Duke’s Son: Re

Chapter 12

They called it the white night, where even the darkest of nights turned white.

The National Treasure, Seol Soo-ah, had been smiling as usual. However, her gaze was cold, filling the director’s office with a chilling atmosphere.

“P-Please, Your Excellency, calm down. The Minister is struggling to breathe…”

The First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs had been trembling and pleading.

But Seol Soo-ah’s gaze did not change. It was as if she thought nothing of lesser beings meeting their end.

The vice minister, feeling he was about to share a fate with frozen tuna, supported the Minister, who was trying to rise.

“Your Excellency Seol Soo-ah.”

A middle-aged man, with eyebrows layered with white frost, spoke with difficulty, his eyes still piercing.

“We understand well that Your Excellency harbors hostility towards the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But that was the work of our predecessors. The ones responsible left their positions to take responsibility eight years ago and disappeared afterward.”

“Are you implying you bear no responsibility?”

“No. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will never be free from the stigma of failing to protect him, a National Treasure and duke. However, we are in the dark. Both myself and those beside me were mere aides at the time. We cannot take responsibility until we uncover the truth of what happened that day eight years ago, which put Yaksha in such a dire situation.”

The Minister, his body turning cold and rigid, managed to bow forward.

“Please aid us in uncovering the truth, Your Excellency. Even now, public sentiment blaming the work of a powerful nation under false pretenses is growing. We must rectify the situation and deliver true history to our people.”

“…”

When Seol Soo-ah withdrew her cold aura, the documents in front of her quickly absorbed the moisture.

『East Asia Gate Exchange』

It was a form of ‘diplomacy’ burdened onto a player of National Treasure level.

Typically held once every two years, South Korea had abstained for six consecutive years.

“The reason we propose Your Excellency instead of other national treasures is our belief that only you can question them about the old days,” the Foreign Affairs Minister had spoken firmly.

His eyes had been steady as he looked at the National Treasure. It was as if facing her, he had no intention of deceit or shame.

Seol Soo-ah had smiled.

“Minister, let us speak frankly. It was not that you proposed to me over other national treasures, but rather that you dared not make such a proposal to them.”

The East Asian countries had harmed Yaksha during the meeting eight years ago.

Without having clarified what happened, expecting someone to attend the meeting?

If another National Treasure had received such a proposal, it would not have been surprising if they had threatened the Minister to avoid becoming the second Yaksha.

It was likely that only Seol Soo-ah, known for her pro-Yaksha stance, was even approached.

“No.”

The Minister’s eyes remained firm.

“If Your Excellency refuses, I plan to seek out other national treasures. Even if it incurs their wrath and future repercussions, it is the best I can do.”

Chun Gwipil.

Since his appointment as Minister, he had persistently sent letters to East Asian nations urging them to reveal the truth. The number of protest letters each country received had long surpassed dozens.

Although they had been consistently ignored by the media, and there was pressure from superiors to stop tarnishing the nation’s dignity, he had always done his utmost.

Seol Soo-ah was well acquainted with the Minister’s disposition.

She had verified it with her own eyes at that moment.

Withdrawing her smile, she spoke softly.

“The timing is premature, so I must decline your proposal, Minister. However, I advise against seeking out other national treasures.”

It was a distinct goodwill.

She was implying that she might need him, so he should maintain his health.

“Your Excellency… but my duty is…”

“Duty? Let your duty be to maintain your ministerial position until your term ends. If you act rashly and lose your position to an incompetent person, it will cause me trouble.”

“I believe Your Excellency misunderstands. My aim to correct history is a duty of a public official, not because I wish to bring the Ministry of Foreign Affairs into your faction. My respect for Your Excellency is purely personal. However, the Ministry must be devoted solely to the nation and its people, not to any specific individual.”

“You speak the obvious. Yet many fail to achieve the obvious, so retain your position instead of letting it be taken by another.”

Seol Soo-ah chuckled, waving her hand to dismiss them.

“Let us look forward to three years hence.”

She added the meaningful words as they left.

The group exchanged glances and bowed sincerely before retreating.

“Why does Your Excellency behave so?”

The vice minister peeked around to ensure they weren’t overheard before whispering to the Minister.

The Minister, having reached the end of the hallway, finally spoke.

“It seems His Excellency was testing me.”

