Baek Seol-hwa (1)
Son Sang-hee returned to the Balhut Cult's main headquarters in Gyeongju with Baek Seol-hwa, who had been chosen as the Dragon Priestess. Upon arriving, she immediately met with Park Cheol-gon, the politician who had negotiated with Seo Un-jae in Pohang, and briefed him on the situation.
It was a discussion about Pohang's chosen Dragon Priestess and what the Balhut Cult should do next. "Hmm. Not sure if it'll be okay. Hard to say."
"What do you think, Mr. Park Cheol-gon?"
Park Cheol-gon listened to Son Sang-hee's explanation with a subtle expression, his gaze settling on Baek Seol-hwa, who sat quietly in her wheelchair. The young girl was wrapped in medical cloth over her face, her entire body afflicted, her face and eyeballs melted away. To put it bluntly, she needed rest or treatment in a hospital right away—but could even Gyeongju's top medical team heal wounds this old? Park Cheol-gon doubted even Choi Yu-na could manage it.
This was a situation where Pohang seemed openly intent on turning the Dragon Priestess into a puppet, so it was only natural for the Balhut Cult to harbor suspicions about their motives. Still, Son Sang-hee had relayed exactly what she'd heard from Seo Un-jae, out of loyalty to her hometown of Pohang, and Park Cheol-gon nodded with a similarly nuanced look.
"...For now, they've followed the treaty to the letter, so we're in no position to complain. The issue will be with Bahamut."
"What do you think will happen?"
"Since she's been selected, given His disposition, He'll accept her willingly as Pohang's choice, even if He has questions. In fact..." He was certain that if the selection was legitimate, Bahamut's personality would lead Him to accept anyone. This was the best news for both the Balhut Cult and Pohang. The rest hinged on how the Cult and its leader, Choi Yu-na, would respond to Pohang's political maneuvering.
The new Dragon Priestess born in Pohang hadn't been announced to the public yet, but once Baek Seol-hwa was elevated as both priestess and mayor, her condition would be exposed. No one knew how public opinion in Gyeongju and Pohang would shift.
"It's fifty-fifty."
"Pardon?"
"Perhaps it's our fault for not specifying the treaty's details on the Dragon Priestess more clearly."
Park Cheol-gon gave an ambiguous, half-and-half answer. Whatever he meant was his alone to know, but he deeply regretted not detailing the Dragon Priestess clause more than any other.
"At least Seo Un-jae's decisiveness means Pohang won't fracture, and the Cult can govern it—that's not a bad outcome."
"Is... this what you'd call decisive?"
And with that, Park Cheol-gon praised Seo Un-jae's decision. Son Sang-hee stared at him in surprise, her eyes full of doubt. Exploiting a young girl like this—how was that decisive? Under her gaze, Park Cheol-gon explained sheepishly.
"People say politicians are heartless, commit heinous crimes, and wield immense power. But in truth, politicians care more about public scrutiny and their reputation than anyone. If word got out that a politician exploited and used a child not even old enough to be an adult... what would you think of such a person, Ms. Son Sang-hee?"
"They'd be morally and ethically ruined. Utterly unbelievable."
Park Cheol-gon explained public perceptions of politicians: they were said to hold vast power, but they were human too, with their own struggles. As the most powerful figures in society, their every action was under constant watch. Countless media outlets covered them, justifying defamation, privacy leaks, and intrusions into personal lives under the guise of public interest. Politicians lived under the harshest spotlight, which meant Seo Un-jae, as a politician, would face the brunt of the backlash here. As Son Sang-hee had said, his actions were already ethically doomed.
"Exactly. No need to dredge up pre-apocalypse factionalism—even without that, exploiting a severely disabled child for political gain brands you as morally bankrupt. Seo Un-jae will pay dearly for this choice someday. If this gets properly known in Gyeongju and Pohang, his political life might end."
"But... the other camps agreed too."
"Sure, but as the representative of Pohang's three major camps and the one who led these talks, it's Seo Un-jae at the helm. To outsiders, it'll look like he orchestrated this, sacrificing Baek Seol-hwa to seize power. He'll be seen as the mastermind and prime culprit."
The other camps' tacit approval didn't change the fact that using a child they were supposed to protect for politics would horrify society. It was the apocalypse, yes, but children were still the future adults had to safeguard. Deciding her fate arbitrarily, exploiting her politically, and treating her like a puppet—that was indefensible. Son Sang-hee protested that the others had agreed, but Park Cheol-gon countered that Seo Un-jae, as the lead representative, would bear the blame.
"Of course, it's the end times now. Later, it might be reevaluated as a necessary step to avert civil war. But right now, he'll face massive criticism and lose his grip on the three camps. He might not even be treated as human."
"Hmm."
There was room for reevaluation down the line. If Pohang's internal details came out, his decision might be seen as unavoidable to prevent infighting. But as a man living in the present, it was no surprise if Gyeongju and Pohang's public viewed Seo Un-jae as a monstrous scum who sold out a child for power.
"That's the role of a politician, after all. Not to model spotless morality for society, but to run the nation, manage state affairs, and forge compromises on key issues. Seo Un-jae sacrificed his reputation to secure compromise and cooperation from the three camps. I don't think that courage is a bad thing."
