Chapter 323: Don't Make Him Your Enemy (2)
Kang Chan and Gérard, both wearing a suit and a shirt, arrived at the embassy. Choi Jong-Il accompanied them to the entrance.
Clunk. Clunk.
The commander of the 606's Special Operations Unit, who had been put in charge of the embassy’s security, approached them. He was wearing a beret with a black uniform and had a rifle slung around his right shoulder.
Choi Jong-Il showed his ID and then introduced Kang Chan to the commander. “This is Assistant Director Kang Chan.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you. It’s an honor to meet you,” the commander said after a brief salute.
He knows me?
“Some of my colleagues are in Jeungpyeong,” the commander answered as if reading Kang Chan’s mind.
Kang Chan suddenly remembered his men. He also concluded that he’d find it a hundred times more comfortable to be in a military uniform with a rifle in hand than be in a suit.
“Please spare no efforts in keeping the embassy safe,” Kang Chan said.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
Kang Chan smirked. South Korea had a lot of soldiers like this.
While they were talking, Raphael walked out of the embassy.
“Where’s Louis?” Kang Chan asked Raphael.
“He’s with the ambassador.”
Raphael had looked nervous, but seeing Kang Chan seemed to have made him feel a bit relieved.
He continued, “Please follow me. They’re waiting for you in the dining room.”
Raphael guided them to the dining room beside the office on the second floor. He then opened the door for them.
Click.
Lanok and Romain, who were sitting at a table, stood up.
“Welcome, Mr. Kang Chan,” Lanok said.
Kang Chan gave Lanok a French greeting, then shook hands with Romain.
“Mr. Ambassador, this is Gérard de Mermier, the commander of the Foreign Legion’s special forces team that I’ve told you about. Gérard, this is Ambassador Lanok,” Kang Chan said.
Smiling, Lanok gave Gérard a French greeting.
He acted so warmly that Kang Chan wondered if Lanok had ever given such a friendly smile to others he had been introduced to.
Gérard also shook hands with Romain, which even Kang Chan found extremely fucking uncomfortable.
Lanok gestured at the table. “Please, have a seat.”
Taking him up on his offer, they all sat down.
Louis stood beside Lanok with his feet apart and hands clasped together in front of him. Raphael was right next to him.
The atmosphere was somewhat strange.
After looking around him, Kang Chan discretely examined Louis and Raphael.
There had to be a reason behind their nervousness and the mournful gaze they kept giving him.
Is Romain threatening Lanok?
“Mr. Ambassador, is Anne doing well?” Kang Chan asked, believing that this signal would make Lanok answer his real question.
Lanok’s answer didn’t have to be verbal. Kang Chan would be able to recognize what he meant from the look in his eyes or even a small movement.
“She’s doing well. I’ll make sure to tell her that you said hello,” Lanok said.
“Alright.”
That was weird. Lanok wasn’t asking for help, but he was behaving differently than usual.
What’s going on? What am I missing?
“Why don’t we eat for now? It’s already quite late,” Lanok said. He seemed to trying to change the atmosphere.
Raphael poured wine into everyone’s glasses. Two employees then served them escargot dishes.
“I approved your application to have Gérard discharged,” Romain said as if he was doing something kind for Kang Chan. At the same time, he was served his plate of escargot.
Smirking, Kang Chan nodded. Right now, Gérard’s resignation wasn’t important.
What if Romain has something absurd planned and is just pretending to be nonchalant?
Kang Chan decided to save Lanok even if it meant making Romain’s head explode.
“I requested to see you because I wanted to have my application for Gérard approved. Since that’s already been done, I take it you’re the one have something to say to me?” Kang Chan asked.
“You’re still as impolite as can be, I see.”
Romain held up his fork as he looked at Kang Chan, his expression showing that he had expected him to act like this.
“We’re just about to eat. Although there’s no need to act formal, at least have the manners to wait until we’ve finished our food and had tea before talking about business,” Romain said.
Except for Romain, no one picked up their fork.
Even Lanok was only watching them. It was hard to tell what he was thinking.
“I know about the secret of the God of Blackfield now. I found it hard to believe, but I’ve received information that’s even more absurd, so I’ve learned to accept it,” Romain added.
Click.
Romain finally put down his fork. He then looked away from Kang Chan to Raphael.
When Lanok nodded, Louis, Raphael, and the servers quietly went outside the dining room.
Romain stopped their dinner himself even though Lanok was with them at the French embassy. It was displeasing... and suspicious.
Kang Chan decided to trust the look that Raphael had given him before leaving.
‘This son of a bitch dared threaten the ambassador right in front of me?’
Their meeting briefly paused as Lanok turned to bring over the tray behind him to the table.
Kang Chan looked at Gérard.
‘Shoot him if things go south.’
‘Yes, sir.’
That should be enough for now.
Making his signature smirk, Kang Chan reached toward the tray Lanok had set on the table. It had cigars, cigarettes, and an ashtray.
Lanok picked up a cigar, and Kang Chan and Gérard took a cigarette each.
Chk chk.
A strange silence passed as they lit up their smokes.
