538 – Persuasion (5)

Changcheon returned after about two weeks. Changcheon’s situation was not very good, even to say the least.

It was a chaotic war where not only the Imperial forces and the Allied Forces fought, but also many other forces became entangled.

In particular, the most troublesome of the two was the Demonic Cult. Even if the righteous and evil factions were not known, the participation of the Demonic Cult was completely unexpected.

Moreover, the ultimate goal of the Demonic Cult was also quite a difficult one: to have the Cheonma Singyo officially recognized as a religion.

Accordingly, the Demonic Cult took a line toward providing relief and protection to those affected by war rather than engaging in direct combat.

As time passed and the outcome of the war became clear, they quickly declared neutrality. What a wise decision.

It was not that they were weak, and since there were quite a few strong people due to the nature of the Demonic Cult, they had no choice but to accept the advantage.

‘He’s just a troublemaker.’

Of course, it’s just empty talk, but for the Allied Forces currently occupying Changcheon, it’s invaluable support.

You might say, “If we recognize it as a religion, then that’s the end of it,” but the Demonic Cult is clearly a pseudo-religion.

In other countries, especially in other religious groups, this is something that must be eradicated, but it is protected at the national level?

If this happens, the situation will inevitably become quite complicated. The holy war will degenerate into a war of national proportions.

Moreover, another force is entering the heart of the Huan Empire, making the future unstable.

‘The Allied Powers have no intention of taking over Changcheon anyway. They just want independence.’

The Allied Powers were only concerned with obtaining recognition for independence, so the Demonic Cult’s proposal was not very appealing.

Of course, in preparation for a later strike, they would have included the formal recognition of the Demonic Cult in negotiations.

The Demon Cult was not stupid, so they watched steadily and sensed the Allied Forces’ presence.

“Long live the heavenly horse, may the heavenly horse be blessed!”

“Long live the heavenly horse, may the heavenly horse be blessed!”

“Long live the heavenly horse, may the heavenly horse be blessed!”

And the result is those people over there. People wearing black, symbolizing the devil’s cult.

Just as the cult they lived in was a mixture of human scent and fanaticism, the expressions on those people’s faces were filled with happiness.

What is frightening is that there is fanaticism in that happiness. I can’t even guess what they will do in the future.

‘The next emperor will be the one who turns all the shit upside down.’

If that was accepted, it is highly likely that the next person in power after the Emperor accepted it.

Crown Prince Danjucheon was beheaded and killed, and the life or death of the rest of the royal family is unknown as the palace was reduced to ashes.

So the only person left is Dan Ye-rin. I think her lust for power must be quite extreme for her to commit such a crazy act.

So I hurriedly went back to my room and looked for Dan Ye-rin. Surprisingly, she was waiting in my room instead of outside.

“You!”

-Wow!

As soon as I arrived, Dan Ye-rin smiled brightly and hugged me. I was taken aback by the sudden hug, but I soon accepted it quietly.

The group that came to rescue me was the group, but Dan Ye-rin, who was waiting quietly here, must have been upset too.

I would have liked to go and rescue her. However, if even Dan Ye-rin leaves, the Hwan Empire will be in a difficult position.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

Dan Ye-rin, who had been hugging me for a while, asked me with a worried expression. I stared at her face.

I think I’ve been through a lot of mental anguish, so I’ve lost a bit of weight. I’ve also got dark circles under my eyes.

But because she’s beautiful, she seems to have a more decadent impression. She’s pretty, after all.

“No. I’m fine.”

“That’s fortunate. I was so surprised to hear that the Demonic Cult had kidnapped you.”

Dan Ye-rin thought this was the moment and started to bring up everything that had happened so far.

The Huan Empire was unable to call for reinforcements and was forced to leave Changcheon. As a result, the Allied Powers began to take control of Changcheon.

With the capital and the Allies well prepared, it won’t be an easy task to hold out for a few months. In the end, negotiations are the only answer.

The situation is so bad that even the palace has been blown away, making it impossible to control the situation.

“Matra Empire Army? The Matra Empire Army is here?”

“Yes. We are currently fighting the Hwan Empire army outside of Changcheon.”

As expected, the Matra Empire also intervened. The pretext was to save the crown prince, Karas.

Actually, that’s normal. Whether Karasu is up to something or not, the Crown Prince is isolated and cannot see clearly with his own eyes.

So, originally, they were supposed to send Karas and the other students back via warp, but the warp was damaged due to an unexpected accident.

Even though they are somehow repairing it now, it will take a considerable amount of time. In the end, the time was exceeded, so the Imperial Army was dispatched.

‘That’s too fast for something like that?’

It’s only been two weeks. In the span of two weeks, information is passed on to the Matra Empire, and the army is reorganized and sent to the Huan Empire?

