Part 1, Chapter 10, 21

If the unwavering number one is the Azure Flame Phoenix, then the unwavering number seventeen in the popularity poll is undoubtedly occupied by Baek Huia, the Executor and Captain.

This was because, regardless of the character’s personality, many people had significant complaints about the actions Baek Huia displayed.

– This much nationalism is a lethal dose.

As the game, made in Korea, gained global word-of-mouth, foreign players developed considerable grievances, and the target of these complaints naturally converged on Baek Huia, a character who advocated for patriotic fervor.

– Delete Baek the Boomer, please.

– Is this the kimchi flavor I’ve only heard about?

– I saw a Neo-Nazi in her.

Of course, that was the popularity poll reflecting the will of foreigners, but surprisingly, her popularity within Korea itself was quite decent.

She secretly worked behind the scenes against the colossus Seonui Cheol, providing significant political support to the protagonist’s party, and later, for the sake of the protagonist’s party who were being pursued by the entire world due to a certain incident, she even abandoned everything and handed over the ship’s helm.

If you only look at it up to this point, it’s easy to misunderstand her as a character overflowing with a sense of justice, but Baek Huia’s true nature only revealed itself after her personal route was taken.

Hypocrisy.

If Cheon Gaeul dreamed of becoming the top in the entertainment industry and Eun Yuha pursued the pinnacle of capitalism, Baek Huia was the incarnation of a lust for power, wishing to become the political ruler of a nation.

That must be why I revealed my veil and stepped to the forefront, ousting Seonui Cheol five years before the original story’s timeline.

A monster pursuing the righteous path.

If Eun Yuha divided and hid her identity among seven dolls, Baek Huia was the type to thoroughly hide her true intentions behind a mask.

…Ultimately, she is one of the heroines, a ‘dark attribute’ heroine who falls in love with the protagonist and harbors the ambition to make him president and engage in bed politics, making her a character that can only be viewed from a very complex perspective.

* * *

After they revealed their identities to each other.

Our negotiations proceeded quite quickly.

“I’ll decide which country I want to go to.”

“Alright. However, please consider the priorities. It’s difficult to provide support for countries with diplomatic troubles.”

“Even when I have no choice but to go?”

“Then at least make sure it benefits us as much as possible. Don’t run out during a meeting like last time.”

The issue regarding the countries was resolved. Next, it was Baek Huia’s turn to make a proposal.

“Naturally, since this is an official operation, your private organization, the Azure Syndicate, cannot board my ship.”

“Because it would be a problem if a Villain were on the Association’s ship. Understood. I accept.”

“……It seems like you have some ulterior motive.”

“What are you going to do if I have an ulterior motive? Don’t worry. I’ll never do anything to put you in a difficult position.”

Baek Huia wanted Korean Heroes to participate in Monster Raids abroad. I also agreed with that point.

“Instead, let me choose some of those personnel. For example, students who will enter the academy to be established in Seoul.”

“You know it’s difficult to accept those whose skills aren’t guaranteed, right?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll pick people with skills incomparable to the Association’s Heroes.”

“Villains are not allowed.”

They decided on the distribution of participating personnel. I conceded a lot in this part, and Baek Huia was quite suspicious that her share had increased to 80%.

“What on earth are you thinking?”

“It’s nothing much. Your opinion will change once you see the individuals I pick for the remaining 20%. Now, let’s drop the trivial stuff.”

I unfolded a map and pointed to a spot.

“Here. Anchor the ship here.”

“Yeongjongdo?”

It was the first place I arrived on this land, and now it has become a pristine area with no monsters. Because I deliberately concealed information by making Seohae Arms reign over Yeongjongdo, not even New Seoul, let alone Seoul, knew the details.

Though it all went back to square one when Xiaolin landed on Yeongjongdo riding Red Earth.

“I’ve cleaned it up neatly for you. From Yeongjongdo to Incheon Bridge. It’s now a place accessible by private car. And you can keep your aircraft on standby there at all times.”

“Are you thinking of using the international airport as a private airfield? No way. That place is a bridgehead to regain its past glory and reputation after Seoul’s restoration.”

