Just shut up…
- Sweet prince, just accept it!
- Aigoo...I'll go crazy.
At that moment, the Black Dragon spoke in Cale's mind:
- That's a lie. He's not quite human.
- Little Dragon, can you stop?
- I'm not a Little Dragon! I'm the Great and Mighty Dragon! Sweet Prince, that's true, right?
"Of course, Dragon-nim," the prince agreed, stroking the child's head.
Cale was struggling to remain calm. However, there was a critical weakness in the relationship between Cale and the Black Dragon. The Dragon could speak to Cale whenever it wished, but Cale could not speak to the Dragon mentally at will. It was a one-way communication.
"Poor guy…" From what Eruhaben could see, the child was only gaining momentum in his talkativeness.
Now Rosalyn would have given a great deal to have the dragon speak to her like that. She sighed in disappointment.
It was all due to his complete lack of magical skills.
"This is the first time in the four years of this Great Dragon's life that I have seen a representative of a race with such a strange aura.
The Crown Prince was not of one of the usual races. Cale spoke to Alberu, who continued to stare at him.
- Of course. How much does it take to be human? We are all human if we live side by side with each other.
Cale decided to forget about what the Black Dragon said.
"He has an amazing talent for pretending that nothing strange is going on in his head.
- A useful skill.
Although he had to admit, the way he didn't move a muscle despite all the revelations the dragon was throwing at him was truly astounding. It was as if he hadn't heard him at all.
Prince Albert looked calmly at his interlocutor before beginning to speak:
- You're right. It doesn't really take much to be human... Still...
However. But. Cale wondered if he could somehow stop listening to these words. Prince Alberu spoke to Cale again as he continued to ponder:
- I thought I was in the wrong banquet hall, but there are strange smells around you...
— … Smells? — Cale replied, shocked. — I just took a shower.
The room filled with laughter again.
- And what would you answer?
— As stupid as this excuse is, it seems logical.
— Could you say anything else about perfume?
- Perhaps... Perhaps...
- I don't think there's any need for two people like us to beat around the bush. So, what do you want as your reward?
Alberu crossed his arms as he looked at Cale. The reason why the Crown Prince came here so late was because he was handling the affairs of the incident that had occurred, but it was also because he had to look over the information regarding Cale Hanitus.
However, nothing was known about Kayla. At least nothing useful.
He knew that Cale Hanitus was a nobody who liked to fool around and drink. That was worse than just not having any information. The Cale in front of Alberu now was not a nobody.
— Which, by the way, is suspicious in the context of all the knowledge gained.
- That's true. As if he didn't specifically give any reason for them to report him.
- You know, it's hard not to let anyone know anything about you. A good nobleman, a bad nobleman - it's all the same. Deeds, actions, character traits, sometimes even a favorite breakfast dish usually become known. Except for very secret matters, you can form a general opinion about a person. And here he even drove the Count away from himself. He said that he didn't care so much what Cale did while he was in the city. It was as if he was hiding in plain sight, - the Crown Prince expressed his thought.
"You mean he might have been doing something behind his behavior?" Rosalyn thought about it too. It was in keeping with her recent thoughts about the Hanites' behavior.
"That's unlikely," Eruhaben drawled.
"Why?" Mary asked. "Little steps."
- He's been here for quite some time, and no one has contacted him. If he was doing something, he should have had contacts. And these contacts are clearly in no hurry to look for him.
It makes sense.
Cale Haniteuz is a man of bloody mystery.
Meanwhile, the two young men moved on to the stage of clarifying the reward, having agreed on all the socially significant statements of the newly-minted hero.
"What do you want?" Alberu's voice sounded as if he was ready to agree to anything, at least that's how it would seem from the outside. "Something for your family? My consent to invest in the Northeast Coast? Or interference in the power struggle in the Northeast region?"
That's why Cale responded completely calmly:
"Nothing you have offered, Your Highness, belongs to me."
— … Doesn't belong to you?
Cale pointed at himself, when Alberu stared at him, the boy continued:
- Please give me something for myself.
What Cale wanted was what he needed.
"It's a very conscious separation from the family," although Bikros said this, his tone was completely even, as if he was not at all interested in it.
"There's always the chance that he'll be found out at home. He needs a safety net. Asking for a reward for himself is a good chance to prepare for the worst and not let anyone know," the prince could understand. He himself had a pretty slim chance of hiding in the City of Death if something happened. But there was a whole city there and relatives on his mother's side. Cale had nothing at all.
