Chương 341: 755
[Chapter 193]
[Divergent Views]
Before the regression, around September of Year 17 of Seonryeok.
Less than 6 months after <Myeongwang> Sindorim caused a terror attack and half-destroyed Yeongdeungpo-gu.
This time, an incident broke out in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province.
Monsters that survived the Seoul invasion preserved their forces underground in Seongnam City, and they rose up.
As a result, Seongnam City was reportedly turned into a wasteland.
"We were somehow able to avoid responsibility for the Mana Religion's soul-returning ceremony terror attack by blaming the Mana Religion... But we can't do anything about this."
After receiving a report from the Mana Management Organization.
Im Ga-eul let out a long sigh.
Year after year, the light in her eyes was gradually fading.
It was understandable for her motivation to disappear when nothing went as she wished.
Especially after <Iron Fortress>'s death, she had to clash with opposition forces that had rapidly grown within the government.
Surely they will use this incident as an excuse to pressure me.
Anyway, I have no choice but to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.
I have to save the people there first.
Nevertheless, she does what she can.
Though she couldn't completely shake off the feeling of being stuck in a bottomless swamp, she couldn't just give up either.
She intended to move to the Mana Management Organization to directly control the situation.
"..."
The situation was serious.
The legion commander was promoted to 3rd rank and the army's momentum increased.
In contrast, it seemed it would take considerable time for the Twelve Seats to arrive.
In the end, they had no choice but to rely on players at the scene.
Im Ga-eul was on pins and needles.
Fortunately, the heavens took her side just this once.
"─Information from Seongnam City! Local players are driving out the monsters now! The legion commander has also been subjugated!"
"That's really fortunate news. Is there no other information?"
"Fairy, well..."
News of the legion commander's subjugation.
Im Ga-eul finally relaxed.
But she had to stiffen her face again at the news the Intelligence Bureau Director conveyed.
"...What did you say?"
"According to what the Gyeonggi branch sent, it seems to be true. It appears <Undead> No Eun-ha player is currently protecting her."
It wasn't bad news.
But it couldn't be called good either.
"To think a person who awakened the <White Silver> gift was discovered..."
""""...""""
A holder of the <White Silver> gift appeared.
Im Ga-eul fell into thought while rejoicing at the news of finally discovering her successor.
It was a good thing for this country.
However, for her, perhaps that person could be someone threatening her position.
If I had stabilized the political situation, I wouldn't have to think about such problems...
She couldn't help but smile bitterly.
She felt self-loathing.
In the current situation, the second <White Silver> gift holder was in a position to replace her anytime, anywhere rather than being her successor.
If the opposition forces deliberately support that person, she would probably have to step down from this position.
And the person becoming the new Fairy would inevitably be swayed by her supporters.
After the destruction, the world's power will move by individual selfishness rather than the Fairy as hope.
"How old did you say that child is?"
"She's said to not speak much due to the shock of losing her mother... According to on-site confirmation, she's estimated to be about 10 years old."
"10 years old... Very young."
If there was a fortunate point, it was that the second <White Silver> holder was currently not an adult.
10 years old.
Even using various expedient methods, it would take at least 7 years to make that child an adult.
Though the opposition forces say public opinion isn't on the Fairy's side, they still wouldn't blatantly push forward a minor to oust her.
Im Ga-eul judged so.
Though I've somehow bought time, the problem is what comes next.
I heard she became an orphan due to this incident, so there will be many people volunteering to be that child's guardian.
Probably waiting for at least 7 years later.
People blinded by personal greed will try to become the child's guardian.
And the child growing up under them will completely become a puppet.
"Hmm..."
So she had to somehow take custody of the child.
Though the Fairy's dignity has fallen, if she pushes strongly, she should be able to bring the child.
Raise the child to grow properly under her and the Mana Management Organization's protection.
Thus create a Fairy who will inherit her will.
...Can I really do that?
Soon she inwardly denied.
She recalled her circumstances.
Currently even the Mana Management Organization was being influenced by opposition forces.
There were so many spies in the government that even she couldn't fully grasp.
In such a situation, it would be terrible if she brought in the child and she fell into their clutches by mistake.
There's no one around me I can trust. I can't bring in that child when I can't fully control the government.
Who should the child be entrusted to?
Im Ga-eul fell into contemplation.
She had to make a preemptive move before others noticed.
Otherwise the child would be snatched away by them.
It was then─
"─The child is said to be clinging to <Undead> and not wanting to separate. It seems we'll have to call <Undead> too."
The Intelligence Bureau Director said with a troubled expression.
Im Ga-eul woke from her thoughts.
The child with the <White Silver> gift follows the player who saved her.
Her eyes showed a strange light.
