Chapter 319

Chapter 319. Daily Life During War (5)

“Oh? Hyunwoo is here, isn’t he?”

Following this, Kim Yul peeked out into the hallway with a camera.

Berta, who had arrived close to me, leapt quickly.

If it had been a Bronze rank, the force would have been overwhelming.

I was so used to it that I accepted her casually.

“Why do you always charge at me? Can’t you come calmly sometimes?”

With Berta having arrived, my shoulder was her territory.

No sooner had Berta settled on my shoulder than Dennis was pushed aside.

“Ugh! You, you ill-mannered Beastfolk!”

While Dennis hurriedly flew up and protested, Berta was only interested in my hair.

Kim Yul then gestured to me and said, “Hyung! We’re doing a live broadcast, want to join?”

Although there were some tasks left to do.

‘It’s time to increase the fairy’s exposure.’

I thought I would stop by, hold the position for a while, and then leave only Dennis behind.

“What are you talking about today?”

Pretending to readily accept the offer, I stepped into the studio and instantly regretted my choice.

“K, welcome!”

“Long time no see.”

“…… Indeed, it’s been a while.”

Ahel, Breche, and even Rashar.

The Biharin affiliated with the Demi-human Alliance were sitting.

While I was frozen, the live broadcast was going well.

“Wow, look at the viewer count. Isn’t everyone being too biased towards Hyunwoo hyung and me?”

Rumors spread across online communities that I appeared, and viewers rapidly increased.

– Yul, you’re cute, but K is cool.

– You can’t compare with K.

– I’m your fan, but K is on another level.

– It is as it is, but I still prefer the pink retriever.

Messages scrolled quickly on the big screen hanging on the wall.

– Wow, it’s a fairy.

– It’s that fairy from the press conference with the pink hair.

– Show us the fairy, please.

Among them, there were quite a few chats talking about the fairy.

Since I had already come, I had no intention of running away.

Feigning nonchalance, I entered the studio.

Seeing an empty spot next to Breche, I took the seat and greeted.

“What brings you here?”

“Berta watched you on TV and ransacked the house to bring her to the guild.”

As Breche lightly answered, Kim Yul tossed me a microphone.

While I attached it to my clothes, Kim Yul fixed the camera and continued the live broadcast.

“Oh, the fairies? Hmm… To be honest, it’s hard for me to say since I just brought them when Hyunwoo hyung suddenly decided to take them along.”

Laughing awkwardly, Kim Yul glanced at Dennis.

“Dennis, would you like to greet the viewers?”

Dennis, who had followed me into the studio, looked at me cautiously.

He seemed to be checking whether he could go ahead or not.

I simply motioned towards the camera with my chin, and Dennis flew to where Kim Yul was.

Kim Yul hesitated briefly with the microphone before carelessly handing it over.

Dennis, who reluctantly embraced the microphone that was as big as his body, said,

“Hello…”

I observed this through the large monitor mounted on the studio wall.

As his small figure was caught on camera, the chat room erupted into chaos.

– Cute!

– Adorable!

– I wish I could have one too!

Though there were some odd comments interspersed in between.

Due to his appearance resembling something from a fairy tale, the reactions were overall positive.

Dennis stepped forward to chat with people for a while.

– Look at those people praising.

– Are you really that thoughtless?

– Why did K bring those traitors?

– What if they betray us all the way to Earth?

The hostile voices criticizing the fairies as traitors reached the studio.

Their malice was not aimed solely at the fairy species.

It was directed towards all Demi-humans who had crossed over from Bihar.

‘They’re claiming their taxes were drained by the Biharin, and they’re already taking away the few jobs available.’

I was considering stepping in if Dennis failed to handle it properly.

“That part shouldn’t blame the fairies. I honestly understand.”

Unexpectedly, it was Breche at the side of the studio who spoke up.

Everyone was wearing Translation magic tools, so they seemed to have no trouble reading.

“We suffered a lot from slave hunting too. Many children of Berta’s age were kidnapped, treated like pets, and died.”

Kim Yul interpreted his words for the audience.

“The high priests of the Order who supported the human trafficking organizations made decisions, so even within us, many talked about abandoning them.”

If the Beastfolk lacked any strength, perhaps things indeed would’ve turned out that way.

“They stayed with the Demi-human Alliance only because Lord Horfe persistently objected against such all-out betrayal.”

Fundamentally, Horfe was a wise man, despite his simple and sometimes violent actions.

‘There’s a reason he’s called a king.’

Breche wasn’t the only one defending the fairies.

“Many viewers might not know this, but the fairies would have gone extinct if they remained in the Demi-human Alliance during Biharin’s past.”

Ahel, seated at the side of the studio, joined in the defense.

Using impeccable Korean he learned just in a few months, he continued,

“Since the full-fledged invasion began, I heard the damage multiplied geometrically, didn’t it?”

Perhaps startled by the unexpected defense, a mumbling Dennis alternated glances between Beastfolk and humans.

“…… That’s right. I was told my uncle and elder members were kidnapped, intoxicated, and exploited.”

As a result, many lost their minds, becoming shells of their former selves, and met cruel ends.

Learning about others’ hardships, the throbbing in my temples intensified.

