— President Kim speaking.

The call had come completely out of nowhere. There had been no prior coordination with Yoon Changho.

But the fact that he had contacted me meant one thing: they still hadn’t managed to get their internal positions aligned.

“Yes, Mr. President.”

At that moment, another voice came from beside him.

— Mr. President. There has never been a single precedent in history for allowing a civilian to participate in the NSC. This is inappropriate.

— Prime Minister, I’ll take responsibility for that.

— Mr. President.

— I said I’ll take responsibility. What exactly is the problem? President Kim is in Sierra Leone right now, right next to Guinea. Out of everyone here, he’s the one who moved first to save the envoy team. What’s so wrong with hearing the opinion of someone like that?

Yoon Changho sharply rebuked the Prime Minister, his voice visibly heated.

— Please! Let’s save the people first.

For a long moment, there was silence.

Soon, after clearing his throat, Yoon Changho asked,

— President Kim. What’s the situation like on your side?

In response to his question, I roughly summarized everything I had done since arriving here.

— You met with the President of Sierra Leone?

“Yes. But Captain Kamara’s side refused. And then I received a direct call from him.”

— What? They contacted you directly? What did he say?

“He said there would be no negotiations of any kind without an official statement of support from the South Korean government. He called that the minimum condition.”

A mixture of sighs and groans came through the line.

— President Kim. In your judgment, if the government releases a statement recognizing the coup, do you think they’ll be freed?

“Most likely. If they still refuse to release the detainees even after receiving official support, they’ll lose all legitimacy. After that, I can handle the rest myself.”

— Hmm. I see.

At that moment, another voice interrupted.

— President Kim. This is the Foreign Minister.

“Yes, Minister. It’s been a while.”

— You made contact with Captain Kamara’s side?

“Yes. He contacted me directly.”

— And how exactly did they know of your existence?

At the Foreign Minister’s interrogative tone, my brows narrowed.

This man still hasn’t come to his senses.

“Are you interrogating me right now?”

— No, not that. I’m simply curious. Even our Foreign Ministry hasn’t been able to reach them, so how did they manage to reach you?

“President Sierra Leone probably told them. Is that what matters right now? Is it really that important that I succeeded where the Foreign Ministry failed?”

When I answered coldly, all that came back was an awkward cough.

“The envoy team, including the special envoy, is still being held inside the hotel, unable to move.”

— I know. But the Foreign Ministry is still doing its utmost to open dialogue with them.

How shameless.

Did he think simply saying they were doing their utmost made it true?

“Minister. Once this is over, you’ll have no choice but to step down from that position. Doing your best is the bare minimum.”

— President Kim! What are you—

“Did you think you could let things get this bad and not take responsibility? A ministerial post is a position that exists to bear responsibility. Do you feel wronged? Do you really think none of this is your fault?”

In my eyes, the Foreign Minister’s blunders had been one of the biggest causes of this crisis.

A man who could offer no solution yet raised only his voice had no reason to remain in that seat.

“But first, let’s save the people. We can sort out responsibility afterward. Understood, Minister?”

— Hmph.

The minister’s voice finally quieted.

I pressed on and called out to the Prime Minister as well.

“Prime Minister. Are you there?”

— I’m listening.

“What’s your position?”

— I believe it is impossible for the government to openly support a coup.

“Why?”

— Our country itself has endured two coups. If we recognize another nation’s coup, then logically we would also be forced to recognize those in our own history. That’s why I oppose it.

His words sounded polished enough.

I let out a short laugh and asked again.

“Is that really the only reason?”

— What do you mean by that? Are you suggesting I’m opposing this for some ulterior motive?

“It could be political self-interest.”

— What! Don’t insult me.

Lee Myungsoo and the Prime Minister had never been on good terms.

“I already know that your relationship with the special envoy has been strained for a long time.”

— That much is true. We had clashed in opinion long before I became Prime Minister. But I’m not foolish enough to let personal feelings interfere with public affairs.

