Please Stop The Pope

Chapter 124

The morning after the conclusion of the Northeast Asia Exchange.

As soon as the embargo placed by the government on the media was lifted, all of South Korea’s media outlets began pouring out articles about the tournament.

The chaos was extraordinary.

Journalists who received materials from the government began writing articles non-stop.

At the forefront, of course, was the spokesperson for our sect, reporter Seo from Sejong Daily.

Reporter Seo, who had directly interviewed Leo and Luna, quickly took control of the portal site, and all foreign media outlets referenced Seo’s article to spread the news globally.

There were parts that were reinterpreted according to the individual styles of the journalists, but every article pointed to one undeniable fact.

China was defeated by Korea!

After the Dimension Opening, China who had hegemony over Northeast Asia was defeated.

Even the irregulars they had tried to hide were lost in the worst possible outcome.

Some international political scholars speculated that a war might break out, but they quickly fell silent due to the official statement from the Chinese government that followed.

“Did they eat something wrong? They’re openly admitting defeat. I thought they would deny it till the end.”

“They’re only admitting defeat. Typical of cutting off the tail, right? Admitting one part, but not the other. Exactly that.”

“Does this kind of thing work?”

“They’re trying to resolve it diplomatically since it’s become unfavorable. There were no casualties due to Ebony, right? Fortunately, there is video footage from the exchange, so our government will respond. They won’t let it slide easily.”

I answered Luna’s words while taking a sip of coffee.

If I knew President Seo, he would try to wring everything out of China through this opportunity.

Even though they lost one irregular, the reason they aren’t actively reacting is the same.

An irregular who charged in knowing they might self-destruct.

Though the video wasn’t perfectly recorded due to the magi flowing from the Ebony, it seems that enough evidence to hold them accountable was obtained.

From that point on, it was up to the president and the politicians.

Given President Seo’s previous actions, I couldn’t imagine him letting China’s mistake pass without action.

He would definitely strip them bare. And still have plenty left.

With Aiden Howard, a prominent American irregular, even giving his guarantee, they had no grounds to deny it.

“Since China said they’re sending even the Foreign Minister…it seems the fire is on their feet now.”

“Complicated, complicated. International politics. When they arrive, will they clean up the delegation too?”

“Probably? The delegation, including Wang Wei, is still being treated. But honestly, I’m not sure if they’ll take them along.”

I hoped they wouldn’t be tossed into the Yellow Sea as soon as they were handed over.

China had already set its course.

The sudden actions of the delegation were merely personal deviations and were unrelated to the party, according to their stance.

In fact, it wasn’t all that surprising, as I had anticipated this outcome.

I nodded slightly while talking to Luna, then turned to look at the Chinese man, Lin Tao, who had been looking at me with an uncomfortable expression.

“Lin Tao. Stop staring at me if it’s making you uncomfortable.”

Lin Tao immediately kneeled and answered.

“Your Holiness, when I return to China, I realize I will no longer be able to see Your Holiness’ noble face, and I just can’t bring myself to look away. I am sorry, Your Holiness!”

As Lin Tao spoke, tears welling up, he seemed almost mad.

He was a fanatic, indeed.

Lin Tao, perfectly repented and reborn under Archbishop Rapart, now seemed ready to sacrifice himself for the future of our order at any time.

Archbishop Rapart, who was happily watching him from the side while drinking green tea, smiled faintly.

“To Limen, this is truly a pleasing sight. A friend who did not believe in Limen is now ready to willingly martyr himself for Limen. Could this not be a blessing from Limen?”

“Archbishop Rapart.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“On Earth, we usually call that brainwashing…”

“It is not brainwashing. It should be called conversion.”

How exactly does someone undergo conversion and turn from having no faith into a fanatic?

I had heard that no physical pain was inflicted.

I looked at Archbishop Rapart with a suspicious expression.

“So, are you really planning to send this guy back to China?”

“Yes, indeed. Lin Tao has made his resolve. Like the missionary priests who headed north to Eden for their missions, Lin Tao will surely fulfill his role.”

“Just as the Archbishop said, I have already completed all my preparations. Until the hymns of Limen echo throughout the continent, I will continue to work without rest!”

If missionary work in China doesn’t go well, sending Archbishop Rapart personally might not be a bad idea.

I turned my gaze away from Lin Tao and spoke to Li Jie, who had been sitting quietly next to him.

“Li Jie. What are your plans? Are you thinking of going back to China?”

“…If I return, I will definitely be purged. If possible, I would prefer to stay here…”

“I’ve already had a casual chat with Aiden. If you want, you can defect to the US.”

Li Jie’s case was different from Lin Tao’s.

Lin Tao had been at such a low position that he hadn’t even been given Ebony, but Li Jie had received it.

In other words, she was a responsible figure.

She would probably disappear quietly when she returns to China.

Still, she had been relatively cooperative for a Chinese person, so it seemed best to offer her a way out.

It was a choice that would benefit our order.

