Chapter 191: Negotiation
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 191: Negotiation
Two days after the trial. A private meeting.
The ruins Yeon-woo discovered were revealed to the public, and their efficacy was proven under the direction of Park Yu-jeong, who held power of attorney.
While the effects weren't quite as miraculous as the media claimed—whispering about extended lifespans or everyone gaining immense power—there was no doubt it was an incredible site.
The effects of the sauna, which had specific entry requirements, were impressive, but the "general bath" held even greater value because it could grant power to anyone without any conditions.
Furthermore, because the process involved purging toxic impurities accumulated in the body, it wasn't a one-time deal; it required regular visits every few years.
For mages striving to become even a little stronger, Barbat had now become a place they would have to visit periodically.
This was undoubtedly a blessing for Barbat, yet the government officials' expressions were grim.
"Why on earth can't we meet Seo Yeon-woo?! Is Barbat threatening him to extort the ruins?!!"
"Seo Yeon-woo is a criminal arrested for stealing a holy relic. Stop making things up!"
"Wasn't that 'criminal' charge just a frame-up?! You said he explored the ruins that day! You probably committed this foul deed because you were greedy for the ruins!"
"Watch your mouth!"
Despite being a gathering of important figures from various nations, there was neither politeness nor elegance to be found.
Normally, ruins belong to the country they are found in, but this time was different.
The rights to the ruins had already been transferred to Seo Yeon-woo, and since the owner was clearly defined, other countries were digging their heels in.
They knew that, under normal circumstances, the ruins should be handed over to Barbat. Regardless of the owner, a power as great as these ruins should be under state control.
However, because Seo Yeon-woo was caught in the middle, other countries saw an opening to intervene.
Barbat was reacting aggressively out of a sense of injustice against the claims that they had framed him to swallow the ruins, but they wouldn't be able to hold out for long with the whole world pushing against them.
I see... 'Leave me alone and fight amongst yourselves'... is that it?
Monica, who had come to the meeting room but remained a silent observer as instructed, let out a smirk.
He really was a wicked one.
He had obtained the ruins by sheer luck before being caught, but he was using them with incredible skill. Monica could understand why Erin had called him cowardly.
An ordinary person would look for help from those around them when faced with a difficult situation or problem. However, Seo Yeon-woo had created a force to help him simply by expanding the scale of the conflict.
Look at these people, siding with him and struggling to clear his name without knowing a single thing about him.
What they wanted were the ruins, but every one of their actions was serving to save Seo Yeon-woo.
If it were me...
Monica imagined what she would have done if she were in Barbat's position.
The milk was already spilled, and greedy jackals—no, uncontrollable tigers—had latched on.
The way to break through this situation?
I'd kill him.
The more Barbat dragged their feet while worrying about neighboring countries, the more disadvantaged they became. They should kill him now, even if it meant being branded as those who killed an innocent youth out of greed for the ruins and risking a rift with Yggdrasil.
Since they had a justification for now, they should carry out the execution first and then take their time to gradually restore the strained relationship with Yggdrasil.
But those fools don't have that kind of backbone.
She knew it wasn't an easy decision, but when necessary, one had to make a choice even at the cost of loss and infamy. There was no such person here, and even if there were, Barbat's political system wouldn't allow such an individual to reach a position of decision-making power.
Monica quietly mocked the people of Barbat, who were shouting, coaxing, and panicking because they couldn't even unify their own opinions.
* * *
Slam—!
The sound of a fist striking the table echoed through the cramped interrogation room.
"Hey!! Are you kidding me right now?! You piece of trash, you didn't just steal the holy relic, you stole the ruins too?!"
"Stealing? That's a bit harsh, don't you think~?"
Thwack—!
"Ow, ow. You've got quite a temper."
My head snapped to the side from the right hook of the man who couldn't contain his rage.
Damn, the pain is kicking in late.
It's been a while since I've been hit without a mana barrier, so the actual pain is making my eyes water. I'm someone from a peaceful world; this kind of pain and torture is scary for me.
"Burying someone like you is nothing. If you don't return the ruins right now, you'll be executed for blasphemy!"
