Part 1 Chapter 10, 22

Phoenix drove the entire world into a melting pot of mint and chocolate.

Those who pondered why Phoenix had come to New Seoul only managed to grasp the existence of Cheonghwa’s preferences, consuming innocent mint chocolate without any other significant gains.

At that moment, as the world’s attention briefly shifted away from the Korean Peninsula.

Praetor Baek Heea announced a surprise declaration to the entire world.

***

July 1st, 9:55 PM. Hero Association Press Room Waiting Area.

“Praetor-nim. Please understand. They threatened to do something to others if I spoke.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Before stepping out into the press conference, Baek Heea wanted to speak with Lee Seung-hyung alone.

“But you should have at least given me a hint or a heads-up. The person involved barely uses it, and it seemed they even wanted me to know.”

“How would I know that? They glare at me as if I’m garbage in a dump.”

Phoenix had hoped for the Praetor and Fire Fist to cooperate, but instead, they created a misunderstanding between the two and didn’t resolve it. If Phoenix hadn’t revealed their identity to Baek Heea in a private meeting, Baek Heea would have considered Phoenix and Cheonghwa separate individuals for her entire life.

“So, in the end, that person is the bad one, aren’t they?”

“……If you trace it back to the root cause, yes. Praetor-nim, please reconsider.”

Lee Seung-hyung pointed to the agreement he had dramatically raised. He had snatched the agreement from Baek Heea and was staging a protest.

“Are you really going to join hands with a Villain?”

“No. I’m going to join hands with a monster controller.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?! They’re a Villain who killed people!

“…Yes. But it’s a matter where extenuating circumstances can be considered. Frankly speaking….”

Baek Heea hardened her expression and glared at Lee Seung-hyung.

“They don’t try to massacre civilians like some people, do they? On the contrary, they saved people.”

“But.”

“…I didn’t want to make a deal either. But what could I do? They threatened to kill me if I didn’t. Luckily, I had some use to them; otherwise, I would have been murdered on the spot.”

Baek Heea bowed her head with a sorrowful expression. At first glance, it looked as if she was forced into the agreement by threats, but those who knew the truth could instantly recognize it as a feigned act.

“……Praetor-nim. If I may be so bold.”

And Lee Seung-hyung was the latter.

“Regardless of your true intentions, I trusted and followed your orders. For atonement for the sins my uncle committed against your family.”

“……!”

Baek Heea’s expression stiffened. Lee Seung-hyung checked his watch and bit his lip.

“…Not much time left, I see. So, when you came as Young-ho hyung-nim’s successor, many thoughts crossed my mind, but I decided to trust and follow you. No matter how dark your intentions might be. But.”

“……You can’t follow a commander who joins hands with a Villain?”

“Yes.”

“What a frustrating person…”

Baek Heea slightly revealed her true colors to Lee Seung-hyung, who was utterly unreasonable.

“I’m merely using Cheonghwa. Understand?”

“What exactly is different, you ask? Don’t you know that Cheonghwa is the Villain who killed Gwanggeom-nim?”

“Shh. Who’s going to hear? Lower your voice.”

Fortunately, no one was listening to their conversation. Baek Heea cautioned Lee Seung-hyung and replied to his words.

“I know. But there’s nothing we can do about someone who’s already passed away. Gwanggeom-nim was ultimately Seonui Cheol’s hunting dog. What kind of future do you think would have unfolded if Seonui Cheol had dispatched Gwanggeom to Seoul?”

“……Are you disrespecting Gwanggeom-nim right now?”

“Not at all. That person is clearly a hero of this nation. The rage against Phoenix, who killed that hero, is piercing the sky.”

Baek Heea bit her lip, feeling regretful.

“But do you really think Seolhwa Princess wouldn’t know that?”

“…Are you saying Seok Harang has a relationship with Phoenix?”

“Let’s rephrase that. That there’s something between the two of them. I do have one suspicion, but…”

Baek Heea unconsciously stroked the ring on her ring finger.

“Let’s think about that issue later. For now, I need to announce the agreement I made with Cheonghwa-yang, so please give it back. Right now.”

“…….”

Lee Seung-hyung stubbornly persisted until the end. Finally, Baek Heea straightened her posture and resorted to her last measure.

