SWNOVELXO Chapter 185
Chapter 185. To Everyone Living in the World of Magic
[To Everyone Living in the World of Magic]
[Author: Conductor of the Colorless Orchestra]
[※ This document is safe for anyone, human or otherwise, to read. Please share it widely.]
[To the members of the supernatural society and our allies, who continue to uphold the legacy of a world where fantasy and magic exist, I write this letter with respect.]
[Let me get straight to the point. The Foundation is currently in the midst of a civil war. I am concerned that the fallout may harm those outside the Foundation.]
[What I wish to emphasize is this:]
[The Foundation is in a highly volatile state, and if something displeasing occurs, there’s no telling what might happen. For the time being, avoid drawing attention to yourselves and do not take unnecessary risks.]
[I believe the best course of action now is for you to focus your resources and efforts on protecting your communities and those around you.]
[Thank you for reading this letter.]
[New Facility Construction]
[Author: Support Department Head Lee Hwa]
[※ Confidential Document ※]
[&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&]
[Dr. Kim has been promoted to Administrator, and under his leadership, the Foundation’s organizations have entered a wartime state, rapidly advancing several projects.]
[First. The personnel stationed in Cernunnos’ Garden, a supernatural space, have doubled. This is likely due to concerns over the potential destruction of the Seoul Branch.]
[Second. A new underground bunker is being excavated at the Busan Branch. It appears that new port facilities for the Foundation’s use are also being constructed.]
[Third. In cooperation with the authorities, the long-abandoned Poi Station Underground Bunker is being cleaned and re-staffed.]
[Fourth. A new nuclear submarine equipped with command center facilities is under construction. It seems the Director plans to utilize it personally.]
[Fifth. In collaboration with the military-industrial company of the Enlightenment Group, a new munitions factory is being built in Changwon. Details are unclear.]
[P.S. The situation at the Pyongyang Branch is currently chaotic. There are rumors of a gunfight in downtown Pyongyang. Please verify.]
[&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&]
18 hours after the initiation of the Beijing Vacuum Operation.
The situation is over.
The soldiers from the Foundation’s Shanghai and Hong Kong Branches have completely occupied the Peacekeeping Force’s building, and most of the hostile groups within Beijing have been neutralized. The authorities remain paralyzed.
Of course, it’s not like things won’t work. With more people, things might even go smoother.
However, the Chinese authorities won’t be able to mount any meaningful resistance against the Foundation for the time being. Cleaning up the Mimics will be a hassle, though.
Not my problem.
“Greetings, Administrator. I am Qin Zhiwei, the overall commander of this operation from Shanghai.”
“I’m the overall commander.”
“My apologies.”
“Just kidding. How’s the situation?”
Hundreds of soldiers from Shanghai and Hong Kong were sent to this battlefield. Through the gate opened by Hasti, hundreds entered the building.
“Everyone was a bit surprised. We thought we were heading to Pyongyang, but after passing through the gate and starting the operation, we realized it was Beijing, not Pyongyang.”
I nodded.
“My apologies. When fighting an enemy that knows everything, deceiving even our own side is necessary to proceed with the war.”
The commander looked off into the distance.
“We’re currently cleaning up the battlefield, but there have been more casualties than expected, especially from the Chinese military’s Special Forces. What should we do?”
He’s probably suggesting we let the severely injured go peacefully.
Of course, we can’t do that.
First, because building a bad reputation makes governance difficult. Second, because I can think of several ways to use this situation to our advantage.
“We’ll save as many as possible. No euthanasia. If they’re on the brink of death, administer the Popo Serum and send them to civilian hospitals.”
The commander nodded.
“What about the remnants?”
“Leave the remnants outside Beijing alone. Even during the Peacekeeping Force’s control of Beijing, there were many Foundation facilities in China.”
“Then……”
“Don’t leave a single hostile group within Beijing. Eliminate anyone who refuses to cooperate with the Foundation’s rule.”
“Understood.”
The commander looked at me.
“What’s your plan?”
