Chapter 342: 756
[Chapter 193]
[Divergent Views (2)]
Ha Baek-ryeon awakened her gift.
Coincidentally, the bias that occurred at the National Assembly building invaded even the cocoon across the Han River.
In the previous regression, the damage in Yeongdeungpo-gu was so severe that I didn't think about that far.
Eun-ha blamed himself for his complacency.
He had heard about Baek-ryeon's field trip location.
The timing was so delicate that he was worried, but he thought it would be fine since Gangbuk was protected by the cocoon.
Moreover, in this life Sindorim died, so he couldn't be certain if the Mana Religion's soul-returning ceremony terror attack would happen.
So he was even more reluctant to stop Baek-ryeon's field trip.
Still, I'm really glad Baek-ryeon wasn't hurt.
In the end, Baek-ryeon's gift was exposed 1 year earlier than in the previous regression.
The fortunate point was that <First Sword> Ji Yong-hyeon and <Snow Spear> Ryu Yeon-hwa were at the scene when Baek-ryeon awakened.
Those two were people who became Baek-ryeon's supporters in the previous life.
They would have treated Baek-ryeon respectfully without trying any tricks.
They probably wouldn't have tried to persuade her while taking her to the Mana Management Organization.
Above all─
─Thanks to Yeon-hwa noona being there, we were able to respond quickly.
<Snow Spear> Ryu Yeon-hwa.
She grasped the situation and immediately informed the Pandora Clan.
Because of that, Han Seo-hyeon moved, and the news could be conveyed to himself.
Thanks to that, Eun-ha was able to hurriedly arrive at the Mana Management Organization with his injured body.
Even though Eun-ah noona and Eun-woo and others tried to stop me, it can't be helped.
This is something only I can do.
It was difficult to manifest mana.
His wounds hadn't completely healed yet and blood was flowing out.
Nevertheless, Eun-ha composed his expression and spread his aura as much as possible.
""""...""""
People's reactions were varied.
Some were startled, frightened by the aura he emitted.
Some weren't very afraid of the injured Eun-ha's aura.
There were even people who openly frowned at Eun-ha attending this meeting.
Eun-ha ignored their gazes and headed towards Ha Baek-ryeon.
"Good job."
"I just arrived too."
"Baek-ryeon, you're not hurt anywhere, right?"
"...What about ahjussi?"
Fortunately, the seat next to Baek-ryeon was empty.
There was no need for unnecessary quarrels over seats.
Eun-ha greeted Han Seo-hyeon and Baek-ryeon and sat down.
Unlike her usual self, Baek-ryeon seemed to be worried about Eun-ha's injuries.
"Kids don't need to worry about that. Eun-woo just wrapped bandages tightly, I'm fine."
Just because it was in front of Baek-ryeon.
Eun-ha smiled faintly and pretended to be strong.
Of course, Han Seo-hyeon didn't seem fooled, and Baek-ryeon didn't remove her worried gaze either.
Nevertheless, he couldn't say more.
Because people who had come to their senses were giving Eun-ha their attention.
"Now that the Pandora Clan Lord has gathered, we'll officially start the meeting. I think the Pandora Clan Lord has probably heard roughly, so there's no need to explain again tediously."
""""...""""
Fairy Im Ga-eul opened the conversation.
What to do with Baek-ryeon from now on.
A war of words began to claim their respective interests.
☆
Not only Mana Management Organization officials, but also many high-ranking officials of the Fairy government gathered.
Though their intentions may differ, their primary purpose was the same.
─The Fairy's successor must not be protected by the Pandora Clan.
What kind of being is the Fairy?
A being that should exist solely for the people, not for the power of a specific group or individual.
But entrusting the protection of such a being to a clan, a group for private gain, was nonsense.
Moreover, aren't clans armed groups too?
If they make a mistake, the country could be completely taken over by the Pandora Clan.
Especially people who remembered the time of the <End of Century Destruction> were greatly agitated by the situation where a monarch could appear again.
When one monarch appears, several monarchs are bound to appear. If that happens, this country will be torn apart by monarchs' fights like before.
The era of warlords.
They prayed that such gloomy events wouldn't happen again in this small country.
So putting aside their own interests, they showed an opposing stance.
