Chapter 5023

I think that address is fake. As we walked out of the meeting room, Peter said to Shiler, Pepper is very likely not in Jotunheim, how could Iron Man not think of that...

He knows, but he just wants to go there once.

Why? What's there?

Reed Richards. Shiler said, After the civil war ended, they probably haven't met yet, and there's a lot to talk about.

Like what? Peter asked.

As for Reed's situation, Iron Man has only heard about it, he can't be sure whether Jotunheim is really a prison, he needs to go see for himself to feel at ease. After all, if he really is being liquidated, that should be his destination.

I can't understand. Peter said, If he's locked up in there, wouldn't it be pointless to change whether it's a prison or not? Or is it that he now finds the conditions inside bad and could still get a refit or something?

You don't understand. Iron Man is very eager to find an ally for himself, and this person can only be Reed Richards, because the other party caused more trouble than he did. Whether it's to check on his current situation or to vent complaints to him, it can greatly relieve psychological pressure.

I see. Peter nodded, I feel he's just going to curse the Revival Alliance together with Reed Richards.

More or less. He thinks Reed will definitely stand with him, complain about the Revival Alliance and Thor's affairs, or maybe even want Reed to help him out so he won't be liquidated.

What about Pepper then? Peter asked again, a bit worried, She's been kidnapped, she could be in mortal danger at any moment, are we just going to ignore that?

Still the same thing, Iron Man doesn't think Pepper will betray him, so naturally he's not in a hurry to save her. But, the Revival Alliance will definitely try. Shiler said, Haven't those assassins already been caught?

The employer definitely won't show up in person. Peter said, Even if Professor X goes to check their memories, it might not yield useful clues. I think we should start from a technical angle.

One is coordinate jamming technology, the other is a teleportation technology that makes two people suddenly disappear. Who could possibly have both technologies at once? Peter pondered while speaking.

Not necessarily the same person. Shiler said, A magic-wielding hacker is hard to find, but if mages team up with hackers, it makes much more sense.

Makes sense. From the mage's angle, it definitely isn't Doctor Strange. Stephen wouldn't do something like this no matter what, and his mages are unlikely too. Could it be Loki?

It's no wonder Peter suspected Loki so quickly, his recent appearances have been frequent, making it easy for people to think he's up to something.

If the mage is Loki, then who is the hacker? Peter stroked his chin in thought.

Have you eaten at the Revival Alliance cafeteria? Shiler asked, I think we can go get breakfast.

Peter glanced at the outside sky, it was almost dawn. So he nodded and said: I've eaten a few times, there's nothing special here, but the taste is passable. I'll take you there, Professor.

The two walked together toward the Revival Alliance cafeteria. Shiler then asked: What do you think of the position of Minister of Strategic Security?

Peter froze for a moment, then said: Isn't it that Luther Group wants this position?

Then what do you think, is Nick genuinely intending to give it?

How could it be? Peter sighed, Nick couldn't have failed to notice, Luther means no good. If it weren't for being too short on money, he definitely wouldn't nod and let such a dangerous person take this position.

Then you'd better be careful. Shiler sat down in his seat, then said: Nick wants to take money without doing anything, the best way is to find someone to go up against Luther, and this person is very likely you.

Me? Peter was a bit surprised.

When Luther hasn't appeared, the news that Nick favors you for this position has already spread out, Natasha's suggestion was merely a probe. Now if we don't want Luther to take over, or want to put some checks on him, the best way is to get you to step forward.

I really don't want to go. Peter looked a bit troubled, Although I also don't like Alexander Luther, if he really wants to fund the Revival Alliance, what reason do I have to cause him trouble?

This isn't something you can avoid just by not wanting to cause him trouble. Shiler put it very plainly, Nick will surely make you deputy minister, let you hold real power, and sideline Luther. That way you can get the money without worrying about him causing trouble.

I owe Nick a favor. Peter said, If he really wants me to go, then I'll just have to go. But dealing with Luther...

Peter sighed, looking lacking in confidence. He finished ordering, put the menu aside, then said: You said I should go find Superman? I heard they're arch-enemies...

That's not necessarily true. Shiler said bluntly, Following this situation's development, his arch-enemy should be you.

Peter smiled helplessly: I heard he's the smartest person on Earth, becoming rivals with someone like that isn't a good thing. But if he also happens to be a bad guy, then I have no choice but to oppose him.

Being both Batman's teacher and Luther's opponent, I'm a bit worried about your health. Shiler added.

Can you tell me about him? Peter asked curiously, I've heard little about him in the multiverse.

This universe's Luther should be quite young. Shiler thought and said, Not much older than Bruce, probably around college age. As for wisdom... probably smarter than Bruce. But even if he's smarter, at this age, he won't be very seasoned.

The people in that universe really do seem a bit impatient. Peter commented, Back during the civil war, that was the case, many people were very impulsive. Speaking honestly, if it weren't for their reckless charging, the civil war might not have turned out so tragic.

