Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Chapter 212
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Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Chapter 212
49. The King of the Duchy Is a Fixer (1)
An utterly unexpected statement.
Thanks to it, the Lord's office in Reiers County was thrown into shock.
"What? What do you mean...?"
"Currently, there is no faction on Earth that we can trust and turn our backs to. What I want is for South Korea the one side we can at least communicate with to fulfill that role. Then we, too, will repay your choice with action."
The people conversing with Count Reiers are agents and diplomats who were instructed by the Director of the National Intelligence Service to observe the other side's reaction.
Their mission was to check whether they knew anything about Adrian, who healed the soldiers in the video but instead, they were suddenly hit with talk of a military alliance and northern advance support.
Being confronted with something like that out of nowhere is bound to be difficult.
"Why the alarm? You're not the ones making the decision anyway, are you? Your task is simply to convey my intentions to the President."
"R-right, of course."
"I'm sure you know how useful our Heaven-Piercing Fortress is at intercepting Earth's missiles and fighter jets. And with the Vanguard, which hasn't had many chances to shine directly, plus the newly deployed Spirit Tower, you'll have an airtight anti-air network no need to worry about North Korea's missiles at all. Whether those missiles carry high explosives or nuclear warheads."
The NIS agents and diplomats had to swallow dryly.
North Korea's internal affairs are currently in chaos.
Taking advantage of that situation, talk of pushing north has been emerging not only among the military high command and political circles, but also among the public.
But the reason South Korea hesitates to advance north is because of East China, which calls itself New Balhae, and North Korea's nuclear weapons whose fingers are on the button, no one can say.
However, if Reiers County extends its support, all these worries would be resolved.
They had already shown how outstanding their interception capability was against China's missile barrage, and even pushed China back, making it hard for those calling themselves New Balhae to act recklessly either.
"And with the Vanguard, assassinating key figures becomes easy too. A Vanguard is a fighter jet and tank in human form, so personal firearms can't do it any harm at all."
It wasn't something they could decide themselves, but aside from the lack of information about Reiers County, the proposal seemed to offer nothing but benefits.
Even though the peninsula could easily become a powder keg, they could feel that this was an unparalleled opportunity to achieve unification.
"Understood. We will do our utmost to bring you a positive answer."
Their thoughts were reflected plainly in their answer.
Satisfied with their reaction, Count Reiers handed them two gifts.
"What is this?"
"A personal firearm commonly used by soldiers in Rondel. A gift to convey to the South Korean government and military authorities."
It resembled a gun, but had a slightly more futuristic design.
Like a laser gun from a sci-fi movie.
"Then, we'll take our leave."
"Travel safely."
After the NIS agents and diplomats left, the young lord, who had maintained a composed expression the whole time, spoke in shock.
"What are you saying, Father? I never heard anything about this!"
He protested, asking why his father would propose such a major matter without even consulting him.
At that, the Lord spoke with an apologetic expression.
"Truth is, it was proposed by His Highness the King, Grand Duke Lawrence, when he visited."
"When he came by earlier?"
"Yes. It just so happens that our domain is situated in the place where the world's most complicated international relations are tangled together."
"True, I have heard something similar. Even before the Great Catastrophe, it was a region where communism and democracy two political systems clashed."
"But since the Great Catastrophe dispersed the power in this region, His Highness the King believes we should use South Korea to stabilize the surroundings."
"And the method for that stabilization is eliminating North Korea?"
It means removing North Korea the one among the three major powers surrounding Reiers County: South Korea, North Korea, and China, that might do anything and dividing things between the remaining two.
China, having suffered heavy damage from the Great Catastrophe, is currently split apart.
On the other hand, it judged that South Korea's power remained fully intact and that, with a new supporting force in Reiers County backing it, it would be able to maintain its position stably.
"His Highness the King, Grand Duke Lawrence, said to think it over, but that man doesn't speak idly. As it happened, the South Korean government sent someone over, so I made the proposal on the spot."
The young Lord still had his complaints, but once he understood why his father had suddenly made such a proposal, he let out a small sigh.
"How will South Korea react?"
"If the President is someone who knows how to seize an opportunity, he'll accept. If he's a petty man obsessed with protecting what's his, he'll refuse."
* * *
Kim Min-guk, the President of South Korea, showed interest at the sight of the Director of the National Intelligence Service bringing unexpected news.
"The Count of Reiers is quite an interesting fellow."
He'd learned that the silver-haired young man who had used healing magic their original objective was connected to them, but the sudden proposal of support for a march north was something he'd never imagined, and he couldn't help but let out a sound of admiration.
President Kim Min-guk was a man who had resolved to achieve unification within his term.
And just when he was struggling against one obstacle after another, these foreigners reached out a hand and offered to help.
Under ordinary circumstances, this would be the moment to suspect their motives, but President Kim Min-guk judged that he could simply take as much benefit as he could now and deal with any problems when they arose later.
"What do you think?"
To the Director's cautious question, President Kim Min-guk gave a simple answer.
"Of course it's a thank you."
"Then war..."
"If it's necessary, we'll do it. This is an unprecedented opportunity when you consider South Korea's future."
As he said this, President Kim Min-guk picked up the weapon the Director had received from his subordinates.
His expression already carried the stubbornness of a man who would not accept dissent.
Thanks to that, the Director let out a sigh and revealed the specifications of the artifact gifted by the Count of Reiers.