And I likely passed the test. Probably.

But what does this mean in three years? Chun Gwipil pondered Seol Soo-ah’s enigmatic words, when a particular figure sprang to mind.

‘Kang Jaehyuk.’

The boy who had become a topic of discussion after enrolling in Lion’s Castle a few days prior.

Yaksha’s son.

“Could… could this be referring to Kang Jaehyuk’s graduation?”

“No, that would be a ridiculous over-interpretation.”

As Yaksha’s son, he was only a 16-year-old boy.

It would be impossible for him to wield influence in politics immediately upon graduation.

Chun Gwipil’s rational mind warned him not to focus on Kang Jaehyuk.

But despite his rational mind’s efforts, his heart began pounding loudly.

‘However, what if… a tiger has given birth to a tiger…?’

The thought reached its conclusion as Minister Chun Gwipil boarded the elevator.

“While we’re here, shall we take a tour of the campus?”

“Yes.”

The vice minister nodded absent-mindedly.

Lion’s Castle.

One of the few national prides South Korea could boast to the world.

It seemed natural for the Minister to suggest a visit since they were there, so he hadn’t suspected any hidden motives.

‘The freshman Awakened class was around here…’

As they entered the main building, the Minister recalled the floor plan and quickened his steps, guessing that Jaehyuk would be in Class B.

As Yaksha’s son, Jaehyuk must have Awakened, but having lost his guardian, he wouldn’t have ventured into gates yet.

“Hmm…”

Upon reaching the Class B classroom, it was empty.

Had they gone out for training?

After checking the time, Minister Chun Gwipil moved on.

Then, upon stepping onto the field—

“Ah…”

The Minister couldn’t help but let out a small exclamation.

There was a boy with particularly dark black hair and glossy, lacquered eyes.

A dignified carriage accentuated by long arms and legs.

A sharp gaze that didn’t detract from his refined appearance.

He resembled Yaksha in his youth, coming toward him with a group of students.

The boy naturally led them, as if making his way toward his destiny.

“Aah…”

Chun Gwipil glimpsed a sliver of greatness and recalled old memories.

A warmth felt at the top of his head, as if the kind hand of Yaksha, who had once saved him in his youth, was vividly remembered.

Yet, somehow…

‘It’s fast…’

The students trailing Jaehyuk were moving at an alarming speed.

Closer inspection revealed they were exerting their limbs vigorously, appearing to sprint with all their might.

“Everyone, protect the Minister!”

The vice minister urgently commanded the aides.

“Kang Jae-hyu-u-u-u-k!!”

“Stop there, you damned brat!!”

The approaching students’ voices began to be distinctly audible.

The majority of them hurling curses and insults, directed at Kang Jaehyuk.

Was he being bullied simply for his Kang family lineage?

Minister Chun Gwipil’s face crinkled into a frown as he tried to deduce the situation.

Had they just fallen into a mess?

Following Jaehyuk were students covered in filth. Some even sported bruises under their eyes or had sizable lumps on their heads.

In contrast, Kang Jaehyuk, though pursued, was immaculate without a speck of dirt.

“Does it really matter if you’re a little dirty already? We’re heading to training right after lunch, right?”

“We can’t enter the cafeteria looking like this!”

“Who told you to fall into the swamp in the first place?”

“Because you pushed us in! Damn, I really feel like beating the hell out of you!”

“It’s your fault for falling when pushed. Worse than a roly-poly. Tsk, tsk.”

“Graaah! Kill! Let’s kill this bastard!!”

“Heh…”

It seemed I misinterpreted Her Excellency’s intent.

Minister Chun Gwipil chuckled softly and urged his aides.

“Let us make our departure.”

Regardless, he intended to wait the three years.

Skipping a few more Gate exchanges wouldn’t present any significant issues, since they’d already abstained for six years. In fact, there were many who were likely relieved internally.

The government and the Association had no desire to reopen old wounds.

It wasn’t appropriate to criticize them for cowardice.

Eight years ago, Korea had paid a heavy price when it officially protested against the countries involved in the last meeting. It was the lament of a minor player nation.

‘Someone, anyone…”

Let them break the chains of this humiliating history.

Thus, restoring Yaksha’s and the Kang family’s honor.

Minister Chun Gwipil prayed as he took in the scenery of Lion’s Castle and entered the vehicle.