Chapter 74
The left side of the negotiation table was occupied by the Balhut Cult, while the right side seated the delegates from the United States.
At the center sat Choi Yuna. The American delegation noted her position, but they merely assumed it was a customary gesture towards the head of state and made no comment on her central placement.
Instead…
‘It’s as if they anticipated our visit and prepared in advance. Nearly every high-ranking member of the Balhut Cult we’ve profiled is present at this negotiation table. To respond this quickly…’
Despite the sudden and unannounced nature of the visit, the Balhut Cult appeared completely composed, having prepared themselves for the negotiations.
Jung Dong-gun, in charge of military affairs, was away on an expedition to stabilize the eastern region of Gyeongju, and Yoo Soo-sung, responsible for construction, was dispatched to Pohang for the city’s reconstruction, leaving them absent from the negotiation table. However, all other high-ranking members of the Balhut Cult were seated in their assigned spots without exception.
“I’m truly pleased that we could meet under such amicable terms today.”
“Your Korean is impressive.”
“Yes, I studied diligently for this occasion.”
Of course, South Korea and the United States had been allies in the past, with the U.S. Embassy stationed in Korea and the U.S. Ambassador to Korea directly assigned.
For the United States, South Korea was indispensable in restraining North Korea, China, and Russia, while also serving the U.S.’s Pacific hegemony. Conversely, South Korea needed a strong ally to counterbalance those three countries, which led to the alliance.
For the United States, South Korea was only second in importance to the Five Eyes alliance. Therefore, it was natural for the White House to have Korean-speaking specialists on hand for smooth communication.
However…
“But it’s strange. Why would the United States come to us, the Balhut Cult, instead of South Korea? Isn’t there already a Special Envoy stationed in Seoul?”
As Park Cheol-gon pointed out, the United States could easily communicate with the official government in Seoul through the Special Envoy already stationed there, without needing to reach out to the Balhut Cult.
It would be quicker and more convenient for them to communicate with the official government in Seoul, rather than dispatching a delegation along with transport aircraft and escorts for a physical meeting with the Balhut Cult.
But in response to this remark, Steven gave a bitter smile and began to speak.
“We are unable to locate William, the Special Envoy stationed in Seoul. Considering the state of Seoul… it’s highly likely that the Special Envoy has either turned into a zombie or has been consumed by one.”
“Hmm.”
It was an indication that the capital, Seoul, had already fallen to the zombies.
Although the Balhut Cult leadership had frequently heard such things on internet forums, hearing it directly from the United States gave the message a completely different weight.
They began to sense the reality that the South Korean government had indeed fallen, and now the only organization capable of governing normally in South Korea was the Balhut Cult.
“That’s why we would like to establish a friendly relationship with you, the only functioning government in the Korean Peninsula. With this meeting as a starting point, we’d like to establish a diplomatic mission here.”
“Are you implying that you recognize us as equals in this alliance?”
“Yes. The United States wishes to communicate with the Balhut Cult as equals.”
The United States, the very nation considered to be surviving alone in this apocalypse, was the first to propose an equal dialogue.
For the Balhut Cult, this could be seen as a sign of formal recognition by an external power.
‘What’s going on here? This… feels unsettling.’
‘What could it be? Do we even have anything to offer to the United States?’
Politicians Park Cheol-gon and Han Geun-chul were thrown into confusion by Steven’s declaration, wondering if there was something they had overlooked.
Unlike the United States, which was said to have retained its territory and power intact, the Balhut Cult could, at best, be called a government that had reclaimed two cities.
In harsher terms, it would not be far-fetched to label them as a mere warlord faction controlling a few cities on the Korean Peninsula.
‘They’re still operating their military assets from before the apocalypse. All of their people are Awakened as well. Are we really their equals?’
In fact, they had been informed from Pohang that the U.S. military’s armored forces, from before the apocalypse, were still being operated without issue.
They couldn’t understand what the United States sought from the Balhut Cult to the extent that they were willing to initiate contact under the guise of equal relations.
No matter how they thought about it, the Balhut Cult had no impressive cards to present to the United States.
“It’s suspicious. Isn’t the United States still regarded as the world’s most powerful nation? I find it hard to believe that such a country would want to establish an equal relationship with us.”
As the two politicians fell into confusion, unable to act, Yuna raised her voice with skepticism, questioning whether the Balhut Cult could truly be considered on equal footing, while referencing the globally recognized power of the United States.
In an apocalyptic world where strength, rather than reason or principle, dictated the rules, things shouldn’t be much different for the United States either. Wouldn’t it make more sense for them to consider conquest rather than sending a delegation?
If every country’s military had been neutralized, while the U.S. military remained intact, global conquest would theoretically be within reach, wouldn’t it?
“That suspicion is indeed valid. Yes, if this were before the apocalypse, the very notion of equal relations with you would be nonsensical. Moreover, there would have been no reason to even make contact. In fact, the Balhut Cult itself wouldn’t have come into existence in that case.”
“Then… why?”
Steven admitted Yuna’s point, conceding that before the apocalypse, the United States wouldn’t have thought of engaging with them.
However, the United States now had a reason to initiate contact with the Balhut Cult.
“The apocalypse has indiscriminately thrown every country into chaos. The United States is no exception.”
“But I’ve heard that the U.S. government and military remain intact.”
“That’s only a relative statement.”
Declaring that the apocalypse had been an equalizer, Steven indicated that the United States, like other countries, had also fallen into disarray.
Choi Yuna listed the common assumptions about the U.S. situation circulating on the Korean internet, but Steven clarified that these were merely relative evaluations.
In other words, while the United States managed to maintain its government and military, it had also suffered devastating damage in other areas due to the apocalypse.
“Why are you telling us this? From what I understand, diplomacy is all about serving one’s national interests.”
