Please Stop The Pope

Chapter 96

“The fragrance of the tea is excellent. Archbishop Leo seems to have a deep knowledge of tea.”

“Our Archbishop Leo is a man who excels at everything. He has great faith and vast knowledge. On top of that, he’s great with people.”

“I know that Archbishop Leo’s nickname is ‘Fold King.’ I’m actually one of his biggest fans.”

“If you wish, perhaps later he can visit the Blue House and you can watch a folding show live.”

“Haha! I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline! I don’t think I could handle the news headlines the next day.”

President Seo laughed cheerfully.

We were currently in the office of the temple.

Since there was still plenty of time left before the live broadcast, I gave President Seo a brief tour of the temple.

“Then, I’ll step outside for a moment.”

Leo bowed politely and then left the office.

It seems like these days Leo only leaves after getting in the car.

He used to be called a rabid dog for the way he lived in battle.

But truthfully, his current expression is much more pleasant to see than the one from back then.

For Leo, who fought tirelessly as much as I did, a peaceful life on Earth will likely serve as a well-deserved rest.

Though, I’m not sure how long this peace will last.

“Pope Kim Siwoo, you really take good care of the people under you. Your gaze is full of warmth.”

“It’s because they’re friends who came to a world where they have no connections.”

“Well, I don’t think they have no connections.  I think Archbishop Leo and Lady Luna feel the same way.”

President Seo said that while smiling softly.

I quietly observed President Seo.

He seemed much more at ease now compared to when we first met on the way to the airport.

Back then, he had a sharp edge to him, but now President Seo exuded a more relaxed atmosphere.

“Thanks to your efforts for peace, Pope Kim Siwoo, a lot has changed. The first thing that’s improved is my worries. My doctor is quite surprised by my improved health. Stress really seems to be the root of all illnesses. These days, my mornings feel quite refreshing.”

“You can call me Awakened as usual if you’re comfortable with it.”

“I can’t just casually address you like that here. If I did, I’d be showing disrespect to you, Pope Kim Siwoo, and to Limen, who appointed you, and the countless followers who revere you.”

President Seo took a sip of his black tea and then continued in a soft voice.

“I’m just briefly stopping by after checking the lost land. I heard some news on my way back to the Blue House, so I decided to stop by.”

“It must be something related to northern advancement?”

“Would you believe me if I said it wasn’t?”

“I wouldn’t.”

“It’s still just in the planning stage. Once the plans are more solidified, I’ll share them with you.”

From the way he spoke, it didn’t seem related to that issue.

Honestly, I don’t think President Seo came here without any reason.

I don’t doubt his character, but a president’s every move is inherently political, and he’s not so incompetent as to not understand that simple truth.

In this case, there are two possibilities.

Either he came to join in after hearing the news of the purification work being completed, or he has something personal to discuss.

Given President Seo’s character, the first option seems unlikely. If that was the case, he would have sent Minister Yoo Sun-ho to make the announcement.

So, the remaining possibility is one.

“I have something to discuss, Pope Kim Siwoo.”

President Seo had come to speak with me directly.

I gave a small nod.

“If you’re coming all the way here to speak to me in person, then it must be a serious matter.”

“This is a topic closely related to you, Pope Kim Siwoo.”

“People in high positions always take a while to get to the point, don’t they? Alright, I’m listening. Please, tell me what’s on your mind.”

President Seo placed his teacup down gently. His expression grew more serious as he shifted to the main subject.

“Yesterday morning, the Chinese government made a proposal.”

“Those troublesome people.”

As he mentioned, relations between South Korea and China were at their worst right now. The previous Orc Wave incident, especially the terrorist attacks, were major contributors to the tension.

The government had even issued an official statement, declaring they would hold China accountable for the attacks.

Now, a proposal has come.

I don’t know exactly what the proposal was, but one thing was certain: it wasn’t going to be beneficial for us.

If it had been a beneficial proposal, President Seo wouldn’t have started the conversation like this.

“The Chinese government has officially proposed a friendly match for the Awakened. They want to use this opportunity to ease the strained relations between our two countries through exchanges among Awakened.”

“How would this be conducted?”

“The Chinese Awakened would visit South Korea for this event. They hope to hold regular exchanges through this opportunity and work towards restoring relations between the two nations.”

“They really go to any lengths, don’t they?”

“I agree.”

Restoring relations – it’s a beautiful phrase on the surface.

And the rationale seems good.

If we refuse this friendly match, the backlash from China would be obvious.

“If we reject their proposal, they’ll hold us responsible for any further deterioration in relations between the two countries. They’re playing a classic game.”

“The fact that they’re still using this method means it’s still effective.”

I slowly nodded at his words. This seemed to be the surface-level reasoning.

“The list of Awakened from China to participate in the friendly match includes Wang Wei, one of the four Irregulars China holds. His nickname is ‘Sword Demon.’ He’s reportedly single-handedly blocked seven super-large gates.”

“Are they sending an Irregular to us?”

“They also want Pope Kim Siwoo to be included in the friendly match.”

This must be their true objective.

