Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1598 The Lunar War (1100)

Even though it was just an informal diplomatic dinner, there were still many private conversations and whispers among the guests.

No media outlets were present, and all information was kept confidential. However, due to the tendency of politicians in some countries' representative systems to be outspoken, no officials other than civil servants were invited to the banquet. All diplomats, their wives, negotiation assistants, and even military attachés were working hard to gain leverage at the negotiating table, as this country, which had only recently unified the Balkans, offered a deal that no other nation could refuse. More striking than the ancient castle, the luxurious restaurant, the delicious food and drinks, and the advanced robotic waiters was the image projected onto the high-resolution holographic projector in the center of the hall.

The image had been enhanced with lighting and algorithms, removing buildings obscured by the lack of light. At first glance, it appeared to be an unremarkable, even somewhat barren, planet. However, as the camera zoomed in and the resolution improved, traces of some black, man-made objects buried within the craters began to emerge—many embassy military attachés focused their attention on the holographic projection, especially on the objects resembling vehicles and aircraft alongside the man-made structures within the craters. Although they knew Latvinia wouldn't release images containing classified information, the military personnel still discerned some quite useful information, such as Latvinia's research achievements in void-based spacecraft.

"During the battles of New York and London, NATO governments, through S.H.I.E.L.D., collected numerous alien warship wrecks and extraterrestrial specimens. According to the agreement, each permanent member of the UN Security Council is allocated a certain proportion of these samples. However, to my knowledge, NASA, the Pentagon, and several research institutes and universities have not publicly disclosed their research on extraterrestrial materials." Regent Victor von Doom lowered his voice, deliberately ensuring that those around the long table could hear him clearly. As he spoke, the diplomats and their wives feigned interest in the food on their plates. "If basic science doesn't advance, then reverse engineering is nonsense. However, I can assure you that Latvian has made significant progress in technological sciences, including theoretical mathematics and theoretical physics. We will make these academic achievements public. However, the fairness of the scientific system is currently being challenged, and we should establish sufficiently equitable awards to recognize those who contribute to the advancement of human intelligence."

"We need a voice in the media...it's about public confidence and cultural self-assurance."

"Without verified academic achievements, awards will lack credibility..."

"We must consider economic benefits. The public needs confidence, and we must demonstrate the success of scientific research applications..."

"We need an alien colony, at least a lunar colony."

Regent Victor von Doom listened with a smile to the whispers at either side of the long table, picking up a glass of fruit brandy and slowly sipping it. This brandy was a local Balkan spirit, said to be usable as medical alcohol to disinfect wounds. It was a plum brandy brewed specifically for the emperor by a local winery after the unification wars. Among the common people, this liquor was synonymous with robbery by surprise, being both expensive and bad for one's head. The officials from various countries present certainly wouldn't choose such a mind-numbing drink; they were far more interested in the various wines in the emperor's cellar.

After a long pause, he raised his glass and tapped it lightly with a dessert spoon, the crisp sound silencing the diplomats who had been conversing privately. The Regent's gaze swept across the long and round tables. Diana Lister nodded and immediately began changing the content on the holographic projector; the image showcasing Latvian technological achievements, which was of utmost importance to some diplomats, disappeared. Diana Lister looked very young; she wore a black women's suit, paired with a handmade classic white lace scarf that looked extremely elegant. Perhaps for such a formal occasion, a female official wearing dark lipstick and black nail polish would seem somewhat inappropriate.

However, the regent never cared about these trivial matters that did not affect work efficiency. After all, there were still many uncorrupted young officials in the system who truly implemented the emperor's ideals. After the unification of Yugoslavia, the trials of various corrupt and treasonous acts by the former government resulted in at least half of the politicians and civil servants in the provincial governments of the entire Yugoslav Federation being imprisoned, and many young civil servants had to study while governing.

"The moon is our springboard to enter the solar system and colonize other planets. The moon should have a void dock, supply stations, and orbital defense systems. Those are future deep cooperation projects, which we will not discuss here... Now we have confirmed that the alien threat is not far from humanity. As you all received before the dinner, the Yugoslav Federation is currently engaged in a campaign to eliminate the alien threat. This is a problem that all mankind should face together, but my lord knows that the United Nations does not have the leading role in such issues."

He paused deliberately, his penetrating gaze making the diplomats feel utterly exposed before him, their thoughts laid bare. And indeed, Regent Viktor von Dum's ability to read minds made him invincible in negotiations.

"Politicians often exaggerate objectively existing threats as a means for Latvia to increase its international influence. This approach might be used to manage domestic public opinion, attack opponents, garner votes, or receive political donations..."

The regent smiled and waited for the tide of laughter to recede.