“As Praetor, I command you. Fire Fist, return that agreement immediately.”

“……Understood.”

Lee Seung-hyung returned the agreement to Baek Heea with a feeling as if he was spitting blood. Only about 30 seconds remained, and Baek Heea quickly scanned the agreement one more time before patting Lee Seung-hyung reassuringly.

“Don’t be too gloomy. We don’t have the power right now. Can you handle the aftermath? The void left after two SS-ranks, no, three SS-ranks, left this country? You must have felt it too, the confusion and fear people felt after Gwanggeom-nim passed away.”

“…….”

Lee Seung-hyung remained silent. He wanted to refute Baek Heea’s words, but he had no suitable alternative. Baek Heea, who was about to open the door and leave, added more words as if she had lingering regrets.

“I’m just doing my best with what I can.”

“In the direction you want?”

“……A little bit, yes. And the direction I want is…”

Baek Heea raised her voice, showing stronger resolve than ever before.

“To reclaim the glory of the past. That era when there were eight S-ranks. Yes. …The glory of the era when my older brother was alive.”

Kiiik.

The door leading to the press conference opened. Lee Seung-hyung stared blankly at Baek Heea’s retreating back, clenching his fists.

Just like before, he was powerless.

* * *

I apologize for the late hour. I am Baek Heea, Tactical Commander of the Hero Association’s Korean Branch, Praetor.

I believe many of you are confused by this late-night announcement. I will now deliver today’s announcement.

Regarding the dispatch of Beast Tamer Cheonghwa, the Hero Association’s Korean Branch will now officially manage and support them.

They will visit one country once a month, and the Hero Association’s airship, Baeknaro, will be responsible for Cheonghwa’s transportation.

Cheonghwa is a Hero with somewhat special abilities, but they are still just an individual, and merely a citizen living in Seoul, which has only just begun to stabilize. Therefore, I earnestly request that you do not infringe upon their personal privacy with excessive attention.

Furthermore, we would like to clarify that the two S-rank Cores Cheonghwa obtained by invitation from the Chinese Central Party are Cheonghwa’s personal property, and the Association holds priority negotiation rights should Cheonghwa wish to sell them.

The country to which Cheonghwa will be dispatched this July has not yet been decided. Countries wishing for a dispatch should formally submit a request through their Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Details regarding this will be disseminated nationwide by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tomorrow morning.

This concludes the briefing. Thank you.

* * *

July 2nd, 00:00.

I woke from my sleep and got out of bed. My body was fully prepared, and my physical condition was at its peak.

“First, a check.”

I checked if the part I was worried about had gone well. Fortunately, only a day had passed, but the mint chocolate challenge was still ongoing worldwide.

“It’s good that there are more good people. Really.”

I sarcastically remarked to him, though he couldn’t hear me, and opened the box lid. Thanks to my mana blocking the heat, the ice cream was still unmelted and maintaining its original shape.

“I should have just asked for a whole tub to be filled to the brim. Tsk.”

I closed the lid and tied the ribbon neatly. The teal veil wrapping the pink box would keep its contents intact even if it traveled halfway around the world.

“Huu.”

I picked up the box and opened the door to the VIP room. In the brightly lit corridor, there was a white-haired old man leaning against the wall, yawning.

“Hwaaam. ……Hm?”

“Hello?”

“Oh, um, yes, hello there. You… Cheonghwa-yang?”

“You can speak comfortably.”

Pungbaek was quite flustered when I suddenly came out. He seemed to be scrutinizing every phrase of the agreement Baek Heea had announced, even putting on his glasses.

“Th-that’s right. What brings you out at this hour-“

“I’m going to send a gift, so I’m just going out for a bit.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes.”

As Pungbaek tried to block my way, I immediately enveloped myself in mana and appeared behind him.

“It’s late. You should go inside and sleep.”

“Oh, no…!”

Pungbaek tried to react to my surprise attack by twirling the stick in his hand, but it was already too late.

Kwaduk.

I grabbed Pungbaek by the scruff of his neck and released mana, burning away all the mana within his body. Without mana backup, Pungbaek was nothing more than a decrepit old man suffering from osteoporosis and a herniated disc.

