After Lu Bu and his subordinates left the airport, the Saintess was able to board the plane safely back to her home country. Before fully boarding, she turned and thanked me.
“Thank you so much.”
“It was a trade.”
It wasn't something that warranted thanks. I had only done it because it was a trade. It was a person's life, after all, so I had to do what I could.
“You truly are an unpredictable person.”
I was puzzled. I had merely fulfilled the terms of our agreement, so what exactly made me unpredictable?
“Even if it’s a trade, not many people would go that far. And…”
She paused for a moment, then shook her head.
“No, let’s talk about this later.”
“…Later?”
I wondered. Would we really meet again later? Well, if our paths crossed, we might, but honestly, she wasn't the type I was eager to see. I couldn't even tell what expression she was making or what kind of gaze she had behind that veil.
“You called it a trade, but to me, it was a favor. You saved not only my life but also the lives of my knights.”
“Are you saying…?”
“If you ever need my help, contact me anytime. I’ll help with anything I can.”
An unexpected reward was coming my way. The Saintess’s help, offered so readily. Wouldn't this be akin to having a life saved in reserve?
As I rejoiced internally, her words continued.
“And there’s one thing I’d like to ask of you.”
“Go ahead.”
“Please, don’t lose the heart you have now.”
“……?”
Don't lose the heart I have now. What did she mean? Just as I was about to open my mouth to ask, she turned and entered the plane. I could have surely stopped her if I’d raised my voice, but I didn’t. She turned her back precisely when I was about to ask. That meant she either didn't want to answer, or couldn't, no matter what the question was.
“Well… I guess I don’t really need to know.”
Whether I knew or not, my heart wouldn’t change. I’d rarely lived as comfortably or been as happy as I was now.
After confirming that the plane carrying the Saintess sped down the runway and soared into the sky, I turned my back.
“Now, it’s time for me to go back too.”
It was time to return to Korea.
*
Returning to his hideout, Lu Bu fell into quiet contemplation. The operation had failed. Yet, he didn't feel particularly bad. Of course, it was regrettable that he hadn't dealt with the Saintess, who could turn into an enemy at any moment.
‘William Turner.’
It was thanks to meeting a rather satisfying opponent.
“To think such a warrior was hidden in the Vatican…”
It was a moment that completely changed his perception of the nation of Vatican. He had thought that the Paladins they boasted about were only skilled at defense. It seemed that wasn't entirely the case.
“Interesting.”
Though he harbored ambitions to dominate this country and then the world, his essence remained unchanged. A warrior. A species that reaffirmed the meaning of life by facing strong adversaries. The man named William was still lacking in many ways, but he was a talent whose future was highly anticipated. So, how could he not rejoice at finding such a satisfying opponent?
But this was merely a matter of mood.
“…Things have gotten complicated.”
The fact that his plan had gone awry remained unchanged. His presence within the country already far surpassed that of the state chairman. Therefore, it was clear that this country would eventually fall into his hands. However, the failure of this particular plan had merely delayed that timing.
Several other plans had already been derailed by external interference. He could no longer afford to waste time. Just as he was contemplating whether to raise an army and forcibly seize the country,
Knock, knock!
Someone knocked on the door.
“General, a visitor has arrived.”
“Who is it?”
“Someone from the black market.”
“…The black market?”
The black market. Currently, the black market and the underworld were undergoing rapid changes in power dynamics almost daily. At such a time, the identity of an underworld figure who would visit him was obvious. It had to be the very person causing those upheavals in the underworld.
“Let him in.”
No sooner had he spoken than the door opened, and a man walked in. He was a scrawny man, wearing a black beanie pulled down just above his eyebrows. He was so thin that his cheeks were hollow, making his cheekbones protrude. Just as Lu Bu’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of the man, who resembled an invalid, the man bowed respectfully and greeted him.
“Greetings, General.”
His voice was remarkably thin and sly for a man.
