Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: White House Audience
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When we were invited to the White House, I was a bit flustered at first.
But after thinking it over, yeah, it made sense that they’d invite us, so my mind settled.
No need to make a fuss.
A president wouldn’t invite us without some reason.
There had to be an agenda.
Like the mutant issues, for instance.
Right now, America’s mutant problems weren’t something they could easily resolve.
Frankly, the government had already lost control. American citizens and mutants were locked in massive conflict, and it hadn’t even been a year yet.
On top of that, with the San Diego invasion incident, perceptions of mutants—barring a few exceptions—couldn’t possibly improve.
In this situation, even if the federal government stepped in to mediate, those deep-seated grudges wouldn’t just vanish.
It would only stoke their resentment further.
They’d had countless chances to mediate before, and now they were stepping in?
Budgets would keep flowing out, with no gains from these drawn-out, fruitless policies.
But if we stepped in, things could change, even if just a little.
Completely separating mutants from regular citizens would at least curb the clashes to some extent.
Well… they might oppose managing mutants in fully enclosed zones. It’d be like creating city-sized armed forces.
There could even be fears of warlords emerging on a scale far beyond Mexico’s.
The US President would be well aware of that.
So what we’d convey to him today was that we had no such intentions.
And that the federal government would allocate additional funding to California.
That about summed it up.
Well… how cooperative the President would be, I had no idea.
The guy was notoriously hypersensitive about budgets and money.
Still, that wasn’t my job. That was for Sia and the California Governor.
* * *
The White House looked exactly as it did in the movies.
It even felt strangely familiar.
Maybe because I’d watched so many terrorist movies?
Even so, there was this subtle tension in the air.
Probably because I’d lived my whole life as an ordinary civilian.
We were promptly escorted to the West Wing, where the President and his staff handled business.
The California Governor had hammered it home to us: we probably wouldn’t have much to do.
At most, we’d just answer questions about how the city for mutants would be run going forward.
That suited us fine, so we nodded quietly.
I just hoped they wouldn’t say anything weird.
To ease my tension, I had Sia sit on my lap and stroked her cheek.
…It felt like petting a comfort doll.
Sia seemed pretty tense; I could feel her trembling faintly.
Normally, she’d complain, but she just silently leaned into my touch.
After waiting in the West Wing for about 30 minutes,
the President finally arrived.
* * *
The US President, Henry Randolph, greeted us with a smile.
But I knew that smile wasn’t genuine.
It was obvious wariness.
As a dragon, I’d become far more attuned to others’ emotions. No way I’d miss that level of caution.
…This was expected.
Those eyes were sizing up my power, figuring out how to use it.
There’d been a slight tremor at first, but looking into those eyes stopped it cold.
Feigned friendliness would’ve been harder to deal with than this calculating gaze.
Let’s hear what he has to say.
“This is quite the sight—face-to-face with the hero who saved all of America.”
He started with flattery. Clearly testing me.
So, how should I play this?
First, I lowered my posture.
He was at the pinnacle of power, ruling the world.
No point in acting arrogant and offending him.
When dealing with someone whose relationship isn’t set, it’s best to win their goodwill.
Gaining enmity just makes everything exhausting.
“An undeserved title.”
“Undeserved?”
He looked at me with intrigued eyes.
Henry probably expected me to strut like a thunderbolt tyrant.
He’d have all my background info.
A kid just turning 24, he’d figure I’d rampage on raw power.
“Before mutating, I was just an ordinary college student. If the mutations hadn’t happened, I’d never have dealt with anything like this.”
“Not undeserved at all. As I said, you saved all of America. Those enemies grew stronger with every kill. You stopped them early. With overwhelming force, no less. And from a distant foreign land. If that’s not a hero, what is? You deserve the acclaim.”
“…A hero needs noble convictions. Regrettably, I lack those.”
“Convictions? Ha! That’s just packaging. Sounds like you’ve seen too many hero movies. Anyway, I didn’t call this meeting for hero talk, so let’s move on.”
“Very well.”
From that one exchange, he seemed to have a rough read on me.
The wariness in his eyes softened a bit.
Not a bad first meeting, all things considered.
Someone might ask me why not bulldoze through with my opinion.
Why treat the US President like any ordinary man.
Why humble myself like this.
Sure, that’s an option. But it’s not what I want.
Even as a dragon with lofty pride… deep down, I’m a guy who loves civilian life.
I’d come too far for that, but I wanted to keep this basic stance.
Truth is, I hate these convoluted meetings—sizing people up and all.
I’m the type who’d rather clock in as a civil servant, no worries, living simply.
Above all, it’s a hassle.
As long as he doesn’t try bossing me around, I’d go along reasonably.
Yeah, that’s the plan.
“Looks like I’d lose my head playing games here.”
“As long as you don’t try using me however you like, that won’t happen.”
“I know that much. What fool picks a fight with someone holding their life in their hands?”
“Good to hear.”
“Ha! Dodged a bullet there. What would you have done if I’d tried something?”
“Burned down the White House.”
I said it flatly, feeling Sia and the Governor next to me tense up.
Of course, I wasn’t joking.
“Naturally. Even I wouldn’t sit idle if someone tried manipulating me. You’re growing on me. Ever thought of naturalizing as an American?”
“Afraid not—I’m tied to the Korean government. And honestly, nowhere’s as livable as Korea.”
“Shame. Well, we’ve chatted enough. To the point: the Governor says you need federal funding.”
“Better to hear it from the high elf here, Sia.”
From there, it was Sia’s turn.
Sia and the Governor explained to the President why they needed federal funds and what they’d do with the mutants.
The Governor had meticulously calculated the social and handling costs from mutants, compiling it into a report.
The President pondered, face clouded.
“The intent’s good. Very good.”
“Then…”
“But good intentions alone don’t make it right. When the mutant issues blew up, they formed warlord groups. A closed city just for mutants—no, not even a town, a full city. Warlords there would be a threat beyond compare.”
“How about a trial run?”
Sia chimed in.
“Trial run?”
“Yes. The World Tree has already secured living space for them, so set a timeframe to monitor the mutants living there. Your Excellency won’t have much to worry about.”
“Nothing to worry about?”
“I’ll step in if needed.”
At my words, the President nodded.
Me flying all the way to America to save them must’ve built some trust.
“How would the trial work?”
“Start with state funding, expand if mutants respond well.”
“And the federal gain? Minimizing social costs from mutants, I assume.”
“Yes. America’s mutants are exhausted. They want sanctuary—no exclusion, no discrimination, just normal lives. But creating that in America now is near impossible… as Your Excellency knows.”
Sia’s words sealed it.
As she said, no safe haven for mutants was possible in current America.
Even mandating no discrimination per state wouldn’t stop it.
So, give them their space and a breather.
“A breather, then.”
“Yes. Gradually improve perceptions while reining in any radicals.”
Sia swiftly outlined perception improvements to the President, with the Governor assisting.
And so…
“Understood. I’ll view this positively. But I can’t commit fully—lengthy processes await.”
“That’s enough for now.”
We could finally breathe easier, having drawn a positive response from the President.