I’m not certain if this is the form of revenge Odilia desired.
However, no one can deny that the revenge has been executed.
In the midst of the company’s struggles, Gabriella provocatively stirred things up, making headlines across America as a “Red” while the bat-like farm owner, who fancied himself a macho, faced social death.
Countless people were condemning him vocally, and if this escalated further, they might resort to armed force.
At that level, he might have to sell off his assets at a pittance and flee abroad.
The current madness had enough sharpness to pierce through them.
And thus, the Great Witch’s urgent fire was extinguished.
But with that came inevitable questions that had been brushed aside due to the urgent circumstances or perhaps hadn’t even crossed their minds.
[ What on earth is Park Jinseong doing? ]
[ What is the identity of that woman who calls Park Jinseong a deity? ]
[ Why are those two in America? ]
Questions.
Fundamental questions about Jinseong and Rise.
As comfort settled into body and mind, such questions naturally began to arise.
Curiosity kept growing.
[ What is that nagging, seemingly mad woman doing? ]
[ Are they perhaps dating someone as insane as her? ]
[ Just recently, tensions between Korea and Japan seemed to be rising; how can those two travel so calmly in America? They are Korean and Japanese… Is there no issue on an individual level? ]
And at last, their curiosity led to.
[ Why was Capital found on that farm? ]
[ Did they know in advance that it was there? Or did they sneak in and hide it? ]
[ Could it be that they used knowledge acquired through predictions? Since they possess some mysterious power to glimpse time, it’s possible. If so, couldn’t they know what the future holds? ]
[ Am I destined to encounter great hardships because of this incident? Did they come to help me upon realizing this? ]
[ Is it pure help? Or is there an ulterior motive? ]
The questions delve deeper into Jinseong.
Deeper.
Questions that touch upon fundamental aspects.
And finally, when those questions become sharper as they are tempered…
Pop!
An unexpected event occurred.
“How strange. They shouldn’t have been able to miss those…?”
Jinseong had made various arrangements while carrying out this task.
Those arrangements appeared intricate, but in truth, they weren’t that thorough.
To someone without knowledge of magic, it might seem plausible, yet anyone with even a hint of magical understanding would have easily seen the many traces left that pointed to Chinese involvement.
Similar to the traces left by Chinese exploring ruins.
Disguised as Americans, yet clearly not so, each foreigner left their unique marks everywhere.
Indeed, that was the case.
Anyone interested in this incident would naturally arrive at that point, and journalists, with their persistence second to none, would surely begin to entertain doubts.
Knowing that they would sell their souls for hits and views, they must have been barking like dogs, asserting that China was behind this incident.
Moreover, China is a communist nation.
It was a prime opportunity given the current situation.
America was heading toward isolation, with growing exclusivity toward foreigners.
In such a situation, mentioning “Yellow Peril” would guarantee success.
With articles describing the Eastern invasion, claims that China was orchestrating communists to turn America red, and speculations that China was rising to threaten the U.S., it was undoubtedly a ripe situation for sensationalism.
Yet, strangely enough, there was not a single article regarding China.
It was remarkably bizarre.
While asserting that communists exist, there was no mention of the communist country itself.
Rumors and tales were rampant about the farm where Capital was found, and news about the Great Witch Gabriella from Europe was incessantly displayed, yet there was not a word about any regions outside of Europe.
It was the moment for journalists to discover the “traces” scattered by Jinseong here and there, and some had undoubtedly fallen into the hands of those seeking exclusive stories, yet not a single article appeared.
This was.
Clearly a strange occurrence.
It was a situation that made no sense unless someone intervened.
“Has the state intervened?”
Jinseong was convinced.
Something had intervened in this incident.
Before the madness could point toward China, something had diverted that course.
Naturally, this madness should have gravitated toward China.
Just being identified as Chinese in America would invite scorn, and in areas rife with racial discrimination, overtly blatant prejudice could arise.
This precious arrangement meant to obstruct the exploration of ruins by China had been ruined.
“Hmm.”
Who could it be?
Who is controlling the madness?
How did they redirect the madness arising from the crowd?
“America? Or China?”
It’s tough to tell.
From a broader perspective, it was evident that a massive power or entity would be displeased by the ambiance attacking China. Furthermore, one could infer that whatever means were used would ensure that madness didn’t direct toward China.
Yet, the specifics remained unknown.
Jinseong had no connections in the U.S.
In Korea, a plethora of connections arises from networks across politics and economics, connected through government entities.
In Japan, connections abound among the “blessed” power holders.
With either of those two nations, it would be incredibly easy to discern what was happening.
No, they could have intervened as well.
And they could use their influence to steer things in the direction they desired, punishing those daring to disrupt them.
However, in this country known as America, such things were impossible.
He had no connections, and thus no power derived from them.
“It’s tough to comprehend.”
No, it wasn’t simply a matter of connections.
If lacking connections were the issue, one could roam freely and easily forge new connections.
The role of a shaman could revolve around power if one desired.
But— in today’s America, it was difficult.
America was clearly progressing toward isolation.
They were exhibiting exclusivity toward foreigners, becoming distrustful of anyone not purely American. Even American nationals, who have never even left the country, are met with skepticism unless they go through repeated vetting.
In such a situation, the approach of a foreign shaman?
That was impossible.
Even if it were to happen, it would be under horrific scrutiny.
Jinseong did not desire such a worst-case scenario.
That’s why he left the insect-formed body back at Lucas’s building.
To gain even a little freedom from the suffocating surveillance.
So then… it would be best to give up trying to find out what was happening.
It wouldn’t be entirely impossible to uncover it, but…
There was no reason to take such risks.
It wasn’t absolutely necessary this time; it was merely a matter of good fortune if it could be achieved.
A trick can be attempted again another time.
“However, it is indeed strange. There shouldn’t be any need for America to collaborate or maintain a good atmosphere with China…”
Well, it is done.
He confirmed that things were heading strangely and that his arrangements were stymied, twisting his intentions.
If it is heaven’s will, then it is heaven’s will; if it springs from human actions, it’s a reflection of humanity, and humans are indeed heaven, so perhaps this is the fate heaven has dealt.
One could recognize that things are amiss in themselves, and that alone serves as information.
Next time, one should keep that in mind while proceeding.
With that, Jinseong shook off his lingering thoughts and began devising his next plan.
‘Since things are turning oddly, it would be nice to observe from somewhere close… Hmm. Should I remain longer in America, or would it be better to place someone? Using the Great Witch for information might not be a bad idea…’
It would be futile to be disheartened over the spilt water, as one cannot gather it again, and even if one struggles to reclaim the time lost, it is a vain effort.
To move forward and advance toward the next plan is truly the right course of action.
Thus, Jinseong intended to act.
Though perhaps even actions have their timing.
‘Hmm?’
Pop!
It was not the right time for solitary contemplation.
‘Someone has arrived.’
Jinseong noticed that as the lights in the hotel went out, a guest appeared.
