The Strongest in the World Doesn’t Want To Do Anything

48 – Episode 48 Unification of the East

“No, what is this nonsense!”

The feared event that Chaewonso had worried about had come to pass. Well beyond the day when the arrival of Terosa’s reinforcements was scheduled, and days had elapsed unnoticed, a letter finally arrived from Terosa.

In the content of the awaited letter, Chaewonso was furious.

It was an unilateral notification that Terosa could not provide military support to the Chae family, as promised before.

“Don’t there need to be at least some reasons?”

Chaewonso’s throat was dry. The Chae family, already preparing for the unification war, would easily achieve their goal of unification if they launched a surprise attack before recovering from the damage incurred in battles with demons. However, all those plans were contingent on support from Terosa, and without it, there would be significant obstacles to the plan.

Chaewonso grabbed her aching head and summoned the leaders of the family to discuss the situation.

“…This is the situation. It seems there is some problem on Terosa’s side after all. I’ve mentioned before that it would be difficult to rely on their help, but now it’s officially confirmed. It’s disgraceful.”

While Wonso calmly continued her words, a faint red haze seemed to emanate from her clenched fist, like the smoke of a fading fire. It was a phenomenon that wouldn’t occur unless one was deeply upset.

“No, Lady, on the contrary, it’s going well. There were many with opposing forces in involving external influences.”

“If, by chance, we had unified with their help, we wouldn’t know how those people would change their attitude afterward. They are unbelievable individuals, recalling the precedent Queen Rosalia had with Latvia in the past.”

Chunchoo and Yangbang, responsible for the security and military of each family, spoke forcefully. Despite their outward composure, they knew better than anyone that they were in an awkward situation.

“Is that so… Of course, we can achieve great things with our own strength. But, as you all know, the reason we sought an alliance with Terosa was to minimize the damage to our family members and achieve unification in the East as quickly as possible. This opportunity has now slipped away from us. It could become a brutal and prolonged war. Have any of you considered any alternative methods?”

“Right. Whining like the head of a baseless family. Quite the complainer.”

A man sitting opposite Wonso, wearing a deep-crowned hat, interrupted Chaewon so disdainfully.

“You, are you crazy? How dare you speak to the family’s lady…”

“You insolent fellow!”

Chunchoo and Yangbang both rose threateningly from their seats in response to his rudeness.

“Enough.”

Wonso calmed them and looked silently at the man.

“Yeah, Wonhyo. What method do you know?”

Chaewonhyo, Wonso’s half-brother, had been wandering outside the family and living a dissolute life for a long time. Although he was far from the succession position of the family due to being the child of a concubine, his free-spirited nature kept him away from the family’s attention. However, his abilities were recognized by Wonso when he returned to protect the Chae family against the demons. Wonso persistently persuaded him to take charge of the family’s information department. The information department was a newly established division after Wonso became the lady, and Wonso valued his abilities highly enough to create a position for him in the family.

“You know, Lady, you’re just pretending to ignore it.”

Wonhyo spoke with a gruff tone. Despite objections from Chunchoo and Yangbang about his attitude, Wonhyo continued, paying no heed to their words.

“The magic emitted by the demons that couldn’t release the seal… Doesn’t that mean there’s no problem in practically releasing the ‘God’ now?”

“Are you saying that right now?”

“God!”

The Spirit. A being that had become a legend among certain Eastern families. Spiritual beings guarding the families. Of course, many dismissed it as mere fanciful tales of old, but Wonso knew the truth.

The two individuals who had established their families were believed to be dormant beings in the depths beneath this place. While Wonso sought ways to fight demons on his own during the absence of the Elemental activity, he became intrigued by the legend of the East.

He was the kind of person who, even in seemingly futile matters, kept possibilities open until he personally confirmed them with his own eyes.

In this way, Wonso, forming his own hypotheses and theories, eventually discovered the existence of life forms presumed to be “Spirits” buried deep underground by the two individuals.

He immediately conveyed this information to Elso, and she commanded him to continue his research until the war with demons came to an end.

After the war, Elso hastily returned to her homeland, and through the tunnel secretly constructed by Wonso outside the walls, she could see the existence with her own eyes.

“It’s too dangerous. The term ‘Spirit’ may sound plausible, but it’s just a concept arbitrarily defined by humans. It could simply be one of the giant monsters.”

“Elso! Are you really believing such absurd stories?”

Chuncho spoke as if bewildered.

“Then, let’s spend another 5 to 6 years sniffing around and fighting in the war.”

Wonso continued to taunt in a mocking tone.

Elso, with a serious expression, began to seriously contemplate Wonso’s proposed method. In her contemplation, Yangbang and Chooncho, almost simultaneously, expressed their surprise and threw questions at her.

“No, is it really true?”

“Is there something we don’t know?”

Elso slowly nodded, looking at them.

“Let’s go together. See what’s there.”

—

“Kraaaaaa!”

Two dragons, thought to exist only in legends, roared.

Less than a month had passed since the Che family provoked a war in the name of unifying the East.

Yet, within this short period, many families were helpless. Members of defeated families in battle were all killed. Naturally, the commoners who were under the dominion of that family were absorbed by the Che family.

In contrast to the two Che families located at the western end, the Yu family, the largest and strongest family in the East facing the sea at the eastern end, continued to receive such news.

Che Wonso, who had been treated as a hero as a member of the Expeditionary Force, suddenly became a war fanatic who killed his own people in the name of unification. The Che family was the most advanced in mechanical technology among the existing families in the East. Nevertheless, it was realistically impossible to conquer more than half of the territories in such a short time.

The reason this seemingly impossible feat became possible was the rumored existence of their “Spirit.” No one in the Yu family believed those absurd rumors.

Until they appeared in front of their territories.

A dragon with a long, gigantic body covered in delicate scales, fluttering through the air as it spat white flames.

Commonly known as the two dragons.

They were the ‘Spirits’ of the Che family.

Even the Yu family, known as the top family in the East, could not escape the impending doom in front of the two dragons, possessing extraordinary powers beyond common sense.

Thus, Che Wonso achieved the grand task he had dreamed of—Eastern unification.

Yulia groaned as she moved her stiff neck from side to side.

“Oh, I’m dying. Anyway, it turned out that way. What do you think?”

Unknowingly, Allen let out a breath he had been holding.

“It’s quite remarkable. Everyone united for the same purpose, but as soon as the goal was achieved, they each walked their own paths.”

Yulia stretched lazily and spoke coolly, “It was frightening for me. There are no eternal friends or foes among people. Perhaps even you and I, Allen, could be like that…”

“What are you saying? I’ll protect you until my last breath!”

“Hehehe, I’m just joking, Allen.”

Yulia teasingly stuck out her tongue at Allen. Seeing her, Allen shook his head.

“Even if it’s a joke… Anyway, get ready to rest now. There’s an important meeting waiting for us tomorrow.”

Yulia nodded drowsily in response to Allen’s words, yawning.

“Finally, it’s tomorrow, Allen.”

“Yes.”

“Although I’ve heard so much about this person without even meeting them, it feels oddly familiar, doesn’t it?”

“Well, that’s one way to put it, but in reality, I’m both looking forward to and anxious about who they might be.”

“Haha. That’s true, I suppose.”

As Yulia unfolded her bedding and covered herself with a blanket, she murmured softly as if whispering.

“Because it’s Wolfgang.”