A Brief War

"Appeared out of nowhere in my manor? Amnesia?"

The butler’s words left Wang Bert somewhat astonished. After thinking for a moment, he quietly ordered, "Keep investigating. Also, keep an eye on her!"

The butler nodded respectfully. "Yes, Blood God!"

After Wang Bert finished speaking with the butler, Little Hela said arrogantly, "Destroying lives is not the goal. Making them submit is. Only the threat of death can make them obedient."

Wang Bert smiled. "Death is indeed one way to make people obey, but it isn’t the best way, nor can it be the only way!"

"Death isn’t the best way?"

Little Hela snorted. "You’re wrong. Death is the best way!"

"What you need to learn isn’t how to kill people, but how to rule them!"

Wang Bert shook his head and said, "I’ll find a teacher to teach you history. Then you’ll understand what the best methods of rule are!"

"Obviously death!"

Little Hela wanted to argue further, but Mindy could not stand it any longer and coughed heavily. Little Hela shot Mindy an unhappy glance, then pouted. "I’m willing to take you as my master!"

"Very good. From now on, study properly under me!"

Wang Bert nodded in satisfaction. Then the two girls served him tea together. After drinking it, he officially accepted them as his disciples.

Without any surprise, Wang Bert tossed them both to Madame Gao for training. Mindy said disdainfully, "Master, you’re this lazy, and you still have the nerve to tell us to study properly under you?"

"You have no respect for your elders. What do you know? Your master handles matters of national importance!"

Wang Bert irritably rubbed Mindy’s head. Just as Mindy was about to say something, Frank arrived. Seeing so many children present, he signaled Wang Bert with his eyes. "See? Another matter of national importance."

Wang Bert spread his hands at Mindy and led Frank to the study.

In the study, Frank got straight to the point. "Bert, the military wants me to return to duty. They also want to attack Wakanda."

"As expected. America will never allow anyone to be stronger than itself. Besides, the government needs to divert the tensions caused by the alien invasion."

Wang Bert sneered and asked, "Has the military started moving already?"

"Not yet, but the Fifth Fleet has reached the East African coast, and troops are landing!"

Frank said, "The military wants me, War Abomination, and War Machine to return to duty immediately!"

"Reply to the military that War Abomination and your Punisher need maintenance and can’t return to duty!"

Wang Bert said, "Osborn Corporation will send three Drone Armor suits over as support!"

"Alright!"

Frank nodded, then asked, "Bert, you don’t think highly of the military?"

Wang Bert said, "The U.S. Military is bound to lose this battle. The technological gap between both sides is too great. They aren’t even on the same level. Hmph, the U.S. Military has been throwing its weight around for years. It’s time they learned a lesson!"

Frank frowned. "The soldiers are innocent. And if the U.S. Military loses, the war will definitely expand!"

"A minor defeat would make it expand. But if they suffer a crushing defeat, even America will choose to back down!"

Wang Bert said, "Frank, don’t worry so much. It’s useless even if you do!"

Frank directly gave Wang Bert the middle finger. Wang Bert laughed. "Jokes aside, don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on this. Nothing serious will happen!"

Frank let out a sigh of relief. "With you saying that, I’m relieved."

Wang Bert smiled and looked toward the television on the wall. "If I’m not mistaken, the government will soon start a propaganda offensive!"

The propaganda offensive came even earlier than Wang Bert expected. That very night, the government began its media campaign!

"Recently, many people have asked me why the U.S. Military is attacking Wakanda, causing War Abomination to leave New York. Let me explain!"

The press secretary said, "On the surface, Wakanda is a poor country receiving United Nations aid, but in truth, it is a technologically advanced nation with immense power…"

The spokesperson first introduced Wakanda, then accused it of possessing powerful technology while refusing to help fight the aliens. He even implied that Wakanda might be colluding with the aliens!

Under the government’s guidance, many people in America became enraged at Wakanda.

"You’re clearly so powerful, yet you still collect United Nations welfare. Aren’t you ashamed?"

"Pretending to be weak? There has to be something wrong with them. Maybe they really are the aliens’ lackeys!"

"Maybe they were the ones who showed Loki the way to Earth!"

"Down with Wakanda! Defend Earth!"

