And one more thing. I'm being completely honest when I say this.
The second of two truths.
"I despise this organization and wish it would disappear.
Naturally, Cale was still alive. He didn't like these people who were causing such incidents. They were probably also involved in the war that would soon cover the continent. Cale wished for them to disappear, because then he could live in peace on a peaceful continent.
Choi Han seemed confused by his words. He looked at the black thread connecting him, the priest, and Cale before clenching and unclenching his fist repeatedly. Cale flinched at the terrifying expression on Choi Han's face as the dark-haired man finally spoke.
- How can you hate them if you don't know?
"A completely natural question."
— Because I know of several terrible things they plan to do. Black Dragon and Lock are just two of them, Choi Han.
Cale pointed his index finger in his direction:
- I have lived my whole life as a nonentity. And I dream of living like that in the future.
Choi Han's expression changed after Cale said that his dream was to remain a nobody.
- But he is telling the truth...
- Marvelous!
"I think you guys don't quite understand him correctly…" Eruhaben shook his head, clearly amused.
They looked at him with curiosity, but he did not continue his thought.
- I have no desire to become the successor of my family. Basen Hanitus, my younger half-brother. I hope that he will be the successor.
It was true. That's why Cale asked Choi Han the question:
"So, why do I need to go to the capital as the representative of the Hanitus family? Especially when I hope that Basen will be the successor? My father, the head of the family, told me to go, but I could have said no to him."
Choi Han replied after a short silence:
-… I'm not sure…
- That's because I know what the secret organization is going to do in the capital.
Choi Han's pupils dilated again.
- But he mostly agreed to go to collect the missing Ancient Powers, didn't he?
— But not letting the second Young Master Henituseu suffer was also one of the reasons.
- How did he manage to lie without saying a single word of a lie?
"I can't answer how I know this, but I know for sure that they are planning to kill many people in the capital. I couldn't let Basen go to such a place. I want to prevent this incident.
Of course, Cale had no intention of doing anything to give his life for others.
— Having taken care of all these problems as discreetly as possible, I plan to return to the territory of the Hanityuz family.
-…You can't tell me how you know all this?
- That's right. I can't tell anyone about it, no matter who asks.
- So he decided to simply say what he couldn't say, hiding behind the Death Oath.
- A brilliant move. I'm delighted!
Choi Han's eyes were full of questions, but his mouth remained closed.
Cale didn't know the true identity of the secret organization, but he knew of a few things it could do. He also despised it and wanted it eradicated completely.
Choi Han's head bowed even more as he began to process everything he had heard. His mind was in complete chaos right now. But the thread of the Death God's power running through them gave him some peace of mind. He knew that Cale would die right here if he tried to lie.
The swordsman watched everything that was happening with a frozen heart. It was one thing when Eruhaben-nim said that Cale would act in his interests. But it was quite another when it was confirmed by a literal threat of instant death. And it was not like asking someone questions with a sword at their throat. There was an opportunity to lie. But here there was none. He knew that Cale had not told him everything. But refusing to reveal the source of his knowledge, with such a wording, could be interpreted as one wished. It could be a spy. Or a person who could suffer if outsiders found out about him. Any of those things. And even though he still hadn't confessed, the swordsman himself calmed down a little.
- However, I will tell you one more thing.
Another one. This made Choi Han quickly raise his head to look at Cale.
— The final truth.
This was the third truth that Cale told Choi Han:
- I have no desire to harm you.
Cale was sure of what he said. He was still alive, which meant the red-haired boy was telling the truth.
Choi Han began to frown.
*Bench press.*
Choi Han began to clench his fists that were on his thighs. Although he did not clench them too tightly, the veins on his tightly clenched fists bulged. He slowly raised his head. Cale was still alive.
-… I trust you…
Hearing the answer that had taken so long to come out of Choi Han's mouth, Cale repeated the same words he had said to his interlocutor before they entered this room:
- I understand.
