Ch.537Chapter 20. American Doblin (27)

Problem.

Choose an item that meets all of the following conditions:

Example 1. An item whose influence from Hwan’s will extends to Osaka, mainland Japan.

Example 2. An item that, thanks to Hwan’s will, allows mana to dwell in anything, whether metal or otherwise.

Example 3. An item that, despite being entangled with Cheonghyeseong and causing an uproar about “attacking Japan while we’re at it,” caused two S-class members of Hwalbindang, who are frantically trying to prevent Korean artifacts from being taken abroad, to come after it.

Example 4. An item that an American named Desmond Faygreen can buy with money.

And finally, Example 5.

An item that, despite not knowing whether it’s Mana Gold or not, a Japanese politician, even after becoming a woman, comes to Desmond and half-threatens him to hand it over.

The answer that meets all these conditions is right in front of my eyes, placed on the table in Desmond’s suite reception room.

“These artifacts, including this ‘Gilt-bronze Maitreya in Meditation.'”

Various precious metals are laid out on the table.

Except for one large statue, there are only worn-out precious metals.

They’re all artifacts.

Cultural properties that one would expect to see in a museum.

“Mr. Faygreen. You bought all these items believing they were Korean, correct?”

“Of course, Mr. Fujimura.”

Desmond openly showed his discomfort toward Councilman Fujimura.

“These are artifacts I purchased for tens of thousands of dollars each. Traditional Korean artifacts that were supposedly being ‘kept’ in Japan.”

“Haha. That’s right. The seller committed fraud. I’m so embarrassed.”

Though he keeps bowing his head as if apologizing, Desmond, I, and Ymir, who’s watching from the side in spirit form, all know.

That it’s pretense.

That it’s an act to steer the situation in their favor.

“I truly don’t know how to express my regret. If I could, I would get on my knees and apologize.”

Even if he were to perform a “dogeza,” everyone knows it’s just a submissive act to gain an advantage in negotiations.

“The person who sold stolen goods to Mr. Faygreen is currently being tracked. Normally we would have caught them quickly, but as you know, there have been major incidents… hahaha…”

“Hmm.”

Given what happened in Osaka, the shortage of hero personnel is understandable, but in this specific case, is it that they couldn’t catch them, or that they didn’t want to?

“So what are you trying to say? That I should entrust all of this to the Japanese government and wait until the truth is confirmed?”

“Oh no, that’s not it. There’s no need to confirm anything; we just want to clarify the facts.”

“Facts?”

“That these artifacts aren’t from Baekje, but from our Japan.”

Councilman Fujimura’s eyes narrow.

Until just now, they were apologetic, but now they clearly resemble a jackal eyeing its prey.

‘Just because she looks like a girl on the outside doesn’t mean she’s a girl on the inside.’

No matter how much the Amta demon touched her with its filthy hands, it can’t easily change the history and experience of someone who has lived as a politician.

‘Rather, she’s defending her masculinity through her identity as a politician.’

Even as a middle-aged, balding man with a protruding belly, he’s recalling his time as a male politician, suppressing the instincts flowing from a woman’s body with mental strength.

“I don’t want to be misunderstood. As a Japanese person, I’m deeply ashamed that someone sold these items with a ‘Korean premium’ to frame them, but shouldn’t the truth be revealed?”

“You don’t like Japanese cultural properties being known as Korean?”

“Yes. Nothing else matters; we just need to confirm. We’ll bring in experts to verify that these are Japanese cultural properties.”

“Hmm…”

Desmond crossed his legs, deep in thought.

This wasn’t really contemplation but a silent gesture to me, asking me to withhold judgment.

“What do you think?”

As expected, Desmond turned his eyes to me.

“When do I need to return to the company?”

“You can delay your departure if needed, but there are too many issues piling up for you to handle remotely.”

“You’re saying I need to go in person?”

“Yes.”

Both Desmond and I put silent pressure on the councilman.

Even for a politician, there’s no legal basis to restrict a foreign CEO’s movements.

Especially if it leads to economic loss, it would be clearly detrimental.

“Haha, then please leave it to us.”

But the councilman didn’t back down.

“If you entrust them to us, we’ll send them to America after thorough verification. Or would you prefer to see them yourself when you visit Japan next time?”

“Hmm…”

There’s some logic to it.

There’s no reason for Desmond to stay just to investigate cultural properties.