While I pressed my forehead, Ahel shrugged his shoulders and continued.

“I think the fairies’ choice was the best possible act of survival. It didn’t mean they agreed with the decisions of the past.”

Categorizing himself as a traitor, he wouldn’t be in a position to blame someone.

“My teacher above me and fellow students either died or joined the enemy lines. Worse, they collaborate meaninglessly with the enemy’s destruction.”

His orange eyes briefly glanced at me, shining excessively.

It seemed like he wished for a reward for having done something beneficial for me.

“They’re probably still living among the monsters, fighting, and surviving.”

His voice was calm, unlike the sparkle in his eyes.

But if I continued to let him talk, Ahel might become a target too.

“Ah, I’m not hesitant for when we meet again in the future. Now that I’m aware they are the enemy, though the skill difference makes it challenging to defeat them easily…”

“Eril was already dealt with during the recent mage extermination operation.”

So I interrupted, giving Ahel a factual update midway.

It served well to shed light on facts since I hadn’t separately informed about the deaths.

Ahel nonchalantly nodded in understanding.

“I suspected as much. She was teacher’s most beloved, so I’m sure the teacher would have been furious. K, you might want to be careful. He’s not one to forget a grudge.”

“Well, I’m already accustomed to being at odds with masters of Magic Towers.”

“… Masters…?”

“Moltan Bell has also been removed lately.”

“Wow, and when did you meet him?”

“He just appeared while I was on my way. Thanks to that, I found out some new military information.”

Although busy with fairy matters, I hadn’t left other things unattended.

After returning to Earth, I handed over Moltan Bell’s remains to Finelpenia’s apostle.

Though history clouded in black mist, long records remained.

’18 days of records were preserved.’

Consequently, the information uncovered was substantial.

For instance, information like the existence of another island for the mages?

I roughly confirmed its internal structure.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t been able to identify its current floating location.

‘At least I confirmed the presence of Dark Mages there.’

When the opportunity arose, I planned to destroy the second island completely.

While I pondered briefly on other matters, the discussion on the fairies’ trust continued.

“As someone once part of the Order, let me add a word…”

With Rashar adding her say after Breche and Ahel.

“The responsibility falls on us for driving the fairies to such choices, aware of the uppermost corruption yet doing nothing. We, the Order, should be receiving blame, distrust, and critique.”

Emotionally dark feelings were swirling in his once bright golden eyes.

“I remained cowardly silent, but I offer my delayed apology finally.”

Before Rashar even finished speaking, Dennis sniffled slightly.

Though heavy, Kim Yul cautiously interpreted Rashar’s words for the viewers.

The reaction wasn’t solely positive.

Some called it melodramatic while others sarcastically wondered if the apology was genuine now that an opportunity arose.

Words that bore such vulgarity in their blatant criticism were not worth acknowledging.

Considering how much Rashar might’ve struggled before acknowledging the Order’s sins.

Dennis’s vulnerability, crying despite initially being full of hatred towards the Demi-human alliance when we first met, held significant weight.

The people beyond the camera often don’t think about these things.

‘They only lash out because what they see displeases them.’

Voicing out discomfort blindly without considering others’ circumstances, emotions, or thoughts is meaningless.

I was only worried whether Rashar might get hurt by those words.

‘But she’s certainly not someone to break easily.’

If she were so weak, someone’s affair with reality would’ve aligned with Haley’s long ago.

Hence, instead of pointing at unfavorable comments, I concentrated on expressing my perspective.

“Regarding this controversy, I’ll speak as the Palao Guild Leader.”

The mention of the guildmaster, not just K as an individual, drew the attention of those present in the studio and the countless people beyond the camera.

“I believe fearing betrayal is excessive unless humans of Earth exploit them similarly.”

In the quiet focus, my voice was unwavering.

“Moreover, since a consortium with the fairies has already concluded, the Palao Guild is obligated to guarantee their safety.”

This warning implied that any threats towards them would be treated as threats to the guild.

“With the press conference and this broadcast, I think we’ve discussed this topic sufficiently, so let’s move to the next question.”

When I signaled to change the conversation theme, quick-witted Kim was right in sync.

“Hmm… that’s not it, hyung.”

“What isn’t it?”

“We weren’t actually doing Q&A to start with.”

“Then what were you doing?”

“We weren’t really doing anything… just chatting?”

Honestly, I couldn’t really grasp why Kim Yul would start a live broadcast just to chit-chat.

Or why viewers would trouble themselves to log in just to watch something like that.

I had instructed him to be active, so I wasn’t planning to nitpick, though.

I didn’t feel the need to hide my inability to understand this situation.

Maybe my thoughts appeared bluntly on my face?

Kim Yul reacted with exaggerated fuss.

“Look at that, folks! Do you see? That face says, ‘Why are we engaging in such unproductive activities?’ Total boomer!”

His dramatics quickly changed the mood in the chatroom.

Although a few folks insisted on spreading negativity, they were quickly buried under other chats.

‘Alright then.’

My absence should direct more attention toward Dennis, so I felt ready to return to the office.

“Time to come down.”

“Where are you going? I want to go too.”

“No.”

Though I had to peel off Berta first.

Damned System