London (1)
Thus, America seized the perfect opportunity to bolster its government's prestige, while Bahamut successfully shattered the conspiracy theories rampant within the US and firmly imprinted his existence on the world stage.
Thanks to that, the Balhut Cult delegation en route to London—host of the international organization reconstruction conference—received shared intelligence from the Americans. It might have been a gesture of goodwill toward Bahamut, who had greatly elevated the government's standing.
"Originally, the conference was supposed to be held in Paris, not London. But since Paris was still in monsters' hands, it was moved here."
"Hm? Paris is under monster control, so choosing the safer London makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"
France had initially pushed for Paris, but with the city unrecovered, opposition mounted: you couldn't discuss rebuilding international bodies in territory still lost to the apocalypse. In the end, London—with its lingering history and authority—was selected. Though, truthfully, there were cities with even greater prestige intact...
"Yes. Excluding London, the rest of Europe is basically a warzone, so it feels like London was picked by default. Paris, Berlin, Rome—all fallen to monsters."
"A pity."
Anna, accompanying them again as both escort and intel officer, merely conveyed the grim news that nearly every major European city save London was lost. London wasn't chosen for its heritage; it was simply the only viable spot left for talks.
That so-called international reconstruction... they should focus on securing their own backyard first.
Bahamut couldn't help wondering if reclaiming Europe proper shouldn't come before any grand conference amid such dire straits.
"What about Washington D.C., where the White House stands, or New York?"
"We couldn't control our own states, so we couldn't lead an international body. We yielded to London."
"Ah."
America—relatively better off—might have led effectively, but internal politics forced them to step back. Sure, outside D.C., places like New York could host talks, but the White House's inability to govern other states killed any bid for headquarters there. Officially, at least.
Dig deeper, and it screamed isolationism gaining traction.
More precisely, America First logic—echoing the Monroe Doctrine. With state governments slipping from federal grasp, arguments swelled for focusing inward over leading global revival or normalizing diplomacy. Internally chaotic? True enough. And with grassroots sentiment rising that Europe wasn't America's burden, the White House couldn't boldly claim D.C. as the new hub. Yielding to culturally kindred London was a face-saving formality.
Compared to us, barely holding provincial cities... they're thriving. Server admin cheats. Dirty. So dirty.
From Bahamut's view—listening to Anna—America was so dominant they could afford to yield. Unlike the Balhut Cult, scraping by in Gyeongju and Pohang, the US held its capital intact or vast territories of power. They'd prepared tools like Bahamut coins and newly forged post-apoc minerals to make their name internationally... but
"Still, it'll be tough to get what we want."
Bahamut judged those alone wouldn't earn full recognition.
"What is it you desire?"
"What the Balhut Cult wants most, of course."
"The most desired thing..."
Intrigued by Bahamut's lament, Anna asked offhand—only for him to confirm it was the Cult's deepest wish. Vague as that was, she pondered it briefly.
"I pray you obtain it."
"Thank you, Anna-unnie."
Realizing she lacked clearance, Anna offered the stock pleasantry and withdrew. Yu-na bowed gratefully, drawing a wry smile from Anna.
With Bahamut coins or the newly developed mithril, they'll get it quick enough.
Nothing unreasonable; showcasing those would seal the deal. In awakener civilization, Bahamut coins were invaluable.
The most reliably supplied magic weapons.
Europe, desperate for such arms, would snap them up.
"Anyway, this is London? Can't compare to Gyeongju."
"It's the capital. Naturally dwarfs a provincial city like Gyeongju."
"Muu. Kinda jealous."
Soon, they touched down at Heathrow Airport. Yu-na gawked at the cityscape. Unlike the Cult—lacking despite its provincial base—London had reclaimed big-city functions. Downtown outshone even Balhut Revival districts.
No fanfare at the airport for the foreign delegation—travel bans persisted—but stepping out revealed teeming crowds.
"That Protector fellow who retook London? Sharp operator."
Bahamut was purely impressed by the reclaiming of the capital. He grew curious about the methods. Might adapt for Ulsan's push, even if Protector's playbook didn't translate perfectly to the peninsula.
