Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1086, Section 1082: Pessimism and Confidence (Second Update)

"I have no concern that humanity will survive until heat death. If my plan succeeds, every human will be immortal. Optimistically, raising this question sooner will help verify my conjecture; Asimov's idea wasn't entirely without merit." Salomon shook his head. "Negative entropy appeared when the first life emerged from the ocean's hot soup. This wasn't a coincidence, but because negative entropy bodies can promote entropy increase. The consciousness that propelled the universe towards heat death still lingers around us, manipulating our destiny. That malice chills me to the bone; they will absolutely not allow us to escape their control and gain free will. You understand my mission, my dear Regent. This concerns whether humanity is a puppet in a bottle or a race capable of controlling its own destiny."

"After the last human consciousness merged with the super artificial intelligence, the artificial intelligence spent a very long time figuring out the answer, finding a way to reverse the increase in entropy. Then the universe collapsed, and the artificial intelligence in hyperspace spent countless hours solving this problem," Victor von Doom said slowly. His scientific knowledge was sufficient to answer this question; he had been greatly involved in the construction of Latvian research departments, and he had also read Asimov's novel. After all, at that time, staying in the cabin among the mountains meant only reading, with no other entertainment, and he wasn't interested in goats. This was a joke Salomon made in his cabin, and it was also the first time Victor von Doom raised his fist at his future monarch. "It said, 'Let there be light.' And there was light."

"It's truly pessimistic. Although the developments are heading in the same direction, this isn't the ending I wanted." Salomon shook his head, expressing his disdain for the outcome without reservation. "Asimov championed humanism over atheism; he vehemently condemned superstition while simultaneously maintaining it. I prefer people to see the ugliness of reality and then bravely confront it. I want to get rid of it, to get rid of the consciousness that created the universe, rather than create yet another pathetic god."

"But this is also a victory for humanity, a victory for technology, a god belonging to humanity," Victor von Doom said with a smile. "You must know that mortals have limited mental fortitude. Even if every human becomes immortal, they will not be as strong, steadfast, courageous, and hopeful as you. You must continue to bear this responsibility until the heat death of the universe, my lord. Your watch has no end; this is my prophecy. If I am wrong, you may laugh at me loudly then, and I will not retaliate."

"Our mission is to make humanity strong, resolute, courageous, and hopeful, so that they will discover they don't need gods and can create everything themselves," said the Emperor of Latvia. "This is the gift I give to the human race: an idea. I believe that by upholding this idea, the potential of the human race can fully solve this problem."

"If you ask me, I'd prefer to be grounded for now. Continue with the plan; they'll eventually realize how precious what you want to give them is," Victor von Doom cautioned. "Don't become a martyr too easily. Humans don't appreciate what they get too easily; they must pay a bloody price to understand how valuable your gift is. Only then will they steadfastly move towards the future along the path you've laid out. Even so, humans are still very forgetful; someone must constantly remind them of the price their ancestors paid so they don't forget their mission."

"Pessimistic," the emperor commented, "but I appreciate your pragmatism."

"Idealism," the regent shook his head, "but I believe hope still needs to exist."

The Emperor and Regent's vision extended far beyond Earth. They were confident in their endeavors on Earth, believing that Latvia was merely the beginning. This seemingly serious negotiation was actually a small compromise to improve the living standards of the Latvians and to find markets for Latvian high-end manufacturing. The Latvian government promised to restore the lifestyle that Josep Broz Dito had once provided, thereby reuniting the various Yugoslav ethnic groups, healing the wounds of the ongoing war to overthrow religion, promoting national integration, and instilling a humanistic idealism in the new generation.

Modern Latvia is built on the corpse of the former Yugoslavia. Unlike Josep Broz Dito, the Latvian emperor did not lead all Yugoslavs in a war to defend their homeland. Instead, he used war to force the surrender of governments that had sided with the West, restoring the old system. Coupled with rampant populism, ethnic conflicts continued to erupt in the already narrow Balkans, turning previously peaceful brothers into enemies until everyone forgot the reasons for the conflict.

