The Regressor Only Protects Me [EN]: Chapter 157

157. Duke (2)

I turned my gaze from the book to the intruders.

Though they had broken into the room, they didn’t recklessly attack my companions.

“What the hell! Who are these X-bastards!”

Choi Myung-joon, lying on the bed, cursed, and one of the intruders kicked him.

“Shut your mouth and stay still.”

At that moment, Choi Hyun-ji pulled out her hand and summoned an Artifact [a magical or technologically advanced item].

Simultaneously, Jin Jae-hee rose from her seat and stood in front of me.

The intruders also held their weapons, threatening as if they would attack at any moment.

A tense atmosphere filled the room.

Then, a man’s voice was heard from behind the intruders.

“Artifacts?”

A man with narrow shoulders and a thin frame.

Black horn-rimmed glasses and a refined appearance.

At a glance, he seemed to be the leader of these intruders.

He pushed his way through the intruders.

“As far as I know, the first King of Mangyeong stipulated that Artifacts could not be used under any circumstances within the territory. Isn’t that right, Hero?”

The man smirked at me, his pink lips twitching.

Within Mangyeong, Artifact skills could not be activated under any circumstances.

That was my way of maintaining internal stability and security in the past.

Of course, that was only a primary regulation, and with my command, Artifacts could be used by designated individuals at any time.

The man picked up a chair, placed it in front of me, and sat down.

Then, he clasped his hands together and placed them on his crossed knees.

“I’ve heard you’re incredibly intelligent, Hero. I really wanted to see you. Just what kind of person could turn so many citizens of Mangyeong into their own henchmen, all with one mind.”

The man in the suit was demanding an answer from me.

Of course, I had no intention of complying.

After a moment of silence, the man took out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket.

“Kang Si-on, the first King of Mangyeong and the hero who unified Anyang. But he left Mangyeong five years ago and never returned. I don’t need to explain how chaotic Mangyeong was after that. It was truly hell. Ah, yes. I won’t even ask now why you left and didn’t return. However, a person in charge of a nation abandoning their responsibility for national management in the midst of a turbulent world is an undeniable criminal act that cannot be tolerated. Do you admit it?”

They were spouting words like current law and responsibility, acting as if they were enforcers, but the enforcers would be the official army or military police who wield public authority.

These people seemed far from being such enforcers.

Anyone could see they were just mere thugs.

Another strange thing was that I couldn’t see the citizens’ status windows above their heads, which only the lord could see.

It was strange.

No, perhaps it wasn’t strange at all.

The man kindly explained it first.

“Trying to use the power of the Edict [a formal order or command] will be useless. We work for Mangyeong, but our status is that of Wanderers.”

“…….”

The mighty authority of the lord, the Edict.

That only applied to citizens belonging to Mangyeong.

In other words, these people were not citizens of Mangyeong.

I glared at the man.

The man had snake-like, cunning eyes.

His thin frame didn’t make him seem very threatening, but his eyes were filled with an unknown confidence.

It wasn’t exactly a crisis situation right now.

I was just ‘observing’ how they would treat me first.

Observation is always right.

Even if I were to be arrested here, there probably wouldn’t be any major problems.

If I were arrested within Mangyeong, those guys, whoever’s organization they are, wouldn’t survive within the faction.

“Now, let’s think about it this way.”

The man leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“I clearly came here with an arrest warrant. So, I came under the orders of the highest authority within the judicial system that currently governs Mangyeong. But you… currently, you’re just something like an honorary citizen. In other words, from the moment you left Mangyeong five years ago, you were no longer the leader of Mangyeong. We have amended the constitution and have a new king.”

At that moment, Choi Myung-joon, who was lying on the bed, yelled.

“What the hell are you talking about, you X-bastard!”

“Be quiet.”

I calmed him down and glared at the man again.

“You’re very kind, Hero. Anyway, let me continue explaining. So, my actions are the will of the King of Mangyeong, and if you refuse to be arrested here and cause a disturbance…”

…If I cause a disturbance, my approval rating will plummet.

