Capítulo 47: Chapter 47: Kingsman Academy
Arthur Kane, the head of Kingsman, stood before William. William had seen the movie "Kingsman" and knew this seemingly kind old man was a tough character. He was very wary of him.
Arthur Kane smiled and said, "William, I don't know if you know about us, but from the look in your eyes, I believe my guess is correct, isn't it?"
Arthur Kane paused, looking seriously into William's eyes.
William couldn't compare to these lifelong veterans, but he couldn't think of a way to brush off Arthur Kane. He couldn't just say he saw him in a movie, so he chose to remain silent.
"I think Henry might have told you something, maybe even left you my information. Otherwise, you wouldn't have made me feel like you knew me the first time we met. Am I right, William?" Arthur Kane said confidently.
Ha, William chuckled internally. This excuse was perfect, no need to rack his brain anymore. Arthur Kane had handed him the reason himself.
William nodded at Arthur Kane and said, "I know you, Harry Hart, and Merlin Strong."
"So, as M said, Henry Winston Devonshire really did leave a lot of secret files about England to you," Arthur Kane said, his eyes turning icy, staring at William like he wanted to eat him alive.
William hurriedly explained, "No, I only saw information about the Kingsman Academy. Henry had thought about arranging for me to go to Kingsman Academy for training, so he left some introduction material about the academy."
Arthur Kane's smile returned as he said, "No, William Devonshire, you're lying. Merlin Strong only joined the academy eight years ago, and Henry was already dead by then. You're lying, William."
This was a result of the movie messing things up. William realized the movie was set over a decade in the future, so how could he know when Merlin Strong joined the academy?
Since he couldn't explain it, William decided to keep his mouth shut. The more he said, the more mistakes he'd make. He wasn't a match for these old foxes yet.
However, William noticed that Harry Hart was looking at him with a different expression—appreciation, admiration, and affection. What the hell? Why did the word "affection" come to mind?
William was puzzled by Harry Hart's behavior, but when he looked at him again, Harry Hart's expression returned to normal.
William's brain, enhanced by the system, was running at full speed. Could it be that Harry Hart used to be a member of his grandfather Henry Winston Devonshire's W team? William was startled by his own thought.
He recalled his grandfather's letter, which warned him not to trust anyone. Henry must have anticipated that former W team members might come looking for William, but after over a decade, who knew what those former members had turned into? Only God knew their intentions.
Though this was a movie world, it was also a real world. William dared not trust anyone easily. Even if they didn't mean him harm now, that didn't guarantee they wouldn't in the future.
"Never mind, we had already guessed that old Henry would leave something behind. We just weren't sure what. Now, it's clear. William, someone as smart as you staying low for almost ten years must be Henry's teaching. He really went all out for you. I don't know what Henry taught you, but I hope you can come to our academy and relearn everything. It will be good for you."
What good could that be? They just wanted to keep him close for easier observation. Besides, he had no interest in being tortured in the academy. He had plenty of knowledge about spies in his head; he could learn whatever he wanted by himself. He had no desire for self-torture.
William quickly refused, "No need, Arthur. I don't have the time or interest to go to the academy. I prefer making money. If it weren't for Henry wanting me to inherit his legacy, I wouldn't want to be a spy at all. Even W team, I'm not interested in forming it. This is fine. It's not like Henry's era anymore; it's been ten years since the '90s."
"Foolish, William Devonshire. If I can guess that Henry left files for you, others can too. They won't be as nice as I am. Do you think you can ensure your safety just because you managed to subdue 007? This isn't ten years ago. Many technologies and techniques have changed. What Henry taught you ten years ago is now obsolete."
"And William, you should think about your mother. Your mother is just an ordinary person."
Upon hearing Arthur Kane threaten his mother, Lena, William's demeanor changed. Arthur Kane, Harry Hart, and Merlin Strong suddenly felt as if they were being stared down by a lion or tiger, their hairs standing on end.
Seeing the previously harmless young man suddenly turn into a fierce beast ready to devour them, Merlin Strong, who had never faced danger on a mission, was so scared that he took a few steps back, trembling and pointing at William. "You..."
Arthur Kane and Harry Hart didn't fare much better. Although they didn't step back, their faces were full of panic, just like Merlin Strong.
The mental pressure was too much for ordinary people.
William reined in his suddenly unleashed mental power and said through gritted teeth, "If anyone disturbs Lena, I'll take them all down. I mean it. And Arthur Kane, I don't believe you would have waited ten years without touching me or Lena. Henry must have left something to keep you in check. Tell those who want to mess with me, don't provoke me. When I go crazy, I don't care about rules. If they touch Lena, I won't hesitate to wipe out their entire family."
When William retracted his mental power, Arthur Kane and the other two finally felt better. Arthur Kane, still shaken, thought to himself, 'What on earth did Henry teach William that could make someone like me feel this way? I haven't felt this alarmed in decades.'
Merlin Strong, looking at William with terror, thought to himself that William really wanted to kill them just now. He decided that it was best not to meet this monster unless necessary. He had heard that a few days ago, William had subdued 007 and three armed MI6 elite agents with just coins, keys, and a rope.
Harry Hart, on the other hand, looked at William with curiosity. To his knowledge, Henry wasn't particularly skilled in combat, only average. What did Henry leave William that allowed him to become so formidable in just ten years while lying low?
Arthur Kane, being the seasoned leader of Kingsman, quickly regained his composure and said to William, "William, the best way to prove you're on our side is to show it. If we believe you're with us, at least we old guys won't go after you, and neither will the English government. This mission is a good opportunity, William. Show us what you can do. You know that joining a group requires some effort. You're smart enough to understand that."
Heh, isn't that just a loyalty test? That's been a thing since "Water Margin"—doing things everyone does to join in. Who doesn't know that?
William said to Arthur Kane, "How I do it is my business. But don't worry, we're already on the same side, Arthur. I'll prove with my actions that I'm not someone to be trifled with."
Arthur Kane smiled and said, "That's for the best. William, we'll be waiting for your performance. Don't disappoint us, William."
William felt displeased hearing this old man talk about waiting for his performance. He thought, you're not some loyal patriot. When you betray, I'll take you down.
William smiled back and said, "You'll see, Arthur. Maybe next time we meet, you'll be pleasantly surprised."
Next time I see you, I'll take you down, William thought. Now that he had authorization from the Security Committee, he could investigate anyone. If he found anything, it would be the end for them.
Arthur Kane suddenly shivered, feeling uneasy but not knowing why. His years of being a spy made him worried, sensing some impending misfortune.
Arthur Kane shook hands with William to say goodbye, and William also shook hands with Merlin Strong and Harry Hart. After they all left, William went to a corner of the bar, sat down, and looked at the note Harry Hart had handed him during the handshake. It read, "Don't trust anyone."
Damn, another brain teaser. Of course, I don't trust anyone. Not even you, Harry Hart. If you believe a spy, pigs might fly.
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