◈ Episode 212

I set off on a journey leaving behind someone's worries.

It became quite a crowded line because there were so many people. All of Dustborne's external activity team, some of the lab members including the professor and Leila, and the royal siblings of Pecatum and their attendants.

There was also one person there who was of a completely different affiliation.

"This is a unique experience."

"Oh, really? I'm so sleepy I could pass out."

While Kim Yi-hyeon skillfully took hold of Asterike's head, who had already fallen asleep, Altair couldn't take his eyes off the window. As if he was looking at some incredibly beautiful scenery.

"What's so great about a wasteland where there's nothing?"

"Doesn't the wasteland have its own charm? For people living in fishing villages, the daily life in the countryside is extraordinary, and for people living in the city, the solitude of the countryside can be felt in a special way."

"Well. I know what you mean."

I don't know exactly what kind of life Vidia lives. I can only guess. I think they probably live their own religious life in a gloomy tower. When they're bored to the point of going crazy, they drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes.

"It's a bit new, but can I go back?"

"Didn't you earnestly ask me not to go?"

"Let's make jokes with a smile."

"I'm smiling with my heart, so don't mind me."

"That's so dirty, it's hard to understand."

It's not 100% fake.

I asked for your time, even if it wasn't earnestly.

Because there is other business after the summit is over.

'I already used the necklace I received before.'

If Altair disappears, there will be no way to contact Vidia from this side. Since the location of the forest where the tower is located is unknown, the distribution of cell phones to the witches was urgent.

The matter is none other than the professor's memory.

'I guess I should start hearing the answer soon.'

The deadline has been set for before the summit, but there is still some time until the summit ends. Once that happens, there is no more room to avoid it. Even if they reject it, I plan to continue persuading them, so I guess they have no choice.

In any case, the picture is important.

If you complain later, the logic of 'you chose it' will be complete. Even if it sounds cold, there's nothing we can do. Has there ever been a time in history when society wasn't cold?

"If I were to answer you seriously, it would be a bit against the rules. But I don't think Your Majesty will take issue with it. After all, I owe you a debt."

"Isn't that what you meant by a help ticket?"

"The weight of the work is too much to offset."

The Imperial Palace terror is clearly a huge event. It is much more serious than the life or death of the Great Mother, who is only a member of the Legion. However, Vidia's perspective, who lives away from the secular world, cannot help but be different.

To Vidia, the Godmother was a disgrace to the clan and a traitor. Furthermore, because the Godmother abused her power, the entire clan had to bear the burden of backlash. It was the first crisis in their long history.

On the other hand, they don't care what happens to Shiran.

Even though I did bear the brunt of the backlash, that's all there is to it.

"Thanks to you, I am enjoying a precious escape."

"Yeah, as long as it's fun, that's fine."

It was an uncommon experience not only for Vidia but for everyone. Attending a summit with the royal family of Pecatum. The trainees who were still inexperienced were already trembling.

"If I cause an accident, will I be shot…?"

"Well, maybe not as bad as being executed? Well, there's international law and such, right? But instead, being branded an international criminal and wanted? Ugh, that might be worse than being executed."

"Then I will commit suicide cleanly."

As a side note, Leone's condition has stabilized again. This is thanks to the special care he received during the few days he was preparing to leave the country. His excellent resilience also played a part.

"Anyway, what a fuss."

Chelsea snorted from the driver's seat. Even though the juniors had come in, driving was her job when Turkam wasn't around. Neither Leone nor Yudahee even had a license.

"If you actually go there, it'll be surprisingly quiet. Don't you think so, boss?"

Chelsea still doesn't know the truth about the bombing.

Kim Yi-hyeon nodded, not feeling the need to point out anything.

"There was nothing but terrorism."

"That's the worst thing that could happen. Since you lost face last time, security will be tighter this time. And with the Legion gone, shouldn't things go smoothly?"

Sometimes, Chelsea's head was like a flower garden. No, maybe the ominous feeling was so strong that the escapism switch was turned on. If so, that's great insight.

"Well."

Unfortunately, this time I have no intention of holding back.

* * *

The meeting was called again four years after the Legion was condemned on a grand scale. There were fewer attendees than last time. The schedule was so abrupt and there were concerns about a recurrence of terrorism.

"On the other hand, in my opinion, it seems like a good thing that so many people have gathered."

Kim Hyun, who arrived with a day to spare, ran into Bryce at the pre-party. This time, Dustborn seemed to have received an offer from the council. It was proof that things were going smoothly.

"Even considering the cases of proxy attendance, it's more than I expected. I should say that you have great courage. Shiran, aren't you afraid of coming to the conference room where the terrorist attack occurred?"

A question that can be asked with plenty of thought.

In short, it is an information imbalance.

If you are the head of a country that actively uses spies, you have a rough idea of ​​what happened in Shiran. On the other hand, Bryce only knows the big story that 'Legion terrorized Shiran.'

'What about the Cilicia Council?'

Cilicia is a mix of cultures from many different countries, but that's simply because of the large number of immigrants. I've never heard of the council breeding spies.

'Is it just a stage of suspicion? After all, I had a conflict with Shiran.'

I think I can get a rough idea of ​​the atmosphere.

"By the way, how's the situation in Cilicia these days?"

