Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: A Calculated Provocation
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Mad Castle Headquarters, conference room.
Kang Il-seop and the Chief of Staff were watching a monitor with the Mad Castle combat members.
On the monitor, America's hero, Decan, was reading a statement.
—We, the Royal Club, pledge to dedicate ourselves to world peace from this day forward.
Min Ha-na couldn't hold back and made a comment.
“What a load of crap. Dedicate themselves to world peace, my ass.”
Regardless of her assessment, it was clear this would become a global issue. The Royal Club, a gathering of S-rank hunters, had officially been launched.
—We will prioritize world peace and be the first to respond to dangerous areas. The governments of the United States, China, Russia, Mexico, and the United Kingdom will cooperate and share all information related to Gates.
Just having six S-rank hunters gather in one place was a huge deal, but now the nations they belonged to had also promised to cooperate.
“Bureau Director, are any of those countries cooperating with us?”
“Only Russia. As it happens, they contacted us first, and I advised them to just go along with it.”
“Their position must be awkward.”
“Russia must have felt pressured not to withdraw. They can't just abandon their national interests, can they?”
As they were discussing this, the announcement continued. This was something Mad Castle hadn't anticipated.
—The Royal Club, going beyond the cooperation of S-rank hunters and nations, has decided to partner with five guilds to lay the foundation for protecting the Earth. They will move as one team with us and will continue to do their utmost for world peace.
The five guilds announced in this way sent a huge shockwave.
“They've brought multinational guilds into their fold.”
They had absorbed the five largest multinational guilds. This included the Heavenly Guild, where E Suo-lin had been the Guild Leader.
The number of Awakeners belonging to these five guilds alone was ten thousand.
A truly colossal organization had been formed.
On the surface, they gathered as an allied force, but it was clear the Royal Club would have complete control.
“Somehow, this all feels like it's because of us.”
When the monitor turned off, Bae Wang-sik muttered to himself. However, the surroundings were so quiet that everyone heard him.
“That's highly likely. If they stayed hidden in the shadows, it looked like we were going to devour everything.”
As Kang Il-seop agreed, Min Ha-na spoke with a displeased expression.
“As if we don't have enough headaches, those bastards are playing gangster like they haven't a care in the world.”
Everyone couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
They didn't even know when the mage named Lilia would make her move, and now a powerful armed group called the Royal Club had been born on Earth.
“Those guys won't actually fight for world peace, will they?”
“They'll want a world government.”
Kang Il-seop's words hit the nail on the head.
A world government.
This was the very purpose behind the Royal Club's creation.
“So they're guys who want to rule the Earth…”
The atmosphere in the conference room was heavy. But the expression of the Chief of Staff next to Kang Il-seop was different.
“This is good.”
All eyes focused on her at that single phrase.
“They're doing exactly what we need most right now. The participation of major powers and the manpower to support more countries. They have what we lack.”
“Isn't that the problem?”
The Chief of Staff nodded at Min Ha-na's question.
“That's right. That is the problem. But if they protect the Earth, wouldn't that be a great help to us, too?”
The conference room fell silent at her words. Everyone was turning things over in their minds.
“Now that you mention it, that's true.”
“Right. These are the guys who wouldn't lift a finger even when we asked them to.”
“Since they've made such a big announcement, they'll have to put their lives on the line for a while.”
Everyone agreed with the Chief of Staff. But Gong Yeong-ji, who had been quiet, asked a question.
“Won't it be a problem if those people become famous? You said they were bad people, right?”
“True, once those bastards gain support, they'll try to act like a world government.”
As the conversation returned to square one, the Chief of Staff spoke again.
“People don't know what we've been doing all this time. We can't reveal it now, but it won't be a secret once this war is over. When that time comes, who will the people cheer for the most?”
As the room fell silent, the Chief of Staff added one more thing.
“In the end, all they can do is defend. We will be the ones to invade the Azelan Continent, and even if they help, we will be at the center of it. Ultimately, we will decide the end of this war.”
Looking at the big picture, she was right.
What if the invasion fails?
The Earth is doomed anyway. This meant there was no need to calculate things like a world government or who held the initiative.
“We've gained a great opportunity to use them.”
The doubt vanished. Instead, the gazes directed at the Chief of Staff were filled with respect.
“Then we can focus on getting stronger.”
“Exactly. We'll be buying time to strengthen our foundation.”
Listening to the conversation between Min Ha-na and the Chief of Staff, Wang-sik thought of a plan.
‘The timing is right to go to the Level 6 area anyway. It'll be dangerous if I don't go with them.’
The Level 6 area of the Decartes Mountains was a region teeming with S-rank monsters. It was a daunting place without a tanker, so the party was still in the Level 5 area.
‘Getting Blood Fragments right now will be tough. I should aim to rank up.’
He also needed time to grow stronger.
If he hunted in the Level 6 area, he would be able to raise his current B-rank to A-rank.
‘I have to use this situation, just like the Chief of Staff said.’
Having made his decision, Wang-sik spoke to the Chief of Staff.
“We need to make those guys act more proactively.”
“That's exactly what we need. We have to make it so they have no choice but to act desperately.”