Rosalyn, who was watching everything, couldn't help but let out a shocked laugh. She knew perfectly well that Cale was walking a very fine line between truth and lies. And he did it quite calmly for a man who had sworn on his life to tell only the truth without any preparation. It was already a shock to her that such a thing could be done in the Church of Eternal Peace. The Death Oath had always seemed like something unshakable. And, since she was bursting with curiosity, she again, extremely disrespectfully, addressed the present "chief" of this very Church:
- God of Death-nim! Forgive my impudence. Are you really so easily deceived?
Everyone looked at her like Choi Han looked at Cale when he seriously said that he was "protected by his heart." Like she was crazy. Did she even understand what exactly she was asking and who exactly she was asking?
However, the response from the top was quite calm.
- What does this have to do with me?
- What do you mean?
They will write a legend about the red-haired girl's courage later, but now why not listen, since they are answering? Everyone looked up.
- You decide for yourself what is truth and what is a lie. Truth is quite subjective. I am only a guarantor of the fulfillment of the promises that were given. Cale did not tell the truth, but there was no lie either.
Interesting interpretation. Now it makes sense why people prepare for the Death Vow for weeks. But that doesn't negate the fact that the red-haired aristocrat just showed up without any preparation. There was still a chance that Choi Han would start asking questions.
But Alberu was impressed. In fact, Cale hadn't told Choi Han anything at all. The whole point of this expedition was to convince the sword master that Cale wasn't his enemy. Now. Choi Han wouldn't be able to continue asking questions, since Cale "couldn't tell" how he knew everything. Although the only thing stopping him was his reluctance. He despised the organization because it prevented him from living a peaceful life. He hid behind his younger brother, but that wasn't the main reason for coming to the capital. He said that he "had no desire to harm him," but who said that it wouldn't appear later? The only purpose of this Vow was to lull the swordsman's vigilance. Because he had saved all other conversations for the time when he could lie as much as he wanted.
- This...is worth thinking about more deeply. Thank you, God-nim!
- You're welcome. It's not difficult for me.
On screen, Choi Han looked visibly relieved.
Then he started smiling.
*Sigh*
Choi Han let out a sigh, still sitting at the table. He raised his head to look at Cale. Cale Hanitus' eyes were clear as usual, but stubborn.
- Cale-nim, please promise me one more thing. Then I will trust you completely.
" …I didn't think this would happen."
Cale felt like it was up to him to decide Choi Han's answer. It shouldn't be a big problem because he could always find a way to twist the answer to suit him, but the phrase "completely trust you" was something that didn't really fit with Cale himself. But this was a situation where he simply couldn't say no.
"Unexpected problem?"
- Of course. What is it?
- Kayle-nim.
- Yes?
- I must take revenge on this organization. I think this is the first time in my life that I hate a person or an organization so much.
Anger filled Choi Han's clear eyes. Under the cover of anger, one could feel nostalgia. Choi Han was probably remembering Harris Village.
- Mmm…
Cale leaned back, letting out that incoherent noise from his mouth. That was why he didn't want Choi Han to be with him, even if Choi Han himself decided to follow the boy. The protagonist of the novel was a good person, but he always completed what he decided to do. That was why Cale nervously waited for Choi Han's final request.
And finally he began to speak:
- Please tell me whenever you find out who is behind this whole organization.
- Ah, well, of course.
"I thought he was going to ask for something difficult."
- Do you think this is simple?
- What does he mean by this?
Cale had a shocked expression on his face as he made his vow:
"I, Cale Hanitus, will inform Choi Han when I learn the identity of those who lead the secret organization. I will pay with my life if I break this oath. Will that be enough?"
"Aren't you in a hurry, you miserable bastard? Don't you even think about it first?"
- Yes, thank you very much.
Choi Han finally started to smile, seeming relieved. Cale was deep in thought as he watched Choi Han.
"How could I know their identities?"
To find out their identities, no, to find even the smallest clue to it, he would have to follow the same route Choi Han had laid out in the pages of the novel. He would have to be insane to do so. When Choi Han left the capital and the Roan Kingdom, he would encounter all the heroes, human and non-human.
Just thinking about it made Cale feel terrible.
- Ah! That's what he meant!
- Poor guy.
- But if he finds out, he will still be obliged to tell.
