Chapter 398 – Peace in the Cold War, Change (5)

After the night when Bam attacked the sexually obsessed Cornus.
Fortunately, Cornus had reached the point of being startled by even the slightest mention of sex.

No matter how enjoyable it is, if the pleasure is too intense, one may feel disheartened for a moment.
It’ll resurface after some time, but for now, everything is fine.

“That’s what happened.”

I spoke calmly to the woman in front of me.

“Ah… Did that happen?”
“Why, do you find it amusing?”

A lively agent of the termite faction, she was full of wit and excelled at her job.

I uttered this woman’s name as I watched her snicker.

“Sargenti.”
“Yes, yes? No, I’m not saying it’s funny… If the king wants to survive, there’s no other choice but to endure, right? It’s natural. Although chased by the World Tree? The tree shall be consumed! The guardian is a mentally challenged child—!”

-Bam!!

A punch landed on the head.

This one’s as mad as Aori.

“Argh!”
“Can’t you speak more politely?”

As it turns out, Sargenti is someone I’ve come to rely on while working together. With the shifting balance of power, I needed someone who could serve as a linchpin to gain trust and effectively lead the termites.

Curiously drawn to me and brimming with cunning, she quickly discerned that I was connected to Tae-yang or the Aori family and became close to me.

The drawback is her excessive playfulness, blunt demeanor, and propensity for making controversial remarks. Having tolerated all kinds of jokes with determination, my habits eventually worsened.

“Aw, don’t you like joking around with me?”
“No, I really don’t.”

Sargenti giggled.

“But I’m serious. That’s the only way for the king to survive.”
“Ugh. What good does it do for me to become stronger? Even if my teacher’s teacher were here, they couldn’t win a one-versus-many battle.”
“… Yeah, that’s true.”

Sargenti muttered bitterly to me as I stretched.

“About having a relationship with that girl named Sansuyu. May I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“…Wouldn’t it be a mistake to have a relationship as part of the king’s plan?”

Indeed, increasing Sansuyu’s dependency was a mistake, just as she had said.

“You deliberately distanced yourself from your lovers. Wasn’t it all because of that plan?”
“Yes.”
“Nevertheless, you still had a relationship with a woman named Sansuyu….”

Sargenti smirks and laughs.
This guy laughs a lot, although it’s not a particularly pleasant laugh.

“…Is the woman hungry?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Hahaha. I know~ But if you’re hungry next time, you should tell me, okay?”
“……”

Insane.
Embarrassed by that look, Sargenti gave his own head a light smack.

“…Still, she’s good at discerning things. It’ll work out somehow.”
“Next report.”
“Understood.”

Over several hours, reporting and coordination took place in a small office.

No matter how much knowledge I possess in economics and politics, it is of little use here. I must approach it as a child first encountering academia. Naturally, in these tumultuous times, there were few areas within my reach, and I had to consult experts in this field.

“Oh, and regarding the matter of my daughter I mentioned earlier.”

Of all the people, Sargenti is the one I remember, for a specific reason.

He holds not only specialized knowledge and connections on information expungement but also a vast understanding of foreign politics.

It is fair to say that he is solely responsible for matters concerning my daughter. While listening to his account, I interrupted him midway.

“Do everything possible. Even the unnecessary things.”

To the outside world, Shiba is not yet my daughter. Officially, she is Azalea’s adopted child.

From the very beginning, when I was just a sprout, I grew up within the confines of my room, and there isn’t much information to erase. Yet, I must do everything within my power.

“There’s no way the World Tree would target your daughter in the current situation.”
“…Let’s think about that later.”

The Korean Hunter Association is responsible for my subjugation.

I was quite surprised to hear that as well. It seems that as the battle dragged on, all of the World Tree’s attention became focused on Flower.

‘No matter how friendly Mugung is with the World Tree, if there isn’t any benefit for the country, he won’t take action.’

