Chapter 227
"Paechun...?"
"They struck while everyone was confused over Cradle's matters. It was a swift move, as if they had known about the event beforehand."
"..."
The principal's warning that Baek Ilyong was a dangerous individual naturally came to mind. The attitude of Heukryeon, who disapproved of him, also remained memorable.
Was he scheming such a conspiracy behind that tall and likable appearance?
"If Paechun's private soldiers occupy strategic points and the Northern Command forces under Paechun's influence push downward during the distraction..."
"The Northern Army is the only force protecting the barrier...! Without them, the demons will immediately start advancing south. No matter how power-mad they are, how could they come up with such an idea...!"
"Calm down. There's no need to worry that much."
However, Mok Jinwoo remained composed. It was at this point that I realized his unnatural calmness.
"Well, it's certainly true that the situation was very dangerous. No one anticipated their movements. It was already too late to gather private soldiers in response, and furthermore, the forces of the Southern Command that could check the Northern Army had suffered devastating losses during the Sanctuary expedition..."
I asked him a question as he lit a new cigarette.
"...What's the current situation?"
"The rebel forces are being cornered."
And he answered as if he had been waiting for the question.
"The Northern Army won't move from the barrier. Both Baekgwang and Sungshan, who have close ties with Paechun, are also remaining still and merely observing the situation, instead of joining the rebellion."
"..."
"At one point, more than half of the capital had fallen into their hands. The rebel forces had even advanced to within a few blocks of the Supreme Council. But now, most of it has been reclaimed."
Mok Jinwoo continued speaking.
"By this time, the Suppressing Army should be ready to subjugate Paechun's stronghold. The Council passed emergency measures, stripping Paechun of all privileges and authority. Now they can no longer be protected under the Magi's Oath."
"Emergency measures..."
It was a term I hadn't heard in a long time. I distinctly recalled that the Subjugation Army had used such pretexts during the Jeokhwa Incident.
The Subjugation Army, which ruthlessly crushed Jeokhwa's family, was mostly made up of private soldiers dispatched by Paechun.
And now, those same people were about to face the hammer of justice. Truly, it was an absurdly ironic situation.
"You could say that victory is already absolutely certain. I just don't understand why they haven't surrendered yet..."
Seeing Mok Jinwoo frowning as if something felt off, I asked.
"It's fortunate for now...but how did it come to this? Listening to the Branch Chief, it sounds like it was almost a perfect ambush."
Then Mok Jinwoo turned to me. He looked like he was itching to ask something.
"...There was an informant."
***
The person who urgently called Mok Jinwoo through a private channel turned out to be a completely unexpected individual.
He asked in rare bewilderment.
"Did you just say...a coup d'état?"
"Yes."
Flowing black hair that shimmered like a cascade of light. Brilliant two pupils that seemed to contain all the light of the world. While she appeared polite and elegant at first glance, an overbearing arrogance of a ruler exuded from beneath her surface.
Before him stood Baek Seoyeon, her hands modestly clasped as she slightly nodded her head.
"A state of emergency has already been declared within Paechun. Under Baek Ilyong's command, the Retainer Group is moving in perfect coordination."
Then, with a self-mocking smirk, she added.
"To revert this country back to a monarchy after three hundred years."
"What...!"
It was a shocking report. Even though the Intelligence Bureau oversaw all national espionage, its capacity to delve into the internal affairs of each family was still limited.
Furthermore, the current Republic system was more of a loose coalition of powerful mage families.
If they were ever caught digging into the affairs of influential figures, it would be a miracle if they avoided not just backlash but also a bloodbath.
This was why their activities were largely focused on monitoring dark mage criminals and the movements of demons.
"By dawn the day after tomorrow, all preparations will be complete. The first target to be seized is the Supreme Council. The plan is to capture the council members, who are the heads of each family, and use them as hostages to neutralize the other families. Then, they will secure the Newspaper Bureau, the corporate district, the power plants, and the purification facilities..."
Listening to such detailed plans that only participants or masterminds could know, Mok Jinwoo swallowed hard.
"Please inform the heads of each family about this, and discreetly order the private soldiers to be on standby. They must be ready to respond immediately to any incident."
"But...private soldiers will have their limits. Moreover, Paechun has almost full control over the Northern Army personnel. If they're mobilized..."
"The Northern Army won't move."
She displayed an extremely arrogant and mocking expression.
"They are entirely under my command. They do not obey the family but only follow my personal orders. Therefore, there's no need to worry about the Northern Army advancing south."
"Hah..."
"The same goes for Sungshan and Baekgwang. Choi Ireh, the actual power in Sungshan, is my close friend, and Baek Gwang's Family Head, Jin Garyeong, is a woman who follows the tide. They won't make any moves until one side's victory is assured."
Baek Seoyeon declared firmly.
"No matter how powerful Paechun's forces are, the military power they can mobilize on their own is limited. The private soldiers of other families should be enough to stop them."
"Then perhaps it would be better to dispatch the Guards Mage Division to arrest Baek Ilyong immediately..."