- That's also true.
- I hardly meant that he should go and look. So there really are no questions for him here.The swordsman thought to himself that from now on he should pay closer attention to what exactly was being said to him. Just in case.
- Are we done then?
- Yes.
*Bang!*
Cale raised his hand and slapped the table. His blow made the table shake slightly, and the priest immediately opened his eyes and nodded. The area vibrated again.
- Ooooooh!
With that, the smoke disappeared, dissolving into each of the bodies present. It was a little different than when Cale experienced the vow of the Mad Priestess Kage. Cale felt both of those vows take root in his body as he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket.
It was a check for ten million gallons. Cale left the money in front of the quietly sitting priest and stood up. He then bid farewell to the priest before leaving the room. Choi Han looked from the money to Cale before running out after the Young Master and closing the door. He then looked at Cale with confusion.
He responded casually to Choi Han's gaze:
— Nothing in this life is free.
- It's clear.
The Crown Prince wondered how rich the Church of the Death God was if the practice of such "checks" was normal? After all, transactions were conducted there quite often. Not ten million, the red-haired money destroyer did not count, but smaller checks and more frequent ones? It was an interesting thought.
While he was thinking about this, two lovers of tickling each other's nerves in the strangest ways reached the carriage under the surprised gaze of the priest.
Then he got into the carriage and spoke as soon as the carriage began to move.
- For your information. This crazy magician will be the person responsible for the incident expected in the capital.
-… Can I kill him if I see him again?
- Why are you asking me this obvious question? Do as you see fit.
— Did you seriously ask him for permission?
-…Uh…I guess?
- For what?
- Mmm...I don't know?
"It doesn't matter to me."
However, this crazy mage was a top-level mage and also an expert in teleportation, so Choi Han could never do what he wanted, at least in the pages of the novel.
- Yes, I will definitely kill him.
Cale turned away from Choi Han's angry face. It was too difficult for Cale to communicate with him.
"You wouldn't know it from looking at you."
As soon as they returned to their residence, another person, whom Cale found difficult to communicate with, was already waiting for them.
- Young Master.
- Ron.
Killer Ron, who had a soft smile on his face, walked towards Cale, who wanted to rest in his room.
And at that moment, when the old butler decided to deprive his young master of peace, either eternal or short-term, at nightfall, the wall returned to its original state.
"Well, that was a very informative piece," the Crown Prince looked down at the papers in his hands.
"And we will have to adjust our plans," the Crown Princess of Breka said thoughtfully.
"That's right," Alberu nodded in agreement.
After thinking about something for a little while longer, he continued in the thoughtful silence of the room:
— So, let's summarize a little. The terrorist attack on the square was led by a mage with a talent for teleportation, — he did not use the term "bloodsucker", not wanting to remind Locke of already difficult things, — and in that world, he personally came to the Blue Wolf Village, and changed the final goal of the attack. The question is — why? What could have changed, except for saving Dragon-nim?
Everyone had to think. It turned out that it was the saving of the dragon that caused such changes. But in the "original" the dragon should have disappeared too. Only completely.
A version worthy of consideration came from the sword master.
— Is it possible that it's not about saving the dragon, but about how exactly it was saved?
When everyone focused on him, he continued, but there was still a slight doubt in his voice:
— In the original version of events, Dragon-nim was supposed to die. The organization was left without a dragon, but did nothing. But in that world, they didn't just save the dragon, they blamed it on the secret organization.
Everyone nodded, as long as it was factual. Although Alberu began to suspect what the swordsman was getting at. It actually made sense.
- If we understood correctly, then the crazy mage is one of the leaders in this organization. He could be nearby, preparing an incident in the capital, and respond to the message about the involvement of the "Hand" in the disappearance of the dragon. And at the same time, take care of the Blue Wolf tribe personally.
- It is indeed probable. But what should we do?
"We have two options," His Highness was still looking at the written sheets, "the first: if we release Dragon-nim quietly, an ordinary squad of assassins will come to the Blue Wolf village, and it's easier to deal with them than with a magician.
Everyone nodded, listening attentively.
