The killer nodded. His double was very concerned about the safety of this puppy. He still couldn't figure out why. Or did he just not want to? He frowned.
While he was delving into his feelings, Cale and the kids had already finished eating.
* * *
The next day.
- Greetings.
- Nice to meet you, Young Master-nim.
Cale exchanged greetings with the old man.
This was a fisherman who had been sailing the Ubarr Sea and battling the whirlpools for decades. This old man, who was known as the greatest veteran of the Ubarr Sea in this small village, had very tanned skin that clearly showed how much time he had spent at sea.
"This man seems reliable," Rosalyn admitted.
— It's always a pleasure to deal with a professional.
- Just trust me. I will take you safely to the central island.
Amiru, who was standing next to Cale, nodded and added:
- That's right. He's an amazing man, so you'll be able to get to any point in the Ubarr Sea as long as he's with you. I'm sorry I can't go with you, although I was supposed to show you the sights. Unfortunately, I have work to do.
"Young Lady Amiru seems like a very responsible and hospitable hostess. Did she really just let Young Master Cale go sightseeing alone?"
— I suspect that he put some effort into this.
But Eruhaben didn't say out loud that the ducklings didn't control the duck.
- That's normal. It's enough that you introduced me to an experienced fisherman.
It would be difficult if Amir went with him. Cale had already identified the people who would go with him today. The fisherman asked:
— Is it just you three?
— Yes. Take us.
- Yes, sir, please come in.
Cale boarded a small but sturdy boat. The vice-captain stood behind him. Since the vice-captain would be with him, Cale did not need to take any other knights with him. This really should not be a problem, since the islands were uninhabited.
The sword master pondered the phenomenon of aristocracy once again. Do they really need constant protection, even in friendly territory?
Although, Cale is a representative of one of the investors. He should be given the cold shoulder.
And then there's Cale, it seems you can't let him go anywhere alone. He comes up with strange, dangerous activities for himself.
- Please be careful, Young Master.
- Certainly.
Deputy Butler Hans had On and Hong in his arms while he watched Cale. The kittens were scurrying around, trying to escape from Hans, who was approaching the water. Although they liked the smell of the sea, On and Hong did not like the water.
"They must have given Hans a lot of unforgettable moments when he washed them on his first day at the estate.
This remark caused a lot of smiles.
- I will fly.
Naturally, the Black Dragon planned to follow him, remaining invisible. Cale couldn't resist making a joke about the last person boarding the boat:
- Bikros, apparently the nets near the island should catch a lot of rare seafood. It would be great to expand the repertoire of your dishes.
— … Thank you very much, Young Master Cale.
Bikros, who had ended up going with them on Cale's orders, climbed into the boat with a stern expression.
"Why would he need me there?" Bikros ignored Cale's joke in favor of more important things.
- He knows your strength. Most likely, in case of unforeseen circumstances, he counts on you more than on Hilsman.
- But Dragon-nim is with him.
Fair.
"But three people are much more representative than just Cale and the vice-captain.
This is also true.
Cale ordered the fisherman when everyone had boarded:
- Let's go.
— Yes, sir.
The fisherman, the captain of this small boat, began to row with his son. In this sea filled with dangerous whirlpools, neither large ships nor magical acceleration were important.
It was safer to sail with an experienced fisherman and rely on his many years of rowing experience.
— The boat may rock a little, so please hold on tight.
The old man gave an indifferent explanation as the boat set off. Cale began cursing as soon as they left the shore.
- Shit.
The boat rocked violently. It barely avoided the whirlpool, which seemed to suck everything in. The force of this vortex rocked the boat uncontrollably.
Splash, splash.
The observers watched with horror as the boat was tossed from side to side. It seemed as if it would capsize at any moment. And they were on the shore.
Tourism? Only if it's a ticket to the other world. And the fisherman shouting about the greatness of the whirlpools will be the one who will take you to the final point of the journey.
— Young Master-nim, it's that island, right there! The whirlpool in front of that island is the worst! You'll have to bid farewell to this world immediately if you fall into it! Hahaha!
The fisherman was truly fearless. He didn't even notice the vice-captain's pale face as he continued speaking.
Cale tried to hold back the urge to vomit and paid attention to the fisherman's words.
- There is a legend that says that this whirlpool appeared because of a thief who stole something from God, but, aaaah!
- Can't he tell it later?
— That would be nice.
The boat tilted to the side. Cale swallowed as he saw water sloshing over the side of the boat.
- Aigoo, the boat is almost capsized. Hey, buddy, row properly!
- Sorry, dad!
The fishermen, father and son, were a truly courageous duo.
- That's why, Young Master-nim.
— Hey.
Finally, Cale raised his hand to stop the old man and spoke sternly himself:
- Let's talk after we get to that island.
- That's what Lady Amiru said! We're almost there.
"The young master is the bastion of sanity in this boat," Rosalyn folded her hands in a prayerful gesture, remembering the nerves of those people who did not shut the fisherman up, like Cale had just now.
Cale watched each of the whirlpools they passed through.
"All the wind currents were ejected by the Sound of the Wind."
The Ancient Power was called the "Sound of the Wind", it created wind that reached its peak power and spun as much as the Ancient Power could allow. And over time, one whirlpool gave birth to other whirlpools, which led to the many whirlpools that exist today.
- So, not all whirlpools are created by the Ancient Power. They are the result of a chain reaction.
— Seeing their number and power, it's a little calming, to be honest.
- Right. Just imagine dozens of vortices, as powerful as in that cave.
- Horror.
This essentially meaningless conversation continued in an attempt to distract oneself from the suffering face of the vice-captain. Just looking at him, half of those present began to feel seasick.
Finally the boat reached the island, and Cale felt the ground beneath his feet again.
