Chapter 132 – Belief War (2)
“Are you really sure about that decision? There are already people who know your identity.”
“…I won’t succumb to that anymore.”
“Huh. I’m grateful you came in advance.”
Lee Min-hyung sighed at Aria’s words, who approached him right after the Magical Girls’ banquet ended. However, Aria’s expression, which had conveyed her plan, was firm.
Seeing her not as a mere kid but as a steadfast warrior who had undergone various experiences, Lee Min-hyung instinctively realized that he couldn’t persuade or dissuade her.
“The factions of former Member of Parliament Lee Jong-pil, who conspired with Chinese powers, have now become fish out of water. The Chinese government, exposed for human experiments on Magical Girls, is officially denying their actions and is about to cut ties with The One Road. Because we keep knocking on their door, those with severed connections will definitely be captured.”
“I believe. I’m just saying that I’d like to help.”
“…”
Though he had a fleeting thought, he realized Aria was unwavering.
“I won’t hesitate or doubt anymore. I will protect the order created by the people of this world. I won’t act emotionally like before. I will contribute with what I can do.”
“I appreciate that you say you respect us, but what exactly is that supposed to mean?”
“…Please inform the police in advance.”
With a sigh, he ultimately failed to stop her. Knowing that she would operate alongside the police like before, Aria pulled out her weapon, Claw.
This was different from the past.
In the past, she had been dragged around by adults, but now, armed with strength that befit her, Aria was leading and guiding them.
And that was possible because she held such a firm belief.
*
“You crazy bastards!”
“Ah, Father…”
“What’s with the loud boasting when suddenly being stormed by the whole world? I didn’t trust those bastards! How could they ruin a 20-year plan for such nonsense, how!!”
Member of Parliament Lee Soo-chan was helpless, unable to stop his father Lee Jong-pil from getting angry.
Having recklessly poked at Takilas alone, the formerly mighty The One Road was dismantled in one blow, and due to the pressure from their backers, those who had been seeking power by relying on external forces were the ones suffering the most.
From the opponent’s standpoint, they had unwittingly taken on the role of worthless pawns that could be discarded at any moment.
“Calm down. First, let’s destroy all the evidence and play it off as if we’ve been deceived by them.”
“Huh, hold onto the most important things.”
“Yes?”
Lee Jong-pil barely managed to collect himself. Lee Soo-chan was greatly taken aback by his father’s instructions not to destroy evidence that could turn out to be a knife capable of turning against them.
“Considering their personalities, they will eventually try to kill us. Just in case, we should keep at least one hidden weapon. It’ll be interesting to show the world that a country has been making a mess of a neighboring country for nearly 20 years.”
“…Then.”
“Increase the security personnel as much as possible. After that, we’ll just act like we don’t know anything.”
A crazed light flashed in the old man’s eyes. Even though he had suffered heavy trolling from his own side, his decades of experience in the political arena was undoubted.
Even in such dire circumstances, he was able to make the best judgment to create a getaway.
“Urgent report! We’re under attack!”
But the incident hit them faster than anticipated.
“Step on it faster!”
“Stop! Those bastards are Awakened too!”
Lee Jong-pil and Lee Soo-chan’s vehicle was being closely pursued in the middle of the main street. Figures clad in black suits disregarded the street citizens and unleashed attacks indiscriminately.
“You’re too strong!”
The Special Task Force, which had been in charge of security, stepped up, but the abilities and combat power of the assailants surpassed theirs. The Special Task Force could only panic.
Indeed, the Special Task Force was still a newly formed unit.
However, composed of Awakened using magical power, they were the world’s first Awakened unit, and thus, they were overwhelmed by the skilled capabilities and experience of The One Road’s executives.
‘What kind of guys are they?’
Team leader Park Soo-hyun felt the same.
After being threatened and nearly silenced by the secrets of The One Road, including the experiments on Magical Girls, he barely survived thanks to Takilas’s emergence, but now he gritted his teeth in powerlessness.
The skill of these assailants was far superior in all respects. Their adept use of abilities and combat prowess were comparable to those of The One Road’s executives, who had more experience than the relatively inexperienced Korean members.
“Stop right there, you bastards!”
However, they couldn’t give up. With all his might, he chased after the enemy.
