Chapter 265 – Settlement Meeting After Return
Since ancient times, armies that won wars received praise from the people and made splendid improvements. Those who make great contributions in battle receive great national honors, including medals.
So what kind of compensation is appropriate for me who brought the vaccine from Tanis?
The correct answer is none in particular.
In general, the act of ‘bestowing’ is given by someone who has more to someone who does not.
I already have what I want, and now no one will be able to give me what I don’t have.
Isn’t it funny that I bestow something on myself?
On the other hand, there are people in the world who do not properly understand their own position.
The first agenda item brought up by Artemis during the morning situation report in the central control room was absurd.
“The Jeju Island government has communicated that it will award a medal and status as a person of national merit.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Artemis swung the payment board onto the large table where me and the AI counselors were sitting around.
It stopped in front of me with the sound of plastic scraping, and there was an official letter from the Jeju Island government attached to it.
“It’s true.”
The text itself is written politely, but from my perspective, I didn’t like everything about it.
“So what should we do?”
Artemis asked.
“Tell them politely that they can eat and drink.”
“Jinsu, polite words.”
“Tell him politely to fuck off. Even if you give me a medal like that, I won’t accept it. What do they think?”
“There was bloodshed, but anyway, this is the group that officially inherited the pre-war government. It cannot be said that it has absolutely no authority. “It’s just not as high as they think.”
Artemis shrugged.
“That’s funny. Quite a few leading figures of pre-war politicians and think tanks live in the polis. “To what extent has this authority been diluted?”
Among us, the one who is most cynical about the Jeju Island government is Rose. She is showing off her sneer, which is rare for someone who is always neat.
“You accepted those people?”
“Not everything. As I said, it’s only part of it.”
Rose erased her sneer and answered politely.
“It was all written in the report, but looking at the reading records, I didn’t read even 0.1% of it and threw it away.”
“It will continue to be fixed at 0.1%.”
It’s 5,700 pages, so even if you read 15 pages a day, it would take you over a year.
“Aren’t they all living in Prime?”
Even if they needed information about my disappearance, giving special treatment to old, corrupt people would be outrageous. In particular, I hate politicians to the point where I break out in hives.
“The ones brought into Prime are exceptional researchers and intellectuals. The personal connections and information that pure politicians had were of secondary importance. “They devote themselves to physical labor to make a living in the polis every day.”
“You didn’t do any foolish tricks?”
“They are trying to incite residents or gather people to negotiate on equal footing with us. Something like this has happened a few times.”
A few photos were sent to my PDA.
There were pictures of a middle-aged man climbing up a shabby table in the police market and spewing out an impassioned speech, and an old man shaking hands here and there in a group dormitory.
More than a dozen people are gathered near them, listening, wondering if the decades of politicians are wasting their time.
There was also a photo of a middle-aged man leading a group protest holding a loudspeaker in front of Prime Gate. These are all lawmakers we have seen on television several times in the past.
“So what did you do?”
“Somehow I kicked them all out. Outside the polis.”
The newly transmitted photo showed rugged-looking men dispersing the protesters.
Lastly, he even begged to be let in at the outer gate of the police station.
“… Aren’t these guys Dalgeon?”
“In any city, there are bound to be shadows. If it’s something that proliferates somewhere like a street rat anyway, wouldn’t it be better to keep it on a leash and handle it appropriately?”
Artemis sighed.
“When I’m looking for you who disappeared, I can’t just search through the brisket. Information from the underworld must be obtained through human eyes and ears, not drones. Moreover, the place to search was not limited to the Korean Peninsula.”
“It was thanks to that information network that we were able to quickly identify those involved in the manager’s kidnapping and trafficking.”
Rose added.
[Inviting politicians was also an extension of that. Because they have many connections here and there. But when we brought him in, we found that he didn’t really have the information we wanted. The talent for wrapping such a topic was so outstanding.]
Kids shook her head in disgust.
“But it was us who were disappointed. “I couldn’t get rid of it at all because of the faint hope of ‘maybe the manager?'”
Chrollo also smiled bitterly.
“You must have been under a lot of stress for three years because of external favors and dealing at a loss.”
“Of course! “There were more than one person who tried to scam people to get a share.”
Artemis seemed to get angry just thinking about it.
“Everyone worked hard. And thank you. “For not giving up on me.”
The counselors, except for Artemis, bowed their heads as if my words were unreasonable.
“From now on, I don’t like what I don’t like, and if I tease you, get out of there! Let’s talk calmly and go wherever we want.”
I unfastened the fixing pin on the payment board and held up the official document.
“I don’t care about what other people think.”
Jjiui profit.
In front of everyone, I tore it in half, tore it again, and tore it again.
All four beauties smile brightly at that sight.
Although they had different appearances and personalities, their smiles were the same as identical twins. And there was something eerie about it.
But to me, it just looks lovely. Because I know that that scary day will never come to me.
* * *
After briefly completing the agenda regarding internal operations, the agenda regarding external operations emerged.
Before, when isolationism was advocated, only shelter operations had to be handled, but not anymore.
There were a lot of things that needed my approval, not only in the polis but also in foreign relations.
“Why don’t you grab some snacks?”
While Artemis is urging me to eat the refreshments in front of me.
[Preparations for announcing the manager’s return have been completed.]
Kids reported.
“Thank you for your hard work preparing the materials.”
[You’re welcome. All broadcasting station employees below me made it with sincerity.]
“Employees?”
[In the past, it was my only broadcast, but not anymore. Ahem!]
A colorful desk appears in front of Kids’ hologram! Appeared. Above it is a nameplate that reads ‘Broadcasting Director Kids.’
[You may have already met one of my staff members at the hospital.]
