Chapter 64: Arc 2: Chapter 19: Welcoming

Erik's first meeting with May and Ben was perfect.

Merlin's cousin and brother-in-law had no plans for a child, but they were kind people; after hearing the disappearance of Erik's father, they were pitiful towards him.

The emotional May even suggested taking care of Erik as Merlin was in Europe, even adopting him.

But neither Merlin nor Erik would agree to May's request.

The reason was simple.

They were people with secrets, and these secrets could harm the innocent people around them, so they can only group together and advance alone.

But Merlin promised his cousin that he would let Erik come visit May every now and then, even live with them briefly, as to prevaricate his kind and gentle cousin.

After bidding the loving couple goodbye, Merlin, as promised, bought Erik the newest gaming console before returning him to the orphanage; there, he met with father Paul and asked him to take care of young Erik.

For this, Merlin even donated some money to St Matthew's Church and St Agnes Monastery.

It was embarrassing to always trouble them since father Paul was a priest, not a babysitter.

Merlin stayed in New York for one more day and leaves for Europe as soon as Fury finishes up with the procedures. At midnight, Merlin rides on a plane headed for London, what was waiting for him was a long-term redeployment that may last months and years.

Merlin sat on the plane and watched as New York city grew smaller, the recent events had made him tired.

He sets an alarm to ring after 5 and a half hours, drinks a cup of water, and falls into a deep sleep.

As Merlin left New York, outside a cafe in Brooklynn, a dissatisfied John Constantine was looking at the cafe in front of him with his hands in his pockets, fury flashing in his eyes.

4 hours ago, a letter was delivered to the apartment he rented, the letter was strictly worded, on it was the oral confessions for 5 local females accusing Constantine of sullying them; along with the letter were multiple pictures of the scenes of crime, as well as a resume of Constantine's nasty past in London.

Clearly, this was a threat, someone was using this way to 'remind' him.

And at the end of the letter was the address of this cafe, as well as an invitation.

"Fine, let me see, who's the daring fool to mess with the great John Constantine!"

The deadbeat detective cursed, he tidies himself, pushes the door, and enters the cafe. He's soon to notice a mysterious person sitting at the corner of the cafe.

The man had hidden his face behind an open newspaper seemingly reading about today's news, and there was a black briefcase by his feet.

"Bam"

Constantine furiously walks over, slams on the table, and says in a deep voice:

"You're the one messing with me?"

"Please sit, Mr. Constantine."

Nick Fury places down the newspaper in his hand and glances at the furious Constantine. He crossed his leg, extends his hand, and makes a 'please' gesture, he then says:

"Forget about the letter, it was just a small 'joke'."

Fury looked at the carefree yet nasty detective and says:

"I've been having a headache about some things lately, and a friend recommended you to me; he told me that you're the most capable of all the frauds in New York. So I'm thinking, that perhaps you can help me with them."

"Asking for help requires sincerity, Mr. Black."

Constantine sits on his chair and lights a cigar, ignoring the no-smoking sign in the cafe; he looks at Fury and says disdainfully:

"But I don't see your sincerity, so I don't plan on helping you. I'm here to tell you, mister, you trying to arrest me with some false rumors? In your dreams!"

The guy raises a middle finger at Fury and says:

"Go to hell, and take your friend with you!"

Fury looks at Constantine, unshaken by Constantine's humiliation. Instead, Fury sat there calmly as he hears the guy in front of him spew out countless curses, he patiently waited.

A few minutes later, the phone next to Fury's hand vibrates. He makes a 'stop' gesture to the non-stop cursing Constantine, picks up the phone, and places it next to his ear.

A dozen seconds later, he hangs up the call.

He crosses his fingers to support his jaw, he looks at Constantine with confidence in his sharp eyes and says:

"Mr. Constantine, 2 NYPD officers just discovered large quantities of drugs in your apartment, along with some fake cash, and some loot from robbery cases. At the same time, my subordinates discovered plenty of similarly malicious items in your unregistered and unlicensed detective agency."

"So, unfortunately, I have to announce that you are being arrested."

Fury throws a pair of handcuffs onto the table, clasps his hands together, and tells the shocked Constantine:

"According to federal law, you'll have to spend at least 7 years in prison, not to mention you've just insulted and threatened a public official, along with 4 females in NYPD giving oral confessions accusing you of partaking in thievery and fraud."

Fury stops and glances at Constantine, the latter had a bad expression.

Fury's tone deepens as he says:

"So your sentence will then be extended and you won't be able to be bailed. Now, has the cruel and cold truth claimed you down?"

"Are you willing to talk with me now?"

"Who the f**k are you?"

Constantine stared at Fury, the guy in front of him seemed to be very influential and skillful. He was hesitating whether or not to throw a strong Obliviate at him and turn the bastard in front of him into a complete idiot.

But alas he did not do so.

John Constantine was a smart man, a few minutes later, Constantine calms down, looks at Fury, and asks:

"What exactly do you need me for?"

"I need a list."

Fury takes a sip of coffee and tells Constantine:

"A watchlist of all supernatural beings in New York, I know you have your ways of finding them; I also know that you're a man who lacks professional ethics who'll do anything for money, so..."

