Please Stop The Pope

19. Nice to meet you

What is a president?

It is the pinnacle of power in the Republic of Korea, the undisputed top position among elected officials.

If you’re an ordinary person, it’s definitely someone you would have a hard time meeting in person in your entire life.

I, too, had only seen him a few times through TV or the internet, and had never actually seen him in person.

But just now, that ‘only once’ was broken.

“If I had known you were such a virtuous person, I should have come to see you long ago.”

I smiled awkwardly as I looked at President Seo Shin-woo, who was leisurely leading the conversation in front of me.

It’s the day to pick up my grandmother, what is this situation?

It was a development that I couldn’t have predicted even a single bit. The position of president is not one where time is in abundance, and he couldn’t have come just to take me to the airport.

“There’s no need to be wary. I happened to have some business at the airport as well, so I’d like you to think of it as a kind of carpool.”

“Did you hear that I was going to the airport?”

“Receiving reports on an Irregular’s schedule is also one of the president’s duties. If it was unpleasant, I apologize.”

“Ah, it’s not that it was unpleasant… just.”

It just feels strange that my every move is reported to someone who is the president.

By the way, he’s quite different from the image I had.

I don’t really feel the sense of authority or charisma that a president would usually have.

There are usually two cases like this.

Either he really doesn’t have it, or he’s deliberately hiding it.

Well, whichever it is, the conclusion is the same.

‘A person to be careful of.’

It means he’s a person whose inner thoughts can’t be seen through. Considering that the position of president is not one that is won through a lottery, it might be natural in a way.

“Awakener Kim Shi Yu has done so many things for the Republic of Korea so far, what can’t I do for you? Just tell me. I will listen to anything I can do.”

At the president’s words, a mischievous playfulness sparked in me at an untimely moment.

I said with a very serious expression,

“How about making the Limen Denomination the state religion?”

“Haha, I can already hear the sound of an impeachment motion being proposed in my ears. If Awakener Kim Shi Yu wants it that much, nothing is impossible. I should tell the chief of staff to bring the party resignation letter first. It will be the most dramatic moment in my political life.”

“I’m joking, Mr. President. Although half of it was serious.”

“I’m the same. I was also half serious.”

Which part was he serious about?

I think I heard about the president from In Wook before.

I heard that he draws high support even from the younger generation thanks to his humorous aspects. Of course, just being funny isn’t enough to gain support, but an excellent sense of humor is one of the strengths a leader can have.

In my view, President Seo was definitely outstanding in that aspect at least.

Just by exchanging a few words, I was feeling comfortable.

I smiled slightly, and he also smiled back at me and started talking.

“Usually, the work of the leader of a group is mostly done in informal places like this. Official events are just formalities. I think Awakener Shi Yu, who was in the position of the Pope in the world called Eden, would roughly know about it.”

I didn’t think from the beginning that the president came to exchange jokes with me in the morning.

This was the real topic.

“Did you happen to see the news that the media reported in unison this morning?”

“I know that a magic beast appeared in Japan and they requested help.”

“Good. Since you roughly know, I’ll get straight to the point. The US has requested to include Awakener Kim Shi Yu in the dispatch team. And our government has deferred the answer.”

“Hmm. If the government issues a mobilization order, I have no choice but to follow it, right?”

I had roughly seen it when I signed the Irregular contract, and I was called out like that last time during the monster wave too.

But President Seo shook his head and said,

“According to Article 9, Clause 12 of the Special Awakening Act, the area where Irregulars can be mobilized is limited to where the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea reaches. In other words, Awakener Kim Shi Yu has no obligation to help Japan.”

The fact that the president came here despite knowing such a legal clause means one thing.

I looked at President Seo and said,

“It seems you want me to go to Japan.”

“The Irregular that the US has decided to dispatch to Japan this time, Aiden Howard, is also called the Irregular Reader. That means if you defeat him, you can become a globally recognized Irregular.”

