Chapter 394: Suspicion Breeds Demons (7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 394: Suspicion Breeds Demons (7)
A request for support from China.
Considering how proud a nation they are, it was certainly a rare sight.
It meant that China—no, to be precise, the current government—was backed into a corner.
“Lu Bu…”
An S-rank Hunter of worldwide renown.
If that man was seriously aiming for the position of State Chairman, this was the only possible outcome.
Considering their population of over two billion, their military strength was somewhat lacking.
And yet, the only reason China was considered one of the world's Hunter superpowers was because of Lu Bu's power.
In other words, he was the one who had contributed more to enhancing the nation's prestige than anyone else in China.
The people's adoration for him was more than just passionate; it was like a blazing furnace.
A man supported by the entire nation.
That was why he was both the nation's greatest treasure and a blade threatening the current government.
The moment he began to covet power, he would transform into a more formidable political enemy than anyone else in the country.
“We must deal with them quickly before their forces grow any stronger. I am certain this is the path not only for China, but for Korea, Japan… and ultimately, for world peace.”
The Minister of National Defense delivered a passionate speech, emphasizing the dangers of Hexagram.
Despite his efforts, the others didn't seem to fully grasp the danger.
It was only natural.
Who would take it seriously just because a thief broke into a stranger's house far away?
But there was one person.
“Hmm… The Minister's words certainly have merit.”
Only Moon Cheol-jun, the head of the Korean Hunter Association, sympathized with him.
Of course he did.
Our country was also suffering an unprecedented ordeal because of those Hexagram bastards.
He continued.
“I am well aware of how dangerous an organization Hexagram is. I'll have to return home and discuss it to be certain, but I will try to steer the conversation toward providing China with as much support as possible.”
At his reassuring words, the Minister of National Defense waddled over, grabbed his hand with a look of deep gratitude, and shook it.
“Thank you so much. I knew Korea would understand our situation and help. I will never forget this kindness and will be sure to repay it!”
“Haha, just as you said, Minister, we're neighboring countries. We should help each other out.”
Moon Cheol-jun replied with the most benevolent expression in the world.
Others might not see it, but his true intentions were perfectly clear to me.
China may be arrogant, but they're also incredibly useful.
It's better to take the hit first, and it's better to offer help first.
When everyone else is hesitating, stepping up to help makes the gratitude several times greater.
That old man knew this and made the first move.
The Saintess, and Japan's new association president… they might be more capable than Moon Cheol-jun in terms of raw ability, but they were far behind him when it came to politics.
“I will also discuss supporting China to the best of our ability.”
“Thank you!”
Tanaka Masayoshi promised his support with a solemn expression and a heavy voice.
The moment Korea promised its support, the outcome was set.
Korea, China, and Japan.
Three nations, sometimes hostile, sometimes friendly—a love-hate relationship between them.
With Korea and China joining hands, Japan was just going to sit it out?
It was obvious how the political landscape would shift afterward.
Just as the three-nation joint operation was semi-confirmed—half by choice, half by circumstance...
The Saintess, the only one here from a distant land, remained silent.
“Mmm…”
A groan that hinted at deep contemplation escaped her lips.
Sitting upright with her hands neatly folded on her lap, she mulled it over and over before her gaze turned to me.
“Mr. William.”
“…Yes, Saintess.”
“What should I do?”
Why are you asking me?
It would be an incredibly good thing if the Vatican Orthodox Church got involved in the three nations' joint operation.
Not only would the risk of death during the operation decrease significantly, but if they experienced the power of Hexagram firsthand and spread the word in Europe, it would naturally become a way to keep them in check.
“Shouldn't you just follow your heart, Saintess?”
Despite my blatant desires, I didn't say a single word that would force her hand.
This was an operation with a high chance of death.
I wouldn't mind if they offered to help of their own free will, but I didn't want to drag them into it.
My sincere wish was to no longer have anyone's death be my fault.
“You're telling me to follow my heart…”
She repeated my words, then asked again.
“You won't regret it?”
What's with this? This nuance, as if she's constantly trying to sound me out.
Feeling her peculiar gaze from behind the veil, I answered in a firm tone.
“No, I won't.”
“I see.”
With that, the Saintess averted her gaze from me and made an announcement to the three men, who were in high spirits.
