Chapter 39: The Beginning of a Triple Agent
There were weapons experts among S.H.I.E.L.D. agents.
They could determine whether the contents of a blueprint were structurally reasonable.
Being able to understand it didn't mean they could design it—just like possessing blueprints didn't necessarily mean one could manufacture the weapon.
For the current industrial capabilities of various nations, mass-producing these two blueprints for full military deployment was impossible.
The craftsmanship required for the gun barrel meant limited production capacity, and given the bullet consumption, these weapons would only be allocated to elite troops.
Automatic rifles had already been invented, yet bolt-action rifles remained the primary armament of most national militaries due to issues such as production technology, industrial output, and resource supply.
Take the Chrysanthemum Nation, for example. They would certainly acquire the blueprints through various means or attempt to replicate them, but they would never equip their entire army with them due to their small-scale industry and inferior craftsmanship, which restricted their military expansion.
Of course, Allen had ways to deal with the Chrysanthemum Nation—he didn't even need to take action himself. He could ensure they paid a far heavier price than they did in later history.
"Who are you? What is your purpose in joining S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Carter asked.
Since Wilson was an impostor, her attention naturally shifted to Allen.
No matter his motives, recruiting him into S.H.I.E.L.D. was essential.
After all, talent was valuable everywhere.
"Since you're so sincerely asking..."
Allen jumped onto the table, struck a dramatic hair-flipping pose, and introduced himself:
"Then I shall mercifully tell you.
To prevent the world from being destroyed.
To protect the peace of the world.
To uphold love and the truth of evil.
A charming and adorable hero of justice.
With my fists, I'll strike down Kang the Conqueror! With my feet, I'll trample the Five Great Gods!
I am the protagonist of this book—VIP patient No. 9527 of Greenhill Rehabilitation Center, Allen!"
Carter: "..."
The way he said it with such flair—so he really was a lunatic.
"I officially extend an invitation on behalf of S.H.I.E.L.D. Would you like to join us?"
She didn't care whether he was mentally unstable—as long as he could create weapons, that was enough.
Allen shyly turned his head away and agreed, "I'd love to."
Carter immediately felt a headache coming on.
I wasn't proposing to you—what are you getting all shy for?!
"I have one request," Allen said, pointing at the utterly dejected Wilson. "I want him as my assistant."
"Why?"
Carter wasn't particularly concerned about the fake expert, but she couldn't figure out what the madman was thinking.
"With Arson around, I can better highlight my superior intelligence," Allen admitted frankly.
This answer caught Carter off guard.
Wilson, on the other hand, felt even more depressed—he was starting to believe the world was filled with malice.
A PhD graduate from a prestigious engineering university, now reduced to a mere sidekick for a lunatic—what a tragic fate.
But he had no choice.
Framed by Allen, he was already too deep in the mess. His only option was to go along with it and secure a position in S.H.I.E.L.D.
After all, he feared assassination by the KGB. At least in S.H.I.E.L.D., he was relatively safe.
…
Soviet Union, Weapons Development Bureau.
Colonel Karpov ordered the KGB to track down Wilson's whereabouts.
At dawn, when the researchers arrived for work, he prepared to report Allen's accusations to Wilson.
But after searching everywhere, Wilson was nowhere to be found.
At that moment, Karpov realized Allen had been telling the truth and immediately issued orders for a manhunt.
"Report, Colonel! Dr. Wilson is missing—along with the janitor, Allen!"
"Dismissed."
Karpov's expression darkened.
The defection was real.
A high-value expert fleeing to another country was like a slap to the face.
At the same time, he recalled Allen's "plan."
"This is absurd—I actually have to believe a lunatic's words."
Karpov picked up the phone, dialed a secure line, and said, "Issue an order to our agents in America—track down a man named Allen. He's Asian."
"As for distinguishing features… he's a lunatic."
Naturally, this information fell into Hydra's hands, and they immediately transmitted a telegram to the Axis powers.
At that moment, Dr. Zola was accompanying Red Skull, Johann Schmidt, inside a library, overseeing a team of clergymen and archaeologists analyzing intelligence reports.
While working with Pioneer Technology had provided many futuristic technical concepts, most of them were impossible to realize with current technology.
Thus, Schmidt had turned his attention to the mystical—legendary artifacts, for instance.
By cross-referencing various ancient texts, they had pinpointed several promising targets:
The Ark of the Covenant, said to contain the Ten Commandments.
The Tesseract, hidden away by Odin according to Norse mythology.
The Holy Grail, which granted eternal life.
Genghis Khan's Spear.
And numerous other legendary treasures rumored to grant world domination.
"Leader, we've received word about the Staff of Ra," Dr. Zola reported excitedly. "It's currently in the hands of Indiana Jones. Dr. Belloq is tracking him and should locate the Ark of the Covenant soon."
"Let's hope the Ark has the power the legends claim."
Schmidt remained indifferent.
He had obtained many so-called artifacts in the past, but most turned out to be mere relics, with only a few possessing minor, unimpressive powers—none capable of fulfilling his grand ambitions.
Just then, a soldier rushed in and handed Dr. Zola a document.
Reading its contents, Zola's expression shifted dramatically.
"Leader, one of our agents has successfully infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D.," he reported.
Zola hesitated, unsure whether to disclose the full details.
"What's the issue?" Schmidt asked.
"The issue is that this agent was meant to be a disposable pawn… and he's also a lunatic."
Out of all their agents, only a madman had managed to get in.
Should they be pleased or dismayed?
"They're recruiting lunatics as agents now? Have we run out of manpower?" Schmidt scowled.
Zola felt awkward. He wanted to point out that Schmidt himself had recruited this person, but considering his leader's ego, he tactfully refrained and instead explained, "His name is Allen. When we took over Ox City, he was the one running around shouting 'Hail Hydra!'"
"..."
Hearing this, Schmidt suddenly recalled who he was.
Trying to maintain his dignity, he said, "I have an eye for talent after all—who would have thought I'd unearth such a gem?"
"Indeed. Under your leadership, world domination is inevitable," Zola flattered him perfectly, precisely grasping Red Skull's psychology.
"The world is currently in the hands of weaklings—a disgrace. I am the one who rightfully deserves to rule it."
Schmidt's arrogance knew no bounds—he looked down on everything, even the leaders of the Axis powers.
The Hydra army followed the Axis, but only as a temporary vessel for their own ambitions.
"Who was that lunatic again?"
"Allen."
"Order all our agents in America to establish contact with Agent Allen—at all costs."
"I'll see to it immediately."
Meanwhile, Allen, sailing across the ocean toward America, was completely unaware that he had caught the attention of both the Soviets and Hydra.
Thus began his life as a triple agent.
To make matters worse, after his departure, both the Soviets and Hydra erased his records—because the truth was simply too embarrassing.
(Support me and read ahead on Patreøn: patreøn.com/craxxtranslation. Thanks for your support! Don't forget to send Power Stones—300 Power Stones = +1 bonus chapter!)