Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Vongrak.
Miorine POV.
"Father." I said after taking a deep breath as I straightened up and looked at the camera I had set up for the video call. Father's image appeared immediately, and I could see him in his usual uniform, his expression completely cold.
The party thanking the hunters for cleaning the broken gate of Jeju Island had ended. It had been… a normal party. Much lighter and less tedious than she was used to, even if Izumi and the others didn't agree.
The only special thing… was that announcement of the alliance between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The shock of those words was a surprise. What definitely wasn't a surprise was when Father sent a message telling me to call him urgently. It was so predictable when he acted that way.
"Miorine," Father said firmly. I just stared at him. "You were at that party," Father said directly. I nodded.
"I was attending in my capacity as Izumi and Taylor's representative, something I've done since arriving in Korea," I said without hesitation. Father didn't even blink.
"So you didn't know?" Father accused directly. I avoided making a face.
"No, Father. I can only assume that there was a private conversation between Principal Nezu, Chief Director Costa-Brown, and Charwoman Go Gunhee, as a representative of their respective nations. I, unfortunately, wasn't among them." I told Father easily, avoiding rolling my eyes or saying anything sarcastic. Because, of course, those kinds of important people who run a nation wouldn't tell a college student something like a national secret, regardless of whether I am the daughter of the president of the Benerit Group, or whether I am dating Izumi.
"It's your job to know things, and yet, you weren't able to figure it out?" Father simply asked coldly.
"This is something far beyond my control. I'm sorry, Father. Even Izumi wasn't warned in advance, and Principal Nezu... he's quite fond of Izumi," I said carefully. It was true that Principal Nezu had been very supportive of Izumi, but I was sure he would do the same for any of his students. But Father had no reason to know that.
"I see," Father said dully. "The official accounts of the three governments have just released a public statement. They call it the Seoul Trilateral Agreement on Cooperation, Security, and Response to Extraordinary Threats. An agreement and treaty signed between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea."
"The public is calling it the Jeju Alliance," Father said coldly as he read a tablet in his hands before tossing it onto his desk. "Do you know what that means?" Father asked cautiously. I stopped before I could think.
"That Japan, Korea, and the United States have all become stronger and more dangerous. The United States was considered one of the strongest countries militarily, and now it has the backing of Korea and Japan. And vice versa. Japan, which had been declining with the loss and retirement of its two Rank National fighters, has leapt back and returned to its former position in a single afternoon."
"This will change the entire global landscape. Both politically and economically."
"There will be dozens, if not hundreds, of countries and kingdoms that will want to join the alliance to enjoy the same resources. The same benefits." I said quickly as my mind began to race. Father nodded.
"Exactly, there will be many changes. Especially when there are blocs that try to imitate them just to oppose or stand firm against the new alliance. Especially those with national-ranked hunters or heroes."
"China will remain closed as always. It's unlikely to seek cooperation, but nothing will stop it from starting to look for more... labor elsewhere. The Yangban may well begin to spiral out of control without any oversight."
"India has Siddharth Bachchan as its national hunter, and enough S-ranks to stand on its own. But it's quite possible they'll also look for an ally. Especially if China starts to get out of control near their borders."
"The European bloc will definitely try something. It's impossible for them not to respond to the threat from the United States and Asia by becoming stronger. Now the question is, who will get involved, that remains to be seen."
"And most importantly, we'll have to figure out the best way to generate profits for the Benerit Group," Father said easily. I could see him calculating and making plan after plan.
"Do you want me to get the Benerit Group considered for the Alliance?" I asked tensely. Father just nodded.
"It's a potential opportunity. I want to know if it's possible, and what we'll gain. We have one foot in Japan thanks to the Zenin clan, -"
"The Zenin can't be trusted. I already told you." I interrupted Father and immediately realized what a bad idea it was when he narrowed his eyes coldly. I grimaced as I straightened up.
