Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 948 Nutrition Bars and the National Bank (Second Update)

So-called freedom and democracy can only be established under rational conditions, that is, when everyone possesses rational emotions, a long-term vision, and sufficient wisdom. This principle was taught to Salomon by the goddess of wisdom, who personally recounted to him how the death of Socrates unfolded in her eyes, and then asked Salomon to read "The Apology of Socrates" and his work "The Republic."

The real reason Athena despised the city named after her was not Socrates' atheism, but rather the Athenians' rejection of his reverence for truth. Before Salomon's task of promoting truth, reason, and science was completed, before the sublimation of the soul was achieved, the vast majority of people lacked long-term vision and sufficient wisdom. In modern society, capitalist democracy has become a complete pretext, distorting all beautiful aspirations into lofty ideals and self-interest.

While the Latvian royal family was providing money for Western financial tycoons to exploit the people, they were a "key partner," and no one could interfere with the "choices of the Latvian people." But once the chain of interests broke, Latvia would become a place "filled with the terror of a dictatorship, an atmosphere of oppression, and a climate of fear." If Viktor von Dum liberated Latvia and brought prosperity to its people, then this would be the Latvia portrayed by the Western media. However, this isn't the most fatal flaw; media slander alone is insignificant. Salomon had already detailed to him the predicament that would ensue after the liberation of Latvia—a food embargo, a blockade of high-tech industries, social media smears, CIA infiltration, and incitement of organized rebellion. Even if the Immortal City reveals its nuclear weapons and powerful global strike capabilities, preventing the West from using a tube of laundry detergent to smear Latvia for possessing weapons of mass destruction, this Cold War tactic will continue until the United States itself disintegrates.

This will be the biggest challenge Latvian has faced since its liberation.

The war isn't the biggest problem; the biggest problem is that the Immortal City can't keep supplying Latvinia with funds indefinitely, as this will only drag the Immortal City down. The Immortal City's currency will be pegged to Latvinia's currency. Even if the Immortal City can hold on, the Latvians will be unable to sustain the entire system, and Viktor von Dum's rule will be worse than the current Latvian royal family's. The only solution is to create a complementary relationship between the Immortal City and Latvinia, similar to the Soviet Union's global industrial layout, which requires a strong economic entity to support it to avoid problems.

As if the dawn of liberation of the motherland had risen from the dark horizon, Viktor von Dum's mood improved considerably, and even his tone of voice became slightly upturned.

"In that case, let's go even crazier," he said. "For example, by not signing the UN nuclear arms control treaty and adopting a posture that we could drop nuclear bombs at any time. The weakness of the bourgeoisie will make them yield, and the Latvians have nothing left to lose."

"But this can't last forever," Salomon said. "Once the Latvians have their own way of life, they'll try everything to keep what they have. Even if they know that sacrificing something will make their future better, the wise and willing to sacrifice are ultimately a minority. You can never fight against petty bourgeois mentality; once you take those things away, they'll venge you. We can only change this through education, but that's at least ten years away."

"Our economists have made predictions," Stephanie, as a participant, was free to express her opinion. "The Immortal City can lend money to Latvinia in its own currency. The Immortal City will dominate Latvinia; Latvinia's banks are essentially the Immortal City's banks. We need to find opportunities to promote the Immortal City's currency to the world, which will benefit our future dominance."

"Since the Western media will call me a dictator, then I might as well be a dictator. Those rebels who agreed to the CIA's conditions for political asylum don't deserve sympathy. I will exercise the most ruthless power of a ruler," Viktor von Doom said with a smile. "Before Latvia can hold on any longer, you must complete the first phase of your goal, which is to unify humanity and establish a world that transcends culture and race. That's what you told me, that only such a race is qualified to venture into the stars, and I believe you can do it."

Salomon blinked at these words. Stephanie could tell he was actually somewhat touched, even a little happy.

"Very well, then let's tackle things one by one. Diana Lister, please bring up samples of the hydroponic farm's products. These are byproducts of the bio-genetic laboratory and have already been tasted by the people inside the Immortal City; now it's our turn. For a long time to come, the people of Latvinia will have to live on these things."

"I think I'll have to eat this stuff for a while first. I need to make sure my people can tolerate it." Victor von Doom twisted up the nutrition bar wrapped in waterproof paper with interest. "What does this taste like? I remember the alchemical potion you gave Mordo had a smell of booger and eyelashes. I don't want to eat anything weird."

"This is...beef flavor!" Laura Crawford chewed on the nutrition bar, squinting her eyes as she happily analyzed the emergency rations issued by the Immortal City. Normally, one nutrition bar could support a soldier's high-intensity energy needs for a day, and it also provided a feeling of fullness. Even Jonah, the largest soldier, could only eat a little over three bars before he couldn't eat anymore. However, Laura Crawford ate three nutrition bars in full view of everyone, and it seemed like she was reaching for a fourth one.

All the flavorings on the nutrition bars have been approved by Salomon, and given his preference for the taste of alchemical potions, the bars naturally taste quite good. The only downside is that they're very high in calories; eating too many can be cloying and easily lead to weight gain.

"I had the strawberry flavor, burp..." Jonah said. "To be honest, I didn't expect nutrition bars to taste so good, but I'm a little full."

"That's because you drank water while you ate." Compared to the archaeologists who were eating nutrition bars for the first time, Camilla and her team members seemed unhurried, chewing slowly and deliberately. This wasn't Camilla's first time eating nutrition bars; back when she led her team to wipe out warlords on the African continent, these nutrition bars were included in the emergency rations issued to the Immortal City, along with self-heating tea bags and filters. From the initial texture and taste that resembled eating maggots to the various flavors available today, nutrition bars have undergone many changes. Although they taste pretty good now, Camilla still had to endure a feeling of nausea with every bite.

The reason is simple: we're just tired of it.

"Remember to take your vitamins and quinine as well. The threat of malaria on the edge of the forest is far more terrifying than deep within. I don't want anyone on the next mission to get sick," she said. "We've already wiped out all the drug trafficking organizations linked to Trinity, and Trinity will definitely come after us directly. But the good news is, we have an assault transport ship, and now everything is quite simple—Laura Crawford searches for clues, we set off in the assault transport ship, and if we encounter any Trinity resistance, we take them all out."

Please vote for me!

(End of this chapter)