Ch.209209. Broadcast Contract (3)

The world’s commentators claimed that humanity had overcome the current apocalypse.

The end times were gradually concluding, humanity had survived, civilization was being rebuilt, and the economy was gradually recovering. Things were returning to how they used to be—which made their claims not entirely false, and that was the truly insidious part.

But any powerless person would know the truth.

The claim that we had overcome the apocalypse, as asserted by commentators and those in power, was a lie from the beginning.

The moment one stepped even slightly away from the capital or centers of power, what the powerless saw was nothing but bleak ruins, destroyed cities, and the grim reality that they would have to rebuild with their own hands.

“That’s why some become raiders to survive.”

This was precisely why raiders continued to appear in large numbers despite their many disadvantages.

Even if reconstruction efforts began, there was no guarantee that the rebuilt cities or buildings would belong to those who rebuilt them. The reality for the powerless was that even after successful reconstruction, they would have their property taken by those with power.

“At least in Seorabeol, traffic and security management were well-established, so I could protect civilian interests by guaranteeing them myself.”

For an absolute dictator… or rather, someone who had ascended to absolute power, it was beneficial to exploit everyone except themselves and their followers to prove their absolute authority.

From a dictator’s perspective, local powers were forces challenging their authority, and therefore, suppressing them before they grew stronger was the correct answer.

As Kim Su-ho in Seoul knew, wasn’t suppressing what could be called warlords the most important thing for Kim Su-ho, who hadn’t yet given up on South Korea?

Although he had become disillusioned with South Korea and turned to policies that nurtured local powers rather than checking them, the most important thing for a warlord who had seized the capital was to suppress forces that might rebel against the capital.

“For the sake of dictatorship. The reality is that even the same flies must be thoroughly crushed if they rebel.”

“Why do you look so serious? Did Phoenix make another unreasonable request?”

“No. I think I can resolve Phoenix’s request. But I’m really wondering if I should make the introduction.”

It was certainly a concern.

To be frank, Bahamut recognized that the person he would be connecting would be seen as an act of sabotage against the Saint of Orleans specifically, and Europe more broadly.

When Bahamut met with Sister Teresa, he realized that most regions except Paris, where the Saint resided, had become ruins, and Paris had long since transformed into a place of exploitation that only enriched itself.

‘They clearly said Paris is the center of the world and the starting point of revolution. Just as they said, they’re using their country’s other cities as tools of exploitation solely for Paris.’

Bahamut remembered what the Saint had said during the international organization reconstruction conference.

At that time, it seemed like an absurd claim, so he thought it was just extreme rhetoric to gain support, but the Saint had actually implemented exactly what she had promised.

Exploiting all of France for the sake of Paris alone!

The claim that humanity would not perish as long as Paris, the center of Europe, remained intact wasn’t entirely far-fetched.

The citizens of Paris already supported the Saint of Orleans, the great saint who had saved France, and the Saint had ascended to the position of dictator with overwhelming support.

After all, who would dare impeach a great hero who had faithfully fulfilled her promises for Paris?

Anyone who impeached her would not be a citizen of Paris, and therefore, the Saint’s enemies were enemies of Paris and traitors to the nation.

“This could lead to civil war if I’m not careful.”

“What? What did you say?”

“Civil war, I said. Civil war. I think it might really happen.”

After analyzing the current situation in France, Bahamut was gripped by fear that civil war might actually break out.

“I don’t know. That’s scary. Are you saying civil war will break out?”

“If I don’t handle this carefully. Yes.”

Of course, the only people who would appreciate that policy were the citizens of Paris, while citizens of other regions who didn’t benefit from it would suffer and be exploited.

In reality, the bomb had already been set, and what Bahamut or Phoenix were doing was essentially throwing oil cans and torches at the place where the bomb was installed.

It was like a chain of bombs had been set up, ready to explode sequentially at the slightest trigger.

“Is migration to another place impossible?”

“You’re back, visitor. What do you mean by migration?”

“Isn’t it quite inconvenient to raise children here? Perhaps to the center of Paris where security is somewhat established…”

First, he decided to visit the church again to meet with the nun.

Sister Teresa asked what he meant when he suddenly appeared and suggested migration, and Bahamut tried to recommend finding residence in Paris, which was safer than here, mentioning the children she was caring for.

“Sir, you don’t seem to understand, but we don’t have that kind of money. We still have some of the currency you donated before, but…”

“Ah. It’s lost all its value.”

