669

[Chapter 173]

[The Last Nightmare (2)]

Treatment equivalent to the Twelve Seats.

The Twelve Seats' authority is to have independent power to mobilize clans or Players according to crisis situations, or control areas to subjugate monsters.

Besides this, the Twelve Seats' authority was sometimes so powerful and enormous that it was questioned whether it crossed the line into non-Player domains.

However, if you swing the sword of power tempted by the title of Twelve Seats, you might end up cutting yourself.

People obey the Twelve Seats because they expect them to protect them that much.

But the Twelve Seats didn't try to abuse their authority.

They knew moderation and restraint, and also knew that enormous authority could rather harm themselves.

So Eun-ha's surprise at receiving treatment equivalent to the Twelve Seats contrary to his expectations was only momentary.

It's just a temporary title, and in this situation, there's not much authority I can wield.

Though I can exercise personnel rights in selecting new Twelve Seats, how can I exercise that in the current situation?

Authority to propose operations.

And authority to command operations.

Currently, that was all the authority he could wield.

As it's a temporarily granted position, he'll have to return the position when the national emergency state ends.

In the end, Lim Ga-eul had simply presented a compromise considering her own dignity maintenance and Eun-ha's face.

Also─

─, , , ...

Those four just returned so they don't know the Gangbuk situation in detail.

So they'll put me who knows Gangbuk's situation in the meeting to create a balance point.

Eun-ha grasped Lim Ga-eul's intention.

So he didn't expect much from becoming a quasi-Twelve Seat.

He decided to think of it as an honorary position.

However, he could tell it wasn't just a simple honorary position as soon as he attended the Mana Management Organization meeting as soon as day broke.

""""...."""

Entering the conference room.

People he had seen a few times before hesitated seeing Eun-ha.

Their gazes contained awe.

"Ahem. Pandora Clan Lord."

"Yes? What is it?"

Hwang San-gun, who hadn't been on good terms with him until now, even suddenly called out.

He groaned with an uncomfortable face, then opened his mouth saying he should acknowledge what should be acknowledged.

"Yesterday's battle was excellent. Really, it was amazing. And I'm glad your body has recovered."

"...Yes, thank you."

Hwang San-gun's reluctant praise.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha was enveloped in a strange sentiment receiving his greeting.

He didn't seem to be a completely self-centered person.

Then Hwang San-gun turned his head sharply as if embarrassed.

Besides this─

"─Congratulations on becoming a Twelve Seat, even if temporary. Perhaps because of that, three people attended today. And East Sea Clan wants to maintain good relations with Pandora Clan going forward."

East Sea Clan overseeing Eunpyeong-gu.

The East Sea Clan Lord who had only nodded when meeting until now approached Eun-ha with a favorable face.

Besides this, people's attitudes towards Eun-ha became more careful and more favorable.

Meanwhile─

"─Pandora Clan Lord."

"Ah, Acting Minister." "I'd like to be called just Surveillance Bureau Director now, not Acting Minister. Since the Fairy has returned, I must now step down from my position."

Baek Seo-jin.

He approached Eun-ha.

Baek Seo-jin looked at Eun-ha for a while then smiled gently.

Then he patted Eun-ha's shoulder.

"You did well. If it weren't for you, we'd still be agonizing over how to take down Ye-gyeong." "It wasn't just me, everyone together..." "Anyway, you're the one who drove Ye-gyeong into a corner and finished it off. Work hard not to tarnish the Twelve Seats' name from now on."

""""...!!""""

"If anyone doesn't listen to you while doing Twelve Seats work, report it immediately. I'll consider them as ignoring the Fairy's orders. So do well."

"...Thank you."

Substituting for the deceased Moon Jun.

Baek Seo-jin who currently held the title of Acting Head of the Twelve Seats.

He further solidified Eun-ha's status, which had been treated as just an honorary Twelve Seat, in front of people.

He even gave the nuance that he would actively support rather than oppose if Eun-ha ended up using Twelve Seats authority.

Soon Baek Seo-jin who finished speaking placed his hand on Eun-ha's shoulder and spoke softly.

