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Chapter Text

“Young master, are you inside the bathroom?”

Kim Rok Soo could hear the vicious old butler’s voice outside the door. He should panic, but his brain was too calm. He woke up as a side character in a novel that he binge-read before he fell asleep. Then to confirm his situation, he sent the butler away and went to check his current body inside the bathroom.

His black hair and average face turned into a devilishly handsome man with dark red hair. Unexpectedly, this body, Cale Henituse’s body was pretty fit for a person famous for being trash. More unexpectedly, Cale Henituse’s arms were covered in scars. Not the kind of scars that Kim Rok Soo had because he was fighting for his life for more than tens of years. But the kind of scars that obviously self-made.

‘Cale Henituse in the book only appeared for a few sentences in volume one. I don’t know what happened to him after he was beaten to a pulp. But…’

This Cale Henituse didn’t have the scar he received from trashing around a few days before his encounter with the main character of the novel.

‘Then these scars on his arms couldn’t be Choi Han’s doing. No matter how I looked at it, it looked self-made. The book didn’t say that Cale Henituse was this type of character? And this one…’

Kim Rok Soo touched the side of his neck. An ugly yet faint scar around the side of his neck was the most concerning thing.

‘This is serious, it looked like someone slashed his neck with a knife. Either the cut was shallow, or the power used to heal him was tremendous.’

“Something like this—,” Kim Rok Soo closed his mouth and recalled every single detail about Cale Henituse in the book.

To Kim Rok Soo, Cale Henituse was an interesting character. He was famous for being trash, but the level of chaos was…mild? He was an alcoholic who break things around him, but he only assault thugs and problematic people. He avoided his stepmother and stepsiblings but listened to his father to a degree. There was also how he had zero malicious rumors with women because everyone tried to avoid him.

“So what did this trash do, for someone to hold so much grudge against him?”

“Young master?”

“Yes. I’ll be right out,” Kim Rok Soo frowned at his own answer and pushed aside the problem with Cale Henituse’s body. First thing, he needed to push that old man to the main character and send him away. Currently, Ron was the most dangerous thing around him right now. Furthermore, Kim Rok Soo had doubts about Cale Henituse’s scars.

‘There is no way that an assassin master wouldn’t notice these things. Either Ron was behind Cale Henituse’s condition, or the butler simply didn’t care whether this young master die or not. Considering the novel’s plot, it should be the later.’

In the novel, Ron and his son left with the main character after Cale Henituse was beaten to a pulp. Even though Ron was someone who stayed with Cale Henituse the longest, the ex-assassin was also the one who left in cold blood. He was smiling gently, but there was not an ounce of care for Cale Henituse on the inside.

Kim Rok Soo must avoid the beating part, but still push Ron and his son to the main character.

‘There are too many strong people here. At least, I need the strength to protect myself.’

Chapter Text

“You can’t call your father, ‘father’. You can’t call your brother, ‘brother’,” Cale made eye contact with Billos for a bit. Then he broke the silence and started to smile as he asked. “Are you going to keep being the bastard? Are you satisfied with that?”

Cale leaned back on the chair and continued on, “I know you’re not. I’ve acted like trash for about ten years since I started when I was 8.”

‘Wow. Now that I think about it, Cale Henituse has been doing trashy things since he was 8 years old. He started drinking when he was 15. What a guy.’ Cale glanced at his wrist that was neatly hidden.

‘The book didn’t say anything about these scars. But when you think about this guy’s background, it kind of made sense? The problem is who else knew about it? Although the Count assigned Hans to me, only Ron was allowed to tend me in private. Apparently, it was something that Cale Henituse wanted when he was younger.’

At that moment, a small noise cut through the rain to reach Cale and Billos. It was the sound of someone coming up the stairs. It was Choi Han, behind him was Ron. Cale’s gaze returned to Billos.

“Billos. It’s okay to throw away something you’ve been doing for around ten years,” Cale’s eyes brighten as he continued. “I can’t live as a trash forever.”

‘If I continue Cale Henituse’s trashy act, I’m afraid that Choi Han will beat me. Anyway, Billos should know about the scar around my neck. The problem is how to ask him.’

“Tsk. I guess even dislike creates affection,” Ron murmured low as he watched his young master walk ahead.

“I don’t want my dislike of you to turn into affection,” Choi Han replied quickly.

The butler let out a sigh after seeing that the clueless Choi Han had misunderstood. “Not you, punk,” he retorted as his gaze was on Cale.

‘Wouldn’t it be appropriate for me to make sure our puppy young master arrives at the capital safely before I leave as my final duty?’ since Ron was planning on heading to the capital anyway. He had been thinking about leaving ever since Choi Han came out from the Forest of Darkness and entered the city with that murderous aura around him.

Cale was someone he looked after more than his own son, Beacrox who now worked as a chef in the Henituse mansion. Ron knew very well about the terrible things Cale has done, and the terrible personality that puppy young master had. However, he also knew things that other people don’t. Even things that Cale’s father, Count Deruth Henituse didn’t know.

Ron remembered how the young Cale had consoled his father when his mother died suddenly. He saw how Cale hated his stepmother, Countess Violan, and her family, but never caused a ruckus with them even when he was drunk.

‘But he definitely is still trash, tsk.’

The fearless puppy young master still has that faint smell of blood on him. He recalled when he first caught that scent. The first-time young Cale broke a bottle of wine after he drank it all, the boy slashed his own wrist with the shard in front of Ron like it was nothing. Blood poured out from that fragile wrist like a small fountain, and the reason Ron didn't lose his calm was because of his immunity to death and blood.

“Go on, tell my father about it. But by the time he arrived, I would be long dead. What do you think, Ron?”

The ex-assassin held no feeling for Cale whatsoever. However, he thought that it would be a shame if the young puppy that he raised wasted away like that.

18 years. Ron had watched over Cale for too long.

Chapter Text

“Father, it looks like the number of people in the envoy has grown again. I asked you to reduce the number.”

Deruth blinked several times before answering, “ah, about that…” He stopped his sentence and glanced to the side. At that moment, someone else’s voice interjected itself into their conversation.

“That was my decision,” the count’s wife, Violan spoke up. She looked so similar to her son, Basen, that the way they both didn’t make eye contact with Cale and had a stoic expression was exactly the same.

“We can’t have someone from our family looking poor and terrible just because you want to go with such a small envoy,” it was an extremely stoic face. Violan lifted her gaze in Cale direction, and he caught the small second where her eyes lingered on his neck. Specifically, on the covered knife scar around the side of his neck.

“…I am not saying you are terrible,” she continued on.

“Even I know that much,” Cale responded almost immediately. His mind wandered to the mysterious scar around his neck. The countess’ action just now was tickling at the back of his mind.

‘Her reaction meant that the incident should happen after she married the count. Was she somehow involved? According to the novel, Violan wasn’t someone who schemed against others. And it’s not like she disliked this trash son, she just found him difficult to handle.’

“People, especially nobles, care a lot about appearances,” the countess tipped her glass of wine as she spoke coldly. Although she knew that Cale was silently observing her, she continued on without a single change in her expression. “Art is not for those human tras—mm. Anyways, there are a lot of people who think that appearances reveal everything about a person.”

That was her way of telling Cale to take a lot of servants with him. Her goal was for Cale to not be judged negatively just because he only took a few servants with him. Naturally, Cale wanted to take a lot of people to do his biddings for him as well.

‘How nice and relaxing would it be?’

‘How odd.’

15 soldiers, 10 knights, and one special guard. Not counting the experts hiding as servants around him, like Ron and his son, Beacrox. Although the countess agreed to reduce the number of the envoy, she only reduced the number of servants in the end. In fact, compared to yesterday, the headcount of the knights seemed to go up.

“Cale-nim,” Choi Han approached him as he was about to board the carriage.

“What?”

“Is it okay for me to not be in the same carriage protecting you?” Choi Han’s eyes were calm as he asked in a rush.

On the other hand, Cale’s expression turned like he had eaten some bitter persimmon. “…Is there…”

‘Is there a reason to do that?’ that was what Cale’s expression said, and Choi Han didn’t say anything else. The swordmaster nodded and walked away calmly.

‘It’s really weird.’ Choi Han’s eyes were still not very clear, but he felt a little different than before. He wasn’t in complete despair like in the novel.

‘He recovered pretty quickly.’

“Young master, it looks like we will need to take a break. There seem to be quite a lot of rabbits here.” Ron tilted his head and then went, ‘Ah!’ before smiling and adding on. “Ah, this rabbit is different from the rabbit I was going to catch for you, young master. Of course, these rabbits will not be caught by me but by other people.”

‘How vicious,’ Cale was being protected by someone who was scarier than the bandits. He listened to the sound of the bandits’ screams coming from outside the carriage, as he started to calculate the time.

‘Hm?’ a weird feeling tickled his brain and Cale quickly looked out of the carriage. The scenery outside was pretty gruesome as he watched Choi Han slash the bandit one after another as if they were paper. The redhead squinted his eyes as the swordmaster slashed another bandit across his neck.

‘That’s right. It’s really weird, after all,’ his hand flew toward the hidden scar around his neck. ‘That bandit,’ he glanced at the body of the bandit nearest to the carriage. ‘Even that one,’ Cale glanced at another body, then another. All of them had their neck slashed with either swords or daggers.

“Young master?” Hans called quietly, but Cale ignored him to continue watching the massacre outside.

‘It’s not the same at all,’ Cale put down his hand. The shape, length, depth, and angle of his scar and those bandits were too different.

Kim Rok Soo wasn’t a stranger with injuries. His body was colored with all types of battle scars. But all of it was something he received, either from his enemies or the result of his abilities. That’s why it didn’t dawn on him at first.

Cale crossed his arms and glanced at the cat siblings from the corner of his eyes. When they noticed his gaze, the redhead looked away and quietly frowned.

‘It might be a problem?’ that the hidden scar around his neck might be the proof of Cale Henituse’s suicide attempt.

“Are you feeling unwell?” Choi Han approached him after he finished his rabbit meat soup.

“No, nothing like that,” Cale looked toward Choi Han and waved his hand to tell Choi Hand to not mind him.

‘I would have no issues if you caught anything other than rabbits.’

However, Choi Han continued to look toward Cale with a serious gaze.

“What are you looking at?” Cale held back another sigh and considered throwing the rabbit meat soup away. But he couldn’t do that with Ron and Beacrox here.

“…Was that your first time experiencing a battle?” Choi Han asked with a serious expression.

“What battle? You mean with the bandits earlier?”

“Yes.”

“Of course. I’ve never seen so many bandits before,” even in his original world, that was quite a rare scene.

“I see,” Choi Han nodded his head and quietly mumbled to himself. “…Must have been your first time facing potential death,” the swordmaster nodded to himself as if he just realized something big.

“Ha!” one of the soldiers flinched and let out a gasp.

Cale started to think about all of the nervous moments he has had since they left the Henituse territory. Ron’s smile as Choi Han brought back the rabbits, the sight of Beacrox sharpening his cooking knife, and Choi Han’s murderous aura.

‘Now I really have no appetite.’ The spoon in Cale’s hand fell onto the soup bowl with a loud clang. He had lost all of his appetites. That was why he didn’t realize that the soldiers were looking at him with an unnatural gaze.

“Cale-nim.”

‘Why does he keep talking to me?’

“The first time is always difficult to handle,” Choi Han had a slight smile on his face before it returned to his normally stoic expression.

“What are you talking about?” Cale stoically asked back.

“Cale-nim, do you not study any martial arts?” the gaze in the sword master’s eyes was extremely serious.

“No need,” Cale crossed his arms and leaned back on his chair.

“Shouldn’t you at least have the strength to protect yourself?” there was concern in that seriousness. Cale wondered why Choi Han was suddenly becoming so serious but decided to answer the question anyway.

“I have plenty of ways already,” he turned to look at the knights and found them staring back at him with an unreadable expression. Even Ron was looking back with a frown, his usual benign smile was gone.

‘Hm?’

After he finished his meal, Cale returned to his carriage and stayed inside for the rest of their break. Ron gazed coldly at the carriage from the outside. He turned toward the forest and approached Choi Han who was training by himself.

“What?” the swordmaster threw out without pause.

Ron took out a dagger from somewhere and pointed it toward the mysterious boy in front of him. “Don’t be meddlesome, you punk.”

Choi Han stopped and turned to stare at the old butler. “Are you talking about Cale-nim?” he knew there was something weird about the way the knights and servants acted around the nobleman. He had heard about the rumor of the count’s trash for a son. However, while some were wary and scared of the boy, some of them were looking at the boy with pitiful gazes.

Just like the countess that he saw for a slight moment before they departed from the Henituse mansion. She stared at Cale with a profound gaze. Choi Han also heard about how the countess and her children avoided the firstborn of Henituse county, but the way he looked at it, the rumor was not true.

“I don’t know what’s your intention for our young master,” Ron lowered the dagger and glowered at the swordmaster. “But keep your tongue under a tight grip or I will make sure you won’t get to wag it around anymore,” the old butler flashed forward in a blink.

Choi Han frowned and quickly raised his sword. Their blades clashed but the forest muffled the sounds.

Chapter Text

“Let me explain one more time. There is one high-leveled knight and two mid-leveled knights at the cave entrance, as well as two soldiers. Inside the cave, there is just one high-leveled knight, and the torturer is at the end of the cave.”

Choi Han flinched after hearing the word torturer, but Cale did not care. The important thing was that the black orb will activate soon and that they needed to move quickly in response.

“I just need to take out the guards?”

Naturally, Choi Han would be doing the battling. Why would Cale even try to fight when such a strong person was next to him? Cale thought papercuts hurt a lot, so he didn’t want to even think about getting cut by a sword.

“Yes. You are the only one I can rely on to cover my back.”

‘At least for now.’ Cale looked at Choi Han with a serious expression.

The swordmaster stared at Cale with his natural stoic face. When he left Cale’s room after he helped the drunk man, Ron whispered something to him in secret.

‘Don’t let the young master touch any sharp weapon.’

Choi Han nodded his head and sincerely responded back, “I will definitely live up to your expectations.”

“Hey,” Cale made sure the dragon was looking at him, then took out a pair of gloves and some scissors-shaped cutting tool. There were a lot of magic seals on both of the blades for cutting. He then put on electricity-resistant gloves.

Cale was thinking about the conversation he had with Billos, before realizing that his surroundings suddenly became extremely quiet. Choi Han was looking at the cutter with chaotic eyes, while the kitten siblings had moved away from Cale and were hiding behind Choi Han.

“Tsk,” he grabbed the dragon’s neck.

The kittens took in a deep breath while Choi Han had stopped breathing altogether. Cale ignored them as he continued onward. The cutter headed for the dragon’s neck. The sharp blade shone under the moonlight, and the dragon just focus on Cale’s eyes. Cale’s eyes were emotionless and peaceful.

The dragon closed its eyes. At that moment, they all heard the snapping noise followed by electrical buzz noises. The dragon opened its eyes back to look at Cale.

“What are you looking at?” Cale scoffed at the dragon and took off one of the gloves and handed it to Choi Han. Then he took out the potion out of his pocket. It was a highest-grade potion. Even this cost quite a bit to purchase. It made Cale feel bad for asking for an allowance the last few days before he left. Cale clicked his tongue and sharply stared at the dragon.

“Do you know how much money I spent on you? Since I spent so much money on you, you better heal properly, you stupid fool.” Cale poured about half of the potion onto the dragon’s back and poured the rest into its mouth. All of the injuries on the dragon’s body instantly disappeared, and something that resembles mana surrounded its body like the wind.

‘It really was a dragon,’ this change that occurred in an instant made Cale think about just how scary and powerful of existence dragons really were in this world.

‘That aside, the price for this highest-grade potion seemed right,’ all of the dragon’s injuries disappeared without leaving behind a single scar. ‘If that’s the case, then how come this scar...’ his hand unconsciously touched his covered neck. ‘Was that healing ability due to the dragon’s mana and not the potion?’

He did not notice Choi Han’s observant gaze.

Chapter Text

When Cale woke up around lunchtime the next day, Ron had already left early in the morning on his break. Thanks to that, deputy butler Hans became responsible for serving Cale. Choi Han had been standing outside the door since early this morning. Cale was staring at Choi Han while wondering what was going on, and the swordmaster answered without even needing to be asked.

“Mr. Ron asked me to protect you.”

‘What was Ron thinking?’ Cale let out a deep sigh and drank the lemonade that Hans offered. It was better than cold water to wake him up and settle his stomach.

Choi Han watched Hans and Cale from outside the chamber door as he recalled his conversation with Ron the night before.

"You’re going somewhere?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Nothing a kid like you need to know about."

"Did you come to talk to me for Cale-nim?"

"You figure it out."

"Does the thing you said before still stand?"

"Yes."

That was what Ron said before leaving early this morning. Choi Han saw the assassin Ron instead of the servant Ron when the old butler walked out of the residence.

‘Don’t let the young master touch any sharp weapon.’

‘Was that supposed to be a warning, or—’

“Go and work.”

Choi Han blankly stared at Cale. The redhead pointed to the beer bar that was famous for its beer and continued on.

“I will be waiting for you here. Just look around until about 11 before coming back for today.”

Choi Han thought for a moment, before letting out sigh-like laughter and nodded.

“Got it. Today, the dragon and I will just look around the interior of the plaza before returning.” Choi Han had originally thought about asking why Cale was not going with them. However, he quickly realized it. Cale would only be baggage to them as they worked.

Cale was weak. There was not even a trace of mana coming from Cale’s body, nor did he look like he practiced any type of martial arts. He wasn’t even allowed to hold a weapon. He was plain, yet not plain at the same time.

Two hours later, Cale returned to the residence with Choi Han and the Black Dragon. They did not manage to find anything that night and the next night either.

Cale, who could not sleep at night, finally woke up in the middle of the day. He was not tired though, because the Vitality of the Heart made it difficult for Cale to feel tired.

‘Ancient powers are great,’ he rolled down his sleeve and stared at his scarred-filled wrist. ‘As expected, Vitality of the Heart couldn’t erase scars that existed before I took it. But that’s not a problem.’ Kim Rok Soo was someone who had more scars than Cale Henituse. He was used to hiding every part of his body to avoid people’s gaze.

“Young master, are you up?”

“…Ron,” Cale’s honey-like slumber disappeared like a dream, as he came back to reality.

“I have returned,” Ron was back. His eyes landed on Cale’s wrist then he handed a letter to Cale.

“Ron, go wrap up a bottle of the best wine.”

Ron nodded his head at Cale’s words but added one more thing before he left.

“I understand. By the way, young master, you do remember that you have to visit the palace the day after tomorrow, right?”

“Mm,” Cale grabbed the letter on the table and chucked it to a corner. It was a letter from Eric Wheelsman, one of the Northeastern nobles, who sent him a letter a day.

“Then I will make sure to have them wrap up a bottle of our best alcohol.”

“Good,” Cale then let out a small, ‘ah’, before he looked at the old butler. “Let Hans help you with my clothes, so you don’t need to ask Beacrox to help me when you’re away. He must be very busy in the kitchen.”

Beacrox came at lunch on the day Ron was away with a plate of juicy steak. When Cale thought he was only delivering his food, the chef announced that his father told him to take over his clothes and bath duty while the old butler was away. That gave Cale quite a fright.

However, that Ron asked his son to take over that duty instead of Hans meant that no one knew about the scars on his wrists. He considered between changing by himself or just revealing the scars. The former seemed to be more troublesome, so he decided to start by preparing Hans first. Since it won’t be long before he sent away Ron and Beacrox to Choi Han.

Ron stared at Cale with a frown. What was this puppy young master thinking? Come to think of it, it’s been a while since Cale’s last episode. Normally, the boy couldn’t go for more than a month without doing that. Ron believed that it won’t be that easy for Cale to stop without help.

“…Have you decided to speak with the count, young master?”

Cale pondered about the possibility of Hans telling the count about his scars. Of course, he knew that the count assigned the deputy butler to him as a means to spy on his son. But it would be better for Deruth to hear it from his own son himself.

That lies the problem. What could Cale explain when he himself knew nothing?

“Not yet,” Cale needed to figure things out first. That included the origin of the scar around his neck.

“Understood. This Ron will prepare Hans accordingly.”

‘Mm. What will happen to Hans?’

Ron’s benign smile made it hard for Cale to ask, thus he averted his eyes and pretended not to know anything.

“Sure, whatever.”

“Then I will make sure to have them wrap up a bottle of our best alcohol.”

“Good.”

Chapter Text

“What?”

“Who is that?”

“What is going on?”

The mumblings of the crowd started to get louder. King Zed looked behind him and then moved his gaze up the Bell Tower. Cale looked at the top of the Bell Tower and started to smile.

King Zed started to shout, “who are you?!”

The knights and mages headed to the Bell Tower. The citizens started to get nervous about what was going on.

‘I was worried this would be different than the novel as well.’

If Redika did not show up, he would have needed the Black Dragon to reverse the flow of mana coming to the mana bombs in order to locate the hidden Redika and allow Choi Han to kill him. Cale was relieved that he would not need to do that.

‘That must be it.’

Cale could see Choi Han ripping off the person’s necklace. At the same time, Cale’s body was jerked. Someone had pulled Cale’s arm.

“Cale!” It was Eric Wheelsman. When the redhead looked at him, Eric called his name more urgently.

Cale looked down towards the hand on his arm and frowned.

‘If Eric keeps pulling like this, they could accidentally see the inside of my sleeves.’

Cale looked toward Eric, Amiru, Gilbert, and Taylor. They had all quickly gathered around him. Eric was looking around with a chaotic expression on his face. Cale followed his lead and looked around as well.

It was a complete mess. Eric was frantically pacing around while also holding Cale’s arm, so the redhead put his hand on Eric’s shoulder to calm him down. He then held onto Eric’s shoulder tightly.

“Hyung-nim.”

“Ah.”

Cale continued to speak once the pain snapped Eric out of his chaotic state.

“Calm down.”

Eric calmed down after seeing Cale’s calm demeanor. He then looked around. The knights were fighting against these unknown assailants while the royal family was in the process of escaping. The citizens looked to be in a state of chaos. As Eric absorbed all of the events going on around him and turned back to look at Cale, the younger started to speak.

“That is more like you.”

“…Thank you. I feel like my head has cleared.”

“You can let me go now, hyung-nim.”

Eric looked down at his hand and quickly let go.

“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you, Cale?”

Cale shrugged his shoulders and turned away. Gilbert and Amiru had come back to their senses after hearing what Cale had said to Eric and were looking at Cale as well. Even if they tried to head for the noble’s exit gate right now, they would just be swept up in the chaos. The head families of the other regions were busy gathering their people and calming them down while trying to figure out a path of escape.

“Let’s go.”

After hearing Cale’s words, Eric nodded his head and led the Northeast nobles to the gate.

“Guess this one was a failure.”

Cale’s expression stiffened, ‘…, ‘this one’, was a failure?’

“Oh well then,” Redika shouted toward the king and the knights without caring about the fact that the mages used levitation magic to approach him. He snapped his fingers and two people appeared next to him.

Cale started to frown.

‘Those are the remaining bombs.’

“Go.” Redika gave the order and the two people, whose bodies were now burning, rushed toward the citizens below the Bell Tower. The two people, who had used acceleration magic, were rushing toward the plaza at a fast speed. One of the two rushed toward the royal family while the other…

‘He’s coming this way.’

All of this happened in less than 10 seconds. It was too late to dodge. You were not going to get out of the bomb’s range simply by running for a few seconds.

“C, Cale, let’s go!”

“Young master Cale, hurry!”

Eric, Taylor, Gilbert, and Amiru did not run away right away like the others. They were trying to save Cale as well. However, it was all too late.

Cale was extremely annoyed.

“…Sigh.” Cale let out a deep sigh and opened his palm up into the air. It was time to change plans. At the moment, Rosalyn, who was teleported through the Black Dragon’s magic, created a two-layer shield around herself and Cale.

At the same time, Redika shouted out with joy.

“Explode!”

“Huh?” Rosalyn had a blank expression as she stared at what was going on in front of her.

The suicide bomber who was headed their way was surrounded by large wings. A silver shield shot up the sky as if it was protecting the people in the plaza, and the wings of the shield surrounded the bomber. It looked like the shield and the wings were completely swallowing up the bomber.

A holy-looking person with a silver shield was standing underneath the sun. A strand of silver light connected the redhaired man with the shield in the sky.

And then the bomb went off.

“Young master Cale!” Rosalyn quickly started to support Cale back up. She looked back and forth between Cale and the silver shield that was slowly dissipating. Rosalyn grabbed onto Cale’s arm to keep him up and called out to him. Cale was standing there with his head down.

Her gaze drifted toward his hands, correctly at his wrist that was covered up. It was just a small and quick glimpse, but Rosalyn saw the underneath of Cale’s wrist when he was holding up his hands. She thought it must be her imagination.

“Young master Cale, are you okay?”

Cale tried to raise his head back up. He could hear the voices calling out to him getting closer, then he raised his head.

“Cale, are you okay?”

“I’m ok…cough!”

“B, blood…!” Eric’s face turned pale, and he almost fell backward.

“Young master Cale, we will call a priest over!”

“I will go with you!”

Amiru and Gilbert said that before rushing toward the priest. Meanwhile, Eric and Taylor were standing next to Cale and glared at the other Northeastern nobles nearby, as well as the other nobles from the other factions, to prevent them from approaching.

“…Young master Cale, are you okay?”

Cale nodded his head at Rosalyn’s question and wiped away the blood at the corner of his lips. “Yes. I am absolutely fine.” Cale’s movement seemed normal as he wiped away the blood that was as red as his hair. However, Rosalyn had just seen what Cale had done.

“…I really can’t figure you out,” she silently stared at Cale.

Chapter Text

“Y, young masteeeeeeer!” Hans looked like he wanted to cry. Cale put his hand up toward Hans, who looked like he was going to rush toward him.

“Stop.”

That made Hans stop, which gave Cale time to get up from the bed and start to speak to the others.

“Come on in.”

Cale had a conversation with Hans first. Hans checked Cale’s condition before reporting like normal as if the teary face from moments before had never existed in the first place. The report was as expected, Hans called count Deruth and also told everyone in the residence to keep silent about Rosalyn.

“Excuse me, young master.”

“What?”

“I did give a report, but I think you should contact home via a communication port in the near future. If you don’t, I believe master-nim will personally travel up here.”

His father, Count Deruth, would definitely do that. Cale was busy thinking about how he could take care of this situation without jeopardizing Basen’s position as the successor, so he just nodded his head. Hans got up after seeing Cale nod. He was a sharp one, but he didn’t leave right away like he usually does.

“Young master, I…I will do my best.”

Cale turned his head to look at Hans.

‘What is this about?’

“So, about that thing that Mr. Ron told me…I didn’t tell master-nim about it. Please rest assured. Then, I will go look for the caretaker of this palace to discuss a few things,” Hans bowed and quickly left the room.

‘Ah, so that’s what it was,’ Hans was talking about how he was now allowed to help Cale with clothes and bath duty along with Ron. Naturally, Ron must have told him about Cale’s scars although Cale had no idea how much was shared between the old butler and deputy butler.

‘But to think that Hans would keep it a secret from the count, it seemed like Ron must have done something scary.”

“Please wait in the carriage, I have something personal to talk with Cale,” Eric Wheelsman sent gilbert and Amiru out. The two shared a curious gaze but nodded and left politely. Cale was then left alone with Eric.

The redhead didn’t know what the other wanted to talk about, so he kept his gaze to the front. After a few seconds, Eric approached him, and his voice was solemn.

“…Cale, do you not care for this hyung anymore? Why do you keep being reckless?” Eric put a hand on the younger’s shoulder and leaned down.

“…Hyung-nim?” the grip on his shoulder wasn’t strong or painful, but the emotion reflected on Eric’s face was scaring him. The face of an adult holding back tears while looking down at him with sincere care was worse than Ron’s benign smile.

“…Will you let me check?” Eric sat on the bed next to Cale and asked solemnly. Cale thought he was talking about his hands, so he nodded and raised both hands. However, his eyes bulged out when Eric started unbuttoning the top of Cale’s shirt. He almost screamed in shock but remembered that Choi Han, Lock, and Rosalyn should be outside the door right now.

“Human, what is he doing? Are you hurt? Is he hurting you?”

“Nya~”

‘No, I’m fine!’

Cale turned his head in the opposite direction of Eric. The invisible Black Dragon and the kittens were watching them, and Cale was wondering if this scene was safe for children averaging seven years old.

“Ah!” Cale gasped and shivered when a cold hand touched the side of his neck. His body curled slightly, but Eric quickly supported his arm and stopped Cale from wriggling away.

“Nya!!” Hong gasped and stood quickly.

“Human!”

“Sorry, Cale,” Eric was quick to apologize, but his hand didn’t stop touching his scar.

‘You didn’t sound sorry at all!’

“Hyung-nim…” the scar was long healed although it was ugly to look at, thus the feather-like brushes were painless. But Eric’s touch was ticklish, and Cale couldn’t help the low sounds escaping his throat.

On sighed and used her paws to cover Hong’s eyes. She tried to use her tail to cover their youngest brother’s eyes, but he was too far from them.

For the four years old Black Dragon, the scene in front of him was something new. And that frightened him to the point where he screamed for Choi Han and Rosalyn.

“Choi Han! Rosalyn!”

The two barged in as soon as they heard the Black Dragon’s call. Rosalyn was the first to stand between the two noblemen, while Choi Han gripped his sword silently and stood by the doorway. Lock was standing behind Choi Han in shock.

From their viewpoint, Cale who was normally decent was almost stripped naked in front of the children and the nobleman, Eric, was touching him weirdly. The redhead's face was flushed and his body trembled as if he was scared. Eric was holding onto Cale's arm tightly like he was holding a prisoner while his other hand was grasping around the younger man's nape.

“Young master Cale!” she pushed Eric away and hid Cale behind her back.

“Ah,” Eric stumbled on his feet, and he looked confused. “I, I’m sorry. I was…” he looked between Rosalyn and Choi Han in bewilderment.

“Stop,” Cale said. He let out a sigh and glanced toward the invisible Black Dragon. Then he pulled on the back of Rosalyn’s shirt and nodded toward Choi Han. Rosalyn hesitated but stepped away.

