Episode 247 Blood Clash (1)
It is not uncommon for yesterday’s friend to become today’s enemy.
How about the opposite?
It’s rarer than the above case.
Even minor wounds can leave scars easily, but it can take several months to heal.
How much worse would human relationships be? They would only get worse, not worse.
Unless there is a common interest, yesterday’s enemy rarely becomes today’s friend.
But occasionally, something like that happens.
The president and I were one of those rare cases.
“Come visit me whenever you have time. I’m so happy to finally meet someone I can talk to.”
The president of the association saw us off with a bright smile. His eyes, which had been showing a dark madness, had become much clearer. As I watched him waving his hand, I thought about this for a moment.
‘Is it a compliment or an insult to say that I can communicate well with that gentleman?’
After the treatment, I had several conversations with the president. He passionately explained the project he was planning. I was surprised to see the president like that. Of course, it was a surprise in a good way.
‘I thought he was just a madman, but it turns out the president of the association is the president of the association… … .’
I was secretly impressed by the knowledge and wisdom of the association president. I could understand why he was called the greatest intelligence of mankind. However, the terms here and there were so difficult that I could only understand about half of them.
Still, I nodded my head in sincerity. I had worked in the service industry in my past life. I was a master at talking back to the elderly.
But the association president seemed to have misunderstood that service spirit as ‘communication.’ That can’t be true. There’s no way I can communicate smoothly with a madman!
Still, it is professional to not reveal one’s true feelings.
“I had fun too.”
The chairman’s smile widened as he felt better at my words. Then, as if something had come to mind, he suddenly asked.
“I almost forgot to mention it. Cheongeom, are you aware that the number of people on your fan site has been lifted?”
“Yes. I heard about it through a friend just before I came.”
“That’s what I am.”
“… … ?”
The president of the association took out his smartphone and showed it to me. It was a screen with my fan site on it. The president’s nickname was also written in small letters.
‘Cheonma_toxic?’
I thought it was a really strange nickname.
“The reason we limited the number of fansites was to reduce the influence of a single hero. That’s why the Hero Association was founded. You may or may not know, but groups are very afraid of individuals gaining too much power.”
“Why?”
The association president shrugged.
“There must be some reason for those fools to do that. They’re just afraid that their authority will be undermined.”
I couldn’t help but feel a strange feeling about him.
The one who reigns over the upper class is mocking them.
“But the group, or more precisely, the vested interests, cannot suppress the individual forever. That would be too anachronistic. Besides, the world is too noisy. It’s almost nonsensical that three legion commanders appear in one year. In these turbulent times, humanity needs a representative, a leader.”
“Isn’t the president the person closest to that leader?”
The attendant carefully opened his mouth. The president laughed heartily and said to Media.
“Second, your subordinate seems to be ambitious. He is good at saying nice things.”
“That’s not what I meant… … !”
“I’m joking. But I can’t help but think you’re not joking, seeing as you’re so flustered.”
“… … .”
“I appreciate your high regard for me, but I am not a chosen one of heaven. If I, who cried out for death just a few hours ago, were such a great person, wouldn’t the future of humanity be too bleak? And above all, I belong to a group called the Hero Association. The qualities of a true leader do not come from the power of a group. They come from an individual. In addition, I must be chosen by the times.”
While speaking, the association president looked up at the sky for a moment. He let out a small sigh.
“You are all so lucky. Before we leave, the heavens have given us such precious gifts.”
My companions and I also raised our heads. The next moment, everyone opened their eyes wide. The curtains of the night sky filled our eyes. A spectacle of purple and blue-green lights tangled like vines. At first glance, it looked like a curtain woven from a carpet of light.
“Aurora…….”
Someone muttered. It was a woman’s voice, so it must have been either the principal or the secretary. Maybe it was just a mixture of their voices.
Knock knock.
My heart is pounding. At this moment, the only thought that comes to my mind is.
‘beautiful.’
Any further vocabulary, at least I don’t know of any.
Aurora. It was a mystery different from the subspace curtain.
It was a piece of Mother Nature, and the twilight of this blue planet on which we live.
“It’s an astronomical phenomenon that can only be observed around the South and North Poles. It’s also called the ‘Curtain of Heaven’ among scholars. The polar natives also call it the ‘Spirit of God.’ It’s a meteorological phenomenon that’s as difficult to see as its grand name suggests. This is the second time I’ve seen it since I came here.”
The president of the association spoke to me while everyone was in a state of rapture.
“As expected, you were chosen by the times, Cheongeom.”
The association president’s hand gently pats my shoulder.
“Let’s change the times. I will not spare my support from behind.”
The weight of the words was not light at all.
* * *
As soon as I returned from Antarctica, I was greeted by a pile of work. I had only been away for a day, but the pile of paperwork had grown as high as a mountain.
My shoulders slumped in frustration. But what can I do? If I put off today’s work until next time, it will come back to me twice as much.
It’s better for your mental health to finish one more page instead of complaining.