"Option two: if we make the 'organization's' participation in rescuing the dragon a little more obvious, we will have the opportunity to get rid of the magician in the village," even as he said this, the prince did not stop frowning.
- You don't like the second option, Your Highness? - Choi Han liked this option more than the first. So he didn't understand the prince's frown.
"The mage has a talent for teleportation. There is a high probability of losing him in the village, and the ambush will make the organization wary," the former butler guessed what the prince did not like.
- That's right. We'll soon see what's going to happen in the square, fortunately Cale was sensible enough to share this information with Choi Han. But there's one caveat. Even if the mage can be eliminated in the village, we'll no longer know who's preparing for the incident. Which means that events here could change in ways we can't even foresee. It's in our best interests to catch him in the capital, knowing exactly how and where he'll appear.
Albert, of course, did not want to endanger the inhabitants of Huyss, but he understood that any deviation could lead to even greater casualties.
The sword master nodded. There was sense in the Crown Prince's words, the sword master could admit it. He was angry at having to take risks, but if it was to minimize the damage, then he would agree.
"Then instead of rushing to the capital, I'll go to help Locke in advance," Rosalyn decided to take the initiative. "If Choi Han met me first, and then we went to Locke, then I'm closer to Locke than he is. I'll have time to warn about the attack if Locke is not believed."
- Thank you, Miss Rosalyn! You may use my name. If you have any questions, say that you have come at the request of His Highness the Crown Prince. And it will be safer for you to be surrounded by beastmen than to remain on the road.
- Okay, that's what we'll do. Thank you for your trust.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess smiled warmly at each other.
- Hey, Sweet Prince!
- Y-yes, Dragon-nim? - His Highness, amid the giggles of the disrespectful princesses and the cheerful chuckle of the fair-haired elf, quickly pulled himself together. No one had ever called him a sweet prince. And he hoped that they would never do it again. Ever.
- What did you say about artifacts? That we can still use them? - the curious child was interested in everything in the world, and therefore he did not forget about these strange things.
- Yes. In our case, it is still possible. When we manage to repel the attack, we can identify the artifact and find out who sold it, bought it, or owned it. Divine items are quite rare. Also, if the wolves can find out which "Holy Water" can deprive them of their powers, we can try to nullify the effect. Even if we have to see the events of the future, the chapter of "Hands" and so on, we need as many of these small details as possible to know where to press or where to start looking for something.
No one missed that His Highness said "when," not "if." Failure was not an option. Everyone nodded. Vitira would like to help, but she simply wouldn't have time even if she wanted to.
Locke breathed a sigh of relief. Having concrete plans was much better than the dark unknown. They would succeed. He believed it. Now the boy looked at everyone with a smile.
— Let's repeat for clarity. Miss Rosalyn is heading to Blue Wolf Village as soon as we return to the present. Choi Han and Mr. Ron are heading there as well as soon as they deal with Venion. Mr. Bikros will probably stay behind to "take care" of him.
All of the above nodded.
- Since you won't have to stay in Puzzle for several days, you'll be able to arrive at the village earlier than you had to.
- I want to help too! I want to help too!
The child was jumping on the table in obvious impatience. These were the people who had caused him to spend four years of his life in hell. Well, not exactly the same ones, but the same organization.
Alberu looked skeptically at the energetic child, then turned his gaze to the long-haired elf. He looked at him with a raised eyebrow, as if to say, why are you asking me this?
This elf was very strange in general, in Alberu's opinion. And the further, the stranger. He did not behave like an elf at all. But since he was here, they would see him too, so he did not ask anything. If they had started asking him, he would not have been delighted either. To put it mildly.
- Okay. You can participate too, Dragon-nim, - the prince smiled softly at the happy child, who seemed to start mumbling something about him blowing their heads off. What kind of vicious child is this? Although... He is a dragon. Stupid question.
- Since we have a rough plan, we can continue. In any case, we have time to adjust the details.
The Crown Prince handed Lok a piece of paper and asked him to draw a rough map of his area so that Choi Han and Ron could get there.
And while the boy was drawing everything he knew about the route from the nearest human village, the wall melted.