“Hyung-nim, I’m sorry for making you worry,” Cale gave him a slight smile.

Hearing that, Eric shook his head and returned with his own smile. “Since I’m your hyung, it’s my duty to worry about you. I’m just glad that you’re getting better now. Then, I should leave now. Rest well, Cale.”

“Nya~”

“Did you call them?” Cale kicked the blanket away since it wasn’t comfortable to talk while pretending to be a patient. The Black Dragon removed his invisibility and floated to the bed.

“He hurt you!” the Dragon put a paw on Cale’s leg and huffed angrily.

“He hurt you?” Hong put his paw on Cale’s other leg while On simply shook her head.

“Cale-nim! Where did hurt you!?” Choi Han frantically rushed to Cale’s side followed by the shy Lock. Rosalyn silently put a soundproof barrier and also locked the door.

‘Aigoo, my head.’ Cale sighed and shook his head.

“Eric didn’t hurt me; he was just checking—” Cale’s voice was cut off by Choi Han’s scary gaze.

‘What now?!’

“Cale-nim…” Choi Han’s trembling but vicious gaze scared Cale so much that he flinched. “Cale-nim, what is that?” the sword master’s finger pointed to his neck. Cale then realized that he forgot to cover his neck because he was too distracted by their sudden intrusion.

‘Well, since it has come to this, might as well.’

“It’s an old scar.”

“How old is old, human?”

“Maybe older than you? I don’t remember,” Cale decided to headbutt this problem like this since he actually didn’t know anything. If they ask Ron later, I’ll just pretend not to know anything.

“You don’t…remember?” Rosalyn’s eyes were full of doubt. But Cale couldn’t just tell them that he truthfully and sincerely didn’t know what happened because it wasn’t written in the novel Birth of the Heroes.

‘Let’s avoid the troublesome route.’

“Yes,” Cale nodded then he continued, “maybe I fell down a tree or something.” As a swordmaster, it’s impossible for Choi Han to not recognize a scar made of a sharp weapon. But Cale was determined to play the innocent victim who knew nothing.

“Human, tell me which tree it was. I will burn it!” the Black Dragon growled. On the other side, the kittens shook their heads while muttering, ‘weak humans’, under their breaths.

‘Remind me how old are you again?’

“Does, does it still hurt, young master-nim?” Lock looked as if he was close to tears. Cale had no hobby of making children cry, so he shrugged nonchalantly.

“No, it was so long ago that I don’t even remember anymore. Although it looked like this, it actually healed well. Don’t worry about it,” to stop them from continuing, Cale buttoned up his shirt again under Choi Han’s vicious gaze.

‘Scary punk, can’t you stop looking?’

Now he was too scared to imagine their reactions if they found out about the scars on his wrists.

The four of them were still staring at him with two weirds and one scary look. Cale held back a sigh and repositioned himself on the bed.

“Now. You have something to tell me.”

Rosalyn, Choi Han, and Lock shared a look before the three moved. Choi Han presented the chair next to the bed to the mage while Lock stood behind a pillar.

Chapter Text

The night before Ron’s departure, Choi Han overheard him talking to Beacrox. He had no intention to eavesdrop, but when he realized they were talking about Cale, he can’t help it.

“…then for the cat tribe children…” Beacrox murmured something too low for Choi Han to hear even with his enhanced hearing.

“Just do as usual and you can order that punk around as well,” Ron easily caught Choi Han who was hiding behind the door. Since he was already found out, Choi Han walked into the room proudly. He also ignored Beacrox’s stare.

“Are you leaving again?” straight to the point, that’s Choi Han’s trait.

Ron chuckled at the punk who was caught being a naughty child but didn’t admit his fault. “Yes. The puppy young master granted me one year,” by that time, either he will die, or his enemies will. Choi Han didn’t ask for details, that’s just the kind of person he was. That’s why Ron decided he could ask the punk.

“Take care of him,” for the first time, Ron looked like a simple butler who was thinking about the young master he will leave behind. Choi Han wished he could answer positively. However, there was the problem with Rosalyn.

Rosalyn had to return to the Breck kingdom. However, since it was revealed that she was a mage of extraordinary talents, the class of the assassins sent after her will undoubtedly go up. That’s why she asked Choi Han and Lock to help her return. Even if she didn’t ask, Choi Han will help her no matter what.

But Choi Han never expected that Ron will be leaving as well. It was his fault that Cale was hurt in the plaza bomb terror incident. If he was faster, Cale wouldn’t have to step up and use his power. If he was stronger, that crazy mage wouldn’t have escaped with his life.

“I see,” Ron responded without hearing Choi Han’s answer. He looked to his son, who had a deep frown on his face.

“Beacrox.”

“I will take care of it, father.”

Choi Han flinched and gritted his teeth. He can’t go, not while Redika was alive. What if that crazy mage attack Cale while he was away? What if—

“Punk.”

Choi Han snapped out of his thought and stared at the old butler.

“Don’t show that face to our young master.”

‘That puppy’s heart was too weak. He was someone who easily get attached to something only to suffer in silence when he was thrown away in the end. From the beginning, the puppy shouldn’t have taken this punk in.’

“I wanted to protect Cale-nim,” Choi Han looked down in shame. He wanted and wanted, but he couldn’t decide at all. He was too weak.

“I don’t care what you wanted,” Beacrox suddenly said. He looked down at the row of knives in front of him. “What you wanted and what you needed are not important. For people like us,” them who lived in hiding while killing others, them who couldn’t escape from the scent of blood while pretending to be clean.

Them who only existed in the darkness of the world.

“We only have things that we must do.”

"Do you know, Ron? Mother said that I am special. That's why..."

“Cale-nim, if you think you see that mage bastard, please tell the dragon to kill him right away. All you have to tell him is to blow his head up so that he is not useless like me, who was only able to cut off an arm,” Choi Han was spewing vicious things from early in the morning.

Cale frowned and tried to speak. Choi Han was still going on about what Cale should do in order to stay alive without him. It was like listening to a documentary of a serial killer and his modus operandi. Choi Han was not a good influence around the children averaging seven years old.

“Cale-nim, your rate of survival goes up if you blast anything away in one hit and then run away. Also if you meet that Eric or whatever again, just kick him between his legs and—”

“Enough with the nonsense,” Cale stoically made Choi Han shut up. “Just make sure you don’t get hurt.”

“…Yes. I will make sure to do that,” the sword master’s innocent smile made the redhead uncomfortable. Cale nodded and quickly get onto the carriage.

‘Well, for Choi Han to get hurt, the sun must rise from the west first.’

Choi Han, Rosalyn, and Lock stared after the leaving carriage. They couldn’t get the image of the scar around Cale’s neck from their mind.

“Let’s not think about it for now. When we return…” when they return, Choi Han will stop being a coward. He must become stronger first.

“That’s right.” Rosalyn enjoyed the time that she was just a mage for young master Cale and the black dragon-nim. She must return their kindness and then, if she was allowed to stay next to them, she will not falter anymore. And then maybe one day, if young master Cale would open his heart to her, she will ask him about the things that she saw before.

“Mm!” Lock must become stronger, not only for his family, but also for those who were kind to him. ‘Young master-nim, I will definitely…!’

Chapter Text

“Please eat, young master Cale,” Maes, the twelve years old who was the eldest of the ten wolf children offered the plate with a wide smile.

“Thank…you?” the steak in front of him was cut neatly into small, bite sizes. In addition, knives were not presented to him. “This…” he looked up to Beacrox. The chef stared at him, there were serious bags under his eyes. Cale flinched and slowly looked down.

“Oh, please don’t be mad at uncle Beacrox, young master! We heard that you got hurt so I thought it would make it easier for you to eat!” Maes waved his arms around, and the other wolf children followed behind.

‘People will think that I lost my hand when I only coughed out a bit of blood.’

“Alright, thanks. It was a good decision to have you all help Beacrox in the kitchen,” he’ll just ignore it since it’s too troublesome to nitpick at the children. Besides, he wanted to avoid Beacrox’s gaze, thinking that the chef would come at him with his cooking knife after dumping the wolf children on the chef.

Beacrox was living as a clean and respectful chef right now. He couldn’t be cold to the wolf children. All he could do was glare at Cale every so often.

Cale picked up the fork and addressed Beacrox who was leaving.

“Can I get a knife?”

“No.” Beacrox’s eyes as he replied were scaring him, so Cale pretended to be busy with his fork.

“Oh, okay... Thanks for always giving me a delicious meal.”

“…Yes, sir.” Beacrox left the room and closed the door behind him. Cale looked at the door and started to speak.

“I don’t know why he is trying to do his dad’s job while his dad is gone. Even though I told Ron to leave everything to Hans,” there was no reason for Beacrox to bring the food to him. However, the chef was slowly doing Ron’s work at any chance he got. Sadly, this prevented Cale from being able to enjoy the gap left from Ron’s departure.

“He was so petty. Yesterday he watched me squirm while he helped me change. Today, he took away the steak knife.”

‘My poor life.’

Cale looked toward the corner of the room and continued speaking.

“Come eat.”

“Then, I will look around the island now.”

“Yes, sir. I will be waiting for you here,” the old man headed toward his son as the vice-captain jumped up.

“Young master-nim, me too, ugh,” the vice-captain curled back and flopped to the ground. Cale clicked his tongue and motioned for Beacrox to come over. Once he arrive, Cale whispered in the chef’s ear.

“Since you’re Ron’s son, I’m sure you are also not normal.”

“And?”

Cale patted the not even slightly nervous Beacrox’s shoulder and continued to speak.

“Hold the vice-captain here.”

“…Will you be okay on your own?”

“What could be dangerous over here? I also have my shield.”

Beacrox frowned and looked down, “did you bring a weapon with you?”

“I only need my shield. Or will you lend me your knife?”

“No. Please be safe.”

This was why Cale had brought Beacrox with him. he needed someone around him for the time being, someone who was strong, but did not feel extremely determined to protect him. It also had to be someone he could boss around. That was why Beacrox was perfect.

“I’ll be back soon.”

“Be free.”

A white wind surrounded Cale’s body and moved up to his head before starting to move downward. It would do this until it reached his feet before stopping there.

‘Hm?’

But the wind roamed around his heart instead. Cale’s heart suddenly started to beat wildly.

‘Urgh!’

His heart was beating so much that it hurt. Cale pounded his chest with his right hand as air bubbled came out of his mouth that forcefully opened because of the pain.

‘What is going on?’

Cale held back another moan and curled up his body. He felt suffocated, his throat was blocked by something and the scar around his neck burned. At that moment, the wind flashed, before instantly moving down to his feet and drawing an image on his ankle.

This whirlpool was silver in color. Once the image was completed, Cale could finally feel his heart calm down. The strange block and pain around his neck also disappeared.

'What was that?'

Chapter Text

“You came at the right time!”

“The butler has been banging on the door for a while!”

Cale could tell even without the kittens telling him. He could hear Hans’s voice outside the door. He sounded like he was ready to cry.

“Young master, I dare not enter because you said you’ll kill me if I wake you up. That is why I can only continue to bang on the door. Can you please open the door, young master?”

Cale threw the scuba suit into the Dragon's spatial bag, put on a bathrobe, and opened the door.

“What do you want?”

“Oh! Young master! …Were you washing?”

Cale swept back his wet hair and leisurely answered Hans’s question. “I couldn’t sleep, so I was sitting in the seawater bath.”

“Ah, you were in the bathroom,” Hans turned behind him and talked to someone that Cale missed when he opened the door. “Then we shouldn’t have to worry about our lives, since you were not sleeping.”

Cale stiffened when he saw Beacrox staring back at him with that usual cold gaze. He lowered his eyes and continued to speak with Hans.

“…I wonder.”

“I’m sorry, young master-nim,” Hans let out some fake coughs before inspecting Cale and starting to speak. “Are you hurt anywhere? It is quite a mess outside right now. There were a few loud explosions earlier. I believe something has happened out at sea.”

Cale looked out the window he entered through. The village was completely lit now, even though it was the middle of the night. He could also see some lights heading out the sea.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then you two can leave now.”

Hans respectfully bowed to Cale before quickly heading out. Beacrox was still standing still, but Cale ignored him. The redhead pretended that he saw nothing and closed the door behind him. However, a gloved hand roughly pushed the door before it close.

“Nya!!” Hong shouted as Beacrox barged into his master’s room rudely.

Cale’s eyes bulged out at the Chef’s rude action, and he took a few steps back. He didn’t know what Beacrox was thinking, and even with the Shield and Vitality of the Heart, he was still scared of this man.

‘Wh, what’s he doing?!’

Beacrox slammed the door shut behind him, and Cale felt like a trapped mouse.

“B, Beacrox…”

The Chef raised his head before he looked down on Cale and glowered menacingly.

“Young master, there is a scent of blood in the air.”

Cale’s eyes shook.

‘This vicious punk!’

“That’s strange, I didn’t smell anything.” He couldn’t just tell Beacrox that he was hiding a dying Whale in his room. Although he knew for sure that the Chef won’t say anything about it, Cale actually wanted to avoid Beacrox and the Whale’s meeting for a while.

The Chef continued to glare at the younger man. His eyes roamed around the young puppy’s wet figure, trying to find fault with him.

“Please excuse me,” he suddenly walked toward Cale still with that dangerous gaze.

Cale hurriedly stepped back but his space was limited. He soon bumped into something and Beacrox quickly caught his arm. The grip wasn't painful, but Cale's flimsy push did nothing to the Chef.

‘Did I enter the wrong book? Why do I feel as if I was a character in a horror movie?’

He glanced to the kittens for help. However, since Beacrox was the one who made their food, On and Hong pretended not to see anything. The Black Dragon wasn’t allowed to show himself or his power, so he just stared at the two blankly.

‘Traitors!’

While he was looking for an escape route, Beacrox pulled apart his bathrobe and exposed his bare chest. The chef’s eyes roamed around like a predator staring down at his prey.

‘W, what is going on?!’

To the side, On sighed and used her paws to cover Hong’s eyes.

Cale’s body stiffened because he was too scared to stop Beacrox. Thus, when the Chef groped his arms and turned his body around, he stood rigidly and just silently cursed inside his mind.

‘He can't be thinking of chopping my bodies!’

After what felt like an eternity, Beacrox nodded to himself and redo Cale’s bathrobe. The older man took a step back, and Cale finally found his courage. He crossed his arms and pretended to be angry.

“Are you done?”

“My apologies, young master,” Beacrox lowered his head and put his hands behind his back. “I will accept my punishment.”

Cale pretended that he wasn’t just spooked out of his mind and touched his temple as if he was really angry.

“What were you thinking?”

'Could be it...he wanted to sell my organs...’

Beacrox took a while to answer.

“My father…told me that seawater is not good for your body, young master.”

“Huh?” That answer was unexpected.

“Seawater could irritate your injuries if you soak in it for too long.”

“I see.” Cale nodded slowly.

‘That...actually made sense. But I wasn’t injured though? I’m actually healthy as an ox thanks to Vitality of the Heart.’

However, the story was that he was still recovering from overusing his power in the plaza bomb attack. So, he needed to play the part as long as he was in the Ubarr territory. Cale swept his hair and glanced at the kittens.

“As you see, I’m fine. Go to bed; you’ll be busy tomorrow.” He turned his back to the Chef calmly. He needed to kick Beacrox out now, since he had a dying Whale to care for.

“Young master, there is a scent of blood in the air.”

‘Haah.’ Cale sighed tiredly.

‘Why is this man as stubborn as his father?’

“Maybe it’s the sea. Who knows, maybe a mermaid died, and the sea carried its corpse over or something.”

“Human, did you forget? The corpses were on that island.”

“…I see. Then, excuse me.” Beacrox bowed and left quickly. Right before the door was closed, he looked at the kittens and nodded. On returned the gesture and the door closed with a click.

“I’m going to sleep. Be quiet on your way out,” Cale closed his eyes. He felt the bed dipped and a scaled tail grazed his hand. There was nothing he needed to worry about since the dragon was there. He fell asleep with a calm mind. 

After making sure that their human was fast asleep, On transformed into her human form. She ignored the Whale’s gaze and picked up the knife that Cale used on the mermaid’s arm.

“Sis?” Hong called her.

On smiled and shook her head, “I’ll be back soon. Go to sleep with Cale first.” She left the room and stealthily went to Beacrox’s room. She only knocked once before the door was open.

Beacrox frowned at the little girl holding a bloodied knife. He made sure that he confiscated all knives from Cale’s room, but the puppy still managed to smuggle one in the end. He took the knife from On and let out a sigh. The blood already dried.

On shook her head and spoke quietly.

“Cale saved someone with it.”

‘Ho.’ Beacrox’s eyes widened.

On didn’t wait for him; she turned back into a cat and ran back to Cale’s room.

Beacrox closed the door and put the bloodied knife on the chair. His cold gaze turned to his own row of knives lined up on the table.

‘Then, I just need to punish whoever let him keep that knife.’

Chapter Text

Cale’s family was naturally the first to greet him back home. His body was turned to the left and right against his will. Cale’s shoulders, arms, face, and both hands were thoroughly inspected. Cale just had a blank expression during the entire process.

“Looks like you don’t have any serious injuries,” Count Deruth inspected Cale for a long time before finally smiling in relief. Cale put on a soulless smile and fixed up his messed-up sleeves.

‘It was the right decision to have the Dragon cover my wrist with magic.’

There was one thing that Cale realized after coming to this world. The reason for the Count never scolded his trash son and kept up with whatever Cale did. Not only that, but Count Deruth also showered this trashy son with money despite everything.

‘What a weird father. I think that even if I punched the crown prince, Deruth will simply order Ron to clean everything up and praise me instead.’

Knowing the count’s personality, he predicted something like this might happen. Before he stepped out of the carriage, Cale had asked the Black Dragon to put disguise magic on both of his wrists. Of course, he didn’t tell or show the truth about his scars to the children. He lied that he accidentally bumped the table and bruises appeared on his arms.

“How is your condition? Are you tired?”

“I am fine.”

“It is a letter from my father.”

“Ah, Ron.”

“He told me it was a report.”

Cale could see that the letter was not open. Although Ron had sent a letter through Hans when he had left, it seemed like he was now going to make his reports through his son.

“Great. Thanks.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I set it up so Maes and the rest of the Wolf children will help out with the kitchen and serving,”

Beacrox’s shoulders flinched, but he managed to recover after a few seconds of silence.

“…I understand,” he seemed to be very weak while walking away, but Beacrox was doing a good job with the wolf children so far.

Besides, Cale was also using it as punishment for what happened before.

‘Having power is great.’

“You want to go to the Harris Village?”

“Yes.”

Cale nodded his head at Count Deruth’s question. He had told his father about both the ancient power and Harris Village. However, Count Deruth was focused on Harris village.

Deruth looked down at the ‘Harris Village Incident Report’, in Cale’s hands before looking up at his son. Cale’s gaze looked serious. He really meant it.

“…Is it because you are concerned about that young man named Choi Han?”

“I guess you could call it that,” Cale nodded at Deruth’s words. That was the only excuse he could give anyways.

Count Deruth lowered his head and frowned deeply. He thought of how his son changed since he brought Choi Han to their place. Cale was definitely brighter than before, he also stopped thrashing around and stopped drinking all day. And from Hans’s report, Cale finally opened his heart and allowed someone other than Ron to serve him.

‘To think that a stranger was the one who helped Cale, I can't help feeling bitter.’

Finally, Count Deruth started to speak.

“There are still soldiers in Harris Village, so it should be safe. You have to take care of the people you have taken in.”

Cale slowly shook his head, “Choi Han is not my subordinate.”

Deruth smiled at his son before nodding his head, “sure. Whatever you say. You are all grown up now.”

“Of course. I am 18 years old.”

Deruth sighed and smiled softly, “you grew up so fat. Alright, you can go now.”

Cale bowed to his father before turning around to head to the door. He could hear Count Deruth’s voice behind him.

“Cale,” Deruth continued to speak as Cale turned back around. “The golden turtle has not always been our family crest. We are a family of warriors who are sworn to protect our family and anything else.”

The two of them made eye contact.

“We protect everything with our strong shell. However, you must remember that the most important thing is to protect yourself. That is why we are a turtle. That is why you should always remember to put yourself first.”

He then smiled gently and added,” the ancient power you have earned is very cool.”

Cale smiled similarly to Count Deruth, as he jokingly answered.

“Isn’t it? It is a very cool power. Oh, and I always put my own safety first.”

“Good. Then I’m glad.”

Cale observed Deruth nod his head and look back down at the report on the desk before heading out of the office.

Click.

“Cale! Cale!” Deruth and Violan called him with desperation, they didn’t dare to shake Cale’s body. Their son was lying on a pool of his own blood, and Cale’s face was getting paler.

“F, father…” Cale’s voice was weak. Blood continued to gush out of the wound around his neck.

“Get the healer! Hurry!” Violan’s voice was unnaturally shaking, her usually cool and calm self was unseen.

“H, hyung-nim?” Basen was standing by the door; his body shook as he took in the sight of his bloodied brother laying down on the floor.

“Cale!” Deruth put his hand over the wound to stop the blood from flowing out. Violan was still shouting in the background.

Cale’s voice became softer, and the blood continued to flow despite Deruth’s attempt.

“Mo…ther…”

Deruth took a deep breath and shook the image out of his mind. He tried to remember Cale’s smile while he was eating. Healthy and well. That’s how his children should be. He won’t forgive anyone that hurt his son.

Chapter Text

“We will be going right away once you get back from the village, so pack your bags.”

“Yes, sir,” Choi Han had a refreshing smile on his face. However, that smile quickly disappeared as he turned the doorknob. He continued to speak as the door opened.

“His name was Bob?”

“How do you know about Bob?” It’s been a while since Cale heard of Toonka’s alias, Bob.

‘Did Hans tell him about Toonka?’

Cale looked toward Choi Han with curiosity, but he could only see Choi Han’s back as he stood at the door. The sword master’s unique calm and sincere voice continued to flow.

“Mr. Beacrox told me that he almost made you get hurt.”

‘Why would Beacrox say something like that?’

Cale recalled the incident and responded back.

“Hurt? I didn’t get hurt. I just got poured on by water and boulder dust.”

“…I understand.”

Choi Han did not say anything else as he walked out of the study.

“Huh? You wanted to know why the young master is banned from sharp weapons?” Hillsman almost dropped his sword in shock. Apparently, it never crossed his mind that Choi Han would be curious about that.

The vice-captain looked away and mumbled something under his breath. Unbeknownst to him, Choi Han had enhanced hearing thus he could hear everything.

‘How do I tell him…’ was what Hillsman said to himself.

“It’s okay if you can’t tell me.”

“Well…” Hillsman grimaced but continued to speak. “Young master had an accident with a knife before. It was really bad. But young master doesn’t remember what happened that day, so you can’t ask him about it. The Count and Countess also banned everyone from talking about it. Some servants who wanted to profit from it was…you know.”

“I will be visiting the Whipper Kingdom for a bit.”

The spoon in the hand of his youngest sister, Lily, fell to the ground. Cale turned to look at Lily after hearing the noise only to see Lily with a pale face and the corners of the lips shaking.

“My teacher said,” Lily didn’t even think about picking up the spoon as she continued to mumble. “The Whipper Kingdom is very scary right now and people die every day. The nobles have to hide and it is even hard to eat yummy food! You can’t even sleep in peace! That is what my teacher said!”

Her emotions seemed to be getting stronger as she continued to speak. She then started to frown after looking toward Cale.

“You are not allowed to do that.” Count Deruth cut Lily off and sternly answered.

Cale looked toward Deruth with confusion. The crown prince had promised assistance during his travel to the Whipper Kingdom so that he could safely and stealthily get there.

“Father, it is an order from his highness, the crown prince.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

The good-natured and average-looking Count Deruth’s face was extremely scrunched up in a frown. Cale looked around to Basen, who was stiff like time had frozen and then to the only person who looked calm, Violan.

“Is this your own decision?”

“Yes. I wish to go.”

“Cale.”

“Yes?”

Violan put her spoon down and continued to speak, “you know it is dangerous over there?”

“Yes,” Cale lightly agreed.

“Cale, just remember one thing. I am always worried about you, my son. We all worry about you. However,” Violan’s gaze suddenly turned sharp. “We don’t care about this kingdom at all.”

Deruth stopped frowning and let out a fake cough, “ahem, wife, we need the kingdom to be safe for our family to be safe as well.”

However, Violan ignored him and continued to ask Cale.

“Is this your decision?” Violan asked the same question once more and Cale opened his mouth to respond. But he was cut off by Lily’s objection.

“No! Oraboni can’t go! Oraboni will get hurt like before, he will—!”

“Lily!” Basen’s sudden scream shocked everyone, including Cale.

The youngest sister lowered her head and said nothing else. Basen also didn’t speak anymore after his sudden burst. Cale let out a sigh before finally responding back.

“I’m a Golden Turtle. It is most important for me to use my sturdy shell to protect myself. I am a Henituse after all.”

While the others were preparing for his departure, Cale was lazily eating fruits in his room. He remembered Lily’s words and pondered about it for a while.

“Oraboni will get hurt like before, he will—”

“Lily!”

‘So even Lily and Basen knew about it. It must be quite a big incident. Well, it’s not every day that a count’s firstborn tried to commit suicide.’

Cale looked to the bed where the three children averaging seven years old were happily whispering to themselves. He didn’t plan to tell them about his scars, but they found out about the one around his neck on accident. Fortunately, he managed to fool all of them. Although he wasn’t confident that he could lie about the scars on his wrists.

‘I can’t let them know about it.’

Cale needed to find a way to erase these scars completely. He can’t always make the children leave the room when he was changing. Raon already complained once, so Cale can’t be sure that the children will always listen to him.

‘Aigoo. Why do I have to work hard for something I didn't do in the first place.'

Chapter Text

“It’s hot.”

Cale took off his raincoat and jacket. After taking off the simple, yet luxurious jacket that made it obvious that he was a noble, he unbuttoned the sleeves of his white shirt.

‘Wait, I can’t do that.’

Cale finally remembered the scars and rebuttoned his sleeves. He let out a sigh and wondered if Rosalyn could cool him down with magic. But he needed to play the part of a good person who’s working hard to save the forest, so he couldn’t do that either.

Litana who was watching him thought that Cale’s action was weird, but she kept quiet. Naturally, the invisible Raon who was by side also saw that.

Cale then turned around to look at Litana.

“Let’s go. I think I will need to go as close as possible to the fire. I may even need to go past the boundary.”

“Raon.”

Raon revealed himself after being called.

Cale clicked his tongue. He picked up a towel and started to dry off the drenched dragon. Raon had even forgotten to put a shield around himself while being mesmerized by the wave.

“Dry yourself, human! You will catch a cold!”

Cale snorted at the four years old’s action before scrubbing Raon’s face. The black dragon just sat there while Cale dried him.

Cale threw that towel to the side before using another towel to dry his hair and taking one of the orbs he had received from Billos out of his pocket.

“You should change first, human.”

Cale shook his head and swept back his hair. He can’t change around the children, and he knew Raon won’t leave the room even if he asked.

'Was it puberty?'

“Connect.”

“Alright, human.”

Chapter Text

“Son, let’s give it a try.”

Cale started to smile. He then turned his gaze to the side. Deruth had not called just Cale over.

“I will work hard as well, hyung-nim.”

“Good. It is where you, our parents, and Lily will live. Let’s give it our best.”

Cale didn’t include himself because he was planning on retiring to a small village in the future. Basen vigorously nodded his head.

“And hyung-nim too. I want to live working for our family and the territory until I die.”

‘Mm. It looked like Basen was sharper he looked.’

Cale, who only cared about living for himself, didn’t correct him and just nodded his head at Basen’s statement.

“I want to sleep,” Raon suddenly announced while they were taking a break from torturing Venion.

“Alright,” Cale nodded easily, and he went upstairs with the children.

Choi Han followed them from behind but didn’t enter the bedroom and stood outside the door like a knight.

“Good night, human,” Raon, On, and Hong settled themselves around Cale on the bed.

“Good night,” although he only slept for three hours previously, Cale wasn’t tired thanks to the power of the Vitality of the Heart. But he still must go to sleep when the children demanded or else, they will make a fuss.

‘Aigoo, am I their nanny or their guardian?’

Soon after, Cale and the kittens fell into a deep sleep. At that moment, Raon raised his head. With magic, he pushed down the blanket and stared down at Cale.

Slowly and quietly, he unbuttoned Cale’s sleeves with magic. Once it was done, Raon gently rolled up Cale’s sleeves with his small paw. His eyes widen at the sight that greeted him.

‘So that’s why he always kicked me out when he changes or bath.’

As slowly and quietly as he started, Raon rebuttoned Cale’s sleeves and rolled up the blanket back. He moved closer to Cale’s face and put his paw on the sleeping human’s shoulder.

‘I will kill them.’

The people that made the scars under his human’s arms. The great and mighty Raon Miru will never ever forgive them.

Cale finished all of his preparations early in the morning and was looking in the mirror. He asked Raon, who was looking in the mirror as well.

“Have you figured out the crown prince’s magic?”

“I know what it is, human. I am great and mighty.”

There was a smile on Cale’s face as he continued to look into the mirror.

“By the way, human.”

“Hm?”

“Do you have something you want to tell me?” Raon’s face was serious as he asked.

Cale tilted his head and wondered if he accidentally ate the dragon’s snack. But seeing that Raon was very serious, Cale held back his tongue and pondered for a bit.

For some reason, he thought that Raon might have found out that he wasn’t Cale Henituse. Thus, he slowly nodded and answered carefully.

“…I will tell you someday.”

“Alright. I can wait, since I am great and mighty.”

Actually, Raon was talking about his scars. But Cale misunderstood his question, and the dragon also misunderstood his answer.

Chapter Text

“Ron.”

“Young master-nim.”

Beacrox stood up and looked toward Cale. He saw Choi Han and Hilsman coming in with the mermaid corpse and closed his mouth. Ron was sleeping. The assassin was not aware that people had arrived.

A deep sigh came out of Cale’s mouth. A pile of highest-grade potions was sitting next to Ron’s bed.

“Beacrox, remove the covers.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Can you lend me a glove?”

Beacrox, who was removing the blanket, suddenly flinched. He started to speak without looking at Cale.

