"We've helped Valery find some people with the same aspirations. After having them sign a magical agreement, we infiltrated them into the KGB."
Before setting off, Barty Jr. and the werewolf mercenaries learned Russian through memory transplants. Still, they were strangers in a strange land and only acted as backstage planners.
"We've used various methods, including bribery and magic, to help Valery infiltrate the Guard Bureau in these two months. He's been learning Chobakov's behavior. We recently learned that at the end of November, Chobakov will have a secret meeting with Qin Yeli near Bryansk, along with two other independent state presidents."
"Bryansk?" Murphy frowned, consulting a map near Ukraine, "What are they discussing?"
"We don't know the details of the meeting, but Chobakov will travel by train, likely for secrecy. Only three security forces will accompany him. The train will pass through several large forests and tunnels. We have an opportunity to act."
"Have you figured out the wizards around Chobakov?" Murphy asked.
"Yes, we detected three wizards among the guards through magic detection. They seem not to have revealed their identities to Chobakov and are just performing security duties."
"Send me their descriptions and names."
"Do you plan to come in person?" Barty Crouch Jr. was surprised, "We have enough manpower."
"This matter can't afford any mistakes. I'll execute it personally," Murphy said. "Find out Chobakov's location, route, timing, and security arrangements. I'll make the plan. Also, do the same for Qin Yeli. This is an opportunity. Maybe we can replace both."
...
Two days later, Barty brought news. He had obtained clear details of Chobakov's security arrangements using Memory Charm and Obliviate.
One security team had gone ahead to Bryansk, and two accompanied the train. Besides the security team, local military forces weren't alerted. All three wizards were close to Chobakov.
However, the information about the security around Qin Yeli and the other presidents wasn't as detailed. Only their approximate routes were known. They would arrive later than Chobakov, each protected by a security team. It was difficult to confirm if there were wizards among their guards.
Murphy personally went to Russia via the Door Key and dispatched hundreds of lightning crows to scout the routes, formulating a plan.
"We can't wait for them to converge," Murphy said. "The stationed guards are too vigilant; too many things could go wrong. We must complete the plan before they arrive."
"We'll split into two teams, one for Chobakov and one for Qin Yeli. The other two presidents aren't crucial right now. The Chobakov team will act first, with about an hour's gap between the two teams. I'll participate in the operation myself."
"The operation must be secret. Once exposed, we'll face significant risk."
Unable to expose his identity, Barty hadn't discovered the traces of the Russian magic government and was unsure of their stance towards the Muggle society.
If the operation was exposed, and a British wizard attacked the Russian Muggle president, things could become uncontrollable.
"Master, I don't mean to question your decision, but this country is isolated and distant. Even if we do succeed, what benefit will it bring us?" Barty couldn't help but ask.
In fact, Murphy had already answered this question for Valery Lemontov.
In short, this was an inevitable path.
Umbrella, as a super-corporation, had almost reached its development limit and ceiling.
Advancing further would touch upon national political interests.
For instance, Umbrella's chips and computers were being taxed an extra 10% in the United States for various reasons. According to recent actions, they seemed ready to apply the tactics once used against Japanese semiconductors to Umbrella.
Patrick recently reported that the US was preparing an anti-dumping investigation against Umbrella. If found guilty, more severe punitive tariffs would follow.
One could imagine that if this didn't work, they'd use other means, like pressuring the British government to restrict Umbrella's development.
The Americans have always been ruthless in establishing technological barriers and maintaining national hegemony.
Not just the US, but even Britain might have designs on the vast Umbrella.
As an economic entity, Umbrella had no way to resist the crush of national machinery.
Thus, for Murphy's path of combining science and magic to continue, attracting more talent, expanding the market, and bringing more people into his camp, he had to enter the next stage: transitioning from an economic entity to a political one.
Only then could his path of combining science and magic be brought to the forefront to some extent. Secret bases and underground research were fine initially but ultimately insufficient.
Just developing a chip had nearly exhausted all his resources, not to mention the vast field of magic.
Without a large research base and a broad market, relying solely on Umbrella's support wouldn't get him far.
Perhaps the most stable method was to start with Britain itself, but firstly, Britain didn't have a strong foundation, requiring a long time to upgrade and transform the country. During this, inevitable conflicts with countries like the US would occur, with various constraints making the timeline for reaching his goals uncertain.
Secondly, Russia was just too suitable. It was in a turbulent period but still had a vast foundation. Its military strength was enough to protect itself from prying eyes, and it was a closed environment, almost cut off from other countries. Quietly making a fortune there couldn't be more perfect.
On one hand was a stable but lengthy mountain path, and on the other was a risky but potentially instant skydive to the top.
For Murphy, was there even a choice to be made?
If he wasn't willing to take this risk, why not just go work at the Ministry of Magic?
"You just need to know, for the greater good, this is a necessary path," Murphy said.
"For the greater good." Barty Crouch Jr. wasn't hearing this phrase for the first time. He still didn't understand its full meaning, but this didn't stop him from sensing his master's ambitious spirit.
"I understand," Barty said excitedly, licking his lips. "I will follow your arrangement."
___________________
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