Chapter 4829

Steve didn't continue speaking, because there was no need to— the facts had already spoken. At that time, Steve was indeed too young; he had thought wartime was the low point, but after being frozen for decades and waking up, he saw that America then was called the "Golden Age."

Steve also kept emphasizing that back then, things were indeed good, indeed the most prosperous and flourishing period in American history. But this wasn't because America then was a paradise, but because America now is too much like hell.

American society then indeed had many problems, and Steve wasn't unaware of them. But it also depends on who you're comparing with. If compared to the ideal nation both sides of the Cold War wanted to build, then that society indeed had problems. But if compared to today's America, calling it a Golden Age is really not an exaggeration.

"Actually, I've always had an idea." Natasha supported her head with her finger and said, "If I had been in Minsk and accidentally fallen into an ice hole, then been frozen until now, and woke up to see the world completely changed, what would I feel?"

"I think I would certainly be very sad, possibly even lose the will to live, because my great homeland actually died." Natasha said with a pretended sorrowful expression, but soon she laughed again, "However, if I had come to America, I would regain the will to live. Because it's good that the Soviet Union died— if it had become like today's America, I'd probably be disgusted to death."

"Too bad we can't switch places. Otherwise, I wouldn't have to watch my homeland rot like this, and you wouldn't wake up one day and fall straight into a cesspool." Natasha gulped down a mouthful of wine.

Steve's expression wasn't good. As the saying goes, lies aren't sharp blades, but the truth is a quick knife. The greatest benefit of a corpse is that it won't cause any more jokes. Although the Soviet Union already showed some embarrassing signs, because it died quickly enough, many people actually remember it fondly.

And the consequence of America surviving to now is that there isn't a single day when it isn't embarrassing itself. Furthermore, based on the most likely outcome of this election, this isn't even the limit. The next president has very unique views on how to govern this country, and after taking office, every day should continue to refresh the record of embarrassment.

But what can Steve do? Back then, the thin Steve, when facing society's sick truth, felt how powerless he was; now, the strong Captain America is the same. He has never felt satisfied with his identity as Captain America, precisely because he deeply understands that what he wants to shake is human society and history. No matter who, when standing before this great work, will only feel deeply that they are still not great enough.

The closest Steve in his life ever came to finding a solution to this problem was when Shiler stood before Congress and said he needed a brighter lighthouse.

Captain America, this representative of America, more American than America's superhero, boarding the starship, becoming the beacon on humanity's path of exploring and opening up the universe— with a bit of light, he emits a bit of light.

Steve Rogers, this giant corpse formed by flesh and golden threads intertwined, the last grain of gold sand fallen from it, that youth and beauty glowing with blood-light, was boiled, melted, until the handcuffs were truly melted into a shield held in hand. With a bit of heat, he emits a bit of heat.

But when he returned to Earth again, dragged into this mire of Hampton, he again had to face this society's sickness that could be called unsolvable. There are too many things he wants to escape but cannot. Because now, he is no longer that poor Brooklyn kid so weak he'd be kicked out at any moment; for this, the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.

After understanding this point, Steve decided to stay. His silence is because he knows he isn't professional enough in this area, and handing it over to the true upper-class people among them would be better; also because, even if he can't do anything, just being here itself is a form of support.

No one present fails to understand Steve. He wants to solve the problem, but in this area he isn't professional enough, so he doesn't plan to intervene, but instead makes space, letting professionals solve the problem.

"Well," Greed said, "let me explain why we aren't stepping forward now to stop a possible large-scale death case. The logic is a bit complex, I'll try to explain it in detail."

"Upper society has no available justice to uphold— this statement is both right and wrong. Normally, everyone must fight for who gets to define justice. But in upper society, sometimes you must hand over the authority to define justice to the other party."

"In a group entirely formed by conflicting interests, interest is justice. Most of them think this way, so they call those who bring them benefits 'just,' and conversely, those who harm their interests are 'evil.'"

"Just like what Captain America did when he was young. He thought exposing murder cases was justice, but these upper-class people don't think so, because it harms their interests, so they must define it as evil. And once defined as evil, they will inevitably face rejection, even their joint attack— this is obviously not a good way to get involved."