But there’s also no reason to be this persistent about verifying them.

“Why are you so determined to examine these?”

“…Ahem.”

“Is there something I shouldn’t know? If not, I’d like to take these and go home.”

He openly shows his discomfort.

His attitude toward the councilman becomes sharper, showing irritation.

“Fine. If you’re that concerned, I’ll put them in my private collection and not display them publicly. I’ll invite experts to America later, so think of it as a trip to the US, and I’ll welcome you warmly.”

“Ah, no, Chairman.”

“What? I can’t just leave items I bought for millions in Japan. I don’t distrust Japan, but with the current unstable situation, I’m concerned.”

“A-Ahem…!”

The situation has reversed.

Since there’s no justification to forcibly seize the artifacts, Desmond has the upper hand in negotiations.

It’s not even a negotiation to begin with.

This is just Councilman Fujimura being unreasonable.

‘I understand.’

They have intuition too.

If they thought these were just ordinary artifacts, they wouldn’t have acted.

“Sigh. I understand. In that case, I have no choice but to tell you the truth.”

Councilman Fujimura straightened his posture.

“It’s because Mr. Faygreen could be in danger.”

“Danger? Are you threatening me now?”

“No. Not from us, but from villains. This is confidential…”

The councilman glanced at me, but Desmond blocked that gaze with his hand and waved dismissively.

“It’s fine. He’s someone I trust more than anyone.”

“…I understand. Ahem. Well… these artifacts are currently being targeted by a villain organization.”

“Villains?”

“Yes. It’s hard to say whether it’s a villain organization or what, but all of this is true. In fact.”

The councilman hesitated for a moment.

“We’ve received intelligence that these artifacts are being targeted by ‘Yimemangryang.'”

“……?”

Yimemangryang?

“Such an organization, as far as I know…”

“Yes. It’s the Syndicate.”

The truth spilled from the councilman’s lips.

“Although the Goblin has disappeared, it was in Osaka because it was after these artifacts.”

“Who said that? That the Goblin was after these.”

“Hwalbindang.”

“…….”

“The leader of Hwalbindang, ‘Black Gil-dong,’ provided the information. Although it comes from a villain, it’s from a reliable channel.”

“Black Gil-dong…”

Desmond’s expression becomes serious.

“As I know, his official alias is ‘Dark Gil-dong’?”

“It’s just a minor difference between the official name and the commonly used alias.”

“From Hwalbindang…”

Desmond closed his eyes.

As if asking me to explain something, he draped his arm over the back of the sofa and tapped his fingers.

Ymir is also looking at me, asking with her eyes what the situation is.

And I know the answer.

‘It’s self-destruction.’

If they can’t have it, they’ll sabotage it.

Hwalbindang sent two people to get these artifacts; one became a demon, and the other went missing.

And then the Goblin appeared, so they likely over-interpreted it as the Syndicate making a move.

The unfortunate thing is that it’s true.

The Sipsonbi member of Hwalbindang has gone out of contact.

Bibi, who became an Amta demon, is a madman and thus irrelevant.

Desmond is likely connected to the Syndicate, and he secured the artifacts.

The artifacts, presumed to be Mana Gold, are now in the Syndicate’s hands.

It’s virtually impossible to force-fit pieces together to deduce the correct answer, but as they say:

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Hwalbindang has an ability user who can manipulate situations like this.

“Chairman.”

I leaned toward Desmond and whispered a suggestion in his ear.

“Hmm…”

After hearing my words, Desmond crossed his legs.

He interlaced his fingers and placed them on his thigh, tilting his head slightly to the side.

“This is a serious problem. If the Syndicate is after this, and Hwalbindang is after this as well.”

“Y-Yes. It’s a big problem, isn’t it? Hwalbindang misunderstands that these are Korean when they’re not, and the Syndicate is also after them.”

“Is that so? Hmm.”

Hwalbindang probably didn’t tell the Japanese government everything either.

Both sides are hiding key information to benefit themselves, trying to take advantage of Desmond right now.

[Chairman. You have something to say, don’t you?]

If that’s the case.

[Do you want to do it? If so, make it clear.]

In this situation, there’s only one thing a corporate CEO should do.

[You have my permission, Chairman.]

For those trying to take advantage of people, one phrase is enough.

[I’ll take responsibility.]

A phrase that comes from deep within.

“Fuck♂You↘.”

To those trying to take advantage of others, eat this.