Chapter 4842

Everyone looked at Steve with a hint of surprise. You want to stop Wanda, but you can't bring greed into it. The only difference between this and pouring oil on fire is that this is much stronger than oil.

"Going to Massachusetts definitely won't work." Greed said, "Massachusetts isn't that big, and it has so many universities and magic academies. Sending a bunch of witches there would be too dangerous."

"But if we wipe out all the witches, that would be too inhumane. No matter what, they haven't done anything harmful to society, and they are also indigenous people of Earth, with the right to live here."

"And if we just leave them alone, some powerful witches among them might cause trouble again, affecting social stability and endangering ordinary people's safety. So it's better to keep them under our watch. How about New York?"

"I'm sure if you dare to bring them to New York, you'll lose your office." Natasha said, "Nick will go crazy."

"He underestimated his own endurance." Greed said, "Last time, so many Batmen came to New York, and nothing big happened, right?"

"But New York is more important than other places." Coulson said, "I absolutely don't mean to discriminate, but this is after all the political and economic center of the East Coast. Suddenly dumping dangerous elements here could have a greater impact than elsewhere."

"It also depends on where you put them." Greed said, "Isn't Hampton currently in urgent need of a group of magical talents to help them solve their troubles?"

"You want the witch families to move into Hampton?" Stark frowned at first, but he quickly realized this was also a decent solution.

Back then, Hannix was able to temporarily solve Hampton's troubles, which proves the witches are capable. Even if they can't solve the root problem, temporary suppression is still possible. If they take this place as a base, they will definitely help suppress Hampton's supernatural phenomena. With so many people acting together, the situation will surely improve.

Moreover, they have already obtained a key clue, namely Hannix and the Violet Holiday Resort. As long as we continue investigating, the root problem can also be solved. Peace will soon return here.

But Stark still felt it wasn't enough, he said: "But these witches have little contact with society, and they are easily deceived by smooth talk. What if the locals use them to do bad things?"

Wanda also had this concern, she looked at Greed and said: "Don't treat them as righteous warriors. In fact, their greed exceeds many people's imagination. Back then they were victims, but that doesn't mean they still are. Many lower-class witches in New Salem were once oppressed by them. If they join forces with the unscrupulous rich, more people will suffer."

Others' views were similar, the key issue in introducing witches is that they have no need to be enemies of this group of rich people. On the contrary, they are more likely to collude and stand on the same side. After solving Hampton's problems, they might very well go on to harm ordinary people.

"We need to find a strong enough enemy for them." Greed continued, "Of course not that sea monster. That thing is at most intimidating in appearance, but not strong in combat. Do you remember the recent cosmic trend?"

"You mean those unscrupulous real estate developers?" Steve said, he recalled. Many people in the universe want to speculate in real estate on Earth, some have already taken action, but they haven't yet figured out Earth's layout and wind direction, so they dare not make big moves.

Greed nodded and said: "Exactly. Those alien real estate developers have plenty of strength and means. Their first target definitely won't be civilians or middle-class communities, because stirring up trouble there would be messy. After all, there won't be that many economically struggling people moving to Earth; they definitely want to do high-end business."

"There are only so many places on Earth with good scenery and supporting facilities. Hampton can truly be called the gem of the East Coast. They haven't acted immediately, but only out of caution toward Earth's powers. And if we merely restrain ourselves and give them some business information, they won't miss this great opportunity."

"To drive up Hampton's property prices, we certainly need to package it well. Besides maintaining the natural scenery here and repairing the houses, security is also very important. One ghost on the left, one witch on the right—how can we satisfy those old-timers of the Interstellar Council? As soon as interstellar real estate developers plan to move in here, their first move will definitely be to clean this place up."

"But this might not necessarily put them at odds with locals and witches." Bucky proposed, "Clearing supernatural phenomena could become a shared goal for all three sides."

"But this is also our goal, isn't it?" Greed said, "We can't let this place stay haunted forever, or trouble will eventually break out."

"They will definitely clash with the witches." Wanda said, "Witches basically have no money to buy houses here. If they come, they will either forcibly take over others' houses or simply live in parks and on beaches."

"Recently, not a few people have died here." Natasha said, "Houses have become vacant, so they can go live there. And then the real estate developers will surely set their sights on them. Because they are illegal and occupy good houses, the developers will try to find ways to drive them away."

"The witches won't leave." Wanda shook her head and said, "They chose to live in seclusion, not because they truly like quiet, but because they also want a convenient life. Once they taste the sweetness, they won't easily leave."

