Ch.130130. International Organization Reconstruction Conference (1)

# The Schedule is Settled. Now, I Need to Know Who This Lord Protector Is.

Bahamut decided to ask Alicia about the Lord Protector, now that she had laid out her plans for the future. He knew the Lord Protector was the real power in this country and a hero who recaptured London, but also someone who had attempted to usurp the throne. Beyond that, he knew nothing.

“By the way, about this country’s Lord Protector…”

“Your Majesty, time is up. You must return now.”

“Has that much time passed already?!”

Unfortunately, it seemed their meeting time had ended, as Anna entered to deliver the news. Alicia turned her head regretfully at Anna’s words and sighed, saying, “So the time has already come to that.”

“Thank you, Dragon God!”

“Take care of yourself.”

With that, Alicia, having finished her contract and consultation about future plans, thanked him and returned to her separate palace. Though she had managed to slip out with American help, the Lord Protector might become suspicious of her movements. No matter how busy he was with the international organization reconstruction meeting, he wouldn’t neglect watching his greatest political rival. Even with American assistance, there were limits to their help, which was why Alicia needed to return to her residence with Anna’s help before the Lord Protector discovered her absence.

Seeing this, Bahamut stopped his question and saw Alicia off.

“What a long day it’s been.”

“Indeed.”

It truly had been a whirlwind day—a sudden contract with this country’s queen and hearing her wish. Through this contract, Bahamut had clearly gained an advantage by stepping onto the international stage, but…

“But I’m truly happy to have another junior member.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s an opportunity to spread the greatness of the Balhut Cult overseas.”

Bahamut’s expression soured again at Yuna’s next words. He realized that if a country’s queen became a member of the Balhut Cult, her subjects would inevitably be influenced.

‘No! This country’s established religion can’t be that weak!’

Surely a centuries-old religion couldn’t be defeated by a new faith that hadn’t even properly existed for a year! Bahamut tried to reassure himself, wanting to dismiss it as nothing to worry about.

“Today’s the day.”

…And so, after a long night, morning came, and the day of the international organization reconstruction meeting arrived.

“Will it be all right?”

“What?”

“The Lord Protector will soon realize that Alicia awakened without his knowledge. He must have detection-type subordinates.”

Bahamut and Yuna were heading to the meeting venue dressed in neat suits rather than their usual armor and priestess attire. Yuna questioned Bahamut about yesterday’s events, seemingly worried about Alicia’s safety, mentioning that the Lord Protector must have surveillance-type subordinates.

Bahamut thought her concern was valid, but after careful consideration:

“Yes, that’s true. But what’s wrong with awakening to protect oneself in this apocalypse? If that’s what she claims, there’s really nothing he can say against it.”

“That’s true, but…”

If they kept the contract with Bahamut secret and simply claimed she awakened to protect herself, the Lord Protector would indeed have no counterargument. In this apocalypse, who could condemn someone for awakening to protect themselves?

Of course, some might mock her for not trusting her royal guards, implying division. But considering how other royals had died meaninglessly in this apocalypse, Alicia could easily counter the Lord Protector’s arguments…

“And given how young the queen is, he might think one awakened queen won’t change the overall situation.”

“Do you think so?”

From the Lord Protector’s perspective, as the leader of the Awakened, he might conclude that one awakened queen wouldn’t threaten his position. The level difference was too overwhelming, and he knew better than anyone that a single Awakened couldn’t overturn the balance of power between factions. He might simply mock Alicia for clinging to false hope rather than taking her seriously.

Precisely because he knew Awakened well, he might let his guard down—something they needed to consider.

“From what I hear, he’s already attempted usurpation. The Lord Protector might need to be cautious now. He might just turn a blind eye to the queen’s awakening.”

“I see.”

Moreover, the Lord Protector had caused trouble even before Alicia awakened. Despite being this country’s strongest Awakened, it was strange that he could act so nonchalantly after attempting something as serious as usurpation.

The Lord Protector now had to consider not just the queen but also the country’s political factions like the Liberal Party and Conservative Party. He might have placed the young queen as a lower priority, but…

“…Well, that’s thinking based on common sense. If the Lord Protector isn’t a common-sense person, that’s a different story.”

“What do you mean?”