“Can’t you at least grant one private runway for humanity’s only monster pilot?”

“…Alright. Let’s discuss this further later. Instead, I’ll need transportation to get to the airport-“

“No problem, since I have Black Flame Dragon.”

“Alright.”

Suddenly, Black Flame Dragon became a private limousine commuting to and from the airport, but what could be done? Until Black Flame Dragon truly reaches the S-rank realm and takes on the form of a Dragon Monstrous Human, Black Flame Dragon will continue to remain a giant dragon-a ‘mount’.

“Then, the settlement issues after defeating the monsters….”

“You can have it all. I’ll take care of my own share separately.”

“……Then what are you trying to take care of?”

“I’ll tell you that later.”

There was no need to tell Baek Huia about the Cube right away. Baek Huia seemed to be spreading the wings of her imagination in her mind, wondering what I desired.

“……Alright. That should be enough.”

“Huh?”

“It’s my first time… but for the sake of my family and country…!”

Suddenly, Baek Huia started making a fuss by herself, her face flushing with heat.

“My body, at least, to you, Ouch!”

“What are you talking about?”

I flicked my finger and hit Baek Huia’s forehead.

“I’m not interested in your meager chest; I’m only interested in your ship.”

“…Do you have a fetish for bellies?”

“Warships, aerial battleships, aircraft, etcetera!”

“Then can you stop making people misunderstand? Like in the car earlier-“

Baek Huia, who was rubbing her forehead, suddenly turned pale as if something had occurred to her.

“Y-y-you, you didn’t, by any chance, do something to me after knocking me out, did you?!”

“……What kind of pattern is this now?”

I was dumbfounded by Baek Huia’s virgin-like behavior. Though she was indeed a virgin.

“What do you think I did?”

“That ‘this and that’ kind of thing!”

“You were barely holding onto your consciousness, about to collapse, so I knocked you out and let you sleep comfortably for two hours. Otherwise, you’d probably be hospitalized by now, you know? Why did you even stay up all night?”

“It’s not because someone said strange things…! What on earth does that mean?!”

Baek Huia pointed to the icebox placed on the table. The pink box, even adorned with a pretty ribbon, still preserved its contents in their original form.

“It’s a gift.”

“For whom? Is it Seolhwaryeong after all? Or are you planning to cut off someone’s head and put it in the box to send, like you did to Seonui Cheol? Choosing mint chocolate was for preservation, right?!”

“Uh….”

Come to think of it, it was worth staying up all night.

“First, to clear up a misunderstanding, that’s really a gift. There’s someone who likes mint chocolate.”

“How could anyone eat that…!”

“Don’t dismiss it, because those who like it, like it. That will become one of the seven keys to saving the world.”

“Hmph.”

Baek Huia clicked her tongue in disbelief. Indeed, who would believe that mint chocolate could save the world?

“Save the world? Is your goal something like world peace?”

“Oh, correct.”

Baek Huia twisted the corner of her mouth, as if even more dumbfounded.

“It’s truly absurd to hear a Villain talk about world peace. Then why don’t you become a Hero instead of playing the villain?”

“Because it’s easier for me to move around this way. Let’s talk about that matter gradually later; a lot of time has already passed.”

I lifted Baek Huia’s left hand and gently rubbed the ring on her ring finger.

“……I was really curious, what does this mean?”

“It’ll be good for fatigue recovery. If you rub it before bed, sleeping for just four hours will feel like you’ve slept for eight.”

“Lies.”

“It’s true.”

I thought it was much better than a germanium bracelet or a loess jade mattress, but it seems it’s not yet at a stage where it can build that much favorability.

“Anyway, I have no intention of taking it off, so keep wearing it. It looks good with your colors.”

Baek Huia pushed my shoulder and hugged her body with both arms. Being pushed onto the bed didn’t hurt, but her suddenly pushing me away was dumbfounding.

“You *did* do something after all!”

“What are you talking about? To that extent, blac-….”

I barely swallowed my next words. If I made her misunderstand any further, the negotiations and everything else would fall apart.

