Steve's Choice

"Steve, whatever decision you make, I support you."

Steve gripped Peggy's hand tightly, as if he were holding the whole world in his grasp.

"I'm sorry, Peggy."

Steve's voice was low and hoarse, filled with remorse.

Peggy heard his apology, and although she was prepared, she still couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

Her eyes dimmed for a moment, but quickly regained their composure.

Steve picked up the pen, signed his name without hesitation, and the contract vanished in an instant, turning into flames.

After signing the contract, Steve felt something shatter inside him, making a crisp cracking sound—it was the belief he had always held onto.

"Steve ..."

Peggy was stunned.

Steve picked up the medicine from the table and plunged it into Peggy's arm.

"I'm sorry I wasted your time, I'm sorry I let you down, I'm sorry I was selfish..."

Steve kept muttering to himself, tears welling up in his eyes.

How could one so easily abandon a belief that has stood for decades?

Peggy's signs of aging began to fade, and the clothes around her chest gradually became fuller.

However, there was no joy on her face, only heartache and worry for Steve.

But as a woman, she felt somewhat relieved, knowing that Steve wouldn't disappear one day.

No, you will always be my hero.

Peggy hugged Steve, letting him cry freely in her arms.

I don't know how much time has passed.

Steve looked up, a glimmer of hope rekindling in his eyes.

"Peggy, come dance with me!"

"Okay, you can jump for as long as you want."

Peggy smiled, a smile as beautiful and warm as a flower blooming in spring.

The two embraced tightly, as if at that moment, the whole world consisted only of the two of them.

S.H.I.E.L.D..

"Sir, Nick Fury has detected something amiss. Summon all relevant personnel to the conference room."

Sitwell hurriedly pushed open the door and entered to report to Pierce.

"Understood. Also, you should call him 'Chief' at the bureau."

Pierce remained calm, his pen continuously making annotations on the document without looking up.

"Yes, sir. Why don't we just eliminate everyone in the hospital? That would minimize the risk of exposure."

Sitwell frowned, looking puzzled.

"Because that demon king dislikes senseless killing, we'll need to change our approach from now on."

Pierce put down his pen, leaned back in his chair, and stared intently.

"Sir, why should we curry favor with the Demon King? Our people are everywhere in this country, and with Project Insight, we're just one step away from world domination."

This is what Sitwell never understood: even if the opponent is a demon king, we just shouldn't oppose him.

Why relinquish the throne before you and yield it to the other?

Pierce stared at the ceiling, his eyes somewhat unfocused. He recalled the video of the Demon King fighting in Hell, his power akin to that of a god.

"You don't understand. Since the appearance of the Demon King, this world has been undergoing drastic changes. The number of Mutants has surged, and gods have descended. All of this indicates that this world can no longer be controlled by weapons and conspiracies."

Therefore, we need a leader to guide us, and the Demon King is the most suitable candidate."

Pierce's voice was deep and weathered.

"But sir, can't you?" Sitwell looked at Pierce, his eyes full of respect and expectation.

"I can't. If I were younger, I would be willing to take the risk, but I'm too old. The other two factions of Hydra will not submit to me."

They are too young, thinking they can get everything they want through scheming and trickery, but they will only bring about their own destruction. Therefore, in order for Hydra to continue, I must hand Hydra over to the Demon King before I die."

Pierce sighed, his wrinkles deepening, his gaze revealing both helplessness and a resolute determination for the greater good.

Sitwell fell silent, seemingly trying to process Pierce's words.

After a long while, he slowly nodded and said, "Sir, I understand. I will submit to the Demon King."

"Alright, you can go to the conference room now, time's almost up."

"Yes!"

Pierce shook his head as he watched Sitwell's retreating figure.

Initially, he wanted to groom Sitwell as his successor, but he was too honest and lacked ambition, so he could only be an assistant.

Just as I was about to continue working on the documents, I suddenly caught a glimpse of a dark figure out of the corner of my eye.

Without the slightest hesitation, Pierce pulled out the pistol from the hidden compartment and aimed it at the target.

"Demon King?"

Pierce was taken aback.

"Hello, Alexander Pierce."

Kino smiled slightly and sat calmly on the sofa.

Pierce put down his gun, composed himself, walked over, and started brewing tea, just like an old friend.

"Honestly, you didn't even tell me you were coming. I didn't prepare anything."

Pierce said in Chinese

Kino's smile deepened; who wouldn't like such a meticulously organized event?

"I just arrived. You gave me a gift, so I thought I'd have some time to come and visit."

"I'm glad you're satisfied." Pierce breathed a sigh of relief, secretly glad he hadn't said anything bad about the Demon King.

"Would Hydra be interested in working for me?" Kino asked casually.

"Of course I'd like to, but the other two factions within Hydra might not agree."

"It doesn't matter, I'm asking you."

"I do, long live the Demon King!"

Pierce instinctively stood up and raised his right hand, his expression one of utmost reverence.

Kino pulled out a contract, Pierce signed it readily.

"Find some time to coordinate with Tom on personnel matters, including all of S.H.I.E.L.D..'s high-tech gadgets and collectibles. Oh, and do you have the Cosmic Cube?" Kino asked.

"Yes, Boss. He's currently in a secret base where Nick Fury is researching energy weapons. Does the Boss need him? He'll be here in an hour."

"Hold your positions for now, keep things as they are, and don't let Nick Fury find out," Kino waved his hand.

He also needs Nick Fury to lure in the Chitauri.

Pierce nodded respectfully. "Yes, Chief, I understand."

"And they sent Bucky to the Demon Group to break his brainwashing."

"Understood, Chief."

Pierce agreed to all of Kino's requests without hesitation.

At this moment, all he wanted was to do his best to satisfy Kino in order to secure his and Hydra's space for survival and development in the new power structure.

Kino smiled slightly and put down a bottle of medicine.