“The moment he decided to usurp a perfectly legitimate throne, the Lord Protector likely has a personality different from ordinary people.”

Logically, after causing such a major incident, one would expect him to be cautious. But he might actually become more reckless. When asked if that wouldn’t be shameless and brazen, the point was that the Lord Protector had already transcended conventional norms, so he might act however he pleased regardless of what the existing political forces said.

Therefore, he might react sensitively to the queen’s awakening and go on another rampage.

“Indeed… you’re not wrong.”

“That’s why we need to see the Lord Protector attending this international organization reconstruction meeting and judge for ourselves.”

Bahamut needed to meet the Lord Protector directly at this meeting to assess his disposition. The Balhut Cult had already achieved everything they needed from the international organization, so they just needed to quietly listen to the announcements from the key figures of the reconstruction meeting.

Though it might be somewhat boring, thanks to Alicia, he thought he could listen seriously.

“Understood, Lord Bahamut.”

They slowly made their way to the seats assigned to the Balhut Cult and entered the meeting. Yuna took the lead as the representative, while Bahamut entered slowly behind her, as if attending as her aide.

The meeting hall was arranged with a round table, symbolizing equality in international diplomacy. As everyone took their assigned seats and passed some time, a woman was passionately addressing the attendees from the central stage.

“Today is truly a meaningful day! Humanity continues to demonstrate its resilience even in this apocalypse! And now! We are united, showing our love for humanity!”

She seemed genuinely moved by the visitors, proclaiming this as the embodiment of humanity’s love.

“Who is that…?”

“That must be the Saint of Orleans. She matches the photos.”

“That’s her?”

The woman delivering the speech on the platform was an Awakened from France known as the Saint of Orleans. When Yuna identified her, Bahamut observed her carefully.

Unlike other meeting participants, she wore elaborate armor with saintly attire underneath, suggesting divine selection. She appeared to be a young woman who had just entered society.

“I am truly moved! In this grim apocalypse, humanity continues to fight back!”

“She’s certainly passionate.”

“And there is a brave person who willingly sacrificed for that light!”

She was indeed passionate. Bahamut thought this as he watched the person who took the stage after the Saint of Orleans.

The man was entering middle age and appeared stubborn and assertive at first glance. Dressed in an elaborately decorated marshal’s uniform, he slowly took the microphone and began speaking.

“Thank you for responding to the international organization’s summons. I am the man known as the Lord Protector, who organized this meeting.”

“So that’s the Lord Protector.”

He referred to himself as the Lord Protector rather than by name, and many sighed at his appearance. Yet no one questioned whether this man was truly the Lord Protector, confirming that he was indeed the ruler of current England.

‘Not a name, but a position. He’s confident in his title. I can see why Alicia couldn’t hold out and came to me.’

Thinking this man was truly overflowing with confidence, Bahamut decided to listen quietly to the Lord Protector’s speech. He expected the typical congratulatory remarks about the international organization reconstruction meeting.

“We must consider how to overcome the current global complex crisis, the threats posed by the apocalypse, the severe security situation, and the crisis of division and polarization in world society. Even now, anti-national forces with distorted historical consciousness and irresponsible national views threaten our humanity.”

‘Huh? Isn’t it customary to emphasize unity on such important days? Why suddenly emphasize anti-national forces?’

Bahamut’s expression hardened as he realized the statements coming from those destructive lips were more extreme than expected. He had anticipated something like a principal’s lecture or words of unity, but why emphasize anti-national forces on such an important day?

It was too extreme and had a rough, crude tone unsuited for this international organization reconstruction meeting. At least the Saint of Orleans had emphasized humanity’s love, matching the theme of the meeting, but this wasn’t even related to the meeting’s theme.

“Hmm…”

‘President Arthur seems perplexed too. Did the Lord Protector write this speech on his own?’

President Arthur, attending the meeting, was genuinely surprised by the Lord Protector’s sudden remarks and stared at him. This meant the United States had no prior knowledge of this.

“Lies. Agitation. Fabrication. These forces threatening world democracy lurk in the darkness even during this apocalypse. They side with dictatorship, monarchy, and totalitarianism while pretending to be democracy activists and human rights activists, and you can find them all over the world. We must never be deceived by such falsehoods and disguises. We humanity must fight and overcome such lies.”