“…Are you going to personally do it?”

“Yes, I will do it,” Cale responded confidently. He mentioned to Choi Han, who quickly brought the mermaid corpse over. The corpse cast a shadow over Ron’s body as Cale took out a dagger.

“Cale-nim, allow me,” Choi Han grabbed Cale’s arms and spoke seriously.

Cale nodded and let Choi Han take the dagger and cut open the mermaid royalty’s corpse. The mermaid’s blood started to drip one to two drops at a time before spurting out. Cale guided the corpse to make sure that the blood landed on Ron’s side and tight. He then motioned for Choi Han to cut the corpse in other places as well in order to hit all of the infected areas.

“Beacrox, pour a highest-grade potion.”

“Yes, sir.”

The potion, mermaid blood, and mermaid poison mixed with each other and started to sizzle. However, they could see that the mermaid blood that was mixed with the highest-grade potion was evaporating the poison.

“Ugh…” Ron started to groan. His eyelids started to shake. Then his eyes slowly started to open.

“…Young master-nim.”

“Stop talking, I am busy.”

Ron still continued to ask.

“Are you healing me right now?”

“Yes.”

Cale verified that the sticky poison that was stuck to Ron’s body was gone before looking toward Ron.

“The poison is gone. Now you just need to recover.”

“I see.”

Cale took off the now-bloody white glove and threw it into the fire.

“Ron.”

“Yes, young master-nim.”

Ron looked back at Cale. Beacrox was looking at Cale as well.

“There is nobody left in that organization that knows your face. You know what I mean, right?”

Cale turned away from the fire in order to look at Ron as he continued.

“It means it is now time to go home.”

The word, ‘home’, made Ron slowly close his eyes.

“Yes, young master-nim.”

Cale nodded his head and patted Beacrox’s shoulder. Beacrox had been holding his father’s hand since earlier.

“We will start Ron’s recovery as soon as we get back.”

“Young master-nim,” Ron’s voice suddenly sounded very weak.

Cale quickly turned back and frowned when he saw Ron was looking paler than before.

‘What happened?’

“Ron, what is wrong? What do you feel?” Cale rushed to the old butler’s side and checked on his healing injuries.

“Young master-nim, can this old man ask for a favor?”

“Yes, what is it?” Cale quickly nodded without thinking.

‘He should be healing well now, what happened? Was something mixed in with the mermaid corpse?’

“May I…” Ron trailed off weakly. Beacrox hold his father’s hand tightly and moved closer. Choi Han and Hilsman also moved closer with a frown.

“What is it?” Cale urged him urgently. He also leaned closer to the old butler; his face showed confusion mixed with concern.

“May I see your wrists?” Ron finished his words with his usual benign smile as if he was never in pain at all.

“Ha!” Cale gasped with a hint of a laugh.

‘This sly fox.’

Choi Han and Hilsman tilted their heads in confusion, while Beacrox let out a relieved sigh.

“I’ll let you check it by yourself after you fully rested. Besides, I think you don’t have to worry about it. Didn’t you ask Beacrox and the children to supervise me closely?”

“I have been found out,” Ron found Cale’s answer to be amusing and he laughed softly.

“Father, you should rest.”

“Alright, I know.”

Cale let out a sigh and headed to the door.

At that moment, Choi Han’s innocent question brought him chills.

“But why did Ron want to check Cale-nim’s wrist?”

Cale stood frozen at the unexpected question.

‘Dammit, why did I think that Choi Han wouldn’t ask about it?’

Cale turned to Beacrox. He glared at the chef who was sweat-dropping at his master’s sudden animosity targeted at him.

“Father wanted to check if the young master has been eating well,” Beacrox splendidly lied in Cale’s place.

“I see,” Choi Han nodded with a smile.

‘Fortunately, he is a bit dumb sometimes.’

Cale stared ahead with a stoic face and left the room.

“I guess I’ll finally get to rest for a bit.”

Chapter Text

“H, hurry up and—ugh!”

‘This damn blood! Why is the blood not stopping?’

He was in so much pain after the fire thunderbolt had landed, even the scar around his neck throbbed painfully as if it has reopened. However, he was longer in pain after about a minute, as the Vitality of the Heart started to heal him.

“Choi Han…hurry and go!”

“What are you saying, Cale-nim?! We need to take care of you first!”

‘Go bring me some bread. I’m so hungry,’ was what Cale was trying to say, but Choi Han’s vicious gaze made him say something else.

“Go take care of the tamer. Hurry up.”

Cale had finally left the Elf village for the first time in a few days. He then stopped walking right outside of the boundary.

“Haaaa,” he let out a long sigh.

The group slowly turned their gazes away and into the distance at his sight. Choi Han and Lock let out some fake coughs and lowered their heads, while Ron and Beacrox still remained calm. On and Hong meowed while in Choi Han’s arms before looking away toward a mountain in the distance.

“Human! Can you see the glorious evidence of our battle? We destroyed it all!”

Raon proudly shouted in Cale’s mind.

Cale had wondered why the Elf Chief had to personally help out with the restoration. But after looking at the sight in front of him, it all made sense.

There were a lot of trees that were destroyed, and the ground was turned over in many spots. Some boulders also looked like they were cut in half by swords or auras.

However, Cale could not say anything. Because he had done the most damage to the land. There was a giant crater on the ground that looked like a meteor had landed. Everything in that crater was completely charred black.

Cale looked away toward a distant mountain peak.

‘Looks like I need to speed up my investigation. I don't know why the scar throbbed after I used the fire thunderbolt and it also hurt last time.’

The last time was when he took the Sound of the Wind in the Ubarr territory. At that time, the scar around his neck felt like it was burning.

‘Pendrick the healer. He should at least be useful for something. If even he couldn’t do anything, then my other option will be…’

Cale shook his head and let out another sigh.

“Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

'Is this Dragon Fear?'

Dragon Fear was said to instill fear in all lifeforms. Although that was what Cale initially thought it was, this was a bit different. He did not feel any fear.

However, his body reacted once he thought about Dragon Fear.

Boom.

Cale could feel his heart beating wildly.

Then, the Dominating Aura, the ancient power that Cale had found in the Dragon skeleton within the black swamp, worked together with the Vitality of the Heart and shot out as well.

As he expected, the scar around his neck throbbed again along with the surge of power inside him, fortunately the pain went away as quick as it appeared this time. From the pattern, it was obvious that the pain only appeared when he was using the ancient power. However, it wasn't something that happened often, there might be a certain trigger.

“Mm?”

Cale became nervous. He thought that a surging hail was surrounding him, however, it turned into a warm breeze surrounding his body. His body, which was shaking from the cold, as well as his runny nose, all quickly stopped.

‘…It is thermal magic and not Dragon Fear?'

Cale was left wondering what that power was from earlier.

A Dragon did something nice.

Cale remained alert at this unbelievable sight and his Dominating Aura continued to get bigger.

At that moment, a black and round blob covered Cale’s eyes. It was Raon.

“Hey, Goldie!”

Cale wondered for a moment if he had heard Raon correctly.

‘What? Goldie?’

“You can’t stare at our weak human like that! You know how much of a coward he is?!”

“Stop looking at him!”

Raon quickly flew over and stood in front of Cale to block his view.

“I already told you our weak human is a coward! You cannot stare at him with such an intense gaze!”

‘…I may be a coward but not such a coward that I would faint because he looks at me…’

Cale wanted to stand up for himself but ended up not doing so, as he didn’t really have a desire to look at Eruhaben anyway. That was why he could only hear what Eruhaben was saying, without being able to see his expression.

“…He is a coward?”

Eruhaben sounded intrigued.

“How interesting.”

Cale felt a shiver went down his body. He silently rubbed the side of his neck where his scar was hidden behind his fancy clothes.

'Why do I feel like...today is going to be troublesome?'

“The Dragon slayer power is a power that is full of courage.”

The word, ‘courage,’ made Cale start to smile. It was a power that had no relations to him whatsoever.

The only type of courage he had was the ability to bluff thanks to a scam ancient power like the Dominating Aura.

“I see. Anyways, I am not a Dragon slayer.”

Eruhaben nodded his head and accepted it after listening to Cale’s stern response.

‘I guess he does not know about it yet.’

Eruhaben did not say anything else after seeing that Cale did not seem to know.

'He will find out later anyway. A human walking around without concealing that scent is simply begging for another Dragon's attention.'

"Well, I guess that is the case if you say so.”

Eruhaben did not explain everything and just gently smiled.

Cale had an ominous feeling after seeing Eruhaben’s smile, but brushed it aside. He did not have any power relating to courage.

“Human, don’t you need to go meet with the Queen of the Jungle?”
“…Yes?”

“Hurry, hurry back. I will give you one week.”

“…Okay.”

Raon snickered after hearing Cale’s response and returned to the couch next to Cale to lay down on the fluffy couch.

That made Cale let out a sigh.

“Haaaaaa.”

“Ho.”

Eruhaben let out a gasp as well. At that moment, Cale and Eruhaben made eye contact again. Although they were almost a thousand years apart, they felt a sense of connection with each other.

Cale then started to speak.

“Then I will be back.”

“Sure.”

Eruhaben let out a sigh and responded back, before casually adding on to Cale, who was getting up from the couch, as well as the rest of the group who were getting ready to follow behind him.

"Take this and wear it on your body. Don't take it off when your Dragon's not with you."

The Gold Dragon took something from inside his robe and had the Black Dragon floated it to Cale.

" A brooch?"

Cale took the thing and examined it closely.

The brooch was decently small; just a bit larger than the red-head's thumb and not eye-catching. A simple, round red jewel attached to a golden metal without any pattern. The color was darker than Cale's hair, but the brooch itself wasn't enough to attract people take a second look.

Cale raised his head to ask, but Eruhaben crossed his arms and pointedly ignore Cale's confused look.

“It doesn’t matter whether you go in and out, but be quiet while you are here. I am a bit sensitive. I accepted all of you because the little kid demanded it, but be careful.”

The Gold Dragon could see that both Cale and Raon were giving him the same odd expression.

“What are you looking at?”

Cale slowly shook his head and answered back.

“No, nothing at all.”

Chapter Text

“Eruhaben-nim, what are your thoughts after seeing Mary?”

“You want Pendrick to heal this child?”

“Yes sir.”

“Hmm.”

Cale slowly started to speak to Eruhaben, who seemed to be deep in thought. He had heard that Eruhaben was the one who had healed the weak Pendrick.

“Eruhaben-nim.”

“Yeah?”

“Is it too much for Pendrick’s skill level?”

“Yes.”

“What about you Eruhaben-nim? Wouldn’t you know a lot about necromancers since you have seen them before?”

Eruhaben’s gaze, which had been on Mary, turned toward Cale. Cale was pretty much bluntly trying to pass Mary’s recovery over to him.

‘The problem is that I don’t hate his way of doing things.’

Eruhaben did not find Cale’s actions to be bad.

There was a simple reason for it.

‘He never asks for anything for himself.’

Nothing Cale asked for had to do with himself. Although he came to help him find the power of earth, that was at Raon’s request. The other requests Cale had were to help make his people stronger and to investigate the stone pillar that might bring danger to the whole region.

‘What a funny punk.’

Although Cale frequently complained about his life, he always moved to help others. 

That was why Eruhaben could not hate him.

Although Eruhaben was a self-centered Dragon, his overwhelming knowledge and strength made him altruistic toward the weak. Eruhaben looked toward Cale and bluntly started to speak.

“I don’t care what you want, but I will take a look at this child in order to satisfy my own curiosity.”

The Dragon's eyes swept down at Cale's petite body swiftly before he looked back at his face and continued.

"Since I'm doing it for my own curiosity, I will take a look at your condition as well."

"My what?"

Eruhaben stared at Cale with a complicated gaze. Cale was genuinely confused at his words. The two stared at each other in silence for a while.

'How did he managed to live all these years?’

"Is there something wrong with young master Cale?!” Tasha snapped out of her shock and quickly looked all over the redhead.

'Shouldn't my body is stabilized now? Don't tell me I have to take another one again.'

"He is fine. I do not want the little kid to nag me everyday because you're too weak."

Tasha let out a relieved sigh and turned toward Mary.

Cale saw Raon nodded at the Golden Dragon's answer and almost shook his head. That sounded like something that Raon would definitely do.

“Thank you very much.”

Ahem. Eruhaben let out a fake cough and looked away.

“Why do you need to live in hiding?”

“…Excuse me?”

“People who have been through a lot have rougher hands. I just consider the scar on her face as a symbol of what she has overcome.”

“Ah.”

The Saint let out a small gasp.

“I think that someday people will appreciate and celebrate someone who was able to overcome such a burden. Just like how you are thankful toward Mary right now.”

The Saint felt like his heart was beating wildly.

The Sun God had said the following to his believers.

Goodness is like a bright light.

No matter how long a human wanders lost in the darkness, a single ray of light could help them continue to live.

“Young master Cale, just because someone has the darkness attribute does not mean that they have no good in their heart. That means that the individual is also a source of light, right?”

Jack wanted Cale to answer that for him.

Cale had no problem responding back.

“Saint-nim, a world that understands that fact will soon appear.”

Jack could see Cale starting to smile.

Cale looked past Jack’s shoulder and to the bed behind him.

The swordmaster Hannah was starting to open her eyes. She made eye contact with Cale once her eyes completely opened.

Cale looked at her as he started to speak.

“The people who have overcome difficulties must be applauded. The people who have survived through it all have earned that right.”

“You are right. Young master Cale, you really are a deep individual.”

Cale modestly smiled toward the excited Saint. He looked toward the now real Saint and the fake Holy Maiden who had not forgotten her goal as he started to think.

‘I’ve prepared something to use in order to surprise the Empire.’

"Young master Cale, although I am not as strong as Hannah, I believe there must be something I could do to repay you. I will do anything you ask me！"

Jack jumped forward and grabbed Cale's hands. On the bed, Hannah let out an exasperated sigh. Cale thought that if she could stand right now, she might have pull her brother back with an eye roll.

Cale was startled by Jack's enthusiasm, but he welcomed it as it saved them more time from talking unnecessary things.

"Thank you, Saint-nim. However, right now you should focus only on your sister’s recovery," the redhead continued to smile as he pulled back his hand from Jack's grip.

"Oh."

Suddenly, Cale felt the swift in the Saint’s mood. The previously excited man’s smile fell and a dark cloud appeared above his head. Cale’s eyes followed along Jack’s line of view and realized that he had pulled too hard and acidentally unruffled his sleeves. A small bit of his scars had entered the Saint’s line of view.

Even though Cale always made sure to choose clothing that will cover his neck and wrists tightly even from the black dragon’s paws, he didn’t expect that a weak pull from the Saint could undone Ron’s hard work.

‘Mm. I shouldn’t tell Ron about this. Who knows what he might do to my clothes later.’

‘Human?’

Cale pretended not to notice the Saint’s state of shock and continued to smile as he expertly patted down his sleeves. He couldn’t allow Raon or the other children to see his scars. Cale wasn’t sure on how to explain about his scars because technically, he didn’t made it. And he still didn’t know why and how the original Cale Henituse did it.

“Then, I shall leave you two be.”

“Ah—,”

Cale pretended not to see Jack’s extended hand and nimbly ran out of the room with invincible Raon on tail.

A few weeks passed by.

It was now the middle of the summer and extremely hot. Cale was lying down on top of the marble floor.

‘The marble is the best when it’s hot.’

He had pushed aside the carpet on the fifth floor in order to lay down on the cold marble and relax.

‘How did the original Cale Henituse managed to survive the heat all this time? Since Ron was the only one who knew of his situation, I’m sure he didn’t wear thin fabric or walk around without wearing a top even in summer. And I couldn’t do that because the children are always around.’

Cale let out a sigh and stretched out his fingers.

Aaaaaah!

Ooaaaaah!

The energetic voices were still shouting outside the window. They were in the midst of their training. Of course, this had nothing to do with Cale.

Chapter Text

Tens of small whirlwinds were rising into the air with Cale in the middle.

Cale’s shirt was fluttering wildly. He was using the Sound of the Wind to it’s maximum to do this.

‘This is quite difficult.’

Whenever he ran out of strength while using the Sound of the Wind, the Vitality of the Heart would activate in order to energize him once again.

‘…This is weird.’

Although he was running out of strength, the Vitality of the Heart would active every time a whirlwind the size of a fist was created.

But something was weird.

“Ugh.”

‘This is weird.’

He was starting to summon new whirlwinds faster than before.

‘Will I be able to get rid of them at the end?

‘…Were ancient powers always this strong?’

Cale’s forehead started to get covered in sweat. The scar around his neck throbbed once and twice. Slowly like a boiling water, the pain started to spread from his neck to his shoulders then it reached his arms. It wasn’t as painful as it was before, probably because he was distracted this time.

‘This again!’

Waves started to form in the water. Paseton quickly moved away from the shore. Gashan and Paseton were looked at Cale with shocked expressions.

It was hard to see Cale as he was surrounded by a ton of whirlwinds.

“Ugh.”

Cale let out a groan.

“Human, stop! I will destroy everything if you get hurt!”

Raon shouted toward Cale, whose arms were shaking. Cale wanted to speak but he did not have enough strength to do so.

‘That’s what I’m trying to do!’

That was what Cale wanted to say.

However, Cale was having difficulty just making the whirlwinds remain by his side while fighting against the pain. Cale made eye contact with Choi Han through the whirlwinds.

Cale nodded his head toward Choi Han. Choi Han started to speak.

“Please start!”

There were two whirlwinds roaring on top of Cale’s palm. Cale felt a presence and turned to see Raon looking at him.

“I told you I’m okay.”

Even after Cale said that Raon continued to look at him with a sharp gaze that looked like it could cause sparks. Raon started to speak.

“Your arms were shaking just now. Don’t use too much of the ancient power. Weak human, you need to do some strength training.”

‘What do the ancient powers have to do with strength training? Aside from that, the problem was actually something else.’

Cale questioned Raon’s thought process before he ignored Raon in order to look at the people who were in the invisible barrier with him in the air.

Rosalyn, Choi Han, and Gashan.

The three of them could not say anything as they looked down. Cale looked toward Choi Han and started to speak.

“What are you doing? How about you go down and fight?”

“No. Cale-nim, I need to be here to protect you. I don’t know when you will get hurt or start coughing up blood again-.”

Cale swiftly cut off Choi Han before the other man stir Raon’s overprotectiveness.

“I may be like that, but I don’t think I will cough up blood this time.”

‘And the pain around from the scar wasn’t as painful as before. I still couldn’t pin-point the trigger, but it seemed to be related with the power output of the ancient power.’

“He’s right, Choi Han! The great and mighty Raon Miru is here!”

“… Yes. The great and mighty Raon is here as well.”

Choi Han nodded his head at the conversation between the human and the Dragon.

“Yes. I understand.”

“Isn’t it great to look at?”

She was covered in blood.

Cale felt disgusted after seeing that Hannah’s blonde hair and black scars were not visible because she was completely drenched in blood.

It was not because she covered herself in someone else’s blood.

Cale took out a potion and threw it toward Hannah.

“Enjoy it after you check your own condition. The Saint-nim will faint if he sees you like this.”

Hannah caught the potion and then started to laugh. Cale looked away from Hannah who was laughing even while bleeding from the injuries she received from the enemies’ swords and arrows.

‘She really is crazy.’

Both of these twins had something wrong with them.

‘I didn’t ask the Saint about it before because I didn’t know what made this scar. Once I find out what happened, I should consult about it with Eruhaben-nim and the Saint. It iffed me that an old scar like this could resonates with the ancient power. Cale Henituse, why and how did you injured your neck like this?’

Cale continued to look away as he watched the rising sun as well as the rest of his group slowly approaching Hais Island 6.

“Hey, Cale Henituse.”

“What?”

Cale responded to Hannah without looking back. She continued to speak in a quiet but crazy voice.

“That was not enough blood.”

“… I know.”

Chapter Text

Cale cautiously cut off Count Deruth, who sounded like he would continue to speak, and responded back.

“They are the Tiger tribe.”

“Hmm?”

“They are Tiger tribe Beast people.”

Count Deruth looked toward his son while wondering why he was suddenly talking about the Tiger tribe.

“Father, the people I am bringing are from the Tiger tribe.”

Cale generously explained to Count Deruth, who seemed to be confused.

“They are very strong. They are a great addition as we prepare for war. I am thinking of bringing them over because they are wandering without a home.”

Count Deruth started speaking after a long time.

"Cale, since they are tiger, do they have claws and fangs？"

"Yes, father."

" And those do not bother you？"

"No, father. From my observations, the Tiger tribe are loyal and do not easily be swayed by the current. They do not bother me at all."

The Count was quiet after that. Cale glanced around the other man's office while waiting for his next response.

“You did well.”

“Yes sir.”

Cale happily accepted the Count’s praise.

“Father. The restoration of Harris Village is completed, but we do not have any residents living there.”

‘The Tiger tribe wants to be around a forest as well.’

“I think it would be great if we gave them the village as a new home.”

“You’re right, you’re right.”

The Count nodded his head multiple time as he answered.

“I will leave that to you.”

“Yes sir.”

Cale chatted with the Count about some other things as well before getting up. Count Deruth started to speak again as Cale headed for the door.

“Show your face every so often, even if you are busy. Your mother and siblings are waiting for you."

“I understand. I will try to spend the beginning of the year here.”

“Good.”

"Cale."

"Yes, father?"

"When should I have the doctor ready for your annual check up?"

'An annual health check up? The count really does spoils his trash son.'

"That wouldn't be necessary. My health has gotten better since I acquired the ancient power."

Count Death's face turned grim at the mention of the ancient power. The memory of his son coughing out blood while protecting people from the bomb terror was something that he would never forget.

"This is non debatable, Cale. Do you want to do it when you are staying for the new year？"

Cale noticed that the older man's expression was't good. He quickly agreed to avoid problems.

"Then I shall make sure to return early that day."

Cale walked out of the office.

"Human, if you want a check-up, I can ask Goldie for you!"

The redhead held back a sigh and ignored the dragon.

“Your face seems so skinny. You’re heading to the Empire with his highness?”

“Yes. He seems to need my help for the investigation of the magic bomb incident.”

Cale flinched a bit at Violan’s gaze that seemed to be looking right through him. Countess Violan casually asked.

“Does his highness often give you difficult tasks?”

“Mm, they are not too hard.”

“Is that so?”

Countess Violan started to smile.

“Then I am relieved.”

‘What?’

Cale could not tell why he was getting a chilly feeling when looking at the Countess.

Still as immaculate as ever, the Countess gently push away the document she was reading and crossed her fingers together.

“Cale, you do realize that you’re a clumsy person, right? Once, when you were younger, you broke your leg trying to practice with a wooden sword,” Violan’s gaze swifted to her son’s neck before looking back up at Cale’s face. Behind her cold gaze was a deep and murky layers of complicated emotions.

“Although your father decided not to pursue the reason that you disobeyed his order before, it is imperative that you do your best to not repeat it again. We also told you this before, but if you need to dispose something…or someone, just relay your order to Ron. He knows what to do, so there’s no need for you to dirty your hands.”

A dangerous glint flashed through Countess Violan’s eyes. Cale held back the urge to bolt out of the mansion and ran back to the Super Rock Villa.

‘Why is everyone in this world so vicious?!’

To calm himself, Cale tried to imagine his future life after he retired and a smile naturally bloomed on his face.

“I understand.”

“Human, why are you smiling like that?”

Cale dropped his smile and ignored the Dragon who always managed to find a way to break the mood.

Countess Violan nodded to herself with a soft hum. Although Cale was still not used to family’s interaction, talking with the Countess was easier than talking to Count Deruth due to her personality was similar to how he was back in Korea.

“Cale, did your father talked about your annual health check-up?”

“Yes. For my convenience, it shall be done on my next stay at the beginning of the year.”

“That’s good.”

“Orabuni.”

Cale caressed Lily’s head as she slowly approached him.

“You’ve improved quite a bit.”

Lily scratched her cheeks as if she was embarrassed about the compliment. Cale was genuinely impressed.

Compared to Cale, whose skin was white, Lily was dark and tanned as if she had trained a lot underneath the sun. She was also tall for her age. He could feel the effort that she had put in.

“Lily, it looks like you will become the strongest of us siblings.”

Lily energetically nodded her head.

“I will get stronger and protect the territory!”

“Splendid.”

Cale shared his true feelings.

“I know that you will do well. I think twin blades would suit you well.”

“Yes. My master told me that defense is more difficult than offense. I will become a knight who knows how to protect. I will become a knight that is like a door!”

Cale flinched while wondering what she was talking about but nodded his head while thinking that a young child should have a vivid imagination.

"That's why, orabuni! Please don't worry, and promise me that you will never touch a knife or a dagger again!"

'Hm? What is she talking about now?'

Cale stared blankly at Lily.

"When did I ever do that?"

Lily puffed out her cheeks and failed her arms around.

"When orabuni went to Ubarr territory."

Cale realized Lily was talking about Paseton incident that happened back in Ubarr months ago. And he finally understood that this was related to what the Countess talked about before.

'It must be either Hans or Beacrox who told them. Beacrox wasn't loyal to either the Count or the Countess, but he might do that if that was Ron's order before he left. And from the beginning, Hans was purposely put next to Cale as informant.'

“Orabuni?”

“I’ll try not to do that again, but I cannot promise anything, Lily.”

“Why?” Lily asked loudly. Fortunately there weren’t many servants around them.

“Yeah, human! You don’t have to do anything since the great Raon Miru is here!”

'That's true.'

Cale crossed his arms across his chest and shook his head disapprovingly.

“What if I meet a terrorist in the Empire? What if they somehow kidnapped me and somehow, I couldn’t use my ancient power? Or what if an assassin happened to target me while I was recovering after using my ancient power?”

Both Lily and the invincible great Dragon gasped together at the image.

“Human! I will destroy everything if you got hurt!”

“Orabuni, I…I will go with you to the Empire!”

‘I think in the future, I shouldn’t let Raon around Lily too much, they’re not good influence for each other.’

“It’s a hypothetical situation. We don’t know what could happen in the future. That’s why, it’s better to be as prepared as possible. Of course, I also hope that I wouldn’t have to use a weapon myself.”

‘Why do I have to use it when I have a Dragon’s protection?’

Since Lily and Raon still didn’t look convinced, Cale continued to reassure them.

“I don’t think anyone will bother to send an assassin for me anyway, don’t worry about it,” Cale patted Lily’s head and smiled lightly.

“Don’t worry, smart Lily! This great Raon Miru will kill anyone who tries to hurt my human!”

‘Mm. I should ask Ron to buy some child friendly books.’

“A—assassin, t-t-there’s no way, right?” Lily’s eyes darted around swiftly.

‘Hmm? Why is she acting like this?’ prior to this, Cale had noticed that Lily wasn’t good at acting, to the point where she was almost on par with Choi Han. And she was also bad at keeping secrets.

“Yes, there is no way an assassin would attack me. Especially inside the mansion. It has never happened before, right, Lily?”

The redhead’s eyes followed Lily’s obviously strange movement. The younger girl flailed around like an boiled octopus.

“Human, what is smart Lily doing?”

‘I also wanted to know.’

“T-t-t-t-that’s impossible, orabuni! How could an assassin entered the mansion, disguised himself as a maid, stole orabuni’s favorite dagger and slash orabuni’s neck with it?! T-t-that has never happened before!” Lily’s eyes started spinning around.

'Wow. Such a detailed description of something that never happened.'

Although he was shocked, Cale did not show it and nodded slowly at Lily.

“Is smart Lily okay, human?”

“Yes, it never happened,” Cale drawled out his words to get more reactions from the younger girl.

“Y-yes! I-it’s not like orabuni forgot about it because of shock! It—it never happened before!”

“Give this to Freesia.”

Ron accepted the enclosed letter politely.

“Young master-nim, is this job related to what you will be doing in the Empire?”

All of Freesia and the other’s job were usually passed down through Ron because it wasn’t convenience nor safe enough for Cale to communicate with them directly. That’s why Cale knew Ron must be curious right now.

‘What kind of job is it, for the young master-nim to order them directly by himself?’

Cale pondered his answer for a while. He never considered keeping this request as a secret from Ron, just that he wasn’t sure of the butler’s reaction would be.

Although Lily might have said that Cale Henituse didn’t remember anything about that incident, the redhead had been in this world for quite a while and heard nothing at all, not even from Hans or Hilsman. It’s not normal for this many people to keep their mouth hushed, unless someone powerful was the one guarding the lid.

Someone like the Count, or the Countess.

‘Now, how should I proceed from here?’

"Human, try this cookie!”

While Cale was thinking, a small and round black paw pushed into his cheek with a gentle force. The redhead let out a sigh and took the mentioned cookie from the plate. Instead of putting into his mouth, Cale offered the cookie to Raon who happily munched it. He turned to Ron and pointed to the letter.

“Ron.”

“Yes, young master-nim.”

“I will tell you if you promise that you won’t interfere with this job.”

“This Ron shall promise,” the assassin didn’t even took a second to consider it.

Cale’s eyebrow flinched at the speed of his response, but he decided not to comment about it.

“I want Freesia to investigate about this,” Cale tapped the side of his neck, where his scar was hidden under a big black ribbon. He made sure that Raon was still distracted.

“That…” Ron looked speechless for once. Although his facial expression returned to the normal state soon.

“The Count and Countess surely would not allow that, young master-nim.”

Cale took another cookie and offered it to Raon who was waiting patiently while wagging his tail.

“That’s why I told you not to interfere. Freesia was under your guidance, she could handle them by herself.”

‘If they find out, I will just throw the crown prince at them.’

Cale imagined the crown prince’s face and almost couldn’t held back his laugh.

“Human, human!”

“Hm?” Cale paused and put down the cookie.

“Why you didn’t ask grampa Ron?”

The redhead picked up the handkerchief on the table and cleaned the cookie crumbs around Raon’s mouth. While doing it, he glanced at the old butler, who was peeking at them with a curious gaze as well.

“Ron, do you have anything you want to ask me?”

“Young master-nim, do you remember anything?”

Cale shook his head and push the cup of flower tea to Raon.

‘So the part where he had amnesia was real.’

