{Chapter: 261 Encountering Captain America at the Lake}
"But I heard from Peggy that you kicked Captain America off the plane during World War II. If that's true, then he must be dead," Ada said, tilting her head in curiosity.
William gave a subtle shake of his head. "Not necessarily. You're underestimating how strange and flexible the laws of cinematic universes can be. In fact, there are three core principles that govern the movie world."
Ada raised an eyebrow. "Three laws?"
William began counting on his fingers. "First, the movie world is independent—it doesn't interfere with the real world. Second, different genres or movie types don't cross over or influence each other. And third, when two or more films belong to the same shared universe, their stories will minimize direct interference with each other."
Alice furrowed her brows. "Hmm… the first two laws are fairly easy to grasp, but what exactly does the third one mean? Minimize interference how?"
The White Queen, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up after a brief pause to think. "For example, take Iron Man and Captain America. Both belong to the same shared cinematic universe—the Marvel Universe. That means events in Captain America won't disrupt or destroy the plot structure or continuity in Iron Man. It works both ways. So if William caused massive damage or altered events during Captain America, it wouldn't necessarily affect The Avengers timeline."
"So, Captain America surviving doesn't contradict anything," Ada nodded slowly, finally understanding. "The timeline corrects itself."
"Exactly," William said with a small grin. "It's all part of keeping the timeline flow intact. A cosmic corse correctness if you will"
"White Queen," William added, "dig into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files. They must have a record on Captain America."
The White Queen's fingers danced across the keyboard. After a few seconds, she nodded. "Got it. According to their confidential reports, Captain America was recovered from the frozen North Atlantic by S.H.I.E.L.D. two years ago. His body was encased in ice, perfectly preserved. Once they thawed him, he miraculously woke up. It's as if he just took a very long nap—about seventy years long."
"So, the good ol' star-spangled man is still alive," William smirked. "I look forward to seeing him again. I do miss those little skirmishes we used to have."
"I think he only remembers how much he wanted to kill you," Ada said dryly.
William gave a shrug. "Maybe, but during World War II, I was just a bit stronger than him. Now, after everything I've done and become, the difference between us is like heaven and earth."
"If you hadn't been injected with that super soldier serum," Alice said with a teasing smile, "you probably would've been dead halfway through Captain America's movie."
"History doesn't entertain what-ifs," William said smugly. "I'm here, alive and very much thriving."
As he spoke, he pulled Alice into his arms, his hand resting boldly over her chest with no hesitation.
Alice blushed slightly but didn't resist. "Can't you behave yourself, just once?"
"Do you honestly think that's possible?" William replied with a mischievous grin.
"That's like asking a wolf to live on vegetables," Ada said with a laugh.
William released Alice and leaned back, letting out a faint sigh. "I'm the legendary vegetarian wolf—living in a world of conspiracies, constant danger, and endless battles. It's exhausting sometimes, you know?"
"Funny, you don't sound tired," Alice remarked.
"Maybe not," William said. "But that's why I've made a decision. Today, we're taking a break. No plans, no missions, no schemes. Just the four of us going out for a little fun."
"Shopping?" Alice blinked, unsure if she heard right.
Ada mirrored her surprise. "You want to go shopping?"
Alice and Ada were stunned for a moment. For them, shopping seemed to be very unfamiliar. They didn't know when they hadn't been shopping.
"For real?" Alice asked again, as if the word itself felt alien to her.
"It's been too long since we just… have a normal human day," William said. "Let's change our appearances, step outside, enjoy the sun, maybe ride something fast, and pretend we're normal. Just for a day."
"Fine by me," White Queen said, her eyes glowing with a soft, light green hue. The light scanned over William, Alice, and Ada, instantly altering their facial features, hair color, and even posture.
"Perfect," William said, admiring the new disguises. "Now we're just another ordinary family out on the town."
"Ordinary," Ada muttered under her breath with a smirk, "right."
---
In the garage, William and the three women approached a sleek, green supercar. Though it still retained its signature green color, the vehicle's design had clearly undergone a massive overhaul. Its aerodynamic shape, glowing under the soft lighting of the underground lot, made it look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.
"Boss! Finally! It's really you guys!" the car shouted excitedly, its voice bursting from the speakers. "I thought you all forgot about me! I've been stuck here for more than eight months! I was starting to feel like an abandoned relic!"
