TKEP 45🔐

Chapter 45

The examiner looked at the supervisor standing beside him. Three supervisors were positioned next to each candidate from each country.

“You may follow your supervisor. Detailed instructions will be provided in the side room.”

It was a declaration that no further questions would be entertained.

Park Won-young pouted his lips and stepped into the side room first.

Next was Na Hyuk-jin.

“Why make us debate? Is diplomacy such a big deal? Just pick whatever benefits the Korean Empire,” Na Hyuk-jin grumbled as he left.

Finally, Seo Jun rose to his feet.

“Please follow me.”

Unlike the other two candidates who left for a completely different wing, Seo Jun was guided into the inner part of the existing examination hall.

“You may enter inside,” the supervisor said.

It seemed his role ended at guidance; without further explanation, he left the corridor.

Seo Jun stared beyond the folding screen. A black silhouette was seated, waiting for him.

Judging by the small frame, it was a woman, and judging by her unwavering posture, she seemed to be of high status.

“Empress Dowager?”

Predicting the examiner’s identity, Seo Jun opened the door.

At the sound of the door opening, the examiner lifted her head.

Unexpectedly, she greeted Seo Jun with a gentle smile.

“Welcome.”

Seo Jun, momentarily stunned, walked across the room and bowed deeply.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

The person Seo Jun was to debate with was Empress Na-young.

“Indeed. When was the last time we met?”

“On His Majesty the Emperor’s birthday, a year ago.”

“That’s right. Nothing seems to have changed, Kang Seo Jun.”

When she looked at Seo Jun, her eyes seemed to burn with intensity.

To her, Seo Jun was a blazing flame.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Please, sit.”

Seo Jun sat, and Na-young personally poured tea into an empty cup.

“There are about five minutes until the exam starts. Until then, let’s talk comfortably.”

It seemed the debate would begin precisely at 9 PM.

Checking the electronic clock beside her, Seo Jun lifted his teacup.

“The aroma is delightful.”

“This is tea you like, lotus tea. I’m glad it suits your taste, too.”

Although she suggested a casual conversation, Seo Jun quietly sipped his tea.

It seemed he was signaling that there would be plenty of time to discuss matters, not just today but in the future as well.

That indicated his confidence in this exam.

In contrast, Na-young felt uneasy.

“Candidate Park Won-young’s examiner is the Crown Prince. Candidate Na Hyuk-jin’s examiner is the head of the royal clan. Do you understand what this implies?”

No matter what the other two might say during the debate, they were guaranteed full marks.

Or perhaps they had already obtained information on the debate topics beforehand.

In any case, it was disadvantageous for Seo Jun.

“I see.”

Yet Seo Jun simply answered calmly. Seeing his composed demeanor, Na-young’s frustration grew.

‘Yeon-hwa is desperate for Kang Seo Jun to win, but this person… I can’t read him.’

She knew from the documents alone that he was intelligent. Compared to Park Won-young and Na Hyuk-jin, he was clearly a superior candidate.

Most importantly, Yeon-hwa wanted this. While Na-young wished for Seo Jun to become a national envoy, she also felt uneasy.

‘It looks like only our Yeon-hwa is anxious.’

As a mother, she wanted Yeon-hwa to be loved fully.

But judging from Seo Jun’s calm demeanor, it seemed he might oppose that entirely.

Na-young’s eyes grew cold. She decided she needed to probe Seo Jun’s intentions a little.

Beep beep beep—

At 9 PM sharp, the exam began.

Na-young pressed the record button on the device beside her.

“From this moment, the final exam for selecting the national envoy will commence.”

Her voice shifted. The previously gentle tone now carried authority.

She explained the exam.

The candidates would debate foreign affairs for three hours, and the recorded content would be reviewed by the Minister and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and His Majesty the Emperor for final grading.

“Failing to answer adequately within the allotted time will result in point deductions. Leaving the exam venue during the exam will result in disqualification. Any questions?”

While the point deduction was understandable, the disqualification condition seemed odd.

‘Why would a candidate leave the exam hall during the test?’

“If there are no questions, we shall begin immediately.”

“Very well.”

