Chapter 126
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Back to the Elf Kingdom
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Many countries around the world saw their militaries collapse after the Great Cataclysm. Korea was no exception, suffering heavy losses when a gate appeared near an airbase.
However, five years ago in September 2049, the Hunter Association led the creation of the Hunter Air Force.
Hunter Air Force? Pretty impressive. There are so many settings I didn't know about since they weren't in the novel.
I don't think they used it even when taking down the Yellow Dragon in China.
Not that it was our country's business to begin with.
"Are there still fighter jets left?"
By then, advances in magitech had made it possible to power anything with mana stones. They could simply build the frame and insert modified mana stone circuits to operate tanks or fighter jets alike.
Choi Cheol-sik of the Hunter Association pushed the project forward with the Cheonsan Group, producing a total of 150 'Crow' fighter jets.
C-Rank and higher hunters skilled in Mana Manipulation were selected for support roles, but President Ha Jung-seok banned it due to Hunter Association oversight and mana stone supply issues, leading to its disbandment. The Crows are still in storage at the hangar.
So, they can be used.
"They can still be flown, right?"
Fighter jets powered by mana stones can be flown anytime by swapping the stones. The 130 hunters selected at the Air Force's founding are still active, and the hangar still holds unused mana missiles.
Then it should be possible.
Any more details would just give me a headache. This much should be enough.
It can at least block the Yellow Dragon crossing the West Sea.
"Kate. Open a gate. To the president's private room."
"Yes."
The coordinates were already registered, so teleporting there was a breeze.
As expected, Ha Jung-seok was drowning his defeatist sorrows in the president's private room.
This world's president really had the luck of the devil.
"What now? Come to mock me again? You wiped out all the hunters, so how are we supposed to stop them?"
Why blame me? It was a preemptive war.
In the original story, they were used in the war, so it made some sense. Anyway, this was necessary to weaken Ha Jung-seok.
And it was also a way to keep him from throwing a tantrum.
"This time, I've come with a proposal."
"What do you mean?"
"You know the power of the Yellow Dragon well. If the Chinese army comes down from the north, tying up Korea's main forces, and the Janghak Society directs the Yellow Dragon straight at Seoul... No, it definitely will. That thing burned land wider than the entire Korean Peninsula."
"So?"
So? I have something else to say.
"I noticed your eyes twitching during your speech. Are you scared?"
"Ha. You think I'm scared?"
Ha Jung-seok made a incredulous face, reeking of booze.
If chugging liquor and whining wasn't fear, what was?
"Don't run away. If you want to keep your dictatorship and claim Korea is yours, then act like a leader and face it with dignity."
"You brat, what do you know?!"
If I were actually young, I'd snap. But I've lived over a century despite appearances.
Ah, but I'm eternally 17. Not some grandma.
"Chinese hunter forces coming down: at least 300,000. Korea's national army can only buy time. Even scraping together every hunter gives us 50,000. We'll throw in our 50,000 mutants on top. The Yalu River would be ideal to hold them, but they're prepped for war, so we might have to fight as far as Pyongyang."
"What? You're putting up mutants? Planning to stab us in the back?"
What does she take me for?
Even as a villain, my homeland beats China.
"Hey, Mr. Ha Jung-seok. Mutants are Korean too. They're not doing this for you—they just know it'll be worse if China invades, so they're teaming up with the hunters to fight them off."
You think I'm like you?
"Fine, let's say we grasp at that straw. Then what about the Yellow Dragon?"
"Use the Hunter Air Force to buy time against it. It's disbanded now, but the planes are there. It's so huge and dumb you can aggro it with missiles. Revive them."
In the meantime, I'll bring the Earth Dragon. If not, I'll handle it myself.
"...How long do you think a disbanded Hunter Air Force will last?"
Asking me that? You must realize you're screwed too.
"Just hit and run. Don't sacrifice them pointlessly."
They'll get shredded on land too. Can't let the air force die in vain.
"And you'll handle the Yellow Dragon?"
"I'll bring another dragon to fight it. On our side. It can be reasoned with."
"Hah. Trust a villain? Even if true, you'll have demands, right?"
Yeah, I knew you'd say that.
There are conditions.
We need his permission to intervene in the war.
"Simple terms: Recognize the land ruled by the White Flower Church as autonomous. Don't treat us as villains—call us a righteous rebel force. Then we'll fight the Chinese army under the Taegukgi alongside the national army and hunters."
Participating as straight-up villains would just confuse everyone.
"You expect me to trust you?"
As a human, no. But I trust something else about Ha Jung-seok.
"I trust your desire to dictate Korea and your lust for power."
Losing the war means no Korea, no nothing.
He wants power as Korea's master. He won't submit to the Janghak Society as a puppet or slave.
"Ha. Villain bitch with a mouth on her."
"I don't wanna propose this to a shit human like you either, but since you fucked things up this bad, try doing one thing for the country for once."
Ha Jung-seok sighed at my words.
He realized he had to do something as leader.
"Fine. Let's try it. But we must win. For you and your fancy villain legion too."
