Ch.121121. General Election

# The New Year’s Election

As 2023 approached, the Balhut Cult held its first major event: a general election.

Though the election for 60 seats couldn’t compare to South Korea’s pre-apocalypse general elections, it was enough to revive the passionate electoral activities of the pre-apocalyptic era.

Each party presented their ideologies and pledges, appealing to citizens for votes. As this was the first general election since the Balhut Cult’s establishment, citizens showed great interest.

Hwang Geun-chul of the Dragon Faith Association and Park Cheol-gon of the Constitutional Democratic Party, who had been political representatives before the election, threw themselves into intense campaigning.

“I have no idea what the results will be.”

“This area traditionally had strong conservative support…”

“But our party has broken ties with the existing political forces.”

In truth, neither party could predict the outcome.

Before the apocalypse, this region was known for prioritizing conservative parties in voting—areas like Yeongnam or TK would have guaranteed a conservative victory. But now, it was the apocalypse.

The apocalypse had forced a generational shift, and voters’ perspectives had changed dramatically. Or rather, it was such a bleak world that people couldn’t survive without changing, forcing citizens to cast their votes more carefully toward parties they believed could help them survive.

According to polls, both the Dragon Faith Association and the Constitutional Democratic Party had enough support to establish a two-party system.

“Republican Party… so many nostalgic names.”

“Our old party name is there too.”

“I don’t think we need to mention it specifically.”

“I agree.”

While new parties like the Dragon Faith Association and the Constitutional Democratic Party had emerged to meet apocalyptic challenges, some pre-apocalypse parties were also running in the election.

These parties used the names of political parties that once ruled South Korea, claiming they were the true successors of South Korean political tradition and asking for votes based on that legacy.

“But it didn’t work.”

“Color theory, North Korean sympathizer accusations… proof that old political rhetoric doesn’t work anymore.”

Unfortunately for them, these tactics weren’t effective.

With undead threats right before their eyes, outdated ideological attacks and North Korean sympathizer accusations only disappointed voters.

Currently, what voters cared about most wasn’t worn-out political ideology but survival—concrete long-term plans to survive the undead threat and reasonable strategies adapted to apocalyptic circumstances.

“We didn’t serve as Lord Bahamut’s advisors for nothing.”

“We know a thing or two about practical field operations.”

Both Hwang Geun-chul of the Dragon Faith Association and Park Cheol-gon of the Constitutional Democratic Party had already identified what voters wanted and could formulate pledges based on their experience as Bahamut’s advisors.

The two parties presented different plans according to their political leanings, but they shared one thing in common: they both offered concrete solutions to the current Balhut situation and the apocalyptic crisis.

Thanks to this, the Dragon Faith Association and the Constitutional Democratic Party secured advantageous positions in the one-day general election.

“The Dragon Faith Association won 28 seats, and the Constitutional Democratic Party got 25. Other parties took the remaining 7 seats.”

The result was a victory for the Dragon Faith Association.

The Dragon Faith Association became the leading party, with the Constitutional Democratic Party as the second largest, and other parties distributed throughout the assembly.

“I expected this… but pledges prioritizing Lord Bahamut clearly resonated with voters.”

“The conservative color has faded significantly. I never expected the Constitutional Democratic Party to perform this well. If this were before the apocalypse, conspiracy theories about election fraud would be flying around.”

The Constitutional Democratic Party had anticipated the Dragon Faith Association’s victory.

They were only surprised that the Dragon Faith Association hadn’t secured a majority. Moreover…

“This means a complete break from traditional political ideologies.”

The Constitutional Democratic Party winning 25 seats was shocking and indicated a complete separation from pre-apocalypse political ideologies.

Though the region had traditionally been conservative, many voters sympathized with the Constitutional Democratic Party’s ideology and logic, giving them substantial support.

Of course, the Constitutional Democratic Party was democratic in name only, with some former conservative politicians among its ranks, but their strong showing was still miraculous.

“Many old parties barely got one seat. Some were even pushed out of the assembly completely.”

The other minor parties included former conservative and democratic parties that managed to secure just one or two seats.

And then…

“Wow, those guys survived too?”

“Not much they can do with just one seat though.”

The Korea First Party, which had openly advocated for Dragon Slayers.

They were a party that called for excluding Dragon Lord Bahamut and restoring South Korea’s independence, advocating for a democratic presidential system without Bahamut and the Dragon Priestess.

In theory, they were arguing that the Balhut Cult had served its purpose and was no longer needed—a kind of restorationist ideology calling for a return to the free Republic of Korea, which would have been somewhat understandable.

