Ch.230230. Revolutionary War (2)

Well, of course, not many people would want to interfere in someone else’s war.

Especially when it was a revolution in Western Europe, on the opposite side of the globe. If asked honestly whether the flames of that revolution could burn all the way to Seorabeol under Bahamut’s rule, Bahamut would have firmly shaken his head.

Despite knowing this, Bahamut never stopped interfering with the Phoenix Cult.

‘The problem is that this isn’t just Seorabeol’s issue. Alicia is involved. And America is in the mix too.’

The fundamental reason Bahamut was involved in this incident was because Alicia was involved, and secondly, because America, his ally, was also involved.

Of course, the news that the Phoenix Cult had been informed about American movements meant that America had already requested cooperation from Bahamut, and in reality…

“According to recent polls, the majority of public opinion in South Ulsan wants the Dragon God to descend.”

The CIA had analyzed Seorabeol’s public opinion, passed that information to Steven, the special ambassador with full authority, and he began using it as negotiation material.

Before the Ulsan disaster occurred, Steven met with Bahamut and mentioned recent polls, saying that many people wanted the Dragon God to descend upon South Ulsan.

In fact, Sam Young-geol and Yu-na were currently struggling with how to resolve this public opinion issue, and when America’s special ambassador mentioned Seorabeol’s problem first, Bahamut’s expression was filled with wariness.

“The fact that you, a special ambassador with full authority, are telling me this—should I take it to mean you have a favor to ask of me?”

“Yes. If you would handle our small matter, we could bear part of the reconstruction costs if you, Lord Bahamut, descend upon Ulsan and rampage to your heart’s content.”

Yes, if he fearlessly mentioned that uncomfortable fact directly to the Dragon God, it meant he had a negotiation proposal to follow.

In response to Bahamut’s question, Steven honestly stated that he had a request for Bahamut, and confidently claimed that if Seorabeol summoned the Dragon God to Ulsan, they could bear part of the damage costs.

In fact, as this apocalypse approached, America had begun extracting resources they had been saving, becoming an exporter of their remaining resources to other countries.

Since rebuilding cities requires many raw materials, according to America’s prediction, even if Bahamut descended and Ulsan collapsed, they could bear part of the reconstruction costs, calculating that Seorabeol would inevitably become America’s export customer.

Japan was already importing and depending on many American resources to rebuild Kyushu, so if Seorabeol became another easy customer, America’s Pacific interests would clearly be secured.

“Well now. An offer I can’t refuse. Very well. I accept.”

The problem was that afterward, unlike what America had expected, South Ulsan wasn’t just partially destroyed—it was completely annihilated to the point where rebuilding from scratch would be faster.

As a result, the reconstruction costs skyrocketed, and America didn’t profit as much as they had thought. However, at the time, Steven was secretly proud of his achievement, thinking he had manipulated the Dragon God Bahamut and found an easy mark.

After all, the absolute being called a god, Dragon God Bahamut, had for once appeared to back down in negotiations with America.

Although they would later suffer economic losses rather than gains from the reconstruction costs, the political asset of making the Dragon God back down could be a great strength for the current Democratic cabinet, so they could say they at least achieved a moderate success.

“Thank you for the good deal. In fact, from Lord Bahamut’s perspective, this might be beneficial. After all, it’s a way to get back at the Saint of Orleans.”

“What? Could this be a grudge from the International Reconstruction Conference?”

And America’s request was simpler than expected.

It was revenge against the Saint of Orleans who had humiliated America.

She had touched America’s pride and arbitrarily used American military power to recapture Paris, so America had no reason to like her and instead considered her an obstacle to America overcoming the apocalypse.

President Arthur had engaged in a war of words with the Saint at that time, but he had suffered greatly, entangled in the Saint’s illogical arguments.

“Yes. The Saint forced America into an unwanted fight, so retribution is necessary. Western Europe is an important area of interest and alliance for America, but the Saint acted without knowing her place.”

More than anyone, he wanted the Saint’s downfall.

Steven explicitly declared revenge against the Saint, saying she had acted without knowing her place.

