episode_0107

Anyway, I enjoyed enough of the reunion in Yeom Guk.

Of course, if I were to meet anyone, it seemed like I should meet the Yeom Emperor, but Seol-rin said that he was incredibly busy mediating the struggle for vested interests surrounding Cheonsan between various sects and families, so I decided to ask Seol-rin to convey my regards later.

Leaving the unconscious guys behind, I left the room with Lucy, and I saw a familiar figure sitting on the first floor of the inn we were staying at. Judging from the fact that there was no one else, it seemed like this man had taken care of everything.

“Were you waiting here the whole time?”

“Of course. How could I dare wake the great benefactor of Yeom Guk?”

“If only you couldn’t talk.”

Before leaving the inn, I sat down in front of him.

“So, what’s the matter? Yang Ja-moon.”

I said, looking at Yang Ja-moon, the captain of the Jaryong Unit, directly under the Yeom Emperor of Yeom Guk.

Looking back, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that everything that happened in Yeom Guk started with Yang Ja-moon, this man.

It was this man who got me involved in the Yongbong Contest, and in return, I received information and headed to Sicheon. On the way to Sicheon, I met Seol-rin. There, I obtained the Tae-yang Hwan, the original and superior version of the giant root pill I was looking for so much…, and, in addition, I formed a fairly deep relationship with the Dang Family and the Yeom Family through the connections I made there.

“It’s nothing much. Just…, I have some personal words I wanted to convey and…. Also, I came to deliver a message from His Majesty the Yeom Emperor.”

“From the Yeom Emperor?….”

“Yes. Here it is. He told me to deliver it, so please check the contents yourself.”

“Okay.”

I received a scroll from Yang Ja-moon, rolled up in what looked like the highest quality paper.

『If my guess is correct, you have already decided to return to the Western Regions. I don’t think Yeom Guk can give you what you want, and I also don’t think you want anything more from Yeom Guk.』

“…He still accurately sees through people’s hearts.”

How did he know that I had no more business in Yeom Guk?

No, was this too obvious?

『I think I will have to spend quite a long time dealing with the aftermath of the war and improving the perception of the demi-humans from now on. In addition, I will be busy for a while as I also have to pay attention to the territory of Cheonsan.』

This was expected.

That’s why I didn’t bother to see the Yeom Emperor. To be honest, I didn’t think I would see Seol-rin either, so I was surprised that she came to visit.

『I plan to leave Cheonsan as a space for the demi-humans for now. However, it will take some time to detoxify the poisons used during the war…. This will be a very small amount of time compared to the time of conflict between demi-humans and non-demi-humans, so it will be worth enduring. However…, if there is a concern, it is the demi-humans who have gone mad from the thunder light of the Heavenly Demon.』

Ah, you mean those guys….

After the Heavenly Demon died, they scattered in all directions, but the Heavenly Demon’s influence had not completely disappeared.

The demi-humans who went mad from the Heavenly Demon’s thunder light have become almost monsters. I heard that they have become troublemakers like monsters here, attacking regardless of whether they are demi-humans or humans.

Moreover, these guys were even using Divine Beast Transformation, so ordinary martial artists might be defeated by them instead.

Besides, there seemed to be quite a few of them….

『If I had my way, I would like to borrow your strength one more time. That would be the fastest and safest way to solve it. However, this is something that our Yeom Guk must solve. Therefore, it would not be right to ask you, who is about to leave on a journey. So, instead of asking, I will pray for the blessing of a martial artist who is about to embark on a long journey.』

“Oh my, the blessing of His Majesty the Yeom Emperor. It’s not something you can easily receive.”

“Well…, that’s true.”

『Also, because the role you played here in Cheonsan was the most important and greatest, I have prepared land for you here. In other words, you can think of it as a fief that I am granting you. Of course, you don’t have anyone to manage the fief, so someone from our side will manage it…. I will leave it so that you can use it whenever you return, so that you can return whenever you miss the land of Yeom Guk.』

“Oh my.”

“Hoo….”

A fief….

Have I now reached the point where I can become a landowner and receive money while sitting down?

The land value won’t be that high yet because it’s still an area under development….

『Then I will cut my words short. From Yeom Seong-hwa, the Yeom Emperor.』

The Yeom Emperor’s name was Yeom Seong-hwa.

After reading all of the Emperor’s message, I turned my gaze to Yang Ja-moon.

“Quite generous, aren’t they?”

“Of course. Thanks to you, the war with the Demi-human Alliance, which was expected to cause great damage, ended with little damage.”

After saying that, Yang Ja-moon bowed politely.

“I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“What, what is it? Suddenly….”

I was caught off guard by the sudden greeting.

“Thanks to your help, the entire Yeom Guk, including our Yeom Family, has received a great favor. In the beginning, I was simply trying to use you to restore even a little of the Yeom Family’s power, which was weakening compared to other aristocratic families and sects, but despite that, you did more than I expected. I wanted to express my gratitude for that.”

Well….

It’s unpleasant that they tried to use me, but it turned out the way I wanted, so I don’t really need to worry about it….

Besides, this is too burdensome.

“I cannot repay this favor, but if there is anything you need help with, I will help you with my own strength, even if it’s just my own.”

“Hmm…. Okay, I understand.”

There’s no need to refuse when they’re offering to help.

“Thank you for your hard work so far. Mr. Leon.”

* * *

I exchanged final greetings with Yang Ja-moon and left the inn.

During that time, Lucy was looking at me with a smirk on her face.