Li Jie’s eyes reddened when she heard my words, and she asked.

“R-Really?”

“Why would I lie about something like that? It was the US government that proposed it first.”

The US seemed interested in acquiring information about China’s Department of Ability Management through this opportunity.

Although Luna often gave her a hard time, Li Jie was quite capable in combat. Moreover, those who lose their way often become desperate to survive.

Of course, there were some things promised to the Limen Order in exchange for handing Li Jie over to the US, but I didn’t feel the need to tell her that.

“Going to the US is much safer than staying in South Korea. So, do you want to think about it?”

“No! No. I want to defect to the US…I will definitely do it. Thank you, thank you.”

“It’s a bit disappointing, Jie. Didn’t we get along well? You really wanted to be away from your sister?”

“I’m sorry…”

“Heh, just kidding. It’s quite fun to tease you. Right, Your Holiness?”

“I would prefer you not to impose your perverted tastes on me.”

I casually accepted Luna’s attack and then looked out the window of the office, letting out a sigh.

“Now, the only ones left are the Purifiers and those guys.”

This wasn’t something that could be solved overnight.

It was definitely something I had to discuss seriously with President Seo.

Where should I start?

4.

China.

At the top floor of a building in Shanghai.

From this spot, where the Eastern Jewel can be seen at a glance, a young man with striking white hair quietly gazed out of the window.

Knock knock knock.

“Come in.”

At the young man’s soft voice, a middle-aged man carefully entered the room.

Upon entering, the man immediately knelt and bowed to the young man.

“I greet the great one.”

“The weather is lovely. On days like this, simply looking out the window is a pleasure.”

“In three hours, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to personally visit Korea. Do you have any instructions?”

“Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. There is a saying. Let the affairs of the rulers be left to the rulers. We should just continue to observe, as we have done so far.”

The young man spoke in a gentle voice.

Upon hearing his response, the man again lowered his waist in respect.

“We have found the manifestation of the Demon King in Chengdu, Sichuan. It has been secured. According to reports, it is a woman strongly attuned to the Demon of Lust.”

“How is her condition?”

“She appears to be partially mad due to the Demon, but she hasn’t completely broken down.”

“Our vulgar Demon King of Lust will likely be pleased. Send her directly to the laboratory.”

“Yes, understood.”

The man briefly reported the situation and slowly rose from his seat.

Then, with a still respectful voice, he asked the young man.

“Great one, will you leave the Limen Order alone? They have undone most of the plans that were underway in Korea. If left as is, they will eventually become our greatest adversaries.”

The Limen Order.

An emerging religious group that appeared in the once insignificant Korea and is now shaking the balance of power in East Asia.

Led by an Irregular named Kim Siwoo, they completely transformed Korea, which had been a mere shell, from the ground up.

At the same time, they used “Divine Power,” the complete opposite of the “Demonic Power” used by the Purifiers.

The more they were left alone, the bigger a problem they would become.

“It might be time for a clean sweep, I dare to speak despite my low status.”

“I understand well what Second Elder is concerned about. Kim Siwoo…He is a monster that sends a shock through your body just by a brief encounter. I couldn’t believe it when I heard he single-handedly dealt with the seven Demon Kings of Eden.”

The young man recalled Kim Siwoo, whom he had met through Wang Wei’s body.

A man who was filled with confidence and with no trace of fear to be found.

Confidence without basis is nothing more than arrogance, but there was clear evidence behind Kim Siwoo’s confidence.

Overwhelming divine power and a strong will to act based on that power.

Moreover, he had powerful allies to support his cause.

“He is a man who knows how to gather people. For such an enemy, it is indeed best to eliminate them while we can. But Second Elder, what does eliminating them really mean?”

The man called Second Elder merely bowed his head at the young man’s words.

“I, who am endlessly lacking compared to the great one, cannot fathom your will. Please, teach me.”

“There’s no need for a lesson, Second Elder. I respect your desires. Desire is the most truthful force in humans. It is the only value that can purify this world full of hypocrisy.”

The young man slowly rose from his chair.

The long white robe he wore swept the floor.

“Therefore, I hope that Second Elder will respect my desires. An unripe fruit is not sweet. To taste the sweet fruit, one must wait long enough.”

The young man bit into a red apple that was placed on the desk.

“I desire that sweet fruit. Even if that fruit contains poison that will kill us, what of it? If I must die with the sweetness filling my mouth, isn’t that happiness?”

Second Elder watched the smile on his master’s face.

A pure, childlike smile.

Before that smile, he could not utter a word.

“Still, since Second Elder is worried, we cannot let it slide, can we?”

The young man walked lightly toward the large map on the wall. Pointing to a specific spot with his finger, he said,

“Shall we move to the next stage? Second Elder. Send some of the ones below here. It’s time to poke the beehive.”

“That place…”

Second Elder trailed off, and the young man, looking at him, smiled even more broadly.

“Isn’t this enough of a gift for them? Don’t you think so?”