There was someone who caught it right away.
“Mr. Police? That guy with a nice voice?”
[Yep! Junseok is the ace of our broadcasting station. I am talented, but I do my best with passion, saying that there is no other place to work based on my major. The only downside is that it’s weak against blood splattering. It was difficult every time I broadcasted the arena.]
There are various gambling venues taking place every night in the police, and among them, a large-scale, unregulated arena is said to be operating successfully.
A battle where all kinds of nationalities, races, gender, and fighting techniques mix together to keep sweat and blood flowing!
It is extremely popular, with not only customers from outside the police station but also citizens who pretend to be polite in Prime sneaking around to see it.
[If you are interested, please let me know. I will take you to the best VIP seats.]
“I feel some sense of deja vu?”
Hehe. It will be more exciting than the fight between Nina and the Chinese pig girl. You can look forward to it.]
To be honest, it was very interesting, but Artemis gave me a disapproving look. She seems to regard this as barbaric entertainment.
“Jinsu, as you requested, we will keep the ceremony to celebrate your return to a minimum.”
“Huh. Because I hate loud things.”
Artemis wanted to hold a grand celebration, but she accepted my wishes and scaled it down significantly.
It is said that free special meals will be distributed throughout the shelter and the city. I didn’t object to this either. It would be good if everyone had a day to eat and drink happily at least once.
“And your return will be a public holiday for Shelter and the entire Polis. “This is also a celebration of the vaccine recovery, so there is no need to feel embarrassed.”
“I’m already getting chicken skin?”
“Hold on. And get used to it. Because of your position, you should be able to enjoy such goosebumps calmly from now on. Because there’s more to it.”
Artemis chuckled.
I am the subject of public holidays, not the king of some place. Well, in the current situation, it is already beyond the scope of a warlord leader.
“External forces, like the Jeju Island government, will slowly begin to notice the manager’s return.”
Chrollo said.
“Has the rumor already spread?”
From the robot strike team destroying the police crime syndicate, to playing as a barbarian in Prime, to wandering around in the shelter.
A sharp-witted person could have figured out my return by combining fragmentary information and rumors.
“Rumors are rumors, but what is more important than that is the flow of materials and goods. What should we say about our relationship with external forces?”
Chrollo stroked his chin cutely.
“Would you say it’s like the relationship between the former Soviet Union and a second-world communist country? “We always gave more than we received.”
“Are you looking for me?”
“Yes. Factories in Shelter and Police operated all day long, producing goods. To create and maintain relationships everywhere. “I and my residents also worked hard.”
Chrollo stretched out his index fingers towards me and twirled them clockwise.
“But now there is no need for that.”
The white fingers that were spinning suddenly stopped.
“You must be embarrassed because the business partner who always contacted you is silent.”
“That’s right.”
Chrollo smiled and picked his fingers one by one.
“The forces that were arrogant, the forces that were hostile but took what they got, the forces that were polite, the forces that were loyal to us while claiming to be our subordinate organizations. They all must have noticed something strange. Even if the wristwatch stops, the belly clock keeps running.”
“Soon, outside forces will want to invite you.”
Artemis said.
“They said they wouldn’t let me go.”
“Hehe, I know very well. You can’t go out “You will live here with me forever.”
She smiled brightly, supporting her chin with both hands.
“But I think I’ll make an exception in a few places. “There are a few places I want to go with you.”
I wonder what’s going on with our homebody Artemis.
“For example, Kyushu in Japan? I maintain a good relationship with the Yakuza warlords who are a big force there. I’m sure they’ll send you an invitation. Your accommodation is also a ryokan, right? “I thought you might be interested in a real ryokan on the mainland.”
“You want to go on a honeymoon?”
“…”
Artemis’ face heated up slightly. She is a young lady with an honest expression.
“Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”
Rose asked.
“No problem. Warlord leaders are trustworthy. Moreover, my grandchild, whom I cherish more than my own life, is hospitalized in a shelter hospital. How about Jinsu?”
I smiled and nodded at her.
Wouldn’t it be the height of romance to travel with Artemis to a world purified by the vaccine I brought?
“It’s all good, but first you need to gain weight on your body. Our leader must be thin like this to lose his dignity. “I haven’t even touched the refreshments since a while ago.”
Chrollo dragged a chair and sat down next to me. Rose and Artemis both stood up and approached me.
Artemis’ large breasts were pressed comfortably on top of her head, and her arms were being held down by Chrollo and Rose.
[Kyaaa!]
At that sight, Kiz takes her hologram camera in her hand and makes a fuss at her.
“I know I can’t leave until I eat all of this.”
Artemis said as if declaring.
Even when I looked up, I couldn’t see her face because it was blocked by her chest.
Fingers as fine and beautiful as white jade passed over my cheek, leaving behind a scent.
I pick up sweet and savory snacks and bring them to my mouth in a friendly manner.
“Now, do it.”
Chrollo’s finger, holding a Japanese confectionery, blatantly presses against his lips. As if he wanted to crush a Japanese confectionery instead of a tooth.
Then, he subtly touched my tongue and teased me. Without setting it up! When I asked her, she burst out laughing.
After I swallowed, Artemis’ fingers placed the biscuit in my mouth. Then he lightly pinched my cheek. Like an older sister expressing affection to her younger brother.
Rose put white whipped cream on her index finger and brought it to her mouth.
“…”
“…”
Even my neck was bright red. Good work! Our Rose!
“Give me more!”
There is no need for medals or merit qualifications. Is there any other award more perfect than this?
“Kukkuk.”
[Kyahahaha!]
“Oh my!”
Hehe!”
There was constant laughter in the central control room occupied by five people.
