Ch.123123. International Stage (2)

The massive dragon appeared in American airspace, throwing the entire country into chaos. Before things got worse, Steven needed to secure a dedicated aircraft for the Balhut Cult to maintain their alliance.

Fortunately, with air travel operations reduced or completely halted due to the apocalypse, finding idle passenger planes at airports was extremely easy. Steven managed to procure one before Bahamut could cause an “accidental” incident.

“We should thank Steven.”

“Indeed.”

And so, Bahamut and Yu-na headed to America aboard the passenger plane Steven had kindly provided.

Of course, they weren’t traveling alone. Administrative official Lee Su-a and economic official Lee Hyeon-a had also joined the delegation for detailed negotiations, along with their working-level staff. This demonstrated their commitment to this first diplomatic meeting with the United States and the international organization reconstruction conference.

“Is this… America?!”

“That’s right.”

“It’s amazing. This is my first overseas trip, Lord Bahamut.”

Having crossed the Pacific Ocean to reach the American continent, Choi Yu-na gazed through the airplane window at the American cities below, fascinated by everything she saw.

Before becoming the leader of the Balhut Cult, she had been just an ordinary Korean student. This was her first time traveling abroad on such a luxurious passenger plane. She had never imagined setting foot on American soil not as a student, but as a head of state. Like any girl her age, she was enjoying this trip with wide-eyed wonder.

‘This is my first time in America too.’

The same was true for Bahamut.

For someone whose overseas travel had been limited to short, affordable trips to nearby countries like Japan or Vietnam, visiting America was also a first. Of course, one could easily see America’s scenic views and cityscapes on the internet, but experiencing tourist destinations in person always felt different from photographs.

Moreover, visiting as something akin to a head of state made his heart race with anticipation as he waited for the passenger plane to arrive at the White House.

“I heard there are monsters in American cities and outskirts. Are the cities I see below occupied by monsters?”

“Steven mentioned that numerous heroes operating within the country are engaged in operations to reclaim cities. What’s being said in American online communities?”

“It seems similar to what Steven said. Oh, there’s talk about the international organization being discussed recently on foreign community sites. The main debate in foreign communities seems to be about which country should host the headquarters of the international organization.”

While they were having this casual conversation, the online communities were discussing the upcoming international organization reconstruction conference, with the main debate focusing on where the headquarters should be established.

“It will likely be in America, but one issue is that Britain and France are also claiming to have rebuilt the international organization for the sake of their prestige. Those two probably won’t give up on the opportunity to significantly boost their standing by hosting the headquarters.”

“Are you saying the headquarters might not be established in America?”

“I don’t know. The Americans seem willing to help with the establishment since they also benefit from it, but they don’t appear interested in taking the lead in establishing it.”

Bahamut recalled that while the headquarters would likely be in America, the initiative for creating the international organization came from other countries’ desire for prestige rather than America’s will.

Since the American side would also benefit, they expressed willingness to cooperate, but the actual establishment of the international organization seemed driven more by others’ intentions than America’s. Therefore, there was a good possibility that the headquarters might be established in another country.

“What can we gain from this international organization?”

“Legitimacy, of course. The Balhut Cult’s greatest weakness is its inherent reputation as a cult and the complete lack of legitimacy to govern the Korean Peninsula. We thought we had somewhat resolved this through the general election, but communities within Korea might still not recognize our efforts. However, if we can gain recognition from various countries through this international organization, we can somewhat resolve the legitimacy issue that has been troubling us.”

In response to Yu-na’s question about what benefits they could gain from this international organization, Bahamut clearly answered: legitimacy.

The cult label that had plagued the Balhut Cult from the beginning was a painful stigma. Considering how many times they had been doubted and tested because of it, it was natural to want to eliminate this label.

‘It won’t be easy, though.’

The recent general election and internal public opinion were essentially a declaration to the entire Korean Peninsula that they were not a cult. The decisive reason for participating in this international organization was also to remove this cult label.

If they could resolve this issue through the reconstruction of the international organization, it would be the Balhut Cult’s greatest diplomatic achievement. Currently, the cult needed legitimacy as a nation more than material benefits.

“A cult? Ha! There’s a real god right before my eyes. How can anyone call our cult fake? The Balhut Cult’s faith is real. Yes, I will prove the Balhut Cult to the whole world this time.”

‘That’s not what I meant…’

Yu-na nodded vigorously in agreement, insisting that the Balhut Cult was definitely not a cult. This was completely different from what Bahamut had meant, and he thought with a perplexed expression that he hadn’t been referring to that aspect.

“But will that be easily possible? They might not yield and could make demands of us instead.”