Mugung’s accomplishments are indeed dazzling. But upon closer examination of his actions, one can see that they have always been aimed towards the betterment of the nation. He became an ally of the World Tree and even negotiated with the Order to secure benefits for his country. In the world I once inhabited, the Miracle of the Han River was considered an extraordinary feat achieved solely by Mugung – and rightfully so.

‘Even the subjugation of Heavenly Demon, driven by a desire to compete with the strong, was the result of trading with the World Tree to ensure the nation reaped ample benefits.’

Could it be that they’re trying to capture me because they’ve discovered that I am the successor to King Mokryeong?

“Actually, there was no need to erase the video records. I don’t know why you’re so worried.”

Sargenti’s words snap me out of my thoughts. He’s referring to the favor I asked of him this time.

Sargenti put in a great effort. Thanks to his single-minded determination to make all the information between Shiba and me disappear, and to create information that didn’t exist before. He didn’t stop there; he successfully eliminated all concrete evidence.

The Azalea family, which the Hunter Association dares not meddle with, is entwined in all this, and they haven’t fully grasped the extent of the heretics surrounding me yet. Even if they had, it would be difficult for them to take matters into their own hands. Despite providing countless justifications, Sargenti refused to budge on this one point.

I didn’t push too hard either. I made the request because the conditions were right. Thanks to the spies from the Church of the World Tree and the termites who had planted personnel within the association.

Although not directly helpful, I am also grateful to the spies working for the Flower faction who create confusion between the World Tree and the Hunter Association.

“…We should do everything we can before we leave. After all, I am your father.”

“Paternal love… Are you saying that while doing something you shouldn’t be doing to your child right now?”

“You always say things like that, don’t you? It’s not wrong, though.”

Sargenti subtly raised the corner of his mouth. He seemed ready to make another joke. I picked up the trash can next to me and prepared to throw it.

“Ah, are you going to cover my mouth too? With those underpants?”

“No, I don’t like that.”

“Did you complete the Baekdang Tree Encyclopedia? You didn’t, did you?”

“I dislike Baekdang tree flowers because they smell similar to ginkgo.”

“…Does King Mokryeong, who governs the trees, discriminate against them based on their scent?”

That’s a controversial statement. I threw the trash can at the guy who crossed his arms and said that.

– Kwadang, bang!

“Kyaaak!”

Sargenti fled as if running for his life.

“Ehh.”

He sighed and continued working on the documents. Despite his appearance, he was practically the only one in the White Termites that could be trusted and entrusted with work.

It wasn’t that there were no others. He had his own position, and his strength and influence were considerable, so there had been a few times when he had led the White Termites while Tae-yang searched for me.

Frankly, without him, I wouldn’t have even attempted the plan I’m devising now.

‘…Naturally.’

I removed the seal from the paper before me and unfolded it.

A document detailing the activities of everyone I have a connection with. I couldn’t keep up with the actions of the masters, but I was personally seeking them out to investigate. Seyoung and those with public positions, like the stars… All of their dealings were recorded.

Surveillance and protection simultaneously.

In truth, there was no need to worry, as practically all our forces were to be used in opposition to Flower. But with the Association now targeting me, I had no choice but to allocate personnel.

Well, my lovers were not the type to sit idle in the first place.

As much as I do? No, they know this world far better than I and have secured more than enough power. My mentors are a given, as well as Se-Young and Byul. And then there’s Azalea, who’s protecting Shiba. From the moment they became entangled with me, they’ve managed their affairs exceptionally well. They wield considerable power. As for Cornus, who lacks power, I’m protecting her.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

“Come in.”

A woman entered my office at my command. She gently extended the tip of her staff towards me.

The direction was off, but I had no intention of correcting it.

“Yuli.”

“…”

An all-out war between the Association and the termites. Information isn’t flowing as freely as imagined, so they’ll grow impatient soon.

