123. International Stage (2)
Before a colossal dragon could appear in U.S. airspace and plunge the entire country into chaos, Steven had to secure a dedicated passenger plane for the Balhut Cult to prevent any strain on the alliance between the cult and America.
With air travel operations drastically reduced or nonexistent in the apocalypse, procuring one or two idle planes from an airport was a simple task. Steven managed to airlift a passenger jet for the cult just before Bahamut could cause an "accident" that wasn't really an accident.
"We should thank Steven."
"Indeed."
Boarding the passenger plane provided as a gesture of goodwill from Steven, Bahamut and Yu-na set off for America. They weren't traveling alone; for detailed negotiations, administrative bureaucrat Lee Su-ah and economic bureaucrat Lee Hyun-ah had joined the itinerary. Their support teams were included as well, signaling the cult's serious commitment to this first diplomatic engagement with the U.S. and the international organization reconstruction conference.
"Is that... America down there?!"
"That's right."
"It's so amazing. This is my first time overseas, Bahamut-nim."
Crossing the Pacific and arriving over the American continent, Choi Yu-na peered out the plane window at the U.S. cities below, marveling at everything like a child seeing it for the first time. Before becoming the pontiff of the Balhut Cult, she had been an utterly ordinary South Korean student. Riding in a luxurious passenger jet for an overseas trip was a first, and stepping onto American soil not as a student but as the head of state ruling a nation was beyond imagination. Like any girl her age, Yu-na was enjoying the journey with wide-eyed wonder.
This is my first time in America too.
Bahamut felt the same. For someone whose overseas travels had been limited to quick, cheap trips to Japan or Vietnam that took only a few hours, America was uncharted territory. Sure, in this era, one could view America's scenic wonders or cityscapes endlessly online, but wasn't the real thing different from photos? Especially since they were visiting in a capacity akin to heads of state, Bahamut inwardly thrilled with anticipation, hoping the plane would hurry to the White House.
"I heard there are monsters in American cities and even outside them. Are the cities below us occupied by monsters too?"
"Steven mentioned that numerous heroes in his country are launching operations to reclaim the cities. What do the U.S. communities say?"
"Pretty much the same as what Steven said. Oh, the overseas community sites are buzzing about the international organization reconstruction talks. The big debate there seems to be where to establish the headquarters."
As they chatted idly, the communities were abuzz with talk of the upcoming international organization reconstruction conference, with the main controversy centering on the headquarters' location.
"It'll probably end up in America, but there's a catch. With Britain and France making noise about rebuilding the organization for the sake of their own prestige, those two won't easily give up on a headquarters that could boost their status significantly."
"You mean the headquarters might not be in America?"
"Who knows. At least the establishment of the organization itself benefits America, so they'll help with that. But it doesn't seem like they plan to lead it themselves."
Bahamut figured it would likely be in America, but recalled discussions suggesting the initiative stemmed not from U.S. will but from other nations' prestige concerns. America would go along since it benefited them, but the drive for the organization's creation seemed stronger from others. Thus, the headquarters might plausibly end up elsewhere.
"What can we gain from this international organization?"
"Legitimacy, of course. The Balhut Cult's greatest weakness is its inherent reputation as a pseudo-cult. We lack any apparent legitimacy to rule the Korean Peninsula. The elections helped somewhat, but peninsula communities might not acknowledge our efforts. If we gain recognition from various nations through the international organization, we can resolve that legitimacy issue to a degree."
The benefits from this international organization? In response to Yu-na's question, Bahamut answered firmly: legitimacy. The pseudo-cult label that had plagued the Balhut Cult from the start was a painful tag, especially given how often it had led to suspicion and tests. Naturally, they wanted to shed it.
It won't be easy.
The recent elections and internal opinion shifts were one declaration across the peninsula that they weren't a pseudo-cult, and attending this international organization was a key step to eliminate that label. If the reconstruction succeeded in doing so, it would be the cult's greatest diplomatic achievement. What the cult needed now wasn't material gain but national legitimacy.
