Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1310, Chapter 1306: Valeria (Second Update)

Seeing that the Emperor was unwilling to discuss Wanda Maximov, Regent Viktor von Dum did not press the matter further. "I should be able to conclude the negotiations and return to Latvia around tomorrow. The War Council is now functioning on its own, so there is no need to worry excessively," he said. "All strategic facilities are kept in communication, so we will not inadvertently trigger a world war, nor will we be unable to retaliate if attacked."

“I have no worries.” The Emperor rose from his throne. As if preordained, Hammurabi entered the throne room the next second. “My assault transport is ready. I’ll call Stephanie Malik and have her come with me to Washington. Congress is about to pass an environmental bill and a sanctions bill against Latvia, and I need to go to Washington to see Gideon Malik and General Hale. Oh, and—” The Emperor paused as he was about to leave the throne room. He turned back to Victor von Doom, “—you can bring that woman back if you wish. Latvia and the Immortal City are safe; no one can harm her or her family.”

"No, Valeria is in the past. That woman was too foolish and selfish to understand how important my actions were to Latvinia. She only wanted no war, no war at all, even if all the Latvinians suffered oppression."

The phantom of the regent suddenly flickered; this was one of the few topics that could stir his emotions.

During the Latvian Liberation War, Viktor von Doom met with his childhood sweetheart, Valeria, when they had pushed the front lines to the place where he grew up. However, the meeting ended badly, as Valeria tried to persuade him to abandon the war. Viktor von Doom flatly refused. Valeria then tried to persuade him not to establish a dictatorship after the war, but to return Latvian to its people. This woman hadn't considered what Latvian would be like without Viktor von Doom or the genetically modified warriors, without a strong organizational structure to quell the numerous guerrilla factions, and only ruled by a group of illiterate teachers and wandering merchants with no experience or wisdom in governing. She only knew that this was the right thing to do, something that had to be supported; the outcome was unimportant.

Viktor von Doom never imagined that his childhood sweetheart would become so foolish during the years he spent studying in America after leaving Latvia. He was also deeply disappointed that Valeria, who had witnessed firsthand the brutal rule of the Vladimir family, could utter such words. Predictably, Valeria's foolish pronouncements not only failed to gain any support, but when she propagated these ideas in the camp, she incurred the wrath of the civilians and officers who supported Viktor von Doom. They knew that regency was their only hope for power. If Viktor von Doom hadn't persuaded the officers to release her, Valeria might have been stoned to death in the camp or forcibly imprisoned until the end of the war.

The Emperor was present and witnessed Valeria's astonishing remarks. Only after learning about her past did he understand why this woman could speak so eloquently. Although Valeria was of mixed Yugoslavian and Roma descent, she had a relatively prosperous and stable Yugoslavian maternal family. Her life in the Roma camp was completely different from that of Viktor von Doom; even under Vladimir's rule, she never went hungry. The class difference between her and Viktor von Doom was like that between a petty bourgeois and a peasant; their affection stemmed more from their childhood first encounter and carefree days. But these beautiful things were shattered by war, because Viktor von Doom found a way to solve the oppression of the Latvians.

When the land was later reclaimed, the land that Valeria's maternal family had owned was also nationalized.

"Are you really alright?" The Emperor's voice softened considerably. Compared to Victor von Doom, he was truly fortunate, for the witches, possessing a remarkably broad vision and profound wisdom, fully supported his cause, understanding the necessity of his actions. The Emperor reciprocated by fulfilling all the witches' needs; such a mutually beneficial relationship wasn't something everyone could have. But even the Emperor knew that the witches might not accept all his actions, and conflicts would always arise. "Need any help?"

The regent nodded, then shook his head, his face expressionless.

"I will erase Valeria and her family's memories, send them to another safe place, and let her live the life she wants. She will not stay in Latvinia, and we will have nothing to do with each other from now on. She will not be able to interfere with any of my decisions. On the contrary, I just hope that you don't expose your identity in the White House, and don't rush into the Arc Office and kill the Democratic president. We made a choice. That social experiment had to be carried out, and we had to gain relevant experience."

"No problem," the Emperor said with a smile. In the blink of an eye, the Emperor before the Regent transformed from a three-meter-tall giant into a handsome man in a suit, tall (by average standards), with short black hair. He produced a pair of glasses from somewhere and put them on, then produced a White House visitor badge and clipped it to his clothes. "I am now an advocate for the Cohen Group. The White House never refuses money, and this time is no exception. I now hope that Gideon Malik can keep his promise to facilitate these negotiations. Stephanie assured me, but you also know—"

"—Don't trust Hydra."

"That's right." The refined-looking man with gold-rimmed glasses nodded. "See you later."

This wasn't his first time in the political center of the United States and even the world, nor was it his first time conducting a transaction under the enemy's nose. The Pegasus heavy assault transport ship couldn't take him directly to Washington, and the Imperial Guard couldn't accompany him; therefore, he had to enter the White House via airdrop. This "airdrop" essentially meant having the Pegasus heavy assault transport ship approach the East Coast, then opening a portal to a designated room—a time-saving, labor-saving, and uncontroversial move.

Ruby Hale looked at the man who had suddenly sat down next to her with some surprise. She didn't recognize him at all, but seeing his name tag, she assumed he was probably a civil servant also waiting for a response from the Treasury Department. Such people were commonplace in the White House; aside from their undeniably striking appearance, there was nothing strange about it. She herself was here waiting for her mother to finish work.

"I'm glad you came," the man suddenly spoke. "Did you receive the gift the Imperial Guard gave you?"

Ruby jumped in surprise. She quickly looked around to make sure her scream hadn't attracted unwanted attention. "Who are you?" she asked in a low voice. "How do you know all this?"

“Because I was the one who had General Hale bring you here, and I was the one who led you out of the base the first time. This appearance is just a disguise.” The Emperor reached out and glanced at his watch. It was a gift from Stephanie Malik, perfectly suited for official duties. “In twenty minutes, General Hale and Gideon Malik will finish their meeting and take us to the designated location—” Ruby subconsciously reached out and touched his face; she was clearly aware of the man's identity. The Emperor grasped her hand. “—It won't be discernible this way, and don't do such things in the White House; it's very conspicuous.”

"Oh." Ruby raised her chin, her chest heaving, indicating that she was actually quite agitated. "I'm not apologizing."

"It's alright." The emperor shook his head. "Listen carefully, I need you to perform a small task, related to your mother..."

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(End of this chapter)