Crosshairs—sounded half-tearful, half-relieved. It had been a long time since he'd had company, and boredom had nearly driven him insane.
William, followed by Alice, Ada, and the White Queen, got into the car. He rolled his eyes and scolded, "You talk too much for a car. Be grateful you weren't the one lying unconscious for eight months. I've been in bed the whole time—injured."
"You... you were in bed for eight months?" Crosshairs exclaimed, then added with mock admiration, "Boss, you're incredible. Eight months straight? That's got to be a world record!"
Ada stared at the dashboard, baffled. "Wait—what do you think he means?"
"Eh? Isn't he talking about—?" Crosshairs paused, realizing his implication.
White Queen sighed and shook her head with mock disapproval. "Your circuits have clearly degraded. William wasn't 'in bed' the way you're thinking. He was beaten half to death and unconscious for the whole eight months. And your mind somehow went there?"
Crosshairs gasped. "What?! The boss was actually attacked? Who was it? I swear, just give me the name—I'll track them down and blast them into the next century!"
"Relax, hot wheels," White Queen said dryly. "You'd be vaporized before you even honked. Just stick to driving and try not to short-circuit yourself."
Crosshairs let out a defeated beep. "Fine... but you didn't have to crush my self-esteem like that."
"Enough chit-chat," William interrupted. "Take us to the city center. Let's enjoy a few laps around the streets."
"Understood, boss!" Crosshairs revved to life and zoomed forward like a bullet, his tires screeching with excitement as he hit the road for the first time in months.
---
At a grand, modern shopping mall, the group split up to explore. For Alice and Ada, the moment they walked past the glittering storefronts, something primal was awakened. Their suppressed love for fashion and aesthetics suddenly bubbled to the surface.
Inside one boutique, they tried on outfit after outfit with the kind of enthusiasm normally reserved for combat training.
"What do you think of this one?" Ada asked, stepping out in a fiery red dress. The color matched her bold personality perfectly.
William looked up from the sofa where he had been forced to wait. "Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Red really suits you."
The White Queen, lounging beside him with a bored expression, rolled her eyes. "You said the exact same thing about the last five dresses."
"Well, it's true every time!" William protested.
Just then, Alice appeared wearing sleek black tights and a fitted top that clung to her curves like a second skin. "How's black tights?" she asked.
"Very good, it suits you very well, showing your perfect figure." William made a conclusion after just one look.
William blinked once and nodded. "Very nice. It really emphasizes your silhouette. You look… amazing."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you say the same thing about my last outfit?"
William groaned and rubbed his temples. "Okay, new idea—how about we buy every outfit you've tried on so far and skip the modeling part?"
"No way!" Alice and Ada said in unison.
"You're the one who insisted on going shopping today," Alice added with a smug grin.
"I miscalculated. I didn't expect the two of you to dive into this with such passion," William admitted, rising to his feet. "It's starting to feel like psychological torture. I'm going to walk around and clear my head. You two enjoy yourselves. I'll be back soon."
As William walked off, Ada giggled. "He ran away."
Alice smirked. "Didn't think we'd be the ones to wear him out."
---
Outside, near an artificial lake within the city's central park, a man sat alone beneath the shade of a decorative pavilion. His strong build and posture were unmistakable, though his eyes seemed distant and lost in thought.
He stared into the calm waters, his expression somber. Though the world had moved on, he hadn't. Two years had passed since he was revived, yet the whirlwind of technology, culture, and change left him feeling like an outsider. This future wasn't his—it never would be.
A man out of time…
William strolled along the curved path, breathing in the fresh air, grateful to be away from clothing racks and high heels. As he neared the pavilion, his gaze locked onto the man's broad shoulders and clean-cut appearance.
"Captain America, Steve Rogers..." he murmured with a smirk. "What a coincidence."
With a hint of amusement in his voice, William walked straight toward the man.
Steve didn't turn around. He remained focused on the lake, unaware—or perhaps simply unconcerned—that someone was approaching.
"What's got a man like you lost in thought by the water?" William said, stopping just behind him.
There was a pause. The wind rustled the trees around them as silence lingered.
Finally, Steve Rogers turned his head slowly. His eyes met William's—and there was recognition. Cold, quiet recognition.
*****
You can support me by joining my Patreon and get upto 60 chapters in advance.
patreon.com/Eden_Translation