"Pseudo-cult, huh. Ha. With the real god right in front of me, how could anyone call our cult a pseudo one? The faith of the Balhut Cult is genuine. Yes, this time we'll prove the Balhut Cult to the entire world."
That's not what I meant.
Yu-na nodded vigorously in agreement, insisting the Balhut Cult was no pseudo-cult. It was far from what Bahamut had intended, leaving him with an awkward expression.
"But will that really be so easy? They might not yield and demand concessions from us."
Yu-na seemed to grasp Bahamut's deeper meaning(?) but doubted its feasibility, lowering her head. She appeared to feel guilty, as if her past outburst had led to this. But if asked whether there had been a better option at the time...
We just panicked at the pseudo-cult name. In hindsight, it wasn't a bad choice. Suppose we'd raided the survivor camps of the current central figures by mistake. They might not have followed us so readily.
There wasn't one. In fact, absorbing an untargeted pseudo-cult without disturbing its key figures had worked out well.
"It won't be easy. Especially since they're overseas with no direct ties to us, negotiations could be tricky. We'll have to lean on our ally, America."
Even if difficult, it wasn't impossible. The Balhut Cult already had America as an ally and could request aid. America needed strong partners to maintain central government functionality, and lately, they were keenly interested in Bahamut coins. With mutual needs, they made ideal business partners.
"Ah, and we're meeting U.S. President Arthur this time, right?"
"Yes. Afterward, we'll head to London for the international organization conference."
They were visiting America first for those talks, then proceeding to London, where the reconstruction conference would be held.
"Busy schedule."
"Necessary, though. Mind your demeanor."
"As the Dragon God wills."
Much to do, but all essential. Bahamut cautioned Yu-na on her attitude, and she bowed, assenting to his will.
Soon after, Anna, aide to Special Envoy Steven, approached them.
"We'll arrive at the White House shortly. Bahamut-nim, Yu-na-nim."
"Ah, you've worked hard. I've put you through trouble. My apologies."
At Anna's announcement of their imminent arrival, Bahamut thanked Steven and Anna with a sorry expression for the plane they'd provided. But Anna, aware from Steven of Bahamut's bold plan, sighed and replied.
"No, actually, having you travel physically would be less safe in some ways than us escorting you."
It was cheaper and easier than headlines screaming about a giant monster in U.S. airspace. At Anna's somewhat sarcastic remark, Bahamut, embarrassed, apologized sincerely.
"...Haha. Sorry about that. Our means of transport to America were limited. Unfortunately, the reclaimed Pohang Airport had no passenger jets we could use."
The Balhut Cult did control Pohang Airport, but regrettably, not a single passenger plane remained there. When the apocalypse hit, people had fled overseas on them, leaving the airport empty. With no jets for a delegation, Bahamut's only option had been to fly there personally with the envoys.
Anna, as a diplomat, understood the cult's circumstances and found Bahamut's excuse reasonable.
Still, traveling in true form crossed a line. My haste led to a blunder.
Bahamut knew he'd misspoke and apologized to Anna with genuine remorse. Flying across the Pacific laughing "hahaha" in that size? America would panic, sending the cabinet into frenzy.
"No, I understand. Besides, isn't the Balhut Cult a key trading partner? Consider this a minor courtesy."
"My thanks."
Thus, America provided the plane as a small favor, ensuring a smooth trip—far better than the political uproar from a giant dragon's arrival. Steven's team was twisting themselves into knots to safeguard U.S.-Balhut relations.
"I'm nervous."
"Nervous...? Well, I am too."
Oblivious to their hosts' plight, Yu-na stated her tension casually, and Bahamut agreed. A shameless lord and vassal pair.
The one most nervous about this meeting is probably President Arthur waiting at the White House. Those two have no conscience.
Anna knew that President Arthur, awaiting them, was likely the tensest. With the plane provided, Bahamut's visit was known to the U.S. cabinet, and the White House was in full emergency mode over the Dragon God's arrival. Recalling the chaotic voices from communication channels—filled with confusion, panic, and denial—Anna gazed at the serene duo and prayed inwardly.
May God bless America.
Though she no longer believed in heavenly gods, she earnestly wished for divine protection. May this meeting pass without incident.