Diplomatic Achievements
Thus, the confrontation between the Queen and the Protector marked the opening salvo, and Britain's political circles could sense that the clash between these two factions would not end in a short war. The Balhut Cult, which had sided with the Queen in this struggle, finally allowed its envoys—exhausted from their diplomatic exertions—to rest and formally report their achievements to the cabinet. Of course, even before Bahamut himself delivered the briefing, Lee Hyun-ah and Lee Su-ah's administrative team had already submitted a detailed data report on the diplomatic outcomes.
"This diplomatic campaign was half a success and half a failure."
"Well, that's true. In the Asian region, a bit of effort would have sufficed to forge connections even without international organizations."
In truth, their discussion amounted to a post-mortem on the diplomatic front. Park Cheol-gon, leader of the Heonmin Democratic Party and Speaker of the Serabeol National Assembly, couldn't hide his lingering regret as he described the campaign as half success, half failure. Even with Bahamut personally stepping into the fray, failing to establish ties with the crucially important European bloc was a profound disappointment.
Yet the gains they had secured were substantial enough that no one could reprimand or blame the administrative teams now deliberating internally over the "half failure."
"But Japan has ties with A-yeon as well. We can make friendly overtures there."
On the contrary, Hwang Geun-chul, leader of the Yongsinhoe and Serabeol's Prime Minister, differed from Park Cheol-gon in his delight over the Japanese connection. He advised Bahamut that leveraging Jin A-yeon's network within the allied forces could sustain cooperative relations on good terms. The birth of Japan as a new market promised to alleviate the Balhut Cult's chronic overreliance on America—but Bahamut eyed Hwang Geun-chul with a somewhat uneasy expression and broached a topic that had long sparked endless controversy in Korea.
"Is... that really alright? Cooperating with Japan?"
"Ethnic grudges and hatreds are inevitable, of course. Plenty of people love Japanese culture but despise the nation itself. The historical issues and territorial disputes from before the apocalypse... Honestly, it's very hard to see Japan as a welcome neighbor from Korea's perspective."
Bahamut, too, had known as a young Korean before becoming the Dragon God that relations between the two nations were far from amicable, fully aware of the historical burdens. The pains of the imperial era still lingered in modern times as toxic legacies, fueling endless debates over biased, distorted views of history. For Bahamut, allying with Japan demanded caution. Even now, decades later, those remnants stirred nationwide uproar; no matter the apocalyptic catastrophe, he had no choice but to tread carefully.
Hwang Geun-chul acknowledged Bahamut's point, agreeing that some citizens surely harbored dislike for Japan.
"But in this apocalypse, we must set aside personal sentiments and act solely on public duty."
Yet Hwang Geun-chul insisted that survival in this end times required suppressing private grudges and embracing only official sentiments. With the crisis demanding urgency, anti-Japanese hatred had to be shelved for now, focusing instead on the benefits of engagement.
"Above all, Japan is too close to us. For surviving the apocalypse, it's better to maintain a proper line through dialogue than stir needless conflicts."
Moreover, Japan was closer than America. Even if the Balhut Cult wished to ignore it, geographical proximity remained a stark reality in this apocalypse. They could blatantly rebuff overtures from afar, but with Japan, launching a ship would reach its shores in mere hours—trade was feasible at a moment's notice if desired.
"Of course, once this apocalypse ends, we'll demand the Japanese government settle those long-buried ethnic grudges."
But Park Cheol-gon of the Heonmin Democratic Party drew a firm line: it was merely shelved due to the apocalypse's peculiarities; the nation's hatreds endured. Hwang Geun-chul offered no rebuttal, merely nodding in silence—suggesting his own sentiments toward Japan were far from favorable.
"I see."
Bahamut nodded in understanding at the two factions' words and moved to the next item.
"Regrettably, we couldn't forge significant ties with Western Europe."
"Yes, truly unfortunate. At least Britain, France... even Germany—we hoped to establish formal relations."
A sigh escaped Park Cheol-gon at the table. Neighborly ties mattered, but at the international reconstruction conference, Britain and France were paramount, with Germany as a solid second tier. Yet every attempt had met with outright rejection, breeding inevitable frustration.
"Unfortunately, Britain's Protector cabinet was preoccupied with a palace coup for the throne, and the Orleans Saintess proved an extreme European supremacist. Neither was a suitable partner for cooperation."
"Ha... hahaha."
Still, excuses abounded. Laughter erupted anew at mentions of a coup and extremist ideology—not sighs of regret, but...
"These are end times indeed. Neither would have risen to power in a normal nation."
It was closer to lament: fringe parties seizing control amid apocalyptic chaos. The Balhut Cult had identified such extremist infiltrators in urban areas through elections and intelligence networks, fully aware of their ambitions for power grabs. So...