"It's noisy. Isn't there a scandal breaking out every day? Aren't there illegal drugs circulating in the market? Even the thugs of the underworld are slowly taking notice and moving about."

"Oh my. Nothing has changed there either."

"Haha, that's true."

Bryce's light smile was quite different from before. The rough appearance of his mercenary days had faded away, and he felt the composure and weight of a powerful man in the city.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Why does it seem like I'm gaining more confidence as the days go by?"

"Hearing it from your own mouth, I can't help but feel genuinely happy…."

"No, I'm being quite serious."

"That's right. You're not the type of person to praise others with empty words."

At least it's clear that this isn't meant as a compliment.

"Anyway, just endure it a little longer."

Kim Yi-hyun glanced at a corner of the party venue while tapping Bryce's arm. A crowd of reporters had gathered in front of the crime scene. A distinctive red hair could be seen among the people.

'Shirando has arrived.'

As if he was aware of this, Maximilian's eyes met for a moment. However, he quickly looked away. It seemed as if he knew very well that there was nothing good that could come from pretending to be friendly.

That wasn't all.

'Albatross.'

The captain and vice captain of the Albatross showed up at an official event for some reason. They even followed the dress code. Irene was just smiling silently, as if Anima had ordered her to keep her mouth shut.

I think about it again. I've come to know so many familiar faces.

"When do you plan on coming back?"

"I don't know the exact schedule, but it will probably be soon."

"I see. When you come back, I can take a vacation too."

"Oh, don't worry. Echidna will work like an ox."

"If it's Director Rusano, I can trust him."

The talks begin tomorrow.

* * *

March 6, 2048, Lucerne International Exchange Center.

―D-2, no problem.

―D-3, clear. I will continue to be on guard.

The conference room had an ironclad security system in place. Numerous personnel patrolled the area without leaving a single blind spot, and all sorts of equipment, including thermal imaging cameras, were installed.

It seemed that Geneva's police department had really sharpened their swords. If the security level had been the same as before, they would never have dreamed of doing anything. Fortunately, they had no plans to do anything this time.

"First, I would like to thank you all. In the midst of the chaos on the continent, the fact that you have come here is because we consider each other as companions living together in these times. We..."

Kim Lee-hyun sat in the conference room as the acting director of CellbroLogics Lab. The room was quite chaotic. Occasionally, he felt gazes, among them the Chancellor of Harrenhal and the Regent of Cadillac.

'In the current situation, those two will probably have the most say.'

The person who actually called the meeting was Kenneth Kluivert, the Chancellor of Harrenhal. Although there was no specific chairman, there was an invisible mantle. He naturally took the initiative.

"Let's cut to the chase and get to the point. A huge dark cloud has settled over the continent. The abnormal phenomena currently being confirmed throughout the continent are precisely this. I dare say that this is a greater threat than the 'great disaster' that occurred before, and it will threaten humanity's right to survive."

It wasn't the typical exaggeration or exaggeration of politicians. Most of those present at the meeting were aware of the cracks. It was a serious enough problem to divert their attention from Shiran's recent situation.

Protecting one's own country is not the end. If a country fails to deal with the cracks and collapses, if that place becomes the territory of monsters and parasites, where will their claws go?

"Now is the time for unity."

A powerful voice rang out.

However, when people gather like this, there are bound to be loaches that muddy the water.

"I'll accept it as an agenda, but before we discuss it, is there one thing that's okay?"

Regent Rheindorf of Cadillac intervened. He had a cold, businesslike appearance, more reminiscent of a soldier than a politician. His head slowly turned, and his gaze was fixed on one spot.

Exactly from Kim Lee Hyun.

"It seems like someone is not in the right place to sit here."

"I have to disagree. Cellbrox Labs has had many international achievements since the Great Disaster. We all know how many lives have been saved by the cheap drugs and pollution meters distributed by the lab."

"Isn't a merit a merit, and a charge a charge?"

The regent added emphasis to his words.

"I'm sure you've all heard the rumor at least once. Isn't the technology that CellbroLogics Lab possesses related to inhumane experiments? Is it unrelated to the disaster?"

"Aren't you mistaken? This isn't a hearing. You're making slanderous accusations without evidence…."

"I heard that the research institute director Kushan was taken away from Shiran."

Maximilian flinched as sparks flew.

"There was a terrorist attack while transporting him to the court, and Major General Kushan went missing. Prince Maximilian, am I mistaken in my understanding?"

"...This is related to an ongoing investigation in our home country. I can't say anything about it."

"Then it seems that at least the charges against Director Kushan have not been dropped."

A gaze as sharp as a blade is pierced.

"The recent series of events in Shiran. Can you prove that they are unrelated to CellbroLogics Lab?"

The intestines were rumbling.

Some sighed, while others looked interested. There were also gazes that looked at Kim Yi-hyun questioningly, just like the regent. As the saying goes, there were so many coincidental incidents in rap.

Against all suspicion, Kim Yi-hyeon smiled inwardly.

'Ah, this is the taste.'

A political scene where all sorts of intentions are swirling around.

I don't enjoy it, but it's a good stimulus once in a while.

Of course, only when you have the time.

"Excuse me, what happened in Shiran?"

He crossed his arms and tilted his head crookedly.

"We had no idea."

Let's try it somewhere.