WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 389: Change (6)

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In this presidential election, which saw the highest voter turnout in history, Kramer won the largest landslide ever recorded. He crushed Gerald Burns of the Democratic Party by a staggering twenty million votes. The surprising part was that even Gerald Burns, defeated so thoroughly, had received more votes than any previous winner.

Kramer released only a brief statement on the matter.

「I stand here not as the spokesperson for only my supporters, but to become the representative of all American citizens. Therefore, regardless of whether you supported the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, Kramer or Burns, I offer my sincere thanks to every voter who exercised their precious right out of love for our homeland. I believe that, through the meaningful participation of the citizens, a sacred duty will be given to the rightful person. I will wait for that day. Thank you.」

It was a show of humility mindful of the state-by-state Electoral College vote, the procedure that would confirm the winner. Unless faithless electors appeared in droves, Gerald Burns's victory would be impossible.

Ten days later, on November 18.

For that one day, the media's attention shifted, if only briefly. On the weekend before Thanksgiving, the commemorative coins Gyeoul had donated were put up for auction.

「Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul and President-Elect Kramer Each Keep Their Promises.」

That was the front-page headline of one newspaper. The article that followed gave the details.

「Yesterday, Saturday, November 17, a charity auction was held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium to help the citizens of D.C. What made this event special were the two Medal of Honor recipient commemorative coins offered by Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul. With nationwide attention fixed on them, the gold coins sold for thirteen million dollars and nine million six hundred thousand dollars respectively, setting rare records as the most expensive coin and the third-most expensive coin in world auction history.」

「Before this auction, the coin that had held the highest auction price was the one-dollar gold coin minted at the Philadelphia Mint in 1794, the Flowing Hair dollar. Experts say Lieutenant Colonel Han's commemorative coins have more than enough room to be valued even higher. To begin with, Medal of Honor recipient commemorative coins possess basic historical symbolism. They have a face value, but are not currency intended for actual circulation. They were also Lieutenant Colonel Han's personal possessions, and as number zero coins, they even have distinct designs. In other words, they are extraordinarily rare.」

「The event was held under strict identity protection at the request of the participants. This measure was taken in light of the negative public opinion some citizens held toward the auction. Under normal circumstances, then, we should not have been able to know the new owners of the two commemorative coins. However, the person who paid thirteen million dollars did not hide behind anonymity. It was none other than Edgar Kramer, president-elect of the Republican Party.」

「The president-elect explained at a press conference why he participated in the auction. "Returning to this era's most devoted war hero the honor he deserves, and extending a small helping hand to the citizens of D.C. who suffered through the horrors of the recent rebellion, were things I naturally had to do as someone who seeks to become president of this country."」

「At the same time, the president-elect showed humility, saying this had not been such a great sacrifice for him personally. He also said he regretted being unable to purchase the remaining coin due to the limits of the cash he could immediately mobilize. He understood that recovery and relief were urgent, but had hoped for a little more time.」

「President-Elect Kramer is ranked 93rd among America's 400 richest people selected by Forbes, and his total assets amount to a staggering 4.1 billion dollars as of the time of the survey. He once promised that, if he became president, he would return 90 percent of his assets to the nation in some form during his term. In other words, this auction was only the first step in carrying out that pledge. Despite his modest assessment, we cannot help but call the example he has set truly noble.」

「Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul, who received the coin back, expressed deep gratitude to President-Elect Kramer and replied that he would repay this goodwill by continuing to do his utmost in carrying out his duty. It seems we can expect his honorable devotion even under the new administration.」

"......"

After reading that far, Gyeoul folded the newspaper and looked for another. But most of them were full of favorable coverage that bundled Gyeoul and Kramer together. As in the previous article, many called Kramer president-elect. Strictly speaking, it was still too early to use that term.

'I feel like I got played somehow.'

It was not just that Kramer had cleverly ridden the image created by the coin donation. Now that things had turned out this way, it would be hard for Gyeoul to voice a critical opinion of Kramer later. Gyeoul had received a major gift from Kramer. Whatever Gyeoul himself thought, in the eyes of the citizens, it was clearly a major gift. Thirteen million dollars was not a small amount by any means.