“…To that extent, your black-haired mind is too strong with perverted thoughts, I swear.”

“You just changed your words, didn’t you?”

“Someone suddenly pushed me, so I choked for a moment. Anyway, I have no intention of harming you right now. You are the only captain of my private aircraft in this world.”

“What do you really take me for…. Haa.”

Baek Huia sighed and lamented. I got up from the bed and poured water into a cup.

“Anyway, let’s get along well from now on. You and I are in the same boat now.”

“This is only happening because you’re currently useful to this country. I can help a monster pilot, but I will never help the Villain Phoenix. Understand? Even if.”

Baek Huia asserted as she took the cup.

“Even if it means blowing up the aircraft in mid-air.”

“If you’re on board?”

“I’ll blow it up with me on it.”

“Alright. Let’s see how far that resolve goes.”

The negotiations concluded successfully. Baek Huia would now be freed from all sorts of worries and delusions concerning me, and at least get proper sleep. If she still worried endlessly despite that, then there was nothing to be done.

“But it’s quite funny. If you had known my true identity, it would have been much easier to talk.”

“……I don’t think that would be the case at all. How so?”

“No. That.”

I guided Baek Huia to unleash the resentment simmering within her in a different direction than towards me.

“I revealed it to Lee Seung-hyung, that I’m Phoenix.”

“…….”

“So I did tell him not to tell other people, but-“

“Wait a minute.”

Baek Huia manipulated her watch, ready to type quickly.

Tatadatatak.

Baek Huia refined the contents of our negotiation into political rhetoric and official expressions at an incredible speed, and I adjusted them appropriately so that I could move as freely as possible.

“Alright. I’ll announce the agreement like this.”

“Are you leaving already? You could stay and play a bit longer.”

“You want to play with me right now, don’t you? While teasing me.”

“Busted? Puhuhu.”

Her reaction was so amusing that my teasing had to end now. Just as I intended, Baek Huia wanted to leave the room quickly to vent her anger.

“I should have a talk with Lee Seung-hyung.”

Even knowing that it was misdirected anger.

“Why are you getting annoyed at him when you should be angry at me?”

“If you were someone I could reason with, I would have.”

“Even after such a good negotiation?”

“Hardly. A treaty formed through blackmail is hardly a negotiation.”

Baek Huia was now openly irritable. I approached Baek Huia one last time and brought my face close to hers.

“W-what is it?”

“If I may ask one thing.”

Tap, tap. I stroked the ring on Baek Huia’s ring finger.

“Never take it off. Understand? This is a promise between you and me-“

“Open the door!”

Baek Huia got angry. I obediently opened the door and extended both hands towards the entrance.

“……Go ahead and gorge yourself on mint chocolate in your sleep.”

“Who are you talking to?”

“I don’t know!”

Baek Huia turned her head, giving me one last angry look.

There was no need to mention the subsequent situation.

After all, one of the most basic requirements for a villain is to sow discord among Heroes whose bonds are forged in strong trust.

July 1st.

At least outwardly, I had entered into a honeymoon relationship with a political partner with whom I would fight alongside.

‘Now I can’t even abandon my nationality.’

“The moment I abandon it, she’ll probably go around blabbing my identity to the whole world, right?”

I closed the door and flopped down onto the bed. The spot where Baek Huia had slept and left was warmly heated by my mana.

“Ah.”

I forgot.

‘While I’m here, I should also strategize to capture Park Raon.’

I could feel Park Raon’s mana outside the door. The intact mana aura in Seoul, whose core hadn’t been destroyed, clearly belonged to Park Raon, who possessed both wind and water attributes.

‘Park Raon is easy to capture, what should I do?’

“…There’s still plenty of time, so shall I put out the urgent fire first?”

……Since there would be many reasons to come to New Seoul, I decided to postpone it for later.

I created a Mini Phoenix, gently laid it on the bed, rested my head next to it, and closed my eyes for a short rest.

– Are you resting now?

“…No. From tomorrow. Tomorrow.”

I should hurry and summon the main body of this freeloading scoundrel. I held the small canary rubbing its head against me in my arms and fell asleep.