‘I can’t spend the money of the commerce group in vain, even if this is Earl Gang Hyeonu.’

Jerry felt burdened as Hyeonu stared at him silently, but he couldn’t spend money just because of this. He had to be careful when thinking about the staff of the Goldberg Group and their family members.

“Um... I think I need to hear the exact story before I can answer. No matter what you say... Please understand that I have many families relying on me, so I can’t invest money casually,” Jerry said.

“No, it is my mistake for not explaining it properly.” Hyeonu shook his head.

‘It would be weird to invest right after hearing my words.’

It was clear that anyone would react this way, not just Jerry. Hyeonu’s words were that short earlier.

“Sooner or later, something great will happen in Phinis. A crazy number of adventurers are going to come here. There is one thing related to that great matter—the magic power recovery potions,” Hyeonu explained the current situation to Jerry. It was a proposal to attract investment money.

“Does that mean the price of magic power potions will go up?” Jerry still looked like he didn’t really get it.

“Yes, it will rise unconditionally. I have already spent 1.7 million gold on the magic power potions. I want to give you a chance because you made a significant contribution to Phinis by coming here. It is a gift.” Hyeonu spoke like he was being kind.

After hearing it, Jerry felt conflicted. ‘The earl has invested 1.7 million gold...’

Didn’t this mean it was reliable information? Jerry felt there was a need to think about it and asked, “Can I think about it for a moment, Earl?”

“Of course. You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. I’m not forcing you.” Hyeonu nodded. It was very satisfying for Hyeonu to see that Jerry was cautious.

‘The more capable he is, the better.’

Jerry’s abilities would have a significant impact on Phinis’ development.

‘By the way, why isn’t Leon Meyer coming?’ Hyeonu frowned. It was Leon Meyer who said he would be back in no time when he received the signed paper, yet he still hadn’t returned. Nor had Hyeonu received any news from Leon Meyer.

“Earl, I have decided.” Hyeonu’s thoughts lasted up to here though because Jerry had finished thinking and started talking to Hyeonu again.

“Really? What are you going to do?” Hyeonu asked.

“I’ll join you. How much do I need to buy?”

“It is okay to buy intermediate or higher magic power potions within a reasonable extent. The prices will rise quickly. The money you invest will be recovered in a week.” Hyeonu was confident about this. Once the demon world movement magic circle was installed and revealed on his stream, the price of magic power recovery potions would shoot through the roof like stocks hitting the upper limit.

“Earl, I will go to buy the potions now then.” Jerry hurriedly bowed to Hyeonu and left. The left-behind Johnny quickly followed Jerry because he was afraid Hyeonu would make him talk.

“Did something happen with the two of them?” Hyeonu didn’t know this and cocked his head in a confused manner.

***

“Sorry, it took a while to convince them.” Leon Meyer showed up an hour later. His face was red, and his forehead was covered with sweat. He looked like he had been very busy.

“Did you go and vomit? Your face is a mess.” Hyeonu pointed out this fact.

Leon Meyer clenched his fists with a frown and said, “It was very hard to persuade those idle guys, but I did it. Why? So I can also be idle.”

Upon saying that, Leon Meyer’s face became a bit brighter. He imagined himself sleeping to his heart’s content in a deep cave that no one touched. It was a fantastic life where he could wake up whenever he wanted and eat whenever he wished.

“Where can I install the magic circle?” He asked. Leon Meyer wanted to rest as soon as possible. Once the magic circle was set up and proven to be fine, he would no longer have to guard the crack.

“You can install it in the center of the square over there. It has to be used by a lot of adventurers.” Hyeonu pointed to the square in the distance. The square was in the center of the four divided areas.

“Additionally... you know that a lot of magic power is needed to start the magic circle, right? I did it myself, but... I can’t do that with the magic circle here. The adventurers have to inject their own magic power to trigger it,” Leon Meyer explained. When Hyeonu heard that, he smiled brightly and barely suppressed his laughter that wanted to burst out.

‘As expected...’

This was what Hyeonu had been hoping for.

“I understand. I will have the adventurers come together and inject their own magic power,” Hyeonu stated, cutting off Leon Meyer before he could say anything else.

“Then I’m glad. It saves me from the hassle.” Leon Meyer took a step toward the square.

“You can make it over there.” Hyeonu pointed to an area of the ground at the center of the square. The grass was growing evenly there.

“Understood.” Leon Meyer nodded and threw a small stone toward that spot. Then he reached out both hands toward the stone, and a tremendous amount of magic power emerged from Leon Meyer’s entire body. The sticky magic power started to be absorbed by the stone. Simultaneously, the stone turned black and poured out unidentified shapes and texts.

“What is this?”

“What is going on?”