“Keoheok.”

“I’m going to get a doctor to treat your disc, so you can sleep here until then.”

I pushed the unconscious Pungbaek into the VIP room and quickly hid myself. If there had been three of them, I would have amicably pushed all three in, but for some reason, there was only one.

“Well then.”

I racked my memory and ran to the rooftop. Recalling the escape mission from the association, I hid myself in the CCTV blind spot, and fortunately, that blind spot remained exactly the same even now, five years later.

‘How has the security not changed in five years?’

I don’t know what the future will be like in five years, but for now, I’ll just conveniently use it. I exited through the emergency stairs and arrived at my destination, the rooftop.

“Then-“

“Stop.”

On the terrace, which opened from the rooftop, Fire Fist was blocking my path.

“Where are you going?”

“Were you waiting for me?”

“……Let’s just say I was.”

Lee Seung-hyung feigned nonchalance, but I saw it. The screen hidden behind his back.

“Why? Did Cheonghwa’s mobilization turn out to be more docile than expected, making you ponder deeply?”

“What in the world…”

Lee Seung-hyung was looking at me with an expression of utter incomprehension.

“What exactly is it that you want? Why are you doing this-“

“I told you.”

I cut Lee Seung-hyung off.

“At Gwanak. Directly.”

“……That was.”

“World peace.”

I approached Lee Seung-hyung until I was right in front of him and placed my finger on his heart.

“In exchange for taking this power, have you forgotten that you promised to strive for world peace?”

“……Wasn’t that just a trick to make me eliminate the Fire Dragon?”

“Think what you like. One thing I can say for sure here is, even if Villains want to run wild, if the world is destroyed, it’ll all be for nothing, won’t it? Puhuhu.”

“…….”

Lee Seung-hyung’s brow furrowed. I stood on my tiptoes, patted Lee Seung-hyung’s shoulder, then passed him and stepped onto the railing.

“If you truly want to become strong enough to surpass me, come to Seoul. I’ll teach you myself.”

“Just what are you…”

“Well, it’s the usual ‘come kill me’ kind of thing. Not that I intend to die, though.”

“Why are you treating me so well? Frankly speaking, you could kill me or take my power right now.”

Lee Seung-hyung now looked like he was about to cry. I hugged the ice cream box to my chest.

“I’m not treating you well.”

[I’m just raising you because I need you for something.]

With those words, I leaped high into the night sky and spread my wings. Even after ascending to a position not easily visible to others, Lee Seung-hyung raised his head and watched me until the very end.

[You’re insurance. Insurance.]

Whether he heard these words or not, it didn’t matter. I moved my wings westward, towards my true destination.

England.

In the country where mint chocolate originated, I plan to commit the worst act a Villain can.

Namely.

Operation Mint Choco Candle.

* * *

British Time, July 1st, 4:58 PM, London, UK.

“Ms. Cheonghwa is indeed clearly a goddess.”

Sir Gawain, the (former) strongest of the Round Table, grinned broadly at the mountain of mint chocolate piled before him. He had already devoured several gallons of mint chocolate, and not content with that, he had traveled all over the UK, buying boxes of mint chocolate and bringing them back to London.

“Now, if only the Princess doesn’t find out….”

Thud.

Gawain felt a chill from the ominous aura he sensed from the east. And that aura belonged to Phoenix, the Villain known as an acquaintance of Undine, whom he had met in China while riding Oracle’s airplane.

“No way.”

Could they finally be planning to take over the Round Table? Gawain subtly drew the sword bestowed upon him by the Queen. Just as his senses told him, Phoenix had crossed the Eurasian continent and arrived in London.

“An enemy flying in the sky, *kueuk*.”

Phoenix gracefully folded their wings and landed atop Big Ben’s spire. Gawain was about to rush inside the clock tower when he saw the object Phoenix was holding and averted his gaze.

“A US Robbins packaging box…?”

Tong.

Phoenix took out a half-gallon tub from the icebox.

And then they-

Hwareuk.

They gently placed a small, blue flame inside the ice cream tub.

“What… what in the world are they doing?”

Villain Phoenix.

Began an eccentric act of burning mint chocolate atop Big Ben, the symbol of England.