The wizards in England were no different from the wealthy who looked down on ordinary people or the talented who disdained the incompetent. But at the end of the day, these wizards still needed ordinary people.
After all, wizard families couldn't guarantee that every child born would have magical talent. If they wanted to maintain their lineage, they had to constantly absorb new members.
And in order to do that, they had no choice but to cooperate with—or at least gain the tacit approval of—governments.
After all, history had already seen large-scale witch hunts before.
No matter how powerful an individual was, the total population of wizards was limited. If they provoked the human rulers, even if they couldn't be wiped out entirely, their lives would be severely disrupted.
Moreover, wizards were still human—they had emotions, desires, and connections. It was impossible for them to completely isolate themselves from the ordinary world.
As for looking down on non-magical people? Well, anyone who had supernatural abilities would inevitably feel superior.
That was just human nature.
—
William raised an eyebrow at Philip.
"But that scruffy, bearded guy out there? He's the so-called Chosen One who defeated Voldemort.
How the hell did you get him to be your consultant?"
Philip laughed.
"William, not everyone is as dominant as you.
And not everyone has the strength to break established rules the way you do.
Think about it—how old was Potter when he defeated Voldemort?
Seventeen? Eighteen?
You were just as cautious and low-key at that age."
William frowned slightly.
Yeah, but that was only because my System wasn't fully activated yet.
"Potter may be a hero for defeating the Dark Lord, but you and I both know that heroes are nothing more than useful tools for people like us."
Philip chuckled.
"Unless Potter becomes so powerful that a bunch of seventy or eighty-year-old wizards have no choice but to bow to him…
He still has to follow the rules."
Philip spread his arms.
"And honestly, working as a consultant for the most influential person in the non-magical world?
That's not exactly a bad gig."
—
At that moment, Sunday's voice echoed in William's earpiece.
"Sir, the spaceship is currently hovering two kilometers above Buckingham Palace.
It is ready to descend at your command."
William hesitated for a moment before responding.
"No, let it wait for now."
He then turned to Philip.
"I have the spaceship standing by outside the palace.
If you don't mind, I'd like to have it drop a rescue pod into the palace.
That way, we can securely and discreetly transport this Skrull out of here."
Philip was actually pleased by William's attitude.
Even though he had no obligation to ask permission, William still notified him first and didn't directly fly the spaceship over the palace.
This level of respect… was rare.
Philip smiled.
"No problem.
I'll have my butler arrange for someone to move the pod inside."
William shook his head.
"That won't be necessary.
The escape pod has short-range flight capabilities.
All you need to do is have the butler open the security doors, and it will follow him inside automatically."
Philip nodded and gave the necessary orders.
As soon as the butler left, he turned back to William and asked in a low voice,
"Do you really think that Skrull was telling the truth?
That SHIELD actually ordered him to stir up internal conflict in England?"
William sneered.
"Oh, come on, Philip.
England now has spacefaring capabilities.
Do you seriously think SHIELD—an American-dominated organization—would still be 'protecting' us out of the kindness of their hearts?"
Philip's expression darkened.
William continued.
"Nick Fury is a former American soldier. A government-trained spy.
Do you really think someone like him wouldn't try every possible method to slow us down?"
William shook his head.
"And you?
You've been in power for over fifty years, and you still don't see it?"
Philip snorted in frustration.
But deep down, he knew William was right.
If it weren't for William, no one in England would have even noticed that Skrulls had already infiltrated their ranks.
And if the nobility—egged on by Skrull operatives—had started pushing for more power…
Then England wouldn't just fail to regain its former glory.
It might not even remain a second-rate country.
Philip's face shifted rapidly as he processed this information.
William smirked.
Looks like the old fox finally realized he almost got played.
—
"You people can worry about politics," William said casually.
"But I haven't forgotten what happened to my first supply ship."
His voice turned cold.
"So if Fury shows up again and tries to pull something…"
William's eyes glinted dangerously.
"I won't be surprised.
And trust me—this 'gentle' approach he's using now?
It's nothing compared to what he's really capable of."
Philip grimaced.
For decades, he had watched America constantly interfere in England's affairs whenever it suited them.
And now, England's technological superiority in space had made them a target.
Philip clenched his fists.
America had already started sabotaging England.
And that meant trusting SHIELD was no longer an option.
Philip was still brooding when William casually dropped a bombshell.
—
"By the way," William said lightly.
"What would you think if I suggested Catherine as England's representative in the World Security Council?"
Philip's eyes snapped up.
"Wait—what are you planning?"
"Relax, I'm not 'up to something.'" William smirked.
"But let's be honest—if England has to have a seat on the council, wouldn't you rather it be someone we can trust?"
Philip narrowed his eyes.
"And what else are you scheming?"
William chuckled.
"Oh, just an idea…
If you and Richard approve, I might start investing heavily in Kingsman."
Philip froze.
William continued.
"After all, Kingsman agents are 100% English.
They don't take orders from foreign powers.
And unlike SHIELD, their loyalty is only to England."
Philip's eyes flickered with understanding.
William was making a move to secure his own power.
For a long moment, he simply stared at William.
Then, William laid his cards on the table.
"Whether you approve or not, Philip, I will be rebuilding Kingsman."
His tone was calm but absolute.
"I will give them new authority.
And I will no longer trust America.
Or SHIELD."
Philip exhaled sharply.
"And Nick Fury?"
William sneered.
"I'd love to kill him…
But the bastard is hiding somewhere in space."
William pondered for a moment before grinning maliciously.
"So…
Since we can't kill him, let's ruin his reputation instead."
Philip raised an eyebrow.
"How?"
William smirked.
"Simple.
We leak this whole Skrull incident to the public."
Philip shook his head immediately.
"No, William, that's a mistake.
If we do that, America won't eliminate Nick Fury.
They'll only value him more."
Philip's voice was grim.
"After all…
He would be the only American with direct ties to the Skrulls."
(End of Chapter)
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