Weren't you the same in your teenage years? Shiler chuckled.

Peter also laughed along. Obviously, when he was still little Spider-Man, he also didn't lack impulsiveness. Just back then, there wasn't such a complex environment, so naturally it wouldn't have led to such evil consequences as civil war.

I heard Luther is also a very formidable scientist. Peter paused before saying, I hope he's like Iron Man, just really good at inventions, with no talent in business and politics. Otherwise I'm in trouble.

Talent aside, he's definitely petty. Shiler warned, If you're going to contend with him for power, you definitely need to watch his back...

He hadn't finished speaking when his phone suddenly rang. Peter picked up the call, and suddenly widened his eyes: What???

After hanging up, he slowly lowered his hand, as if he'd lost his soul. Shiler looked at him with concern, and after a while, Peter came to, looked at Shiler and said: Professor, what did you say earlier?

What?

'A magic-wielding hacker is hard to find.' Peter repeated Shiler's words verbatim, then said, as if laughing from anger, Not talented, it's precisely this humble one.

Shiler also froze: They suspect you?

Peter nodded and said: I am indeed the only one with relatively high electronic information technology skills who also knows magic teleportation.

But you're Spider-Man. Shiler raised an irrefutable objection: If someone thinks Spider-Man would go kidnap people, he should go see a psychiatrist.

Peter didn't say anything like 'I'm not that anymore,' he just slowly sat down, then began to think, and said: This won't be a coincidence. The Revival Alliance wouldn't suspect me without evidence. They might have found something related to me, and those things were planted on me by the mastermind.

I do have quite a few enemies, but they wouldn't use this method. I haven't offended anyone recently, except... Peter looked up, Alexander Luther.

Professor, if as you said, Nick wants me to be Minister of Strategic Security, and Luther also has his eyes on this position, then he has a reason to deal with me. Right?

This tactic is indeed something he would use. Shiler nodded, He wants to achieve three goals with one move: kidnap Pepper, get Iron Man's secrets; through forged coordinates to stir up conflict between Iron Man and Reed, causing chaos; then pin the kidnapping on you, so you can't join the Revival Alliance, allowing him to successfully infiltrate.

Looks like he really is quite smart. Peter's expression also turned somewhat solemn.

Shiler, however, was sizing him up. The Amazing Spider-Man is indeed mature; if it were another little Spider-Man, by now he'd have bounced up in anger, but Peter still has a few shrewd calculations.

But then again, after going through so much, even a big banana would have gained wisdom, let alone Peter Parker himself, who is quite smart. Of course, Shiler also believes his teaching career has smoothed out many of his rough edges.

The Revival Alliance won't investigate me. Peter said, No superhero would think I'd go kidnap Pepper. Carter called, even just telling me this happened, didn't ask me to come over, proving everyone thinks this is baseless, not even willing to put on a show.

Because even if they did put on a show, it would make them look stupid. Shiler said, In this world with double the number of supervillains to suspect, choosing Spider-Man as the first investigation target would really make people laugh their heads off. Even clowns don't want to be such clowns.

Peter smiled and said: This proves Luther doesn't understand our side well enough, he doesn't grasp what kind of brand Spider-Man is. Even in the multiverse, no one would suspect Spider-Man, his such framing attempt will only expose his own lack of skill.

Now it seems he hasn't shot down a single bird. Shiler said, Pepper won't easily betray Iron Man, so he can't get intel; Iron Man won't be that impulsive hero saving the beauty, instead giving them a chance to reunite and collude; on you too he's caused no effect, but rather exposed his own shortcomings.

Peter lowered his head, cutting the food on his plate: Most importantly, letting Nick Fury know his level is very dangerous. That agent head isn't someone to provoke.

Shiler lowered his head and glanced at his phone. Seeing Natasha had sent him a message. Shiler put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth, and then said: "You go back and rest first, I'll go up for a bit."

After leaving the restaurant, Shiler took the elevator to the top floor. Arriving at the door of Nick Fury's office, he knocked. Seeing Natasha came over to open the door, and there was another person inside—Amanda Waller.

Obviously, she had also joined the Renaissance Alliance and was possibly a member of Anquan Force. But neither Natasha nor Nick introduced her to Shiler, and Amanda didn't introduce herself either—she just came over and shook hands. However, Shiler didn't find it strange; many agents were classified personnel, and he was now an outsider, so no introduction was necessary. Still, he turned and glanced at Natasha.

"Professor, we highly suspect that Alexander Luthor kidnapped Pepper and is trying to frame Peter Parker for it." Natasha stated the conclusion directly.

Shiler nodded. It wasn't surprising that the Renaissance Alliance could figure it out. Luther's move wasn't particularly clever—it had the feel of real-name retaliation, and his shallow experience couldn't match Nick, the old fox of this universe, which was entirely normal.

"What do you need me to do?" Shiler asked.