“What about a nation’s faith? Or credibility? Aren’t those important?”

The problem was that if America explicitly declared revenge, America’s faith and credibility would plummet uncontrollably.

Already, many commentators were questioning what American faith even meant, and if America explicitly declared revenge, many would likely not believe in America’s credibility.

This could lead to claims that even Seorabeol, an ally, couldn’t trust America’s word, so Bahamut, who wanted to maintain good relations with America, expressed some concern.

“Yes. That’s why we’re asking Lord Bahamut. Publicly, America will only declare support for the Phoenix Cult, with no intention of providing direct assistance. We might consider sabotage through the CIA, but that would be closer to symbolic support.”

“You’re saying I should support them directly.”

America had no intention of taking an explicit stance.

They planned to keep it low-key with just a formal declaration of support for the Phoenix Cult or operations through the CIA, which for a country of America’s size would be closer to symbolic support.

Since they wouldn’t explicitly provide weapons or food, the Saint’s side would find it difficult to criticize America’s declaration of support.

Above all, the real issue was elsewhere.

“Yes. We would like Lord Bahamut to provide direct support.”

“…I would prefer to remain neutral in this revolutionary war. I don’t want to betray Phoenix’s trust.”

Yes, America would end with a declaration of support, while the real plan was for Bahamut to support the Phoenix Cult and thus get back at the Saint.

To achieve this, they had expressed willingness to support what was currently considered Seorabeol’s issue, and in return, they wanted the Dragon God to support the Phoenix Cult.

The problem was that Bahamut’s explicit support for the Phoenix Cult carried risks.

After all, the Phoenix Cult worshipped Phoenix, so if someone other than Phoenix helped them, wouldn’t that be disrespectful to Phoenix?

“Then, even if not direct support, indirect transportation of supplies or weapons would be sufficient. That would be a lifeline for them.”

Hearing this, Steven backed down a bit, saying it would be enough for the Dragon God to indirectly transport weapons or supplies rather than intervene directly.

In truth, that alone would be sufficient.

The major weakness of the Phoenix Revolutionary Army was their shortage of weapons and food, and resolving that through American support would give them the foundation to fight against the French government forces.

“That tone. Does America not expect the Phoenix Cult to win?”

“The cult winning? Ha ha. Do you think that’s possible? Teresa Marie is also a contractor of the immortal Phoenix, but her opponent, the Saint of Orleans, is equally a Phoenix contractor. If neither uses Phoenix’s power, normally the Phoenix Cult would be in a situation where defeat is all but certain.”

Of course, America didn’t expect the Phoenix Cult to win.

Steven stated that it would ultimately end with the central government’s victory, but Bahamut seemed to think differently and countered Steven’s words.

“The variable of Awakened could change the course of the war. A powerful Awakened has the strength to single-handedly reverse a battlefield situation.”

“Indeed. You’re saying Teresa Marie could be such a person.”

If this were before the apocalypse, even with American support, it would end with the central government’s overwhelming victory, but now it was the apocalypse.

With the variable of Awakened, there was a real possibility that provincial Awakened could surpass central Awakened.

In reality, Awakened could grow through leveling up in continuous battles, and the growth rate for those who survived large-scale wars was frighteningly immense.

“I’ll review this on our end as well. Then, Lord Bahamut, do you accept the deal with America?”

Now, a year and several months after the apocalypse began, who would dare assert that provincial Awakened who had survived until now couldn’t defeat central Awakened?

Steven seemed to have been caught by Bahamut’s point and said he would review it, while asking for Bahamut’s decision.

“…I will.”

Bahamut, not particularly inclined to refuse, accepted America’s deal and began indirectly supporting the Phoenix Cult by visiting them personally.

Bahamut maintained indirect support by not participating in the battlefield directly but by providing external news and information about government forces, and occasionally by transporting American aid, contributing to the Phoenix Cult’s victory.

This was the decisive reason why the Phoenix Cult could advance all the way to Créteil, and it remained a source of strength allowing them to continue the engagement even now.

“The other side seems to be getting desperate.”

