The Duke's Son :Re-Chapter 273

“Mr. President... You should go back to the Blue House and wait...” The chief of staff looked flustered as he spoke. “Young Master Kang can visit you when he wakes up.”

The president...

What did it mean to be the president? It meant he was the supreme commander of Korea’s forces—including its players.

Of course, as the president lacked access to the System, he was inevitably slower to follow the matters of players, which were many and ever-changing. For this reason, significant military action required deliberation by both the National Security Council and the military, as well as consultation with the Association. Nevertheless, the final decision always rested with the president; his station reflected the will of the people; his authority, their mandate.

This was different from the aristocrats.

Nobles indeed wielded immense power and influence—but that, too, was an extension of the national will. Meanwhile, the president was this will, able to wield endless blessings or limitless curses with impunity across the nation.

Given this solemn power...

The sight of the president waiting around for Jae-Hyeok, as if just another uncle, discomforted the chief of staff immensely.

Was this something a president should do?

What’s more, this visit to the Kang Estate was bound to stir public opinion. The president should’ve been occupied assuaging the people—but instead he was here. Already, four hours had passed...

“Don’t worry.” The president handed a handkerchief to the sweating chief of staff and smiled.

“Just for today, everyone will understand.”

The world’s first transcendent child... Kang Jae-Hyeok had gone from a Korean talent with a bright future to a present-day powerhouse in the blink of an eye. The president felt no shame in accompanying him; the boy was essentially a high-level weapon with feelings—if Korea’s missile stockpile had feelings, he’d accompany it, too.

In any case, what mattered was ensuring Jae-Hyeok felt appreciated and knew that he, the president, was not the thankless sort.

“I understand, sir...”

The chief of staff apologetically accepted the handkerchief and glared somewhat resentfully at the middle-aged, blond-haired man sitting on the sofa...

Gate Hunter Blake Borsus.

He was a famous National Treasure candidate based in the United States.

Like Jae-Hyeok, if Blake one day overcame his thunder tribulation, he would likely be elevated to National Treasure on the spot. And yet, this lofty expert had quietly entered Korea without making a sound, only to dive into harm’s way for Jae-Hyeok’s sake...

His intention was obvious.

The United States must’ve scouted Young Master Kang’s talent ahead of time. They’re really determined to bring him to the United States.

Of course, the chief of staff wasn’t the only one with such thoughts. In fact, the president had smelled something funny as far back as Jae-Hyeok’s candidate exam, when the Thunder Emperor had appeared.

“......”

Blake Borsus quietly raised his teacup.

...He indeed lived up to his noble reputation; his every gesture was both relaxed and graceful, perfectly following Korean etiquette.

Blake’s respectful attitude only made the president more nervous.

This level of respect... does he feel guilty? He’s aiming to clip Korea’s wings before we can soar, so it makes sense, but... The president swallowed a sigh. If that’s the case, he has no need to feel guilty.

The president knew all too well about the eight long years in which Korea had turned its back on the Kang family. Strictly speaking, the previous administration was to blame, but that didn’t mean he was blameless. Eight years ago, he’d been a high-level politician and a top presidential candidate. He’d had influence. Yet he’d stayed quiet as the Kang family crumbled.

Perhaps nothing would’ve changed, but he hadn’t even tried...

It isn’t you who should feel guilty about this situation. If Kang Jae-Hyeok chooses America, Korea has no one to blame but itself...

The Kang family had defended Korea since the era of the Great Upheaval. It was Korea who’d repaid their loyalty with indifference and ingratitude. If Jae-Hyeok wished to leave, the president wouldn’t blame him. But even so...

I still want to try my best.

No matter how slim the odds, the president was determined to try his best in persuading Jae-Hyeok to stay. He wished to see the Kang family flourish under his tenure in office. He wanted a chance to rectify his past inaction.

As the president drifted in solemn contemplation, Blake continued to sip tea peacefully.

Meanwhile, Seol Su-Ah was smiling.

Your Excellency...

She’d been young the first time she’d met the Yaksha, somewhere around Jae-Hyeok’s age...

In the middle of a city devastated by monsters, she’d fought desperately, swinging a rusted steel beam with reckless abandon, piercing the eyes of monsters, and refusing to let go as they thrashed and flailed in pain—all to guard her parents who were trapped in the rubble. In the midst of the chaos, she’d awakened as a player, and not long after... he arrived.

He parted the monsters with a single strike, lifted the debris of buildings, and freed her parents...

But it was too late.

