To achieve the desired results, Cale had to choose where to set up camp.
On the way to the village located above the Black Dragon's Secret Cave, there was no other village.
- Meow!
The ginger kitten Hong meowed and wagged his tail as if he was excited about something. It was because of the delicious smell that filled the area.
"The enjoyment of the day comes with a delicious meal."
Cale was thinking about this too. A warm dinner was a signal that a long and tiring day was over and a relaxing night had begun. The main course of today's dinner was rabbit soup.
Don't look at the butler.
- Damn it...
It wasn't Ron who caught them. Cale looked away. The man who had caught the rabbits and was happily eating his portion of soup was Choi Han.
"Don't look at me! I have nothing to do with it!"
Choi Han-woo felt very guilty towards Cale. No human should have to go through such suffering. And his other self became an unwitting accomplice.
- Meow!
Clap! Clap!
He and Hong were tapping their paws on his leg, asking for what their little stomachs wanted. Hans smiled widely at Cale, carefully approaching the two babies.
- Wouldn't our precious kittens like to eat the treat I've prepared for you? It's very healthy food, without salt or preservatives.
- Deputy Butler Hans looks a bit like a maniac right now.
"Or at Grandma Grata, when my cousins and I come to her hut for the holidays."
Locke thought, remembering how deliciously she cooked.
Despite the fact that they had their first battle today, the surroundings were calm and peaceful. However, the atmosphere around the knights seemed a little strange. They kept looking at Choi Han, who was eating soup while sitting next to Cale. The vice-captain seemed to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
- Tsk! — Cale clicked his tongue.
Today, Cale Hanitus's squad had to fight off an attack by dozens of bandits. One of those who dealt with most of these attackers was, naturally, Choi Han. He did not kill the bandits, but the young man had no problem in disabling them by cutting off their limbs and leaving deep wounds. Moreover, he inflicted all these wounds with incredible speed.
"In the Forest of Darkness, near a stream, there is a wonderful cave. No one will find me there. Never."
Choi Han thought to himself, trying to merge with the chair.
- Young Master! The battle is over.
The vice-captain reported this to Cale with a shocked expression. He did not expect the battle to end so soon. The bandits were the ones who had been forced out of the echelons of power in another area nearby. The bandits, who could be considered idiots, had reached their limit and felt they could handle the five knights due to their superior numbers.
Unfortunately, their first target was Cale's carriage with Choi Han. The reason the vice-captain's face turned so pale had nothing to do with the bandits' strength. Choi Han walked up to the vice-captain and added, finishing off the unfortunate man:
- It was an easy fight. Not even enough for a warm-up.
Cale saw the vice-captain flinch when he heard Choi Han's words. He also saw the protagonist of the novel smirking as he looked at the vice-captain.
"He's really not the type to let people do what they like."
Everyone noted this for themselves. Except Ron. That brat wasn't up to it yet.
It was completely unbelievable that someone like Choi Han, who had no problem beating up the earl's son, would allow people to continue to sling mud at him.
— Don't you have an appetite?
Cale seemed to be looking upset as Ron approached him with his usual gentle smile. The boy looked from his bowl of rabbit soup to Ron and back again before he suddenly realized something. This old man was enjoying making fun of him.
The old butler thought that for the other "I" it was the most fun time in years. For him too. Too bad the puppy figured it out so quickly.
"Not at all," he replied, looking at Choi Han.
— Are you feeling unwell?
- No, nothing like that.
"I wouldn't have any problem if you caught anything other than rabbits."
Cale tried to suppress his nervousness as best he could, but Choi Han, who had already turned his attention to him, continued to look at the young man with a serious expression.
- What are you looking at?
— ...Was this the first battle you experienced?
Cale only glanced at Choi Han, who asked with a serious expression.
- What battle? You mean the skirmish with the bandits earlier?
- Yes.
- Of course. I've never met so many bandits before.
- He said it somehow painfully calmly. As if it meant nothing at all.
Bikros noticed such details here and there. As a master of torture, he knew how to spot people with a strong psyche. However, this particular (possibly) strong psyche was shaken by harmless rabbits. And what did they do to him?
- Clear.
Choi Han nodded and muttered quietly under his breath,
— ... This must be the first time you've found yourself in a life-threatening situation.
"Ha," one of the soldiers sighed.