Although he had a dragon. With such a protector, try to do something to him. Of course, he doubted that the dragon would destroy the world and so on, but he could very well cause a grand mess. Sneeze, and there is no city of Western in the North-East.
Alberu, who had been silent for a moment, snorted. The prince understood what this nonentity wanted from him. Although Cale lived as a nonentity, people, no, all living beings aspired to greater heights and wanted to take control of everything possible.
In the end, Cale was the most important thing to himself, he valued himself more than his family or the people around him.
- Then what do you want? A higher title? A medal? Do you want to get your own faction in the capital?
Alberu's face was strange as he asked another round of questions. Contrary to Alberu's expectations, Cale shook his head again at Alberu's suggestion. This meant that the Crown Prince had guessed wrong again.
- He's going to ask for money now, right?
- Your wisdom and foresight never cease to amaze me, Your Highness!
He had a very bad feeling.
Then Cale said only one word:
- Money.
- … What?
Cale explained everything carefully to Albert. For someone like Cale, whose greatest wish was to live a peaceful life, this was the most important thing.
- Please give me money. I don't need a medal, much less a higher title.
Albert even wondered what his double was thinking at the moment. He thought they were similar. So he thought the redhead was striving for power. But excuse me, he has a surprise for us. Most likely, in addition to the shock of the wrong idea, he was trying to understand why the offspring of one of the richest nobles in the country would ask for money.
Cash was always the best asset. What could a title or a medal give him when war came? It was much smarter to take the money and use it to buy food, land, or other material goods.
Choi Han hadn't actually thought of it. But it was logical. He noted it for himself, too. You never know what might happen. It really is better to have a reserve.
Of course, the Ancient Power that Cale sought to obtain after the Sound of the Wind required much more money from him than he could obtain himself.
- Are you going to buy bread again? Or pies this time? - Alberu couldn't help but roll his eyes.
In general, the Ancient Powers did not seem such an expensive acquisition. The same shield could be taken, spending ten times less money. If you buy bread at market price. The Vital Heart did not require any financial outlay at all. As, apparently, did the Sound of the Wind.
Cale saw Alberu put his hand on his forehead. Then he lowered it and asked Cale a question:
— Buy alcohol?
Cale answered directly:
— How did you find out?
Alberu smiled, accepting his interlocutor's request.
- Don't believe him!
Then he stood up and told Cale the details:Once you receive the report, take a look and then let me know how much you want for it.
- Will you come to me again?
- Why? Do you like it so much?
Cale responded to this with a fake expression on his face:
— It would be the greatest honor to see you again, Your Highness.
He looked so enlightened, as if he truly believed what he was saying. Even Eruhaben grinned at the reaction of both Highnesses. They were equally distorted. An extremely funny sight. Only a sword master had ever demonstrated such a thing before.
Cale silently looked at the door that closed behind the Crown Prince.
- But what power allows him to dye his hair? Except mana, of course. Human, answer me. I am curious.
Cale ignored the Black Dragon's question and went straight to bed. From that moment on, he was a normal patient.
"I'll forgive you for this, Handyman. You don't know either."
However, he was not a patient who would be allowed to rest in peace. Hans handed Cale a letter from Ron early in the morning.
- Mr. Ron left as planned.
Cale nodded and opened the letter.
[Young Master. I will inform you about myself once a month. I did not know that you were hiding such power, Young Master. Choi Han told me about what this mage looks like. I will remember him. I have also informed Bikros about this.]
- So I was still in town at the time of the incident. The only question is, what was I doing?
Nobody really even wanted to know. But they shrugged. We don't know. We can't imagine what it could be.
It seemed like Redica would die if Ron started tracking him down too.
"This servant is very touched by the Young Master's trust."
Seriously, why is this man so creepy?
This is what Cale thought as he looked at the people who came to visit him right after Hans.
- … I heard that you were seriously injured.
- Oops! The ducklings have arrived, - Eruhaben smiled indulgently.
- Why ducklings, Eruhaben-nim? - the swordsman categorically did not understand the elf. Just recently called them losers, now he promoted them to ducklings? For military merits?
— Because you really didn't like the previous name, but the new one also reflects reality quite well.
Eric Wilsman. Cale had never seen Eric look so worried. But Cale didn't say he was okay. He had to stay true to his role until the very end.
— I don't even have a drop of strength in my body.
- … Cale.
But he really had no strength in his body, but for a completely different reason - he slept all day.
"My stomach is acting strange."
This also had to do with the fact that Cale just lay around when he wasn't sleeping. He was so full that there was no room for anything tasty.
