There were two screenings in just one day.
The first was the entry inspection of the Lucerne Federal Government. When passing through the checkpoint, I was asked to submit various documents. The basic documents were a passport, and if I was a worker, income information, etc.
"Oh my. This is really strange."
Chelsea grumbled as she passed the checkpoint. She had come with the council, so she thought it would be easy to just show them her passport. The process was more tedious than she had thought.
"Not unusually so. He's a bit strict though."
"Really? Cilicia doesn't need anything, right?"
"That's what makes Cilicia special."
There are too many refugees in Polaris. There are many countries that have suffered from indiscriminately accepting refugees. In order to run the government smoothly, a filter is also necessary.
Rather, the Cilicia and Basteira that Kim I-hyeon had been wandering through were unusual cases. Not to mention the lawless Banjar and Atlanta, where the borders were controlled by foreign enemies.
"And the real judgement comes next."
"Eek. There's more?"
"Once in Geneva."
After entering the country, I boarded the train.
"It takes about 6 hours."
"It's sooner than I thought."
"Because the landmass isn't that large."
As soon as he sat down, Asterique started chewing on the snack he had bought at the station. Meanwhile, Chelsea stretched her body, feeling tired. Bryce snickered as he looked back and forth between the two contrasting figures.
"If you're tired, close your eyes now."
"Is that okay? I'm here as a bodyguard."
"Close protection is the job of the security forces. They owe it to us too."
The chief constable personally accompanied the expedition to Lucerne.
Although he was cleared of the false accusations, his reputation had been tarnished by the scandal. Rather than waging internal strife immediately after his release, he needed to have external achievements that would be widely recognized.
Thanks to their enthusiasm, Dustborne didn't have much to do.
Initially, only four people were dispatched, including Bryce. They were treated as special forces to respond to emergencies.
Naturally, the Cilicia Council only composed a list of members from the Phaneros faction. This was to gain practical benefits rather than the vague goal of 'discussing the situation on the continent' set by the Shiran Empire.
As you can see from the inside, it was a very political position.
"Hyun, this is fine. Do you want to try it?"
"What is it?"
"Ah- Try it. Ah-"
"...."
The train ran along the rails, passing several small towns.
Lucerne was a country of colorful colors. Rivers and mountains. Flower fields and fields. The harmony between modern infrastructure and nature was impressive.
In such a Lucerne, Geneva was certainly a heterogeneous city.
A circular wall surrounding the city. It seemed as if Geneva itself had been isolated from the world. The checkpoints erected at the entrances were all white, completely cutting off the blue and yellow natural scenery.
Kim Yi-hyeon felt a little nervous as he recalled his memories.
Second round of judging. If you make a mistake here, you could end up being branded an international terrorist.
The examination took place in a cramped room. It was a room reminiscent of a confessional. As Kim Lee-hyun entered, a greeting was heard.
"hello."
"Yes. Hello."
"You have a very polite personality."
"I returned it because I received a greeting."
"There are many people in the world who don't even do that. Isn't that quite surprising?"
Kim Yi-hyeon didn't bother to answer. His voice continued as if he didn't want to respond.
"Please sit down on the chair."
There was a wooden chair in the center of the room. I sat down on the chair as instructed, and the partition was right in front of me. The examiner was sitting across from me, but I couldn't see his face.
It was because it was covered by a curtain that fell horizontally. The only area that Kim Yi-hyeon could see was from the lips to the upper half of the body.
"I'm going to ask you a few questions now. Please answer with 'yes' or 'no' first, and then give an intuitive explanation."
"Yes, I understand."
Her pale lips parted again.
"Do you understand the common language I am speaking?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Is your real name Kim Lee-Hyeon, who understands what I'm saying?"
"Yes. That's my real name."
"Are you, the one speaking to me, Kim Lee-Hyeon of Dustborne Corporation, who accompanied the Kilikian Council as a bodyguard?"
"Yes, that's correct."
The examiner's questions were never 'unnecessarily tedious'.
A neutral voice and wide-brimmed clothes. The neck is covered with cloth so that the collarbone is not visible. The ambiguous attire that makes it difficult to tell whether it is male or female is entirely reflective of the examiner's intention.
Geneva's judges are unique spellcasters. They can tell the truth from lies in what someone says. It's convenient, but it requires two conditions.
One. It will be a one-on-one conversation.
Two. The person with the ability will have an informational advantage.
'The conditions are a bit strict, though.'
There's no denying that it's a groundbreaking ability. If the examiner gets old or sick, you'll have to take a different approach. It's said in the game that it boasts an absurd rate of arresting criminals.
There is little information available outside of this. That is why the condition of 'information superiority' is met even against Kim Lee-hyun, who has game knowledge. It was fortunate for Kim Lee-hyun as well.
