Chapter 458
When the world was engulfed in shock, another top-secret agenda was being discussed in the club. They were debating about the abolition of the Logan Act[1], which existed only in name, and similar laws. These laws prohibited ordinary citizens from negotiating with foreign governments, and technically, all club members should have been subject to these laws.
Of course, there was no precedent for that. However, the stalkers often used them to argue the unfairness of the club. It also facilitated releasing the shackles that were on the ankles of the U.S. president. It was inevitable that allegations of the president, who was merely a civilian at the time of the U.S. election, colluding with Russia would resurface in the next election.
Nonetheless, the repeal of the Logan Act was just a minor issue among those that were being resolved in the club. The most prominent issue was to loosen regulations on tax havens in favor of the first-row members, making it a sanctuary free from any external interference. They built an impenetrable wall so that no one could see inside, effectively incapacitating existing institutional mechanisms.
Things that would only become sources of trouble were thus swept away. However, there was a real problem that needed to be removed. That was why Jonathan had released the video.
The conference ended.
It was now up to the members to turn the agendas passed in the club into reality. However, their faces were filled with satisfaction as they left the room. The U.S. president, whose shackles were loosened due to the club's support, looked as if he knew he was now assured of re-election. He was determined to be an even more loyal dog of the club.
An hour later, the members' vehicles lined up and left the hotel, Jonathan and Lee Tae-Han appeared at the press conference stage they had hastily prepared. It was a room inside the hotel, and the atmosphere was ice cold.
The conference began in silence.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen around the world. I am Lee Tae-Han, the chairman of the World Awakened Association. We empathize with the shock you and your children must have experienced. We deeply apologize for this. We deeply apologize for this.
"Although we have gone through the Day of Advent, only the soldiers who were there have witnessed our war firsthand, and no governments around the world have disclosed any footage shot on the stage. We have also been using the slogan 'Advance to Outer Space' to prevent chaos. However, you all must know now that we are still in a war."
Lee Tae-Han took out his phone.
「Title: The Truth
Description: If you wish to know the truth about what is happening in outer space, be prepared to handle it.
Jonathan Hunter. 350 million Views. 12 hours ago」
"The video that Director Jonathan uploaded has not been edited at all. He must have felt indescribable agony before releasing the video. This clip was the secret that Director Jonathan kept even at the risk of facing criticism during the hearings, and it is a reality that we as a human race are facing."
"However, the reason why he had no choice but to release this video is thoroughly explained in the video. Our new enemies are stronger than the ones we defeated in the past. At this moment, the current situation in outer space is posing a threat to all of humanity."
Suddenly, a question popped out from the reporters.
"The Awakened have named the monsters that invaded us on the Day of Advent as the 'Seven Demon Kings.' Are the enemies from outer space also a part of them? Or did the World Awakened Association initiate the invasion?"
All eyes were focused on the reporter who abruptly interrupted Lee Tae-han's statement.
"Director Jonathan will tell you the truth about those matters from now on."
Lee Tae-Han handed the right to speak over to Jonathan.
"Let me make one thing clear before we move on. It is also about what you are curious about, the whereabouts of Odin. On the Day of Advent, our enemies were the Seven Demon Kings. However, as you know, we defeated them, and our leader Odin also succeeded in subjugating some of them under his command."
Subjugate?
Subjugate!
A wave of shock passed through the hall again.
"Then, why did Odin have to subjugate them? It is because he realized that there was another force harboring ambitions on our mainland, in addition to the Seven Demon Kings corps. Yes, it is Saint Dragorin. After the Seven Demon Kings' attack, their assault was planned. Therefore, we launched a preemptive attack. As a result, we were able to wage war on the land of our enemies, not our homeland. This is the truth about the 'Advance to Outer Space' mission."
Jonathan finished his first statement.
***
The reporter then asked, "Is the situation critical?"
"It is shown exactly in the video. The enemies in outer space are like us. There are races of various civilizations and many countries, so it seemed difficult for interests to align. Thanks to this, we were able to achieve multiple small victories. However, those battles took place on one part of the Greenwood Contient, where their species look like us.
"On top of this, elves began to participate in earnest. They are one of the powerful races in outer space. They are the core species of the religion that encompasses the entire Star Dragorin, and their queen is the leader of this sole faith. Also, we have confirmed that even the queen has participated in this war.
