"Tsk tsk, what a show..." Morin said, clearly impressed.
Although the plot had deviated from the original trajectory, Morin was confident everything was still under his control.
This confidence didn't come from arrogance.
It came from information.
He could monitor both Blackheart and Mephisto in real time.
There was nothing he could do about it.
After the Ancient One's arrangements, Earth had become Morin's best battlefield.
He held too many advantages here.
If this were Hell, none of what he was doing would be this easy.
Stopping Mephisto from making a last-ditch move there would've been extremely difficult.
"Blackheart has learned the location of the San Venganza contract from Mephisto," Morin said as he appeared beside the small church, speaking to Carter Slade. "He'll come for it soon."
"You still retain residual Ghost Rider power. That means you're not an ordinary human. If he attacks you, it won't violate my contract with Mephisto, so I can't intervene directly."
"What should I do?" Carter asked, gripping his shovel tightly.
"Hand over the contract," Morin replied with a smile.
"...Are you sure?" Carter hesitated.
"Of course," Morin said calmly. "The Sorcerer Supreme has already paved the way. If I can't resolve this perfectly now, I won't forgive myself."
Carter still looked uncertain.
Morin didn't rush him.
Carter had made mistakes, but only one.
He'd trusted a devil.
In truth, he'd been deceived and had spent his life atoning.
That way of thinking was deeply influenced by Heaven's teachings.
If it were Morin-
He would've demanded compensation from Heaven instead.
He would've said: I infiltrated Hell for you, worked under a demon, gathered intelligence, betrayed him-and you're not helping me?
"If you still don't believe me..." Morin let the wing tattoo on his arm surface.
A ray of holy light shone out.
He carefully avoided letting it touch Carter directly.
He didn't want to accidentally purify him into nothing.
"This is Heaven's acknowledgment," Morin said. "When this is over, just like I promised, I'll give you a proper burial."
"This is..." Carter's voice trembled.
A man who'd lived most of his life in guilt and regret-
Seeing a path to redemption appear so suddenly-
It was enough to shake him completely.
His doubts vanished.
"Thank you!"
"It's nothing," Morin said, waving his hand and making the tattoo disappear.
He didn't know why, but an old man staring at his arm felt uncomfortable.
"So," Morin continued, "let's stick to the plan."
"What's the plan?" Johnny finally spoke up.
After fighting Blackheart's group, he'd come straight here.
His first transformation had burned both body and soul with hellfire.
The pain was indescribable.
Then came the battle.
Then the ride back.
Since he hadn't mastered his abilities yet, he reverted to human form during the day.
All the accumulated pain hit him at once.
He passed out.
He'd only woken up after Morin arrived.
Fortunately, Carter had firsthand experience.
As the previous Ghost Rider, he knew the aftermath well.
He'd prepared large amounts of water.
After drinking it, Johnny finally recovered from dehydration.
Even though he became a skeleton when transformed, Johnny was still human.
He still needed water.
In theory, Ghost Riders shouldn't have bodily needs at all.
Otherwise, peeing hellfire like in the sequel would've been... horrifying.
"The plan hasn't changed," Morin said with a smile. "You just do what you're supposed to do."
"If everything goes well, afterward, you can do whatever you want."
"...I remember now," Johnny said, his face darkening.
Morin's words triggered memories of last night.
That short journey-
Interrupted more than twenty times.
It had been torture for Mephisto.
But it had been torture for Johnny too.
Still, Johnny didn't dare suggest changing the plan.
Morin was helping him.
And he was tormenting Mephisto.
That alone was enough for Johnny to agree to anything.
Johnny's hatred for Mephisto wasn't just revenge for his father.
It was complicated.
A love-hate relationship.
"At least I still have a chance," Johnny thought.
He'd seen Roxanne again.
She'd given him another chance.
He'd met someone who could break the unfair contract binding him.
Give him freedom.
Let him chase happiness again.
Even if success wasn't guaranteed-
It was close enough.
After decades of bad luck, things were finally turning around.
Johnny smiled.
"You should head back," Morin said, seeing his expression. He waved him off.
"Alright," Johnny replied.
He left, mounted his bike, and rode home.
"He's as happy now as he'll be angry later," Carter said, shaking his head.
"Anger is useful," Morin replied calmly. "Used correctly, it builds trust."
"That's why I can't tell him the details."
"Not everyone is a good actor."
"If he knew in advance, mistakes would happen."
