While the child was once again rebuilding his worldview, some time passed on the screen.
Two hours later, Cale returned to the residence with Choi Han and Black Dragon, who had failed to find anything.
The next day they found nothing either.
Cale, who couldn't sleep at night, woke up sometime around midday. However, he wasn't tired because the Vitality of the Heart reduced the youth's sense of fatigue.
"A convenient Ancient power," Bikros noted.
- Indeed, - Alberu would not have refused such a thing either, when he was stuck with documents in the office for half the night. Even elven endurance barely saved him. And then there was training. His mood dropped even lower.
- Young Master, are you okay?
— ... Ron...
Cale's honeyed bliss faded like a haze in the sun's rays as he returned to reality.
Like a ray of sunshine through the haze, the former butler's grin returned.
- I'm back.
Ron returned. Then he handed Cale the letter. Seeing the envelope, the young man gave the servant his first order:
- Ron, go and wrap me up a bottle of your best wine to take with me.
The letter bore the Flynn Guild crest. Cale opened the letter to find only one sentence:
[Young Master Cale. Will you be coming to me soon with the promised alcohol?]
The illegitimate son of the leader of the Merchant Guild, Flynn, Bylos, will soon arrive in the capital.
The letter helped Cale realize that he would soon meet the Crown Prince in the palace. Since there were many villains there, it was time for him to remain very, very calm.
Albert was very uneasy about this. Cale couldn't possibly know his secret, right? He hadn't mentioned it before. It seemed like the only complaint he had was his habit of making people work, and Cale didn't like to work. But the Death God had said that in that world they all understood each other, so he must have found out about it at some point. That was what scared him the most. He was an observant young man, of course, but he couldn't tell a person's race by their look, could he? He couldn't imagine under what circumstances the secret had been revealed, or how long they had been trying to understand.
How thorny was this path?
He was so wrapped up in himself that he seemed to have completely missed Cale's conversation with the scary butler. Not that he missed much, of course.
Cale would be very quiet in the palace. Even if someone cursed him from the outside, the earl's son would just sit there silently before returning here. Cale glanced at the table in front of him. On the tabletop was a letter from Eric:
[Kale. You won't have to do anything at all. This hyung-nim will take care of everything. Got it?…]
Eric Wilsman, one of the nobles of the Northeastern region, sent him a letter a day. It was clear that Eric was worried about what might happen. Cale grabbed the letter from the table and threw it into the corner.
— Did he really send letters every day?
- How lovely! He's even funnier than Hans. Now it's official.
- Then I'll go and order that a bottle of our best alcohol be wrapped.
- Fine.
Cale watched as Ron left the room, seeing several faces he hadn't seen in a while through the door as it opened. Ron ushered them inside before closing the door. The two who entered approached Cale and began to speak.
- I think I can kill his kind if they let their guard down!
- I know how we can kill them!
- Congratulations, Lock! It took the kittens three days to find ways to kill you! - Amidst the ringing laughter of Vitira and the giggles of the others present, Rosalyn even winked at the boy, who instantly blushed. - You're a tough nut to crack!
Locke covered his burning face with his hands and tried to fall through the chair. In that world, she was his "big sister"? Big sisters were evil.
Vitira, who had just begun to calm down, laughed with renewed vigor.
They were the kittens, On and Hong. The two, who Cale had not seen for a while, were very excited as they seemed to have found a way to kill the beastmen that were as strong as the Wolf Tribe.
- Good job.
Both kittens came up and rubbed against Cale's legs after hearing his compliment. Cale picked them up because he found this act of affection annoying. Ron re-entered the room.
"You're the annoying one. Pet the cats and they'll leave you alone!"
- Young Master?
- What?
Ron looked at Cale, who was answering as if he didn't care, before asking his question:
— May I go with you to the palace as your personal servant?
- Why are you asking such an obvious question? Who could go with me if not you?
This answer made Ron think about leaving.
The people who called themselves "The Hand" and ruled the underworld of the Eastern Continent began to expand their activities, reaching out to the Western Continent. "The Hand" was just one member of the organization, and no one knew of their true identity.
- So, this is not the main organization, but a branch of something bigger?
— They sound even more problematic than they already are.
The Molan family had already raised five generations of assassins within it, which sought to rule the darkness of the Eastern Continent, and Ron Molan, the successor of the Molan family, hated and feared this "Hand".
Ron and Bikros winced as memories flooded back. It hurt both their hearts and their professional pride, but even two decades ago the Molan family had been unable to do anything about their attackers. To deny their strength out of pride would be a foolish mistake.
- Young Master?
- What?
— It will be really cool in the palace.
- Ron.
Cale looked at Ron, who had returned from the weekend flattering him in a way that was very different from his usual self, and asked casually,
— I have a beautiful face and figure, don't I?
- Meeeeee!
The kittens snorted at Cale's words, but they couldn't refute his words. Cale was a handsome man with a good figure.
