Chương 343: 757
[Chapter 193]
[Divergent Views (3)]
<Myeongwang> Sindorim disappeared.
As the Mana God's agent vanished, Mana Religion believers were being taken away without resistance.
"─Tsk, the Mana Religion has become unusable."
Armageddon clicked his tongue while looking at Yeongdeungpo-gu where the situation was being resolved.
Saint Shin Yeon-su and even the leader.
All the people who could be called the Mana Religion's core had disappeared.
It was something he, as deputy leader, could handle by selecting another person.
But what use would there be in selecting a new person?
Though he could just brainwash a suitable person to be the leader.
Where could he find talents like <Saint of the Order> Iriya, Sindorim, and Shin Yeon-su?
"If that child's corpse had remained, there might have been hope for revival, but it completely disappeared, so... Though regrettable, I have no choice but to give up."
If, just if.
If Shin Yeon-su's corpse had remained, the old man would have interfered with the Fairy government's investigation to steal the corpse.
And he would have controlled it to his liking using necromancy.
Even if the Mana Religion was forcibly disbanded due to this incident, as long as there was a core, they could aim for a resurgence.
Above all, persecution tends to strengthen a group's cohesion.
If he rallied believers who would surely go underground around Shin Yeon-su, faith in the Mana God could become even stronger than before.
"But that's become impossible. Bad luck, really bad. How could I have known that <Crimson Wing> bastard would be at the scene?"
But <Crimson Wing> No Eun-ha happened to grab his ankle.
He manifested myth.
Though not yet a complete myth, his myth had the effect of annihilating will.
The will and flesh of beings burned in fire no longer remained in this world.
So Armageddon had no choice but to give up on the Mana Religion.
"It can't be helped. Though insufficient, I should collect the faith gathering around the concept of Mana God at this point."
But it wasn't all loss.
As long as Mana Religion believers exist, their faith will continue to gather to him, though meager.
Above all, through this incident, the old man was able to contemplate more clearly than before what a soul is.
He gained enlightenment.
"─Thanks to that, I think I know how to insert my soul into On Tae-yang's body, and how much I can strengthen this current body."
The old man chuckled.
A soul that doesn't fit the body couldn't perfectly control the flesh.
That was why the old man didn't completely make his own the bodies he stole from people even younger than himself.
Originally, the old man suffered from a chronic disease where his hun and baek didn't completely mesh as he transformed into a maein.
Because of that, he couldn't fully handle myth even after becoming a maein.
But after experiencing <Miracle>, the problem that troubled him disappeared.
"So little one─"
─Don't be happy thinking you've won.
There are still many disasters left.
You've only briefly experienced the world beyond the door of myth.
So become even stronger.
When you completely open that door and perfectly manifest myth─
"─I will steal it."
On Tae-yang is just the beginning.
I realized through this incident.
No Eun-ha.
Your flesh is most optimized for accepting myth.
I'm very envious.
"Burning will is only part of it. Your myth might have the power to burn anything if you just will it."
A power opposite to his own.
How much stronger would he become if he obtained that power?
He looked forward to that very much.
Then, while the old man was chuckling, Mastema appeared.
"─Lord Armageddon."
"What is it?"
"There are two pieces of news."
"Alright, tell me."
A handsome youth with piercings.
Mastema who came out of the split space reported in a calm tone.
"─The second <White Silver> gift has been discovered."
"...!!"
However, unlike Mastema's tone, the content was far from calm.
Ripples spread across Armageddon's face.
"Her name is Ha Baek-ryeon, age 10, and she's currently at the Mana Management Organization. This will be a blessing for this country."
"Well... Whether it will be a blessing or disaster can't be concluded yet."
While listening to Mastema's explanation.
Armageddon shrugged his shoulders.
The second <White Silver>.
A power opposite to the world itself.
That power was indispensable in a world where monsters exist.
So <White Silver> was inevitably bound to be swayed by power.
"This is exciting."
Now, the second <White Silver> has appeared.
People who were united even if they disliked each other under one <White Silver> now have another option in the second <White Silver>.
Then how will the people of this country act?
They will engage in a bloody power struggle in secret whether they know it or not.
If so─
─Even if I don't cause disaster, disaster will occur on its own.
Man-made disaster will occur.
If they're not careful, the public sentiment that was barely stabilized could become turbulent again.
A rift is opening.
And when that happens, he will wedge himself into that rift.
Can people really not engage in a power struggle over <White Silver>?
The old man could deny that.
"Alright, what's the other news?"
"Yes, due to the terror attack this time, simultaneous biases occurred in various parts of the country."
"And?"