He didn’t like the mission of protecting Lee Jong-pil and his son, but he couldn’t just let these assailants assassinate them.
It was too obvious that they were concealing something more lethal.
‘Too late.’
Just as he realized this, a fireball shot from the enemy struck their vehicle, making it come to a halt. Moreover, not satisfied with that, the enemy threw another fireball targeting Lee Jong-pil, who was crawling out of the wreckage.
“Damn it.”
Gasping, an exhausted Lee Jong-pil sighed as he saw the incoming fireball.
He wasn’t completely without hope. He had a self-defense item provided by The One Road in the past that could generate a force field capable of deflecting sniper bullets from a distance.
However, this was ineffective against the same magical power. The opponent had calculated that and sent an assassination team composed of Awakened.
‘Is this it… huh?’
Just then, at the moment of anticipation for his last breath, something like a bolt from the blue crashed down from the sky, cleaving the fireball in half.
Fiery magical flames engulfed her entire body, donning a dazzling outfit. Her long, flowing red hair danced in the air.
Lee Jong-pil widened his eyes, recognizing her silhouette.
“You, you…”
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m doing this because I have to catch you guys, even if it means killing you.”
With a fierce expression, Aria bared her teeth at the stunned onlookers.
‘The mission must succeed.’
However, any surprise caused by Aria’s sudden appearance was short-lived. The assailants promptly regrouped and moved once more.
And there was something odd about their formation. Aria realized they weren’t intending to confront her but were just planning to bypass her.
“Where do you think you’re going!”
With a sound that felt explosive, Aria created an afterimage and subdued all the enemies who neglected their speed in that brief moment.
Even the sturdy bodies of Awakened with magical enhancements were laid low by a single strike from Aria’s elbow and kick, causing them to crash into the ground and walls, spitting blood and quivering.
“Ha, ha! Serves you right!”
Having barely survived, Lee Jong-pil snickered at the defeated foes. However, despite being saved, Aria’s expression was far from jubilant.
“You really did well for the first time in a long while. You at least have some value in keeping an orphan fed with tax money.”
“…Aren’t you a bit shameless?”
“Shameless? Usually, everyone is shameless. They all live like that. You wouldn’t know, being such a fresh blood.”
Though Aria spoke quietly, Lee Jong-pil smiled faintly at her, who was much younger than he.
“I heard the rumors. Police moving along like before, attacking innocent people and stealing items as evidence.”
“They’re not innocent. The evidence has come out.”
“Then are you feeling good? Acting as if you’re something significant.”
“You’re the one done for. Your precious backers will no longer assist you.”
Aria, with her lip bitten, pointed a finger at him. Though she had saved him in haste, she was now contemplating attacking Lee Jong-pil, having gone after all the powerful figures of the Lee Jong-pil faction.
There was already sufficient evidence linking him. If she could obtain evidence from him as well, the game would be over.
“Hah. If you can.”
However, he laughed in response instead.
In that brief moment, he realized it was a game he could not lose.
Since the opponent had made the first move to assassinate him in broad daylight, he had gained a justification. He had become the one who needed protecting.
There was no need to bring out the hidden evidence. He could simply play dumb, acting like he had no choice, and get away with it.
Realizing this too late, Aria bit her lip and clenched her fists. Deep down, she wanted to punch him, but having committed to a righteous path, she couldn’t do that.
“I suppose you could think that way.”
“Uwaaaaah!”
But such confidence was shattered by a Magical Girl who lightly stepped on the head of Lee Soo-chan, who was dumbly watching the scene.
“Rene…”
“Will you stop me again? Is it because I deny the order you wish to protect?”
Rene smoothly descended from Lee Soo-chan’s head and smiled faintly at Aria. Both Lee Jong-pil and Lee Soo-chan glanced at Aria, their eyes filled with urgency.
They felt an ominous premonition.
“…No. What I want to protect is true order, not the parasites hiding within it and trying to disrupt it. And I believe you won’t kill me. After all, you still need to go through ‘legal’ punishment.”
“Wise choice.”
With a slight smile at the corners of her mouth, Aria shook her head. Satisfied with this, Rene cast her staff down onto the ground before anyone else could say anything.
“Now, sleep…”
And immediately after, with Lee Jong-pil’s piercing scream, everyone, including Rene, vanished without a trace.
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