## Chapter 1021 – The Aristocrat Kim Katt

When I got back home, Risha and Winia greeted us. It really puts my mind at ease to come home. I smiled and gave them the Mandragora, and Risha exclaimed in admiration.

“Oh my, is that a Mandragora? To bring back something so rare?”
“Ari found it for me when we went into the forest.”
“Ah… I suppose she would.”

Ari explained that while she could conjure Mandragoras, she couldn’t do it in a place like our backyard. She needed to draw energy from a lush mountain-like environment, along with her own energy, to create one.

“Really, you’re quite amazing.”
“It was a very easy task.”

Risha smiled and stroked Ari’s head.

“Good job, Blackie and Unni. And Hilde and Ari, too.”
“Yes! And Winia-nim, too!”
“Ah… Winia-nim, did anything happen to you?”
“Not really? And it’s good you brought back the Mandragora safely. Well done.”

She seemed quite pleased, probably because she’s a mage.

“Right? Thank Ari. Wow, but it screamed like crazy when I pulled it out.”
“Screamed? Ah, because it’s a Mandragora. Blackie, don’t tell me you just yanked it out?”
“Of course, I just yanked it out. Who do you think I am?”
“Seriously. Well, I guess it’s okay since it’s Blackie.”

The scream was so loud.

Then, Cloudie said with a smile.

“But you know what? After Katt pulled out the Mandragora, he screamed even louder. And then the Mandragora just died. Hehe. It was so funny.”
“What? Seriously, Blackie?”

Winia looked at me with an incredulous expression.

“It was a pushover.”
“…Seriously, you’re so Blackie-like. What do you mean you killed a Mandragora with a scream?”
“That’s just who I am.”

Anyway, Winia took my coat, and then Karin and Liztina appeared. They greeted me warmly, caressing my face and saying I’d worked hard, and then I asked about the inheritance.

“You guys worked harder than me. What about the inheritance?”
“Of course, it’s been resolved. Look at that. See the documents on the table?”
“Oh.”

I immediately checked the documents on the table.

“First, we checked the entire list of assets of Marquis Vestatt, and now we’re negotiating with their people to adjust how much we’ll take,”
“It’s 90%, right? So what to do with the remaining 10%?”
“Yes, exactly. Anyway, Karin really showed her strength, so they’re cooperating well.”

Who would dare mess with Karin?

“Might makes right.”

Karin clenched her fist and gave a wicked smile.

“Well, that’s what Karin’s there for.”
“You’re full of it. Ah.”
“I’m just kidding.”

Anyway, it seems to be going well.

“The Marquis built up quite a fortune over his lifetime.”

Liztina continued to explain.

“Even after deducting inheritance taxes and various debts, there should be a lot left. We’re looking at some of the businesses with a lot of debt and planning to sell them off if they seem like they’ll be a loss.”
“Wow.”

I can only be amazed.

“Unni? How can you be so good at everything?”
“This is basic. Rather, I’m just normal. If you’re going to be a noble, you should be able to do all this properly. What kind of noble would you be without these abilities?”

Of course, they spent some money on hiring lawyers in the process, but it was a small amount compared to what they would gain. With Liztina’s keen sense in this area, and Karin dragging the lawyers around to negotiate, there was no way they could fail.

This is the power of a superhuman.

“You’re the best.”

I couldn’t help but applaud.

Then let’s rest today, and tomorrow let’s learn about the newly awakened power of Fusion Confucianism and then go see Kadia’s face.

* * *

Fusion Confucianism is an ideology of making me and this world right.

Of course, it’s not difficult at all.

Anyone can easily understand Fusion Confucianism by just thinking of the words respect, love, and brutal retribution.

ㅡHongik Inggan.

The founding ideology of Gojoseon, meaning to widely benefit the world.

In order to benefit? Respect is needed. If even strangers respect each other and live with etiquette, there will be no reason to fight unless something special happens.

Peace will literally come.

Of course, if money or interests are involved, there will be no respect and fighting will inevitably occur, but let’s just say that’s a human trait. It’s a problem that comes from a finite world and resources.

Anyway, next is love.

We gain peace of mind by loving ourselves and the people around us. A person full of love is inevitably peaceful. A person with a peaceful mind can also treat others peacefully.

Finally, brutal retribution.

When attacked, we carry out more brutal retribution than anyone else to prevent further damage. In fact, even if we shout respect and love, people are inherently a species that doesn’t listen. If such people attack, it is wise to prioritize fists over words. If you don’t retaliate, you will only be harmed forever.

It’s obvious.

In order to carry out such brutal retribution, absolute power is needed. Therefore, the core values of Fusion Confucianism are respect, love, retribution, and power.

ㅡThat’s why I grew.
That’s why I became stronger.

I adopted this ideology and belief as my Fusion Confucianism.

It hasn’t been that long since I created this. It was only naturally created as I lived in this other world and pursued my survival and success.

Don’t start fights first. When a fight comes, if it doesn’t seem like you can win, run away, or if it seems like you can win, retaliate so they never do it again.

It could be said to be a kind of survival rule.

To be honest, I used to be a complete idiot. At the time, I had a terrible hatred for suddenly falling into this other world, and I struggled to survive in this crazy moon world, wandering through changed morals. So I devised a plan to survive.

Fusion Confucianism was created in this process.

Recently.

That is, from when I met Cloudie.
From the moment I became aware of the concept of Fusion Confucianism.