Both Rosalyn and Vitira and even Alberto stared at the Young Master and found no flaws. The analysis ended with two admiring sighs and one gnashing of teeth.
And the little dragon thought that for now the Handy Man was quite worthy of the attention of the great dragon, that is, his double.
Kim Rok Soo's favorite thing that belonged to Cale was money, but right behind that was the body and face of the original Cale. Cale's lips looked like they wanted to form a smile.
— Is it possible to assume that in his past life the Young Master was not distinguished by his handsome appearance?
- Not necessarily. Maybe he just likes it more.
"Now I wonder what he looked like before," Rosalyn tried to imagine Kim Rok Soo, but only the image of the red-haired aristocrat came to mind. She turned sharply to the swordsman, who flinched from such attention. "Choi Han!"
- Rosalyn?
— What does an ordinary Korean look like?
— ...mm...how...me? — how else could he answer this question?
— The Young Master described you as "cute for a Korean." What does a typical average guy look like?
- Well, I don't know! The shape of their eyes, the color of their hair... The last time I saw a Korean was several decades ago, I don't even know how to explain it... Consider them all a little similar to me!
- Hmm...It still looks nice.
While they were sorting out the basic appearance of Koreans, Ron had already managed to scare Cale with his probably not fake good mood and leave the room.
There was a knock at the door. The ginger kitten, Hong, spoke:
— It smells like a wolf.
Locke, who still had trouble looking anyone in the eye or at the cats, perked up. If he was knocking on the door, he must be fully recovered. If he were, Rosaleen would have kept him in bed, like any self-respecting demon-sister of hell.
- I probably came to thank you!
- That's right! The young Master helped you a lot, - Rosalyn ruffled the boy's gray hair.
Cale looked at the door and said:
- You can come in.
The door clicked and slowly began to open. Cale saw the wolf boy shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other on the threshold. Locke hesitated for a moment before speaking.
- Hello, I... I came to thank you. I didn't know when the right time would be, but if it wouldn't bother you, could I come in for a moment now?
— Come in.
Cale didn't want to listen to that awkward voice any longer, so he waved to Locke. The boy cautiously entered and closed the door behind him, walking up to Cale with a nervous expression on his face. The boy pointed to the couch across from him.
"How lucky for Locke that Cale doesn't have his thoughts written on his forehead! He would have died of embarrassment."
- Sit down.
- Thank you.
Lock sat down on the couch and looked at Cale. Unlike his earlier words that made Lock remember his uncle, this man named Cale Hanitus had a very different aura from him, making it difficult for the boy to communicate with him.Cale seemed like a difficult person to deal with to Locke, and not because he was as strong as his uncle.
- Say what's on your mind.
"Got straight to the point," Rosalyn frowned.
But the Crown Prince understood the reason. The same trick as with Choi Han, but with a different meaning. To make the guy talk, instead of sitting and mumbling. The main thing is to start talking, then it will flow. Will it work or not?
- You see...
Locke seemed to consider what to say before jumping up from his seat and bowing to Cale.
- Thank you very much!
Locke seemed very naive, scared, and in some ways even stupid. He definitely fits the characteristics described in the novel.
"His personality changed in the novel after Locke went berserk the first time, but there doesn't seem to be any change now."
Locke silently thanked Cale once more for helping him with the transformation. He knew his own weaknesses. He was stupid, but not blind. But he certainly didn't want to become angrier.
Cale responded to Locke's gratitude:
- Of course. That definitely deserves gratitude.
- Excuse me? Oh, yes!
Locke had an odd expression on his face as he leaned back in his chair. Cale watched as Locke settled in before speaking.
- You don't need to thank me anymore, you can go.
- Ah, well... Actually...
Lock couldn't muster up his courage and continued to stand there, moving his lips, and saying nothing. The boy heard the stories of Rosalyn, the two little ones from the Cat Tribe, Choi Han, and even Hans, which made him think about some things over and over again. And Lock still hadn't come to a single decision.
— What did they tell him there?
— Cats could offer to surrender for cakes in exchange for life...
- HA-HA-HA-HAA... Girlfriend, stop! When I imagine this...A-HA-HA-HA!!!!
Cale watched the boy quietly. It was because he knew how Lock would act, that was why he was trying to send Lock away as quickly as possible.
- Well... Young Master... You see...
Locke didn't know how to explain himself. He kept glancing at his interlocutor frequently, but the boy's gaze never rose above Cale's feet. Several times he pressed his lips tightly together. Locke didn't like the personality of his interlocutor. At that moment he heard a cold voice:
The wolf boy thought that it was hard to look at the Young Master even through the screen. Especially now. For some reason, this moment seemed so tense, unlike any other conversation. Except for Choi Han's hellish interview.
- Spit it out.
- Sorry?
Locke looked up and saw Cale. It was the first time the boy had made eye contact with his companion since he had entered the room. Cale continued to watch Locke as he spoke.