“Those guys were supported by Jo Sun-do’s remnants, weren’t they?”

“That’s right. There were rumors they were connected to raiders and criminal organizations. We’d have to ask the NTS for details.”

“That’s unrealistic. The current NTS considers anyone a good citizen as long as they pay their taxes.”

The problem was that they had entered the assembly with help from Jo Sun-do’s remaining forces.

There were even rumors they were connected to raiders and criminal organizations that had once terrorized Gyeongju. The other politicians wanted to report them as an unconstitutional party and have them disbanded, but…

“Well, they were elected through the proper process. Let’s keep an eye on them for now.”

They had been elected through a legitimate election without fraud.

Of course, their collaborators and political funding sources were suspiciously illegal, but they believed one seat couldn’t accomplish much anyway.

Above all, they couldn’t ruin the first post-apocalyptic general election.

“At least we’ve confirmed that public opinion largely supports Lord Bahamut.”

“And many support the Dragon Priestess too.”

“Let’s maintain our implicit National Unity Cabinet.”

Moreover, if they maintained an implicit National Unity Cabinet, they could pass legislation without worrying about the other parties that had entered the assembly.

It was like saying they would continue the usual WWE, and the Dragon Faith Association and Constitutional Democratic Party united in an implicit National Unity Cabinet to survive the apocalypse.

“Now that the important general election is over, I ask the Dragon Faith Association, which won the majority, to recommend a Prime Minister.”

“We recommend Representative Hwang Geun-chul as Prime Minister.”

“Very well. Representative Hwang Geun-chul, as of today, please form a cabinet under your name as Prime Minister. Representative Park Cheol-gon will serve as the Speaker.”

“We will serve faithfully.”

But the event wasn’t over yet.

After the general election, Yu-na asked the majority-holding Dragon Faith Association to recommend a Prime Minister, and Hwang Geun-chul was elected as the first Prime Minister of the Balhut Cult.

This was essentially modeled after the British cabinet system, known for constitutional monarchy, rather than South Korea’s political system. In fact, they had reformed into a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary cabinet system.

“Lord Bahamut has declared that depending on reclaimed territories, he may order a dissolution of the cabinet and call for a vote of confidence. However, he has promised not to dissolve the cabinet just because a single city is reclaimed. Does anyone object?”

“No objections.”

Additionally, as more territories would be reclaimed in the future, and more elected representatives would gradually increase from those territories, at some point the cabinet would be dissolved for a vote of confidence.

Of course, Bahamut promised not to dissolve the cabinet just because a single city was reclaimed, and it would likely end with by-elections for specific districts.

So there was no need to object, and since even the Ulsan operation was expected to take at least three months, they could roughly maintain their positions for at least half a year.

Though short for an elected position, considering the rapidly changing apocalyptic situation, six months was quite a long time.

“Now, let’s begin our meeting about international organizations. But before that… to commemorate the launch of the National Assembly, a special guest has arrived. You may enter.”

As Yu-na finished her announcement, a man appeared in the assembly hall.

Many representatives couldn’t hide their shock as they watched the handsome man in brilliant mythril armor confidently walking toward the center of the assembly. What was more surprising was that the Dragon Priestess Yu-na was bowing respectfully to him…

“C-could it be Lord Bahamut?”

“Yes. I am Bahamut.”

One representative nervously called out Bahamut’s name, and the man smiled and declared himself to be Bahamut.

Indeed, Dragon Lord Bahamut had come to commemorate the first assembly session, and he had appeared in human form rather than as a dragon.

Many representatives stared at Bahamut in astonishment upon learning this.

“Ah, this is a form I took using polymorph magic. Or should I say I disguised myself as a human?”

“W-we understand that, but were you always able to transform?”

Sensing their stares, Bahamut waved his hand and explained that this form was magical, but the people gathered couldn’t hide their bewilderment.

Since they had always met him in his dragon form, they had no idea he could transform into a human.

“It has always been possible. The correct answer would be that I didn’t use it because it was meaningless to me in normal circumstances.”

However, Bahamut drew the line by saying it had always been possible and explained that he didn’t use it normally because it was meaningless.

“Taking human form would certainly help me gain others’ favor quickly. But there are disadvantages too. Both magical output and physical abilities are weaker than in dragon form. Above all, my true form is that of a dragon, so taking human form feels like wearing an ill-fitting, uncomfortable skin.”

In human form rather than dragon form, he couldn’t use the overwhelming output and physical abilities he possessed as a dragon.

