Reclaim Earth: Warriors Immune to Hypnosis (12)
The last remaining member of the old W.L.K... even Park Jisoo had fallen.
Unlike Sumire or Scarlett, she was smart and cautious, so Himeko had secretly relied on her... Was trusting a Korean woman the mistake after all?
No... She couldn't blame it all on Koreans this time.
Even the great Empire of Japan had fallen without exception to Kim Hoyoung's hypnosis, living on without Japanese pride.
"In the end, the only one I can respect and trust... is His Majesty alone."
In the empty Japanese-style mansion, a single koi leaped out of the pond.
Himeko, left alone in what was once filled with servants, gazed at the sunset while clutching a photo tightly.
It was, gloriously, a photo of His Majesty the Emperor.
Whenever she felt weak or lonely, she would hug that photo and regain her vigor.
"Your Majesty. Don't worry. Even if I'm left all alone, I will reclaim Japan and serve you."
The Fujiwara clan had served the Emperor since Japan's birth 2,700 years ago.
Kohun, Asuka, Nara, Heian, Kamakura, Nanbokucho, Muromachi, Edo, Meiji... Eras might change their names, but the Fujiwara clan's reverence for His Majesty remained unchanged—and so it was now.
"If we named this era... the Dark Age of the Mad Hypnotist Kim Hoyoung? And the loyal vassal Fujiwara no Himeko, the sole light serving His Majesty in that darkness... Hmm. Not bad."
Soon, she would kill Kim Hoyoung for His Majesty and set the sun back in its rightful place.
Himeko caressed her pistol with one hand while hugging His Majesty's photo, lost in that happy thought.
This pistol would be the weapon to rewrite history.
The Longinus Spear of the new era—Himeko's pistol.
"Last time, I could have killed him if I'd wanted. Next time, I'll do it for sure."
Like rehearsing, Himeko aimed the pistol at the ceiling.
A massive portrait of His Majesty smiled down.
Next, she pointed at the wall. Another photo of His Majesty.
The gun trained on the bed. Three dakimakura pillows bearing His Majesty's image occupied the space.
And that was just the start. The study overflowed with writings praising His Majesty and love letters Himeko had penned herself; sculptures of him served as decorations. Maniacal loyalty and affection for the Emperor permeated every corner of the house.
Even for the Fujiwara clan, close aides to the Emperor, Himeko's devotion was extreme—but with her as the head, no one remained to scold her.
She had fired all the servants brainwashed by Kim Hoyoung, leaving not a single one.
Her only blood relative, Sumire, had fallen into the hypnotist's hands.
The old W.L.K members had scattered, leaving Himeko truly alone.
"It doesn't matter to me. As long as His Majesty is by my side. As long as I fulfill His commands... I need nothing else."
It hadn't always been this way.
In the past, Himeko had been surrounded by people, her days a whirlwind.
A noblewoman, tycoon, local magnate, and Diet member, she was a celebrity in high society known to all.
People, people, people... So many to meet, her contact book thicker than a phone directory.
If she had a favorite gathering, it was political meetings with like-minded souls.
Classified as far-right in Japan, she advocated reviving the imperial system, abolishing the Self-Defense Forces to create a Japanese army, and seizing Takeshima by force.
But one day, a politician even more Japan-centric than her started spouting nonsense.
"Korea can't be helped, but we can't hate all Koreans. For example, Hoyoung-nim is a truly great man."
'Hoyoung-nim? What the hell?'
That was the first time Himeko heard Kim Hoyoung's name.
Who was he to be mentioned in a meeting about the Great Japanese Empire's future? A politician? She'd never heard of a Korean one like that. A chaebol? Chairman of what company? Not a celebrity. (A secret she told no one: Himeko was a fan of Korean dramas. Ten years ago, she fell for a male lead in Summer Love Song, even attending a fan meet; she still watched occasionally but pretended zero interest in Korean culture publicly. If even she hadn't heard the name, he wasn't an entertainer.)
"You're right. Once I learned about Hoyoung-nim, I regretted despising all Koreans as inferior."
"Ah, Fujita-san. You know Hoyoung-nim too?"
"Of course. You too, Takahashi-san?"
"Actually, to talk about how great Hoyoung-nim is~"
Shockingly, many assembly members reacted to the name Kim Hoyoung—extremely positively.
No, "positive" was too mild; they began fawning and groveling in humiliation.
Watching her fellow assemblymen casually spout such absurdities, Himeko felt like she was on a hidden camera show.
Especially the line "Hoyoung-nim is greater than His Majesty"—she couldn't let that slide without showing the Fujiwara clan's dignity.
"No matter who this Kim Hoyoung is, as a Korean, his limits are clear. Bloodline nobility can't be changed. Japan, graced by His Majesty, has no need to grovel to some Korean. We must stay firm against Korea."
"……"
"……"
"……"
The mood turned strange.
Fujiwara no Himeko was the matriarch of this group, the moneybags.
She held the strongest voice, commanding charisma.
Normally, such firm words would have them nodding meekly—but not this time.
"Congresswoman Himeko, that sounds like denying Hoyoung-nim...?"
"Don't let your beauty make you cross the line."
"Sorry, but prove your loyalty to Hoyoung-nim here."
"Or we'll have to take action. Understand?"
"Everything for Hoyoung-nim..."
"W-what are you all doing?! Have you lost your minds?!"
These educated gentlemen rolled up sleeves like they meant violence, and Himeko backed away in panic.
Most were colleagues or subordinates. No fear of repercussions?
"Congresswoman Himeko. If Hoyoung-nim commands it, we do anything, right?"
"Even kill if he says?"
"Offer your daughter too?"
"A-are you all on drugs?! What the hell is this Hoyoung-nim?!"
"…………"
"…………"
"…………"
It felt like a horror movie.
Suit-clad assemblymen and aides lunged as a mob, shoving videos: "Look at this," "This shows Hoyoung-nim's greatness."
"You lunatics! Bodyguards!! Bodyguards!!!"
Himeko barely escaped using her prepared guards as shields.
Fuming about future punishment, the outside was worse chaos.
"Agh! Haaah!"
"Hoyoung-nim! Hoyoung-nim!"
"Absolute loyalty to Hoyoung-nim. Absolute loyalty to Hoyoung-nim. Absolute loyalty to Hoyoung-nim."
"Japan is Hoyoung-nim's country. We Japanese submit to Hoyoung-nim..."
"What... the hell...?!"
Tens of thousands of citizens chanted like a mantra, naked in an orgy.
Even policewomen half in uniform, impaled by civilians—cops paralyzed too.
Himeko stood witness to what would later be called the "Million Tokyo Orgy Incident."
"...That voice?"
The bustling street's electronic billboard, usually for movies or concerts, was hijacked by a young man for personal use.
"No way... That's Kim Hoyoung?"
Himeko's year-long struggle began at that moment.