He received only a cold response that if they had the money, they would have moved long ago.

Yes, if they wanted to migrate, they would want to move to the center of Paris where security was established, especially for the sake of the children.

Unfortunately, the pre-apocalypse currency had lost all its value, so even if they wanted to move, they couldn’t afford to.

The reason the poor living around Paris couldn’t leave for safety and remained in these ruins was partly due to migration costs, but also because these ruins were still somewhat livable compared to alternatives.

“Yes. Even if I went to exchange it at a bank now, could I buy even a single loaf of bread with this?”

“I’m sorry about that.”

The nun sarcastically asked if she could buy even a piece of bread with the money she currently had, and Bahamut apologized.

How could Bahamut have faced such problems?

In Seorabeol, issues related to the poor were handled by Seol-hwa or Yu-na, and the Balhut Cult, being a religious group, had great interest in helping the poor.

This was the first time Bahamut had recognized the poverty caused by the apocalypse.

Perhaps because of this…

“No. Rather, the fact that you didn’t even know such common sense… Are you someone who’s been living like an immortal in the mountains?”

“That’s not wrong. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my immortal life.”

He couldn’t refute the nun’s scathing words.

As she said, he was indeed an immortal who had been thoroughly enjoying playing the Seorabeol strategy simulation game in the temple.

Bahamut reflected deeply on her words and looked at the nun’s face properly once more.

“So, instead of teaching God’s word, you’re spreading heretical faith. How’s that going?”

“Hehe. I’m gathering followers in my own way. That means there are people who believe in Phoenix. To be frank, it’s more like they’re willing to believe in anything that helps them forget this bleak reality, even a little.”

This was why faith in Phoenix was growing in the ruins.

Adding to the disappointment in the existing God, to forget the unbearably bleak reality, people had no choice but to throw themselves into the madness of faith.

The world spoke of rationalism, claiming all humans would make cold judgments, but sadly, if humans were truly rational beings, the blood shed in the world would have been reduced by half long ago.

Humans were never rational beings, and to forget the misfortune before their eyes, they believed in the Phoenix faith, which was practically heresy in Europe, and began to hope for Phoenix’s salvation.

“What about you?”

“I sincerely believe. I believe Phoenix is the one who will overturn this dark age.”

The nun also claimed to have sincerely fallen into the Phoenix faith, asserting that Phoenix was a deity who would overturn this dark age.

She too had been living in these ruins, so she couldn’t help but immerse herself in the Phoenix faith to forget the bleak reality.

“I think Phoenix might find that faith burdensome.”

“But humans are pitiful creatures who cannot survive without believing in and blindly following someone superior to themselves. Even now, though everyone knows the Saint of Orleans’ claims are extreme, no one rebels against her. In Europe, the only ones who can rebel are Phoenix and Bahamut.”

Bahamut said their faith might be burdensome to Phoenix, but she firmly mentioned human weakness.

Because they are weak, they have no choice but to rely on those who are superior.

‘Is this a criticism of humanity? Looking at it this way, it’s both understandable and sad.’

In an apocalypse that nakedly reveals all human nature, arguments criticizing humanity were gaining strength.

“…If you’re talking about superior individuals, I’ve heard there’s also the Lord Protector and the Führer.”

“Those two are the Saint’s collaborators. They’re the kind who will ally with each other when their power is threatened.”

When Bahamut mentioned the names of two leaders who were making a name for themselves in Europe, the nun dismissed them as not worth mentioning.

Of course, they were the Saint’s collaborators and would ally with each other in times of crisis.

Bahamut couldn’t deny this, so after a moment’s thought…

“Then what about the Queen of England?”

He mentioned Alicia, his contractor.

“She’s still too young.”

But the nun’s answer was a harsh criticism that she was still too young.

Despite the implicit rule that age doesn’t matter for the Awakened, she said one shouldn’t rely on her because she was young.

“I thought age didn’t matter for the Awakened.”

“Even so, she’s still too young. From what I can see, what the Queen is aiming for right now is her own survival, not radical reform… If it were radical reform, I wouldn’t have let the Lord Protector live. I would have purged all rebels with the wisdom of the dragon god.”

Despite Bahamut mentioning the rule about Awakened, the nun fearlessly read Alicia’s psychological pattern as if she had perfectly understood Alicia’s mindset.

In reality, Alicia did prioritize her own survival rather than purging anyone or engaging in political machinations.

That hadn’t changed even after a considerable time had passed since contracting with the dragon god, so from the nun’s perspective, Alicia was someone who couldn’t be relied upon, hence the harsh criticism.

