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Chapter 536: Schiller's Forte (2)

What is the best era?

Perhaps everyone has their own answer.

Stark feels that the best era is the present. Humanity is about to enter the vast expanse of the stars, and he will achieve greater accomplishments than his father.

Steve thinks that the best era was the previous one, the era that belonged to him – a pure yet grand era filled with waves.

Nick Fury thinks that the best era is always the next one; unknown enemies mean more funding.

But if we add an adjective in front of this question, for the civilization of Humanity, which era is the best?

It's the era of distant confrontation and strongest competition.

In that era known as the Cold War, the two superpowers engaged in all-encompassing competition. During that time, all the genius and wisdom of Humanity were unleashed. When the twin suns rose, a thousand stars ascended.

In that era, there was a red giant striving to comprehend Humanity's great ideals, and there was a world lighthouse that never settled for mediocrity, gazing at the sea of stars.

In that silent era, tiny sparks of friction were ignited. Even today, they continue to illuminate the fire of science and technology.

However, the fall of the red giant did not mean the other side won. It can be said that both of them lost, and so did the civilization of Humanity.

The once brilliant lighthouse, no longer needed to illuminate the night sky or guide ships home, grew old and its wires began to decay, dust covering its light bulbs.

This lighthouse that gradually faded away will no longer be polished by night watchmen, for it's no longer necessary.

They won't rescue ships stranded in the distance, and no one can blame them anymore. The sailors caught in storms and waves thousands of miles away won't turn to another path just because they stood by.

At this point, everyone believes that the best and worst era has passed and will never return.

Although the roaring flames made of countless sparks have extinguished, now another fire is kindled.

It's a fire within a person, incomparable to the once mighty giants. However, his abilities are immensely powerful, so he marches alone.

The terrifying and alluring Red Skull returns to Earth once again. He didn't resurrect, yet he did resurrect.

What changes will Professor X, who holds a firm communist ideology, bring to Earth?

Perhaps the only change is that the deceased soul has been brought back. She reaches out her arm, embracing Earth, and from high above in the sky, she watches over everything here.

The lighthouse better shine brightly, or we will make it shine.

In the office of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick hangs up the telephone. In an unusual serious tone, he says to Coulson beside him:

"Notify everyone, get ready for a meeting!"

The light bulbs in the corridor start illuminating one by one. A group of people led by Nick swiftly crosses the corridor. By the time they enter the meeting room, more people are already waiting there. Nick stands at the front and scans the room. His first words explode like thunder.

"Tomorrow, in the meeting of the permanent members of the United Nations, we will vote to pass the global united Solar System construction plan."

"I've received orders from Congress. Starting now, S.H.I.E.L.D. is fully responsible for the coordination and arrangement of supernatural forces in the Solar System construction plan."

"In the coming period, manpower will be tight. So, I don't care where you come from or who you've served before. Now, you are all part of Humanity. As Humanity stands at the threshold of stepping into space, we must stand together."

"In the upcoming period, the intelligence work at the Central Intelligence Agency related to technology protection and investigation will gradually cease. Some agents will be transferred to S.H.I.E.L.D. I hope you can get along well with your new colleagues."

Nick's expression is very serious, without the carefree attitude of the past. He says:

"Perhaps you have already investigated and understood what we are facing. If we don't perform well, there will be others willing to take our place."

Meanwhile, in the office of the Central Intelligence Agency, Marc looks up at his boss with a serious expression. He asks with some confusion, "What's going on? Is there something wrong with my resignation letter?"

"Yes," his boss replies.

"Uh, which part wasn't clear? I can rewrite it." Marc immediately offers.

"The problem is, you can't resign."

"Why?" Marc asks in surprise. He doesn't understand why his boss's attitude has done a 180-degree turn.

Previously, due to unfavorable investigations about Schiller, his boss was very dissatisfied and causing trouble at every turn.

Marc wanted to resign due to his poor mental state, and his boss verbally agreed, only asking for a resignation letter. However, unexpectedly, his boss changed his mind.

Marc's boss walks over, pats Marc's shoulder, and says, "The global united Solar System plan is of significant importance. I've heard that the higher-ups intend to form a united Earth government to better lead Humanity into space."

Marc's eyes were nearly popping out of his head. He said, "United Earth government?? What's going on? What happened? Didn't they say not long ago that the Solar System construction plan had too much controversy and the division of Solar System territories was difficult? How did they suddenly unite?"

His boss clearly knew more than Marc. He sighed and said, "Because the biggest obstacles have disappeared. Congress has come to their senses, and the Russian side came to their senses even faster than they did."

