Legal Clash at the Border Portal, the Illuminati Envoy's Overreach

The air at C-7 Portal was cold and had a metallic, metallic smell.

This is the outermost physical passageway within the jurisdiction of the Negative Zone Management Committee. A massive valve, composed of Composite Armor and Energy Matrix, is currently under the highest level of lockdown. Beyond the valve lies an independent void Anchor known as the "Buffer Zone," where a sleek, silver-white shuttle-shaped spaceship hovers silently.

Stability Maintenance Office Director Hela, stood in front of the main observation window, silently watching the ship.

Behind her, two squads of Undead Guard stood in standard combat formation, their black and gold armor reflecting no light under the emergency lights, like frozen sculptures. They were law enforcers, not an army. This was Lynn's exact words emphasized in the communication.

Hela's fingers unconsciously caressed the hilt of the sword at her waist. This subtle movement was the only manifestation of the murderous intent in her heart at this moment.

The voice of a subordinate from the Liaison Office Communicator came through the communicator.

"Director, we've received a communication from someone claiming to be Baron Cagliostro, a special envoy of the Earth-838 Illuminati, requesting the immediate opening of a physical portal for personnel handover."

"Tell him that, according to Article 7 of the ' Negative Zone Border Port Management Regulations,' all inbound personnel and vehicles must undergo identity verification and security quarantine in the Buffer Zone." Hela's voice was flat.

"Yes."

After a brief silence, the Communicator rang again.

"Reporting to the Director, the other party refused to accept verification, claiming to possess the highest level of immunity, and reiterated their demand for immediate release."

Hela's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

"Knew."

She cut off the communication and turned to her adjutant, ordering, "Prepare the vehicle and proceed to Platform Three."

The Platform Three is a meeting point specifically designed for non-physical contact with the Buffer Zone. A thick energy barrier completely separates the platform from the void.

When Haila arrived, a man dressed in a dark green mage's robe, with an arrogant expression, was already waiting on the other side of the barrier. Behind him stood two silent guards.

It was Baron Mordo.

He saw Hela and the two squads of guards behind her, exuding Aura of Death, and a hint of contempt flashed in his eyes.

"Are you in charge here?" Mordo asked, his tone almost interrogative.

Hela did not answer this question.

"I am Hela Odinson, Director the Stability Maintenance Office of the Negative Zone Management Committee." She announced her position, her voice as cold as iron. "According to the records, your entry application lacks the necessary pre-approval procedures."

Mordo thought he'd heard a joke.

He raised his hand, and a virtual dossier made of energy unfolded before him—the same Multidimensional Security Mutual Recognition Memorandum that Gwen Stacy had seen in Kamar-Taj.

"Look closely, this is a top-level memorandum jointly signed by the Sorcerer Supreme Council and the Illuminati." Mordo's voice suddenly rose, "It grants us unilateral law enforcement immunity in your Dimension when dealing with ' Catastrophe-Level Variant '."

He took a step forward, approaching the energy barrier, his gaze extremely oppressive.

"Now, in my capacity as a special Illuminati, I demand that you immediately hand over all those on the Extradition List. Don't try to stall for time with your ridiculous internal regulations; this memorandum carries greater weight than any of your rules."

Hela listened quietly as he finished speaking.

She didn't even glance at the memo, as if it were just a meaningless piece of scrap paper.

This disregard caused Mordo's face to darken.

"Mr. Special Envoy," Hela finally spoke, "the Liaison Office is currently conducting an archival review and validity assessment of the historical memorandum you mentioned. Until the assessment results are available, it cannot serve as the basis for your quarantine exemption."

Mordo frowned.

"Secondly," Hela continued, speaking at a measured pace, "According to the recently signed Cross-Dimension Coordination Mechanism Bilateral Memorandum our side and the Time Variance Authority, the Negative Zone, as Multiverse Special Coordination Zone, possesses independent judicial and administrative Jurisdiction. Any extradition request involving our core personnel must go through the Coordination Office jointly established by both parties, undergoing formal document circulation and review procedures."

She looked up, her icy gaze fixed on Mordo.

"Your so-called 'unilateral enforcement power' conflicts with our existing Bilateral Agreement in law. According to the rules, it should be temporarily frozen and submitted to a higher authority for adjudication."

For the first time, a crack appeared in the arrogance on Mordo's face.

To his surprise, the other party was not intimidated by his imposing manner and historical documents, but instead brought out a set of "rules" that he had never heard of before to confront him.

Time Variance Authority? Bilateral Memorandum?

These words, like precise punches, struck at the weak points of all his prepared rhetoric.

"Absurd!" He forcibly suppressed his shock and suspicion, and shouted sternly, "I've never heard of any Coordination Office! This is just a fabricated excuse you made up to evade law enforcement!"

"You can verify with TVA," Hela said calmly. "While you're verifying, please wait patiently in the Buffer Zone. We will provide you with supplies as per regulations."

After she finished speaking, she prepared to turn and leave.

This decisive and uncompromising attitude thoroughly enraged Mordo.

He came here to carry out orders and to demonstrate the authority of the Illuminati, not to engage in bureaucratic wrangling with an indigenous official from a remote Dimension.

"Halt!" Mordo shouted.

Hela stopped, but did not turn around.

"I'm warning you one last time," Mordo's voice turned icy. "This Extradition List was jointly signed by the Seven Councilors of the Illuminati, representing the supreme will of Earth-838. To obstruct us is to be an enemy of the entire universe."

He watched Hela's retreating figure and spoke, word by word.

"Don't force us to use even tougher measures."

Hela finally slowly turned around.

For the first time, a smile that could be described as "kind" appeared on her face.

"Mr. Special Envoy, I would also like to remind you," she said in a cold, businesslike tone, "that according to the ' Negative Zone Management Committee Jurisdiction Security Law,' any unauthorized attempt to interfere in our internal affairs through force or pressure from higher authorities will be considered a 'serious provocation.'"

"The Stability Maintenance Office has the authority to take all necessary measures to safeguard the sovereignty and security of its jurisdiction without prior authorization."

Her smile, in Mordo's eyes, was more piercing than the sharpest blade.

Mordo stared intently at her, his chest heaving. All his threats and inducements had been effortlessly deflected by her meticulously crafted set of rules and regulations.

He felt like he had punched cotton, no, he had punched a piece of steel wrapped in cotton.

After a long while, the anger on Mordo's face slowly faded, turning into a cold smile.

"Very good."

He put away the virtual memo.

"It seems you're determined to take the path of confrontation."

Mordo turned away, seemingly unwilling to waste any more words.

"Since you insist on discussing procedures, then we'll give you the most thorough procedures possible."

He raised his head, his voice not loud, yet it clearly pierced through the energy barrier.

"If we do not see any substantial progress within 24 hours, the Illuminati directly initiate the mandatory adjudication process of ' Project Insight '."