Chapter 301 - Chiral (3)
The moment Kang Shin-hyuk and Eleanor entered England, it could be seen that the royal family had no chance to ignore them. So far, they had been having their fun with the media, but now, if they pretended they didn’t know of their existence, wouldn’t the public doubt them? Despite what might happen, the royal family had to pretend they were still maintaining good relations with the two. So no matter how rude they were, they wouldn’t be able to pull out a knife.
“I think it was too daring, though. Especially that one, check-in and whatever.”
As they walked along the Thames, Lee Na-hee suddenly spoke up with a tremble.
“Are you scared of the royal family?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you whatever happens.”
Kang Shin-hyuk responded casually as he glanced at the dirt river and the world’s most famous clocktower, while Lee Na-hee’s face turned red in an instant.
“I’ll record it, so say that one more time.”
“Shaddup.”
“By the way. Are you really okay? It’s like getting into a tiger’s mouth.”
Lee Manwoo, having nothing to do with it, asked as though he were interested. Didn’t he understand he was also in the tiger’s mouth? No, he had to.
“When we flew to England, there was already no way to escape attention. Moreover, I can be sure if there are any unfair movements on their side. It would be better to observe it closely than to wait for them. You know, in moderation.”
In that sense, his response to that royal knight (probably a knight) was appropriate. Whatever the general public thought, the royal family already knew that Kang Shin-hyuk and Eleanor didn’t like them. If they tried to deceive them, they would be more persuasive by having an attitude of hatred than to act overly friendly.
“Acting like that and then spying on them?”
“It’s like you’re 007. Martini, shaken not stirred-“
“I’ve heard that from a customer who’d come to the bar.”
As Kang Shin-hyuk said that, Lee Manwoo’s eyes sharpened. Kang Shin-hyuk could intuitively feel it at that moment that this grandfather was a drinker.
“Hoh, can I ask you tonight?”
“Grandpa, what are you doing to a high schooler?”
“What about you, granddaughter? I’m not saying he should drink; I’m asking him to make a cocktail.”
“That’s worse!”
However, as Lee Manwoo expected, there wouldn’t be an exciting scene. Kang Shin-hyuk’s abilities and artifacts were far superior to those of 007. They were even better than those who cooperated in creating them knew, in fact. Kang Shin-hyuk raised his head as he inspected the spy devices he made this time. He could see the Westminster Palace, half-burned down and under reconstruction.
“Less than half is left.”
“It’s a miracle Big Ben is safe.”
Westminster Palace was one of the most important buildings in England, so it had been targeted by Jormungand. The British Superhuman Association had installed a space expansion magic inside Big Ben to use it as a secret base in protecting the palace, but the monsters had overrun the palace despite them.
“But, there are still secret troops hidden inside.”
Eleanor spoke up. Kang Shin-hyuk recently realized that as the distance between them closed, she was more likely to speak her mind. Still, what she said was interesting enough.
“That setting is full of romance.”
“It really does.”
Kang Shin-hyuk stopped moving and used his spiritual power as he stared at Big Ben. He could see there really was a hidden space, with hundreds of humans inside. It was even more surprising that it was so subtly concealed that even he, with his spiritual power, had trouble finding it. He had to evaluate Britain’s magic a bit higher.
“But isn’t this classified? You’ll tell me so casually?”
“I can tell everything to you. Everything.”
“Okay, that’s it.”
Lee Na-hee, feeling the atmosphere changed, quickly approached and removed Eleanor. The two were staring each other down as Kang Shin-hyuk pushed on.
“Now then, let’s eat some fish and chips and move on.”
“Don’t look down on British cuisine.”
“Ah...?!”
He honestly apologized as the tea and cakes at the café Eleanor brought them too was delicious. Dinner was likely to be had at the palace, so they finished their sightseeing early.
***
That evening, Eleanor led the group to Buckingham Palace. He had purposely asked for an address despite knowing where they would be heading to embarrass the knights.
“Hmm, definitely here too.”
Even Buckingham Palace had changed significantly before and after the countercurrent. The large garden had been greatly reduced, and a new palace called the Royal Guardian was in its place. Of course, it was where the royal guards stayed.
“Why not name it the Red Lake Palace?”