- Good. When you talk to someone, you have to make eye contact with them in exactly this way, - he paused for a moment and continued: - Spit out everything you want to say.
Cale glanced at his watch before looking back at Locke, who was looking at him with a look of mild shock on his face.
- I would like to hear what you have to say.
- Ah.
"Life lessons right from the door? Poor bastard, you took charge of his upbringing from the first time you met him? Seriously, what's wrong with you?"
Locke let out a sigh. He clenched his shaking hands into fists before finally speaking…
"I… I'm the older brother," his voice was weak. Locke's body was already big, but he was still a little boy. "I need to take care of my younger brothers and sisters."
Lock knew he still lacked a lot to be called a member of the Wolf Tribe. However, Lock still had ten younger siblings to care for and protect right now.
Besides…
— I was also a nephew and a younger brother...
The Blue Wolf tribe loved and cherished the cowardly and foolish Lock. He could not forget about his family, friends and neighbors who cared for him so much.
Locke repeated in his head that this had not happened to him, and he would not let it happen. He was no longer alone. He had never been alone. But there were more of them now. And there were people who were willing and able to help. He did not need to avenge the deaths of his tribe. But he did want to make those who would do it pay. And in this, he was not alone.
- That's why I need revenge.
That's why Locke wanted to pay back a hundredfold for everything that was taken from him.
The boy clenched his hands even tighter before blurting out everything that came to his mind. As soon as Locke did, he felt his mind begin to clear. Then he bowed his head and saw his feet and the carpet. Then the boy heard a voice:
- Little wolf boy.
Lock looked up. Cale Hanitus. The owner of this large residence that Lock couldn't even dream of having, having lived his entire life in his village, which, as Choi Han-hyun said, he would have to work for at least two-thirds of his life. Such a person was talking to him right now.
The swordsman was looked at with pity.
- What is it? - He did not understand the reason.
"Choi Han, you'll have to work three lifetimes for a residence like that, not half of one," Rosalyn decided to clarify this awkward moment for the poor, economically illiterate sword master.
- Aaah... I still don't have a good understanding of the local economy... - even in his own ears, this was a weak excuse.
- You are a wolf.
Locke's mind was filled with many past memories. He recalled his life in the Blue Wolf Tribe.
- Wolves protect their families and put them first, them, not themselves. I consider them a tribe to be proud of.
Locke saw a smiling face in front of him.
- I heard what you wanted to say.
At this moment, Locke could clearly see the man and everything in the room. On both sides of Cale were cute little CatClan babies, and the sunlight pouring into the room seemed very peaceful.
The boy was amazed by such a sudden change:
- How did the atmosphere change so much? It was all very tense there just now! - the teenage beast looked at the screen in shock. Okay, the observation about cute cats is dubious, but they really did look cute. And the Young Master himself didn't seem so cold.
"From a villain to a good guy in 2 seconds? Is that possible?"
The Crown Prince himself, who had been following the conversation very closely, answered him:
- In fact, little has changed in the room. The cats have been there since the beginning, and the sun has never gone anywhere.
— ...Then how?
- You were very nervous. You are a timid boy by nature, aren't you? - After an agreeing nod, the blond continued. - You came alone, to a stranger, even if he helped you, who is much older and higher in position than you. It was a very brave act on your part, you are a good boy. You didn't know anything about him, your thoughts were confused, you were getting more and more tense with each passing second. That's why you were imagining things. When he told you: "Spit it out" - you began to collect your thoughts and finally began to speak. And the more you spoke, the easier it became for you. The tension subsided. And his last words finally convinced you that nothing threatened you in this room. And when you finally relaxed, you saw exactly the picture as it had been from the very beginning.
Seeing many nodding their heads in agreement, Lock lowered his head, a little ashamed. But he was interrupted by the same calm but gentle voice of the Crown Prince:
- Don't worry so much. You're still young. In that world, you've only recently begun to recover from a severe shock. Such a reaction is quite normal. You'll still learn to control yourself in conversations. Even there, you did well, albeit with a hint. Don't be too hard on yourself.
The boy, slightly reassured, nodded gratefully.
Locke finally remembered the words he needed to say, and the words he wanted to say:
- Thank you very much for your help. And… Please help me.
The owner of this peaceful atmosphere began to speak:
— Just gratitude would be enough.
The reason Cale was thinking so much about how to act in accordance with his "nobodies" persona was because of Choi Han and the Black Dragon. The Black Dragon itself was already enough of a worry, and Choi Han was even more worrying because he brought it with him.
The sword master felt awkward again. He knew that leaving the children in the village was wrong, but dropping them on the head of the first nobleman he knew wasn't a good idea either. Many others in Cale's place would have already stopped paying for the stay of a whole bunch of children in the inn.
- I don't want to help you.
Everyone tensed up.
Cale didn't want to help Locke. However, he knew the pain that ten wolf cubs felt when they were left without their parents and their support. He had experienced it all himself.