Chapter 147: Where’s Baba?

“See you later, Ion.” “Please tell the children I said hello and thank them for everything.” “Don’t worry. Hong In-soo’s mother will definitely take good care of them.”

Ion’s plants were left in the care of Hong In-soo’s mother. Knowing Ion was heading to Idea, Hong In-soo had made the suggestion first, asking if he’d like to entrust his children to his mother. Ion had felt anxious about leaving the children with a stranger and had considered asking Dam Daon, but… Hong In-soo’s mother would be fine. She was a plant enthusiast. There are no bad people among those who love plants.

After saying goodbye to Zeke, Shin Minji, and others—who expressed regret over parting ways without much chance to talk—Ion stepped through the exit toward Idea. He didn’t give a separate farewell to Ilon. Because the day before…

‘You have the ring I gave you, right?’ ‘Yeah.’

When Ion pulled the ring engraved with Ilon’s initials from his spatial pouch, Ilon inspected it thoroughly.

‘With this much “Ownership,” an upload should be possible.’ ‘Upload? Ownership?’ ‘My brain is overloaded as a side effect of . On top of that, being in the Demon Realm for so long has left my body in poor condition.’ ‘I know. That’s why you’re going to Earth to recuperate. Go and get some rest.’ ‘…Fortunately, among the sub-abilities of , there is one called “Mind Upload,” which allows me to transfer a portion of my brain into a special item. That ring is one such item.’ ‘A sort of external hard drive. Useful ability. Are you only giving it to the Team Leader? Can’t you give one to me too?’ ‘To transfer this external brain, the recipient must carry the item for a certain period. That’s called Ownership, and currently, this ring has achieved enough Ownership with Ion.’

Ilon moved a portion of his brain into the owned ring via ‘Mind Upload.’ That portion contained the knowledge of the Heavenly Realm analyzed through .

‘Ion, when you put on the ring, you will receive the memories. The more Ownership there is, the more stable the transfer, so execute it right before you enter the Heavenly Realm. Be prepared for side effects like headaches and dizziness.’ ‘Got it. I should receive the memories once I arrive at the Holy See.’

Since he was slated to receive the memories anyway, there was no need for a separate long conversation with Ilon.

‘There’s a lot to find out in the Heavenly Realm.’

He had to find the missing Demon King. He had to find the Divine Zone said to be outside the Heavenly Realm. And he had to find out who the Heavenly Realm orphan returning on that specific day was.

And if there was still time left.

‘Did I have a family too…?’

Ion stepped through the exit gate toward Idea, harboring a thought that he himself deemed a bit presumptuous.

“Hm? Oh! It’s Team Leader Ion!” “Team Leader Ion, long time no see!”

Upon crossing over to Idea, he encountered Kilia Sinjak and his group, who were preparing to welcome the Earth visitors. The Ideans knew Ion was from Earth. They said Daon had told them during his stay. Welcoming Ion warmly, their faces lit up when they saw the two Earthlings following behind him.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Jin Seongha.” “Hunter Jin Seongha! I’ve heard much from Assistant Dam Daon. You are indeed excessively handsome, just as I heard.” “I’m Guild Leader Ason of D-NATE.” “Ah, a… Guild Leader Ason! I’ve heard much from Assistant Dam Daon.” “Is that it? Why don’t I get a ‘just as I heard’?” “Huh? We are still learning Earth languages. Not good yet. Earth language is hard.”

It seemed Dam Daon had poured out as much vitriol about Saon as possible. Kilia’s group greeted Blan somewhat awkwardly, as they knew he was a Hybrid Duke.

“Is… is it just the two of you? Was the situation on Earth urgent? Assistant Dam Daon said a formal delegation would be coming.” “We crossed over first due to other urgent matters; a formal delegation from Earth will be organized and follow soon.” “Ah, I see.”

The disappointed Idean delegation quickly brightened up.

“Team Leader Ion, we’ve made this guide for the Earthlings. Would you mind taking a look?”

