Chapter 448

The foreign press often compared President Lee Jo-won to Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States.

There were primarily two reasons for this: one was his advocacy of isolationist policies, and the other was that he became president by sheer luck.

In the 2048 presidential election, the Republican candidate’s victory was effectively sealed due to the promise of completely eradicating the Walpurgis.

However, as internal faction conflicts intensified, prominent candidates affected by negative strategies withdrew from the primaries one after another.

The Republican Party ended up creating an historically unlikable matchup and risked losing even a certain victory.

Thus, they elected Lee Jo-won, a former Minister of Environment who had no backing and was easy to manipulate, as the new presidential candidate.

From the start, Lee Jo-won had the tall, handsome features of a movie star.

Given the prevalence of appearance-based values and the importance of physiognomy in South Korea, this was an enormous advantage.

Moreover, during his time working at the Korea Institute of Magical Technology, Lee Jo-won gained significant favor from the public by equipping the western coastal defense forces with fine dust filter magic.

Eventually, Lee Jo-won was elected with an astonishing approval rate of 60.1%.

However, he took a somewhat different path than Warren G. Harding.

He transformed into a symbol of ‘insularity’, refusing any interaction even with those in the Republican Party who had supported his candidacy.

He had limited instances of holding summits and became the president who used the most veto powers for legislative bills since the establishment of the Sixth Republic.

Even when announcing new technologies abroad, he would delay the domestic introduction by citing issues of bribery and embezzlement among involved parties.

Paradoxically, he was a president who, while doing nothing during his tenure, remained clean amidst the corruption scandals erupting in various places.

The main opinion among the public was that if only a scandal had erupted leading to impeachment, it would have been preferable.

Currently, in his fifth year of office, his approval rating stands at 18%.

With President Newsom retiring and a new president being elected in the United States, an overseas visit to the US was finally scheduled after a long time.

[Thus, we request a meeting with President Lee Jo-won of South Korea.]

At the end of February, the APEC summit is scheduled to be held at the New York Convention Center.

It takes just 30 minutes by train from New York to Massachusetts.

“Mr. President, what will you do? The schedule for the morning of February 21st is tight…”

The Chief Aide, who supports the President most closely, spoke cautiously.

Lee Jo-won turned his broad body with his arms crossed behind him.

Then, showing a tired face, he replied.

“We have to go. Is there any other way?”

* * *

A meeting attended by heads of state from two or more countries is called a summit.

And it’s quite amusing that I had participated in a summit in my previous life.

After the death of Demon King Alzahab, the Republic of Britannia mistakenly believed I was the new leader of the Mazak Alliance.

This was a limitation of the era when communication technology was not well-developed.

The head of state of the Republic of Britannia, the Guardian, hosted a banquet serving crêpe-like dishes to forge a peace treaty with me.

Although it was soon exposed, it achieved the goal of preventing military actions from small states for a time.

Back then, like now, it was around the time when the winter chill faded and the warmth of spring began to seep in.

Black Mercedes Maybach Guard vehicles appeared one after another in the quiet outskirts of the city center.

President Lee Jo-won was the first to approach and knock on our door.

“Nice to meet you, Unspecified.”

“Thank you for coming.”

He seemed to have lost a lot of weight compared to last year.

I guided him to the living room.

Lee Jo-won slowly looked around.

This was also the place where I conducted research with Harvard theoretical magic scholars.

The aides who followed him waited outside, leaving only one photographer behind.

After taking a picture of our handshake, we sat facing each other on the living room sofa.

At first, we exchanged the usual pleasantries.

President Lee Jo-won expressed his appreciation for my recent achievements and deeply resonated with the opinions I shared.

There were many comments that seemed to be the work of his subordinates preparing in advance.

Listening to him silently, I eventually couldn’t bear the boredom and spoke.

“So why did you come here?”

“Well, since Unspecified called me like this, I had to come.”

