Ch.124124. The White House

A passenger plane carrying the Balhut Cult slowly landed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Combat aircraft escorted the passenger plane nearby, and as it landed, agents dispatched from the United States and Balhut Cult officials began disembarking one by one.

“Mr. President.”

“Yes. They’ve finally arrived.”

President Arthur and his cabinet ministers had already been waiting at the airport 30 minutes before their arrival. As the plane landed, they all began to tense up with serious expressions, as if the moment had come.

‘This is crazy. I never thought I’d be nervous as the President of the United States.’

In truth, summit meetings between nations were common before the apocalypse, and the United States could always maintain the upper hand as the dominant party. There was no need to be nervous during international summits. If they confidently demanded what America wanted, the other party would typically accommodate, allowing for comfortable negotiations even away from home ground.

But now, there was no such advantage.

‘There aren’t many countries that have preserved their national bonds beyond expectations. With our important allies in the Five Eyes essentially disconnected, the Balhut Cult is an important alliance for us too.’

The Five Eyes, America’s key allies, were in poor situations—either failing to preserve their national bonds or experiencing palace coups. The United States was in a similar predicament. With state governments questioning the White House’s charisma and prestige, it had long been suggested that America needed allies to bolster the White House’s authority.

And the second reason…

‘Bahamut Coins. Who would have thought that the coins they produce would become a strategic resource in this apocalypse, no different from oil. Our heroes and military are already fixated on the Bahamut Coins they produce.’

Bahamut Coins.

They were mysterious catalysts used to manufacture special bullets or enhance equipment recently developed by American craftsmen.

While the ability to produce powerful weapons alone wouldn’t qualify them as a resource equivalent to oil, the recent monster hordes had dramatically increased the demand for Bahamut Coins.

‘Enemies have appeared that are immune to pre-apocalypse weapons.’

The emergence of enemies that could only be defeated with magical power had rendered half of America’s proud arsenal ineffective.

Of course, the Balhut Cult had hinted at their existence since their encounter with the Ghost Fleet, and naturally, the United States had prepared countermeasures, managing to overcome without major casualties.

However, these entities had increased the value of Bahamut Coins, and the continuously growing demand was a painful loss. The United States now had to make every effort to import Bahamut Coins, which had become a crucial strategic resource, and public opinion was gradually emerging that the Balhut Cult should be given higher status to win the war against monsters.

That’s why President Arthur had personally come to greet them, accommodating public opinion, and simultaneously…

“Is the dragon doing well?”

“Yes. According to the agent traveling with them on the plane, he’s doing fine.”

“I see.”

He was consciously or unconsciously concerned about the overwhelming presence of Bahamut, the Dragon God.

If only the Dragon Priestess and her delegation were visiting, President Arthur would have ordered the Secretary of State to greet them while he prepared a banquet at the White House.

However, when he learned that the visitor was the Dragon God of the Balhut Cult, known for directly producing Bahamut Coins, President Arthur was terrified and now stood waiting with trembling body for the dragon to emerge from the plane.

According to the agent, the dragon had taken human form, and observers might not easily identify which person was actually the dragon.

“I can tell who the dragon is.”

“Yes. I think I can tell too.”

Contrary to his inner concerns, he could quickly identify who the dragon was.

Although he had received reports about the dragon’s appearance from agents, it was also immediately apparent just by looking.

‘What an inhuman appearance.’

‘My goodness. To think such a young, handsome man is a dragon.’

The dragon was said to have an inhuman appearance and wear radiant silver armor that looked noble.

True to that description, the dragon disembarking from the plane wore armor unsuited to the 21st century and possessed an inhumanly beautiful appearance.

Right behind him was the leader of the Balhut Cult, whom he had only seen in photographs, personally attending to the man.

“Pleased to meet you, President Arthur.”

“Ah. Pleased to meet you too. I am Arthur Anderson, the 47th President of the United States.”

“I’m Choi Yu-na, leader of the Balhut Cult. We’re deeply grateful for the private jet you lent us.”

But just then, when Yu-na, not the dragon, greeted him as the representative, Arthur seemed to come to his senses and shook hands with her.

‘I knew it, but she’s really so young! To think someone who hasn’t even reached adulthood is the actual authority! I’d rather believe the young man beside her is in charge!’

However, his inner thoughts were uncomfortable.

He had found it hard to believe reports that a child who hadn’t even reached adulthood was the actual authority of the Balhut Cult.

But seeing the Dragon God beside her, President Arthur thought the dragon must be the real authority, and just as he was about to address him—

“Yu-na is our representative. I am merely her friend, advisor, and partner. I have no intention of getting deeply involved.”

“I-Is that so?”

As if seeing through his thoughts, Bahamut stepped back and stated that Yu-na was the representative.

At Bahamut’s words, Arthur wondered if his inner thoughts had been read. He looked around at his security detail and ministers, but they only expressed confusion at the President’s behavior.

They apparently hadn’t felt anything. Even the security officer with detection abilities, who had accompanied them as a precaution, gave no warning to President Arthur.

In other words, the Dragon God before him had done nothing.

‘Was it a coincidence?’

While President Arthur was deeply contemplating the true authority of the Balhut Cult, Bahamut interjected, mentioning exactly what Arthur had only thought in his mind, naturally raising suspicion.

