The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 690: The End of This World (1)

“…Nuclear energy?”

The commander’s eyes widened. Even here they possessed nuclear technology—though only at an experimental stage. Our worlds’ environments and cultures differ, but atoms in matter are universal. Every world shares the same origin; its fundamentals inevitably resemble each other.

Still, most would not recognize this, but as a military commander, he understood immediately. A wary gleam appeared in his eyes.

“Yes. This is a special vehicle for Councilor One.”

I tapped the truck lightly with a smile.

“Don’t worry—it’s perfectly safe.”

I certainly wouldn’t blow it up here. In fact, that’s impossible. The truck serves only as my mobile workspace. Its interior was freely customized, so I chose my energy source—but it can’t power anything beyond driving the truck. Otherwise I’d have stayed in business selling electricity rather than going into politics. I can’t even charge my phone from it.

“Hmm… Does Belonde City have the expertise to analyze this properly?”

He frowned, puzzled.

“Then let’s do this: bring over five military trucks—ten, even—and hook them to this one.”

The words flowed easily, but inside I was tense. Please, let the truck move properly—when it towed that warship, it worked flawlessly. Don’t stall now.

“But…”

“At least you’ll clearly see this truck’s uniqueness. Come on, there’s nothing to lose. For Belonde, it’s a chance to verify a rival city’s technology. A rare opportunity, indeed.”

I beamed at the commander and his soldiers. I wasn’t used to public speaking—how does one make nonsense sound so convincing? I glanced at Seong Hyunjae, standing quietly to the side. Our styles were too different for him to imitate.

“Very well. We’ll inspect it. Prepare it.”

The commander’s order rang out. Soldiers sprang into synchronized action: towlines clanked between Belonde’s ten military trucks and my 2.5-ton vehicle. The outcome seemed obvious—if both were ordinary trucks.

I climbed aboard and started the engine. Soldiers climbed into their trucks; engines roared one after another. The lines tightened—and I hit the accelerator.

“Ugh!”

“My God!”

To their astonishment, my truck lurched forward. The bars groaned as they bent under the strain, and the military trucks’ wheels tore into the dirt, straining. Then—

Clang!

With a clang, the bar snapped free. I killed the engine and stepped down. The line held for only ten meters before breaking. Still, the result was undeniable.

“Silence!”

The commander shouted.

“Forget everything you’ve seen here!”

As this was a diplomatic meeting with another city’s envoy, the ordinary soldiers had been held back—only elite troops stood guard. Yet they could not be silenced completely: rumors that one Miranglun truck equaled ten Belonde trucks would crush morale. If my truck’s performance were ten times that of theirs, their weapons would be equally outmatched.

“Surely your spies know that the Gunders have been cleared out.”

I stepped off the truck.

“That is why you rushed your troops here.”

A war would indeed have broken out—but at a different time. Unlike the original past, the Gunder threat within Miranglun had been removed. In other words, if the Gunders vanished and stability returned, Miranglun’s military strength would rise precipitously.

That prospect would drive a quick declaration of war.

“It must be hard to believe.”

I worked to sound composed yet slightly arrogant. Should I prop my foot on a bar? Sit? No—my companions stood casually, projecting confidence. Perhaps I could simply remain standing.

“A sudden young councilor candidate claims to have routed Gunders with five people and one truck. Moreover, you’re remarkably handsome—cough—Councilor One.”

It’s hard to match Seong Hyunjae’s brazenness.

“Even as fiction, it would earn scorn for its absurdity, don’t you think?”

A twenty-something politician whose beauty rivals celebrities who sweep away a thousand mafia. It # Nоvеlight # practically invites disbelief.

“Indeed.”

I took a step toward the commander and raised empty hands in peace to the wary soldiers, then met the commander’s gaze directly.

“You see a remarkable talent.”

Not true, but let’s pretend.

“I am Miranglun’s secret candidate for the next mayor—pushing back the Gunders, developing the new harbor and commercial district, and venturing into farther seas.”

So I’d learned. The commander’s brow furrowed deeply.

“You sent such talent here?”

“Absolutely.”

I planted my foot, spun on a heel, and kicked the commander’s knee. He staggered as his leg buckled. With one arm, I wrapped his neck and drew a dagger across his throat.

He barely had time to react. Soldiers drew their weapons a heartbeat too late.

“Because I have the power to escape.”

“…You—!”

“Stronger than I appear, yes?”

Thanks to my items. I dropped the dagger, raised my empty hands, and stepped back. The commander staggered upright and stared at me.

“You move with disciplined skill—and for a long time. I underestimated you because of your looks.”

“I seek peace for Miranglun.”

I offered my warmest smile.

“Our technology can easily overcome numerical inferiority—just as five of us drove off hundreds of armed Gunders.”

“……”

“Even if you doubt me, it would be wise to withdraw for now and save future dealings. If you fail to properly gauge your enemy, you’ll drift like a paper boat in dense fog.”

Miranglun surely harbors technologies unknown to Belonde’s spies. This truck is proof in hand, and I swept the Gunders away in days. The silent commander spoke at last.

“Advancing now would indeed be rash. We must send you back safely.”

“Your piece is not worthless. Even if you seize this truck, Belonde cannot yet exploit its technology. Scientists would swarm it, but they’d face retribution before they could use it.”

Miniaturizing nuclear power thus is beyond our world’s reach. I don’t know the principles either. Perhaps it involves magic. The truck itself is effectively an item.