"Human affairs are truly unpredictable. When we met at the academy, you who spoke to me like that, in just a few years to think you'd show this..."

Hearing Baek Seo-jin's words.

Eun-ha recalled meeting Baek Seo-jin during his first year of high academy.

He remembered exactly the conversation they had after receiving his teachings.

'What is your sword for?'

'─It's a sword to protect the Fairy.'

Baek Seo-jin must be talking about that time.

Eun-ha nodded slightly.

Then Baek Seo-jin continued speaking.

"I thought it was just words then, but it really became as you said. And in a way that completely exceeded my thoughts."

"..."

"I'll keep watching from now on."

"Thank you."

Baek Seo-jin encouraged.

Eun-ha bowed his head and greeted him going to his seat.

"Let's sit down too."

"Then why are you here? You should go over there." "That's right, Eun-ha. You're a Twelve Seat now so you should go there."

"Ah, right. That's true."

"Pappa pappu!"

The meeting will start soon.

Eun-ha who was about to sit in the seat for the clan overseeing Yongsan-gu turned around.

As he became a quasi-Twelve Seat.

Pandora Clan secured three seats to attend the meeting.

Now the person sitting in Yongsan-gu representative's seat was Mok Min-ho, and the person sitting in Jung-gu representative's seat was Jung Ha-yang.

And Eun-ha had to sit in the Twelve Seats' position.

But I have to go sit over there?

Soon Eun-ha hesitated.

He frowned.

Opposite Yu Su-jin.

Up to here was fine.

The problem was that the person next to the empty seat was Kang Hyeon-cheol.

"Hey! Pandora Clan Lord! I saved this seat here!"

"...Please, please maintain dignity. Eun-ha's become a Twelve Seat now, will you keep acting like a child? Ah, why am I taking care of this person..."

"Kang Hyeon-cheol you bastard... Maintain some dignity as a Clan Lord..."

"..."

Kang Hyeon-cheol tapped the empty seat.

Then he waved at Eun-ha.

Except for and .

With all Twelve Seats attending, people sighed as Kang Hyeon-cheol showed an undignified appearance.

Especially the administrator attending as acting Blaze Clan Lord foamed at the mouth.

"Hey! Hurry up and come!"

Regardless.

Kang Hyeon-cheol kept calling Eun-ha.

Eun-ha had no choice but to sit next to him.

And not long after─

─Click click

Fairy Lim Ga-eul entered.

The head seat in the conference room.

She who stood next to Baek Seo-jin looked over the audience once and smiled.

"─Then shall we start the meeting? From today, I will preside over the meetings. Given the situation, let's start the meeting without unnecessary greetings."

☆

The meeting began.

With Ye-gyeong's subjugation, there was only one topic those gathered had to discuss.

The topic of the last army commander, Caesar Hopper.

"─Then shall we devise a strategy to subjugate Caesar Hopper? Controller Mo Ra-yul? Can you check where Caesar Hopper is hiding now? I looked over rough data, but these creatures that attack Gangbuk at night and withdraw don't seem to be hiding far away."

"Yes, that... Because of Hopper-type monsters' habit of leaving to find food, they can move long distances. Actually, according to observations in China..."

"I know that information too from checking the data. But when they use hit-and-run tactics, considering travel time, they wouldn't move very far, right? I think those creatures are hiding not far away, isn't that highly likely?"

"But Fairy, there's a high possibility the army disintegrated as Ye-gyeong was subjugated. We should consider the possibility Caesar Hopper has already left Gangbuk..."

"Controller Mo Ra-yul. What do you think a monster's instinct is?" "...To kill creatures with mana, and crave creatures' mana."

"Then with the Cocoon not operating in Gangbuk and so many people here like this, do you think they would just give up and run away?"

"The Fairy's words aren't wrong, but assuming the army commander has reason..."

"How much reason would Hopper-type monsters that eat everything in sight indiscriminately have?"

"Fairy, that's..."

""""...."""

As soon as the meeting started.

Lim Ga-eul who withdrew her gently smiling face spoke with a cold face.

