Ch.71Chapter 71: Father and Son Confrontation

In the distance, Geruntia could be seen.

It was no longer that desolate region with only a lonely tent.

It was surrounded by deeply dug moats, and its walls were built higher than Fort Lester, which was designed to prevent barbarian invasions.

The castle was still under construction, but it was enormous in scale and its design differed from the architectural style of the Central Continent.

The ability to complete such construction in a short period was undoubtedly due to the tremendous labor force of the barbarians.

Valt let out an honest exclamation of admiration as he gazed at the capital.

“Hmm… it’s quite different from when I left. Lamrpo, were you involved in this?”

At Valt’s question, Lamrpo cleared his throat and spoke proudly.

“A-ahem! Well, I wouldn’t say I was involved in everything. Kwan had already secured the land and gathered people for the foundation work. I merely lent a hand.”

Large-scale construction means money. Geruntia had become a region where enormous amounts of money were flowing in.

The creation of jobs through large-scale construction and the resulting infrastructure naturally attract people.

That’s why humans struggling with life in the Central Continent, people dreaming of new opportunities, and those filled with curiosity had flocked here in tremendous numbers.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it’s currently the most noteworthy region in the entire continent.

“But where did our Geruntu get such funding from?”

That was something even Valt didn’t know.

Lamrpo approached and whispered the answer to his question.

“I heard there was a Luphenium mine in Majes Canyon that only Kwan knew about. He sold some to the Empire. It should be enough to fund the capital’s construction.”

Luphenium is so valuable that the Emperor’s armor alone could buy a small kingdom.

Kwan had sold it to the Emperor, and part of it was what Valt had received as his championship prize.

“Hmm… I see.”

This was, of course, top-secret information.

Lamrpo had only tipped off Valt because he was Kwan’s son.

“You must have worked hard.”

“Oh, it was nothing! It was just what I had to do! Hahaha.”

Lamrpo, originally from the Duron Kingdom, belonged to neither Geruntu nor the Empire, making him perfectly positioned to conduct fair trade.

That’s how he had gained enormous profits by mediating the Luphenium trade between the Emperor and Kwan.

Of course, without considerable courage, most wouldn’t even attempt to deal with two such absolute powers, but Valt’s influence had greatly contributed to Lamrpo’s ability to muster such courage.

The transaction had concluded very smoothly, and even though he had taken only the minimum brokerage margin, the money was enormous for a mere merchant.

For Lamrpo, it was a perfect deal that gave him justification, practical benefits, and powerful backing.

Tap tap-

Valt lightly patted Lamrpo’s shoulder and pulled on his horse’s reins as he spoke.

“I’ll be counting on you in the future as well. Now, let’s go.”

“Of course! Lord Valt!”

“Neeeigh! Snort!”

With the black warhorse’s powerful neighing, they galloped the remaining distance and arrived at Geruntia.

***

Entry through the checkpoint was simple for Valt’s group.

When Lamrpo showed the identification certificate bearing Kwan’s seal, they were allowed through without delay.

The Geruntu at the main gate were unfamiliar to Valt.

They were powerful warriors, at least mid-level fighters.

Even Valt didn’t know all the Geruntu.

After all, the Geruntu had only been unified recently, and moreover, Valt had been possessed from another world.

Then a voice called out, recognizing Valt.

“Young Master Valt… no, Prince!!”

The one calling Valt now was his attendant.

When Kwan learned that Valt had sent Lamrpo, he had assigned Valt’s attendant to guide Lamrpo.

This had been ongoing since Lamrpo first visited Kwan until now.

After briefly trying to recall the name, Valt remembered it and nodded happily.

“Elbek! It’s been a while.”

A name that somehow came to mind easily.

When Valt had received the “Magnificent Barbarian Demeanor” trait as a quest reward, he had been able to grasp information about the Geruntu as if knowledge was automatically entering his brain.

It was a strange feeling to have unknown knowledge naturally come to mind, but since it wasn’t a bad thing, Valt had simply accepted it lightly.

“How could you come without notice?! If you had contacted me, I would have gone out to meet you!”

“Hmm? I sent word to Kwan. Didn’t you hear?”

At Valt’s words, Elbek’s expression showed that he finally understood.

“Haha, it seems Kwan deliberately didn’t tell us to surprise us. Well, let’s not stand here—please come in!”

Elbek, a high-ranking tribal warrior, had a muscular physique that, while not matching Valt’s, was still impressively bulky.

Robin and Victor, who were behind them, looked relatively small in comparison.

“Wow… this is no joke, Robin.”

“Indeed, Victor… If I could, I’d rather stay here than at the Academy.”

Hearing their quiet conversation, Valt smiled slightly and began to follow Elbek’s guidance.

Thus, Valt parted ways with his companions for a while.

Lamrpo and the merchants became busy unloading and organizing their cargo, after which Lamrpo would meet with other officials to proceed with trade.

Meanwhile, Valt’s companions were escorted to a guest room where they were waiting separately.