“Is that so?”

— It is. Do not insult me. I oppose this for the sake of the nation.

“Would you still be saying that if your grandson were the one being detained?”

He hesitated for a moment, then answered stiffly.

— That hasn’t happened.

“Did this envoy team’s detention happen because it was something anyone expected? No one foresaw this.”

I tapped my fingers against the table, forcing down the anger rising inside me.

“Can you guarantee something like that will never happen to your grandson either? Was he studying in France?”

— ...What exactly are you trying to say?

“I’m saying don’t gamble dozens of lives just to preserve some abstract conviction because it isn’t your problem. Save the people first, then go back to protecting your principles afterward.”

— President Kim.

Someone called out to me in shock, but I ignored it and kept going.

“I’m not a politician. I’m the kind of person who can do anything for a friend.”

— ...

“If anything happens to Special Envoy Lee Myungsoo, I’ll hold every single person gathered there responsible.”

— President Kim. Mind your words.

“The only reason I’m restraining myself is because the President is there. If you’re confident you can bear the full force of my anger, then keep opposing it. If that’s your ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) conviction, I’ll respect it.”

Several voices broke out at once.

What a bunch of idiots.

“I’m a man who does what he says. Some of you there may not know me. But those who do know me should understand that I never make empty threats.”

I could not allow Myungsoo’s life to be held hostage over political calculations.

The thought alone was utterly revolting.

“While you sit there arguing theory around a conference table, the envoy team in Guinea is living on thin ice every single day. It’s already been over a week since they were detained. So what exactly has the government done? Have you even established contact with Captain Kamara, the man leading the coup? Or have you at least managed to move international opinion enough to properly pressure them?”

— Well, that—

The Prime Minister’s voice rose, but I steamrolled right over him.

“The government only needs to do what they’re demanding. After that, I will personally ensure everyone is safely returned to Korea. I have negotiated on behalf of this government many times, and not once have I allowed the country to suffer a loss. Do the same this time.”

All the stress that had built up since arriving in Sierra Leone erupted at once.

Still, after letting it all out, I felt a little better.

Then Yoon Changho’s voice came through again.

— President Kim. Calm down a bit.

“...My apologies. I got too worked up. I was frustrated. Human lives should matter more than any conviction.”

— I know. So don’t push them too hard.

“Understood.”

— More importantly... the Defense Minister has proposed a rescue operation. As the owner of Black Bear, I want to hear your opinion.

I slowly rubbed my chin before answering.

“You mean a military operation?”

— It’s the joint opinion of the Defense Minister and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

“...They’re trying to walk the hard road while leaving the easy one untouched. If you want my view, the probability of a special forces unit infiltrating Guinea and rescuing the envoy team is actually quite high.”

— Really?

“Yes. Black Bear has already thoroughly reviewed it. With the capabilities of the South Korean military, it’s entirely possible.”

— I see... but that sounds like you’re presenting it as only one possible option.

Even though I had given a positive assessment, Yoon Changho’s voice didn’t sound reassured.

He had picked up on the negative undertone beneath my words.

“Yes, that’s correct. I cannot guarantee the safety of everyone on the envoy team. Even if the rescue operation succeeds.”

— ...You can’t guarantee their safety?

“Over eighty percent of the Guinean military has already joined the coup forces. The troops still loyal to the government make up less than twenty percent.”

— It’s that bad?

“Yes. Black Bear analyzed it, and we cross-verified the result with Chinese and American intelligence.”

Letting out a heavy sigh, Yoon Changho spoke in a drained voice.

— If safety can’t be guaranteed, then we’ll have to leave that as the final option.

“Yes, Mr. President. Supporting the coup is the best method. If the Republic of Korea accepts their demands and they still refuse to release the detainees, then I’ll mobilize every spare member of Black Bear and bring them out myself. So please, accept the demand.”

