Chapter 49: The Flower Garden’s First Stage

The chaos in the peaceful rural backwater was only just beginning.

The contents of the email that a flustered Mujae revealed through the projector were as follows.

[Celestial Realm Eastern Tourism Promotion Agency Official Letter]

Subject: Advance Cooperation Request for Hosting a Performance at Seocheon Flower Garden

A famous Artist under the jurisdiction of the “Greek Roman New Underworld Bureau” of the Western Celestial Realm wishes to hold a special performance at Seocheon Flower Garden of the Eastern Celestial Realm.

Accordingly, our agency has conducted a prior discussion with “Ggotgam Officer Kim Sara” and confirmed principal consent, so we are providing guidance on the subsequent procedures.

*Visit and Inspection Schedule

• On a designated date, staff from the Western performance team are scheduled to visit
• An official priest from the Eastern Tourism Promotion Agency will accompany and conduct a comprehensive inspection of the facilities
• Verification of facilities for performance (stage setup, lighting/sound, audience capacity, accommodation and dining, safety management)

*Requests

• Inspect maximum possible capacity (at least 500 people)
• Prepare performance route and flow
• Inter-departmental staff cooperation
• Draft safety manual

Despite the sudden request, we thank the personnel of Seocheon Flower Garden for willingly promising cooperation.

Celestial Realm Eastern Tourism Promotion Agency

Promotion Division, Culture Exchange Section Official

Integrity Priest

“……”

A heavier silence than ever before blanketed the room.

None among them had ever, in their lives, had any reason to communicate with an organization called the Celestial Realm Eastern Tourism Promotion Agency.

It was a cooperation request, the likes of which they had never seen before.

Even Agriculture Team Leader Shinsomi was struck speechless, lowering the pen she had been holding.

She stared at the official letter for a long time, then finally squeezed out a word.

“…They said they had a prior discussion with Ggotgam Officer, Sir?”

“……”

“They said we readily agreed to the cooperation request? When did that happen?”

Exactly, apparently so.

If this were a scam, the glaringly obvious celestial seal and the living flame insignia stamped in bright red were convincing enough.

Hallakgoong, who had been silently gazing at the letter displayed on the projector, quietly spoke up.

“The seal of Seocheon Flower Garden’s Ggotgam Officer appears genuine.”

Even before being on the PR team, Hallakgoong had always handled official matters as the son of the Ggotgam Officer.

Though everyone saw it, it was still hard to believe, and silence flowed at the incredible fact.

The name “Ggotgam Officer Kim Sara” written on the letter pressed down on them with a weighty presence.

“But,”

Fertilizer Team Leader Shinsomi, clutching her scalp as if her head hurt, raised her hand.

“The date the priest is scheduled to visit exactly overlaps with the sports day. And the content says we should prepare Seocheon Flower Garden for tourists… in other words, for a concert….”

The more she read, the more absurd it seemed, and she let out a hollow laugh.

“Are we even capable of doing this?”

“What about the dining facility?”

Meal Service Team Leader Shinsomi looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

“There’s no dining hall in Seocheon Flower Garden. They don’t mean for us to prepare food for tourists, do they?!”

“They even want us to draft a safety manual.”

This time, Facilities Team Leader Shinsomi snorted.

“They want to hold a mass event in Seocheon Flower Garden? They’re really planning a performance?”

The more they argued, the more outrageous it became, and the meeting devolved into chaos.

After everyone vented their laughter, sighs, anger, and excitement, Education Team Leader Shinsomi, who had been quietly watching, voiced a simple but genuine curiosity.

“But, who could it be?”

In that simple question, a bit of hope was mixed.

“I knew our Seocheon Flower Garden had become a hot spot lately, but… for a ‘famous Artist’ to want to come all the way here for a concert.”

“Seeing as the Celestial Realm is cooperating to this extent, it must be someone quite renowned.”

It was certainly a sudden and bewildering work order.

But it was also a situation perfect for sparking new and surprising flights of imagination—so different from their everyday routine.

Stone Quarry Team Leader Shinsomi, who had been silent until now, emotionlessly offered a candidate.

“…Apollo, the Sun God?”

“No way~”

“Then maybe the Muses?”

“That would be quite a spectacle.”

“Or it could be Dionysus!”

“Oh, the god of wine and festivities. That would be an incredible concert.”

While the two Shinsomi team leaders whispered, everyone focused on their conversation.

At that moment, Hallakgoong noticed Zack’s expression growing increasingly rigid.

“…Zack?”

-Clap!

Suddenly, someone’s clapping brought them all to their senses.

It was Mujae, who had regained his composure at some point.

“The important thing is that we have only two weeks to prepare all of this.”

Mujae’s voice drew everyone’s attention.

“Fortunately, we were already planning a large-scale event.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Fertilizer Team Leader Shinsomi asked sharply.

“The moment that email opened, the sports day is as good as canceled.”

“No.”

Mujae shook his head.

“On the contrary, I think it’s become even more essential.”

“What?”

Even Agriculture Team Leader Shinsomi, who had been the most enthusiastic about the sports day, furrowed her brow.

Her sharp voice rang out.

“What on earth do you mean by that?”

“Read it carefully. Look at what the Celestial Realm Tourism Promotion Agency is asking of us.”

Mujae pointed at the projector and explained methodically.

“A space that can accommodate at least 500 people, a performance route, interdepartmental staff cooperation, a safety manual. Doesn’t it all sound familiar?”