She spoke without hesitation as if she had already familiarized herself with Gangbuk's situation.

So Mo Ra-yul briefing the situation had to answer her words.

Those present closed their mouths watching Mo Ra-yul get thoroughly shaken.

They quietly turned their heads so as not to catch the Fairy's gaze.

"Controller Mo Ra-yul." "Yes! Fairy!" "I'm not saying we should consider the case Caesar Hopper ran away. I'm saying we should confirm Caesar Hopper will turn Gangbuk into a wasteland again tonight, and discuss corresponding countermeasures." """"...."""

"Right now citizens are trembling in fear hoping this situation will end even a day sooner. So even if Caesar Hopper doesn't appear, I'm saying we should find those creatures ourselves and subjugate them. Do you understand what I'm saying now?" """"Yes! We understand!!""""

Lim Ga-eul spoke in a cold tone.

Mo Ra-yul and others all shouted in unison.

Lim Ga-eul sighed softly.

She continued speaking.

"So where those creatures are, where they'll appear tonight, and how to subjugate them, etc."

""""...."""

"Know that this meeting is for that. Alright. Controller Mo Ra-yul, the briefing seems useless so just return to your seat."

"Yes, yes! Fairy!"

"Then if anyone has suggestions on how to deal with these creatures, please speak."

""""...."""

Mo Ra-yul who returned to her seat like an arrow.

People gulped.

They noticed her mood was severely twisted now.

It's understandable since with the Fairy's return, she will bear responsibility for all situations that unfold hereafter.

It was understandable for irritation to be in her words.

Right then, Kang Hyeon-cheol raised his hand.

"Fairy, if you just give orders to me and Blaze Clan, we'll burn those grasshoppers to a crisp with fire."

"Do you know where the army will appear to say that?"

"Uh... Can't we just wait here and rush over as soon as news of their appearance is heard?"

"Blaze Clan Lord. Didn't you read the materials placed here?"

"Huh? What's written?"

"Content saying that when Players who can use fire magic immediately dispatched to the scene upon receiving reports, the creatures flew up to the sky and flew to other areas." "Ah, there was such a thing. Then should we burn the whole city? If I adjust skillfully, damage can be minimized..."

"I was a fool to believe..."

Lim Ga-eul openly sighed.

She who lowered her head waved her hand to make Kang Hyeon-cheol close his mouth.

The Twelve Seats just clicked their tongues with now familiar faces.

It was then─

"─Fairy."

"Ah, Pandora Clan Lord. It seems you have some good idea?"

"Yes, I do have one."

Eun-ha who had been keeping his mouth shut quietly raised his hand.

Lim Ga-eul's expression changed in an instant.

Soon she spoke in an affectionate tone giving Eun-ha permission to speak.

""""...."""

With people's gazes focused.

Eun-ha rummaged in his pocket and suddenly placed a snack on the table.

It was a Choco Pie.

To this, people sent questioning gazes.

Eun-ha opened his mouth regardless of their gazes.

"We'll use this to lure Caesar Hopper and its army for total annihilation." "What?"

"Since supplies have been distributed to Gangbuk, it shouldn't be difficult to gather foods containing chocolate from the market." "Pandora Clan Lord. What are you..."

"Let's gather all the chocolates released to the market, pile them up like a mountain in one place, then lure those creatures."

""""...."""

Unexpected words.

People made dumbfounded faces hearing what Eun-ha said.

☆

In his previous life, Kang Hyeon-cheol happened to see Hopper-type monsters preferentially devouring Choco Pies.

He immediately reported this fact, and Song Yun-seo who was a Twelve Seat at the time checked the library and concluded it might be true.

The conclusion that Hopper-type monsters might be captivated by chocolate ingredients.

And the operation that came from such a conclusion was greatly successful.

Even the crazy squid had its uses.

I don't know why I didn't know this. It was a story that was on people's lips for a while because it was so absurd.

Eun-ha belatedly recalled memories from his previous life.

He suddenly remembered while eating snacks while receiving treatment from Riya.

Anyway, he who recalled memories from his previous life decided to announce a way to destroy the creature at this meeting.