Eruhaben, Alberu, Choi Han and the Black Dragon rolled their eyes in unison. What did they expect?
Ron looked at the man without a "drop of power" and was increasingly amazed at his ability to make people believe what he said. He looked downright sick.
Eric looked worried, Gilbert had a hard expression on his face, and Amira looked like she had made up her mind. The kittens, who were looking between the three customers and Cale, shook their heads.
- Only cats understand this guy!
- He's just like a cat.
- Ahahaha! Similar!
- Let me know if you need anything.
- Yes, please. We will do anything.
Cale just nodded and asked:
- It looks like you didn't come here just to visit me.
Eric, Amiru, and Gilbert exchanged glances after hearing Cale's words. Seeing Amiru and Gilbert nodding at him, Eric pulled out a document from his pocket and handed it to Cale.
"This is an updated request for investment in the coastal areas of the Northeast Region. We brought it with us as we were heading to the palace to see you."
Cale turned the first page of the document. The first word on the next page was "Navy." Gilbert seemed to have made up his mind, too.
"They finally decided to do it," the former butler shook his head respectfully. He knew they were bright guys.
Although Alberu nodded his head in agreement, he still thought that a simple project was not enough. If they did not agree on influence and investment, the project would remain a project. And the North-East is a tough nut to crack. They are not so easy to crack.
And while he was thinking about the upcoming diplomatic tricks, simultaneously considering options for action on the square, while the impressions were fresh, the conversation with the patient was gradually coming to an end.
- No, we will continue to visit you. You should know about it.
Cale simply nodded casually at Eric, Gilbert, and Amir, and then ushered them out. It was hard to receive guests while lying in bed, wearing a robe. That's why Cale threw off the covers and comfortably greeted the next group of visitors:
He spoke to Choi Han, who stood with a dejected expression, like a sinner.
- Did something happen? - Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
- Go.
Rosalyn bit her lip. She had removed her magic and appeared before his eyes with her natural red eyes and red hair. She had also gotten rid of her robe and was dressed in formal attire.
- Sorry, Young Master Cale, but I need Choi Han and Lok.
— A trial of an attempt on my life!
Choi Han remembered. They had already agreed to go. More precisely, the princess's tone did not imply otherwise.
Now that Rosalyn had revealed her identity in the palace, she needed to return to the Kingdom of Breck as quickly as possible. Since it was revealed that she was still alive, the people who tried to kill her could begin to destroy the evidence of their actions.
But she couldn't go back alone. This incident showed that she was a very skilled mage, which meant that the enemy had more impressive forces when attacking the girl. That's why she needed strong allies.
The sword master and the wolf boy looked at Rosalyn with a question in their eyes. She nodded sadly. It was possible.
They looked at each other again and nodded. They're seeing it off in the best possible way.
Lock stood by the door, not moving closer to Cale, who in turn glanced at Choi Han and Lock before speaking as if it was completely natural.
- Why are you apologizing? Miss Rosalyn, you helped us in a very difficult situation. Then we should help you too.
Rosalyn saw Cale smiling.
— Miss Rosalyn — another Locka and another Choi Hana.
- … Thank you for putting it that way.
"He seems to just want us to continue following the book's script, but how sweetly he sings," Rosalyn said dreamily. This duality, if it bothered her at all, was not very much. Having grown up in the palace, she had long been accustomed to the fact that any beautiful words can hide a decent portion of poison. And although here the discrepancy between the voiced and the desired was very obviously different, Cale did not feel any hatred towards them and did not wish them any harm. And the desire for a simple and peaceful life is actually quite a good desire to strive for its fulfillment.
Rosaleen may have come close to death from the attempted murder, but she was sure it would be a turning point for her.
Cale took a step forward and looked at Choi Han.
- Cale-nim, I have to protect you.
- Choi Han.
Choi Han in the room thought with surprise that no. Actually, he shouldn't. He looked at the double with extreme surprise. Initially, he was "working off the food." He was supposed to go to Puzzle with Cale, then go pick up his future team members, report to the red-haired man in the capital, and that's it. Yes, they worked together to prevent the incident, but it was unofficial work. He was not a soldier or a knight of the Hanityuz family. He hadn't signed any contracts or made any oaths with Cale. Except for that radical one, but it wasn't him who made it, but Cale himself. In fact, they were no longer bound by anything.
He remembered thinking not long ago that Cale simply didn't know yet that Choi Han had gotten attached to him and how clingy he could be. That was a big wake-up call on the subject. He grinned.
"Poor Cale-nim."