"Ha!" Cale also let out a loud sigh, as if he was completely shocked.
"First time in a life-threatening situation? Are you kidding me?! Do you know how nervous I've been because of you these last few days?!"
"Tsk. Poor bastard."
But that wasn't the only reason. Ron's smile when Choi Han brought the rabbits, the sight of Bikros sharpening the kitchen knife, Cale was nervous because of them too. Cale began to think about all the nervous moments he had had since the squad left the Hanitus territory.
"Now I definitely have no appetite."
He had completely lost his appetite. Klang. The spoon from Cale's hand simply fell into the soup. That was why he didn't realize that the soldiers were looking at him with understanding glances, and Choi Han had stopped paying attention to those around him, completely immersed in nostalgic thoughts about the past.
— Hahahahahaha…Poor Young Master Cale!
Rosaleen laughed so hard that tears flowed from her eyes. Vitira was not far behind her.
Kayle-nim.
- What?
Cale was thinking that he didn't need to be so nervous because he managed to avoid being beaten and also obtain the Indestructible Shield when Choi Han's voice brought him back to reality.
"Why does he keep talking to me?"
— It's always difficult to cope the first time.
- What are you even talking about now?
- Stupid Choi Han, the man is afraid of rabbits, not bandits!
- Forgive my stupid second self, dragon-nim.
When Cale asked a question in confusion, Choi Han smiled slightly before asking the next question. The look in his eyes was extremely serious.
- Cale-nim, didn't you study martial arts?
- There was no need.
— Is he talking about himself or the old Young Master?
— Young Master Cale has not studied martial arts, as far as this humble servant knows.
- Shouldn't you have the strength to protect yourself?
There was a serious concern in that voice. Cale wondered why Choi Han had suddenly become so serious, but decided to answer his question:
"I have many ways to do that," he looked away from Choi Han and glanced around at his surroundings. Fifteen soldiers who were stronger than him, and five knights who would excel no matter where they went. There were also a few servants, but Ron, Bikros, the two kittens, and even the deputy butler Hans, were far stronger than Cale himself.
The young man looked at each of these people before returning his gaze to Choi Han and asked a question:
- You can see them too, right?
- This is the protection of the count's rich son.
Cale began to smile. He knew that all these people would protect him. Of course, the young man was not sure about Ron and Beacrox, but at least they would not let anyone kill him.
- Oh, this servant is wounded. How could he think such a thing?
"You weren't in a hurry to save him from Choi Han…"
- And this is not the only protection.
Cale decided to be more honest with Choi Han, who was sitting there looking so seriously at the son of Count Hanitus. The young man patted his chest before continuing.
- I trust my heart. I will live.
Of course. The Unbreakable Shield that surrounded his heart would protect Cale. Well, as long as he avoided people like Choi Han, who...
- You miserable bastard, do you even realize how that sounds? It would be better if you lied. It would be more believable.
Choi Han looked at Cale with wary eyes.
- The reaction of a normally healthy person. Choi Han, you're great!
- Thank you, Eruhaben-nim.
- Meow...
- Meow.
- Hmm? What are you doing?
He and Hong walked up to Cale and started pushing his legs with their small paws. The claws of those paws were extended and hurt, causing Cale to frown, but the cat siblings had already stopped and started rubbing against the boy's legs.
"Pet the cats, idiot."
Clack. Choi Han put down his empty soup bowl and stood up from his seat.
— ... I need to practice with my sword.
— Right after eating?
- I feel like I need to become stronger.
" ... You scary bastard. Are you trying to become strong enough to destroy the entire Earth?"
Cale turned away in disgust as Bikros approached him with a new dish.
- Please enjoy.
- Oh, thank you!
Cale looked at the plate that held the highest quality beef steak in premium spices and began to smile.
- Bitter foods and drinks, such as lemonade, are the best appetite suppressants.
It was the first time Ron had handed him lemonade since their interaction at the tea shop. Cale simply ignored the lemonade because he was so excited about his steak.
"Four days off from lemonade? You really shocked him."
Eruhaben mentally applauded the red-haired suicide's resourcefulness.
"If everyone has finished eating, then we will soon begin our evening training!" Cale heard the loud voice of the vice-captain and thought.
"The vice captain must have been motivated by Choi Han's action."
- You know...
- Mm?
— It seems like the cats were a happy coincidence...