Of course, people wouldn't readily believe his words.

"Pandora Clan Lord. To say that, I think there needs to be definite evidence that Hopper-type monsters will go crazy for Choco Pies?"

"If you want definite evidence, I have it."

Lim Ga-eul asked representatively.

Eun-ha shrugged his shoulders.

He couldn't not know that evidence was needed to convince people.

"Ha-yang." "Yes."

Eun-ha gave Jung Ha-yang a look.

She nodded.

Soon she opened her mouth.

"I am Pandora Clan Sub-lord Jung Ha-yang. I will speak about the evidence for our Clan Lord's statement. Fairy, is that alright?" "Yes, go ahead."

"The initial question started from Jung-gu people saying Caesar Hopper's army seemed to strongly prefer foods with chocolate ingredients."

The point is to just reverse the context.

Eun-ha directed Jung Ha-yang's interest through anecdotes from Jung-gu people.

Of course, it was an anecdote Eun-ha fabricated.

But Jung Ha-yang discovered some clue from the anecdote and accessed the library.

And she found the information Eun-ha wanted in just a few hours without him giving any particular hints.

"As a result of accessing the library and searching, I found that Hopper-type monsters indeed show strong reactions especially to foods containing chocolate ingredients." """"...."""

"As can be seen from the distributed materials, we can see that when monsters appeared in Manila, Philippines, they preferentially devoured chocolate, causing a chocolate shortage in the Manila area for a while." """"...."""

"If you turn to the next page, two years ago in Sichuan, China..." "That's enough. Looking at the materials here, it seems to be plausible evidence. So the Pandora Clan Lord made this inference that they prefer chocolate through these materials, right?"

"That's right."

Jung Ha-yang briefed fluently.

Lim Ga-eul waved her hand as if there was nothing more to hear.

She stuck out her tongue.

A gaze as if seeing something incomprehensible was fixed on Eun-ha.

Her eyes gleamed.

"Even people who've rolled around in the industry are just keeping their mouths shut... The Pandora Clan Lord is so diligent and smart. I wonder how nice it would be if other people were this diligent and smart." """"...!!""""

""""Ahem...!!""""

"Thank you for saying so."

Lim Ga-eul smiled with her eyes.

Meanwhile, people who were subtly insulted by her cleared their throats.

In fact, they had no face to look at Eun-ha either.

Only Pandora Clan had subjugated Ye-gyeong and the army commanders.

Those who hadn't achieved proper results as monsters invaded Gangbuk couldn't help but find Eun-ha, who had steadily built achievements not long after establishing his clan, awkward.

That was why they were silent.

But Lim Ga-eul didn't care about making others embarrassed while praising Eun-ha.

"─It seems like an operation worth trying. Good, Pandora Clan Lord."

"Yes, Fairy."

"Let the Pandora Clan Lord who proposed the operation command freely. I'll guarantee full authority to the Pandora Clan Lord. You can mobilize local clans to participate in the operation, and even have the Twelve Seats participate if you want." """"...!!""""

"Do as you please."

Lim Ga-eul's words were absolute.

She gave full authority in commanding the operation.

People opened their eyes wide.

Those with some experience didn't openly show their surprise, but their expressions changed noticeably.

On the other hand, Eun-ha had expected this would happen.

Though it's an honorary position, she appointed me as a quasi-Twelve Seat.

That means she's willing to give me various authorities.

Eun-ha smiled confidently and bowed his head to her.

The answer was set.

"─Then I would be grateful if you give me the right to mobilize Blaze Clan members who can professionally use fire magic along with Twelve Seats ."

"Good, do that."

"Alright! Yeah, that's how it should be!"

"And in case, I would be grateful if you give me the right to mobilize Twelve Seats and , and Players known for fire magic." "Do as you like."

Whether Kang Hyeon-cheol shouted excitedly or not.

Eun-ha recited the necessary troops and received Lim Ga-eul's permission.

☆

The meeting was Eun-ha's solo stage.

Lim Ga-eul encouraged him to do as he pleased no matter what he said.