Wasn't I already facing execution for stealing the Taehwan Jewel? Did they mean they were going to spare me even though blasphemy is a capital offense?
I rubbed my aching jaw and gave the interrogator a bright smile.
Thump—
I leaned deep into the back of the chair and propped both feet up on the table. Veins popped in the man's eyes.
"You disrespectful brat..."
"Hey."
"..."
"Muham Albed. A mid-level politician of the Seni Faction? An official? Anyway, one of the elites. Right? I guess in Barbat, politicians can interrogate criminals too? This country is a total mess, isn't it? Does my government know about this?"
Park Yu-jeong is truly the best.
Excited after hearing the plan, Park Yu-jeong had given me her full support. I don't know how she did it, but she won over the guard in charge of me, allowing me to live comfortably in my cell, and she even sends me information about the outside situation through him.
The information about this man, Muham or whatever, and his visit had been relayed to me by Park Yu-jeong in advance.
"Do you think you'll be able to tell them? You're not leaving this place. You won't see anyone."
"Then how would I know your name? Ah! Maybe it's because I'm a Barbat political otaku and I know the names of even errand boys like you?"
"..."
Stupid people always need to be told directly to understand. I kept rubbing my still-stiff jaw while tapping my feet.
"Do you think this situation happened by accident?"
"..."
"Now, I'll give you a prophecy. You'd better clean your ears and listen well. It's about the future of Barbat."
Actually, if I hadn't discovered the ruins, I wouldn't have been able to cause this much of a stir, so it's half-accidental, but there's no need to tell him that.
Overwhelmed by my momentum, the man shut his mouth and glared at me.
"There's this delicious pie called Barbat. Now, people want to share it, but you know how human nature is, right? You want the biggest piece for yourself, and if things are going well, you start wondering why you even have to share."
"..."
I was letting him know that this situation wasn't something I planned, but perhaps something orchestrated by someone much higher up—Yggdrasil? Or maybe my government?
There's always someone bigger at the top.
Wow! Turns out he's not just some pathetic student, but someone Barbat can't handle?
Everything I'm saying is a lie, but as long as he has no way to verify it, it becomes the truth to him.
"That's how I feel right now. Ah, not me... some high-ranking person? Anyway, that's not the point. Listen, listen. This is a fun story. So, they were going to share the pie, but the guy helping from the inside stabbed them in the back. That's why I'm here."
"..."
I won't explicitly say that the person who framed me for stealing the holy relic is the one who tried to betray them. The more he thinks and agonizes over it alone, the more his suspicion will grow.
Keep doubting and find the guy who backstabbed me for me.
"Curious who it is? But we like this situation sooooo much that we decided not to crush the traitor just yet. The current situation is great, isn't it? Forcibly arresting an Yggdrasil student because you were greedy for the ruins? Isn't that just the perfect excuse to intervene?"
"That's a frame-up by other countries!"
"What does it matter if it's a frame-up or not? The whole world says it is, and Barbat is the only one denying it. Don't you know that wonderful policy called 'majority rule' that crushes the minority?"
I continued speaking while happily watching the man's face turn pale.
"Barbat is going to have to give up a lot. More than you can imagine. Once you've decided what to give, come find me again."
"..."
The man, now looking like lead, stood dazed for a while before stumbling weakly toward the door. Before he could open it, I spoke one last time.
"I'll give you a piece of advice because I feel sorry for you."
"..."
"There will be someone who suggests reconciliation. That's the traitor. Keep that in mind."
Kaaaah— I've always wanted to use that line, but in the real world, it's the kind of thing that would just get you called a "delusional loser." I finally got to use it.
I could see a flicker of fire in the eyes of the despondent man.
Yes, go ahead and work hard to find the traitor and clear my name.
* * *
Hera could not understand the current situation.
She had expected Alfheim to intervene from the moment they decided to use an Yggdrasil student. Because she expected it, she had hinted at her intentions to Erin and held secret talks with high-ranking officials from Alfheim.
If Alfheim, having coordinated with her, pretended to lose, the Seni Faction would run wild without knowing their place, and then her own Jorge Faction would step in to save Seo Yeon-woo.
