WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator/Editor: Ryuu
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Little Prince in the Ossuary
00028 <-- The Little Prince of the Ossuary -->
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Immediately, Min Wan-ki responded.
“That's a good idea. It wouldn't be a bad idea to form squads with the religious people. We could also organize religious activities by squads. It’s necessary for efficient organizational management anyway.”
He paused, as if organizing his thoughts, and stroked his chin.
“We set it up that way and inform new arrivals that there are small squads for religious people. If there's a spy, they would be delighted. One of the basic strategies of cults is to 'take over the church,' right? They infiltrate a healthy religious community, secure sympathizers, and drive out the existing leaders. If we inform only the squad leaders to be vigilant, we can monitor them effectively.”
Gyeoul listened, pretending to be unaware, but this was something he had already thought of. He had experienced it before. One end of the world was due to a mad religion causing the total collapse of the community. They claimed the plague was God’s will and spread it deliberately, saying everyone should become God's people.
One experience like that was enough. He had always been wary of the emergence of fanatical religions. He had devised many ways to prevent it.
Empowering a sound believer would be good. However, it was still unclear who was truly sound. Finding a genuinely sound believer was surprisingly difficult.
He didn't voice his opinion first to give the two an opportunity to perform their roles.
The perception of actually participating in organizational management itself was a motivator. Since they were newly appointed as vice-captains, it was good to pay attention to such details.
“You two are truly excellent. I agree. It's inappropriate to gather new people every time we do something. Group them, but keep the religious people together. The roster includes their religion, right? In the worst case, we can just cut off the problematic squad. I'll leave the appointment of squad leaders to you vice-captains. Just inform me later. This is what they call post-approval, right?”
Gyeoul added.
“And, please create a special squad separately.”
“A special squad?” Min Wan-ki asked, both curious.
Gyeoul answered.
“Well, should we call it a combat squad for now? Having a force that can respond immediately to any situation would... make a lot of difference internally.”
There was no need to show off. Other organizations would naturally find out, and excessive display would unnecessarily increase the threat to the combat squad members.
“Indeed, you’re right. The Little Captain is wiser than I thought.”
“Vice-Captain Min, are you flattering me?”
Gyeoul jokingly chided. Min Wan-ki shrugged. "It's the truth." Jang Yeon-cheol looked nervous again. He seemed a bit timid in such matters.
“Anyway, I'll exceptionally appoint the combat squad leader. They can also act as squad leaders when we go outside. I'd like others to see them as people I particularly trust.”
“Who do you have in mind?”
“Hm... For now, one person.”
Then the boy called out loudly.
“Yura-ssi!”
“Yes! Yes? Me?”
People gathered at a distance, and the woman whose name was called stood up hesitantly, looking confused. Gyeoul smiled brightly and spoke.
“Yura-ssi is the first combat squad leader!”
“What? Combat squad leader? What is that?”
“These two vice-captains will explain it to you later! Just know that it’s my decision! Oh, no need to come over! Just rest there!”
“Um, but... Captain? Little Captain?”
Ignoring her flustered reaction, Gyeoul returned to the original conversation. Yeon-cheol was concerned.
“Will it be alright? I think Yura-ssi is not suitable... She volunteered for dangerous tasks, showing courage, but the men who went with her said she was quite lacking.”
“I'll help her develop her skills. Above all, she’s trustworthy. This is my honest opinion after working with her.”
“Oh, alright...”
Gyeoul's statement about developing her skills was a plain fact. If he expanded his influence and acquired management authority over the community, he could manage the experience points gained by the members. With Gyeoul's guidance, her growth would be fast. In this field, this is commonly referred to as "getting a bus ride." He also possessed the 「Teaching」 skill, which would enhance the efficiency.
“So, how should we handle the drug issue?”
Gyeoul redirected Jang Yeon-cheol's question back to him.
“What do you think we should do, Vice-Captain Jang?”
Referring to someone by their title repeatedly was a calculated move. Titles imply hierarchy and relationships within the organization.
There was a long silence. No matter how much he thought about it, there was no clear answer. Yeon-cheol frowned. After a long wait, he finally gave his opinion, but it was evident he wasn’t confident in it.
“Other than asking the squad leaders to pay attention like with the religious issue, the only method would be thorough inspections of personal belongings. But even then, if they bury it in the ground, will it be effective...?”
Min Wan-ki shook his head.
“We can’t inspect personal belongings. People rely on our organization to survive, and if their personal property is violated, there will be all sorts of complaints.”
“Who said we would confiscate anything? We just need to inform them it’s to prevent drug inflow. And is there anything left to call personal property? Everyone’s penniless.”
Min Wan-ki calmly explained to the grumbling Jang Yeon-cheol, who looked like he couldn’t understand.
“Of course, they have nothing. That’s why it’s worse. Let me ask you this. Have you never seen people desperately hiding a clean set of clothes, bundles of useless dollars, unopened cosmetics, new razors, or toothbrushes?”
“Uh...”
He couldn’t answer. Most people actually did that. Min Wan-ki continued.