Eun-ha took this opportunity to use Twelve Seats authority to select skilled Players and have them defend Jung-gu.

Yongsan-gu can be defended to some extent thanks to having foreigners...

The problem is Jung-gu. I heard Hanseong Clan Lord was injured too, and the damage is so severe that Player support is needed.

A time will come later when collapsed cities need to be restored too.

Eun-ha decided to mobilize Players with Twelve Seats rights soon and restore Yongsan-gu and Jung-gu first.

Anyway, the meeting ended like that.

It was then─

"─So Pandora Clan Lord. Where exactly are you thinking of gathering those creatures?"

Just before ending the meeting.

Lim Ga-eul asked.

Come to think of it, Eun-ha hadn't talked about where he would gather Caesar Hopper's army.

"The location doesn't matter, but... I think it would be better to gather them at Jongmyo where the Cocoon is currently installed."

"Is there a need to take such a risk?"

Just before.

The Fairy announced during the meeting that she brought a Cocoon from Gwangju while returning.

She said she would immediately activate Gwangju's Cocoon to calm people's anxiety as soon as the army was repelled.

It's a similar development to before the regression.

In the previous life too, Lim Ga-eul brought a Cocoon from Gwangju and installed it in Gangbuk.

Because of that, complaints about the Fairy government were rampant in Gwangju even after returning the Cocoon.

Eun-ha was inwardly regretful then.

The fact that she seized Gwangju's Cocoon and installed it in Gangbuk will now become her political flaw.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha wasn't very worried.

Because─

─It's okay. There's still one way. Fortunately, something that can substitute for Gwangju's Cocoon should remain.

So don't worry and use this opportunity.

Lim Ga-eul doesn't know.

There's one more Cocoon.

Eun-ha who knew this fact wasn't very concerned.

Rather, he decided to use the crisis as an opportunity.

"As soon as Caesar Hopper's army gathers, I think it would be good to activate the Cocoon to trap them inside and weaken them."

"Hmm... It seems dangerous... But it is an effective operation. Alright, I'll believe in you Pandora Clan Lord."

"Ah, and Fairy." "Yes, what is it?"

Eun-ha reassured Lim Ga-eul.

Lim Ga-eul was already noticeably taking care of Eun-ha in the meeting.

She urged as if telling him to say more if he had something he wanted to say.

To this, Eun-ha grinned.

Then he turned his head.

His eyes met Mo Ra-yul's.

"Eek!"

As if feeling something.

Mo Ra-yul shrank her shoulders.

Soon Lim Ga-eul's eyes also turned to Mo Ra-yul who had shrunk greatly.

"It's a very strange thing. As far as I know, the Cocoon broke suddenly less than a month after it was inspected." "Hmm... That's right."

"But didn't someone say then that if something happened to the Cocoon, they would take full responsibility?"

"Ah, that's right. Someone who was with me then said that, probably..."

"Aah..."

"It was Controller Mo Ra-yul, right?" "Ah..."

A place where people who took responsibility gathered.

Eun-ha decided to declare Mo Ra-yul's words at this place, now that the Fairy had returned.

Lim Ga-eul who grasped Eun-ha's intention also took on the eyes of a snake about to eat a frog.

Mo Ra-yul trembled.

"F-Fairy! In a national disaster situation, who can judge right and wrong!? Though Controller Mo Ra-yul inspected..."

"I'm not trying to hear excuses. Dangun Clan Lord."

"...Kuk...!"

Then, Dangun Clan Lord Jang Bong-jeon suddenly stood up from his seat.

Jang Bong-jeon defended Mo Ra-yul who was also his clan member.

But Lim Ga-eul's gaze remained fixed on Mo Ra-yul.

"─It's not the time yet, but as soon as the situation is settled, I will definitely hold Controller Mo Ra-yul responsible. Know that."

"I, I..."

Lim Ga-eul's sharp declaration.

Mo Ra-yul's face crumpled.

She mumbled her lips.

Soon she shouted with all her might.

"─I don't know! I don't know anything! I don't know!"

With a wail.

Mo Ra-yul said she didn't know.