Chapter 177: Hearing
-Kaah!
-kieeeeek!
-kwaang! Kwaaang!
The video is full of explosions. Throats are blown off by cold weapons, and rocket shells cause realistic explosions.
I use the word “realistic” because the images on the screen were unrealistic to say the least.
Surreal optical weapons wielded by races like knights who breathe fire from their bodies and giant crab monsters.
“That’s an army.”
“That’s real footage?”
In this star-studded room, where even a four-star general is the lowest rank, the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the South Korean Ministry of Defense were analyzing the fight in Taiwan.
First, the gas attacks across Taiwan reveal the demons but the general consensus was that they still don’t know the whole story.
Of course, it was practically a foregone conclusion that this had happened after the arrival of the TTG Temple.
In any case, the fact that dignitaries from various countries were being held hostage was enough for South Korea to consider its diplomatic and military options. There was even an envoy from the Ahn Dong-gil administration there.
The problem was the Demon Gate and the Kikiruk landing force that were summoned to the center of Taipei, and the TTG Temple and the Demon Legion clashing in the center of Taipei.
Taiwanese troops were on both sides, albeit sandwiched in the middle, and could see what was going on.
The TTG Temple had spotted the Taiwanese Fallen, gassed them to death, and engaged in battle with the summoned Demon Legion and the fallen Taiwanese army.
“We’re going to be criticized for military action in a foreign country—–”
“It’s a civilian guild, shouldn’t we just say it’s none of our business?”
“It’s a diplomatic disaster, but— it’s not a big deal yet, they’re demons involved.”
Since the appearance of the Demon Archduke of Chaos, Rakshar and the Demon Archduke of Slaughter, Akasha the world has become more wary of demons.
There are several countries around the world that have been destroyed by Demon Gates.
China alone had fallen into disarray after the Shanghai massacre.
“The TTG Temple is an expert in demon hunting. If they noticed the presence of demons in Taiwan, they have a defense.”
Although the method was radical, it was also defensible since the person involved was a medieval king.
“More than that—how on earth could we not have known until now, the first gas attack was hours ago!”
The first gas attack occurred around 11:00 am.
That’s right in the middle of a hearing, but there was a gas attack next door and no one knew about it?
“I think there was some kind of information control. The communications inside Taiwan didn’t reach the outside world.”
“How does that make sense?”
This is a world where even a robbery in East Africa is shared in real time.
In this age of global networking, there’s terrorism and fighting in a country’s capital, and it’s blocked?
Isn’t it more than just internet censorship?
“What’s that, those monster knights, that’s one thing, but that, that, that!”
President Ahn Dong-gil’s tirade was directed at the super robot, a huge presence on the screen.
It looked like a super-electronic amalgamation of dozens of alien weapons from the Hollywood box office hits of the early 2000s.
This is the “Marquis Class” of the Yakt Spinner, which is currently a hot topic on the Internet.
It appeared out of nowhere in the suburbs of Taipei City, literally wiping out the Taiwanese Army’s Fallen Corps and wiping out the demons in the middle of Taipei City.
“That thing—it looks like something out of a Hollywood movie, why didn’t anyone know it was being built?”
On South Korean soil, a private company paying South Korean taxes was building a ridiculous super weapon.
As the one person who was taking this more seriously than anyone else, the defense minister spoke with caution.
“Presumably, it was built at the Kikiruk shipyard in Mokpo. We have confirmed that a significant amount of stellar iron has been shipped there.”
“They’re building a ship there? An experimental ship? Where did they get the special dock?”
“I suspect they’ve expanded into it, as the nature of the Kikiruks allows them to build deep into the ocean.”
If they knew of the existence of a Dominator-class submarine, they would be horrified, but for now, the only known super weapon was the Marquis-class.
“Your Excellency, this is unconfirmed information, but we have long suspected that the United States possesses satellite weapons.”
“Satellite weapons? Like the Staff of God or something?”
“Yes, there is a record of a NASA astronaut visually confirming it from the space station, but it was apparently dismissed as an April Fool’s joke at the time.”