There was something to check before that.
"But who is this player called <Undead> you've been mentioning? I don't think I've heard of him before..."
"...He's said to be from the same batch as On Tae-yang. His skills are quite good, enough to have entered the Hwarang-grade treasure vault in recognition of his merits from the Seoul Disaster."
"Oh-ho."
"But there's a problem with his mental state..."
"Mental state? What do you mean?"
"He's said to be obsessed with fighting everything he sees. He's said to have a lot of hatred towards monsters..."
"I guess his motivation for becoming a player is related to that. Though his mental state is concerning... Does that player have any backing?"
"Unofficially, he's said to be sponsored by Yu Do-jun, chairman of Youngwon Group... But it doesn't seem to be a close relationship. Logically, who in their right mind would sponsor a player called crazy for fighting monsters?"
"Well, that's true. Ah, what does the alias <Undead> mean?"
The child's first discoverer.
And the man the child is said to be following.
Im Ga-eul was curious.
Though his mental state seemed to be a problem, the child seemed to rely on him, so he couldn't be completely insane.
Moreover, with no notable sponsorship, the possibility of the man being entangled with opposition forces was low.
So she inquired about that man in detail.
Then the Intelligence Bureau Director answered─
"─He's said to not die even when killed."
"He must be quite strong."
"...Though that's not unrelated, he's said to be so tenacious he'll pick up his own severed arm and use it as a sword substitute."
"...You're joking, right?"
"...They say it's true?"
"Still, it's amazing he doesn't die. Then does he not have arms now?"
"No, <Undead>'s party is said to have a quite skilled supporter. Thanks to that, he's fine."
"Huh.... He's not human after all."
"That's why he's <Undead>."
"He's really crazy."
"I heard he's also called <Berserker>."
"...You know quite a lot?"
"It's your imagination."
<Undead> No Eun-ha.
Fairy Im Ga-eul learned his name that day.
☆
The National Assembly building collapsed.
The Mana Religion caused a terror attack under the pretext of a soul-returning ceremony.
According to information coming in moment by moment, the main culprit who caused the terror attack was Sindorim, who called himself <Myeongwang>.
The purpose of his terror attack was to resurrect his younger sister Shin Yeon-su.
Though the connection between resurrecting his sister and the terror attack was incomprehensible, putting aside the reason, Yeongdeungpo-gu was overflowing with ghouls due to Sindorim.
Though the situation is serious, fortunately it's not to the point we can't handle.
The damage can be contained to Yeongdeungpo-gu, and even that will end with just part of Yeongdeungpo-gu.
However, Fairy Im Ga-eul's attention didn't last long.
Her attention was focused on newly conveyed news.
"─Say that again. What did you just say?"
"According to Twelve Seats <First Sword> Ji Yong-hyeon player who was specially dispatched to the scene, a girl presumed to be a <White Silver> gift holder was discovered at Nanji Hangang Park... He's currently protecting her."
""""...""""
Mana Management Organization Intelligence Bureau briefing room.
Im Ga-eul couldn't hide her surprised expression at the news Min Ji-a Special Affairs Bureau Director conveyed.
The people present were the same.
"<White Silver>... was discovered?"
"Yes, Fairy."
Gift <White Silver>.
Government personnel had been seeking a person possessing <White Silver> as their long-cherished wish since before the Fairy existed.
And as time passed, their wish was fulfilled when Im Ga-eul appeared.
Nevertheless, even after the Fairy government was established, they remained alert to find a <White Silver> gift holder.
It was to find a successor who could inherit Im Ga-eul's position to stabilize the political situation.
And that successor appeared.
It was understandable for them to be surprised.
Especially Im Ga-eul.
"Bring that child here immediately. And find out all the information you can about that child."
"Yes, understood! Fairy!"
Her successor appeared.
Undisguisable excitement dwelled in her voice.
But that was only for a moment.
Im Ga-eul took in the surrounding people and regained her composure.
She calmed her heart.
Though she could become my successor, if I make a mistake she could become a wedge aimed at me.
The sound of wheels turning in heads was heard.
People were turning their wheels.
Everyone was calculating.
Whether to stick with her like this, or take the risk of supporting the successor to gain even stronger power.
She couldn't help but notice.
So her thoughts turned to after officially acknowledging that child as her successor.
They said she's a 10-year-old child.
Since she's so young, people around will try to volunteer as the child's guardian or educator.
Soon the child's personal information was conveyed.
Im Ga-eul flipped through the documents.
"..."
Name, Ha Baek-ryeon.
Age, 10 years old.
Family was only her mother.
The child's background was meager.
High-ranking officials will say the child should be protected at the Fairy government level while looking at this document.
Her thoughts were similar.