Muse handed over a pamphlet with Korean text that read: ‘A Simple and Easy Guide for Everyone Visiting Idea for the First Time.’ When Ion checked, the only script on the pamphlet was Hangul. It was because Dam Daon hadn’t taught them even a single letter of the alphabet… he wondered since when Daon had become such a staunch patriot.

“It’s clean and explained in a way that’s easy to understand. This should be enough.” “Oh! Then we shall proceed as is. Thank you. Now, let’s move immediately.” “Excuse me? To where?” “His Imperial Majesty is waiting anxiously for the new Earth visitors. The portal is ready.”

‘His Imperial Majesty’ referred to Emperor Terradine Amelia of the Iliand Empire. Ion was dismayed. To finish everything before the February SS-rank dungeon, they had to move at a breakneck pace… But he couldn’t just ignore it when the Emperor of the Iliand Empire was waiting.

Jin Seongha stepped forward in Ion’s place.

“As we just said, the situation is so urgent that only we crossed over. If it’s alright, we will go to pay our respects immediately after our business is finished.” “Mmm. Since Earth doesn’t have a status system, perhaps the meaning of ‘the Emperor is waiting’ doesn’t quite hit home.”

Kilia also expressed difficulty while stroking his beard.

“The Emperor is already looking forward to meeting the Earthlings… Please show your face at least once before attending to your business. No, rather than that, what is this ‘business’? We shall provide support.”

There was no way it would end with just showing a face. Once dragged to the Imperial Palace, they would have to appear at various social gatherings as Earthlings. Daon had warned him about this.

Ion and Jin Seongha repeatedly refused. Kilia’s party repeatedly insisted.

“What do these guys think they’re doing…?”

It was the moment when Blan’s patience, waiting for the human social exchange to end, was about to hit rock bottom.

“Sigh, it can’t be helped. I’ll go to the Emperor. This wasn’t why I came to Idea, but still.”

Saon spoke up.

“Ah, you?” “Yeah. The Emperor is waiting for us, so the three of us can’t all just ignore it. Interacting with the Empire’s Emperor will be a big help to our guild in the future anyway. And also… Kilia Sinjak, I heard there is a garden among the Emperor’s flower beds where hundreds of snakes live. Is that correct?” “Ah, you mean the Sahwawon, the Consort’s garden. It’s not hundreds, but thousands. Perhaps even over ten thousand. His Highness loves snakes very much.” “I knew it. As a snake lover, I’ve wanted to visit the Sahwawon at least once. On-on, I’ll go give my greetings and then rejoin you.” “Got it.”

He hadn’t even asked, and yet Saon was volunteering to go. Ion cheered internally behind his calm expression. Actually, he had been anxious about how far Saon would follow. Saon didn’t know yet that only non-awakened people could enter the Heavenly Realm.

‘If he finds out I’m a non-awakened person, this guy definitely won’t take it calmly like Jin Seongha or Ilon.’

He wouldn’t look down on him like he did Yeo-on, but… Ion absolutely did not want Saon to find out.

“Jin Seongha, keep a close eye on On-on. If even a scratch appears on my brother’s fair cheek, I’ll give you ten times as many on your face.” “If that happens, Assistant Dam, whose depression has relapsed, won’t leave you alone.” “If a scratch appears on our youngest’s face, Dam Daon will be the first one to tear you apart.” “Hm, that is certainly true.” “Stop the nonsense and just get out of here, Dam Saon.”

At Ion’s sharp rebuke, Saon mimicked crying, making sob sob sounds.

“I heard that in many sibling relationships, the older one loves the younger while the younger is disgusted. It’s a tragic unrequited love.” “If your brother is this disgusted, maybe you should reflect on yourself.” “I was always a kind and fun older brother. It’s just that our youngest has a side that isn’t honest. But I’m fine with it because even that is cute.”

Ion considered whether to kick Saon in the back and push him into the portal.

“Anyway, Team Leader Ion is more skilled than you think… it’ll be hard to monitor him with such modest skills, but I’ll do my best.” “Don’t worry! I protect Damion. Didn’t see my ultimate move? Huh? Didn’t see my great ultimate move?”

