บท 117: If You Live As You Dream – III
A large two-story home in the middle of a field. On the face, nothing out of the ordinary. But considering that it was in the middle of Eva surrounded by commercial buildings, it stuck out like a sore thumb.
Especially considering that it was brand new in comparison to the aged buildings surrounding it.
Of course, the two-story home was still just a temporary measure considering the number of inhabitants that would need to be housed in Eva for the future.
But at the current time, that was the home of Carpe Diem- No, the reborn 'Elysium.'
And it was here that a strategy meeting was being held for all the current members of Carpe Diem and the future members of Elysium.
August 31st, two weeks before the September Halfway Point.
Hannah skimmed through her notes one last time before the meeting started.
Quite a bit had happened since they arrived in Eva. Especially across Paradise.
Yuhui had taken over as the head of the Temple of Luxuria, and a large portion of the previous higher ups in the temple were outed as corrupt individuals colluding with the Parasites.
Teresa had established new training regimes for the knights of Haramark in the defenses at Arden Valley, already successfully repelling a recent Parasite invasion.
Rumors of Jihu being a lustful bastard who went around stealing women and wreaking havoc were completely disproved by the fact that a mysterious spearman wearing a black bunny mask kept beating 'Jihu' up every time an incident arose.
Hannah still needed to figure out the identity of that bastard smearing her husband's good name, but that would happen in due time.
Scheherazade's power void left by Sinyoung's collapse was filled by the Triads. And the queen, Roe Scheherazade, had unilaterally declared her support in favor of Paradise's Hero, Jihu.
...The fact that said queen was apparently on first name basis with Hannah's husband annoyed her, but Hannah let it slide.
After all, she wouldn't be the only one who would want a piece of Jihu if it turned out he had yet ANOTHER woman out there somewhere.
But that power dynamic was settled. The two main royal families and kingdoms were stable at the moment because of Jihu's actions.
And now the only one left was Eva... which led to the current meeting.
"Wow, Hyung." Sungjin looked around the conference room at the other people sitting down for the meeting and said, "Is this going to be our team in the future?"
Seol-Ah's eyes sparkled and she said, "I knew that Oppa was great at gathering people around him, but this is incredible!"
Hannah hid her smirk and the urge to nod at the Yi siblings' comments.
Although a double-edged sword, there was no doubting that Jihu possessed an outstanding ability to gather people around him. And powerful people at that.
Adjusting her glasses, Hannah took a look around the room to confirm all the people present.
Chung Chohong and Hugo Richard, the two infamous members of Carpe Diem who had been with Jihu since he properly set foot in Paradise.
Ian Denzel, the first proper party member that Jihu traveled with, and also the famous archi- *alchemist* who designed the Arden Valley defenses.
Agnes Claire... or as she called herself these days, 'Claire Agnes,' who was infamous for being Cinzia's right hand and executor.
Maria Yeriel, the infamously stingy and greedy childlike priestess. One who acted and looked anything but these days after meeting Jihu and maturing, both in her attitude and body.
Seo Yuhui, one of, if not the most, esteemed Earthling in Paradise. The Daughter of Luxuria and Paradise's second Level Eight Earthling.
Baek Haeju, the Sacred Empress and the first Level Eight Earthling in Paradise. A cold and aloof woman... who turned out to be Jihu's childhood friend and former lover.
Jang Maldong, the legendary Kingmaker who raised countless heroes. A grouchy old man who had given up on Paradise until he met Jihu and regained his vigor.
Phi Sora, the thorny swordswoman and former leader of the White Rose Guild who had attained enlightenment into her own unique realm of swordsmanship. A prickly woman who had become softer and more relaxed since Jihu saved her and her guildmates after a failed expedition.
Marcel Ghionea, or 'Ghio' as he went by, who was the famed Steel Archer. A cold and stern man who had been living for vengeance after his wife, Marika Larisa, had been taken away by Vulgar Chastity and Parasitized. And a man who had his life's ambition until that point fulfilled when Jihu both killed Vulgar Chastity and reverted her forces.
Then there was Marika Larisa herself, seated next to Ghio. A beautiful and famed Earthling who was able to use the unique Photon Magic.
Seated nearby was Ayase Kazuki, former member of Umi Tsubame and a Level 5 Grand Pathfinder. A man who was scouted by the Triads after he was booted from Umi Tsubame but immediately left for Elysium after word sent out that he was invited.
And next to him was his younger sister, Ayase Yui. Another Level 5 who had previously been captured and infected by the Parasites, but saved and restored by Jihu. A petite and cute Japanese beauty who wielded a katana and wanted to help her benefactor, Jihu.