‘But my counterpart isn’t an ordinary human. He’s called a Dragon God. My suspicions won’t disappear.’

“I don’t interfere in human conflicts unless they significantly involve my contractor. Even if I do get involved, I only offer advice if my contractor can resolve it without me. Regarding me, just think of me as Yu-na’s ordinary advisor.”

And even now, he seemed to be making statements that penetrated President Arthur’s psychology, making it impossible for Arthur not to be suspicious of Bahamut, even if he didn’t want to be.

Recognizing that his counterpart wasn’t an ordinary person, all sorts of thoughts refused to leave his mind.

‘Wow, this person is extremely nervous because of me. I should lighten the mood a bit.’

Of course, this foolish dragon hadn’t thought that far when speaking; he simply thought the President was tense because of him and was trying to be considerate in his own way.

Except for the fact that his consideration had struck at President Arthur’s stomach, the declaration that Dragon God Bahamut would not directly participate in negotiations could be considered a concession from the Balhut Cult’s side.

“Well, the working-level officials will handle the detailed negotiations. Let’s move on. By the way, we were so surprised when we heard the Dragon God would fly directly to America!”

“It was really troublesome since we didn’t have a passenger plane for diplomatic activities.”

“Haha. Since it’s come to this, let me gift you one of our passenger planes. The Balhut Cult must be feeling the need for diplomacy with parties other than us, right?”

President Arthur made a sudden declaration to gift them a passenger plane, for the sake of his own stomach as well as the digestive health of his cabinet ministers.

There was a gasp among the American officials, but they didn’t complain, seeming to understand the President’s impulsive action.

If the Balhut Cult had no usable passenger plane, might Bahamut himself declare again that he would cross the Pacific directly to come to America?

The cabinet, not wanting to see a giant dragon invading American soil, inwardly cheered for President Arthur’s decision.

“I’m sorry for causing you concern.”

“No, no. We were planning to invite you all for the birth of an international organization anyway. Your positive response alone is more than helpful enough.”

When Yu-na apologized as the representative, President Arthur, seemingly more comfortable talking with her, gradually regained his pace and continued his diplomatic statements.

“The United States, as a business partner of the Balhut Cult, intends to help you achieve what you desire.”

“Of course, the Balhut Cult also intends to help the United States obtain the intangible values it seeks.”

“Haha. That’s really reassuring. Well then, shall we start the official schedule?”

The official schedule began afterward.

It consisted of various ceremonial events, including the common photo-op of heads of state shaking hands, a banquet prepared by the White House, and the summit meeting.

Of course, what these two were doing was the official schedule; the main negotiations would be handled by internal working-level officials.

“Excuse me for asking, but are you really the Dragon God?”

“What do you mean?”

“No, it’s just that as we go through this schedule… for someone called a Dragon God, you seem too down-to-earth. It almost feels like you’re an ordinary person pretending to deceive us.”

During a brief rest while completing the official events, President Arthur mentioned Bahamut’s behavior during the schedule and laughed helplessly.

Indeed, throughout the official schedule, President Arthur’s gaze had been directed at Bahamut, but Bahamut had delegated everything to Yu-na and merely observed the schedule like a third party.

He occasionally advised Yu-na, but wasn’t that something any secretary or aide could do?

To be frank, he was no different from a tourist visiting the White House, which is why President Arthur mentioned it jokingly.

“I understand your feelings completely. Indeed, you’ve never seen my true form, so it’s natural for you to express doubt.”

“Haha. Thank you for understanding…”

“So, if you want to see my true form, I need a spacious place. Is there a suitable location?”

“…What?”

What was he saying now?

So what Bahamut just told President Arthur was:

“A suitable place?”

“A place where there would be no problem showing my true form.”

He was saying he would show his true form to the White House.

“If I want to make you believe me, showing my true form would be faster for convincing you than empty words.”

“Y-You’re not wrong.”

Bahamut wasn’t wrong.

Explaining through actions was indeed faster than explaining with words.

But from President Arthur’s perspective, it was like a bolt from the blue.

‘It’s a chance to resolve all the doubts I’ve had so far. But the problem is… a dragon returning to its original form might go on a rampage.’

He had to consider the possibility that the dragon might go on a rampage after returning to its original form.

Of course, there was Steven’s guarantee that he was a trustworthy counterpart, but wasn’t that just Steven’s personal goodwill?

He couldn’t help but hesitate to gamble with the fate of the nation.

“Of course, I’ll just show my form and immediately return to my original appearance, so you don’t need to worry about destruction.”

“Then I’ll prepare for it.”

Since Bahamut seemed to have considered this point and assured there would be no problems, President Arthur said he would prepare a place for Bahamut to appear.

“That is Dragon God Bahamut…!”

“Is it real?!”

And the United States… no, the White House could now acknowledge that Dragon God Bahamut truly existed.

President Arthur and his cabinet ministers all gaped in amazement at the majestic sight of the enormous dragon that had descended upon The President’s Park.

No one could doubt Bahamut’s existence anymore, as they could only marvel at the sight of the Dragon God standing majestically in The President’s Park.

“What is that?”

“A dragon?”

And that magnificent sight was clearly visible to citizens living near the White House.