“The Vatican will also promise its support. However, my authority is limited, so dispatching Paladins will be difficult. I believe we can only send the Priest Corps… Will that be of help?”
At this, the Minister of National Defense broke into a wide grin and nodded his head up and down without a shred of dignity.
“Of course, it will be a great help! I thank the Saintess for her bold decision. I will never forget this kindness!”
“Hehe, don't mention it.”
The Priest Corps, a group of healers selected after passing strict standards within the Orthodox Church.
Thanks to her decision, they would now support the Hunters of the three nations from the rear.
Honestly, I had my doubts.
No matter how much of a rear support role it was, how could she so readily agree to an operation that could result in the loss of the church's forces if things went wrong?
Still, one thing was certain.
We now had the perfect fighting force to exterminate the Hexagram members infesting China.
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The meeting concluded successfully.
I arrived at the hotel suite, my nerves on edge in case of a surprise attack.
This place was clearly safe.
Most of the hotel's guests and staff were her escorts.
Looking a little tired, she sat down on the sofa immediately and greeted me.
“You worked hard today.”
“I didn't really do much.”
I'd been quite focused on watching our surroundings, but that was about it.
It felt like a cheap price to pay for having saved someone's life.
Now that today had passed safely, there was only one day left.
To be precise, she said she was leaving at 10 AM tomorrow, so about fifteen hours.
I suddenly wondered what our Professor Baek was doing right now.
I hope she's come to her senses and isn't too confused.
And eating her meals properly.
Just as I was debating whether to call the hospital…
“It's alright if you go for a little while.”
“……?”
What the.
“Weren't you thinking about your colleague at the hospital?”
“Well… yes, I was.”
Wait a minute. Is this woman actually reading my mind?
“I told you, I'm not reading your mind.”
“…No, from anyone's perspective, it really looks like you are.”
The Saintess shook her head firmly.
“I'm really not reading your mind. I'm just… a bit more perceptive than others.”
Since she was denying it so adamantly, I guess I had to believe her.
…But if she can guess that accurately just by being perceptive, isn't that even more amazing?
Just as an awkward silence settled between us…
Ding-dong!
The doorbell to the suite rang.
I hadn't been told anyone was coming.
“Did you happen to order room service?”
“Of course not.”
Seeing the Saintess shake her head gravely, my intuition kicked in.
It seemed an unwelcome guest had arrived.
But that in itself was strange.
“Hmm… If they managed to get past the guards inside and outside the hotel, there should have been some kind of sign.”
The Saintess flinched and trembled at my muttered words.
“You knew…?”
“Yeah, well.”
“How…”
“Who knows.”
I turned away, giving a vague answer.
That wasn't what was important right now.
Before heading to the door, I spoke to the exclusive lady-in-waiting who was stuck close to the Saintess's side.
“I'll go check. If you sense anything strange, take the Saintess and run immediately.”
“…Yes, I understand.”
After getting a firm reply from the lady-in-waiting who was hiding her strength, I started walking again.
I could feel two faint presences beyond the door.
I called out to them.
“Who is it?”
After a brief silence, a reply came.
“…I've come to see the Saintess.”
It seems they knew for sure the Saintess was here…
“Saintess? What's that?”
“I don't wish for an unnecessary argument. We've merely come to talk, so open the door.”
The low voice, as if spoken right in front of me, passed through the thick door and echoed faintly throughout the hotel room.
Huh, wait a minute. …I've heard this voice somewhere before.
I tilted my head, turned around, and asked the Saintess.
“That's what they're saying. What do you want to do?”
After a moment of thought, she answered.
“…I'm curious. Could you let them in?”
“Yes.”
Just in case.
I readied my stance so I could react to a sudden attack, then placed my hand on the doorknob.
Click!
Two faces were revealed in the slowly opening gap of the door.
The rough-looking one was clearly a lackey, so I didn't know who he was.
But the man in front was a familiar face.
The most ruggedly handsome middle-aged man I knew.
His piercing eyes blazed so intensely it was hard to meet his gaze for even a second.
A thick, sharp nose.
And firm lips set in a stern line.
The very man who had driven the Chinese government into a corner, forcing them to bow their heads to their neighbors.
“…Lu Bu.”
“Take me to the Saintess.”
He had come to meet the Saintess.