London (2)
However, the arrival of the United States and the Balhut Cult in London didn't mean the international organization reconstruction conference kicked off right away. Before the apocalypse, all the delegates could have flown in within a day, or two at the latest. But now, in this end-times world, even getting the key representatives to the meeting took time.
The United States and the Balhut Cult had taken the aerial route via passenger jets, but countries without that option had to sail in by sea.
"The reconstruction conference will convene in two days. Rest up from your travels until then."
"My thanks."
Even those who could use the skies had delayed their departures as much as possible, but not all the delegates had arrived yet. So the conference was set for two days later. In essence, that meant two days of sitting idle in London—but neither the Americans nor the Balhut Cult suspected the British of stalling. Pre-apocalypse, this would have sparked outrage, but the unique circumstances of the end times made physical travel genuinely time-consuming.
The Balhut Cult knew this all too well; without America's help, Bahamut himself might have had to cross the Pacific.
"A question, if I may. Have the Atlantic pirates been dealt with?"
"If they had, the conference would already be underway."
"I see."
And then there were the Atlantic pirates—romantic rogues in name only—targeting the delegates for ransom. With national authority collapsed and naval patrols vanished, piracy was inevitable. Bahamut had learned of this through Steven, but he was mildly surprised it remained unresolved.
"It's not a problem we can sweep clean in a day or two. The chaos stems from people turning to piracy just to survive."
"Fair enough. Plunder a single container ship, and a small survivor camp could eat for half a year."
Where the Pacific had its ghost fleets, the Atlantic teemed with pirate armadas. Ships venturing out to sustain international trade made easy prey, and it was apparently a headache for America, the Atlantic hegemon. Anna sighed, confirming to Bahamut that the issue persisted.
Bahamut nodded in full understanding.
"Until two days hence, then."
"Yes."
With no further questions for Anna, the Balhut Cult delegation settled into the hotel assigned to them, accepting London's hospitality for a comfortable rest. It was clearly a venue for foreign dignitaries; there were no issues accommodating the group's recovery from travel.
Of course, after a day of rest, the staff would handle the nuts-and-bolts discussions on reconstruction—but that fell to the sisters Lee Su-ah and Lee Hyun-ah, not Bahamut or Yu-na.
The two dove deep into preparations for the next day's meetings with other nations' staff, pondering what proposals might arise. What tangible gains could the Balhut Cult secure from establishing the international organization? What intangible benefits?
"It'd be nice if we made some new friends beyond America from this gathering."
"Understood. I'll inform the staff."
They needed to scout potential new allies or partners through the organization. Relying solely on America meant being at their mercy, so Bahamut sought nations to activate new diplomatic channels. His will filtered down through Yu-na to the staff.
"We do need fresh engines of growth. I'm in favor."
"Then we'll draft a roadmap accordingly."
Lee Hyun-ah and Lee Su-ah, leading the staff, accepted Bahamut's logic without question. Diversifying diplomacy across multiple nations was wiser than economic dependence on one. The Balhut Cult was so intertwined with America that its fall would drag them down too; reducing that reliance was essential. Allies or not, they couldn't afford mutual destruction—and prudent nations always prepared contingencies.
"Japan, perhaps? We could leverage Jin A-yeon's connections…"
"Southeast Asia's an option too."
"Not a bad idea."
Finding new nations open to exchange with the Balhut Cult would be a win.
"Hm. This kind of trip isn't half bad! Feels like ages since I mingled in the mortal world!"
Having delegated everything to the staff, Bahamut simply savored the luxury hotel's room service and opulent amenities provided by the British.
Honestly, experiences like this… weren't they once-in-a-lifetime miracles? A pre-apocalypse nobody like him, now VIP-treated in a five-star hotel he'd never have dreamed of entering, indulging in unheard-of luxuries!
Yeah. If not now, when? It's my first vacation in eight months!
