The Wise Cleaning Life Of A Returning Genius Hunter [EN]: Chapter 287

286

As soon as I finished the call with Minister Vladimir, Chief Iayoung approached with a dumbfounded expression.

“Uh, when did you investigate all that?”

“What are you talking about?”

“What else? That Minister Monaghan and the CEO of Box Industries colluded to speculate in real estate!”

“Ah…….”

After hesitating for a moment, I cautiously opened my mouth.

“That’s a lie.”

“……Huh?”

“How would I have time to investigate that in this situation? I only found out about the relationship between the three of them just now when the Secretary-General told me.”

“…….”

She blinked, as if she hadn’t expected that at all.

Well, it’s exactly as I said.

As long as Minister Monaghan has operational control, we can’t recklessly interfere. So, we had to either take away or strip him of his authority.

But dismissing the Minister of National Defense of a country, especially in a time of war, would be almost impossible.

Unless it’s a big enough deal to shake the very foundation of the nation.

‘In the end, the only way is to expose that he made a weapons deal with Russia…….’

If I rashly reveal something related to the Russian Minister of National Defense, I might face a backlash.

The fact that their relationship has been maintained without any problems for 10 years means they’ve created enough loopholes to escape even if they get caught.

Of course…….

‘If there’s a rift in their relationship, things will be different.’

If Vladimir no longer needs Minister Monaghan, there’s no reason to protect him.

The top priority was to somehow sever their relationship.

Fortunately, there’s a tangible contract in the form of the Hanbyul Construction bridge project.

Of course, we might get caught later if we compare the land sales records, but it’ll be enough to get through the present.

“Either way, one of them would have been looking to cut ties. No matter how close a relationship is, after 10 years, they’ll start to question the benefits they can get from the other person.”

They were bound to drift apart someday, even if I didn’t deliberately drive a wedge between them.

I just created a small excuse to bring that day a little closer.

“And well… it’s true that they engaged in illegal black market trading, isn’t it?”

“Even so…….”

Nevertheless, Chief Iayoung continued, still looking uneasy.

“Are you really okay with this? Lying to the Minister of National Defense? More than anything, the Secretary-General is the one who connected us, so if the lie is exposed, it could backfire on him…….”

“If the Secretary-General was worried about that in the first place, he wouldn’t have given me the contact information.”

I shrugged and replied.

“The Secretary-General probably knew how I would react. Even so, he meant that I should use any means necessary, given the situation.”

“…I’m still uneasy, though.”

“Who cares? It’s not like we’re going to meet again anyway.”

I replied calmly.

“Anyway, let’s just wait a little longer.”

In an hour.

No, in just 30 minutes, we’ll see Minister Monaghan collapsing in real time.

Just as the corners of my mouth were unknowingly lifting, the phone rang again from Secretary-General Park Inbeom.

“Yes.”

「Did you resolve it well?」

“Yes, well… I made up some justification and pinned all the blame on Minister Monaghan. I think there will be a reaction soon.”

「…? Made up a justification?」

“I told him you teamed up with your son-in-law and swiped the money he invested, and he immediately fell for it.”

「So, you’re saying… you lied?」

“Yes.”

When I answered confidently, after a moment.

「You crazy bastard! What about me, then?!」

“…….”

「I told you to persuade him, not to lie! Aren’t you thinking about me, the one who introduced you?!」

“…….”

Wasn’t it supposed to be like this?

***

Berlin, the Reichstag [German Parliament building].

“Prime Minister!”

Prime Minister Ben’s aide urgently called him, entering his office.

As it was a time of war, tensions were high, and Prime Minister Ben’s expression quickly hardened.

Judging from the aide’s reaction, it didn’t seem like good news.

“What is it? Surely nothing has happened at the front…….”

“Ah, no. It’s not that… We received a call from the Russian Ministry of Defense.”

“……Russia?”

Prime Minister Ben’s eyes narrowed.

Russia, of all places.

