And within America, the situation is equally turbulent due to the activity of cults and the invasion of monsters."

Natasha frowned and asked, "So what should we do now? Is there any specific action plan?"

Xia Ling nodded, picked up a map from the table, and spread it out in front of everyone: "First, we need to establish a few key points. One is the city where Cthulhu has returned. We need to organize a special operations team to go deep into the city, understand its operating mechanism, and find any potential weaknesses. The second is those who have suffered psychological trauma. We need to set up special shelters where psychologists and psychiatrists can intervene and treat them."

"Finally, it's time to prepare for war!"

(End of this chapter)