Coincidence or Destiny – Part V

Even while I was caught off guard, I kept a neutral expression and said, "I don't."

It wasn't a lie.

From the facts and implications, it seemed like Blackie was running wild over there and causing mayhem, but I didn't know anything for certain.

"Mm." Sorg Kuhne tapped on the table and said, "I suppose you wouldn't." He sighed and said, "Forgive me for the impertinence. But a few of the Organizations in Eva have been in an uproar since that man's appearance." He looked back at me and said, "I had hoped you would know more as the man emerged to fend off the fake swordsman flaunting your name for his misdeeds."

...Definitely Blackie then. Still.

I shook my head and said, "Sorry. If I learn more though, I'll be sure to let you know."

Sorg Kuhne shook his head and said, "It is fine. The consideration is enough." He glanced at his tea and reached over to take a sip.

Seeing that, I did the same.

Sorg Kuhne finished his tea and then set his cup off to the side. After that, he gave me a serious look and said, "Then... Let us get to the point. As you are aware, I am the evaluator who determines whether an organization may enter Eva."

I nodded.

Sorg Kuhne continued. "And as I am sure you are also aware, Eva is currently undergoing numerous problems." He let out a wry smile and said, "Though Haramark is infamous as a den of thieves, both Paradisians and Earthlings live in harmony. In contrast, Eva..." He let out a deep sigh.

I nodded again.

Though my memories of that time were faint now, the information I gathered from the intelligence network Cinzia introduced me to, as well as the information pooled from the Triads that Hao handed over, I could confirm it.

Eva was a cesspool.

Haramark had a reputation as being a place where Earthlings could indulge in pleasure and do whatever they wanted, but in reality the place was fairly normal. People here were rough, but everyone was mostly equal. There weren't any cases of Earthlings pressuring the native Paradisians, for example.

Resa's presence had a lot to do with that, but it was more that the standard of Earthlings here were relatively strong and that the strong had better things to do.

But Eva...

A 'Paradise' for the weak. Where the citizens were oppressed by organizations that were only above average in terms of ability, but used their political and economic power to gag the people and abuse them. Where the ruler was a weak princess lived in a fantasy world, ignorant to the plight of her people.

That last part was the main issue.

Resa understood the bleak reality of the Parasite's invasion and became her own hero to save her people.

Roe Scheherazade faced that bleak reality as well, but was forced into even dire straits. Yet, she swallowed her pride, buried her resentment, and continued living regardless so that her people wouldn't suffer.

They were strong.

Compared to those two, the princess of Eva, Charlotte Aria...

Sorg Kuhne let out another sigh. But after that, he fixed his eyes on me and said, "Mister Jihu. We both know that a man like you can do whatever he wishes in this world at this point. The fact that the tomboy princess and that cautious king granted you this room to meet me is more than enough proof. So... Why? Why has someone as great as you set his sights on Eva?"

I stared back at him. And as I did, at last, a bit of color emerged.

Thin golden threads. Faint blue light that gave me vague impressions of futures that were still unclear, all revolving around Eva's destruction. Pitch black light that seemed to threaten to engulf Sorg Kuhne whole, plunging him into the abyss.

Of course.

Whatever the proper course of history might have been from this world, at this point, I had changed things. And although Eva played a big part in the past, as things stood, it was unnecessary.

Even so...

I let out a cold smile and said, "Isn't it obvious? The Earthlings who trampled on the people of this world. The Paradisians who have been abused because of those idiots." I drained my cup of tea and then clenched it, shattering the cup into porcelain shards.

Sorg Kuhne flinched, but then his eyes grew wide.

I opened my hand, showing the porcelain shards floating in mid-air. As they did, they slowly drew back together before melting into a new shape. A badge with Elysium's symbol on it.

I set the badge on the table and slid it over to Sorg Kuhne and said, "You said it yourself. I am the Unyielding Emperor. And as an emperor, I must discipline my men who have gone astray while compensating those they have harmed... Is that not so?"

I pulled my hand back and smiled.

Sorg Kuhne picked up the badge and then looked at me.

Was it because of my charisma? My presence? Or was it the hope that he felt after a long time in despair.

Sorg Kuhne trembled for a bit before letting out a deep breath. After that, he nodded and said, "...I understand now." He let out a smile. Faint, but sincere. "Truly, you are the Savior of Paradise."

"I wouldn't go that-"

[Alias: <Savior of Paradise> has been obtained.]

