Chapter 498: The Cliché: Growing, Soon After Collapsing (1) |
The situation didn’t last that long, but it was so tense that it made my hands sweat. Of course, the situation hadn’t ended just yet. They managed to escape using the retreat plan, but they still ended up sacrificing a few members of the expedition team.
However, Jung Ha-Yan was still suffering from the effects of mana exhaustion, so there was no way they could use Teleportation once more.
In other words, it was safe to assume that they would be using the escape route that Park Yeon-Joo had secured for them.
‘I still don’t know where they’re headed going, though…’
However, it should only be a matter of time before their route was discovered because there were high priest demons deployed all over the regions under Belial’s control.
I presumed that they were going to the 17th base because the Republic was currently attacking it. In addition, it wasn’t that far from here. I deduced that they would go there and rest before deciding what steps they should take next. Of course, they only had two choices—group up with the other teams and attack once more, or give up everything.
It didn’t matter what decision they would take because the current progression was almost perfect for me. It seemed a bit hasty, but fixing the messy situation had taken priority over anything else. Fortunately, I managed to succeed, and it resulted in me receiving cheers and applause from the nearby demons.
The demons reminded me of staffers who would applaud the actors after they were finally done shooting the final filming of their drama, but this was kind of different from that.
‘It was only possible because everyone came together…’
I knew it would make me look like scum to act like I was proud of the effect we managed to achieve, but I still couldn’t help but smile.
There were a few demons who were cheering louder than the priests of the Sacred Demon Country, and there were even a few demons who approached to give me mysterious flower necklaces.
‘This is why I like being the director.’
I wasn’t sure exactly about the scale of my achievements, but the smiles on everyone’s faces made it clear that my achievements were great.
- Your acting was amazing, advisor!
- Wow! Simply outstanding. Really!
- See, I told you.! I said it was going to be a success.
- Bring Advisor L-Lee Ki-Young to hell!
- Advisor L-Lee Ki-Young to hell!
- Advisor L-Lee Ki-Young to hell!
“Hahaha. Thank you, everyone. Really. Haha. These aren’t necessary, through. Wait, you didn’t have to pop a champagne,” I told them.
- You worked really hard. I was kind of worried, but was this all part of your plan? If you had told us earlier, we could have made it even more perfect…
“You did really well, so there’s no need to be disappointed, Miss Rimoura. I was kind of flustered by the sudden husband setup, but it’s amazing that you were able to follow along without any issues. I didn’t tell you anything, but you performed pretty well. I was really surprised,” I said.
- About the setup… please think of it as me including a tiny bit of my personal feelings into it.
‘Stop trying to impress me. It’s burdensome.’
- I was surprised as well, Mr. Lee Ki-Young. I thought everything was going to end, but you immediately ran over and turned the tables. It was kind of abrupt, but you actually look more charming with your current look. Did you and Belial…
“Yes, we established a direct contract. Originally, he said it was impossible, but the continent is a bit unstable, so he managed to give me this benefit. Hahaha. By the way, how’s your merit? Has it increased?” I asked.
- Yes, of course. It has increased more than I expected. I’m not sure if it’s because the scene just now was broadcasted in the main city of the continent, but—Actually, just being here was enough to make up for all the losses I had to endure until now. I’m not sure about the exact number just yet, but if this continues, I think I’ll be in the top 1,000.
“Top 1,000… With a bit more effort, you should have no issues being in charge of your own legion,” I said.
- If that day actually comes, I would like to work with you no matter what. Of course, it won’t happen anytime soon…
“I’ll be really grateful if you give me that generous offer by then, Miss Rimoura,” I told her.
- It seems like our advisor can only see Miss Rimoura and no one else. Haha.
“That’s not true. This wouldn’t have been possible if it hadn’t been for all of you. We were able to carry this out smoothly because of each and everyone of you. If I could, I would repay every single demon that is here right now,” I replied.
- Don’t forget what you just said.
“Of course not. Now, let’s wrap up,” I suggested.
- Okay.
“Everything had worked out, but that was nothing more than the first step. There were variables that even caught me off guard. Things had worked out, but it doesn’t mean that things will keep on working out until the end. It’s important to celebrate our first victory, but we also have to prepare for the work we have up ahead. I understand that we achieved a lot, but this is just the start,” I explained.
- As expected…
“Let’s take the humans we captured to the power house and draw out their mana. Right now, there are a total of—
- Five rooms.
“I see. I think it’ll be for the best if we move the humans every now and then. Don’t just move them in a different room; you also have to instill in them the fear of going to the food storage or to an even more dangerous place than that. Doing that should increase your performance as well. After you’re done drawing out their mana, move them to the recovery room, but don’t let them know that they’re receiving treatment,” I instructed.
- The humans are probably scared. I’m sure they’re thinking that we’re going to dispose of them. As expected… from the external advisor. You really are worthy of your evaluation. Indeed, you are more demonic than a demon.
‘That’s not true, you bastards.’
“Ahem, anyway, please do that. And aside from rebellions, please refrain from attacking them. I’m sure you already know, but I’m…”
- Of course, we’re aware.
“Thank you for your understanding. Before we convene our official meeting, I’d like to take a look at the continent’s current affairs…” I requested.
- We’ll prepare it right away.
“Please prepare it in the situation room,” I said.
- Okay.
