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"Heh, I am very grateful for your help, but this also makes us increasingly reliant on you," Tony finally voiced his thoughts.
He had thought long and hard last night. No matter how close his relationship with Shen He was, the power disparity between them was too vast. Inevitably, they were locked in an unbalanced dynamic. One side was too dependent on the other, which could never be sustainable in the long term. Tony had always prided himself on his autonomy, but now, it seemed like that was slipping away.
He had once hoped that joining Chaldea would help change this situation, but now it felt like their involvement was no more than a bandaid.
"Even without relying on us, you can still navigate through the initial difficulties," Shen He responded, shaking his head lightly. "We intervened early, but ultimately, we are preparing for the final catastrophe. You've already managed the early crises."
In hindsight, Shen He regretted allowing Chaldea to stand as outsiders, using their presence to preserve their mystery and credibility. Back then, it seemed necessary to maintain the distance. After all, Thor had once been considered an outsider to them. But now, their level of involvement was far deeper than anticipated. Deep enough that Tony and the others felt an almost irresistible pull to Chaldea, as if they couldn't survive without it.
"Perhaps. But how many will have to be sacrificed to get to that point?" Tony's voice darkened with concern. "In your predictions, aliens are invading one of the largest cities in the world without any preparation on our part. Even if we manage to prevent the war, how many civilians will die in the process? And that's assuming things go according to your plans. With everything changing so rapidly, who knows what will happen next? We need you."
Tony's sense of urgency had grown, driven by his early exposure to a world larger than he could have imagined. Originally someone who struggled with a sense of security, Tony had found it in Chaldea. But now, that "security" felt precarious, like a fragile barrier that could vanish at any time.
"Isn't that the purpose of the 'Chaldean branch'?" Shen He asked, slightly exasperated. "I've said before. This force doesn't belong to just us—it belongs to you as well, Tony. The purpose is to safeguard humanity. If anything, the creation of this force goes against our usual way of working. It was only for the sake of protecting human rights that we gained the support of the headquarters."
Shen He wasn't particularly fond of being tied down by the responsibility of saving the world. Sure, he was willing to step in and help when the world was in turmoil, but that was a choice, not an obligation. Even if he failed in the end, he wouldn't feel overly guilty. But Tony's tendency to expect constant intervention grated on him.
"Yes, yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to say," Tony's expression became more serious. "Stop getting involved in civil wars, stop saving civilians—just protect the whole concept of 'human law.' You've said it many times: view humanity's 'evil' as part of the human law. But I don't understand. You can do so much more."
"Hold on, hold on, I know where this is going," Shen He raised his hand, his expression tinged with helplessness.
Tony's predictable reaction had played out exactly as Shen He imagined. Tony wanted to tie Chaldea—or perhaps Shen He himself—down to a sense of responsibility that didn't fit their mission.
But Shen He wasn't a hero in that traditional sense. Moreover, the forbidden activities had already shown that the Marvel world wouldn't restrain him. Even if the travel card expired, he could always leave the Marvel universe behind and explore other worlds, pulling in new followers along the way.
Still, this matter needed careful handling. Otherwise, there could be rifts between Tony and the others.
"Actually," Shen He paused, considering, "The crisis in another world has already been resolved. We ended a war that could have obliterated that world, and as the head of that mission, I was promoted."
"Promoted?" Tony blinked in surprise.
"That's right," Shen He nodded with a slight grin. "Now, I oversee more worlds, and the benefits are better. I have my own castle in the cracks between worlds. Your worries are unnecessary. We've proven our worth. Even if something were to happen to me one day, Chaldea will just send in new personnel."
"Wait, you mean…" Tony's eyes widened. "You're like administrative officials? One person in charge of one or several worlds?"
"That's the idea," Shen He shrugged. "After the war in that world, we erased most people's memories of us and left. We won't return until another crisis arises that humanity cannot handle on its own. Even then, we'll only come to visit, not intervene unless absolutely necessary. That's how Chaldea works."
The concept of the Chaldean organization—an entity that only stepped in when absolutely needed, operating in the shadows—conformed to what Shen He had always believed it to be. The events in the Devil's Forbidden World mirrored this model, and Shen He felt this system was the key to preserving his future ambitions. He needed to refine these settings further for the long run.
---
Tony paused, unsure of what to say next. If Chaldea were truly a rigorous organization, it wouldn't be swayed by individual needs or desires. Yet, part of Tony's goal had been achieved: to learn more about Chaldea and its true function.
"Want to see it for yourself?" Shen He's voice broke through Tony's thoughts.
"See what?" Tony replied, his confusion clear.
"My castle," Shen He grinned. "It's my private domain. To be honest, I haven't really invited you to see where I actually live."
Up until now, none of the residences Tony had visited had been Shen He's true home, apart from their temporary hotel in Chinatown.
"Sounds interesting. How do I get there?" Tony asked, suddenly feeling an odd mix of curiosity and anticipation.
He had always been very withdrawn during his studies. Because he was simply too smart, there were basically no peers who could engage him in conversation. After inheriting Stark Industries, Tony still had no true friends in the strict sense; all the people around him who knew him well were either business partners or subordinates. So, after hearing what Shen He said, he suddenly realized — this kind of casual visit to a friend's home, like ordinary people, might actually be the first time for him.
"Wait, I'm going to pack some things. By the way, call Steve, Coulson, and Natasha," Shen He said with a bright smile. "Buy enough food and wine. We'll have a party to celebrate my promotion."
"This definitely deserves a good celebration. I'll go notify them," Tony responded, giving Shen He a meaningful glance before turning away.
Shen He let out a quiet sigh of relief in his heart. It seemed he had managed to buy himself some time.
After all, he and these heroes still had subtle differences in their ultimate positions and goals.