Lily was someone whom the original Cale Henituse didn’t see before because he disliked the Countess, while Ron was someone who was by his side for a long time. And he wasn’t someone that could be easily deceived. That’s why, although he might be impartial, Ron’s words carried more weight when it comes to the matter of the original Cale Henituse.

“You never cared about it before, so why now, young master-nim?”

“Hm. It’s not that I never cared,” Cale was sure that even if Cale Henituse was curious, the Ron from before wouldn’t let him do anything about it.

“It’s just that no one dared to talk about it in front of me,” he picked up his cup and took a small sip.

‘As expected, sweet tea taste the best. And it’s rare for Ron to bring me something that wasn’t lemon tea.’

Raon put his small paw on Cale’s hand while staring at the cookie, he was asking—ordering Cale to feed him. The redhead took the cookie and fed it to the dragon without complaining.

“Young master-nim, this Ron was with you that day. If you want to—,”

“Ron,” Cale paused his hand and turned to the older man.

“I know.”

‘I actually did not.’

Cale had an inkling that Ron must be present at the time of the incident that Lily talked about, but he also had a feeling that whatever happened that day was more troublesome that a simple assassination attempt. That’s why he avoided asking Ron about it for now.

The matter with the Empire was more important.

“This Ron understand,” the butler tucked the letter into his inner pocket and excused himself.

Chapter Text

Cale slowly put the book down.

“Hmm? Human, isn’t it ours?”

“…No. This is a bit.”

Swooooooosh-

A wind suddenly gushed. Cale could feel the Sound of the Wind’s silent anger through the wind.

“Haaaaa.”

Cale picked up the white book again.

The wind stopped.

‘It is definitely a divine item. It is also not cursed.’

Cale felt odd while looking at the book.

‘…Why is it in the Roan language?’

The Sun Palace.

Cale knew where the Sun Palace was.

He also knew the famous Sun Garden next to it.

That was the location of the end of year celebration.

Cale headed out of the library and started to walk. He could soon see the fancy palace and the just-as-beautiful garden next to it.

They shined like the sun.

Once he got closer to the two locations…

Boom! Boom! Boom!

His heart was beating wildly.

The scar on his neck pulsed.

And his fingers became itchy.

An invisible wind rustled by Cale’s side.

A moment later at the Vatican’s eastern Annex.

“This is also a library.”

Cale reached his hand out toward the library door.

“I leave it to you, young master-nim.”

The high-grade Dark Elf mage spoke as Cale opened the library door.

The secret room was in here.

And the secret table was within that room.

The treasure was there.

Screeeech-

The library door opened.

He heard the voice at that moment.

"Are you trying to sacrifice yourself?"

‘What?’

It was the Scary Giant Cobblestone.

"Are you trying to sacrifice yourself to protect it?"

Cale stopped outside the library door and could not go in.

He hasn't done anything yet, and his neck was already starting to hurt.

‘…This isn’t supposed to be a dangerous place.’

"Human! Why are you heading toward that trash can?"

Cale let out a quiet laugh.

This trash can in the corner of the garden looked amazing, but in the end, it was just a receptacle for trash.

He needed to get to the ground underneath the trash can.

‘This is driving me nuts.’

Cale started to speak.

“Is there anybody around?”

"No!"

Cale pulled up his sleeves and pushed the trash can that was half his size to the side.

'It was a good idea to had Eruhaben-nim cast a disguise magic on my scars before.'

He then took out a small hoe from his magic bag.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

The hoe started to dig into the frozen ground.

Cale stepped back after digging for a bit and Raon blew a light gust of wind to reveal the contents.

Cale reached his hand out and Raon used magic to lift the dirt-covered item from the ground.

Cale took his handkerchief out of his pocket in order to clean the item.

"Human, there is a scary aura coming from this item! It is hot!"

Cale did not hide his smile.

A small compact hand mirror revealed itself in his hand.

He opened the lid.

“… It’s cracked.”

He saw that the mirror was cracked.

There was no way anybody would think that this was a divine item, especially the Condemnation of the Sun. The item in front of him did not match the scary name.

Unlike the time he found the strange book, his scar did not react in the presence of the Sun God's divine item.

“Ah, how entertaining.”

Cale put the compact mirror in his inner chest pocket.

“Let’s go.”

"Alright, human! By the way!"

Cale, who was trying to quickly return to the terrace, tried to not pay much attention to what Raon was saying.

"The book from a few days ago is even more evil and scary than this compact mirror!"

However, he could not do so. It was something from the mouth of a Dragon.

He was still a Dragon, even if he was only five-years-old.

Cale felt as light as a feather after earning over ten billion gallons and two divine items.

"Human, are you happy?"

‘Of course.’

Chapter Text

"Are you trying to sacrifice yourself?"

‘Sacrifice? What nonsense.’

Boom, boooooom!

Tens of bombs went off and rocked the foundation of the wing.

The sight of the people trying to rush out of the Sun Palace’s entrance looked like a scene from hell.

Cale started to speak.

“Help me.”

Cale reached out his hands.

His body started to ripple. The shield surrounding his body started to move for the first time in a long time.

And he easily ignored the pain from his neck that came out along with the ancient power.

'I don't have time for you.'

Crumble.

The middle of the wing that had been shaking had broken off. The broken part of the wing slowly started to tilt down.

Cale started to speak.

“We will support it.”

"Alright."

It was at that moment.

Alberu, who had been walking toward Cale, stopped moving. Cale’s name came out of his mouth.

“...Cale Henituse.”

It was currently night time.

A large silver light appeared in the middle of the darkness.

That silver light originated from Cale.

“…What is it?”

Cale could see the Gold Dragon, Eruhaben, looking at him with an odd expression. Eruhaben had thoroughly inspected Cale’s body before clicking his tongue.

With a single flick, Cale's body spun around by itself. He felt like an attraction in a circus, but since it was very convenient, Cale did not dare to protest against the ancient Dragon.

“Tsk, tsk, what an unlucky human.”

Cale turned his head away as he was at a loss for words. Raon was sitting on the bed looking at him as if they were the only ones in the room.

Raon’s gaze made Cale feel weird, so he turned his head once again. He could see Choi Han this time.

‘Why does he have such an expression?’

Choi Han was touching the hilt of his sword and seemed to be thinking about something.

Clank. Clank.

The sword came a bit out of the scabbard before going back in. This process continued to repeat itself multiple times.

Cale suddenly felt chilly.

"I said I would be home for the new year, so I have to go.”

He had told both his father and On and Hong that he would spend the new year at home. He had to keep his promise.

He also wanted to check on Freesia's job.

“Don’t you agree?”

“You are right. Cale-nim, you are definitely right.”

Choi Han smiled innocently as he nodded his head. Cale watched Choi Han before telling the two Dragons and the one human their upcoming plans.

“We will spend the new year at home and then head up north.”

"… I feel an evil aura coming from the box! Let’s ask Goldie gramps! No, let’s ask Mary!"

The Super Rock chimed in as well.

"Are you planning on sacrificing yourself?"

‘I knew it.’

Cale knew that the treasure Adin gave him would not be something good.

He peeked into the box only to see a light sword that was used for self-defense with a jewel at the pommel.

Cale remembered reading about an ancient power that was hidden inside a sword in the novel. He remembered how Choi Han found the sword and was almost get possesed by that power.

‘…I don’t like it.’

Cale made up his mind after seeing that Adin gave him something useless after claiming to give him a treasure.

Chapter Text

At the beginning of the year, Cale returned to the Henituse mansion for a day. Although he wanted to return alone, Ron and Raon wouldn't let him. The Dragon even threatened him with a country-scale magic missile. The three compromised, and in the end, Cale went back with Ron and Eruhaben.

Once he arrived, the first thing that the Count did was to dragged his son to a guest room where the family doctor was waiting for Cale.

The Count sat on his right while Ron stood on the left.

"Hello, young master Cale. It's been a while. How are you today?"

"I'm fine."

The doctor nodded before glancing at the Count.

"Then, let's begin. Please unbutton your ribbon, young master."

Instead of doing that, Cale raised his hand and lazily waved at Ron. The old butler nodded before turning around to Eruhaben that was disguised as a knight.

"Sir Haben, you may retreat. I will call for you if young master-nim needs anything."

'Hoo...'

Eruhaben raised his eyebrow elegantly. He tried to read Cale's intention from his expression, but the redhead turned away pretended to be busy with his tea.

"I understand," the ancient Dragon decided to play along. However, in his mind, he was already thinking about taking a nap in Cale's room.

Thud.

"Ron."

After the ancient Dragon left, Cale motioned for Ron to help him take off his ribbon and collar. Not sure if it was on purpose or not, but the clothes that Ron choose today was particulary tricky and was hard to take off by himself.

Quickly, the ribbon was taken off and the collar was spread open. Cale's pale neck and old scar was openly displayed for the other three in the room. Out of habit, he avoided everyone's gazes and stared blankly at the luxurious ceilings.

He did not see the Count's gaze full of worry or Ron's eyes turning darker.

"Excuse me, young master," the doctor moved quickly. He took out a silver spoon and started poking at Cale's neck.

"How do you feel, young master?"

Aside from the coldness of the spoon, Cale felt nothing. He shook his head in response and continued to blank out.

Time passed quickly while he was spacing out.

"Cale?"

The redhead opened his eyes at the voice.

'Did I fell asleep?'

"Pardon me," Cale shook his head and let out a sigh. While he fell asleep, the doctor finished his observation and Cale's shirt was put back together neatly.

'I couldn't sleep well last night because Raon was whining continuously until dawn.'

"Young master must be very busy lately. I heard about what happened in the Empire," the doctor put away his tools and pulled out a book from his bag.

"I also heard that young master almost collapsed after using the ancient power," the doctor sighed and shook his head. "Although I admired young master's heart, you need to care for yourself more," the doctor continued.

Cale nodded and replied randomly as his mind was still recovering from the short nap.

"What could be more important than saving lives?"

"Young master-nim..."

"Cale..."

"Oh, young master..."

The Count and the doctor were both touched and sad at the same time.

'It was crown prince Alberu's fault. How could he send my son to such dangerous place!?'

On the other hand, Ron was thinking about the number of lemon tea cups he could make Cale drink to help his young master sleep tonight.

"Are we done here?"

'I promised Raon that I will call him after the check-up. Aigoo.'

Ahem.

The doctor coughed and pretended that he did not just cry.

"We're almost done. I just need to ask you some questions, if you don't mind, young master."

Cale nodded absent mindedly.

'I missed kimchi. How do I make Choi Han teach Beacrox how to make one?'

"Are you still keeping up with your lifestyle of drinking wine regularly, young master?"

Cale eyed the doctor up and down. Although the doctor looked just like a normal person, he had been responsible for Cale's health for a long time. He must had a lot of experience with the original Cale's attitude.

'Such a polite way to say alcoholic.'

The Count leaned forward and answered in his son's place.

"Cale had stopped that habit for a while. Although he still drink occasionally, it was certainly less than what he used to drink before."

Cale nodded along.

'It's not like I could get drunk with the Vitality of the Heart's ability.'

"I see," the doctor write something into his book. Then he looked up and nodded at Cale with a smile.

"How is young master's sleeping pattern and quality lately?"

It was Ron who answered this time.

"Young master-nim's sleeping schedule has gotten better. He also take naps whenever he could. Young master-nim also hadn't show sign of having nightmare recently."

'Even if I don't want to admit it, Young master-nim sleeps better after he brought that punk in.'

Cale thought that strangely, Ron looked happy and angry when he talked.

The doctor nodded and write something again.

"That is very excellent, young master."

The redhead nodded awkwardly.

He felt like he was a child that got praised by the teacher because he didn't pee his pants.

"Have you start working out lately , young master?"

"No," the Count and the butler answered at the same time.

"Because young master-nim doesn't like moving too much, he only do a quick warm up in the morning after he wakes up," Ron quickly added on.

'Only because the children forced me.'

Cale held back a sigh and took a sip from him cup.

Next to him, Count Deruth glared at Ron, who returned his heated gaze with a smile.

"Then, how about young master's eating habit?" the doctor stared at the two older men and decided not to ask Cale anymore since the other two just keep on answering.

"Cale--,"

"Young master-nim prefers steaks lately, especially the one that my son, Beacrox, made. And ever since he stopped drinking himself to sleep at night, young master-nim hasn't been picky with his food." Ron cut off the Count and answered calmly.

The Count harrumphed and crossed his arms to show that he was upset.

Although the target of the show, Cale, didn't even notice the interactions between the Count and the butter.

"I...I see..." the doctor sweat dropped at the two. He glanced at the young noble sitting between the two.

Cale was poking at the cookie in his hand, looking bored as usual.

The doctor didn't know if the young master Henituse was ignoring the them on purpose or if he really didn't notice the tension between the two older men. But he, the outsider here, tried his best to be wise yet blind.

Ahem.

The doctor coughed out loud to catch the Count and Ron's attention.

"Then, has the young master remembered anything about the incident since the last time we meet?"

Count Deruth and Ron glanced at Cale. While the father waited for his answer anxiously, the butler showed a calm expression.

"Hmm.."

Cale picked up his cup and lazily took a sip. Although Lily and Ron had mentioned it, he didn't think it was anything important because even though it's been a year since he occupied this body, nobody had asked him this question before, regardless of his weird behavior.

Looking at the Count and the doctor's serious expression, Cale thought that he should prioritize his meeting with Freesia.

"Cale? Did, did you remember... anything?"

The redhead turned to the Count who had a large frown on his face and smiled faintly.

"No, father. I do not remember anything yet."

Count Deruth visibly relaxed, he even let out a soft smile. Out of their views, Ron also let out a relieved smile.

"I see," the doctor closed his book and nodded contentedly.

"Are we done here?" Cale put down his teacup and thought of the Black Dragon waiting for his call.

"Yes. Thank you for your cooperation, young master," the doctor nodded at Cale. He turned to the Count and nodded again.

Ahem.

Count Deruth coughed and smiled widely at his son.

"Cale, you must be tired. Why don't you rest first, I will sent a servant to call you when lunch is ready."

"Thank you, father. Then, I shall do so."

Cale happily complied and left with Ron.

Chapter Text

When Cale returned to his room, Eruhaben was laying sideways on his bed, with one hand supporting his head. Cale's luxurious room looked like a pitiful shack in contrast to how dazzling the Golden Dragon looked.

"The little kid called twice," the ancient Dragon said with a sigh.

"Aigoo."

Cale shook his head as he laid on the empty side of the bed and rest his eyes. He felt sleepy and tired already, but if he didn't call back, Raon might blow off a portion of the forest.

Ron watched the two for a minute, before he bowed and left the room without a sound.

Eruhaben turned around to stare at the younger man in silent.

Cale felt his gaze but was too lazy to say anything. He was even less interested in what the ancient Dragon was thinking.

Sigh-

Suddenly the redhead heard the Dragon's long-suffering sigh and almost let out a sigh as well.

"Here," Eruhaben took out a communication orb from nowhere and let it rolled to Cale's side.

The orb was blinking faintly, but persistently. It was a call from Raon.

Before Cale could react, Eruhaben picked the call and the call connected instantly.

"Human!"

The Dragon's deafening voice exploded like a fireworks and quickly filled the room.

Aigoo...

''Raon-，"

"Human! Are you done? Are you done?"

"Cale! Are you done-nya?"

One Dragon and one cat talked over each other in a loud voice. Cale was worried that Eruhaben's sound-proof magic might burst from their sheer volume.

''Calm down, you two."

It was On's calm voice.

The two closed their mouths, but Cale could feel their excitement bursting through their body even through the communication orb. In the background, he could see On lazily swinging her tails around with a smile.

Cale smiled softly and used his finger to poke the orb lightly.

"I'm finished with the check-up. But I must stay for dinner, so I will return after that."

"What did the doctor say, nya?" On moved closer to the orb and pushed her bouncing little brothers to the side.

"Nothing much. Did Raon finished reading the new books?"

Cale had bought several children books that was super popular and helpful to help children increase their vocabulary. Most importantly, the books only consisted of words that were safe for children's ears.

Before he left, Cale promised Raon that he will grant the Dragon one wish as long as he finished three books and received an approval stamp from Beacrox.

"I finished two books!"

"Did you ask Choi Han to help you？"

"No!"

"We helps dongsaeng, but we didn't ask Choi Han, nya."

Cale nodded in approval and closed his eyes again.

"Cale, are you sleepy, nya?"

"Human is so weak, why are you always sleepy?"

'Isn't it thanks to someone's whining that keeps me up all night？'

But Cale didn't say that. He listened to the children babbling about something silently. Once in a while, Eruhaben said something to them and the children averaging 9 years old happily responded to him.

'It's peaceful.'

The warmth of the sun filled the room through the window and the chattering of the two Dragons and two cats.

In the midst of that, Cale fell asleep.

"Young master Cale has improved a lot. His physical complexion is showing a dynamic progress compared to our last meeting."

The Count nodded happily.

"Then, what about his...?"

The doctor tilted his head and showed a complex expression.

"From a glance, young master Cale's mental health is obviously improving as well. It was proven by how he is no longer dependant on the alcohol and his overall attitude."

"But?" the Countess' sharp eyes glinted dangerously.

Ahem.

"Considering young master's condition before, honestly speaking, this improvement is not natural. Judging from the improvement speed and the time it took, I believe something big might have happened to young master. It might be...something really shocking."

"Is that a good thing...or a bad thing?"

The Count furrowed his brows deeply in worry.

"That depends on the situation. Do you recall anything big happening to the young master?"

The Count quickly answered.

"The plaza bombing terrorist."

The doctor let out a grunt and took out his book.

"Ah, that incident was terrifying indeed. But... mm. Never mind."

The doctor glanced to the side with a frown on his face.

"Speak clearly."

The doctor flinched at the Countess' strict voice and bowed forward.

"I--I apologize, Countess! It's just... no one knows the reason why young master Cale did what he did... Unless we find out that, everything will only remain as a speculation."

The Count grunted and quietly took his wife's hand into his. He nodded slowly at his wife and asked her to relax with his eyes.

"Then, what about the side effects of the ancient power?"

The doctor looked up and relaxed his shoulders when he saw the Countess wasn't angry.

"Ah, yes. From my opinion, young master Cale is very healthy and I couldn't find any after effect from using the ancient power. But...I admit my knowledge about the ancient power is almost non-existent. My lord, you might need to consult with a mage or a scholar about this stuff."

The Count let out a sigh, he didn't know if he should be relieved or be more worried.

"Perhaps we should reward the people residing in Harris Village."

Count Deruth looked at his wife in confusion.

"Choi Han and the Tiger Tribe?"

Countess Violan nodded elegantly.

"Whether it was fate or a coincidence, Cale has changes ever since those people appeared in his life."

Chapter Text

Cale was still rolling around in his room after the lunch with the Henituse family. To help him digest, Ron made him a warm cup of lemon tea and brought him a few books to go with it.

The Golden Dragon was reading a scroll on his bed, it was something he found in Super Rock Villa.

"Eruhaben-nim, can I ask something?"

"If you're going to dump the little kid on me once more, I'll lock you up with the brats and make you play all day with them."

Cale sweat dropped at the ancient dragon's response.

'That's scary.'

"It's not about that, I want to ask about the ancient power, actually."

The ancient dragon glanced at him with a blank stare. Silent but as obvious as the warmth that entered the room through the window, he slowly moved his eyes lower before looking back to the scroll.

"Don't worry, you're doing fine, Cale Henituse."

Cale blinked once and again as he took in the Dragon's words.

After making sure that he didn't hear wrong, the redhead nodded with a weird feeling.

"I'm glad to hear that. Thank you, Eruhaben-nim."

'Although I wasn't going to ask that, it's good to have another confirmation.'

Cale pretended that he was contended with that answer and flipped the page of the book that he was holding.

'Since Eruhaben-nim said that, it should be fine then. Maybe it wasn't related to the ancient power at all. Perhaps it was a coincidence. Or there was another trigger that I overlooked because I was confidence it was related to the ancient power.'

Cale's hand crept up slowly and rested on his neck.

He did not notice the Golden Dragon's gaze following the movement of his hand silently.

Knock. Knock.

"Young master-nim, this is Ron."

"Enter."

Ron entered the room with a tray of fresh pot of lemon tea and a plate of sweets.

"Young master-nim, the person you assigned a personal job before asked for an audience with you."

Cale tapped the table with his fingers as Ron refilled his cup.

Asking for an audience instead of submitting a report meant the investigation result was complexed and required Cale's direct handling.

'I have a feeling that it will be troublesome. Should I give up the investigation?'

If the scar was not in any way related to the ancient power, Cale would not bother in investigating the incident. He believed that the trouble outweighed his curiosity.

While Cale took his time to consider his decision, Eruhaben was intrigued by whatever it was that could made the unlucky bastard looked so troubled.

The ancient Dragon put away the scroll in his hand into his magic space and rose from the bed. He approached the redhead and sat beautifully across him.

Eruhaben didn't speak as he stared at Cale's thinking face, only occasionally stole a few sweets.

"Eruhaben-nim."

The Golden Dragon raised one brow and took the cop of tea that the old butler poured for him.

"Is it possible if we swap place?"

Eruhaben quickly understood Cale's meaning. Cale wished he could always slack around like Eruhaben. He let out a sigh and shook his head slowly. The redhead turned his head away and stared out of the window.

"Aigoo..."

"Unlucky bastard."

In the end, Cale reluctantly received the investigation result because it was already done and he didn't want to make Freesia worked for nothing.

Freesia was wearing the standard uniform set that the Countess customized for the people working under them. She walked in through the side door like the other servants would.

'It's good that they're blending in very well.'

"Most of the servants were fired at the same time after the incident. They received a large sum of money from the Count and it was impossible to pry anything about the incident from them. But amongst them, I found one person who wasn't happy with the Count's decision at that time."

Ron turned the report pages and stopped at a biography of an old woman. He politely submitted it to Cale. Eruhaben also took a peek.

"Young master-nim might still remember, this person was young lady Lily's nanny. Although she was capable at her job, her personality wasn't easy to the eyes."

Ron's eyes turned sharp as he recalled the attitude that the nanny had in front of his puppy young master.

Cale remembered this woman was mentioned in the original novel The Birth of A Hero. One time, while traveling with the novel Choi Han, the novel Ron mentioned this crazy woman tried to seduce the Count. Because of the privilege she received as the nanny of the only precious daughter of the Count, this woman's greed only kept growing. She even dared to openly insult the late Countess in front of novel Cale Henituse.

'She only dared because she knew no one will believe the trash son's anger was justified.'

"She was fired together with the other servants?"

'In the novel, was she also fired at that time?'

"Yes, young master-nim. This person has a loose mouth and a big greed for out she traded information about the Count and the family for a few with merchants and neighboring noble families."

Cale leaned back on the chair and tapped his fingers on the armchair slowly, his eyes devoid of any turbulence.

"Proceeds with your report."

Freesia and Ron exchanged a quick glance that Cale ignored deliberately. They understood that their young master did not even put her in his mind, her ending was already decided.

"Although her words were exaggerated, that woman said, on the night of the incident, she only heard the Count's scream followed with the servants running around. Some were running back and forth from young master-nim's room with basins filled with water and lots of bloodied towels. Not long after, she saw several doctor rushing into young master-nim's room and then aside from Mr. Ron, everyone else was forbidden from the floor where young master-nim's room is located."

Cale leaned forward and took a piece of cookie.

"Were the knights called?"

"No, young master-nim. The Count had all the servants gathered in the hall and announced that you were attacked by assassin, but the knight were not mobilized. The next morning, almost all of the servants were dismissed, only a few with vital positions were kept. And the Count's damage control kept the rumor from growing outside."

Cale glanced at Ron. The witness of the incident, and the only servant that the original Cale Henituse tolerated. It would be surprising if the Count dared to send him away.

Eruhaben quietly observed them from the side. At his age, he experienced many things and was also adept at hiding his emotions. There was no need to rush his question right now, he could wait until Cale was finished.

"Where were Lily and Basen at the time of the incident?"

"That woman said young master Basen should be in the library and young lady Lily was asleep. The nanny did not have time to tell young lady Lily before she was kicked out."

Cale was munching on a blueberry cupcake, On's current favorite sweet, while listening to Freesia's report when he noticed a crack appeared on Ron's impeccable's expression.

'Oh? Looks like amongst the fabricated lies, there was something that even Ron does not agree.'

"Anything from the Knights?"

''That... the Henituse knights were harder to approach, I couldn't find out anything aside from the point where they weren't mobilized after the incident."

According to the novel, the Henituse Knights weren't comparable to the Royal Knights in power, but their loyalty was famous thorough the Roan Kingdom. Mostly because the Count and the Countess poured so much money to train them.

"What about the assassin?"

Ron turned the pages again and it landed on a man's biography.

"This man was caught by the Royal Knight for assassination attempt on the second prince. He was later executed after a series of questioning that resulted in which he admitted that he was the culprit for young master-nim's assassination attempt."

'Although the Count swore on neutrality, it seemed that bribing the Royalty for his trash son was still a plausible thing. He really spoiled this son.'

Cale glanced at Ron's face, finding the man smiling in amusement at the page. He took a sip from his cup while holding back a shudder.

'It can't be that it was Ron's doing... So scary.'

"What about his testimony report?"

Freesia shook her head with a solemn look.

"The King gave all authority to handle this case to the Crown Prince Alberu Crossman. The testimony report is kept by his aide and I couldn't force my way in without getting caught."

Cale nodded in agreement.

Since most of the Crown Prince's trusted servants were Dark Elves in disguise, it's impossible for Freesia to escape from the Elementals' watch.

"I apologizes for my  incompetency, young master-nim."

The redhead picked his cup of tea and took a small sip. His face displayed the usual boredom and aloofness, making Freesia neither comfortable nor nervous.

"What of the Royal Knights and the Warden?"

"The old Warden that was involved in this case died of illness two months ago, and the new Warden is also under the Crown Prince's management."

'As expected of the Crown Prince.'

Freesia turned to Ron and the old butler turned the report on his hand. When it landed on the intended page, Ron offered the report to Cale.

"Young master-nim."

Cale took the report and skimmed through quickly. His eyes turned wide in surprise at the information written on it.

"The...the Countess made an unofficial visit to the assassin two nights before his confession? Are you sure?"

"Yes, young master-nim."

Cale snapped his head to the side, his heart almost going into panic as he waited for Ron's response. When the old butler nodded his head in affirmative, the redhead wasn't sure if he should be relieved or angry because of the Countess' action.

'It's good that her action was previously acknowledged by Ron, and probably the Count as well. But it won't be good for Basen's reputation if it was leaked out.'

If it's not handled well, Cale's plan to put Basen on the Count's position might be delayed and his slacker life will take longer time.

"Aigoo..."

At hearing his sigh, Freesia and Ron traded a few looks.

"What of the Royal Knights?"

"They were focused on the matter of the second prince, and young master-nim's reputation wasn't very

good before...so no one said anything worth to mention."

Cale picked a colorful cookie and turned it around a few times.

'They were probably thinking that the trash noble deserved it or maybe they thought he was making it up to get some attention.'

Cale put back the cookie and lightly smiled at Freesia.

"You did well. Thank you for your hardwork, Freesia."

Freesia shook her head and happily smiled back.

"It's an honor for me to work for you, young master-nim. Although I am disappointed at myself for not finding more."

Cale chuckled and leaned back on his chair, his posture wasn't very noble-like, but it was very comfortable for him.

"You don't have to feel bad. The Count and the Countess did their best to protect the truth. As a son, it would make me feel bad if I could easily broke through their lies."

From the side, Eruhaben silently stared at Cale's neck.

Chapter Text

After Freesia left, Cale put everything to the side and focused on his new plan on how he could extort the Crown Prince for the assassin's testimony without owing anything the Crown Prince.

'Should I scare him with Eruhaben-nim, or do I use Toonka?'

"Young master-nim."

"Hm?"

Ron's expression was a little unnatural, and Cale's first thought was did someone died?

"This... About the Countess..."

Ah.

Cale quickly understood what the butler was trying to convey.

The stepson was attacked by an assassin, and the stepmother secretly visited the assassin. If this was about the other noble family, that would definitely be a suspicious point. And it would be natural for the stepson to doubt the stepmother.

However, when stepson in the story was him, and the stepmother was Countess Violan, there was nothing to doubt.

Cale waved his hand to ease Ron's worry.

"Don't worry about it, Ron. I definitely won't misunderstand the Countess' intention. There must be a reason why the Count couldn't make the visit himself and had to ask the Countess."

Ron was relieved by Cale's answer and nodded happily.

"Yes, indeed. At that time, young master-nim was still recovering and the Count couldn't bear to stay away from young master-nim even just for an hour."

Ron's slick respond was as Cale expected. Since he expected that, it was only proper for him to had prepared the right feedback.

He picked up his cup and raised the end of his lips.

"So that's the reason. And here I thought it was because the Count was not eloquent at lying and acting. After all, it's not easy to convince a person on a death row to take on someone else's sin to add onto his own. Looks like I thought too much."

Cale was very relaxed as he spoke. He took a sip of his tea before raising his head to meet the ancient Dragon's eyes.

Eruhaben was also relaxed, as if he was watching a play.

'It is a play, though. A master and a butler both walking around the ice, pointing at it as if it had nothing to do with us.'

Ron observed his puppy young master with a deep gaze. The redhead didn't look disturbed by the report, his face still showed the same bored expression and his eyes were clear and void of any doubt. There was no ripple in the fog like the old butler had worried about.

"Young master-nim is insightful."

Cale put down his cup and looked away.

"You're also very wise, Ron. I didn't even doubt anything before, you've worked hard."

It was only natural that the original Cale didn't doubt Ron. This old butler had been by his side the longest. The original trash noble had never raised his hands against Ron, no matter what irked him. That showed just how special the old butler's status in this mansion.

But what about Ron?

He was using the original Cale as a tool to hide. He held no affection for him, even turning blind eyes at the original's self-harm habit.

So why did he bother to go so far to protect Cale Henituse from remembering the truth?

Didn't he tried to misled Cale before? Purposely telling Cale that he was a witness to gain a control over his curiosity, and If Cale accepted that, Ron could manipulate the information as the real witness, believing that Cale wouldn't doubt him.

'What a scary fox.'

Cale glanced at the the assassin. When Ron caught his gaze and deepened his smile, the redhead snapped his head to the other side, giving himself a whiplash.