—…Mmhm..
Cale looked at the knights and soldiers rising, continuing to eat his steak, and even ate some rabbit soup. The soup was very good, admittedly. Of course, he adamantly refused the treat that the kittens offered. There were no seasonings, so Cale did not even touch it.
The young attentive dragon did not miss that the Strange Man ate a bun before finally eating the rabbit soup.
"Hmmm."
"Three days."
Cale figured as they entered the village.
"The Black Dragon will cause a mana explosion in three days."
The child put thoughts about the bun aside for later. All attention returned to the screen.
They were now in the Viscount's territory, which was located next to the Hanitus family's territory. A few years ago, a villa belonging to the Viscount was built in the mountains to the right of this village.
Naturally, although it appeared to everyone as the Viscount's villa, in reality, this building belonged to Marquis Stan, the man responsible for the Black Dragon's madness. The Viscount of this territory was nothing more than the Marquis's loyal dog.
The Crown Prince diligently wrote down all the incriminating evidence that was kindly provided.
"And in the mountains behind this villa there is a cave with a Black Dragon."
The Black Dragon causes a mana explosion and completely destroys not only the cave but also the mountain. Cale looked at the small peak on the right of the mountain that he crossed and clicked his tongue.
Choi Han looked at the Black Dragon in shock. He still had little understanding of the structure of this world and was not particularly knowledgeable in magic, and therefore did not understand how such a small creature could destroy the mountain?
Venion of the Marquis Stan family. Cale thought of the Marquis's second son. He was a crazy psychopath who crippled his older brother to climb the ladder to the position of heir. This psychopath often visited the villa to torture the Black Dragon for the sheer pleasure of it.
Eruhaben thought with a quietly seething rage that even after 1000 years, people do not change. The desire to prove their power, and the eternal desire to be on top. But in all of history known to him, there have never been scumbags who torture dragons. Even Dragon Slayers did not stoop to such things.
- Tsk.
Hans looked at Cale, clicking his tongue, and quickly turned to Choi Han, speaking hurriedly:
- Young Master, I'll take Choi Han-nim and quickly find an inn. Please wait.
The motorcade has now stopped outside the entrance to the village.
- Doesn't matter.
- We'll be back soon.
Cale nodded at Hans's statement, watching Choi Han. There was a nostalgic look in his eyes. Why did Choi Han need to fight the creature that caused the mana explosion? It was simple: the young man simply could not abandon this small and quiet village to its fate.
Harris Village. This village was similar to the one that taught Choi Han about love and hate. That's why he took a step to save the villagers he didn't even know. Cale began to frown, and then called out to the protagonist of the novel.
- Choi Han.
— ... Yes?
- Hurry back.
"Ah..." A soft sigh came from Choi Han's lips. This seventeen-year-old boy who had lived for decades began to smile innocently at Cale, nodding in agreement.
"He may not have started to coddle him, but he does keep an eye on his moral state. Well, that is, when he's not talking nonsense about how his heart is protecting him. What kind of idiot is he?"
The Crown Prince rubbed his temple with a quiet sigh.
- Yes, sir. I'll be right back.
Cale pretended to be annoyed, but Choi Han bowed before quickly heading towards the village with Hans. The youth focused on the protagonist of the novel, trying to keep an indifferent expression on his face, but as he continued to watch him, Cale soon frowned.
He saw the carriage quickly heading towards them.
"I have a bad feeling about this."
Since they only saw Cale's frowning face, they didn't know what he was looking at. What could have happened? After all, they had arrived before the expected disaster.
Cale felt as if someone with extremely sweaty hands had handed him a poisoned apple. It was a very bitter feeling. The reason for this bitter feeling was soon revealed.
The thought flashed through the Ancient Dragon's mind that the boy had a strange choice of poisoned fruit. After all, it was common knowledge that there were already lemons in his life that had been poisoned by the butler's overprotectiveness.He tried to get rid of her, as she was too childish for such a great dragon as he.
Scratch!
Cale just couldn't believe his eyes.
- What's going on there?
He saw an old man who was unable to avoid the carriage, falling onto the road. He also saw Choi Han rushing towards the old man, and the carriage continued to roll along the road, clearly not intending to stop.
"Such a cliche!"
There was a banner flying on that carriage. A red snake. Cale's eyes narrowed. This had to happen. And this incident had happened.