I have been striving to become a man worthy of this ideology. Thus, I became a Heavenly Demon. A seeker of Fusion Confucianism and a Heavenly Demon at the same time.

Now I have almost completed Fusion Confucianism and become a perfect man.

But is it over just because I have completed this ideology? Should I blindly pursue and follow it without changing it anymore because I have completed it?

No.

If you rest on yesterday’s strength, you will be left behind today.

Complacency does not help development or survival in any way.

Only change, struggle, and adaptation are the way to reach the strongest.

Power is ultimately like that.

ㅡRespect.
ㅡLove.
ㅡRetribution.
ㅡPower.

I maintain these four basic ideologies of Fusion Confucianism, but I have always changed the details and adapted to the situation.

And as a result.

ㅡGoooo.

I began to feel that power from within.
A power with a clearly different nature from mana.

The divinity absorbed from the Valkyrie was only a catalyst for amplification.

“…Good.”

Good.

I can feel it properly when I meditate. Originally, I couldn’t feel this power properly, but I have finally moved on to the next stage.

ㅡ…

I tried to spread the new power throughout my body in a similar way to how I manipulate mana.

“Hmm.”

I can feel a clearly different feeling from mana flowing through my bones, blood vessels, muscles, and nerves throughout my body.

Now that I know the feeling, I must handle it perfectly.

I apply that power to my inner self, as if applying skin lotion. I felt as if a small lump formed a very thin film inside me, and I could feel the power rising from my whole body.

ㅡStrengthening of the body.

It’s the same feeling as when I gained mana and became a superhuman.

This demigod’s power was also strengthening my body.

In that way, I continue to concentrate until I am satisfied. How long has it been? I woke up feeling sweat pouring out of my whole body.

“…From now on, Fusion Confucianism will go beyond my spirit.”

A calm declaration.

“Even my body will become stronger.”

At this rate, I’ll catch up with Karin soon.

“Ugh, damn.”

It’s so refreshing. Every day is so refreshing that I can’t possibly quit Fusion Confucianism. I immediately did some simple stretches and then went up to the first floor to wash my body.

It was still early even after I finished washing.

Ari wasn’t awake yet, so I put on my clothes so as not to make any noise. Just lightly. I’ll just grab some pants and a shirt. After all, my armor hasn’t come out yet.

After putting on my clothes, I packed my things and went outside.

Shall I go report?

* * *

As soon as I opened the door to the audience chamber, I put down my luggage and shouted confidently.

“I have unleashed the power of the demigod!!!”

Kadia was doing her work with the same attitude as usual. She stared at me, who was shouting, and then put out the cigarette she was holding and reacted.

“Oh? You have unleashed the power of the demigod? Come closer for now.”

Kadia should be able to feel it.

I immediately approached her, hugged her waist, and put my forehead on her forehead.

“Feel it, Kadia.”
“Hehe, excessive skinship is always good. Then…”

She closed her eyes for a moment and buried her face in my neck.

“…”

She was silent for a moment and then flinched.

“…!”

Did she feel it?

“Kadia? How is it?”
“Something… is faintly felt. Is this divinity? Or divine power…? Wait. Paladin. Can’t you manifest it more strongly?”

She seemed a little embarrassed.

“No. Not yet. This is the maximum for now.”

Anyway, it seems like she can feel something.
This is truly a great development.

If Kadia can feel it, it’s a clear change.

“So how is it?”
“It’s very unique.”

Unique, huh.

“This Saintess feels something different from any divine power I have ever encountered. Of course, the nature of divine power varies depending on the god you believe in, but this feels a little… different from that.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m very confused. It feels like it’s not divine power, but it also feels like it is… I can’t say for sure yet because I don’t have enough data.”

I can say for sure.

The power absorbed from the Valkyrie was only a catalyst. That power has completely merged with me and become my own power.

It’s not God’s power, it’s not divinity, it’s nothing.
It has become the pure power of Fusion Confucianism.

This is my hypothesis, but I think it’s true.

“I think the nature has changed a bit because this divinity has completely become my power.”
“Are you saying that the Paladin transformed the divinity?”
“Exactly that, Kadia.”
“Hmm… An individual transforms divinity.”

She stepped back a little, stroked her lips, and replied.

“I think it’s impossible, but these days a lot of impossible things are happening… Let’s grow it more for now. Very well done, Paladin. You are truly incredibly capable.”
“Hehehe, right? But what about the other things?”
“You worked hard on this too. Hand over the report.”

I immediately took out the report from my pocket and handed it over. Kadia took the report, sat back down, and began to read it.

“…The heretics were operating in secret.”
“So it seems.”
“Haa… The confiscated evidence will be thoroughly reviewed and then sent to each branch.”

She sighed and leaned back in her chair, holding her head. Well, this is inevitable. The truth has been revealed.

“We desperately need to replenish our forces. Reforms are needed in many ways.”

Looking at the recent events, it is clear that more troops are needed.

“Our Kadia is really working too hard. But if it’s too hard, tell me. I’ll solve everything.”
“That’s a very happy thing to say.”

Still, she seems to be okay since she can smile.

“Ah, and… there’s something I want to tell you.”
“Something to tell me?”
“Come to this Saintess’s house for work the day after tomorrow morning. Resting well is the first priority for now. I’ll tell you the story then.”

What is she going to talk about?

“Is it serious?”
“I’ll tell you that then too.”

It’s serious.

Anyway, I decided to listen to that then, and I chatted with Kadia, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, and exchanged opinions on this matter.