Chapter 75

Chapter 75: To Europe.

The first place that Kim Kiwoo and his party visited was none other than a theater.

There were quite a few theaters in the capital, but they headed to the largest and most popular one.

“Then, let us begin. Please enjoy the show.”

After the theater director’s speech, the play officially started.

As the play progressed, Kim Kiwoo’s expression changed strangely.

‘That guy.’

Kim Kiwoo recalled his conversation with the Straight Tree in the past.

‘I will prepare the most popular play in the empire for you.’

‘Hmm… What is it?’

‘You will enjoy it more if you don’t know.’

The Straight Tree had a faint smile on his face as he said that.

And now, he realized why the Straight Tree had kept it a secret from him.

It couldn’t be helped.

The role of the lead actor who was performing passionately was none other than Kim Kiwoo himself.

“Wow! Father! Were you really like that in the past? You’re so cool!”

“…I don’t remember very well.”

“Hoho. Your Majesty was much more amazing than this. It’s impossible to capture it in a play.”

“Really? Wow…”

The princess looked at Kim Kiwoo with an admiring and longing gaze, her eyes sparkling.

Kim Kiwoo scratched his cheek at that sight.

‘Past glorification is also a thing. But this is too much.’

From the moment he descended from the sky to the establishment of the empire, everything was unrealistically unrealistic.

Despite never having fought anyone with a sword, Kim Kiwoo in the play was a master of martial arts like no other.

The hostile tribes in the early days bowed their heads at Kim Kiwoo’s roar, and even physically impossible things happened easily with Kim Kiwoo’s will alone.

One thing was certain, they were actions that humans could not do.

So Kim Kiwoo’s face had to be hot.

Kim Kiwoo casually asked one of the attendants next to him.

“Is this really the most popular play right now?”

“Of course. Not only this, but any play related to Your Majesty is always popular.”

“…”

Kim Kiwoo had never ordered anyone to make such a play for ideological education.

In other words, this was a content that the imperial citizens voluntarily created and consumed.

‘Will they all think I can fly in the sky and use superpowers later?’

It seemed like that would happen if it went on like this.

He wondered if that would really be a good thing.

The play ended like that, and the real trip began.

Kim Kiwoo and his family visited various cities and experienced their most famous things.

They also enjoyed the beautiful scenery of each region.

As he traveled around here and there, Kim Kiwoo realized something.

‘…There are so many things related to me.’

In every city, there was at least one statue of Kim Kiwoo.

Of course, their sizes and poses varied.

Also, there were portraits of Kim Kiwoo hanging in many buildings, and sculptures of Kim Kiwoo were sold like hotcakes in the market.

The artworks made from deer echoes were also mostly related to Kim Kiwoo, and they were the most popular ones.

“Your Majesty’s face is everywhere. I can feel how much the imperial citizens love Your Majesty.”

“That’s right! Father is amazing!”

The empress and the princess smiled as if they had received compliments themselves.

The prince was no different, his eyes burning with desire as he looked at Kim Kiwoo.

***

As they visited various cities, it was quite a long schedule, but time passed quickly.

There is an end to everything that has a beginning.

Finally, the family trip came to an end.

“Hing. I want to go around more…”

As the carriage reached the front of the palace, the princess’s face became gloomy.

“Can’t we go again next time?”

“Really? Can we go again?”

“Of course. Sure.”

Kim Kiwoo stroked her brilliant starlight hair and said that.

Of course, he didn’t know if his words would come true or not.

After returning to the palace, Kim Kiwoo had a conversation with the crown prince for the first time in a long time.

“Did you enjoy your trip?”

“It would have been nice if you came with us.”

“That’s right.”

The crown prince’s voice was filled with deep regret.

He had been the most reluctant to leave behind his three siblings who couldn’t join him on the trip.

But it was impossible for him to participate at this time.

“It’s next month already. How are your preparations going?”

“I’m doing my best. But I don’t know if I can govern the direct territory well.”

“Haha. You sound uncharacteristically weak. Don’t worry too much. You’ll surely do a fine job.”

“Yes, Father.”

The crown prince seemed to lack confidence because he was not going to rule over the mainland, but the direct territory in the central continent.

But Kim Kiwoo was not too concerned.

He knew that his optimistic son would adapt well once he took office as the governor of the direct territory.

Besides, unlike before, the power balance in the central continent was stable, so there wouldn’t be any major trouble.

And if something unexpected happened, he could deal with it then.

“Well, then, do your best until you take office as the governor.”

“I will.”

He finished his conversation with the crown prince and sent him away.

‘Phew. My children have all grown up.’