If I just persuade this child's mother well, we should be able to protect her at the government level.
The problem is who will intensively protect her while the Fairy government protects her.
A child who could become the next generation Fairy.
So the people staying by the child's side will potentially gain tremendous power.
That's how carefully the people to be placed by the child's side had to be selected.
If she mistakenly chose someone with negative views towards her, problems could arise.
I need to select people loyal to me and have them stay by the child's side.
Im Ga-eul fell into thought.
Currently the political situation was completely controlled by Im Ga-eul's hand.
There would be no opposition to personnel organization.
However, those greedy for power would attack from other angles.
The bodyguard is the problem. It shouldn't be an issue if I appoint Bodyguard Lee Jeong-hyeon as the child's bodyguard for now... But that's not enough.
A bodyguard was assigned to protect the Fairy from danger.
If the Twelve Seats were swords protecting the country, bodyguards were shields thoroughly protecting the Fairy.
To persuade stubborn officials, she would need to assign several skilled bodyguards to the child.
The problem was that they hadn't prepared an environment to train bodyguards in anticipation of a successor appearing.
For the time being, she could assign her own people to the child, but in the long term, the child would need exclusive bodyguards.
Bodyguards must be loyal to their master even at the cost of their lives.
Such people can't be recruited carelessly. If possible, it's best to keep them by the child's side for a long time and build trust as the bodyguard and child grow together.
Then what will happen afterwards?
Before long, stories about that child will spread throughout the world.
Since so many people reportedly witnessed the child's gift awakening, it wasn't something that could be blocked.
Moreover, there were people connected to groups in this place.
Secrets wouldn't last forever.
Then someone might try to make their person grow together with the child as a bodyguard looking at the future.
In that case, Im Ga-eul had no particular justification to block it.
All kinds of schemes will unfold in the future. I must pay close attention when selecting bodyguards.
The problem wasn't just bodyguards.
Even if she pushes through the child's guardian and bodyguards unilaterally.
Im Ga-eul couldn't handle the rest arbitrarily.
""""...""""
Her authority is guaranteed because she isn't blindly threatening their positions.
Human relationships were like equivalent exchange.
If you receive one, you must give one.
This was especially true for power.
Unconditional exercise of power was bound to provoke people's resistance.
If she arbitrarily handles the child's guardian and bodyguards, she will surely have to give up something.
The most likely thing is─
─The child's educators. They'll ask to give up some positions among the educators.
The child is young.
Her national consciousness isn't established either.
Her sense of self isn't complete yet.
She's probably not familiar with using power either.
So education was needed for that child to become an excellent Fairy for this country in the future.
She would surely have to concede some positions.
The educational sector teaching mana there is likely to go to the Twelve Seats.
And Im Ga-eul predicted.
The role of teaching mana to the child would go to the Twelve Seats.
The people who will be mentioned as the child's educators will probably be <First Sword>, <Fantasy Poem>, <Witch of Time>, <Beast Tamer>, <Holy Mother>.
Among them, the most ideal educator is Pricis Memory, but...
If possible I'd like to take the educator teaching mana too, but this is something I can't help.
Soon Im Ga-eul shook her head.
The possibility of Pricis Memory being mentioned would be infinitely low.
She was a government person.
There was a high possibility that someone receiving sponsorship from somewhere other than the government would take charge of education.
The regret was great but it couldn't be helped.
Anyway, she watched Yeouido while waiting for the child to arrive.
It was then.
"Um... Fairy."
"Yes, what is it?"
Min Ji-a Special Affairs Bureau Director spoke.
A careful tone.
Im Ga-eul turned her head.
It seemed a problem arose in the process of bringing the child.
Im Ga-eul just prayed it wasn't a problem that would threaten the child's life.
"Pandora Clan members including <Snow Spear> Ryu Yeon-hwa player are coming together."
"What? Why are those people..."
"And it seems the Pandora Clan administrator is currently coming this way, perhaps after receiving news from clan members."
""""...""""
Fortunately, the worry was unfounded.
But Im Ga-eul had questions.
Pandora Clan members could come with the child for protection.
But she couldn't understand why even the administrator was coming.
She even thought perhaps the Pandora Clan was trying to make a preemptive move regarding personnel.
Then the Special Affairs Bureau Director said─
"─According to the Pandora Clan administrator... Ha Baek-ryeon is currently under the protection of the Pandora Clan."
""""...!!""""
"The address recorded in Ha Baek-ryeon's personal information is the Pandora Clan's address. In other words, it seems Ha Baek-ryeon was residing in the Pandora Clan hall with her mother."
""""...""""
Completely unexpected news.
Expressions of shock once again dwelled on the faces of Im Ga-eul and others.
☆
Mana Management Organization headquarters.
