"Junior Ryden is a smart person. Even I can't compare to him," Dr. Zola said sincerely.
He was just a scientist.
No schemes. No combat ability.
Ryden wasn't afraid of him.
What worried him was whatever conspiracy might come afterward.
He calmly brewed black tea and handed it over.
"Senior, you flatter me," Ryden said. "The conference is tomorrow. Why did you come so early?"
Dr. Zola wasn't surprised.
He replied meaningfully, "Cut off one head, and two more shall take its place."
Ryden looked at him helplessly.
Why did everyone in Hydra love shouting that slogan?
"Senior, there's no need to test me," Ryden said calmly.
"I'm only cooperating with them. I'm not a member of Hydra."
"Hydra may be huge, but it's not the only organization in the world," he continued.
"I'm not interested in joining factions, but I don't mind cooperation."
"Even with the devil-if the terms are right."
Dr. Zola looked at his junior with surprise.
"Oh? Is that so?" he said.
"You should really consider joining us."
"You can't imagine how vast Hydra's power is. You're smart. You should know what choice to make."
Ryden casually touched the magnetic rifle at his side.
Even if a group showed up, he wasn't worried.
As long as they didn't get close, he could wipe out an entire squad.
"Senior," he said evenly, "just say it directly. What do you want?"
Dr. Zola chuckled.
"Mr. Schmidt wants to invite you to join our research team," he said.
"If you're free tonight, why not come with me and take a look?"
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen. You have an excellent reputation with the American military."
Dr. Zola was extremely well informed.
That wasn't strange.
Intercontinental communication still relied on telegrams.
And telegram codes were something every major organization mastered.
Primitive.
And difficult to crack.
"Alright," Ryden agreed.
He was curious.
Curious about Hydra's current strength.
Curious about what they were really like.
The longer he lived in this world, the more real it felt.
Sarah's pregnancy made that even clearer.
This wasn't a dream.
Dr. Zola nodded in approval.
If Ryden had refused, stronger measures might have been necessary.
In the Third Reich, Hydra held power-but this was still the Führer's domain.
They couldn't overreach.
Inside the jeep, Dr. Zola sat in the back with Ryden.
They discussed academic topics as they traveled.
Since he was already involved, Ryden wasn't leaving empty-handed.
These were things he'd once only seen in movies.
Excitement suppressed his unease.
Even if he had to cooperate with a tiger, he'd make a profit.
Otherwise, how could he be Ophelia's man?
That woman wasn't simple.
She didn't just toy with men.
She toyed with demons.
"So the third magnetic repulsion," Ryden explained calmly,
"isn't only affected by electricity. It also affects the human body."
"The more people involved, the more complex the reaction."
"That's the core issue."
From Dr. Zola's attitude, Ryden could tell this trip wasn't especially dangerous.
Top-tier scientists were always treated differently.
Even if captured, they'd be fed well and provided for.
If they wanted women, someone would arrange it.
A kind of 'scientific immunity.'
Of course, that only applied after capture.
On a real battlefield-planes overhead, shells falling, tanks charging-
no amount of intelligence mattered.
You'd die all the same.
"Oh," Dr. Zola said with admiration,
"Junior, you've studied this deeply. This is crucial."
"Remarkable. I fully agree."
"I believe Mr. Schmidt will be very pleased to meet you."
He genuinely liked Ryden.
With someone on his level, they could create terrifying weapons.
Weapons that would let Hydra dominate the world.
Whatever Hydra used for indoctrination, it was frighteningly effective.
Even organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't compare.
The jeep didn't bother hiding.
It drove straight to a heavily guarded building.
At this time, Hydra didn't have its own army.
Its members were embedded within the Third Reich's forces.
That either meant there was no danger-
Or they were confident enough not to care.
Dr. Zola led the way inside.
Ryden followed.
Inside were rows of display cases filled with weapons.
"Junior," Dr. Zola said, "these are the standard weapons of the Third Reich."
"They were designed by countless military engineers who sacrificed their hair."
He sighed.
"And all of them were rendered obsolete by your AK-47."
Ryden felt a surge of pride.
In this era, the AK-47 was absurdly powerful.
Cheap.
Durable.
Easy to maintain.
With enough enthusiasm, soldiers could probably use it to play golf.
"In every era," Ryden said lightly,
"the waves behind push the waves ahead."
"Those who can't keep up die on the beach."
"Compared to real power, these are just toys."
It was half philosophy, half nonsense.
"Good," a deep male voice said from above.
"Well said."
"It seems Dr. Ryden understands power."
They looked up.
A pale-faced man stood on the second-floor stairs.
He wore a German military uniform, but it couldn't conceal his tyranny.
At first glance-
Not a good person.
Seeing Ryden's confusion, Dr. Zola quickly introduced him.
"Junior, allow me. This is Mr. Schmidt."
"Our leader."
Schmidt extended his hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Ryden," he said.
"You've left a deep impression on me."
Behind the words was cold resentment.
This was the man whose AK-47 had cost him a humiliating defeat in Czechoslovakia.
A joke among officers.
This wasn't a friendly meeting.
Although Ryden had never met him before, he could feel it.
Schmidt's emotions were unstable.
That oppressive tyranny was deeply uncomfortable.
Still, Ryden maintained his manners and shook his hand.
"Hello," he said. "Mr. Schmidt."
Dr. Zola knew exactly why Schmidt felt this way.
He didn't dare say it.
This man wasn't gentle.
He'd once ordered the massacre of an entire village.
A complete psychopath.
"Come," Schmidt said, gesturing inward.
"Let's sit down and talk."
"I'm very interested in you, Dr. Ryden."
No matter how polite the invitation sounded-
That aggressive aura never faded.
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