Chapter 542: Law of the Jungle (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 542: Law of the Jungle (3)
Patrice was flustered.
That last statement had completely crossed the line. Here, at the international conference, Roman Dmitry had just openly mocked all the world's leaders.
"What do you mean, 'how will you punish me'?" Patrice asked, his eyes twitching. "Are you suggesting you will make an enemy out of the World Government?"
The World Government was absolute.
If one did not follow the consensus reached here, the entire world would define the Korean Empire as an enemy and attack. Therefore, even the great powers did not ignore the will of the World Government. They would rather win people over to shape public opinion; openly defying it was far too dangerous.
But Roman Dmitry was different.
Even knowing the impending backlash, he met the hostility focused on him head-on.
"Do you know what I found most amusing as I learned about this world? It’s how, as society rapidly developed, people began to place an excessive amount of importance on appearances. On the battlefield, it is only natural to show no mercy to hostile nations. Yet, in this era, even after securing a justification and winning a war, people demand explanations. They want to know why the war had to be fought, why the enemies had to be dealt with so brutally, and whether other peaceful methods existed once the dust settles. Those demands don't stem from a love for humanity. They will starve hostile nations dry through economic sanctions before a war even breaks out, yet they only react sensitively to what is visible on the surface. To them, the blood and death right before their eyes are simply too provocative."
It was a hypocritical contradiction.
Ruined by economic sanctions or ruined by war—they were no different. Whether one starved to death or was stabbed to death, in Roman Dmitry's eyes, both fell under the umbrella of human cruelty.
"Even before the Great Disaster, the great powers ruled the world with an 'invisible cruelty.' Weak nations had no choice but to cower at a single word from them. Though actual wars didn't break out due to public scrutiny, that invisible cruelty stripped away just as much. However, the world changed after the Great Disaster. As people grew accustomed to blood and death, empty threats were no longer needed. The world transformed into a place where war will actually break out if deemed necessary. Right now, in the very era we live in, visible power is all that matters."
It was a massive shift in perception.
Of course, many obstacles still remained. Since twenty years was neither a short nor incredibly long time, those who remembered the world from before still attached many conditions before resorting to war. The only difference was that war was now far more likely to break out than in the past. Instead of weapons like nuclear bombs that would completely obliterate a nation, disputes were now settled using hunters—human weapons capable of ending wars.
It seemed like a minor detail, but it made a world of difference. Simply by raising their voices at each other, modern society had transformed into a world that had to accept the reality of war.
Roman Dmitry smiled.
"You asked if I would make an enemy of the entire world. Yes, that is correct. If the conclusion reached here is that I am in the wrong, there is absolutely no reason for me—someone who possesses absolute power in a world ruled by the law of the jungle—to listen to a weak World Government. President Patrice. Empty threats do not work on me. Any words directed at me and the Korean Empire require the resolve to actually wage war, not just posture with invisible threats."
The atmosphere froze.
War.
It was a highly sensitive issue. No, it was a topic that should never have been brought up in this place. Common sense dictated that Roman Dmitry should try to avoid war with the World Government at all costs. Yet, he maintained his smile and did not back down in the slightest.
"I will ask one last time. Do you truly believe that whatever conclusion is reached here, I must accept it?"
* * *
Slam!
"This arrogant bastard is crossing the line!"
Markov leaped up from his seat. His flushed face was like an active volcano, erupting with rage directed at Roman Dmitry.
"Roman Dmitry. I admit that you are strong. Defeating an SS-rank monster in a single blow is undoubtedly enough to put you in the discussion for the strongest in the world. But the people in this room are the leaders of nations from all over the globe. Do you think that just because you alone are strong, you can take on all of us?"
Markov had no personal stake in the Maron Cult's cause. No one had egged him on; he simply despised Roman Dmitry.
The man was just too arrogant.
No matter how strong Roman Dmitry was, South Korea had still not escaped its perception as a weak nation. At a time when he should have been sucking up to them to avoid turning the absolute majority into enemies, Roman Dmitry's haughty attitude thoroughly rubbed Markov the wrong way. He had to be crushed completely before he grew any larger.
Markov's eyes gleamed with murderous intent.
"Everyone. Roman Dmitry and South Korea must pay for their sins. Look at this. Even though the World Government has united, this arrogant being who calls himself an Emperor is threatening us instead. What do you think will happen if someone like this gains immense power? The world order we have barely managed to establish will collapse. Lend me your strength. I, and Russia, will take the lead in punishing Roman Dmitry."
He had miscalculated.
Roman must have thought the World Government would back down if he made threats. But Markov would not play along. To break Roman Dmitry's arrogant pride, Markov was more than willing to throw himself into the flames of war.
"Roman Dmitry! From this moment on, you are at war with everyone here—"
"Wait."
It was Wang Wiryong. He cut Markov off, raising his voice with a fierce expression.
"When did I ever say I would side with the World Government? As I said before, I, Wang Wiryong, have sworn allegiance to His Majesty, Emperor Roman Dmitry. If you wish to antagonize the Korean Empire, you will have to deal with China as well."
That was not all. John Harrison added his voice.
"The United States has no choice but to support the Korean Empire as well. Did we not receive their help during the Great Disaster?"
