There are some lines a man should never cross, and Roland Phils knew it. Little lolis were one of them. Touch that, and you were paying for it with five years of your life.
Of course, this wasn't his old world. This was the Marvel universe, and more specifically, America. The laws here were different, and with Roland's current wealth and divine authority, few could touch him even if he overstepped. But that wasn't the real barrier. The real barrier was inside his own heart.
He could never do it. Even if no one else condemned him, he would never forgive himself. To lay a hand on Laffey, someone who looked so innocent and childlike, would stain him with guilt he could never wash away.
Still… what she had suggested a moment ago, that playful little slurp of hers… That was tempting.
The thought flickered through Roland's mind, only for him to shake his head furiously.
"What nonsense are you thinking? Are you even human anymore?"
Then a quieter voice in his mind replied, almost mockingly. "I am not human. I am a god."
The debate played out inside him, angel on one shoulder, devil on the other. Temptation whispered. Restraint argued back. For a moment even Roland, the so-called Lord of Life, felt himself trapped between both sides.
Effie, watching from beside him, broke the tension with a hushed, embarrassed whisper to Laffey.
"Laffey, you're still too young. Don't say such things again. Serving the master is my responsibility."
"Mm, but Effie-sis, I'm not small. I only look small!" Laffey puffed out her chest proudly, though there was nothing there to puff out.
Effie froze, unsure how to respond. The girl's honesty was shocking enough, but her body was still that of a little one. No matter how she argued otherwise, no one would ever mistake her for an adult.
Unless, of course, they looked deeper… but even entertaining that thought felt wrong. Effie flushed crimson and banished the idea from her mind.
Roland sighed with a weary smile. "Enough of that. Since you want your wine so badly, let's go and buy some."
"Yay! Master is the best! Laffey wants more Laffey-wine!"
She leapt into the air with joy, clapping her hands. Effie could only shake her head with a smile. Laffey claimed she wasn't a child, yet everything about her screamed childish glee.
Together, Roland led them out of the divine realm and back into the world of mortals. The gates of his sprawling Phils estate opened before them, and soon they were off to a nearby store.
Normally, something as mundane as buying wine would have been left to servants. Roland had people who could fetch anything he desired with a single command. But he chose to go himself this time.
He had a reason.
Laffey was more than just an apostle. She had the potential to ascend further, to become a saint. And if she did, the faith energy she generated would multiply tenfold, reaching a thousand points at once. That kind of devotion would be no small boon for his growing divinity. To reach that point, he needed more than obedience. He needed trust. Affection. Intimacy of the heart.
And that could not be bought or commanded. It had to be earned.
So he walked with her. Talked with her. Indulged her silly obsessions with wine. Every moment spent together was an investment in the future.
While Roland and his companions wandered the mundane world, far away inside a hidden base of S.H.I.E.L.D., another story was unfolding.
Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton had returned from their mission. They stood before Director Nick Fury, their report ready. A projector hummed softly as the footage they had captured flickered onto the screen.
"This operation revealed far more than we anticipated," Natasha began, her tone measured but edged with unease. "The so-called Church of Life, and the sudden appearance of those sorcerers… we had no prior intelligence on either faction."
Fury leaned back, his one good eye narrowed.
"Up until today," Natasha continued, "we believed the Church of Life was a cult. Manipulative. Dangerous. But after what we experienced firsthand… I'm not so sure anymore."
Fury interlocked his fingers, his gaze piercing. "And does this new outlook have anything to do with them healing your old injuries?"
Natasha hesitated. "I won't deny that influenced me."
"Then your perspective is compromised," Fury said flatly. "S.H.I.E.L.D. exists to protect this country, and beyond that, the entire human race. Any faction wielding power we don't understand is a potential threat. Especially one that can cure disease and pain with a gesture. That kind of ability is unnatural, and anything unnatural must be monitored."
Barton's lips pressed into a thin line. "With respect, sir, how do you propose we monitor them? You saw what that little girl could do. Her combat ability alone makes her unstoppable for ordinary agents."
Natasha nodded grimly. "Before we left, we were warned directly. The so-called Lord of Life told us in no uncertain terms to stay away."
Fury's expression hardened. "Warnings or not, it's our duty. We deal with the extraordinary. But you don't need to worry. I won't throw you into a fight you can't win. Not yet. First, there's another mission I need you on."
From his desk drawer, Fury drew a manila folder and slid it across the table.
Natasha picked it up, brows knitting as she flipped through the pages. Then her eyes widened.
Her voice came out in a shocked whisper. "Steve Rogers?"
The name hung in the air like a thunderclap.
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