"I... think I get it."
That was a politician's duty. Rather than spark civil war over personal morals and spill more blood in Pohang—which had already bled enough from zombies and tragedy—they had to negotiate reality. Another round of infighting among the camps could doom Pohang beyond even the Cult's aid.
"Of course, knowing that in my head doesn't make it sit right in my heart. Even if it's for societal compromise, exploiting a disabled 14-year-old... it crosses a line we humans shouldn't."
Yet even understanding this, Park Cheol-gon felt it was too ruthless deep down. He glanced at Baek Seol-hwa, silently listening from her wheelchair. Had they even explained this to the girl being used?
No, maybe not. Perhaps living as a Dragon Priestess for life is a golden opportunity for her. She might have to settle for that.
She couldn't walk properly, her eyes and face were ruined, and she'd lost her voice. Being a puppet might even be a mercy for Baek Seol-hwa.
No one to care for her. She's acquainted with Son Sang-hee, but that's no obligation.
From what he'd heard, the girl was a true outsider—an orphan with no ties, even to the three camps. She'd survived this long because her mage abilities let her wield magic despite her state. But with Pohang liberated, she couldn't fight anymore. Even in a Gyeongju orphanage, no sponsor would take on someone like her. Son Sang-hee was a loose connection, but under no moral duty to care for her.
"What about Lady Yu-na's reaction?"
As Park Cheol-gon pondered for some moral solace, Son Sang-hee asked seriously about Choi Yu-na. This report would have reached the Balhut Cult's leader swiftly, and her response could shape Pohang's fate. Son Sang-hee seemed tense.
"Lady Yu-na said it's fine."
Unlike her worries, it had been approved without issue.
"She said Baek Seol-hwa was chosen and elected by Pohang as their priestess. And that being selected as a Dragon Priestess means some fate awaits her."
"Some fate?"
Park Cheol-gon blinked at the sudden fatalism, so different from her usual pragmatism. It sounded like cultish nonsense, but with the apocalypse and awakeners' mysteries, fate might no longer be mere superstition—perhaps a new field of study. And...
"Yes. Bahamut once told Lady Yu-na something similar."
"Bahamut did?"
It was a pronouncement from the Balhut Cult's Dragon God. Son Sang-hee, who had witnessed His descent, tensed as Park Cheol-gon continued.
"'...That you reached this place means you possess the potential to one day wield immense influence over the entire world.'"
...Frankly, Bahamut had just spouted vague platitudes back then, meaningless fluff. But Choi Yu-na had taken it as a true prophecy of destiny. The scene lingered in her mind; she saw that encounter as the pivot of her fate. So she believed those empty words utterly. In truth, it was desperate rambling from a cornered Bahamut, unable to find a contractor—hilariously so!
"Whether that brings benefit or destruction to the world, Bahamut says He doesn't know. It's up to the priestess's will."
This black history was being dug up to convince Son Sang-hee. Bahamut would want to kick off the covers if He knew. If He saw this now, He'd scream it was meaningless drivel and hole up as a shut-in dragon, claiming the outside world was too dangerous. Black history was perfect for ruining a person—or dragon!
"And just as Lady Yu-na, chosen by the Dragon, transformed Gyeongju, perhaps this new priestess will change Pohang too."
"...Indeed. But will Bahamut contract a priestess selected without her own will?"
Yet oblivious to the history, Park Cheol-gon and Son Sang-hee fretted over the new contractor. What would she do?
"That's obvious. But what feelings does she hold toward Pohang? That's what worries me. She could end up destroying it instead."
"That's..."
Son Sang-hee had no answer for Park Cheol-gon's concern. With no voice or eyes, Baek Seol-hwa's expressions were severely limited. Son Sang-hee had no idea what emotions or thoughts she harbored. Hand signals conveyed basic wants, but that had limits.
"We can only pray she holds no grudge against Pohang."
"You're right. Shall you take her to the temple, then?"
Son Sang-hee dodged with a prayer for no resentment. Park Cheol-gon nodded understandingly and instructed her to escort Baek Seol-hwa there.
"Me? Is that really okay?"
"No executives have free hands. We're negotiating Pohang from every angle—politics, economy, administration. Plus reconstruction issues."
It was surprising that Son Sang-hee, freshly joined, had access to Bahamut's temple, but Park Cheol-gon saw it as normal amid the Cult's crisis: unprecedented administrative burdens and manpower shortages. With Pohang talks spanning negotiations, economy, admin, and rebuilding, every executive was swamped.
"Even your boss, Jeong Dong-gun, is tied up controlling Gyeongju's east with the new navy recruits. As his newly appointed adjutant, you'll stand in for him and meet Bahamut at the temple."
Her superior was occupied that way too, leaving her as the pick amid the shortage.
"Is it... truly an honor I can accept?"
"From our side, it's a political signal: we'll stick with Pohang to the end, and we use talent regardless of origin."
There was clear politics in elevating her—it signaled commitment to Pohang and merit-based appointments.
"Understood."
Son Sang-hee bowed in acknowledgment.
And...
"........."
Baek Seol-hwa, selected as Dragon Priestess, simply sat motionless, listening to their conversation without a word.