章節 531: 945
After Story 8. Proposal for Conquest
September, Fairy Power Year 24.
Italy requested a summit.
It was a summit held after 20 years, but...
Public opinion wasn't very favorable.
This was due to the atrocities Italy had committed against Korea.
'It was so shocking... How could we forget?'
From the outbreak of the <End of Century Destruction> until 20 years ago from now.
Italy oppressed and persecuted Koreans residing in their country.
The level was so severe that they even deprived them of human rights and treated them as slaves.
People who heard the news at the time couldn't help but be greatly angered.
Moreover, during the Korea-Italy summit at that time, the players dispatched as envoys also committed outrageous acts...
'Emotions that were already hurt would have been hurt even more.'
So the Fairy government, considering public opinion, was not actively engaging in exchanges with Italy, but.
'For some reason, they requested a summit first...'
Not only that, but Italy also announced that they would appoint Tredici as the representative of the delegation.
Just like at the Korea-Italy summit 20 years ago.
Naturally, it reminded people of that time, and it was a personnel choice that could cause misunderstandings about whether they were mocking Korea.
'What's their intention? Are they mocking us? If they had any sense, shouldn't someone else be the delegation representative? Tredici just accompanied as an escort, and there would be separate working-level officials anyway... Are they picking a fight now? ...No, surely they wouldn't do that.'
In the running car.
Eun-ha was lost in thought.
He didn't pay attention to the scenery passing outside the window.
'It's not like they're sending him to sort out internal factions for regime stabilization like last time...'
In the end, if there wasn't another ulterior motive, it meant there must be a legitimate reason to send Tredici as the representative.
For example, to request support from Korean players, like how they asked for help in subjugating the 2nd tier over-rank monster Leviathan at the summit 20 years ago.
When his thoughts reached that point.
'Come to think of it...'
A memory suddenly came to mind.
Eun-ha carefully counted the dates.
'...That's right, before the regression, we were about to challenge the conquest of the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea>. Not Italy alone, but together with Southern European countries adjacent to the North Atlantic and the United States.'
In Eun-ha's memories from before the regression, the world that had been bustling with the world's first black dungeon conquest was clear.
In this life, that achievement ended up being accomplished by Korea alone, but...
Anyway.
'I haven't heard any news about the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest yet. No matter how far away the country is, since it's a large-scale conquest involving multiple countries joining forces, there's no way there wouldn't be talk about it...'
Moreover.
Considering that Tredici, who is practically Italy's combat power, is estimated to have come to Korea three times at a time when the conquest should have been underway originally.
'Could it possibly be related to the conquest?'
There was enough possibility.
For instance, coming to seek advice from players who conquered the <Dungeon of the Abyss>, or perhaps...
'By the way.'
Had it been since a little while ago?
The presence moving at the edge of his vision kept bothering him.
Snapping out of his thoughts midway, Eun-ha turned his gaze to the seat next to him.
'What is she doing?'
Ha Baek-yeon, who will soon turn 18 with not much of the year left.
Now shedding her youthful appearance and approaching adulthood, she was busy checking her face reflected on her smartphone screen.
"Hmm..."
"..."
Frowning, then relaxing her face...
Ha Baek-yeon repeated incomprehensible actions.
Then she sighed as if unsatisfied with something.
Eun-ha couldn't help but speak to her seeing her like that.
"Baek-yeon?"
"Ah... Oppa."
"What were you doing just now?"
"...Did you see?"
"Of course I saw."
"Ugh..."
Ha Baek-yeon, who turned her head from the smartphone and met Eun-ha's eyes.
Her face was tinged with embarrassment.
The tips of her ears also turned red.
'Cute.'
Eun-ha chuckled.
Soon, Ha Baek-yeon, who regained her composure, explained sheepishly.
"Well... I was practicing in advance. Face practice."
"Face practice?"
"Yes, I heard from the Fairy. That at the summit 20 years ago, the Italians caused trouble. Especially someone called Genko Mairon? They said he spoke very harshly..."
"He was a piece of trash. He paid for it with his life though."
"By you, Oppa?"
"Yes, by me."
Ha Baek-yeon now knew well the path Eun-ha had walked, as he had confessed about his regression.
She grinned as if remembering.
Eun-ha nodded.
"So?"
"Yes, so I was wondering if they might cause trouble at this summit too. Plus, since I'm young, won't those people look down on me even more?"
Of course, I'm young, but not too young.
