[Zhongyingmei] Goblin Detective

Steve hasn't been quite right lately.

Everyone in the Howling Commandos is aware of this - specifically, human members only.

Ever since the one-on-one conversation with Crowley, he's been very... obsessive.As long as he is not in a combat state, he will stay by Lindell's side, trying to find various topics, except for eating and sleeping, he lives like two conjoined twins.

Even mutual friends...well, even James can't help but hide his face.

He stepped back a few steps with his lunch box in his hand, and after hesitating for a moment, he sat opposite Dugan.

"Sorry, I guess I need to switch places today."

He said calmly, "Otherwise you might be blind."

"Oh, this..."

Dugan thought for a while: "It shouldn't be what you imagined? After all, the way you see Lindell..."

He looked very upright, and he didn't have any wrong thoughts. Of course, the expression of Captain America himself was not too much-even though the distance between the two of them was so close that a baguette could only be inserted horizontally at most, it was really difficult. Make people think about other things.

"It's definitely because you don't know them well enough. Believe me, I've known these two bastards for several years longer than you. Steve had such a serious expression when he pretended to be sick and skipped class."

Mr. Barnes elbowed Duggan on the arm, not saying at all that he was the one who suggested the plan to skip class in the first place: "I can bet you that's exactly what I thought."

"...Then what's the bet?"

Dugan asked, "Is there anything we can bet on now?"

"When the war is over, when I win the bet, you're going to treat us all to an Italian restaurant in Brooklyn—I always wanted to go there when I was a kid, but it was too expensive."

Bucky raised his eyebrows, "Is that all right?"

First of all, everyone must live until the end of the war... Of course Dugan didn't say such an ominous thing, he stared at James' green eyes, and promised: "No problem, call Ms. Carter together when the time comes. "

On the other side, Steve and Lindell's conversation has reached areas where most soldiers find it difficult to intervene.

"In 1962, there was a very famous witch trial in Massachusetts. In a small town called Salem, which was full of Puritans, more than two hundred people were detained on accusations of being witches."

Steve recalled the records of occult events he had collected at the time, and after briefly describing them to Lindell, he commented: "This sounds like a mass contagion... What do you think?"

Starting with a girl named Abigail, the town's people began to suffer from strange symptoms of lethargy, body twitching, uncontrollable throwing things, and madness, which local doctors and clergy believed were inspired by Bewitched by the devil, after the attempted exorcism, 19 people were sentenced to hang.The whole story was horrific, the residents of the small town were suspicious of each other, and finally reached the level of mutual reporting and lack of trust. It was not until the local governor Phipps dissolved the then high criminal court that the farce came to an end.

"It's all possible, after all, I haven't been to the local area to see it."

Lindell's answer is very conservative: "It may be that he encountered a cursed spirit, it may be a demon, or it may be that a passing goblin ate part of the soul and embedded extra madness in it...in the field of mysticism There are as many practices that can achieve this symptom, but only accusing the practice of the devil, I think it is discrimination caused by the stereotype of the devil.”

And the ones killed in the end must be ordinary people. Lindell asserted that hanging can't solve goblins or demons at all, and even those human magicians who can do magic are helpless. Although it is not known which force caused this incident, it is very Without exception, the nine dead should all be victims of it.

Steve frowned: "You mean..."

"Do you think a rifle can kill me? If a gun doesn't work, why would a hanging rope be useful... Most of the people who died in medieval witch hunts were ordinary people, because they were really favored by demons The life of a person is not afraid of the fire of hell, let alone the common fire lit by ordinary human beings."

Lindell said: "It's just a farce caused by human cannibalism, just like it is now."

The bonfires that were lit turned into guns, cannons, bombs, aircraft and tanks, and the efficiency of killing people became higher and higher.

"I guess the number of human beings killing their own kind now exceeds that of the great flood that God sent down."

Steve rested his chin and stared at Lindell with his blue eyes. In fact, he was just analyzing the information from the other party's answer, trying to learn as much as possible about the living habits of some goblins.There are 26 billion human beings on the entire earth, and he is one of those 26 billion. How to become "the unique one among all human beings" will always take a little effort - as Mr. Crawley said.

He doesn't need to ingest food. Human ingredients will cause additional burdens besides the taste and taste, and he has no preference for appreciation of literature and art. He is very resistant to crowded places in opera houses; as for natural science and industrial technology... ...Lindell's impression of Stark is not bad, but it is limited to "good", at least it seems that he has no interest in studying for a bachelor's degree in engineering.

"Speaking of... why are you suddenly asking so many things about occultism?"