'Was Ron protecting the original? No. It's unreasonable to think that Ron was protecting the original Cale from learning the truth. Since Cale Henituse was his best cover, he probably just wanted to make sure that this matter wouldn't cost him and Beacrox their hiding place. '

"Cale."

Eruhaben suddenly called out his name.

"Hm?"

"It's the children's nap time."

Oh.

Cale let out a soft exclamation and nodded. The ancient Dragon took out the communication orb and connected it to the one in Cale's room in Super Rock Villa.

Soon, a black Dragon's enlarged face appeared on the surface, followed with a deafening loud voice.

"Human!"

''Raon, where are On and Hong?"

Ron observed how the fearless puppy put down his guard in front of the children, his bored expression stayed the same, but his eyes held more gentleness and joy. The old butler soften his smile and quietly retreated.

Before he left the room, Ron perceived the Golden Dragon's subtle gaze.

Once the door closed with a click, Eruhaben turned back to the communication orb and included himself in the conversation between one human and one baby.

"Little kid, stop bouncing on the bed."

"I'm not little kid!"

Chapter Text

The crazy priestess Cage. She was biting her fingernails while leaning on one leg and shaking her other. She was so deeply entrenched in her own thoughts that she had not even realized that Cale had arrived.

“You crazy god. Why do you keep appearing in my dreams and bawling?! Grab onto young master Cale’s pants? What the hell are you trying to say?!”

Cage had not been able to sleep properly for the past few weeks.

She heard the voice of the God of Death in her dreams every night. He was sniffling and whining over and over.

How could a god act that way?

He used to whine that he made a mistake and wanted to apologize.

Nowadays he always mumbled another thing as well.

‘Finally, finally! Cale, that human really was the real deal! I can now share a beautiful death with the world!’

That statement wasn’t too weird.

However, Cage could not believe what he would say after that.

‘Do you want to try being a Holy Maiden?’

Cage woke up at that moment every time and shouted back.

‘What bullshit! You think I’m crazy?!’

However, she heard the God of Death’s voice along with a severe headache when she responded that way this morning.

‘Do whatever you want. That is the path you should take.’

He was telling her to do whatever she wanted to do.

That made her feel even more suspicious.

Cale pointed to the book after seeing that Cage always seemed to think the same way he did about things like this.

“Can you keep it safe for me?”

“Sure. I heard that most of the God of Death’s divine items were gone. I will keep it safe and hand it over to you when you need it, young master-nim.”

She started to tap on the book.

The way she tapped made it feel like she considered it more of an obnoxious item than a precious item.

“I think regular people will struggle and have nightmares because the book is full of an ominous aura.”

“That must be why I had a nightmare!”

Raon shouted in response before glaring at the book once again.

Cale tilted his head to one side.

‘Nightmare? Struggle?’

Cale had not had any issues sleeping. In fact, he probably slept better than ever. He also dreamt of something, but he couldn't remember any of it.

‘…This is weird.’

It was not that Eruhaben was sick, instead, he was just naturally facing death due to his old age.

"But Eruhaben-nim."

"What is it?"

"Are you welcoming death?"

"…Is there anybody in the world that would welcome death? We don’t want to be sick and we don’t want to die. I think that should be the case for both Dragons and humans."

The ancient Dragon casually responded back, but Cale could feel his desire to live.

Cale observed him and continued to think, he knew at least one person who welcomed death, or tried to. He shook his head and refocused on the Golden Dragon.

‘There definitely has to be a way.’

Immortality was impossible due to the laws of nature, however, Cale felt like there must be an ancient power that slowed down your aging.

Cale continued to think about the ancient powers he read about until he stopped walking.

“We’re here!”

"Cale."

The World Tree asked.

"Who are you?"

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh-

The leaves started to rustle.

"Who are you?"

The crown prince had asked a similar question before.

However, this time was different.

"Cale, I cannot see your future. I also cannot see your past, other than the last three years."

3 years ago?

Kim Rok Soo had only become Cale Henituse for two years.

"I may not be much, but I have lived a long time. I’ve lived, died, and reincarnated many times. That gave me the eyes to see a bit of the world."

The World Tree was able to see a bit of the flow of the world. However, there was a time when it could not see any of it.

And now, the number of things that the World Tree could see was slowly decreasing.

"A long long time ago."

'Wait. Tell me more about that 3 years.'

But Cale didn't want to be disrespectful for their first meeting.

"There were people like you whom I could not see their pasts nor futures. I could only see tiny glimpses of their near future."

"…I must rest now."

"Wait. I have one more question-"

However, the World Tree quickly retreated.

Cale could not hear the World Tree’s voice anymore. He took his hand off the trunk and looked toward priestess Adite. The young priestess continued to cry as she started to speak.

“The World Tree-nim said that it must sleep for a long time and said that you should chat later along with the fruit.”

The Elf caressed the blackened branches with sad eyes as she continued to speak.

“It also said that it was disappointed that it could not chat with Raon-nim, but asked to push that until next time as well.”

“I am disappointed as well, but that’s okay! Hey World Tree, is there something I can help you with?”

Raon approached the World Tree with a concerned expression. The young priestess shook her head.

“Recovery is something the World Tree-nim will take care of alone. All we need to do is wait.”

Shhhhhhh-

Cale listened to the rustling of the leaves and started to think.

‘The person who has collected three ancient powers and is looking to gather more.

‘The traces of Raon’s parents.

‘The judge who ran away to the Eastern continent.’

Cale brushed his face with both of his hands.

'The mysterious one year gap between the time I transmigrated and the things the World Tree saw.'

‘Just when will I get to rest?’

He started to feel sad.

Chapter Text

Cale felt sorry for himself that he needed to get these children averaging nine years of age to approve his use of his own powers. He would not have cared if it was the Whales or the Tigers. How did it end up this way? Cale even thought that it might have been easier when he was living as trash.

However, Cale still continued to wipe the sauce off of Raon’s mouth every so often. The three children were still wary of him as they exchanged gazes with each other.

‘We will destroy everything if he faints!’

Hong nodded at Raon’s gaze while On shook her head and sent a different message.

‘How about we just protect him instead of thinking about destroying things? We will use our poison fog if any strong people come nearby. Everybody, whether they are Lions or sword masters, will all fall in the end if they are poisoned.’

‘Oh! Good idea!’

Cale did not know about the children’s vicious exchange as he slowly ate a cookie. The children continued to peek at him from time to time, but Cale had no idea.

Amongst the three, only On's gaze was different. Her eyes held a deeper abyss that she couldn't share to her younger brothers.

'Grampa Ron is right, Cale loves to hurt himself.'

Cale looked out the window and started to think.

‘The fiery thunderbolt.’

He had fainted after using it at the maximum power last time.

‘Then I’ll use just half.’

Since it would be used during night time, even using it at half power would make it flash brightly.

‘The scar on the neck is not a problem by now. I shouldn’t faint if I use it at half power, right?’

Cale felt his heart starting to beat faster. He then started to frown.

‘Is it completely crazy now?’

He shook his head at the voice that was going off like an alarm in his head. It had been going on since early in the morning.

'Are you planning on destroying it?'

It was the Scary Giant Cobblestone.

‘Is it because I made up my mind to use the fiery thunderbolt?’

Cale had no idea why the Super Rock was acting this way.

“…Is there no way to turn this voice off?”

The children who had been secretly whispering to each other froze after hearing Cale’s mumblings. However, Cale did not look toward the children. He did not saw On's eyes shook madly and her tail dropped between her lower legs.

Cale sighed tiredly.

‘This Super Rock is really useless.’

Cough.

Cale coughed, and blood seeped into Choi Han’s clothes.

‘Damn it.’

Cale realized something after seeing that he was coughing up blood.

‘There’s always blood when the Vitality of the Heart moves with urgency.’

This was the case whether it was the Plaza Terror Incident, the Ten Finger Mountains incident, or the recent incident in the Empire when he used the shield again. Whenever he used a significant amount of strength, the Vitality of the Heart would urgently start to work in order to restore his health. It always made him let out one bloody cough.

‘But I feel so much better.’

It always made him feel better afterward.

Although he was a little worried that his scar didn't react at all after all of that.

However, Cale was relieved that something terrible like coughing up blood while eating apple pie did not happen and looked toward Raon.

“…What are you doing?”

“…Nothing, human.”

Cale could see a piece of apple pie flying away as dust. He could also see the poisonous fog starting to come out of On and Hong’s bodies.

He had an iffy feeling about it all as he patted Choi Han’s back. Shouldn’t he at least apologize for getting blood on him?

“Sorry.”

“…It was not a problem.”

Choi Han responded after a while. That made Cale think that Choi Han was annoyed that there was blood on his back but had calmed himself down.

Even he would have been angry if it had happened to him.

Cale wanted to move away from the angry Choi Han. He had filled his belly with apple pie, so he could probably walk on his own now.

“I should be okay to get off now. Let’s start moving again once you put me down.”

“…It is not a problem.”

‘Not a problem?’

Cale found Choi Han’s response to be odd.

'Please protect my son. He... Cale is a lot more fragile than he looks. Please... don't leave him.'

Choi Han held back his aura and quickly added on.

“It is like moving with a broom on my back. You are lighter than a haystack. Furthermore, I can move more efficiently and stealthily than you can, Cale-nim.”

‘…Did he just compare me to a broom and a haystack?’

Cale knew that Choi Han was speaking honestly, but he couldn’t help but feel upset. Raon shoved another piece of apple pie toward him at that moment and started to speak.

“Listen to Choi Han, weak human.”

“But-”

Raon shoved the apple pie in Cale’s mouth when he opened his mouth to speak. Cale looked toward Raon with shock, but the Black Dragon had a determined look on his face.

Chapter Text

“I’m hungry.”

It was because he was hungry.

He became hungry after the Vitality of the Heart was utilized. Cale started to walk a bit faster.

“Young master-nim, please make sure to have a hearty dinner tonight.”

“Yeah, I will. Too bad Beacrox isn’t here.”

Cale, who answered Ron with whatever came to his mind, looked toward Ron after hearing Ron’s next words.

“Young master-nim, I am very proud of you.”

Cale’s expression turned odd.

It was a stark contrast to the Ron who always had a benign smile on his face.

Cale had not forgotten about how Ron looked happy earlier while clenching the butler’s neck. He seemed to be the most energetic he had seen in a while. Someone might even think he had become young again.

‘What a scary old man.’

Cale slowly took a half step away from Ron and rushed back to the castle. Ron watched Cale walking away from him before mumbling to himself.

“He never changes.”

The young master who was now a full-grown puppy, no, the young master who had become a tiger still did not know how to control his facial expressions.

Ron preferred him like this. Compared to what the young master was like before and after the incident, this naughty young tiger that loved to create problem was hundred times better.

“Meeeeeow.”

“Meeow.”

Ron picked up the two kittens who stealthily approached him and followed behind Cale.

'If God want to punish me for wishing that young master will stay like this for a long time, this Ron won't go down without a fight.'

‘Within this year, no, by the end of next year, let’s deal with the North and the Empire so that I can relax in the villa.’

Cale had such a simple desire as he fell asleep. The children averaging nine-years-old left him alone as they chatted quietly on the side.

“We only got to see the desert last time we went to the Caro Kingdom! We will get to see all of it this time!”

“I really like traveling!”

On quietly finished eating a slice of cake while listening to her younger siblings chat. Raon and Hong could not hide their excitement about their next destination.

“Our house is good, but traveling is nice too!”

“I agree! It’s fun traveling together like this!”

“Yeah! I’m curious about the Eastern continent too! Let’s travel everywhere! We are great and mighty, so we can do it!”

They were saying things that would make Cale faint in shock. On peeked toward the sleeping Cale before shaking her head. However, she kept her mouth shut as she wanted her younger siblings’ desires to become true.

Grandpa Ron also said that travelling and meeting a lot of people would be good for Cale.

Hong and Raon started to discuss their plans to travel the world while On just sat there in silence.

Cale had a nightmare that night.

Chapter Text

Cale grabbed Count Deruth’s hand.

“Stealthily, please. Father.”

Cale could hear Deruth’s response through that firm squeeze his father gave his hand. That was enough.

There was nothing else he needed to tell Count Deruth right now.

That was why Cale immediately headed out of the castle and toward the Forest of Darkness.

Sigh.

"Cale lost weight again."

Deruth could only let out his complain in front of his wife. He couldn't say those words to his son when Cale was doing everything for their safety. As the Count, he must held back his feelings as a father and support Cale's decision to his best ability.

Violan gently put a fragrant cup of mixed tea in front of her husband.

"Cale is investigating about the incident."

"Mm."

The Count grunted in response. He received the report almost immediately after Freesia met up with the butler that was laid off together with the others the day after the incident.

The old butler was still very loyal to the Henituse family, and it was also the man's own decision to retire because he believed he was already too old to be useful for the Count. Right after Freesia left, the old man send a letter addressed directly to the Count.

Along with Hans' report, the Count deducted that the person behind Freesia could only be Cale. Although he didn't know how his wife found out about it.

"It's been three years since then. We did our best in covering it, but with Cale's power and new connection, it's only a matter of time."

Violan elegantly stir her cup while pondering the right approach to this problem.

"Husband, should we sent Ron away? He knew everything. Even that day, he was the only one by Cale's side. If we sent him away..."

Deruth quickly shook his head.

"No, wife. We mustn't. Although I am annoyed with Ron because he is too close to Cale, we cannot touch him because he is important to Cale. Ron was the only one that Cale allowed to serve him before, when he was still pretending to be trash. I'm afraid if we do anything to Ron, Cale will hate us."

The Count ended his words with a heavy sigh.

"Then, do we simply wait for Cale to recover his memory?"

Violan gripped her cup lightly, a frown smeared her usually cold yet elegant expression.

"Wife, Cale has many people around him now. I only hope that even if he remembers, he won't forget those people, and let them help him heal."

Deruth reached out his hand and the Countess took it with her own.

"This time, we will be there for our son."

"Yes, wife."

“I will trust you.”

A simple comment. However, that simple comment left Lock in a daze as he accepted the diary. He could feel the old leather in his hands.

Lock then tightly held the diary in his arms.

Cale watched Lock do this before giving the order to the rest of the group.

“Let’s go back.”

They needed to return to the Roan Kingdom.

Cale looked back at the Gorge of Death one last time.

'Was he lonely?'

The only one with a red hair in the family. The odd one. A little sister that didn't resemble him at all. A stepmother that had a different personality with the birth mother. A place that he couldn't call home.

"Cale-nim?"

'In this life, what happened to you? What was in your mind as you tried to cut off your head? Was it loneliness that provoke you?'

Cale turned around and faced Choi Han's worried eyes.

"It's nothing."

The scars.

They itched.

Chapter Text

Cale was currently relaxed.

Ron’s smile became cold as soon as Cale’s gaze moved away from him. His gaze was focused on Cale, who seemed to be drowning in documents as he thoroughly read through the guidelines and properly gave orders that matched the big picture.

He could see Cale’s pale expression.

'Although he stopped cutting himself, this young master still somehow found a way to torture himself.'

Cale could feel his heart start to beat wildly.

He then heard the voice of the glutton priestess.

"You will block it."

The shield started to shrink.

“What the hel……!”

Cale could not speak properly. His entire body was heating up. He was not in pain, however, it was getting hard to breathe.

The ancient powers were roaring inside of his body.

The tattoos around his body felt as if they were on fire. Even the scar around his neck felt like it was dancing.

The shield continued to shrink as that happened.

The silver wings disappeared as well.

"Cale!”

Countess Violan was screaming.

'My son! Not again!'

Mueller also heard Count Deruth’s shout as well.

“Everybody focus!”

Mueller raised his head. The always calm and gentle Count’s expression was extremely ugly.

The Count had veins popping out of his forehead as he gave the order.

“Activate the catapults right away!”

The Count took out his sword and approached the edge of the wall and looked down as he continued to speak. There was anger, sorrow, and uncertainty mixed in his voice.

'Father...'

The Cale in his memory was always bleeding. He hated it.

“Don’t let even a single one live!”

“Cale!”

The Countess arrived to support Cale, who was just barely standing up. She held back another scream.

Cale had plopped down as soon as she supported him.

Black blood was seeping out of Cale’s eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Cale was coughing up so much blood that it looked as if he would have trouble breathing.

The Countess could feel Cale’s body starting to turn cold. Her son’s body was starting to turn cold.

Just like that day.

She could see a doctor and a priest heading toward them from the distance.

“Cale, just a bit, hold on just a bit longer.”

She started to massage Cale’s body and arms. There was so much blood coming out of him that she was worried that he would have no blood left.

Memory of three years ago overlapped with the Cale in front of her.

"Please, Cale."

That day, she also begged like this.

She heard Cale’s quiet voice at that moment.

“… I … I’m okay.”

‘What?’

Her pupils started to shake as she looked at Cale. The priest and the doctor that approached him flinched.

There was a voice crying in Cale’s mind right now.

“Human, you are bleeding too much. Human, this is different than normal. Human, please, human. Please stop bleeding. I will not let him survive! I will kill him even if I have to die as well."

“Stay here.”

Cale’s hand moved to grab the air.

The Countess started to frown after seeing trying to grab the air. She thought that Cale was hallucinating. His mind must be damaged as well.

She finally calmed down after seeing the Count looking as if he was going to go crazy while looking at Cale. At least one of them had to think straight.

However, it was hard for her to control her emotions after hearing what Cale said next.

“…You’ll get hurt if you go……”

''…Mother..."

The words he barely managed to say made it difficult for her to hold back her tears. The things that he was saying while coughing up blood, the things that he was saying even though his mind must be a mess.

Even during this moment!

It made her feel as if her heart was breaking.

'I'm sorry, Cale. I'm sorry. Please!'

Cale finally managed to speak again.

“… Stay by my side- cough!”

Cale coughed up blood again. He then started to bleed out once more.

Cale did not manage to say the remaining words out loud.

‘Kill him.’

Stay by my side and kill him.

Cale calmly looked back toward Count Henituse and made an observation.

“The shield did not break.”

The concerned expression on the Count’s face slowly changed. The hand that was holding his son’s hand was shaking. He just held his son’s hand tighter instead of responding back.

'He is alive. My son is still alive.'

Although Cale had not meant for it to happen, his words had still been conveyed to the entire kingdom through the video communication device in Basen’s arms.

Chapter Text

“Basen, you go help father.”

“…Hyung-nim, why are you trying to do all of the difficult and strenuous tasks?”

This area had been closed off for tens of years.

It was the underground prison.

He could see a faint light inside. Basen found it hard to understand this hyung-nim of his that was trying to send him away.

‘Why, why does he always try to do all of the hard things on his own……!’

He found it hard to understand.

“It is not hard. This type of task is more suited for me. You should head back up.”

"Hyung-nim!"

The younger heir suddenly raised his voice unexpectedly. Although he was surprised, Cale's body was too hungry to react physically.

"... Basen?"

'Was I being too disrespectful to Basen?'

The boy was frowning deeply, his hands clenched so tightly that Cale could see the veins bulging out.

‘What kind of person is suited for torture?!’

Cale was currently going to interrogate and torture someone.

Basen was thinking that this warm-hearted hyung-nim of his, the man who worked so hard to save the citizens of the territory, could not like nor be suited for such a task.

“I apologize… I will do so if that is your will.”

Basen turned around.

A thought was going through his mind.

He understood why his hyung-nim would choose to personally handle this kind of task when both he and his father were available.

At least he thought he understood.

‘I am still young and powerless.’

Basen Henituse, the seventeen-year-old young man. He realized that he still had a long way to go in order to be like the people surrounding his brother. He needed to grow in order to not become baggage.

Basen did not look back even once as he headed up and out of the underground prison.

"Basen?"

"Father, hyung- nim sents me here to help you."

"... I see."

Basen looked around curiously. Most of the nobles had calmed down and were send back by the knights. The servants were moving around in groups, dutifully cleaning the aftermath of the battle. Though there wasn't much to do because the damages we located outside the city.

"I do not see mother anywhere."

"Your sister heard that Cale was injured and ran out of her room with a sword. Violan went to beat some sense into her."

Basen sweat dropped at the mental image but he decided not to help Lily, or he would receive a punishment as well. He couldn't let himself fall while his brother was working so hard by himself.

"Father-"

"The merchants representatives are looking for your mother. Why don't you talk to them and see if you could help them, Basen?"

The young heir closed his mouth and silently nodded.

"I'm sorry for pushing these things on you."

The Count looked tired as he spoke so softly to his step-son.

Basen shook his head fervently.

'These are the least I can do to help.'

"I am happy to be able to help you and hyung-nim."

Deruth smiled gently and kindly.

"I'm also happy that we could help Cale this time."

The child nodded with a complex feeling. He felt that he was the only one that didn't contribute anything for Cale.

"Ah! Father."

"Hm?"

Because there were too many people around, Basen stepped closer to the Count and whispered lowly under his breath.

"Please tell Hans and Vice Captain Hilsman to watch over Hyung-nim closely. The doctor said too much burden on his body and mind is not good for him. I'm afraid... that the shock from the battle might jolt his memory."

The father surpressed his expression, lest the lingering nobles noticed and tried to make it into a problem.

"I know."

Deruth patted Basen's head softly, then the two parted and focused on their own duties.

Chapter Text

He could feel it.

He could feel it clearer and clearer as he got closer. He could feel the invisible presence next to that bastard.

However, the presence was faint.

In fact, that red-hair, Cale Henituse’s presence was much larger. The scent of nature and pure magic were flowing out of him.

That was why he felt that something was off.

“You’re a Dragon. Hmm? Are you a Dragon that came out to play? Is it you? Or is it that thing next to you? Hmm?”

Bang! Bang!

"Why do you smell like a Lord? Hmm? Are you the new Lord? Hmm?"

The Dragon half-blood’s two fists slammed against the shield.

‘This crazy bastard. Does Arm only have lunatics like this?’

Cale looked toward the completely insane person and started to speak.

“A Dragon that came out to play my ass. Sounds more like your brain went out to play. Stop spewing such nonsense.”

“Hahahaha!”

“Young master-nim, are you dizzy by chance?”

“…No.”

Cale slowly opened his eyes. He then felt annoyed after seeing the way Hilsman was looking at him.

Although Hilsman’s face currently showed concern for Cale, Cale did not like it.

Cale subconsciously let out his inner thoughts.

“Why is it so hard to live.”

‘I can’t play, I can’t even relax.’

He didn’t know it would be so hard to be able to lay around in bed all day doing nothing.

Cale shook his head and started to walk again.

"Young master-nim!"

Someone grabbed Cale's shoulder and turned him around suddenly.

It was Hilsman.

The man looked panicked, sad, and scared at the same time.

"You-you must be tired and hungry, young master-nim! Should I ask Mr. Ron and Mr. Beacrox to come here?"

Cale nodded slowly. Then he quickly shook his head.

'Please don't summon those two. Choi Han and Raon are scary enough.'

"Ah! I apologizes!"

Hilsman quickly lowered his hands and watched Cale walked away with a fallen expression.

Pat.

Someone patted him on the shoulder at that moment.

“Let’s go.”

It was Choi Han. Hilsman turned around to look at Choi Han before flinching.

“Y, yes. Let’s go.”

“We need to move quickly. The young master-nim does everything quickly.”

Pendrick blankly watched Cale who patted him on the shoulder with a bright smile. He was wondering what mess he got himself into as soon as he got here. Cale handed him a pristine white priest robe at that moment.

It was the same one that the group had worn when they were pretending to be priests with Saint Jack in the past.

“Alright, go to work.”

“Ahem, work hard.”

Cale gave the order with a gentle voice while Eruhaben let out a fake cough and stepped backward. Pendrick continued to watch blankly before taking the robe from Cale.

Then the redhead waved at Choi Han and Mary.

"Choi Han, Mary, you can go first."

"Yes, Cale-nim."

"I understand, young master-nim."

The sword master and the necromancer were obedient, and it wasn't a hassle to send them out. On the other hand, Cale didn't know how to send out the Black Dragon.

Cale stared up to the hovering Dragon, and his mind strayed as he realized the small Black Dragon's belly was bulging. Raon had grown so big, no wonder his arms started to ache lately.

''Raon..."

The six years old turned his wide, dark eyes to Cale and crossed his tiny, short paws.

"Are you going to talk about your secret to Goldie Gramps, human?"

Cale was surprised and a little part scared of Raon's sharp intuition.

He reluctantly nodded as if he was caught doing something bad.

Raon's tail slapped the air playfully a few times. Cale thought even just the tail itself could knock him out cold.

"Then I will go with smart Mary and count to three hundred! But you cannot go anywhere without me or Goldie Gramps! And you have to finish your food!"

'Why am I being told by a six years old?'

"Yes, yes."

The Black Dragon giggled to himself as before teleporting away to somewhere else.

"Erm... should I leave as well, young master-nim?"

Being left alone with the Ancient Dragon and the young master Cale in front of him was nerve-wracking. The robe felt heavy on his arms, Pendrick felt like he was a timid little mouse in between two predators.

''I actually have something to ask you, Pendrick."

Cale pointed to the empty seats that Choi Han and Mary used. He also pushed the bowl of fruits prepared for him to the Elf.

Pendrick carefully took the seat, while Eruhaben took the other one without hesitation.

"Eruhaben-nim, try these meats. It's delicious."

"The little kid told you to finish all of it."

Eruhaben smiled teasingly at him. He even helped Cale to cut the rest of the meat evenly.

'Aigoo. Do I looks like a pig?'

Cale stoically pushed his plate to the side and crossed his arms.

"Pendrick."

"Y-yes, sir."

Being called so suddenly, the elf flinched and gripped the robe in his arms tightly.

"How is your healing power?"

Pendrick was surprised at the question, but he thought that the young master was very caring and smiled brightly.

"Because of young master-nim's recommendations, I managed to break through my limit and received a new revelation. This humble elf is forever grateful to young master-nim."

Cale didn't know what this limit and revelation that Pendrick mentioned. He only mentioned a healing magic trick that was written in the original novel to Eruhaben in passing. The Ancient Dragon must have thought it was interesting and brought it up to the elf.

The person that should receive the credit was the novel's Choi Han. It was his idea, while Cale only mentioned it because he remembered it by chance.

Pendrick's talent also deserve recognition. The elf's achievements were all due to himself.

"I didn't do anything. You are talented and hard working, you should be proud of your own ability and take credit for yourself. Try to learn from Miss Rosalyn."

"Young master..."

Pendrick was touched. Although this young master sometimes said some scary things with scary face, this person was a very good person that was acknowledged by two esteemed Dragons and the World Tree-nim.

The redhead felt uncomfortable when the elf turned teary eyed. He waved a hand to quickly continued the conversation.

"Then can you tell me if it's possible to heal a scar?"

Eruhaben glanced at him silently, his eyes blatantly scanning Cale's body from the top to his legs.

Cale pretended not to notice.

"It is not impossible. Since we elves are curious in nature, we do learn how to heal scars as well. However... "

Pendrick lightly touched the Z scar on his eyes without a shift in his emotion.

"We also learn to embraces them as a part of our lives. The World Tree-nim once said that everything that happens are the will of nature."

Although Cale couldn't really agree with the wise World Tree, he also can't be bothered with other people's belief.

'As long as their Gods do not annoy me first.'

"What if it was an old scar that healed badly?"

The elf tilted his head to the side with a serious expression.

''Then, I might need to inspect the scar first beforehand. But if this is about Miss Mary-"

"It's me."

"Hoo."

A deep, scary, low gasp sounded from the Ancient Dragon, and Cale suddenly found it hard to turn his head.

"Are you trying to sacrifice yourself？"

Even his Ancient Power was intimidated.

Chapter Text

Cale quietly counted the number of the grapes inside the fruit bowl while ignoring the cold draft hitting his bare neck.

Eruhaben had moved to his left and was focused on the scar around Cale's neck. His gaze was even sharper than Ron's daggers.

Glued behind the Golden Dragon, the elf Pendrick was mumbling something under his breath while observing the two of them.

Then the Dragon said something softly.

"So it was this..."

"Hm?"

Cale barely heard what Eruhaben had said. He tried to twist his head to the side, but one large and warm hand landed on the top of his hair and stopped him.

The Golden Dragon was staring down at him with a blank face, but there was something about his aura that almost made the Dominating Aura activate itself.

"Cale, I trust that you shall explain everything to the tiniest details. If I finds you left out anything, just know that I could easily take away your dream of an easy life."

Eruhaben spoke seriously. His eyes shone dangerously, it reminded Cale of the time when Raon was really upset.

'Except that this Dragon is many times stronger and scarier than Raon.'

The Dragon let go his head and went back to his seat. Seeing the situation, Pendrick also silently sat back down.

''There is no need to think so hard, Cale. You are not leaving this room until you tell me everything."

Eruhaben flicked his fingers and a powerful barrier erected around the room.

Cale knew he couldn't bluff his way out this time. Raon was only a six years old, it was easy to placate the baby Dragon. But the same thing wouldn't work on the wise and ancient Dragon.

However, Cale had a trump card.

While the Dragon and the elf waited patiently, Cale silently tidied up his collar. Although he put away the ribbon around the neck because he didn't remember how Hans wrapped it before.

He looked at the Golden Dragon and quickly reached a decision.

'I'm throwing Ron under the bus.'

"Eruhaben-nim, I'm not trying to lie my way out. I just do not know what I can say, I really do not know anything."

As expected, the man didn't bat an eye at Cale's excuse. He dipped his chin as if encouraging Cale to speak more of those nonsense.

'I could use this chance to get more intel from Ron.'

The redhead frowned and looked away.

"I was told that three years ago, an assassin attacked me and left me with this scar. They said I lost my memory of the attack because I couldn't bear the shock."

"Oh!"

Cale ignored Pendrick's suprised gasp.

Eruhaben looked skeptical. It was understandable if the Golden Dragon didn't believe Cale's story. The redhead himself didn't believe a bit of it.

"Cale."

"Eruhaben-nim."

"If you do not tell the truth, I will spread the word that the Young Master Shield is a Dragon Lord's vessel."

"Hoo!"

'A Dragon is really scary!'

The image that followed Eruhaben's words made Cale felt fear that he never imagined before. The redhead clutched at his heart with a trembling hand and slowly shook his head.

