Chapter 37: Declaration of War

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office press conference room.

“Hello. I am Prosecutor Seo I-re from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, and I am in charge of the case involving the late Ahn Yu-ra.”

This was the first step before the war.

A declaration of war intended to announce that the general, whom everyone assumed had died in battle, was actually alive and well. It was a clear warning meant to utterly crush the enemy’s morale.

*Click! Click! Click!*

Amidst the downpour of camera flashes, Seo I-re’s heavy voice echoed throughout the room.

“I will never succumb to external pressure. Furthermore, I will clearly and transparently reveal the truth behind the death of the late Ahn Yu-ra to the public, without a single shred of doubt.”

The sound of shutters grew even faster.

“Doing so may cause secondary harm to the deceased and her bereaved family. Do you still intend to continue the investigation despite that?”

“It is because there is a high possibility that this case was, in many ways, a homicide.”

*Click-click-click-click-click!*

With the appearance of such provocative words, the reporters’ hands grew busy, not stopping for even a single second.

“It is my duty as a prosecutor to clear the deceased’s name. If this tragic outcome is indeed a victim of a crime, then uncovering that truth is also my responsibility.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a flood of questions poured in from the reporters.

“Is there any evidence that there was external pressure behind this case?”

“I plan to reveal that gradually through the investigation.”

“Do you have any intention of giving us a rough briefing?”

“In accordance with the principle of presumption of innocence, I will provide a briefing as soon as the facts are clearly confirmed. That is precisely because doing otherwise would carry the risk of causing secondary harm.”

“Regarding the fact that you received a light disciplinary action—a reprimand—even though a suspect died during an investigation, there is criticism from some quarters that the prosecution is protecting its own. What are your thoughts on this?”

“I don’t think I have anything to say about that. I will only take questions up to this point.”

“Wa—Wait a moment, Prosecutor Seo!”

Seo I-re took a short breath and grabbed the microphone again.

“I have no intention of denying my responsibility. Therefore, I believe that no matter what external pressure there is, I must see this through to the end. Even if I have to hang up my robes because of this.”

“…!”

It was a truly bold declaration of war.

Even she could feel it; not a single trace of her previous anxiety could be found in her voice.

‘…Thank you, seniors.’

Of course, the reason Seo I-re was able to stand back up was clear.

Senior Seok-gu, who had jumped in with both feet to secure her acquittal and a light disciplinary measure.

And…

‘Senior Seo Jun.’

As his face came to mind, a smile naturally formed on Seo I-re’s lips.

“…But honestly, that box of blueberries he sent a few days ago without a single call was so random.”

As she finally stepped out of the press conference room, Seo I-re let out a small chuckle, without having any idea just how much those blueberries had actually helped her.

****

A corner of the greenhouse.

“I—I think they’re about to be born!”

At this very moment, we were witnessing a miracle.

The incredible sight of the birth of new life.

“Squeaaaak…”

The female otter let out a faint cry. The male otter, ‘Sudari,’ who was the first one we had bonded with, was constantly licking his wife with his tongue.

“Hang in there, little otter…!”

Min Ha-ru clasped both hands together and prayed. Shin Hye-seo silently brought over a clean cloth.

‘…Hm?’

In the midst of that, a somewhat awkward sight caught my eye.

Unlike the people huddled together, the snowflakes were keeping a significant distance far away.

“Why are you guys acting like that?”

I approached them and whispered in a voice as tiny as an ant.

— We are cold, munya.

— Yes, very cold, munya!

— Not good for giving birth, munya.

— Feeling gloomy, munya…

Every single one of them looked discouraged.

‘I guess these guys actually think, after all.’

That sight was secretly cute.

To think they were acting like this, after all that talk about weasels and snapping at them. Even while staying far away, their eyes were fixed on the otter family.

‘Oops. I shouldn’t be standing around either.’

I hurried out of the greenhouse.

“I’m going to run to town for a bit!”

My destination was already decided.

*****

There was only one animal hospital in Goseong town.

[Starlight Animal Hospital]

Normally, it was a place that was nothing but quiet. In a rural area with a population of less than 50,000 to begin with, there were only a few pet owners.

*Tinkle!*

However, a very special guest visited that place today.

“Brother!”

“Yes…?”

The veterinarian, Brother Seon-woo, who was wearing a white lab coat and adjusting his glasses, looked up.

“Aren’t you Seo Jun?”

Soon, a look of delight spread across his face.

