"I believe it excites her. The thrill of control, perhaps."
Sif continued, "Especially those men who already have someone in their hearts."
"And besides, even the strongest warrior needs an army to conquer and plunder. This aligns perfectly with her usual tactics."
"She recruits the most valiant warriors and then unleashes carnage, leaving destruction in her wake."
Hearing this, May's expression turned serious as she said, "Her target this time is Charles Agency. The people there are incredibly formidable."
"The ninjas in that office are unmatched by any S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Not even me, Ward, or Coulson, with all the strength we have now, can compare."
Sif nodded in agreement, saying, "I see. So that's her aim."
…
Meanwhile-
Coulson was debating whether to inform Charles Doyle about Lorelei's impending attack.
For S.H.I.E.L.D., Charles was an unpredictable and dangerous factor.
Unlike the Avengers, Charles was rated as an extreme threat in their evaluations. Many S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had fallen to him, and the mutual animosity between them ran deep.
Unlike the Avengers, who often acted selflessly, Charles required payment for his actions. He wouldn't intervene against criminals or villains unless there was a financial incentive.
To Coulson, Charles was essentially a supervillain.
If Lorelei managed to take control of Charles's people, it would weaken his strength significantly—a potential benefit for S.H.I.E.L.D.
But Coulson also knew that the situation needed to be handled carefully. Any action had to weaken Charles without causing irreversible damage.
After weighing his options, Coulson decided to inform Charles, but only after Lorelei had already made her move.
…
Back with Sif and May-
Coulson appeared at the doorway and announced, "Surveillance cameras have captured them. If Lorelei's goal is to find powerful warriors, I'd say she just hit the jackpot."
"She's already reached the street where Charles Agency is located."
"Our agents tried to stop her but failed and are now under her control."
Hearing this, Sif and May's expressions turned grim.
"This is bad. Lorelei's forces are growing stronger," May said.
Coulson asked, "Does Lorelei's power work on all men, no matter how strong they are?"
Sif shook her head and replied, "I'm not sure if there's a limit to her control."
She hesitated briefly, a pained memory flashing through her mind, before continuing, "Once, even Thor fell under her spell, obeying her every command."
Hearing this, Coulson's pupils contracted slightly.
In Coulson's understanding, Thor was a being on par with Charles Doyle. Whether in terms of individual power or the forces backing them, they were equals.
Charles had the Ninja World and the Wizarding World behind him, while Thor had the might of Asgard and its residents.
Given Thor's longevity and immense strength, Coulson realized that if even he could be controlled by Lorelei, then Charles Doyle might not be immune.
If Charles were ever controlled, the power he wielded could destabilize the entire planet.
Coming to this conclusion, Coulson urgently declared, "We need to stop them immediately."
Sif asked, "How much time until we arrive?"
May responded, "We're still ten minutes from reaching New York. Even after that, it'll take more time to get to Charles Agency."
"By the time we arrive, everyone there will already be under her control."
Sif stated firmly, "We cannot let the situation escalate any further."
"Under no circumstances can Lorelei be allowed to reach Supreme Merlin. If she does, the consequences would be catastrophic."
"Do you have a way to contact Charles Doyle?"
Coulson nodded and replied, "I'll contact him immediately and hope it's not too late."
Without another word, Coulson turned and headed straight for his office.
…
Meanwhile-
Lorelei had already reached the front entrance of Charles Agency. The two doormen stationed there had fallen under her control, eagerly holding the doors open for her.
"Please, enter, beautiful angel," one said reverently.
Lorelei, swaying her hips gracefully, walked confidently into the building, leaving a mass of her controlled followers outside.
Upon stepping into the grand and luxurious lobby, Lorelei couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
She strode further inside, her eyes scanning the interior and its occupants. The office was bustling with activity.
Apart from the staff, the lounge area hosted two young men—Uchiha Obito and Uchiha Shisui—chatting quietly.
In the dining area, Jiraiya was deep in conversation with a striking blonde woman.
Lorelei's gaze lingered on the three men. Noticing the forehead protectors they wore, she realized they must be the ninjas Roy had mentioned.
Lorelei headed to the reception desk, where a man named Michael greeted her with a professional smile.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. How can we assist you today?" Michael asked.
Lorelei's lips curled into a faint smile as she placed her hand gently on Michael's hand on the desk.
"Is your boss, Charles Doyle, in the office today?" she inquired softly.
The moment her touch and voice reached him, Michael's eyes glazed over as her spell took hold. His heart and soul now belonged entirely to Lorelei.
"You're stunning," he murmured, utterly entranced.
By now, every man in the lobby had their eyes glued to Lorelei. Those with weaker wills had already fallen under her influence.
Even Obito and Shisui, sitting in the lounge, couldn't help but look in her direction. In the dining area, even the usually composed Jiraiya was compelled to glance over, though he hadn't yet succumbed.
Michael, still enraptured, responded, "I'm terribly sorry, but our boss, Charles Doyle, is not currently in the office."
Hearing this, Lorelei frowned slightly, disappointed that she couldn't immediately control such a formidable warrior.
Noticing her displeasure, Michael leaned forward, eager to please, "Is there anything I can do for you, my beautiful lady?"
Lorelei smiled, a gesture that sent Michael's heart soaring. In his mind, Lorelei had already replaced his wife, Selene.
"Who is the strongest man in this office?" Lorelei asked.
Without hesitation, Michael glanced toward the dining area, pointing to Jiraiya.
"That gentleman over there, Jiraiya of the Sannin, is the strongest man in our office."
Lorelei's smile deepened. She reached out, grasped Michael's tie, and gently pulled him closer.
"And what's your name, my dear?" she asked sweetly.
"Michael. My name is Michael!" he answered eagerly.
Lorelei released his tie, brushing her hand affectionately across his face before turning and heading toward Obito and Shisui in the lounge.