There was Yun Seora, former second lady of Sinyoung and current head of Seoji, a new up-and-coming technology company back on Earth. A crazy young lady who had been obsessed with Jihu since he saved her in the Tutorial.
And there was also Yun Seohui, the infamous witch who now candidly said that she had ruined various heroes in the past and also led Sung Shihyun to his ruin. An emotionless and unfeeling manipulative bitch... who was almost the exact opposite now and acted like a lovestruck school girl whenever she was around Jihu.
And finally, there were Vlad Halep and Oana Halep, a brother and sister pair who Jihu helped at the Banquet and promised to help afterwards as a friend.
The former was a tall and stoic man with a muscular build, while the latter was a frail-looking priestess with silver hair... and also something uncanny about her.
A group of over twenty people... and that wasn't including herself and Jihu. That also didn't include Flone, who was currently on Earth doing optics for the plan that she and Hannah cooked up to get Jihu's family used to the idea that he'd be coming home with a figurative harem in the future.
This also didn't include a few other people that Jihu wanted to reach out to but couldn't yet because they were far away, like his former party members in the Tutorial, Odelette Delphine, Tong Chai, Karna, and Salvatore Leorda.
It was a crazy line up of past, present, and future powerhouses. A group of heroes that definitely fit the name 'Elysium' that Jihu came up with. And a group of heroes who would only become stronger still considering how much Jihu loved dumping resources into the people surrounding him.
Now that Hannah was staring at everyone, she had to admit that her hands were starting to tremble in anticipation, as well as recognition of just how much sway her husband had over Paradise's forces.
After all, this was only the Earthling side of things. When you took into account the fact that Jihu could mobilize all of Haramark due to Teresa's love for him, Scheherazade due to saving Roe Scheherazade, and all of the forces at Arden Valley like the Archmagus Arbor Muto...
Hannah exhaled, quickly regaining her calm. After that, she nodded and said, "Shall we begin?"
Jihu nodded from his place beside Hannah. After that, he stood up and said, "Thanks for coming, everyone. I know the place is a bit small..."
Ian chimed in and said, "That's because you rushed me! Perfection can't be rushed!"
Jihu chuckled and said, "Right. But don't worry. Our Grand Architect-"
"Alchemist!"
"...Alchemist here has a grand design down for a huge training complex and residential area for our organization. But before we get the ball rolling on that, there's another problem we need to sort out first."
Yuhui tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear and said, "Is it who gets to sleep in your room, Jihu?"
Hannah resisted the urge to glare at Yuhui.
Recently, the Daughter of Luxuria had been channeling a bit too much of her goddess with how bold she had been insisting at spending time with Jihu.
But there was a time and place, woman! Even if you were a Level Eight Executor and physical embodiment of a Goddess!
Jihu chuckled and said, "Not that, Yuhui."
"Aw..."
A sharp tension in the air. One borne from seven different women glaring at Yuhui for stepping out of line.
But Jihu ignored it. No, he used it to his advantage by putting on a serious expression. Looking out at everyone, he said, "I'm talking about the situation with Eva. Since everyone's arrived here and had at least a few days to look around, I'm sure you understand the general situation, right?"
Hugo spoke up and said, "Yeah. This place sucks." He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "I thought Haramark was a dump, but this place takes the cake."
Chohong nodded and said, "Hugo's right for once." She wrinkled her nose and said, "I've been in some slums, but this place definitely tops them."
Phi Sora chimed in as well and said, "Mmhm. I agree with the muscleheads. This place is trash."
Chohong stood up and said, "Musclehead?!"
Phi Sora just chuckled.
Maldong tapped his staff on the ground and then said, "Quiet down, Chohong. And you too, Sora."
Chohong pursed her lips, but then sighed and sat back down.
Phi Sora shrugged and crossed her arms.
Maldong looked at Jihu and said, "I'm sure you're aware that Eva is famous for being heaven for Earthlings and hell for the Paradisians living here." He looked around the room and said, "Most of us are experienced enough to know it in the abstract, if not in person until now." He shifted his gaze back to Jihu and said, "So. Why did you bring it up, Leader? Are you planning to go to war with the organizations ruling Eva from the shadows?"
Silence. The more combat experienced members of Elysium sitting up, preparing for orders. The newer members like Vlad, Oana, Seol-Ah, and Sungjin quietly mulled over the situation.
After a brief moment, Jihu smiled and then looked at Hannah. "Care to explain, dear Strategist?"
A shift in focus. Everyone suddenly looking at Hannah with anticipation.
Hannah would be lying if she didn't feel a bit nervous.
Although she had faced off against powerful people and various scumbags in her time with Sinyoung, this was her first time addressing such a world-class gathering.
The people gathered in this room... it was definitely enough to reshape the landscape of Paradise if Jihu set out with them.
