The two princesses, who remembered that the transmigrator was also an orphan, sat with wet eyes. He would not abandon these children to the unknown. Simply because he understood.
Besides, he was already involved in this situation. But Cale didn't want to be responsible for everything. The young man planned to do only the bare minimum that would allow him not to interfere deeper.
Cale continued to speak towards Locke, who lowered his head when he heard Cale say that he didn't want to help him:
- However, I have plans to make a deal with you.
— … A deal?
- Yes.
Cale continued speaking:
- What can I help you with? And what can you do for me in return?
Cale had no desire to teach this wolf boy who knew nothing yet. That was Choi Han's or Rosalyn's thing, not his.
"And who taught him a lesson about intelligible conversation a couple of minutes ago? He didn't even have time to properly enter the room, and you already started teaching him, you miserable bastard. And what do you want from a thirteen-year-old boy?"
Cale stood up, as he still had a few things to take care of before heading to the palace, before turning to the wolf boy again.
- Come back when you have answers to these questions.
Locke thought for a moment before standing up from his seat and bowing his head.
- I understand. I'll come back to you when I figure everything out.
- Certainly.
Cale patted him lightly on the head. Locke's look when he looked up was quite satisfactory.
"Why a deal?" the boy decided to ask before they got too far off topic.
- Actually, it's normal. Taking care of ten children, and not just ordinary ones, but beastmen, is not like picking up a kitten on the street.
— …
— …
— ...he did well with cats...
Realizing that the comparison in this context was not entirely successful, Eruhaben was about to say that it was not the same as going to the bakery to buy bread, but he remembered that then His Highness would start whining. So he simply brushed it off.
- The main thing is that you understand me. It's not easy. It's clear that he'll want something in exchange. And it will be calmer for you.
- Why?
— Because there will be a clear condition. Remember: there is no such thing as a free lunch. Imagine the situation: he takes the kids without asking any questions, and then starts pestering you with one request after another, perhaps even with a dubious request, and constantly reminds you that "He took in your brothers and sisters." And you will agree out of gratitude. The situation is purely hypothetical, because he dreams of you getting the hell away from him. Now let's consider the option with a deal. This is an exchange. He takes the kids, and you give him something in return. Trying to pressure you later by talking about the wolf cubs is no longer an option, because you have already paid for their favor. You can still be grateful and fulfill his requests if they appear. But you will know that your refusal will not affect the well-being of your brothers and sisters if anything happens.
Rosalyn, Vitira, Alberu and Ron knew the value of deals very well due to different life situations, so they nodded in time with the golden-haired elf's words. Deals were indeed a convenient thing. Especially profitable ones. The young master was unlikely to make Locke do something complicated, so they were calm.
And while the others, listening to the wisdom of their smartest roommate, were learning the usefulness of deals, the screen did not stand still. Cale arrived at the palace and managed to get into trouble already at the entrance.
Albert was very grateful to Lok, who distracted everyone from what was happening, and in all the talk about the "hypothetical" they missed the phrase that the king was now much more favorable to the third prince than the crown prince.
- Wow, who is this? Isn't this our famous Young Master Cale?
*Sigh*
Cale couldn't suppress his sigh. He felt disgusted by everything from the man's face to the tone of his voice. The one approaching him now was Neo, the successor of Viscount Toltz.
"Why did I have to run into one of Venion's minions now?"
Neo Toltz was one of the stereotypical villains. He had dealings with Venion.
The village where the Black Dragon was imprisoned belonged to Viscount Toltz.
— Please add this one to the list too.
"No questions," the prince was already finishing writing.
And Viscount Toltz's people had never liked the Hanityuz family. This was because even though they were separated by only one mountain, the difference in wealth was quite large. However, they had been quite friendly with the Hanityuz family members in the past.
Everything changed after they joined Marquis Stan's faction five years ago. Of course, they won't say it out loud, but these people were trying to take control of the Northeastern Region Nobles' Meeting.
