The birthday celebration was supposed to start at nine in the morning.
Cale looked at his watch before speaking again to the six people standing in front of him.
"Okay, please get to work," he then added, "Don't forget to bring all the defused Magic Bombs."
Rosalyn smiled and responded to Cale's statement:
- You promised to give me one of them.
- Certainly.
- This will be enough to pay for my services.
"Okay, Cale needed them, but what do you need them for, Miss Rosalyn?" the prince couldn't help but ask. If the thought of the bombs in Cale's hands already made him tense, then a bomb in the hands of the Crown Princess of Breka with her character was already terrifying.
"Who knows? It's a very valuable thing, anyway. Young Master was right when he said that the mana reserves in them are a very valuable resource. I could have asked for it for the sake of the magic stone inside it."
This calmed Albera down a little. And four more people.
That would definitely be enough. Cale looked at the terrace, which was now used more as a door than a terrace, and opened the window. A cold night breeze filled the room as the six people quickly ran out of Cale's room and across the terrace.
Some used magical invisibility, others left at a very high speed. Cale watched them leave and thought that they were all very strong.
Now he was left alone in the room.
— Oooooooooong!
Cale slowly stroked the large shield with silver wings that appeared in front of him. Even if something unexpected happened, he wouldn't die as long as he held this shield.
— I will probably never get tired of looking at the Unbreakable Shield. It is so beautiful…
Everyone agreed with Rosaleen. He was indeed mesmerizing. Especially in the soft light of the bedroom in the pre-dawn darkness.
"…I will use a small portion of my power if I need to."
Cale patted the shield, which looked even more holy now that it had a heart-shaped crest engraved on it, and decided to only use it when there was a real need.
"I hope he won't need it," Albert said a little gloomily.
If the shield has to be raised, then something has gone wrong. And that's bad. Nobody wanted that.
"Everything should be fine."
A crazy, bloodthirsty mage. It was said that this man would go berserk at the sight of the color red. That's why in the novel, this mage went crazy after he first saw Rosalyn. He then said that he had to cut off Rosalyn's head to take her red hair and eyes.
"He's really crazy."
After a brief exchange of glances, the male half of the room decided to keep the bastard away from Rosalyn by any means necessary. The crunch of popcorn was taken by all as a personal signature to this act of protection for the young lady.
"But Young Master Cale's hair is redder than Nuna's," Locke began to worry.
The crunching stopped abruptly.
Cale pushed his hair back, it was a brighter red than Rosalyn's hair, and thought about it.
"What are the chances of me being in close proximity to this madman?"
Even if something like that happened, he would just have to entrust Choi Han with killing the mad mage. Cale was not worried about his own head being separated from his body. The youth relaxed and waited until Ron came to wake him up. When Ron came at his usual time, Cale spoke up.
- If you were supposedly sleeping, why did you dress like that?
- Maybe he has pajamas like that?
— With a starched shirt and vest?
— The rich have their own quirks.
- But the robe on top looks very cozy.
Alberu raised an eyebrow slightly. No one should look so presentable at six in the morning. Except him. But his position obliged him.
- Today will be the last day of your service to me.
— I can resume my duties again in a year.
It would be terrible for Cale. He planned to send Ron with Choi Han immediately after the former's return a year later.
— What amazes me most is that he hasn't given up on this idea yet.
*Crum-crum*
— Dreams are dreams, so you can cling to them.
— Pf…haha.
Cale was excited that he would be able to get rid of two heavy bags today and began to speak with a light heart:
- Let's get ready.
Cale made all the necessary preparations and headed to the palace. All the nobles involved were to arrive together. The Black Dragon was going to arrive at the palace to report the trial.
"And I liked his pajamas and robe better," Vitira critically examined the Young Master's new outfit.
"I couldn't let my master outshine the birthday boy," Ron replied with a smile.
The Crown Prince's eyebrow twitched.
"So the butler has some rudiments of conscience?"
After all the preparations were completed, Cale boarded the carriage waiting for him in front of the main gate of the residence. It was not the carriage of the Hanityuz family, instead, he was going to ride with someone else today.
— Why did you decide to go together?
Amiru answered Cale's question, asked as soon as he settled into the carriage, with a calm smile. Young Lady Amiru had taken the initiative to invite Cale to ride with her today.
— She decided to find out more about his words at the banquet?
"If that's true, then she's a very smart girl," Alberu began to think about something to himself.
She understood why Cale had asked that question, ignoring the rules of propriety and not greeting her first.