No, it was not. But from Kramer's perspective, it was an expense packed with practical value. After spending two hundred million dollars on campaign funds alone, what was another thirteen million or so to finish things off? The publicity Kramer gained from this one act was almost impossible to put a price on. The Kramer administration would begin amid even more fervent support.

As Gyeoul searched for any critical articles, his eyes caught on a bizarre phrase.

「Suspicion: Is Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul a Communist?」

"A Communist......"

Anne frowned when she saw Gyeoul's disbelief.

"I asked them to bring some newspapers, and they must have gathered them indiscriminately. You don't need to worry about yellow journalism like that. It comes with being famous. They're vulgar people who treat even hatred as attention."

As she said that, she held out her hand for it. Gyeoul shook his head.

"I want to read it once for fun. Now I'm curious what they wrote."

"Is there any need to foul your eyes?"

Anne looked displeased, but she withdrew her hand.

The article pointed to Gyeoul's "seriously left-leaning" tendencies. It argued that using his private property without reservation for the nation and community was proof of that misguided ideology. It also claimed that the Gyeoul Alliance, the refugee community and refugee relief foundation established by Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul, consisted only of followers of that ideology, making it effectively no different from a Communist Party organization. Therefore, it concluded, Lieutenant Colonel Han Gyeoul as an individual deserved admiration and respect, but he must not be allowed to exert political influence. If left alone, his followers would grow in influence and turn into Communist rioters.

It was a novel piece of bullshit that had cleverly mixed in anti-refugee sentiment.

Gyeoul folded the newspaper with a shake of his head.

"I wonder if this newspaper will be okay after publishing an article like this. I feel like they won't have a window left intact......"

Unfortunately, the concern had solid grounds. On the last presidential election day, a reporter who had behaved somewhat rudely toward Gyeoul had been exposed to intense criticism. In the end, she admitted she had been rash and apologized publicly. The fact that she did it on SNS took some of the weight out of it, but Gyeoul accepted the reporter's apology. In a fairly long post that took some time, too. He had been worried another incident might happen otherwise.

He had to watch for the possibility that extreme supporters would create extreme opponents.

Anne said with displeasure.

"They'd deserve whatever happened to them."

"No, a Bureau agent shouldn't say things like that."

"......It was just a thought."

Hard to believe. Gyeoul laughed inwardly and changed the subject.

"Putting that aside, how long until we arrive?"

The two of them were riding by car to a safe house in the eastern outskirts of D.C. It was not to become Gyeoul's residence. He was going there to attend the meeting Lieutenant General Xieru had requested.

The war crimes trial of the century, where she would stand as a defendant, was scheduled to begin with the change of administration. It was President MacMillan's gift to the successor and the successor's administration. Therefore, it was better to handle Lieutenant General Xieru's request within this month if possible. Starting next month, things would become troublesome with their own preliminary preparations.

He also wanted to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at ease.

Anne looked out the car window and guessed uncertainly.

"It's not that far, but the road conditions are...... Mm, about ten more minutes, maybe?"

"Not much longer, then."

As he answered, Gyeoul thought again.

'Kramer will begin the term under very good conditions.'

Lieutenant General Xieru was one thing, but the Continental Partition operation was also proceeding smoothly so far. The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, which had carried out a feigned landing as a preparatory attack before the full-scale offensive, had been enduring wave after wave of mutant attacks with an overwhelming exchange ratio to date.

Gyeoul knew Esther's help lay behind the string of victories. Just by eavesdropping on the conversations of the plagues, humanity's firepower and organization could now display their natural strengths to the fullest.

Judging from these results, the plan to deliberately release Tricksters onto the Eurasian continent seemed unexpectedly realistic.

The road led into a dense forest. Before long, Gyeoul broke off his thoughts and enjoyed the scenery of the late-autumn forest passing by at the speed of the moving car. He spotted a kestrel in mottled brown and gray with black spots. Gyeoul's senses let him perceive its movements with unreal clarity. The colorful sensation itself was worth enjoying.

"You look relaxed."

At Anne's words, Gyeoul glanced at her for a moment.

"Is there anything to be uncomfortable about?"

"We're going to meet someone who was the target of a secret mission. She can't think well of being deceived...... If she holds a grudge, she could ruin things."

By ruin things, Anne meant the possibility that the lieutenant general would reverse her decision to sacrifice herself. If she ruined the trial with some sudden action, more than a few people would be in trouble.

