The Greedy Frog
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Marvel: Chapter 82
🕑 Added 2023-03-24 08:33:37 +0000 UTCChapter 82: An Insight
[London, England (1952)]
[[Marcellus Hanley].
The city was in mourning as their king had passed away. The royal family was in chaos but they did a great job masking it and not letting the public see their weakness.
Elizabeth II will succeed the throne in a year and would even surpass Queen Victoria as the longest-reigning queen.
It was a sad event but I felt nothing. I was neither related to them nor was I European, but I still paid respect.
After leaving the ceremony, I walked through the roads. The flag was lowered and most of the unnecessary posters were cleared out.
The lack of vehicles had reduced the pollution by a large margin and the place seemed cleaner than ever before.
Walking down the streets of London, I was surprised to find some posters still left unharmed… and two of those were Hanley Corporation posters.
As I stood in front of the poster and was about to take it out— I was stopped.
"Don't remove those!" It was a semi-loud yell, belonging to an old man.
"Err… hello." I greeted as he strode towards me with the help of a cane.
"Do not remove that. The important posters were allowed to be kept and that one is important."
To my utter surprise, the man moved his hand around the poster lovingly… which had my picture on it.
The man would have recognised me instantly but I had spent over two weeks learning the art of disguise under Shifu and thus fooling a human was child's play.
"Why is it important?" I asked. "It's just a poster of Hanley Group… a multi-billion dollar company like the rest. But those other ones were thrown out in the trash while this was preserved… Why is that?"
I asked with genuine curiosity visible on my face.
"This company… No. These good people that you are talking about, helped us. Their charities helped us… we lost everything in war, famine, flood or even house fires… They gave us shelter, food and medicine. Opened schools throughout the continent to help our children become something greater in life. They opened hospitals that offer cheap treatment… and free for those that cannot pay. And even clothes for those that are unable to buy their children good clothing for Christmas." He had a kind smile as he spoke. "The other billion-dollar companies that you are comparing the Hanley Group to… never did any of those. Not a single one. So yes, the Hanley group is on the wall while the rest are inside the dumpster."
How… am I supposed to feel? Hearing praises on television and businessmen was a regular thing for me… but genuine heartfelt praise from a man that I don't even know and who doesn't know my true self— is an entirely new thing for me.
In a way, it feels… fulfilling?
And most of it is because of my mother. I cannot take credit for this… I am doing everything for my benefit— for my own selfish needs. But she is a kind soul that wants to help everyone.
And that's why… I want her name to go down in the pages of history as the kindest woman that ever lived.
"What do you think of Mr. Hanley's mother?"
"She is an angel." The old man answered instantly. "An angel sent by the Lord himself to help us."
I am an atheist and I do not like when people give credit to someone who never did anything.
"She is kind…"
The man looked at me.
"You are not from here. Am I right?" He asked and I nodded.
"You are correct, sir. I am from the States."
He smiled. "I figured from the accent." He looked at the poster. "Have you met any of these people?"
I smiled and replied. "A few times, sir."
"How are they in person?" He asked, but I know that he only wants to compare our views.
"Mr. Hanley is a hardworking man driven by his passion and goals. He says that he has a dream that he wants to achieve. As for his mother." I smiled. "She is an angel just like you said."
The old man smiled as I said that.
"She is kind, hardworking, selfless and sweet. She is everything others could only dream to be… Successful, happy and a kind mother. She is sympathetic towards the poor and weak and she does everything in her power to help them. She donates almost all of her money to charities and churches… She is a simple woman, sir. A woman that wants to help everyone… even though that's impossible."
"You know her well." He said, making me chuckle.
Of course, I know her old man.
"We have met a couple of times in the past." I said. "They are good."
"They are the people of God." He said. "May the Lord be with them."
We talked for a while and I didn't even realise when the sun had sunken into the ocean.
"It is getting late. My wife must be waiting for me." He smiled at me. "You should also find a good place to sleep, it gets pretty cold here at night. And if you don't have one, you should come with me. We might not be rich, but we have a humble abode."
I kindly declined the offer. "Thank you for the offer, sir. But I have already found a place."
He nodded. "If you say so, young man." He looked at me curiously. "I didn't notice this before, but you look quite a bit like the owner of the Hanley Group. You look like his younger brother."
I laughed. "I get that often."
I disguised myself but I still kept most of my features. It was a test run for the future and looks like I succeeded.
"I haven't gotten your name yet, young man." He said.
"I am Markus." I said extending my hand— which he lightly shook. "I am not here for long, but I am glad that I visited this place."
The old man smiled. "It is a decent place. A place built by the old kings under one god." He sighed. "Well then, Markus. I will hopefully see you in the future. Now I need to leave."
"I hope for the same, sir." I replied.
"Don't freeze, young man. You should go as well. May the Lord be with you." He said before starting to walk towards his house.
"I will."
By the time the old man left, it was already nighttime and I was tired from all the travelling.
But I am glad that I visited England… Not because I was able to pay respect to the dead, I didn't care about the dead. But I am glad because I was able to meet the old man and get a clear picture of my achievements till now. I was able to find out just how much the people respected my mother… as they should.
But it pains my heart as she doesn't want immortality and it pains me even more as I cannot go against her wishes. I can make her lifespan longer but she said that she wants to leave this world at a human age… And I will follow her wishes.
Even if it causes me grief.
…
…
[Genetic Lab, The Order]
"We are ready, sir." Lennon said as he and his team brought out the Sentry Serum and placed it on the table in front of me.
Essex was not amused as he didn't care about power. But he was curious about the effects of the serum and its reaction with my DNA.
"There is still time to back off... because once you take the serum..You either live and become a being above all else… or you die in pain like a miserable worm." Essex's words hold the truth.
I was sure that I would not die from the serum but I was not sure if it would have any side effects. And there were also many other things to consider.
But I had made up my mind.
"I am ready, gentlemen." I smiled at them. "You may begin."
There was no going back.
I was either going to become a god… or I was going to die.
No other answers…
None.
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