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The plane glided down to the runway after flying for exactly sixteen hours.
In the time zone of the Loriam station, it was around 7 am. The members of the foreign legion went off the plane first. Lanok and Kang Chan got off last.
Three military officers who had been standing outside of the plane gave Lanok a French salute.
“The others have already arrived,” one of the military officers said.
“Should we go there first, then?” Lanok asked.
The officer pointed to the Jeep, so Kang Chan and Lanok got in its backseat.
“Aren’t you tired?” Lanok asked Kang Chan.
“No. I liked the in-flight meals. The plane having a bed makes me want to borrow it later..”
“The United States provided that plane. I’ll borrow it if you say that you need it.”
“I don’t want you to do that. The price of the oil will probably be expensive.”
They exchanged nonsense while the Jeep drove on the runway.
It felt like the barracks laid out in the surroundings and the vibration from the car was consoling Kang Chan, who was tired from the long flight. The Jeep got off the runway, then stopped in front of a barrack in the second row.
“They’re inside.”
“Thank you,” Lanok responded to the military officer’s salute by slightly bowing his head. They went inside, finding its bunker-like ceiling and fluorescent lights lighting up its interior.
“Lanok!”
Five middle-aged men exchanged cheek kisses with Lanok to say hello while getting up from their spots.
“Allow me to introduce someone. This is Mr. Kang Chan, my new friend.”
“Welcome, Mr. Kang Chan.”
Unable to avoid it, Kang Chan also exchanged cheek kisses with them.
At times like this, these fuckers were one of two things—they either smelled terrible[1] or like strong perfume.
They all sat down.
“If you’re tired, you can rest for a moment. We’ll talk afterward. We have time today anyway,” one of the five men told Lanok.
Luckily, everyone spoke French.
“We got enough rest inside the plane. Mr. Kang Chan is hoping that you’d all quickly decide the ‘Unicorn’ project’s fate.”
Lanok had either already figured out what they were thinking, or he had calculated what to do before they even came here. Kang Chan thought that he had no choice but to meet Sharlan.
“Mr. Kang Chang.”
“It’s Kang Chan,” Kang Chan corrected Ludwig.
“I’m sorry. Kang Chang? Kang Chawn? Kang Cha-an.”
Ludwig, who was sitting at the left side of the barrack, answered Lanok after pronouncing Kang Chan's name all weird, “We have already complied with your request since you’re Lanok’s friend, Mr. Kang Chan.”
Kang Chan looked at Lanok. He had eaten with this sly fox two times since they woke up, yet Lanok had never brought up the fact that they had already decided on their way here.
A quick look at bit.ly/3iBfjkV will leave you more fulfilled.
Kang Chan tried hard not to make his expression obvious.
“Hmm!” Lanok skillfully grabbed the five men’s attention.
“I sincerely thank all of you. Without wasting more time, let’s officially announce the ‘Unicorn’ project, which includes South Korea. This will be the best present that we can give. Isn’t that right, Mr. Kang Chan?” Lanok asked.
‘I lost.’
Kang Chan couldn’t help but smile lightly because of Lanok’s meaningful gaze at the end.
“Lanok, even though we’ve already decided on the matter, it’s still too early to officially announce the ‘Unicorn’ project,” one of the five men said.
“Our friend from South Korea is in a difficult situation. If all of you help him this time, then we’ll also receive the same help someday.”
If Go Gun-Woo were here, he would be having a hard time right now and anxiously grabbing onto his chest.
“Ambassador Lanok has accepted me as his friend,” Kang Chan said. People quickly stared at him with eyes filled with both curiosity and surprise due to his fluent French.
“To commemorate the start of our friendship, he also gave me an enormous present called the ‘Unicorn’ project. I want to sincerely thank Lanok and everyone here for that.”
Lanok cheered Kang Chan on with a wide smile.
“My colleagues in South Korea are in a dangerous situation. I trust that everyone already knows what’s going on. I sincerely ask for your help,'' Kang Chan continued.
The five men had strange expressions, making Kang Chan wonder if he made a mistake.
“Lanok,” Ludwig called, then grimly started to talk with a strong German accent, “Does this mean that you’re determined for what happens after the ‘Unicorn’ project is announced?”
“Mr. Kang Chan has saved both Anne and my life. In regards to everything that needs an unofficial workplace relationship in South Korea, it’ll be fully taken care of through our friend Mr. Kang Chan here. There’s nothing more important than this.”
Ludwig looked at Vant, who was sitting opposite him, then turned his green eyes to Lanok.
“The United Kingdom is staying silent to the end,” Ludwig commented.
“The United Kingdom will stay silent until the last moment, and they’ll quietly follow us after the announcement is made,” Lanok said.
“If that’s your decision, then the only thing left is the specific method and procedure to announce the ‘Unicorn’ project.”
Vant, a Swiss, spoke up and concluded the situation when Ludwig pursed his lips and nodded. Kang Chan didn’t know how long it would take, but it seemed like it had ended the way he wanted it to for now.
