Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 178

178.

My character level jumped by 20 in an instant.

I went from level 60 to level 80, and the system window underwent some noticeable changes.

The first thing that caught my eye was the system window’s background, which had been updated to something rather flashy.

‘It’s flashy, but not particularly appealing,’ I thought.

Just because the system window’s appearance changed didn’t mean my skills improved. Still, it wasn’t just the background; the spacing between the letters was adjusted, making it easier to grasp information at a glance than before.

With the Fame Quest completed, my bonus stats increased to 3,000.

‘I feel like I’m a bit lacking in skills.’

I already possess a good number of skills, but when I consider each attribute individually, there aren’t that many. Even for wind spirit-exclusive skills, there are only a few.

Without hesitation, I invested 1,000 of my bonus stats into unlocking skills.

-A Glacier Gale

An A-grade skill was unlocked, and as soon as it was, the mana consumption and effects of the skill were immediately imprinted in my mind.

Once again, I was amazed by the convenience of the system.

Just by unlocking a skill, I could automatically learn how to use it. All that was left was to train my proficiency.

As skill proficiency increases, the skill level rises, and as the level rises, the power of the skill itself increases.

‘Karen wasn’t a cheat for nothing. The system is like the best partner a guy could ask for.’

I wanted to test out the skill right away.

Glacier Gale was a somewhat simple name, but as an A-grade skill, even at level 1, its power seemed considerable.

‘It’s not just simple wind. As a skill with the name Glacier, it can freeze enemies while blowing a powerful wind.’

Although it was an A-grade skill, its effect was comparable to an S-grade skill.

With a joyful heart, I used the remaining 2,000 bonus stats to unlock a quest.

-SS Wrath of Magma

I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I had misread the system window.

‘SS?’

SS rank isn’t a concept I created. I set S as the highest of all ranks.

But suddenly, SS was attached to the quest.

To resolve my curiosity, I quickly read the quest description.

-Ragnarok, the dragon who ruled the west, foretold the end of the Middle Realm [a realm between the human and celestial worlds] and fell into eternal slumber. The Grimoire of Wrath of Magma he left behind is related to the end of the Middle Realm. The Reinhardt family, who did not wish for the destruction of the Middle Realm, prepared for the coming destruction through the Wrath of Magma left by Ragnarok.

As I read the quest description, my face gradually hardened.

-The Reinhardt family realized that they could not prevent the end of the Middle Realm. Among humans, there were already those who served the Demon King of the End, and among the fairies, corrupted ones began to appear. ???, the last head of Reinhardt, realized that the Wrath of Magma would rather hasten the destruction of the Middle Realm and sealed it in the western forest.

“The end of the Middle Realm? And the name is a question mark again.”

The content was interesting, but I couldn’t just enjoy it.

-??? believed that someone in later generations would prevent the end through the Wrath of Magma, and took measures to prevent the Wrath of Magma from falling into the hands of humans serving the Demon King of the End and corrupted fairies.

After a long background explanation, the purpose of the quest was revealed.

-Secure the Wrath of Magma.

“So, in the end, it’s about getting the grimoire.”

I had already decided to find it for Lillian.

The only problem was that its location was the sacred home of the World Tree, which the fairies revered.

Even entering the western forest was nearly impossible, but going to the place where the World Tree was located was a very dangerous task that might lead to war with the fairies.

I didn’t pay much attention to words like the end of the Middle Realm, humans serving the Demon King of the End, and corrupted fairies.

I don’t know what efforts the Reinhardt family made to prevent the end of the Middle Realm, but the Reinhardt family itself is an ancient family in the first place.

In human time, it’s been over a thousand years in history.

‘If the Middle Realm was really facing its end, it would have already been destroyed in the Reinhardt family’s era.’

I thought simply.

Even if I read the quest again, the ultimate goal is to acquire the grimoire.

The difficulty rating of SS bothered me the most.

‘It’s going to be really difficult.’

I couldn’t rush to the fairy forest right away, so for a while, I was going to focus on stabilizing the empire and solidifying my position as crown prince.

“I need to get more bonus stats.”

I was quite disappointed that I had invested all my bonus stats to unlock the quest.

Until I complete the SS quest, the way to get additional bonus stats is naturally blocked.

Because I don’t have any bonus stats left.

‘I wasn’t careful enough.’

I sighed.

I should always be vigilant and consider various directions when dealing with the system window, but I rashly invested 2,000 stats to unlock the quest.

I wanted a quest of A grade or so, but an SS grade quest came out.

First, I closed the quest window and closed my eyes.

It was important for me to get stronger, but now it was time to start building my power in earnest.

‘Now that I’m back in the imperial palace, my younger brothers will be snooping around.’

Ted, who said he would follow the Eastern Expedition, stayed in the imperial palace due to the sudden dispatch, and it was time for Chen, who had been quiet for a while, to move.

Recently, I have been frighteningly increasing my influence, and my two younger brothers won’t just sit still and watch.

The other younger brothers, who are being pushed back in terms of presence, will surely start putting a brake on my actions.

‘Their greed is their greed, but there’s no way their maternal families will stay still.’

Duke Beregon and Austin were feeling a strong sense of crisis right now.

‘I have to push forward so they can’t even follow. I gained a lot through the Eastern Expedition, so I have to manage what I gained well and widen the gap.’

