Marvel: The Imposter Inventor

Chapter 261 Too fast?
Sokovia, inside the new laboratory of Orange’s superpower development department.

Of course, while it's called a brand new laboratory, it's actually just the newly completed 'Yuri Operations Laboratory'.

Given Luca's emphasis on scientific research, he naturally wanted all relevant departments to be under the surveillance of mind monitoring devices, which would greatly enhance the security of these laboratories.

There's no reason to waste a ready-made building like Yuri's combat lab.

At this moment, all the core members of the superpower development team, including Luca, were gathered here, and even Baron Zemo, an 'outsider' who did not belong to the Orange system, was also invited here.

However, the project is currently in the preliminary preparation stage, and apart from most of the staff who are busy working, everyone else is just waiting quietly.

Zemo unconsciously rubbed the still-lingering metallic chill on the railing with his fingertips, his gaze falling on the local technician who was adjusting the equipment not far away.

Sunlight streamed through the glass curtain wall, splashing onto the brand-new high-tech instruments.

Outside the window, one can still faintly hear the clanging of steel bars from a distant construction site.

Although he hesitated slightly, Zemo walked slowly to Luca's side, who was also looking out the window, and said in a gentle tone.

"Three months ago, that place was a barren wasteland where even roads couldn't be built, and even the herders' children didn't want to graze cattle there. But now..."

Zemo paused slightly, his voice filled with an indescribable emotion.

"Now even businesses in neighboring countries know that the land there will definitely appreciate a hundredfold, and many people are waving their cash, wanting to come in and invest in building factories. The immigration policy has been tightened again and again, but many people still choose to bring their families to Sokovia."

"Finance, population, technology, employment—these are all changes brought about by Orange."

At first, Luca, who was staring blankly at the sky, hadn't realized what Baron Zemo was trying to say by talking about "cattle herding" and "land prices".
However, although the other party's words seemed to be meaningless flattery and praise, the worry revealed in their words was not too hidden.

Luca, understanding the implication of his words, simply shook his head and chuckled, then turned and asked in return.

"Are you worried that all of this is happening too fast?"

Zemo remained silent for a long time after hearing this, and finally sighed softly.

"Sokovia's foundation is too shallow."

In fact, Zemo was genuinely grateful to Luca and the entire Orange Industrial Complex for their blessings.

He knew all too well what Sokovia used to be like.

With numerous warlords and inconsistent government control, Sokovia, despite its abundant natural resources, had very little control over them.

The ongoing unrest and outflow of resources have resulted in a life of misery for the local people.

Those with even a little power are desperately trying to curry favor with foreign powers. Once they've made enough money, they quickly withdraw and go abroad to 'enjoy life'.

Meanwhile, the ordinary people at the bottom of society can only live their lives in a daze, with no future in sight.

Many people can only think about where their dinner will come from each day, rather than about tomorrow and the future.

Not to mention, there is the enormous shadow of Hydra looming over the entire Sokovia, which forces even a few insightful individuals like him who genuinely hope for the country's improvement to choose to remain passive and inactive.

But ever since Orange Industries replaced Hydra in Sokovia.

Maintaining public order, combating armed groups, recruiting workers to build factories, and investing in areas that benefit people's livelihoods.

Even the local natural resources that were once highly valued by foreign powers were simply exploited and then reinvested in local development by Orange Industries. Instead, they poured vast amounts of external resources into Sokovia, a quagmire, at their own expense. Moreover, Sokovia has changed far beyond these material aspects.

Orange was not built through exploitation.

The large-scale recruitment of local workers, generous employee benefits, and the ever-increasing variety of living resources and entertainment options have brought about a sense of satisfaction for the general public.

The word 'thriving' is undoubtedly the best description of Sokovia today.

Therefore, although Orange itself seems to be a semi-external force, Luca, as the leader of Orange, does not hold any position in Sokovia.

But Zemo still willingly treated Luca as a subordinate, always maintaining respect and humility, and genuinely regarded him as Sokovia's future hope.

But all of this came too quickly.

Having witnessed Sokovia's decline, he was worried about whether such a booming prosperity could last.

Some things can't be truly improved simply by trying to improve yourself.

In this chaotic world, moving too fast will inevitably affect the interests of some people.

If they had never had hope, the people of Sokovia might have been able to grit their teeth and persevere, but if they had had hope and it suddenly collapsed one day...
Perhaps Sokovia itself will cease to exist.
However, Luca, who already understood Zemo's concerns, shook his head and chuckled again.

He didn't explain how much implicit protection Europe, as the former headquarters of Structural Hydra, could provide to Sokovia.

They didn't even mention how passive it would be to stagnate or slow down in a messed-up world like Marvel.

Or they might go on to analyze at length how much opportunity the current turmoil and imminent collapse of the United States could bring to a country like Sokovia, which is capable of development.

With Baron Zemo's wisdom, he either analyzed these things more thoroughly long ago, or he had already vaguely sensed them.

What he really needs now is just stronger confidence.

"Don't worry, this is just the beginning. I never intended to turn Sokovia into Orange's blood transfusion factory. Education, healthcare, and entertainment are just getting started, and they will only get better in the future!"

As he said this, Luca smiled broadly, then, as if he had just thought of something, asked in a teasing tone.

"By the way, I'm also planning to invest in building two new universities, one a science and technology university and the other a military university. What do you think? Are you interested in choosing one and serving as its principal?"

Perhaps the topic changed too quickly, leaving Zemo, who had been feeling somewhat conflicted, a little stunned as he stared at Luca.

"Me? I don't have much experience in this area."

"Hey, it's no big deal. When you leave, just take a Hello Kitty with you. If you don't understand anything, just let it help you."

Seeing that Luca seemed to have suddenly become interested and started promoting the toy in his hand, Zemo's mouth twitched as his emotions began to become somewhat disjointed.

However, before he could finish thinking of a reason to refuse, the researchers beside him had already quickly walked up to the two of them.

He reported respectfully to Luca.

"Boss, preparations are complete!"

(End of this chapter)