He felt nostalgic when he thought that his mischievous crown prince had become so serious.

He also felt sad that they were leaving his side.

As time passed, his other children would find their own places too.

And someday…

‘My youngest daughter will get married.’

He couldn’t bear to think of his adorable daughter, who seemed too precious for his eyes, going to another man’s house!

He felt suffocated just by imagining it.

But he couldn’t stop his daughter’s marriage, could he?

His role was to find her a good match.

He recalled the faces of his five children one by one.

‘The others are fine, but…’

Recently, one of his children had been weighing on Kim Kiwoo and Deep Lake’s minds.

The protagonist was none other than the fourth prince, Blue Earth.

“Is the fourth prince still training in the training ground?”

“I’m sorry to say that he is.”

“Hmm…”

Kim Kiwoo respected his children’s actions as long as they were not too unreasonable.

This was also true for the fourth prince.

He had watched him hone his martial arts skills since he was young.

‘But ever since he came back from the trip, he’s been overdoing it.’

He didn’t know what motivated him during the trip, but Blue Earth was training so hard that it seemed like he was torturing himself.

If he left him alone like this, he might really get sick.

Of course, it had only been a few days since he came back, so he might naturally reduce his training intensity, but considering his personality, he doubted that would happen.

More importantly, he was still in his adolescence, when he was growing rapidly.

This kind of excessive training was not good for his growth.

‘Let’s talk to him first.’

Kim Kiwoo organized his thoughts and spoke to his attendant.

“Call him right away.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A short while later, Blue Earth appeared before Kim Kiwoo in the same state as he had been training in the training ground.

“Did you call me, Father?”

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

His body gave off a strong smell of sweat, but Kim Kiwoo didn’t mind.

“I’ve been hearing about you lately. Why are you being so hard on yourself?”

“…I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“I asked you why.”

Blue Earth was silent for a moment before cautiously starting his story.

“To become a child worthy of your great name, Father.”

It was an embarrassing thing to say from Blue Earth’s mouth, but it didn’t sound childish because of his serious and firm face.

In fact, there was no lie in his words.

Blue Earth had seen countless imperial citizens praising Kim Kiwoo during his trip.

He had already witnessed Kim Kiwoo’s greatness many times, but he realized it more clearly during his trip.

“I’m afraid. I’m afraid that I might tarnish your holy and glorious reputation by any chance because of me. If my actions have offended you, Father, I won’t train anymore.”

“…”

Kim Kiwoo could not speak for a while, even after Blue Earth finished talking.

He had thought that he was training so hard because he loved martial arts, but he did not know that he had such thoughts in his mind.

He felt sorry for him.

He had lived with such a burden from a young age because of his reputation.

Kim Kiwoo got up from his seat and gently hugged Blue Earth.

“I’m sorry. I gave you a heavy burden.”

“I’m dirty from training.”

“Haha. You can just wash it off, can’t you?”

Despite Blue Earth’s resistance, Kim Kiwoo patted his back for a while and said.

“I understand your feelings. But, your current training method is not right.”

“Then…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to stop your training. But, from now on, you have to follow my instructions for training.”

“Yes, Abamama.”

Blue Earth was probably curious about what kind of training it would be, but he did not ask.

Kim Kiwoo smiled softly and thought.

‘I’ll make your body very cool.’

Not with the reckless torture like now, but with a systematic weight training.

Of course, he did not intend to give him too much weight since he was still in his adolescence.

That’s how Kim Kiwoo started to prepare to apply his knowledge of fitness to the empire.

***

The sweet rest time for a few days passed by.

‘I want to rest more.’

He had rested for so long that this thought lingered in Kim Kiwoo’s head.

But he could not rest forever.

Kim Kiwoo pulled himself together and returned to work.

His first task after returning was none other than approving the final dispatch of the expedition to Europe.

“Is there any problem?”

“Please don’t worry. We have checked countless times during the past time. The preparation is perfect.”

The voice of Brilliant Flower, the chief of this expedition, was full of confidence.

Seeing that, Kim Kiwoo nodded his head.

‘As long as there is no big problem, they should be able to reach the European continent at least.’

This was not an adventure into the unknown.

Brilliant Flower already had a map of the ocean in his hand and he could also measure the latitude and longitude relatively accurately. 

The success rate was high enough.

Kim Kiwoo gave him a final word.

“Be sure to follow the things I emphasized. Do you understand?”

“Please don’t worry. Your will shall be fulfilled.”

“Good. I trust you guys. Please come back alive.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Brilliant Flower nodded his head with a solemn face.

And finally.

The expedition led by Brilliant Flower began to head towards the vast sea.