Lord of Cinder in American Comics

If Ash silently accepts this fait accompli outcome, it would be a good thing for the World Security Council.

Even if Ash goes berserk, there's reason to believe he was sent by Shariwan and has nothing to do with the World Security Council.

"What time?"

"Tonight, the saintess and her guardian knight will arrive at the sacrificial site, accompanied by two church knights. This is a notification from the World Security Council."

Having received the specific time, Ash felt somewhat dejected. She turned and waved to Hill before disappearing into the shadows.

Ash's departure brought Stark's dissatisfaction.

As the head of Stark Industries, he is naturally well-versed in such political maneuvering, and this act of planting spies is the most despicable.

Stark looked at Hill with a serious expression and asked, "Is this how you treat a devotee?"

“Stark, this is a decision made by the World Security Council, not mine. I didn’t want to…”

Hill's feeble explanation had no effect whatsoever, only eliciting a sneer from Stark.

The journey back was only for Stark and Ashe, who sat in the helicopter arranged by S.H.I.E.L.D., which felt rather lonely.

Throughout the journey, Stark wanted to say something to Ash to comfort her, but he couldn't find the opportunity.

Stark sat down next to Ash, watching Ash deep in thought, and remained silent with him.

This silence continued until the helicopter was positioned on the outskirts of the sacrificial site.

After the helicopter left, Ash immediately raised her head and resumed her previous indifferent demeanor.

"You...were you faking it just now?"

Stark, seeing Ash's reaction, understood as well.

“Tony, every corporation needs dissenting voices. If there aren’t any, you have to create them. That’s how you can see who the real enemy is.”

Stark was no longer worried about Ash. He took off his armor, put his arm around Ash's neck, and asked, "So the people who came here are your own people?"

"Of course, Irina and Ego from Kalim are very interesting companions. Ego is stubborn but soft-hearted, while Irina studies tirelessly to become a Fire Keeper..."

Ash gave Stark a detailed introduction to his upcoming companions, and after hearing about their tragic love story, he also began to have high hopes for this combination of knight and saint.

"So, does that mean Pope Salvador is also one? Did he designate you to succeed him? Or...?"

Stark speculated about Salvador's role in it, but Ash's words left Stark speechless.

"No, Sharivan is a bastard, a scoundrel. I beat him up several times to vent my anger."

Unable to figure out the reason, Stark could only respond with silence, but his constipated expression made everyone who saw him avoid him.

Even as Stark relentlessly pressed him for the reason, Ash only gave vague answers.

As night fell, the Security Council, wanting to annoy Ash, deliberately sent the group to the Firelink Shrine, claiming, "You are from the same sect, so you should stay together."

The arrival of the two special vehicles brought the people requested by the Security Council.

A tall and well-proportioned man stepped out of a Hummer armored vehicle. He moved to the other side of the vehicle, opened the door, and helped a woman in a white dress out.

Behind them was a tall, heavy-duty truck, which is usually used to transport heavy military supplies such as artillery shells.

Once the car came to a complete stop, two heavily armed knights jumped off from behind.

Standing over three meters tall, they wore heavy plate armor, the gaps between which were filled with blue silk embroidery, and on their shoulders carried giant swords as tall as themselves.

As soon as the two church knights jumped off the transport vehicle, the vehicle bounced upwards instantly due to the load-bearing springs.

Seeing this, Stark compared the weapon in the Cathedral Knight's hand to the sword, nudged Ash, and asked, "Can anyone really wield such a huge weapon? This greatsword must weigh hundreds of kilograms!"

“You underestimate this weapon. The weight of the Church Knight’s greatsword is unbelievable. These knights believe that weight is proportional to attack power. To these people, Church Knights who use hammers and spears are weak.”

Just as Stark was about to ask more questions, Irina, dressed in a white dress, brought Ego to Ash.

"Forgive my rudeness, my hero. Irina of Kalim has come to serve you in accordance with the contract."

Irina slightly curtsied to Ash, then to the Fire Keeper.

Irina didn't react for a while, until Irina turned around slightly as if asking a question.

"It's the same as before. As long as you're protecting this woman, I'll be your comrade. Only for this long..."

Because Ash had told the others beforehand about Ego's tsundere nature, no one present had any opinion on Ego's statement; they only thought the knight was somewhat adorably arrogant.

Furthermore, given Ego's attitude, to those unaware of the situation, it appears to be a confrontation between two completely different forces, one from Ash's.

The church knights did not approach the shamanic site, but stopped in front of its brass gates, standing on either side of the gate as they had once guarded Ocelot.

Firelink Shrine once again welcomed back former comrades. These people, who share the same goal, are all earnestly playing their roles according to Ash's design.

Meanwhile, in the city of Ringed Imprint, its own story began.

Geralt tossed a longsword to Clint and said, "Try it. Your gem can only be exchanged for a fire gem, which you can then use to enhance it. Consider this sword a gift from me."

Clint was somewhat knowledgeable in swordsmanship, but he couldn't sense any difference between this sword and other weapons, except for its strange weight.

However, Clint, who had just begun to strengthen his sword, was quite adept at wielding this unusually heavy longsword.

Geralt reminded him, "Slash at the tree over there."

Obedient Clint swung his sword at the tree, easily slicing through the massive trunk large enough for an adult to encircle, and flames erupted from the cut, igniting the entire tree.

Geralt explained, "The Fire Gem can imbue attacks with fire attributes, just like you tested it, but..."