Seo Jun nodded, and Na-young presented a box concealing the topics.

“Draw the debate topic.”

Seo Jun drew a paper without hesitation. Whatever topic appeared, he was confident.

He unfolded the paper.

“What is the debate topic?”

“Present an agreement between Korea and Japan concerning comfort women and forced labor victims during the Japanese occupation period.”

A slight crease appeared between Seo Jun’s brows.

The historical issues between Korea and Japan had persisted unresolved despite the Korean Empire’s independence.

During the early days of the Empire, the royal family strongly criticized Japan every Liberation Day.

However, after the Korean War, as state finances waned and domestic instability rose, pro-Japanese cabinets reduced the intensity of these criticisms.

Over the years, cabinet changes occurred, and the Empire became one of the world’s top ten economies, yet the Korea-Japan historical issues remained unresolved.

Given the age of the issue, various groups were entangled by vested interests, and victims of the Japanese occupation gradually passed away, weakening the calls for strong condemnation.

Nevertheless, Seo Jun maintained a firm stance on this issue.

“This is a matter with no room for compromise. Apologies must be received—not vague Japanese phrasing, but a sincere apology sufficient to resolve the victims’ grievances.”

“I also agree that an apology is necessary. However, international circumstances must be considered. Though Japan committed historical wrongs, it is now a strong ally of the Korean Empire. And as you know, through Korea-Japan agreements, they have partially compensated the victims, according to Japan,” Na-young immediately countered.

Her stance aligned with those advocating a moderate approach toward Japan.

“Whether the Korea-Japan agreements were right or wrong is not my concern. Even if Japan has provided partial compensation, an apology must be received. Apology and forgiveness are not the Empire’s role—they belong to the victims themselves.”

With support from the royal family, comfort women and forced labor victims lived financially stable lives.

Yet their daily lives remained far from normal. They still suffered, still had nightmares.

To the physically and mentally scarred, the Korean Empire and Japanese government gave money.

But money could only heal visible wounds.

The wounds of the heart could not be solved with money.

Na-young nodded.

“From a humanitarian perspective, Seo Jun’s opinion is correct. But we must also consider practical realities.”

Hearing that the emotions of the Japanese government and people couldn’t be ignored, Seo Jun’s mouth curved into a small smile.

“I am a Korean Empire citizen. If I become a national envoy, I am part of the royal family. Our priority must be our citizens. I will focus on the people. Political and diplomatic matters with Japan are for politicians to handle. If protecting our citizens incurs political or economic loss…”

“Then?”

“It is a necessary sacrifice. Isn’t the royal family’s purpose to prioritize citizens over national interests? Isn’t it written in the constitution? The royal family must protect the people, uphold the Empire’s dignity, and dedicate itself to national prosperity. There is a reason citizens come first.”

Yet Seo Jun did not intend to forsake national interests entirely.

Whether by pressing the foreign ministry or negotiating directly with the Japanese royal family alongside Yeon-hwa, he would prevent the Empire from suffering losses.

However, he refrained from elaborating further. Time had already passed.

According to the instructions, there were five debate topics in total.

It was time to move to the next topic.

Na-young seemed to think the same and tapped the box again.

Seo Jun drew the second topic, concerning the Empire’s stance on an ongoing war between other countries.

“Now more than ever, balanced diplomacy is required,” Seo Jun began, and Na-young listened attentively.

‘His words flow effortlessly, so articulate.’

Na-young was also one of the final evaluators, though she did not reveal this to Seo Jun.

She had come voluntarily to support Seo Jun, as Yeon-hwa wished.

Partly, she also wanted to show the Crown Prince.

Since Yeon-hwa declared her intention to marry, the Crown Prince had warned Na-young to not interfere with the princess’s marriage.

At the time, Na-young said nothing. Her frail body wouldn’t allow her to act freely.

She could not provide a verbal answer then.

Today, her actions spoke instead. By participating in the national envoy selection, she supported Yeon-hwa’s choice.

‘But I didn’t really need to step in. He’s so capable. His Majesty will surely give him full marks.’

Na-young was confident Seo Jun would ultimately become the national envoy.

Yet, perhaps due to her premature certainty, a problem arose.