“I am Pam, master of the ‘Adrenaline’ Clan, operating in the underworld.”
Clan. It was the term used by active underworld groups and villains in China to refer to their organizations. And Adrenaline was currently the most talked-about Clan in the underworld. Because they were the protagonists of the great upheaval currently taking place.
“A rat from the underworld, daring to show its face to me.”
This was an incredibly brave, no, reckless act. Lu Bu’s reason for obstructing the government’s subjugation of the underworld was solely to erode the public’s trust in the government. It wasn’t out of concern for the underworld factions. Quite the opposite. Lu Bu intended to personally step in and eradicate the underworld forces after the government’s operation failed. That way, the government would collapse, and he could naturally absorb them.
“Your courage in coming to me is commendable, so I’ll hear you out for a moment.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than the man who introduced himself as Pam opened his mouth.
“I heard that the government is planning an operation to subjugate us, General.”
Lu Bu’s brow furrowed slightly.
“…Where did you pick that up?”
Pam chuckled, evading the sharp question.
“For rascals like us to survive, shouldn’t we at least be quick-witted?”
This wasn't information one could obtain merely by being quick-witted. This was an operation the current government was pushing forward in utmost secrecy. Even Lu Bu himself had only barely managed to catch wind of it. How could the targets of subjugation have acquired that information beforehand? The answer was obvious. This operation was known only to a very small number of people within the government. That meant one of those few must have ties with them.
Lu Bu shook his head at the dismal truth.
“The state of this country is truly pathetic.”
He couldn't help but lament. To think there were fools who, even as the underworld forces they had tolerated expanded excessively and endangered the nation, would leak information to the very targets of subjugation just to serve their own interests. He let out a small sigh and warned Pam.
“Quickly state your reason for coming to me. My patience is wearing thin.”
“Please provide us with soldiers from your command, General.”
Lu Bu frowned at the direct request for help.
“Are you asking me to join hands with you?”
“If you would do that, it would be beyond our wildest dreams, but… if you’re disinclined, how about considering it a temporary trade?”
A trade. His interest piqued slightly, he asked.
“Tell me what I gain.”
“Aren’t you hoping for the government’s operation to fail?”
Meaning, if he provided support, they would ensure the government’s operation failed. Lu Bu scoffed at the preposterous offer.
If it were only the government they were up against, they might indeed predict victory. The current government had held power for so long that it was thoroughly corrupt. But this time, it was impossible.
“The government has already joined hands with Korea, Japan, and the Vatican. Do you truly believe you rascals can survive against all of them?”
“If our organization and the General join hands, it is entirely possible.”
He grew curious. What was their basis for confidently believing they could defeat a subjugation force comprised of four nations: Korea, China, Japan, and the Vatican?
“Give me your grounds.”
In response to Lu Bu’s firm demand, Pam pulled a pill from his inner pocket and showed it to him. It was none other than Red Horn, a drug made with Lu Bu’s own energy.
“I heard you’ve been having difficulties with the recent improvements to Red Horn, General.”
“…And?”
Lu Bu reacted sharply, having his most troublesome recent situation pointed out. To this, Pam replied.
“We will help you with the improvements.”
“……”
An offer difficult to refuse was laid before him.
*
While Kim Dojin had suddenly left for China, Shin Yujeong was deep in thought. And today, she finally put an end to that deliberation. Perhaps later, or rather, not long from now, she might regret her current choice. But for now, it was an undeniable fact that it was a clearly attractive option.
“…Fuck, I don’t know anymore.”
And it was half desperation. She was afraid of the world’s judgment, but what could she do? Both she and Kim Dojin were already doing things that defied common sense anyway. Whether she took another step forward or not, she would still be dwelling in the realm of the unconventional.
Thinking thus, Shin Yujeong left her room and stood before her mother, who was sitting on the sofa watching TV.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s form an alliance.”
It was the moment just before the birth of a true blood alliance, bound by shared blood.