Many of the younger generations harbour certain narrow prejudices about the bygone nation, including a critical one—that those people were atheists, thoroughgoing disbelievers in God.
Only the chosen ones can ascend to heaven, this is a consensus belief held by all. Are atheists the chosen ones? Of course not.
In the religious environment in which they were immersed, despite the differences in specifics among various branches, one thing was certain—whether or not believers could go to heaven was a question left unanswered, but heretics definitely could not.
Furthermore, atheists aren't even heretics. They don't believe in the existence of gods at all. So, how can they be accepted by God?
Therefore, when they saw Shiller at the end of the corridor, walking towards them, everyone was dumbstruck.
"Oh, you're here," Shiller looked at his watch and said, "Just in time. It seems those fellas didn't screw up…"
"Alright, follow me, someone's waiting for you." Shiller tilted his head slightly, turned around to walk forward, but when he looked back, he found that none of them had moved, so he said:
"I know you're confused about why you're here, and you're even more puzzled as to why I'm here. But, you need to give me some time to explain everything to you."
"He's the devil! He's the devil!" A female congresswoman screamed, she kept making the sign of the cross on her chest and then said, "This is God's final test to me. I can't fear him in order to gain approval from God!"
"He's the embodiment of our fear; we must not submit to him…"
Shiller sighed and signaled to the two wolf-headed beings. They raised their long spears, the glow of the spears could inflict direct damage to souls.
The soul nearest to the spear, initially feebly animated, let out a scream as smoke rose from its body, fleeing towards the opposite end of the corridor.
The wolf-headed being at the far end, impatiently jolted the spear into the ground. A light shield appeared near the window, blocking the escaping souls.
He glanced at Shiller, Shiller nodded at him. The wolf-headed being instantly turned into a giant tiger-wolf and swallowed the soul in one bite. He then returned to human form amidst the dark fog and muttered, "Master Anubis, this isn't even enough to get stuck in between my teeth."
Having said this, he shook his ears and flashed his fangs at the remaining souls.
Seeing rows upon rows of sharp teeth and shards of soul still glowing dimly between them trying to escape, everyone fled in all directions.
Shiller took a step back and moved aside allowing the generals and congressmen's soul to rush headlong into the one open conference room.
The conference room was brightly lit, no frightening wolf-headed beings, no Shiller, but everyone who rushed in froze.
This was a standard circular-stepped conference room, with a podium in the center and circular-stepped seating all around. At present, a few people were already seated in the front row.
What surprised them were these people - Stark, Steve, Peter, Nick, Dora, who were seated neatly in a row.
And as everyone entered, they squinted their eyes in unison, giving a real 'death stare'.
Shiller, the last one to enter, slammed the door of the conference room shut.
The general leading the crowd shouted, "Shiller Rodericks! What are you playing at?! How dare you brainwash us and make us believe in this outrageous hoax..."
Shiller took a seat in the front row and said," You can believe this is a hoax, we'll see if you'll wake up in reality after you get ripped into pieces and swallowed by the Jackals."
Shiller took out his phone, seeming to send a message, then tapped the edge of the table with his other hand, "Gentlemen, don't just stand there, you're experts at sitting down for talks."
At this point, Nick Fury stood up to organize the order. He walked up front, shook hands with the general, and said," General Manly, long time no see. We haven't met since Congress."
The general's hand stiffened; he had seen Nick Fury's body with his own eyes.
He was older than the other military officers, but not old enough to retire yet. A former special forces soldier, he had served in military combat. So he was absolutely certain that the person in the coffin is no robot double.
The pierced heart, the shattered ribcage, the color of the skin after the blood has ceased to flow—those were the traits of a typical corpse, not some clumsy disguise.
But now, the man standing in front of him was still Nick Fury, robust, and energetic. The firmness of his handshake was exactly the same.
The other people who saw Nick Fury standing before them again were stunned. The degree to which they did not understand the current situation was staggering. They did not understand any aspect of the current situation.
Why would a black man go to Heaven? Why would an agent go to Heaven? Why would the S.H.I.E.L.D Director go to Heaven? Why would Nick Fury go to Heaven?????
Seeing them still milling at the door, Nick warmly said, "Come in, please sit, let's talk while we sit."
Some people tried to turn around and leave the meeting room, only to find two werewolves blocking the entrance. The image of their comrades being torn apart and swallowed was still fresh in their minds.
If there were any real merits to be found among these people, if one were truly panning for gold in excrement, the only precious nugget discovered would be that they all tended to know which way the wind was blowing.
Everyone followed suit and sat on the other side of the table. Shiller continued to tap away at his phone, not raising his head until everyone was seated. He then put his phone down, stood up from his chair, and walked to the entrance.
Strange, in a suit, opened the door and walked in. He shook hands with Shiller, who patted his arm, saying: "You've come just in time, our guests have just taken their seats."