Why Russia all of a sudden?

More importantly, the Ministry of Defense contacted us directly?

“Could it be that they’re sending reinforcements or something? That would be a bit problematic. If other countries start participating, it could potentially escalate into a world war…….”

“No. It’s not that…….”

The aide hesitated for a moment before quietly continuing.

“The Russian Ministry of Defense has formally requested an investigation into Minister Monaghan.”

“…What?”

At the same time, Prime Minister Ben’s eyebrows twitched greatly.

“What are you talking about? Why Minister Monaghan?”

“They say they found records of weapons smuggling transactions with the Russian mafia.”

“……!”

Prime Minister Ben’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer.

“We, weapons smuggling, is that true…?”

“I checked the documents sent by the Ministry of Defense, and it seems certain. They’ve been handing over retired equipment and other missing weapons, and they estimate the profits earned over 10 years to be approximately 100 million euros.”

“…….”

Prime Minister Ben seemed speechless at the shocking news.

“And this is just my opinion… but I think the fact that we didn’t receive support from other countries this time is also related to these collusive relationships.”

The aide carefully added his opinion.

Soon, Prime Minister Ben’s fist clenched tightly.

The Minister of National Defense of a country has been engaging in black market trading with a foreign criminal organization?

With his own country’s weapons, no less?

‘This crazy bastard…….’

So, that’s why he so vehemently refused support from the Association support team and WDSO [World Development and Security Organization].

Was he trying to use this war as a demonstration for weapons promotion?

‘If that’s true, I can’t let it go…….’

Gambling with the lives of the people for his own benefit.

He deserves to have his head chopped off right away.

In principle, we should summon Minister Monaghan immediately and begin an investigation, but…….

Unfortunately, we are currently in a time of war.

It’s still dangerous to call him back, as he is directly commanding troops at the front lines.

Of course, we can’t dismiss him right away either.

There’s no greater blow than losing a commander in a time of war.

Anger surged, but there was nothing he could do right now.

“For now, after the war ends…….”

The moment Prime Minister Ben uttered those words.

“If the war ends like this, Germany will disappear from the map.”

Someone said, entering the office.

It was none other than the Minister of Transportation and Construction, Lucas.

“Why are you here…?”

“Have you heard the report that the German Association has merged with WDSO?”

“…I have.”

“Under the command of Kim Junwoo, who is in charge, the local task force was deployed to the site. It was an operation to hold out until the WDSO headquarters forces arrived. But Minister Monaghan withdrew them all.”

Minister Lucas looked directly at Prime Minister Ben and continued.

“And as a result, all the defense lines have now been breached.”

“……!”

“At this rate, it will take the International Association forces 1 hour… no, 30 minutes to reach Berlin.”

At those words, Prime Minister Ben’s lips trembled.

“The opponents are ability users. They are not people who can be stopped with ordinary troops and weapons in the first place.”

“…….”

“If Minister Monaghan knew that and still withdrew the task force, then we must immediately strip him of his command for acts of national disruption, and if he didn’t know, then he is unqualified as the Minister of National Defense.”

Minister Lucas continued with a sharp tone.

“Please carefully choose which option is best for Germany.”

“But if we dismiss Monaghan now, who will command…….”

“Anyone would do better than him.”

Minister Lucas replied immediately.

“Especially the CEO of Karma Corporation, the predecessor of WDSO, how much better would he be.”

“…The CEO of Karma Corporation?”

“Kim Junwoo. He is currently on the scene.”

Prime Minister Ben’s eyes widened once more at that name.

It was as if he also knew who Kim Junwoo was to some extent.

“So, what will you do?”

“…….”

When Minister Lucas urged him, after a moment of deep thought.

“I will transfer wartime operational control… to WDSO.”

Finally, that order was given.

***

Shortly after the 3rd defense line on Route 52 was breached.

After continuing to retreat, they finally reached the vicinity of Berlin and were hastily establishing the final defense line.

