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[Strategic Science Corps]

Leaving the Caribbean Sea in Cuba, Forseti returned to the Sanctuary in New York. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered, a mage in the sanctuary asked in surprise, "Where are the other two?"

Forseti was startled. "Starka and Aletta didn't come back?"

"No," the mage shook his head.

Forseti frowned. What's the situation? Didn't I ask the Starka couple to return first? Are they still shopping, or did something happen?

Star Eagle was powerful and had few opponents on Earth. But now, Star Eagle no longer existed; Starka and Aletta had taken its place. Split into two, their power had severely weakened. Though still stronger than ordinary people on Earth, there was a risk. Maybe something had indeed happened.

Forseti immediately decided to visit the high-end clothing store named Kingsman in New York to find Starka and Aletta.

However, upon arrival, he confirmed that the two were not nearby.

While most humans were at energy level 1, a few strong ones could reach level 2. The Starka couple were at level 4, but Forseti used the Eye of Reckoning and saw no level 4 beings around. Clearly, they weren't there.

He went to the Kingsman store and asked the clerk, "Hello, a couple and I were here to buy clothes earlier today. Have you seen them since?"

"Sorry sir, I didn't notice," the clerk looked away.

Forseti was sure the clerk knew something but didn't want to say.

After a brief pause, Forseti flipped his hand and took out a stack of bills. "Tell me, where did they go?"

The stack was about one hundred thousand dollars. Seeing this, the clerk widened his eyes.

In this era, most people earned no more than a thousand dollars a year. A hundred thousand dollars equaled more than a hundred years of income for an ordinary person.

Previously thinking himself incorruptible, the clerk hesitated, then took the banknotes and spoke fluently, "Sir, I'm not doing this for the money, but for the sake of—"

"Not long after you left, two agents from the Strategic Science Corps came and asked about your situation, particularly yours. It seems they took the other two," the clerk interrupted.

Forseti frowned. "Strategic Science Corps?"

He felt he'd heard the name before.

The clerk shrugged. "I'm not sure, but it seems like an agency similar to the CIA."

Forseti asked a few more questions, fell silent, then turned to leave.

It seemed Starka and Aletta had been taken by this "Strategic Science Corps" after leaving the store. He didn't know the organization's location or personnel, so he decided to consult the mages of the Supreme Sanctuary or, failing that, a senior US government official.

The recent incident made him realize that having money made life easier on Earth today. He resolved to be better prepared in the future.

Lost in thought, Forseti headed to the Sanctuary in New York. Suddenly, he frowned and glanced back.

The path behind him was empty, but using the Eye of Reckoning, he spotted two figures hiding in a corner.

Both were energy level 2, rare among humans, elite warriors far beyond ordinary people—clearly not thugs.

Strategic Science Corps members?

Worried about finding them, Forseti walked over and faced a man in black. "Are you from the Strategic Science Corps?"

The man drew his pistol. "Don't move!"

Forseti disarmed him in a blink. Before the man could react, the pistol vanished. He fired in disbelief.

"Bang!" A bullet grazed Forseti's clothes.

Ignoring it, he faced the man and asked, "Are you from the Strategic Science Corps?"

The man twitched. "Yes..."

"Good. Take me to your chief," Forseti nodded, then gestured towards the shooter. "And tell him to stop."

...

After a few minutes, escorted by two agents, Forseti arrived at the Strategic Science Corps headquarters in New York—an unassuming office building.

With the Eye of Reckoning, he casually scanned the building. A quarter of its occupants were at level 2 or even level 3, a rarity among humans.

"Why did your Corps arrest my two friends?" Forseti asked.

"The agents were following orders," the man disclosed, unsure himself. "Our chief will clarify."

Forseti nodded. He followed them into the building and was led to an office.

The glass door read: Director Margaret Carter.

Carter?

Forseti paused, then remembered: this was S.H.I.E.L.D., the early version. Carter, Steve's old friend, now in charge.

"Director Carter," the agents announced, entering.

"What's the matter?" Carter looked up from her documents, seeing Forseti behind the agents.

"We've brought someone... He wanted to meet the Corps' commander," one agent explained.

Experienced, Carter sensed more to the story. Most likely, the two agents brought him in easily.

"Alright, let's talk," she said.

"Yes," the agents responded, leaving promptly.

Carter smiled at Forseti. "Please, have a seat. I'm Margaret Page Carter, Director of the Strategic Science Corps."

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