General Hale was not here to surrender, at least her expression was not.

"I thought I could see your daughter, Hale." Gideon Malik walked up to greet her in the wind rolled up by the helicopter. This was a very clean and tidy woman. She was wearing a simple black women's suit and a heavy velvet jacket. Her long golden hair was tied into a tight bun behind her head. Even her makeup was not as delicate as ordinary women. Her nails were cut very short, without any jewelry, and she revealed a capable temperament everywhere. "I also prepared a gift for her!"

"I don't know where you heard the rumor, Gideon." General Hale's face remained unchanged, "I'm still unmarried."

"Oh, that must be my memory wrong. Sorry, I'm too old." Gideon Malik laughed, "Come with me, the temperature in the Alps is so low. I've already started the fire and you can warm it up. Tonight is a good time to drink hot red wine, and you must often choose the wine Stephanie himself."

"I'm happy, Gideon." General Hale followed Gideon Malik off the tarmac.

This is an ancient castle built hundreds of years ago and once belonged to a down-and-out nobleman. The previous generation of Malik family members bought it after the First World War as a summer resort. In summer, the air here is cool, and you can see the green pastures and flocks of sheep. However, it is winter, and the cold wind in the mountains is accompanied by snowflakes, wandering in the passage made of black stone bricks. Although General Hale was wearing heavy clothes, her face was still as cold as the face was ashen. The warmth brought by the brazier lit in the passage was insignificant. The burning firewood, the smell of fuel and the burning metal almost made her feel in a war workshop.

Even though she knew that her bodyguard had been following her, she was still worried about the negotiation. The sound of the helicopter engine became farther and farther away, and finally disappeared completely in the winding passage. Gideon Malik reached out and invited General Hale to walk up the stairs.

"Maybe I need a companion." She held Gideon Malik's arm, "I think I might get lost."

"Honor, ma'am," Gideon Malik replied with a smile, leading General Hale into the castle. Unlike imagined, this was not a deep and dark terrifying nest, but a gorgeous and warm hall. General Hale thought in a trance that she had walked into the king's room. A crimson flag was hung on the throne in the center, and a golden silk thread was embroidered with a soaring eagle, surrounded by golden laurels. Above the smaller seat next to the throne, another flag was hung. It was made of pure black as the background, and the ancient legend of Hydera was written with white lines. In addition, there were some shields with badges arranged neatly on the walls on both sides of the hall. Although General Hale had not studied heraldic art, she could still tell what those badges represented.

Snakes, scales and fangs, all of these badges possess these elements.

These are the badges of the Hydra family.

"The most important role of history is to let us understand where we are from." Gideon Malik patted General Hale's palm. He felt the woman's fingers were cold, and he was covered with snowy branches outside the castle. General Hale smiled and expressed that he was extremely interested in history.

"It's still too cold here, let's go to the warm room to taste the delicious food." He led General Hale through a door. General Hale was surprised to find some women in dark armor standing here. She keenly noticed the high technology contained in those armors. Since the Department of Defense failed to plan to force Tony Stark to hand over the technology, American power armor research has been on the same starting line as other countries. She did not expect that the Malik family had such technical strength.

Instead of introducing the women, Gideon Malik introduced General Hale to the portraits hanging in the corridor. "Every portrait here is someone who once had great achievements and outstanding contributions," he said, "including the Malik family."

General Hale said with a reluctant smile, "I'm glad you've opened up the history of the Malik family to me, but you know I don't have much time."

"Sorry, I have another old problem. I am too old. Please come with me." He led General Hale to continue walking forward. The further he walked, the darker the light in the corridor became. The light disappeared, only the lit candles and lanterns. General Hale saw something shining in front, and she thought it was the light.

It was a giant wearing gorgeous golden armor. He occupied all his sights since he appeared. The height of the corridor seemed to be able to accommodate his existence. He was like a golden statue in a crimson cloak. He had sculptures of skeletons and eagle wings on his thick golden shoulder armor, the sun, moon, flowers, plants, runes and animals, and various exquisite reliefs were carefully engraved on the surface of his armor. Priceless gems were decorated on the breastplate and arm armor, reflecting the candlelight in the corridor. The pointed helmet, which was like a wing of the eagle, was decorated with red tassels. The huge halberd that ordinary people could not use was loaded with amazing weapons.

General Hale felt that her courage became thinner as she approached the giant. She had to use all her willpower to not scream and leave it aside and not order the bodyguard behind her to shoot. She regretted that she was not prepared enough, and she did not expect the Malik family to have such strength.

No, not right!

She suddenly understood the intention of Gideon Malik to take her around the hall. Gideon Malik told her in a tactful way that the Hydra now has a master, and these are the powers owned by the owners of the Malik family. Super soldier, power armor... General Hale has no doubt that this is just the tip of the iceberg of the power owned by the mysterious character.

She has now become the one who comes to surrender, and she must show her value. When the giant spoke, General Hale felt that the air in his lungs was about to be drained.

"He is waiting for you," said the giant. He raised his arm and made an invitation gesture. It was not until then that General Hale noticed that this was not a medieval armor, but a power armor that humans could not achieve at present. He looked at General Hale's bodyguard, "Only you, and you. You are."

"We all understand, Constantine." Gideon nodded, opened the door, and then pulled General Hale, who was still in a daze, and walked in. Gideon did not want to blame General Hale for her performance. She was so calm that she had been the result of years of military training. When he first saw the Imperial Guard, he performed worse than her. General Hale's bodyguard hesitated, not knowing whether he should follow. He looked at the thickness of his shoulder armor and felt that the pistol he carried could not penetrate such a protection at all, and it was impossible for him to leave any trace on it.

"She will be fine." The giant spoke again, "as long as she can satisfy my master."

"Your master?" The bodyguard felt his nerves all over his body calling the police. He felt the danger of the giant in front of him. His fingers were numb and his legs were weak, but his years of service experience made him barely stand instead of falling to the ground. "Did you use super soldier serum?"
Chapter completed!