"We have a foothold in Japan thanks to the Zenin clan. That benefits us. But joining the alliance would allow us to expand into America and Korea, with potential for growth throughout the rest of the continent."
"It's an opportunity we can't afford to miss," Father said, completely ignoring me. I just frowned.
"And how do you expect me to achieve that, Father? I think you underestimate my current abilities and influence. I'm just a UA student. None of the leaders will take me seriously if I go directly to them and tell them I represent the Benerit Group." I said with a grimace.
"Use Miyamura," Father said dully. "He's proven his strength and accomplishments enough to be halfway to the national rank title. Make sure you push him the second half of the way. That's what you're his 'representative' for, isn't it?" Father said, raising an eyebrow. "And once Miyamura claims national rank, he'll be the only one in Japan. It'll be impossible for them not to heed his requests."
"Just make sure you stay on Miyamura's good side and that he helps the Benerit group," Father said coldly. I stopped and stared at him in disbelief.
"That will take years! Izumi may have the strength and achievements, or at least partially, but it's impossible for governments and international guilds to accept Miyamura into the national ranks at only 19 years old! It's completely unheard of!" I exclaimed loudly as if he were crazy.
"Then make it happen," Father said, almost impatiently. "He has the rest of his 'women,' right? Each one important enough within their respective countries that I'm more than certain they'll support Miyamura becoming a national rank. And the Benerit Group will obviously offer its support. You just need enough to pull it off," Father said coldly. I stopped and frowned.
"Do you want the other girls' countries to join the Benerit Group too?" I asked, frowning. Father just looked at me like I was an idiot. If he'd been less composed, I'm sure he would have snorted mockingly.
"That's not necessary. The Benerit Group operates in Germany. The Fire Nation is useless as a subordinate of China. The Vale Kingdom may be important enough, along with Atlas, Mistral, and Vacuo, but we have other ways to expand there. So no, the other women aren't directly important to the Benerit Group."
"But if you can use them to get Miyamura declared a national-ranked hero, then they won't be a complete waste," Father said coldly. I gritted my teeth.
"They're not a waste, they're my friends!" I snapped, glaring at him. They're friends. They're family, even with the short time I'd known them. At least, more so than my own father.
"You have your job. Do it." Father said calmly before hanging up. I could only groan in frustration. I started massaging my temple, which was throbbing with headache. I sighed wearily before collapsing onto the bed in the guest room.
I absentmindedly picked up my phone and started scrolling through the news, wanting to grimace. I had no idea if someone had orchestrated this, but it was bad for Izumi's reputation. Everyone had stopped talking about him and was now focused on the alliance.
And I had no doubt that this would continue for weeks. This abruptly halted Izumi's growth. And… no… this was a good thing. It also stopped Taylor's conversations and what she did during Jeju. Taking the mutant ant.
It was bad for Father's plans. But for Izumi and Taylor, it was a truly spectacular move. Neither of them really cared about fame, which was why I was their manager. But now that they were both out of the spotlight, they would have enough space to move around and let things calm down without the pressure of public scrutiny. Especially Taylor, who would no longer have the pressure of the public and governments on her. It was incredible.
I hummed softly as I started receiving messages from the UA group chat. The messages started pouring in immediately. Taylor, Izumi, and Mai were all down again with the mutant ant and Nezu, so they couldn't reply.
I opened the messages and quickly skimmed them before replying just as quickly. Unfortunately, there wasn't much I could say. As I'd told Dad, I really didn't have any information about the agreement or what had happened. Not even how it had happened. I really wished I'd been in the room where it all took place. It would have been quite entertaining and educational. Sadly, like all big decisions made behind closed doors, the truth about what went on in there never came to light.
I quickly reopened the nations' publications and began reading them carefully. There were… some interesting things. It seemed nothing was completely signed yet, but they explained, in broad terms, everything that such an alliance would cover.
And… it was truly generous. Too generous for all parties involved. It hardly seemed like an agreement signed by countries that were wary of each other, or even antagonistic to some extent, as was the case with Korea and the United States.