"Bam"

Fury picks up the briefcase by his feet and places it on the table, he opens the briefcase, takes out a stack of money, hands them to Constantine, and tells him:

"These are the operating funds for the first phase. You'll have 2 months to bring the information of every supernatural being in Manhattan to me. Then onto the second phase, I'll evaluate your work, and if you've done it all neat and tidily..."

Fury turns the briefcase and reveals a lot of enticing money.

This made the deadbeat detective swallow his saliva.

He thinks for a few seconds, then swiftly takes the stack of money and puts it into his pocket. He blows a whistle and tells Fury in front of him with a smile:

"So it's business. You should've said so earlier, I'm more than willing to serve a lavish man like you. 2 months? No problem."

As he finishes, Constantine turns and prepares to leave, but Fury stops him.

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Fury hands him something, it was a black watch, he tells the stunned Constantine:

"Put it on so we can see your location. If you suddenly disappear, all of your criminal evidence will be sent to the police department...Mr. John, I know that for a wizard like you, you have plenty of ways to hide from us. But do believe that once you stand me up, I can assure you that your wanted posters will be on the walls of every city in North America."

Fury stands up, puts on his hat, picks up his briefcase, and tells the stunned Constantine:

"You can break the contract, you can run..."

"But if you ever live leisurely in North America afterward, count it as my loss!"

He reaches out and helps Constantine tidy his wrinkled jacket collar, he pats on Constantine's shoulder and says:

"Oh right, my friend Merlin sends his regards."

"Go back and take a rest, John, don't take too many drugs, you'll begin working tomorrow."

---

"Aiyaya, Merlin, my friend, we meet again."

At London Heathrow Airport, the person here to welcome Merlin was agent John Garrett, whom he fought alongside a few days back.

He helps Merlin with his luggage and walks him out of the airport.

London's weather was as bad as the rumors, on the day Merlin arrived, the day was like it was about to rain.

"I ordered a restaurant to welcome you, Merlin."

Garrett drove as he smoked on a cigar, this cowboy-like agent asks Merlin who was on the passenger seat:

"Is Fury alright in New York? Did Kohler come looking for trouble?"

"Of course."

Merlin had a helpless expression:

"I heard that Keller stormed into Fury's office and threatened to send him to prison, but Fury grabbed his gun and forced him out. The news has already spread around the department, Keller was disgraced, yet he couldn't punish Fury; I heard from Fury that Officer Pierce went wild in the Senate with his wounds, almost straight out naming whoever that plotted the coup."

"Heh, I knew they would do that."

Garrett shook his head, he had a relaxed expression as he said:

"Pierce is smart, he put the incident on the table for everyone to see, yet he let those that wanted him dead off the hook. They're soon to reach a mutual agreement...Keller may not be replaced immediately, but it'll be near impossible for him to call the shots in the SSR anymore."

"So you're saying, things aren't gonna end so soon?"

Merlin frowned and asked:

"I thought we'd already won."

"It's still early, Merlin."

Garrett let out a smoke ring from his mouth and says:

"Political bouts of this level don't end so easily, we've just taken one point back. It's still far from being truly finished, so we have to find a chance to get rid of Keller and his lackeys once and for all! And this has to be done fair and square, so no one can question it."

Garrett lets out a breath and tells Merlin:

"Alright, let's stop with the topic. I'll take you to the hotel, lay down your luggage, then we'll have a meal together."

"In a few more days, I'll take you to Paris. The SSR European Branch's main base is located there, all the agents there side with Fury, they're all trustworthy."

Garrett pats on Merlin's shoulder with a friendly attitude and says:

"Young man, now that you're here, you're truly home."

Agent Garrett's enthusiasm flattered Merlin. After entering London city, Merlin admires the view that's different from New York while asking Garrett:

"John, how long have you stayed in London?"

"It's been a long time."

Garrett answers:

"I've been in the European Branch ever since I joined the SSR. We have a base in London, so I spend at least 3 months in this city every year...to be honest, this city isn't the best to live in."

"Have you ever heard of some legends here in this city?"

Merlin glances at Garrett and pretends to ask randomly:

"Anything like urban legends, magic, wizards, etc. I personally like these stories."

"There's plenty."

Garrett turns the steering wheel dismissively and tells Merlin:

"London city itself is a legend, there are countless urban legends here, like Edward Scissorhands and something like that; there are even more about magic. If you really want to hear some, I'll tell you some interesting ones as we eat."

"Alright."

Merlin lets out a breath, he began to anticipate the upcoming meal.

"Also, Merlin, did you know..."

Garrett suddenly says:

"Officer Pierce values you greatly."

"Hmm?"

Merlin looks at Garrett and shakes his head:

"I don't know, that time in Panama was my first time meeting with him."

"Mmm, he does value you greatly."

Garrett smiles, he looks at the street in front of him and lightly says:

"He even called me himself to take good care of you and train you well. He says that you're the future of our organization."

"Oh, what an honor."

Merlin chuckles, so too does Garrett, he continues:

"Indeed, that's something to be honored about...attention from someone big always makes one feel honored. You may not realize it now, Merlin, but soon enough, you'll know how important Pierce's attention is to your future development. "

"Alright, here's the hotel!"

"Get some rest, kid. I'll pick you at up 9-pm tonight!"

 

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