“Let's make a plan now. This meeting is about to get a lot more interesting.”
The atmosphere in the conference room began to change.
* * *
The next day, Mad Castle released an official statement.
—Mad Castle sends a grand welcome to the Royal Club.
—An unconditional alliance of major powers is an illusion that has never been achieved, but Mad Castle's position is to highly honor the sacrifice of the Royal Club, as it was formed for the maintenance of global peace rather than for profit.
—If they pursue profit, the chaos on Earth may only worsen.
Mad Castle's statement hit the mark.
There were more than a few opinions that they were just trying to keep their new rival in check, but it was undoubtedly controversial.
In response, the Royal Club issued another statement.
—We, the Royal Club, promise complete cooperation and sacrifice against enemy invasions. We also look forward to Mad Castle's cooperation.
The last part was a kind of accusation and counterattack.
While the media was buzzing with their official statements, Wang-sik boarded a plane through a special entry gate at a New York airport.
Waiting for him were the members of the Royal Club.
Wang-sik stood alone before the six S-rank Awakeners.
“What kind of stunt is this? If you're going to play gangster, you should at least protect your turf properly.”
“Did you come here to protest? I thought this was a negotiation.”
Decan said this without getting up from his chair, bringing a wine glass to his lips.
“Negotiation? If you guys really intended to protect Earth's peace, a negotiation might be possible, but what's there to negotiate with a bunch of liars?”
“You seem very angry. Are you worried that Mad Castle's name will be overshadowed? It's not too late. If you join the Royal Club, we promise to treat Mad Castle very well.”
E Suo-lin said with a victor's smile.
Indeed, public opinion was currently welcoming the Royal Club.
Whatever their internal affairs, their external appearance was powerful. With six S-ranks, the participation of major powers, and ten thousand elite Awakeners, it was a natural reaction.
“Are you telling me to join your greedy ambition to swallow the world?”
“Is that so bad? It's only natural for the strong to become leaders. Unification like that makes it easier to protect the weak.”
“So you can unify everyone and then what, sell them snake oil?”
Carlos stood up, looking displeased.
“You should watch your mouth. We could start by wiping out Mad Castle.”
“Go ahead and try if you've got the guts. Peace from guys like you? Tsk, tsk.”
No matter how much Wang-sik criticized them, their expressions didn't change. Only one person, Gregory from Russia, silently drank his wine, looking uncomfortable with the situation.
“In the end, you'll only protect the countries that benefit you. You'll just exploit the downfall of poorer nations.”
At Wang-sik's accusation, Decan put down his wine glass and spoke.
“The six of us may have different thoughts, but our decision to protect the world from Gates is a pure one. Someone once said that to rule, you must have people who follow you from below. We will protect those people. So that we can rule.”
Decan didn't hide his true intentions.
He believed he could be as honest as he wanted within the Royal Club. But there was something he hadn't considered.
He wasn't the only one who could be honest.
“Hey, old man Decan. You're the one here who's cleared the fewest S-rank Gates. You've only participated in one S-rank Gate that appeared in the US. And even then, you fought with four bodyguards? Have you ever even stood on the front line?”
“How dare you!”
His sore spot touched, Decan flared up.
“You were nowhere to be seen when Las Vegas was being ravaged by necromancers, either. A Dungeon Break is more dangerous than a Gate, so you probably didn't want to step up. What was the excuse? An injury? I heard the Gate you participated in right before that was B-rank. An injury from a B-rank Gate?”
Decan's benevolent expression crumbled.
“America's number one coward. Are you too scared to fight now, so you've decided to just play politics?”
“I told you to shut up!”
“Come at me if you've got the guts. Not that you ever would.”
Wang-sik took a step toward him. At that moment, the British S-rank Awakener, Evan, stepped between them.
“Show some respect. If you just came here to criticize us, it would be best for you to leave. This isn't how someone who preaches peace should act, is it?”
Wang-sik ignored Evan and glared at Decan.
“Things won't go your way.”
Leaving those words behind, Wang-sik returned to the base.
When he got back to the base, Min Ha-na was waiting in front of the Gate.
“How did it go?”
“They'll probably try to eat us alive.”
“Good job, my friend. You gave them a proper cussing out, right?”
“Not as well as you would have. I should've taken you with me.”
“A shame, but it can't be helped.”
“Let's wait and see the results.”
Wang-sik went to the control room with Min Ha-na.
The next morning, a response came immediately.
—The Royal Club will prioritize negotiations with nations that lack Gate defense capabilities. We will protect the entire world equally, as this is the founding ideology of the Royal Club.
“What f-ing grandiose bullshit.”
Just as Min Ha-na commented, the Mad Castle members simply laughed it off.
“Well, with this, they have no choice but to protect the entire world.”
Wang-sik had gone to them precisely to create this situation.
They would have to prioritize negotiations with countries that Mad Castle had cooperated with, and since they were just starting out, they would have no choice but to do their best to defend them.
“Alright, then let's go hunting. We probably don't have much time. Is everyone ready?”
“My hands have been itching for a fight.”
“I'll definitely become an S-rank!”
“Ready.”
Mad Castle headed for the Decartes Mountains once again.