The support of two great powers.
The situation had just become incredibly complicated. Even though Roman Dmitry had completely crossed the line, China and the United States refused to sever their ties with the Korean Empire. For Wang Wiryong, it was only natural. He would never dare betray the Heavenly Demon. As for the United States, from the moment they defended Roman Dmitry, they knew that a clear stance was necessary rather than an ambiguous attitude.
It was an absurd situation.
Markov was furious to the core. As the established order collapsed around him, he looked at Patrice. He was silently demanding that Patrice take his side. If even Patrice and the remaining nations lent their strength, Russia was fully prepared to wage war.
However...
"……."
Patrice remained silent. He seemed to be deep in thought, his expression complex.
If things turned out like this... there was no other way. With no one stepping up to take his side, Markov kicked his chair in frustration.
Thud!
"You pathetic bastards. Just you wait. You will absolutely regret what happened today."
Markov stormed out of the conference room. Roman Dmitry simply watched him leave.
* * *
Why did Patrice remain silent?
It was a complicated matter.
'If the entire world is swept into a vortex of war right after the Great Disaster, the future of humanity will be in jeopardy.'
This was the reason he followed the Maron Cult. It was for the future of humanity. Although he had committed many misdeeds, such as instigating the people in this very incident, his ultimate goal of acting for the sake of humanity remained unchanged. To such a man, war was not something he could easily accept.
In truth, rallying the leaders of various nations to pressure Roman Dmitry had been nothing more than an empty threat. He had believed that under such immense pressure, Roman Dmitry would raise a white flag and back down on his own. Of course, he had initially prepared himself for war, but when faced with the actual prospect of waging it, hesitation crept in.
Therefore... Roman Dmitry's words had taken his breath away.
The fact that Roman knew empty threats wouldn't work meant he had seen right through Patrice's true nature in a single glance.
Patrice was a herbivore. He looked at Roman Dmitry with trembling eyes.
"...I warn you, President Markov of Russia is different from me. Seeing him that angry... he is someone who might actually wage war. Is there really a reason to go this far? Even if there is a punishment, it would be at a level South Korea can handle. Is there truly a reason you must do this?"
He couldn't understand. Just one step. He only needed to take one step back. Then they could achieve a result that satisfied everyone, yet Roman Dmitry refused to compromise.
Roman Dmitry spoke.
"That premise itself is flawed. There is no reason for me, possessing absolute power, to accept a loss regardless of what choice I make in this fight. That is all. President Patrice, you speak of a way for everyone to win, but I do not wish to set even a single precedent of backing down. Even if this matter escalates into war."
Scrape.
He stood up. Roman Dmitry did not show even the slightest effort to persuade the others.
"You do not need to try so hard. Whether war breaks out or not, a conclusion will be reached before long."
Roman Dmitry turned around. As he walked out, Wang Wiryong also left, as if he had no further business there.
* * *
In the wake of Roman Dmitry's departure...
"I hope you make a wise choice."
John Harrison also stood up shortly after. Now, with only Patrice and those who agreed with him remaining, a heavy silence fell over the conference room for a long while.
Then... the President of Brazil spoke up.
"...What do you plan to do now?"
Patrice was the one who had gathered everyone. While not everyone would follow him unconditionally, he could at least provide a direction in this chaotic situation. The problem was that even Patrice had no idea what to do. Roman Dmitry was completely uncontrollable, and there was no way to achieve the Maron Cult's goals other than war.
"I will go cool my head for a moment."
He stood up. Moving to a place away from prying eyes, he immediately requested a communication line with the Leader of the Maron Cult.
He needed the leader's wisdom. Sebastian would surely tell him what needed to be done for Him in this suffocating situation.
[Wage war.]
"Is there really no other way but war?"
[Did you not see it for yourself? Roman Dmitry is a man so bellicose that no parallel can be found. When He descends upon this world, Roman Dmitry's existence will undoubtedly cause irreversible problems. Patrice. Now is the golden opportunity. I do not know how Roman Dmitry managed to win over China and the United States, but if he has the ability to sway two great powers in the early stages of building his influence, there is no telling how far his power will expand in the future. Of course, I know what you are worried about. If the entire world is swept into a vortex of war as soon as the Great Disaster ends, many people will die. However, for the ultimate goal of humanity's survival, inevitable sacrifices must exist.]
"But still..."
[Patrice! Do not grow weak! We are not facing a question of whether to save a few more people, but a matter of deciding whether the entirety of humanity survives or perishes. With the Advent close at hand, nothing is more important to us than this.]
He was right.
Patrice's expression hardened with resolve. At first, he had hesitated. But hearing Sebastian's words, he could not envision a future where He and Roman Dmitry coexisted.
"Understood. I will make a decision for Him."
Click.
He cut the communication. His hesitation vanished. He returned to his seat, intending to voice his settled thoughts, but in that brief window of time, the conference room had been thrown into complete chaos.
The President of Brazil spoke with an urgent expression.
"Just moments ago, Russia declared war and attacked South Korea. It seems President Markov had already completed all preparations to attack South Korea before even attending the international conference."
"...?!"
Patrice's eyes widened.
A clash between Russia and South Korea! The situation had already spiraled completely out of Patrice's control.