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Hehe, just because.”

“….”

“How do you feel? How does it feel to receive thanks? Does your sense of duty as a hero grow stronger and stronger?”

What are you trying to say…?, so that’s what it was.

“I don’t feel anything.”

“Really? That’s a shame.”

“What’s a shame.”

When I looked at Lucy in disbelief, Lucy changed the subject with a sly smile.

“So, are you going straight to the Holy Kingdom like this?”

“I guess so. But there’s a place I need to stop by before I go.”

“A place you need to stop by?”

“Yeah. There’s something I really need for my future journey.”

Strictly speaking, it’s not an element that intervenes in the main story.

Strictly speaking, it’s a side story, and in the game, it ends up with something close to a bad ending, but….

I might be able to avoid the bad ending now.

Since I have to pass through that place to get from the Eastern Continent to the Central Continent unless I take a boat, it’s the perfect place to pass through.

“We’re….”

“Excuse me. Hero from a foreign country.”

Why are so many people talking to me?

Without realizing it, I frowned and looked at the person who had spoken to me.

The person was a man with impressive, slightly shaggy fur.

Yes, strictly speaking….

“A monkey demi-human?”

“Haha. People call those who have inherited the blood of the Divine Beast demi-humans, but I have not inherited the blood of the Divine Beast.”

“Then who are you?”

“We are called Apes.”

So you’re saying you’re a monkey person.

“Oh my, an Ape…. It’s rare to see such a rare race.”

“Rare?”

“Yes. Apes are a race that is basically born with strong physical abilities. Another characteristic is their monkey tails? Anyway, they’re a strong race, but I heard that they disappeared a long time ago, starting with the Great War….”

“Haha, as the Blood Demon over there said, we have decided to stop interfering in the world according to the will of our king.”

The will of the king?

I have a bad feeling about this?

“So, what business do you have with me, you who have decided to stop interfering in the world?”

“Ah, that’s right. I got sidetracked with another story. There’s only one reason I came here. Our king wants to see you.”

“Your king wants to see me?….”

In my memory, the countries on the Eastern Continent of Philgreia are Yeom Guk, Jo Guk, and Tayo Guk.

Of course, these three countries are the most important, but I can’t say for sure that there are no other countries….

If it’s the king of such a great race, there should be some mention of him in the setting…. Why don’t I remember hearing about him?

“What’s your king’s name?”

“Our king is called the Monkey King, and at the same time, he is called the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. It is Sun Wukong.”

…What?

Who did you just say?…. What business does that human have with me?

“I don’t know the reason. We are just conveying our king’s story. If you are willing to come, we will move immediately.”

“Can we go right away?”

“Yes. Because we Apes can create doors that can enter and exit Ore Guk from anywhere.”

Ore Guk.

In the original Journey to the West, Sun Wukong was born in Hwagasan, Ore Guk, so it’s probably a place name taken from that….

I glanced at Lucy, and she shook her head.

So Ore Guk is a country that doesn’t exist in this world.

“Will you go?”

“Let’s go.”

“Okay. Then I will create a door. Would you please step back for a moment?”

He clapped his hands lightly and muttered something.

“I’m going to see magic directly. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Magic…. How is it different from magic?”

“Hmm…. I guess the biggest difference is that you can exert power indefinitely as long as you have the conditions? Magic absorbs the magic power in the atmosphere into the body and uses the most optimized and refined magic power that you can use…. Wizardry uses the energy of nature as it is.”

“That’s enough.”

Rumble!

Two Jangseung statues spring up from the ground.

And the appearance of a large wooden door appears.

“If you cross this door, you will be in Ore Guk right away.”

“Hoo….”

I’m getting nervous for some reason.

Just as I was about to open the door, taking a step forward, the door of the inn suddenly opened.

“D-, Director!….”

“You haven’t left yet!….”

“?”

Baek-ryeon and Seol-rin ran out in a hurry.

And Baek-ho followed them, walking behind them.

“What is it?”

“To leave without a word…, that’s too much, Director!”

“That’s right!….”

“No, you guys are going to be separated from me anyway.”

At my words, Baek-ryeon and Seol-rin coughed and said.

“I was thinking of following you….”

“Me too….”

“…Then what was that yesterday?”

No, was it today at dawn?….

Anyway…. What happened to those girls who said they wanted to have my children because they wouldn’t be able to see me anymore?

“No…. That’s not the point. Baek-ryeon, your family is…”

“Everyone except me is dead anyway, so what can I do?”

Wow, that’s a pretty heavy statement.

“Besides, if I want to revive the family, I have to find a good man, right?”

“…Seol-rin, what about you?”

“Seol-ran has decided to take over the Dang Family instead.”

“Is that okay?”

I was speechless….

Baek-ho is…. He’s a bum anyway, so it doesn’t really matter.

“…Okay. Let’s go together, let’s go.”

“But what are you doing now?”

“A door?”

“…This is wizardry. Is it a door to Ore Guk?”

Baek-ryeon and Seol-rin didn’t seem to know much about the door, but Baek-ho was the only one who knew what the door was.

“Can several people go together?”

“Of course. I was told to treat your companions with respect as well.”

After getting permission, I opened the door.

The place that was revealed after opening the door was a place that could be called a heavenly realm.

“Wow….”

“W-, where is this….”

“Hmm…. The air is pleasant.”

It wasn’t just me who was overwhelmed by the scenery of Ore Guk, as Baek-ryeon and Seol-rin also looked around in amazement.

“Welcome to Ore Guk.”