...Then again, her headache-inducing husband could do the same thing just by himself.
With that thought, Hannah suddenly wasn't nervous anymore.
So, Hannah nodded and then stood up.
Jihu sat down and then handed over the spotlight to Hannah.
Hannah looked out at everyone and said, "Today, we will begin Operation Crazy Rich Asians."
Yun Seora snorted. "Some naming scheme you've got there, Hannah."
Hannah ignored Seora and then continued. "As you're all aware by now, Eva's true power rests with the seven organizations controlling things from the background. The current young queen of Eva is just a puppet figurehead who lives in a dreamland thinking that her kingdom is all fine and dandy while her people are abused and exploited by the Earthlings."
Yun Seohui frowned and said, "So it's similar to Queen Roe..."
Hannah shook her head and said, "Not quite. Unlike with Sinyoung, the organizations here seem to be keeping the queen in the dark and living a carefree life." She paused and said, "It's more the opposite? The people are suffering while the queen is living a carefree life instead of the Queen suffering countless tragedies while her people live free and unaware."
Yuhui's eyes widened and she said, "Ah! So that's why Resa was so mad."
Hannah paused and said, "What do you mean?"
Yuhui shrugged and said, "Resa just said that the Queen of Eva is a spoiled and rotten child trapped in dreamland who isn't worth helping. Although, considering everything happening in Eva... I can see why?"
Jihu frowned and said, "Everyone has their own circumstances, Yuhui. It isn't good to judge based on just appearances... H-Hey." He looked around at the sharp gazes from various females suddenly glaring at him. "I'm not going to try and seduce her or anything, alright? I've already drawn the line on the number of women in my life!"
Baek Haeju snorted and said, "Says the man who shamelessly said he won't give any woman up and can't live without them in his life."
Jihu looked at Baek Haeju before looking around the room. "It's true though. I couldn't keep going without all of you here to support me."
Hannah rolled her eyes and said, "Can you wait to flirt with other women when they're not in front of me, Jihu?"
Jihu let out a sheepish smile and said, "Sorry."
Hugo muttered under his breath. "Whipped."
Jihu looked at Hugo and smiled wider.
Hugo flinched and quickly averted his eyes, whistling a shaky tune.
Hannah shook her head and said, "Anyway." She looked at everyone and said, "The solution is simple." She gestured towards everyone in the room and said, "While it'd be easy for us to run the organizations over and raze them to the ground, we're planning to build a stable foundation for Elysium, as well as restore order for the third major Paradisian Kingdom. Because of that, we'll do things above board for the most part."
Kazuki raised his hand.
Hannah nodded and said, "Yes?"
Kazuki lowered his hand and said, "I understand the reasoning. But how are we supposed to compete with these organizations?" He looked towards Jihu and said, "While I'm aware that our Emperor-"
"Hey!"
"...Possesses an unparalleled reputation in the history of Paradise for his feats, as well as unparalleled combat skill, that doesn't equate to resources." Kazuki frowned and then said, "And I've been curious as well." He paused and said, "The auction for the September Halfway Point has been delayed due to recent events, but it will start in a few days. Setting aside being recognized as a proper organization... does Elysium possess the funding necessary to procure the stamps needed to run the Tutorial?"
Hannah paused and looked over at Jihu. "Leader?"
Jihu blinked and said, "Oh yeah. I suppose now's a good time as ever to show everyone, huh?" After saying that, he snapped his fingers.
One second, there was nothing on the table. But in the next, a towering pile of platinum bricks appeared on the table in the center of the room, reaching all the way to the ceiling.
Another fingersnap later, and then piles of gold coins appeared around the platinum, looking like a dragon's treasure trove.
No, even a dragon probably wouldn't have as much raw platinum laying around.
The room was filled with a hushed silence.
And then Maria jumped to her feet and said, "Oppa, you cheap bastard! You didn't tell me you could make money from thin air!"
Jihu let out a nervous laugh and said, "Uh... You never asked?"
Hannah looked back at Kazuki and said, "Does that answer your question, Mister Ayase?"
Kazuki laughed and said, "One of them." He looked at Jihu and said, "I suddenly have many more... but I'll reserve those for another time."
Yun Seora looked at the pile of money with a calculating gaze before smirking. "I see. In this world, money is even more important than on Earth. And when it comes to a competition of resources..."
Yun Seohui's eyes sparkled and she said, "Our Hero will win!"
Sungjin shook his head and said, "Hyung is too cool. Isn't it enough to be super strong? But now he's running around throwing money at his problems like a Chaebol heir..."
Seol-Ah looked at her brother and said, "But that's how Oppa has always done it, hasn't it? Ever since the tutorial, he's been the sort of person to use a lot of money to solve his problems."