President Seo’s eyes shone for the first time.

“The magic beast called Yamatano or something was never in your calculations from the beginning.”

“An operation mobilizing two Irregulars called the nuclear weapons of the Awakener era cannot fail. Japan will do its best, and so will the US. That’s why we have no choice but to think about what will happen after that.”

At some point, the car was passing over Yeongjong Bridge.

The scenery of the blue sea spread outside. Against that backdrop, President Seo continued,

“If a friendly match takes place, I hope Awakener Kim Shi Yu will crush the Barbarian.”

“…Crush, you say.”

“Smashing is also good, pulverizing is also good. If Awakener Kim Shi Yu defeats the Barbarian, the Republic of Korea will become a country with a globally recognized Irregular. If that happens, whether it’s the commies or the Japs… Ah, that was rude of me.” (TN: Sigh)

President Seo, who had been pouring out his heated speech, smiled brightly and nodded.

It was a bit complicated, but the conclusion was that he wanted me to crush the American Irregular called Barbarian.

“Are you saying to do it for the Republic of Korea?”

I asked in a low voice, and President Seo answered firmly.

“Not for the Republic of Korea, but for us. Religion and politics have been inseparable for a very long time. That’s probably because the power of both ultimately comes from the people.”

“It sounds like you’re saying to form a collusive relationship.”

“Haha, it could be. But please don’t misunderstand. What I desire is coexistence. Living together, with each other. And building upon that relationship to move forward.”

Are all presidents such smooth talkers, or is this person exceptionally eloquent?

A quite different feeling from the kings and emperors I met in Eden.

His words contained the philosophy he had upheld throughout his life.

“Sadly, the Korean government doesn’t have much power to speak of. In contrast, the Limen Denomination will only flourish more and more. If that gap widens, it will be nothing more than parasitism, not coexistence.”

President Seo looked at me intently. Then, with a very serious expression, he said,

“And I think that is an appearance that Awakener Kim Shi Yu would not want either. Because that is no longer…”

“The appearance of a denomination.”

If the status of the denomination becomes higher than the government, that would be closer to national power rather than a denomination. And that was also what Limen wanted the least.

I slowly nodded at President Seo’s words.

“Raise the international status of the Republic of Korea for the sake of coexistence?”

“I may look like this, but I’m quite a capable strategist. And the title of a country with an Irregular holds a very precious value. It will be useful in a wide variety of places.”

At some point, the car arrived at the airport, and President Seo smiled after checking outside.

“It seems I’ve had too boring and uninteresting conversations on such a nice day. You can take your time making a decision. And whatever that decision may be, we will completely follow Awakener Kim Shi Yu’s decision.”

Even until the last moment, President Seo did not actively try to persuade me. He just showed his calculations and made a proposal to me based on that.

“I’ll officially visit the Limen Denomination’s temple soon.”

“You’re always welcome.”

“It was nice to meet you. Awakener Kim Shi Yu. Let’s talk again next time.”

With that, I got out of the car, and as soon as I did, the president’s car immediately left.

First impressions are important for people.

President Seo Shin-woo.

“He’s an interesting person.”

I thought that many interesting things would happen if I got involved with that person.

I smiled slightly as I looked at the car driving away, and then headed straight to the arrival hall.

As he said, the weather was really nice with not a single cloud.

It was the perfect day for someone to return home.

If I were to list my grandmother’s profile, it would be as follows.

[Name: Go Eun-young

Date of Birth: November 11, 1963 (73 years old)

Place of Birth: Yongsan, Seoul

Her frequent sayings: ‘Our family’s history is causing accidents. That’s why even you, Shi Yu, must practice contraception well. Understand?’]

As you can see from her frequent sayings, she is a quite unique person. The fact that she went on a trip to the US even when the world has turned upside down like this shows a glimpse of her outlook on life.

Life is only lived once anyway, so let’s enjoy it while living.