The conference room that could seat over 100 people was filled with people.
""""...""""
"..."
Their gazes were directed at the child with snow-white hair sitting on one side.
The child also seemed to know she was the focus of attention.
The child, Ha Baek-ryeon, lowered her head deeply while avoiding gazes.
If only Yeon-hwa unnie was here too...
Ha Baek-ryeon couldn't understand why she was here.
People who said they were from the Mana Management Organization politely but forcibly brought her here.
Then <First Sword> Ji Yong-hyeon who had been kindest to her left saying he had to go do other work.
Ryu Yeon-hwa and other Pandora Clan members were kicked out when the meeting started, saying they weren't qualified.
In the end, she had to sit surrounded by old men and middle-aged men and women she had never seen before.
"─So, you're Baek-ryeon."
"...Yes."
In such a situation.
A meeting that would decide her fate, which she knew nothing about, began.
Then she met Fairy Im Ga-eul whom she had only occasionally seen on TV.
She was an extremely beautiful person.
But to Ha Baek-ryeon, she was nothing more than a complete stranger.
Why are they doing this to me?
Why am I here?
Incomprehensible words are exchanged.
Ha Baek-ryeon only answered questions.
Sometimes the conversation proceeded with her left like a stone statue.
Grab
Ha Baek-ryeon tightly grasped her skirt hem.
Surrounded by strangers, she desperately suppressed the urge to cry.
She wanted to go home quickly.
She missed her mom.
And also─
─Why am I thinking of that ahjussi?
Ha Baek-ryeon pouted her lips.
Suddenly she thought of No Eun-ha ahjussi.
She tried to find the reason.
It was much more productive than the meeting spouting incomprehensible words.
Soon she could find the reason.
Ah... It's because these ahjussis are completely different from that ahjussi.
The people attending the meeting were outwardly treating her kindly.
But Ha Baek-ryeon's animal-like senses felt they were hiding something inside.
In contrast, how about that ahjussi?
Though he was hiding his inner thoughts too, sincerity could be felt when that ahjussi showed her kindness.
Unlike these people who handed her snacks calling her cute while aiming for something, No Eun-ha ahjussi purely handed her snacks.
Just saying this snack is delicious.
Saying he bought it because he thought of her.
Ha Baek-ryeon didn't want to admit it, but No Eun-ha ahjussi purely expressed kindness to her.
Of course, behind the pure kindness, there was surely a tiny bit of ulterior motive aiming for her mother too.
Still, he was better than these people.
Yeon-hwa unnie said that ahjussi is coming here to see me too...
Ahjussi, I miss you.
Her mood improved a little.
Ha Baek-ryeon recalled what Ryu Yeon-hwa told her just before leaving the meeting room.
And not long after, the conference room door opened.
Slam
A person walking confidently towards her while making clicking sounds with high heels.
Unfortunately, it wasn't the person she had been waiting for.
Nevertheless, her face brightened.
"─I'm sorry I'm late. But... It seems you were talking even before I arrived."
"Welcome. We were just exchanging dialogue about what to do going forward, not about Baek-ryeon's whereabouts. No resolutions have been made yet, so don't worry. If you're still offended, I apologize."
""""...""""
Pandora Clan Administrator Han Seo-hyeon.
She spoke without fear towards the power holders of this country.
Some people clicked their tongues at her attitude.
But she didn't care, and Im Ga-eul smiled bitterly and pretended not to notice.
Click click
Soon Han Seo-hyeon moved her steps and approached Ha Baek-ryeon.
Ha Baek-ryeon's eyes widened.
Han Seo-hyeon who greeted her with her eyes tapped the chair of the person sitting next to her.
"I'm attending this meeting on behalf of this child's guardian. So could you please get up from that seat?"
"...A-Alright."
"You too."
""""...""""
Han Seo-hyeon, now 24, in her mid-twenties.
She told people much older than herself to vacate their seats.
Whether the officials were displeased or not, she showed a confident attitude.
In the end, the people sitting on either side of Ha Baek-ryeon got up reluctantly.
"You were very scared, right? It's okay now."
"Wow..."
Han Seo-hyeon sat next to Ha Baek-ryeon.
Ha Baek-ryeon admired her bold actions.
Then she could find stability.
And not long after─
"─I'm sorry I'm late."
""""...""""
Pandora Clan Lord No Eun-ha.
He arrived.
To the extent it was clearly noticeable he had suffered severe injuries.
He was tightly wrapped in bandages visible outside his clan uniform.
He was the very picture of an injured person.
The people present gasped in surprise at that sight.
Nevertheless─
───!!
As soon as he entered the conference room.
No Eun-ha suddenly emitted an aura threatening the people present.
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