Chapter 211
Chapter 211
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 211
Chapter Title: Provisional Government
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Two weeks later.
There are no eternal secrets in the world—or at least, it didn't take long for those around them to notice the anomaly in Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King's China.
The first to catch on were insiders and agents from neighboring countries who had infiltrated covertly. They picked up on how the Dragon-Phoenix King's system had collapsed, with restoration efforts dragging far too slowly. Word spread about guard captains and regional military commanders rapidly converging. That intel had leaked abroad.
Some were even conducting surveillance via military satellites, making it impossible to hide any longer.
"...What do we do about this, Hunter Yoo Seongwon?"
"What do you mean, what do we do? We knew this was coming. Why the panic? The silver lining is that the Chinese Communist Party is too scared to make a move right now."
Other nations had pieced together the situation, but fortunately, the national system was still intact. They were holding back, wary that this might be part of Dragon-Phoenix King's plan or a trap. That bought them a sliver of time.
Plus, there were no internal traitors feeding them uncertain intel, which was a huge help.
"It's definitely a bad element, but right now, it's a real blessing."
"Indeed. With nothing but external observations to go on, it'll be hard for them to gain any certainty. Still, given enough time, suspicions will arise from within."
As Yu Cheong said, time was limited. If they didn't establish a new government structure soon, the neighbors would come sniffing around.
They'd gathered the guard captains, Dragon-Phoenix King's close aides, and leadership for meetings to brainstorm a framework, but no sharp ideas emerged. No solid plans—just endless circular debates among themselves.
"Aren't there usually tons of people ready to shout 'I'm the top dog!' in times like this?"
"It's because of the system here. People are conditioned to be content with their roles, convinced it's for the best. And the clear lines of responsibility for each position play a part too. Bearing the lives of hundreds of millions isn't easy...."
"We can't stay holed up here forever. What now?"
"And when I snuck a peek, they all looked shell-shocked. No clear opinions, just glancing around. We need some drastic measures."
"In the end, yeah."
Even Yoo Seongwon had no more ideas this time, so he convened another meeting with the guard captains and bureaucrats who couldn't manage on their own.
"Two weeks have already passed. Stalling is hitting its limit... Russia's already deploying troops and hunter units to the border. Spies inside the country must've tipped them off. Yet you still haven't picked a leader or anything?"
"We tried, but every option has flaws...."
"Of course they do. Pick the best one anyway. Sigh~ Anyway, time's short now. If you don't show some solid structure, this could spark World War III. You need at least someone at the helm. Let's see... Go by rank? First Guard Captain?"
"N-No, I can't. Absolutely not. I... I awakened with some talent, but handling that? I'd lose sleep worrying...."
With Dragon-Phoenix King's selection flaws piled on, Yoo Seongwon felt like he was going mad.
In a world where talent doesn't always match personality, even the First Guard Captain was like this. They needed a leadership structure now, but no answers were coming.
"...Well, you can't force a cripple to run, so put something together for now. A framework at least... I'll assign Yu Cheong and the Heavenly Sword Army kids to help. Learn from them! I might take some heat, but no choice."
"L-Learn, sir?"
"Yeah, what else? Better than getting swallowed by the Chinese Communists or Russians. If those Russians take over, your people become second-class citizens? They won't even integrate properly. I'm not optimistic enough to believe in human potential like that."
The emergence of Constellations had intensified racial and cultural conflicts beyond previous levels.
Clustered around ancient myths and cultures embodied by Constellations, groups pursued their own paths, even turning hostile. Chaos reigned.
Some nations were already under full Constellation control of governance. They knew external enemies united the internals best, so they wielded that strategy well.
"They'll cry foul over interference, occupation, whatever, but what can you do? I just need to eliminate the Constellations—no interest in starting an apocalyptic war. Got a better idea?"
"W-We’ll do as you say."
"I didn't want to strong-arm it like this... Sigh~ Anyway, you know this is interference, Yu Cheong~ Let's get to work. First Guard Captain, you're the figurehead. We'll put your name up top; Yu Cheong handles the real responsibility. Think you can manage that?"
"Y-Yes, understood."
Thus began a provisional government with the First Guard Captain as head and Yu Cheong as chief advisor.
To outsiders, it looked like Yoo Seongwon's puppet regime. Everyone involved knew it, and neither side liked it.
But with hundreds of millions of citizens and East Asian peace at stake, they had no choice but to cooperate.
***
Legitimacy and justification—many dismissed them as cumbersome or useless, but they still mattered in human society.
Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King was gone. Or more precisely, his true body might linger high in the skies, but he was no longer findable on Earth.
Game over, so to speak—unable to participate anymore.