“We accept your proposal.”

The commander yielded graciously. Good—if they pressed, Miranglun would fall, not Belonde.

“Thank you. Before I leave, may I speak briefly with Mayor Seong?”

I wanted to ask what he’d been up to since we parted.

This time, a seat awaited in the barracks. The mayor—also famed chef—offered refreshments. Seong Hyunjae sat across me; I studied him. I sipped tea and began.

“What happened back there?”

“I played the game sincerely.”

“You handle power well. Teach me.”

“Councilor Han Yujin, you are remarkable. Upon returning, you will surely be acclaimed mayor. However…”

Seong Hyunjae opened a magazine before me.

“There are rumors you’re dating Hunter Riette—”

“What nonsense is this!”

Rumors like that here too? We’re just party colleagues; there’s no secret romance. He flipped the page.

“And that you have a secret crush on a certain wine bar’s bartender—”

“Which magazine is this? I’ll burn it down.”

I do frequent that bar—but only for intel. And while I like Hyunah, it’s not unrequited love at that level.

“And that you—your brother—are involved—”

“Now you’re dragging Yuhyun into it? I’ll have this shut down.”

“Now you show no fear.”

Closing the magazine, he said lightly. I frowned.

“So, are you relieved or bored? Is the real Han Yujin less than your gossip suggests? I still dislike this, but at least I won’t be alone in scandal anymore.”

Being insulted by others was tough—but the worst was that Yuhyun might see these rumors and be disappointed. I’d bottomed out before, but even then… now I needn’t fear that. Even if I become the worst criminal, Yuhyun will remain by my side.

“You’re always comparing us. I could say the real Seong Hyunjae you know isn’t like this—he’s kinder, smiles more, less of a jerk…”

Our appearances are identical; I must find other merits, yet none come to mind. His stats are similar—though he has improved since I first met him.

“Enough!”

Bang! I stood, slapping the chair aside, leaning over the table toward him.

“Now that we’re here, look at the present. After all, we’re human—interesting things happen. Even if you stole someone’s body, your seat is here and now, not in the past.”

“But the present derives from the past.”

“If you sever a tree from its roots, it withers. Even if it survives, it will never bloom or bear fruit.”

“So you hope to supplant the past Seong Hyunjae and claim his place?”

I fell silent. That wasn’t my intention exactly.

“…Then what do you want?”

Seong Hyunjae didn’t answer. Instead, a die and board appeared—perfect timing. Mini-me and mini-Seong Hyunjae had moved farther apart.

“Good luck.”

He rolled the die.

[2!]

Before I could roll:

“Wait!”

I snatched paper and pen from my inventory.

“I dreamt of being an artist since childhood. I will win the art contest next week! My entry’s subject shall be Mayor Seong Hyunjae!”

With one hand sketching his features, I rolled the die with the other.

[4!]

Mini-me leapt up to within one space of mini-Seong Hyunjae. Instead of dueling, we both looked toward the end of the board. Then we faced each other—both landed in the final, fourth zone, nearly completing the circuit.

[The game ends when one piece returns to the start!]

A message popped up. I needed two more rolls; he only needed a six. The finish line loomed close. On each game piece, text appeared:

[Scandal! Rumors spread that Belonde’s mayor is engaged in a secret deal with Miranglun! Citizens’ trust plummets!]

“Oh dear—after abandoning war, now a scandal. Will you be driven from office?”

“Perhaps.”

Seong Hyunjae said casually. Then my roll result appeared:

[Inspiration descends from the heavens! Your artwork’s artistic merit skyrockets!]

At once, my pen moved of its own accord—swift, precise strokes, shading. The portrait was complete.

“…I should’ve drawn Yuhyun instead!”

It captured him perfectly—my greatest masterpiece featuring Seong Hyunjae. Unfair. Not purely my skill, but still disappointing.

“Here—my gift to you.”

“To me?”

“What use is a portrait of yourself? Think of it as a model fee.”

Had I drawn Yuhyun, I’d frame and hang it at home—but Seong’s face? Too creepy—eyes that might move at night to cook late-night snacks.

Seong Hyunjae took the drawing and placed it in his inventory. With the night waning and no more to learn, it was time to depart.

“My guilt at not drawing my brother ends my artist dreams. I’ll return to politics. You, too, live well, Seong Hyunjae.”

I bade him farewell and headed straight back to Miranglun. Though it was late, the citizens welcomed me fervently.

“Yuhyun! Yerim! Noah! Riette!”

I embraced my Family-Love Party members in turn, sharing joy. I shook hands with the mayor, posed for photos, and even enjoyed a short parade. Then I dropped the bomb:

“He had been secretly colluding with Belonde’s mayor, Seong Hyunjae.”

I added kindling to the scandal. I feared another dice roll, but since the scandal was already a game outcome, nothing happened. Smiling at the broadcast cameras, I declared:

“We share a very close bond. Seong Hyunjae helped me by revealing Belonde’s every move. Thanks to him, we prepared early to avert war.”

Even during live broadcast, shocked gasps rose from viewers. Indeed, it was astounding—and I really had no idea. Long live Mayor Seong Hyunjae!

“Thank you, Seong Hyunjae.”

I bowed politely.

“I hope you safely leave Belonde City and join us here.”

I sealed the fate of dear Mayor Seong Hyunjae’s precarious office. In a day or two, the game—and life—will conclude. Such is life’s nature. Go for it, Seong Hyunjae!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by readnovel.co