GUARDIAN OF THE MARVEL REALM

Chaldea.

It was the second time Fury had heard this name—the first time from Coulson.

Now, he had more details.

Human Resources Protection Agency.

"If you've been protecting the world, why have I never heard of you?" Fury's skepticism was palpable. "S.H.I.E.L.D. has the world's most comprehensive intelligence database. If humanity has encountered something, we have records of it."

"That's because, in most cases, we only observe."

Shen He reached out, patting the mecha beside him. This time, the enormous machine vanished into thin air.

Fury's one good eye narrowed. "Observe what, exactly?"

"The world," Shen He replied, pausing briefly as if choosing his words carefully. "Chaldea exists to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of human history. We hold no interest in political conflicts, nor do we aim to enforce world peace. War is an inseparable part of human existence. But the Earth has many guardians, so we have largely remained observers… until now."

"Many guardians?" Fury instantly honed in on the keyword.

"The Asgardians protect the Earth from cosmic threats. A secretive order of sorcerers keeps interdimensional dangers at bay. Frankly, compared to them, S.H.I.E.L.D. is the least significant protection the world has," Shen He remarked casually, stretching as if the conversation was starting to bore him.

He had too much information in his head—dumping it all at once would make things less interesting later.

Fury's stare hardened. "If you're only observers, why step out of the shadows now?"

And why do it so openly? A giant mecha rampaging through city streets was hardly the move of a hidden organization.

Shen He smirked. "Are you sure you want to know?"

"Of course."

"Alright. Our Prophet foresaw a catastrophe beyond the guardians' ability to stop. That left us no choice but to intervene directly. And before you ask—no, I won't elaborate."

Before Fury could press further, Shen He shifted gears, looping an arm around Tony's shoulders. "Hey, let's talk business. Give us a few rooms in your villa, and in return, I'll let you examine my mecha."

Tony blinked. "You're actually offering to let me study your tech?"

"Sure, just don't break it. This is the only defensive weapon I brought with me." Shen He grinned. "Oh, and here's a fun tidbit—our Prophet's visions suggest I'll be attending your wedding."

Tony recoiled as if physically struck. "My what? Me? Getting married? Yeah, right. That sounds more like my funeral."

"Focus, Stark. Yes or no?"

Tony hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. "Fine. But in exchange, I want to understand that force field tech. Also, your mecha—it's not jet-powered, is it? Anti-gravity tech?"

Fury, who had been silent, finally moved. Without a word, he lifted the bound Hydra agent, turned, and walked off.

"Director?" Coulson followed after him.

"We need to verify some things," Fury muttered. "If Hydra still exists, it won't be as simple as they're making it sound…"

Shen He barely spared him a glance, instead tugging Qimu Kusuo along to choose a room.

Tony, meanwhile, wasted no time hauling the mecha into his lab.

"I don't plan on staying here," Qimu Kusuo's voice echoed in Shen He's mind.

Shen He's enthusiasm dimmed. "Oh? Heading back so soon?"

"This place is safe. If you run into trouble, just call me."

Qi Mu had only stuck around out of concern for Shen He, but given the current situation, there was no real reason to stay. Besides, the longer he was away from home, the more uncomfortable he felt.

A true homebody at heart.

"Fine," Shen He conceded, then suddenly brightened. "Wait—I saw a full coffee pudding setup in the kitchen. Let me whip some up for you to take home."

"You can make coffee pudding?" Kusuo sounded surprised.

"Of course! Cooking is one of my skills. Back when I was working a regular job, I barely went out. Cooking was my way of rewarding myself."

Shen He led the way into the kitchen. "By the way, what part of your world's story is happening now?"

"Story? You think gag manga has a story?"

"Of course it does." Shen He smirked, plucking a strawberry from the fridge. "So, have you had that famous strawberry milkshake yet? You know, the one Teruhashi Shinmei drank?"

Qi Mu froze. "???"

"Oh, then has the part where you publicly princess-carry her happened yet?"

Silence.

Kusuo didn't respond—because he could tell that, somehow, Shen He wasn't lying.

"That's all you remember?" he finally asked.

"Hey, I'm a firm QiTeru shipper." Shen He grinned while stirring pudding mix. "Girls who are a bit self-absorbed but secretly kind? Super cute."

"You do realize love isn't an option for me."

"...Don't be ridiculous."

Shen He stopped what he was doing and clapped Kusuo on the shoulder, his usual teasing replaced by rare sincerity. "You keep saying you want an ordinary life, right? Well, normal high schoolers experience love, friendship, and family bonds. That's what makes them ordinary. Or are you actually one of those people who think you're better suited for some dramatic rivals-to-lovers arc with Aren Kuboyasu?"

"No. Please let me firmly deny that."

"Then there you go." Shen He turned back to his pudding-making. "Someday, you'll be able to control your powers perfectly. That's my promise to you. So don't waste time denying yourself normal happiness in the meantime."