Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1470 The Footsteps of War (First Update)

They are found wherever there is shadow, those golden angels.

The mechanical carrier pigeons were captured as soon as they left the island, because the superhumans possessed the ability to track specific mental signals. But as Hecate said, the pigeons would deliver the parchment to its rightful place, so she wasn't worried about the writings and letters on the parchment being lost. War was approaching Greece; the Thracians were about to set foot on this land to continue the glory of a thousand years ago. This was the emperor's ambition and war, the relatively simplified path to utopia outlined in the *United Truth*. Hecate wasn't surprised by this outcome—the most fundamental principle of international political order was the formation of different classes based on land resources, industrialization, economic conditions, and military strength, followed by dialogue, negotiation, trade, and war between these classes. To resolve the chain of suspicion in international political realism, and to counter the continuous alien wars of the future, a unified, cooperative human race and nation-state was inevitable—a historical inevitability. Just as He had done in the future/past, He once again stood at the forefront of the times, guiding humanity onto the right path.

"My lord, the target of our surveillance, Hecate, has written a treatise."

"Not now, Hammurabi."

While driving to the Petrus restaurant near Buckingham Palace, Hammurabi promptly delivered intelligence. Everyone in the world knew where the Emperor's next move would be; a spy network had already been established in Greece, and crucial intelligence was flowing steadily to the Strategic Staff. This included, but was not limited to, information on military training, naval and air force base movements, maintenance status of F-16C, F-16D, and Mirage 2000 aircraft, the locations of Type 214 and Type 209 submarines, the combat readiness of four German MEKO-class frigates and nine Dutch Cottenair frigates, and four American Adams-class guided-missile destroyers. The Emperor did not want to leave a wound that NATO could continuously bleed from, and he also wanted to convert Greece's annual $3 billion military expenditure into actual combat power. Therefore, he would inevitably employ the methods used during the Yugoslav Wars of Unification to occupy and transform Greek territory and military strength as quickly as possible.

"I will send Hecate a letter of thanks, informing her that I will visit her in person. I am more interested in other matters."

Greece's military strength is unparalleled in the Balkans, even surpassing Turkey's. Although the Yugoslav Federation can now rival the world's top nations in high-end military capabilities, the number of self-propelled artillery, armored vehicles, and other military equipment available to civilians is relatively weak due to factors such as Yugoslavia's poor heavy industrialization. Whether it's naval vessels or army artillery, the number barely exceeds the combined total of Greece and Turkey. Unless the Martian Mechanics complete the transformation and upgrading of Yugoslavia's heavy industrial production lines and modernize its outdated equipment, Yugoslavia's war potential will remain untapped for a long time. If the Emperor wants to conquer Constantinople and restore the Byzantine Empire's territory, then arming the poorly equipped civilian army of Yugoslavia as quickly as possible is the highest priority, and the Emperor is doing just that.

What was the Greek ambassador's response?

"No one will agree to the mere suggestion of dissolving political parties and bringing Greece under our rule. There are no progressive parties left in Greece; all left-wing coalitions have fallen into the trap of vulgarization and isolation. The Ministry of Justice's efforts will ultimately fail. Without military intervention, Greece is likely to fall back into the protectionist constraints we faced in Romania," Hammurabi stated. Ideology is the fundamental issue; a consultative system without guiding principles can only create a mess. "The best solution remains the same: first, control communications, the navy, and the air force; then, strike at the government's central command; finally, send knights on a counterinsurgency campaign to clear obstacles for our newly formed local government to penetrate the grassroots and completely control Greece. However, this plan requires the Praetorian Guard to be stationed with you at the Supreme Allied Command Europe, while also requiring a regency to defend against nuclear attacks and eliminate the possibility of an exiled government being established in the United States and Britain."

"What will be the consequences?"

"The trade embargo remains unchanged. The Regent has assessed it and believes that even a more severe trade embargo is within acceptable limits," Hammurabi stated. Time is too tight, meaning the cost of this war will be higher than anticipated. If time allowed, the "Unified Truth" and substantial funds could have been used to support a political faction influencing Greece, weakening resistance during wartime. However, He rejected this approach because, under the combined influence of entertainment to the death and pampered education, most ordinary people in Europe and America are unable to access the truth, or fall into extreme, vulgar, and isolated mental conflicts, unable to understand the deeper causes of the contradictions, and naturally unable to solve the fundamental problems. "Furthermore, Natasha Romanov, an available asset, has requested a temporary leave of absence; intelligence suggests she may have some personal grudges to resolve."

"Permission granted. Proceed with the standard surveillance procedures. Though I don't need to tell you you've already done so." He shut down the data panel and handed it to Diana, who was also sitting in the back seat. She silently placed the panel in her handbag while checking the laser pistol in the holster under her suit jacket. "I hope the restaurant is ready."

"Security procedures have been followed, and all ingredients have been inspected." Diana was clearly displeased. If she could, she wouldn't mind firing a shot in Gordon Ramsay's three-Michelin-starred restaurant. "I don't think the French food there is as good as mine. Besides, we're eating French food in England, and although the chef is British, I don't really trust British palates."

"This is just a trap set by consumerism, but I don't mind stepping into it; at least it will satisfy the witches." He stopped Diana from opening the car door for him. "Besides the Royal Guard and you, I don't trust anyone else with my safety."

Dinah's lips curved into a smile, and anyone who knew her well could see that her mood had improved. Regardless of the power she possessed, in His eyes, Dinah would always be that silly, innocent maid and LoveDoll prototype, possessing the same pure loyalty as the Royal Guard. She could not disobey any of His orders and her sole ideal was service. "It seems I'm a bit more useful than the Royal Guard now," Dinah said proudly. "I'll be monitoring all the chefs and staff in the kitchen. If you're not satisfied with the service in this restaurant, I'll be on standby. Wanda Maximoff and Laura Crawford are a three-minute drive away, and Bayonetta and Joan of Arc are five minutes away. You have time to prepare."

"for example?"

"For example, have a couple of whiskeys before those women arrive, and you'll be in those same troubles again soon. Besides, Athena will be here too, and I'm not sure if she'll still be aggressive. She refused the security terms, which prevented us from collecting enough data for analysis," Diana said. "In addition, I've scheduled an informal meeting with Mycroft Holmes, as you requested, and he's very eager for this conversation. I mean, very eager."

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(End of this chapter)