"Will they be opponents of those real estate developers?" Steve asked, "How many of them are superpowered, and how strong are they?"

Wanda looked somewhat embarrassed: "Actually, real witches are few. Some just have a few mystical tools or a bit of theoretical research. Many are just ordinary people, merely framed. You know, real witches would never be burned to death."

Everyone sighed in unison. Actually, the witch hunts were just the Western version of "exterminating the household," aiming to seize the wealth of women who inherited property, as long as they were framed as witches and burned to death. As for real witches, who could bind the Scarlet Witch to a pyre?

"Then they will soon be eaten clean." Steve said, "By then, these locals will surely kick them while they're down, and the witches won't be a match for them."

"Indeed." Greed nodded and said, "But you forgot one thing witches are very good at—calling for reinforcements. Aren't they currently seeking Wanda's help?"

"Oh, I see." Coulson said, "Witches are weak, but they have backers, namely Wanda."

"But I don't want to..."

"Just say you don't have time, get friends to come help—wouldn't that work?" Greed smiled and said, "By then, it doesn't matter who acts, as long as the trouble is solved."

"Oh, God." Natasha sighed, "Another proxy war."

The others also understood. Whether witches can handle it or not doesn't matter, because in the end they won't be witches, but more likely S. H. I. E. L. D. or some other organization. The witch family is just an excuse for these forces to station in Hampton.

The witches migrated north and returned, then claimed they had lived in Hampton for generations, already residing here since the landing era, now merely returning to their homeland, thus having a strong claim to this place.

If locals and interstellar real estate developers want to join forces to drive them out, they will go seek Wanda's help. Wanda only needs to say she has no time, hand it over to S. H. I. E. L. D., and then S. H. I. E. L. D. will have a reason to intervene in Hampton's situation.

This is a very typical proxy war tactic. Restricted by public opinion, great powers find it hard to directly intervene in regional conflicts, but if there appears to be an innocent party actively seeking support internationally, then it's different. Great powers gain a reason to act, and can thus change the regional situation or seek benefits.

This is certainly not a thankless task. On the contrary, being able to stir up trouble in a place with so many rich people and interstellar merchants can bring great benefits to S. H. I. E. L. D. Just by collecting protection fees in the name of peacekeeping, they can make a fortune.

"Truly worthy of you." Steve gave Greed a thumbs-up, "If you need, the Avengers can also come to maintain Hampton's stability. We can also be the witches."

"Yeah." Stark looked at Natasha and said, "We have here a red-haired lady skilled in spike and missile magic, who can be bought off with a cup of wheat juice."

"That's not enough, kid." Natasha snorted lightly, "Give me a bottle of vodka, and I'll let you witness the ancestral magic of Russian grandmothers."

Everyone laughed. Wanda even recovered her happiness, she blinked, took out her phone and walked out, obviously to notify the witches. Greed shouted after her: "Remember to tell them of your merits, lady, so they'll come looking for you again next time."

Wanda gestured at him through the window. At this moment, Arrogance folded the newspaper, looked at them and said: "I'm preparing to go tonight to the location of the Violet Holiday Resort to check it out. Who wants to come with me?"

Although it's a question, his gaze had already fallen on Steve and Bucky's faces. Steve immediately said: "Let Bucky go with you, he knows the roads here better."

"No no no, of course it should be my good buddy Steve. He's been here longer and remembers more clearly."

"9 p. m., I'll be waiting for you at the manor gate." Arrogance stood up and left. Steve and Bucky each leaned left and right, and sighed in unison.

To say they are willing to go out and investigate and thoroughly solve the root of Hampton's haunting—yes, they are eager to go. But the problem is, anyone who goes out at night with Arrogance will look like a bad person, and might actually end up doing no good.

"Or maybe I should go." Bucky said, "My psychological endurance is still a bit stronger than yours, Steve. After all, I stayed in the Red House."

"Forget it, I'll go. You've done nothing proper in Hampton, you don't know this place at all. If we can't solve it tonight, we'll have to make another trip."

Natasha finished the water in her cup, glanced at them both and said: "You guess why he set the meeting for 9 p. m.?"

"Murder night in the dark and windy?" Steve replied instinctively.

Natasha stood up, sighed and said: "Now you two take me to the location of the Violet Holiday Resort. I'll go with him tonight."

Everyone looked at Natasha with admiration.