- Young Master Cale, what do you think of our territory building a naval base?
Cale started to smile. He looked at the girl and started to speak:
— Haven't you decided everything yet, Young Lady Amiru?
The girl shook her head slightly:
- Yes and no. I can't make such a decision on my own, so I contacted my mother. I plan to discuss the matter with Young Master Gilbert today.
The prince nodded thoughtfully in time with the girl's words.
- Your Highness?
- Later. Let's hear the rest.
That's why the crown would turn its attention to the northeast. The east was the only side with access to the ocean, but most importantly, the east held the balance of power. In addition, it would be difficult for high-ranking nobles to influence such a base in that region.
"So Young Lady Amiru's concern is that the crown's influence will become stronger in your territory because of this?"
"Yes," the girl gave a short answer before continuing, "That's why I asked you to come with me today."
The little black dragon listened to all this and, while crunching cheese popcorn, decided that human life was an extremely complicated thing. He didn't understand why he had to complicate literally everything for himself? The prince even supervised the arrangement of tables at the banquet. Who cared?
This meant that she had something to discuss with the boy. Cale leaned back in his seat and asked, feeling as comfortable as if he were riding in his own carriage:
— I'm very curious to know what your question is, but I think I need to tell you something first.
He knew why Amiru was here.
"Any decision regarding the Hanityuz family's funds can only be made by my father. A nobody like me has no authority to make decisions."
"Either he understands his situation very well, or he doesn't want to get involved in this matter. Most likely, both. No matter what wild allowance they give him, it doesn't give him the right to manage the family's finances as he pleases. He wouldn't be able to, even if he were the legal heir. He's already had time to participate. In a sense, he's already made the biggest contribution, simply by planting the idea in the right head," Alberu thoughtfully bit off this thought.
The royal family will grant permission for the construction of a naval base and invest huge sums of money in it. Naturally, the ownership of this naval base will then be transferred to the royal family.
When building a military base in a territory outside of the capital, there are many different contracts that need to be signed between the crown and the nobles, which concern the ownership of the military base and the various logistics to support said base.
There was a significant difference in human resources and costs between creating a military base and organizing simple tourism among the rocks and ocean expanse.
The more Rosalyn heard about the coastal area, the more she couldn't understand how anyone would even think of trying to get tourism going there. The Ubarr Coast sounded like a completely hopeless place. Not even for a naval base, really.
But Vitira saw these shores and considered them worth visiting. By whales. During migration. There was something to see from afar. The reefs there are very beautiful. But it will be difficult for people to see them.
This was exactly what Amira wanted to prevent. This meant that there was only one method.
Borrowing money from someone who had a lot of money.
— Is this really true?
Amiru's smile spoke of her intelligence. The girl entered the Crown Prince's room with Eric and Gilbert when Cale left the reception.
Rosalyn, being from a family of power, appreciated the intelligence and enterprise of the Young Lady Amira. Among the girls of high society, not many were capable of this. Pampered by a luxurious life, receiving everything on a platter, young madams, instead of working, mostly preferred to lead an idle lifestyle. So Amira Ubarr climbed very high in the personal rating of the red-haired sorceress. She is still far from Eric Wilsman, but she is catching up.
It was then that she learned that the Crown Prince was interested in the coastline, although his interest was not tourism. When Amiru returned to her residence that night, she thought about Cale's words and understood his intentions.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is wary of the Viper Kingdom and the states in the north. I can tell based on our conversation with him, and I also got some data from the Information Guild."
"I knew it."
"Apparently, at least once, these useless information guilds were useful."
Cale could tell from Amiru's words that the Crown Prince and the royal family were aware that the Wyper Kingdom would soon face a civil war and that the North was gathering its forces.
"But it was unexpected."
Amiru made her decision. Her family wasn't doing very well at the moment, relying heavily on Eric Wilsman's family. Getting information on foreign kingdoms through the Information Guild was quite expensive, but Amiru's willingness to spend that money to verify a single piece of information was an interesting reflection of her personality.
The Crown Prince wrote the young Ubarr heiress's name down next to Bylos and Taylor Stan. Having such an intelligent person on your side was always a pleasure and a blessing. Her resourcefulness was also good news. Thinking through scenarios where the balance of power in the Northeast would be maintained also earned her approval points from Alberu.
The girl looked at Cale, who listened quietly before continuing:
"I heard that the Hanityuz territory is currently strengthening its walls. I believe that the Hanityuz family will be interested in military matters, since it is a territory that does not allow any intrusion.