Strange nodded, and behind him, Loki, also dressed in a suit, entered and sat down in the row where Stark was seated.
Shiller made some space, Strange walked in front of the podium. He glanced at the materials in his hand and started to speak,
"Firstly, we give thanks to God for allowing us to gather at this very juncture, the blessings of the Lord extending to every corner of the world, perpetually illuminating the Earth...."
"I, Stephen Strange, as a member of the human race, Supreme Magician, and leader of the Sanctuary of the Nine Realms, attend this accident investigation meeting with a heavy heart today."
"The Sanctuary of the Nine Realms, being the only fair and reliable third party in the Solar System, and even among the Nine Major Kingdoms, entrusted by the Royal Houses of Asgard, the Hell Dimension and its ten equivalent dimensions, and Kamar-Taj, the highest organization for the study and research of magic on Earth, to investigate and judge this incident involving the unexpected deaths of the major talents of the Pan-human civilization...."
"First, a representative from the Royal House of Asgard, one of the Nine Major Kingdoms, will make a statement. Mr. Odin Sen, please take the stand...."
Strange put down his materials, Loki came forward, shook hands with him, then stood in front of the podium. Loki lowered his head, expressing a look of grief, and spoke in a stern voice,
"Since time immemorial, the Asgard royal family has been paying close attention to and holding high expectations for Midgard's development. As a prince of Asgard, I bring you a message from Odin the Father of All Gods, and the Divine King Thor."
"His Majesty the God King has expressed deep regret about this incident." Loki looked around the room, then lowered his head and continued to read from his notes, "The Asgard royal family has always believed that the infinite potential of humanity lies within humans themselves. Your wisdom and creativity are the foundation of the vitality of the Nine Major Kingdoms. The geniuses among you will inevitably lead the human race and the Nine Major Kingdoms further ahead."
"It is with great regret that, over a month ago, with the death of Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, as a signal, a horrifying tragedy took place on Earth...."
"Strong and kind people, people of high morality, people of extraordinary brilliance... one by one stellar talents have fallen, while Asgard, towering above the Nine Major Kingdoms, hears the cry of civilization and the cosmos."
"His Majesty the God King will never tolerate anyone trying to sever the foundation of the Nine Major Kingdoms. Therefore, on behalf of the Asgard royal family, I pledge to observe the full course of the accident investigation and ensure that everything is in accordance with reason, legality, and regulations, to avenge the deceased and protect the living...."
The moment Loki finished speaking, the room erupted into applause. To that, Strange, back on the podium, said, "We've always held the Asgard royal family in the highest regard. His Majesty Thor Odinson, the God King, views all the citizens of the Nine Major Kingdoms as his own children. I believe he will never stand idle and watch his subjects being murdered for no reason. He will surely bring everyone justice...."
"Next, let us welcome the representative from Hell Dimension and its ten equivalent dimensions, the Lord of the Hell Dimension, Mephisto, who is cursed with Eternity, to connect remotely with us and express his views on the incident."
With a wave of Strange's hand, a magical screen appeared behind the podium, and Mephisto, seated on his throne, his body set ablaze with hellfire. Behind him were devils exposing their sharp teeth and laughing sadistically, the cries of countless souls echoing around, making people shudder.
"I am Mephisto, the Lord of the Hell Dimension. Of course, the Hell Resurrection Division is in the process of construction in the United Heaven. We welcome everyone to use our resurrection channel...."
"Please remember 'Mephisto, cursed with Eternity,' if you see a man in a robe who speaks Eastern language approaches you, do not believe him. Only we are the original Hell...."
"Hell Dimension provides the most professional resurrection service. Our service personnel are the most professional devils. In addition to selling quota spots, we also support signing contracts. Besides lump-sum payments, we also accept installments...."
Strange coughed lightly twice. Mephisto paused then stated, "....I feel extremely heartbroken! Deeply aggrieved!"
"Humans, such a fragile species. You have become so weak that both your bodies and souls can be easily crushed and yet you still engage in mutual aggression and harm of your own kind."
"I take pleasure in such actions... I mean, I mourn deeply. This is absolutely unkind! It has brought horror to humanity! Oh, my god, I can't even speak anymore, how could someone so malicious exist? Who would harm his own fragile and helpless species?!"
"This incident not only led to the loss of humans but also served as a wake-up call for Hell. A civilization that cannot unite will eventually be ruined."
"Today, I am here not only to witness the incident investigation and trial but also to let all of Hell's devils learn the importance of unity, to prevent such incidents from recurring in Hell...."
Mephisto nodded slightly, after the magic screen disappeared, Strange put on the garb of the Supreme Magician, waved his cape, and stood in front of the podium, saying,
"Kamar-Taj strongly condemns this event! It is a persecution of human civilization! Brutal, vile, utterly shocking!"