"I don't know."

Gyeoul rested his chin on his hand.

"I don't think she'll hate me that much. Even if she does, I don't think she'd change her mind over it."

"Why?"

"Just a feeling. She isn't the type to abandon her own people easily. They said the terms of her deal include the rest of her son Lieutenant Colonel Tan Guosheng's life, too."

"......"

Anne closed her mouth, looking far from reassured. But even without 「Insight」, Gyeoul thought the general's decision would not be easily shaken. That was the conclusion he had reached after going over the conversations he had shared with her several times. Though it was still mostly intuition.

Gyeoul himself found it a little suspicious.

'Have I gotten too relaxed lately?'

He had worries. But none of those worries felt as dark as before. Quite apart from their weight.

"Ah."

Anne glanced at the windshield.

"We're here. That's the place."

The convoy left the main road and entered a single-lane road covered with fallen leaves. At the entrance stood a mailbox and a copper plate showing the street number. At a glance, it looked like a side road leading to an ordinary mansion. But after they went a little farther in, barbed wire, a barrier gate, and a checkpoint appeared. Beyond them was the safe house where the lieutenant general was staying.

The vehicle passed through the checkpoint and stopped in the front yard of the mansion designated as the safe house. When the door opened, the cries of the autumn forest rushed closer. The sound of waves came through them too. Judging by the distance they had traveled, Chesapeake Bay was likely nearby. It was good terrain for preventing any possible escape. Who knew how many surveillance measures were hidden in the forest?

The wind was chilly. Nine degrees Celsius. Clear days were rare near Washington in November.

An FBI agent approached with coat hems fluttering and greeted Gyeoul and Anne.

"We've been waiting for you. You're a little early, but would you like to go in right away?"

"Sure."

After answering, Gyeoul smiled at Anne, who was still nervous, to reassure her.

A short while later, Gyeoul finally saw Lieutenant General Xieru.

"You came early."

The general was sitting on a sofa in the Dress Blue uniform of the People's Liberation Army Navy. On the home theater across from her, the movie The Godfather was playing. The thick smell of tobacco had seeped into every corner of the spacious room.

Unlike Anne had feared, there was no hostility in the general's expression as she looked at Gyeoul. Even though she must have known the whole situation. Gyeoul calmly looked back at her. She looked older than before. But her eyes alone were brighter than ever.

After lowering the home theater's volume, the lieutenant general gestured.

"Sit first."

Once Gyeoul sat, the lieutenant general offered him a cigarette.

"Will you smoke?"

Among Chinese people, offering a cigarette was both a means of socializing and basic courtesy. It signaled the intent to have a friendly conversation. From their drinking together before, she must have understood that Gyeoul was familiar with Chinese culture. Gyeoul searched inside his coat and took out a box a little smaller than his palm. Lieutenant General Xieru gave a quiet sound of admiration.

"That's a luxury even the bastards watching me can't get. Are you that capable?"

"I received it as a gift. If you don't mind, please smoke this."

"Good."

What Gyeoul had brought was a Cuban cigar he had received from Captain Pelletier. He had never smoked one, but he knew how. Gyeoul took one out, cut off the end with a guillotine cutter, and held it out to the lieutenant general. Then he lit it with the Zippo lighter he had received as a gift from a Ranger. The lieutenant general drew on it a few times until the end of the cigar glowed red, then exhaled smoke and tapped the back of Gyeoul's hand with her fingertips. Gyeoul put a cigar in his mouth as well. He did not want to smoke it, but this was a time when he at least had to pretend.

For a moment, only the crackle of burning tobacco leaves could be heard in the silence.

"Good."

The general closed her eyes and savored it.

"Good. Truly first-rate. To receive something like this as a gift in this era. A lover of tobacco wouldn't have been able to give it up easily. Did you perhaps save that person's life?"

"Yes."

The lieutenant general gave a short laugh.

Gyeoul found the smoke harsh and wondered what was so good about it, but at any rate, he was glad the lieutenant general seemed to like it.

The more expensive and precious a cigarette offered was, the more Chinese people felt they were being respected. Captain Pelletier had said each one cost over four hundred dollars, and even then, it was something one could only buy at a premium right now...... To think it would help like this. Gyeoul found it rather fortuitous.

Footnotes:

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