Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1009, Part 1005: Nobility and baseness are two sides of the same coin (First Update)

Anyone who saw this face would be startled, because it was not a normal human face. No one in the Ministry of the Interior would engage in such mind-body modifications; bionic implants were commonplace for the staff, with many lower-ranking employees equipped with mind-body plugins to enhance their logical thinking and memory. Even so, the extent of the face's modification was extreme—the upper half of the original skin bore burn scars, with only a pair of deep green eyes intact. The lower half of the face was covered in a stark white bionic skin, with custom-made alloy facial bones supporting the face. Most of the hair had been shaved off, and thin metallic implants were installed on the skull above the ears. The spinal implant, like a centipede extending towards the waist, penetrated deep into the collar. From the neck to the collarbone, there was a series of metallic bionic implants not yet covered by skin, with traces of dried antibacterial gel visible at the edges.

Following the Sokovia incident, the Immortal City forces quickly provided medical assistance on the battlefield. However, not everyone could recover through simple field medicine. The medical technology of ordinary human nations was helpless against the injuries of many, and most victims could not afford such high medical costs. Even if Stark Industries paid all the medical bills, many would still suffer lifelong disabilities. Many were unable to reveal their identities until all surgeries were completed, so at the monarch's insistence, Stephanie transported some severely wounded "nameless" individuals back to the Immortal City for treatment.

Long-term treatment is an extremely painful process. Not everyone can endure repeated biochemical organ implantations and rejection treatments, and even fewer can persevere through the constant replaying of their loved ones' gruesome deaths at night. Initially, the Immortal City lacked experience in psychological counseling. It wasn't until some individuals committed suicide during a gap in supervision that a comprehensive monitoring system was established—a building collapsed at the Zemo family's residence outside the city. Mrs. Zemo's son was dead, her husband's father died protecting her and their son, and only her husband remained missing. Even after the biochemical organ and prosthetic body implant surgeries were completed and the rejection reactions were reduced to a negligible level, Mrs. Zemo, despite regaining her independence, remained in a state of depression for a long time. It wasn't until long-term psychological treatment improved her mental state that the Immortal City learned her name and matched it with Sokovia's household registration records.

After that, she joined the Immortal City's internal affairs department as a scribe, working hard to pay off the medical and prosthetic body expenses that were only at cost price. For a scribe, the extent of her physical modifications was extreme, which meant she was destined to work for the Immortal City for a very long time.

Her skull underwent reconstruction on the side, and a brain implant was inserted to assist thinking and compensate for the missing parts. Her spine was surgically repaired; without the bionic spine, she would never be able to walk again. Her ribs, collarbone, and lungs were also severely damaged, and the doctors in the Immortal City simply replaced them with bionic materials. However, the worst damage was to her face; her cheekbones and jawbone were completely shattered. When the Immortal City found her, she was lying on her side protecting her son, which saved her from choking on her own blood and bone fragments. The Sorority was able to save her on the verge of death.

She underwent dozens of facial reconstruction surgeries alone. Until the surgeries were complete, she had to endure the pain consciously, and all eating and breathing were assisted by external mechanical devices and tubes. Now she has bones made of lightweight alloy, a fully mechanized jaw, and a voice generator in her throat. But not everyone is as mentally resilient as her; only three-quarters of those successfully treated retained the courage to live after seeing themselves in the mirror. Only Tita knew that the monarch had specifically ordered them to search a particular area, and Lady Zemo was one of the survivors from that area.

This is not a coincidence.

We have news about your husband.

Mrs. Zemo remained expressionless, though a hint of delight lingered in her eyes. However, a subsequent question compelled her to speak. She didn't even touch the hot tea Diana had offered her. "I don't understand, Ms. Stephanie," she said in a somewhat unnatural synthesized voice. She had tried her best to adjust her voice, but the one she was using couldn't truly mimic a natural voice. In short, it wasn't a particularly advanced implant, and people with facial implants generally didn't care about that. "Why are you telling me this?"

“Because your husband is working for the monarch without your knowledge.” Stephanie sat in the main seat of the sofa, slowly sipping her black tea with sherry. It was a special cocktail from the Interior Ministry office; the rule against drinking during work hours wasn't particularly strict for someone of Stephanie's rank. “If you'd like, you can see Helmut Zemo after his work is finished,” Stephanie said. “Of course, it's entirely up to you.”

"The reward your husband received for completing that mission is enough for you to undergo a complete makeover," Diana whispered, noticing Mrs. Zemo's hesitation. "Apart from the seams of the mechanical structure, you won't look much different from an ordinary person. At least with a high-quality facial implant, you'll still have expressions, and your voice will sound more natural."

Mrs. Zemo felt a sense of foreboding. She knew very well what kind of work her husband had done in the Sokovia operation, and that his current actions were likely to be even more dangerous and difficult than before. After a while, she finally spoke, "May I ask what kind of work Helmut is doing now?"

"I'm sorry, this is confidential." Stephanie expressed her impatience through body language. In fact, there were better ways to manipulate Helmut Zemo, because Salomon knew very well that Helmut Zemo was seeking death; a person who didn't care about life was capable of many things. But his humanity wouldn't allow him to use those methods, and telling Mrs. Zemo about Helmut Zemo was a decision he made after careful consideration.

If Helmut Zemo completes his mission, Salomon will allow them to reunite with their families and then live in complete seclusion, where no one in the world will be able to disturb their lives.

Stephanie was both moved by Salomon's compassion and troubled by the potential costs of this sentimental act. She knew all too well that her monarch was gradually stripping away his most precious self as a price for human progress, and she feared that Salomon's dwindling, invaluable compassion would be wasted. The Immortal City had already done enough for the Zemo family; Helmut Zemo deserved a substantial reward.

She hadn't witnessed Helmut Zemo's conversation with Salomon, and she had no belief that Helmut Zemo would obediently follow the plan. So, when she took on the mission, she made a small, unauthorized change—Helmut Zemo would know his wife was alive, and Mrs. Zemo would only have one opportunity to speak with her husband during the entire mission. Stephanie would include reports on Mrs. Zemo's current condition in the mission materials, stating that she could only survive with the technological support of the Immortal City (anti-rejection drugs, implant maintenance, etc.), thus motivating Helmut Zemo to take responsibility.

In other words, Stephanie will transform his vengeful emotions into a sense of guilt towards his wife, making Helmut Zemo understand that he must sacrifice his life to ensure his wife's well-being, and that only the Immortal City has the power to do so. For Helmut Zemo, the choice is now crystal clear.

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)