"Eruhaben-nim, you must believe me. I only knows what I was told. You can ask Ron, he knows more than I do. I was also informed by Ron."

Cale knew he passed through the ordeal when the Ancient Dragon frowned and looked away. Now it was his turn to dig for information.

Seeing that Eruhaben had went into his thinking mode, the redhead took a quick sip from his cup and turned to the elf.

"What do you think, Pendrick?"

Being asked so suddenly, Pendrick glanced to the side where the Golden Dragon sat silently.

The elf was confident of his ability, naturally. However, the expression that Eruhaben wore on his face when he was observing the young master's scar allowed him to realize that this matter was never about his ability as a healer.

"Pendrick cannot heal that scar."

After what felt like a long time to consider, Eruhaben finally spoke what Pendrick couldn't said out loud.

"Not only Pendrick, but that Saint, nor even God themselves could heal that, Cale."

The answer was beyond Cale's expectation.

A God's power wasn't something to be taken lightly in this world. He, more so

than even the most devout believer, knew that Gods were real and the most powerful in this world.

If even that wouldn't work, Cale really couldn't imagine what the original Cale Henituse did.

"What is this, Eruhaben-nim?"

'Why is this body so troublesome? I will smack that Cale Henituse if we meet one day.'

The Ancient Dragon let out a long, deep sigh. Suddenly, he looked so tired as if he just finished playing with the children all day.

"Pendrick, you can leave now."

"Eh?"

Snap.

With a snap of his fingers, Eruhaben teleported the elf somewhere else with no more explanation. Then the man turned to Cale and raised his fingers.

Golden dust started filling the room, some of it surrounded Cale with intense aura. The blinding Gold almost took away Cale's sight from the sheer brightness. But overall, it was just a harmless, expensive dust to the redhead.

Eruhaben snapped his fingers once more and suddenly, the Golden Dust produced sparks of lighting followed with weird sounds that were almost similar to a thunder.

"Hoo."

Cale found those to be entertaining and let out a soft gasp.

The Golden Dragon waved his hand and under his command, the dust and the sparks froze in the air.

He pushed the plate of meat closer to Cale before crossing his arms.

"Cale, do you bring the thing I gave you?"

The redhead took a while to remember the things he received from the Ancient Dragon.

'Is it about the bomb? I think I have one left. Why would Eruhaben-nim ask for that out of nowhere?'

"The brooch, Cale."

"Oh. Yes, Raon has it."

Eruhaben clicked his tongue in disappointment.

"That thing was supposed to the surpress the Dragon presence from within you, but only if you keep it with you. No wonder that crazy Dragon was attracted more to your presence rather than the little kid."

Cale thought that crazy Dragon was just simply out of his mind. He went to pour a new cup from the teapot but found it had already cooled down. The redhead sat back and stared persistently at the older man.

Knowing what the young noble wanted, the Golden Dragon sighed tiredly. He

waved his hand and the teapot glowed dimly from within. After making a quick temperature check, the man poured two cups of tea. One for Cale, and one for him.

Cale smiled softly and gratefully took the cup.

"I didn't know that Dragon could leave their presence around. Is that how Dragons find each other?"

'It's like dogs and cats.'

Cale thought it was a little adorable that Raon's presence clung to him like On and Hong's.

"No. A Dragon's presence is like a sword master's aura, you cannot leave it behind like a mana."

To finish his sentence, Eruhaben took a sip of his tea while staring mysteriously at the redhead.

Naturally, Cale understood the meaning of that gaze.

'Then what is this Dragon presence from inside of me?'

However, Cale was afraid to ask.

Too many things happened recently, his future as a slacker had been in danger repeatedly and he couldn't afford to increase the risk.

"Cale."

A soft voice called out to him, and Cale raised his fallen face.

"Eruhaben-nim."

"How long do you think you can avoid the truth?"

"I..."

Cale lowered his face again.

"Eruhaben-nim, I only want to become a rich slacker. I think I'm already working hard for that, but why does problem keeps appearing from here and there?"

The Golden Dragon had heard about things that Cale did before they met. This unlucky human went through many hardship in pursuit of his dream of a peaceful life.

'Why must it be this frail human. Why would a Lord marked this one and left him alone in pain?'

"You unlucky bastard."

Hearing the Ancient Dragon's usual remark, Cale shifted on his seat while keeping his head down.

Somehow, the redhead's unusual sullen look made the Dragon's heart ached. Eruhaben wondered if he was starting to become attached to a frail human.

He wished...to help.

"Cale, you do not have to do everything by yourself."

Cale looked up at the Dragon's words. He was a little confused at the man's choice of words.

'But I have never though? I always have Raon and Choi Han to do everything.'

"Don't worry about this scar. I will take care of it. Cale, you just do what you need to do."

The Ancient Dragon decided. He won't let Cale face this problem alone.

'I must watch this unlucky bastard or he will find another problem again.'

Eruhaben used the silver fork to picked the forgotten meat and offered it to the redhead.

Although he was skeptical, Cale wouldn't mind having a handy helper. He wasn't sure about letting the older nnan found out about the original Cale's intention, but that should be the least of his problem right now.

Cale leaned forward and bite on the meat with complicated feeling.

"I am here to ask about Cale's scar."

Ron almost drop the plate in his hands. Not because the Golden Dragon suddenly appeared before him, but because the Dragon's decision to ask him.

"This... It is better for Eruhaben-nim to ask young master-nim about it."

The butler tried to swat away the Golden Dragon with a smile.

However, it didn't work on the wise Dragon.

"The unlucky bastard said he doesn't remember. And that you were there."

"I will need the permission from the Count and the Countess."

Ron tried again by throwing out random words.

" ..."

Eruhaben crossed his arms and stared passionately at the butler.

''..."

Ron crossed his hands behind him and smiled benignly at the Dragon.

From behind the pillar next to the two men, Beacrox silently watched them while holding a tray filled with assortment of sweets.

'Father, good luck.'

Chapter Text

“…Hyung-nim.”

“I did not manage to buy any souvenirs.”

Cale answered back before motioning with his chin that they should hurry.

Basen stepped next to him, his heart heavy with many words.

'Your safe return is the best souvenir, hyung-nim.'

In the end, Basen hesitated for a moment after seeing Cale’s action before starting to speak.

“…I heard that there will be a large celebration parade for the Roan Kingdom’s people who managed to achieve an overwhelming victory in the Caro Kingdom. Why did you return here alone?”

Everyone other than Cale were heading from the Caro Kingdom to the Roan Kingdom’s capital. The Roan Kingdom’s side had prepared a welcome back parade for them.

Basen thought that his brother was the one who deserved to be there the most.

His brother that had fallen so deep in darkness before was now shining the brightest in the entire kingdom.

However, that same brother had declined that spot and returned home alone.

His parents did not ask about it. However, Basen and Lily were both curious. They wanted to know why Cale was avoiding such a glorious position. It was because Cale was a source of pride for them.

Words couldn't explain Basen's feeling about his brother's growth.

Although the oldest was still sometimes dyed red with blood, the gruesome picture of that nightmare was slowly being devoured away by the brilliant memory of his brother shining beautifully with his silver shield.

However, Basen could see Cale frowning as if what he had said did not make any sense.

“Something like that does not suit me. It is fine as long as we won. I do not need anything else.”

He would have to deal with the terrible sight of people waving shields at him if he went to the parade.

Cale was relieved that he could escape on his own. He still shuddered when he remembered Eruhaben's threat.

Cale recalled Hilsman’s loud laughter as he started to walk. He then mumbled to himself.

“…Being at home is the most peaceful.”

He always had to do so much work whenever he left the house.

His siblings who heard Cale’s comment looked at each other but kept their mouths shut. Their older brother’s large back felt quite small today.

Cale had no idea about any of this as he focused on the food in front of him. However, he needed to respond to Countess Violan’s questions every so often.

“Cale, did the Caro Kingdom feed you properly?”

“Yes they did.”

“Cale, have you been sleeping well?”

“Mm. Well, I usually sleep well.”

“I see. Cale, has anybody looked down on you for not having a title?”

“Not for that reason, but the Church of the Sun God’s bishop did look down on me.”

“…I see.”

Cale honestly responded to the questions before taking another bite of the juicy sausage made by the Henituse family chef and starting to smile.

On the other hand, Count Deruth looked at the cold gaze in his wife’s eyes before looking at his son, who was happy because of a simple sausage, and filled his bitter stomach with cold water.

"You."

Cale suddenly called to the nearest maid.

The maid rushed to his side with a small smile and quickly offered his service.

It was a big contrast to the time when he just transmigrated, when most of servants was afraid of him and avoided him the best they could.

"This knife is a little dull, could you get me another one?"

Cale expected the maid to nod and fetch a new knife for him. Instead, the woman bowed her head and stepped back.

The redhead blankly stared at the spot where the maid was standing.

Ahem.

The Count let out a shy cough.

"Cale, if it bothers you, father could-"

"Orabuni, I will cut the meat for you!"

Lily cut off their father's words and enthusiastically summoned her servant. The lady's maid swiftly moved the eldest young master's plates toward her.

Lily made a quick work and send back the plates with a big smile, while the Count dropped his shoulders in defeat.

Throughout the whole interactions, Cale simply stared blankly at his knife.

'So I can't even use a proper table knife now?'

They were at the Super Rock Villa underneath the Forest of Darkness. Cale, who had returned here for the first time in a long time, looked toward the holy twins and the crazy priestess who were chatting with Raon as he peeked toward Eruhaben.

“What is it?”

The ancient Dragon felt Cale’s gaze and asked.

“I forgot to say, Arm’s Dragon half-blood that we met mistook me for a Dragon half-blood as well.”

How could he mistake him for something so preposterous? Cale was shocked at the bastard’s extremely wacky thought and felt iffy about why someone would think that way.

That was why he had shared this fact with Eruhaben and managed to see his reaction.

“…You?”

He seemed to be holding back his laughter. Cale started to get a bad feeling as he stared at the ancient Dragon who was trying very hard to hold back his laughter.

Eruhaben then walked in front of Cale before casually answering back.

“How can you be a Dragon half-blood when you have that item with you?”

That item.

Hearing that made Cale flinch.

There was a crown in Cale’s spatial pocket bag that was inside his inner pocket. It was the crown that was said to like Dragon blood.

He then heard Eruhaben’s quiet chuckles.

“You really are extremely unlucky. You always bring back such useless things.”

Cale was at a loss for words.

He was amazed at the same time.

There was a reason that an ancient Dragon was an ancient Dragon.

He was amazed that Eruhaben could feel the aura of the crown that Raon could not feel.

"I told you, don't worry about it. Just do what you need to do."

Cale nodded at the Dragon's words. When those words were spoken by the ancient Dragon, the redhead truly felt like he could relax for a bit.

He suddenly recalled something he heard from Choi Han.

"Eruhaben-nim, I heard that you almost had a fight with Ron?"

The Golden Dragon stild for a second. Then the man quickly turned around and walked away.

Chapter Text

Boom! Boom! Boom!

His heart started to beat wildly as well. The Vitality of the Heart suddenly activated. At the same time, the Fire of Destruction and the Sound of the Wind started to appear by his hands and feet. The scars pulsed painfully again.

Cale realized the reason for it.

Pat. Pat.

Eruhaben’s hand and Raon’s paw landed on Cale’s shoulders.

“Weak human, what is going on?”

Raon’s round eyes headed toward the path that was glowing purple. An extremely wide path that resembled a cave appeared on the ground.

“Little kid. Do you really need to ask? It is because of that path.”

“Is it because of the eerie aura coming from there? Human, you are too weak! Even the Saint over there is fine!”

Tsk tsk.

Eruhaben removed the loud Dragon child from Cale and proceeded to pat Cale on the shoulder.

‘…Huh?’

Cale felt himself calming down as Eruhaben did that.

The Vitality of the Heart and all of the other powers slowly calmed down as well. The scar also calmed down following the ancient powers.

“Cale Henituse, that path is an incomplete path. That must be why incomplete existences react sensitively to it.”

The ancient Dragon and Cale made eye contact.

“The ancient power of water attribute that you own. That is something you possess, but not something that is inside your body, right? Your body is incomplete because of that. Furthermore, we still do not know much regarding that thing.”

Cale saw the Dragon's eyes traveled down to his neck.

'The way he says that sounds terrifying.'

Eruhaben had used a water attribute magic to surround Cale as he patted him on the shoulder.

‘The Water of Judgment.’

The ancient power that he had yet to find brushed across Cale’s mind. He also thought about the crown he would use afterward.

“I am okay now.”

Eruhaben put his hand down after hearing Cale’s response and slowly started to walk toward the path.

In the middle of cleaning the inn, Ron and Eruhaben sneaked away to the back.

"I am anxious of being far away from young master-nim."

"After seeing how he always gets into something, I think I could understand."

The two let out a quiet sighs in unison.

Ever since Cale told him to take over the Underworld, Ron had been thinking about the redhead and the children's education.

'If they continue to only observe young master-nim as the role model, I pity the Crown Prince and the future of the Roan Kingdom. Young master-nim also needs someone to always remind him to eat and rest.'

When he left before, Ron didn't had much choice. But now, there was another person he could ask.

The butler frowned heavily, unusually displaying his expression.

Ron put his right hand above his heart and bow his body respectfully.

"Eruhaben-nim, I shall leave young master-nim's matters to you."

The Dragon let out another sigh and slowly shook his head.

"Aigoo, poor me."

Although he said that, Ron could see the joy and pride in the Golden Dragon's eyes.

"Father, young master-nim is looking for you."

Beacrox's voice called out to the butler from outside the door.

The two older men shared a glance. Ron smiled and chuckled softly while Eruhaben sighed and shook his head again.

Chapter Text

“Wow, you know how to make things like this too, little bro?”

Little bro.

Those words made Cale start to frown.

‘Crazy bastard, when did I ever become your little brother? And why are you saying such a thing so loudly?’

However, Cale could not respond before slowly starting to move. The Wolf boy, Lock, flinched. It was because he saw Cale coming toward him.

It was at that moment.

“…Strange."

The Dragon half-blood mumbled quietly. The Dragon half-blood’s quiet voice could not reach the others without amplification magic. However, Lock could see the Dragon half-blood pointing with his finger.

He was pointing at Lock.

No, he was pointing at the bundle of blankets in Lock’s arm.

Huuuuuu, huuuuu.

The young Dragon was still breathing heavily.

“You’re my little bro. But that is a Dragon. There's two Dragons here.”

The Dragon half-blood’s eyes started to sparkle. He could feel the strength of the plate inside of that small blanket. The vibrations that he was feeling were what happened when a Dragon was creating its plate.

Although he had only felt half of it, he too had felt it before. The Dragon half-blood started to smirk.

“…The first growth phase?”

He used amplification magic in order to speak again and his voice echoed throughout the area. However, he was speaking to Cale.

“What a perfect time to kill him, no?”

He really wanted to kill it if it was a real Dragon.

Half-bloods like him that had useless blood mixed inside always hated the full-bloods.

The corners of the Dragon half-blood’s lips started to curl up even higher.

Lock subconsciously hugged Raon even tighter after seeing that. However, Raon was still unconscious and breathing heavily.

“Lock.”

Lock could see someone’s back in front of him.

It was Cale.

“From this moment, you are to look at my back and only my back, no matter what.”

“…Y, young master-nim. Are you okay?”

Cale heard Lock’s voice coming from his back. That was why he responded honestly.

“Yes. It’s better than I expected.”

It really was better than he had expected.

The Dominating Water. In some aspects, it was his most incomplete ancient power as it was not something he absorbed. He left only a small portion of it and used the rest, however, he seemed to be fine.

‘There’s also no reason for me to be in pain since I’m not using the shield. It’s not bad at all.’

Cale’s condition was getting much better than when he had used the shield earlier.

Even his scar was being rarely obedient today.

However, Lock started to frown.

‘…Better than he had expected? How much pain was he expecting when he used this power?’

Rosalyn, who had cast the magic spell before starting to walk over, could not walk anymore as she felt her feet becoming extremely heavy.

‘He says he is fine when he knows that the balance in his body is going to be destroyed! How could he lie like that?’

Rosalyn bit down on her lips. She heard Cale speaking to Lock at that moment.

“Don’t think about anything else and just focus on your task.”

“…You son of a bitch.”

It felt better to at least swear.

Cale opened his mouth in order to respond to the voice in his mind.

"Are you trying to sacrifice yourself?"

He had no plans on sacrificing everything.

Cale Henituse, no, Kim Rok Soo knew.

He knew that the reason people earned money, gained power, and lived a busy life trying to find a place for themselves in the world was so that they would not need to sacrifice.

It was so that they do not need to sacrifice themselves nor their people.

However, Cale Henituse also knew something else.

He was Kim Rok Soo that knew about death and loss. He was the Cale Henituse that knew about gain and family.

His life was not a novel. He wasn't the Cale Henituse that shunned his family away. He wasn't the Cale Henituse that hurt himself for whatever reason. He wasn't the Cale Henituse that was abandoned.

“…Young master-nim, we need to run.”

‘I am the adult.

I am the guardian of these two children.

I need to take full responsibility since I chose to take them in.

I need the Super Rock’s power.’

Cale’s voice echoed in the area.

"Are you trying to sacrifice yourself?"

“Yes.”

It was the first time he responded to the Super Rock’s question.

Cale flinched after hearing the Super Rock’s comment.

He was prepared to sacrifice himself and prepared to fight, even if it was painful.

But this was what the Super Rock said.

The Super Rock responded back to Cale, who finally answered the question about sacrificing himself.

"I will protect you."

Chapter Text

“3 days, no, 2 days and 8 hours.”

“What are you counting down?”

Ron could see Cale starting to smile. His calm voice filled the hallway.

“That’s the remaining time for the bomb inside my body.”

Ron’s cold eyes shook for a moment. However, Ron could see that Cale’s pupils did not shake at all. That calm gaze made Ron calm down as well.

Cale continued to speak without any hesitation.

“I will come back after removing the bomb.”

Cale asked Ron for a favor.

“That is why I need you to take care of business as usual, please.”

As usual.

As if nothing had happened.

Ron hesitated in front of Cale for the first time before closing his eyes. 

“…Young master-nim?”

“Haaaaa. Life is so hard, Ron.”

Ron’s face that usually had a benign smile or a cold gaze had a new expression after seeing Cale sincerely looking tired.

“So hard.”

Ron’s face ended up in a frown after hearing Cale’s mumblings.

Cale flinched after seeing the frown on Ron’s face. Ron quickly got rid of the frown before he returned to his usual benign smile after seeing Cale flinch.

“Is it that difficult?”

Cale urgently started to speak after seeing the assassin’s face change so quickly.

'Why is he so vicious?'

“No, it’s alright. It’s just a little difficult.”

That was the truth. It was a little difficult.

However, the intended words didn't reach Ron.

Twenty years old.

This puppy young master of his was only twenty years old.

Even if he was born a noble and had a strong sense of responsibility, twenty was an age where you should be running around large fields and trying to do what you dreamt of doing as a kid.

Yet for more than half of his life, this young master only knew of pain and blood.

Ron thought Cale's life turned for the better ever since he stopped cutting himself. He thought that losing the memory of what happened that night was a blessing for his puppy young master.

‘It’s alright. It’s just a little difficult.’

As someone who has lived a long time, Ron could feel the weight of those words.

'Why is it always the young master-nim?'

The bomb inside Cale’s body could only be talking about the ancient powers. Ron had heard about the issue inside Cale’s body when they had first gone to Eruhaben’s lair.

He was certain that it was related to that.

Ron remembered how Cale had given him a new arm and taken his revenge for him.

“As you wish, young master-nim.”

Cale had asked Ron for a favor.

‘As usual, please.’

Ron gently responded to Cale while thinking about that.

“I will act like my usual self.”

'If that's what you wishes, then even breaking the sky would be nothing for me.'

“Yes. That’s all you need to do.”

Cale felt as if Ron’s words were oddly vicious, however, he still nodded his head after hearing that Ron would do as he wished.

Cale looked at that carrier and then looked at Beacrox and Ron. He then shared his honest sentiments.

“Ron, you really are good at what you do.”

“I just did what is expected of me, young master-nim.”

Beacrox started to frown.

However, he pretended not to hear his father and his young master speaking as he picked up the limp Raon and put him in the carrier.

He recalled the conversation he had with his father.

‘Escort the young master-nim.’

‘Did something happen?’

His father had answered like this to that question.

‘You’re the only one I can rely on since I cannot go myself.’

He was able to realize that his father could not tell him the real reason and that something serious was about to happen after hearing that response.

Beacrox knew that lately, his father's mind kept returning to that night.

Perhaps it was due to the Golden Dragon's insistence on finding out what really happened.

Father was probably afraid that if another person knew the truth, then young master might find out as well.

For Beacrox, he was afraid that his father will continue to relish that night again and again.

'If simply going with young master could help father relax, it's not much of a problem'

That was why he put Raon into the carrier and looked toward Cale, who stood up and started to speak.

“Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

Raon Miru.

The Black Dragon suddenly started to become happy.

‘I can see my path.

That Black Dragon is only covering a portion of the sky.’

He was looking beyond the sky.

‘That’s where I need to go.’

Raon started to fly.

He then pushed the people off of his ankles.

“These are all fake.”

That Dragon and the people holding onto his ankles were all fake.

This battlefield was fake.

The real things were elsewhere.

Reality.

Walking the path that he had learned. That path was the true reality.

He could see the connections he had made waiting for him at the end of that path.

‘I will save them.’

Raon started to fly.

‘I cannot feel our weak human’s aura. I need to hurry.’

The human needed Raon to look after him.

The weak human promised to tell Raon about his secrets.

He must stay by the weak human, so nothing could bully him.

He didn’t care about his growth phase. He was already strong.

If not, then he just needed to do as his human had told him to do.

‘Run away and then come back to strike them in the back. Survive and come back stronger in order to hit them when they least expect it. Then you will win.’

That’s all he needed to do.

Raon continued to fly past the large Dragon and past the sky into reality that was beyond it. He gave it his all in order to fly up there. It was hard to do so, but Raon did not stop.

Cale was not able to breathe properly.

He seemed to be trying very hard to take every breath. He was coughing up black blood and his limbs were shaking. His body was twisting as if he could not handle it.

“Eruhaben-nim! What is going on right now?”

Beacrox frowned after seeing Cale’s condition. It was very different than the times when Cale would cough up blood every so often.

The person who was calm even when he was hurt, coughing up blood, or fainting was currently in pain because he was unable to handle the pressure.

The last time he saw this look on the young master was the few days after the incident. Because Cale lost too much blood and the wound was too deep, every breathe he took used to put him in deep pain.

It was so long ago.

Beacrox suddenly recalled his father, Ron’s comment.

‘You’re the only one I can rely on since I cannot go myself.’

He had followed without complaining because it had sounded serious.

He then just sat back and watched as it seemed as if Cale was just going to gain another ancient power.

However, he could clearly tell that something was different after seeing young master Cale’s pain-filled expression.

'Father wouldn't like this.'

“Can we just leave him like this?”

Beacrox was speaking with a sharp tone.

Eruhaben kneeled down next to Cale and responded back.

“We have to leave him like this.”

“What do you mean?”

“Cale Henituse is currently fusing his plate back together.”

Eruhaben stopped for a moment before continuing on.

“I didn’t expect that to be this painful though. We can’t heal him in any way right now. Foreign powers cannot enter his body until this process is finished.”

Beacrox, who was watching, could not help but get anxious after seeing Cale tear up from the pain.

‘How painful must it be for this person, our young master Cale Henituse, to tear up?’

Finally, the chef could understand his father's stress as of late. Whenever something happened these days, the young master always somehow got hurt.

'How do I report this to father?'

He looked toward Eruhaben while trying his best to maintain his calm expression. It was because he felt as if he should do something to help.

“…Young master-nim.”

He could hear Ron’s voice.

"It's alright, young master-nim. Take your time. This Ron will always wait for you by your side."

Cale slowly opened his eyes again. It was so that Ron could know that he was fine.

However, just as he barely opened his eyes and looked toward Ron…

“Cough!”

He coughed up a chunk of black blood that dyed the bed red.

Cale stopped trying to look at Ron and instead closed his eyes again in order to withstand the pain.

“Father!”

Beacrox sounded shocked. However, Cale had no way of knowing what was going on since his eyes were closed.

While Cale was still half awake and continued to groan out in pain, Ron and the mighty Raon were never far from him. The two took turns guarding and watching the young noble's painful expression.

When Ron's was overwhelmed with emotions, his son would look over guarding Cale. And Beacrox sharply realized that Cale would moved strangely at times.

Although he was half concious, the redhead's trembling hand would try to moved up, reaching for something on his face.

"Human, is your neck itchy? Do you want me to call Goldie Gramps?"

Beacrox also noticed that whenever it happened, the little Dragon would quickly noticed and mentioned the older Dragon.

The chef knew that Cale made sure that the children averaging nine years old never found out about his gruesome past. Thus, Beacrox believed the little Dragon wouldn't be worried about the scar around the young master's neck.

''Raon-nim, why do you think that young master-nim's neck is itchy?"

The Black Dragon curled his tail and tilted his head slightly.

"Goldie Gramps said that human hurt his neck a little. It must be because he jumped into the water."

Raon puffed out his cheeks and lightly tapped his tails on the bed.

Beacrox was stunned and confused.

For starter, it wasn't necessary to mention about the young master's wound to the children at all. Except for Raon, the other two were kept outside the room. However, the Golden Dragon only explained the simplified version of Cale's situation even to the Black Dragon.

'The little brat understand about the unlucky bastard more than us.'

Then why would he mentioned the young master's wound?

"Did Eruhaben-nim said anything else about young master-nim's neck?"

"Goldie Gramps also said he couldn't heal it with magic."

"Hugh!"

The little Dragon looked away from the chef and lightly pat Cale's hair.

"It's okay, human."

Beacrox stared at them with a helpless look.

He was truly powerless compared to everyone else.

'There must be something if Eruhaben-nim takes special notice of young master-nim's scar.'

"Beacrox."

The chef snapped out of his thought and turned to the direction of the door.

"Father."

"What's wrong?"

Ron looked between his son and his puppy young master in worry.

The chef slowly shook his head.

"Nothing, father."

Beacrox didn't dare to say anything to his father right now. His father was already stressed enough.

He just know what to do.

Beacrox visit the ancient Dragon alone. His father was busy looking after Cale, he made sure of it.

"Eruhaben-nim."

"Beacrox. How was Cale?"

The chef shook his head to answer the older man.

"I see. Well then, do you need anything from me?"

'It's not the right thing to do.'

The chef clenched his fist painfully.

He was betraying his father and the Count.

The guilt almost made him bolt out of the room.

He could imagine his father's disappointed face when he found out.

Yet, that thought paled in comparison to his helplessness at his young master's situation.

"Eruhaben-nim, I have something to tell you."

The ancient Dragon noticed the boy's nervousness and seriousness. He sat upright and waited for the boy to continue.

"It's about the scar on young master-nim's neck and... something else."

It was easy to recall everything. For Beacrox, it wasn't something that happened far in the past. For him, everything was like a story that happened in a separate world.

''It happened three years ago. No, it started earlier than that..."

'Yes. It all started that night.'

That night.

The night Cale Henituse showed them his broken self for the first time.

Chapter Text

The first time Beacrox was introduced to Cale, the boy was such a cute little thing. The pampered little heir found him fascinating, and followed him like a duckling.

‘Hyung! Hyung!’

Was the first thing Beacrox heard in the morning as he started his routine, and the last thing he heard before retiring for the night. 

‘Beacrox is such a dependable hyung now.’

The late Countess would praise him as such, with her soft and pretty smile.

‘Cale really likes Beacrox. Haha!’

The Count would laugh joyfully, at times followed with playful remark about giving a baby brother to little Cale.

In the beginning, watching the three of them living in a fairytale was painful.

Beacrox lost his mother and his everything, but the world didn’t collapse. No one else cried and no one else suffered but him and his father.

The Count, the late Countess, and little Cale.

The three were living a happily ever after fairytale that he couldn’t enjoy anymore.

So Beacrox couldn’t feel happy living in the Henituse family.

So Beacrox couldn’t bother to care about little Cale.

Even when the late Countess passed away and when the Count started distancing himself from little Cale.

Beacrox didn’t care about little Cale, and he couldn’t understand why his father insisted on staying in the County.

Years went by like a flicker of light.

Little Cale had grown into the trash he was. Three additional people entered the County and the fairytale came to an end.

For many times, Beacrox had asked his father if they should leave the Henituse family using Cale’s problematic personality as an excuse. Yet his father only shook his head and went back to the trashy young master.

He really couldn’t wrap his head around his father’s sincerity towards the young master.

It was supposed to be an act. Everything they did here was a cover, for their protection from the enemies that made them lost everything.

Then, one night, as if he was possessed by God, Beacrox ventured out of the kitchen. He didn’t know what came over him, that made him walked all the way to the far side of the annex, where his father was serving the young master of the family.

The annex was cold and dark. Although the place was spotless and filled with luxuries, it could not hide the evidence of abandonment.

Beacrox stood alone in the dark. From behind the door far in front of him, he could sense his father and the young nobleman.

The night was a silent one. The windows were closed and the wind couldn’t flowed inside. Noises from the world remained outside.

If not for the soft whispers from inside the room, Beacrox would be the only person in this world.

Feeling lost and out of place, Beacrox could only stood in place and waited.

For what? He had no idea.

Suddenly, a loud crash of glasses and a strong, angry voice rang from inside.

‘The useless boy must have thrown his tantrum again.’

Beacrox tried to turn away, lest his father caught him lingering and ordered him to clean up.

However, his feet were rooted to the ground against his will.

As if the Gods whispered to him, a thought suddenly filled his mind. An unseen power moved his body.

Beacrox silently walked to the door, and then he waited.

“Young master, if the Count—,“

“Go on, tell my father about it. But by the time he arrived, I would be long dead. What do you think, Ron?”

Strong scent of iron slipped out from the door.

It was something that he was most familiar with.

“Young master, this servant’s old heart cannot bear to see you hurting like this…”

“You never stop lying, do you, Ron?”

Save him.

Beacrox quickly pushed through the door and ran inside.

“Beacrox?”

