Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1011, Chapter 1007: Gundolf Castle (First Update)

The assault transport boat flew over Rome, made brief takeoffs and landings, and then set off again for Mount Alban, southeast of Rome. The Italian Air Force, which should have detected the Immortal City assault transport boat immediately, took no action. This was partly due to the Immortal City's effective electronic warfare, and partly due to the financial incentives they received; the assault transport boat had no worries about its flight path being detected by air defense radar.

Although Salomon had spent much of his time working in the underground city of Rome, he had never actually visited Lake Albano. So, as the assault transport was about to cross the lake, he instructed the pilot to slow down and descend. He opened the ramp door and, accompanied by Hammurabi, stood at the hatch overlooking the volcanic lake, which covered only 5 square kilometers.

"To be honest, it's a bit different from the photos in the tourist guidebook." Salomon shook his head, somewhat embarrassed by his actions. The water was getting closer and closer; eventually, the aircraft's airflow even affected the water's surface. Salomon instructed the pilot to pull back up to prevent the people living in the town of Gundolfburg in the Albano Mountains from seeing this strange-looking assault transport.

The pilot received a radio communication, and after verifying the other party's identity, the control tower directed the assault transport boat to Gundolfo Castle and instructed it to land at a designated location—a castle complex covering approximately 70 hectares, much larger than Vatican City. However, the pilot refused to dock the assault transport boat in the tourist parking lot, considering it an insult to the monarch. After consulting with the Janissaries beside the monarch, the pilot drove the assault transport boat directly into the gardens behind the Apostolic Palace at the highest point of Gundolfo Castle, occupying the entire lawn and activating all weapon systems.

As expected, the massive assault transport ship was surrounded as soon as it landed. Swiss Guards, dressed in dark blue duty uniforms, wearing black berets, and carrying HK MP5A3 submachine guns, rushed into the garden and surrounded the aircraft. The leading officer, Christophe Graff, was Francis's newly appointed commander, and he wore a longsword at his waist as his identification.

This is one of the oldest existing military organizations in the world. All members of the guard are unmarried Swiss male Catholic citizens, and one of their main duties is to protect the Pope, the College of Cardinals, and all buildings belonging to the Pope.

As the ramp door at the front of the aircraft slowly opened and the Imperial Guards, clad in gold power armor, stepped out, every soldier on guard placed their finger on the trigger as if facing a formidable enemy. Hammurabi glanced at the guards with disdain, maintaining his stance of shouldering a greatsword and holding a shield. The standoff continued until a black man, also dressed in a commander's uniform and reeking of alcohol, arrived.

After a brief but heated exchange with the tense-looking Christopher Graf, the man stepped over the guards' cordon and headed for the assault transport. He first scrutinized the intricate details of the Imperial Guard's powered armor, then strode into the cabin. The entire process proceeded without hindrance; Hammurabi seemed completely oblivious to him, standing like a golden metal statue beside the ramp door. "This is an invitation, not hostility. Are you planning to kill the Pope?" Father Moru said, "and you've brought a robot!"

“Those aren’t robots, those are my royal guards,” Salomon said, turning on the cabin lights and looking down at his old friend. He seemed very pleased. “And I don’t think the current Pope will be intimidated by such a small scene. After all, he’s a priest from a guerrilla background; you’ve seen more drug dealers than criminals in his life. Father Moru, did you drink all the wine here under the guise of the Eucharist?”

"Just a little. The wine inventory here is strictly managed; I still need to go to the town below to buy more." Father Moru removed his beret, large beads of sweat covering his scalp. Ostensibly, he was the commander of the Swiss Guard, but in reality, he was the head of the special agents responsible for the Pope's safety. This fully armed assault transport vessel put him under immense pressure; he also had to dispatch his men to evacuate tourists and seal off the gardens. "Come with me quickly; the Pope is waiting for you."

This meeting was entirely arranged by Father Moru. If something were to happen to the Pope, then he, as the true Vatican military leader, would have no choice but to atone with his death.

“No, I’ll wait for Francis in the garden. I think he’d like to have a conversation with me undisturbed.” Salomon shook his head. “My guards will come with me. He’ll screen the entourage, so you’d better follow his instructions and keep the Swiss Guards outside calm. Although I don’t want to provoke a violent conflict, once Hammurabi starts fighting, none of those soldiers will survive. Oh, by the way—”

Salomon handed Father Moru a beautifully bound book with gilded edges and the Latin title "The Unity of Truth" written in large gold lettering on the cover.

"This is a gift for the Pope, and I know you want to check it beforehand. I'll be here for three hours, so the Pope can look through the book beforehand and truly understand my thoughts," he said. "Now, you'd better get me a bottle of wine; I'd like to see the Pope's taste in wine."

"I can get you some bread." Father Moru sighed, beckoned, and walked out of the cabin. "Come with me. The Pope is resting now; the old man hasn't been feeling well lately. Don't let your men fight with the Swiss Guard lads. They're all excellent. It's getting harder and harder to find people for the Guard these days; if a few more die, then nobody will apply anymore."

The Unified Truth exists in numerous language versions. While the primary language of the Immortal City is Latin, it is also distributed in Spanish, English, Russian, and other languages. Wherever there are preachers from the Immortal City, there is a version of the Unified Truth in the local language. Even militias in eastern Ukraine have access to a Russian version of the Unified Truth.

It's no secret that the Immortal City has entered the disputed region. However, since the Immortal City brings war and death wherever it goes, coupled with the intelligence personnel's unusual focus on espionage and the low level of attention paid to war-torn regions by Western media, only a few people know about the existence of the Immortal City's golden eagle flag. Only some national leaders or military staff have "The Truth of Unity" on their desks.

Even so, few people can figure out the true nature of the organization that promotes "Unified Truth".

As Victoria Hand's intelligence network deepened, NATO's decision regarding Latvinia became clearer, and the Immortal City prepared for high-intensity warfare. A mechanized infantry unit under Victor von Dum had already been deployed to northern Latvinia, the same region where Salomon and the Imperial Guard were stationed. Meanwhile, within the Skysword space station, a group of "Electronic Sages" from the Martian Foundry established an electronic warfare department, and the Martian Foundry also brought several prototype fighter jets specifically designed for void warfare.

Electronic warfare will be the first to erupt, paralyzing NATO's military and nuclear facilities and infiltrating Western social media to wage a propaganda war. Void fighters will hunt down any satellites conducting reconnaissance against the Latvian region, including both corporate and military satellites. At that time, Salomon, along with the Imperial Guard, the Sorority, the Assassins, and the Immortal City's regular army, will penetrate deep into Europe, relying on their technological advantages, such as blitzkrieg and air power, to plant that flag on a landmark building.

The Immortal City will not occupy any towns; this is not only a demonstration of power but also a means to eliminate NATO military bases around Latvinia. Once a NATO resolution to intervene in Latvinia is passed, all of Europe will know what that flag represents.

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(End of this chapter)