Chapter 211 - Perfect Plan

# Enhanced Translation

"Katana. Would you like to commit terrorism with me?"

That was what I said in response to her promise to grant me one request, thanks to my advice that helped her conquer half of Japan.

After I said those words at the end of Kathedal...

"Konbanwa, Egostic-san."

"Um... hello everyone. Good evening."

I was now in Japan.

...Hmm, how did it come to this?

***

After receiving greetings from the Samhyeoppa organization members.

"Please, have a seat wherever you're comfortable."

I was now in the office of Katana, the leader of Samhyeoppa, Japan's largest villain organization and the de facto power in Japan now that the Association had essentially lost its function.

A neat and tidy room with a wooden feel. On one side, what appeared to be military strategy books lined the wall shelves, and on the other side, what looked like an old Japanese map was attached to the wall. It had an antique feel overall.

"Please, have some."

"Ah, thank you."

After Katana poured me a cup of tea in a teacup, she sat down across from me with a table between us.

I took a sip of the warm tea I'd been given.

It had a deep yet refreshing taste with no aftertaste.

After putting down my teacup, I smiled and said to Katana:

"The tea is excellent. It has such a deep flavor... Did you brew it yourself?"

"Yes. I'm glad you like it."

She answered my comment with an expressionless face.

However, she somehow seemed a bit pleased. Though her expression didn't change much, something about her atmosphere did.

Anyway, we had a brief conversation over tea.

After the mood had lightened somewhat, Katana brought up the main topic again.

"...So you want me to commit terrorism with you? In Korea."

At those words coming from across from me, I stopped appreciating the tea and looked up.

Katana was mentioning the terrorism I had proposed earlier.

...Right. This is how I ended up in Japan. After Kathedal ended, I just made the terrorism proposal and was planning to go home, but suddenly I was dragged here.

...Let's discuss this in a more private space since it won't be a quick conversation, we don't know when we'll meet again, I want to repay your kindness, etc... When she said all that, I found myself nodding before I knew it.

When I held hands with Katana and tore the letter, I just went whoosh and when I opened my eyes, I was in Japan.

Anyway, I nodded at her words.

"Yes, that's right. I'd like you to commit terrorism with me in Korea. That's my request."

"Hmm...."

She pondered my words for a moment with an expressionless face.

At first glance, she might seem cold, but that's just her face, not her actual personality. It's more like she hardly shows any facial expressions.

In fact, when she held my hand at Kathedal and explained why I needed to come to Japan with her now, her expressionlessness still revealed urgency. In the original work, she was described as someone who doesn't express emotions well.

Anyway, focusing on the Katana before me.

With her black tied hair and wearing a martial arts uniform, she was thinking about my terrorism proposal, my request for her to commit terrorism with me in Korea.

After finishing her brief contemplation, she looked up at my eyes and said:

"I don't think that's right."

...Huh?

Well, I didn't expect this.

And while I was still smiling but slightly taken aback, frantically thinking...

Seeing my expression and as if there was some misunderstanding, she quickly added:

"No, I'm not saying I won't commit terrorism with you."

"Pardon?"

"What I mean is just..."

After clearing her throat slightly, she smiled a bit and said:

"Didn't you say we're friends now?"

"Yes?"

"This is just a casual favor that friends do for each other, not something that should count as your one and only request.

Katana said this with a slight smile and a serious face.

...Do friends normally commit terrorism together in other countries? Well, maybe among villains they do?

While I was thinking about that, she spoke decisively as if to end the matter here:

"So let's just consider committing terrorism together as something friends do for each other, and as for the request... well, let's call it a wish token. Tell me when you need it later. I'll grant it then."

Katana said this, leaving no room for objection.

So to summarize what she was saying: I had offered her the chance to grant me one wish, but when I proposed terrorism cooperation, she said this is just what friends naturally do for each other, so it doesn't count as a request. If I have a real request, I should tell her later.

...But judging by the current atmosphere, I feel like even if I ask for something later, she'll say "This is just what friends do for each other" and grant it anyway? This is kind of like the giving tree...

Anyway, I had nothing to say except thank you for her offer. She responded to my thanks with an expressionless face that somehow still conveyed a slight smile.

...We've only met twice, but she seemed too favorable toward me. If I didn't know Katana's personality from the original work, I might have suspected she had some ulterior motive.