Overall, public opinion was overwhelmingly one-sided. Although some people defended Wakanda, hardly anyone paid attention to them. In fact, even Black people did not particularly speak up for Wakanda!

You didn’t help me when I was being sold. Why should I speak for you now?

Amid the surging public outrage, America issued Wakanda an ultimatum, demanding that it surrender and allow America to enter the real Wakanda for an investigation. Otherwise, America would launch a war! "Standing on the moral high ground and beating people with a moral cudgel—America is still using the same old tricks!"

Wakanda’s king, T’Chaka, snorted with obvious disdain. Beside him, prince T’Challa frowned and asked, "Father, are we really going to war with America?"

"It isn’t that we want war with America. America wants war with us!"

T’Chaka said, "I know what you’re worried about. Don’t worry, the scale of the war won’t expand. We’ll frighten them into submission in one battle. At worst, it will only become a cold war!"

"The problem is, they have the Blood God!"

T’Challa said, "We can’t stop the Blood God!"

"The Blood God may not intervene. He’s a Vampire, not a human!"

T’Chaka said, "Even if he does intervene, we’re not afraid. Shuri is researching ways to deal with him, and we have the Panther God!"

"The Panther God?"

T’Challa was stunned. Although Panther God Bast truly existed, it had never personally intervened before! Seeing that T’Challa was still hesitant, T’Chaka handed him a file. T’Challa flew into a rage after reading it. A friend he had made some time ago was actually a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent! T’Chaka said, "This battle must be fought. Only then can we block the greedy eyes outside!"

T’Challa finally made up his mind. "Father, how should we fight?"

"This battle is simple!"

T’Chaka nodded in satisfaction and said, "Send a large number of ships to secretly fly above the Fifth Fleet using stealth technology. Then use electromagnetic pulse bombs and energy cannons to cripple them!

"After that, we reveal ourselves and force the American forces to surrender. If they refuse, we’ll fire through the aircraft carriers and sink them! Once we’re done, we can withdraw and return home, then wait for America to send people over for negotiations!"

"Father, that really is a good plan!"

T’Challa beamed. The best part of the plan was that not many American soldiers would die! T’Chaka smiled. "Soon, the entire world will know that Wakanda is not meat for them to carve up as they please!"

"The Fifth Fleet was defeated? War Machine was captured after fighting desperately? All U.S. troops surrendered?"

At the White House, President Ellis roared with both fear and disbelief, "Didn’t you tell me that even if we couldn’t defeat Wakanda, we could still retreat safely? What is this result now?

"Do you know that if this news gets out, I’ll be impeached and removed from office immediately?"

A military leader smiled bitterly. "We never expected Wakanda to be this powerful. There’s simply no reason for it!"

"Exactly, there’s no reason at all. If they’re this powerful, why hide away? Wouldn’t it be better to directly unify the world?"

Another general said the same. The reason they had dared to attack despite knowing Wakanda possessed energy weapons was precisely this—they had hidden themselves away, so they surely could not be that powerful!

Who would have thought Wakanda could utterly crush them? Now the entire military was at a loss!

"Is there any way to defeat Wakanda and rescue our people?"

President Ellis asked almost frantically, "For example, using nuclear weapons!"

The military higher-ups exchanged glances and shook their heads. "Mr. President, with their technology, our nuclear weapons will have difficulty taking effect. More importantly, they have the ability to retaliate!"

"Damn it, then what do we do? Just sit here and wait to be removed from office?"

President Ellis cursed. "Let me tell you this: if I go down, I’ll definitely drag all of you down with me!"

The officials all smiled bitterly. Senator Stern said, "Mr. President, there is one more way!"

"What way? Ah, you mean?"

President Ellis was stunned at first, then hurriedly shouted, "Go to New York and invite the Blood God!"

Inside the manor, Wang Bert looked at President Ellis’s holographic projection and said, "President Ellis, it isn’t that I refuse, but I’m not human after all. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to help you fight a civil war."

President Ellis said, "Blood God, Wakanda is an alien spy!"

Wang Bert smiled. "President Ellis, there’s no point saying that."

"Blood God, please help us! The lives of over ten thousand officers and soldiers in the Fifth Fleet depend entirely on you!"

President Ellis pleaded desperately. If the Blood God did not intervene, he was finished.

Wang Bert pretended to hesitate for a while, then said, "How about this? I’ll go to Wakanda and negotiate, see if I can get the prisoners back. But I have one condition."

