Can this guy see my Animagus's multiple incarnations?
What's the principle behind this?
However, the term "demon," rich in religious connotations, in this context, seems not only because of my Animagus...
Could it be related to the soul coordinates?
The coordinates Maria set up for me, do they make me appear like a demon in the eyes of Orthodox believers?
Murphy asked Sophia to call over a few wizards who claimed to have witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary, adhering to the Orthodox faith. As expected, they saw Murphy in that demonic form.
Murphy also used a technique to observe their memories, discovering that their perception of him and his Animagus form were roughly the same, but with many added special effects, such as flames burning on and around him, rolling black smoke emanating from his body, and green lightning flickering.
Tsk, have to say, pretty cool.
Murphy decided to adopt this image the next time he transformed.
"Madam Yaga, what do you think?" Murphy decided to seek the expert's opinion.
"I'm not religious, nor do I believe in this god," said Madam Yaga. "It seems more like the work of a wizard, or a powerful spirit."
"Spirit?"
"Like the spirits of ancestors," Madam Yaga said. "Everything has a spirit, and some spirits are exceptionally powerful, sometimes appearing god-like."
"However, spirits are usually pure, natural. If Maria is a spirit, it seems like a man-made one, with its own consciousness."
Murphy thought for a moment, "In church stories, Maria is the mother of God, she was once alive, then gave birth to the Holy Son, and ascended to heaven after her death. If this really is Maria, maybe it's a ghost?"
"Ghosts are the lingering shadows of wizards who cling to this world, while true spirits exist in the other world, known as the spirit world or the star realm," Madam Yaga explained. "Perhaps someone summoned it, though spirits can also descend to this world on their own."
"If it really is a spirit, how can it be eliminated?" Murphy asked.
"Spirits are hard to destroy, just as ghosts cannot die again. We can only start with the medium that allows them to remain in this world and expel them," Madam Yaga said.
"For example, if I created an earthen body for a spirit to dwell in, usually, if this body is destroyed, the spirit would be expelled."
Murphy frowned, "But the medium for this Maria to dwell in, might just be these icons... Do I have to destroy all the icons of the Virgin Mary in the world?"
That was simply impossible.
...
Over ten days later, in the suburbs of Moscow, Soviet Union.
In a forest, Valery was accompanying Murphy on a walk.
"The situation has been bad lately," Valery said with a worried face. "The church has been crazily inciting the public to protest and demonstrate against the lab project, and there's been a lot of opposition within the government as well."
"Even the previous incidents have been brought up for discussion, with those officials who suddenly died being described as victims of KGB assassinations."
Murphy walked briskly, stepping on the fallen leaves, "What's your plan?"
"The KGB told me that to calm the public mood, we could temporarily postpone the construction of the lab, or move it away from Moscow to another location," Valery tentatively said.
"Moscow has the necessary facilities and talent pool for the lab. This isn't a nuclear project; it's not suitable for a remote location," Murphy said.
Clearly, he was not pleased with the idea of delaying the lab project.
"Valery, what do you think is the most pressing issue for the Soviet Union right now?"
Valery thought for a moment. Although he was impersonating someone else, he had been in the highest position for a long time and had many views on national construction. He said, "The Soviet Union has survived the toughest times, but the danger hasn't gone away. The factors that could lead to the Soviet Union's downfall are still there. We face a complex international situation, rampant corruption within the party, and problems with our industrial structure, among others..."
Murphy nodded, "These are all important. But they are not the most urgent. Currently, the most pressing issue for the Soviet Union is how to fill the stomachs of its people."
"We've spent too much money on importing food, and given our current international situation, it's like handing our enemies the rope to hang us."
"We must solve the food problem," Murphy said. "Several agricultural labs in the national laboratory are created for this purpose."
"You're aware of the existence of magic, and you should understand the tremendous boost magic can give to productivity. In the future, magic technology will be the primary productive force. Whoever becomes the leader in magical research will lead the next era."
Murphy looked at Valery, "The national laboratory is the cornerstone for the future survival and development of this country. Its importance should be elevated to a fundamental national policy. Nothing should shake its status. Do you understand?"
Valery's forehead sweated, knowing that Murphy's goals were not solely for the benefit of the Soviet people, but he also knew Murphy was right.
In traditional technological research and development, the Soviet Union did not have much advantage over the West, but magic remained a vast uncharted territory, a new field ripe for the taking.
And its tremendous boost to productivity had been fully demonstrated under Murphy's umbrella corporation.
"Yes, I understand. The national laboratory project not only can't be delayed but must be pushed forward as soon and as vigorously as possible."
Murphy nodded, "Then, what do you plan to do?"
Valery thought for a moment, "Cut the Gordian knot. We can't be held back on this matter. Let the KGB take action, investigate those leaders, the church, or those officials trying to interfere with the project process, and those agitators with ulterior motives. Arrest a group, detain a group, expose their dirty secrets, and eliminate these enemies."
"Then, through investigations, inquiries, and other means, deter the waverers. At the same time, increase propaganda, make the common people recognize the great role of the national laboratory, help them understand the project, and realize that it will bring them a happy life, taking back the narrative."
After half a year of trials, Valery might still be new to directing the country's strategic direction, but he had become adept at struggle.
However, Murphy said, "It's not enough."
"Did you forget where this all started?"
Valery thought for a moment, "Right, there's also the Vatican."
He frowned; the Vatican was troublesome.
The majority of the Soviet people were Eastern Orthodox believers, and although materialism was the official ideology, its influence was far less than that of the secular church.
"Valery." Murphy walked ahead, his tone calm, "If we don't occupy the ideological high ground, the enemy will."
"The Soviet Union is a red country, a people's country, not some god's country, not some holy country, nor some church's country!"
"That some Soviet officials would meddle in the state's policies over some religious issues, that our comrades believe in gods instead of our ideology! How lamentable, pitiable, and laughable!"
"How did these people infiltrate our ranks? Or how did they become what they are now?"
Valery's brow furrowed tightly. As a steadfast warrior, he deeply detested this, looking towards the leader ahead, "What should I do?"
Murphy did not turn back.
"The weather has turned cold, let those demons and evil spirits return to where they belong."
"Those who believe in heaven, let them go to heaven; those who believe in hell, let them go to hell; those who believe in the afterlife, let's send them on their way."
This statement marked a decisive stance, framing the struggle not just as a political or ideological battle, but as a fundamental fight for the soul and future direction of the Soviet Union. Murphy's words highlighted a clear delineation between the values the Soviet Union was founded upon and the encroaching influence of religious institutions and beliefs that he perceived as threats to the state's foundational principles. This was more than just a policy debate; it was a cultural and ideological war, with Murphy positioning himself as a protector of the Soviet Union's secular, materialist roots against what he saw as regressive, potentially destabilizing forces.
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