Political donations, as a form of legal bribery, are an unwritten rule in the backward system of representative electoral democracy. Regarding why this system of representative electoral democracy was adopted, the regent has already made his position clear to the world in a televised speech. He believes that governments and politicians controlled by money-driven tycoons do not have a long-term strategic vision or the courage to take responsibility. This leads to the amplification of problems that could be easily solved, causing extremely serious internal friction and social division.

However, the Regent's remarks were unrelated to political donations.

Following the Balkan unification wars, the international community has drawn various conclusions regarding each battle. Some criticize the wars as excessively cruel, others argue that they deprived certain ethnic groups of their political, military, cultural, economic, and religious independence, and still others condemn the wars as too brutal, the emperors as too autocratic, and the current Yugoslav federal government as a military junta. Those making these comments deliberately ignore the centuries-long bloodshed and conflict within the Balkans, this powder keg of Europe, and the betrayal of national interests by corrupt governments manipulated by international corporations and foreign intelligence agencies. They only see the forced erasure of cultural, religious, and cultural divides within the Balkans under imperial rule, failing to see that this war of eradicating hatred could bring lasting peace.

"But the enemies in the galaxy won't stop or lay down their weapons because of human public opinion, and human currency is useless to aliens. At least, the oil exploration rights that the former Albanian prime minister sold for two hundred thousand dollars won't end up in his hands." Regent Viktor von Doom reiterated the most cold-blooded facts, though not every diplomat agreed with him. But he didn't care; the Emperor had already demonstrated to the world military deterrence beyond total nuclear war. With a strong military foundation, the weak Balkans could do many things that were previously impossible. "Therefore, I will share with you the alien samples from this campaign and our preliminary research results. To this end, I propose the establishment of a joint research facility to undertake the research of all alien biological samples, and all data will be publicly available among member states."

The holographic projector changed its display, presenting a magnificent 3D model of the building to the diplomats.

"The emperor's ideals need to be fulfilled by all mankind. The human race will inevitably unite in the future and embark on a journey to the stars and the sea."

"We didn't see your leader today," a Norwegian diplomat abruptly said. "Why didn't your leader give a televised address on such an important occasion? Is he still in good health?"

The regent glanced at him and immediately recalled the diplomat's background.

Diana Lister promptly handed over a data board, supplementing it with more detailed information. This diplomat had backgrounds in the intelligence organizations FVEY (Five Eyes) and NATO's special committees. Although Norway played a secondary role in this intelligence system, the diplomat's wife and relatives ran a non-governmental human rights organization responsible for collecting information on network operators in Norway for the US National Security Agency and the UK Government Communications Headquarters.

The Norwegian diplomat's remarks prompted several other diplomats at the dinner to exchange knowing glances.

Even when attending an informal diplomatic dinner, the Regent did not inform all diplomats of the relevant information. After all, the main purpose of the dinner was to explain the purpose of the man-made devices seen on the moon by the astronomical observation facilities of the various countries present. However, the materials did not explain the full extent of the war, nor did they mention that the Emperor had personally gone to the battlefield. As a military force that was now more powerful than nuclear weapons in the Yugoslav Federation, letting others know that the Emperor had left the country could trigger a series of political disputes and security incidents.

Even countries that cooperated with the Yugoslav Federation in fields such as scientific research did not want to see another incursion into the United Nations headquarters. Being able to break into the UN headquarters meant breaking into the government hub of any country, and then using extreme personal force to kill all the political figures and collapse the organization. This was something no one wanted to see. After all, not every core government institution had secret passages and tanks, and even if they did, whether they could stop the emperor was another matter entirely.

"Thank you for your concern, sir. As an immortal being, the Emperor is not subject to the concept of disease, and aging is foreign to Him." Regent Victor von Doom smiled at the guests. He knew this question would come sooner or later, so he did not appear impatient. "Do not regard immortality as a phenomenon that science cannot explain; it is merely the end of the path of human evolution, the final evolutionary form of future humans. However, now is clearly not the time to discuss His role in human history. I can only tell you that He arrived on the North American continent when it was still called Vinland. To Him, we are all young."

"Don't say that, Victor. Human wisdom is not bound by age. A short lifespan actually helps humanity ignite the spark of civilization, and that is the most precious spirit of the human race."

"My Lord," Regent Victor von Doom bowed deeply, and only then did the diplomats, their wives, and the embassy's military attaché notice a giant in magnificent golden armor, with a noble countenance, standing in the center of the hall, flanked by a guard carrying the eagle banner. The diplomats held their breath, and the hall seemed to brighten instantly, filled with the warm scent of sunshine. "You've come at just the right time," said Regent Victor von Doom. "I am explaining to you, my guests, the concept of immortality, and I believe dessert would be a fitting complement to these ancient tales."

"I believe the gentlemen and ladies here are not very interested in the story of an axe splitting a skull."

(End of this chapter)