Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics
Chapter 4667 - 3744: The Mercury Era (Complete)_2

Chapter 4667 - 3744: The Mercury Era (Complete)_2

Little Rogers hasn't slept well since his powers erupted, constantly fussing. Carter had to hold him and coax him back to sleep. Steve gently closed the door and took a step forward, but staggered and leaned against the wall.

Shiller walked over from the end of the corridor and said, "Relax, Captain. Natasha and the others are waiting for you downstairs."

Steve nodded and said, "I might have to go to S.H.I.E.L.D. tonight for a security consultation. Could you help me take care of Carter and Little Tommy?"

Shiller just smiled without speaking. Steve went downstairs but didn't see fully armed agents, only a pile of brightly colored gift boxes.

"You left in such a hurry, you didn't even take the gifts. They've been preparing for a long time," Natasha said, arms crossed. "We brought them over for you. Nick said not to worry, he'll handle Congress and the UN Security Council. Xu Shang-Chi called his boss in Shenzhen, and he'll fly back to China overnight to explain the situation. Charles and Erik have returned to New Xanadu, preparing a global announcement regarding this matter. Reed and Susan are busy getting ready for their wedding. Everything will be fine soon."

Steve stood silently, as if unsure of what to say. Shiller stepped forward and said, "Don't expect our good Captain to have any reaction. He's been too shocked and is probably exhausted. Let's move the gifts to the warehouse first..."

"No." Steve suddenly spoke, "I want to open them before my birthday ends."

Shiller glanced at his watch and said, "There's less than two and a half hours left. Are you sure?"

"Yes." As soon as Steve spoke, he started acting, bending down to pick up a box on the floor to open it. Then he waved to Shiller and the others, saying, "Help me arrange the gifts, big ones over here, small ones over there..."

"Alright." Shiller laughed and said, "You still have some helpers."

With that, Shiller sent a few words in the group chat. Soon, a group of young people in hospital gowns rushed down:

"Captain America!!! The Doctor really brought us back Captain America!!! Long live Captain America!!!"

Steve looked helpless as he was crowded into the throng, and then they tossed him up as if celebrating a victory, constantly cheering "Long live."

The youths were skilled and quickly sorted the gift boxes. Steve also unwrapped them quickly. Though there were many, they were just boxes after all, and he finished unwrapping them soon.

He unwrapped so quickly that he didn't look closely. Shiller prepared a large box and a cart for him, and Steve placed all the gifts into the large box.

Shiller waved the bottle in his hand and said, "I'm afraid I'm the only one who can celebrate midnight with you. Let's go."

They went to the kitchen. Shiller went for the glasses and poured the wine while Steve inspected the gifts one by one.

Bucky gave him a set of art supplies. Steve shook his head and said, "He is still so uncreative, giving this every year. But it's fine, having him alive to attend my birthday party is the best gift."

Strange gave him a suspension ring, the kind that opens a small teleportation portal through a person. He's been busy at Kamar-Taj lately, so he didn't make it to the party, and someone else brought the gift for him.

Loki didn't come either, he's also been busy lately. But he sent along an Asgardian shield. Rumor has it that it was used by Thor when he was young, though Shiller and Steve didn't quite believe it, because Thor doesn't seem like the kind of person to use defensive equipment.

Nick gave Steve a pair of shoes, the tactical boots he loved wearing when he was younger. Steve couldn't help but marvel, "This brand hasn't closed down yet. But these boots are indeed suitable for marching and trekking, we all wore these back then."

Xu Shang-Chi sent Chinese cigarettes. Steve laughed upon seeing them, although he doesn't smoke, he's been worried about what gift to take when visiting old comrades.

"Easan was quite the smoker back in the day, he was the best at it during training. He didn't just smoke himself, he also stole cigarettes from the squad next door, and once got caught..."

Steve rambled on about the past, occasionally sipping his drink. Shiller didn't interject, just quietly listened, but from Steve's narrative, he could glimpse the spirit of those idealists at the Lighthouse.

"Oh, what's this?" Steve took a book-like object from the box, gently stroking the cover, leaned in for a closer look, and said, "My God, could this be a hand-drawn comic by someone?!"

Shiller laughed, lightly clinking his glass against Steve's. Steve looked up at him incredulously:

"You drew this?!"

Shiller nodded.

Steve lowered his head and stared quietly at the cover, then began to flip through the pages. The first issue wasn't long, even careful reading wouldn't take too much time. Then he closed the comic again and looked at the title on the cover:

"Why 'The Mercury Age'? I thought..."

"You thought I'd use your usual 'Golden Age'?" Shiller said, lightly shaking his head, "The Golden Age is always now. No matter how good the past was, it's like mercury, shiny and beautiful, but slipping away through every crack, impossible to grasp."

Steve remained silent for a while, then turned to look out the window. Tonight, the moonlight was beautiful, and the flying car was parked on the lawn. Moonlight shone on its bright surface, almost concealing its originally black color, the whole vehicle flowing like mercury—as if it belonged to that era: bright, mysterious, with a touch of cruel indifference, flowing smoother than sand, merrier than a stream, and like mercury, its beautiful appearance made one overlook its dangerous nature.

Steve looked again at the pile of things lying in the box. They were disorganized, neither possessing the carved beauty nor the sanctity of sculptures, seeming ordinary and trivial. But as Steve gazed at them, he heard the sound of a harp being plucked continuously, each note distinctly different, echoing from the strings of his heart.

"You're right." Steve said, "Now is the best Golden Age, it's time to say goodbye to the past."

"Saying goodbye to the past isn't about forgetting, it's about recording. When things are written on paper, they become history, eternally trapped in pages or passed down orally, rather than walking in the present." Shiller said, looking at the comic in Steve's hand.

"Then let's record it all, Doctor." Steve smiled and said, "I have a feeling this comic will be a best-seller."