"So, the way to make them define you as just is to not harm their interests, but instead bring them benefits. Make them feel they can profit from you— then you don't even need to say it yourself; they will surely lift you high and say you are the most benevolent great good person in the world."

Steve nodded— he deeply understands this. Because now, the military and federal government are all competing to use him to improve their image, with press releases about Captain America flying everywhere— they really wish they could move the Statue of Liberty aside so he could stand on it. Anyone who dares say Captain America isn't just will first face their sanctions.

"And the most important part of bringing them benefits is that you can't go to them yourself. Once they discover you're useful to them, this relationship becomes mutual exploitation. Then they won't feel they're unilaterally taking, but will feel it's mutual benefit— using you is justified."

"Once this relationship forms, initiative will gradually be lost. Because they will surely want to use your intentions toward them, turn the mutual benefit into them completely dominating in an overwhelming position, commanding you to come and go, even turning you into their dog."

"To avoid falling into such a dilemma, you must first declare that you want nothing from them at all. You're not coming for them, you have no intention of participating in their affairs, nor do you want to gain anything from them— you're just an ordinary passerby."

"Therefore, we can't intervene in this matter now. Otherwise, they'll think solving Hampton's affairs is the Avengers' duty to maintain social stability, and then, like treating subordinates, they'll command from above, directing superheroes to solve their troubles. They're very good at this."

"If they could actually command clearly, it would be fine, but these people's attitude is clearly more about covering up than solving problems. They only want to smooth things over, like when Dracula was around— press everything down, pretend nothing happened. But the problem is, Dracula couldn't even suppress it, proving this method no longer works. They won't believe it, and will only keep going down this road, ultimately messing everything up."

"To prevent them from seizing the high ground and finally messing everything up, we can't take initiative, but must let them come to us. This isn't standing by idly, allowing death. On the contrary, this is actually saving their lives. Otherwise, if we followed their way of solving it, Hampton wouldn't survive a few people."

"Even emotionally, we absolutely cannot let them lead this matter. Because they are certainly panicking now, and this group certainly can't unite. In the end, it will surely develop into everyone wanting the Avengers to be their personal bodyguards— as long as they themselves survive, others' lives or deaths don't matter. At that point, Hampton will truly experience large-scale deaths, causing social turmoil. We're doing this to avoid that worst outcome."

Greed took a sip of wine, moistened his throat, and said: "So, that's why I want to hold a housewarming feast, to let them understand that I and you came here not to solve any supernatural event, appearing here only because I invited you to help with moving. We want nothing from them— they entirely need us. First seize the initiative, then the rest will be easy."

Everyone nodded repeatedly. Although this is a bit complex, Greed has already explained it clearly. Dealing with American elites, it's always either the west wind overpowering the east wind, or the east wind overpowering the west wind— there's no middle option. Because their minds only contain zero-sum games, only masters and slaves. If you don't whip them, they'll definitely whip you. That modern notion of social equality doesn't exist— only one side completely suppressing the other.

In this situation, if you choose to sit down and talk with them, they'll think you're easy to bully, then try to step on your head and seize everything bit by bit. Wanting to deal with these people, you can only first step on them.

And how to suppress them— there are actually many methods, using fists or social means both work. Greed chose a relatively gentle way: wait until they're so scared they can't stand it, then come begging for help.

Although people will definitely die in this process, it's still better than after a tug-of-war with them, having them stir things into a complete mess, no problem solved, and finally all of Hampton going to hell together.

Moreover, because ghosts have an illusory component, only those who know something, or say, those with guilty consciences, will be haunted by ghosts. Because everyone's hallucinations are based on their own memories— if you've never done something or don't understand it, you won't have hallucinations. Just like Banner or Hawkeye, as outsiders, they fundamentally can't see supernatural phenomena.

"The housewarming feast is key." Natasha said, "But if you plan to hold it in a few days, such a short time— will it really make everyone so scared they actively come to us for help?"

"Yes." Arrogance lowered his eyelids, spoke lightly and casually, "Nothing can't be solved by a banquet."

This sounds like nothing problematic, but it let everyone sense a different, unusual meaning.

When Arrogance turned his head to look out the window at the sea, the flying snow reflected in his gray pupils, like heavenly corpses drifting down from the sky, the long whale fall in the deep sea.