Chapter 235: Politics is a Trade
Chapter 235: Politics is a Trade
“Brigadier General Un-ho. It’s been a long time. Has it been… thirty years?”
A dignified voice echoed through the room and pierced my ears, but I found it impossible to focus.
“Ah, yes? Poyo. I suppose so. It’s been a while, Captain Lucia.”
Un-ho also seemed unable to concentrate on the situation, his eyes drifting toward the source of the voice just as mine were.
“It’s Ronia. You haven’t changed a bit.”
A voice that was grave, dignified, and cool—sounding like a Great Demon King of evil or the CEO of a conglomerate who had weathered every storm imaginable—flowed from Captain Ronia up ahead. But as I thought over and over, the sheer mismatch between the voice and the appearance made it impossible to take seriously.
“Anyway, what brings you to me with such boldness? Aren’t we supposed to be enemies fighting each other from now on?”
As he spoke, he neatly folded his lush, snow-white wings and perched on the table. He pulled something resembling a cigar from a metal case, placed it in his mouth, and summoned a Magic Circle to light the tip.
To be honest, if their etiquette was anything like ours, this was clearly a rude gesture.
Smoking right in front of a guest.
However, his movements were so natural that the atmosphere didn't allow for a complaint.
Though I still couldn't focus.
“Ah… well, you see, the current situation all started from a misunderstanding…”
Despite the awkwardness, Un-ho managed to squeeze out a response.
“A misunderstanding, you say? These days, is that what people call provoking everyone just as a war is about to end peacefully?”
With those words, the atmosphere surrounding him shifted.
From that of a legitimate CEO to something more like a mafia boss.
The cigar in his hand certainly played a part, but so did his office.
An office filled with wooden furniture deeply stained with the scent of tobacco smoke.
A strange darkness clung to various corners, and the fact that his office was shrouded in shadows only made the atmosphere feel heavier.
“…Uh, well. Actually, we didn't mean it that way. We just wanted to stop the banishment… poyo…”
Was he overwhelmed by the pressure? Un-ho, who had been looking at him with interest just a moment ago, lost his nerve and let his voice trail off.
Perhaps intrigued by Un-ho’s words, Captain Lucia clipped the end of her cigar, placed it on a ceramic dish, and spoke.
“Banishment. That’s an interesting detail. Go on.”
“Ah, so, my contractor… this person was invited by The Queen to see her, but Captain Af kicked us out, saying it was Election Season…”
Perhaps because the pressure had eased slightly, Un-ho regained his energy and raised his voice.
Captain Ronia, sitting on the table, nodded slowly and listened.
Then, after Un-ho finished speaking, about thirty seconds of silence passed as he quietly closed his eyes.
“I see. That sounds just like her. No flexibility. And that explains why Brigadier General Un-ho entered the race.”
Saying this, he arched an eyebrow and looked at me for the first time.
“So you are the contractor Un-ho mentioned. Well? Is what he says true?”
“Who knows.”
I didn't give a straight answer.
Because his inner self—the aura he radiated—was far too similar to certain people I knew.
Whether he liked my answer or not, Captain Ronia smiled and spoke.
“You understand politics. You’re different from Brigadier General Un-ho.”
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“…”
I kept my mouth shut.
And he lit his cigar once again.
“Brigadier General Un-ho. What do you think politics is?”
“Uh… is it pushing and pulling to find a point of agreement?”
That was correct to some extent.
Every premise started from there. However, what he was trying to say was likely something entirely different.
“No. Politics is like a hand of cards. It is the act of using what you have been given to move to a higher position. In that sense, Brigadier General Un-ho, you know nothing of politics.”
“Wha…?”
Un-ho tilted his head, seemingly unable to understand.
However, I was beginning to grasp what he was getting at.
“I mean you are far too naive. Unless, of course, this was all calculated, which would be terrifying. Brigadier General Un-ho, you have shown me every card in your hand. Your reasons, your goals, even your actions. Now, all that’s left for me is to decide how to cook you.”
The black interior of the Captain before us began to reveal itself.
The twisted, dark, and devious inner self hidden behind that outward appearance.
“You’ve told me too much. Captain Af, your reason for running, and even the fact that you came here alone. There are so many ingredients to use politically that I’m actually worried about how to prepare them. Perhaps I could even use this to oust Captain Af.”
At those words, Un-ho’s demeanor changed.
“…I won’t tolerate you touching Captain Af. Poyo.”
Un-ho’s frame grew larger, his fur turned sharp, and his fangs began to show.
Then, just as his fur-covered tail began to turn pink—
“As expected, you are far removed from politics. Do you really think I could oust Captain Af? She is practically synonymous with military discipline. Something like this wouldn't even qualify as a scandal for her. I’m almost embarrassed by how easily you fall for a provocation.”
Contrary to his words, Captain Ronia flicked his cigar ash without a change in expression. Un-ho, who had been transforming into some other creature, deflated back into a ferret with a hissing sound and let out a dazed noise.
“Huh?”
“It means I understand what you’re saying. Why you ran, and that you have no ill will toward us. I, personally, understand.”
“Really? Is that true, poyo? Then we’ll be going now—”
Satisfied with Captain Ronia’s words, Un-ho tried to hop off the table to head home.
But I grabbed him and set him back down on the table.
“Poyok? Why so sudden, Lee Ha-ram?”
Un-ho remained the same, with a carefree voice and expression as if he didn't understand the situation at all.