Although Romain looked like he was willing to wait for them to smoke, Kang Chan and Gérard acted as if they would smoke no matter what anyone said.
Kang Chan still couldn’t figure out what Lanok was thinking.
“You seem to have misunderstood something, so let me make something clear before I begin,” Romain told Kang Chan.
They were speaking in French, so Gérard naturally understood them.
The structure of the dining room, its tables, and the people present made Kang Chan feel as if he was in the DGSE, not South Korea.
Romain continued, “Do you honestly think you could’ve been as successful without the ambassador? If you didn’t have the support of the DGSE, you and South Korea’s special forces team would still be at a level where the United States’ helicopters would’ve killed you all in the operation in Afghanistan.”
He didn’t even hide his arrogance.
You son of a bitch! Go on, keep spouting your bullshit!
“South Korea is no different. It normally would have been like a steak served to powerful nations, cut all over with their forks and knives as much as they pleased,” Romain added.
Was this what it was like? Did Moon Jae-Hyun, Go Gun-Woo, Jeon Dae-Geuk, and Hwang Ki-Hyun say that South Korea needed to become a powerful nation so many times because they kept being treated like this?
Kang Chan looked straight at Romain.
“South Korea doesn’t even have the capacity to build a next-generation energy facility, much less the power to protect it. Look back at what you’ve done. Your military might? South Korea’s administration keeps putting the safety of your nation on the line because of you! To make things worse, they’re making such sacrifice without even being aware of your real capabilities—”
“I doubt you’re here to deliver a speech in front of me. Get to the point,” Kang Chan said, cutting Romain off.
Dumbfounded, Romain glared at Kang Chan.
“Cooperate in moving the energy facility,” he answered.
“What will I get for doing that?”
“You won’t have a war in your hands.”
“You’re telling me to hand the next-gen energy over just for that? Aren’t you being too greedy?”
“You want a bigger reward than the war not happening? Fine. If you want, I’ll put enough money into your bank account to last you the rest of your life.” Romain glanced at Lanok, then added, “I’ll also make sure the news stops mentioning you.”
This fucker must think we’re stupid.
“I’m sure you’re well aware that Abibu is coming to South Korea in two days. In exchange for my cooperation, I’m sure the conditions that he’ll offer me will be similar to yours,” Kang Chan coldly replied.
Romain narrowed his eyes. One end of Lanok’s lips curved to a smile. Unfortunately, it was difficult to determine what his smile meant.
Kang Chan continued, “I’ll get the same results by yielding the energy facility to Vasili right now. No, for something so important, won’t I be able to demand the assassination of the DGSE’s Director-General as well?”
He didn’t plan to say that—it was nothing more than a last-minute thought that he blurted out. However, much to his surprise, that seemed to have silenced Romain.
“Let’s say you’re right about us being a steak. We won’t be able to do anything about being cut to pieces, but who do you think gets to decide who’ll be eating us?” Kang Chan asked.
“Nothing good will come out from you acting cute in front of me.”
“Romain,” Kang Chan called. He tilted his head from side to side. Right now, he just wanted to see what Lanok had in mind. “I don’t care how the media talks about me, so you should be the one treating me with respect. More importantly, you better be even more polite when you’re in the presence of the ambassador.”
Gérard smiled, the scar on his cheek curving.
“I have a pistol strapped to my ankle. Gérard does as well. It’s childish, but if you keep getting on my nerves, I can just shoot you, and you won’t even be able to do anything about it.”
Afterward, Kang Chan picked up a cigarette.
Chk chk.
Gérard held up a lighter and lit up the cigarette for Kang Chan.
They didn’t plan on doing this—they just synced perfectly.
A newfound silence dawned upon them.
Even if they didn’t exchange words, people could still tell things based on the feelings they were getting, the expressions of those around them, and the way everyone behaved.
Likewise, when Gérard flicked open the lighter and lit up Kang Chan’s cigarette, he clearly told everyone that he would immediately kill Romain if Kang Chan ordered him to.
Kang Chan exhaled the cigarette smoke to the side. He then looked at Romain. “There’s been a lot on my mind these past few days.”
Wisps of smoke rose from the cigar that Lanok was holding and the cigarette between Kang Chan’s fingers.
With the smoke swaying, Kang Chan continued, “I wanted to stop a war from happening even if it meant having to over the next-gen energy facility but only under the condition that it would not damage South Korea’s honor and that I’d be able to find whoever ordered the recent terrorist attack. I genuinely hoped France would help me with all of those.”
Kang Chan smirked, causing Romain to turn to Lanok. He looked as if he was hoping for something, but Lanok just kept silently listening.
“Since we’re not on good terms, I’ll also step down as the Deputy Director-General of the DGSE. I’ve also reached a decision.”
‘What’s it going to be?’ Romain wondered as he sharply glared at Kang Chan.
Kang Chan pressed a button on his radio.
Chk.
“Choi Jong-Il. I’ll be sending Gérard down to you. Come up to the dining room that I’m in with the commander of the 606's Special Operations Unit.”
Kang Chan spoke in Korean, preventing the others in the room from catching a word he said. All they could do was stare at him with different expressions.