“Sharp observation.”
However, there was no particular reason for him to disclose the weaknesses of the United States.
Since a nation’s interests are paramount in diplomacy, Steven’s actions could be perceived as emotional, possibly even irrational.
He judged that sharing the U.S.’s vulnerabilities would not yield any benefit.
“Even if you know this, can the Balhut Cult cross the Pacific to invade the United States? Especially now, when all your strength must be concentrated on the crises at hand?”
“………”
In response, Steven asked pointedly if the Balhut Cult could do anything to the United States with this information, and the entire Balhut Cult leadership fell silent.
So, even if they had this knowledge, what could the Balhut Cult actually do to the United States?
Perhaps God Bahamut could take action, but the Cult itself had limited means, and attempting to cross the Pacific to leverage this information would be a grave misstep leading to ruin.
For the Cult, the priority was not the distant American continent but securing dominance over the Korean Peninsula, specifically focusing on cities near Gyeongju.
“Impossible. But still, wouldn’t it be unnecessary for you, the Special Envoy, to explain this to us?”
“Yes, but the quickest way to build trust is through honesty. I shared part of the U.S. situation to gain your trust and confidence.”
“…You’re not wrong.”
Although Yuna understood this, she pointed out that Steven had no obligation to reveal anything that could disadvantage him in future negotiations. Steven agreed with her assessment, stating that he disclosed some U.S. information solely to earn the trust of the Cult.
After all, the information Steven revealed was essentially useless to the Cult, nor did they have any means to act on it.
The matter would simply end with an acknowledgment of the situation in the United States, so Yuna nodded thoughtfully, finding sense in his words.
“And you may be wondering why we’ve come. We believe an alliance with the Cult offers significant benefits. Our interests can be aligned.”
“Benefits?”
And he clearly stated that the United States was not providing aid without expecting something in return.
He began to slowly explain the reasons, emphasizing that the U.S. had its own advantages to gain.
“The United States, no, our White House is in a severe crisis. Although the White House has rallied the public by declaring a national emergency, the state governments are asserting their own rights, rendering the current U.S. little more than a paper tiger.”
“Aren’t you being a bit too forthright?”
Steven openly admitted that the United States was in crisis, which raised suspicions within Yuna and the Balhut Cult that his words of vulnerability might simply be a tactic to deceive them.
“Yes, but what benefit would there be for us to deceive you? Let me be frank: the apocalypse is a challenge of survival, equally imposed on everyone, and the United States is struggling to survive amidst this test of the fittest.”
“Undeniable.”
“Indeed.”
Even the Balhut Cult leaders, though initially skeptical, could not deny Steven’s earnest declaration that the apocalypse had been equally destructive to all.
“Moreover, by being transparent, we avoid any future resentment you might harbor if you were to discover the truth on your own or accuse us of bad faith. Such grievances would be disastrous for us, as the main facilitators of this negotiation.”
He continued, saying that if they were to engage in future exchanges, it would be more beneficial to be straightforward rather than deceitful. He emphasized that honesty was also in the United States’ best interest, affirming that they were genuinely…
“What is it that you seek from us?”
“We acknowledge the Balhut Cult as the sole government established in Korea, and we wish to recognize it as the legitimate government on the Korean Peninsula by stationing a diplomatic mission and Special Envoy here. Yes, we wish to form a strategic alliance, moving forward into the future together.”
“An alliance…”
The United States desired an alliance.
They proposed sending a Special Envoy, promising to accord the Cult the same status previously held by the pre-apocalyptic South Korean government.
Although in international relations, there are no permanent enemies or allies, and the United States could, in pursuit of its interests, retract all it had promised…
“To think that the United States actually wants an alliance with us. Living long enough to see this.”
Now, in the face of the apocalypse, it was crucial to avoid meaningless conflicts whenever possible.
The Balhut Cult sensed that this alliance would likely endure, and they all looked at Steven with expressions of surprise.
“And if this alliance is established, we believe we can sufficiently provide what each side needs.”
“What do you mean by ‘needs’?”
“Yes. Based on what we’ve gathered, during the subjugation of the so-called ‘King of Gyeongju’ and the recapture of Pohang, it seems that you possessed a certain special weapon.”
The United States seemed particularly interested in the Bahamut Round that the Balhut Cult had developed.
They openly referenced the battlefield where the Bahamut Round had been used, and this reference made the Cult leaders eye the delegation with a look of comprehension.
While the Cult manufactured it, the round itself held the power of God Bahamut.
“Hmm…”
“A dragon indeed…”
So, if there was anything the Balhut Cult deemed most valuable, it would be the mysterious ammunition born from this apocalypse.
The moment Steven referred to God Bahamut as a “dragon” and mentioned its power…!
“Bahamut-nim.”
“Yes?”
“Since the name of our God is Bahamut, please address Him as Bahamut-nim or simply as God.”
Yuna quietly interrupted Steven’s words, sternly warning him to address God as Bahamut-nim or God Bahamut.
The cheerful smile Steven had a moment ago completely vanished, leaving only a cold, solemn expression, and he realized that he had hit Choi Yuna’s sore spot.
When he briefly looked around, Steven noticed that even the other high-ranking members of the Balhut Cult, except for Baek Seol-hwa, another priestess, were staring at Yuna with surprised expressions.
And Yuna, who seemed to consider this a matter of importance, was silently glaring at Steven.
“…Yes. At any rate, if it is an item imbued with the power of God Bahamut, I believe it would indeed hold sufficient value for us.”
“Is that so?”
Acknowledging Yuna’s request, Steven corrected himself by addressing the God as “God Bahamut,” aligning with her demand.
**((In Korean, nim (님) is an honorific that is used to show respect and politeness to someone in a higher position than you.))
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