Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1399 Party Girlfriend (Part 2)

"They will fear you because you are unapproachable."

Regent Victor von Doom paced around his desk, completely ignoring the layers of official documents piled on it and the Emperor engrossed in writing annotations. Since returning to Earth from Asgard, the Emperor knew that the last vestiges of friendship between Kamar-Taj and Asgard were over. Before Ragnarok, the apocalypse, the Aesir would grasp at any straw, but Kamar-Taj was unwilling to be dragged down by the Aesir at the cost of humanity's entire race.

To make the most of his brief respite, the Emperor even brought his official duties from Kamar-Taj to his office in the Latvian Castle, leaving secular matters such as taxation, education legislation, and employment rates to Victor von Doom. However, the Regent did not immediately begin dealing with the backlog of work. Instead, he stood in his office trying to chat with the Emperor. The Emperor did not respond to his friend's intrusion; the only sounds in the room, besides footsteps and voices, were the scratching of pens on paper.

"To the outside world, you have no partner, no personal life; you are a shining idol to the world. This will cause many people and many countries to subconsciously distance themselves from you, and many contracts will be damaged because of your attitude," Regent Viktor von Doom said. "I suggest releasing Countess Katarina Karkov, the last member of the Sikaria royal family, and having her accompany you to international social events. That beautiful lady possesses extremely strong social skills; perhaps we could consider having her lead a spy team to work for you, rather than just serving as a decorative figure at social events."

The emperor raised his head and glanced at him.

"I know that Countess Katarina Karkov will definitely reveal to others in informal settings that she is your mistress, and then use this to enter various social occasions to accumulate benefits for herself. Although this identity is false, it is an informal channel for others to contact you. Some forces will use Countess Katarina Karkov as an information channel to make suggestions or requests to you. This is a good opportunity."

Viktor von Doom shrugged; he wasn't lying.

If the Emperor so desired, Countess Katarina Karkov would walk naked from the garden into the castle, into this office before everyone's eyes, and proudly close the office door to all the astonished government officials, declaring through her actions that she had shared the Emperor's power—this was a message she had written on a handkerchief and entrusted to the Sorority to deliver to the Emperor. She had written many highly literary love poems for the Emperor, some of which were quite explicit, and walking naked from the garden into the castle was just a small part of them. The ignorant would truly believe that a beautiful, blue-eyed woman, deeply in love, awaited the Emperor's arrival in the garden, rather than a terrifying beast, extremely selfish, clad in a beautiful facade, whose eyes gleamed not with affection but with cruel ruthlessness.

Countess Katarina Karkov submitted to the Emperor simply because he was more ruthless and cunning, possessing greater violence and power—nothing more. Before the Latvian Liberation War, the King of Sylcaria had long been a figurehead under Countess Katarina Karkov. This grand, absurd drama of power, money, and violence, set against the backdrop of a Balkan nation, only truly ended when the Emperor's genetically modified warriors, Latvian liberators, the Sorority, and the Sylcarian militia entered Countess Katarina Karkov's mansion. However, this Sylcarian swordswoman, power-hungry animal, and sadistic queen traded her life for a bargaining chip, rather than being killed (except for a few young children and the girl who married the preacher) and stripped of her property like the Vladimir family of Latvia.

Countess Katarina Karkov provided information about the Swedish Wallenberg family, which enabled the Emperor to successfully nationalize the military and pharmaceutical industries in the Balkans. Countess Karkov, spared death, could not escape punishment, but being placed under house arrest near the center of power was more like a reward to her—yet this was precisely the Emperor's intention in imposing punishment. Power was within her grasp, yet she could never attain it; for her, this was an extreme psychological punishment, far more effective than physical torture.

"I don't need it."

"The rulers of all human kingdoms in this world are human. Humans have human weaknesses, and even the most powerful rulers are changed by time, disease, and aging, regardless of any ideology or ideal. Weaknesses can be assessed, therefore rulers can be assessed." Regent Victor von Doom leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow with a hint of mockery in his voice. "But you have no past, no weaknesses. In the eyes of the rulers of other kingdoms, you are so perfect that you seem inhuman, and naturally, you have no predictable future. Your thoughts are difficult to fathom, your will is unshakeable, and that is what the rulers of other kingdoms fear."

Without a word, Regent Viktor von Doom picked up a notepad with a gold border from his desk and hastily scribbled an order in an imitation of the Emperor's handwriting. "Bringing a female companion to social events will make you appear like an ordinary person, leading rulers of other nations to believe you are a vulnerable human being. If you agree with me, have this informal order delivered to Countess Katarina Karkov." He glanced to the side, "Or Natasha Romanov, or her. I know you don't object; doesn't your secular identity often involve attending events with supermodels?"

"I don't know who Countess Katarina Karkov is, nor who Natasha Romanov is, but I know she's just a weak mortal." Lorelei, who had been standing silently to the side, finally spoke, her words laced with contempt. However, she didn't direct that contempt at the Regent; as a sorcerer, she could sense the abilities Viktor von Doom possessed. "My talents will be more useful in social situations, and that spy squad should be under my command," she said. "In every aspect, I will do a better job than that Countess Katarina Karkov."