Honestly, as soon as the term “friendly match” was mentioned, I had already anticipated this.

But why did it feel…amusing?

“Heh.”

I couldn’t hide the smirk that was forming.

“So they want to test me now? After seeing me beat up Aiden, they still think they can try this?”

“They seem to believe that the United States deliberately gave South Korea a boost, and they also have high trust in their own Irregulars.”

“Classic China, right? It’s so obvious what they’re trying to gain from this friendly match.”

President Seo smiled bitterly and then spoke with a resigned tone.

“They want to show us their power.”

“They’re sending strategic weapons to a neighboring country for a friendly match?”

“Well, it is China.”

“Exactly, it’s China.”

The word “China” really is a magical word.

When you attach the word “China” to anything, even the most bizarre behavior somehow becomes “something that could happen.” It’s quite a magical word.

But when I think about it, this isn’t such a bad proposal for me.

If we set a precedent by allowing their strategic weapons to come here, it would make it easier to do the reverse.

For example, if I needed to visit China to deal with those Purifiers.

“Thinking about it that way, it’s actually not a bad idea.”

There are a lot of variables, but there’s no real reason to reject it.

I tapped the desk with my finger and slowly nodded.

“It could be a good opportunity to set a few positive precedents…By the way, Mr. President. There’s a chance that some accidents could lead to injuries or worse during the friendly match, right?”

“…Hmm, well…”

President Seo fell silent for a moment.

After all the discussions, I left the office with President Seo.

While talking, it was already nearing the time for the live broadcast to start.

“It seems we’ve covered the urgent matters. I’ll provide more details as things progress.”

“Think positively, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

President Seo nodded with a big smile.

“It would be great if all the Awakened were like our Pope. Anyway, I really apologize for suddenly visiting like this. It must be inconvenient for you, so I’ll take my leave now…”

President Seo was trying to leave, quickly recognizing the right moment.

But it was no use.

I immediately blocked his way and spoke.

“Haha, Mr. President. Would you like to join us?”

“Huh?”

“You visited on a festive day, so you should at least have a spoonful. They said the broadcast preparation is all set. Please come and offer a few kind words.”

President Seo smiled awkwardly at my proposal.

“I heard the Pope doesn’t want to be associated with politics too much. So I was planning to leave quietly.”

“We should share the good things. Isn’t that what you said about mutual prosperity?”

The topic I would announce in the live broadcast was related to the government, so his attendance wouldn’t be that strange.

Completing the purification of Ground Zero and disbanding the Ark was a significant event for South Korea. Given our relationship with the government, having him join in a small way was perfectly fine.

It didn’t require much effort, and supporting those who were favorable to us wouldn’t be an issue.

And most importantly,

“When you came, it was on your terms, but when you leave, it won’t be. Is that a problem?”

There was no way I could just send off such a high-impact guest.

At my words, President Seo burst out laughing again. He shook his head and replied.

“Of course not. It’s an honor.”

“Great, then let’s move.”

With that, I led President Seo to the front of the temple where the live broadcast was scheduled to take place.

When I first appeared with the president, the atmosphere on-site quickly became subdued.

The news that the president had arrived had probably already spread, but they never expected me to bring the president onto the live broadcast.

That wasn’t all.

Apart from the president, there were already two remarkable guests present at the scene.

It was none other than Mrs. Emma Miller and Aiden.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Mrs. Miller.”

“Hehe, Siwoo invited me.”

“Oh, really?”

President Seo immediately exchanged greetings with Mrs. Emma Miller.

“I received an invitation on such a historic day, so I simply couldn’t refuse. I see the president feels the same?”

“Haha! I’m an uninvited guest, but Pope Kim Siwoo was gracious enough to invite me.”

“Mr. President. Good to see you again.”

“Oh! Mr. Howard. How have you been?”

As if they had telepathic communication, President Seo began talking with Mrs. Miller and Aiden in full swing.

Naturally, the three were speaking in English, and soon, Representative Choi, who had approached my side, nodded and started speaking to me.

“I just confirmed the defense readiness.”

“Any problems?”

“Impossible. I’ve never seen such a defense force in my life.”

The defense troops that even Representative Choi, who was amazed, had described were as follows:

West: Elite hunters from the Goblin Guild.

South: Hunters from the Department of Ability Management and the Ministry of Defense, including Kang Chae-ah.

North: American hunters escorting Mrs. Emma Miller and Aiden.>

Even I could tell that the defense was in such a solid state that it would be strange if something went wrong.

“President Seo, Oracle Emma Miller…if a bomb were to go off here, it would instantly trigger World War III.”

Baek Seolhwa muttered in a small voice.

I responded in a teasing tone.

“Isn’t the guest lineup great?”

“Only you, Kim Siwoo, could invite the President and the Oracle to a live broadcast. I have to admit this.”

“I agree with Baek Seolhwa’s comment.”

“This is what they mean by human connections.”

Having a channel with 9 million and another one with 6 million subscribers boosting my image makes me feel a little higher now.

I nodded in satisfaction and then looked around at my colleagues.

“Now that our guests are all here…shall we start the broadcast?”