Fate always likes to joke.

It's still a very, very malicious joke.

While Meilin was recovering from injuries and was preparing to return, something big happened to Hell Kitchen.

It is not necessarily true that it is said to be a big event. This incident is only circulated in a small circle of people, but it was discovered by Meilin through an unexpected channel.

St. Matthew's Church, the iconic landscape of Hell's Kitchen.

In the past, except for taking Eric home, Merlin didn't pay much attention to this place. He was not a believer, nor did he have the habit of going to church. Although he had a good relationship with Father Paul, the gentle priest never liked to preach to the people around him. He seemed to be a very Buddhist person, perhaps a real priest.

This priest may be very clear that faith is just a shackle for people's indulgence in their minds. Except for specific groups of people, it is not a necessary thing for life.

Since it is not necessary, why force it?

But in the days after waking up, Merlin became a frequent visitor to the church.

He did not suddenly become strange in his faith, but after experiencing so many things, he had many questions in his mind, but he didn't know where to find the answer.

When he is upset, he always wants to be quiet.

At this time, St. Matthew's Church became a good choice.

People in Hell's Kitchen are not very sincere. In fact, except for Mass Day, few people go to church to seek spiritual comfort.

Merlin would always come in the afternoon and go back at midnight, leaning on his cane, sitting alone in the back of the seat of St. Matthew's Church, without giving anyone the church, just sitting there, enjoying the peaceful time he had rarely seen in the years.

His life has changed.

Those who once trusted have become full of secrets.

Those doubts were buried in Merlin's heart and eroded his soul like poisonous snakes. He didn't know whether he should start an investigation, but he was worried that his friends, those old agents who were always mysterious, had been involved.

If life finally prepares for a cruel battle, how should he face everything calmly?

Did Fury notice the darkness under the light?

He probably noticed it.

But has he made a plan for this?

When did SHIELD, which he regarded as his home, start to deteriorate quietly?

The most important thing is, where does the source of the spreading darkness lie?

Has the organization that just spread its power around the world already degenerated from its core?

These questions seem to be unanswered unless Merlin comes in personally and tries to reveal the truth that covers everything.

But he couldn't make up his mind.

"You look like you have a lot of doubts and a lot of worries, Merlin."

A gentle voice came from behind Merlin.

Father Paul, wearing a black robe, held a scripture, and seemed to have just returned from preaching. He walked in through the church gate and saw Merlin sitting in the back seat at a glance.

"Have you been sicker?"

Although Merlin's body was much better than before, the weak pale face could not be concealed. He still had not fully recovered. The cane and slightly awkward sitting posture at his hand could not be hidden from the priest.

“It’s much better.”

Merlin moved to the side and gave up a seat for the priest.

Father Paul sat next to Merlin very naturally, and he said:

"I rarely see you like this."

"What?"

Merlin asked.

"I mean, calm down and think about things that make people trouble. Troubles always make people look vulnerable."

The priest smiled and said:

"From the time when I met you, you have been a person in my heart who acts faster than thinking."

"Oh, am I so unbearable in your heart? Father."

Merlin said:

"We are friends at least, I will be sad if you say that."

"No, it's not a criticism, Merlin."

The priest shook his head, put the scriptures on his legs, and said to Merlin seriously:

"A decisive action is a kind of praise, and it is more commendable to be able to do good deeds than praying ten thousand times. But I know that you have helped a lot of people around this neighborhood. After all, I saw you helping the children of the orphanage with your own eyes."

"You are a rare good person, Merlin, you have a kind heart."

“This review”

Merlin pursed his lips, he looked at the priest, and he said:

"It's a bit too high, so high that I feel like you are deliberately flattering me, Father. I think you seem to need my help in some things."

Merlin guessed that his mind was a little embarrassed, and Father Paul was a little embarrassed. He coughed a few times, concealing his embarrassment, and he said:

"Well, your senses are still so sharp, there is something, a sad thing."

The priest crossed his chest and said to Merlin:

"Do you remember Jack?"

"Jack Murdoch?"

Merlin nodded and said:

"I remember that rude boxer, and his poor son. What's wrong? Did something happen to him?"

Facing Merlin's inquiry, the priest's expression became sad. Although there was some conflict between him and Jack a few years ago and he was beaten up by the rude Jack, the old man was obviously not the kind of person who holds revenge.

He said to Merlin in a low tone:

"Jack died 3 days ago."

"Um?"

Merlin made a puzzled nasal sound, and he asked:

"How could he die suddenly? Last time I saw him, he was as strong as a cow. He was a boxer, much healthier than ordinary people. He was only in his 30s, right?"

"Jack died in the ring."

Father Paul opened the scriptures and said:

"I don't know the inside story. I heard that Jack has owed a lot of money to the local gang in order to support his son and go to school in the past few years to treat his son. Those people forced him to fight fake punches to pay off his debts. Jack kept hiding this news. Until 3 days ago, he seemed to have made some puzzling decisions."

The priest's voice became lighter:

"I heard that Jack suddenly defeated himself and almost bet on all his money before he died."

"Then he won, and after he won, he died, right?"

Merlin guessed the ending of this story.

As a public official who often deals with the dark areas of New York, although he is not responsible for supervising the affairs of underground gangs, he has seen more similar things in places like S.H.E.D.

Facing Merlin's guess, Father Paul nodded.

"Jack died in the alley next to the boxing ring less than 15 minutes after the boxing match. But the trouble is that he sent Little Matt to Sister Maggie in advance, and there is a huge sum of money for Little Matt to go to college and even buy a house."

"Let me guess."

Merlin rubbed his forehead and said, closing his eyes:

"Did those gangsters come to the door?"

"Um."

Father Paul said with a dim expression:

"We can't just hand over Matt like this, which is not in line with our beliefs. But those gangsters act ruthlessly, and I'm very worried that if they drag on like this, there will be dangers in the monastery and orphanage."

"You want me to solve this?"

Merlin took out his cell phone, he looked at Father Paul, and he said:

"It's okay, Father, this is also the neighborhood where I live, and I don't want to see tragic things happening like this. Don't worry, those gangsters can only scare ordinary people. I promise, they will not be in trouble soon."

"No, Merlin."

The priest shook his head, he looked at Merlin, and he said:

"I want to ask you to adopt Matt."

"Um?"

Merlin was a little surprised now.

He looked at the priest and said:
To be continued...