"But what?"

"But it's not cool enough. We witchers rub charcoal and resin on our swords. It's cool when the flames burn the blade."

Geralt pulled out some coke and resin and fiddled with it in front of Clint, his boastful tone overflowing.

However, a portal opened behind Geralt, and Constantine walked out of it.

Constantine, who was about to speak, spotted the burning tree and asked with displeasure, "Who did this?"

Geralt looked up at the sky, as if he didn't know anything, but his finger pointed at Clint.

Seeing this, Constantine said to Clint with a dark face, "I'll let you off the hook for now, but later you'll have to work with the mushroom people of the Black Forest to re-green the Ringed City."

After saying that, Constantine turned to Geralt, who was standing to the side counting how many clouds were in the sky, and said, "Stop fooling around, something's happened. Bring your apprentice to the Felenenor Chapel, it's practically a complete mess outside!"

Chapter 169: Secret Operation

Inside the Felenenor Church, the students were summoned. Since they had no access to information from the outside world in the Ringed City, the students discussed this emergency summons with great interest.

After Geralt led Clint through the portal, Constantine leisurely walked to the podium, tapped the tabletop with his finger to signal everyone to quiet down.

"Recently, something very dangerous has happened in the outside world, that is, on your Earth. Because of this, some of you may be subject to a rigorous background check."

Constantine's words left everyone who didn't know the truth completely confused.

After a pause, Constantine continued, "A few days ago, aliens attempted to wipe out humanity on Earth, and during the subsequent investigation, all the evidence pointed to your Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury."

These words immediately ignited the entire audience. Most of the students present were from S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy, and Nick Fury's identity and deeds were legendary tales passed down by word of mouth. How could this legendary agent do such a thing? No one believed it.

Constantine didn't expect to convince these students with just a few simple words.

"I've said my piece. Whether you believe me or not, you'll find out when the current S.H.I.E.L.D. conducts a review after we return to Earth."

After Constantine finished speaking, some students wanted to ask for the specific reasons, but they were stopped by the people next to them.

Clearly, Dragon Academy is also using this opportunity to screen these students. Once they return to Earth and see the real situation, they will make their own choices.

Natasha sat among the trainees, her face grave. She believed Constantine was telling the truth; the proud Constantine would never stoop to lying.

As a defector recruited by Nick Fury, Natasha will certainly face the most rigorous scrutiny, and it's even uncertain whether she will survive the investigation.

"In two hours, I will open a portal to Earth, through which you can return to New York City. However, it should be noted that a team of Bureau of Control troops is already waiting for you on the other side of the portal."

The new organization's name, replacing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s censorship, filled the unsuspecting trainees with fear of the upcoming scrutiny.

"Wanda, distribute these things to them."

Constantine pulled out a pile of bone fragments that had been burned white, with orange flames still flowing between the cracks in the fragments.

After everyone had received a bone fragment, Constantine explained, "This is a return bone fragment. The fragment is already bound to the Ringed City. Once you crush it, you will be directly teleported to the Church of Felenenor."

Simon examined the bone fragments, trying to find the structural principles within them. Upon hearing Constantine's words, he raised his hand and asked, "Sir, since there is a government department on the other side of the portal to receive us, our personal belongings will definitely be confiscated during the inspection process."

"I've already made an agreement with the leader on the other side. You'll have one chance to get the bone fragment, but you'd better think carefully about the consequences of using it."

Weighing the consequences? Now that things have been said this far, everyone understands that using the bone fragment means selling oneself to the Dragon Academy.

Even now, Dragon Academy has not begun to formally teach magic and spells, and everyone doubts whether they can truly access supernatural magical power.

Now, the final step is in our own hands.

Constantine didn't linger; he finished speaking and left, handing the scene over to the students.

Natasha and Clint walked together and discussed things.

Holding the bone fragment, Natasha noticed something was wrong and asked, "Clint, didn't they give you back the bone fragment?"

"No, it wasn't sent to me at all. Maybe it's because I'm not from Dragon Academy."

As Clint spoke, he subtly gestured to Natasha to look at Geralt, who was sitting in the last row of the church with his legs crossed.

"I don't believe Fury would do such a thing; there must be some misunderstanding!"

Clint was still trying to find reasons for Fury, but this only elicited a wry smile from Natasha: "Once we return to Earth, we'll know the reason. Constantine has no reason to lie to us."

Clint was speechless. Since things had come to this, he could only take it one step at a time.

Two hours passed quickly, and a portal opened in the Feleneur Church.

Opposite them was the newly established headquarters of the Control Bureau on Long Island, and the portal was located in the center of the Control Bureau's enormous training ground.

Two church knights stood on either side, holding their greatswords, waiting for the approaching figures, just in case.

In the distance, Frank Castle led his Marines, guns pointed at the portal. Since the Franhammer incident, these elite soldiers had been demobilized and transferred to Ash's control unit to protect their men.

Surrounding the portal, Marines constructed multiple ring-shaped bunkers, while further away were the direct-fire cannons of Bradley tanks.

Upon seeing someone emerge from the portal, the M134 machine guns in the position began to warm up under the power of their motors.

Natasha and Clint hadn't even stepped through the portal yet when they saw this scene. Clint, somewhat dazed, said, "Now I believe it."

One by one, the students walked through the teleportation gate, and what awaited them was still unknown.

Two remain on this side.