"Among the humans caught in those biases, there were survivors."
"Oh-ho."
Finally, the second piece of news.
Armageddon split his mouth.
It was very welcome news.
Since the bias that occurred this time was quite large in scale, humans who survived without losing their humanity despite being caught in the bias would surely possess tremendous power.
Sure enough.
"According to Lilith's confirmation, it seems to have predation ability. But the mind is a bit... It's said to still have humanity at least."
The old man nodded after hearing Mastema's explanation.
A neo-human with predation ability.
Unfortunately, it seemed to barely retain humanity.
So the monster's appearance was more strongly reflected.
"─It's said to look just like wearing 3rd rank Caesar Hopper's armor..."
"According to Beelzebub's confirmation, its ability seems to surpass Caesar Hopper. Fortunately, since Mammon was there too, they were able to prevent external exposure as much as possible."
"It's fortunate the world doesn't know. Anyway, that child can no longer use the name from the secular world, so we'll have to give a new name."
He gained Samael from the Seoul invasion, and found another neo-human this time.
Armageddon was overjoyed.
It didn't matter if the Mana Religion was disbanded.
Because strong talents keep gathering under him.
"─Abaddon. That name seems to suit best."
☆
The right to wield the Fairy once.
Eun-ha pulled out the card he had been saving until now.
The Fairy's support is most needed to protect Baek-ryeon.
But Im Ga-eul won't support while taking political risk.
The previous life and this life.
The situation then and now was different.
Back then, Eun-ha didn't have a background threatening enough to the Fairy.
But in this life, he had many backgrounds backing him.
He could gain the Fairy's favor while also being wary.
So he decided to use the right he received from Im Ga-eul before.
If he wanted, he could have forcibly protected Baek-ryeon by emphasizing justification and borrowing the power of other groups.
But if I did that, I could completely fall out of Im Ga-eul's favor.
It could also create a pretext for people who opposed me protecting Baek-ryeon.
Fortunately, Im Ga-eul accepted.
She allowed Eun-ha to protect Baek-ryeon despite officials' opposition.
And she requested a separate conversation with Eun-ha.
Eun-ha readily agreed.
"─I didn't expect the Pandora Clan was protecting that child."
"We were lucky."
"Well... Was it really luck? It's quite amazing for just luck."
Fairy Im Ga-eul's office.
There were 5 people in the office including Eun-ha and her.
""...""
Bodyguards Park Sang-jin and Lee Jeong-hyeon were guarding Im Ga-eul with solemn faces.
The two standing behind her didn't hesitate to show their aura to Eun-ha.
Of course, Eun-ha didn't care.
Because he knew they wouldn't attack anyway.
"─What are you doing to a patient? Please withdraw your aura without being so noisy."
In contrast, No Eun-ah spoke with a displeased face.
She was worried in case it might strain Eun-ha's body.
But the bodyguards didn't listen.
The only person bodyguards listen to is one, only the Fairy.
"Sigh..."
To this, Eun-ah glanced at Im Ga-eul.
She seemed to notice the gaze too.
Im Ga-eul sighed.
"Both of you, wait outside."
"But leaving the Fairy alone here..."
"They're trustworthy people so you don't need to worry that much. Above all, the Pandora Clan Lord won't do anything dangerous if he has thoughts."
""...""
"I want to have an important conversation, so please leave."
""...Understood.""
Im Ga-eul issued an order to leave.
The bodyguards couldn't overcome her and chose to withdraw.
After the two left through the door.
Now only Im Ga-eul, Eun-ha, and No Eun-ah remained in the office.
"─Speak honestly."
Im Ga-eul crossed her legs.
She looked at Eun-ha while treating Eun-ah as if she didn't exist.
"You knew that child had <White Silver>. Otherwise, there's no way you would have kept that child's mother from leaving the clan with such unprecedented sponsorship conditions."
""...""
"Can you really see the future?"
As if telling him not to even think of lying.
Im Ga-eul spoke firmly.
Eun-ha kept his mouth shut.
It's understandable for Im Ga-eul to be suspicious.
But is that important right now?
It was natural for Im Ga-eul to be suspicious.
Probably others would be too.
But Eun-ha didn't think such things were very important.
It could just be dismissed as luck, or ignored.
There was no reason to answer.
What's important isn't how he knew, but what to do from now on.
"Whatever I say, you won't believe me anyway, Fairy."
"If there's just plausible reasoning, there's nothing I can't believe."
"I really didn't know either. I was shocked when I heard too."
"That's quite an excellent answer that doesn't even need plausibility. And if you're going to deceive, at least act instead of speaking like reading a Korean textbook. Your appearance of not even intending to deceive is really shameless."