Yu-na seemed to understand Bahamut’s deeper meaning(?), but she bowed her head, apparently not thinking it would be easily achievable. She seemed to feel guilty, as if things had turned out this way because of her rampage, but if asked whether there had been a better option at that point…

‘She was just startled by being called a cult. Looking back now, it wasn’t a bad choice. Imagine if she had accidentally raided the survivor camp that now forms the core leadership of the Balhut Cult. They might not have followed us so easily.’

The problem was that there hadn’t been a better alternative.

In fact, it could be considered fortunate that they had absorbed a cult that no one else had targeted or absorbed, thus not disturbing the current central figures of the Balhut Cult.

“It won’t be easy. Since we’re dealing with foreign countries unrelated to us, negotiations might be even more difficult. We’ll need to rely heavily on our ally, America.”

Even if it wasn’t easy, that didn’t mean there was no way.

The Balhut Cult already had America as an ally and was in a position to request America’s help. America needed strong allies to maintain its central government’s stability, and lately, they had been showing great interest in Bahamut coins.

Since both sides had something the other needed, they could recognize each other as suitable business partners.

“Oh, and we’re scheduled to meet President Arthur, the American president, right?”

“Yes. Afterward, we plan to visit London where the international organization conference will be held.”

That’s why they were heading to America first for these negotiations, and then to London where the international organization reconstruction conference would be held.

“That’s quite a busy schedule.”

“But it’s necessary. Be mindful of your behavior.”

“As you wish, Dragon God.”

There was much to do, but it was necessary.

Bahamut cautioned Yu-na about her behavior, and Yu-na bowed her head, indicating she would follow his instructions.

Shortly after, Anna, the aide to Special Plenipotentiary Ambassador Steven, approached them.

“We will be arriving at the White House soon, Lord Bahamut, Lady Yu-na.”

“Ah, you’ve gone to a lot of trouble. I’ve caused you all quite an inconvenience. I apologize.”

Upon hearing Anna’s announcement that they would soon arrive at the White House, Bahamut expressed his gratitude to Steven and Anna for providing the passenger plane, with an apologetic expression.

However, Anna, knowing Bahamut’s manly plan that she had heard from Steven, sighed and spoke.

“Not at all. In fact, it’s safer in some ways for us to guide you rather than having you travel physically on your own.”

It was cheaper and more convenient for America to guide them than to have breaking news headlines about a giant monster appearing in American airspace.

When Anna spoke somewhat sarcastically, Bahamut, seemingly embarrassed, opened his mouth with a genuinely apologetic expression.

“…Haha. I’m sorry about that. Our means of transportation to America were limited. There were no passenger planes available at the Pohang Airport we had reclaimed.”

In reality, the Balhut Cult did have Pohang Airport, but unfortunately, there wasn’t a single passenger plane stationed there.

When the apocalypse occurred, escaping abroad via passenger planes became an option, and the people at Pohang Airport chose to flee the apocalypse by boarding passenger planes.

As a result, Pohang Airport was an empty airport without any passenger planes, and there were no aircraft available to send a delegation abroad. Therefore, the only option Bahamut had was to personally fly to American soil carrying the delegation himself.

Anna, as a diplomat, understood the internal circumstances of the Balhut Cult, so she could fully comprehend that Bahamut’s excuse had merit.

‘Still, traveling in my true form would have crossed a line. I made a mistake due to urgency.’

Bahamut also knew well that he had misspoken, so he apologized to Anna with a genuinely apologetic expression.

Flying across the Pacific Ocean to American soil in that size, laughing “Hahaha”?

At that moment, America would have been terrified, and the cabinet would have fallen into a state of panic.

“No, I understand. Besides, the Balhut Cult is our important business partner, isn’t it? Such matters can be overlooked with a small gesture of goodwill.”

“Thank you.”

So the American side had to provide a passenger plane as a small gesture of goodwill and ensure a comfortable journey.

It was more cost-effective than having the American political sphere thrown into chaos by the appearance of a giant dragon.

Steven’s agents were bending over backward to prevent the deterioration of relations between the Balhut Cult and America.

“I’m nervous.”

“Nervous… Yes, I’m nervous too.”

Seemingly unaware of this distressing situation, Yu-na said with a calm expression that she was nervous, and Bahamut also agreed, saying he was nervous too.

They were truly a shameless master and servant.

‘I think the one who’s most nervous about this meeting right now is probably President Arthur, who’s waiting to receive these two. They really have no shame, those two.’

In fact, the person most nervous about this meeting was likely President Arthur, who was waiting for them at the White House.

Since the news of Bahamut’s visit had been communicated to the American cabinet after providing the passenger plane, the White House was currently on high alert about the dragon known as the Dragon God visiting America.

Anna, who had heard the voices of chaos, confusion, and oblivion over the communication channel, looked at the peaceful appearance of the master and servant that was completely opposite to that and…

‘May God’s blessing be with America.’

She prayed for the blessing of a heavenly god she no longer believed in.

She fervently hoped that this meeting would pass without incident.