"You say Ha Baek-ryeon is under the Pandora Clan's protection, but that's quite an exaggeration. Baek-ryeon's mother is just running a restaurant in the hall... I'm not sure if this can really be called protection."
The officials implicitly united regardless of their usual relationships.
One official said.
The old man's tone, fixing his glasses with hazy eyes, was not sloppy.
He pointed out the justification Han Seo-hyeon had consistently claimed.
"Our contract with Ha Ji-eun ssi was a contract to keep the business for at least 10 years. We promised such a long-term investment."
"10 years, I think we need to thoroughly check if that's not an unfair contract."
"We drafted the contract with Sirius Group's legal team present. I state that there's nothing wrong with the contract."
While Han Seo-hyeon was answering.
Questions poured in from all directions.
Nevertheless, Han Seo-hyeon answered clearly in front of people asserting their authority.
And when the officials' momentum seemed to overheat─
─Hamper Wave
Eun-ha activated magic.
He could now activate magic targeting ordinary people.
His hand tapping the desk caused ripples in the room.
"Don't all speak at once, speak one by one in order. How can we respond if you speak like that?"
""""...""""
Though it was almost no different from a threat.
The officials couldn't severely scold Eun-ha.
Public sentiment followed him.
Moreover, he was on his way back after suppressing the Mana Religion's terror attack.
The public sentiment that was already following him was fervently praising Eun-ha.
Above all, they flinched at Eun-ha's intimidation.
"The Pandora Clan Lord should be careful too. Everyone, don't try to gang up on one person."
Finally a mediator stepped in.
Im Ga-eul spread <White Silver> mana to nullify Eun-ha's magic.
Only then could the people present barely breathe.
The meeting continued afterwards.
"So you mean Ha Baek-ryeon's mother is bound by the Pandora Clan's contract and can't pull out. Then wouldn't it work if the government terminates the contract? We can pay the penalty right away."
"Contracts are based on trust. If we terminate the contract just to receive a lot of penalty fees, the trust we've built will collapse. We don't want to set a precedent either."
"This is necessary for the country. It's only right for the state to manage a <White Silver> gift holder who can operate the cocoon."
"I think state management is necessary too. But I can't agree with the intention of the state managing all the big and small affairs of a child so young."
"...It seems you have no intention of accepting our position. Fine. Then please call the child's mother. Isn't she the child's real guardian?"
"I received rights from Baek-ryeon's mother Ha Ji-eun ssi before coming here, so please talk through me."
"Are you really going to do this?"
"It's troublesome if you say that when we're just exercising legitimate rights."
""""...""""
The conversation ran parallel.
Neither side was willing to concede.
The state should protect her.
The Pandora Clan should protect her respecting Baek-ryeon's mother's wishes.
Both sides' justifications weren't wrong.
Either way was correct.
...The opposition is fiercer than I thought.
Meanwhile, Eun-ha was quietly listening to their conversation.
His gaze was directed at Im Ga-eul who was also keeping her mouth shut.
In the previous regression, by this point Im Ga-eul would have raised her hand saying she'd entrust me with custody...
Eun-ha recalled the previous regression.
In his previous life, the meeting was even more chaotic than this.
Back then, the officials' opinions weren't perfectly unified either.
Furthermore, players or people from business groups attended the meeting under the pretext of dispatching advisors.
At that time, they stepped forward to protect Baek-ryeon trying to take their respective interests.
Then what did Im Ga-eul say?
She said that with everyone saying they'll protect her, we need to hear the opinion of the important person in question.
At that time, he didn't have the qualifications to attend the meeting.
He just ended up attending the meeting because Baek-ryeon wouldn't separate from him.
Then Im Ga-eul appointed Eun-ha as guardian following Baek-ryeon's opinion.
Well, the position is different from then.
Soon Eun-ha understood.
In the previous regression, he was someone without any background.
So Im Ga-eul and people reluctantly agreed while not liking it.
But in this life, he had too much background.
They're wary of me.
Wondering if it's okay to keep empowering me like this.
Im Ga-eul was contemplating.
Eun-ha noticed her state of mind.
Then, their eyes met.
And Im Ga-eul opened her mouth.
"─Then what does the Pandora Clan Lord think?"
""""...""""
"You're letting only the Pandora Clan administrator speak while keeping your mouth shut. But I want to hear what the Pandora Clan Lord thinks."