The blue-faced tension from earlier was gone, replaced by a hint of a smile glimmering in Mujae’s eyes.

This was the side of Mujae that Hallakgoong had expected to emerge—a leader who shines even brighter in a crisis.

“With the exception of the young deceased, Seocheon Flower Garden has around 800 staff. What if, when the priest comes for inspection, we’re holding the sports day? We’ll meet all their requirements.”

The Shinsomis began murmuring again.

They too began to realize where Mujae’s logic was heading.

“The sports day will be an excellent rehearsal for us and a perfect demonstration!”

“Well….”

Agriculture Team Leader Shinsomi paused for a long time, as if in disbelief.

“…That actually sounds pretty plausible.”

“Right?”

Mujae beamed.

“And to be honest, we don’t have a choice. Unless we plan to start a revolution against Ggotgam Officer.”

“Pfft!”

The more they thought about it, the more ridiculous it became, and laughter burst out in the office.

With the Ggotgam Officer’s agreement, their options were reduced to just two.

Comply, or refuse.

From Sara’s perspective, the fortunate thing was that she had known the Shinsomis of Seocheon Flower Garden for a long time.

They were like family, having built Seocheon Flower Garden together from the start.

“…Let’s do it.”

In the end, though it wasn’t the way they had originally wanted, they decided to press forward toward the future.

Agriculture Team Leader Shinsomi called out boldly.

“As always, we’ll make it work. Because we’re together.”

Meal Service Team Leader Shinsomi let out a long sigh through her small lips.

“Yeah, we prepare 1,500 meals a day already. What difference does 2,000 make?”

“It’ll be our first time handling facilities for this many people.”

Facilities Team Leader Shinsomi laughed wryly, her face not excited in the least.

“Worrying about the manual for a facility that hasn’t even been built yet…”

“…It’ll be tough for everyone.”

Mujae’s big eyes shone brightly.

“Let’s consider it part of Seocheon Flower Garden’s growth. We’ll do our best too!”

“Alright, PR team, you’ll lead the next meeting.”

The atmosphere in The Hall of Purity and Elegance changed completely.

From panic and confusion, to resolve and challenge.

Hallakgoong once again found himself amazed by Mujae.

He was also proud of Zack, who no longer hesitated to express his own thoughts.

‘Once they choose a direction, they go straight for it.’

For the first time, Hallakgoong felt like confiding his secret to someone other than Father.

‘Could my broken compass become like that too?’

A new question and hope sprang up within him.

After the whirlwind of a meeting in The Hall of Purity and Elegance ended, the PR team gathered at their lodging for the first time in a while.

But no one in particular broke the silence.

The world felt peaceful, as if the earlier commotion had been a lie.

Mujae sprawled out on the wooden floor and mumbled.

“What the heck is going on….”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.”

A dazed Hallakgoong.

Zack, silently closing his eyes.

Another silence passed.

It was a day that made them realize plans were meaningless.

Hallakgoong, sitting against the wall, absentmindedly opened his mouth.

“After coming back from Revelation Hell… all I wanted was to see Father.”

The tension and nervousness about being discovered had disappeared.

Compared to everything that happened today, his secret seemed like a mere speck.

“And then Father goes and stabs me in the back like this.”

“…He’s definitely avoiding you on purpose, isn’t he?”

Mujae buried his face in both hands.

Then, with a determined sound, he jumped up.

“What on earth is Sir doing these days! Did he go and personally invite that Western Artist or something?”

“No way….”

Hallakgoong trailed off, his face uncertain.

Too many impossible things had happened for him to confidently deny it.

“How could Father possibly know an Artist under the Greek Roman New Underworld Bureau?”

At Hallakgoong’s muttering, Mujae’s eyes widened.

“Wait a minute. Isn’t that where Zack is from?”

When Mujae turned to look, Zack rolled his eyes, then quietly turned his head away.

He definitely seemed to know something.

“That’s right! Zack! Who are the famous Artists from your homeland?”

“…Haa.”

Zack let out a loud sigh.

Then, with a face that looked completely unwilling, he signed.

‘I don’t know. I’ve never left my homeland.’

“There weren’t any Artists? Anyone capable of holding a concert?”

‘There are plenty of artists. All the famous Greek and Roman artists have come to our underworld.’

Even as he said it, Zack seemed frustrated.

‘But they’re all the deceased. They need special permission to go anywhere. And the only one I know is Orpheus, my father’s exclusive musician…’

“A musician…?”

‘…But he’s completely unmotivated.’

Zack scratched his head awkwardly.

‘Orpheus is a genius. His songs make rocks weep and the Styx itself cry. But there’s only his wife in his mind.’

“What about the others?”

Hallakgoong subtly probed Zack.

“That Hermes fellow who came with you before, he played an instrument too…”

‘He’s not concert material.’

At the mention of Hermes, Zack shuddered.

Apparently, there was some bad memory there.

‘When it comes to the lyre, Orpheus is the best! Apollo is good too. But Apollo, coming somewhere like Seocheon Flower Garden…?’

Zack’s brows scrunched up as if vacuum-sealed.

‘Impossible. He has “I’m amazing” written all over him.’

“But Hermes is your cousin too! Any other cousins likely to come?”

‘Hmm….’

It felt like a list of a hundred cousins was running through Zack’s head.

Finally, Zack let out a sigh and his creased brow relaxed.

‘No, really, there’s no one.’

It seemed Zack was determined to shake off all suspicions.