Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1333 A Dry Humor (First Update)

In the early hours of this morning, an armored hovercar landed on the castle's helipad. Victor von Doom, Regent of Latvia and ruler of the Balkans, descended the ramp amidst the Imperial Guard and soldiers of the First Secret Regiment. Beside the spacious helipad, groups of First Secret Regiment soldiers stood in the moonlight, their standard equipment—void combat uniforms and laser rifles—fully in place. As a symbol of trust, the emperor had presented him with the banner of the ancient Roman army, a golden eagle atop a staff, which, along with the Vladimir family's dark green cloak and gold sash, constituted the legitimacy of imperial authority. Victor von Doom stepped to the front of the formation and extended the golden eagle banner to the leading officer.

The warm ocean breezes were blocked by the mountains, while the dry, cold air billowed out like a robe.

The colossal castle, bathed in the thin moonlight, resembled a giant in shadow. The light filtering through its magnificent rose windows offered a slight respite from the chill, while the faint glow of satellite reflections and lamplight illuminated a patch of shrubs planted beside the castle. Inside, the castle remained brightly lit, and the air defense systems of the surrounding Latveria region operated 24/7. Approximately three minutes later, a squadron of fighter jets took off vertically from the castle's helipad. The airflow whipped up by the vector engines swept across the entire castle square like a tornado. Dozens of meters tall war engine battle groups stood around the castle, these war behemoths casting silent shadows, surveying everything like titans.

Commander of the Imperial Guard Constantine awaited the Regent by the tarmac.

Only after the squadron had taken off, leaving only a long trail of lights in the sky, did he step forward to stand beside the Regent. In the treasure vaults once dug by the Vladimir family, the shield generator still hummed under the guard of soldiers from the First Secret Regiment. This generator was placed under the direct protection of the Imperial Guard; everything was designed to ensure the castle could withstand nuclear strikes and air raids. Especially given the possibility of a NATO air strike on the entire territory at any moment, Latvia's military, though elite, was scarce; ensuring the survival of its elite forces was of paramount importance.

However, none of this was relevant to Victor von Doom's task. He only needed to ensure that the Commander of the Royal Guard hadn't overlooked any military forces and personnel requiring surveillance, that all power transitions could proceed smoothly, and that potential casualties were minimized. "All important figures and facilities are under protection," Constantine whispered. Compared to the knights' brass-colored power armor, the Royal Guard's power armor was like pure gold; the exquisite reliefs depicting stars, beasts, birds of prey, and thunder, along with the perfectly cut gemstones, shone brilliantly under the moonlight. "No one will be injured, and no one will escape."

"I hope so. This shouldn't be happening now; he's too hasty." Vidocq von Doom sighed almost imperceptibly. "We can't explain to him that politics needs stability, production needs time, and education needs to proceed gradually. He knows all of that; how could he not? I acknowledge the necessity of dismantling the bureaucracy, and he also abhors the drawbacks of military rule, but we must meet his demands. Without the army, we cannot control this land; nationalist armed groups will keep popping up like cockroaches."

“The predators are still watching us. We cannot stop; to stop means annihilation.” Constantine’s face, hidden by his helmet visor, was expressionless, just like the metal mask covering his skin. “The virtue of law is the beautiful vision he promised these people, but the value of virtue comes after survival. If humanity can still have a future, then any crime committed for survival can be forgiven. We will be despised because we did what others were unwilling to do, allowing them to live. I’ve spoken with Victoria Hand; once she finishes her studies at Kamar-Taj, she should understand what kind of enemy we are truly facing.”

Victor von Doom recalled his conversation with the Emperor in the hut. Before the Emperor's birth, he had been the most learned and wise man in all of Kamar-Taj, second only to the Sorcerer Supreme, yet even the proud Victor had to set aside his pride before the Emperor's grand vision and meticulous plans, for the future the Emperor revealed to him. Latvia was of no importance; however strong the Regent's attachment to this land, it was merely a starting point.

A social experiment, a factory used to produce the materials needed for the emperor to wage war. The factory required no human sentiment, only efficiency. Without efficiency, there was no output, and no weapons to defend against foreign enemies. The emperor surveyed this land with cold eyes, estimating the input and output. Things without value were discarded, and things with value were kept. Even Victor von Doom had to admit that this was the right way to do things.

"On this land, blood flows meaninglessly."

The regent squinted, gazing at the distant war engine battle group.

The civilians of Latveria adored these war engines. Every day, many would take photos with the largest ones outside the blockade, and even when circumstances didn't allow for that, they'd photograph the lone mechs patrolling the roads. These war engines provided them with a sense of security in the most tangible way. A bright streak of fire hovered high in the sky, undetected by the air defenses. It was the Emperor's messenger. The Regent had met the Thirty-Seventh Demon Pillar, Phoenix, several times, and sometimes the missions the Emperor assigned it were so secret that even the Regent didn't fully understand them. Perhaps Constantine knew, but Victor von Doom didn't intend to ask. However, he did collect a collection of Phoenix's poems, planning to put it in a museum and print it for free.

"Everything will have to be settled once the plan is complete, and the era of military rule will be over. The Imperial Guard will be the guardians of that future, and only you are capable of upholding his vision. Otherwise, why would he teach you so many skills that are only valuable in peacetime? This is the embodiment of humanism, his true desire."

"I just finished reading about seaweed farming techniques and key points for making seaweed cookies."

Victor von Doom glanced at it, unsure if Constantine's response was a joke. It took him a while to realize the Commander of the Guard was serious and that he believed seaweed farming could support a large population, thus intending to pursue it as an extracurricular interest. Constantine also told Victor that he was actually keeping a tropical fish in the Obsidian Tower of the Immortal City as preliminary research for his next project, and that the Emperor had encouraged him to do so. Sometimes Victor von Doom couldn't help but suspect that the Guard's actions were actually a result of the Emperor's dry humor; he was certain that keeping the tropical fish wasn't for any research project, but rather to make Constantine seem more human.

"I'll preserve some of the good things." The Regent smiled, a tacit understanding between collaborators compelled to echo, "He needs someone to remind him what he's fighting for. Like Monet, like Michelangelo, like Leonardo da Vinci… Don't worry, he doesn't need your help with that. What is he doing now?"

"The schedule... He'll arrive at Kamar-Taj in an hour and fifteen minutes. He's currently at Oxfordshire Manor with the witch." Constantine said expressionlessly. He shook his head. "This is crucial for the next plan, although I'm not optimistic—the uncontrollable risks are too high—but I still think his choice might not be wrong. The witch's weapons are all crafted from extradimensional spiritual entities, and I'm very worried about his safety. Last time we eradicated the sewer vampire plague outbreak in London, it proved that the being behind the veil will seize any opportunity to harm him."

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(End of this chapter)