“Are you pairing up some documents? Why is it that no matter how much I do this, it seems to increase rather than decrease?”
… I’m afraid that the guy who makes me promise to do this will lose his temper. But what can I do? It’s so annoying. It’s just pathetic to be sitting at my desk while everyone else is sleeping.
“Should I ask Weapon to come play?”
I’ll also pass on some of the work.
This too, the thought made me shake my head. The current time is 11:30 PM. Not only is it rude to call at such a close hour, but more than anything, I’m sure I won’t be able to work because of the weapon’s chatter.
When you call in a weapon, you have to give up work and sleep.
‘I can’t give up sleep because of immediate boredom.’
At that moment, the office door opened slightly. Thinking it was a thief, I instinctively reached for the sashimi. After all, there was nothing to steal here but documents.
Besides, I secretly hoped that the thief would steal these.
Well, I was thinking of turning a blind eye to that thief whose liver was sticking out of his stomach. If I wanted to, I could even pretend to be asleep.
This is the kind of person I am. I am even merciful to thieves.
Squeak.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a thief who came into my office. It was just Abel, who was sneaking around like a burglar cat, watching me closely.
‘What’s he doing at this hour?’
Abel asked, peeking his face through the crack in the door.
“Busy… …?”
“No, it’s okay.”
It was true that he was busy, but he didn’t answer straight away. The person asking the question must have felt embarrassed. How embarrassing it must have been for him to be squirming like that.
Abel came in, quietly closing the door.
“I was worried that I might have bothered you… but thank goodness.”
She coughed and tried to appear calm.
‘what.’
This scene somehow feels eerie. When was it?
‘Ah, it was like this when I was a boarder in the Nibelungen.’
When Abel came to my room to return the rabbit blanket. By the way, I am still using that blanket. It is a blanket with good fur quality, so just covering it with it makes me fall asleep easily.
“So what’s going on at this late hour?”
I asked. Abel hesitated for a moment and then opened his mouth as if someone could hear him.
“I heard from my grandfather. He said that something big will happen near Gehenna Gate soon. Oh, but I didn’t hear anything confidential!”
“It doesn’t matter if you hear it.”
Abel blinked at my clear tone. I rested my chin on my hand.
“Your Majesty, Abel, you are my family. I heard that your grandfather is facing a big problem, so at least you, as a family member, should know. It’s natural to worry about the safety of your family, even if it’s confidential and private. I’ll tell you.”
Then he spoke honestly about the current situation.
I explained exactly what the Inspector was doing at the gate, why, and what would happen. I explained the cause-and-effect relationship as I organized it.
In fact, this time, it is more difficult to predict the outcome than ever. Even the power of Permish, who breaks through the Gehenna Gate, is unclear. It is not clear how strong he is or what kind of magic he uses in detail. We can only guess based on historical records.
So, we have to keep in mind that in any case, it would be nice if all the participating heroes returned alive, but we can’t guarantee that ‘certainly’.
It’s not something that can be solved with effort. You have to rely on luck. But as someone who leads heroes, I can’t say anything but hopeful words.
I am a general, not a soldier. A general must always consider the best and worst possibilities.
“Anyway, that’s it.”
“… … .”
Abel, who had been quietly listening to my story, surprisingly showed little change in his expression. However, his slightly stiffened expression did not seem to be a sign he had already known.
“I see.”
Numb to shock. The results of a thousand class lessons are now revealed.
“Of course you will join the fight too.”
“Yeah, that’s how it is.”
“Aren’t you scared or anything? If what you say is true, it wouldn’t be strange if someone died.”
“It’s scary.”
I didn’t deny it. There are other implications – perhaps the damage to our allies is severe – but it is true that I am afraid.
I lightly made a fist and knocked on the desk in my office.
“But my position is my position. If the person who has to stand on the front line is trembling, what will happen to the morale of the heroes in the rear? Even if I’m scared, I have to pretend not to be scared and act calm, because this is my position.”
Abel laughed softly and said teasingly.
“Add one more to that, and pretend to be cool.”
“Hey, people are talking seriously.”
“It’s funnier when you’re serious!”
Abel smiled and headed back toward the door. For some reason, she looked relieved. Just before leaving the office, she slowly turned around.
“Still… I feel reassured knowing that you, Geumma, are by Grandfather’s side.”
Between the hair, the earlobes are as red as cherry tomatoes.
“So, I’ll specifically leave out the ‘Chuck’ at the end.”
Abel left the office with just those words.
* * *
Hawaii Island, right in front of Gehenna Gate.
The chief of police and the inspector stood side by side, looking at the gate. The gap carved into the gate was now large enough for one person to pass through.
Behind the two men, association staff and Japanese heroes gathered, all with grave expressions on their faces.
A gloomy silence enveloped the area. Only the top warrior-level heroes, including the Sung Bujang, were in good condition. Their expressions were equally serious.
“Finally.”
Chief Sung muttered. The inspector nodded.
“Call the Heavenly Sword.”