Even crossing the border and arriving near the capital. This speed is impossible unless you already know everything.

Perhaps Karas had already sensed this and made a warning. The army would be more like a reconnaissance unit than an army.

‘Still, the fact that another country came must be a huge pressure.’

From the perspective of the Huan Empire, not the Allied Powers, it would be such a headache that they would want to just throw it all away.

The Allies are enjoying a truly irresponsible pleasure. Anyway, back to reality.

“That’s right. I just heard. The Demonic Cult is officially recognized.”

“I heard.”

“What the hell is going on? Did you give permission?”

Dan Ye-rin shook her head to my question. This meant that she did not accept it.

If not Dan Ye-rin, then who else recognized the Demonic Cult as an official religious sect? I couldn’t understand it at all.

Dan Ye-rin read my expression and told me the current situation with a bitter smile.

“I told you before. There are three generals who support the Huan Empire.”

“Yeah. I heard.”

“One is brute force. Another is brains. Lastly, another is tradition. Do you know what tradition means?”

“The wisdom to command both force and mind.”

That’s roughly what I heard. Also, unlike other generals, he is loyal to the ‘country’ and not to people.

Therefore, it means that it will be of great help to Dan Yerin, who will become the future emperor. This was also the case in Soul World.

But the future has already changed so much. Dan Ye-rin sighed and continued.

“Yes. You are right. And he is my uncle too.”

“··· ···”

“My uncle originally lived a life away from power. But given the circumstances… he really had no choice but to take power.”

“Not giving it to you?”

“Because I don’t have an army.”

“··· ···”

Power is something that you can only have if you have the strength. As Dan Ye-rin, who has nothing, there is nothing she can do.

Most of the Huan Empire’s troops within Changcheon were either dead or subdued. Even the imperial palace was completely destroyed.

Her uncle also really ‘had no choice’ to seize power. It is a violation of tradition.

‘Things are going to flow like this?’

It’s so absurd, not to mention embarrassing. Who would have thought that the snowball of demons’ intrusion would go on like this?

Moreover, considering that the Demonic Cult has been officially recognized as a religious sect, negotiations have progressed to some extent.

In other words, Dan Ye-rin is now in a situation where she is like a duck egg in the Nakdong River. The level of difficulty has increased to an extreme.

“The controls will be lifted tomorrow or the day after. My uncle will personally step forward and negotiate with the Allied Forces.”

“··· ···”

“In the meantime, I······ can’t do anything. I want to see my uncle, but I don’t know what to do······”

Dan Ye-rin muttered gloomily. It seemed as if she was sobbing a little.

I’m sure he tried hard, but the situation is just too bad.

It would have been better if she had been outside, half-captured in the sky.

The ambition to become emperor is fading away. That absolutely must not happen.

“I’ll try to do something.”

“······You?”

“Yeah. You don’t have the strength? I’m here. You can do it.”

“No. It would be impossible. It’s great that we defeated the Weilong, but our opponent is an army.”

“hmm······”

I was a little worried when I heard that the other person was in the military. There is definitely a difference between an individual and the military.

The military was a group that even the Lords were reluctant to deal with. No matter how much of a Lord they were, they were only humans with one heart.

Besides, sending troops means war, and war can leave your heart pierced by a blind arrow.

‘But I’m fine even with the blind arrow?’

There are no problems with physical strength or endurance. There are few people who can keep up with me in terms of physical strength and endurance.

Above all, it is much better to take action than to be pessimistic and say that it will not work out.

“Let’s give it a try. Have hope.”

“Even if I become the emperor, I’m just a puppet······”

“It’s your dream. It’s your ambition.”

“··· ···”

“Are you just going to give up like this?”

Dan Ye-rin listened to what I said and made a dumbfounded expression. It was as if she was asking why I was cheering her on so much.

Honestly, it doesn’t really matter to me that Dan Ye-rin becomes the emperor. But the reason I do it is simple.

Because I promised you so. Even if you call me a scarecrow, you won’t be able to tease me as a scarecrow as long as I’m here.

“You have to go all the way. If you do nothing, you will end up doing nothing.”

“··· ···”

“Are you going to do it?”

Dan Ye-rin blinked at my words, then smiled faintly. Her face looked much more relaxed.

Then she quietly reached out and grabbed my hand. She even started to fondle it.

“You really are······ unpredictable. Why do you help me like that?”

“Because you like it?”

For a moment, I felt like I had made a mistake in what I said.

“really?”

Dan Ye-rin has the brightest smile in the world. It’s a smile so bright it’s blinding.

Well, let’s move on since it’s good anyway.

“Hoo.”

“?!”

Until a voice almost exclaiming in admiration was heard from behind.

“So this is how you seduce women. Now I understand.”

“Hey, you······?”

“··· ···”

It’s fucked.