In this town of Goseong, the name ‘Baek Seo Jun’ was quite famous. Even Brother Seon-woo, who had been called a prodigy since he was young, had to take a backseat to him. If he was a prodigy, then that kid, three years younger than him, was a genius.

“I heard the news that you came down a long time ago, but you’re only coming to see me now?”

As Brother Seon-woo laughed and started to get up from his seat.

“I need an emergency house call!”

“?”

He froze in place exactly as he was.

“Sorry. I’m in a hurry.”

“Oh, uh, alright.”

Adjusting his glasses again, Brother Seon-woo hurriedly packed an emergency bag.

“But exactly what is going on? I need to know the situation so I can prepare accordingly.”

“An otter is trying to give birth.”

“!”

Brother Seon-woo’s hands moved even faster. After all, he was someone who became a veterinarian because he loved animals.

“I’ll follow you in my car right away. I have various other medical tools prepared in there. They’ll definitely be necessary in an emergency.”

“Got it. You know where my house is, right?”

“Of course I do.”

Just as he was about to leave the animal hospital, Baek Seo Jun glanced back.

“Brother.”

“Huh?”

“It’s good to see you again. I mean it.”

“….”

After a brief silence, Brother Seon-woo burst into a chuckle.

“That sure was a late greeting.”

*****

Exactly five minutes after I arrived, Brother Seon-woo appeared.

“Hello, sir, ma’am.”

“Oh, Seon-woo, it’s been a long time. Are you here because of the otters?”

“Yes.”

“Please help them. They’re going through a lot.”

“Leave it to me.”

After greeting my parents, Brother Seon-woo and I headed straight into the greenhouse.

“Pro—Prosecutor!”

The two women keeping watch had faces that were completely frozen. Even without an explanation, the reason was obvious.

“Squeak…”

“!”

Something.

Something very small was wriggling beneath the otter.

“Has—has it been born already?”

However, one wasn’t the end of it. The second one was already making its appearance into the world.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Brother Seon-woo immediately rolled up his sleeves. With a calm gaze, he gently adjusted the glasses resting on his nose.

*Snap!*

He immediately put on medical gloves and knelt down in front of the otter.

“Hiss!”

At the appearance of an outsider, Sudari immediately let out a fierce sound.

“It’s okay.”

“Squeaaaak…”

When I signaled him to relax, amazingly, Sudari began to quietly lick his wife’s body again.

“What are you?”

The one who was actually surprised by that sight was Brother Seon-woo.

“You had this kind of ability, too?”

“We’ve become quite close lately.”

“Otters are difficult animals to tame… besides, you can’t even keep them as pets in Korea to begin with.”

Brother Seon-woo, who looked at me with new eyes, focused on his work again.

“First, the breathing is fine…”

He carefully lifted the pup’s body. A tiny, tiny body. Its entire body was covered in milky mucus.

“As I thought, even the nostrils are blocked.”

As Brother Seon-woo carefully wiped the tip of its nose with a clean cloth.

*Squeak! Squeak!*

“!”

As if by magic, the pup let out a vigorous cry.

“Good. It’s healthy.”

“Wow!”

Only then did everyone’s frozen faces brighten up.

“It’s not over yet.”

Brother Seon-woo’s gaze turned toward the female otter’s belly. He gently pressed it with his fingertips and then nodded.

“One or two more will come out. Fortunately, the birth canal is stable.”

Soon, his hands moved again. A series of continuous movements.

Breathing check.

Fluid removal.

Even checking the body temperature.

“…He’s a pro.”

I muttered quietly without realizing it.

“Squeak! Squeak!”

And soon, another new life finally slid out into the world.

A small breath.

A faint cry.

However, clear evidence of life continued to follow from his fingertips.

“…There, we’re done.”

The otters born in total were four.

“You really worked hard, Brother!”

“….”

At my greeting, Brother Seon-woo finally looked toward me.

“You worked hard, Doctor!”

“We’re truly grateful!”

Two women who were beauties that caught the eye. Even though he must have seen them on TV at least once, he didn’t even give the other two women a glance. Brother Seon-woo spoke in a low voice.

“You know that individual ownership of otters is prohibited, right?”

“!!!!!!!!!!”

Our Princess Seol, who was creeping toward the otters, froze in place. It was a bolt from the blue that she heard after having held back for so long.

“No otter…?”

Immediately, Seol’s face turned into a look of sorrow.

‘It’s okay, Seol. I have a plan.’

A father.

No, an uncle always had to be all-powerful for a child.

“Hey, Brother. I know that well, too. It’s a misunderstanding.”

“…Then, what is this I’m seeing right now?”

