Chapter 121: The Hunt Continues

Chapter 121: The Hunt Continues

Master Smith Under Ministry of National Defense

121- The Hunt Continues

“However, to achieve that three-month period, certain conditions must be met.”

Prime Minister Ishida nodded several times as he listened to Soo-jeong’s words. Originally, the completion of Liberty City, which was expected to take several years, if not decades, would bring astronomical benefits to the Japanese people as it was expedited. The Prime Minister’s sincere sentiment was that he was willing to pay any price for it.

“Just tell us. If it’s something the Japanese government can support, we’ll pay any price for it.”

Upon receiving Soo-jeong’s signal, Myung-jun stepped forward and spoke. If the construction of Liberty City was her responsibility, then obtaining the necessary materials was her role as the clan master.

“First, we would like all the rights to attack any new gates within Japan and the existing gates that have been generated but not yet conquered to be transferred to the Liberal Clan. Even if the basic materials for the construction of Liberty City are obtained with the support of the Japanese government, special materials for manufacturing and the crystal stones required for ECV operation must be obtained through gate conquest.”

“But unlike other countries, the Japanese government has conducted gate conquests mainly through private clans. So, most of the rights regarding the current gate conquests have already been handed over to private clans. Forcing them to reclaim those rights...”

“If that’s the case, then we can buy the rights to attack the existing gates from our Liberal Clan.”

This was the condition Myung-jun proposed.

In exchange for obtaining all the rights to process materials from all gates across Japan for three months, they would grant priority to the equipment produced after the completion of Liberty City to Awakeners affiliated with private clans who cooperated in material procurement. Additionally, if desired, after three months, the Liberal Clan would return materials of a higher grade than those taken.

Since it was a promise made by the leader of the Liberal Clan, known as the world’s strongest Awakener clan, there was no need to doubt its credibility.

“And we also need personnel.”

“For personnel...”

“There are too many gates to conquer. The Liberal Clan is known for advocating a small elite. No matter how strong our clan members are, it’s impossible for us to conquer all the gates across Japan with our members alone. So, we’re thinking of borrowing some awakeners from private clans in Japan.”

“When you say ‘borrow’...”

“It means that in exchange for providing all the equipment necessary for gate conquest from the Liberal Clan, we will borrow 100% of the materials obtained during the gate conquest process.”

“So, in exchange for supporting the gate conquest with world-class equipment and directing it, all the spoils obtained from there will be taken by the Liberal Clan, and after three months, they will repay with equipment or higher rewards, is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“With those conditions, it seems there won’t be anyone refusing. We’ll contact the Awakener clans in Japan. If you tell us the areas you want to target for conquest, we’ll gather all the Awakener clans active nearby.”

“Then please.”

“When are you planning to start the operation?”

“Well, the sooner, the better, but we’ll need some time to prepare, so it would be best to start around tomorrow. By the way, is this camera currently live broadcasting?”

As Myung-jun approached one of the cameramen and spoke, the announcer holding the microphone responded in confusion.

“Yes... Yes?! Oh! Uh, yes! We are live broadcasting!”

“Since other cameras are also rolling, our conversation here is being broadcasted nationwide. Could you please lend me the microphone for a moment?”

As the announcer, seemingly entranced, handed over the microphone, Myung-jun took it. Then, in clear Japanese that could be heard by all Japanese citizens across the country, he spoke.

“Greetings to all Japanese citizens and Awakeners nationwide! I am Cha Myung-jun, the clan leader of the Liberal Clan.”

“Although it’s beyond my authority, I’ll try to contact the reporters on site to relay Sanada-san’s intention to join! Please wait a moment!”

While the broadcasting station call center was paralyzed, Myung-jun, the one who caused the chaos, looked around the scene with a satisfied expression, watching government officials and reporters running around making phone calls in a frenzy.

Then, he signaled to Soo-jeong and entered the construction site where the stealth field was deployed.

In front of the two, a giant pit, several tens of meters deep, had been dug within less than 30 minutes by the tens of thousands of ECVs lined up.

Although the depth of the pit wasn’t too deep considering the working speed of the ECVs, Myung-jun thought the speed of the work was even faster than he had imagined.

While observing the pit with a feeling akin to looking at a monument so huge that it was hard to believe it was made by humans, Myung-jun turned his head and spoke towards Soo-jeong.

“Senior. Is the noise blocked here?”

“You heard it from outside, didn’t you? Remember? Even with this many ECVs flying around, you couldn’t hear a thing.”

“Then I guess I can relax a bit. Phew...”

As Soo-jeong flicked her fingers, a drone flew in from somewhere, bringing beverages. Handing it to Myung-jun, she smiled.

“You looked like a real hero back there. For a moment, I even thought you were trying to become the hero of the Japanese people.”

“Well, convincing acting is essential to sway people. But it’s not a bad thing. Thanks to that, we’ve got everything we need for the plan, right? Probably, with the current atmosphere, there will be people willing to jump into the gate conquest without even receiving the promised rewards, don’t you think?”

“I think so too. And seeing that, I understand why you chose Japan as the final bidder.”

Before Myung-jun selected Japan as the final bidding country, she asked him why Japan.

To which Myung-jun replied.

“Because when it comes to doing something for the country, they are a people who can even eat peaches grown near nuclear power plants with a smile. They long for a glorious past more than anyone else, so they are people who wouldn’t think twice about sacrificing one person for glory.”

Recalling that conversation, Soo-jeong spoke to Myung-jun, who was sitting in front of her, drinking his beverage.

“From the looks of it, it seems like we’ve already achieved our goal just from the atmosphere. What do you think?

“It’s not enough. Right now, everyone is just caught up in the mood. I hope the support for the Liberal Clan becomes more solid.”

“How solid are you hoping for?”

“To the extent that every Japanese citizen would gladly sacrifice themselves for the sake of protecting the Liberal Clan.”

“War? Against the monsters? Or against other countries?”

“We don’t know. It’s a fact that we have to face the monsters on D-Day, but before that, there might be other formidable opponents who might challenge the Liberal Clan.”

“If it’s other countries...”

“The country where someone is boiling with anger and volunteering for the role of savior.”

The ‘formidable opponent’ that Myung-jun mentioned.

It was the Republic of Korea, where the director of the EDA, Moon Hee-cheol, was throwing things around the room like crazy upon hearing the news that Liberty City, which was expected to take decades to complete, would be completed in just three months.