novelzi Chapter 145: Living with the Kikiruks
Chapter 145: Living with the Kikiruks
Chapter 145: Living with the Kikiruks
Inspectors from the United Nations are coming.
When the news broke, all the worshippers of the Temple of Ten Thousand Gods thought to themselves.
“”What’s coming is coming!””
Yes, they had to admit that the behavior of the Temple of Ten Thousand Gods is far removed from the common sense of modern Earth.
Not to mention the exorbitant tax structure of the ten-tiered system, with its huge welfare costs.......
“Sugar-salt water is out, out, out. Not to mention the 20-hour workdays.”
“The cadets are not treated like people at all, even if it’s only for a month.”
“Did you see the looks on the faces of the second-year cadets? They were frozen.”
“They’re treated like interns and then paid like interns with ‘voluntary’ contributions.”
Well, that’s about it.
The sugar-salt water only gets you through the training period, and when it’s time to attack the gate, you eat a proper field meal.
Surprisingly, the most evil part of the system doesn’t feel like a loss because of the infinite welfare.
The knights’ star iron armor alone is worth billions of won in legendary equipment, and the star iron-containing armor given to the soldiers is worth hundreds of millions of won.
When you’re in a position where you can’t see such luxury items in your lifetime, you have no choice but to be generous to those who give and take.
There was another problem.
“The serfs... aren’t they a problem?”
“.......”
Soo-ho was left speechless by Jae-hyuk’s words but Chun So-yeon retorted sharply.
“They’re demon followers, not people. Senior Ha-ri thinks so too, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah, but......do you think the Human Rights Commission thinks so too?”
“.......”
Okay, this is the problem.
The UN’s Human Rights Committee for Survivors is sensitive to the survival rights of those beyond the gates. Even if they’re half-human and half-horse, they’re intelligent beings. The way they’re being treated here is-
[Die, you minions of the Evil One!!]
They were forced to act as suicide squads and-
[Stuck? Why stop? Struggling? Exposed? No power. Organic matter of lesser content must have no power to overcome machines. Work harder, slave.]
Falling rocks, multiple cases of sexual maladjustment...a cold-blooded killing machine with a 77% mortality rate.......
[Wow, this one’s fresh. They were all in pretty bad shape from the rough ride......our test subject friend. How’s your pain tolerance?]
Mmm. I’m afraid the first two cases are at least humane.
“......Dangerous?”
Regardless of their legitimate concerns, Leon didn’t think much of the inspectors.
“Hmph, what are you so worried about? If you have no shame on your conscience, you have nothing to worry about.”
“Your Majesty... but still.......”
“That, the eyes of the world.”
“Uh-huh, even if there is nothing to worry about.”
“.......”
Oh no. No amount of persuasion will work.
At this rate, they’ll be facing UN sanctions and global condemnation!
“Your Majesty!”
“.......”
Leon turned to look at Han Ha-ri, who stepped forward with her hand raised in the air. She spoke with a determined expression.
“This time, the UN inspectors will be greeted by me and Lord Yappy, leave it to us!”
-What?
Why are you putting me in there?
Yappy tilted his head and flashed a puzzled emoticon.
* * * *
The UN inspectors have arrived.
The Hunter’s Association had been waiting for them at Incheon Airport, along with a government limousine bus.
“I’m Oh Kang-hyuk, president of the Hunter Association.”
“I’m Louisse from the United Nations Commission on Survivors and Human Rights. It’s an honor to meet this Korean legend.”Rêạd new chapters at novelhall.com
Louise narrowed her eyes at Ha-ri’s suspicious look and Ha-ri was embarrassed, but she spoke honestly.
“It’s probably the sound of the Kikiruk commandos training.”
“......Kikiruk commandos?”
“More than three thousand of them are warriors and they’ve been practicing recently because His Majesty ordered a sea exercise.”
Utilize survivors as soldiers or hunters. That was the most obvious occupation for the survivors.
Perhaps that’s why the orcs, the most prosperous race at the moment, are recognized despite their viciousness.
A naturally athletic race, they were as capable in combat as the Hunters.
After observing the Kikiruks for a while, they took notes and moved on to their next target.
* * * *
“You’re settling in quite nicely, I see.”
“Yes, officer. It is safe to say that the Kikiruks are the best of the best when it comes to housing and jobs.”
“And they’re doing a good job of recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of the race and integrating them without conflict with the existing population. The Kikiruks are well-received in the city.”
This was evidence that the assimilation of the Kikiruks was systematic and calculated.
Whoever had planned it, it was a near-miraculous feat to accomplish with so little conflict with the existing population.
Dwarves, not to mention the immediate orcs, frequently clashed with humans, as did dwarves digging up otherwise intact mountains and triggering landslides, and elves growing forests in urban centers.
The different races, with their different ideas and cultures, did not easily integrate into the culture and life of human society, and if it got out of hand, it could lead to a “coup d’état”.
Orc coups are a frequent occurrence in the fractured and fragmented Greater China.
“The TTG Temple is rational and reasonable enough in its management of ethnic groups, and it’s a win-win situation, not a one-sided support.”
“It’s a fairly idealized situation, even if the YouTube video is propaganda to some extent.”
“Religious proselytizing went pretty smoothly, too. From what I hear, the entire Kikiruks worship the God of the Sea and Waves.”
“They seem to worship him as well. Did you see that statue in the middle of the ocean?”
“Yes, that enormous statue. That’s how deep their worship is.”
“I’ve never had a problem interviewing Kikiruks, their approval ratings are absolute.”
The more she listened, the weirder it got.
Leon is basically revered as a righteous, good, leader, even if his common sense is different since he is from another world.
The atmosphere in Korea is not bad either.
It’s often said that he’s a bit of a prick, but he’s also fair and fiercely pursues justice.
She can’t help but wonder if the Lion King would be at the top of the list if he were to run in the next presidential election.
He has brought a lot of change to South Korea.
So far, he has only spread good vibes, with no negative vibes whatsoever.
And yet, he would be so ruthless with prisoners of war?
Does it make sense?
After carefully reviewing YouTube videos, testimonies, and activities before coming here, Louise couldn’t help but like him the more she got to know him.
The old-fashioned way of thinking is a cultural difference, and being a royalty in a medieval worldview has never caused any harm, even though he is authoritarian in his dealings with President Ahn and others.
He is a hero among heroes with absolute support in both Korea and Japan.
‘Maybe it’s a misunderstanding.......’
Would such a righteous hero treat prisoners harshly?
Wouldn’t he have tried to assimilate in a moderate and appropriate way, like the Kikiruks?
Couldn’t this all be a misunderstanding?
“We’ve arrived! This is the headquarters of the Ten Thousand Gods, the Holy Land of Naju!”
And that’s when Louisse realized.
“We are blessed to be here.”
“Waaaaaah, long live the Lionheart King.”
“Abuse? There’s no such thing!”
“We are treated humanely and live in peace.”
“Forced labor? No, that’s not true at all, we’re doing it voluntarily!”
Everyone claims that there are no abuses, no massacres, as promised.
Humane treatment and peaceful days.
But why.......
In the eyes of the half-men who speak of happiness──
”Please let us live.”
Is it so much desperation?