Ch.74Chapter 74: Purpose.

After finishing their tour of the streets, Valt’s group moved to the castle.

Though construction was still ongoing, there were many rooms available for guests.

After spending the day there, the next day arrived.

King Bladir had a private audience with Khan, and afterward approached Valt with a pleased expression.

Valt, who was having a meal with his friends, noticed Bladir and asked, “It seems things went well.”

King Bladir smiled.

“Indeed. We’ll discuss the details later, but for now, they will reside in Majes Canyon and have agreed to form an alliance with Gerungtu.”

This was different from a non-aggression treaty or cultural exchange.

Khan had acknowledged the vampires as fighting allies.

Though their forces were weak now, blood magic would certainly be of tremendous help to Gerungtu, and Gerungtu would likewise benefit the vampires—a mutually beneficial relationship.

If the vampires were in danger, Gerungtu would willingly shed blood for them, and the vampires would do the same.

This racial alliance, which began with Valt, would become a true blood pact with no reason to break.

“That’s excellent. Will you be departing right away?”

“We must. Would you like to come along?”

In truth, they could part ways here without issue, but Valt’s quest wasn’t over yet.

It seemed he needed to confirm the vampires’ settlement.

Besides, he had a request he’d accepted to extend his time away.

It was a request from Castle Lester, and being close to the south, it involved investigating the ecology of southern monsters.

He didn’t need to investigate everything—just capture a few monsters, collect specimens, learn what they were called in the south, and submit the findings. It was quite a high-level investigation.

“If it’s alright, I’d like to accompany you. I happen to have some research to do as well.”

“Haha, of course. I was actually going to ask you. I’m still not used to the south… Oh, and Khan was looking for you.”

***

A space different from the audience chamber.

It was a vast private space solely for Khan.

The room could be described as not just simple but almost shabby for a king of a nation, but the same could not be said for the person inside.

Knock knock-

“Prince Valt has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

Step-

Valt entered Khan’s room, and Khan welcomed him.

“I greet you, Khan.”

As Valt tried to pay his respects, Khan smiled slightly and said, “No need for formalities. Have you eaten?”

“Yes, I have.”

Khan nodded and took a seat at a table with chairs.

“Sit down.”

At Khan’s invitation, Valt sat down, and Khan spoke again.

“Your contribution is significant. Blood magic—truly, I never imagined obtaining such magic.”

As he spoke, Khan extended his hand, and a blood-red sphere began to form in it.

Wooong-

The immense magical power was clearly perceptible.

Khan had made a contract with King Bladir.

King Bladir had likely given up much for the sake of his people.

“Congratulations, Khan…”

Khan interrupted Valt’s words.

“When we’re alone, call me father.”

“…Yes, father.”

Then Khan showed Valt a ring.

“I hear this is quite useful?”

A ring identical to Valt’s—the physical force-to-magic conversion ring.

“I asked Ramrpo, and he said it could be obtained. He acquired it from the Magic Tower for no small sum. I couldn’t take my son’s, could I?”

Wooong-

Once again, tremendous magical power could be felt.

Khan knew exactly how Valt had come to use magic and was already using it skillfully.

He must have learned the basics of magic manipulation during his long meeting with Bladir.

With just a contract with the vampires and a single item, his magical power surpassed Valt’s.

“With this much, I wouldn’t lose even in a rematch with the Emperor.”

The Emperor was a 9th-tier powerhouse.

To say he wouldn’t lose against such an Emperor—it was impossible to gauge just how powerful Khan had become.

After withdrawing his magic, Khan asked Valt:

“Well, my son, what did you think of the Empire?”

Though he had only seen the Academy, Valt had met various people.

They were merely the future leaders.

The true strength of the Empire was impossible to know.

But Valt knew one thing clearly.

“Defeating the Empire through war is still impossible.”

“Kuk kuk, still? Still, you say… Then what would you suggest?”

Khan asking such a question implied that Valt could also be a successor.

Though he was the youngest, he undeniably carried Khan’s blood.

“To put it simply… we need to prosper. Increase our population and expand our alliances. Father’s alliance with the vampires today will surely be the beginning of that.”

“Hmm… Are you saying Gerungtu’s warriors alone are not enough?”

This was something Khan clearly knew already. But he wanted to hear Valt’s opinion.

“Yes.”

A response without a moment’s hesitation.