"That's not possible."
At Mok Jinwoo's suggestion, Baek Seoyeon immediately shook her head.
"Baek Ilyong is a cunning man. He will have prepared an escape route until the very moment of success. He will probably blame one or two members of the Retainer Group and then leisurely flee himself. We must wait for the perfect moment when he believes he has won, so he cannot escape."
She finished her words, extending her slender fingers elegantly to lift the teacup.
It was no exaggeration to say that her report had changed the fate of the nation. Without her, the Republic would have completely fallen into Paechun's hands overnight.
After a long silence, Mok Jinwoo finally opened his mouth.
"...Young Lady of Baek Gwang, my respect for your patriotism runs deep. However..."
But her detached and contemplative demeanor was completely at odds with her role as the informant. Even her use of the name "Baek Ilyong" instead of "Family Head" or "Father" grated on the ears.
"Why?"
"..."
"Aren't you the same Young Lady of Baek Gwang who always expresses admiration for your father in the media? Moreover, if the coup had succeeded, you could have risen to a position admired by all."
"Such glory means nothing to me. I only desire one thing..."
A fleeting sorrow crossed her typically prim face. She seemed about to voice her feelings but instead held back and stood up.
"...It seems my task is done here. I should leave now. If I linger too long, I might get caught."
As she turned to leave, she hesitated, as if recalling something, and asked.
"By the way...has Hyun awakened?"
The violent turmoil was evident as she bit down on her lip. It revealed a hidden side of the noble young lady known to the public.
"Not yet."
Observing such reactions, Mok Jinwoo shook his head.
"Still, there's no need to worry too much. The doctor said he avoided fatal injuries. He's a strong lad, so he should wake up in a few days."
"Is that so..."
Baek Seoyeon sighed in relief, gently brushing her chest. A faint smile of relief graced her lips.
Mok Jinwoo probed her with a question.
"If you're that worried, why not pay him a hospital visit yourself?"
"...I already did. But some rat interfered, so I couldn't stay long."
For a moment, an intense hostility towards someone flashed in her pupils. Each moment was an incredibly astonishing sight for Mok Jinwoo.
He was periodically receiving updates on the situation in school through Muyoung, his informant. Sometimes, even clumsy individuals managed to cause events that surprised the world.
In that sense, Lee Hyun's actions were remarkable in many ways.
Since the beginning of the semester, he had engaged in all sorts of eccentric behavior, garnering bad reputations. However, he instead accumulated numerous military achievements and feats, ascending to an unapproachable position.
Moreover, Yeon Minha and Baek Seoyeon.
Both were noble blooded individuals born with the temperament of rulers.
They would never bow to anyone, nor could they ever blend with one another, as lofty young ladies.
Now, Lee Hyun was even gaining their favor, which bordered on obsession.
Naturally, this made the background of the situation all the more intriguing.
"And when Hyun wakes up...please relay my words to him."
Baek Seoyeon, who had regained her composure, opened her mouth. The hatred from earlier was nowhere to be seen, leaving only a calm sorrow.
"...That I'm sorry. For everything..."
"Haha, this sounds quite solemn, almost like a last will. Did you two have a bit of a quarrel, by any chance?"
Mok Jinwoo, invoking his informant instincts, teased lightly to break the ice.
"I'm a bit surprised. Didn't you and that boy have a terrible relationship at the beginning of the semester? I heard that your angry voices echoed through the corridors. Rumors were rampant that you both hated each other...and yet somehow..."
However, Baek Seoyeon shook her head. Her gaze, painted with longing, looked far beyond.
"The idea that I hate Hyun...is something absolutely impossible."
***
"Well, that's how it is."
Mok Jinwoo, finishing his explanation, grabbed a glass of water and drank it as if his throat was parched.
"Following that, I contacted Young Lady Yeon Minha and roughly heard about the events from two years ago. Then, everything fit together like a puzzle. The past of Young Lady Baek Seoyeon, veiled by the gap before her admission to Yoram; the secrets behind what Paechun and Jeokhwa each committed; and...even the tragedy that unfolded in your village."
"..."
"So, I was about to tell you as soon as you woke up, but...given the situation...once the subjugation begins...Young Lady Baek Seoyeon will provide internal support from within..."
Mok Jinwoo's voice seemed to buzz faintly and then became inaudible. Everything was blurred.
It was utterly incomprehensible.
Wasn't he faithfully following his father's will? Didn't he claim to covet wealth and honor?
That's why he abandoned me so heartlessly. It was certainly so...
My thoughts were in turmoil amidst tangled memories.
Then, suddenly feeling the unfamiliar weight of something in my inner pocket, I reached in with trembling hands and slowly took it out.
What was there was a ring.
A cheap ring made of an unknown metal, whether gold or silver. It was the kind of item that even students attending Yoram wouldn't take, even if given.
Moreover, it had burn marks as if it had been scorched by fire, making it even less appealing.
Nevertheless, I could immediately recognize its true identity.
"This is...!"
It couldn't be any other way.
Because this was the item imbued with all the past and longing I had lost.