- We have arrived. It was easier than usual.
Everyone swallowed.
And what is usually like?
The fisherman's son nodded at his father's words. Cale looked past them and saw the vice-captain leaning over.
— Baaaarhff!
Everyone grimaced. It was disgusting. I felt really sorry for the vice-captain. After the trip there and back, he would probably need a couple of days just to recover.
Cale tapped Bikros' arm as he passed him and pointed at the vice-captain. Bikros frowned before pulling a pair of white gloves from his pocket and putting them on before walking towards the vice-captain.
Cale flinched slightly when he saw the white gloves.
"Aren't these the same gloves he uses for torture to keep his hands clean?"
Bikros seemed to have an endless supply of these white gloves.
Everyone looked at Bikros.
Without changing his expression, he took the desired pair of gloves out of his pocket.
Everyone turned back.
Don't. Mess. With. The. Mentally Ill.
Everyone remembered Cale's holy covenant. In fact, it became the second unspoken rule of the Black Room. And the third, overall.
Having discovered the existence of these white gloves for the first time, Cale stopped looking at Bikros and the vice-captain and looked around the island.
"We understand you!"
- Grandfather.
- Yes, Young Master-nim.
— Continue your story about the thief.
The old man stopped watching his son drop anchor from the boat and pointed out the path they had taken to get here. He pointed to a large whirlpool in front of this island.
— Once upon a time there was a thief who was the fastest of all. His steps were so light and careful that he could supposedly walk on water without causing the slightest ripple.
This time, Alberu didn't write down the legend. It was common enough among the locals that he could ask if he needed to. So he decided to relax a bit and listen.
Placing the papers on the table, he returned to leisurely stroking the dragon baby. It was very relaxing.
And the child didn't complain at all.
It was indeed the Sound of the Wind. Of course, talking about the possibility of walking on water was an exaggeration.
— In any case, the thief supposedly stole something belonging to God. Legend has it that the thief jumped off the Cliff of the Winds with the stolen items. You know what that cliff is, right? That's how God's items and the thief disappeared from the world, and the whirlpools were created.
"It seems that in Ancient times God was not very popular," said Rosalyn, scratching her forehead with her finger, "the priestess was always complaining, the crybaby had problems with him too. Now they've robbed us too."
Apparently, God really was so-so.
Eruhaben was watching the ceiling at this moment. The Death God had been silent for some time. But at the mention of the God from Ancient Times, a small wave passed through him. Very weak, but it was there.
Were you acquainted? Do gods even know each other?
The old man smiled incredibly tenderly, crossing his wrinkled arms over his chest.
- That's why there were sacrifices in the past when people tried to get the object of God.
- Not anymore?
— If this really was God's item, why does this God bother us humans instead of just taking his item?
The Ancient Dragon had a feeling that it didn't work that way. But it's hard to blame ordinary people for not knowing such subtleties. They don't need them for a peaceful life.
Cale agreed with the old man.
It was not a divine object. It was the power of man. That is why God did not seek to take it.
- Then I'll take a look around the island now.
- Yes, sir. I will be here waiting for you.
The old man walked towards his son when the vice-captain jumped up.
- Young Master-nim, me too, ugh...
Then he bent down again.
"The vice-captain is quite nice. And so responsible," Vitira found another nice creature among the Hanityuz servants.
"The way he's wary of any mention of alcohol by Cale, but so sincerely wants to go with him to explore the island when he himself can't stand up, is truly touching," agreed the Whale Princess's red-haired friend.
Cale clicked his tongue and gestured for Bikros to come over. As soon as Bikros approached, Cale whispered in his ear:
- Since you're Ron's son, I'm sure you're crazy too.
- In.. What do you mean?
"This servant is upset, Young Master," and after a second of thought, the upset man continued, "slightly."
Cale patted the slightly nervous Bikros on the shoulder and continued speaking:
- You need to keep the vice-captain here.
— … Will everything be okay with you?
- What could be dangerous here? I also have that shield.
- Please be careful.
- So neither Bikros, nor, most likely, Mr. Ron, know about the presence of Dragon-nim?
- It looks like it.
Bikros agreed to follow Cale's orders without much trouble. That's why Cale brought the chef with him. He needed someone in his entourage who was strong enough but didn't feel the need to protect him. It also needed to be someone he could command.
"The poor guy knows how to pick people for missions, there's nothing to say." In Cale's situation, that was the perfect choice. Choi Han would have been even better.
Although, if you remember the lecture beforehand... Maybe not...
That's why Bikros was the perfect choice.
- I'll be back soon.
Cale headed into the forest in the center of the island.
- Please activate the shield if you find yourself in danger.
- Young Master-nim, I'll follow you straight away, ugh!
"I think Hilsman will soon catch up with Deputy Butler Hans and Young Master Eric," Vitira reviewed her list of cute personalities.
"If he survives the journey to the mainland," Rosalyn decided to clarify this point.
- But, in any case, we will remember his determination forever.
Cale only half listened to Bikros and the vice-captain as he headed into the forest. Then he spoke softly once he was far enough away from the others.
- What do you think?
The Black Dragon immediately responded:
- As you mentioned, there is something under that whirlpool near the island. It was similar to the power of that cave from last time.
Cale walked into the forest leisurely. There was no reason to look inside. He really just came here to get the power from the bottom of the whirlpool.
— I need to learn a little about the area before we come back here tonight.
— Setting off an explosion in the middle of the day is really not the best idea.
— Especially in light of recent events.
Cale asked one more thing.
- There's no one here, right?
- Nobody.
There was no one on the island except for Cale's group. The young man finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was worried about the pod of Whales he had seen yesterday.
- But there is a corpse.
- What?
- What?
- Poor bastard... So much for surveying the area...