Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1340 Power Structure (Second Update)

Regent Victor von Doum had his own executive cabinet, headed by the Chief of the Interior, and including ministers from various departments such as finance, transport, education, communications, propaganda, commerce, agriculture, industry, finance, justice, and legislation. These departments were responsible for managing the daily affairs of Latvia. The Regent's main job was to represent the Emperor in passing or rejecting certain proposals, issuing certain decisions, and, when necessary, invoking the "Law on Compulsory Voting" to allow these officials to vote. He also acted as an adjudicator and negotiator between departments, promoting cooperation between different departments.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs comprises the Chief Minister of the Interior, the Lord of the Defense Intelligence Department, and the Marshal of the Ministry of Justice (also known as the Marshal of the Military Police but without performing military police duties; he manages military police special operations and law enforcement departments, currently held concurrently by the Lord of the Defense Intelligence Department), representatives of the conventional land, sea, and air forces of the Planetary Defense Forces, and the Logistics Department. Later, a Space Navy Command will be added to form the Space Navy Command. Together with representatives from the Guardian Order, the Genetically Modified Warrior Order, the Grand Lord of the Martian Foundry, and the Martian War Engine Order, they form a higher-level War Council, headed by the Emperor himself, with the Regent also a member.

Aside from the relatively autonomous Mars, each department has a clearly defined jurisdiction, and personnel do not move between departments. Specialists can only perform work within their own expertise. Promotion mechanisms and personnel matters within departments are generally secretly investigated by independent departments directly established by the Emperor and Regent (the Imperial Guard Intelligence Officers and the National Defense Intelligence Inspectors), without direct interference. However, if certain intolerable acts are discovered, the Regent's military police will directly arrest the suspects (usually by chaining them up), and no organization can change this decision; officials of all ranks must accept it.

More commonly, the scrutiny focuses on incompetence. An incompetent person in a key position could potentially cause immense disaster. The Guardian's intelligence officers and the Regent would be the arbiters of whether someone could fulfill their duties, even if the subject of the scrutiny was the highest-ranking official in a department. It is evident that the Shadow Cabinet, composed of the Regent and the Commander of the Guard, was the true power structure of Latvinia. Whenever disagreements arose within this Shadow Cabinet, the sole arbiter could only be the Emperor himself, for only the Emperor held supreme authority.

The Sorority, a special department, reports only to the Emperor and assists the Ministry of Justice or the regular army in combat. However, they do not possess formal political status but exist as appendages of the Emperor. On the question of "who represents the Emperor's will," the Imperial Guard undoubtedly holds absolute power.

"At 2 PM this afternoon, all suspects will make a public appearance in the media." Perhaps because he was about to give a public speech, Regent Viktor von Dum carefully chose his words, refraining from subjectively judging all the prisoners brought from UN detention centers and kidnapped to Latvia by various means as war criminals. "Some civilians see them as heroes, while others see them as murderers. All the facts will be decided in court, and it is inevitable that agitators and separatists will emerge between their appearance and the trial. The presence of the de facto rulers of the Yugoslav Federation will effectively stabilize the situation, especially in the Poch region, where secrecy can minimize the danger."

"You knowingly put the Emperor in danger," Constantine said coldly. "Military mobilization takes time, and without a large number of armed vehicles, war engines, and air force patrols, the Emperor will be unable to take any effective measures should a sudden uprising occur."

"I thought you were worried about the impact of the war engine on the road administration, Constantine." He made a small joke, but the Commander of the Guards' face remained expressionless, just as it always had. The Emperor had indeed received reports from the road administration, but that was before the construction of the new high-strength concrete; the problem had now been resolved. "Don't be so tense. I need you to make military mobilizations, but not with such fanfare. One Pegasus, plus two Guards, will suffice. I intend to take Hammurabi and Amun; don't you trust their capabilities?"

“I trust them, my lord.” Constantine glanced at his two companions standing behind the Emperor. Since he and the Regent entered the office, these two guards had stood motionless like rocks, but Constantine knew they were on high alert, capable of unleashing deadly force in the blink of an eye. He knew these two companions as well as he knew his own weapons and armor, for genetic alchemy had bestowed upon them the same duties. “But that’s another matter. I believe neither of the guards will compromise on your security.”

The Emperor was worried about the Imperial Guard Commander's tough stance, feeling that something must have gone wrong during his bio-alchemy. However, the Imperial Guard's work was military, not political, and the Emperor also saw it as proof of the success of his bio-alchemy.

"According to the Ministry of Justice's investigation, there are still a large number of civilian firearms that have not been confiscated in the Poh region. A large amount of heavy firepower that flowed out of the Middle East was seized by the Ministry of Justice before it could be sold. However, I believe that there are still some man-portable anti-tank missiles and machine guns hidden in a certain facility. Those things are likely to pose a threat to your speech and greatly reduce the effect that the Regent wants."

"Finally, you're able to think about things from another perspective." The Regent waved the military flag in his hand, his tone light. He said to Constantine, "Moral philosophies like good and evil are meaningless to us. I hope you can give orders at crucial moments, even if it's just pointing guns at fanatical crowds."

“I agree with that. At the same time, I hope you will wear that power armor, not just the robes of the Holy Relic,” Constantine said earnestly. The thought of the Emperor being harmed because of his negligence, and the sense of responsibility implanted in his soul through genetic alchemy and chemical psychological manipulation, filled him with disgust and hatred. “This will ensure your safety to the greatest extent possible. Any official can appear approachable, but you absolutely cannot. I will personally oversee security, rather than leaving it to the Ministry of Justice or the Sorority, and I will also arrange for Colonel Malcolm to accompany you, along with a set of prefabricated fortifications to ensure the troops can erect defenses in the event of an attack.”

"This is outrageous. We must consider the political repercussions of such actions and take into account the feelings of the local people." The Emperor finally grew impatient with the argument. He waved his hand, silencing Constantine's objections. "We cannot allow the Boh people, who have finally gained a sense of belonging, to think that I do not trust them. This risk does not require a large-scale military intervention. I believe Hammurabi did tell you, after all, that I promised Bayonita I would be home on time for dinner today."

"But you have another dinner with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of Transport."

"Then let them go to a restaurant outside and buy two meals. I'll sit here and watch them eat."

The emperor seemed to have completely forgotten the impact of his previous visit to the officials' restaurant; no one could eat anything that day, and everyone was uneasy because of his presence. If he concealed his true nature, he was actually a very approachable person. He knew many interesting ordinary people from all over the world, and many people would gather around him, treating him sincerely and letting time nurture friendships.

Perhaps decades later, someone will recognize the person they met once, but it won't be the emperor, it will be Salomon.

The emperor is destined to be lonely.

"It would be better to talk to the Minister of Education about promoting Latin as the official written language. How can we do this without making the common people think I'm trying to eradicate their language and writing system? When I promoted materialism and banned religion and overthrew temples, the opposition from the people was definitely no less than this court hearing. Even the Vatican issued a condemnation. Do it my way, and let me decide on more important matters next time. If possible, have Tina bring me back an ice cream."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)