◈ Episode 213

There is a purpose behind Cadillac suddenly stumbling upon the Cellbrox Lab.

'It's hard to see him as having any hostility towards rap.'

There has never been any conflict in the game. Cadillac is where the professor sleeps, but it doesn't have much of a role in the story. It's just a setting that it's a powerhouse that stands shoulder to shoulder with Harrenhal.

'There may be some sense of caution…'

If the regent regards Lab as a terrorist who shook Shiran, then he will be on guard. He has an influence that is hard to believe for a mere corporation. Maybe he has a sense of justice mixed in.

However, it may not be an entirely negative perception.

'The relationship between Cadillac and Shiran wasn't all good.'

There is no conflict that continues to this day. Shiran is just like a huge wall. It is an empire with a national power that Harrenhal and Cadillac cannot overcome, and a great monarch stands firm.

But then the Cellbrox Lab suddenly put a dent in the empire.

No, it would not be an exaggeration to say that they had completely dug a hole in it.

The emperor's empty seat was taken by a still immature prince. Shiran will not collapse, but the power balance has been adjusted. In other words, it's like blowing your nose without lifting a finger.

In other words, this meeting is also an opportunity for the regent.

It's a time when we need an excuse to take the lead, like Harrenhal.

'It seems that the rap was chosen as a suitable sandbag.'

Sorry, I have to tell you that you have the wrong number.

"You didn't know? Are you saying that you didn't even try to look into the headmaster's well-being? I find that hard to believe. Although this isn't a courtroom, I think you should be a little more careful with your words..."

"The time when Director Kushan was taken away was the end of June last year. I will tell you exactly what happened up until then. It is only my claim, but there seem to be many people here who can confirm it in part."

Kim Lee-hyun glanced at a few people and then opened his mouth.

"In early July, while I was working in Cilicia as a representative of the Dustborne Corporation, Lab's staff came to me and asked for my help. They said that Major General Kushan had been taken to Shiran."

No fabrication, just the facts.

"It was disconcerting news. While I was contemplating a course of action, I was attacked in the middle of the night. I didn't know who was behind the attack, but I felt my safety was in danger, so I entrusted my safety to Bastitera along with Rap."

Harizo Metsocalu of the Cilicia Council nodded his head with a serious expression. Adrian also supported it, saying, "It is an undeniable fact."

Occasionally, attention was drawn to Maximilian.

Two companies known to have a contractual relationship. The representative of Dustborne who was attacked right after Lab visited Dustborne. There is something artificial about it that doesn't need to be mentioned.

The audience was absorbed in Kim Lee-Hyeon's explanation.

"It's the end."

"...?"

"I've been in Basteterra the whole time. What more can I say? I know it may be rude to Prince Adrian, but it's a place where it's hard to get news from the outside. That's why I thought it was safe."

"The Royal Family of Bastetira can vouch for this. The CellbroLogics Lab, including the acting director, has been staying in the royal palace and often accepts requests from the royal family."

Adrian turned his head sharply.

"I also had a connection with the Albatross who attended this time."

Anima, who had been keeping his presence low for fear of sparks flying, flinched. When attention was focused on him, he closed his eyes tightly. Words he had heard before lingered in his ears.

― Even Shiran will become our enemy.

- Or should we just go with the flow?

What seemed like an impossible story at the time has now become a reality.

"...I won't go into detail since it's a separate matter, but there was an unpleasant incident. Thanks to the mediation of the royal family and the consideration of CellbroLogics Lab and Dustborne Corporation, an amicable agreement was reached."

Anima decided to go with the 'trend'.

"I have heard of the tragedy that occurred in Shiran. It is an atrocity that is beyond human understanding, and the terrorists should be appropriately punished, but I think it is unreasonable to link it to Cellbrox Labs."

"흠."

Führer Kluibert read the flow. In the absence of solid evidence, the loudest voice would have the upper hand. It was obvious which way the scales were tilting.

Since I was already at it, I decided to give it more weight.

After all, I owe Dustborne a debt.

"I don't know the circumstances under which Shiran arrested General Kushan in the first place. Does Shiran have the right to do that?"

And then Maximilian drove the wedge in.

"There is only one thing that can be revealed here. 'Heinz Milarch', known by the name Kushan, is a human subject to Imperial law, and the home country has simply followed suit."

"I heard that for the first time here too, so it must be like this."

Kim Lee-hyun blurted out, sitting with his legs crossed.

"Heinz Milarch personally committed some crime in Shiran. He was supposed to be judged by Imperial law, but he disappeared as a result of a terrorist attack…."

He looked at the regent with an indifferent face.

"There may be some suspicion regarding Heinz. If Shiran requests it, I will cooperate with the investigation. But isn't it a bit far-fetched to accuse him of being a terrorist?"

Tail cutting and blurring the issue.

Historically, it's a strategy that has always worked.

"...I guess my tone was a bit harsh. I was only pointing out the connection, and I did not intend to label CellbroLogics Lab as terrorists. I apologize if there was any misunderstanding."

As expected, Regent Rheindorf tucked his tail between his legs.

I tried poking him once and he got hit so hard that he looked shocked.

But not yet.

The talks have only just begun.

"Then let's get back to the main topic."

Now that I have my mouth open, I really put my foot out there.

"If it's the abnormal phenomenon that President Kluivert mentioned, we can provide an explanation. Are you sure it's a phenomenon such as a surge in the pollution index within a certain radius and the appearance of parasites?"

"That's correct. Has Cellbrox Lab already begun research on this?"

"We first observed this phenomenon around October last year."

"…It's been that long?"