The military aspect was the most obvious. It essentially boiled down to mutual defense against extraordinary threats. This encompassed everything from high-level Gates and broken gates to villainous terrorist groups. Any threat that exceeded their capacity to respond was met with assistance from the other two. This included hunters, heroes, intelligence, transport, supplies, and even military force if the situation demanded it.
This meant that hunter and hero licenses would be recognized under a new statute. Normally, licenses are international; yes, a hero or hunter could serve in other countries if they so desired, but there was a firm limit to the extent to which they could intervene or become involved.
Accessing certain police databases, utilizing resources and personnel from other countries, or using government infrastructure all required additional procedures. Now, under the alliance's new charter, licenses would be recognized much more broadly across the three countries.
A hunter or hero definitely couldn't arrive in another country and demand classified information. But they would be allowed to formally integrate into joint operations and participate in authorized raids, collaborate with police forces, use certain official resources, and much more, with less bureaucracy.
There were even some special features for hunters. Now entire Guilds could open branches, participate in joint raids, accept contracts in other member countries, and form multinational teams much more easily.
And then there was the economic aspect. The resources from each Gate initially still belonged to the country where it originated. But now, the compensation rate was going to be regulated, establishing a common system of equitable distribution to prevent the abuse of compensation between countries.
And aside from the dungeons, everything else had also been reduced or regulated for the benefit of all three. Tariff reductions on certain materials. Preferential trade. And much more.
He even talked about joint research. Universities, laboratories, agencies, and private organizations from different countries can cooperate on the study of dungeon materials, monsters, quirks, medicine, and equipment.
And it mentioned the possibilities of implementing hero and hunter exchange programs in the future, cross-training, partner academies, joint exercises, more exchange students from both sides, and much more.
This was damn generous. This was still a draft at best. A nearly finished one. There were a lot of numbers and other things that the countries would surely have to negotiate. But I could see that this was one of the most generous agreements I'd ever seen.
And I had seen the agreements and treaties that the Benerit Group had. Those in the Benerit Group could only be described as predators and abusers compared to what I was reading.
There was even an entire clause on strict respect for sovereignty. Despite the agreement on joint work and reciprocity, each country maintained its complete sovereignty. Each kept its resources. Each maintained its hunters and heroes.
Only now it was… more.
Who the hell got three governments to agree to something so balanced? He was a god.
I kept reading further down and finally found something interesting. It was rather vague, but it discussed a mechanism for future members. It talked about applications for full membership, association, or limited cooperation if certain political, security, and transparency requirements were met.
And yet, it was generous to other countries. Honestly. This was truly incredible.
I squinted as I finished reading all the important parts. Yes, I could see why Father wanted to join and participate in the alliance. With such a beneficial agreement, the gains would be immense.
But it required unanimous approval from the members. That meant the United States, Japan, and Korea. And Father had been trying to expand for the past decade without any tangible results, except for the help from the Zenin family these last few months.
He definitely needed support for the Benerit Group to be approved. None of the countries would vote in favor after having rejected the Benerit Group several times in recent years.
But with Izumi's support... yes, I could see it.
I snorted derisively. As if Izumi would help them. He'd put me in charge of the Benerit Group before he'd let my father get involved.
Wait… if Izumi became a National Rank… then I'd have all the support I needed to take control of the Group in a majority vote. Having a National Rank on my side was the strongest deterrent I could have.
And my father wasn't loved enough for the board to fully support him if a national rank backed me and came with a promise of joining the trilateral alliance.
I licked my dry lips. It was… it was an idea. A dangerous idea. And a very effective one. I considered it for several minutes before sighing heavily.
I would ask Izumi. Izumi would support me simply to see my father removed from office and for the sheer fun of it. But I wouldn't do anything without permission. I wouldn't use people the way my father does. So I would simply ask him. The plans could wait.
I smiled slightly before going back to answering the messages and replying to the other girls in Japan. Yes, I'd distract myself for now before planning my father's removal.