I was naturally curious about the party members reactions—no, I had to know their reactions. An innovative and pioneering director was great, but I had to know the public’s opinion as well for me to formulate my next course of actions.
In other words, investigating the public opinion was always important.
I walked into the situation room and sat in one of the chairs like a victor. I placed my feet on a desk and grabbed a bottle of the wine that I really liked. I felt like i was in heaven. I snapped my fingers, and the magic hologram in the situation room flickered to life.
Naturally, I stared at the magic hologram displaying scenes within the Sacred Democratic Country before anything else.
‘Well, their reactions are par for the course.’
Many people were praying in the square, and they were crying as if they had lost their beloved leader. Anxiety and fear riddled their faces. I also saw a few people who kept on denying the reality that they had seen with their own two eyes.
- Everything was a lie, everyone. What you had seen weren’t scenes from the goddess’ mirror. Those scenes had been fabricated by the demons to deceive us. There’s no way that Father Lee Ki-Young has been corrupted. There’s no way that a demon is capable of seizing the heart of our Father Lee Ki-Young.
- Raise your heads, denizens of the Democratic Country! Goddess Benigoa will give us power to overcome this trial. She will look over him. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid!
It was ridiculous, but the ones who were denying reality were the ones who looked the most scared out of everyone in the square. They were saying that there was no way I got corrupted, but their expressions betrayed their words.
It was obvious that the scene they had seen was real. The gloomy atmosphere was almost palpable, and the soldiers were moving around busily, seemingly doing something.
There were even some soldiers who had decided to take some of the rations for themselves, seemingly in preparation for something big.
A single glance at the expressions of the soldiers and priests was enough for anyone to deduce that things weren’t looking good.
‘Looks like Benigoa will be able to return sooner than I thought.’
Their desperate prayers were becoming even more desperate—no, desperation wasn’t the right word to describe it. Their prayers were basically their only method to fight for their lives. Their prayers were no different from the desperate prayer of someone who had unknowingly called out to their god after foreseeing a terrible accident.
‘The balance of power has to be maintained...’
If we were to give them a reason to be desperate, then they would be desperate.
I couldn’t help but be curious about why Benigoa and Belial weren’t working together. If they were to join forces, I was sure that their performance would reach the moon.
A basic setup would be enough for them to create a water mill that would never stop spinning.
‘I’m sure they’re not aware of the concept of mutual aid.’
I looked around while clicking my tongue and saw people evacuating.
‘This place must be near the regions under the Federation.’
It looked like a kingdom was evacuating their subjects after realizing that they were in danger because of their close proximity to the Federation. Unfortunately, it seemed that they didn’t manage to gather all their belongings because they were traveling lightly.
The sight actually fractured my heart.
And more fractures appeared on my heart when I saw an anxious woman holding her son’s hand in one hand and her daughter’s hand in the other. Of course, the people around her didn’t really look any different.
The scene of an elderly man fainting out of exhaustion was the cream of the crop. A priest and a woman wearing a fancy outfit quickly ran toward him and fed him a bottle of potion. The priest was too exhausted to cast a simple vitality spell, which made their situation extremely clear in my eyes.
I felt uncomfortable upon realizing it.
- How much longer until we arrive at the nearest city, High Priestess Beryl?
- We still have a long way to go, my queen. It’s a relief that there aren’t any nearby monsters, but I’m not sure if the subjects will be able to endure the long journey…
- They will endure… My people—they will not give up no matter what.
- I’m sure the former king would have said the same thing. By the way, are you okay? The kingdom…
- I’m ashamed to see my father, but I’m sure he would have made the same decision as me. By the way, are the rumors true? I’m talking about Father Lee Ki-Young of the Sacred Democratic Country…
- It hasn’t been confirmed yet. No one with such holy power has ever been corrupted, but if what we had seen is true, then we’re in an unprecedented crisis.
- That’s…
- You’ll have to prepare yourself, Your Majesty.
It wasn’t just in this region.
There was an unimaginable number of people leaving their homes.
I saw a small village that was razed to the ground in such a way that made it seem as if ferocious bandits had gone through the village. In addition, not even a single ant was crawling around the small cities.
The refugees had departed on a long journey despite their exhaustion, just to get away from Belial’s territory. The sight was like an indirect representation of the current situation.
The regions that were far from Belial’s territory weren’t exceptions. Mysterious riots were happening in some regions, and there were even some nations that had to stop operating after their production facilities inexplicably stopped working.
I couldn’t even see a dog in the market of a few large cities that were famous for their large traditional markets—all I could hear was cries filled with despair and screams of agony.
The entire continent was filled with despair and fear.
And my head started hurting because it seemed that the fallen continent had no intention of getting back to its feet.
‘What’s wrong with them…?’
According to my plan, mankind should have been preparing their counterattack right now, but those that had gotten knocked down weren’t getting up at all. They looked like boxers who got beaten up so badly that they couldn’t get back up.
‘Get back up, you bastards…’
To make things worse, a few nations suggested to stop resisting and giving up. I knew the continent would suffer greatly from all this, but it seemed that the damage was far worse than I thought.
The expedition team looked the same.
‘Wake up and get back up, guys. Shit, be hopeful and get back up. Get back up, guys. Don’t lose that sliver of hope. Shit…!’
I couldn’t do anything else other than to closely observe humanity’s last remaining rays of hope.
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