Choi Han had to go so that Cale could calm down and have a place to hide in the middle of the war. Choi Han could see Cale's unique relaxed smile:
- I will not die.
"I plan to make a lot of money and get powerful enough Ancient Powers to at least be able to escape if necessary, to live peacefully. I will do everything in my power to live as long as possible."Cale also thought that with the Black Dragon remaining by his side, there was no reason for Choi Han to protect him. In fact, with the Black Dragon present, Choi Han himself was nothing but a burden.
Once again, two smug blue balls stared at the sword master. Choi Han nodded with a serious expression.
- I understand. I worry in vain.
Cale turned away from Choi Han, who was looking a little better, and looked at Lock. He then snapped his finger to startle the boy out of his reverie. Lock flinched at Cale's action, then slowly approached him. What was this coward so afraid of?
However, Cale didn't think twice about that reaction:
- Lock, I will take care of your younger brothers and sisters. Go with them and return to Hanityuz territory in three months.
- … I'm sorry?
- Why are you apologizing? Or have you forgotten about our deal?
— Brother…
Now Locke was completely relaxed. The Young Master hadn't said anything specific in the carriage, so even though it was heading that way, the tension was still there. But if Cale said he would take care of it, then he would. He let out a sigh of relief and felt a strong hand ruffling his hair. He looked up to see the sword master smiling. He smiled back.
Cale thought about how he was going to use Lock, who was looking at him so blankly. He then handed Lock a map. It was the map of the northeastern territory that he had received from Hans.
- Henituse. Come to the point marked on the map. I will be there with your younger brothers and sisters, so you must return.
- … To return somewhere…
Cale didn't care what Locke was muttering and simply squeezed the boy's shoulder as he began to speak. Locke had to come back into Cale's life to make it easier.
- Yes, to return somewhere. Remember, you must return within three months.
- Yes, yes, sir! I will definitely return within three months!
"Does he realize that he's essentially signed up for constant contact with Choi Han, the person he was trying to avoid the most?" Eruhaben looked at him as if he were the unluckiest creature in the world.
The sword master smirked. If he had correctly understood his double's maneuvers, then Mr. Hanitus had lost his say in the matter anyway. Once the mission was accomplished, he would return himself.
"Why, Eruhaben-nim?" Mary's voice was still quite quiet, and still emotionless, but it had clearly become more frequent.
Eruhaben once again looked with curiosity at the girl, or rather the black robe that covered this very girl, and generously explained:
"By taking Lock's siblings under his care, he signed up for Lock's semi-permanent presence. He won't abandon his family, he'll visit, right?" the ancient dragon looked at the boy, who nodded vigorously, "thus, being a 'member of the protagonist's team', he'll bring the protagonist along with him to visit. So their communication becomes inevitable."
After thinking for a moment, Mary nodded. Only the swaying of the robe was visible. But no one was surprised anymore.
Having taken care of Locke's problem to the point where the boy was nodding vigorously, Cale felt relieved. The story from the novel had already been distorted a little, but at least the main point was going as expected.
It was good, because he knew more about the future the more the story followed the plot of the novel. Cale was only disappointed that he hadn't been able to send Bikros with them, but he could always send the chef off with Ron after he returned from his "vacation."
"The kid keeps his word. He'll look after him until I get back," the old man thought with a surprisingly warm smile. He loved his son, and seeing his promise to look after him fulfilled, albeit with a small dose of complaints and whining, but nonetheless without questions, was nice.
And Bikros couldn't figure out how he felt about having to be looked after?
Cale lay down on the bed with a more relaxed heart than ever before, then looked back at the people present in his room, and then turned to look at Hans, who at that moment opened the door and walked in.
Hans looked at Choi Han who was defending the door like a knight, then at Lock who was playing with the kittens, then at Rosalyn who was leisurely reading a book about magic, and finally at Cale who was resting on the bed. Then he quietly walked up to Cale and whispered.
— There are rumors that His Majesty wants to present you with a medal, Young Master.
"Be careful with those cats, Locke," came a whisper from the left.
Everyone in the room stopped moving when they heard Hans' words.
Just like Locke stopped moving the moment he heard Rosalyn. No, the cats didn't scare him. At least there weren't any here at all. But Nuna scared him.
The deputy butler then handed Cale a document. It was a document that contained all the rumors about the terrorist incident in the square. Cale, however, had only one reaction after reading the first line:
— Hahaha.
[Cale Haniteuse, a noble who demonstrated the Haniteuse family's pride in protecting the Kingdom from the Forest of Darkness.]
He could only let out a long sigh.
The young man expected this, but it was still terribly irritating.