‘She speaks frightening words without hesitation. Purging, huh? Well, that option was available, but I deliberately didn’t choose it.’

While acknowledging the nun’s harsh criticism, Bahamut fell into contemplation about whether it was really good to mediate a contract with Phoenix.

She certainly had spirit and determination.

She had the ability to do what Phoenix wanted without problems, and she was a religious person who respected Phoenix as a god.

As a contractor, she was certainly first-rate, and Bahamut acknowledged that much.

But…

‘She’s a bomb. A nuclear bomb that could blow up not just France but all of Europe.’

This is why Bahamut could only remain silent, and the nun gripped her cross tightly in the chilling silence.

After a moment of silence, it was Bahamut who broke it.

“Then tell me. If you were given a chance to rise again, what would you do?”

“A chance?”

“A chance to change this cursed reality. A chance to break this already solidified power structure.”

He was giving her a chance to choose.

If there wasn’t even an opportunity because it was dangerous, that would mean he wasn’t keeping his word, so Bahamut decided to give the nun a chance.

A chance to change this cursed reality.

“I will gather those who are tired of the oppression of the corrupt in the center, those who lost their families in the apocalypse, those who have lost hope in life. And I will clearly tell those who are exploiting us: the throne you believe in is nothing. False belief only corrupts the soul.”

At those words, the nun declared her revenge against the Saint.

The anger of those who had been exploited.

All the resentment that Paris had perpetrated under the name of the heart of revolution.

She would reveal all the dark deeds that had been silenced under the name of freedom.

“If you could contract with the god you speak of?”

“Do not mistake yourself as a being who can handle a god. Do you know how terrifying it is to distort the word of God? Seducing many people by saying it’s what God wants is true evil.”

At those words, Bahamut mentioned contracting with the god she spoke of, but the nun was horrified, saying he was not a being who could be handled, and that distorting God’s word was dangerous.

Of course, as a religious person, she knew the danger of the term “Deus vult” better than anyone, and it was only natural for her to be wary of that danger.

“I see. You’ll believe in God, but won’t distort God’s words?”

“It is our duty to guide those who have lost their faith and are wandering onto the right path.”

Bahamut seemed to accept her words.

“But people aren’t made of just words, are they? I’m certain you’ll also cause trouble somewhere under the pretext of God’s word.”

But as is the way of the world, he didn’t believe it would really happen.

When there were countless organizations nearby that distorted Bahamut’s words and caused trouble under the pretext of Bahamut’s words, could she alone prevent that?

When he pointed out this contradiction, the nun’s expression darkened rapidly.

“That is human error. It wasn’t God’s will, but sins committed by humans borrowing God’s name. But that doesn’t mean we can judge solely based on that one thing.”

“What a funny excuse. But you’re not wrong. To judge based on just that one thing… there must certainly be other good points too.”

Can’t be judged based on that one thing alone.

Bahamut chuckled at those words, but conversely, as she said, it couldn’t be judged based on that one thing alone.

Even now, he knew that the rampages in Seorabeol also had pure good intentions, and ultimately, they were acts for the sake of people.

“You seek a god called Phoenix, but you don’t know Phoenix’s true heart, nor have you properly seen her identity. And those who interpret God’s will always try to kill each other.”

But the nun before him was not Phoenix’s contractor.

Right now, she was just a nun who had borrowed Phoenix’s name.

She could not escape the contradiction he had just pointed out, and she was in no position to refute the claim that she didn’t know Phoenix’s true heart.

“Then you! Are you confusing my heart with talk of God while not believing in God yourself?”

“Me? I’m simple.”

Sister Teresa desperately asked why Bahamut was making her so confused.

From her perspective, he had suddenly appeared and was confusing her heart with talk about God.

Well, he had come arbitrarily and was speaking arbitrarily, so it was understandable that she was confused. Thinking this, Bahamut smiled bitterly and decided to reveal his identity.

“To say I’m an apostle of your god would be somewhat problematic in my position. Yes… I am a mediator.”

“A mediator? What do you mean by an apostle of God?”

“It’s simple.”

Of course, without revealing his name as Bahamut, he transformed from his human appearance to a half-human, half-dragon form with horns and wings, making the nun recognize that the person before her was not an ordinary idler.

And then…

“Are you interested in a contract with Phoenix the Immortal?”

He told her that the contract with Phoenix the Immortal was not a lie but real, and offered her that contract.