After thinking for a moment, Shen He beckoned to Jeanne d'Arc and Violet, asking them to start packing. Then, after another moment's thought, he simply opened a long-term "door" inside his room, anchoring it carefully. He even dragged a network cable through — if he was planning to move to the castle, he couldn't afford to lose connection with the outside world.
Thus, when Tony and the others arrived at Shen He's room, they were greeted by the stunning sight of a dazzling portal — and the grand castle visible through it.
"My God..." Coulson muttered under his breath, "I thought I'd seen enough magical things already, but reality always manages to go beyond imagination."
"Actually, what I really want to ask is — those maids inside... are they all yours?" Tony asked with an envious expression. "Don't tell me this is one of the perks of joining Chaldea. God, are you living like an ancient emperor? Why can't I really join Chaldea?"
"Hahaha."
Shen He laughed heartily, making no effort to conceal the pride on his face.
After they stepped through the portal into the castle, the shocks kept coming. A self-suspended crystal chandelier, exquisite and extravagant decorations, and a dining hall spacious enough to accommodate hundreds — every detail amazed them.
Natasha, however, remained silent after entering.
It wasn't until she casually took a glass of wine and, pretending to be absentminded, pinched the hand of a passing maid that she finally confirmed: everything here was real.
The subtle shift in the maid's expression mirrored that of any ordinary person.
Chaldea was indeed an extraordinarily mysterious and powerful organization. Fury's cautious attitude toward them was justified — but perhaps also a little meaningless now.
Shen He noticed Natasha's subtle movements, and a knowing smile flickered in his eyes.
No matter how luxurious the castle appeared, it wouldn't overly impress Tony or Steve — they had seen much — but for Natasha, with her habitual suspicion cultivated by Fury, it represented a true shift. She should have made a decision in her heart by now.
"Everyone," Shen He said, taking a glass of wine from a maid and addressing the group, "I am truly happy to have met you all at this moment. And I mean it. I'm just a lucky individual who happens to have the talent of a 'Master' — nothing more than an ordinary person. But all of you, you are heroes who stand out among billions."
"Is this the famous humility of Huaxia people?" Tony said, strolling over with his own wine glass. "Heh, I'd say we're the lucky ones to meet you. Oh man, I'm actually getting goosebumps here."
"So, Tony, now you understand how all those people who flatter you feel," Natasha said lightly.
"I don't remember you flattering me, Miss Secretary," Tony quipped, not missing a beat.
"I don't think this is flattery," Coulson suddenly chimed in. "Isn't it simply the truth?"
"Oh, Coulson."
Everyone smiled and laughed, the atmosphere relaxing even further, refreshing their impression of this always-"honest agent."
"Hahaha, I love to hear that." Though Shen He's cheeks flushed at the praise, he still retained his composure. "I'll give you a raise, Coulson."
"Careful, you're going to spoil the 'modest' river," Tony joked as he dragged a chair over to sit facing Shen He. "He, could you tell us more about Chaldea? Honestly, this is incredible. From what you've said, this castle exists in a 'crack of the world'... can we actually travel to other worlds through it?"
The real topic had arrived.
Shen He couldn't help but perk up.
Fooling them once meant he had to keep the story consistent — sorting out the logic was exhausting, but it was still far preferable to exposing the existence of his system.
"I can't explain the specific scientific principles," Shen He said cautiously. "After all, I'm not a scientist like some of you. But what I can tell you is: I can bring people from other worlds here — but I can't easily take people from here into other worlds."
"Why?" Tony frowned. "If the portal exists, why not pass through it in both directions?"
He was clearly thinking of the portal they had just walked through. If it could bring beings from other worlds, why not the reverse?
"This is a fundamental rule of the worlds," Shen He said, weaving his story carefully. "Only specific people are permitted to travel between dimensions. As I said before, I'm lucky to have the rare talent of a 'Master.' Masters are individuals who can freely move across worlds. Chaldea's ability to protect the foundation of humanity across all worlds is based on this."
"What about Miss Jeanne?" Coulson asked. "Is she a Master too?"
"No." Shen He shook his head. "They — Jeanne, Violet, and others — are 'Servants.' They can travel through worlds because of a contract with a Master. However, the contract imposes restrictions on them, and it's not easily formed — it requires strict conditions, a significant amount of luck, and once made, it's lifelong. That's why we treat each other like family."
"So," Tony summarized, "only Masters and their Servants can freely travel between worlds?"
"Well..." Shen He hesitated. He thought of the Holy Grail that had appeared during the events involving the Demon Forbidden World — anomalies existed, after all. "There is another way — smuggling. It causes huge disruptions to the world's balance. Many world-ending crises we've observed were caused by smugglers."
"That's unfortunate," Tony sighed.
He had been hoping he could somehow truly join Chaldea. But without the innate talent of a Master or a binding Servant contract, it seemed impossible.
"This is how the world works," Steve suddenly said. "Tony, you were born a genius and a billionaire. Others are born as gods. Whether we're blessed or burdened, all of us have the ability to change."
"Just like how you went from a thin, sickly kid to a war hero admired by all?" Tony took a sip of wine, raising an eyebrow.
"Exactly." Steve smiled, shrugging lightly. "And that's why I treasure everything I have now — and why I'm grateful for the doctor's trust back then."
"Well, I'm also grateful to my father," Tony said, thinking of Ivan Vanko — a man of equal talent who had fallen into ruin because his father wasn't as powerful as Howard Stark.
Shen He fell silent for a moment too.
He hadn't been born with talent, as he claimed. Everything had changed because of the system.
He turned his head slightly and caught Jeanne's gentle gaze.
She had been looking at him all this time.
Though Shen He still couldn't be sure whether this transformation would ultimately be a blessing or a curse, he silently vowed to cherish everything he now had.
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