Chapter 681: Get Ready (1)
I could still remember the huge shadows that covered the sky.
Although it wasn’t clear exactly how strong Genorziah’s influence was or what the cry meant, I could confirm that the dragons decided to think seriously about that matter.
Judging from the expression of the silver-haired dragon that I didn’t like and Genorziah’s words, I was probably right.
‘I think it’s going to be a long meeting. I will try to bring positive results. How long has it been since the Dragon Lord died? I’m just thankful that you’ve given us a new direction.’
It would be as she said.
‘You’re going to get a helpful answer, aren’t you? You have to.’
As I tapped my thigh, thinking of the time left, Lee Jihye squinted and talked to me.
Although we kept in touch with each other through the hand mirrors, it’s been a long time since we last saw each other in person. Her tired face stood out more than usual.
“It’s already been a week.”
“Surely.”
“So…”
“…”
“You’re sure there’s a strong, tasty dragon meat shield coming in, right? I think our chances of winning will rise a little bit if so…”
“It’s not a fixed issue yet. According to Dialugia, the situation isn’t bad, but I was caught in the eye by someone who was going to make a big fuss.”
“Are you going to work?”
“I don’t have time for that. I wish Dialugia all the best.”
“You’re not going to be looking around, are you? We can frame the silver-haired dragon for selling her soul to the devil. It’s not bad. It’s not that farfetched that one of the dragons had an affair with the devil. I know it’s a little annoying, but it’s better to be sure. You can turn dragon bones or hearts into equipment, anyway. We’ll kill two birds with one stone.”
“If I could do that in a day, I would. There are only seven days left. How much time do we have to pay attention to that? It’s possible for other dragons to listen to this. The acting Dragon Lord has faith in me, but it’s hard to say he’s caught public opinion. There are definitely racial laws and cultures to consider. It takes time to figure that out, but if you put your feet in a lull, you’ll be tied up with the meat shields you’ve earned.”
“That makes sense.”
“If you want to work, it’s best to fight during the war. If the number is set, you can push it as it is, and if it doesn’t work, you’ll have to treat it like the Little Rock guild in Castle Rock. You can build a statue later. It’s what we call honorable death.”
“That’s really vicious.”
‘I don’t want to hear that from you, Noona.’
“So there’s a certain probability.”
It wasn’t exactly measured by data, but it wouldn’t have that much of an impact. Still, I could bet it would be higher than before.
Jung Hayan was still in the middle of holding things together, but since Cha Hee-ra jumped over the wall, plus if the dragons joined, wouldn’t it be possible to raise the probability by about 10 percent?
In addition, I had solved many small problems.
The human race was already ready to fight.
All the troops had been deployed into their designated places, and explosive complaints had subsided.
There was also anxiety that it might have been pushed somewhat forcibly. Still, such worries certainly disappeared when I remembered the Guild Master of a large guild was questioned about his deep-rooted evil.
It was rather absurd because it was the day before I decided to search for Robby. I suspected that Kim Hyunsung had committed it, but unexpectedly, the culprit was the Vice Guild Master.
There was sad news that he had directly killed the traitor because he tried to side with the demons.
Perhaps the real cause was a struggle within the guild. It was obvious, but I had to close my eyes for the time being. On the contrary, it was a good situation. Although the atmosphere was a little unsettled for a while, it progressed very smoothly except for those minor incidents.
I also thought it wasn’t disadvantageous that the atmosphere seemed to say, “the day of prophecy is coming.” It wasn’t an official announcement, but it felt like it.
All the troops were located in front lines and forward bases, and civilians in nearby cities were being transported to the rear.
It would be strange not to notice that something would soon happen, considering the great light continued to fill the north. While deliberately spreading rumors that a battle would occur within a few days, even the continental dragons cried. I didn’t say anything, but everyone should know.
Although the soldiers were worried about negative public opinion, defeatism, and ‘what if the fear of the mysterious enemy made them stick their heads,’ they looked surprisingly calm.
There was no need to question it. I could see very well what made them calm down.
‘The future of our children.’
Public service s made for dragons had begun to affect humans and other races. Dragons were not the only ones that wanted to protect the pure smiles of the kids.
Of course, the public opinion of ’emotions’ had crept up, but the more desperate the situation was, the more the people started hoping for the best.
They chose to paint a hopeful future as a way of overcoming fear, and the Continental Protection and Management Committee perfectly depicted the ideal future they hoped for.
There were a lot of public opinions across the continent that we should protect ours with our hands.
What more did we need to say besides the fact that we didn’t have to force conscription? More and more people applied to the military every day, and as a result, the morale of the military was rising.
There were even some who said the following lines:
‘We must protect what is ours.’
‘Our future should be built with our hands.’
‘If we gather even a small power, we can be a beacon that will light up the darkness.’
‘A purpose has been given to us.’
They gathered from all over the country and prepared to sacrifice their lives for the continent.
If I had to convert it into data…
‘3%? No, can I judge it rose by 5%?’
Perhaps we should make a better evaluation.
The atmosphere was hard to digitize… In some cases, they exerted greater power than they normally could.