Before a situation could arise where Ion punched Saon in the face to demonstrate Baba’s ultimate move, Saon followed Kilia Sinjak’s party through the portal. Blan, who had been enduring the humans’ social life, finally lost his temper.

“F*ck, arrogant humans. If he wants to meet, he should come himself, not tell people to come or go. Time just wasted on pointless talk. Hey, let’s leave already!”

Blan was someone who would rank high in terms of arrogance, but as he said, he was the type to personally visit someone he wanted to meet, so the human side had nothing to say this time.

It takes a week to travel to the Holy See, even by portal. Since the field had manifested in the southern region of Deand, it was the perfect opportunity to investigate System Age while moving.

The party emerged from the forest and headed toward a village. Since it was a dark night, there were few pedestrians. Jin Seongha looked disappointed. Fortunately, the door to a pub-inn-restaurant was open. The owner, who had been greeting them unfriendly, woke up fully at the sudden appearance of handsome men and took their order. There were no other customers, but the group sat in a corner.

“It seems Ideans go to bed early. I was expecting a bustling pub full of mercenaries, mages, and elementalists.” “Did we come for sightseeing? If you want a scene like that, go to Pier 17 later. You’ll be able to see all the people you’re expecting there.”

The food arrived shortly after they ordered. Jin Seongha dipped bread into a thick vegetable soup and gulped down beer.

“It’s incredibly salty. There’s way too much sodium for an animal to eat. I’ll have to give Puru the food I brought from Earth. Is all Idean food like this? Or is it just this country, Deand?” “I think this restaurant is unusually salty.” “What do you mean this is salty? I sometimes mix my food with salt when I have no appetite. Earthlings are weak, tsk tsk.”

Mixing food with salt. Whether it was the truth or bluffing, it seemed Blan didn’t want to lose to Jin Seongha in anything.

Jin Seongha widened his eyes as if surprised by Blan’s provocation.

“I see, Ideans have quite some ‘Salt Pride’.” “Salt Pride? That sounds a bit offensive. My gut says it’s an insult.”

Jin Seongha flashed a brilliant smile.

“Quick-witted, more than I thought.” (Korean) “Hey! Why did you just say something in Earth language? Was it an insult? It was, wasn’t it? F*ck, come outside! Let’s settle this!”

Ion quietly filled his stomach regardless of the bickering between the two.

After finishing the meal. He was worried that taking Blan to the Heavenly Realm would only cause fights, but Blan was adamant about accompanying them, saying the fate of his race depended on it. So, Ion decided to tell him the facts about the Heavenly Realm in advance. Upon hearing that only non-awakened people could enter, Blan spoke immediately.

“Then since Jin Seongha can’t enter, there’s one miniaturization device left. What should we do? Should I call one of my subordinates? If it’s about the Demon King, there are plenty who would dive into the Heavenly Realm or a pit of holy power.”

Blan didn’t add any personal opinions regarding the fact that Ion was a non-awakened person. Just like Dam Ilon and Jin Seongha, he didn’t seem particularly surprised and moved straight to the next matter. Ion felt a bit relieved that all three people who knew the truth had responded calmly.

Meanwhile, what was important to Blan was something other than Ion’s status.

“Come to think of it, what about Lord Baba? Lord Baba can’t wear the miniaturization device.” “He can’t go in. I’ll have to leave him with the Pope. Baba, you remember the person we saw back then, right? Be a good boy.” “……!”

Baba, who was eating deliciously, dropped his Mana Sulfur with a patter. His eyes and mouth fell wide open. Looking at his expression, it felt like the sound effect Kugugung! was audible.

“Hurt, betrayal! Damion can’t do this to me!” “I’m not doing this because I want to. Only humans can wear it, so what can I do? I’m even leaving Sanse behind.” “Then it’s okay if I’m in human form?” “……Huh?”

Baba jumped up. Then, he took a deep breath—huff!

Poof.

Black smoke, similar in color to Mana Sulfur, rose up. Through the haze…

“This is the human form you mentioned. I expect there will be no more complaints.”

The figure of a stark naked man appeared.