"The anger is temporary."
"But it's essential."
"As long as the result is success, everyone wins."
...
Night fell.
Carter stood before his own tombstone, leaning on his shovel.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
"Are you the previous Ghost Rider, Carter Slade?"
Carter didn't answer.
He lifted the shovel and slammed it against the tombstone.
The blade snapped free.
Inside the hollow handle-
The contract.
He pulled it out and threw it backward.
"What does this mean?" Blackheart caught it instinctively.
He unrolled it.
It was real.
"Take it," Carter said without turning. His voice was heavy. "I've guarded it for years. Heaven still hasn't accepted me."
"As long as someone comes for it, I'll give it up."
"It ruined my life."
"I don't want it haunting me after death."
"Why not give it back to Mephisto?" Blackheart asked hesitantly.
"Mephisto?" Carter spat. "That decrepit, paranoid devil?"
"I'd give it to a dog before I gave it to him."
"You want to fight him? Go ahead."
"I'm rooting for you."
Blackheart didn't know whether to laugh or be angry.
He liked the insult toward Mephisto.
But giving it to a dog was clearly insulting him too.
After checking the contract one last time, he left.
He'd gotten what he wanted.
"...How was my acting?" Carter finally exhaled once Morin appeared.
"Perfect," Morin nodded. "Those were real feelings, weren't they?"
"What? Of course not!"
"I meant the Heaven part."
"Cough... of course not."
"It's fine," Morin said casually. "I'm not that fond of Heaven either."
He showed the wing tattoo again.
"But this time, it's not their choice."
"I'm forcing you in."
"Really?" Carter's eyes widened. "Thank you!"
"Get ready," Morin said. "Don't transform yet."
"I'll have Johnny meet you."
"That's when the real show starts."
"I'm going to check on Johnny."
"Alright!" Carter whistled sharply.
A skeletal horse arrived.
Carter mounted it with speed completely mismatched with his age.
...
Johnny stepped out of his house.
Mephisto's voice echoed.
"Blackheart has the contract. Go kill him and bring the souls back."
"I'll kill him," Johnny sneered. "But the contract?"
"Forget it."
"You know the penalty for breaking a contract," Mephisto narrowed his eyes.
"So what?" Johnny said flatly.
"Go ahead and try," Mephisto smiled coldly. "I'll make you give it to me."
"Are you delusional?" Johnny retorted, transforming into the Ghost Rider.
With Carter's coaching and old texts, he'd finally mastered his powers.
Just as he was about to ride-
"Illegal modification. Reckless driving. Please pay the fine."
Morin rested a hand on the bike.
"..."
Johnny looked at Mephisto.
Like a boss waiting for his subordinate to pay a ticket.
"Don't get arrogant," Mephisto said coldly.
"Just doing my job," Morin replied.
"Blackheart is heading to San Venganza," Mephisto continued. "He'll absorb the souls and become unstoppable!"
"Just a thousand souls?" Morin scoffed. "You're really underselling me."
"Because you're weak on Earth, does that mean you're stupid too?"
"And even if he surpasses me, I'll just ask the Ancient One."
"Heh," Mephisto changed tactics. "He could sacrifice those souls to open the gates of Hell!"
"Demons. Hell-Lords."
"Earth would be flooded."
"Even the Ancient One couldn't save everyone."
"That's your fantasy," Morin replied coldly. "If Blackheart helped you, it'd be the joke of the century."
"What if this was all our act?"
"I was worried. Not anymore."
"What if I control him?"
"I was worried. Not anymore."
"What if this whole thing was my lie?"
"I was worried. Not anymore."
"...Can you say something else?"
"I could've," Morin sighed. "Didn't need to."
"But now I will."
"Even if everything you said is true, someone's got my back."
"I can't lose."
"And I'm definitely going to squeeze you dry."
"What about human casualties?" Mephisto asked.
"I worry," Morin said. "But I can't stop everything."
"So I might as well make money first."
"Damn you!" Mephisto snapped.
"Let's both take a step back," he said finally. "Or I walk."
"Okay," Morin agreed instantly.
"About your fines-special package?"
"Three million for one."
"Ten million for three."
"...Are you stupid?" Mephisto scowled. "Why is buying more more expensive?"
"More taxes," Morin said seriously. "Completely reasonable."
"Three hundred million!" Mephisto growled. "You don't interfere tonight!"
"Only traffic violations."
"Deal!"
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