"Lady of the Rhine." Regent Victor von Dum feigned surprise upon seeing her, but maintained his gloating tone, as if escaping official duties to joke with a friend was a delightful experience. "Now, our Emperor can bring two or three female companions to social events, depending on who he wishes to spend the night with."

The emperor rolled his eyes, and Lorelei, who was standing nearby, immediately became restless after hearing the regent's words.

"Arrange the itinerary as soon as possible. I need to be at the Lighthouse base to witness it firsthand when the mission begins," he told the Regent. "Agent Coulson's mission concerns all of humanity. If he fails, it means that in a certain timeline, the human race can only become slaves to alien monsters." Victor von Doom's smile vanished, his mood shifting so quickly that it seemed all the previous joy was fake, leaving only bitter ashes in his mouth. He picked up the iron mask on the table, its metallic gleam flashing in his eyes. His cold demeanor swept across the plains like a tornado, uprooting any remaining humanity.

Lorelei was even startled by this transformation; she had never seen such a self-controlled person.

"I understand. But do you really want to devote so much attention to Starfortress, which Koboy is leading?" Victor von Doom said. "A direct raid on General Hale's base and seizing that teleporter would get us to Starfortress."

"Then we can only acquire one Star Fortress. You know, I'm a bit greedy. The Kree Empire is doomed, but we must be able to profit from its demise. The human race is forced to confront the realities of this universe, but we are still a newborn in swaddling clothes, and we must acquire more nourishment to help us grow."

The Emperor lowered his eyes, and Lorelei, understanding the situation, handed him the next document. Aura, whose job had been taken from her, was furious. This sorority heavy weapons operator, wearing a steel crown, desperately wanted to give Lorelei a good whack with her heavy-duty machine gun, but that was just a thought; the sorority would never disobey the Emperor's orders.

"After this, you will take over the entire country, and I will step back to handle more important matters."

"Ragnarok?"

"Yes, we are very pressed for time."

Viktor von Doom remained silent.

He knew from the beginning that the Emperor's goal was the entire galaxy, and the Balkans were merely a trial balloon, nothing special. Granting him, someone with the local genome, legitimate rule was simply to save him the trouble of dealing with internal conflicts. However, the Balkans' resources and population couldn't fully satisfy the Emperor's plans, and other nations with heavy industrial bases weren't suitable for annexation. Therefore, Regent Victor von Doom had to simultaneously rebuild heavy industrial factories and establish automated low-end industrial factories around the world (mainly in Africa), using every possible resource at his disposal to meet the Emperor's war needs. He even needed to completely militarize and fortify the Balkans, a geographically crucial region, to prepare for the planetary war following the Emperor's forced landing of the Dark Order's fleet.

The Emperor knew how arduous the work of a regent was, and now he was entrusting him with the entire internal strife and conflict-ridden affairs of the country, but he wouldn't offer any words of thanks. Everything had been said in that mountain cabin; their cause required sacrifices, whether it was Viktor von Doom or himself. Even if they achieved final victory, they would face a utterly destroyed Earth that still retained its resources (including its population), and then start all over again.

There was a few seconds of silence in the office; the atmosphere was practically frozen solid.

"I will be attending a social dinner. I will have Countess Katarina Karkov invited as my date, and Lorelei, you too. Now have Aura (the sorority homunculus on duty in the office today) choose a dress and shoes for you. You must present your most perfect appearance." The Emperor remained expressionless, but his voice was much softer than before, even Lorelei could hear it. People often lost sight of the Emperor's emotions because of his ever-changing appearance, but Lorelei could capture the emotions hidden behind his armor with her eyes, which had been baptized by witchcraft. "It's just an informal meeting with the Wallenberg family, don't take it too seriously. We dealt a heavy blow to the Wallenberg family before, this time they have to give us some benefits."

"Don't push them too hard, old friend," Victor von Doom warned. "They used to think all problems could be solved with the order they had built, but your arrival has given them another answer. Now they're feeling fear; they've come to surrender... or rather, to discuss investment terms. Only with a successful case will we regain many investors, which is crucial for our future endeavors."

"Does the Emperor want to take me to the banquet?"

Countess Katarina Karkov, just awakened, was momentarily stunned by the surprise, but she quickly regained her composure. House arrest hadn't turned her into a lazy bum—though she still habitually slept until the afternoon—she maintained her exercise routine. She took the handwritten note from the android, turned on the bedside lamp, and sat up to read it. She tried to decipher the Emperor's thoughts word by word, but the note contained only a few words and offered no further information.

"Tonight's meeting is an informal one with the Wallenberg family, isn't it?" she asked the android standing beside the bed in power armor. She didn't expect an answer; the androids never answered her questions, and all her servants remained absolutely silent. "No wonder he planned to bring me along. No one in the Balkans knows that tycoon family better than me."

She reached out to the android maid, seemingly reverting to her former aristocratic demeanor. "I hope my wardrobe is ready, and so are my high heels." She lifted the thin blanket. "Please tell him that I will satisfy him tonight, in every way."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)