“So the thing about satellites is that they can hide, and they said they saw it with the naked eye, but not with radar or anything?”
“There’s a high probability that it’s a satellite with ‘stealth’ capabilities—-”
The Secretary of Defense noted that there have been reports of satellites that have melted into space and disappeared, even from astronauts’ naked eyes.
“That radar has— what do you call it?”
“It’s an optical stealth capability.”
“And what, if it disappeared even from the naked eye, is that Starcraft cloaking or something?”
“Yeah, I’m guessing they probably have both.”
“Hmph–the Staff of the Gods is not even comparable, is it?”
“With the information we have at this point, yes.”
In addition to land-based battlefield weapons, there are also stealth satellites in space?
“Didn’t you say that the TTG Temple’s technology level is limited to drones and cold weapons at best!”
The TTG Temple was attracting the world’s attention even at the technology level.
Stellar iron and its processed weapons were tactical assets that could not be obtained, and drones and observation equipment that worked even at the gate were strategic assets that were managed at the national level.
But even that is only civilian level technology.
If there is a gap in technology between the United States and the rest of the world, it’s enough to build an army like this——
“Your Excellency, we must detain the Lord of the TTG Temple right now! Their military technology must be scrutinized!”
The Minister of Defense felt that the TTG Temple must be shaken off.
To this extent, not only the weapons, but also the well-timed communication interception were manipulated by TTG Temple.
If it is beyond the level of transnational technology, it must be put under the control of the state.
That would be common sense and a natural move for a leader of a nation. But——
“Your Excellency, this is not possible.”
Oh Kang-hyuk, the chairman of the association, immediately shouted his opposition to the defense minister’s claim.
“Oh, Mr. Chairman, what are you talking about?”
The Minister of Defense glared at him. He felt that Oh Kang-hyuk was definitely responsible for the situation.
“President Oh, isn’t it your responsibility for not being able to predict this situation even though you sent a guard to the TTG Temple? What was Han Ha-ri doing there?”
“Ms. Han Ha-ri is just our association’s friendly exchange person for the Temple of the Ten Thousand Gods, not a watchman.”
“What, this asshole?!
The fact that the Korean Hunter’s Association had given the TTG Temple all sorts of accommodations and sent Han Ha-ri to watch over Leon in case he got into trouble, which is contrary to modern common sense.
Oh Kang-hyuk, the president of the association, argues that it’s a different law and that they’re just sending an employee.
The Minister of Defense is frustrated because they can’t even say that they’re actually a watchdog on the official ship.
“I understand that everyone is surprised, but think about it rationally. TTG Temple is now a mainstay of South Korea’s national defense and economy. It’s not realistic to sanction them.”
Of course, there would be no shortage of legal arguments.
In fact, it was possible. South Korea’s constitution strictly prohibits civilian organizations from owning military weapons.
Even the gate reconnaissance drones that TTG Temple now so excitedly selling should be banned, and under the legal interpretation, it wasn’t impossible.
“It’s not that we don’t have a way to do it, it’s that we can’t do it.”
TTG Temple is now indispensable to Korea. No, it was indispensable to humanity.
Leon and his men alone are unimaginable superhumans, the embodiment of gods and holy laws–the only ones who can cleanse the land of miasma.
They are irreplaceable.
The presence of the TTG Temple in South Korea alone was expected to generate trillions of won in additional tax revenue this year.
That’s purely in economic benefits, but when you add in the damage from Dungeon Breaks that the TTG Temple has stopped, it’s in the hundreds of trillions of won. The value that would be created was beyond monetary calculation.
“Mr. Minister of Justice, how much illegal activity is currently going on in the TTG Temple?”
“——Tax evasion alone is staggering.”
TTG Temple was openly avoiding paying taxes.
“But isn’t a similar amount of money being paid out through other channels, like defense funding, donations, and grants to civil society organizations?”
However, if you look at it closely, it’s not that TTG Temple doesn’t pay taxes because they’re stingy.
