Murphy had not initially planned to intervene in the affairs of the Soviet Union so soon. According to the original historical timeline, the dissolution of the Soviet Union was still months away, and his intention was merely to recruit some talents and rare materials. However, encountering this opportunity, Murphy felt it was worth a try.
Valery was also thinking hard. In fact, many insightful people in the Soviet Union had a premonition of an impending collapse, but the situation was such that they found it hard to change the course of events. However, Murphy had magic.
Where ordinary methods failed, magic might not. For instance, the spells Murphy mentioned that could change people's will, various magical potions, and even compound elixirs... For the KGB, having these tools could achieve much.
Even during the August Coup, if they had a compound elixir, the outcome might have been completely different.
Murphy read his thoughts and said, "The failure of the coup was not due to the lack of special tools, but purely because the initiators were too indecisive."
The leaders of the Soviet August Coup included heads of the Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry, and the KGB, wielding enough power to turn the tables.
Even the Americans at that time believed that coups with such strong participants often succeeded.
They had even controlled Gorbachev but hesitated to take any substantial action against him or leaders like Yeltsin, missing the prime opportunity to control the opposition. As a result, tanks entered Moscow and bizarrely remained stationary for more than two days.
This led to confusion among the soldiers, who neither knew whose orders to follow nor who the enemy was, eventually leading to their defection by Yeltsin's mere words.
Murphy remarked, "I indeed possess various methods to change the situation, and magic can achieve unexpected results. However, to accomplish something significant, one must have unwavering resolve. The weak-willed cannot achieve great things."
"I won't help someone with a weak will because it's bound to fail."
"Valery, to save your country, what price are you willing to pay?"
Valery looked directly at Murphy, without hesitation: "Everything!"
"Good. The things you swallowed, aside from the plague bacteria, you can take away. I will also give you some other technological information."
"They can serve as your stepping stone to reach higher positions, ideally close to Gorbachev. I will send a few wizards with you to help you achieve this goal."
"You need to observe his demeanor, mimic his behavior, learn his way of speaking and tone, and then, find the right moment..."
Valery swallowed hard, understanding Murphy's plan. At this moment, there seemed no other way to save the country.
"But what do I do next? I don't know how to be a president."
"You don't need to." Murphy said, "You just need to gather enough information. My people will help you analyze and devise a plan of action. For now, focus on gathering intelligence and perfecting the body double plan."
...
After arranging for doctors to surgically remove the materials from Valery's stomach, Murphy visited a secluded area of the magic research institute.
Here was a prison, but within the iron bars, it was filled with stacks of books.
A disheveled man sat on a rudimentary chair, eating bread and reading.
"Little Barty Crouch Jr.," Murphy called out the man's name from outside the bars.
Barty was startled, brushed his messy hair aside to see the visitor, and immediately ran to the bars, kneeling and kissing the ground in front of Murphy's feet, "Master, you've finally come to see me."
As the trump card for controlling Barty Crouch Jr., Murphy naturally kept him close at hand.
However, Barty was also talented, possessing a rare intellect and cunning among wizards. Murphy did not simply confine him but used a Mind Seed to switch his loyalty from Voldemort to himself.
"How have you been reflecting recently?"
"Great master, ever since you pointed out my mistakes and gave me a new goal, I have been pondering where I went wrong in the past, why I had those erroneous thoughts. I realized I was too ignorant."
Murphy had not erased Barty's past memories. Regarding the change after the Mind Seed, he was fully aware.
Some people, like Rasmus Selwyn, would simply ignore it, merely thinking that they were enlightened by Murphy.
But Barty was different; he did not doubt his current loyalty to Murphy but reflected on why he had been loyal to Voldemort in the past.
This feeling was like entering a new, better relationship and wondering why one ever loved an ex-partner.
"This is a process of self-demystification for soul consistency."
"Voldemort's power blinded me, making me believe that a wizard's strength came solely from his innate talent. This led me to think he was unique, attracting me to his words, thinking only by following him could I achieve success."
"But I was just too ignorant."
"I've read a lot lately, realizing that so-called power is merely the application of the rules of the universe. Knowledge and wisdom are the sources of power, and magical power is just one form of it, a tool to wield power."
"The more I understand, the more I realize my ignorance, which fills me with fear."
"My wisdom is not enough to create these great knowledges, to help you ascend to the highest existence. I am so insignificant compared to those Muggle scholars that I often despair at my own incompetence."
Murphy was almost moved by Barty's words.
"You should not underestimate yourself; you have surpassed your former self," Murphy said, "Now is the time to test your loyalty. I have a task for you."
"I want you to lead a team of werewolf mercenaries with a Muggle agent to the Soviet Union to help him seize the country. You'll discuss the specific plan and arrangements later. I'll leave you some crows for communication. Report any developments."
"Be cautious; we know nothing of the Soviet Union's magical community."
Like the Soviet Union's minimal interaction with the outside world, its magical community was also isolated from other countries' magical communities. It seemed to still be an empire?
"Understood, master."
About this plot, I actually have many settings planned, but due to review requirements, I will only touch on the magical world later. If there are any inconsistencies, consider them force majeure.
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