"...Far. Dammit."

Sorg Kuhne chuckled. But then he put on a serious expression again and said, "I understand your intentions now, Mister Jihu. But in all honesty, if you wish to create an organization in Eva there are still quite a few issues that need to be resolved."

I set the fact that I had another ridiculous name added to my list of aliases aside for the moment and focused back on Sorg Kuhne. "I'm listening."

"First..."

xxx

"Always one thing after another, huh? Though I guess this is better than having to sort out the issues with the girls." I let out a sigh and pulled up some blank paper at my desk in Carpe Diem's office.

To sum up the issues Sorg Kuhne gave me...

First, there was the issue of land. Because of Charlotte's naivety, basically all of Eva had been titled away to Earthling organizations. Most in the hands of a certain alliance.

That issue wasn't too big a deal though. My foxy wife was more than enough to handle sorting that out, especially if I gave her an unending supply of funding. Something easily accomplished at this point since I could literally make it rain platinum coins over Eva.

Second was the issue with the Federation. I had forgotten about it with everything else, but Eva had a bad reputation when it came to the Federation. Mostly because the Earthlings had taken advantage of the proximity to start up a slave trade and traffic Federation citizens to be used and abused however they wanted.

Considering my infamy among Paradise for killing two Army Commanders, the Federation might resort to drastic measures if I sided with Eva without handling the situation well.

After all, while they had a common enemy with the Paradisians in the Parasite Queen, the Federation were still a foreign power.

Apparently, they had appeared out of the blue shortly after the Parasite Queen and consisted of a mishmash group of races. The typical sort that you'd expect from a fantasy world like fairies, elves, angels, beastmen, etc.

While a delicate situation, I didn't forget about those angels I helped back when I was heading back from blowing up the Parasite breeding facility.

Mikael should be in a fairly high position, so it would be enough to mediate. PR might be messy, but if worst came to worst, I could lock a few people down with Karmic Binding.

So that was settled.

No, the biggest issue was...

"Charlotte Aria."

I muttered the name of the naive princess- No, I suppose it was 'Queen', of Eva and then tapped my finger along my desk.

From my vague memories, Seol managed to turn her around. Inspire her and break her out of her shell by some delicate manuevering and theatrics.

The problem was, that had resulted in Charlotte falling deeply in love with Seol.

Now, that wouldn't be a bad thing per say if I was single. It also wouldn't be a bad thing if I was actively seeking to create a harem of all the beautiful women in the world.

But I wasn't.

It had ended up this way because I didn't draw clear lines, but I wasn't about to start collecting beautiful women like Pokemon.

No, I had to handle this delicately.

It would be important to have Charlotte lean on me and support me since that was necessary for Elysium to have proper standing to take more drastic measures. But too much affection could turn into love, which would be another thread in this choking web of affection I was trapped in that I didn't want to deal with.

So...

"...It looks like I'll need to be a proper 'Oppa' this time."

...Big brother route it is. Build rapport while saying that she reminded me of Jinhee, emphasize the fact that I was married, probably lean on the fact that Resa and I had a thing and that since Resa thought about Charlotte like a kid sister, I did the same...

Yeah, let's go with that setting.

But for now-

A knock on my door.

I blinked and looked over, wondering who it was.

Everybody was busy doing their own tasks at the moment, so nobody should be in the building...

As if to answer my question, the familiar message window from <Transcendent Insight> popped up in front of me, giving me info.

[Vlad and Oana Halep are at the door and hoping to meet you, their benefactor.]

Vlad and Oana?

...Right.

I facepalmed and muttered, "This is the problem with helping too many people..." I shook my head and then said, "Come in you two."

Silence, and then the door opened.

A towering man with a muscled body and wild black hair walked in, followed by delicate girl with white hair and a matching headband.

Vlad looked at me and smiled. "You are a hard man to meet, Friend."

Oana smiled as well and said, "Right! Do you always keep people waiting, Oppa? Didn't you promise us a place when we got out of the banquet?"

I laughed. "It's been... Well, a lot has happened. But anyway, this is perfect timing. You see, I'm planning to start an organization over in Eva, so..."

xxx

Hannah stared at the texts that her husband sent her. Specifically, the giant list of things that he would kindly like her to handle since she was such a beautiful and competent woman.

"That bastard." She rubbed her forehead and said, "I was fucking right when I said whoever married him would be dealing with a headache every day. Hah..."