Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1188 Long-Term Vision (First Update)

On the surface, Latvia's external expansion came to a halt. The ethnic, religious, and wealth disparities within Yugoslavia in the Balkans would keep the newly formed Latvian government busy for quite some time. In the two weeks following the Wakandas' departure, Latvia, having escaped the financial difficulties of the Immortal City, radiated infrastructure projects outwards from its capital. The city would expand along with its railway network until the province of Latvia was transformed into a megacity with a space elevator.

Latvinia's territory will not be limited to its landmass. Wakanda and the Martian foundry have received orders to build a new space station. Future Wakandans and Latvinians will be able to use space elevators and take void airliners docked at the docks to high orbit, where there will be a giant space station that can be called a moving plate.

The space station will be divided into a docking area for starships, a military area, and a living area. Convenient transportation and ample supplies will make it a place suitable for permanent habitation. It's conceivable that Latvia will attract many immigrants in the future. The Emperor intends to use these people to complete his work and alleviate the population shortage in the Balkans—currently, he cannot purchase Syrian refugees from Turkey to serve as labor. Humanity, unaware of the cruelty of the universe, only sees refugees as tools for profit and self-gratification. Latvia, which demands that refugees renounce their religious beliefs and work and study scientifically and rationally, will inevitably face more criticism.

"Why?" Stephanie Malik demanded aggressively, her reaction far more forceful than that of her silent secretary, Diana Lister. She was among the first high-ranking officials to learn of the temporary suspension of some of the plans. For someone overseeing all infrastructure projects, Latvia's population problem was now her biggest headache. The Balkans' population of just over 100 million was far from sufficient to support the workforce required for such a large-scale infrastructure project. "Regardless, once those refugees arrived in the Balkans, we were in charge. We could make them do whatever we wanted. We faced a lot of criticism when we resolved the ethnic conflicts in Yugoslavia, so why are you stopping here now?"

Stephanie Malik dragged over a chair and sat down at the desk, facing the Emperor.

Her personal relationship with the Emperor allowed her to speak freely, even offering dissenting opinions rather than blindly following administrative orders. After all, the Emperor's initial career was closely linked to the Malik family. Moreover, the Emperor himself encouraged his subordinates to think independently. Those who were silenced by the Emperor's authority were always worried about bureaucratization, but that problem did not yet exist due to the Emperor's efficient management and organizational skills.

"You don't need to worry about international opinion. We can use some nicer names instead of calling them slaves, like Project Return to Civilization. As long as the name sounds good and they get some living allowance, we can avoid international criticism. If we take in the refugees, the EU will have to pay us money because we'll be helping them solve serious social problems." Without giving the Emperor time to reply, Stephanie Malik began to find out the reasons for his change of plans. "Could it be to ensure the smooth progress of the oil hoarding project? Those Saudi bastards, if the aliens have enough brains to do strategic analysis when the apocalypse comes, those nobles will be the first to die on Earth...isn't that right?"

Stephanie Malik was also surprised to see the Emperor shake his head.

"Or is it a matter of dominant ethnicity or cultural invasion? We've discussed the reasons for America's rise in both World Wars. Our industrial base, like America's in the last century, needs foreign populations to support it. Latvia is destined to become a multi-ethnic nation. Before the alien fleet arrives, we need to seize the opportunity to obtain more organized population migration as labor, my lord!"

"It's not for such a superficial reason, Stephanie. Before the first phase of the project ends, the engineering equipment is sufficient to solve most of the manpower problems. The alien fleet will arrive before the second phase begins, and the subsequent projects will all take place amidst the flames of war," the Emperor said calmly, his eyes illuminated by the warm light of the lamp. "Stephanie, you are still viewing the problems facing Latveria from the perspective of an Earth nation, rather than a human empire marching towards the galaxy. Broaden your horizons, and you will find the answer."

“Then that’s no problem at all, my lord,” Stephanie said. “At that time, the lives of refugees will be worth less than a loaf of bread. Europeans are unwilling to give refugees jobs now, and they will be even less willing to share food in the future. At that time, it will be a very merciful act to ask refugees to renounce their religion, let alone provide them with jobs and education. They should believe in you instead of the gods in books.”

The Minister of the Interior's words were very sincere, and from a practical point of view, the Emperor should indeed heed her advice.

After the arrival of the alien fleet, international accusations regarding human rights became meaningless. At that time, human life was less valuable than food, weapons, and fuel, and death would be the most common thing in the world. Therefore, the emperor would not consider something that would soon become obsolete.

The oil stockpiling plan will indeed be affected to some extent, but the disturbance will remain within an acceptable range. When the Emperor and Regent initially formulated the plan over drinks, they included a considerable margin in the values ​​to correct for errors in subsequent calculations. This margin was determined through repeated estimations by the Emperor's astonishing intellect, resulting in a suitable range. As long as Stephanie Malik and Regent Victor von Doom continue according to the plan, the oil stockpiling plan will not be problematic, and even if it fails, there are alternative plans to execute.

Stephanie Malik's guesses were all wrong, because she believed it was a sign that the emperor had softened his heart.

When war comes, humanity's bestial nature will be amplified infinitely, and unimaginable atrocities will spread across the land, but that's not the worst part. The Emperor knew very well that when Thanos's fleet arrived in the solar system, some ruling groups would reveal their appalling bottom lines, even turning against the aliens to acquire more technology, turning their guns on their own human compatriots, and vying to become the kings of humanity under alien rule.

Battles between humans, battles between humans and aliens, and battles between humans and monsters they create will simultaneously rage on the surface of this planet. While many nations currently view Latvinia's preparations for a large-scale alien invasion as utterly reckless, given the repeated evidence of small-scale alien attacks—at that point, Latvinia, upholding universalism and the "Unified Truth," will become a prophet, and all decisions made for the survival of the human race will appear perfectly correct and reasonable. This sense of righteousness, though it may not solve practical problems, will provide lasting stability and legitimacy. Therefore, both the emperor and the regent agree to temporarily halt expansion, focusing on consolidation and building strength for the future.

The Emperor hoped the impending invasion would force humanity to realize that the price of survival was a series of trolley problems, and that humanity must make the right choices to repel the aliens swarming the solar system. This strategy hinged on making Thanos realize that the mission couldn't be accomplished in space, completely preventing the alien fleet from achieving a swift victory through orbital bombardment. This might sound unbelievable, as technological and orbital dominance are insurmountable, but intelligence gathered from Asgard and the Emperor's time as a space pirate revealed Thanos's extreme pride and arrogance. Latvinia could exploit this to devise a strategic plan, employing the only method to completely eliminate the alien fleet swarming the solar system.

This war is both an ordeal for the human race and an opportunity for a comprehensive transformation, from technology to ideology, even if it means that humanity outside of Latvinia and beyond the Emperor's protection will be slaughtered by alien armies. The Emperor is utterly incapable of showing mercy, a fact Stephanie Malik understood when she saw the Emperor's gaze upon her. She knew that the Emperor's ambitions demanded more than just labor; they desired things that had to be bought with blood.

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(End of this chapter)