The conversation stopped.
The Fairy pointed to Eun-ha.
An atmosphere was created where Eun-ha had no choice but to answer.
Meanwhile─
─Are you trying to test me?
Im Ga-eul was subtly asking.
If you really want to become the Fairy's sword, ask me to hand over Baek-ryeon.
It was a test of loyalty.
For him, it wasn't even funny.
This person is mistaken.
The person I swore to become a sword for isn't you.
Eun-ha snorted.
Then he glanced at Baek-ryeon sitting without even gaining the right to speak.
Memories of the previous regression came to mind.
The Baek-ryeon flickering before his eyes now lived like that her whole life in the previous regression.
Unable to properly express her own opinions, having to move as told.
Recalling that time made Eun-ha even more unwilling to let Baek-ryeon be taken away.
So he answered.
"─Shouldn't that be her opinion, not mine?"
""""...""""
"You seem to be ignoring her because she's a child, but you shouldn't discuss without the person in question."
Tap.
Eun-ha placed his hand on Baek-ryeon's head.
She raised her head.
He smiled as brightly as he could within his limits.
"Baek-ryeon, what do you think?"
"..."
"Do you want to live with mom and ahjussi and clan people? Or do you want to live with those stubborn grandpas and grandmas over there?"
The officials frowned.
It was too obvious a question.
What would a 10-year-old child answer?
They tried to raise their voices to prevent Baek-ryeon from answering.
Hamper Wave
Of course, Eun-ha didn't stay still.
Even though he had already been cautioned by Im Ga-eul.
Eun-ha silenced people with magic without even considering that.
By then, Baek-ryeon carefully spoke up hesitantly.
"I want to live with mom and ahjussi..."
""""...""""
Though it was an answer everyone was certain of.
Eun-ha was inwardly worried.
In case Baek-ryeon might say she wanted to be protected by government officials.
The corners of Eun-ha's mouth rose.
His smile deepened.
"─That's what she says?"
☆
"─Regardless of what the person in question thinks, an individual's thoughts are not worth considering for the country's future."
As Baek-ryeon expressed her opinion.
The officials' thoughts diverged now.
Some people felt sorry for Baek-ryeon and became unable to actively assert their claims.
In such a situation, <Abyss> Seon U Hwa-ryeong, Surveillance Bureau Director, stubbornly asserted.
"How much effort have we made to build this country? At the time of destruction, military regimes were established in various regions. They called themselves monarchs and accelerated the destruction of civilization. So didn't the living legends annihilate them and strive to make this country one again?"
""""...""""
"Moreover, how many people sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country? How many <Connection> holders were put to eternal rest to attract the International Mana Management Organization's player library? Why is <Index> staying in the permanent library?"
A world where monsters exist.
In such a world, what is emphasized is sometimes not human freedom and rights, but a system to maintain society.
Seon U Hwa-ryeong's assertion was justified.
Now they couldn't just overlook a young child's words feeling sorry.
If they guaranteed Baek-ryeon freedom, it would be an act of disregarding the people who have devoted themselves to this country so far.
"We're not treating her as a tool to wield tremendous power like China does with Hang-a, nor are we saying to forcibly marry Kaguya to royalty like Japan. We're saying the state will protect someone who could become the Fairy in the future. That alone is the maximum consideration from the state."
Democratic or not.
No, even somewhat democratic or not.
China had the party seize power and was thoroughly treating Hang-a, who possessed the <White Silver> gift, as a weapon.
Japan had made Kaguya royalty, establishing a feudal system in reality while wearing the framework of being democratic.
Compared to them, Korea belonged to a much better category.
Of course, when weighing the state and individuals, individuals were 'slightly' considered.
Only slightly.
Im Ga-eul agreed.
But the Surveillance Bureau Director is crossing the line.
I knew he was a stubborn person, but his values themselves are extreme.
Meanwhile, Im Ga-eul glanced at Seon U Hwa-ryeong.
Hearing his passionate speech, it seemed like he was saying even the Fairy should be managed like China and Japan.
She was inwardly offended.
Soon her thoughts turned elsewhere.
Ha Baek-ryeon... Perhaps it might be better to let Pandora manage her rather than the government managing that child.