Questions continued to be asked.
"Do you have a weapon capable of harming someone?"
"No. I submitted them all because they said they were not allowed to be brought in."
Geneva even prohibits bodyguards from carrying weapons. In the unlikely event of a terrorist attack, the city's resident counter-terrorism team will be called in.
It is nothing less than a display of absolute confidence. No matter what problem arises, they can solve it with their own strength.
Of course, it's not just weapons that are being cracked down on.
"Do you possess a spell that can harm people?"
"Yes, but I have no intention of using it in Geneva."
"Do you plan to cause trouble in Geneva? By trouble I mean physical and verbal assault on others and any kind of damage to buildings and property."
"I will only devote myself to the work of Dustborne Corporation."
"Please answer yes or no first. Is any part of the Dustborne Corporation's business causing trouble in Geneva?"
Oh, kid. So persistent.
"Not at all. Dustborne Corporation's job is to cooperate in ensuring that the talks conclude normally and to protect our client, the Cilicia Council."
"Is that so?"
Now that he was somewhat satisfied, the barrage of questions stopped.
The examiner, who had been silent as if he was reviewing the questions and answers in his head, raised the corners of his mouth. Even though his face was not even half exposed, for some reason, it felt like an extremely businesslike smile to Kim Yi-hyun.
"Welcome to Geneva. Have a nice time."
Kim Lee-hyun sighed inwardly.
'I didn't lie.'
As I said, I plan to be faithful to my work.
'So that the talks can conclude normally.'
A 'normal ending' has a bit of a personal twist to it.
Because cooperation to normalize is also part of the job.
* * *
Lucerne International Exchange Center (LIEC).
This is the heart of Geneva, where the international conference hall is located. It is the place where many historical treaties were signed. In modern times, it has become a source of pride for citizens and the reason for the city's existence.
The center's grounds were expansive and luxurious.
Dozens of buildings were arranged in a circle, with the main conference hall in the center as the standard. There were no natural objects, which were characteristic of the city. The floors outside were all filled with tiles, as if they were indoors.
The Cilicia Council and security personnel were stationed in the 4th wing.
Since all the consent facilities were similar, the number itself was meaningless. However, if you ask whether it was perfectly fair, it wasn't.
The key word was 'neighbor'.
"The Shiran Empire has 9 wards."
Shiran, considered the most powerful country in modern times. Countries with sufficient national power, such as Cadillac, were assigned to Shiran's vicinity. It was too coincidental to be dismissed as a coincidence.
"This side is almost the exact opposite."
"Hmm. I'm not feeling so good, but I guess there's nothing I can do about it. It's not even an empty promise that Cilicia will be among the great powers."
Even during the Cilicia Federation era, it was not a major power.
What about now, when most of the country has been abandoned and reorganized into a city-state? The mere fact that they were invited is recognition of the remarkable development that Cilicia has made.
'This is also a bit tricky.'
Episode 13 was a mess from the start. Cilicia, who would have been a puppet of the Legion, joined in. There was also one major turning point that was even bigger than Cilicia.
Kim Yi-hyeon looked out the window at the building on the left.
3rd building. It was the accommodation where we were staying, none other than the Bastitera side. The Pecatum Knights and the agents of the Cellbrox Lab were seen here and there, as if they had arrived earlier.
'This is the complete opposite.'
Bastet was treated worse than a city-state. Now, discrimination would begin in earnest. There might even be countries that didn't know why Bastet had participated.
"Boss, what are we going to do? Should I show my face?"
"No. If we get involved with Bastetera, the council will be in trouble."
"Don't all the people who should know know anyway? I saw it before, and it seemed like the boss had become quite famous."
"That's a friendship we made, it has nothing to do with the Congress."
I don't want to be the subject of gossip from the start and add to the hassle.
Because we already have some issues to deal with in this episode.
"There will be a chance to meet you naturally. I will be staying here for more than ten days."
"That's true too."
Today is July 25th.
Although there are still five days left until the talks, most of those on the invitation list have already arrived to do some groundwork before the talks begin.
Lucerne also openly provided a place for us.
"There will be a party for three days starting on the 27th to promote friendship. Of course, we will be mobilized for the president's security. Even though it's annoying, just bear with it for a few days. If you do something foolish here, you will be an international embarrassment. You understand?"
There was no answer. Kim Yi-hyeon glanced at Geum-jok.
"I know, I don't know. Asterique, Chelsea."
"Are you talking to us? Who is the one who acts out the most? Isn't that right, Mr. Asterique?"
"Huh? Th, what. Yeah."