Is this really a speech at an international organization discussing unity? Bahamut looked around with an expression that questioned if this was real, observing the representatives of each country. The expressions of those who could be called representatives of each nation were very negative as they listened to the Lord Protector’s speech.

Not just the United States, but even the Japanese representative who had come from Fukuoka didn’t look pleased. Only the Saint of Orleans from France and a very few others seemed favorable to the Lord Protector’s claims.

Everyone had come to this meeting with the understanding that it was about setting aside hatred and distrust accumulated until now in preparation for the apocalypse, and discussing supralegal unity and cooperation.

‘No, let’s assume this is the Lord Protector acting alone. Isn’t this just a show meeting anyway?’

The only reason the representatives didn’t rebel against the Lord Protector’s speech and cause chaos was that they had already completed internal consultations. What was the scope of cooperation? How far would they cooperate?

Since the internal working-level officials had already finished their consultations, the meeting could proceed without breaking down despite the Lord Protector’s rampage. Well, it couldn’t be used as a meaningful propaganda piece to show all of humanity, but still, this was the first establishment of an international organization after the apocalypse.

They had to listen and endure even if the host of the international organization meeting made everyone feel terrible.

“And now about the headquarters of the international organization.”

As the Lord Protector finished his speech and stepped down, the Saint of Orleans took the microphone again. She brought up the topic of the international organization headquarters.

“Huh? This is unexpected.”

According to what Bahamut had heard from the Americans, the headquarters of the international organization had not yet been decided. Internal consultations on the headquarters had not been smooth, so they had postponed it for later negotiation.

“I propose here! Let’s establish the international organization in the place known as the most important location for humanity’s progress! Yes! The symbol of revolution! Paris! We must show those monsters that humanity has not ended!”

“”””What’s that? It’s scary not knowing.””””

In front of everyone, the Saint of Orleans declared that the international organization should be established in Paris, known as the symbol of revolution. Yes, there was a need for symbolism that humanity had not ended. Everyone gathered here couldn’t deny that, but…

‘Wait, unlike London, I heard Paris is a monster den.’

Why was she called the Saint of Orleans and not the Saint of Paris? The simple reason was that France’s capital, Paris, had not yet been recaptured. It had become a monster’s den, and the Saint of Orleans had brazenly proposed using the power of the international organization to recapture Paris.

In other words, from the perspective of countries participating in the international organization, they were being dragged into a fight that had nothing to do with them.

“Wait a moment. London is one thing, but Paris…? Do you know the current state of Paris when you make such a proposal?”

The American side, which had tolerated the Lord Protector’s nonsense until now, could no longer bear it. President Arthur stood up and spoke about the reality of Paris. It was a sarcastic remark asking how they could establish headquarters in Paris when it was controlled by monsters.

“Yes, I know. Paris, which will become the center of the world, is still suffering in the hands of monsters! Can you all bear it?! While Paris is suffering! Why must Paris suffer! Isn’t Paris the heart of revolution! The starting point of all democracy!”

It was completely useless with the Saint of Orleans. As if she hadn’t heard President Arthur’s sarcastic remarks at all, she instead questioned why they weren’t stepping up when Paris was suffering. She genuinely seemed to believe that Paris was the center of humanity, and without recapturing Paris, there would be no tomorrow for humanity.

“This is not something that has been agreed upon! We have no intention of using our precious Awakened’s blood for your sake!”

“To forget the connection with General Lafayette! This apocalypse is truly cruel!”

‘That’s only natural.’

Others also drew the line, saying they would not accept that proposal and could not use their country’s Awakened to recapture Paris. In response, the Saint of Orleans brought up General Lafayette, turning the reconstruction meeting into chaos.

“The Lord Protector’s cabinet supports the Saint of Orleans.”

“What?”

The most unfortunate point was that someone was supporting her sophistry.

“Wow. What’s going on?”

And it was the Lord Protector, the host of this international organization meeting, who supported the saint’s sophistry. President Arthur looked at the Lord Protector with a truly dumbfounded expression, and Yuna wore the same expression, unable to understand the current situation.

‘What’s happening?’

Bahamut felt the same, sitting quietly with an expression that couldn’t comprehend the current situation, starting to observe the atmosphere around him.