Chapter 27

# Chapter 27. <After All, Who Are You?>

"Come in."

Kale nodded for them to enter, and Cage pushed Taylor’s wheelchair inside. The two of them entered, and when the three of them were seated around the table, Kale, without even glancing at the alcohol, asked,

"What is your business here?"

Indeed, his voice was as cold and dry as ever. Hearing that voice, Taylor was certain. This person was not a reckless individual; rather, he was smarter than expected.

Taylor hadn’t come here just to drink. Drinking was something to be enjoyed with trusted friends. Otherwise, it was merely a means for exploration and conversation.

"Lord Kale, what do you think of me?"

At this question, Kale stared at Taylor for a moment before approaching the bed and picking up a bag he had placed there, setting it on the table.

Thud. The sound of metal echoed. The bag opened slightly, revealing gold, silver, and copper coins.

Kale’s calm voice filled the room.

"I don’t know why you want to go to the capital at a time when all eyes are on the noble heirs, but I assume there’s only one reason for someone to approach me when they’re heading into the tiger’s den."

Kale had anticipated this from the moment Cage had said they would follow, and every time he felt those gazes whenever he occasionally went outside.

"The wealthy Hennitus family. Your business is money, isn’t it?"

Ha. A sigh of admiration escaped Cage’s lips. Taylor had fallen from the upper echelons to the depths, but Cage had always been at the bottom. To her, Kale was a unique individual.

He would ask the butler for alcohol whenever he had a chance.

He paid no attention to what his subordinates were doing and always ate the finest cuisine.

He stayed in the best inns and always seemed at ease. And he spoke without hesitation.

But he wasn’t reckless.

Taylor’s close friend, Cage, knew this better than anyone.

"You knew, didn’t you?"

"I had an idea."

Kale spoke as if it were nothing.

"Judging by your appearance, you seem to be short on money. If you want to stay in the capital, especially in secret, you’ll need money, won’t you? I didn’t plan on doing this, but with the Golden Turtle joining you, wouldn’t anyone try to get some money at least once?"

Taylor couldn’t argue with Kale’s words. They were true. Kale Hennitus, who didn’t ignore Taylor, the abandoned eldest son, would be a valuable ally. Getting money from him would be a gain in itself.

Even if he refused, Kale didn’t seem like he would tell Benyon about Taylor’s request. He seemed to dislike complicated matters.

A hidden talent. That’s how Taylor saw Kale.

"Lord Kale, thank you."

Kale didn’t respond with a polite acknowledgment. Instead, he decided to act on the thoughts he had since he anticipated they would follow.

"Are you leaving at dawn today?"

"Yes. I was planning to leave secretly, but I came here. Now, we have to do it ourselves."

Taylor’s eyes, seated in the wheelchair, were clear. But Kale, facing that clarity, couldn’t react positively.

"Do you plan to enter through the temple?"

When Taylor’s expression showed surprise and admiration, Cage stepped in.

"Yes, we plan to enter through the temple."

They likely intended to infiltrate by posing as temple personnel. If that happened, Cage would reveal his location to the Temple of Death. Cage was taking that risk for Taylor.

But even if they entered that way, complete secrecy was impossible. Kale pointed out the flaw.

"Even if you enter that way, it will reach Benyon or the Duke’s family within three days. There are political figures even within the Temple of Death."

"…You really know a lot."

Cage’s lips curled up. She had one thing figured out about Kale.

"Lord Kale, you must have a reason for being so curious about our affairs, right?"

Tap. Tap. Kale’s index finger tapped the table.

"Stay one more day. Use this money to make the reservation."

Kale pointed at the two of them with his index finger.

"And you two, ride in my carriage. The rest of Taylor’s party will enter a day later."

Squeak. The sound of the chair being pushed back, Kale stood up. He took out an item from his magic box and placed it on the table.

"A magic device that makes living beings transparent for five minutes."

The second item he had to borrow in Vilos’s name.

"Lord, are you planning to steal something?"

"Steal? I’m planning to destroy it."

"…Destroy it?"

He had to use the item he had prepared for the square terror incident. Fortunately, it wasn’t a one-time use, Kale thought.

When Kale finished speaking, silence fell. Cage and Taylor looked at the item and Kale, but they couldn’t say anything. The silence continued for a while.