"Why rate the Protector so highly?"
"He retook the capital, didn't he? Running a city this smoothly post-apocalypse? Solid skills. Hero material, no doubt."
Anna listened with a subtle expression, questioning their praise.
Bahamut countered: if not the capital's savior, who deserved acclaim? Rumors aside, London was his win—and governance looked flawless. Skill and savvy both, he figured. A true apocalyptic hero.
"Ah, so Yu-na-nim and Bahamut-nim are visiting London for the first time."
"Aye."
"Yes, first time."
Information asymmetry at play. Pre-apocalypse, overseas news stayed surface-level unless you dug deep. Even reformed, the Cult faced cultist smears—external views of Protector diverged sharply from internal ones.
Seeing this... Protector's image abroad differs from at home.
Social issues and internals rarely leaked without warnings, especially in apocalypse-limited nets. Korean intel on abroad? National efforts like this conference, or bare survival scraps.
"You all seem unaware of Britain's internal situation."
"Differs from what we knew?"
"Several points. Much isn't visible online."
Anna clocked their ignorance, nodding at Bahamut's probe. Internet gaps meant the Cult knew only fragments.
"Then, Anna-yang, could you brief us on Britain?"
"Selling me out for info?"
Bahamut admitted bluntly, brazenly requesting internals. She chuckled softly, confirming the intent.
"You said self-sourced intel has limits. For diplomacy? Name your price."
Bahamut declared he'd pay—flush from coin-fueled trade with America. Personal intel? Pocket change.
"Sure. Normally I'd charge, but debts aside... freebie this time. For America, this reconstruction is mostly for optics. Or legitimizing two awakeners' regimes. Who knows."
"The two countries—you mean Britain and France?"
"Yes. Both have low approval. Exposed dark sides before solidifying power. Orleans Saintess has 'support' in a sense."
Low polls for capital-reclaimers? Odd. Both regimes eyed suspiciously, per Anna. Barely a year in, doubts already? Bahamut reeled, mulling her "dark sides."
"True, Orleans Saintess pushes Europeanism—French-led unified West Europe. Bluntly? Sacrificing everywhere but Paris and Orleans."
"...Sacrifice?"
European slang; Bahamut blanked.
"Oops, your region's term. Simply: centralize power by sacrificing provinces."
Not wrong—brutal suppression to empower the core.
Concentrating strength. Common tactic. Nothing odd. But Protector?
"Protector seized chance when royals were massacred. Only heir: crown princess's young daughter. Saw opportunity for self-proclaimed protectorate—and the throne."
Classic: child queen breeds usurpation. History's littered with regents stealing crowns from minors.
"Plenty adore the royals, though. 70-year queen's tragedy. New queen—great-granddaughter—stoically rallying survivors. Labor and Tory remnants flocked to her. Loyal guards too."
Protector overlooked the backlash: long-reigning queen's death galvanized royalists. Her young great-granddaughter? Beacon drawing the bold.
He'd underestimated a powerless child. Big mistake.
"So the palace coup failed?"
"Yes. Declaration horrified royalists and citizens alike; they halted it. Purging Protector from London politics? Impossible. Like it or not, he's a hero—with radical support."
Coup flopped, but apocalypse quirk: couldn't exile their top awakener. Losing him and followers? Doomed. Compromise it was.
"Strongest in Britain. Cabinet wants punishment, but force trumps law. Now he repents, vows regency for the child queen. Untouchable."
"Sounds rotten from the start."
Britain's strongest—who judges him? Citizen backlash paused him once, but he could seize parliament and palace anytime.
"Hero answering crisis? Or opportunist exploiting it? America's choices ahead hinge on that."
"No need for such detail."
"Just a little courtesy."
Anna spilled even minutiae. Bahamut sensed oddity—but she smiled quietly, confirming suspicions.
"If Bahamut-nim pities the poor young queen... mission accomplished."
"That sounds like 'interfere in Britain.'"
"Eh? That's how it came across? I'm just a lowly agent."
Thoroughly suspicious intel drop.