Lindell can probably guess that the only public mysterious events that can be found in libraries for ordinary people should be information about the situation in Salem: "Obviously there is no magic adaptability, and soldiers don't need to understand Is this... or do you think Hydra has a wizard infiltrated?"

Well, it is indeed necessary to consider the anti-curse ability of this commando... This is a loophole that has not been considered before, Lindell deduced and nodded inwardly.

But such thinking was stifled at the very beginning.

"I want to know more about you."

Steve's attitude is not insincere: "About magicians, angels and demons, the blessings and curses of goblins... as long as it is related to you, I want to try my best to find out."

The lake-green, moist eyes widened slightly.Of course, this is just a magical imitation of human appearance, but it has to be said that both human and fairy forms are breathtaking enough.

"--but why?"

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand."

Steve rolled his eyes and smiled: "As long as you are still willing to listen, I will tell you slowly in the future."

"...Did Crowley put some kind of spell on you?"

Lindell frowned when he heard this, stretched out his hand and brushed lightly on the other person's forehead and shoulders, then withdrew his hand in surprise: "There are no traces of magic...but it can be called abnormal behavior."

"Maybe, after all, I am also a specially modified super soldier."

Steve shrugged: "So according to Dr. Erskine, the metabolic rate, physical ability, and even emotions will be magnified. Maybe these are the causes, just like drinking alcohol can't get drunk."

Three heads poked out from the door frame behind them, and James hated iron and steel: "He's talking about something messy! There's no progress at all, why don't you ask where to rent a house after the war is over!"

Dugan followed behind: "Honestly, Barnes, I think you're thinking a little too much... This is obviously a serious academic discussion, and at most it's a little personal curiosity."

"I've said it all, I know Steve, I know what he wants to ask as soon as he asks."

Bucky said without turning his head: "But this guy just can't grasp the point, and he is circling around the door of the correct answer. At this time, someone needs to push him—"

"So what does he want to know?"

Lindell suddenly turned up the volume, and the goblin's good hearing allowed him to hear the conversation outside the door clearly.

"Bucky??"

Steve looked back in shock and found that there were a lot of people watching at the door.

"Look, it's like a push like this."

Bucky showed a proud expression: "I have been doing this since I was a child."

"...Then Captain Rogers didn't complain about you when he was young, it's really better for him."

Dugan covered his face: "It's not easy that you haven't been beaten until now."

"He can't beat me..."

Baki smiled and looked towards Lindell: "He wants to ask, after the war is over, since you plan to stay in the human world temporarily, do you want to continue living together?"

"Hey... wait... Bucky! It's not time to say-"

He should at least get closer to the other party first, go to the movies or drink coffee together two or three times, see the exhibition hall, and then understand each other's basic plans for post-war life before talking about such a personal topic...

"--sure."

Lindell agreed.

"……when?"

Steve finally caught his breath and looked back at him in disbelief.

"Why did you agree?!"

"Why can't you agree?"

Lindell asked in confusion: "And Bucky said you want to ask this—since you ask this question, don't you want me to refuse?"

"Of course not, I mean, I'm happy, I'd say honoured...but I guess you haven't figured out what that means, I mean..."

Steve was a little incoherent, he was a circle wider than Lindell, and after sitting close, he could completely cage the other party in his shadow: "This has more important meanings on the social level of human beings... "

"Then explain it to me."

Lindell held his chin: "There is no problem with my knowledge and understanding."

Steve was tongue-tied and his breathing became short of breath. Of course he wanted to get on good terms with the other party first, but the situation was so difficult to get off now, but just as he was about to say something, Lindell shook his head slightly.

"—It's okay if you don't want to give a reason."

The goblin boy stopped the opponent: "Your heart rate has almost doubled just now, and the blood flow rate has also changed. Even if you have undergone body modification, I guess this should not be the normal state of a super soldier..."

"If there's something to say that's going to make your health worse, it's okay not to say it."

Lindell's attitude is very serious: "We can detect the malice of human beings, especially the killing intent of human beings, so many human lies and schemes are meaningless to goblins, and because of this, the role of language is not as important to us as human beings. So necessary."

Humans are complex creatures, he'd understood that from the start.Even the difference in skin color and religious belief can lead to years of disputes and even wars. People use language to decorate themselves. Words are a bridge of communication and a sharp sword of attack, but it doesn't matter——

Because the person in front of him has always been honest with his words and deeds.

Steve relaxed as if he had been pardoned, and quickly added: "It's just that now is not the right time, after the war is over—"

He took a deep breath, and his tone was gentle and solemn: "I will tell you everything I want to say bit by bit."

