Somebody Stop the Pope – 125



Episode 125

5.

Since the sudden arrival of the Chinese Foreign Minister in South Korea the issue of Northeast Asian exchanges has grown rapidly.

The victory of the Republic of Korea.

There is no patriotism as great as this.

How can South Korea be quiet when reporters and experts are all over this huge issue throwing firewood at it?

“Let me briefly explain the negotiation process with China. The Chinese side said that they were giving up their rights to the lost lands that they had been insisting on.”

“Rights? What rights?”

“There was a mutual defense treaty with North Korea. In reality it was a nominal treaty but they continued to show moves to engage under the pretext of that treaty. The center of that movement was the Northeast Asia team of the International Cooperation Bureau led by Wang Wei whom you dealt with this time.”

I was sitting in my office quietly listening to Director Kim’s story.

Negotiations ongoing between the South Korean and Chinese governments.

It was also President Seo’s consideration that I was able to hear about the details of the negotiations through Director Kim. He must have wanted to do something for me for leading this negotiation.

“It seems that China’s reaction is more subdued than I thought. I thought they would come running at me drooling and saying that I made Wang Wei a loser.”

This is an incident that turned the irregulars of a country into losers.

I thought my usual Chinese friends would definitely go crazy but their reaction felt a bit off.

Even though the danger of Eobdan was proven through the information provided by Lee Ji it seems like he followed it too obediently.

It’s a bit different from the image of China we knew.

Isn’t nitpicking and dragging things out somehow the ‘Chinese style’?

“We are analyzing it for two main reasons. First the ongoing power struggle within China. Second to weaken the national power of the Republic of Korea.”

“Power struggle?”

“On the outside China appears to be more powerful than ever but on the inside it is not like that. China is currently in a troubled situation in many ways due to factions created by the transcendent beings including Wang Wei.”

“…It looks nice.”

If something happens my wish might come true.

More China.

If the factions were divided around the Transcendents a fierce power struggle would be underway.

Wang Wei as a Transcendent being would have been involved in the fight so for them it was like I had reduced one enemy.

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Since they even tried to kill me using ebony they must have passed the responsibility onto Wang Wei.

“Is it worth expecting at least three Chinas?”

“yes?”

“Oh no. Please continue. I understand the power struggle but what do you mean by weakening the national power of the Republic of Korea?”

In response to my question Director Kim took a sip of water and then continued speaking slowly.

“The loss incurred in the process of recovering the lost land. China seems to be focusing on that. In particular the national crisis-level demon that has settled on Baekdu Mountain. It seemed as if they were pinning their hopes on Behemoth.”

“That thing that you said guided you towards Baekdu Mountain in China?”

“Yes that’s right.”

The former North Korean region has been terraformed by monsters for five years.

Even in the United States there is no clear information on how many demons and hostile alien races reside there.

That meant it was an area shrouded in mystery.

“To overcome the unknown you must make sacrifices.”

“So what you’re saying is that the Chinese want us to destroy ourselves by taking back the upper level?”

“Even if it’s not to the point of self-destruction the monsters will want to buy you some time.”

“hour?”

“Now that Wang Wei has fallen we will need a new method to keep the Republic of Korea in check.”

In short they are saying that they will try to reorganize while South Korea is pouring its national power into recovering the lost land.

So that’s why he’s stepping down so obediently.

There may be other smaller reasons but those two reasons certainly sound the most reasonable to me.

I nodded slowly. Then I looked at Director Kim and said.

“But doesn’t the government plan to recover the lost land?”

“Nevertheless it is an area that must be recovered. The mere existence of lost land is the greatest risk to the Republic of Korea.”

“I do.”

It is the right choice to settle things for sure even if it means suffering damage rather than ambiguous uncertainty.

In the latter case the extent of damage can be predicted but in the former case it is impossible to predict.

I also agree that it’s good to have something certain.

“The operational meeting regarding the current recovery operation has begun. At the latest within a month. The primary goal is to dispatch an advance team and establish a base within a month.”

“I think we can make progress quickly if I help.”

At least in combat the restrictions on causality have been greatly relaxed.

It might be okay to sweep it all away at once.

Director Kim nodded with a weak smile at my words.

“I think we need your help in subduing the Behemoth a national crisis-level demon that has taken up residence on Mt. Baekdu. I will ask for your opinion after the operational plan is established.”

“Yamata no Orochi was also a demon that was in danger of a national crisis.”

“Behemoth was already classified as a national crisis level demon two years ago and took up residence in Baekdu Mountain. Considering that there hasn’t been much movement since then… I think it would be a good idea to gather enough information and then move.”

There’s no harm in moving cautiously.

I quickly agreed with Director Kim’s words. The government of the Republic of Korea is ultimately responsible for recovering the lost land.

These are people who have left a good impression on me so far so I don’t think there’s any need to touch them.

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Territorial recovery is not something that can be accomplished through a rule of thumb; it will proceed smoothly only if there is proper planning.

“Well that’s the end of the story. I guess we can just assume there won’t be any major events for the time being?”

“Yes. If anything is confirmed in the future I will come and see you in person.”

“Come visit often. Director Kim is always welcome.”

As I said that I looked at Director Kim’s unusually voluminous hair.

Although he doesn’t show it much in front of me I can sense his faith in Limen. The sacred stone bracelet I gave him separately last time seems to be showing quite an excellent effect in response to his faith.

They say the quiet cat gets to the shack first and that saying is absolutely true.

That’s a pretty devout belief I guess. It’s like neutrality as a public official or something like that.

However it is polite to deceive someone when they want to hide it.