President Ellis was overjoyed. He hurriedly said, "Blood God, whatever condition you have, just say it!"

Wang Bert said, "I want to build a Space Station in space. One that may be equipped with weapons!"

"A Space Station equipped with weapons?"

President Ellis was stunned. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded. "I’ll have the military sign off on it, but it must be subject to oversight!"

For President Ellis, keeping his position was the most important thing. Everything else could be dealt with later! "Naturally. I only want to better protect Earth!"

Wang Bert smiled and said, "President Ellis, I can’t promise anything else, but I’ll definitely get those ten thousand officers and soldiers back for you!"

"That would be wonderful!"

President Ellis said delightedly, "Blood God, I’ll send a professional team with you. You’ll be in charge of everything, and I’ll fulfill every condition you agreed upon!"

Wang Bert laughed loudly. "President Ellis, it would be America’s loss if you don’t get reelected!"

President Ellis smiled bitterly. "After two incidents this serious in a row, I’ll be lucky if I can finish this term smoothly!"

"Not necessarily!"

Wang Bert did not elaborate. "Once your team is assembled, I’ll leave immediately!"

"Alright, I’ll leave everything to you, Blood God!"

President Ellis nodded and ended the communication!

Frank could not help sighing from the side. "I knew Wakanda was strong, but I never expected them to be this strong. The Fifth Fleet was completely no match for them!"

"Interstellar level against Planet Level. A crushing victory is normal!"

Wang Bert said, "Not to mention that the Fifth Fleet knew almost nothing about Wakanda’s true strength!"

Frank asked, "Bert, do you want me to go with you?"

"No need. This time, I alone will be enough!"

Wang Bert shook his head. At that moment, the butler came in to report, "Blood God, Wong, a mage from Kamar-Taj, has come to visit!"

Wang Bert hurriedly said, "Bring him in at once!"

Soon, Wong entered carrying a stack of books. Wang Bert stood up and smiled. "Wong, we meet again. By the way, why didn’t you just teleport directly in front of me?"

"That would be impolite!"

Wong placed the books on the table and said, "These are books Master Ancient One has lent you. Remember to return them after you finish reading!"

"Books Master Ancient One lent me?"

Wang Bert was surprised. He picked up the top book, whose cover bore a line of words: "Space Overview!"

Wang Bert asked, "Books about space?"

"Not only that. There are also books on Hell and souls!"

Wong said, "Master Ancient One said that if you want to use the Tesseract, you must first master the relevant knowledge! As for Hell, Mephisto definitely won’t let this go!"

"Thank Master Ancient One for me. I’ll read these books carefully!"

Wang Bert said. This time, he really had to study hard and improve himself every day!

"I hope so. Master Ancient One thinks very highly of you!"

Wong said with a complicated expression. There were not many people Master Ancient One would personally lend books to. In fact, a rumor was now circulating in Kamar-Taj—Wang Bert was Ancient One’s illegitimate son!

Thinking of something, Wang Bert asked, "By the way, Wong, has the Defense Net of the Three Sanctuaries been repaired?"

"Mostly repaired!"

Wong said, "However, some of the monsters and demons that slipped into Earth last time still haven’t been dealt with. We’ve been busy hunting them down lately!"

Wang Bert said, "If you need anything, come find me!"

"If necessary, I will!"

Wong smiled politely. He did not believe Kamar-Taj needed anyone else’s help at all. He said, "Blood God, Kamar-Taj is very busy right now, so I’ll be leaving first!"

"Take care. Once you’re not so busy, I’ll come visit you!"

Wang Bert said. Wong nodded, opened a portal, and left. Frank sighed, "Even though this isn’t the first time I’ve seen it, it still feels so amazing!"

"Magic is naturally amazing. I’ll read for a while. Make yourself at home!"

Wang Bert smiled, sat on the sofa, and began flipping through "Space Overview." Frank stood up and said, "I’ll make one more patrol before clocking out."

Wang Bert waved a hand, signaling Frank to decide for himself.

Half an hour later, Frank returned from his patrol and discovered that Wang Bert had already closed his eyes and fallen asleep against the sofa. He immediately said disdainfully, "So you’re also a lousy student who gets sleepy the moment you start reading!"