Ring, ring―.

Minister Monaghan had already tried to contact Vladimir dozens of times, but.

Click―.

“This fucking…!!”

Minister Vladimir still wasn’t answering his calls.

“What the hell! What kind of bastard is spouting that bullshit!!”

Minister Monaghan raged and screamed.

That he teamed up with the CEO of Box Industries and swiped the research funds that Minister Vladimir invested.

What kind of absurd nonsense is this?

How much effort did he put into maintaining this relationship, would he do such a thing with his own hands unless he was crazy!

Who the hell said that?

Is there anyone in the National Assembly who would frame him with something that didn’t even happen?

‘Could it be Lucas, that bastard…?’

No.

That guy doesn’t have the guts to lie to Minister Vladimir outright.

Damn it, then who the hell?

‘No, that’s beside the point…….’

Minister Monaghan gritted his teeth.

This is really dangerous.

The initial defense lines have all been breached, and the International Association forces are continuing to advance at this very moment.

Of course, they added a few defense lines while retreating… but it’s uncertain how much time even those will buy.

And if even this final defense line is breached…….

‘……This won’t do.’

There’s no hope anymore.

Now that the situation has come this far, no one can stop it.

If only he had allowed the deployment of the local task force from the beginning…….

‘Damn it…….’

Minister Monaghan internally lamented his belated regret.

Above all, if Berlin falls like this, he will be held responsible for opposing the Association’s intervention.

If that happens, everything he has built will collapse in an instant.

That can’t happen.

Yes, that can’t…….

“Minister! The helicopter is ready! Please evacuate to the rear for now! We’ll take care of this!”

“…….”

Minister Monaghan was lost in thought at those words.

Let’s go to the rear for now.

And from there, let’s take refuge in the United States.

If he hands over information about the Russian Ministry of Defense, they will surely accept him.

With that thought in mind, he nodded and immediately moved to the helicopter.

And then.

“Minister! It’s a call from the Prime Minister!”

A soldier approached with a communicator.

‘……!’

At the same time, he felt his heart drop.

The Prime Minister contacted him directly in this situation?

Minister Monaghan felt an ominous feeling and cautiously took the communicator.

“……Yes, this is Monaghan.”

The moment he slowly opened his mouth.

“Michael Monaghan. I am informing you that you have been dismissed from your position as Minister, effective immediately.”

“……Excuse me?”

Words like a bolt from the blue.

“Wh, what are you talking about?! Dismissed! Why me……!”

“Don’t you know better than anyone else why?”

Prime Minister Ben replied in a calm tone.

Could it be that the news has been conveyed to the Prime Minister?

“Pr, Prime Minister! I don’t know what you’ve heard, but it’s all lies! Someone is deliberately trying to slander me……!”

“There are transaction records right in front of us, and you’re saying it’s a lie?”

“……!”

How did that…?!

Could it be that Minister Vladimir exposed it?

But if he did, he wouldn’t be safe either…….

“I, I can explain everything! Above all, isn’t this a time of war! If I’m not here, who will command the troops…….”

“Is that why the defense lines have been breached without any proper resistance so far?”

“…….”

He was at a loss for words.

“That’s because the soldiers were scared and didn’t follow orders…….”

“Is it the soldiers’ fault again this time? Then, if I told you to hold out against monsters who use powers beyond common sense with just a gun, could you do it?”

Minister Monaghan’s hands trembled.

“Return to Berlin quietly.”

“Pr, Prime Minister…!”

“I will even consider summary execution if you disobey.”

The moment his vision went white, the communication was unilaterally cut off.

He then looked around at the surrounding soldiers with a bewildered expression.

The gazes directed at him were very cold.

“Damn it…….”

Minister Monaghan gave a hollow laugh, as if he had finally realized his position.

And then.

“How…….”

A man’s voice was heard.

“Have you received a call from the Prime Minister?”

As if perfectly timed, Kim Junwoo reappeared before him.