Naturally, the eyes of the people in the area were attracted to it. The players and NPCs alike turned their heads toward the light pouring from the square.

‘I will have to reveal it on my stream tomorrow.’ Hyeonu shook his head at the magic circle’s imprinting process, which was more spectacular than he had expected. At this rate, it wouldn’t be a surprise public reveal. This incident might soon be all over the communities.

[-The unidentified black light in Phinis, the territory of Alley Leader!]

‘That is roughly enough.’

It was clear that the various speculations would be amusing. No one would know that light was actually a magic circle that would allow one to move to the demon world. Eventually, the black light faded, revealing the numerous shapes and characters carved on the grassy ground.

“The magic circle is completely in place. Now you can use it the moment you inject your magic power,” Leon Meyer said with a slightly tired face. Even though he was a dragon, it was hard for him to build such a magic circle.

[The demon world movement magic circle has been installed in Phinis.]

“Thank you, Leon Meyer.” Hyeonu smiled at the message that appeared in front of his eyes.

“I will stay here for a few months.”

When Leon Meyer spoke these words, Hyeonu’s eyes shone intensely. He noticed what Leon Meyer’s words meant and wondered, “Do you think there might be a problem?”

“It isn’t bad to be prepared, right?” Leon Meyer replied.

Hyeonu nodded. It was a good thing for Hyeonu if Leon Meyer resided in Phinis. If there was a problem, Hyeonu would have someone to resolve it.

‘Of course, there won’t be any problems.’

Baler had promised that he would control the movements of the demons as much as possible. It was a promise made by the so-called leader of the demon world, so it would be kept. This was because the demon world was a place where power was truth.

“Then I’m going,” Leon Meyer said and disappeared.

Then Hyeonu waved to a passing soldier.

“Did you call, My Lord?” The soldier who approached Hyeonu couldn’t raise his face.

Hyeonu opened his mouth and asked, “How can I talk to you if you are like this?”

The soldier quickly raised his head. His expression was clearly tense. Sweat had formed on his forehead, and he gulped for no particular reason.

“Tell the captain of the guard to come immediately, and stop anyone from approaching this place. After that, go to Mount Canary and call the knights to guard the square,” Hyeonu spoke solemnly in a low voice. The dignity of the earl was in full display.

“I understand, My Lord.” The soldier left with a grim expression as if he was assigned a mission that would risk this life.

‘I’ve stopped the players from approaching...’ Hyeonu thought.

“Now I have to go to the next place.”

There was a place that Hyeonu had to go. 3.2 million gold—it was the final journey for this money.

***

“Sigh...” Standing in a hallway full of colorful decorations, Hyeonu repeatedly breathed in and out. The place where he was standing was the emperor’s palace, where the emperor stayed. Hyeonu voluntarily visited a place that he didn’t want to go to—the central area. He didn’t open the door, but the door opened automatically.

“If you’re here, come in. How can you not move in front of the door?” The emperor was giving off an air of boredom as usual.

“I stopped for a moment to organize my words to you, Your Majesty.” Hyeonu made up a rough excuse. The words he was saying right now didn’t matter at all anyway. It was just the emperor’s unique way of greeting Hyeonu.

“Really? Then take out what you have prepared. I am looking forward to your words.” The corners of the emperor’s mouth curved up slightly.

“I met Duke John Blake a while ago,” Hyeonu said.

“Duke Blake? It has been a while since we’ve lost contact with him... You actually managed to find him. As expected of the earl?” The emperor expressed his surprise.

It was understandable. John Blake hadn’t been found even by the emperor’s men.

“Yes, where is he? Was it a quiet country? Or was he resting in the deep mountains?”

“Duke Blake... He is in the demon world. He also became a duke there.”

“Demon world? Are you talking about the demon world that bug came from?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is that demon world.”

The emperor’s eyes narrowed like a snake. Simultaneously, he exuded an intangible force like that of a blade.

“You managed to find a way to get to the demon world in such a short time and find Duke Blake’s whereabouts? As expected of Earl Gang Hyeonu! Your ability is outstanding!”

Hyeonu was really uncomfortable with the emperor’s praise. It felt more like an interrogation than a compliment; it was too uncomfortable.

“I delivered the message from Your Majesty to the duke.” Hyeonu tried hard to keep his lips steady.

“What did the duke say?

“He said if you want to have fun, hand the throne over to your successor.”

“If it was up to me, I would’ve already put it down...” The emperor let out a deep sigh.

It was the first time Hyeonu had seen this.

‘Come to think of it... does the emperor have children?’

He had never heard of any member of the imperial family aside from the emperor. Just then, the emperor opened his mouth again and asked, “What did you want to say today?”

“Ah! I have a small favor to ask of Your Majesty.”

“A small favor?”

“Perhaps... do you need black market money?”