122. The International Stage (1)
With the general election commemorating the new year concluded and Balhut Cult's internal politics normalized, Bahamut summoned Special Envoy Steven to the temple without further delay. Internal housekeeping was done, and their claim to democracy both domestically and internationally had succeeded. There was no longer any diplomatic suspicion to worry about—and indeed, Steven's face, as he answered the summons, was wreathed only in smiles.
Now we can finally talk without any risks!
For America, the pre-election Balhut Cult—professing no democracy and leaning toward technocratic dictatorship—had posed unnecessary diplomatic hazards. But with the voluntary dissolution of the council and a new cabinet formed through general elections, there was no need to fret over whether Balhut Cult truly followed democratic ideals. It was, unequivocally, a democracy-based nation—and America befriended democracies!
"We shall lend our strength to the international organization reconstruction effort. I myself will participate directly."
"Ah... yes. That's welcome news for us in America, of course."
And now, cooperation from Dragon God Bahamut himself. There was nothing left to fear. Yet upon arriving at the temple and facing Bahamut, Steven's expression filled with puzzlement.
Yes, securing Bahamut's cooperation in the reconstruction was an unalloyed boon for America, which sought nations aligned with its interests. The problem was...
"Who are you? I can tell you're connected to Balhut Cult since you're in Bahamut's temple... but."
Who on earth was this man before him? Piercing blue eyes hinting at deep thoughts, porcelain skin, and navy hair cascading to his waist, tied back in a single ponytail. The issue—if it could be called that—was his anachronistic armor, though even that lent him a charismatic allure, marking him as a strikingly handsome young man.
And that armor... it matched one from Steven's memory.
Look closely at his outfit. It's the mithril armor Bahamut showed us. If he's wearing a national treasure like that so casually... is he some high official we don't know about?
Yes, it was the mithril armor said to be crafted by Dragon God Bahamut himself—ornate, fit for European nobility, and suiting this man's refined features in his twenties or thirties. He could easily be dubbed a "noble young lord."
A man of such splendor couldn't be unknown within Balhut Cult. He should have appeared in America's intelligence networks. The complete absence of any record turned Steven's elated smile into a plummeting frown.
As wariness surged and he bristled with hostility toward this sudden human intruder in the Dragon God's sanctum...
"Ah, this is the first time I've shown this form."
Sensing the animosity, the young lord scratched his head sheepishly, as if saying "oops." It shattered the dignified air he'd exuded moments before, replaced by an endearingly clumsy vibe. Steven inwardly thought it clashed with his image, but the name that followed left him reeling.
"It's me. The Dragon God Bahamut you know."
"Pardon?"
Yes, this noble youth was Bahamut in human guise. No wonder he wore the unrevealed Dragon God's armor—it was simply donning his own creation.
Of course, the abrupt reveal left Steven's mind in tatters, but there was no helping it. They'd always met in draconic form; this was his first time seeing Bahamut as a human.
"L-Lord Bahamut?!"
His exclamation brimmed with shock, alarm, and caution. Bahamut seemed to tense at Steven's unexpectedly intense reaction.
"Indeed. I've used Polymorph magic to take this form. Ah, if you doubt me, allow me to dispel it as proof."
Releasing the spell, he reverted to his draconic majesty right there in the chamber. For Steven, witnessing a mere human transform into the Dragon God was heart-stopping—yet for a fantasy enthusiast, a sight worth dying for.
But at the same time...
Hmm. Personally, it was a treat, but America will need to recalculate. He can operate in the secular world in human form if he chooses.
As special envoy, Steven intuited the need for fresh assessments. They'd assumed Bahamut's activities were temple-bound, but Polymorph changed that. Closer scrutiny was essential now.
Bahamut seemed unlikely to embody America's worst-case scenarios based on his conduct thus far, but national security demanded preparation for all possibilities.
"Y-You're truly Lord Bahamut."
"Yes. For the international organization, I've disguised myself as human. To make it clear for you—it's transformation magic. Polymorph."
Still, this wasn't the worst outcome. Bahamut's participation would underscore human unity and craft a grand narrative of the Dragon God joining the organization—one America could leverage too.