When I first developed this city, the most important thing was the city’s stability and security.

I controlled the citizens’ movements, confiscated illegally possessed weapons, controlled them through the central government, and introduced the army and guards to prevent crime.

Human freedom, paradoxically, can be achieved within a suppressed society and strict control.

That was a proven case in human history.

In that sense, the true freedom that the former lord, Park Ji-soo, dreamed of was actually the central government neglecting the citizens.

So, what this man who is threatening me is saying is correct.

My control, which I had set up, has become an obstacle for me now, five years later.

Of course, if I used the power of the Edict, I could solve all of this.

If I sent an Edict to each control department to capture and kill these guys who are threatening us, it would be easily resolved.

But that was impossible.

‘It can’t be possible.’

The reason why nuclear missiles cannot be used is simple.

It is the most powerful weapon with the greatest destructive power and killing power in human history, but if used, it will lead to the path of human destruction.

That nuclear missile and the Edict have similar power.

The Edict is the most powerful authority of the lord, but if used without justification, the approval rating will plummet.

If I use the power of the Edict for my personal matters, I’ll end up like Park Gun-woo, the police chief who ruled the Manan Police Station in the 2nd round.

‘…….’

The plan I had envisioned to make Mangyeong my own.

Even in such control and suppression, it was to make them think that the person called ‘I’ was their only hope.

It was indoctrination education that only came out in fascism and dictatorships, but there was nothing like it in order for an individual to use all the power of the state.

However, the citizens who started living in Mangyeong after the war, that is, immediately after I disappeared from Mangyeong, were relatively less affected by this education.

I don’t know who that person is who is trying to arrest me like this…….

‘He’s more intelligent than I thought.’

Because he dug into my only weakness.

I organized my thoughts and looked at the man again.

The man was finishing his words.

“Please. In accordance with the noble achievement of being a hero, please comply with the arrest.”

Another person approached me from behind the man.

At that moment, Jin Jae-hee quietly asked.

“What should we do?”

“Well… I’ll comply.”

I muttered, looking at the intruder approaching me.

I expected that there would definitely be forces that would not welcome me.

Still, this kind of treatment was unacceptable.

I am the person who planned and created this city.

Even if the guy who tried to arrest me doesn’t know what his purpose is… Even if he arrests me, he can’t treat me like this.

There must be something.

And that guy who orchestrated this.

…He will pay the price.

* * *

Land Department Head’s Office.

A room filled with luxurious luxury goods.

High-end leather sofas facing each other to welcome guests, and between the sofas, there were liquors and cups.

On one side of the room, a huge map of Mangyeong was hung.

From the cassette on the desk, the latest pop songs were playing one after another.

And Lee Seok-jin, the head of the Mangyeong Land Department, was sitting at his desk, grooming his nails.

He cut off the rough nails with nail clippers and smoothed them with sandpaper.

He had nail polish on his little finger.

At that time, several groups of people knocked on the door of the department head’s office.

Knock knock-.

“This is the security team, Gil Dae-heon. May I come in?”

His hair fluttered in the wind that seeped in through the window.

Department Head Lee Seok-jin blew on his nails and said.

“Come in.”

The person who opened the door to the department head’s office was Gil Dae-heon, who had arrested Kang Si-on.

Gil Dae-heon approached the desk where Lee Seok-jin was and bowed deeply.

“We have arrested him. We are currently escorting him to the Nest.”

“You handled it well without any problems, right?”

“Yes. As you expected, Department Head, he didn’t resist much.”

At Gil Dae-heon’s report, Lee Seok-jin snorted.

“The act of resisting there itself is a suicidal act… That ‘great’ Hero must have been aware of that as well. I told you. He’s an intelligent person.”

Squeak-.

After those words, Lee Seok-jin got up from his chair, passed his subordinate, and walked towards the terrace.

It was a swimming pool that had been remodeled from a terrace with warm sunlight.

In front of it, two women were standing side by side.

When Lee Seok-jin reached out his hand, one woman took out a driver from a golf bag and handed it to him.