'If we'd slipped up, wouldn't that be one of our possible futures?'
'Terrifying.'
Imagining such extremists ascending via election sent chills down spines. Bahamut and Yu-na offered double safeguards, but these radicals wouldn't care.
'Dragon Slayer—when our head of state is a dragon.'
'Bahamut is a dictator. Right. Voters made the proper choice this time.'
Recalling their platforms reaffirmed that the electorate had voted wisely. Should these extremists enact their pledges, the Balhut Cult would collapse instantly. Even Bahamut wouldn't bless those plotting his death, and without the Dragon God's protection, could Gyeongju endure?
'The very reason Gyeongju represents Korea is the Dragon God's aegis!'
'If sincere, it'll remain a grave concern. If mere sloganeering for power, they should drop it immediately.'
Nothing but a sigh remained.
"The world isn't normal now. It's the perfect time for extremist parties to gain strength."
Bahamut merely noted that the harsh apocalypse favored such radicals. Nor was it wrong—extremism exploded with support precisely because it delivered dopamine highs and seemingly decisive rhetoric that swayed masses. In these end times, where right and wrong blurred, that power was absolute.
"A pity."
"That's why we can offer some justification to the Assembly and cabinet for calling it half a success. Of course, with Your Excellency Bahamut stepping in personally for these results, anyone else would likely have gained nothing."
Hwang Geun-chul simply called it unfortunate, while Park Cheol-gon lightened the grim mood by noting they could at least explain to the cabinet, offering consolation.
"At least... we found a new contractor."
Thankfully, news to astonish these two still remained.
"Pardon?"
"What do you...?"
"A contractor."
Yes—Bahamut's contractor. A new Dragon Priestess had been born on this earth. For the Balhut Cult, it meant acquiring formidable new strength, a boon in these end times hungry for powerful Awakeners. Choi Yu-na and Baek Seol-hwa had proven one Dragon Priestess could alter the tide of war—a strategic weapon freshly forged.
"Does that mean... a new Dragon Priestess has been born?"
"Indeed. I've contracted with a new Dragon Priestess."
Sensing the implication, Park Cheol-gon inquired, and Bahamut nodded confirmation.
"Congratulations! Who is it? Surely Jin A-yeon, the ace on the Ulsan front? She would certainly merit a contract."
Hwang Geun-chul rejoiced sincerely, congratulating the new Dragon Priestess while inquiring her identity. He had Jin A-yeon in mind; already in the Superhuman realm, adding Dragon Priestess powers would yield overwhelming might. Moreover, a successful contract would bind the formerly neutral Jin A-yeon firmly to the Balhut Cult...
'Making the allied Ulsan coalition fully ours.'
Likewise, Han Seong-geun's faction—also neutral—could fall into their hands. Han Seong-geun's survival skills made him essential for recruitment.
"No, not Jin A-yeon."
"Then Son Sang-hee? No, military hierarchy would be an issue. Perhaps Lee Hyun-ah or Lee Su-ah, who accompanied us?"
Rejected, Hwang Geun-chul faltered, suggesting Son Sang-hee before realizing rank complications, then mentioning the Lee sisters.
"The Queen."
"...Pardon?"
The room froze at Bahamut's word.
I mean... who?
"I've contracted with Britain's Queen."
In other words...
"Th-the newly ascended Queen of Britain...?"
"Alicia, yes. She sought me out and requested a contract. I couldn't turn away a visitor, so we bound ourselves."
"So... you're saying you've contracted with Britain's head of state."
It felt like they could dash out for lunch any moment. Too big a fish—could the Balhut Cult, or even pre-apocalypse Korea, handle this?
"The Protector holds all real power; she's merely a figurehead."
"That's... enormous."
A mere figurehead, yet the British Queen's symbolic weight was immense pre-apocalypse, revered as head of state in numerous nations worldwide. Such influence defied dismissal.
"She's just a 10-year-old child. We can't expect much political activity."
"Even as an Awakener, she's too young."
"She wasn't originally an Awakener. The contract with me awakened her."
"Wh-what's the situation inside London, exactly?"
The ensuing details plunged Yongsinhoe and Heonmin Democratic Party into chaos. A head of state unawakened after a year of apocalypse? With forces consolidating and Awakeners emerging everywhere, this screamed lack of authority.
"The usurper Protector is fighting existing political forces to claim the throne."
"Isn't that basically a civil war?"
"A civil war, yes. Just without the knives drawn."
Bahamut blamed it all on the Protector, and the factions deemed it tantamount to civil war.
"Our cabinet will stay vigilant."
Thus, they resolved to bolster defenses against potential internal unrest. They recognized how easily their own house could erupt in civil strife.