He felt a little betrayed by Asterike, who did not deny it. When he looked at Bryce, he just shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what it meant. Kim Yi-hyun's face naturally turned sour.
In fact, I couldn't even think of anything to refute.
It's just a single word that sounds like an excuse.
"…But be careful not to get your tail caught."
This is the most important part.
* * *
Late at night, in the reception room of the main building in Building 9.
The emperor greeted his old friend who had suddenly come to visit. Her hair was tied up in a short ponytail. Her eyes were cold and sharp, as if showing off her outstanding intelligence. He was not surprised to see her wrinkle-free face.
"You still look dirty, Heinz."
"Don't you know what my status is here?"
"Is that Kushan from Cellbrox Labs? It's hard to get it out of your mouth."
Tsk. The tongue-clicking sound was obvious.
"Haha. You're really interesting. Aside from Marcus, you're the one who's changed the most among us, and yet your personality remains the same as I remember it. At least for me, it's not easy."
"Please stop talking nonsense."
"Isn't it about asking after each other's well-being?"
"I have no intention of telling you about my life, and I have no intention of hearing about yours either."
"It's chilly."
It wasn't rude or unpleasant. Heinz, no, Kushan, was not a man who should be respectful to the emperor. It may have been so in the past, but it wasn't so now.
"What did you come here to talk about?"
The eyes that sparkled under the warm light were full of curiosity. However, Kushan did not believe the emperor's emotions at face value. He knew the boredom hidden in those eyes.
Even as he struggled through the swamp of boredom, the emperor did not hang himself. What was once a vague dream became a concrete goal, a lifelong desire, and now the only reason to continue living.
The Emperor lives and breathes only through obsession.
"What is this meeting for?"
"Haven't you announced the agenda? It's to discuss the chaotic situation on the continent."
"For 44 years, the continent has always been in turmoil."
But why are you coming forward now?
Kushan asked, and the emperor answered.
"A disaster is literally a disaster. It is impossible to fight against it with mere human power, so discussion is also useless."
Kushan's mouth twisted. He knew the true nature of the disaster. The emperor knew it too. As a fellow sinner, it was difficult to tolerate that complacent attitude.
That cold anger was amusing to the emperor.
"But this time, isn't it an obvious talent? Since we can respond, we should definitely find a way. It's also a chance to make up for the long gap. Isn't that a happy thing for you too?"
"That's just empty talk."
"No matter what you hear, it is true. Marcus has become a threat to the continent. He is leading a group of fanatics who are destroying the continent. As a leader who protects the country and the people, I cannot just sit by and watch."
Kushan clicked his tongue again. It seemed that he would not get the answer he wanted. As the emperor had said, the cause he had raised was justified, and he had no shortage of appeals during the meeting.
But it may not be true.
The Emperor had long been aware of the Legion's existence. He had ignored it, knowing it. In fact, up until today, Shiran has never clashed with the Legion.
But why are you focusing on Legion now? Is it because you think it can be easily destroyed because it is weak? Is it because you want to steal Legion's technology? If so, why are you bringing in other countries?
What does the emperor gain?
'… … I don't know.'
Kushan forced himself to resurrect the deep thoughts he had been immersed in. He glared at the Emperor's face. He was clearly smiling, but his expression was unnatural, as if he was wearing someone else's skin.
Disgust and self-loathing creep in.
"I apologize for the late hour."
"Are you leaving already?"
"We need to review the security plan."
"You're having a hard time."
Kushan turned his back. He was just walking briskly.
"Oh, right."
A soft voice reached my ear.
"Is the child growing well?"
The footsteps stopped.
He just stands still and nods his head.
The emperor, facing Kushan once again, smiled brightly.
"Don't look at me like that. In a broad sense, isn't he my child too? Marcus's child, and the professor's child. There are countless people involved in the birth of that child─"
"I warned you."
A sound like the growling of a beast.
"If you say a word to Leila or give her even a glance, you'll be prepared. I'll turn the palace you love so much into dust."
"Your love for your children is too much."
"Anyone would do that."
The conversation was over. Kushan left the reception room as if there was nothing left to talk about. Despite his fury, his footsteps were steady and his actions as he opened and closed the door were calm.
This imbalance always raised questions for the Emperor.
I wonder if all the affection and regret are just acting.
"I guess I'm not even in your sights."
"Haha. You still haven't reconciled?"
"If you've had an argument, wouldn't you be able to make up?"
Heinrich, who had been standing like the Emperor's shadow, grumbled. People were like cogs in a wheel, and there were times when they didn't mesh. No matter how much time passed, it didn't change.
The emperor, who was laughing, looked at the place where his old friend had left. The faint smell of disinfectant remained. Even the remnants of intense emotions.
He closed his eyes and enjoyed the afterglow.