Lee Seok-jin stood at the end of the terrace, where he could see the panoramic view of Mangyeong.

There were devices where you could enjoy golf on a small scale.

Gil Dae-heon followed him and said.

“What should we do now? When we arrive at the Nest, we should first lock him up in the solitary confinement cell on the 3rd basement floor…”

“No. No. What are you talking about? Are you trying to get us all killed? Kang Si-on is the hero of Mangyeong no matter what. Just go out to the market right now. Are there only one or two people who believe in him?”

After saying harsh words, Lee Seok-jin placed a golf ball on the pole.

And he began to stagger, aiming the golf ball with the driver.

“No matter how legitimate the reason for arresting him is, there is no way for me to catch Kang Si-on. What I’m aiming for is not Kang Si-on’s life. Nor is it Ha Yoon-ha’s throne. King? Why would I do such a troublesome thing? Right?”

Lee Seok-jin looked at Gil Dae-heon as if seeking agreement.

At that time, his ‘exclusive’ golf coach, a woman in a short skirt, approached him and grabbed his waist.

“Lower your posture a little. Relax your arms.”

She was a so-called public official who lived off Mangyeong’s taxes.

Lee Seok-jin continued to speak.

“Keep in mind. From our point of view, he is a VIP who must be treated with the utmost respect. If we throw a hero in jail… If we treat a hero who is still supported by 70% of the total population like that, the citizens will rise up. That won’t do. It won’t do. It won’t do. Kang Si-on is to be served. He is to be served thoroughly. Serve him like a god. That’s your job.”

At that moment, Lee Seok-jin twisted his upper body and powerfully hit the golf ball.

Whoosh-. Thwack!

The golf ball soared high into the sky, stretching out towards the city.

Against the backdrop of the sky with pure white clouds, he smiled brightly.

“Whew-! It flies well!”

Lee Seok-jin was looking in the direction where the golf ball flew, with a pleasant smile on his face.

His subordinates applauded all at once.

“Nice shot!”

“Amazing!”

“Wow-! Your posture is great!”

Clap clap clap clap-.

Lee Seok-jin handed the driver to the golf instructor, receiving applause from his subordinates.

Lee Seok-jin took off his white gloves and walked back into the office.

“Keep Kang Si-on in my third villa. And give him whatever he wants. Women, food, alcohol, luxury goods, he also likes electronic game consoles. Whatever he wants. However, he must not come out of there until I give the order. And keep a close watch on the king. Ha Yoon-ha must not know that Kang Si-on has been arrested.”

“Yes, Department Head. I will keep that in mind.”

Lee Seok-jin came back into the room and sat on the leather sofa.

And he opened the lid of the high-end liquor.

Clink-.

The ice filled in the crystal glass met the liquor and turned yellow.

He took out another cup and poured liquor into it.

And handed it to Gil Dae-heon.

Gil Dae-heon bent down and received the glass of liquor from Lee Seok-jin.

“Thank you.”

Ting-!

The glasses collided, making a clear sound.

“It’s just a little bit ahead. Just trust me and follow me. If we get that money… we can take over this world. If we have that money.”

“…….”

Lee Seok-jin emptied his glass at once, with an evil smile.

Gil Dae-heon, who was looking at his evil smile, soon emptied his glass as well.

Lee Seok-jin and Gil Dae-heon had trivial conversations.

Then, Gil Dae-heon, as if he had remembered something, asked him, his cheeks flushed with alcohol.

“What about the other three?”

“The other three?”

“Yes. Kang Si-on’s subordinates. Choi Myung-joon, Choi Hyun-ji, and Jin Jae-hee. All three have contributed greatly to the war, so they have a position within Mangyeong. Moreover, Choi Myung-joon is also the root of Mangyeong’s elite unit.”

“Ah. That’s right… That troublesome trio…”

Lee Seok-jin thought for a moment and then came to a conclusion.

“Send them to the Colosseum in the Nest [an arena for gladiatorial combat]. Direct execution will be impossible. Anyway, they won’t last a week there.”

(To be continued in the next episode)