Of course, I did give her one piece of advice that helped the failing Samhyeoppa completely reverse the situation and basically devour Japan... but even considering that, it seemed a bit much. Or is it? Is it reasonable? But given Katana's personality, I didn't think she'd be this friendly to me just because of that one thing.

While I was thinking about this.

After briefly looking at the window beside her, Katana opened her mouth and said to me:

"...Actually, Egostic. I've done some research about you."

"About me?"

"Yes. Your actions so far, things like that."

After saying that, she fiddled with her teacup, then showed a faint smile again and said to me:

"That's when I realized. You're the same kind as me."

....The same kind?

"The same kind?"

"Yes."

After saying that, she turned her head to look out the window.

Then, with her gaze fixed on the sky, she spoke to me:

"Egostic. You too... aren't you committing terrorism to protect your country? Korea? As a villain?"

"What...?"

"...You don't need to deny it. Since I'm similar to you, I understand to some extent. You too... thought you had to rise up, even if it meant becoming a villain, for the sake of your country, right?"

She was now looking into my eyes and speaking seriously.

Then she briefly mentioned various pieces of evidence. No casualties, citizens love it, saved the country many times...

...Hmm. She seems to be seriously misunderstanding something. I was just trying to prevent Stardust from being in a depressing story, not becoming a villain to overthrow a corrupt country.

...No, wait. I have actually saved the country several times, so what she's saying is technically correct? But it doesn't feel right.

Although it felt a bit strange.

Anyway, what I needed to say was already decided.

"...Yes, that's right. Being a villain, committing terrorism, it was all to protect my country, my homeland. Sob I never thought I'd meet someone who understands."

"....I knew it."

She answered me with a face much more relaxed than her earlier stoic expression.

...I wonder if this is okay. Anyway, there's no harm in gaining her favor here, so I decided to just go with it.

And honestly, if you think about it, I did do it to save the country.

Of course, there was a big difference between me and Katana, who from the beginning rose up solely to protect her country, but I didn't bother to correct that misunderstanding. It's nice if she thinks well of me. From today, I'm Patriotic-stic, a patriotic martyr.

After that, we continued our conversation.

She still looked impassive as usual, but perhaps because she thought she'd met someone who shared her ideals for the first time, there was a slight sparkle in her eyes. Her speech also seemed a bit more excited. Her manner of speaking also seemed to become less formal.

I also listened attentively to Katana's stories, responded, and occasionally shared my own stories.

After that, we finally returned to the topic of terrorism.

"When and what specifically should I do for the terrorism?"

"Hmm... I'd like to ask you to fight with one hero, would that be okay?"

"You mean Stardust? Understood. I enjoy sparring with various opponents anyway."

She nodded as she answered.

...But I never mentioned Stardust, how did she know?

Anyway, after Katana promised to come to the Republic of Korea and we discussed the general content of the terrorism, we parted ways.

...Of course, during that process, I also received messages from Seo-eun asking why I wasn't coming back, had dinner with Katana at her invitation, had various conversations, and learned that Katana is actually very kind despite not being good at expressing herself.

After all that, in the evening.

I was preparing to go home near the Samhyeoppa base in Japan, somewhere near what looked like a shrine on a hill. I guess if I tear this Kathedal return letter, I'll go back to my home. This must also be Celestia's ability.

"Well... that worked out well."

Feeling the wind, I thought with a slight smile.

....The next terrorism will probably be a collaboration with Katana.

Actually, there's a reason why I recruited Katana instead of our Ego-stream members.

'...Except for the Dragon-terrorism and the apocalypse that I saw but forgot, this will be the first time I see Stardust after a year.'

That was fine, but I was gripped by an ominous feeling.

Somehow... somehow I felt like if I went in front of Stardust with another female member, something terrible would happen.

"...."

Yes. My instinctive survival alarm told me not to go in front of Stardust with another female Ego-stream member. I had a gut feeling that something really bad could happen.

So I decided.

Yes, let's go with Katana this time!

Katana is not a female member of our Ego-stream but a woman from Japan's Samhyeoppa. Problem solved! I can say I listened well to my instinctive warning.

'Plus she's obviously strong... she'll be a great help for Stardust's growth.'

I praised myself for coming up with such a brilliant idea.

Perfect.