“For now, I’ll solidify the areas under my control. Currently, my domain stretches from Kuala Lumpur to Vladivostok.”
Of course, that’s a lie.
If I stay still now, I don’t know how the other Administrators might stab me in the back.
I need to act immediately. It’s fortunate that Dr. Chae is already at the next battlefield.
There’s one thing left to do today. I need to inform as many people as possible, especially the Administrators, that I have become the Emperor of the Central Plains.
They’ll probably be annoyed by the frequent meetings lately, but given the near-civil war situation, there’s no choice. Work must be done.
[Administrator Council.]
[Participants:]
[1st Administrator, Veritas.]
[9th Administrator, Patreus.]
[10th Administrator, Pixel.]
[12th Administrator, Kim Bari.]
The expressions of the three Administrators, excluding me, were dark. Well, Patreus is a cat, so that’s his usual expression. But Administrator Pixel and Administrator Veritas looked grim.
“Hello.”
[Veritas: Where are you now?]
“Beijing.”
[Veritas: Oh, really.]
[Patreus: What about the Pyongyang Vacuum?]
“Ah. It’s no longer necessary. That area is already completely surrounded by the enemy.”
[Veritas: Huh.]
[Pixel: Everyone clearly thought we were heading to Pyongyang. Dr. Kim changed the plan a minute ago, using every possible means.]
[Veritas: Is Pixel your next target?]
“Yes.”
I nodded.
[Pixel: You brat. I’ve lived in the Foundation for decades. Seven billion phones are my eyes, and all the knowledge humanity has accumulated is mine. I can turn the Seoul Branch and your newly acquired Beijing Branch into rubble right now if I want.]
“I see.”
He’s really angry.
[Pixel: What can you even do?]
[Patreus: Take it easy, Pixel. Acacia is dead, and you’ve already made your point. Try to persuade the Administrators who want to take down Dr. Kim.]
I frowned.
“No need to take it easy.”
[Pixel: What, are you scared now?]
This is also a matter of right and wrong.
Has the world created by this Administrator Council over the past century truly been the best? It doesn’t seem so.
Even if it comes at a cost, I believe it’s time for the Foundation to pass the torch to a new generation. Specifically, me.
“So, Administrator Pixel, you’re saying that the source of your power lies in the phones scattered across the world and the data, correct?”
[Pixel: This isn’t China, and I’m not Acacia. Your tricks in Beijing won’t work on me.]
[Pixel: This incident has made one thing clear. From now on, there’s no mercy. Your employees will be monitored every step of the way, and my combat assets will hunt you to the ends of the Earth.]
He’s definitely scary. Pixel is an entity that knows everything about anyone.
If the God of Data decides to target us, the foundation supporting me might crumble. Like the employees of the Seoul Branch.
That’s why time is crucial. It’s been less than a week since the Seoul Vacuum Operation.
“Administrator. But if what you’re saying is true, that most of your power is tied to civilian facilities, and you plan to use those facilities to attack my subordinates, correct?”
[Pixel: What, are you going to attack the internet now?]
“I’ve hired the best hackers. Right now, I can take control of this internet.”
[Pixel: What… Are you making a childish bluff? Hacking the internet?]
[Veritas: Dr. Kim. I don’t understand what you’re saying either.]
It’s true.
It’s simple. If I physically destroy the servers, that’s hacking. If I can shut them down at will, then I have control.
The Foundation’s most powerful agents are already on standby. Fools. If they haven’t grasped the situation yet, they’ve already lost.
“Dr. Chae. Go.”
[Veritas: Oh, this is impressive.]
There’s an English saying: Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Building a hundred glass houses doesn’t change anything. Administrator Pixel may think he rules the world with his silicon fortress.
But Administrator Pixel threw the first stone, and now it’s time for his glass house to shatter. The clock has struck midnight. Cinderella must now flee, leaving her glass slipper behind.
Three seconds later. Screams came from the other side of the screen. What an idiot.
“Well then. See you tomorrow.”
Administrator Pixel. You will die tomorrow.