Chapter 192: Firewood
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 192: Firewood
By now, everyone must be losing their minds.
I’m a little nervous because I told a massive lie without consulting Yggdrasil or the government first, but it’s not the kind of fear where I’m afraid things will go wrong. It’s more like the sheer scale of it all is starting to feel a bit overwhelming.
Still, there’s no way things won’t go according to my plan.
You can never be certain about an individual human—they can turn kind or cruel at a moment's notice—but large organizations like corporations or governments are surprisingly easy to predict.
It’s the nature of an organization to at least dip its toes in whenever an opportunity for profit arises.
Justice, goodness, and sentiment are merely useful tools or excuses for a large organization. Any group that doesn't prioritize its own interests never grows that large in the first place.
What will happen when Barbat contacts our government to verify the lies I’ve spun?
Will they say, "No? We never did that? That guy is a total liar"?
Not a chance.
They won't necessarily take my side, but since they might be able to snatch the ruins for themselves without lifting a finger if they play their cards right, they’ll give an ambiguous answer to keep their foot in the door.
As long as the situation doesn't turn clearly in Barbat's favor, the government will maintain an ambiguous stance. That lack of confirmation alone is enough to keep the pressure on Barbat, preventing them from treating me recklessly.
Go ahead, fight all you want. I’ve blown this way out of proportion, but the place I’m going to sell the ruins to is already decided anyway.
I munch on some salty potato chips while scrolling through today’s news on my smartphone.
"Damn it... I’ve got nothing to do in this cell but look at my phone, so the battery dies way too fast."
With only 5% remaining, I trudge over and knock on the door.
"Did you call for me, sir?"
"Ah... sorry, could I get one more charge?"
"Of course! Just say the word! Is there anything else you need? Should I bring more snacks?"
"No, no. I’m fine. Just the charge, please."
The guard rushes over and uses mana to charge the phone.
To think I have to rely on someone else for something so mundane because of these restraints... life in this world without mana is truly a struggle.
That aside, the guard is being overwhelmingly kind, yet he looks terrified every time I open my mouth. It seems... he wasn't won over with money, was he?
Judging by his expression, you’d think I was making requests with a knife to his throat.
I appreciate the help, but just what kind of threats did Park Yu-jeong use to leave this man so paralyzed with fear?
The guard bows so low that he seems to be groveling, as if even my words of thanks are too great an honor. He doesn't even think about straightening his back until I return to my seat.
I lie back down and fiddle with my phone.
It looks like Park Yu-jeong has started hoarding materials. I wonder if Rebecca is making good use of the information I gave her?
Just as I’m drifting into other thoughts out of sheer boredom, an article catches my eye.
It’s finally started.
Did they think I’d just stir the pot and sit still? You have to keep throwing firewood into a fire to make it grow.
It’s a heavy decision, so it’s hard to make, right?
Don't worry, I’ll keep feeding the flames so you can decide faster. Just you wait.
* * *
Monica sat in a cafe, sipping coffee while watching the street.
It’s okay, but... it doesn't taste as good as Magic Coffee.
Recalling the taste of the coffee Seo Yeon-woo used to sell, Monica smacked her lips and watched the citizens marching down the street.
Several people carrying long banners led the way, and everyone was occupying the road while shouting unified slogans.
The agents and police only stood guard to ensure no damage was done to the surroundings; they couldn't do anything to stop them.
The people were filled with rage. If handled poorly, a catastrophe could erupt at any moment.
Does that brat have nine lives or something?
Monica looked away from the resentful citizens and checked her smartphone screen.
The screen was filled with internet news articles.
- History is not for sale: Denounce the traitors trying to sell our national heritage.
- The government is handing over ancestral legacy to foreigners; who is this decision for?
- Is the government faithless? Trying to sell ruins related to the Sacred Fire.
Articles denouncing and attacking the Barbat government were popping up all at once.
In reality, the ownership belonged to Seo Yeon-woo, so Barbat couldn't even sell it if they wanted to, yet they were the ones taking the heat.
What did the ancient ruins have to do with Barbat’s religion?
Some articles even used bizarre, illogical arguments to link the ruins to their faith.
Inciting the masses... he really is a wicked one.
Seo Yeon-woo had never once directly attacked Barbat.
Even while manipulating the media, he never insulted Barbat or claimed his own innocence.
Yet, every time he used the press, the number of enemies attacking Barbat continued to grow.
First, it was foreign powers. Now, it’s their own citizens.
Inside and out. What must the high-ranking officials of Barbat be thinking as they get hammered from both sides?
Thinking of the officials who were likely in a panic with a fire lit under them, yet unable to solve anything, Monica almost felt pity for them.
"Mom... can't we help Yeon-woo?"
Angelica, who was with her, asked cautiously.
Seeing the protests, she seemed worried again.
However, Monica was more worried about her naive daughter, who had no idea that all of this was Seo Yeon-woo’s scheme.
"Do you like that boy that much?"
"Eh?! Ah, well, Yeon-woo and I... we aren't in that kind of..."
That damn brat. What is my daughter lacking that he’s being so non-committal? He’s definitely keeping her on the hook, isn't he?
Seeing her daughter blush and lower her head, Monica’s hostility toward Seo Yeon-woo grew.
Angelica needed to be trained as the future head of the Graham family, but she was so naive and kind that Monica couldn't help but worry.
If that guy supports her from the side... No, what am I thinking?!
Monica shook her head to clear the horrifying thought and returned to her usual relaxed expression, taking a sip of coffee.
It really didn't taste as good as Magic Coffee.
