am-books Chapter 209: – Katana
Chapter 209: – Katana
Chapter 209 – Katana
A few days after the New Year arrived, I was preparing to go to Cathedral.
“Wow, it’s already open?”
Does everyone have nothing to do?
As I was getting ready, I thought about that. I mean, I have a lot of information to share, and it’s nice to see Uncle Atlas again after a long time, but I’m not sure about the others.
Or is Celeste’s intention to get closer by meeting frequently? When I saw them last time, the people sitting next to each other exchanged greetings and chatted quietly, so maybe they are becoming close like that. It was mentioned in the original story that the Cathedral frequently opens.
Of course, I was sitting next to Uncle Atlas from the beginning, and the next time I was sitting beside our red mohawk-haired friend, so I didn’t have much time to meet others. Oh, but there was one person. Katana, the S-class villain from Japan, that woman.
“.....”
...Well, can you call that a conversation? I just unilaterally provided information to her while she was subtly cautious of me. Anyway, thanks to my advice, she completely turned the tide and is now thriving. I think the news recently mentioned that only the Japanese association’s formal surrender remains. They even said that public sentiment is already in Katana’s favor, so I guess I’ve done enough.
...But Katana. When she sees me, is she pretending not to know me? Should I call it playing possum? Now that you’ve gotten the information, it’s time to wash your hands of it, right? Or maybe in the end, she will definitely get back at me like in the original story? I don’t have much to say about Katana since I don’t know her well.
Well, whatever. I’ll know when I get there in a little while.
So, after getting dressed, I planned to tear up the letter sent by Celeste and head to the conference room.
“I’ll be on my way, Soobin.”
“Yes, take care... Oh, wait a moment.”
In the warm sunlight shining into the living room, Soobin smiled at my farewell and walked towards me.
Then, she stood in front of me and briefly lowered her gaze before adjusting the collar of my clothes under my neck.
“This side is slightly crooked...”
Rustle, rustle.
Feeling the touch of her fingers on my body, I stood quietly for a moment until she finished fixing it.
That way, in the living room, only our breathing could be heard for a while.
“There, all done.”
With a gentle smile, Soobin finished adjusting my clothes and softly spoke to me. It was close to home.
“Thank you. I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes.”
Soobin answered with a bright smile. Let’s go with strength.
After giving a wry smile, I tore the letter in my hand.
And like that, my vision wavered once again.
***
“Um...”
“Hello, Egostic.”
The cool air touched my skin. In the slightly chilly atmosphere contrasting with the warm living room until a moment ago, I opened my eyes.
Dressed in white priestess attire, Celeste, the priestess, bowed her head slightly to me, and I nodded in response before walking down the long corridor.
“Friends...”
As if she was muttering a strange word she hadn’t heard in a while, she responded to me with a slight smile.
“That’s nice. Then, are we friends from now on?”
“Yes.”
And so, I made a new friend at Cathedral. A Korean-Japanese villain collaboration, and no one can stop it now... Of course, the process of this collaboration was quite awkward, like making new friends in the beginning of a new semester. A conversation between two villains that could shape a nation...?
Anyway, since there was still some time before the meeting began, we chatted about various things. Among the topics that drew attention was:
“Have you already won?”
“Yes. Although I haven’t announced it to the press, it’s already over.”
It turned out that Katana had already conquered the Japanese association. They were controlling the information to avoid international intervention, but the conquest was nearly complete. They had dealt with all the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats that were there before, and it seemed they were planning a complete overhaul.
Based on a rough plan I heard, they intended to maintain the association’s appearance externally while the Sanhyeong faction, led by Katana, would operate in a non-elected position. It felt somewhat similar to the situation in our country.
Now, I understood why she was so grateful to me. She saved her country, so to speak, and it was thanks to me that she could devour the association. That was her lifelong goal, and she could achieve it because of me.
As I was thinking about this, Katana, who was sitting next to me, spoke in a serious tone.
“In other words, I don’t think the favor I owe you, Egostic, can be easily repaid. So, if you want anything, please let me know.”
“Hmm...”
She said that, but I didn’t really have anything to ask for.
“If there’s something I can do for you, I’ll do anything.”
Anything?
When I heard those words, an idea came to my mind. Yes, she said anything, right...?
Just as I was about to speak, I heard a loud voice calling me from the other side.
“Hey, Egostic!”
In that moment, I saw Uncle Atlas approaching with his large build.
He greeted me with a hearty laugh and sat down next to me, squeezing himself in between me and Katana, who was sitting beside me. He asked who she was.
“Oh, she’s Katana from Japan, with whom I’ve become friends this time.”
“Hello, I’m Katana.”
“Haha! So, you’re Egostic’s colleague? Then you’re my colleague too!”
He laughed heartily and complimented me on having good taste in making friends. What kind of compliment is that?
Anyway, with Katana on my left and Atlas on my right, the conversation continued. We had to finish our previous discussion.
And after a while, Celeste arrived. The meeting finally began.
“...Uh... That’s my seat...”
“....”
“O-Oh, nothing...”
Of course, after a while, our Red Mohawk-haired friend arrived and meekly tried to tell Katana that she was in his seat, but a stern look from Katana made him scared and end up sitting next to Atlas. It was a minor incident, but it happened because of Katana’s piercing gaze.
Anyway, the meeting finally started.