Bang!
Vitira, who was not very familiar with noble families, especially in a country far from her home, asked:
— Who does this coat of arms belong to?
The Crown Prince answered her, looking very tense:
— The red snake is the coat of arms of the Marquis of Stan.
Everyone's face darkened without exception. A quiet roar was beginning to form in the Black Dragon's chest.
Choi Han rushed to save the old man, and the momentum caused him to crash into the wall of the building. Only then did the black carriage belonging to Marquis Stan finally stop.
Sigh.
Cale couldn't help but sigh as he opened the carriage door. It seemed he had no choice but to follow the path of this cliche.
- Young Master, are you heading there?
Ron approached him as soon as the boy got out of the carriage.
- Who will go if I don't?
"What a good phrase..."
The Crown Prince wrote it down on a separate piece of paper under surprised and understanding glances.
Ron and the vice-captain followed Cale, who headed towards the scene without hesitation. They surrounded Cale as if the world would end otherwise, but the boy didn't care.
Rosalyn asked casually:
— Are they afraid of what he might do, or what they might do to him?
— We can only guess. Although his "my heart protects me" most likely gave the knights more cause for concern.
A man slowly emerged from the other carriage. Venion Stan.
As soon as the Black Dragon saw a familiar face, he immediately bared his teeth and growled. He knew that he was in a place where the blond couldn't reach him, but he couldn't do anything about it.
Just to be sure, the prince asked:
- Dragon-nim, is this the person who is holding you back?
It was the most gentle way he could phrase the question.
The dragon, finally distracted from the hated face, shouted:
- Yes! Yes, it's him!
You're screwed, bastard. You're first on the list.
Cale began to frown as soon as he saw him. In the file his father, Count Deruth, had given him, there was only one line about Venion Stan's identity.
A typical and powerful nobleman.
Cale, no, Kim Rok Soo could also use the information from the novel 'Birth of a Hero' to evaluate Venion.
He was a typical villain.
"We need to close these information guilds. They are of no use at all."
However, he was a real pain in the ass when you meet this typical villain in real life, which is very different from the character in the novel. Cale couldn't destroy someone just because they did something bad or because he didn't like them, like Choi Han could.
By the time Cale arrived at the scene, the situation had already escalated a bit. In those short moments, Choi Han had already become so angry that his shoulders were shaking violently.
- How dare you interfere with a noble man?
- What the hell are you talking about when you just hurt someone? Someone got in your way? It only happened because you were driving your carriage like a maniac!
- Peasants should get out of the way when they see a nobleman's carriage. It's not my fault that this peasant was so stupid that he just stood there without moving!
Choi Han was arguing with one of Venion Stan's lackeys, and Hans, who was standing next to Choi Han, frowned when he saw Cale approaching, and quickly walked over and whispered in his ear:
- Choi Han-nim seems very excited.
The more the sword master listened, the angrier he became. And he understood perfectly well: now this lackey would get what he said. And no one would stop that Choi Han. He could practically see how his aura was enveloping him.
Hans seemed to have already realized that the owner of the carriage belonged to the Marquis's family. He also seemed to have realized that the person behind this footman was none other than Venion Stan.
This narcissist probably only got out of the carriage because he saw the Haniteuz family symbol on Cale's carriage.
- Enough.
Venion, a man with beautiful blond hair, spoke tenderly to his lackey. As soon as the word left Venion's mouth, the lackey moved behind his master, as if he had not been angry just a moment ago. Only Choi Han remained standing, wheezing and puffing, comforting the frightened old man.
Everyone saw that the swordsman was on the edge. Everyone was waiting for the first blow.
Looking forward to it.
"Tsk," Cale clicked his tongue.
The footman wasn't really angry. He was quite far away from Cale's carriage, but like Venion, he probably saw the Golden Turtle on the carriage door. That's why he exaggerated by being overly loud while scolding Choi Han, in order to force Cale to come out. Hans knew what the footman was doing, and it made him frown as he stood there waiting for Cale to arrive.
Cale Hanitus looked at Venion and the footman before placing his hand on Choi Han's shoulder.
- You too.
- WHY IS HE STOPPING ME?
- But...
Cale knew why Choi Han was angry. This place was very similar to Harris Village, his second home. He was angry that these people had put someone else's life in danger, but they had shown no remorse or even any signs of apologizing.