Legally, I'm already treated almost like an adult, and in just over 2 years and 2 months, I'll officially become an adult!
Ha Baek-yeon added.
Of course, to Eun-ha, she was still...
"You're thinking I'm young right now, aren't you? I'm not young at all, you know?"
"...Right, you're not young."
"Really?"
Ha Baek-yeon asked with a sulky face, as if she had read Eun-ha's thoughts.
Eun-ha, who flinched for a moment, tactfully went along with her.
Only then did she relax her face and withdraw her sharp gaze.
"Anyway, I was practicing my facial expressions because I don't want to be taken lightly by those people. Since I might have to deal with them even after I become the Fairy someday, it's good to start off on the right foot from the beginning, right?"
"That's true. So what kind of face were you trying to show?"
"That's... I'll show you."
"..."
Ha Baek-yeon furrowed her brow and pressed her lips together.
To Eun-ha's eyes, it looked...
Just like...
'A sulking baby kitten? Ah, maybe she's not a baby anymore...'
"How is it? Do I look intimidating to you, Oppa?"
"Ah, uh, well... It looks convincing."
"Right?"
It's difficult.
To hold back the corners of his mouth trying to rise.
To hold back his shaking shoulders.
'Is she actually just being cute? She just looks adorable...'
"Oppa?"
"Sorry, it's nothing."
Eun-ha covered his mouth with his hand and slightly averted his gaze.
Unfortunately for Ha Baek-yeon...
He felt no dignity at all from her as the future Fairy.
'Maybe only I wouldn't notice, but she can't show that face to those Italian guys.'
Eun-ha composed his emotions.
Then he gently spoke up.
"But Baek-yeon, won't it be uncomfortable to keep that face throughout the entire summit?"
"Hmm... It probably would be, right? But for our country, a little discomfort..."
"It might look unnatural too... Wouldn't it be better to just be natural, like your usual self?"
"Natural? But what if Italy looks down on me then..."
"I'll handle it then. Leave it to me."
Eun-ha spoke sincerely.
Although he softened his words for Ha Baek-yeon, if by any chance the Italians were to mess with her.
'Then I'll have to kill them or something.'
Even if the opponent was stronger than him.
As long as they were in this country, the opponent could never defeat him.
His myth would make it so.
Eun-ha was confident.
"So that no one can look down on you."
"..."
"I'll protect you, without fail."
The resolution he made in this life.
Eun-ha spoke it honestly.
"Ah..."
Ha Baek-yeon, who had been blankly blinking without answering for a while.
Her mouth opened.
An exclamation flowed out.
Then.
"Yes... Thank you, Oppa."
Her cheeks turned rosy.
The corners of her mouth curved into an arc.
Ha Baek-yeon smiled.
"Then I'll just trust you, Oppa. You'll protect me, right? For life."
"...Huh? For life, of course."
"Yes!"
The nuance was strangely off, but.
Eun-ha decided not to mind.
It's said that at this time, he still didn't know...
* * *
To discuss opinions with Lim Ga-eul regarding the Korea-Italy summit in advance.
Eun-ha and Ha Baek-yeon, who arrived at the Blue House, visited her office.
In the office, not only her but also Pricis Memory and Song Yun-seo were waiting.
"Welcome, Pandora Clan Lord. And Baek-yeon too."
Lim Ga-eul, Song Yun-seo, and Pricis Memory each greeted them.
And when Eun-ha and Ha Baek-yeon sat down, Lim Ga-eul immediately brought up the topic.
"I heard the news recently. For some reason, a large-scale ubiquity suddenly occurred in the airspace above the clan hall? They say a 4th tier over-rank monster appeared as the legion commander, but fortunately there wasn't much damage. The Pandora Clan Lord and clan members must have worked hard."
"Yes, well..."
"But it's really strange, isn't it? For such a large-scale ubiquity to occur in Seoul, which is protected by the Cocoon. And without any warning signs. Moreover, you had conquered the <Dungeon of the Abyss>, right? When I first heard the news, I was so surprised... I thought someone had carried out another terrorist attack."
"Haha..."
"Yet Pandora Clan only reported that there was nothing unusual..."
In other words.
It was an interrogation asking if they knew something about the recent incident, telling them not to hide it and confess.
However, Eun-ha played dumb.
"Well, we don't know much either. As reported by the clan, we're just speculating that it might be a backlash from conquering the <Dungeon of the Abyss>."