“Save... her...”

“Protect our daughter.”

Witnessing her parents’ end... a piece of Seol Su-Ah had died that day. And yet, she wasn’t the only one who’d lost something; gone were the Yaksha’s ferocious aura and burning eyes. And in their absence, he’d suddenly looked...

Human.

“I was too late.”

His face was filled with sadness and anger.

“You fought well, but I was late. Child, it is all my fault.”

If Seol Su-Ah had to guess, it was probably that moment when she’d first thought of protecting the Yaksha.

Even if only a little, she’d wanted to bear those incalculable burdens of his. She’d wanted to show him that he wasn’t alone, to show him that if he insisted on carrying the world on his back, she could join him.

She’d failed in the end.

Despite being taken in as the Yaksha’s disciple and learning a lot, she’d failed to support him when he’d needed her, and that regret would haunt her even in death.

However, at least she’d done something right.

Your Excellency, I guarded your son well. No matter what choice he makes, from here on out, your family will only rise.

Who knew, perhaps Jae-Hyeok would one day obtain the elixir he needed to heal the Yaksha. Until then, she would do her best to ensure that everything was perfect for when the Yaksha awoke.

Seol Su-Ah once again regained her determination.

"I apologize for the long wait.”

Jae-Hyeok appeared in the room.

Seol Su-Ah was overwhelmed with relief to see him up and about. She rose from her seat and bowed slightly.

“I’m relieved to see that there aren’t any lasting aftereffects.

Her words carried a formal tone. Today, Jae-Hyeok had declared himself as the temporary head of the Kang family. Kang Hyeon-Ah didn’t refute it, either. Paired with Jae-Hyeok’s immense reputation and power, it was enough to secure his position as the next head of the ducal Kang family.

So at the very least, Seol Su-Ah had to show respect to Jae-Hyeok in public. This was proper etiquette.

“It’s thanks to Your Excellency’s personal assistance.”

In turn, Jae-Hyeok treated Seol Su-Ah more respectfully than usual.

They shared a personal friendship, but her position as a National Treasure and count took precedence when others were around.

“It is nice to see you, Mr President.”

Jae-Hyeok greeted the president next, bowing as he did.

“You’ve truly accomplished a great feat. I’m proud and grateful,” the president said.

What should he say? After thinking for hours, the president only came up with this simple greeting. He may have been the leader of a nation, but his nation’s prospects were riding on Jae-Hyeok. He couldn’t help feeling a little stifled and uncertain.

“I am the one who should thank you for trusting in me.”

Jae-Hyeok’s attitude was as sincere as ever, seemingly unfazed by his own legendary achievements. The president was once again impressed by his character, which stirred his impatience; he wished to name Jae-Hyeok as a Korean National Treasure before Blake could get a word in edgewise.

But there was an order to everything.

Jae-Hyeok turned to Blake.

“Blake... I owe you a lot.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Young Master Kang.

Blake’s expression as he shook hands with Jae-Hyeok was even more solemn than the president’s had been. It seemed as if he would immediately put forward conditions for Jae-Hyeok to immigrate to America

The president and chief of staff shared an anxious look.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Are you the Thunder Emperor?”

“Did you notice?”

“......?”

Thunder Emperor?

The president’s brows jumped.

Jae-Hyeok was already a National Treasure of the United States? But how?

The claim was so outrageous that everyone else in the room could hardly react.

“I see... Then you have to keep the promise you made with me. You said you would teach me, so please.”

Blake bowed deeply.

“Accept me as your disciple!”

“......?!”

“Hah...” The president, chief of staff, and even the transcendent Seol Su-Ah let out sounds of confusion.

The person whom they’d thought was sent to take Jae-Hyeok to the United States was instead asking to become his disciple?

It was a development that no one had expected.

“Uh, um?”

Blake’s proposal had also caught Jae-Hyeok off guard.

Blake grew impatient at the lukewarm reaction and pressed, “Are you trying to break your promise?”

Jae-Hyeok quickly shook his head. “Not at all. Didn’t I say I would pass on my knowledge? I don’t recall saying I would take you as a disciple. I—”

“Passing on your knowledge makes you my master! I, Blake Borsus, hereby vow to move to Korea and faithfully follow you for the rest of my life!’

Jae-Hyeok slowly closed his mouth.

Blake chuckled inwardly. He was a bigshot merchant for a reason, someone who could smell a profit like the sea breeze. With a rising trend like Jae-Hyeok, he was ready to bet the house.