However, the victim, this poor old man, could not get angry. This was because he had no one to support him, like Choi Han's Cale.
- They could have used another route, but they decided not to, even at the risk of hurting someone. How can I leave it like that?
"Choi Han," Cale squeezed the shoulder of the hot-tempered, black-haired youth a little harder, "calm down."
Choi Han's black eyes looked straight at Cale. The youth could see the angry look on the black-haired boy's face. No, to be honest, Choi Han, who was overwhelmed by the memories of Harris Village, began to calm down.
After making sure that Choi Han had calmed down, Cale looked at Venion Stan.
- Forget the question why. HOW DID HE STOP ME???
Choi Han didn't understand. He saw himself. He knew himself. There was less than a minute left before the fight. What had just happened? He was stunned. But the question "why" was still spinning in his head.
Beautiful blond hair and a slight smile on his lips. The perfectly tailored clothes sat on him without a single wrinkle. The boots were without a single scratch. However, what caught Cale's attention were a few small red stains on the cuffs of Venion's snow-white shirt.
"The blood must have ended up here because he was enjoying himself, and not just watching the Black Dragon being tortured."
Crazy bastard. This son of Marquis Stan was the one who enjoyed the meal while watching the Black Dragon suffer, he didn't mind being covered in blood either.
— How sick do you have to be to do something like that?
Albert felt ashamed that this man represented the nobility of his country. He felt as if dirt had been thrown at him. He promised himself to check all the aristocrats for strange hobbies. Secretly. Just in case.
- Glad to see you. Are you one of Count Hanithuse's family?
- Yes. Nice to meet you, Young Master Venion Stan.
As expected, the other side knew Cale. Venion was not someone who easily achieved the position of heir. The problem was that he was quite rude.
- That's the least of his problems.
- Mm.
Venion Stan was the type that could smile softly at you, but you still felt disgusted by him.
"I had no reason to come to this area, and I only heard stories that there was someone in the Count's family who was a free spirit and did not appear noble.
Venion smiled as he watched Cale. It was a very annoying look. As if he was trying to start something.
"I heard that Young Master Fable Hanitus took part in all the nobles' gatherings in the past years.
- He gets more and more annoying with every new word.
- Be patient. When we get out, we'll find him quickly.
"Why ask about something you already know?"
Cale wasn't gifted at this kind of conversation. That's why he smiled brightly and answered respectfully:
- Yes, I am that very nonentity.
Krak. The moment the words left Cale's lips, Venion's lackey flinched.Perhaps one of the most pathetic representatives of this species.
- For someone who is not talented in such conversations, you are doing very well so far.
Rosaleen was impressed. She couldn't stand that kind of talk either.
The corners of Venion's lips began to twitch. His expression seemed to say that he had never seen such a madman as Cale before.
Marquis Stan was the one with enough power to lead the faction, but Venion could not afford to do as he wished with the other nobles until he was officially declared the Marquis's future heir.
Nobles would usually formally name their heir while their descendants were still children, to ensure protection for the chosen child, and also to allow the heir to begin building his network early. However, Marquis Stan has yet to do so.
"There are three more children."
- Just don't tell me there are three more psychopaths there.
Venion had two younger sisters and one younger brother. The Marquis enjoyed watching the sibling rivalries. Venion enjoyed watching the Black Dragon being tortured to get rid of the rivalry with his siblings. The Marquis thought that the competition between his children was an exciting sport. Naturally, this "competition" resulted in a crippled eldest son.
It was a completely crazy family.
- Why did you downplay it so much? Only we can hear you. And you don't know about it. You can call it by your own words, don't be shy.
"Our Hanityuz family is just great compared to this one."
- He quickly included himself in the family...
- What else can he do? It's better to get used to both the name and belonging to the family. Less chance of accidentally saying something unnecessary. The more often he repeats it to himself, the less risk of accidental exposure.
Eruhaben felt it necessary to clarify this to the curious Vitira.
- You are a very interesting person.
Venion simply responded casually to Cale's statement.
- You can't even imagine what a miracle is standing before you, right at this moment.
Rosaleen couldn't help herself. And that slightly diluted the tense atmosphere. Locke and Mary thanked her silently. They were very uncomfortable.