"Why? Why did they suddenly come to their senses?"

"Because Congress doesn't want Soviet Union to resurrect, and Russia wants it even less than they do."

"So, Marc, throw your resignation letter in the trash and get ready to continue contributing to the civilization of Humanity."

Marc's face, full of astonishment, gradually changed. His expression transformed from surprise to that of Natasha's. She had the same astonished expression, gaping at Nick in front of her, asking:

"Termination of investigation?? Reinstatement?? But the investigation hasn't even started yet! How can it be over?"

Natasha was truly perplexed. Although, under Nick's collusion and corruption, she hadn't really been confined to investigate, wasn't under surveillance, and could even work normally, officially, she was suspended pending investigation due to suspicion of being a KGB spy.

But they came to a conclusion after just a few days of investigation? Since when did S.H.I.E.L.D.'s investigation efficiency become so high?

"Yes, you've been cleared of suspicion. On one hand, it's because we're really short-handed, and a lot of the visible work still needs you to do. On the other hand, whether you are KGB or not isn't particularly important. Congress decided to turn a blind eye."

"Why?" Natasha asked in astonishment.

"Yesterday, the presidents of the permanent members of the United Nations held a telephone meeting. They confirmed the main development route for Humanity's civilization in the next century. In simple terms, it's cooperation."

Natasha was genuinely flabbergasted and couldn't close her mouth. She covered her forehead, looked up at the ceiling, and said, "Did I sleep for a night? Not for 70 years like Captain America? What's happening to this world? Congress is actually talking about cooperation with others?"

Nick briefly explained to Natasha what Schiller had done in Congress yesterday, and then he commented:

"A lunatic who's ready and capable of resurrecting Soviet Union is watching this world. If we don't do well enough, he'll let Soviet Union do it. What do you want Soviet Union to do?"

Natasha hesitated for a moment, then said, "It depends on which version of Soviet Union."

"That's for you. For them, if Schiller brings back the late-stage Soviet Union, that's fine. But if he brings back the early-stage Soviet Union, everyone in the U.S. and Russian Congresses will be in a bind."

Natasha displayed an extremely complex expression, mixed with bemusement, fear, and nostalgia.

After Nick left, she took out the red flag badge from her clothes pocket. She lightly touched the surface of the badge with her finger and said in a tone that nobody had ever heard from her before:

"That era has already passed and won't come back…"

"But all those who were healed by him, proud of him, and hated him, staying awake all night for it, we're still alive…"

"He doesn't need to be resurrected because his spirit never dies."

"Do you really want to resurrect Soviet Union?"

Standing on the rooftop of Stark Tower, dusk fell once again. In the evening breeze, Stark turned his head to look at Schiller.

Schiller's hair danced in the evening breeze. He turned his head to look at Stark and smiled, saying:

"He hasn't died, so how can there be talk of resurrecting?"

Stark fell silent for a moment, while Schiller's voice drifted away with the evening breeze, sounding somewhat vague.

"In this world, a convincing ideology and belief don't dissipate due to the fall of a particular country."

"A great ideal that once inspired countless people and led them to sacrifice themselves won't lose its charm over time."

"As long as this ideal and belief continue to spread in the civilization of Humanity, even if the road is winding, the future remains bright."

Schiller let out a slight sigh and looked at the skyline of New York, which was still splendid and prosperous. He said:

"True communists don't pursue geography, systems, or stances. We pursue only one goal: the liberation of all of Humanity."

"Therefore, it's not about resurrecting that group of people on that piece of land. It's about resurrecting that era. I never intended to do that."

"Without objective conditions and without complete necessity, persisting in such a way means failing to grasp the principal contradiction and falling into a metaphysical paradox."

Stark turned his head to look at Schiller and asked, "So what are you planning to do then?"

Schiller spoke in a very calm tone, saying:

"They fear me, dread me, but can't eliminate me. So they can only strive harder to prove that they can do better. Doesn't that sound familiar?"

"That spirit and belief resurrect within me, and they have resurrected in this world."

"And one day, when this lighthouse shines brightly, illuminating all of Humanity, illuminating all of space…"

"Who can then say that he hasn't been resurrected?"

"So this was all your plan?!"

Stark crossed his arms and looked at Schiller, somewhat angrily saying, "You played us in a big circle just to make those people in Congress feel nervous about being replaced by Soviet Union, so they would stop fighting each other and stand united before entering space?"

Schiller gave his most radiant smile up to that point and said, "This place is known as the world's lighthouse…"

"And I am best at changing light bulbs."

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