"If I had the ability to find <White Silver> in the first place, I wouldn't have hidden it from the beginning. I wouldn't have just found one and ended it either. I really didn't know."
"So in the end, you have no intention of talking."
"More importantly, what are you going to do now? Have you decided who to appoint as Baek-ryeon's educator?"
Eun-ha changed the subject.
Im Ga-eul stared at him.
Soon she seemed to judge that she wouldn't gain anything even if she pressed further.
She went along with it.
"I can't designate all of that child's educators on my own, but I should designate the important educators. I have people roughly in mind."
"What about the educator teaching mana?"
"Why should I tell you that? If I carelessly tell you, what if your influence reaches that person? I'd prefer if you don't interfere more than this."
"How about <Witch of Time>?"
"Pricis Memory?"
Eun-ha suggested abruptly.
In his previous life, Twelve Seats <Earthling> Kwak Woo-hyeok of Changhae Clan taught Baek-ryeon mana.
Because of that, Baek-ryeon suffered abuse disguised as education from Kwak Woo-hyeok.
He wasn't a good talent as an educator to the point Eun-ha crushed his legs.
It's different from then now.
In the previous regression, Im Ga-eul lost the important educator position because she lacked power, but now she doesn't have to.
Pricis Memory was the person who took charge of education after Kwak Woo-hyeok.
Baek-ryeon followed her well.
So Eun-ha hoped she would take charge of education in this life too.
But Im Ga-eul didn't seem readily inclined.
"That person isn't bad either. But she's someone whose inner thoughts are unknowable, so I'm not sure if I can entrust education to her... Considering that child will inherit my position later, wouldn't it be better to have an official who will have strong influence within the government in the future, rather than someone who wouldn't be strange to disappear anytime?"
Im Ga-eul's opinion had a point.
In fact, Pricis Memory went missing from a certain day in the previous regression.
Nevertheless, the reason the political situation didn't greatly fluctuate even after she disappeared was probably because she exuded an atmosphere where it wouldn't be strange if she disappeared anytime.
She was that peculiar of a person.
A person who seemed to live in a completely different time from themselves.
"But in handling mana, I think there's no one in this country with skills as excellent as <Witch of Time>."
"Hmm..."
Nevertheless, Eun-ha's intention was firm.
If only she doesn't suddenly disappear someday like in the previous life.
Someday she will become a reliable sword for Baek-ryeon.
"You're saying to do as you say for that position that could be called the Fairy's true teacher... Isn't this a serious overstepping of authority?"
"Please consider the merit of retrieving the cocoon from Uijeongbu."
"You already used that earlier."
"Honestly, don't you think that's not a fair exchange?"
"Who told you to use it there?"
"Please think generously."
"Sigh... What about other educators?"
"Do as you wish, Fairy. I won't interfere anymore."
"Alright, fine."
Eun-ha pushed through somehow.
Im Ga-eul seemed to think it wasn't harmful to her either.
She finally agreed.
While presenting a condition.
"Still, there are too many uncertainties to leave that child in your arms as is. She could be brainwashed by you."
"I have no such intentions, but... Yes, living together could lead to my thoughts being instilled. That could happen."
"So I'll send my bodyguard as the child's exclusive guard."
"...Alright, that's fine."
Im Ga-eul's condition.
It wasn't a condition to particularly refuse.
Rather, it wasn't bad.
Then, one person's face flashed through Eun-ha's mind.
"─Then I'd be grateful if you assign Bodyguard Lee Jeong-hyeon."
"...What?"
"I saw earlier that person seems like he'd play well with kids."
The bodyguard in the office just before.
The man with a hairstyle revealing his forehead was someone who got along quite well with Baek-ryeon in the previous life.
If Park Sang-jin was the Fairy's right arm, Lee Jeong-hyeon was the Fairy's left arm.
His skills were decent too.
In the previous life, his head flew off at Gwanghwamun for helping the impeached Im Ga-eul escape.
"Please give me that person."
"..."
I was thinking of doing that from the start,
I was thinking of doing that from the start, but now that he's asking like this, it feels like I'm losing out somehow.
Im Ga-eul made a sour expression as she ended up giving away her left arm.
☆
After finishing the conversation with Im Ga-eul.
Eun-ha and Eun-ah left the office.
The two went to meet Baek-ryeon who was waiting in another room.
"Ah."
"Did you wait well? No one treated you badly, right?"
"...No."
Shaking her head no.
She answered while with Han Seo-hyeon and Ryu Yeon-hwa.