For Bahamut, who'd spent over half a year in a drab cave, missing this chance meant returning to temple drudgery. Like the saying about well-fed ghosts having the best vibes, he figured one should revel while they could. He and Yu-na began thoroughly enjoying the hotel's offerings.
"Rest easy, Yu-na. You've toiled leading the cult of late."
"I'm just happy to be with you, Bahamut-nim! Yes! I'll relax!"
Far from dissuading him, Yu-na joined in, endorsing his logic and indulging fully. A girl from an ordinary home—when else would she experience such extravagance? As pontiff, she enjoyed fitting honors, but this hotel preserved pre-apocalypse civilization on another level. And with the Dragon God urging rest, she could finally unwind as a normal girl.
"Pity the conference ends this splendid vacation. Truly a shame."
"Does that mean no more wandering in that form? A bit disappointing."
The downside: it all vanished in two days. Yu-na seemed to interpret this as Bahamut's last human guise, her face tinged with regret.
Eh? She took it that way? Oh no—my sneaky plan to polymorph longer just fizzled?
Bahamut panicked. Using polymorph like this only to cut it short felt wasteful! Sure, mountains of work awaited back home, but he craved some human-form hobbies! Yet his Dragon Priestess was herding her god toward workaholism. No point transforming more now!
"This is special treatment. If you miss me, summon me yourself."
"Hee-hee. I know. Thanks for indulging my whims."
"Ha… haha… hahaha…."
To preserve his image, he couldn't protest. Internally weeping blood, Bahamut stuck to his summoning quip if she insisted.
Thus, the fool of a dragon squandered freedom for pointless pride once more….
"Bahamut-nim, it's Anna."
"Enter."
Anna, Steven's aide, knocked from outside. A familiar face—America's liaison to the cult—Bahamut welcomed her without suspicion. The door opened, admitting her to the suite shared with Yu-na.
"What brings you? A message from the American side?"
"We have someone to introduce. They insisted quite firmly."
America apparently had business with him personally. Anna's first words confirmed an introduction.
Bahamut wondered if it was President Arthur's cabinet—but no, their staff were already negotiating with his.
They're meeting our people now. Not that. Then who?
Realizing it wasn't cabinet intros, curiosity piqued. His jovial expression sobered to earnest inquiry.
"Coming here personally means it's not an American official?"
"Correct. Will you meet them? I can't disclose their identity here—my apologies."
She admitted it bluntly, seeking pardon for the secrecy. As Steven's aide with broad authority, her deference suggested someone of high stature.
Bahamut's face hardened as he pressed on.
"A private audience, then?"
"Yes. A private one."
Yu-na's easy demeanor chilled instantly. Her smile sharpened from girl to Balhut pontiff, Choi Yu-na.
Bahamut eyed the brazenly secretive Anna.
"Not America, you say?"
"Not America."
A private meeting, but not with Americans. Bahamut sensed oddity, pondering.
France or Britain, then. Someone wanting face-time… Protector or Orleans Saintess? No reason for them to seek me out.
The entrenched powers were Britain's Protector and France's Orleans Saintess. They might parley to solidify spheres, but Bahamut doubted they'd approach first—too busy with local fires, and America wouldn't relay for Balhut Cult foes.
They're swamped. No need to court Asia-based us via America.
"No matter. Let's meet."
"Then…."
Unable to guess, Bahamut agreed. Meeting would reveal all, and few could physically threaten him anyway.
"Guide them here. No eyes or ears will penetrate this room now."
"Magic?"
"Magic."
For secrecy, Bahamut snapped his fingers. Silence and blindfold spells wove a sealed barrier around the room.
"…It evaded even my detection. Impressive magic."
"I could show you visually."
"No thanks. I'd rather not risk panic."
Detection specialist Anna hadn't sensed a thing, baffled. Bahamut smiled reassuringly, but she refused firmly—haunted by their first encounter's terror, wary of glimpsing his true power.
"Ah. Sorry."
"This way, then."
Under Anna's guidance, the visitor entered Bahamut's suite: a doll-like young girl and her attending maid.