I had no intention of ever losing the position of crown prince.

* * *

“We’re quite short on funds.”

Vikan was lost in thought at Soris’s words.

“I haven’t reported to His Highness yet. The Eastern Expedition has just ended, and the organization’s reorganization has been somewhat completed, but if money problems arise, His Highness will have to worry a lot.”

Soris told Vikan honestly.

“Didn’t Vikan Merchant Group stake its fate on His Highness? There are countless merchant groups on the continent, and the capitals of the top merchant groups among those many groups are all gathered in the imperial capital. Now, Vikan Merchant Group’s headquarters will also move to the capital.”

Vikan nodded.

“Yes. The imperial capital can be said to be the center of commerce. Important branches are scattered all over the empire and the continent according to their characteristics, but the headquarters are all in the imperial capital. After all, the place where money gathers is right here.”

“And most of the merchant groups in the imperial capital have powerful nobles or princes as their backers. Vikan now has Crown Prince as its backer.”

Nothing was wrong.

“If Vikan Merchant Group could provide some funds, it would ease the burden on the Crown Prince’s organizational reorganization.”

“How much do you need?”

“About 10,000 gold.”

Vikan’s face hardened.

10,000 gold is a considerable amount.

“It’s difficult to secure that much gold right now. We invested a lot in the Eastern Expedition, and the funds haven’t been recovered yet. In that situation, we need to reorganize the purification water distribution network, as well as provide financial support for the western monster hunt.”

Soris rubbed his forehead.

“This is not the only place where money is needed.”

“I’ll try to quickly dispose of the assets left by the Pireon Kingdom. Marquis Daret took most of it, but still, the food…”

Soris cut off Vikan’s words.

“The food cannot be sold. The stockpiled food will be distributed first in the west, and the rest will be used as relief rice in the capital’s slums.”

“That’s the fastest way to circulate the most cash, but if we can’t even sell the food, the funds will be completely blocked.”

“It’s one of two things. Ask His Majesty or borrow from somewhere else.”

Vikan’s face hardened.

“There will be no need to request funds from His Majesty the Emperor, so do you mean to borrow funds from other merchant groups?”

“There’s no other way. Vikan Merchant Group can’t provide funds either.”

Currently, Vikan is the only merchant group that the Crown Prince sponsors.

Vikan didn’t want any other competitors to emerge at all.

“I’ll somehow manage to secure 10,000 gold. Just give me some time.”

“I don’t want to reach out to other merchant groups either. Only the heads of each organization have been decided, but bringing in, training, and maintaining the members all cost money. Moreover, in the case of Commander Lillian, we even have to build a magic tower.”

“I’ll try my best as soon as possible. Money will pour out of the west in just a little while.”

Soris nodded.

“You’re having an interesting conversation.”

The two people’s heads turned sharply.

It was Olivia.

The two hurriedly bowed.

‘They were having a conversation that should have been held in the office in the Crown Prince’s palace garden because they were in a hurry.’

Soris realized his mistake and his face turned red.

His heart was heavy at the thought that Olivia had heard all of his conversation with Vikan.

“Are you short on funds?”

Soris answered Olivia’s question, sweating profusely.

“I’m sorry, Young Lady. I wasn’t careful… I spoke outside about things that shouldn’t be heard by others.”

“Yes. That’s right. From now on, be sure to have such conversations in the office. And my question was whether you were short on funds.”

“Th, that’s right.”

Vikan was also looking at Olivia with a nervous expression.

“How much leeway do you have with 10,000 gold?”

Soris answered.

“We can operate the organization for about three months.”

Vikan also stepped forward.

“That’s enough to stabilize the merchant group. His Highness the Crown Prince will have no financial problems.”

Olivia turned her gaze to Vikan.

“Politics requires a lot of money. That’s why nobles operate their own merchant groups or form ties with large merchant groups. It’s beneficial to each other. Merchant groups often need powerful politicians to operate as well.”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

“I’ll provide you with 10,000 gold. Keep it a secret from His Highness. And Vikan.”

Vikan composed himself and answered at the voice calling him once again.

“Yes.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince’s political influence is greater than ever. The merchant group that is working with him must also keep pace with His Highness’s actions, right? If 10,000 gold is not enough, there are plenty of merchant groups all over the capital who will give you 20,000 or 30,000 gold right now.”

Vikan’s expression hardened.

“Don’t forget. His Highness thinks highly of Vikan, but the relationship between a merchant group and a politician is only a cooperative relationship. It’s a give-and-take relationship, not a relationship where only one side gives unilaterally.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Olivia gave Vikan a dismissal order.

Watching Vikan disappear at a quick pace, Olivia turned her gaze to Soris.

“I know you’re having a hard time, Soris.”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

“Do you think I’m interfering too much because I’m not one of His Highness the Crown Prince’s people?”

Soris shook his hand.

“No, Young Lady…”

“His Highness is just getting started. He doesn’t have systematic family support and is creating all the organizations alone. Right now, His Highness needs to draw a bigger picture rather than focus on the details.”

“Yes.”

Olivia’s quiet voice pierced Soris’s ears.

“It’s Soris’s role to prevent minor problems from holding His Highness back.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Olivia smiled brightly.

“I’ll handle the funding discreetly.”