『...Thus, due to Constellation Dragon-Phoenix King's greed sparking this conflict, he has been exiled. Under First Guard Captain Jang Beom's leadership, we establish the 'National Reconstruction Committee' to provisionally manage the nation. First Guard Captain Jang Beom vows to hold a national vote to shape the system and continue the era Dragon-Phoenix King once ruled...』
"W-What bullshit is this? With Dragon-Phoenix King gone, we should naturally return to the people's government!"
"Y-Yes, Chairman. This... This is absurd."
"Damn it! If only we'd known sooner...."
Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China—Chinese Communist Party government—was seething over the news of Dragon-Phoenix King's disappearance.
Things had seemed off lately, but reports warned Yoo Seongwon might ally with him and push south. So the CCP had bolstered border defenses, avoiding any offensives or provocations.
"They say they've formed a committee, but with Yoo Seongwon's underlings inside, it'll be a puppet state."
"Send an international letter protesting to that bastard Yoo Seongwon ASAP! Contact Russia and the US too—demand they protest! We have a perfectly fine government! What nonsense is this puppet regime?!"
The blatant puppet nature made it easy to call out, so the CCP fired off protest letters and mobilized diplomatic channels for pressure.
But they wouldn't just back down! The Chairman ordered military preparations too.
"Send troops to the border! Air force, navy—everything! All our hunter units too!"
"But that weakens our western defenses... Don't we need to check Constellation Qin Emperor's forces?"
"That mud-slinging bastard will target their mainland over us if he's smart! Just do as ordered!"
Thus, alongside diplomacy, the CCP geared up for military action.
They didn't know what caused Dragon-Phoenix King's vanishing, but they desperately wanted Beijing and central China back.
China had thrived on hunters in the Awakener era, but the Constellation age saw Dragon-Phoenix King seize Hebei and surrounds, then Qin Emperor and Slaughter King quarter it. Glory faded.
"We must... return to the era of Greater China. Have you forgotten the humiliations of recent decades?"
"N-No, sir."
A quartered CCP couldn't command past respect internationally. Power sliced to a quarter. Still billions strong, but prestige plummeted from G2 superpower to abyss.
Borders fragmented, neighbors and old powers—echoing Opium Wars—began ravaging China unchecked.
Of course, they never realized it was karmic payback for their own atrocities.
They'd rationalized it all as pursuit of Chinese hegemony.
"We reclaim it now. They haven't sorted the chaos yet—or if they have, not with full legitimacy. Strike the crack now to restore the true People's Republic!"
"Y-Yes, but please consider Constellation Qin Emperor too. He's hitting our industrial zones, factories, facilities without touching Dragon-Phoenix King's turf. Pulling troops even briefly means bigger losses...."
"Facilities rebuild. But Dragon-Phoenix King's stolen land? Miss now, and it might be impossible. Worst case, they absorb us."
"R-Right. Their side now...."
Decades of gap yawned between Dragon-Phoenix King's efficient meritocracy—piercing human talent, assigning roles perfectly—and CCP's cronyism, corruption, stratified cartels stifling talent.
Seizing it now could revive CCP glory.
"So we recover it at any cost. Better than withering away. Push hard—reclaim it."
"Yes, sir!"
"And Foreign Affairs? Protests ready?"
"Yes. Incoming now. Sending immediately, then calling UN session."
Per orders, they scrambled to reclaim lost lands on this golden opportunity.
Even knowing it was anticipated, inaction meant regret—they had no choice.
Word reached Yoo Seongwon, still in the capital.
Precisely, to the current head, First Guard Captain, then to Yu Cheong and Yoo Seongwon.
"Ha... They're pissed proper. 'Dragon-Phoenix King's land was always ours. With him gone, return it to the People's Republic—bring the people back...' Blah blah. Predictable."
"Our response here is key. No intention of handing it over, though."
"Damn right. No way. We know what'd happen...."
What became of Hong Kong after Britain returned it to those smug overlords?
What atrocities did they commit at peak power?
Even quartered, no reflection.
For humanity's peace, returning Dragon-Phoenix King's land to them was absolutely forbidden.
"So, how do we reject it? Prep's done. Problem is... sudden threats of force...."
"Th-That! Reports of CCP troops massing at the border. Our guards deployed too, and...."
"Sent Heavenly Army Generals. If needed, we can repay Korean War losses in full."
Prepped with infinite legions that had worn down Japan via Korean War-style human-wave counters.
"Anyway, proceed as planned here. Next up...."
"From Constellation Qin Emperor's side."
"Yeah, that's the issue. Tsk...."
The other Constellation force quartering China. Reply from Qin Emperor arrived.
A force that might hold the key. Ruling western China with spirit legions rivaling Dragon-Phoenix King's and elemental magic-armed troops.
Thus, the letter's contents were crucial. Yoo Seongwon carefully opened it.