Lanok looked like he found the situation interesting, Romain looked frustrated, and Gérard looked like he was looking forward to what Kang Chan was going to do.
“Gérard, head down and bring Choi Jong-Il and the commander of the 606's Special Operations Unit over,” Kang Chan ordered.
“Oui.”
Gérard stood up and exited the dining room.
“As the Assistant Director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, I hereby detain you here in the embassy for the next three days until I meet Abibu. The moment the 606’s Special Operations Unit sees you outside, they’ll shoot you to death. You make the call.”
Romain seemed so dumbfounded that he couldn’t even respond.
The table grew silent, causing them to feel strange emotions.
Click.
Soon, the door opened.
Clunk. Clunk.
As Gérard sat down again, Choi Jong-Il and the commander of the 606's Special Operations Unit entered. The commander had his rifle around his shoulder.
Respectfully gesturing at Romain, he introduced him in Korean. “This is Romain, the Director-General of France’s DGSE.”
Choi Jong-Il was already aware of the DGSE’s status, while the commander of the 606’s Special Operations Unit looked like he would just take Kang Chan’s word for it.
“There has been a major problem related to South Korea’s safety. Hence, I’m keeping him detained here for three days. If he leaves the embassy, you have my permission to shoot on sight,” Kang Chan added.
“Yes, sir.”
The commander of the 606's Special Operations Unit sharply glared at Romain. He looked and sounded firm, enough to make the others believe that he would still act the same way even if if he was aware of the DGSE’s capabilities.
With a nod from Kang Chan, Choi Jong-Il and the commander of the 606's Special Operations Unit headed back out of the dining room.
Although they spoke in Korean, the others would have to be idiots to not understand what Kang Chan and the commander just talked about.
“What you’re doing now is breaking an unwritten rule between intelligence bureaus. Don’t forget that what happens after this is completely your responsibility,” Romain warned through gritted teeth.
Kang Chan understood why Romain was furious. After all, the Director-General of France’s DGSE had just been caught off guard by the Assistant Director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service.
Kang Chan turned to Romain. “This is your final warning. Show some respect when you’re around me and the ambassador.”
He was dead serious. He gave the DGSE three days not because he was scared of this motherfucker but because he was worried about Anne’s safety.
Kang Chan would check on Anne and ask about Lanok’s intentions in three days.
“You want me to bow down even though we’re in South Korea just because the DGSE is powerful? I’ll spare your life but only because the ambassador is here. Behave yourself until I’m done negotiating with Abibu. If you keep messing with me, I’ll just hand over the next-gen energy facility to Abibu under the condition that he destroys France.”
Did this crazy bastard really just say that? Can he not see what’s going to happen in the future if he does that?
Kang Chan could clearly see how Romain felt through the look in his eyes.
“If you were telling the truth when you said you already know all of my secrets, then that means you also know what I did in the UK. Don’t forget that I can start an earthquake in any country if I use the next-gen energy facility. I don’t know if I’ll work with Abibu or Josh, but I know for a fact that it won’t be with you.”
“Did you talk to Josh?” Romain asked, finally managing to say something.
“Vasili advised me to work with the DGSE and to be wary of Josh, but this meeting has taught me that I should be doing the opposite.”
Romain’s sighs and groans seemed to be saying that he didn’t expect the conversation to turn out like this.
He looked away from Romain and turned to Lanok, who was still just silently watching them, something he couldn’t decide how to take.
However, it was clear to him that Romain was oppressing Lanok with something.
Kang Chan felt as if he was looking at a commander who had the command over his unit taken away from him.
Perhaps that was why Romain’s arrogant behavior angered him even more. If Romain wanted to say something to Kang Chan in a situation like this, Lanok normally would’ve been the one to say it in his stead.
“Mr. Ambassador.”
Lanok met Kang Chan’s eyes.
“I’m thinking of meeting Abibu, Josh, Vasili, and Mr. Yang Bum in order. I’ll visit you once we’ve finalized things.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing how things turn out.”
Romain looked at Lanok, his expression saying, “This isn’t what we discussed!”
He definitely had something up his sleeve.
Although their dinner had ended, the dining room was filled with only the smell of escargot.
Kang Chan was just about to stand up.
“Even if you lock me up here, I can issue any kind of command to the DGSE,” Romain said as if he was playing his last card.
“Do what you want.”
Romain should’ve considered who his opponent was a bit more. Kang Chan wasn’t even fazed by his threat.
Smiling ambiguously, Lanok stood up with Kang Chan.
Kang Chan didn’t feel comfortable.
What if Lanok wants me to kill Romain for him? Did Romain lock up Anne and is blackmailing him with her life? Should I just kill Romain right now?
Kang Chan glared at Romain, who had also stood up.
“Mr. Kang Chan,” Lanok calmly called. As if reading his mind, he added, “If things go wrong, no one will want to meet you in the future.”
“I look forward to the results that you’ll bring.” He held out his hand. “Please don’t worry about Anne. Let’s have a meal with her the next time you come here.”
The look in his eyes clearly told Kang Chan that deep down, he was smiling.
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