Even a simple friendly visit from the Dragon God would boost the administration's approval ratings and warn Balhut skeptics.
Steven quickly foresaw approval surging from a mere performance: human form arriving, then shifting to dragon. Overwhelming, it would cow doubters and validate the regime's choices. And Bahamut minted the coveted Bahamut coins American awakeners prized.
Like it or not, his visit will stir a massive storm.
Steven anticipated an unforgettable spectacle, but...
We thought it'd end with Dragon Priestess Yu-na or Baek Seol-hwa!?
The issue was, this was too big a fish. Steven tried focusing on positives to ignore looming headaches, but contemplating problems made his mind blank and stomach churn.
America wasn't prepared for this super-VIP; protocol was a nightmare. Reporting Bahamut's personal attendance to the White House would upend Arthur's cabinet—currently warring between "he exists" and "he doesn't"—like dropping a nuke.
"S-So, transformation magic. That convinces me sufficiently."
Calming himself, Steven stalled by probing the Polymorph.
The declaration was shocking enough, but using it now to contact him directly? Even more so.
"But why use Polymorph now? If you could, you could have done so earlier, no?"
He accepted the magic, but the timing begged questions. Was it some divine stratagem, calibrated to keep America in check?
Steven wanted answers both personally and professionally.
"No. I finally have some leisure. That's when I managed it."
The reply was disarmingly simple—too mundane for a Dragon God.
Just leisure now allowed it.
"Leisure...?"
"Internal headaches resolved at last. Bahamut coin minting systematized remotely. The time sinks are handled, so now I have free time, haven't I?"
Bluntly: he'd lacked opportunity, not ability. And he subtly credited "someone" for his busyness, pricking Steven's conscience.
"I... see."
Steven couldn't rebut. America held half the shares in that venture!
No! He just made an irresistible product. Can't blame me!
But Bahamut bore fault too for crafting near-perfect coins. It wasn't his fault alone!
"Of course, there's always one diplomat bringing me headaches. But it was necessary, so I'll let it slide."
"D-Did you hold that against me?"
"I accepted it, but it was a hassle amid everything else. Piling on work when I was swamped."
Bahamut's words revealed lingering resentment, flustering Steven. Yet his casual, playful tone suggested a joke. Heart-pounding for the listener, but what recourse? Obey the Dragon God.
"Anyway, it's stifling. Maintaining Polymorph this long is taxing. Feels odd. Uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable?"
"Yes, like wearing ill-fitting layers. Stuffy clothes that don't suit."
Bahamut truly disliked the human form, likening it to cramped garb. Yet he persisted.
Time to breathe outside air! I want rest! Play! A soft bed! Temple stone is too hard!
Truthfully, he craved a break. No vacation since Balhut Cult's founding; now he seized this pretext. Without it, no holiday existed. He'd steeled himself with resolve to attend personally.
"In any case, I'll attend the international organization in this form."
"Will Yu-na be coming too?"
"Yes. She's my priestess and Balhut Cult's head of state. Think of her as a supporting star to shine at your international gathering."
Supporting star? She's a headliner. Steven bit back the rude retort. No harm in it, though.
This would strengthen the Balhut-America alliance with ample gains. It could end domestic debates on Bahamut's existence.
"Escorting Yu-na for her safety, then. Haha."
"...Think what you will."
Steven's quip made it seem like paternal worry for Yu-na abroad. Bahamut turned away bashfully.
Using her for vacation feels guilty, but she'll feel secure with me! Mutual aid!
Pure theater, really—guilt over exploiting her for his break. But Steven took it as confirmation, regaining his footing.
"Departing immediately, then?"
"Yes. Flying there myself..."
"Wait, please."
Bahamut's casual "fly there" prompted Steven to halt him mid-sentence.
What was he saying? Flying across? Feasible, sure—but that colossal form over the Pacific to America...?
Pure B-movie dragon invasion.
Steven envisioned kaiju rampaging ashore, dooming the alliance.
"...We'll provide a plane."
"Ah. My apologies."
To safeguard the alliance, Steven offered transport first. Bahamut, realizing his gaffe, apologized.