Without sparing a glance at Un-ho, I stared intently at the smiling Captain Ronia.
“As I thought, you understand what I’m saying.”
“…”
I glanced briefly at Un-ho.
“Poyo?”
But Un-ho just tilted his head as if he still knew nothing.
“Sigh.”
I let out a long breath. He was the type I hated, and I didn't even want to talk to him, but I had no choice.
“Captain Ronia. Right?”
“That is correct.”
“Why did you use the expression ‘personally’?”
It might sound like wordplay, but it wasn't.
He had likely thrown out such an obvious provocation intentionally to draw me out.
In a way that Un-ho wouldn't understand.
“It means exactly what it sounds like. I, personally, have understood. That is all.”
…Sly devil.
“From what I know, this election is a factional struggle.”
Was it 5 to 10%? I wasn't sure if Un-ho’s information was accurate, but they wouldn't be electing just two representatives.
Most likely, if a faction leader won, the members of that faction would be elected along with them.
I didn't know if that was a legal rule or an agreement made within the military to prevent infighting.
“Continue.”
The cigar in Captain Ronia’s mouth was no longer burning, nor was it emitting smoke.
It was simply there.
“…What you’re trying to say is that while you might be convinced, you can’t control your faction, right? No, that’s not quite it. You have no intention of controlling them.”
In the first place, even if he was convinced, there was no reason to do a favor for an enemy.
“As the representative of a faction, I must consider the faction’s interests. Especially if the faction has gained an enemy, regardless of the reason.”
What a snake.
Why are politicians in every world like this?
“Or how about this? Will you join our faction? If you do, we’ll have to fight Lieutenant General Par again, but with the two of you, we should win without much trouble.”
Why don't you just say you want to use us as cannon fodder?
I wanted to say that, but I didn't let my emotions show. This was the murky political arena he spoke of.
“So, you’re saying you’ll keep fighting?”
“A show of force is a good way to unite a group. Do you want a truce? Then I’ll consider it if you accept this condition: ‘Rest in peace.’ How about it?”
Bullshit.
“In the end, you’re just trying to save face. I hope that face doesn't get crumpled.”
I intentionally let my emotions bleed through, uttering words that were practically a threat.
I expected Captain Ronia to show some kind of reaction.
But his emotions didn't shift at all.
He simply stared at me, pretending to puff on a cigar that wasn't even lit.
After about thirty seconds.
He clipped the end of the cigar, which had already gone out and wasn't even burning properly, put it in his metal case, and spoke.
“How about hearing a proposal?”
“What is it?”
Knowing we couldn't find common ground, I spoke with open hostility.
As if to tell him not to talk nonsense.
“If you don't disclose what was said in this room to the outside… I will try to ensure my faction doesn't attack you for about five days.”
“Does the restriction on disclosure apply to both sides?”
If the condition was only for us to keep quiet, it was utter nonsense.
“Of course, it applies to both sides, including myself. Well? Isn't it an offer you can’t refuse? I know it hasn't even been a day since you arrived in our Magic Kingdom. You need time to rest and reorganize, don't you? No matter how strong a metal is, it’s bound to break if fatigue accumulates.”
The moment I heard his proposal, I understood.
…This person knew everything from the start.
I didn't know exactly how much he knew, but he already knew when we arrived in the Magic Kingdom and how we got here.
Perhaps he even knew why Un-ho was running before he even said a word.
“Do you find Lieutenant General Par’s faction that annoying?”
Enough to use us as an excuse to fight each other again?
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I threw out the question and watched Captain Ronia’s reaction, but there wasn't even a tremor in his face or voice.
Fine, I’ll admit it.
He is a politician.
Just as Captain Af is the incarnation of efficiency.
He is likely the incarnation of politics.
However, Captain Ronia failed to make a clean finish.
“It’s a shame, but I refuse that proposal. We just got a new card ourselves—”
I said that and tried to leave quickly, but—
“Do you know? I said it was an offer you couldn't refuse.”
A deep, bass-heavy filth enveloped us.
“It’s an old, forgotten story, but The Queen once said that the position of a representative is for those who pursue the public good.”
The words were tossed into the air as if he were talking to himself.
Yet, those words held a chilling sharpness, like a cold dagger.
“In this day and age, it’s a meaningless phrase, but to put it another way, it’s a maxim that those who have no intention of pursuing the public good should not run as representatives of the citizens.”
“…”
“I wonder what kind of vision you have, Un-ho, and how you plan to serve the public good.”
Damn him.
Because I understood the meaning behind those words, I leaned my face close to his and spoke.
“I’ll be sure to pray for your defeat.”
“ I’ll take that as an acceptance.”
The damp voice that spilled from his mouth clung to my face.
Enduring that unpleasant sensation, I lifted my head and walked out of the room.
“Un-ho. Let’s go.”
“Huh? What just happened?”
Un-ho seemed to have understood almost nothing of the conversation, but he must have noticed the cold current between us, as his voice sounded slightly worried.
“I’ll explain later.”
Just as I was about to leave the room—
“Are you planning to go to Lieutenant General Par now?”
He called out to me as I was departing.
“Yeah.”
“Then let me give you a piece of advice. Lieutenant General Par isn't as soft as I am.”
“Yeah, right.”
When I threw those words back at him, the pink pig with snow-white wings larger than his own body gave a fishy smirk that didn't suit his appearance and laughed at us.