Humans and goblins are different, and everyone he knows reminds him of this consciously or unconsciously. When he made this decision, Steve knew that he would also become the unique one among 26 billion people. Only one can seize the slim chance.

Now it is difficult for him to tell when the curiosity, the enthusiasm for friends, the friendship of helping each other in childhood, and the entrustment of life and death on the battlefield have changed. After all, in various fairy tales, The roles played by the goblins are just "Cinderella's fairy godmother", "King Arthur's tutor", "the dwarf who saved Snow White", which belong to the necessary role that is indispensable in the plot but cannot be the protagonist.

As for "The Little Mermaid"... Forget it, just for once, the goblin side took the initiative, and since His Royal Highness is really a confused guy, let's not talk about it.

In the story, they are willing to take the initiative to achieve a great cause or love for human beings, which has become the key to promoting the development of the plot, but maybe this is just because they want to change their tastes in their long lives and taste the taste of human love ——As a spectator rather than a witness, it is like a meticulous gourmet setting up the knife and fork, waiting for a dessert on the table.

He knew that he had chosen the hard mode from the very beginning. That person was an abnormal creature that was harder to impress than the 26 billion humans in the world, with golden eyes that made it difficult to look away.

"The Adventures of Rogers" is progressing gratifyingly. With the help of a series of adventures and goblins and best friends, he has become the trusted Captain America. But there should be no princess or heroine waiting at the end of the story...

Holding the best round shield, the protagonist turned his head to look at his companions who had been accompanying him in his adventures, and said that we have experienced so many wonderful stories, and we will continue to walk like this together in the future.

On the surface, the conversation that day had little effect on Lindell.

The members of the Roaring Commando often get together and whisper behind the captain and Lindell - life during the war is boring, except for the arrangement and execution of firearms maintenance tasks, there are few good topics that can unite everyone There were few, and gossip was almost human nature, and the "personal progress" of the formation captains was simply the only remaining joy in their lackluster war life.

"Seriously, Barnes, do you think there's any drama?"

The Indian-born paratrooper stuffed a feather into his breast pocket solemnly, appearing to be preoccupied: "I heard my grandma say goblins, and we've already killed several Wendigo... goblins It is only superficially similar to humans, but the core is completely different, and there are many elves who don’t even look like them.”

"Hey, are you making racist comments here?"

Dugan retorted: "I think the biggest problem is that this guy is not yet an adult and has no sense at all, and goblins don't have a menstrual cycle that can be used as a reference. Adulthood may be decades away, and by then it may be Both my sons are married."

"Before talking about your son, you need to have a girlfriend first."

Bucky glanced at him: "When I was the age he looked, I couldn't count the girls I dated to the prom on my ten fingers, and that's not the point of the question."

"And it's not a matter of racial discrimination, how dare I discriminate against him..."

The Indian soldier explained with some headaches: "It's just that in essence, goblins are quite different from humans. They are mysterious creatures compatible with magic, and their way of thinking is also..."

"But I think the captain's ability to say that means he accepts this 'essential difference'."

The last of the commandos chimed in in a small voice.

Bucky made a sudden gesture, and everyone fell silent.Immediately afterwards, the grass rustled a few times, and Steve poked his head out: "Lindell's side is ready, let's break through here first."

"It's time to act, I squatted here for at least two hours."

Bucky unhooked the gun from his back, raised the stock, and began adjusting the scope.

"Speaking of which, what were you talking about just now?"

Steve asked curiously.

"Dinner tonight."

Bucky covered up lightly: "You didn't go with him?"

Steve obviously didn't understand the hidden meaning of "one piece": "Tactically speaking, there is no need to concentrate two combat forces in the same position. A more efficient way is..."

"Oh God."

Bucky covered his face: "Forget it, God can't save you from this kind of thing, you have to ask Mr. Crowley if he has any personal relationship with Asmodeus[1]."

Steve's eyes widened suddenly: "What nonsense are you talking about—"

A bang in the distance interrupted their conversation, and everyone raised their guns and charged without hesitation.This was one of their numerous recent battles, and the process was still smooth, but Steve still frowned deeply in the midst of the battle.

"What's up Steve?"

Holding the sniper gun, Bucky calmly aimed and asked, "Is there anything that you think is beyond the scope of the plan?"

"...No, but that's the problem."

"I don't think I can quite figure out what Schmidt was thinking ... the problem is, it just went so well," Steve said.

They make a plan, break into enemy lines, and succeed, every time, as if these people's lives don't matter at all, and this place itself is programmed to be used for destruction.

——But why?