It was actually a huge welfare system, and the taxes it owed to South Korea, while complicated, were channeled through other channels.
“Why does the TTG Temple seem to be doing such a troublesome and legally problematic thing?”
“Because —— kings can’t pay taxes to other kings.”
Exactly.
Leon wasn’t cheating on his taxes because he was penny-pinching like every other Top Ten guild.
Kings don’t count coins.
In his pre-modern, fantastical mindset, he’d left the whole tax thing to those below him.
Anything that avoids the act of “paying direct taxes” is good enough.
That’s why Yappy has been avoiding taxes by creating all sorts of tax havens and bypassing taxes.
“The TTG Temple is an absolute monarchy under Leon Dragonia Lionheart. Everything is decided according to his standards.”
Mr. Oh emphasized that they should pay attention to this point and President Ahn Dong-gil asked.
“What does that mean?”
“We should cooperate with His Majesty more thoroughly. His Majesty understands politics, and if you take care of him first, he will take care of you for the sake of his pride as a king.”
In other words, Mr. Oh emphasized that the situation should be used as a means to strengthen cooperation, not as a cause for anger or criticism.
“When the Firebird Guild was talking about naturalizing in Japan, how did you feel? The stock price plummeted, the financial world was shaken, and now it’s TTG Temple. Can you afford it?”
Japan would naturally welcome the TTG Temple with open arms.
No one could deny Oh’s final words.
The current government’s policy was a natural decision. It was inevitable.
* * * *
Usually, a hearing is a time to tear down and criticize the other side.
The road to it is usually cold and the hearts of those who attend are often heavy, but Leon’s path was pompous and fervent.
-Wow! Your Majesty!
-Long live the Lionheart King!
-Hooray! Demons slain! Glory be to the TTG Temple!
“You’re quite prepared.”
On the way to the hearing Leon climbed into a state limousine provided by the South Korean government and surveyed the crowds outside.
The parade looked like a papal visit. South Koreans were welcoming Leon’s return and protesting against the fact that he was even getting a hearing.
“It’s no big deal, it’s all thanks to Your Majesty.”
Oh Kang-hyuk, head of the association, poured champagne directly into Leon’s glass and bowed.
“As the national administration, we have to take our own actions, and that’s why we’re holding this meeting, I hope you understand.”
“Hmm. I take no offense at your request for me to come, but this land is not yours.”
By nature, Leon is nothing more than royalty of a fallen kingdom and no survivor would ever be treated this way by the state but he alone overrides all precedents.
“The hearing is just a little screening for illegal weapons possession. In South Korea, it’s illegal for civilians to carry weapons, so I have no choice.”
“I thought hunters were allowed to carry?”
“Even hunters with a hunter’s license are only authorized to carry state-certified items. In fact, you can’t get a permit for anything bigger than a rifle anyway.”
That was fine with the Kikiruks. Their armored cannons and other firearms are registered with the South Korean government.
“The problem is Lord Yakt Spinner’s weapons, which are apparently the size of——”
“I see. It seems that Lord Spinner was reluctant to expose them for fear of something like this happening.”
“Yes, but Lord Spinner is a licensed hunter, so I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“Pretty accommodating, huh?”
Leon’s gaze sharpened but Mr. Oh only shrugged it off with a smile.
“After everything Your Majesty has done for our country, how could we dare to treat you with disrespect?”
“Of course not.”
“Of course it is, but the administration has a certain amount of dignity, and I would be honored if you would at least look upon President Ahn Dong-gil and me with some respect—”
Leon realized that the old association president was going to be thoroughly practical.
Still, if he could bend over and make a nice gesture first, there was nothing the king couldn’t do for him.
“It is deeply unpleasant to be questioned by commoners, but I must protect my dignity as king.”
The jury was out even before the hearing began. The political thugs entered the hearing confident that they could get away with it.
“Illegal arms acquisition and illegal manufacturing! Trillions in tax evasion and slave labor! Religious coercion! What a horrible organization!”
Ugh, what’s wrong with you?
“Take responsibility and resign!”
Crazy bastard!
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