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Thus, the power holders of China were like flowers.

They were dismissed for political reasons, vanishing from their positions for reasons incomprehensible, and even when their necks were cut and their bodies blown apart, they bloomed gloriously like flowers emitting a brilliant red, sowing seeds in their wake to give rise to new blossoms once again.

As the seasons change, flowers bloom abundantly; yet, those flowers are unlike the ones of the past.

The nation of China,

the organization known as the Communist Party of China,

has become something truly bizarre in its very essence.

‘So even if I build connections, when war breaks out, it will all reset… it would be meaningless. It’s fine for now, but… it won’t be long.’

World War III is bound to happen.

Jinseong was asserting this.

This is not merely the ambition of one country; it involves the powder kegs of each nation and continent exploding, leading everyone into madness. Those who once enjoyed a peaceful life would willingly submit themselves to insanity and kill others, using methods far more “efficient” than anything before, coloring the world with their madness.

China’s invasion?

Japan’s pre-emptive strike against Korea?

Wars in Russia and Eastern Europe?

All of these are just triggers.

Like a tiny spark igniting a warehouse full of flammable materials.

If the warehouse were indeed filled with explosive substances, it wouldn’t matter where the spark originated.

Whether the spark ignites in the center or in a corner, what difference does it make?

Regardless, the spark will set the warehouse ablaze, spewing flames outside.

No matter how hard Jinseong tries,

and even if prophets somewhere on Earth do all they can to prevent it,

World War III will inevitably occur.

Just like one cannot stop the rain from pouring down with a single umbrella, their efforts to change the future are too feeble and insignificant against a war that spans the entire globe.

And the certainty of its occurrence also implies that there are tasks Jinseong must fulfill.

‘Tsk. I need to move more hurriedly. I must secure more magic faster than China.’

The statement that World War III will happen carries multiple meanings.

It suggests that the future cannot be changed,

and at the same time, it implies that while the future may change, significant elements cannot.

It means that while trivial matters can be altered, the ultimate outcome will flow similarly.

This fact holds one clear meaning for Jinseong:

he must not be lazy in securing magic.

The ruins shattered during World War III,

the countless ruins and magic that China sent people to looting,

many spells lost and distorted amid the fires of war—

should those spells encounter the same fate as before the rewind, it would be the gravest tragedy.

‘It wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a little more time, though…’

Jinseong used teleportation from the roof to descend into the garden.

Creak—

With the sound made while using teleportation, Jinseong gently landed in the garden, stepping softly onto the plush foliage, and walked towards the mansion’s door. And for a moment, he stood there as if contemplating something, then he moved his footsteps toward his room.

Returning to his room, Jinseong picked up his charging smartphone and initiated a video call.

Soon, after a slight noise, the video call connected, and a woman with wet hair appeared on the screen.

[Yes, Deity.]

It was Rise, whom he had video-called not long ago.

She seemed to have just come out of the shower, displaying skin still moist and hair hanging down.

“Is everything going smoothly?”

[Yes. It’s progressing well as you commanded.]

Rise replied, exhaling a white breath in response to Jinseong’s question.

[Fortunately, things are flowing as anticipated without any variables. The negative reputation has spread through those associated with Elder Murata Ryuunosuke, and because of that, connections that could be utilized are fragmented… Perhaps they feel surrounded by enemies on all sides?]

Rise answered with a lovely smile.

However, the content behind her seemingly kind smile and tone was exceedingly malevolent.

Uchikawa Ryosuke.

He had once attempted to betray Jinseong, scheming to associate with Onmyoji, and even when Jinseong personally approached him, he squandered the opportunity and fled—an utterly ungrateful politician.

The word was that the politician was socially and politically isolating himself.

[I hear he hasn’t been invited to any private gatherings. Connections are like a spider’s web, aren’t they? Even if the party and factions differ, as a leader steering Japan, being cut off from the aristocracy’s connections is still pertinent… That shameless person, who knows nothing of gratitude, will find it impossible to exert influence anymore.]

Jinseong nodded as he listened to Rise’s report.

His expression contained neither joy nor surprise.

It was simply the inevitable outcome.

No matter how much Uchikawa Ryosuke may be regarded as a politician among the social elite or power holders, he was merely a rookie. While he might appear to be an omnipotent power holder to other ordinary people, to an elder-level politician like Murata Ryuunosuke, he was no more than a weakling.

The elderly monster of an elder possesses a wealth of connections that they can utilize at will.

Even in an ordinary country, if one uses connections, one can wield considerable power, whereas in a country like Japan, where behind-the-scenes politics are entrenched, their influence could be at least equivalent, if not superior to their active years.

And the outcome is as clear as day.

A terrible downfall.

But is it a blessing in disguise?

There exists a certain understanding among the privileged classes, so unless it’s absolutely necessary, they won’t act too brutally.

This is a kind of consideration for the privileged.

“Tsk, if you’ve become a politician, you should be able to conduct yourself to some degree. Having made wrong choices repeatedly, now he must accept his situation.”

Jinseong harshly evaluated Uchikawa Ryosuke.

In a sense, it was natural.

How could one call themselves a politician if they could not seize opportunities when they arise?

He was repulsed and squandered golden connections and opportunities, heading for ruin, tried to betray in an obvious manner, and upon being exposed, he failed to definitively choose a side, attempting to acquire every benefit for himself.

Moreover, even when Jinseong offered him a chance for a comeback, he rejected it, not out of rational judgment, but ruled by primitive emotions.

He is neither cold-blooded nor able to seize opportunities.

He cannot abandon what should be discarded, nor can he take what should be embraced.

He cannot even distinguish between what could harm him and what could not.

Moreover, perhaps because he obtained that position easily, he holds neither obsession nor proper value for it.

Yet, he possesses a strong desire to stand above others, and would betray without a second thought for that ambition.

‘If one lacks ability, at least they should serve loyally to fill their stomach and build wealth. Tch. Truly, it’s a life of no value but as bait.’

Yet he is no contributor to society. Instead of doing good, he behaves in wicked ways without a care.

Using drugs, luring young women to his bed with money and power to show off his youth, extorting people for bribes, and feasting on others’ blood and tears as fertilizer for his own greed.

To Jinseong, to society,

and universally, he is a person whose disappearance would be far more beneficial.

Indeed.

To put it simply,

his death would help the world.

He is the kind of person who could accumulate virtue by being killed.

“However. For using as bait, there is no better human than this one.”

[That betrayer?]

“Indeed.”

Jinseong spoke to Rise with a smile.

“Normally, one would say it stinks when you see someone steeped in corruption and spreading evil deeds—something like it’s rotten, full of bad smells… But you see, don’t there exist things that enjoy such decaying and foul smells?”

Rise slightly frowned as she recalled something in response to Jinseong’s words.

[Are you perhaps referring to insects?]

“Exactly.”

Jinseong chuckled as he observed the disgusted expression on Rise’s face.

“Fortunately, the effectiveness of magic has improved, so…”

He paused for a moment, then looked directly into Rise’s eyes as he continued.

“I’ll head to Japan within three days.”

 

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