It was also a saying that Grandma always had on her lips. When she was young, she had to raise our father, and then she had to raise me, who was born after my father caused an accident early on. Even from my perspective, she lived a hectic life.

She is a very grateful person who traveled around the world after Grandfather passed away, and as soon as she heard the news of my parents’ passing, she returned and raised us all along.

Anyway.

I waited quietly at the arrival hall wearing a mask.

Compared to the past, there were fewer airport users, probably because some air routes had been suspended.

I heard that many skies were taken away by flying magic creatures.

It was said to be even worse in the beginning, but thanks to countries joining forces to go on subjugation missions, many problems were solved.

Of course, some areas are still no-fly zones.

After waiting for some time like that, the arrival gate opened, and soon an elderly woman in black sunglasses and a beige trench coat walked out from inside.

A confident and energetic gait.

Just by looking, you could feel the force from that grandmother, who was naturally…

“Grandma.”

Our grandmother.

Her hair was black, perhaps because she had dyed it relatively recently.

As soon as Grandma heard my voice, she approached me. And as soon as she arrived in front of me, she took off the sunglasses she was wearing.

Then, Grandma’s gaze that was hidden behind the sunglasses was revealed.

And meeting Grandma’s gaze like that, I said,

“Grandma. Normally in moments like this, isn’t it normal to have a moving reunion?”

“My grandson. After going to the other world, your guts have really swelled up. In the past, when this granny glared at you like this, you would run away, but this granny is so proud. Our grandson has grown up, all grown up.”

“That… can you at least remove your hand first?”

“Let’s have a moving reunion.”

Grandmother said that and suddenly struck my back with her right hand.

Aaaahhhhh.

At the same time, a crisp sound of impact rang out.

The stinging sensation rapidly spreading from my back was a spiciness I hadn’t tasted in Eden.

This is why people talk about the original taste, the original taste.

I don’t know why it hurts so much even though I’ve become much more trained and have better endurance than before.

“You’ve returned with your arms and legs intact, so that’s enough. You ungrateful grandson.”

“You haven’t changed, Grandma.”

“A person dies if they change. This granny plans to live long, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“Your words are still good too.”

The reunion with Grandma was quite different from the reunion with In Wook or Si-yeon.

In Wook and Si-yeon looked at me like I had really died and come back to life, but Grandma’s expression was not like that at all.

An expression like welcoming someone who went on a long trip and returned.

Is that why?

I felt really comfortable.

“So, how was your other world trip?”

“For me… it was good.”

“Traveling to new places tends to make people grow. But I’m happy that our grandson seems to have grown up a lot. Consider the price of making this granny worry for 5 years paid with your back just now.”

Grandmother said that and let go of the suitcase handle. And she gently hugged me.

“Thank you for coming back, my little puppy.”

I smiled and hugged Grandma.

“Even after hearing the news that I had returned, you didn’t return from overseas, so I thought you didn’t even want to see my face.”

“It was a package tour, so it would be a waste, right? Just because someone who was supposed to return, returned, what’s the big deal?”

“Was the chartered plane comfortable?”

“Thanks to my grandson, I enjoyed some luxury for the first time in my life, you brat.”

“That’s a relief.”

Grandma grinned, and I also grinned following Grandma.

“I made a new friend in the US and she came with me. But as soon as we entered the country, some men in suits came and took her.”

“Friend?”

“My friend really wanted to see you. She’s not a bad granny, so don’t worry.”

At that moment, I recalled the words I heard from President Seo earlier.

-I happened to have some business at the airport as well, so I’d like you to think of it as a kind of carpool.

A person who men in black suits (probably presidential security) would personally escort at an airport in Korea…

“…Grandma.”

“What is it, Inseok-ah?” (TN: Inseok-ah is like saying this guy or you little kid/brat. Term of affection from elder to a child)

“Who the hell did you bring?”

Somehow, it seems today won’t end easily either.

TN: They say old ginger is spicier