Cale nodded and replied:
- I'll talk to my father about this.
— We will also send an official request.
Cale and Amiru looked at each other and smiled.
If this naval base were to be established, the balance of power in the northeast would shift to the four families of Cale, Eric, Amiru, and Gilbert. If the Hanites family provided the funds that would continually flow into the base, they would receive multifaceted support from the base itself.
The question remains, will Count Derut agree to this enterprise? On the one hand, he is strengthening the city walls. On the other, the Hanityuz family motto is to stay out of trouble.
- That's a good question. If he donates money, it's both an act of protecting his territory, but also a threat of increased pressure from the other three factions.
Amiru hesitated for a moment before continuing to speak.
"I'm a little worried about the whirlpools, but there are paths that have been used for centuries, and the whirlpools will actually serve as a natural defense, preventing enemy states from invading. That's why I want to try it."
Whirlpools. Cale held back his smile when the girl mentioned whirlpools.
Soon, Cale will use them as he wishes.
— Ancient Power?
— Hrum…mgm.hrum…
"Wouldn't it be great to build a house on one of these rocks and enjoy the sunset in the future?"
It would be difficult for him to remain in the Hanitus estate once Basen took control of it. Cale's plan was to hide in some secluded corner for the duration of the war, and then head to Amira or Gilbert territory after the war was over to build himself a house on a cliff where he could live in relaxation while overlooking the sea.
It would be a good place since it was quite close to the Haniteuz family's territory.
"I think I understand why he wants to sell the Ancient Power to the Queen of the Jungle," Rosalyn looked thoughtfully at one of the straps on the young master's suit. It was completely unrelated to the matter, but the strap was fastened very beautifully.
- And why?
— We thought that he wanted to live on his family's territory, then everything is clear. But if it will be difficult for him to deal with his brother and he will have to leave, then it is better to have his own finances to live the way he wants. It is not a fact that the family would give him money to live outside the zone of their observation and control.
- That's a really interesting thought.
And while they were exchanging thoughts, a carriage with young nobles arrived at the palace.
The young man left the carriage and looked around. The current time was exactly eight o'clock in the morning.
The staff should already be at the Glory Square to prepare for the celebration. The Royal Knights will allow people to enter at eight thirty, filling the square with a human stream.
This will be a situation where it will be difficult for someone to enter or exit. The celebration will begin thirty minutes after that, and Cale's group will begin searching for their targets starting at eight thirty.
Necklaces, bags, pendants.
Magic Bombs can be hidden in any form. Cale's group will find people who will have these same bombs located on their bodies. Well, it doesn't matter whether they find them or not, they will soon reveal themselves.
- In general, I want to note once again. All this sounds very clear and technical.
— So far it looks a lot like a mission to rescue Dragon-nim. Everything is scheduled down to the minute, and everyone has their own role.
— Except for Cale himself.
- Ah! Your Highness! He also has an important role!
- Which one is this?
- It should stand there and look beautiful!
Alberu really wanted to throw popcorn at the princess. But, firstly, he was above that. And secondly, with the local lover of cleanliness, it was not a fact that it would fly.
- Oh, you're here already?
Cale received a greeting from Eric and Gilbert before standing next to them along with Amiru.
— Everyone came early.
- Of course, we arrived at eight o'clock five minutes.
Eric responded to Cale while his gaze sent another message to his friend:
"Be patient one more day!"
- Oh, and our noble beauty is here too.
The princesses have become sentimental again.
- Eric is so s...weak and precious!
"You meant to say sweet, Miss Rosaleen. Why did you change your mind?" The prince's tone was thoroughly suspicious.
— The only sweet one here is you, Your Highness.
"I knew it!"
Cale just nodded, looking at Eric and reminded himself:
"I don't know anything!"
Just as he was thinking about this, the Crown Prince appeared in front of the King. Today, all the famous people followed the Crown Prince.
Then he saw another person who was next to the Crown Prince and covered his mouth with his hand. It was because the youth couldn't help but grin.
- Oh my God…
- How is this possible?
Eric's excited sigh and the whispers of the nobles filled the entire area. However, Cale was not interested in it at all. Instead, the youth lowered his hand, looking forward. Cale caught the gaze of the man next to the Crown Prince.
The eldest son, who was rejected by his own family, Taylor Stan.
He stood on his own two feet next to the Crown Prince. Taylor subtly showed Cale with his eyes that he saw him.