"It has three built-in functions: standard rounds, long-range rounds, and explosive rounds. The standard rounds have an effective range of 500 meters and excellent rate of fire; the long-range rounds have an effective range of 2 kilometers and excellent penetration. Lastly, the explosive rounds have an effective range of 200 meters and a lethal radius of 10 meters in diameter."
"Wait, so this one light gun serves as an assault rifle, a sniper rifle, and a grenade launcher all at once?"
"We'd need to test it, but based on what's been said, yes."
"Hah, and ammo replacement?"
"There's a battery pack at the bottom, like a magazine they say you just swap it for a new one. A battery pack can fire 500 standard rounds, or 50 long-range or explosive rounds... astonishingly, the battery pack also recharges on its own if left alone."
In Rondel, they'd heard, personal firearms for soldiers had been pushed off the battlefield by the Vanguard and the Heaven-Piercing Fortress.
Currently, he'd heard, they were commonly used by the guard force to maintain public order and even such items possessed specs that modern technology could not replicate.
Afterward, when they tested the power of Rondel's personal firearms, they performed equal to or better than Earth's equivalents.
"It's strange to say it now, but I can hardly believe we've joined hands with beings outside our standard."
Seeing the President already treating the alliance as a done deal, the Director gave a small cough and asked.
"Shall I convey that we accept the proposal, then?"
"Yes. And while we're at it, suggest we establish embassies between our two nations."
"Embassies? Ah, I think that's a good idea. It could serve as a base for gathering intelligence on them. I'll convey that, then."
Once the direction was decided, things moved fast.
That was South Korea's strength in having overcome the Great Catastrophe, and the very quality the people most expected of their President.
And so, the march north for South Korea's future was decided.
* * *
"How are the people we pulled up from the sea doing?"
Having filled my daily quota of Chronicle Online connection time and returned to reality, I was handling duchy affairs when I asked the Minister of the Royal Household also an executive of Blue Moon about the situation of the Americans settled on Ophelia Island.
"There don't appear to be any particular problems. Perhaps because they were released from captivity, they seem largely overjoyed. I think we'll need to observe them a bit longer."
"If anyone does something foolish or goes around saying unnecessary things, just arrest them and throw them in jail. Even if they are castaways, we don't need to cater to them one by one, persuading and coddling them."
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
I planned to educate them well and make use of them back on Earth as well.
Since we're feeding them, housing them, and providing all sorts of conveniences, I figured if they had any sense, they'd know how to behave.
But looking at Westerners, I worry there are quite a few who like to act smart with logic that doesn't hold up to common sense.
Of course, most are probably not like that, but the problem is that with five hundred people gathered together, the chance of something unexpected happening isn't small.
After all... isn't there something like the law of conservation of idiots?
That's why I gave this order.
"What about Lord Benjamin?"
"I heard he just arrived on Ophelia Island and is exchanging names with them."
I appointed Benjamin as the manager of these Americans.
He was in a position where he could never betray me, so I wasn't too worried.
"I've already given him a warning, but make sure to keep a close watch so that Lord Benjamin doesn't slip up and say anything about traveling between worlds."
"Yes, understood."
With that final check on the Americans of Ophelia Island, I finished up the bulk of my work and stretched while still seated.
Was it because I was turning my neck and stretching?
Arcia, who had been sitting at the tea table in my office enjoying refreshments, came over and massaged my shoulders.
If something went wrong with my body, I could just use healing magic, but still, the relief that comes from a person's hands is something you can't replicate.
She was Arsia, who kneaded his shoulders quite refreshingly, whenever she had learned to do so.
"Thanks, Arcia."
"Don't mention it."
Work was done, I'd filled my daily game quota, and I was about to enjoy some newlywed life with her as our eyes met...
"Your Highness the King!"
A guest had arrived.
"Field Marshal Nathan of the Prius Republic has come to visit."
A guest I had never expected, at that.
I couldn't help but tilt my head, wondering what business the Prius Republic could have at this timing.
Moreover, "Field Marshal Nathan" was second in military rank after Field Marshal Ansen, and fourth in the Republic's hierarchy a top official and the closest confidant of President Izrael.
"Is that so? Show him in."
Having seen him many times myself, I couldn't help but welcome him even as I wondered about the unexpected visit.
A moment later, Field Marshal Nathan stepped into my office.
Though he was a major figure of the Republic, he offered me a Rhinehearts-style salute.
"Welcome. Field Marshal Nathan, it's been a while since the coronation ceremony, hasn't it?"
"Thank you for making time despite my unannounced visit. Your Highness the King."
The face I met next was thick with exhaustion.
I could sense that some incident had occurred.
Naturally, my expression hardened as well.
Currently, the Republic was practically allied with our Rhinehearts Empire and the Duchy of Lawrence.
Their troubles were not unrelated to us.
And sure enough...
"Please, lend us your wisdom!"
He dropped to his knees on the floor and bowed his head a dramatic gesture begging for my help.
The Prius Republic, along with our Rhinehearts Empire, is one of Rondel's four great empires.
For a man of power from such a nation to plead so humiliatingly meant the country was facing a grave crisis.
"What situation has arisen for you to come to me like this?"
At my question, Field Marshal Nathan hesitated for a moment, then continued with a serious expression.
"A full-scale civil war is about to break out in the Republic. And to make matters worse, President Izrael and Field Marshal Ansen have both gone missing."
"Hah, what did you say?"
That was certainly a serious problem.
But then again...
It happened with the Saintess too why do people keep going missing like this?