“Wha—!“

Without a single clue of what’s happening, he rushed to the redhead and slapped away whatever the boy was holding.

The thing made another crashing sound of broken glasses and snapped Beacrox out of the trance.

“This is…”

The room was filled with mixed scent of wine and blood. The broken shards of wine bottle scattered around yet it was nothing compared to the nobleman’s condition.

Blood oozed out from Cale’s left wrist. There were bloody footprints on the carpet and floor, all of it showed the possibility of shallow injury on the boy’s foot.

Although he looked like a mess, the boy still held his noble aura perfectly.

“What is wrong with you?! Don’t you know how to respect your master?”

Drops of blood splashed around the room as Cale angrily moved his hands around.

It didn’t look like the liquid flowing out will stop anytime, and the redhead kept getting more and more emotional as Beacrox simply stared at him wordlessly.

“Are you looking down at me?!”

Beacrox noticed the boy was getting paler by the seconds and he couldn’t wait for his father’s order by now.

“Young master.”

“You dare to call me?!”

Cale’s current condition reminded him of a wounded fox in the winter.

Such a pitiful little thing.

“You are getting blood onto the carpets. I don’t think it will come out.”

Beacrox shook his head disappointingly.

Perhaps it was because of his unexpected reaction, that Cale quickly calmed down and lowered his anger meter.

The redhead looked around the room and the mess he made.

As if a storm just passed, Cale let out a soft sigh and closed his eyes.

“Just burn it. I don’t want to see it anymore.”

The boy looked tired and dejected.

Beacrox couldn’t understand what just happened, but he thought he shouldn’t care about it.

Everything that happened to anyone in this house has nothing to do with them.

“Beacrox.”

He turned to his father was met with the man’s usual deceitful smile.

“Can you take care of the young master while I clean up?”

There was no flaw coming off his father. Yet, Beacrox could see that his father had just lost a few years from this incident.

“Yes, father.”

He really couldn’t understand why would this affect his father. He thought his father disliked this trashy useless nobleman.

Cale was quiet as they worked. The redhead didn’t even let out a single hiss while Beacrox cleaned and bandaged his injury.

And Beacrox…

He was stunned by the amount of scars on the young master’s wrist.

‘This is not the first time.’

Some were so old and clumsy, almost like it was made by a child still learning how to walk.

Some were new and neat.

“Say,”

The redhead suddenly started after Ron left the room.

Beacrox looked up from the floor and waited respectfully for the young master to continue.

The sight of the redhead’s pale face wasn’t surprising, but the lack of light in those pair of reddish-brown eyes send a chill down Beacrox’s back.

Cale’s eyes reflected a darkness that no one else could comprehend. There was no beginning nor an end to it.

“Why don’t you two just leave already?”

“What happened after that?”

The Ancient Dragon’s mental power was indeed extraordinary. Although Beacrox could tell the man was…angry, nothing showed on his face and body.

The chef shook his head to answer the older man.

“Nothing. Father and young master-nim acted like nothing ever happened. Although I could smell blood on the young master-nim sometimes after that, there was nothing alerting.”

Eruhaben nodded as if he only heard a passing news about the weather.

Beacrox thought the man was indeed an Ancient Dragon that lived for many hundred years.

“What about Cale’s family? Surely, at least his father would say something to stop him.”

“From my observation, none in the Henituse family knows about this. Although it wasn’t strange, considering that young master-nim wasn’t on speaking term with any of them until recently.”

This caught Eruhaben’s attention. He always thought that Cale’s family loved him dearly, to the point where his parents even dared to challenge this Dragon.

“I’ve heard about Cale’s family situation, but I always thought they are close unlike the rumors.”

Beacrox slowly shook his head, his brows meeting into one confused frown.

“After the late Countess’ passing, the Count distanced himself from young master-nim. It was only after Countess Violan entered the family that the Count started making an effort to get close to young master Cale-nim again. At first, young master-nim was very encouraging to the Countess and her son. However, after young lady Lily’s birth, young master-nim…becomes different person.”

“That’s when the rumor of the trashy young nobleman began then?”

“Yes.”

“You still have something to say.”

Beacrox nodded his head curtly.

“I heard that Eruhaben-nim is interested in young master-nim’s neck injury. I wondered if there was a deeper reason to it.”

The Ancient Dragon let out a short, tired sigh.

“Ron is being hard and I couldn’t really find anything about it. Thus it is not confirmed yet, there is nothing to say at the moment.”

“I think I might be able to help. Although I wasn’t present at the critical moment, I know more than anyone present in the Henituse mansion. Just that…Eruhaben-nim must promise that young master-nim will not find out about it. Father thinks that…young master-nim might return to how he was if he remembers.”

Eruhaben’s eyes glowed for a second.

“I promise, on my honor.”

“It was around three years ago. That night…”

Chapter Text

The mansion has been quite chaotic lately. Since the oldest young master’s seventeenth birthday was just around, the family was in a state of ‘panic’. The Count was stressing out over the birthday party celebration. There wasn’t a lot of appropriate young masters and young ladies around his son’s age that wouldn’t irritate his son, thus the number of the guests were smaller compared to the other noble young master’s party.

The second young master and the only young lady in the house were going crazy with birthday presents. They knew that their brother wouldn’t accept anything from them, but they still held a little bit of hope that they could find something that their brother would accept. And maybe grant them a little smile.

The Countess was in charge of decorations and hospitality. She took her job seriously, as could be seen from the quality of the things that entered the mansion. Only the best of everything was allowed to touch the oldest young master of the Henituse family.

The servants were working from morning to night, there was no time nor opportunity to make mistake.

All of it was for Cale Henituse’s coming of age party.

However, the main character was not doing anything to help the preparation. In fact, just a few nights ago, the oldest young master of the Henituse family broke a fine cup and a chair in his usual fit of sudden outburst.

Beacrox was passing through the empty hallway when he heard the boy’s angry loud voice followed with a loud crash.

Normally, this level of outburst wouldn't alarm anyone in the mansion anymore. However, unexpectedly the chaos sounded out from the Countess' office this time.

The chef stopped and pondered if he should call the servants or the knight.

Then he remembered that the Countess used to be a seasoned sword fighter before she married the Count.

Between the Countess and the trash young noble, it was easy to see who will come out unscathed.

'I should call father.'

As he thought of that, Ron emerged from the end of the hall with the new young butler behind him.

"Father."

His father stopped in front of the Countess' office and gave him a nod.

"G-good evening, sir Beacro×."

The chef ignored the new butler, Hans, and moved past them. Since it was decided that Hans will serve the first young master, everyone expected him to quit after a few weeks.

Another loud crash sound rang from inside the Countess' office and Hans' soul jumped out of his body.

Ron, on the other hand, stayed as perfect as always. His benign smile did not falter even as the young master's loud cursing traveled out of the room.

After listening to the varieties of profanities that came out of the young nobleman, the old butler decided it was time to take away the man. He politely knocked on the door and announced himself.

Silence grew from the room. After a few minute passed, the door opened from inside and Cale's ugly face emerged.

"Cale," the Countess' calm voice called, but the boy kicked the door harshly in response and refused to speak anymore.

Cale walked away with a dark face and two butlers followed close behind him.

Before they gone too far, Cale suddenly stopped and turned around. He pointed a finger at Hans and screamed at him.

Looking at the boy like this, he could hardly remember how the redhead used to be.

Beacro× didn't have to listen to know that the trashy nobleman was ordering the new butler to get him a few bottles of wine.

There was nothing left of the small boy that used to follow him around. That pouty little mouth only speak of dirty words now. That chubby grabby hands were now used to throw things and hit people as the owner pleased.

The chef clicked his tongue in disgust.

"C, Cale. It will be your birthday next week. Do you-,"

A plate flew from the table across the room. The loud breaking sound interrupted the Count mid-sentence. The already uncomfortable dinner time turned even gloomier.

"Disgusting."

After speaking only that one word, Cale took the bottle of wine and left the room. His steps were loud and rough. The servants dared not to look as he passed by them.

Hans gave a curt bow to the Count before quickly rushing after him with a scared expression.

Not staying longer than necessary, Beacro× walked away from the door before he does stupid thing like being irritated at the trash for wasting food. Even though it was a daily occurrence by now.

'It's nothing new.'

Once, when Cale was so wasted that he cried while calling out for his dead mother, Beacrox felt pity for him. He imagined if his father had acted like the Count, a father that unknowingly distanced himself from his son after the death of his wife, would Beacrox grow up like Cale?

But that feeling went away as fast as it came. It was useless to portray any kind of sympathy for a person who did not deserve it.

The walk back to the kitchen was calm and quiet. Most of the servants learned to stir away from him whenever the first young master voiced his personal dissatisfaction about anything served him that was made by Beacrox.

“Um! Chef Beacrox, sir!”

A timid voice called out to him from the front. It was Hans, the new butler that unexpectedly managed to endure for more than three days. Although he might not last longer this time, because there was an additional little detail added to the butler’s face. A little scar that wasn’t there just a few minutes ago.

A clean cut that could only be made by something sharp. And judging from the way Hans’ left shoulder was trembling; not out of pain, but of shock, Beacrox understood that the useless young master had made a fuss and broke the wine bottle again. The new butler was probably the unfortunate target this time.

“I-I’m sorry to disturb you, sir. Sir Ron asked me to relay a message to you. He asked if you could make a simple snack for y-young master Cale. Since y-young master skipped his dinner and he is drinking with empty stomach, Sir Ron is worried about the young master…”

Beacrox almost rolled his eyes at Hans words.

‘Worried? Why would father be worried about that trash. It’s just a waste of time and energy.’

They should leave this place and start new in another place. With their skill and the little money they saved all this time, they could easily settle down in a peaceful place somewhere in Rain city. 

‘This place reeks of false affection.’

He decided that he must persuade his father again tonight.

The chef nodded to the new butler and continued his walk to the kitchen.

“Beacrox.”

The chef stopped on his track and waited for the other people to announce their purpose for calling him.

The second young master Basen and young lady Lily walked hand-in-hand. The two stopped in front of him and they swept their eyes across the tray on the chef’s hands.

“Is that for hyung-nim?”

“Yes.”

“Hyung-nim’s appetite hasn’t been good lately. Since we received a batch of medicinal goods this morning, I’m wondering if you could make anything for hyung-nim. Mother said you could also consult with the doctors and Mr. Ron.”

“But Orabeoni hates bitter food, so don’t make it bitter!”

Beacrox stared at the two children with complicated feeling. He couldn’t understand how these two continued to held hopes for the useless first son. Although he couldn’t say for sure what Cale thought about them, he saw how Cale acted around them. He knew that the redhead couldn’t get along with the Countess for a long time, so how could Cale held any positive thoughts about his two siblings?

Yet these two never stop thinking about him.

‘He doesn’t deserve it.’

“I understand,” the chef answered obediently.

“Then, we won’t bother you anymore. Let’s go to your room, Lily.”

“Can’t we go with Beacrox to see Orabeoni?”

Basen knelt facing the girl, he smiled softly as he patted his sister’s head.

“Lily, Hyung-nim is not in a good mood tonight. Let’s try tomorrow, okay?”

The little girl was obedient and easy to coax. She happily nodded and walked away with her brother.

Beacrox continued to stared at their back, many unexplainable emotions flashed through his head.

“Can we go the garden with Orabeoni tomorrow?”

“Hyung-nim might be busy tomorrow, but we can have Mr. Ron to ask Hyung-nim.”

“Ok!”

The two turned around the corner and disappeared from his sight.

The chef felt like tomorrow might not be a good day.

‘Tomorrow…might be a little loud.’

Beacrox turned back and continued his steps.

Once he stopped in front of Cale’s room, he did not knock and waited. Usually, his father would noticed him standing idle by the door and quickly react. However, Beacrox waited for a full minute and his father still did not open the door.

He let out a sigh and repositioned the tray on his hands. Reluctantly, Beacrox knocked on the door twice and waited for the redhead’s permission.

Clunk

Thud

It sounded like something heavy fell inside and then it was quiet again.

Beacrox knocked again.

“Who is it?”

Cale’s voice came from beyond the door.

“Young master, it’s Beacrox. Father ordered snacks for you.”

“No need. Leave.”

Cale’s order was curt yet calm. It was unlike the usual explosive drunkard.

“Yes, sir.”

Beacrox took a step back and stared at the door with yet another complicated feeling.

‘Something is wrong.’

He can’t stop his own thought.

Sometimes, images of things that he didn’t dare to imagine would wandered into his mind like it was natural. Sometimes, the image of red and white appeared stubbornly at the back of his mind. Sometimes; several times, he dared himself to imagine the worst in someone.

One time, the lost image of one young boy would overlapped with the man beyond this door.

The adorable little boy that followed him like a little duckling drenched in red.

Just like Beacrox’s mother; buried under fire and blood.

The chef quietly knelt down by the door, the tray was cast aside stealthily by his foot. He aligned his eyes to the hole in the door knob and peered inside silently.

He could see Cale  alone in the middle of the room. He was standing sideways and didn’t notice someone was peeking at him through the door. The boy’s condition was strange; his eyes were staring ahead yet seeing nothing, his body was stiff and the tip of his fingers were trembling.

He was holding something with his right hand.

Cale moved his body to the front, giving the other man a clear view of the dagger in his hand.

Beacrox furrowed his brows together and moved his left hand to the door’s handle.

The redhead’s mouth moved yet nothing was voiced out. He brought up the dagger to the side of his neck, the cold and sharp weapon was not made of metal thus it didn’t shine under the light.

The chef swiftly pushed the door open, yet Cale continued as if nothing happened.

The young nobleman tapped the side of neck lightly, as if he was holding a pen instead of a sharp weapon.

Beacrox’s heart jolted and fear quickly filled his whole being.

“Young master!”

Beacrox realized he was already running ahead, yet it felt like he was still bound to the floor outside the room.

A memory of a fire and blood filled the back of his mind, while his eyes focused on the boy in front of him.

Cale moved his hand down. The dagger sliced through his neck like it was cutting a paper.

The older man almost caught the young boy’s hand when blood splattered over his face.

Beacrox couldn’t stop himself from freezing on spot, and Cale’s body collapsed like a broken doll.

It felt like an eternity was stretching in front of him.

The blood poured out of Cale’s wound like a river yet the boy was oddly calm.

Like he was in peace.

“Young master!”

Ron’s voice jolted Beacrox back into motion.

The old butler rushed to the redhead’s side and panic filled his time-corroded body.

“Beacrox, get the doctor!”

He didn’t remember how he called the doctor or how he notified the Count and the Countess.

However, he remembered that he saw the second young master standing in front of the room with a pale face and tear-filled-eyes while the servants rushed in and out of the room with water buckets and towels dyed in red. When Basen caught Beacrox staring at him, the boy ran off somewhere.

That’s how the chef regained himself.

‘This is not the time. I must help father.’

He walked back to the room and saw the Count and the Countess kneeling around the broken boy.

“Cale! Cale!”

The Count gripped his son’s hands tightly.

“Where is the doctor?!”

The Countess was shouting at the servants and staffs.

Kneeling above Cale’s head, the old butler was trying to stop the blood’s flow. Beacrox stared at his father’s back.

The usually calm and collected man was drenched in cold sweat. Blue veins bulged out of his hands and his eyes were red.

“…Mo…ther…”

The four people flinched as if they were electrocuted.

The Count shook his head and cried.

“No, no, no, no. Cale, please!”

The man knocked his head on the ground and started begging.

The Countess looked close to breaking down herself.

“Cale, I was wrong! I won’t force you to become the heir again. I won’t force you to do anything. So, don’t go yet! L-Lily said she wants to have a picnic with you! And Basen. H-he really misses you, Cale!”

The Countess that had never shed tears even when she was giving birth finally crumbled down.

The Count put his hand on Cale’s cheek and cried harder.

“Jour, please, don’t take our son away! You can hurt me, hate me, but don’t take Cale away!“

“God! I beg you!!”

Beacrox closed his eyes and pretended that breaking sound of his own heart was not real.

If I had been faster.

If…

“The doctor arrived quickly and young master-nim was saved. He said that although it looked bad, young master-nim actually didn’t lost that much of blood because of father’s accurate and swift first aid. His recovery also didn’t take too long. It’s just…”

Beacrox looked the side and furrowed his brows in deep thought.

Eruhaben noticed the boy in front of him finally showed discomfort with this topic and he raised his hand.

“I think I understand the gist of it. Thank you for telling me, Beacrox. I only hope that this won’t get you into trouble with Ron.”

The chef shook his head lightly.

“Although it took me a while, and through many unpleasant experiences, I finally understands why father likes young master-nim so much.“

Beacrox’s mood fell after he spoke and he lowered his eyes.

Eruhaben stood and approached the boy quietly, his eyes soften with understanding accumulated from the hundred years of his life.

“Beacrox, it’s not your fault. You know this, right?”

“I… If only I had been kinder to young master-nim...”

The Dragon poked the chef’s head lightly and smiled softly.

“Cale insisted on acting like a trash and we all know just how amazing his acting is. So how could you not fall into his act? I believe the Unlucky Bastard will be very angry at you if you didn’t fall for his act.“

The chef nodded slowly, yet his mood was still down.

Eruhaben quickly changed the topic and focused on the story again.

“About the dagger that Cale used. You said it wasn’t a normal dagger.”

“Yes, it was a dagger made of animal bone. It was part of the late Countess’ dowry and she also said it was a family’s heirloom.”

Eruhaben’s eyes glowed as something passed through his mind.

“I need to see that dagger.”

Beacrox shook his head and frowned again.

“That’s not possible anymore, Eruhaben-nim. The dagger already turned into dust when the doctor arrived. Since we were focused on young master-nim, no one know how it happened.”

“Dust… Do you remember the color of the dust?”

“It was black.”

“Black! Are you sure?”

The chef was taken aback by the Dragon’s sudden outburst. But he nodded anyway.

“Fuck!”

Eruhaben rushed out the curse in time with his escape from the room.

“That Unlucky Bastard!”

Beacrox was staring at the after image of the great Dragon when that trademark words echoed repeatedly throughout the hallway.

Chapter Text

When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was his own reflection.

Or not.

It wasn’t his own reflection, but Cale Henituse’s.

Those sharp, brown eyes stared back at him as if staring down his soul.

Cale Henituse inside the mirror raised his hand very slowly, it was almost painful to watch.

“You.”

Kim Rok Soo raised his finger first. He pointed it at the moving reflection and called him out.

“I swear that if we ever meet, I’ll smack you from behind.”

As if he could heard Kim Rok Soo’s words, Cale Henituse’s hand suddenly fell and his head started to moved instead.

The redhead tilted his head and smiled softly.

“Then, it’s a promise.”

Cale barely managed to open his eyes; his body felt heavy and even his eyelids felt like being sat on by an elephant.

“It’s not the time to wake up yet.”

A familiar, gentle voice came from the side.

‘Eruhaben-nim…’

“Don’t worry about anything, we’re doing great. You just need to focus on yourself.”

‘That’s good…’

Cale closed his eyes again and his mind quickly returned to the land of slumber.

The Ancient Dragon gently caressed the top of the sleeping boy’s head. His movement was quiet and full of affection, like the way a mother would caress her child.

However, if one dared to peek at his face, they would see the storm raging inside those golden orbs shining brilliantly as if promising pain upon those that wronged him.

The room was quiet as he silently watched over his two children sleeping peacefully after hours of suffering.

The next day.

Click.

The door opened.

Beacrox entered the bedroom with a wet washcloth in his father’s place.He then became anxious.

Tap.

The washcloth in his hand fell to the ground.

“B, Beacrox-”

“…Young master-nim?”

Cale was up.

However, something was weird.

Beacrox became shocked while watching Cale barely getting up toward him before he rushed over to support Cale.

Cale’s shaking fingers grabbed onto Beacrox’s sleeves.

“Young master-nim, what happened?! Should I call Eruhaben-nim?”

“B, Beacrox-”

Cale’s voice was weak and shaky.

Beacrox’s face slowly turned pale while listening to Cale’s weak voice and looking at the chilly expression on his face.

It was at that moment.

“Hehe.”

It was someone laughing.

Beacrox turned his head after hearing the laughter. Raon was snickering and rubbing his head on Cale’s side.

He heard Cale’s voice at that moment.

It was as weak as a transparent glass marble.

“…Meat.”

“Excuse me?”

“…Beef, pork, chicken…”

Beacrox’s expression slowly changed.

Cale tightly grabbed onto Beacrox’s sleeves and asked with a desperate gaze.

‘I’m hungry.’

Beacrox calmly asked.

“Are you not hurting?”

“Yes. I’m hungry.”

“…You really seem to be okay.”

Cale was not hurting at all. He could feel that his body was better than before.

However, he was still hungry.

Raon seemed concerned as he took an apple pie out of his spatial dimension before looking at its condition and pushing it to a corner before speaking to Beacrox.

“I am hungry as well! Thanks for carrying me, Beacrox!”

“It’s our youngest’s voice!”

“They’re both better! I’m hungry too!”

On and Hong, who were roaming outside the bedroom door, rushed in after hearing Raon and Cale’s voice. The room started to become filled with energy as the children averaging nine-years-old started to talk.

Even the cold Beacrox had a small smile on his face. His heart filled with warmth and some other feelings that he couldn’t pinpoint. But it made him especially happy.

It was at that moment.

“Ah, young master-nim.”

Beacrox remembered what he needed to say now that Cale was not in pain.

It was the information that Ron had heard from Rosalyn yesterday. It was urgent, however, he did not say anything until now because of Cale’s condition.

“We received information that the Empire is preparing to take back Maple Castle that they lost to the Whipper Kingdom.”

‘Hmm?’

Cale blinked his eyes.

‘Who did what?’

“…The Empire is going to strike the Whipper Kingdom?”

“Publicly, they are claiming that they will only take back Maple Castle.”

‘Isn’t that the same thing?’

Cale’s expression turned odd.

‘The Mogoru Empire is going to take on Toonka’s Whipper Kingdom right now?

Imperial Prince Adin and Toonka are going to fight?

Is it finally time to strike the Empire from the back?’

Cale stopped the corners of his lips from twitching before blinking once more.

“…Beef steak.”

He needed to fill his belly first.

He couldn’t do anything with an empty stomach.

“Right away, young master-nim.”

Beacrox bowed slightly before rushing out to prepare all kind of food that could help Cale regain back his fat and energy.

The ancient Dragon Eruhaben was sitting at the table as well. His gaze was stuck on Cale and Raon without moving.

“Cale Henituse.”

“Yes sir.”

Cale took the cup of lemonade from Ron before answering. Eruhaben continued to speak.

“You will die if your plate breaks one more time.”

“Cough!”

Cale almost choked.

“Goldie! Why are you saying something that’ll make me want to destroy the world?”

The chaotic eyes of the children averaging nine-years-old turned back toward Cale.

Even Beacrox, who was bringing in more food on a tray, and Ron, who was patting the coughing Cale’s back, started to frown.

The ancient Dragon said what he needed to say.

“Cale, your plate grew way too big. That is why it will be impossible to recover if it breaks once more. So, make sure to take good care of yourself.”

“I plan on doing that even without you saying that, Eruhaben-nim.”

Cale caught his breath as he responded back.

He really planned to do that from now. After being in pain once like that, he did not want to do that ever again.

He also made a promise with the original Cale Henituse, although it was just a dream.

Yes.

Although it was just a dream, the Cale Henituse inside the mirror looked better than how he looked when Kim Rok Soo first transmigrated here. His face had more color and his body clearly had more fat and muscle than he currently was.

‘I hope you’re really doing good, wherever you are now.’

Chapter Text

Craaaackle-

Inside a man-made underground cave. A torch was lighting the dark cave.

Cale was guided by Witira as he walked through the cave.

“He is in the innermost cell of this underground cave.”

Witira was guiding them while looking around.

The ancient Dragon Eruhaben, Raon, and finally Cale.

The three of them were walking through the underground cave made by the Breck Kingdom’s forces.

The three of them were silent.

Once in a while, the Golden Dragon would glanced at the red head with deep eyes.

However, they were calm.

Witira did not think much about it. Instead, she stepped back once they arrived at the cell at the end of the cave.

Raon looked back and forth between Cale, who turned away from the Dragon half-blood without any hesitation, and the Dragon half-blood, who was staring at Cale, before flying toward Cale. He then saw the look on Cale’s face and hung onto his back.

"Then, let's talk about your body next time."

The Dragon half-blood’s words were spoken softly, as if it was a fragile promise not meant to be.

Unexpectedly, perhaps because he wasn’t feeling well after hearing the Dragon half-blood’s confession, Cale acted as if he didn’t hear anything.

Raon and Eruhaben shared a glance with each other.

“…I will stay here a bit longer.”

“Please do whatever you wish, Eruhaben-nim.”

Eruhaben looked toward Cale, who responded back to him as if it was nothing, before looking back at the Dragon half-blood.

“Let’s chat for a bit.”

“…Whatever you want.”

“Young master Cale, were you sick?”

‘Ah, she didn’t know.’

Witira had not heard about Cale’s condition. 

“Well, you can say that I almost died but came back to life.”

Archie started to get angry.

‘Don’t say something like that so casually!’

However, he chose to remain silent after seeing everyone grow quiet. It was better to not think about it at all.

Cale did not care that it became quiet as he pointed toward the tent with his chin.

“Let’s go report to his highness first.”

Cale was waving the treaties around as he headed for the ally formation.

“Wait.”

It was Choi Han. His voice was eeriely calm.

“Cale-nim, can we talk first?”

Cale glanced down at the treaties, he looked as if he was considering the pros and cons.

In reality, the redhead was feeling a little scared with how Choi Han acted. It didn’t help that he almost had a heart attack when he suddenly saw the punk standing in front of the door like a ghost.

“Let’s talk later. We have work to do.”

The sword master frowned and took a brave step forward.

“But—“

“Choi Han, I will personally listen to whatever you want to say later.”

He let out a small smile, that he hoped would convey his unwillingness to be with Choi Han right now because of how scared he was.

However, to everyone around him, his soft smile was akin to a mercy of a morning dew in a desert.

Choi Han’s gloomy mood lifted in an instant and it looked as if a tail was wagging behind him.

Everyone nodded to themselves and memorized that smile in their heart.

Only Archie, who quietly took a few steps back, wondered if they somehow broke their brain in the battle.

‘Crazy.’

Cale bluntly asked a question after blankly staring at Choi Han for a while.

“Are you going to a war somewhere again?”

“…Me?”

Cal nodded toward Choi Han, who had a pure smile on his face.

“Yes, you. Why are you still clenching onto your scabbard?”

“I think it is because I am shaking while thinking about going to the palace.”

‘Really?’

Cale found Choi Han’s current state to be odd, but was about to just let it go. Raon shouted out at that moment.

“Human, Choi Han is currently getting stronger!”

“…Right here?”

“Yes!”

“Inside the carriage?”

“Yes!”

“While eating apple pie?”

“Yes! You don’t need to know about it!”

‘What the hell?’

Cale looked at Raon with a confused expression but Raon closed his mouth and avoided his gaze. That was why he turned back to Choi Han, who calmly answered back.

“I’m just trying to do my part in order to pay for my meals.”

‘You’re already doing plenty?’

Cale found it to be odd, but decided to let it go since Choi Han wasn’t raising his blade against him. Cale started to frown as he looked back outside the window while Choi Han watched Cale.

“Cale-nim, I’m still waiting for our talk.”

‘Aigoo!’

The redhead chewed his apple pie even more dejectedly, wondering if he did something to the crazy punk but couldn’t remember anything at all.

Chapter Text

Cale’s blank expression stiffened up as Saint Jack approached him with an odd expression on his face.

He always felt that Saint Jack’s eyes looked weird everytime they met.

Jack approached him and quietly started to speak.

“Although that smile just now was different than usual, I know that your heart is a just heart that is focused on doing good things, young master-nim. I heard about everything you did until now, young master-nim. You saved a lot of people in the Roan Kingdom and other kingdoms too, right? I thought that was very like you, young master-nim. However, however…”

There was sadness in Jack’s eyes.

“I am just worried that it was hard on you to have to hurt your enemies. Of course, I have experienced things now too, so I know that we need to become vicious in order to protect ourselves and our people. But how could my experience compares to your pain and sacrifice…”

Jack’s innocent face had become a bit more mature.

“Young master-nim, you’re okay, right?”

Cale could see Cage, who let out a big sigh and shook her head, and Hannah, who was looking at her older brother with concern.

He turned his gaze back to Jack and answered his question.

“I am okay.”

His calm response made Jack hold back his emotions and nod his head.

“I understand your wish, young master-nim.”

‘What is my wish?’

Cale glanced at Hannah, who returned his gaze with shared confusion and she slightly shook her head.

Hannah looked at Cale and honestly answered back.

“I am not a shameless person.”

He had allowed her to stay at the Super Rock Villa and prevented the Whales from killing her.

Just as Hannah wanted to get revenge on Arm, she was fully aware of everything she had done. She started to smile again.

“You don’t need to tell me these things.”

The reason that Cale had called her over separately to tell her this in advance might be his way of caring for her. Hannah was not too familiar with this word, ‘ care,’ however, she took her hand off of her scabbard.

“I will not do anything if you try to save him.”

“Mm.”

Cale thought that she might have misunderstood something.

‘Should I have said that he will end up blowing up in six months?’

Cale send that thought away and remembered something else that he wanted to talk to Hannah in private.

“By the way, did something happened to your brother since the last time we met directly?”

“No? Oppa has been studying hard since he received the mirror from you. There’s nothing much that happened since then.”

Hannah naturally crossed her arms and tilted her head a little as she answered calmly.

Cale thought that that her reaction was very natural and sincere, she shouldn’t be hiding something from him.

‘Maybe I was thinking too much.’

He turned to the two dragons and received a pair of blank expressions in return.

Cale took Eruhaben’s opinions highly; if the ancient dragon didn’t find anything strange about Saint Jack, then it should be nothing.

“Maybe Oppa is just nervous, he has always been soft-hearted.”

Hannah shrugged and the topic ended peacefully.

Clang!

The crown was thrown aside.

The crown left Cale’s hand and slammed down onto the training ground floor before rolling away.

Everybody focused on Cale’s sudden action as Cale casually went to pick up the crown before responding.

“I was just annoyed.”