"Naturally."
If they just buy time, I can deal with the Yellow Dragon somehow.
That's all they need to do.
World Hunter Alliance
The world was shocked by China's declaration of war on Korea.
Korea's allies, the US and UK, immediately convened Alliance representatives, with Japan joining as well.
Alec, the US rep and Alliance chair, pointed accusingly at the Chinese delegate.
"What the hell is this? With humanity uniting, China attacks Korea to revive past glory? Explain yourself, Chinese rep!"
"You think we're the old China? Reclaiming our place is only natural, no?"
Unbelievable. "Our place"? Obsessed with hegemony at a time like this, attacking Korea? Forgot how Korea saved them from the Yellow Dragon?
"Call yourself a great power, but don't repay kindness with enmity."
"You little shits dare! Vassal states exist to aid great powers!"
Japan's rep Hiroshi was floored.
Korea as a vassal? It's been a republic for ages. Still clinging to that nonsense?
Pathetic.
"Late-stage imperialism. How pitiful."
"What? You pressured our Sinicization during the Imperial era!"
Dragging up ancient history?
"What good does dredging up the past do? Sure, plenty in Japan and me dislike Korea, but we're not barbaric like you."
Japan's rep said that, pitying Korea's plight.
They bickered often, but Korea was a peer in power and at least open to talk. Plus, that Kim Cheol-su hunter—he was kinda worrying in a love-hate way.
But he couldn't pledge support.
Shinohara Yuzuki had ordered strict observation only.
"Hmph! Korea falls, Japan follows! Even your Shinohara Yuzuki's done for."
"So hit Korea with the Yellow Dragon? Think the West will sit idle?"
As the Chinese rep's arrogance dragged on, Alec—not Hiroshi—pressed him.
"Send aid troops if you dare. They'll just die. Kahahahaha! That Goryeo puppet's too busy prepping war? Didn't show. Was gonna laugh at him. Kahahahat!"
Having the Yellow Dragon made them insufferably cocky.
But not wrong.
Sending hunters against the Yellow Dragon was suicide. Regular troops even less help, and it'd drain national strength.
Beyond loyalty to Korea, deploying hunters to defend another country left gates undefendable.
At least this time, Yoo Eun-ha was more promising than Yoo Jin-seok.
Two Divine Sword Heroes.
Though last time with the old Yellow Dragon, Yoo Jin-seok was already experienced and strong—that was the issue. Maybe Korea could hold on its own.
No, they had to believe that.
No guarantee China wouldn't eye the US or Europe next.
"As of today, China is expelled from the World Hunter Alliance. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Europe, and the US will sever ties with China."
"Hmph! Who'd fear that?"
Diplomatic retaliation was the best they could muster. As the Chinese rep scoffed and left, the nations began seeking ways to aid Korea.
We decided to head back to the Elf Kingdom.
Not for vacation. Had to find the Earth Dragon somewhere on Lotus Continent.
"For now, leave the mutants with Elise."
Rachel had led the resistance before.
"Wouldn't Mom be better?"
"I thought so at first, but Rachel doesn't know the situation here. Can't drag her into war right after learning the culture. Plus, she needs to come to the Elf Kingdom."
"Mm. Then us... No, won't work."
Choi Si-woo started but shook his head.
"Yeah. We're cadets. Could get called up anytime. Villains at least have the Earth Dragon excuse. That's why Elise."
Internet Broadcasting Club forums were buzzing: Would White Flower help or hide in this war?
Koreans wouldn't abandon it, or White Flower's mutants are savages chasing urges, holing up in erosion zones.
I promised Ha Jung-seok, so I'd keep it. Not some grand patriotism.
Just aiming for a better-than-original ending, protecting a world for my heroines.
Vanishing to prep reinforcements while leaving 50,000 mutants? They'd believe White Flower's helping.
"Sounds good."
"Rachel. Where's the Earth Dragon?"
"Records say northwest of the Elf Kingdom. Head there."
We'll see when we arrive.
Asking Maman first is best.
Her original world and this un-destroyed Elf Kingdom might differ.
"Shall we go too?"
"Stay and guard Sungdo. You don't know what might happen. I'll probably return before war starts. Cover for me if called."
"Okay."
Plenty left: Choi Si-woo, Han Su-ji, etc.
Sent Seo Ji-yeon a text not to worry, just in case.
Guarding Sungdo shouldn't be hard.
"No, I wanna go too."
"Then just Reina. I'll bring others later."
We portaled back to the Elf Kingdom via the elf ruins.
Poor Kate, working overtime.
Long time no see, fantasy world. The Elf Kingdom.
Looks like a typical isekai setting.
But one ruler here was my bitch.
The portal dropped us in the queen's bedroom.
"It's been a while here too."
Kate's gate mastery made it easy.
Wish she'd been asleep. Maman was awake.
Sitting reading, less elegant than annoying thanks to those royal tits.
"Well, well. Long time no see, my love."
"Maman!"
Forgetting my goal, I dove into Maman's massive peaks.