Chapter 205

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“His will to retire is stronger than I expected.”

The congressmen who failed to persuade Aiden left the presidential office with Hwang Dae-woon.

“That’s understandable. He suffered a lot during this term in many ways.”

“So it seems.”

Indeed. Being labeled a puppet administration must have been painful.

Watching Hwang Dae-woon click his tongue as if feeling sorry, Floor Leader Steve narrowed his brow.

Wasn’t the reason it became a puppet administration entirely because of Gwangwoon?

But Steve wasn’t emotional enough to confront them about that to their faces.

“The President would also find it difficult to return without good cause. He’s already publicly announced his retirement and preparations are moving along. The media has also covered President Aiden’s retirement seriously. In that situation, suddenly returning? Honestly, it would be embarrassing.”

“Are you saying justification is needed?”

“Yes, justification to change the candidate. if that exists, the President probably wouldn’t be able to refuse anymore.”

Justification.

So if there was that, he could return?

“Honestly, who in the world would refuse reelection as American President?”

“Then President Aiden too?”

“Despite what he says, if proper justification is established, he’ll definitely come back.”

So that’s what it was.

I wondered why he was refusing so much.

Scenes like this appear in Romance of the Three Kingdoms too.

Where subjects desperately beg someone to become emperor, but they pretend to refuse until justification is established.

“Couldn’t Gwangwoon create that justification?”

“…Pardon?”

“I believe without a doubt that Gwangwoon can create justification to make President Aiden return. And if you really do bring the President back, our Democratic Party will actively support everything Gwangwoon does going forward.”

“…”

Hwang Dae-woon was at a loss for words.

There wasn’t much time left until the candidate registration deadline.

Asking them to create justification for Aiden to return in this situation.

“Then I’ll be waiting for good news. Chairman. Please understand that our Democratic Party always has a friendly relationship with Gwangwoon. Haha.”

Steve said that and left first with the congressmen.

“…”

Hwang Dae-woon watched Steve’s retreating figure and tilted his head.

If they really wanted to change Aiden’s mind, they should stage a hunger strike or something themselves. asking Gwangwoon to create justification.

“What exactly would that justification be?”

Even Hwang Dae-woon didn’t know.

***

“Hyung. I mean, the Chairman really said that?”

“Yes. Aiden is strongly refusing the candidate replacement. Saying he’s going to retire.”

Hyung-nim seemed to have received a report that I had sold all Trent themed stocks and was buying Aiden themed stocks in large quantities.

So what should have been a comfortable vacation trip turned into unnecessary trouble for him.

But despite hyung-nim’s efforts, Aiden refused.

“Aiden has been constantly talking about retirement, saying he’ll completely leave politics. He even firmly stated he absolutely won’t make political statements even after retirement.”

“Having said all that, suddenly returning as a candidate… He probably thinks the optics wouldn’t be good.”

“That’s why the Democratic Floor Leader asked the Chairman to create justification.”

That was quite funny too.

How could a mere company like us create justification for President Aiden?

I heard Democratic congressmen had all rushed to the White House trying to stop his retirement.

Even so, President Aiden refused to retract, saying he absolutely won’t, and kicked out all the congressmen.

“Is there anything that could serve as justification?”

“With so little time left until candidate registration deadline, there really isn’t anything that could be called justification. If Aiden really had the will, he would have stepped up shamelessly, but since he’s not, it seems he really intends to retire.”

I just thought the Democratic congressmen had no will.

If they really wanted to win the election, they should have protested to Aiden saying step over my dead body.

Not doing that and asking us to create justification.

This didn’t look like anything other than both Aiden and the Democrats just giving up this election.

“President, then the Aiden themed stocks we’re buying…”

That was the problem.

When I first asked intuition for an answer between Hillis and Trent,

My intuition clearly chose Trent.

But when I asked again about Aiden versus Trent, the answer suddenly changed.

My intuition was pointing toward Aiden.

‘If he fights Hillis, Trent wins, but if he fights Aiden, Trent loses.’

Plus, my intuition was screaming crazily at Aiden themed stocks, shouting to buy quickly.

But the gladiator who should come out to fight says he has no will to fight and isn’t coming out.

“…”

I looked at Aiden themed stocks once more.

Since we had bought so much, prices had risen a bit, but there were also places that had fallen further.

So should I sell before losing more now?

I quietly brought my hand closer.

“…”

But my intuition gave no reaction.

In other words, hold.

“For now… leave them.”

“B-But President. Once candidate registration closes, Aiden can’t come out even if he wants to. Moreover, the justification they’re talking about is practically impossible to create.”

I knew that too.

But my intuition wasn’t reacting to Aiden themed stocks.

That meant either Aiden would miraculously change his mind and return, or these stocks would rise even without Aiden returning.

“Just leave them for now.”

I didn’t know how that was possible, but I didn’t want to agonize over this problem.

“What are the other agenda items?”

As I tried to change the subject, the employees stopped arguing further.

“Here they are. These are today’s matters to report. There’s nothing particularly important. If there’s anything you’d like a detailed report on, please let us know.”

As the manager said, nothing looked particularly important.

Everyone knew the world economy had collapsed because of China anyway.

Fortunately, it was gradually recovering.

“…”

Then my gaze stopped at one place.

Because the intuition that hadn’t reacted to Aiden themed stocks gave me a stimulus here.