When they reunited with the man in flashy armor from before, Lee Na-hee suddenly asked him that as he guided them inside the north side of the palace. The man looked at her carefully for a moment, then coughed and turned away because of her beauty.
“Don’t ask anyone that question because it’ll seem ignorant.”
“In fact, it might be okay to change the name.”
Kang Shin-hyuk agreed with her words (actually, he didn’t know the reason), and Eleanor smiled bitterly.
“It’s the Westminster Palace, but it’s also collapsed here... They look fine now, but most of it is new.”
“That’s right, it’s not very practical, but it’s been restored as it was.”
“In the first place, the higher the person, the more they are obsessed with the implausible.”
Kang Shin-hyuk responded with a sigh to Lee Na-hee before looking over at Eleanor.
“Did you also live here?”
“No, not all royalty stays here. Especially me. If I did, I would’ve died.”
“Ah...”
“I have a room.”
“You have a room.”
It seemed that the royal family had changed a lot since the start of the superhuman era. Most of the elite British troops were staying in the Guardian palace for the sake of safety. Of course, in the case of someone like Eleanor, they would freely choose the outside even if it meant not being protected. What had changed more than anything else was that the inside of the palace no longer accepted civilians. Only high-ranking guests were allowed inside even the guest palace, and it was usually impossible to enter the building where the royal family usually stayed.
“They’re hikikomori...”
“It’s pathetic. Are they saying they believe in the Guardian that much?”
“The royal family is eager to recruit strong superhumans. And among them, the elite becomes royal guardians...”
“Boyd Taylor too?”
“Yes.”
It was clear from Olivia’s attitude towards Kang Shin-hyuk. Their attitude towards superhumans felt like it bordered obsession.
“It’s distorted.”
“That’s how it works.”
“You still act like an old man.”
Kang Shin-hyuk laughed at Lee Manwoo’s words as Eleanor suddenly stopped.
“I was familiar with it and then forgot... Here, not the guest palace. For royalty.”
“...Yes.”
The man walking ahead heard her voice and replied, looking back. However, he still didn’t treat her as an English princess. Thinking about it, it was strange. Knowing her strength, Britain would want her to return no matter what. But why were they pretending not to know her existence?
“Since Kang Shin-hyuk is a very important guest, he guided us to where the royal family usually stays.”
“Well... Well?”
“Okay? Thank you.”
Maybe it had already begun. Thinking so, Kang Shin-hyuk pretended nothing was strange at all.
“The place where the royalty stays.”
“That’s right. It’s arguably the safest and most comfortable accommodation in the UK.”
“It’s reliable. Good job canceling the hotel we booked.”
“...”
The corridor they were led into was wide. Kang Shin-hyuk knew there was space expansion magic on the entire building, but Shinyoung had something similar. What came to mind, however, was the internal structure of Big Ben that he had seen from the riverside. The British style of magic architecture was so great that the whole world would be envious. He honestly thought their superhuman power was weak for a powerful country, but he might have to change his mind.
“This is the place.”
The man stopped. Protection magic was hung over each entrance, so one couldn’t meet other people unless they came out into the common hallway. Kang Shin-hyuk, Lee Manwoo, Lee Na-hee, and Eleanor were each assigned different rooms. Opening the door, each of them was greeted by a huge space and three bedrooms in their rooms.
“Please have a comfortable rest. When it’s time for dinner, I’ll come to pick you up. Your Majesty is also very excited.”
Kang Shin-hyuk suddenly laughed bitterly as he remembered that he had indeed become the No. 1 in the world rankings. He was now in a position to make even the monarch of an entire country wait.
“Hey, isn’t it okay to use the same room?”
“The men and women are separated.”
“...Junior, will you come to our room?”
Lee Na-hee whispered in his ear with an alluring smile. He turned his head to look at Lee Manwoo, asking him to say something for him.
“Teacher?!”
“Eli, are you okay with it too?”
“Wait a minute; I have a question.”
However, Eleanor called out to the knight. The man tried to return back the way he came, but he turned around politely.
“Please speak.”
“Before dinner, can I meet Olivia for a while?”
He was surprised, but then he quickly smiled.
“Sorry, but Princess Olivia is not currently allowed to visit.”
“Visit?”
“Then, later.”
He disappeared without offering any additional answers. Eleanor gave up as he left, but Kang Shin-hyuk raised his head.
“...Visiting?”
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