I smiled faintly as I watched Director Kim walk out of the office.

“You have to bring it.”

Since it is difficult to expect any staffing increase in Eden for the time being wouldn’t self-sufficiency be the answer?

Oh I need to wipe my mouth.

6.

After Director Kim left I had some free time and immediately checked the <Wriggling Sculpture> that was sitting on a corner of the desk.

[<Wriggling Piece>]

*Growth rate: 97%

Growth is almost at its final stage.

At first it was just a bunch of tentacles but it had grown into a round shape.

Although it was a slightly repulsive sight it looked similar to something I knew well.

“compass?”

It wasn’t quite finished growing but it was close to being a compass.

A form similar to a compass without a needle.

Looking at the growth rate it seems like it will finish growing within this week at the latest so it seems likely that a quest will be created to find something using this.

It seemed clear that something was going steadily forward.

By the way there hasn’t been any news from Limen since the last trust.

There has been no contact since Archbishop Laparte and Toby were sent away as if something was out of the question.

That probably means that the connection between dimensions is unstable.

In this situation I just have to do what I have to do faithfully as I have done so far.

That was when I was fiddling with the bottle containing the <Wriggling Piece>.

Knock knock.

Someone knocked on the door of my office and soon a young voice was heard from beyond.

“His Holiness His Holiness Jin Seung-woo I have come to you on business.”

“Seungwoo? Come in.”

Then a little boy walked into the office.

A cute boy wearing a white priest’s habit sewn by Archbishop Lapart himself.

Seungwoo was the first prophet of our church and was greatly loved by the church leaders.

I smiled faintly as I looked at Seungwoo who came into the office.

“Did our Seungwoo go to school? It must have been hard going to school even though it’s winter vacation.”

Unlike Siyeon who is attending a regular school Seungwoo is attending the elementary level of the Awakening Academy.

I heard that South Korea has a pretty strict curriculum for underage awakened people so even during vacation there are supplementary classes.

When you’re young you should be able to run around and play to your heart’s content but it’s a shame to watch Seungwoo go to extra classes even during vacation.

“No. As a prophet of the Limen Church it is only natural…”

“You can talk freely when there are just the two of you. I will allow it.”

“still….”

“Why don’t you keep it a secret from Archbishop Rapart? I’m the one who feels uncomfortable.”

Originally Leo was in charge of Seungwoo’s education but recently it was changed to Archbishop Lapart.

I heard that Archbishop Laparte was teaching me the etiquette that must be observed in the church but honestly I didn’t want to hear Seungwoo speak to me in a respectful tone.

Seungwoo is at best around Siyeon’s age.

I always say that children should have their own cuteness as children.

Seungwoo quickly caught on to what I meant and nodded with a big smile.

“Yes Your Holiness!”

“So did you go and say hello to your father?”

“I came to see you before I came!”

Jin Seo-jun Seung-woo’s father manages the shrine with great enthusiasm.

What’s more I recently heard that some people are voluntarily participating in the training of new trainees.

Can you stop a father’s efforts to protect his son?

I heard from Oh Jun-woo that his performance is pretty good. As expected a father is a great being.

“Seungwoo you don’t know how to taste tea yet do you want to drink something? I have cola.”

“…My dad said that if you drink cola your teeth will rot…”

“It’s okay. We don’t have to worry. Seungwoo likes cola right?”

The word ‘cavities’ is not in our church’s dictionary.

As Archbishop Laparte alone can tell all of our priests have healthy teeth.

Seungwoo opened his eyes wide at my words and asked back.

“Really?”

“Well then. Have you ever seen me lie?”

“no?”

Something seems uncertain in your voice?

But a child is a child.

Seungwoo happily drank the cola I took out of the mini fridge.

And then he covered his mouth and spat out a small groan.

A cute guy is cute no matter what he does. When I was Seungwoo I got spanked on the back by my grandmother for drinking cola and not brushing my teeth.

“Phew.”

Seungwoo let out a soft breath and nodded his head in satisfaction.

I patted Seungwoo’s head like that.

“But why did our saint come to the office?”

“There is something I would like to ask the Pope’s permission for.”

“Um okay?”

“yes.”

“Let me start by asking what’s going on.”

It was the first time that Seungwoo came to me in person like this to ask for permission.

I don’t usually put any restrictions on Seungwoo but I’m curious about what’s going on.

I looked at Seungwoo quietly and he slowly began to talk.

“Your Holiness I want to visit my classmate’s father who is sick.”

“That’s amazing. If you want to go just go. Are you my close friend’s father?”

“No. We fought a few days ago. We’re not that close.”

“You’re not even a close friend so why are you visiting me in the hospital? Um why do you think so?”

Seungwoo answered my question with a faint smile.

“Even though we fought we’re still friends. He’s been looking really bad since the day before yesterday… I heard that his father was seriously injured. I overheard him talking to the teacher. I really didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

Only after hearing that did I realize why Seungwoo wanted permission to visit me.

I remembered what Archbishop Laparte had said to me recently about Seungwoo.

-Although it has not yet been manifested it seems likely that Seungwoo has received the grace of healing.

This must be the vision of Archbishop Laparte who educated many prophets.

So now Seungwoo

“You want to help your friend’s father?”

He asked me to use his abilities for his friends.

Seungwoo nodded as if he was embarrassed by what I said.

“…yes.”

I smiled brightly as I looked at Seungwoo like that. Then I patted his head again and said.

“If you use the power that Limen gave you where it is needed why would I stop you from doing so?”

It seems like Seungwoo’s time has come this time.

Our Pope please stop this