“We aren’t raising them; they just settled here.”

Words can be interpreted in many ways.

“If a natural monument built a home in a greenhouse, wouldn’t it be more of a problem if we kicked them out just because we got here first?”

“…Hmm….”

Only then did Brother Seon-woo’s stiff face relax again.

“Is that really true?”

“I’m a former prosecutor, Brother.”

“From my experience, people from legal backgrounds are actually better at lying.”

Hmm.

I can’t deny that.

“Brother! I was in such a rush that I couldn’t even greet you properly! Since we haven’t met in a while, shall we have a drink?”

“Anyway, if you weren’t my favorite little brother…”

With a chuckle, Brother Seon-woo stood up.

“I should also give your father a proper greeting after all this time. Is there alcohol at home?”

“Your brother will even treat you to a marvelous meal!”

I glanced behind me.

“Uncle…!”

Someone whose eyes were shining as bright as the stars. Princess Seol was actually giving me two thumbs up.

*****

[Prosecutor Seo I-re of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office effectively declares war, stating she will not stop until the end of the late Ahn Yu-ra case.]

[An organization that is still nothing but shameless. The prosecution’s tyranny, how much longer must we just watch?]

[The prosecution should stop protecting its own…]

Articles related to I-re followed one after another, and not long after, Seok-gu called.

— As expected, the Chairman’s resistance is quite something. I provoked that old man a bit by saying, ‘I am your son,’ and he’s coming at me with everything he’s got, like he’s decided, ‘I was bored in my old age, and you’re just in time.’

Seok-gu.

If anyone were provoked like that, wouldn’t they react this way even if they weren’t bored?

— Anyway, you have to know your enemy and yourself to be invincible, but the problem is a lack of information.

“Do you have a next plan?”

— Have you ever heard of the Trojan Horse operation?

As if he had already thought of something, Seok-gu’s voice flowed naturally.

— Lawyers like us. Especially when there are big cases that the top five law firms must win, we negotiate under the table with the opposing law firm.

Well, given that they sometimes even lose trials just because the other side is a senior under the guise of preferential treatment for former officials. It wouldn’t be strange for any kind of deal to happen under the table.

“Specifically, what kind of negotiations?”

— It’s like, if we overlook and let this case slide, the other side will properly compromise and let go of another case currently in dispute.

Naturally, law firms have no choice but to have different levels of importance for each client. So, they effectively lose certain cases and, in exchange, bring home a win for another case. Of course, the situation has improved somewhat now. In the past, when specific law firms could represent both the plaintiff and the defendant at the same time, this kind of malpractice was much more serious. That’s why the system of ‘prohibition of dual representation’ was created.

— Actually, if you have a lot of information or sources on the opponent, you don’t even need to respond to these kinds of dirty deals. Well, since this case is related to the Chairman’s shame, it’s probably a non-negotiable item anyway.

“So that’s why you said Trojan Horse. I understand what you mean.”

There are guys like that even within the prosecution. They might destroy all relevant records for the higher-ups they’ve lined up with. Or use their one and only bullet to eliminate their political enemies. Of course, the price for that is an enormous amount of money and a guaranteed life. It was also the reason why people from civil service backgrounds with obvious salaries would suddenly have assets worth billions whenever they appeared at a hearing.

“In other words, you need information on the enemy?”

— Yeah. Well, since you’re also from the prosecution. Actually, prosecutors are the best when it comes to this kind of thing. So, I just thought I’d contact you.

“I don’t have any information yet, but…”

A faint smile formed on my lips.

“…I think I might be able to find an informant.”

This timed out well. I was just about to contact him anyway.

*****

*Vrrr!*

“…!”

As soon as the name appeared on the screen, Department Head Lee Do-gyeong pressed the call button within one second.

“CEO Baek!”

— Hello, Department Head Lee.

“Aigo. I’m doing so well it’s almost a problem.”

— It’s nothing else, but the first harvest has come out from our Ice Valley Farm.

“…!”

Department Head Lee Do-gyeong’s eyes widened involuntarily.

‘I knew there was a reason I had a good dream last night. Was this it?’

He barely managed to calm his racing heart.

— So, I was hoping we could have a meeting soon…

Before the answer from the other end of the line could even finish, he shouted.

“Tomorrow! I will head out immediately with the company president!”

*****

“The reaction is even better than I thought.”

I chuckled after hanging up the phone. Even though I couldn’t fight alongside I-re on the battlefield.

“I’ll support you properly.”

And as a bonus, I’ll also get that 300 million won contract deposit.