Jihu cleared his throat and said, "H-Hey. I don't use money all the time..."
Ian raised an eyebrow and said, "Says the man who offered to buy the Princess of Haramark with a hundred platinum coins?"
""""WHAT?!""""
Jihu winced and then said, "Okay, I can explain."
A chaotic din. One where some people sat back to watch the show while others were in the thick of it, shouting over each other to interrogate Jihu.
Hannah watched it all and then sighed.
'...Damn you, past me. Why did you have to jinx it by saying whoever married Jihu would be living a life of headaches...?'
xxx
After Jihu used his silver tongue to calm down all his lovers, Hannah continued with the breakdown of Elysium's first proper operation.
It was a three-pronged approach. One that could be accomplished only due to the unique composition of the members in Elysium.
First, with Jihu being a literal money-printing machine, the more attractive members of Elysium would go around buying up the debts of the Eva citizens and doing charity work by dropping off food and other living supplies.
Second, the members of Elysium who were familiar with covert operations and the ugly side of the underworld would go around the auction houses and clear them all out. Slaves, illicit materials, etc. Those members would buy everything and then take them back to various safehouses that Hannah set up in coordination with their insider, Park Dongchun.
Third... and probably most important of all, Jihu would use his natural charm and knack for persuading beauties to coordinate with Eva's Royal Administrator, Sorg Kuhne, to win over Queen Charlotte Aria from Jung Sua, the leader of Eva's current sponsored organization <Evangeline>.
That was the core of Operation Crazy Rich Asians.
Buy the hearts of the people. By the heart of the city's commerce. And buy the heart of the ruler.
Well, at least steal her away from the corrupt individual whispering sweet nothings into her ear and making Charlotte Aria think Eva was perfectly fine while she was cooped up in her fancy palace.
Hannah thought it was a foolproof plan. And even if it wasn't, since Jihu was involved, the plan would proceed without a hitch due to his knack for pulling miracles out of his ass and doing the impossible.But time would tell.
For now though...
The conference room of Elysium's temporary home. Sitting at the head of the table, Hannah adjusted her glasses and observed an array of glowing screens that Jihu had set up to watch all the different groups running their operations across Eva.
"As expected, the presence of Yuhui and Baek Haeju are suppressing the Earthlings and emboldening the Paradisians. Maria and the Yi siblings are doing well with the volunteer work as well..."
She shifted her gaze to screens showing dimly lit rooms and alleyways. "Kazuki and his sister are doing an excellent job playing the role of a tycoon with money to burn... as are Ghio and Marika."
Hannah kept watching everyone work and then took notes, checking the various benchmarks to ensure everything was on track.
Maldong watched the screens along with Hannah and nodded. "It seems that your plan is going well."
Hannah finished writing down her notes and then reached out to readjust the screens, carefully watching Vlad and Oana enter another auction house in the outskirts of Eva. "Of course." She pushed it back and then checked off a few tasks on her checklist. After that, she looked up at Maldong and said, "Even though I messed up in trying to snare Jihu and got snared myself, Kim Hannah didn't become an infamous name for no reason."
"I can see that." Maldong nodded and said, "Then should I continue the plan to discuss the September Halfway Point arrangements with Cinzia and Hao Win as we mentioned before?"
"Please and thank you." Hannah kept watching the screens and said, "This will take up most of my time, so it would relieve a lot of stress knowing someone as competent as yourself is handling the rest, Mister Maldong."
Maldong chuckled and said, "Just Maldong is fine. Considering that you're doing well in keeping Jihu and his affairs in line, you deserve that much respect."
"Appreciate it."
Maldong paused and looked at the screens. "Speaking of Jihu... I don't see our leader on any of these screens? Or Ian?"
Hannah nodded. "You won't. *Apparently*, the two are paranoid that I'll jinx them somehow when they're trying to get into Charlotte Aria's good graces."
"Hm." Maldong nodded and said, "Understandable."
Hannah paused and turned to look at Maldong. "I beg your pardon?"
Maldong cleared his throat and then said, "I will be on my way then." Adjusting his hat, he walked off and said, "Good luck, Hannah."
"Tch."
Hannah had a lot she wanted to say to that old man for that cheeky comment.
But there were more important things to consider at the moment.
xxx
I adjusted my suit and then glanced at Ian. "Are you sure this is going to work, Ian?"
Ian adjusted his fancy Grand Alchemist cloak that he got after his level up. After that, he grinned and said, "Trust me, Jihu. No Queen can refuse meeting a handsome hero and his sage companion."
"...This isn't Dragon Quest, Ian."
"Ha! I KNEW you were a fan!"
I sighed and then tucked my hands into my pants pockets. "Whatever. Now..." I looked up at the entrance and said, "Let's go."
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