The rich earl lived on the outskirts of the northeast of the kingdom, not being part of any faction. Who would try to establish relations with this family? In any case, the people were simply too greedy, wanting only to subjugate this rich land for themselves.
However, Venion did not like Cale as a person. The eldest son is a nobody and the younger son is quite smart. Knowing about Cale and Basen's relationship, he thought of his older brother when he looked at Cale.
Vitira turned back to Albert.
— Is Stanov's eldest son also a troublemaker with the inclinations of an alcohol exterminator?
Alberu was about to answer that this was not the case, and that Taylor was known as a very meek person, when he thought that he himself did not know him personally, and information from the guild could not be trusted at all, so he answered with something more reliable:
"Since his injury, Young Master Taylor is not popular in noble circles. That's the only thing I can say for sure."
- I see... Thank you, Your Highness.
However, Venion continued to act as befits a member of a noble family, and left the resolution of this incident in the hands of Cale.
"The unexpected obstacle made me waste time, but I think it was even beneficial since I got to know Young Master Cale.
An unexpected obstacle. Venion was referring to the old man. He was disappointed that his time had been wasted because of this old man and wanted to end the event on a happy note.
- But it seems you need to teach your subordinate to clearly distinguish between people who have the right to travel on this road on this land, and people who have the right to force them to stop.
Choi Han thought that it was useless to try to teach him to differentiate people by "something there", for him - all people were equal, and then he remembered what subject Cale had a doctorate in. This was alarming.
As the Marquis's famous unofficial successor, this was the best he could do for the lowlife of the Earl's family. His tone suggested that although they were both Young Masters, their statuses were completely different.
Of course, Cale listened quietly, but he was not the one who paid attention to the dog's growling.
- You are a holy man, Young Master.
And Ron was simply proud that his puppy was better than any mongrels. The fact that, strictly speaking, this "puppy" was not "his puppy" did not bother him at all.
Venion finished saying what he had to say and looked at the man who felt the most uncomfortable in this group.
*Plop* The old man knelt down on the ground as soon as Venion looked in his direction and bowed his head:
- M-my apologies.
The old man's hands were shaking as he bowed so low that his head could touch the ground. Choi Han's hands were shaking as he watched the old man apologize.
Choi Han, another one, who was shaking just as much, thought that Venion Kaylu should have a monument erected to him for preserving his inviolability.
The corners of Venion's lips began to lift. He was pleased. Watching the Marquis's son, Cale called out to him:
- Young Master Venion.
When he turned his head, Cale asked him a question:
— Are you finished?
- ... I...
Cale squatted down, his expensive clothes almost touching the ground. Then he offered his hand to the old man.
- It will be dangerous if you continue to stand like this.
Cale was sure he heard it:
- Hooooo...
Unlike Cale, the observers clearly saw the state of the black-haired swordsman. And the fact that the Marquis' likely heir was still intact was nothing short of a miracle.
It was the sound of a deep sigh that Choi Han let out. It must have meant that the youth was barely holding back his anger. The moment Cale heard that sound, he felt a shiver run down his spine and knew that this could not continue any longer. If this continued any longer, the one who would be beaten half to death would not be him, but Venion. He didn't care if Venion was beaten, but Choi Han could not kill the noble as long as he was connected to him.
Cale placed his hand on the old man's shoulder. Venion's eyebrows began to tremble. The hand of a noble was on the shoulder of a commoner.
"Disgusting to look at? Well, we find you disgusting too."
- Grandfather.
The old man seemed to be very shocked as he raised his head to look at Cale.
- Y-yes, yes?
Cale asked indifferently:
— Where is the bar?
- Sorry?
— Where can I get some tasty alcohol? As you heard, I'm nothing but trash. I don't feel rested in the morning unless I have something to drink. I need a drink so that tomorrow will be another great day. So...
— Is he seriously thinking about alcohol now? In this situation?
Eruhaben turned to the indignant Choi Han with a very strange expression on his face:
— Do you even understand what exactly he has been doing since he approached "you"?
- What do you mean, Eruhaben-nim?
Choi Han turned to the 'elf' in shock.
- Keep watching, maybe you'll understand.
Cale helped the old man upright. Venion, watching the young man, calmly assessed him and shook his head when he heard Cale mention alcohol.
- Take me there.
Looking into the old man's quivering pupils, Cale began to frown as he continued:
- Aren't you going to get up?