"Pandora Clan Lord, are you going to be like this, making me feel hurt?"
If only the two of them had been present, Lim Ga-eul would have used informal speech and not hesitated to speak harshly.
But even while displeased, she used formal speech with Eun-ha.
She was conscious of the official setting.
"I'm sorry, but I really don't know."
Meanwhile, Eun-ha was firm.
He had no choice but to be.
'How can I say that my son came from the future and that's why the ubiquity occurred? Not knowing how this person would react... What if she tries to use Yu-seong somehow? Then I can't just sit still.'
Eun-ha hadn't disclosed the fact of his regression to Lim Ga-eul.
Not because he didn't trust her, but because he judged there was a need to maintain boundaries.
While the central value Eun-ha focused on was the happiness of himself and his acquaintances, the central value she focused on was this country itself.
She was someone who wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice even for the country at times.
It could be said that their directions were similar yet subtly different.
Therefore.
"..."
Eun-ha firmly maintained his stance.
In the end, Lim Ga-eul had to back down, though reluctantly.
Conveniently, <Star-Counting Witch> Song Yun-seo stepped in to mediate.
"If the Pandora Clan Lord says he doesn't know, then he doesn't know. My gift doesn't show anything special either. Well, if it becomes a problem later, he won't be able to avoid responsibility then."
"The Pandora Clan Lord would have handled it well. More importantly, don't we have other things to discuss?"
While Song Yun-seo subtly soothed Lim Ga-eul by passing responsibility to Eun-ha, <Time Witch> Pricis Memory took Eun-ha's side.
Thanks to this, the atmosphere could flow harmoniously without conflict.
Eventually, the topic moved on to the main point.
"What do you all think? What do you think is the reason Italy requested a summit this time?"
"They probably didn't request a summit just for simple exchange promotion."
"I think the same."
Song Yun-seo answered as if it was obvious, and Pricis Memory expressed agreement.
Lim Ga-eul turned her gaze to Eun-ha.
"What about the Pandora Clan Lord?"
"I..."
Everyone's attention focused on him.
Eun-ha put into words the thoughts he had organized on the way here.
"I think they might have requested the summit for the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest."
"..."
"Since we conquered the <Dungeon of the Abyss>, maybe they're coming to seek advice or something..."
"Hmm... That's not unreasonable. Come to think of it, Japan and China have been making contact too..."
Song Yun-seo agreed.
Eun-ha continued his words.
"Maybe they're coming to check if we're interested in participating in the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> conquest."
"What? Interest in participating?"
Could it be that Italy is coming all the way to distant Korea to ask about conquest intentions, isn't that too much of a leap?
Ha Baek-yeon was surprised and asked back.
Then Eun-ha added an explanation.
"I heard from the Fairy before. That there was a secret agreement made at the Korea-Italy summit 20 years ago. Right?"
"That's right."
Lim Ga-eul affirmed straightforwardly.
Ha Baek-yeon couldn't help but ask.
"What was that secret agreement?"
"To give us participation rights so we could join in when they conquer the <Dungeon of the Deep Sea> someday."
"..."
Lim Ga-eul gave a bitter smile.
"At that time, I spontaneously proposed it to get something more. Although I had given up expectations for conquest knowing the dangers of black dungeons... But you never know what might happen in the future, right? I thought I could use it to eliminate political opponents if necessary... Above all, since participation in the conquest was up to us anyway, I thought there wouldn't be any particular loss."
"..."
Not just Ha Baek-yeon.
Song Yun-seo and Pricis Memory, who were hearing about the secret agreement for the first time, couldn't help but let out quiet sighs.
Song Yun-seo calmly chose her words.
"So... You're saying that Italy's purpose for requesting the summit might be there? Now that I hear it, the possibility does seem high. Especially since we conquered the <Dungeon of the Abyss>... They might have brought up conquering a black dungeon too."
"Right?"
"Then we should..."
"Act in a way to gain maximum benefit?"
"That's right."
Song Yun-seo and Lim Ga-eul, showing a well-matched appearance as they exchanged words smoothly.
The two smiled.
Their mouths stretched wide.
Soon the two started conversing among themselves.
Meanwhile.
'To think that trying to save Julieta noona with Uncle Bruno back then would lead to this kind of situation...'
At the future that changed because of him.
Eun-ha was newly amazed.
* * *
And so time passed, and in October of Fairy Power Year 24.
An Italian ship entered port at Incheon Harbor.
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