Neo Toltz smiled brightly as he stopped in front of Cale.
— Are you alone?
They were still standing at the side of the palace entrance, and the vice-captain and Ron were talking to a guard to get permission to enter. Cale had brought a minimal number of people with him, but he looked calmly at Neo.
The Viscount's son saw that Cale was alone and decided to send his subordinates away.
- Oh, you shouldn't have...
- I'll have a little chat with Young Master Cale. Go and get permission to enter for us.
Neo sent his subordinates to the guard and took another step closer to Cale. When they were this close, Neo Toltz began to speak:
"Young Master Cale..." Neo had a warm and friendly smile on his face as he spoke in a quiet voice that only Cale could hear. "What is a terrifying nothing like you doing in the palace?"
"*Sigh* How childish. Is it because this world is inside a book, or because it's a fantasy world? Is it possible that such idiots exist in the real world? They must exist if this idiot is provoking me like this."
- Oh, you fool.
- Choi Han!
- Yes, Dragon-nim?
- You're not stupid anymore!
- I'm flattered.
"I'm not even the main character, can I not deal with such cliches?"
Cale just wanted to tell Ron to kill these vile villains who simply didn't know their place.
- If he's even willing to call Mr. Ron...
- Poor Young Master! They won't let me breathe easy!
The boy continued to look down at Neo. Neo's expression became even more pleased. To Neo, Cale was just a worthless piece of trash who could only boast of good looks. For someone like him, who had to accompany Venion the entire time they were in the capital, Cale was a good catch for a fleeting amusement.
- Oh, you've chosen the wrong prey, Mr. Tolts.
- Miss Rosalyn?
- Yes, Miss Vitira?
— How did you even manage to pronounce all of this with a small letter?
— Practice of palace life.
- What's wrong? Do you want to throw a bottle at me? Or do you want to hit me? Go ahead, try it!
"He's just provoking me. He's doing this on purpose. Neo can't take magical items into the palace, so he can't use the recording device inside. That's why he's trying to provoke me here."
If Cale were to go on a rampage, it would be seen as a clash between a lowlife and a nobleman. This would play into Neo's hands, which is why he tried to provoke Cale in order to drag the Hanityuz family name into the dirt. really don't like this man," Locke clasped his hands on his knees.
- Sorry, Locke. Young Master said it right in that village. Half of them are like that. No matter the country.
Cale just remained silent. Then he heard a voice in his head.
The dragon worked his magic.
- What a bastard. He reminds me of that bastard, Venion.
"He is Venion's minion."
- HOORAY!!! I'M WITH THE HUMAN!
- What are you so happy about, baby?
- So I can do something with this bastard!
Apparently it's too late to correct your vocabulary. Both here and there.
Although Cale couldn't say it out loud, the Dragon continued to speak in the boy's mind.
- Should I kill him?
"I don't think that's a good idea."
Cale shook his head, signaling to the dragon, who continued to watch him, remaining invisible.
— They have an amazing level of mutual understanding!
- Of course! This is my Man. More precisely, the Man of my other "I".
"What do you mean by 'my Man?'"
Seeing Cale shake his head, Neo started to bully him again since it didn't look like the scum was going to bite him.
At that moment, Cale's gaze turned to the newly arrived crew.
*Bang!*
The door swung open as the carriage stopped, and Eric Wilsman stepped out. Gilbert and Amiru were inside too.
Cale signaled to Eric with wide eyes, pointing his index finger at Neo.
- Hyun-nim.
— The "Protection of Cale from Irritants" squad has arrived!
— I wonder if they can handle it?
- Well, yes, because this guy is irritated by everything. Except money.
The sincere voice Cale used to address Eric, as well as the cold look in the young man's eyes, should have told the heir of Wilsman everything he needed to know.
"Get rid of him."
Cale's calmly standing eyes conveyed this message to Eric.
— The way he ran his finger across his neck was much more revealing!