Using polymorph magic was essentially weakening his abilities for convenience, and abandoning his dragon form for human form was like wearing an uncomfortable, ill-fitting skin, as he described in detail.

‘I wanted to take human form too.’

In fact, Bahamut hadn’t dismissed the idea of polymorph magic from the beginning.

He was a fantasy enthusiast and naturally knew dragons could use polymorph magic. As a master of all magic, he had easily succeeded with polymorph magic.

‘It feels constricting. Like wearing several layers of ill-fitting clothes. Yes.’

However, unlike his comfortable dragon form, the human form made his body feel heavier, weakened his magical output, and above all, felt constricting.

Unable to bear that discomfort, Bahamut had given up on maintaining human form regularly and returned to his original form.

“In this apocalypse, haven’t there been more pressing matters than me transforming into human form? But now that one long task has finally ended, and thinking the assembly needed someone to honor it, I made a surprise appearance. Well? Were you all surprised?”

“Y-yes, we were surprised. We thought a mutant had appeared suddenly.”

“Haha. Please be a little understanding.”

But today was truly special, and fearing he might live his entire life in dragon form if he never used it, he used polymorph magic to attend the assembly.

‘Besides, with practice, I can improve it.’

Promising himself that someday he would develop a polymorph magic that wouldn’t feel uncomfortable, Bahamut looked around slowly and began to speak.

“In any case, Special Ambassador Steven has asked me to honor the international organization. If the Balhut Cult wants to be properly recognized by foreign powers, shouldn’t we offer them something tasty in return? Demanding something without giving anything is the mindset of a thief.”

He was talking about rebuilding international organizations.

Bahamut was emphasizing the importance of this international organization rebuilding and trying to persuade the representatives.

“Are you in favor of participating in international organizations, Lord Bahamut?”

“Yes. Even now, many goods coming from America are making the Balhut Cult prosperous. If even one of these connections is cut, we won’t starve to death, but we would have to give up our current way of life.”

“That’s…”

The representatives swallowed hard and asked if Bahamut was in favor, and Bahamut answered sincerely, explaining his reasons.

He simply and clearly stated that their current prosperity was due to American aid, and if the alliance with America was broken, they would have to give up their current lifestyle.

For those opposing the international organization rebuilding meeting, this was essentially saying they would be beaten to death by citizens.

‘If you put it that way, it’s hard for us to argue against it!’

‘In this apocalypse, survival is more important than political ideology! If you ask citizens if they can give up their current lifestyle for ideology, you’ll just end up getting stabbed to death!’

The minor parties that had entered the assembly intending to take a different path from the Dragon Faith Association and Constitutional Democratic Party felt the weight of Bahamut’s warning.

They could make all sorts of sophistic arguments if they wanted.

But they already knew the truth.

In this apocalypse, survival was more important than political ideology.

Otherwise, they would literally be stabbed or die of acute lead poisoning from citizens who had already tasted blood.

As the minor parties were deeply pondering how to counter the Dragon Lord’s persuasion…

“I understand the concerns about the Korean Peninsula situation. However, it’s winter now with severe cold waves. The army cannot move immediately.”

“Ah…!”

“Considering the loss of combat effectiveness due to the cold wave, we must be on the defensive. Does anyone disagree with this?”

When some representatives tried to object by mentioning the war, the Dragon Lord preemptively addressed it.

He informed them about the current situation where the allied forces were struggling due to the weather, and explained that they would need to wait until the cold winter passed to resolve this.

That was the end of it.

Since Dragon Lord Bahamut had countered their arguments so effectively, refuting him would require both logical arguments and considerable courage.

There were actually several representatives who wanted to object forcefully, but seeing that the Dragon Faith Association and Constitutional Democratic Party were silently listening to the Dragon Lord, they secretly read the room and stopped objecting.

They instinctively realized that if they spoke up now, they might face a joint attack from the Dragon Faith Association and Constitutional Democratic Party.

“Well, there are bound to be complaints. Some think our soldiers are invincible. We’ve already reclaimed POSCO. What is there to fear, why delay city operations? But I want to prevent as many casualties as possible. If we suffer one major defeat, the Balhut Cult will struggle to rise again. So at this point, the Balhut Cult should seek diplomatic solutions rather than focusing on the Korean Peninsula situation.”

“As you command.”

“As you command.”

Without any further interference, Bahamut successfully concluded his assembly speech, and with Yu-na’s farewell, all representatives bowed their heads in respect.

Even the elected representative from the Korea First Party did the same.