“That is not an answer. Do you think I’m going to go everywhere just because someone called me? You are in a position that should move with clear purpose.”

Even the same visit can have different purposes.

I was probing this point.

I still hadn’t discerned whether he wanted to hear my policy opinions or hoped that I would return to Korea.

“Of course, I hope a talent like Unspecified, who can change the world, remains in Korea and raises many people’s pride. That’s not just my opinion as a president, but also a personal wish.”

“Then I want to ask a straightforward question. I lived as a stateless person for seven months. Last year, I also underwent an intensive tax audit. What do you think about that?”

“As a father of two children, when I first heard your story, I was heartbroken and couldn’t sleep. I believe it’s a major blot on our government, and I will ensure that such victims as you, Unspecified, will not emerge again by firmly reforming the system. I sincerely apologize to you, Unspecified, for the great hurt this has caused.”

I crossed my arms and pondered his apology.

“Understood. I didn’t call the busy president here to talk about these things. Firstly, regarding the school violence policy, the school liaison police officer has become virtually ineffective. As far as I know, many schools are still involved with gangster cartels, and students are vulnerable to falling into crime and drugs from a young age.”

The Merlin Orphanage, where I had once been, was the same.

These days, many high school students brag about becoming gangsters.

I reminded him of this and asked him to establish a system that prevents students from going astray.

I particularly emphasized the role of the media and journalism.

Children must feel ashamed and disgraceful about resorting to violence recklessly.

“Moreover, merely putting students in jail is not enough. If we do not hold parents accountable for shielding the bullying students, violence will forever be passed down. I believe children’s fights should not escalate into adult conflicts. Don’t you see results depending on the power held by adults?”

The parents who defend their children as if they have done nothing wrong were the biggest problem.

The offenders should receive adequate punishment and rehabilitation education.

“It’s not a difficult task, just like equipping the coastal defense forces with fine dust filters, right, Mr. President?”

The president holds immense power in Korea.

The important thing is whether he remains interested and pushes for it until the end.

“I have one thing to ask.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“How do you think Unspecified views me as a president for future generations?”

It was an unexpected question.

I squinted one eye.

“If things continue like this, I guess I will be remembered as an incompetent president.”

He has only two months left in his presidential term anyway, so what does he have to worry about?

Although I’m not well-versed in politics, I expressed my opinion honestly.

I had heard many evaluations stating that he lacked drive.

“Hahaha!”

Suddenly, he laughed loudly.

“But doesn’t it matter as long as I show good results at the end? After all, the beginning and end are the most important.”

“That’s true, of course. The policies I just mentioned, I will make sure to convey to the legislative bodies and each government department by the end of today. Thank you for providing good opinions.”

“By the way, I heard that you are planning to replace the coastal defense forces comprehensively. Shouldn’t you also upgrade the fine dust filter magic?”

“Haha, Mr. President, I think Unspecified would be a better fit for a smart person than I am. No need to worry; we’ve already taken care of everything.”

“Oh, it’s done? Well, that’s a relief then.”

After that, we exchanged various opinions on policies.

He even asked if I had any thoughts of teaching at Korea University.

Sometimes, I shared the things I was currently researching and studying in the US, but such conversations didn’t last long.

Suddenly, President Lee Jo-won let out a deep sigh as if the ground had collapsed beneath him.

“Unspecified, I hope you remember me as an inventor rather than as a president.”

“Why is that?”

“I left my burning soul back there.”

In that moment, I altered my assessment of him.

He was a person too lucky to be truly unlucky.

However, I did not feel sympathy for him.

“Mr. President, every soul must be in its rightful place. So, please take responsibility.”

That was the best advice I could give.

* * *

[Breaking News) Unspecified to visit Korea in April for a pre-inspection of the National Exchange Exhibition]

[US Researchers: “The undiscovered identity of the 8 Circle Horizon’s magic… might be the master key to resolving the climate crisis”]