"We interpret this as a sign that Dragorin species and countries are unifying against us. You asked if the situation is critical, but shouldn't the first question be whether humanity is really safe or not?"
As soon as Lee Tae-Han finished responding to the reporter, all the journalists eagerly raised their hands to gain the right to speak. Dust arose in the air from the excitement.
Among the arms that swayed like the tentacles of the Maruka, Lee Tae-Han chose one person. "The video confirmed the presence of a gate. The elves entered the battlefield through it, and unlike the Day of Advent, they marched in as large-scale. If a gate opens to our world, what measures are prepared by the association?"
"Even now, Odin is doing his best to prevent the gate from opening. Since the Day of Advent, humanity has entered a supernatural realm. Please just understand that the battles that you cannot comprehend, where the fate of humanity is at stake, are taking place somewhere."
Lee Tae-Han did not finish answering, but reporters started raising their hands. He ignored them and continued, "However, there are ways that non-Awakened people like you can help us. It is trusting us and going about your daily lives. Since the video was released, the world's stock markets have been shaken. At this hour, major marts are said to be like battlefields. We knew this would happen, which is why we had to wrap up the truth.
"If the gate opens, all the survival measures you are preparing now will become meaningless. So please regain stability rather than causing chaos, and cooperate so that we can concentrate on the war we are fighting."
Jonathan's face was stern as he listened to the voice next to him. Social chaos was inevitable. He was caught in a contradiction where he had to do what Sun could not in order to maintain his order.
The masses must realize their situation. Then they will appreciate the current peace and not cause unnecessary problems. Ignorant idiots.
He actually wanted to resurrect the [Tessera] project, which was the enslavement of the world population. However, if things went that far, then it meant confronting Sun. Unless he became crazy, he couldn't even imagine that.
Jonathan stopped thinking. A new question was being asked.
"I will ask you something exceptional. In this emergency, the world's power-holders, financial elites, and military generals had a meeting in this hotel. Known as members of the Bilderberg Club..."
Lee Tae-Han cut him off immediately, "It is true that we had a meeting, but we met only as private citizens, not as representatives of any government or international organization."
Then, Lee Tae-Han received a telepathic message.
- Jonathan: Start.
Lee Tae-Han moved to the main topic, no longer taking questions from the reporters.
***
"The Awakened have spent decades in the Stage of Advent. We had our own absolute rules, and usually, those rules came from the supreme ruler. And now, we have been striving to adapt to the existing world. We accepted the logic of capital in our world and the results have been great.
"But, now that the safety of mankind is once again threatened, it has become necessary to supplement the absolute rule that made us what we are. Would you send your kids to the battlefield? Would you leave your family and go to the battlefield? Or have you considered the militarization of all humanity?
"No. The single-mindedness of the World Awakened Association is always your safety. We will fight the war. In return, you must show effort to understand our rules. If you cannot understand the policies of the association, just stay silent.
"Contrary to your concerns, the Awakened will naturally accept the policies. What I am about to say from now on are instructions that are directly from Odin."
Lee Tae-Han glared at the camera as he continued speaking. His gaze had been polite and composed earlier, but now it looked fierce.
"Those who are still on the mainland, listen carefully. From this moment, I order all the Awakened to join the battle. The exceptions are as follows. Those in the military, and those who receive separate notifications from the association. Everyone else, regardless of the reason, must join the battle and carry out the association's instructions within twelve hours.
"Awakened who remain on the mainland even after twelve hours will be considered rebels and will not be forgiven under any circumstances."
Lee Tae-Han stopped talking because he saw Jonathan get up from his seat. When he fully stood up, it started from the air.
First, it was a breastplate.
Click!
Then, it was a helmet.
Click!
Then, defensive gear appeared out of nowhere and attached themselves to Jonathan's body. The last to be summoned was a pair of red gloves, and as soon as Jonathan wore them, a dangerous-looking swarm of red light seemed to resonate with him, swirling around him before disappearing.
"In the event of an emergency, I and my subordinates will protect the mainland. So, after the warning time passes, anything that comes into my sight..."
Roar-
The last sight of the red light disappeared as if a handful of fire was being clenched in his hand.
"...will be killed immediately."
And this warning did not end with that.
1. A law that prohibits private citizens from engaging in unauthorized diplomatic negotiations with foreign governments in an effort to influence or interfere with U.S. foreign policy. It was enacted in 1799 and has rarely been enforced throughout its history. ☜