China and North Korea.

It was content related to these two countries.

“How are things going with China and North Korea?”

“China is currently in civil war in many regions. A general named Cheongang is said to have the strongest forces, but whether he can really unify China is uncertain. Plus, there are quite a few forces still watching from the sidelines without joining the fight.”

A modern-day Three Kingdoms had suddenly begun.

In reality, three military forces were exerting great influence and fighting for power.

Watching from afar, the unfolding situation would be fascinating, but for countries close to China like Korea, it could only be terrifying.

Because the aftermath of this civil war could sweep over our country.

No. It should be considered that it already actually has.

“Many Chinese have already tried to enter our country to take refuge. However, the government has currently blocked entry. And they’re seriously considering a refugee tax.”

Seeing Chinese people trying to illegally stay by entering our country en masse, our government hurriedly blocked entry first.

And they’re considering a bill allowing only people who pay the refugee tax to enter.

“North Korea is right above us. Spies could come over through China, and sudden Chinese refugees could cause social chaos.”

So only people paying a fairly large refugee tax could enter.

“What about North Korea?”

“North Korea is also in quite a messy situation. They’re having tremendous trouble there too with refugee issues and armed Chinese military. Fortunately, UN peacekeeping forces and US military entered and blocked the armed forces, but the problem is internal coups. Like China, North Korea’s internal surveillance system has essentially collapsed too.”

The reason certain forces in China and North Korea could maintain absolute power was precisely their surveillance systems.

They had maintained their regimes by creating structures where coups were absolutely impossible, but as those systems collapsed, everything that had been building up exploded at once.

“The lack of infrastructure and communication networks is fatal. At least Tisla and our Gwangwoon’s World Link communication network is providing some, but it’s hard to receive news from various places.”

“What about the Kim family?”

“We don’t know their fate either. After they asked the UN and US military for help, communication has been cut off since then. They’re probably hiding in a bunker waiting for things to calm down.”

That was my biggest worry right now.

Since North Korea was collapsing anyway, if they came out saying let’s all die together, the situation would become serious.

“And my biggest concern is our foundation staff. I know everyone’s passionate and wants to help desperately, but please tell them absolutely not to go near dangerous areas. Please also contact Sentinel to have them escort well so none of our foundation staff get hurt.”

Currently, our foundation staff had crossed into areas stabilized by peacekeeping forces.

I wanted desperately to stop them, but I couldn’t stop those armed with angelic hearts.

So I hoped China or North Korea would calm down as soon as possible.

Because if the countries above us keep fighting like that, a terrible aftermath will definitely hit our country someday.

***

“President, you really won’t return?”

“Steve, how many times do I have to say it? I’m getting tired now.”

“I apologize. But candidate registration ends tomorrow. As Floor Leader, shouldn’t I prioritize the party’s victory?”

“Then you should have done well from the start. Well, it’s mostly my fault that the Democrats are in this mess.”

“But Gwangwoon clearly wants our Democrats to take power rather than Republicans. You know, don’t you? That most Democratic congressmen are on Gwangwoon’s side.”

Even looking at just the Trinity guild, it was packed with figures related to the Democrats.

“So, has Gwangwoon responded?”

“No. I said that for President Aiden to return, he needs adequate justification, but even mighty Gwangwoon seems unable to create such justification.”

“I’m a bit afraid of what crazy things Gwangwoon might do, but right now there’s no justification that could make me return.”

Having already made up his mind firmly, Aiden was confident he wouldn’t waver.

“Gwangwoon won’t give up like this. Rumor has it Gwangwoon is buying themed stocks related to you in large quantities.”

“I heard that too.”

“So please reconsider…”

“Tsk. I told you I have no intention of returning. If you keep this up, please leave.”

“…”

“Instead of spending time trying to persuade me, think about creating a new face for the Democrats. Or come up with a brilliant plan to get Hillis elected. There’s still time until the election.”

Steve was about to give up after failing to win Aiden over despite several attempts.

But it was right at that moment.

“P-President!”

Aiden’s Chief of Staff rushed in urgently.

“What’s the matter, barging in without knocking?”

“S-Sorry. But the situation is too urgent.”

“How urgent?”

“N-North Korea’s Kim family has been wiped out.”

“!?”

At those words, Aiden and Steve were startled and shot up from their seats simultaneously.

“Is that true?”

“That’s not all. It has also been officially confirmed that China’s Li Jinping loyalists have all been executed by Cheongang.”

“President, if that information is true, it means both China and North Korea’s regimes have completely ended.”

This would plunge both China and North Korea into chaos far greater than now.

“…So this was it.”

Aiden seemed to realize something and slumped down in his seat.

“What?”

“The justification you asked Gwangwoon for.”

“!?”

At those words, Steve formally straightened his posture.

“President, now justification has been given. You are the only one who can resolve this chaotic situation. The moment this news goes out through media, your approval will skyrocket.”

“…”

“Will you still refuse? If you push this away too, that’s betraying the citizens!”

Aiden had nothing to say.

Because it was all true.

Aiden, who had always made checking China and North Korea his top priority.

The rulers who were the last embers of those two regimes had died, and the regimes had completely collapsed.

“Gwangwoon, these crazy bastards.”

This was essentially pointing a gun at his face and threatening him to run for reelection.

End