Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1433 Slaves to Power (First Update)

Countess Katarina Karkov enjoyed a rare freedom, however limited and far removed from Earth, even if it falsely reflected the Emperor's benevolence. She still cherished this life under the spotlight and thrived in it. On the space station, only she had time to keep the idle reporters occupied, using impeccable rhetoric and a packed schedule of tours and interviews to focus their attention on Latvian technological advancements rather than baseless rumors. Most of these scoundrels were tasked with turning everything they saw into new rumors, so the space station's communication systems were not open to the press corps, while the researchers were completely separated from them, conducting research and experiments on the other side of the station.

"I suggest arranging a landing accident. A regrettable accident caused by some people's excessive excitement and violation of safety regulations... This is quite common, especially among journalists eager for front-page news," Countess Katarina Karkov sincerely suggested to the Emperor at the dinner table. "I assure you, if they are allowed to return to the surface alive, all the technological advancements you have invited them to witness will become powerful evidence of the Latvian threat."

"I hope you and Natasha Romanov have identified the spy within the press corps."

"My list is complete, my lord." Though she sensed the unspoken rejection, the Countess persisted. Countess Katarina Karkov, with a beaming smile, poured the Emperor a glass of wine. The one she had chosen from over three hundred bottles lived up to expectations; the Emperor seemed quite pleased. "If you would be so kind as to grant me the honor of executing a spy… no, I will not personally slit that man's throat, but I believe Lady Tita would gladly undertake this bloody task. Or perhaps you prefer an unprovoked accident?"

Hammurabi couldn't help but glance at her.

Countess Katarina Karkov leaned slightly forward, her tongue concocting a wicked scheme. She had clearly forgotten the Emperor's style, growing increasingly excited as she spoke. "After Pietro Maximov's vacation, he'll arrange a spacewalk training session for the press corps." The Countess raised her glass, the starlight streaming through the armored porthole onto her smooth back and arms, making the gems in her necklace and earrings sparkle. Countess Katarina Karkov possessed a chilling beauty and allure, her captivating, slender eyes fixed on the Emperor's long, elegant fingers. "A regrettable accident. A respected journalist risked his life for the truth, violating operating procedures to shut down his magnetic boots and untie his safety ropes, just to peek through a porthole the press corps wasn't allowed to see? What a great thirst for knowledge and exploration! Perhaps a street on Earth will be named after him, perhaps even a memorial service, and that journalist will receive a huge bouquet of flowers he never received in his lifetime. Oh, what an enviable scoundrel."

"I am not hypocritical, madam. I will not claim my methods are clean. I can sit here and cause someone on the surface of the earth to have a heart attack with a single idea, even if that person is perfectly healthy. As long as someone's death is beneficial to the cause, I do not care about the method." The Emperor's words made the Countess straighten instantly, her deliberately altered, loose evening gown beginning to tremble. "But the death of a spy is a deterrent, provided it is a death granted by law and not a vigilante act." He raised his glass and lightly clinked it against the stiff Countess's. "Trials must be public; I have the manpower to enforce the law."

Countess Katarina Karkov laughed nonchalantly, as if she had never been rejected.

"Silver Sablinova is too naive and clearly not a suitable law enforcement officer. The Wild Band is her father's private army, and while they are quite successful in fighting crime, they don't always know the identity of their employers," the Countess said. "As far as I know, Silver Sablinova has been employed by the enemy quite a few times. Although she always seems to be at odds with me, it's not intentional slander; she's simply not very bright. I'm sure you know this."

"Countess, you will surely survive that terrible future." The Emperor made no attempt to hide his admiration. Even though Countess Katarina Karkov's style and thoughts didn't quite match his expectations, this woman who lived for power couldn't cause much damage under his control; in fact, she could be considered a very useful political tool. Moreover, she had accepted the status quo and didn't harbor many unpleasant thoughts. While the power-seeking attempts at the dinner table were tiresome, compared to other outcomes, this was the least of her worries.

"I've planned a future for you, and I'll make sure you like it."

"My lord, must we put up with this woman whose mind is filled with power?" Hammurabi couldn't help but ask after dinner. "I am utterly fed up with her incessant demands, as if she needs power to survive. She is a maggot living in the shadows, not worth wasting resources on. The crimes she committed before the war were enough to warrant her being hanged, not sitting here having dinner with you."

"That's just the kind of person she is, Hammurabi." Compared to the indignation of the Praetorian Guard, the Emperor seemed remarkably relaxed. He even presented Countess Katarina Karkov with a necklace after dinner, who promised to wear the priceless piece on her next invitation. Clearly, the gift had given the Countess an opportunity, enough to make her forget the humiliating rejection she had received at her previous social dinner with Lorelei. "Before this, Countess Katarina Karkov had never lost power; she had always been a slave to power, not its master. I am not her master; I am merely the embodiment of power."

The Emperor poured out the last of the wine from the bottle. It must be said, the Countess had a very good taste in red wine. He had foreseen Countess Katarina Karkov's future—if she were executed or imprisoned, he would lose a useful tool; if she gained more power, she would, in places he didn't care about, revert to that tyrannical noblewoman, ultimately being executed by the Emperor's judges—whether the Emperor liked it or not, he had to bear the price of acquiring a tool, just like every spell he had cast, with no room for regret.

"There's no such thing as a free lunch or a free dinner. No matter how annoying, Countess Katarina Karkov always gets her job done, and that's enough. We can't afford to be picky about manpower right now; we can only have a little more freedom once the academy produces its first batch of talent." He handed the last glass of wine to Hammurabi. "At least Countess Katarina Karkov brings quite good quality wine, which is one of the reasons I'm lenient with her."

"You have quite a sense of humor." Hammurabi took a sip. "Next time I'll suggest to the commander that if a wine test report is to be written, the Praetorian Guard should have a taste; at least our tongues are far more sensitive than the testing equipment in the laboratory. I don't really like this mineral taste; it must have been a cloudy day when the grapes were picked."

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(End of this chapter)