Being Kwan’s direct descendant, Valt was to meet him first and alone.

Waiting briefly in front of the audience chamber, Valt felt somewhat nervous at the thought of meeting his father Kwan after so long.

Or rather, he was extremely curious.

Though barely two months had passed, he had become incomparably stronger than before.

Although Valt’s body had already been nearly perfected, at that time he hadn’t fully understood these sensations and needed time to get accustomed to them.

‘This time I need to see with my own eyes. Just how strong Kwan really is.’

After a brief wait, Elbek called for Valt and led him into the audience chamber.

“The youngest prince has arrived!”

Boom-

As the doors of the grand audience chamber—lacking ornate decorations but imposing and massive—opened.

Whoosh-

An incredible pressure, neither aura nor magical power, began to emanate from the throne.

‘Ugh, this, this is.’

The fighting spirit emitted by his father, Kwan.

Kwan Balrock was emitting a pressure comparable to the Emperor of Halquin Empire.

‘To think he was this powerful! That feeling of possibly dying I had back then was real.’

It was merely physical strength.

Yet how could such a fierce energy be emanating from him?

In terms of intimidation, it was even more ferocious and rough than the 8th Circle King Bladir.

But Valt was different from before as well.

“Hup!”

Valt immediately tensed his entire body, drawing out his magical power.

Rumble-

Having dispersed his father Kwan’s fighting spirit, Valt began to approach Kwan very casually.

One of Balrock’s eyebrows twitched.

“Oh…?”

Four great warriors stood guard around Balrock, and along the path to the audience chamber, Geruntu warriors and elders—now properly clothed rather than half-naked—occupied their positions.

Valt walked confidently and stood directly in front of Kwan.

One of the guards beside him shouted loudly.

“Show respect to Kwan!”

This was Geruntu etiquette. Meeting Kwan’s eyes proved one was worthy of an audience with him.

In reality, ordinary Geruntu couldn’t even make eye contact with Kwan.

After briefly meeting Kwan’s eyes, Valt knelt on one knee and paid his respects.

“Valt, Kwan’s youngest son. I am honored to see the great Kwan’s countenance.”

The throne was covered with the hide of a massive beast. Though not adorned with various jewels and lacking splendor, it gave an equally powerful impression.

From there, with his chin resting on his right hand, Kwan’s deep voice flowed.

“Have you been well?”

Just a simple greeting, but delivered with a voice full of dignity.

And an incredible presence to match.

Valt realized then that his father had grown even more powerful.

‘What is this? How can he be so strong without aura or magical power?’

The question Valt was pondering now was identical, down to the last detail, to what the Emperor had thought when he met Kwan.

Looking up at Kwan, Valt thought it must be due to the life energy within Kwan’s body.

After forming a contract with Liris, he had gained some ability to sense life energy.

While Valt was lost in thought, Balrock’s voice reached him again.

“Why are you spacing out?”

Valt hurriedly bowed his head and answered.

“Ah, it’s nothing. I’ve been well, Kwan.”

A worthy son.

Through Lamrpo and various other channels, he had been hearing news about Valt.

He knew everything—how Valt had cleverly taken control of a useful merchant group, how he had learned magic.

Among these, there was one event that particularly pleased Kwan.

“I heard you won the entrance examination.”

“Yes, I did.”

Though possessing a great warrior’s physique, his youngest son had been overshadowed by his brothers and sisters and hadn’t participated in important battles during the tribal unification war.

The overwhelming force they had was enough.

In battles they couldn’t lose, there hadn’t been opportunities for the youngest to achieve great merit in war.

Because of that, he lacked practical experience and Kwan thought his skills might be inferior.

Nevertheless, the fact that his youngest had won in a place where the promising next generation gathered couldn’t help but please Kwan, the iron-blooded ruler.

“I heard the Emperor’s daughter and disciples of the Seven Heroes were there too? Were they strong?”

“They were strong.”

Valt’s calm response.

Kwan interpreted Valt’s calmness as confidence that defeating such strong opponents and winning was only natural.

They were strong.

But I am stronger.

Twitch-

Finally, the corner of Kwan’s mouth curled up.

“Kuhahaha! Indeed, you are my son!! I shall grant you a reward later. Think about what you want before you leave.”

“I will do so.”

Balrock was in an excellent mood.

Having traveled across the continent, Balrock knew well how famous and popular that tournament was.

And then, unexpectedly, his son had won the championship, announcing the excellence of the Geruntu to the entire continent.

He couldn’t help but be pleased.

And the powerful magical power he had sensed from his son earlier when he sent out his pressure.

In that brief moment, his youngest son had accomplished what no one else could.

Of course, whether all Geruntu could learn it remained to be seen, but it was undoubtedly a significant achievement.

“Now, let’s get to the main point, my son.”

“Yes, Kwan.”

The great ruler Kwan, his golden eyes gleaming brightly, asked:

“What kind of magic have you learned?”