After their long conversation, Hyeonu finally brought up why he visited John Blake: “Do you know where Baler is now?”
“Baler? Why are you asking?” John Blake asked.
“His Majesty has something he wants, but it is related to Baler.”
“Something he wants...” John Blake sighed.
No matter what the emperor might’ve said, it would not be a simple thing for Hyeonu to find Baler.
‘What are you trying to do?’ John Blake wondered. John Blake knew a lot about the emperor as he was the emperor’s teacher. He had taught the emperor for over 10 years, so it would be strange if he didn’t know the emperor well. This person’s personality didn’t fit a dull position like the emperor. Rather, a battleground with blood flowing like a river was much more fitting.
‘I don’t know. He might want to start a war...’ John Blake shook his head, thinking it was a silly idea. Yet Hyeonu’s words soon caused John Blake’s eyes to widen.
Hyeonu said, “He said he wants to start a war. It isn’t to let the demons and demonic creatures come to Etono but to expand the front lines and start a war. His Majesty will take the vanguard himself.”
‘Start a war’—they weren’t light words.
The emperor wouldn’t die, but it was obvious that many imperial people would be sacrificed.
“Who will pay for that sacrifice?” John Blake murmured.
Hearing John Blake’s mumbling, Hyeonu conveyed the emperor’s thoughts: “Don't worry about it. The main force of the demon world expeditionary force will be adventurers. They will lead the war since they can be resurrected after death.”
“Adventurers? Do they have that ability? I know you are a special adventurer, but... I don’t believe that other guys will be at your level.”
“Of course, they aren’t that strong, but they can grow stronger rapidly. You just have to throw the right compensation before them, and they will fight harder than anyone else.”
At Hyeonu’s words, John Blake couldn’t hide his disbelieving expression. The adventurers he remembered were so weak. Even if dozens of adventurers were gathered, it would be hard for them to kill even the lowest grade demonic creature. That was the kind of adventurers who were in John Blake’s memory.
“There are many adventurers in Etono. You can see them for yourself later. Their level isn’t as low as you think,” Hyeonu said.
“It’s fine. I don’t like it, but that doesn’t mean a war won’t happen,” John Blake replied.
Hyeonu nodded. John Blake’s words were right. War would still break out even if he wasn’t satisfied with the level of adventurers. This was what the emperor meant.
“Baler doesn’t stay in his city. It is because no one targets his territory in the first place. Therefore, it is impossible to find him at a certain place,” John Blake explained Baler’s whereabouts.
In his words, it was impossible for Hyeonu to find Baler. He had to visit Hyeonu instead. That was a much more likely story.
“So it’s impossible for me to find Baler?” Hyeonu’s expression stiffened. As he had expected, it wasn’t going to be easy to complete the quest.
‘I will take a lot of time for this,’ he thought.
John Blake saw Hyeonu’s stiff face and added, “Not necessarily. He wanders about, but there seems to be certain rules to his wandering.”
Hyeonu’s expression relaxed slightly as a bit of hope rose within him.
‘Rules?’
“What rules?” Hyeonu hurriedly inquired.
John Blake answered, “You know Baler is raising demonic creatures, right? They are located all over the demon world. Each one is strong enough to dominate an area.”
Hyeonu knew what John Blake was referring to. After all, Hyeonu had driven one of the demonic creatures—Teramas—to the brink of death, so it would be strange for him not to know.
‘He is talking about those like Teramas.’
“I know. I don’t know where they are, but I know he is raising them.”
“Then this will be a fast talk. Baler will wander around visiting them as long as there is no work. He travels around by teleportation, so you will probably meet him by staying in one place for a few days.”
It was good news. Hyeonu could meet Baler after only a few days.
“Thank you, Sir Blake. I know where one of Baler’s pet demonic creatures is, so I think I’ll be able to meet him soon,” Hyeonu spoke with a bright smile.
This was a great profit. It felt like a highway to his destination had appeared in a quest that wasn’t visible.
“It’s ambiguous as to whether this is really a good thing... In any case, I hope things work out,” John Blake said and then paused. He felt this wasn’t something to celebrate. It was definitely good that the work of Hyeonu, his disciple’s student, was going well. However, it was terrible that it would lead to a war between the demon world and the Yusma Empire, even if the main players of the war weren’t the imperial people.
Hyeonu read John Blake’s heart and poured out words like lip service: “I’ll try to use my strength to ensure the empire receives as little damage as possible. It is a weak influence, but...”
Even if Hyeonu was able to reduce the severity of the damage, there would still be damage the moment war broke out.
“It’s fine. Stop and go meet Baler.” John Blake waved his hand at Hyeonu.
“Then I’ll see you next time, Sir Blake.”
Hyeonu left Blanc’s castle as John Blake drove him away.
***
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