By now, the revolutionary war had long passed the one-month mark and was entering its second month.

The roads of Créteil were marked with tank tracks, the streets covered in incendiary bomb ashes, and faced with this hideous sight, many residents of Créteil either left their beloved city in search of a place to live or joined the revolutionary army to fight against government forces.

Yes, the situation was worsening.

Not only for the revolutionary forces facing government troops but also for the government forces facing the revolutionaries.

“What happened? Tanks have been used from the beginning, so that’s not an issue. But incendiary bombs? What’s that about?”

“Hmm. This is what my friend told me. Our kind neighbor, the Lord Protector, seems to be playing tricks as the situation changes.”

“What?”

Yes, the government forces were also facing a crisis if they continued to drag things out.

That crisis was none other than the change of heart of our “kind” neighbor, the Lord Protector, who, as the situation began to change subtly, first struck the Saint of Orleans from behind, weakening her authority.

While he couldn’t bear to see the Saint of Orleans fall, conversely, the Saint suffering moderate losses was a perfect situation for the Lord Protector to expand his own position.

The moment he calculated that the Saint wouldn’t immediately collapse, the Lord Protector began reducing support, claiming he couldn’t send the supply lines he had been providing to the Saint for various reasons.

“Isn’t he just the kindest neighbor?”

From the Phoenix Cult’s perspective, he truly was a kind neighbor.

Thanks to him, the Saint’s offensive became more aggressive, and even citizens who had been skeptical about the revolution began joining the revolutionary forces.

The problem was that this wasn’t the result the Phoenix Cult had wanted.

“Well. I’m actually sympathizing with the Saint right now?”

“Birds of a feather flock together. She’s reaping what she sowed.”

Even Teresa, the Saint’s enemy, expressed sympathy for this absurd situation.

After all, having started a revolution and prepared to sacrifice her life, her opponent was being backstabbed by a former ally and couldn’t fight properly.

“He could be aiming for mutual destruction.”

“Yes. At this rate, both sides could end up finished.”

Mutual destruction.

What would be best for the Lord Protector was for the Phoenix Cult and government forces to remain evenly matched until mutual destruction.

Then, the Saint’s position and reputation would naturally pass to the Lord Protector, and as the successor to the Saint of Orleans, the Lord Protector would have a high chance of successfully usurping power.

The Lord Protector, who coveted the English throne more than anyone, wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

“Then someone needs to mediate this revolutionary war. America perhaps? Or Seorabeol…”

“Ah. America wants the Saint to fall, so even if you request mediation, they won’t respond. Seorabeol has internal problems and has no way to project national power abroad. The Yamato Union is the same.”

Feeling a sense of crisis, the Saint of Orleans stated that someone’s mediation was needed, but in reality, there was no force that could mediate this revolutionary war in this situation.

America had no intention of mediating since they were supporting the Phoenix Cult to bring down the Saint from the beginning. Seorabeol was dealing with the internal issue of the Ulsan disaster.

The Yamato Union had declared a war on crime to regulate their own Awakened, so they had no interest in external affairs.

The European Union had many members who wanted the revolutionary war to continue for their various interests, and most countries were allies with the Saint, so they couldn’t request mediation as mediators.

This is why Teresa would want to request mediation from America, which supported the Phoenix Cult, or from completely neutral Seorabeol.

“There is exactly one person.”

“There is?”

However, Dragon God Bahamut says there is exactly one person who can mediate.

Yes, isn’t there precisely one person who has a social position that everyone can accept and who can mediate this revolutionary war?

“Alicia.”

“The Queen of England. But the Lord Protector and…”

“It’s a relationship between the usurper and the victim. She’s not an ally of the Saint, nor does she have any relationship with the Phoenix Cult. She is a Dragon Priestess, but I’ve only provided indirect support to you at America’s request as an ally. I’ve declared neutrality from the beginning. What do you think? Isn’t she the perfect candidate to mediate this revolutionary war?”

Alicia Elizabeth Diana, one of only three Dragon Priestesses in the world and the Queen of England, might be the only one who could mediate this war.