Balrock’s eyebrow twitched, but this was a fact Khan also knew.

“To be frank, I believe it would be difficult for our Gerungtu to win a war against the Central Continent nations for at least the next hundred years.”

Khan couldn’t possibly be unaware of this.

But Gerungtu was warlike and favored combat, enough to be called barbarians. However, this wasn’t entirely positive.

Most of the barbarians had fiery, hot-blooded temperaments.

This wasn’t good for national development. Many of Khan’s own children shared this fiery personality.

‘Hmm… even the youngest has potential.’

Developing a nation doesn’t happen through combat alone. Naturally, intelligence and cool-headed patience are necessary.

Khan’s initial speech about conquering the Central Continent was meant to instill a purposeful Gerungtu-like mindset in his people.

His grand plan was to rally people with the appealing goal of conquering the Central Continent and build national power accordingly.

That’s not to say he had abandoned the conquest of the Central Continent. If given the opportunity, Balrock would certainly consider expanding into the Central Continent.

While the center of the continent where the Empire was located might be difficult, lands relatively close to the south, including Castle Lester—

What Khan aimed for was more fertile land.

Since his first and second sons had somewhat strategic minds, Khan had high expectations for them.

But now he discovered that Valt also possessed such qualities.

Moreover, his skill in quickly mastering magic.

According to King Bladir, his combat ability had reached a level where he could defeat even 7th-tier powerhouses.

Khan wondered if his first and youngest sons, both accomplished in civil and military arts, might compete to become the next Khan.

Having received the answer he wanted, Khan began asking about other matters.

“Halik must have approached you. Will you take his side?”

“I’m still considering it. But I believe it’s only natural for my eldest brother to succeed as the next Khan.”

‘So he has no ambition…’

It was a disappointing answer, but Balrock didn’t show it outwardly.

“As you know, blood magic and physical magic are incomplete.”

“I’m aware.”

Vampires were few in number, and currently only Khan and Valt could use physical magic.

There was still a long way to go.

Of course, if the vampires greatly increased their numbers, things might change, but ultimately it was magic that depended on others.

“Return to the Academy and focus on discovering magic that Gerungtu can learn, and study the continent. Your main objective remains unchanged, so nothing is different from before. However, I acknowledge the results you’ve already achieved.”

Ding-

At that moment, a system notification sounded in Valt’s ear. Valt quickly checked the quest.

【Main Quest: Khan’s Order】

<Description>

You are the son of the great conqueror Balrock!

You now have a duty to impart magic to your tribe to fulfill his wishes!

You brought blood magic and physical magic to Khan, but it’s impossible to satisfy him with just those two magics.

<Achievement Conditions>

Create or learn magic that Gerungtu can use.

<Reward>

Success – ???

Failure – Khan’s disappointment.

<Special Note>

This is a quest with undetermined results. Rewards will vary depending on the outcome. It may have a significant impact on your clan or history.

“What are you looking at?”

“Ah, nothing. I was just thinking about something. I will obey your command, father.”

“Good, but visit the south occasionally.”

Khan and Valt then discussed many personal matters.

Valt especially talked about the masked individuals he encountered on his way to the Academy and in Brasov. Khan’s expression grew somewhat serious as he listened.

But since no such figures had been spotted in the south yet, Khan said he would be careful, and Valt left Khan’s room.

***

‘Hmm… I hadn’t thought about it before, but create magic?’

As he left Khan’s room, Valt fell into thought.

Until now, he had merely sought out existing magic, but Valt’s magic was certainly unique.

Physical magic, which converted physical force into magical power, hadn’t existed before.

With the system’s help, it was essentially the creation of a new form of magic.

But a question arose.

‘What is the system’s purpose?’

It was a question he hadn’t given much thought to before, being preoccupied with survival.

Why was he brought to this world, and what exactly did the system want from Valt?

It seemed unlikely there was no purpose, especially considering the system had given him the overpowered physical magic ability.

‘It would be nice if there was someone I could consult with.’

But it seemed no one besides Valt possessed a status window.

He had kept it hidden, fearing troublesome situations if he spoke about it.

But now he had gained considerable power and felt he could handle a certain degree of danger.

So it might be worthwhile to discreetly investigate this “status window.”

This was the moment when Valt’s purpose shifted from merely learning magic to discovering what this world wanted from him.