— Understood. We’ll discuss it further. I’ll contact you again.

“Mr. President. Let me say one last thing.”

— Go ahead.

I took a deep breath, stripped my voice of emotion, and spoke.

“To everyone there: setting aside convictions and political interests, this is a diplomatic delegation that visited another nation as representatives of our country. If you abandon people like that, no one will ever trust the government again. So accept their demand. Otherwise... later, you’ll end up meeting me. That’s all.”

After delivering that stern warning to everyone present, I hung up.

* * *

Beep. Beep.

The dead tone from the abruptly disconnected call echoed through the bunker conference room for a long while.

The Prime Minister was the first to recover, raising his voice in outrage at Yoon Changho.

“What exactly are you doing?”

“What do you mean, Prime Minister?”

“Why are you letting a civilian interfere in a crucial government decision?”

“Hah. Prime Minister, why are you saying that to me? You couldn’t even say a proper word to President Kim directly. Are you afraid of him?”

Yoon Changho’s tone and voice had changed.

“Prime Minister. I am the President of the Republic of Korea. I respect you, but this is making me rather disappointed.”

“Mr. President!”

As the Prime Minister’s voice rose, Yoon Changho slammed his palm hard against the table.

“I am still speaking, Prime Minister.”

“...”

“Would you like to call President Kim back right now and speak to him the way you’re speaking to me?”

“...”

“Or will you take full responsibility for everything? If so, then we’ll do it your way, according to your convictions. Speak. Will that do?”

“I have been discourteous, Mr. President.”

The Prime Minister stood and bowed his head.

Yoon Changho made no effort to hide his displeasure.

Sweeping the room with a cold gaze, he spoke again.

“I respect everyone gathered here. But it seems none of you respect me.”

“That’s not true. How could we possibly not respect you, Mr. President?”

“Then what shall we do? Shall we gather opinions again?”

His icy stare moved from one person to the next.

Everyone in attendance swallowed hard.

“Let’s discuss it again. Minister Lee.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

The debate restarted, and in the end, the decision was made to meet the coup’s demands.

“The Chief of Staff will give you a number to contact Director Lee. Through that line, confirm exactly what they want and get a firm guarantee that, if we meet those conditions, they will send both the envoy team and all our citizens in Guinea safely to Sierra Leone. And send Foreign Ministry personnel to Sierra Leone as well. Understood?”

“Yes. I’ll do so.”

“And in addition, notify the international community in advance that we will be releasing a statement recognizing and supporting the coup in Guinea.”

“But—”

“If I say do it, then do it. This will be your final duty as Foreign Minister. Understood, Minister Lee?”

“...Yes.”

Yoon Changho shifted his gaze past the Foreign Minister to the Defense Minister.

“Minister Han.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“In case things go wrong, begin preparing the rescue operation in advance.”

“It will be done.”

“In military operations, secrecy is life itself. Pay close attention to security.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Black Bear has offered to conduct the rescue if matters go wrong, but it is absurd to entrust the rescue of an official state envoy delegation to mercenaries. You will take responsibility and formulate the operation.”

Finally, Yoon Changho turned to the Prime Minister.

“Prime Minister.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“When this matter is over, take responsibility for everything and step down.”

“Mr. President!”

“If I say step down, then step down. Unless you want a dishonorable removal.”

“Why should I resign?”

“Prime Minister. That is the nature of your office.”

“...”

“Keep that in mind and prepare yourself. Once this is over, I’ll decide on a new candidate and let you know.”

Having finished with the Prime Minister, Yoon Changho called for the Minister of Government Policy Coordination.

“Director Cho.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“The Office for Government Policy Coordination should prepare as well. I’ll inform you of the new Prime Minister candidate soon.”

After glancing briefly at the Prime Minister’s face, Director Cho lowered his head.

“Yes. We’ll prepare.”

The President continued issuing orders, and one by one, the officials who had received them began filing out of the conference room.