“…”
“…”
“Is it that bad? Give me a quick answer.”
“Well, there are a lot of ambiguities to quantify, so I personally think it’s risen to 45 percent.”
“And if Jung Hayan pa.s.ses the wall… What would the percentage be then?”
“More than 50 percent, I guess.”
“That’s definitely a big deal. Is that why you’re holding on to her?”
“I think it would be better if she explodes when things have become dramatic. At least three days before, or one day before.”
“I think you’re making her hold on for too long, but I guess I’m not the only one that’s nervous. What are you going to do if it goes wrong? If you think about how many times she’s done that before, then she can mess things up this time as well. To be honest, I think Jung Hayan will be able to go beyond her limits, but Im still worried. We’ll have to think about it.”
“Regardless, if she can’t cross the wall, we’ll be destroyed. It’s Noah’s ark plan once the dragons fail as well. That’s why I’m looking at you like that, Noona. It’s better to twist things around than to waiting for her to grow stronger without doing anything. It’s better to have time left to run away.”
‘Is she that important?’
Lee Jihye already knew that Jung Hayan’s worth was huge, but the current question contained a more comprehensive meaning.
“More than you can imagine. I can a.s.sure you, Noona.”
‘Well, the situation isn’t all that bad.’
“Well, if you say so, Oppa. Ah. And Raphael’s side…”
“I’ve kept him plugged in for now… He might be helpful if he wakes up. There’s nothing we can do if it doesn’t work out. How about you, Noona?”
“It’s hard. I wonder if I even have time to chat like this. Still, I’m doing fairly well. The Red Mercenary is a pretty good guild, and I think I’ll be able to meet Cha Heera’s demands even though they still have a lot of training to do… I can’t just hang on to it too much, especially on days like today.”
Lee Jihye slightly nodded. Soon after, the G.o.ddess’s Mirror lit up, showing a figure on the screen. It was Oscar, the leader of a country.
Standing on the pulpit and presenting to reporters was normal for her, but she looked somewhat nervous that day. Still, soon enough, her tension slowly disappeared.
“It’s a surprise. To be honest, I thought you would do the presentation, Oppa.”
“I thought I’d better go in right before the battle instead, and most of all, Oscar…”
“Yes, well, I admit, I was wondering if she had the ability of great speech, but she speaks well and communicates well. Letting her take over this work is definitely a good idea.”
Lee Jihye was right.
To be honest, eloquent speeches didn’t suit Oscar. She wasn’t the type to speak coherently, but I thought she’s the type to give credibility in tone and behavior.
Even if she said the same thing, she would seem more trustworthy when she opened her mouth.
The person who turned the Holy Empire into a republic was the right person to make an announcement.
As expected, she continued her words without hesitation. In the beginning, she took some time, but she soon monologued without hesitation.
There was nothing special about it. In a way, it was nothing more than a simple statement, a story that was all antic.i.p.ating and hissing.
- In the North…
She spoke of the outer forces’ light.
-The G.o.ds of the continent, including Benignore, are…
Remarks on the prophecy, investigations by various guilds and organizations, including the Continental Protection and Management Committee and the Vatican, and conclusions obtained through the process.
For a long, long time, she continued to speak until the end after announcing the official position.
-As I have told you, there is exactly a week left until the day of the prophecy.
“He said it.”
“Yes.”
-…
“The reaction’s quieter than I expected.”
“They would have foreseen it, but it must’ve been bitter to actually hear it. Most of them probably wish it wasn’t true.”
-Lastly, I dare tell everyone who lives on the continent.
“…”
-Please be ready.
“…”
-Be prepared to protect the land that the G.o.ddess has built and the son of the G.o.ddess that raised this land.
“The son of the G.o.ddess means you, Oppa, right?”
“Well…”
-We can get through this. With our strengths united, Humanity can do so much more than survive the incoming peril. Of course, there may be great sacrifices, but this is a task that cannot be achieved without casualties and damages. I’m not telling you to prepare for death. Rather, I want you to prepare for victory.
“…”
- I’ll put myself on the line, just like any other. I’ll offer up everything just so we can win. I will take the lead in protecting the land that the G.o.ddess’s son has raised. I will sacrifice myself before anyone else and fight at the forefront. We will carry swords and shields to convey our desire to have a brighter future and convey our dreams for future generations.
“…”
- Please be ready.
“…”
-Prepare for a fight and to win. We can emerge here as the last beings standing. We have faced many crises, and we overcame each and every last one of them. It won’t be different this time, either. Remember that our forefathers have protected this land through numerous battles. The battle of ideology, the fight against nature, the struggle between conflicts and races, the fight against power, the fight against invisible enemies, the things that are already engraved on our bodies. What our predecessors have told us is not to be defeated but to be victorious.
“…”
-Do not fear. We are here because we have won all of our past battles. As always, as our history has proven time and time again, we will claim victory with our own hands.
“…”
-Please be ready.
“…”
-Fight to protect the continent.
“…”
-Fight for victory.
“I’m looking forward to the headline.”
I simply nodded at Lee Jihye’s words.