I would oppose if it were another clan.
But the Pandora Clan was okay.
The child seemed to follow them well, and the Pandora Clan could be trusted.
The problem is─
─Before trust, the problem is that the Pandora Clan's power becomes too strong.
That was it.
The Pandora Clan's influence grows stronger.
She wasn't unaware of rumors heard from some quarters.
Monarch No Eun-ha.
At some point, Eun-ha was being called that way too.
It was understandable.
Military power, public sentiment followed him.
Financial power, direct descendants of business groups were positioned around him.
So it wasn't strange at all for words to flow that a monarch might appear again in this land referring to him and the Pandora Clan.
Above all, if the Pandora Clan protects Baek-ryeon too─
─They would gain even future power.
It was understandable for her to be wary.
Im Ga-eul hoped because she was in a position easily swayed by the Pandora Clan.
She absolutely didn't want a situation where it becomes difficult for her to move while having to be mindful of them.
If the Pandora Clan's power wasn't so strong, I would have tried to entrust that child to them even in the face of officials' opposition.
Meanwhile, the meeting continued.
Young officials showed a passively neutral stance.
Officials led by Seon U Hwa-ryeong refused to change their assertion.
And Han Seo-hyeon argued that as times have changed, the state shouldn't infringe on individual rights.
This won't end at this rate.
Im Ga-eul smiled bitterly.
Unless she strongly supported one side's opinion, the meeting didn't seem like it would end.
Right then─
─Tap tap
The sound of tapping on the desk was heard.
A sound strangely clear even amidst the arguments.
The sound seemed to be heard only by her.
Sonic Wave
It was No Eun-ha's magic.
Im Ga-eul realized the source of the sound and looked at No Eun-ha.
No Eun-ha seemed like he wanted to say something.
He wasn't taking his eyes off her.
Could it be...
Then, Im Ga-eul sensed it.
Suddenly she recalled the promise she made to Eun-ha a few years ago.
When he returned from Uijeongbu, what she promised in return for bringing the cocoon.
Sure enough─
"─I request the Fairy like this. I will take responsibility for Baek-ryeon's protection."
""""...""""
The right to wield the Fairy's power.
It was unmistakable.
The reason No Eun-ha spoke with mana in his voice was probably because of that.
To think he would use it like this, I didn't expect him to use it here...
Actually, she hadn't thought he would use it in this way.
She thought he would at most push for policies favorable to the Pandora Clan.
But No Eun-ha decided to use the card at such an important meeting.
This is a decision where I have to bear political risk too...
Im Ga-eul inwardly complained.
She wanted to just reject Eun-ha's request.
But a promise was a promise.
She had no choice but to speak.
In the end, she formulated a plausible response in her head.
"─As someone in the same position as that child... Thinking of the child's future, it is pitiful. Anyway, when she takes office as Fairy, isn't it her fate to be protected by the state from then on? So I think it's okay for her to spend enjoyable time with her parents while young."
""""...!!""""
"...Since I'm still active too, I'd like her to make memories she can enjoy at that age. When she becomes Fairy... there won't be opportunities for that."
She felt sad as she spoke.
Im Ga-eul forcibly squeezed out tears and gave an impassioned performance.
The officials were convinced.
They must have some misgivings knowing they live consumed by work too.
Thus she succeeded in swaying public opinion as Eun-ha wished.
But she had to take the benefits she could take since her position was at risk.
"However, since the Pandora Clan will be fully in charge of Baek-ryeon's protection from now on, the government will designate Baek-ryeon's educators. We need to establish her national consciousness so she can grow into an excellent Fairy."
"...Alright, I'll accept that."
What the government could gain.
As Eun-ha became Baek-ryeon's guardian, Im Ga-eul could designate educators without anyone's opposition.
Only then did some officials seem to show relieved expressions.
Soon she smiled brightly.
"─And the Pandora Clan Lord will need to discuss closely with me about how to protect Baek-ryeon in the future. Do you have time after the meeting ends?"
"I'm injured now but if it's very briefly..."
"Then let's talk with the Pandora Clan supporter waiting outside now. I'll finish quickly."
"Yes, understood."
She had something to ask No Eun-ha.
It was too coincidental to call it luck.
That the <White Silver> gift holder happened to be in the Pandora Clan.
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