Eun-ha smiled gently seeing Baek-ryeon was safe.
"Your wife is here, but you look for the child first as soon as you arrive."
"Seo-hyeon, you worked hard too. Thank you so much, Yeon-hwa noona."
"No. I didn't want Baek-ryeon to be protected elsewhere either."
Han Seo-hyeon showed jealousy.
Eun-ha laughed it off lightly.
After conveying thanks to Ryu Yeon-hwa, he decided to leave now.
"Let's return to the clan. Ji-eun noona must be worried about Baek-ryeon too."
"Ji-eun unnie's worry is one thing, but take care of your body first."
No Eun-ah and Han Seo-hyeon scolded him.
Eun-ha liked even that.
Above all, he liked how Baek-ryeon readily held his hand today.
He walked down the hallway holding Baek-ryeon's hand.
"─Eun-ha."
"Ah, teacher."
""""...""""
Then they encountered Baek Seo-jin.
Eun-ha stopped walking.
"It's impressive enough that you found that child... You did well to get the Fairy's permission."
"Baek-ryeon is young, and the Pandora Clan is an ally."
"Right, let's leave it at that."
Baek Seo-jin, Minister of the Mana Management Organization.
He was also present at the meeting deciding Baek-ryeon's protection just before.
Baek Seo-jin had also argued that Baek-ryeon should be protected by the Fairy government.
But since the conclusion was already decided.
Baek Seo-jin seemed to have reluctantly complied though displeased.
"Say hello, Baek-ryeon."
"..."
To soothe his heart.
And for Baek-ryeon's future.
Eun-ha took the lead in creating rapport between Baek-ryeon and Baek Seo-jin.
He persuaded her.
She hesitantly stepped forward.
"Hello, child. We saw each other there earlier, right? I'm Baek Seo-jin. You'll probably see a lot of me in the future."
"Baek-ryeon, you should greet him too."
"...Hello. I'm Ha Baek-ryeon."
Baek Seo-jin smiles faintly.
A face like looking down at a grandchild.
Baek-ryeon responded hesitantly.
Then he patted her head.
She awkwardly accepted the large hand.
"See you next time. Then I'll be going."
"Yes, goodbye."
"...Goodbye."
The greeting was brief.
Eun-ha sent Baek Seo-jin off.
And when he was far away, only then did Eun-ha tell Baek-ryeon what kind of person Baek Seo-jin was.
"If you ever come here and have trouble in the future, make sure to rely on Teacher Baek Seo-jin."
"Okay..."
In the previous life.
Youngwon Group Chairman Yu Do-jun.
Twelve Seats <Divine Spear> Ryu Yeon-hwa.
Twelve Seats <Star-Counting Witch> Song Yun-seo.
And <King of Darkness> Baek Seo-jin.
Those four were people Eun-ha could trust, who remained Baek-ryeon's allies until the end while he was alive.
He could trust and entrust Baek Seo-jin.
Because they were there.
Eun-ha participated in the <Abyss Dungeon> raid falling for enemies' schemes even at the cost of his life.
So he hoped she would gain Baek Seo-jin's favor in this life too.
"..."
Baek-ryeon saw Baek Seo-jin off until he disappeared.
☆
"Hello, child. We saw each other there earlier, right? I'm Baek Seo-jin. You'll probably see a lot of me in the future."
A child's intuition is sometimes sensitive.
He's a scary person somehow.
Baek-ryeon couldn't avoid such an impression when first meeting Baek Seo-jin.
"...Hello, I'm Ha Baek-ryeon."
An old man who gives the feeling of something not to be approached.
The old man exuded the atmosphere of a thug her mother told her not to go near in Seongnam City.
And a strong tobacco smell.
Baek-ryeon ended up stiffening at the touch of the old man who seemed to have lived a completely different life from her.
"See you next time. Then I'll be going."
"Yes, goodbye."
"...Goodbye."
The old man seemed to notice.
That she was frightened.
So he hurriedly leaves.
"Will I... be able to get along well."
An old man somehow similar to ahjussi yet.
Fundamentally different somehow.
Baek-ryeon murmured softly while watching him walk away.
☆
The second <White Silver> gift was discovered.
Though the Fairy government tried to suppress rumors, word spread through the grapevine.
""""...""""
Of course, news that the Pandora Clan would protect Baek-ryeon also spread.
People alert to the Pandora Clan's movements could obtain information that day that Eun-ha was thoroughly protecting Baek-ryeon.
""""...""""
Sticking close to her side.
He even goes to and from school with her.
People who received the news could only call him as follows:
There's no better <Watchdog of the Little Princess>.
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