“Should I repeat myself? It’s worse because they have nothing. Look at the people who desperately cherish their belongings, saying it’s theirs. They don’t even want others to know about it. They’re afraid of theft or seizure. No matter how noble the reason, if they don’t want to accept it, there will be complaints, and complaints lead to gossip. People will start saying there’s a hidden agenda behind the inspections. If three people shout, even a tiger will roar.”
He seemed to think his last analogy was clever, smiling as he looked around, but it wasn’t that funny. He then resumed his serious demeanor and continued.
“Vice-Captain Jang, our alliance is a newly formed organization. It’s held together only by personal affection for the Little Captain or pragmatic expectations, not by any affection or trust in the community. It might not disband over something like this, but various side effects are expected. The first step is crucial for both individuals and the organization. I find it hard to accept.”
Yeon-cheol immediately retorted.
“Vice-Captain Min, you’re too negative. It’s like being afraid of maggots and not making kimchi. If drugs spread, we’ll have no real solution. Compared to that, individual complaints are minor, aren’t they? If they really hate it, they can just leave. If someone can’t make that judgment, they don’t belong in our organization. They don’t deserve to be here!”
Realizing he was getting agitated, Yeon-cheol looked around. Curious and anxious eyes were watching. He lowered his voice and spoke again.
“The Little Captain said our alliance would become better than any other organization in the future, but... strictly speaking, that’s incorrect. The 『Gyeoul Alliance』 is already the best. Where else is there an organization whose leader is a provider, not a taker? One where the leader risks their life to go outside? As far as I know, there’s none.”
“Calm down. There’s no need to raise your voice, is there?”
Gyeoul tried to calm Yeon-cheol, who had raised his voice again in his fervor. Yeon-cheol apologized, embarrassed, but Gyeoul actually liked what he said. Not because it was praise for himself, but because someone rebutting with emotion tends to believe their own words.
‘Just like Father used to.’
Someone who sold off his children, calling it a sacrifice for the family. Parents who genuinely argued against their children’s expectations were truly an eyesore.
Belief is formed from emotions.
Thus, Yeon-cheol now genuinely believed his own words.
Gyeoul, shaking off the weight of the rolling stone inside him, encouraged the now quiet two.
“I’ve heard both of your opinions. Though there are differences, it was nice to hear as both seemed sincere. Thank you for showing your enthusiasm. I feel confident I can trust you no matter what happens in the future.”
“…It’s only natural.”
Yeon-cheol hid his embarrassment, while Min Wan-ki stroked his chin. The latter asked Gyeoul’s opinion.
“As you always say, Little Captain, you are the face of the alliance. Surely, you want to make quick use of it. Considering the Captain will often be absent, the organization needs to stabilize quickly. So, this decision should be made swiftly. What will you do?”
“Then, no inspections. Let’s trust the squad leaders.”
Yeon-cheol groaned. Min Wan-ki didn’t look particularly happy either.
“I feel embarrassed for worrying without offering alternatives, but simply relying on the squad leaders is not enough. Even if we select them, they’re just ordinary people without any experience. If we burden them with too much, they might mess up everything. Do you have any other ideas?”
“I do.”
A light acknowledgment. Min Wan-ki blinked in silence, as he hadn’t expected a positive answer. Yeon-cheol watched carefully. Gyeoul tilted his head.
“Weren’t drugs crossing borders even before this chaos?”
Ah. They both understood almost simultaneously, letting out sounds of realization. Gyeoul continued.
“When I mentioned the purpose of our alliance, I said we’d accept people regardless of nationality... but the language barrier is tough, isn’t it? I expect almost everyone who joins to be Korean. This means the organizations that will challenge our alliance will mostly be Korean as well. But in my world history class, I learned that when close thugs are enemies, you make friends with distant robbers. Korean drug dealers’ competitors are Japanese and Chinese drug dealers, so we ask them. What do they know about their competitors?”
“Hahaha!”
Min Wan-ki clapped and laughed loudly. He felt a change in the onlookers. Though they couldn’t hear the conversation, they sensed the good mood and were pleased. There was one exception. Yura was struggling, surrounded by people. She must be confused by the questions she couldn't understand.
“There are probably people from different organizations among those waiting outside. Whether it’s the Heishehui or the Sumiyoshi-kai , wouldn’t they want to make contact with me somehow?”
“Um, but...” Yeon-cheol hesitated.
“Even if we get information from them, it won’t directly help us catch spies, will it?”
“I don’t expect it to.”
“Then what do you mean...?”
“My world history teacher said the best defense is offense. I plan to find where the drugs are coming from and crush it.”
Yeon-cheol’s mouth dropped open.
“I’m tired of just enduring.”
Yes. He didn’t want to repeat the passive life of his past, when he was unable to be anything but passive, when no opportunities were given. It was a trauma. Feeling both the surge of pent-up resentment and a sense of liberation, the boy spoke without hesitation.
“I won’t be just a nice person. Some call it a preemptive war, right? I’ll destroy anyone bringing drugs to my people. I’ll crush them.”
There were many means available. Anyway, his position was the best.
To remain a good person, it’s better to draw a clear line. Everyone has their limits.
Footnotes:
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