“I would like to thank everyone,” Kang Chan thanked them, yet the atmosphere was still heavy. Was he missing something?
These men wouldn’t be able to live for long since they thought too much.
“You must be tired, Mr. Kang Chan. Please rest for a moment. The six of us should discuss the remaining problem,” said Lanok.
Two things were clear—only Lanok knew about the announcement of the ‘Unicorn’ project that included South Korea and the Blackhead and the God of Blackfield's existences.
“If it’s okay with everyone, then I’ll go out and take a walk,” Kang Chan slowly stood up, opened the door, and went out of the barracks.
The sunlight was blinding. Kang Chan, who had been feeling muddled, now felt a little better. At times like this, having a shower, coffee, and cigarettes was the best thing to do.
Four members of the foreign legion were standing at ease in front of the barracks.
Kang Chan took out a cigarette from his pocket and bit on it. He then twisted his left fist from side to side. His forearm was no longer in that much pain.
Chk chk.
“Whoo.”
Kang Chan needed GĂ©rard to be here to get instant coffee, but it seemed like he was now resting since his shift had ended. After about twenty minutes, Kang Chan thought of going in and showering. However, Lanok came outside at that moment.
“How’d it go?” Kang Chan asked Lanok.
“We decided to announce it as soon as possible, but I don’t know we would make it in time.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ambassador.”
“You’re welcome. This is the least I can do for saving our lives and bringing my daughter back to me.”
It was hard to figure out this sly fox. He seemed to be showing his true self, but there were times when he’d appear to be executing perfectly calculated actions.
“Breakfast will be prepared soon,” Lanok said.
“I’m thinking of showering first.”
“Clothes for us to change into will be prepared once we've been served food. I think it’ll be better if you shower after you eat instead.”
Since it wasn’t a bad suggestion, Kang Chan decided to go along with it.
“Mr. Ambassador,” Kang Chan called.
Lanok, who had been leisurely looking around the surroundings, turned toward him.
“Would South Korea’s political situation become stable if the ‘Unicorn’ project is announced?”
“Hmm, it’ll probably be stable for thirty years. By Korean standards, the regime won’t change until the sixth presidential election.”
“I heard that the remittance to North Korea became a problem?”
“Once the ‘Unicorn’ project has been announced, the United States will immediately insist that the remittance didn’t happen. China’s influence on South Korea will be greater than the United States from that point, so the United States will have to curry favor with the current regime. It’ll also be difficult for Japan to survive if they make an enemy out of the Korean government. Hence, there’ll probably be a widespread correction report and a public apology.”
If that were the case, then the fight was about how quickly the ‘Unicorn’ was announced.
Wasn’t Lanok perhaps trying to use this opportunity to naturalize Kang Chan into France? Nevertheless, he had to prioritize giving the minimum return to what he had received right now.
“Should I meet Sharlan after I eat?” Kang Chan asked Lanok.
“There’d be nothing more I could wish for.”
How can he be this happy in front of me?
“Mr. Kang Chan.”
“Yes.”
Kang Chan could see a Jeep and a truck leisurely coming toward them from the opposite side of the runway.
“Do you really think that protecting the people around you is more valuable than money or power?”
Why was he asking a question that sounded like it should be in an ethics textbook? Kang Chan turned his gaze while smiling, but Lanok looked serious, much to his surprise.
“I just want to protect my people.”
“Is that always more important than money or power?” Lanok asked again.
“In the foreign legion, there were almost no instances where I received power or money. If I had followed orders and given up on my subordinates back then, I would be in a higher position right now—high enough to not have died because of Sharlan.”
Lanok smiled while nodding. “That’s true, now that you mention it. You risked your life in Africa to save one of your subordinates.”
Around the time when Kang Chan could clearly see that two agents were sitting in the Jeep

“Would you protect Anne if something were to happen to me?” Lanok asked.
Kang Chan turned his head and sharply looked at Lanok.
“I think I can trust you to hold onto your promise,” Lanok continued. He looked serious.
“Will you protect Anne?” He asked once more. He clearly wanted to hear an answer before the Jeep arrived.
“Is there something going on?”
The Jeep changed directions toward the barracks.
“If the ‘Unicorn’ project, which we’ve kept as a secret until now, is announced, then our enemies will begin attempting public assassinations. I just want to ensure my daughter’s safety in preparation for that,” Lanok explained.
The Jeep passed the barrack that was right in front of them, and the truck changed directions. Even though he could delay it, Lanok had rushed the ‘Unicorn’ project’s announcement for Kang Chan. The price for doing that was putting his life at risk.
Kang Chan couldn’t say no.
“I’ll do my best,” said Kang Chan.
Lanok turned to look at Kang Chan.
“Now I’m relieved. Let’s enjoy breakfast.”
Kang Chan followed Lanok’s hand gesture and went inside the barracks.
‘Just you wait, Sharlan.’
1. The original Korean sentence was, “smelled like he was hugging a big dog that was covered in butter,” but we just translated its meaning because it wouldn’t match the context of this novel ☜