While the current Latvian government respects the cultural customs of all ethnic groups, it has to take a hard line against rebels who refuse to accept the "United Truth." Many weapons in the Balkans are in civilian hands, so deploying regular troops to maintain order is a form of appeasement. The army repeatedly informs both rebels and civilians, doing its utmost to remove innocent people from the war zone, and television broadcasts repeatedly proclaiming surrender, guaranteeing that no one except the rebel leaders will be harmed. If the regular army is unable to maintain order or is even attacked by the rebels, then genetically modified soldiers will arrive at the front lines in assault transport ships and convey the emperor's decree to the rebels, demanding that they accept legal trial and allow civilians to return to their peaceful daily lives.

If the rebels still refuse to lay down their arms and surrender, preferring to die defending their superstitious temples, then the regular army will evacuate all civilians from their settlements, and the Hell Knights will launch a utter extermination campaign. Their arsenal contains phosphate weapons, radiation bombs, plasma missiles, thermobaric rockets, and other weapons of mass destruction designed to create scorched earth; the places they traverse will be uninhabitable for centuries, an act of utter destruction akin to ancient soldiers scattering salt on the fields of an enemy nation.

Displaced civilians will be resettled, given new land, and provided with all services by the Latvian government. With the erasure of their past lands comes the erasure of their civilization and memories; they will forget all their nation's past culture, the filth and hatred brought by populism, and accept the "United Truth" without reservation.

No one was willing or capable of issuing such a terrifying order, but if the rebellion showed signs of spreading outwards, and if the rebel leaders' connections with foreign groups were discovered, the genetically modified warriors would receive the orders they desired. Fortunately, so far, such an order had only been issued once, aimed at destroying a rebel organization linked to Middle Eastern jihadists. That night, the mountain night was painted the color of rubies, and figures clad in black robes and dark gold armor moved like phantoms through the molten rock and evaporating snow. No one wanted to see the genetically modified warriors reappear, because it meant someone had once again exhausted the Emperor's patience. Everyone knew that the appearance of the genetically modified warriors meant the rebels' actions had crossed the Emperor's line, hence some privately referred to the genetically modified warrior, the Fire Knight, as the Angel of Extinction.

After this, even the most hardline populist leaders would kneel and beg for the emperor's forgiveness upon the arrival of the army, accepting gifts, large amounts of aid, and administrative personnel accompanying the army, and calling on the people to participate in building the future. Reality had proven that populism could not fill stomachs, while the emperor who defeated the neoliberal government brought many new technologies and new trades, giving the people hope for a prosperous life. With the exception of a very small minority, almost all populism would be abandoned. Such a sincere attitude would be rewarded; the Executive Yuan, headed by Stephanie Malik, would even grant tax reductions or even tax exemptions to regions that actively suppressed rebellions and diligently obeyed imperial laws.

Obedience will be rewarded. The current Latvian government has no popular support outside of the province of Latvian, but the executive branch treats all ethnic groups equally, respects all cultures except religious superstitions, cleans up corrupt officials in the original government, and announces the restart of high-tech manufacturing to shift the economy from virtual to real. These measures have been widely welcomed by the people. The "Unity of Truth" has also become a compulsory course in all schools. According to the executive branch's estimates, after the spaceport is built, Latvian's economic level, sense of national belonging, and self-confidence will reach an unprecedented level. After all religious books and buildings in the country are completely destroyed, people will find that their lives are much better than before, and the gaps in their hearts will be replaced by a hopeful future.

At that time, without using too many weapons against our fellow human beings, we can bring the remaining Yugoslavian countries into our fold, and the opportunity for further expansion will arrive. The future Latvian will be a nation that values ​​science and reason, and no one doubts that that era will not come. The Latvian emperor, who often mingles among the common people, is full of confidence in this.

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)