This time, even the president looked surprised. The atmosphere in the room changed again. Some people reacted with anticipation that something would happen. Some looked at Kim Yi-hyun with eyes filled with suspicion.

Excessive competence actually created a sense of discomfort.

How can a single company be so sensitive to disaster?

Well, this is a problem that doesn't need any explanation.

"At Cellbrox Labs, we call this the 'crack'. And let me be blunt:"

After a brief pause, a powerful voice rang out.

"We have succeeded in extinguishing the rift on our own. His Majesty Adrian can testify to this as well, but given the circumstances, it would be better for you to see it with your own eyes."

If it's material, I prepared it in advance. A video appeared on the screen.

"This is bodycam footage from an operational operation by the Dustborne Corporation about two weeks ago. The second rift occurred in Bastitera, and my staff and I responded directly to the situation."

There was absolutely no manipulation involved. This is a video recording of the situation at the time. The powers of the world watched with blank eyes as the cracks disappeared.

"Is this really possible?"

"That's ridiculous. What on earth is the principle…."

"Acting Director, can you state with certainty that no processing has been done to the video?"

The reaction was mysterious overall. It was far from what was expected. They didn't use any unidentified cutting-edge equipment, they just made contact. It was hard to take it at face value.

But it wasn't Kim Lee-hyeon's fault.

"It's up to you to choose whether to believe it or not."

If that's true, what can I do?

"To correct the misunderstanding, it would be easier to understand if you think of this as closer to an individual's 'spell' than the result of a 'research'. You can understand that it is difficult for us to share the method."

Rap and Dustbone have no reason to hide anymore.

Because it has become an indispensable and unique entity on the continent.

"That doesn't mean we have any intention of sitting back and watching the continent's crisis unfold."

That goes without saying.

Why would you release a video to brag about something?

I decided to boldly step forward because I had a more noble and lofty purpose.

"As we have done so far, we will spare no effort in rescuing people within our reach and in stabilizing the continent."

So in a word―

"Anyone is welcome. We promise to provide you with any assistance you may require, whenever you request it."

If you value your life, crawl on your own.

"Do you have any questions?"

Everyone was silent.

The giants of the continent began to look at each other. Kim Yi-Hyeon's intentions were so obvious. With the argument from earlier intertwined, the nature of this meeting seemed different.

Some people are already in line, and some aren't.

But there is one thing that the latter characters are mistaken about.

The point is that holding on to the rope doesn't mean you can feel completely at ease.

'That crazy guy… … .'

Everyone felt the same way.

* * *

After making that bombshell declaration, Kim Lee-hyun took a step back and observed the situation. Questions with various intentions, such as expectations and suspicions, were flying in, but he consistently answered with "yes" and "of course."

From then on, heated discussions began.

Information sharing was active. Some publicly asked for help, saying that cracks had opened up in their own countries, and even the ivory tower expressed its intention to send researchers.

There was a sense of urgency, unlike the last meeting.

Of course, after the meeting, Rap and Dustborn will be flooded with requests of all kinds. Some are purely for the security of their own countries, while others are just trying to manipulate them as they see fit.

But it was clear that something called a 'string' had emerged.

A sense of unity in standing together against global threats.

The first day's schedule ended a little later than planned. Upon returning to the assigned accommodation, Kim Yi-hyeon was exposed to gazes that were no different from those at the conference room.

Those looks of absurdity.

"Why are you all looking at me like that? If you have something to say, just say it."

"No, uhm…."

Leila swallowed her bitter taste. Some of the things Kim Yi-hyun said had not been agreed upon in advance. However, from Rap's perspective, it was difficult to reprimand him.

A position that had to be taken on at Kushan's request. Moreover, if it had been Leila, she would not have been able to get over the criticism as easily as Kim Yi-hyun.

Personality aside, both Harrenhal and Albatross were 'insurance' prepared by Kim Yi-hyeon. As Kushan had thought, Kim Yi-hyeon was the most suitable person to attend the meeting.

I never thought it would go this far.

"First of all, thank you for your hard work. I'm sorry for putting such a difficult burden on you."

"Oh, I was so nervous that I started talking nonsense."

"Oh, is that so? Ahaha."

Nervous. It was a word that didn't match the way he was just now.

"...Phew. It was a little different from what I expected, but I think it turned out well. Because now I can 'help' without hesitation in the lab. But I'm worried."

"What are you worried about?"

"Can we really do this on our own?"

The only people who can close the rift right now are Kim Yi-hyun and Leila. Until another groundbreaking method is discovered, the two of them have no choice but to travel around the continent to close the rift.

Naturally, the status of rap would rise absurdly. For Leila, it was more of a bewilderment than a joy. However, that was only a minor problem, and there was a fundamental question.

Is it realistically possible?

"Even if Lab and Dustborn act separately, there are clear limits. While we run a long way to close the rift, another rift will appear somewhere. If the speed exceeds our expectations…."

Of course, there are other hopes. For example, while you are wasting time, you can achieve research results in the ivory tower or lab. By then, the continent will already be in shambles, but you can try to turn things around.

But Leila knows 'Kim Lee-hyun'.

That he was not so foolish as to rely on such illusions.

"There is a way. No, I think there is a way."

Dark brown eyes glanced in one direction in the waiting room.

There was a professor sitting there with a complicated expression on his face.

The gaze quickly dropped. That alone made the professor realize that he didn't have much time left to think. Kim Yi-hyun was demanding an answer.

After the meeting was over, the professor went to see Kim Lee-Hyeon separately.

"Explain the method."

The professor made up his mind.

To face one's past.