"He’ll be fine."
"But... wouldn't it be safer if you helped him, Mom?"
"Hehe, just by being here, I am helping him."
"I know that, but..."
"And if I move recklessly now, I might actually get in his way."
Seo Yeon-woo hadn't attacked directly, but he was provoking Barbat as if he had nine lives.
There was no way Barbat didn't know he was drawing in foreign powers and inciting the public.
It was just that they couldn't stop it. They knew everything and were being played with their eyes wide open.
His moves so far had been unprecedented, and it was impossible to predict what he would do next. Jumping in to "help" might just ruin his plans.
In situations like this, you can only help if you’re perfectly synchronized and sharing plans. Otherwise, staying still is the best way to assist him.
"That boy is smart. If he needs help, he’ll ask for it. Until then, waiting is the best help we can give."
"Yes, Yeon-woo really is brilliant."
He’s not brilliant, he’s crafty. He’s not intelligent, he’s wicked. He’s more cunning than wise, and that’s the problem.
Since he was able to corner Barbat like this on his own, he could have found a smoother solution if he wanted to. Instead, he chose to plunge Barbat into chaos.
Monica couldn't tell if this was Yeon-woo’s true nature or if something had happened that she didn't know about.
She only knew one thing for certain after coming to Barbat: Seo Yeon-woo was not a mere student, and he was a dangerous person to have as an enemy.
While the mother and daughter watched the protest from the cafe, a large crowd gathered near the Gate.
They weren't protesters.
They were all Barbat’s Black Agents, and Hera was among the high-ranking officials present.
There were many skilled combat mages, but they all looked at the Gate with tense expressions.
Soon, a blue film appeared over the Gate, and hundreds of people stepped through.
A high-ranking man who had been waiting rushed over to a red-haired woman leading the group.
"W-Welcome to Barbat, Lady Frey Bratwurdin."
Despite the man’s greeting, Frey ignored him and scanned the Black Agents surrounding the Gate.
"What’s with this force? Are you planning to arrest us?"
"O-Of course not. We gathered to welcome our distinguished guests upon hearing of your arrival."
Frey wasn't a member of the 12 Zodiacs only because she wasn't part of a government, but everyone knew her skill and reputation.
Not only her, but Greyhound was a legend in the mercenary industry, and they had all come to Barbat.
Even though the mercenary groups under the main group were absent, Barbat had to be on edge with just Greyhound present.
"So this is Barbat. Brandon, did you hear you can surf in the desert?"
"It’s a desert, not the ocean. How do you surf? It must be magic."
"It’s possible. The sand dunes are shaped like waves, so you use gravity like a sled. Of course, you have to specially treat the bottom of the board to make it slide well, but it’s not hard."
At Sunwoo’s words, the mercenaries started chatting excitedly about surfing as if they were on a sightseeing trip.
But they weren't tourists.
If they were to turn hostile, Barbat would become a sea of fire.
The Barbat officials knew that Seo Yeon-woo claimed Frey as his disciple.
They called it a vacation, but this was a show of force.
"Um... the purpose of your entry is..."
"Vacation. I came to take a bath."
"...That ruin is currently off-limits..."
"Welcome, everyone from Greyhound~!"
As the man looked troubled, Park Yu-jeong appeared from behind with a bright smile.
"You must be tired from your journey. Please follow me. I’ve prepared accommodations and Barbat’s finest delicacies. Please, sweat it all out and surrender yourselves to the heat of Barbat."
"What?! How did you get in here? Who are you to suddenly butt in?!"
When the man got angry, Park Yu-jeong just smiled brightly.
"Me? I’m the owner of the hotel where the entrance to the ruins is located."
As soon as she heard Yeon-woo’s plan to open the ruins, the first thing Park Yu-jeong did was buy the hotel.
She had to pay double its value, but she successfully negotiated the deal quickly. Currently, the hotel containing the entrance to the ruins belonged to Park Yu-jeong.
The Barbat officials, who had been too busy putting out fires to notice such details, were stunned by this revelation.
"Ah, are you a government official? It’s good that you’re protecting the ruins, but that’s private property now, so could you please withdraw your agents? As the hotel owner, I’m making a formal request. We have many guests arriving, and we can't have you interfering with our business."
"..."
Leaving the stunned man behind, Park Yu-jeong led Frey and Greyhound toward the hotel.
"Man~ now we’ll finally see who’s a virgin and who’s not. Everyone’s been talking a big game. Brandon is definitely a virgin."
"I told you I’m not! I just can't go into the sauna!"
"Don't give me that. You look like a virgin from head to toe."
"No, seriously, I lost it in high school!"
"Why do all virgins have the same repertoire? Is high school some kind of animal kingdom in a virgin's head or something?"
The mercenaries chatted among themselves as they walked past casually.
Hera, who had been watching from a distance without intervening, turned pale.
The moment they started using the ruins, the situation would spiral out of control.
A ruin that increases magical ability for anyone, without conditions.
And Frey, who held a status similar to the 12 Zodiacs, was going to use it.
On top of that, while everyone else was being blocked, mercenaries were using it first? Not only was their pride at stake, but she couldn't even imagine how much Barbat would be torn apart using this as a pretext.
I have to stop them...
But how?
They had brought the entirety of Greyhound as if they were going to war.
Frey alone was a handful, but Greyhound was here too.
'If you want to negotiate, come anytime.'
The image of a man with a terrifyingly handsome face and a terrifyingly cold smile flashed through Hera’s mind.
Dragging her body, which felt heavy from the shock, she began to head toward Yeon-woo.