Cale then started to think to himself.

‘I truly was born to be trash.’

The way he threw something that he did not like seemed very much like trash.

For a moment, he was proud of himself.

“…This unlucky bastard, huuuu.”

The ancient Dragon had a calm expression on his face, however, he could sense the complication in Cale’s mind based on his actions.

‘Humans really are emotional creatures.’

This unlucky and sly bastard was also a genuinely good person, so Eruhaben could easily tell that there was a lot going through Cale’s mind right now.

‘It’s not strange. Everytime something happens, he is always at the center of the storm regardless of his willingness. Even an old thing like me would be tired to my bone.’

Choi Han approached Cale who was trying to forget about Toonka thanking him.

Although the others were chatting and relaxing with the Super Rock Villa trio, Choi Han had followed him to the bedroom.

Cale casually asked after seeing the look on Choi Han’s face.

‘I wonder what’s up with this punk.’

He managed to push back Choi Han’s question by using the upcoming battles as excuse. Perhaps Choi Han was in bad mood because of this.

“What is it?”

“Can I come with you this time?”

Cale was shocked to hear this question.

“Why are you asking such an obvious question?”

‘Does he think I plans to go alone? Do I looks like a suicidal person?‘

“Human, where are we going?”

“I’m curious too!”

“I want to know where it is if it is not the Whipper Kingdom.”

Choi Han was also looking at Cale with a stiff expression. Cale casually pointed to the ground with his finger.

“To the lowest point of the Empire.”

The lowest point of the prosperous Empire.

The area that the nobles avoided.

The slums.

“We are going there.”

Cale was heading to the lowest point of the Empire that still had the power to destroy the Empire at any moment.

“Human! Human!”

The little dragon chirped as he landed on Cale’s back happily.

“Human! Goldie gramps is here!”

Raon patted his shoulder as if urging the redhead to quickly open the door, even though the ancient dragon could teleport inside by himself.

Cale let out a sigh and lowered his head.

Choi Han’s serious expression popped and he let out a small, soft smile.

Ever since that time he fainted due to his glass palate, the ancient dragon /volunteered/ to give him a daily check-up and he also /willingly/ accepted the wise dragon’s kindness.

“Let’s go!”

The children averaging nine years old cheered on as they pushed him to the door with wide smiles.

Chapter Text

Cale let out a deep breath.

He was on the desolate ground where the lake and the lava were both gone. Cale reached his hand out while standing at the center of that hole.

Craaaackle.

A fiery thunderbolt that was different than before and had a clearer rose gold color seemed to be dancing on his palm.

“Human!”

The group all landed next to Cale starting with Raon. Everyone other than Raon who had already seen it once was shocked, while Eruhaben looked at the fiery thunderbolt on top of Cale’s palm as he started to speak.

“…I’ve never seen such a sight in my 1,000 years of life.”

He could not take his eyes off of the fiery thunderbolt as he said that.

There were a lot of things that fire symbolized.

Light, warmth, and even cooking.

However, this fiery thunderbolt did not have many of the attributes of fire.

All that was left in it was a purely violent and destructive attribute.

Cale was listening to the information shared by the Super Rock when the world suddenly spun around in front of him.

“How do you feel?”

Eruhaben grabbed Cale’s shoulder and turned the boy sharply around like turning a globe.

“Eru—!” 

“St—!“

The redhead’s eyes started spinning and he couldn’t even cough out a single word properly as the ancient dragon continued to spun him around to find out if he was injured or no.

The children averaging nine-years old looked at them with surprise while Choi Han nervously hovered behind, in case Cale slipped and fall. 

When the dragon stopped with a satisfied nod, Cale fell back and was quickly caught by Choi Han. His eyes were spinning around but it didn’t stop him from cursing the Golden Dragon inside his head.

‘Crazy Dragon!’

“Cale-nim, how do you feel?”

Choi Han gently supported the red head until he could stand properly. But he didn’t bother to hide his amused smile from the young master.

“I’m fine, thanks.”

He glanced at the Golden Dragon again, and let out a small, angry sigh.

Eruhaben made a small, apologetic smile and put his hand on the side of Cale’s neck, where his scar was hidden under disguise magic.

There were too many people around the young commander now. It only took a slip of moment for anyone to find out about his scars, thus Cale always made sure to use low level of disguise magic on his scars when he wasn’t alone.

“No, I’m fine, really.”

The scar, in a rare moment, didn’t react at all. From the start when Fire of Destruction was laughing crazily, even when his body glowed and power flowed inside his body, the scar was quiet and obedient. Cale really couldn’t understand what’s it’s trigger.

“That’s good. Tell me right away if it starts to hurt.”

The Golden Dragon gently caressed the boy’s neck, while keeping a straight face because the children were watching them with deep interest. 

“Yes, sir.”

Chapter Text

“Cale Henituse, what is it that you want?”

Flinch.

Rosalyn, Litana, and Choi Han flinched. In particular, Litana, the Queen of the Jungle, immediately knew what Adin was trying to do.

Appeasement.

The Imperial Prince was trying to appease the leader of the enemy now that the Empire’s army and his soldiers were being held captive.

“I want to know what you want. I thought about it carefully, you know. What does Cale Henituse want? Money? Authority? Fame? Power?”

Adin spoke in a pleasant voice that was characteristic of him.

”No, you don’t want those things. However, you definitely want something.”

Litana could see Cale staring silently at the video communication device. Meanwhile, Adin continued to speak.

”I heard your mother died alone in the forest.”

Rosalyn, Litana, and Choi Han quickly understood; this man was the lowest scum of all scum.

Rosalyn and Litana almost cursed out loud accidentally. They couldn’t believe that the Imperial Prince would bring up Cale’s past like this.

Litana thought the bastard had lost his mind.

“It must have been hard on you. It wasn’t easy to forget, wasn’t it?”

Choi Han glanced at Cale’s calm expression and held back his own anger. They mustn’t fell into Adin’s provocation.

“In the end, time couldn’t heal the void in your heart. And you earnestly want ’something’ to fill that void.”

Haha.

Adin briefly let out a burst of low laughter and soon spoke with pleasure or perhaps excitement.

”I know the truth. The world may call you a, ‘hero’ but you don’t look like a ’hero’ to me. You’re not even a good person.”

‘What kind of nonsense is he spouting!’

Litana subconsciously stepped forward at Adin’s words. Cale’s mouth opened at that moment.

“That’s right. What you say is correct.”

When Cale heard Adin talked about the late Countess, he knew that he managed to trick the bastard.

‘It’s good that you’re curious. It would make it easier for me.’

From the beginning, it was a bothersome but effective plan that Cale brew to avoid the Count’s overprotective hold on him.

When Cale first decided to investigate the original’s past behaviors, he found out that every road was blocked by either the Count or Ron. He wasn’t worried about Ron, because the man would surely relent if Cale push him. However, the Count was a problem that he couldn’t solve.

If Cale pushed too much, he was afraid that the Count will be suspicious of him. Thus, he and Freesia couldn’t do anything for a while.

Cale thought he might have to sent Eruhaben to the Count, as it turned out that sending the ancient dragon to Ron was effective. Although the dragon wouldn’t tell him anything he learned, that’s not a problem for now.

However, he realized he didn’t have to go that far. Because the Imperial Prince offered himself. The bastard with the power and connection that not even Alver Crossman could touch for now appeared around him like a fly that wouldn’t go away. Wasn’t that just the perfect person?

That’s why Cale didn’t use a disguise magic when he went to the last battle. That’s also why he deliberately grabbed Adin’s collar with his bare hands and allowed the bastard to touched his scars.

The original plan was to accidentally fell into Adin’s arms while he was pretending to be weak after using his power, but well, it wasn’t a bad change of plan.

Although Cale didn’t want Adin to speak out about the scars in front of the others, he thought he could just explain it later. The most important thing was to caught the Imperial Prince’s curiosity first, and had the man investigate Cale Henituse’s past.

After that, he didn’t even have to do anything after that. Because knowing the Imperial Prince’s personality, there’s no way he would keep what he learned as a secret. Adin will most definitely find a way to use it to provoke Roan Kingdom.

Cale only need to wait for the bastard to send the information himself.

Litana’s gaze shifted from the video communication device to Cale. She saw Cale staring at the video communication device with a peculiar smile.

”Right? I knew that my judgment was correct. I’ve been seriously thinking about you this time.”

Swish.

The black cloth that was displayed in the video communication device was slowly drawn back.

Then Adin’s face, which seemed to have a pretty good complexion, came into view. Nothing else was visible except Adin’s face and the black wall behind him.

Adin’s yellow-tinted brown eyes met Cale’s dark brown eyes.

”Cale Henituse.”

Adin and Cale.

The corners of both these people’s mouths went up.

Hahahaha!

Adin burst into laughter at that moment and proceeded to ask Cale a question.

“So, what is it that you want? Can you tell me?”

“Of course. It’s not like it’s something that I can’t share.”

Cale nodded. He then looked at the Imperial Prince who was laughing in delight as if he was happy to meet someone like him and bluntly answered back.

“I want to be a slacker.”

Chapter Text

Cale now knew that the novel was not the answer for everything.

From the first moment he woke up in the bathtub with scarred wrists and a neck injury, the trajectory of the world he knew was already not in harmony to what he had read.

That was why he was moving according to the experiences he had as both Kim Rok Soo and Cale.

He was moving stealthily.

He was moving so that he could flatten his enemies.

The person most similar to him here immediately understood his words.

“So you are saying that we need to trick both our allies and our enemies?”

Alberu quickly thought of a rumor to spread throughout the Western continent even without hearing Cale’s response.

“Cale Henituse is teetering between life and death. Is that good enough?”

He then added on.

“But I will claim that rumor to be a lie and pretend to be ready to go to war against the Empire at any moment?”

If there was a rumor that says Cale is hurt but the crown prince runs wild claiming that it wasn’t true…

“The Empire might really be tricked and think that you are hurt.”

Cale nodded towards Alberu.

“I also need to give Adin a little time to do something for me, since it will be my only chance.”

The crown prince blinked once and twice, then he let out a short, mocking laugh.

“Just how many plans do you have? I’m starting to consider hiring you as my Prime Minister, Cale.”

The redhead jumped in fright and almost lash out a little fire bolt at Alberu’s response.

“Please don’t say such scary thing, your highness! It’s not a plan or anything, I just need the Imperial Prince’s power and status to investigate something for me.”

“Oh? Is my status and power not good enough to do that for you?”

The crown prince grinned and leaned closer to the communication device.

Cale crossed his arms and let out a sigh. He could tell that Alberu was a little bit provoked at his words.

’He is acting like a jealous girlfriend.’

“I need to investigate something that happened in the Henituse territory a few years ago. I know that with your highness’ capability, finding out what I want to know is not a trouble. However, I don’t want the Count and the Countes realizes that I am investigating it. So I need an outsider’s power.”

“So you thought it’s a good idea to use the Imperial Prince? Does he even know what you’re doing?”

Alberu laughed while shaking his head at the overall silliness of the situation.

Cale shrugged, as he didn’t care about Adin’s feeling or thought about this project he unwillingly and unknowingly participated. Who told him to jump around Cale like a persistent flea anyway.

“I believe that Adin will inform your highness of his finding when you meet in the battlefield. If possible, I hope that you could record it for me.”

“You’re so sure that he will tell me, then it couldn’t be a normal information. At least, Adin will think it will be useful against us. It must be quite a big incident for the County. Then I should make sure that none of it reach the Count and Countess Henituse’s ears.”

Cale nodded gratefully at the communication device.

‘Indeed, working for an intelligent person is a good experience.’

“I wonder how he would react if he finds out that you were manipulating him.”

”Please also record that for me, your highness.”

The two grinned and laughed like evil at each other.

Litana stared at the two of them with a complicated feeling of mixed joy, sadness, and confusion.

“You.”

Alberu and Litana visibly flinched when the golden haired man turned his cold eyes toward the communication device.

“…Eruhaben-nim.”

The crown prince nodded politely at the device, wondering why it felt like a dejavu.

“Remember to record everything clearly, but you must not show it to anyone. Bring it to me.”

“However, sir. Cale asked me to record it for him…”

“Do you not understand my word, child?”

Litana quickly shook her head and hands together behind the beautiful man.

‘We musn’t anger this man, your highness!’

Alberu noticed the danger of the situation and quickly nodded obediently.

“Don’t worry, Eruhaben-nim! I shall bring it to you first!”

The golden man grunted in satisfaction. Then he picked up the communication device and left the tent, following after Cale that ran out in hurry.

Displayed on the device, Alberu was covering his face with both hands. After that short interaction, the crown prince realized and understood why talking to the golden dragon felt like a dejavu for him.

The way Eruhaben talked to him was similiar to the way that Cale’s butler, Ron, talked to him.

Menacing and domineering.

Aigoo.

‘Where did Cale find these scary people?’

Chapter Text

“Human, there’s a message from Lemon gramp!”

Cale looked away from the group and stared at the black dragon in response.

‘What is it now?’

“Lemon gramp said, ‘young master-nim, it looks like Priest Josh broke his promise and died’. Human, who is Priest Josh?”

The young and might dragon floated around the redhead like a balloon, his curious eyes glimmered with the night’s sky.

Cale crossed his arms and looked down, silently thinking about the people he had meet since he came to this world. Yet, he couldn’t remember a person that matched with that name. And since Raon, a dragon with strong memory, didn’t know about this Priest Josh, then it couldn’t be someone they met together.

‘Is it someone from the original’s past?’

“Let’s continue later,” he looked up and dismissed the group in front of him.

Choi Han, Eruhaben, Tasha, and Mary all nodded in synchronization and the three, except for the ancient dragon, all left the room together.

“Raon, call Ron.”

“Okay!”

The call was swiftly connected.

“Young master-nim, Raon-nim, Eruhaben-nim.”

The old butler looked neat and pristine as ever.

“Lemon Gramp!” Raon’s cheerful greeting bounced around.

“You looked fine,” Cale said his greeting nonchalantly. Aside from the time when he returned with a missing arm, the old butler had never look anything but healthy and perfect.

Ron’s usual smile spread wider and the man naturally put a hand over his chest.

“Young master-nim is as kind as ever.”

Cale held back his disgust and looked at the man as if he had grown another head.

‘What is he talking about? Urgh, never mind.’

“So, what happened?”

The butler glanced to Cale’s side, where the ancient dragon was staring back at him with his arms crossed and focused eyes.

“Young master-nim, do you remember Priest Josh?”

Since Ron had asked that, it could meant that this Josh person might not be that important. It should be fine to answer honestly, for now.

“No.”

Ron nodded twice without changing his expression.

“It has been years, so it’s natural that young master-nim doesn’t remember anymore. Even this Ron actually had forgotten about him. Young master-nim only met him once when you were young, and we weren’t in touch with him ever since.”

‘Then, how did you find out that he was death?’

However, Cale kept quiet and simply watched as the butler continued with the conversation by himself.

“If not for the Vow of Death, this old butler wouldn’t remember him at all.”

!!!

Cale put a hand over his mouth and tried to control his emotion.

“Vow of Death, it’s that vow you made using the power of the God of Death, isn’t it?” Eruhaben chimed in suddenly. His eyes glowed slightly as he glanced between the redhead and the butler.

“Yes. If one broke the vow they made, they will die of excruciating pain or so they said,” Ron spoke lightly, as if death was just a passing rain or sunny day. “And it turns out, the person on the other side of the contract will feel their passing only in the slightest. I actually had more expectation for this God’s power.”

As he finished, Ron let out a low sigh.

Cale glanced at the old man, checking him all over. Then he gently pushed a cookie into Raon’s mouth to stop the little one from blabbering along with the butler’s nonsense.

”It’s good that you’re fine,” the redhead spoke casually.

'You could even endure losing an arm, I don't think other people will think that the rebound from the Vow of Death could be disappointing.'

Even after so long, he still couldn’t get used to Ron’s strange quirks. Well, not just Ron, but all of them. However, it won’t do any good to ponder and focus on these people’s strangeness seriously.

Ron’s smile deepened at the redhead’s words and the old man stared at Eruhaben with a proud yet sly smile.

The Golden Dragon held back his ire and swatted the air in front of his face with his palm.

“So, who was that priest? What did he got to do with the unlucky bastard?”

The old butler’s smile lowered slightly before he turned toward Cale.

In respectful tone, he asked his young master if it is fine to let the Ancient Dragon and the smaller Great Dragon know about it.

Cale took a few minutes to pondered; he was actually quite undecided. He was more worried that the little Dragon might hear something he shouldn’t hear for a child his age. But soon, he thought about it again. He promised a lot of things to the small, mighty children. And letting the children learn about them slowly to built their acceptance of things could lower the surprise and shock level.

‘There’s also Eruhaben-nim anyway. I’ll leave the rest to him.’

As if sensing the impending doom waiting before him, Eruhaben glanced at the redhead and stared at him with eyes full of doubt.

Finally, the redhead convinced himself and nodded not-so-confidently.

Ron also nodded and dropped his smile.

“Then, this Ron shall do the best to recount that day.”

A few days before Cale’s fourteenth’s birthday, the boy asked Ron to kidnap a priest from the Temple of the God of Death.

“Not someone with a strong power, or a high status. But someone with deep knowledge of the God of Death’s power. If they know some things about the afterlife, that would be better.”

As a very capable butler, it only took Ron a few days to found someone that checked out all of young Cale’s requirement. And that person was Priest Josh.

According to Ron’s observation and investigation, Priest Josh was a sincere person who only cared about the orphans and the weak. He preferred reading and taking care of the children than anything else.

Priest Josh was born of nobility, the firstborn and supposedly the heir of the family. However, the man left his family behind and entered the Temple of the Death so he could dedicate his life to the God of Death while taking care of the orphans.

Priest Josh was merely 23 years old when he was rolled into a big sack and send to the young Cale not-so-roughly.

The man wasn’t afraid, but he was a little surprised that the culprit was such a young boy.

Cale asked the man to make a vow of death with him. Both the priest and the butler were reluctant to allow the young redhead to take on the burden, thus altough it took a while, they managed to convince Cale to make a vow with Priest Josh and Ron as both participating collaterals instead of young Cale.

For a whole day, the priest and the young boy conversed in secret with only one old butler as the witness and protection.

The two talked from life to death and then to the life after death. They talked about reincarnation, rebirth, retribution and even redemption.

Although Ron was quite alarmed at the content of the conversation that came out from the boy that he raised, nothing showed on his face.

And at the end of the day, after young Cale was satisfied, Priest Josh was carefully send away with a large chest filled with gold. After that, Ron would still send someone to checked on the man occasionally.

One day, Priest Josh volunteered to traveled to a far, desolated land to take care of the orphans and thus Ron finally left the man alone and gradually forgot about him.

Then, so suddenly without warning, Ron felt something stirred within him. It’s as if his soul was bothered and something was plucked from him. There wasn’t any bad feeling, just a feeling of losing something that didn’t belong to him.

It was a little bit annoying, but that’s all.

Ron was a little lost at first, but soon after, a memory of a man in priest clothing came to his mind and he finally understood.

“Priest Josh activated the curse of the vow and died.”

Cale listened to Ron’s tale while remembering the explanation of the Vow of the Death that was written in the novel.

However, of course, it was not written that the original Cale Henituse had kidnapped a priest and that Ron willingly used himself as the other recipient of the curse.

‘There’s so many strange things in this world regarding the original Cale’s past.’

“So what was in the vow, that he couldn’t keep and had to die?”

Eruhaben asked as he took a cookie and stabbed it into Raon’s curious mouth. The child was itching to ask something, but the Gold Dragon already knew what the lil title Dragon wanted to know and decided to block him.

“It was a simple secrecy vow. Priest Josh will not talk about his meeting with young master-nim and the content of their conversation.”

Cale raised a single brow and moved his eyes to the ceiling.

‘Oh? Now this is interesting.’

“Ron.”

“Yes, young master-nim?”

”Do you think that bastard prince could use that information against our Crown Prince?”

Ron lowered his head and closed his eyes, as if he was given a hard question.

“Could people really meet your God when they’re dying?”

The memory of the young puppy drenched in blood flashed by his eyes.

”I suppose It could, but it shouldn’t be dangerous. Just…”

“Just?”

“Young master-nim, from this old man’s experience, I think it will be quiet shocking to other people. It might even distract them from the enemy.”

‘Especially that punk, since he is already crazy in the head.‘

Cale let out a low hum, and petted the little but might dragon’s round head.

Anyway, it’s not really a problem. But he felt bad for the priest, because it was him who guided that psychopath to investigate Cale Henituse’s past. It looked like he still underestimated that crazy Adin’s craziness.

‘It shouldn’t happen again.’

It was the original Cale Henituse’s problem, but since he was Cale Henituse now, he couldn’t just close his eyes anymore.

Cale already decided that he will tell the truth to the children, so everything must be taken care of before to lessen the shock.

“Ron, sent someone to check the orphanage that Priest Josh was taking care of. Find out how he was taken away and take care of the children. If he willingly colluded with Adin, then that’s it. But if he was forced, then,”

“Let’s smack that crazy Adin from behind!”

Raon’s mouth was finally freed from the endless cookies fed to him by the two adults and he quickly chirped in.

The three adults stared at the black dragon and they nodded their heads in unison.

“By the way, human. How much money is a large chest of gold?”

'Good question, I also wondered about that.'

Chapter Text

Adin's subordinates almost fought each other to talk about Adin's bright future before the others.

"Everything will be under your control, your highness."

The prince ignored them and furrowed his brows.

"Any news about Cale Henituse's condition?"

"There's none at the moment, your highness. But...it would be almost impossible for him to survive."

“There is no way that Cale Henituse would die so easily. I can’t have him die yet. I took so much trouble just to dig his past, I haven’t play enough with him yet. Hehe.”

Adin let out an evil chuckle and the subordinates looked around.

“Have you found Cale Henituse’s doctor and nanny yet?”

Adin turned to one of the knight, and the man humbly lowered his head.

“Apologies, your highness. We found the doctor’s location, but when we reached the place, the man was already gone. We’re still pursuing him. While the nanny had passed away early this month due to a disease, and her family had moved.”

“Your highness, why don’t we ask the White Star to investigate Cale Henituse?”

Adin scoffed at the question and looked down again.

“No, it’s not necessary yet, I want to do it myself. Besides, who is White Star-nim? Is Cale Henituse such an important person, that we should ask White Star-nim to handle him personally? Ridiculous.”

“We will strike the southwest border of the Roan Kingdom in five days. I will focus on recovering my strength until then, but report in about all preparations.”

The subordinates all bowed in unison and shouted back.

“We have received your orders.”

Cale casually commented while looking at them.

“Just fools acting like fools.”

'Original Cale's nanny and doctor, huh? Looks like Adin's not as useful as I thought.'

"It looks like I'll have to let him live a little bit longer."

The dragon glanced at the man beyond the glasses and sneered cutely.

"Okay, human!"

Only one day was left.

Cale received words that Adin had found what Cale wanted.

"Your highness, we found him."

Adin's eyes glinted with craziness as he read the report from his subordinate.

"Finally. I found Cale Henituse's weakness."

Adin throw the report into the fire and gleefully watched it burned to ashes.

"Cale Henituse, you can't escape from me. I will destroy everything and bring you down to hell!"

Meanwhile, Cale.

"Human, what do you want to do?"

"Continue with the plan, we will get the chance to make him speak later on."

"Pwa, hahahahaha!"

It was Adin. He was laughing so hard that he moved back from fighting against Choi Han and almost bent forward from laughter.

"Hahahaha-!"

Adin raised his head and looked toward Cale.

He started to speak with the smile now gone from his face.

"You're different than me."

"Of course," it was Choi Han who responded. He pointed his sword at Adin with a stiff expression.

"How unbelievable," Adin smiled as he shook his head.

Cale wondered if it was the original Cale, would he be similar to Adin, or not?

Choi Han lowered his head with a stiff expression on his face.

Imperial Prince Adin.

He was an enemy they definitely had to take care of, not just for this operation but for the future.

Not just for the people that suffered because of Adin and Arm, but also for Cale-nim.

"It's too easy to just kill him right away."

"Beat him up a bit."

"Actually, I am using Adin to investigate something troublesome. It would be annoying if he talk about it in front of our comrades. So, just make sure that he can speak at the end."

Choi Han raised his head.

"Yes Cale-nim, I will do that."

"I will grow today. And I will survive."

Choi Han pointed the tip of his sword at Adin.

Cale started to smile. He had felt this quite often these days.

'The Birth of a Hero', the story in the novel, was something that did not exist anymore.

All that existed was the reality in front of him.

Cale silently raised his hand and brushed the scar on his neck lightly.

'Cale Henituse and I, we will survive.'

Chapter Text

Cale laughed at Adin's state and started to speak.

"Black mages are quite intriguing. They don't feel pain when they die, right?"

Admin started to speak to Cale despite the blood flowing from his mouth.

"You really are different from me. I can't understand."

Adin started to speak with an expression that truly said that he couldn't understand.

"Cale Henituse, what do you gain from getting rid of black magic? Wouldn't you have more to gain if you sided with the empire and expanded its power with black magic instead?"

Cale smiled and shook his head. He stood up and turned around.

"Don't you want to resurrect your mother? I know what you did, Cale Henituse. I know what you wanted!"

Cale halted his step at Adin's words, and many possibilities filled his mind.

'Cale Henituse wanted to resurrect his mother?!'

'Is that possible?'

'No. Even in the novel, it was written that the death cannot return.'

'But it wasn't written in the novel about the original's suicide attempt.'

'Could it be possible?'

Contrasted to the unstable state of his mind, Cale's face showed no expression as if Adin's words didn't reach him.

"Cale-nim."

A calm and cold voice called out to Cale's swirling thoughts.

The redhead glanced at Choi Han and their eyes met.

The sword master was asking if Cale wanted him to beat the Imperial Prince again.

Without looking up at the air where the black dragon was staring down at him, Cale could imagine Raon's face mirrored Choi Han's emotion.

Choi Han and Raon was very calm. As if that no matter what Cale Henituse did, they would support the man with everything they had.

'Right. Why am I even listening to this maniac?'

Cale shook his head and let out a deep sigh.

'Now is not the time and place to ponder about that.'

Choi Han nodded to the redhead and turned back to Adin.

"You, who simply looked down at the dead mana and pile of bones stacked in this underground hall, wouldn't be able to understand. What would a bastard like you who only knows how to steal from others possibly know?"

"Haa..."

Cale let out a long, deep sigh.

"Human, are you hungry?"

An apple pie appeared out of thin air and shoved itself into Cale's mouth.

The redhead surrendered his mouth and stomach to the mighty black dragon as he tried to focus on the plan.

"Human, don't worry, this strong and mighty dragon can wait. So take your time."

Cale stared at the air where Raon was floating at for a few seconds before he nodded.

"I was thinking that I forgot to tell Crown Prince about the change in plan. I wonder if he is alright."

Chapter Text

"Time is warped for you."

Their common factor came flowing out of the White star's mouth.

"And...?"

"...What?"

Cale Henituse was standing there with a twisted smile and asking back.

'What do you want me to do about it?'

Whether time was warped or not.

'That's none of my business. It's fine as long as I live a happy and peaceful live.'

The original Cale Henituse that slashed his own neck, the countless number of scars on both of his wrists.

The haunting pain that followed whenever he overused his ancient power.

Adin's words that Cale Henituse wanted to resurrect the late Countess.

'So what. This is my life now. This is my story.'

It was in the past.

All of it didn't matter to him.

He was curious about the original's past, but it didn't actually matter.

Kim Rok Soo only wanted one thing.

A peaceful life as a wealthy slacker.

"Hannah! Mary!"

“I’m going to need you to become the next Dragon Catcher.”

Dragon Catcher.

Dragon Slayer.

The treacher.

He finally found a tool to take over that role. The White Star had finally found the human who would do one of the two things that he had been preparing to do for 1,000 years.

“You’ll need to get a taste of a Dragon heart in order to do that.”

Cale suddenly got the chills.

Ooooooong-

The white crown in his pocket was crying. The crown that liked to drink Dragon’s blood started to rumble.

Cale’s heart started to beat wildly as well.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

His Dominating Aura suddenly started to activate.

That was the reason for it. It was as the White Star leisurely continued to speak.

“The fragment of dragon's heart inside of you is useless.”

'A what now?'

A sense of foreboding clenched his heart and Cale remembered useless questions that he kept hearing around him.

“Don’t worry about that. I will procure a real Dragon’s heart for you.”

Cale reached his arms out as the White Star said that.

He was reaching toward what seemed to be an empty area. Cale felt the unique reptilian skin as he reached his hand out.

"Human! I will destroy that White Sta-! Mmph! What are you doing? Mmph!"

Cale pulled Raon toward him as soon as he felt Raon’s skin.

Cale had chills all over his body.

He could hear the White Star’s voice.

“A young Dragon’s heart is a very good awakening tool too.”

‘The White Star is aiming for Raon.’

Cale hugged Raon and clasped his hands around him after realizing the White Star’s intentions. He then activated his Indestructible Shield to its maximum strength.

Pain emerged from his neck, as usual, but this time, only anger and determination to protect surged forward along with the emotion.

Paaaat-

The silver wings and shield were shining brighter than ever before as the shield moved in front of Cale.

“Tsk tsk. Cale, you don’t even know how to use ancient powers properly.”

The White Star stabbed his sword toward the silver shield.

The silver shield broke apart.

It broke apart too easily.

“This is a Sword of Disasters infused with fire.”

The White Star seemed to be gently teaching Cale as he laughed.

Cale and Raon had worked together in the Henituse battle to defeat the fake Dragon Slayer Syrem’s Sword of Disasters.

The White Star had an even stronger and real Sword of Disasters that had infused the fire attribute into it that easily destroyed Raon’s shield.

Cale thought about what would happen next.

“Human!”

He heard Raon’s voice out loud, but Cale just hugged that round head on his chest and created a fiery thunderbolt with his left hand.

This bastard was able to even send an ancient Dragon flying. Raon was not strong enough yet.

‘I will fight if the shield breaks.’

Crack.

Cale could see his silver shield starting to crack as the White Star’s sword touched it.

Boom boom boom.

His heart was running wild.

No, the Dominating Aura was running wild. It seemed to have eaten his fear.