The Seni Faction, which had been protesting all along, would have to take responsibility, and while they were under pressure from Alfheim and the public, the Jorge Faction would seize power.
That's how it should have been...
But then the ruins suddenly popped up, and the courtroom was abruptly turned into an auction house...
Even the high-ranking Alfheim officials she had coordinated with were now feigning ignorance as soon as the ruins appeared, as if they had never made a deal.
Even for Alfheim, which already had plenty of power, wouldn't they be greedy for the ruins? Especially when the owner was affiliated with Alfheim.
Who exactly is accusing whom of being greedy for the ruins...
Hera clenched her fists in rage.
The arguments being used to attack were exactly what they themselves were doing, and Barbat was merely precarious under the pressure of the entire world.
It can't go on like this...
Hera immediately applied for a visitation with Seo Yeon-woo. She already knew that a senior member of the Seni Faction had met him.
The Seni Faction, believing that Seo Yeon-woo had stolen the holy relic, had likely pressured and threatened him.
Before entering the interrogation room, Hera checked her smiling face in the mirror.
Seo Yeon-woo must be cornered and unstable right now. If I take his side, he'll trust me and feel indebted.
Although she had recently assessed Seo Yeon-woo as having deep schemes, as the situation turned urgent, Hera forgot her own thoughts and entered the interrogation room, perceiving him merely as an inexperienced student.
However, it didn't take long for her to realize how big of a mistake that was.
"So, you're saying you've come to reconcile?"
A remarkably beautiful man. However, the smile he wore was so chilling that it sent shivers down Hera's spine.
"It's not... reconciliation, but rather me trying to clean up the mess the Seni Faction made on their own. This is about correcting Barbat's mistakes and saving you, Yeon-woo, from being an innocent victim. We've already gathered plenty of evidence that can prove your innocence."
"Ah~ so not reconciliation, but saving me?"
Hera felt an alarm bell ringing at his indifferent attitude, but there wasn't much she could do now.
As if lost in thought, Seo Yeon-woo stared silently at Hera.
He was clearly smiling, but his gaze was cold. Hera swallowed hard and waited in silence.
"I pride myself on having lived a fairly virtuous life until now. I looked after that protagonist bastard, I wasn't greedy for no reason, and I didn't bully the weak just because I gained power. I lived kindly."
"...? I'm not sure what you mean, but I know you are virtuous from the records I've seen. You are a magnificent mage. The Seni Faction, trying to exclude such a mage—"
"But you see."
Cutting Hera off, Seo Yeon-woo looked at her coldly.
"I don't know if it's because my head is still ringing from being backstabbed, or if I'm just constantly annoyed because of the aftereffects, but this time, I'm going to be Kim Jin-woo, not Seo Yeon-woo."
"Kim... Jin-woo?"
"There's a guy like that. A fellow who survived by sucking up to high-ranking politicians, doing all the dirty work they ordered, and living on flattery. Even though he looked like that, he was incredibly sly and made sure to take everything he could for himself."
While Hera stood dazed at the incomprehensible words, Seo Yeon-woo continued.
"Do you know what the hardest thing about being in prison is?"
"Pardon...? Ah, well... I suppose the discomfort from the poor facilities—"
"Sexual desire. It's sexual desire. You really don't know."
"...Why are you telling me that..."
"If you don't understand, take a look under the table."
Hera looked at the expressionless Seo Yeon-woo, then cautiously leaned down.
Under the dark table, shielded from the light, she saw his two legs... and a massive, fully erect member.
"W-what do you think you're doing?!"
"What am I doing? I'm just trying to get some compensation from the person who backstabbed me."
"...Your jokes are in poor taste."
As a flustered Hera jumped up to leave, she heard Seo Yeon-woo's voice.
"Come back anytime if you want to negotiate. I'm open to everyone, whether it's the Se... Seni Faction? Anyway, whether it's them or you."
At the bone-chilling voice, Hera reflexively looked back.
Seo Yeon-woo's smiling face disappeared behind the slowly closing door.