Charles spoke up first.
"Mr. Harvey, I am very glad we can put aside our prejudices, sit down, and become friends."
"Actually, I know that slaughter is not your true intention."
"It's just that the vast majority of S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel are Hydra spies, which is why you killed them without hesitation or restraint."
"I can understand you. I can use my connections to help lift the international arrest warrants against you. I also hope you can do us a small favor."
Harvey said expressionlessly: "The arrest warrants pose absolutely no threat to me; there's no need for your help. But I am interested in hearing what kind of favor you want from me."
Hearing this, Charles didn't reply immediately. Instead, he turned to look out the window, a flash of sorrow passing through his eyes.
"Sigh~"
"A while ago, we investigated and found that Trask Industries used the genetics of one of our compatriots to develop Sentinel robots possessing mutant abilities."
"Now, they are using these Sentinel robots to aggressively hunt down and capture our mutant compatriots hiding among ordinary humans."
"I do not wish to engage in violent conflict with humanity, nor do I wish to erase the memories of all humanity once again."
"Therefore, I hope you, Mr. Harvey, can use your magic to help us construct an absolutely safe sanctuary that no one can find."
"To serve as a refuge for mutants to evade the pursuit of Trask Industries' Sentinel robots."
Harvey's face turned dark, feeling as if this bald old man was mocking him.
"Since you guys have a way to crack the Muggle-Repelling Charm, how am I supposed to help you?"
Charles took out a palm-sized, round silver box and explained:
"This is the magic-shielding device developed by Stark. We first confirmed your address."
"Knowing that there was an invisible magical barrier, we were only then able to use the magic-shielding device to breach it."
Harvey was still puzzled. "And how did you confirm my address?"
Charles smiled and said, "It's quite simple. A medium-sized estate vanishing into thin air for no reason is actually a very conspicuous event."
"For example, through satellite map inspections, neighbors might notice, and civilians frequently passing by the area might spot the anomaly."
"As long as an organization's intelligence capabilities are outstanding enough, like S.H.I.E.L.D., it only took them a month to track you down here."
"Then they sent people to investigate, only to find that no matter what they did, they couldn't approach this empty plot of land."
"It was as if a devil was hypnotizing them. Whenever the investigators got close, they would suddenly remember something urgent and immediately turn around and leave."
"This kind of anomalous situation actually made S.H.I.E.L.D. even more certain that there was something wrong here."
Harvey suddenly understood. He had still underestimated S.H.I.E.L.D., not expecting the Muggle-Repelling Charm to be so full of loopholes.
This kind of spell could work flawlessly in the Harry Potter world.
But in the Marvel Universe, where all sorts of monsters and freaks existed, there were still people capable of cracking it.
Having figured it all out, Harvey wasn't in a rush to patch the loopholes. He was now beginning to get interested in the 'cooperation' Charles spoke of.
"Charles, if you want my help, fine. But I need DNA, bone marrow, and cellular tissue samples from every single member of the X-Men."
Hearing this demand, Charles furrowed his brows tightly, but before he could speak...
Wolverine (Logan) beside him reflexively refused:
"NO! Mutant genetics must never be handed over to outsiders. Haven't we learned enough from past lessons?"
"We already made a mistake once, which led to us being hunted down by Sentinel robots now."
"Professor, we cannot afford to make another mistake!"
Iceman and Shadowcat also chimed in their agreement.
"Logan is right. What if this sorcerer uses mutant genetics for evil magical experiments? The consequences could be even worse than what we're facing now!"
Hearing the people across from him labeling him as an evil Dark Wizard one after another...
Harvey's expression instantly turned ice-cold.
"Those are my terms. If you don't agree, then leave. It's not like anyone is forcing you."
Hearing this arrogant tone, Logan and the others reacted even more aggressively.
Logan: "I said from the start we shouldn't waste time negotiating. We should just attack and drag him back."
Iceman: "We shouldn't have given this guy a friendly face to begin with..."
Shadowcat: "Exactly. What's there to discuss with a homicidal maniac? Let's do it, Professor!"
The mature and steady Charles listened quietly to them argue for a moment, then pressed his hands down, gesturing for everyone to calm down.
"I understand your concerns, but I believe Mr. Harvey will not use mutant genetics for evil purposes. This is the most basic trust required to discuss cooperation."
Logan immediately retorted: "Professor, are you crazy? How can you agree to this..."
Iceman and Shadowcat also began to earnestly persuade Charles to change his mind.
Watching these people argue from the sidelines, Harvey couldn't understand where Charles's inexplicable trust came from. He felt a bit weirded out inside.
Could I have been born with a physique that naturally inspires trust?
Impossible.
He felt Charles definitely had an ulterior motive, but outwardly, he softened his expression and interrupted their argument.
"Since you agree to my terms, then everything is easily settled."
"Where do you plan to establish this haven for mutants? Do you have an ideal location in mind?"
Charles indeed had his own little scheme. He kept a straight face, staring at Logan and the others until they felt uncomfortable.
When the arguing gradually died down, he turned to Harvey to discuss:
"I believe the best place for a mutant haven would be in Canada. The land is vast, sparsely populated, and the scenery is beautiful."
"Secondly, a remote, uninhabited island off the coast of Mexico."
"Or perhaps Australia, far away from the hustle and bustle of the world, wouldn't be bad either."
Harvey thought about it. There was a reason why the remaining mutant survivors in the original timeline wandered around Canada.
Canada is close to the United States, making it convenient to gather the latest intelligence and restock daily supplies.
Moreover, with vast expanses of uninhabited land, as long as they hid deep in the mountains and old-growth forests, they would be basically impossible to find.
"Then let's choose Canada. You guys find a suitable location first and secretly begin construction."
"Once the main structures are completed, I will go over and cast magic to hide the haven."
Seeing the cooperation finalized, Charles revealed a satisfied smile.
"Then it's a deal. Here's to a pleasant cooperation, Mr. Harvey."
Harvey offered a rare smile and even shook Charles's hand.
"A pleasant cooperation to you too, Professor Charles."
Hearing that the other party's form of address had changed as well, Charles smiled with relief and said:
"I'm very glad we could reach a consensus. However, now that the cooperation is settled, I have one more personal request. I wonder if Mr. Harvey might agree?"
So the fox's tail is finally showing, huh?
Harvey knew this bald old geezer was up to no good.
It was highly likely that this subsequent request was the primary purpose of his trip.
Harvey didn't rashly agree, instead saying cautiously: "Tell me what it is first, and I will carefully consider whether or not I want to help."
Charles gradually fell into reminiscence and began to narrate a story.
"Six years ago, humanity used the DNA of a mutant child named 'Leech' to develop a cure that causes mutants to lose their superpowers and revert to ordinary humans."
"At the time, this cure triggered a severe internal division among mutants..."