6. Changes
Things were progressing well. Even better than I expected.
When hospitals, which could not even be called that, were being expanded, people were being hired, factories of various products were being built, and more job opportunities were emerging, the population began to have hope again, and patience.
My relationship with the people was ZERO. I was not well liked, much less hated. Even because, my presence was what kept the population safe, however controversial it may seem.
It was because of my presence that some countries around, didn't try anything funny, as they did with Sokovia. Even with the instability of my neighboring country, we were still relatively safe.
A refugee support center began to be set up. It served two things, separating who could be productive, giving job opportunities to those who had the capacity, and also, creating a registry, where my Doombots would keep an eye on these people.
There was a database highly protected by the bots. In it, there were every citizen who lived or even visited the country. Not that there were many visitors, but the ones that did were under surveillance by the bots.
That's how I had information about who the people in the Freedom Army were, as well as who were the ones causing instability, so that a war broke out and neighboring countries, and some agencies gained something.
Not in my wake.
That was one of the things I took from the original Doom. He might be a tyrant, but he still cared even the tiniest bit about his country. Even because, it was because of being a ruler, and having Diplomatic Immunity, that he, in this case, me, am free.
One more detail, he manages to be a charismatic leader, apart from his above average intelligence, as well as the preparations he always leaves, that's why.
My difference with his is, EVERYTHING he did was done quietly, trying to escape the eyes of others, while in my case, I did it clearly, not to win praise or anything like that, but because then, those countries that were bartering my lands between them, they would lose their chance.
I let things flow, but kept my eyes peeled for those in need. At any sign, my bots would let me know, and I would go on a rampage in plain sight. I want to make a few things clear, you know.
I focused on training my control over the magic I have. Starting with how it could strengthen my body even when I don't focus on it.
This was a flaw that Strange carries for his entire life, even though he has a 10% improvement in his body due to magic, I wanted 100. So the best way to do this is by training.
There was also another factor. I didn't just perform Eldrich magic, I could access some other schools of magic. And I say a few because it would be impossible to name them all, and many of them have the same function, but different names.
Invocation, Evocation, Transmutation, Conjuration, Alchemy....
Magical schools existed in spades. Including, I can't understand the difference between Invocation and Evocation. I think I need to access those tomes again.
This became a routine in my life. Study, train and supervise. It was like that every day. To make matters worse, I discovered that the old Doom was a disgusting pig of shit.
He had cells in the castle's dungeon, normal up there, but in them, there were what he politely called sex slaves.
They were girls kidnapped from different parts of the world, and to no one's surprise, they were very similar, and resembled a certain blonde woman, who was now dating her ex best friend.
At least that was the feeling of the old Doom.
In my case now, she was just a beautiful woman who stoked my libido and made me want to put my dick in her. That simple. But seeing those women in that state made me sick.
Thanks to some good conversation, and having someone who could help me, in this case the Elder, she took the girls to Kamar-Taj, where they would be treated, and those who wanted to stay to learn the Mystic Arts would be accepted.
They also wouldn't remember anything even if they saw me in front of them. It was a discussion I had with Master, who, seeing my point of view and knowing that the culprit could no longer pay for such a crime, reluctantly accepted it.
I, in an attempt to help in some way, ensured that, if they wanted, they could lead a normal life in Latveria, where I would help in whatever way I could to not let them die of hunger or without a place to sleep.
That's where my idea to help refugees was born.
We were a small country, but with a big enough territory. My lands occupy the equivalent of the size of Kosovo, but lay more between Hungary to the north, Sokovia to the east, Serbia to the southeast/south, and Romania to the west.
Sokovia, which was no bigger than Luxembourg, was between Serbia to the south and Kosovo to the north, with me to the west, being the only country that wasn't looking to integrate its lands with mine.
To the east of Sokovia, Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia also bordered the small devastated country.
Remembering some details, I let my doombot keep an eye on things, more specifically very attentive to the border, because I was sure that was where the orders to cause trouble in my country were coming from.
In the midst of that mess called Sokovia, it was much easier to pass on information without others knowing.
Another thing I also kept an eye on, I got the bots that some of the Freedom Army soldiers were working on for Shield and Shield/Hydra. Some were faithful to one side, some were double agents.
What a mess this world is.
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4 long years passed, and things were going great. Small but promising fruits were being reaped from our new colleges, the population was well fed and safe, and my country was prospering.
Did I get any praise for it? Yes, and I quickly transferred these things to those who worked so hard for a better country. They officially became my ministers. They had power, but only I could say yes or no.
Some things cannot change, or instability is reborn. Mainly because, I've already noticed some plots being raised against them. The greed of some surprises me.