In the world I once lived in, I’m not sure how things were, but now, with magic activated, it’s easier to conceal oneself than to track someone down.

What kind of forces surround me?
And it would be difficult to discern that they are the White Termites.

However, I am uncertain when Flower and the World Tree will agree to a truce and begin to target me. I smiled as I recalled the time when I was about to take command of the White Termites.

‘A small group of elites, indeed… Tae-yang turned out to be more impressive than I expected.’

Tae-yang had nearly predicted Bitcoin.

Foreseeing ‘the appearance of King Mokryeong’s successor’ as a truth before anyone else, he amassed power and stockpiled resources in preparation for war.

In this age, where magic initiates and governs everything, magic stones represent money, firepower, and sorcery… the sole resource that pierces through all, even sustenance. Thanks to Tae-yang, raising funds was a breeze. In terms of managing money, the White Termites had a structure that allowed them to move more efficiently and rapidly than the Hunter Association.

There were many thoughts that occupied my mind before and after assuming control.
I knew the day would come when I would establish a force and set it in motion.

The wealth of knowledge I had amassed for this purpose was finally proving its worth.

“…The situation isn’t too dire, is it?”

Yuli’s voice interrupted my train of thought.

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t see?”

“I activated the Mystic Eye after a long time. I used to think it wouldn’t be strange if I were to commit suicide. Hmm.”

“Enough about that. How’s the task?”

“What do you take me for? It’s done.”

Alright.
Even if I were contemplating suicide, there’d be nothing to say as long as I did my job well.

What I asked Yuli to do was investigate the activities of certain members within the termite faction.
The goal was to eliminate the seeds of discord and betrayal that would surface when Tae-yang relinquished his position.

‘…I’m sorry, Tae-yang.’

Tae-yang must have recruited them, believing them to be trustworthy individuals.
But those who would turn their backs due to a swift shift in power were rotten from the start.
It’s only right to spray the weeds with pesticide beforehand.

Originally, this was a role Tae-yang should have taken on.
Because I enforced his leave, the situation inevitably changed, and it became my responsibility.
Seducing and placating gently was out of the question.

However, with Sargenti and Yuli joining me,
I found two individuals capable of filling the void left by Tae-yang and Aori.

I trust they will fulfill their roles until I step in.

“Will you really let me marry Tae-yang after all this is over? Will I be free then?”
“…As I’ve said before, it’s not up to me to grant permission; you need to win him over. If possible, I’ll sing at your wedding.”
“Well, same difference. Sigh, I miss Tae-yang… So, Your Majesty, when will your plan come to an end?”

At Yuli’s reasonable inquiry, I shrugged my shoulders.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t given her a precise date for the completion of my plan.

“In a month.”
“…Excuse me?”

Yuli was taken aback by my response.
Understandable.

Once this matter is settled, the White Termites’ power will effectively fade away.

It signified the disintegration of power in the air.
The plan to obliterate the power within a single month was being executed by Sargenti and me.

“…Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’ve been sincere from beginning to end.”

A battle underpinned by the assumption that the power will be annihilated.
It means that Tae-yang will utilize all the funds, connections, and strength he has amassed over a decade in a single instant.

“……”

Yuli was speechless for a long time.
Ignoring Yuli, I continued speaking.

“I’m fighting against the association. I figured I had to go this far.”

But don’t worry.
I’ll ensure that there’s minimal harm to the family-like individuals Tae-yang has gathered.
The funds collected take that into account as well.

“……Honestly speaking, I still don’t understand your plan. Are you truly prepared to die?”

At Yuli’s words, I wear an awkward expression.

“If everything is well with just one of my necks… That might be for the best.”

Yuli’s expression hardened. In contrast, I remained playful.

“What, you think this is a joke? Seriously…”

There’s no point in panicking now, as nothing will change. I had to prepare for the worst and had no intention of joking around.

I couldn’t help but smile at Yuli’s misconstrued words.