NOVEL NEXT Chapter 448
Foreign media often likened President Ijo-won to Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States.
There were mainly two reasons: one was his isolationist policy stance, and the other was that he became president by sheer luck.
In the 2048 presidential elections, the Republican candidate’s victory was practically assured with the promise of completely eradicating Valpurgis.
However, as internal factional conflicts deepened, prominent candidates affected by negative strategies began to drop out of the primaries one by one.
The Republican Party set itself up for an unprecedentedly unlikable matchup, putting itself at risk of missing out on a sure victory.
Thus, they nominated Ijo-won, the environment minister with no backers and easily manipulable.
First of all, Ijo-won had a towering physique and the looks of a handsome movie star.
In Korea, where looks are highly valued, this was an enormous advantage.
Moreover, during his time at the Korea Magic Institute, Ijo-won gained significant popularity from the public by implementing a fine dust filter magic for the National Defense Force along the western coast.
Following this, he was elected president with a remarkable vote count of 60.1%.
However, he displayed a somewhat different trajectory than Warren G. Harding.
He transformed into a ‘disconnected’ figure, communicating not even with the people from the Republican Party who nominated him, let alone the Democrats.
He rarely held summits and became the president who used the most vetoes for bills since the establishment of the 6th Republic.
Even when new technologies were announced abroad, he stalled domestic implementation by citing bribery and embezzlement among officials.
Ironically, during his administration, while corruption scandals erupted left and right due to his inaction, he remained the only squeaky clean president.
It was the public’s shared opinion that they would rather have wished for a scandal than to have him impeached without anything happening.
Now, five years into his administration, his approval rating stood at 18%.
With the resignation of President Newsom and the election of a new president in the United States, a trip to America was finally scheduled after a long time.
[Thus, I respectfully request an audience with President Ijo-won of the Republic of Korea.]
At the end of February, an APEC summit was scheduled at the New York Convention Center.
It’s only a 30-minute train ride from New York to Massachusetts.
“Mr. President, what will you do? My schedule on the morning of February 21 is tight…”
The Chief Secretary, who was closest to the president, spoke cautiously.
Ijo-won turned around with his back crossed and a tired face.
“We have to go. Is there any other option?”
*
A conference held by the heads of two or more nations is called a summit.
And funny enough, I had participated in a summit in my past life.
After the death of the Demon King Al Zahab, the Britannia Republic mistakenly believed I was the new leader of the Demon Alliance.
It was a limitation of the era’s underdeveloped communication technology.
The head of state of the Britannia Republic, the Guardian Lord, hosted a banquet with crepe-like dishes to forge peace with me.
Although it didn’t take long before the truth came out, successfully preventing military actions from smaller nations for a while was an achievement in itself.
At that time, it was also around the period when the winter chill faded and spring’s warmth began to seep in.
A line of black Mercedes Maybach guard vehicles appeared in the quiet outskirts of the city.
President Ijo-won stepped forward and knocked on the door of my house.
“Nice to meet you, NoName Wizard.”
“Thank you for coming.”
He looked a lot slimmer than last year.
I guided him to the living room.
Ijo-won slowly surveyed his surroundings.
This was also where I worked on research with the Harvard Theoretical Magic Scholars.
His attendants waited outside, leaving only a photographer behind.
After taking a handshake photograph, we sat facing each other on the living room sofa.
Initially, we exchanged conventional pleasantries.
President Ijo-won praised my recent accomplishments and expressed deep empathy toward my remarks.
In many ways, it was clear his subordinates had prepared remarks in advance.
I listened silently to his stories until I could no longer withstand the boredom and said,
“So, why did you come here?”
“Ha ha. Since NoName Wizard called, of course I came!”
“That’s not an answer. Are you saying you would go to every call? As president, you need to have a clear sense of purpose.”
Even if it’s the same visit, the purpose could be different.
I was probing whether he wanted to hear my policy opinions or if he hoped I would return to Korea.
“Of course, I hope a talent like NoName Wizard, who can change the world, stays in Korea and raises the pride of many. That’s not only my opinion as president but also a personal desire.”
“Then, I have a direct question. I lived as a stateless person for seven months. Last year, I underwent a severe tax audit. What do you think about that?”
“As a father of two children, hearing the story from Na-me made my heart ache, and I lost sleep over it. I consider it a major flaw of our government, and I will ensure that there will never be another sacrificial lamb like NoName Wizard by firmly reforming the system. I sincerely apologize for inflicting such a great wound.”
I crossed my arms and mulled over his apology.
“Understood. I didn’t call the busy president just to discuss this. Firstly, regarding school bullying policies, the school liaison cops have effectively become a non-entity. As far as I know, many schools are still entangled with gangster cartels, and students are easily led into crime and drugs from a young age.”
The Merlin Orphanage, where I used to work, was no different.
Recently, many high school students boast of becoming gangsters.
I reminded him of this and asked him to establish a system that prevents students from going off the rails.
I especially emphasized the role of media.
Children should feel shame for resorting to violence.
“Moreover, merely jailing students has its limits. If we don’t hold parents who shield the perpetrating students accountable, violence will be perpetuated. I believe fights among children shouldn’t escalate into fights among adults. Isn’t it obvious that outcomes depend on the power adults possess?”
Parents who cover up their children’s wrongdoing were the biggest problem.
Perpetrators should receive appropriate punishment and rehabilitation education.
“Implementing a fine dust filter magic for the National Defense Force shouldn’t be that difficult, Mr. President.”
Presidential power in Korea is substantial.
What matters is whether he remains focused until the end.
“I have one question I’d like to ask.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“How do you think I will be evaluated as a president by future generations?”
It was an unexpected question.
I squinted one eye.
“If things go on like this, you’ll be remembered as an incompetent president.”
After all, he had only a couple of months left in his term, so what did he have to lose?
I might not be well-versed in politics, but I spoke my opinion honestly.
I had heard evaluations of him being weak-willed from various circles.
“Hahaha!”
Suddenly, he burst into loud laughter.
“But if I show good results at the end, isn’t that what matters? After all, the beginning and the end are the most important.”
“That’s true, I guess. The policies I mentioned will be sent to the legislative body and various government departments by the end of today. Thank you for providing such valuable opinions.”
“By the way, I heard that the National Defense Force is going to be comprehensively replaced, so shouldn’t the fine dust filter magic also be upgraded?”
“Ha ha, you know, NoName Wizard might be smarter than me. No need to worry; we’ve already taken care of all that.”
“Oh, I see it’s already done. That’s a relief.”
We swapped opinions on various policies afterward.
He even oddly suggested that I consider teaching at Korea University.
Occasionally, I shared with him the things I was researching or learning in the United States, but those tangents didn’t last long.
Suddenly, President Ijo-won sighed heavily, making the ground shake.
“I hope NoName Wizard remembers me as an inventor rather than a president.”
“Why is that?”
“My burning soul was left behind there.”
In that moment, I altered my evaluation of him.
He was someone who was too lucky to be considered unlucky, after all.
But I didn’t pity him.
“Mr. President, every soul has its place. So please take responsibility.”
That was the best advice I could offer.
*
[Breaking News) NoName will visit Korea in April for pre-checks for the National Exchange Tournament.]
[US researchers say, “The unidentified magic of the 8-circle Horizon could be the master key to solving the climate crisis.”]