— The deal was successful.
— We have less reason to worry.
— I'm so happy for Taylor!
By all accounts, Taylor has been a lucky guy. For the last couple of weeks, that is. It remains to be seen where this leads him, with Venion still at large.
At the same time, Cale himself heard the Black Dragon's voice in his head. The Dragon entered the palace and informed him of the current situation:
- I'm here.
Cale nodded slightly and the voice continued:
- We are deactivating all bombs currently placed at our location. We plan to be done with them by 8:55 as planned.
Everything seemed to be going as planned.
- I'll go back, we're very busy, weakling. Use the shield if it looks like something might go wrong.
- Dragon-nim is so worried about him! It's so cute.
"Of course he is. "I" fed him the best meat I could find in the forest. Where else can I find such a person?"
The dragon looked at Rosalyn a little indignantly.
After that, Cale could no longer hear the Black Dragon's voice. It seemed that he quickly returned to help others. This Black Dragon unexpectedly put all his efforts into completing the tasks that Cale gave him. This made the young man want to keep the Black Dragon close.
Eruhaben still found this odd behavior for a dragon. But then, dragons didn't cuddle with elves either. Or humans. Or beastmen. But cuddling was one thing, but such a fervent fulfillment of a human's will was curious.
"I shouldn't have any reason to use the shield."
Cale thought he wouldn't need to use his trump card if things continued like this.
- All preparations are complete!
One of the knights shouted out loud, and the Crown Prince stepped into the royal state carriage and addressed the nobles who sat in the royal carriages behind him:
- Let's go!
Cale also got into one of the royal carriages. The carriage started moving, and Cale, sitting there, crossed his arms over his chest, but his face was frozen in stone.
"It's nice to meet you again," Taylor greeted them.
- Glad to see you. I'm Amir Ubarr.
- … Nice to meet you.
Taylor Stan, Young Lady Amiru, and Venion's lackey, Neo Toltz, were all in the same carriage with him. Cale wondered if the Crown Prince had intentionally gathered them all in the same carriage.
— Are you joking, Your Highness?
There's too little popcorn left to throw away.
- It's probably still to protect Taylor. He's in the carriage with two representatives of the neutral families. Neo won't be able to do anything.
It was time for Cale to introduce himself, but he just sat there quietly, looking out the carriage window. The jerk was so rude. He sat there, arms crossed over his chest, looking out at Glory Square.
Chaos was about to break out.
The screen went black at the most interesting part.
"Shall we discuss what we saw?" said the prince, reaching out his hand to the papers.
— I agree. I was waiting for the end to discuss this. Popcorn is great! It reminded me of the small seaweed in the southern seas. When you dry it in the sun, it's very similar, but much harder. Salty is my favorite! Reminds me of sea salt, — the whale princess was beside herself with excitement.
- Indeed. I have tried all the flavors presented. It will be quite easy to repeat this in the kitchen, - Bikros joined the discussion.
"And I'm for the cheese one. It's just fantastic!" Rosalyn shared.
Choi Han was silent. He liked everything. Except the delivery method.
- I wasn't talking about that exactly, but yes, I agree with Ms. Vitira, the salted one is really the best.
- Sweet prince! You should have liked the caramel one!
- Dragon-nim, because of His Highness's innate sweetness, too much sugar is harmful.
— Aaaaah.
- Let's get back to the main thing. What do we have? - Alberu hastened to return the conversation to a serious channel.
Ron was the first to speak:
- In a year, there will be an event that will require the presence of an assassin, and this is to protect the lands. Also, if I left, it means that I came across some information about the "Hand" in the capital.
- Something must also happen in the Jungle.
"Also, our list of potential allies has increased by two names," Alberu was still thinking about this.
- Why two? - Choi Han didn't understand. In his opinion, only Amiru looked like an ally.
— The second is Odeus Flynn.
- Isn't he the head of the underground world? How can he help us?
- Such people are very useful. At the very least, he may know something about the affairs of Marquis Stan. And that means we can use this information. But we'll see what kind of person he is, - Albert explained everything calmly. His conscience did not prevent him from turning to such a source.
The sword master simply nodded his head in understanding.
- Then we just have to find out what happens in the square. Since there's half an hour left before the action, that means the next fragment should be about that.
Everyone nodded. But there was a certain nervousness in the room. It was a little scary to watch further.
"Okay," His Highness sighed and gathered himself, "God of Death-nim, we are ready."
The wall melted without comment.
The part they were most looking forward to began.