"Why—"

After a long silence, Taylor’s mouth slowly opened.

"Why are you doing all this? There’s no benefit for you."

Why indeed. Since this is my doing, I have to help to some extent. It won’t harm me. And if Taylor takes control of the Duke’s family, there won’t be any headaches from the Duke’s ambitions during a war with another country. That way, the Hennitus territory will be peaceful, and Kale’s remaining life will be comfortable.

"Do I have to answer?"

"Yes, I want to hear it."

Taylor wanted to hear Kale’s answer. To him, Kale replied in a dry, cold tone.

"Because I feel sorry for you. I wonder what a discarded eldest son, with broken legs and an uncertain lifespan, is thinking. It’s pitiful to see the Duke’s eldest son begging for money from a Baron’s reckless son, trying so hard."

Taylor’s mouth opened. He let out a silent laugh. He stroked his knees with both hands. He felt no sensation in his knees.

But Taylor himself was still alive, with his eyes, nose, mouth, and hands. Taylor smiled brightly.

"Thank you for your sympathy. I needed that."

"In return, there’s one condition for all this."

Kale didn’t pay attention to the words of gratitude.

"What is it?"

"Forget everything."

Kale pushed the money bag toward him.

"Forget everything."

An attitude of helping but not wanting to be further involved. Taylor had anticipated this. Cage stepped in, the reason she was here.

"Lord Taylor and I swear not to reveal anything. We know that breaking a vow to the God of Death means death."

"I know. Swear it."

Kale smiled at her words. The vow made before the God of Death. He believed in that famous vow, which is why he considered helping them.

Cage, seeing Kale smile at the mention of a death-bound vow, finally burst into laughter.

"Will you, Lord Kale, not take the vow?"

"No, I won’t. If this causes trouble later, I’ll blow everything up."

"To Benyon?"

"Yes."

Kale answered calmly to her question, which she asked with a smile. Seeing this, Taylor felt more at ease. Kale’s statement that he would blow everything up if it went against him was actually reassuring to Taylor.

"Cage, let’s do it."

"Okay."

Taylor and Cage, who had already dropped formalities in front of Kale, were signaling that they were open with him.

"I’ll start."

On a dark night, the new moon made the power of the God of Death stronger than ever.

Cage closed her eyes and brought her hands forward. It wasn’t a prayer. Her palms faced Kale and Taylor.

Hum. A small vibration echoed in the air. At the same time, black smoke flowed from her fingertips, enveloping the three of them.

'Is this the power of a god?'

Kale felt the power and was captivated by a strange sensation. It was different from ancient power but felt warm despite its dark hue.

"I, Cage, daughter of the eternal night, swear with Taylor Sten, invoking the name of the night. The vow is a matter of life and death; the one who breaks the vow will be cast into eternal darkness."

Cage, opening her eyes, looked at the two and continued.

"Tonight, everything shared here will be kept as a lifelong secret by me, Cage, and Taylor Sten, and will not be revealed to anyone except the witness, Kale Hennitus."

"We will not reveal it."

Taylor repeated the last words. Cage, hearing his voice, closed her eyes again. The black smoke wrapped around the three of them and, finally,

Hum. With one vibration, the smoke disappeared. The vow was complete.

"Simple."

Kale, while expressing his thoughts, could still feel the strange power lingering in his hands. It was similar to ancient power. He instinctively felt it was related to the vow.

"The sensations you feel now are the power of the vow. If we break it, the witness, Lord Kale, will be informed of our destruction."

"I see."

Kale simply agreed with her explanation. He could feel the power that made it impossible to break the vow. He explored the energies within his body, feeling the difference between divine and ancient power.

At that moment, Taylor placed the bottle of alcohol he had brought in the center of the table.

Thud. The bottle was set down with a light sound.

"Lord Kale, would you like a drink?"

"Alcohol?"

Kale, hiding his desire to leave quickly, asked. Taylor nodded in response.

"Yes, alcohol. Good times call for alcohol."

Taylor, contrary to his initial thoughts, wanted to drink with Kale, who he still didn’t fully trust. Cage, sensing something, smiled and reached into her wide sleeves.

"Ta-da!"