Episode 83 – What is Right (3)
“If I say this, many people will be perplexed. Surely, Takilas’s abilities are transcendent, and the arguments made by that child who champions the strong and advocates for survival of the fittest are somewhat true. However, in the end, she is alone. That means she is, indeed, wrong.”
Adele Bryant. The head of the international branch of The One Road and a giant in the field of magic research who prepared this surprise announcement.
He continued his speech leisurely. People listened to him as if entranced through the translation. He was the first to openly and directly mention Takilas in such a public way.
Even Takilas herself was glaring at the TV with a spoon in her mouth.
“Ladies and gentlemen, think about what Magical Girls are. They don’t necessarily have to be as extreme as Takilas. They are like heroes in creations that have gained superhuman powers. But this world is not a creation.”
He already knew that his voice held power. If his preparation hadn’t been flawless, he wouldn’t have come forward in the first place.
“For the past 20 years, we have established our own relationship with the Magical Girls and got along well. However, imperfect understanding and structure lead to limitations. With the emergence of an organization called Casilena, the world is about to plunge back into chaos. That is the limitation of the Magical Girls.
The standards of justice each individual holds and the ways they execute it are different. While the heroes in creations may wrap their actions in definitions of justice and freedom, in reality, they only spark unnecessary conflicts.”
“Does that mean the doctor is indeed advocating for the total control of the Magical Girls?”
A reporter asked, but he shook his head. Control over the Magical Girls had been debated continuously, but there was hardly any progress. This was practically impossible in reality.
“I have profoundly appreciated and seriously regarded Takilas’s warning, urging governments to respond. A crisis we hadn’t anticipated may arise. Ladies and gentlemen, should we entrust everything to the Magical Girls in this situation? Our lives, our property, our families, our beliefs! We don’t even know their true nature.”
Adele’s voice grew louder, and the atmosphere in the venue, as well as those watching the broadcast, became entranced by his words.
“Magical Girls are indeed the strong of our society. And now, those who wish to wield that strength to reshape society according to their whims have appeared. But folks, we humans are strong too. Our power may not be the formidable magical energy the Magical Girls possess.”
“What exactly is that power?”
“It is all of us! If you think about the history of Magical Girls, even those deemed exceptionally powerful ultimately wished to return to society after surviving alone. True strength in nature is not about preying on or trampling someone. It is about surviving, adapting, and progressing for future generations. That is true strength! We are stronger than Magical Girls!”
“Oooh…”
As Adele’s conviction rose, so did the enthusiasm in the atmosphere. Whether it was Takilas or Casilena, there were surely many who felt unease about the recent surge of Magical Girls.
They instinctively feared the changing status quo of this land. The Magical Girl who punishes villains might suddenly turn and seek to dominate them with her power, an instinctive terror.
Especially as Takilas revealed that the scope of the ‘villains’ the Magical Girls talked about was exceedingly vague by modern standards, that fear was intensified.
Adele brilliantly scratched that unease.
“We are great. Those who seem weak can become strong and survive through technology and knowledge. That adaptability and survivability is our power; struggle and competition are merely means, not the outcome.”
After finishing his words, he turned his head. From the moment he began his concluding remarks, several people had gathered around him, lining up in an orderly fashion.
Regardless of age, gender, or race, they were all wearing uniform black suits and protective gear.
“These people behind me are witnesses who can support my words. True strength that can demonstrate our human strength. Lopez, please show your power.”
As Adele directed one of them, a middle-aged white man stepped forward. He then reached his hand toward the sky.
With that outstretched hand, a focused surge of energy erupted. Inverted lightning, it was literally a bolt of lightning.
“Behold. This is the strength we have gained and will create. Do these people look like special heroes to you? No. They are not special heroes wandering around at their own whims. They are merely soldiers, police, and members of our society who protect us.”
This was the moment the research achievements of The One Road were unveiled to the world, and even stronger than expected.
“With the cooperation of the Korean Government, we at The One Road have decided to operate units in Korea on a trial basis. The suitability of the magic circuit and magic stone implantation does not depend on physical condition. Anyone can volunteer. Show the greatness of us humans! There is no need for Magical Girls in this land any longer!”
With his declaration, applause erupted in the venue. Of course, not everyone agreed, but for now, the atmosphere leaned towards alignment.
“Director, this is…”
“Be quiet. The One Road is run by that old raccoon, Lee Jong-pil, and the faction that brought these people in from abroad. It’s surprising to see such an enormous achievement suddenly appear, but frankly, it’s hard to believe their intentions are pure.”
On the side of those who could not align were the Management Bureau members, and now members of the Frontier such as Lee Min-hyung and Oh Yoon-seo.
Compared to those swept up in the enthusiastic cheerleading and excitement, they were quickly observing their surroundings.
“Oh dear, have we completely been played already?”
Lee Min-hyung sighed as he watched several bewildered politicians like himself.
They all knew that there were nasty factions who were forming partnerships with external forces just for power. They just hadn’t anticipated their opponent moving this quickly.
“If they believe they can seize power, they’ve been handed a very large sword.”
“What do we do now? The Frontier still lacks strength…”
“I need to meet Representative Jo Ui-seok. We need to unite and raise our voices somehow. If we fall behind in public opinion, it’s all over.”
Politically more veteran than Oh Yoon-seo, Lee Min-hyung quickly concluded. Jo Ui-seok was one of the rising mid-level politicians. At the same time, he was someone standing in opposition to the faction that brought in The One Road, so he concluded that this person must be won over.
“Will the Magical Girls really be pushed out?”
“You should know that better than I do, Oh Director. Look at Casilena, think of the recently changed Aria, and Takilas. Will they comply? They are wrapped up in their own beliefs and values. The ideological war didn’t start for no reason.”
“If that’s the case…”
“Conflict is unavoidable. I guess public opinion will shift against the Magical Girls. But I still believe the Magical Girls are the answer.”
With a wry smile, Lee Min-hyung turned towards Jo Ui-seok.
He didn’t have many reasons to trust the Magical Girls. The only thing was that he had seen them for a long time and in greater depth, and above all, he found The One Road, an organization that had relentlessly repeated human experiments under the auspices of a colossal communist state, very suspicious.
“This is a declaration of war against all Magical Girls. If we rush out in fury, public opinion will get worse.”
“I’m not worried about Rene of Casilena or those with us. Hmmm, there’s just one thing I am concerned about.”
At Oh Yoon-seo’s serious words, he fell silent.
The most prideful and arrogant being, who acted on her own terms. A being who would smash anything mindlessly, be it public opinion or anything else, with overwhelming strength.
And above all, a being who would never tolerate provocation or challenges against herself.
He could only hope that Takilas would remain still.
*
“Whoa… That’s so cool.”
“Hey, what’s so great about it? They’re just looking to mass-produce super soldiers through human experimentation. How can you defend that in front of me?”
“Su-young! Aah!”
Inside a van carrying students to the facility, Kang Jin-soo let out a breath after watching Adele Bryant’s speech on his phone, only to be punched by the genuinely furious Hong Soo-young.
The hand that was punching, wrapped in a white glove, twitched.
“Heh…”
Of course, that didn’t erase the fact that others were deeply moved by the speech.
She felt the same way.
Leaning sideways against the window, Lee Jin-ah watched the speech on Kim Soo-jung’s phone.
Yet, the instinct of the Demon King she harbored inside was desperately wriggling to repay the challenge from those full of confidence who had dared provoke her.
[This is fun. Very fun. But you know, isn’t this worse for you?]
She grinned as she communicated with the mascot Ren, perched above her head.
“Oh…”
But Ren remained frozen, utterly speechless.
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