Chapter 38

# Chapter 38: <Silently>

"Ahem. Ahem! Young Master Neo, it's been a while."

Eric stood right in front of Kale, blocking the space between Neo and Kale. Neo's eyes showed a hint of frustration.

He thought he had found a good opportunity, but with Eric Wheelswan's appearance, it became difficult to act.

"Yes, Young Master Eric. It's been a while."

Neo greeted him and also exchanged pleasantries with Lady Amira and Young Master Gilbert. Seeing them stand beside Kale, Neo inwardly clicked his tongue.

'He must cherish even a ruffian like him as an ally.'

Neo decided not to do anything else to provoke Kale, who was trying to protect him. Eric noticed Neo's hesitation and subtly turned to look at Kale.

Neo also turned to look at Kale.

"Hmm."

He let out an involuntary sigh.

Kale was looking down at Neo with his arms crossed, his eyes filled with disdain. He hadn't said a word to Neo since he arrived, only communicating through his gaze and body language.

'Low-class scum.'

Neo was reminded of the way Benyon had looked at him. He felt anger at that gaze but also praised it as the gaze of a noble, submitting to it.

Kale turned away from Neo's wavering eyes and walked towards the palace entrance. The voice of the black dragon whispered in his ear.

- The sound storage magic is complete.

Kale had asked the black dragon to record everything he would say today. The video magic required too much mana and was difficult to sustain for long periods, so he had to settle for audio.

Kale had intended not to use the black dragon's magic if it would be detected by the palace, which was sensitive to magic. However, the black dragon assured him that the mana detection would be minimal and narrowed the range to avoid being noticed.

Kale, determined to extract Neo's tears of blood later, headed towards the palace entrance. He never forgot those who wronged him.

Eric Wheelswan looked at him with a proud gaze, feeling that his daily letters had paid off.

In contrast, Gilbert and Amira watched Kale's back with peculiar expressions. The one who always wore extravagant clothes now appeared in a simple black suit, without any jewelry, and with his red hair neatly groomed.

Perhaps it was because he hadn't drunk alcohol.

His steps were leisurely yet lazy.

Amira and Gilbert could see Kale turn back at the entrance.

Especially that gaze. The indifferent look that seemed to beckon them was strange.

"Prince Neo, I'll see you inside the banquet hall. Lady Amira, Young Master Gilbert. Let's go."

Eric looked at him proudly, but Amira and Gilbert felt an even stronger sense of peculiarity when the three of them stood in front of Kale.

"Let's go."

The three followed Kale into the palace. Gilbert and Amira's peculiar feelings grew stronger. Regardless, Kale thought he would have to use these three well today.

"Prince Kale Hennitus of the Hennitus Viscount family has entered!"

As Kale entered the banquet hall, he could hear the servant announcing Eric, Gilbert, and Amira's names.

"Quite impressive."

He glanced around the spacious hall and followed Eric. Lady Amira looked at Kale and then matched his pace.

"Prince Kale. The banquet hall is arranged with the Crown Prince's seat at the highest position, and the tables are grouped by region. The reason for this is—"

Amira, about to explain the reason, stopped when she saw Kale's expression.

"Perhaps you don't need the explanation?"

"Thank you, but I know. Lady."

Kale nodded as Amira gave him a peculiar look and headed towards the table in the northeast corner.

There were five tables in the hall: northeast, northwest, southwest, southeast, and the center. They were divided according to the distribution of noble families.

'The Crown Prince did well with this arrangement.'

Subtly fostering competition and mixing, it was the Crown Prince's specialty. However, he was also thorough in his treatment of himself.

In front of the five tables, on a platform two steps higher, was the Crown Prince's table.

'The tables for the 2nd and 3rd Princes are one step lower.'

The tables for the 2nd and 3rd Princes were one step below. Despite the Crown Prince hosting the event, it was unusual for most noble heirs to be present while the 2nd and 3rd Princes were absent. The Crown Prince had invited them but with a difference in treatment.

'He's fussing over trivial details.'

Indeed, the Crown Prince, and those in such high positions, were not Kale's type.

"Indeed, our table is closest to the entrance."

Eric's bitter voice made Kale refrain from adding more. Today, the Palace of Bliss had designated the east door as the entrance, and the northeast region's noble heirs' table was the closest.

The northeast region, despite having a strong voice, lacked a dominant family. Kale patted Eric's shoulder.

"It's good to be close to the entrance. Besides, we don't need to bow to anyone, do we?"

The other regions had to show respect to the leaders of powerful families.

The three stopped walking. Kale, who had been leading, also stopped. Eric turned to Kale and spoke after a while.

"Prince Kale."

Even at the banquet, he didn't lower his tone.

"I'm glad my efforts have paid off."

Efforts? What efforts? Kale looked at Eric with a puzzled expression, but Eric walked confidently to his table, which was closest to the entrance.

Eric didn't know that Kale had thrown the letters into a corner of his room.

"Why is he acting like that?"

In response to Kale's question, Lady Amira shook her head with a peculiar expression, as if in admiration. Gilbert had a similar reaction, and Kale shrugged and headed to the table.

But a voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Prince Benyon Sten of the Sten Viscount family has entered!"

Kale understood why Neo Tolst hadn't followed him immediately. Benyon, the heir of the Sten Viscount family, was right behind Neo.

But to Kale, neither Neo nor Benyon mattered.

"Kale!"

Eric, who had been walking faster, called out to Kale, who was heading to his seat. Kale waved his hand and sat down.

"Hmm."

"A, Prince Kale, you're here."

"Prince Kale, you've arrived."

They greeted him politely, and Kale responded monotonously.

"Yes, nice to see you."

The table fell silent for a moment, but Kale discreetly slipped his hand under the tablecloth.

'Sure enough.'

He could feel the trembling body of the invisible black dragon.

- It's fine. I said it's fine.

Kale patted the dragon's trembling body, hearing its voice in his head. A mix of anger and fear. The trauma from childhood abuse was evident.

The body remembers, while the mind rationalizes. The black dragon couldn't react properly.

- It's fine. I am a great dragon.

Kale had told the black dragon that Benyon Sten would also be there and promised not to kill Benyon today. He made one more promise.

- Later. I'll kill that guy and his ilk later.

He would tear them apart, like dust in the wind. Hearing the black dragon's voice filled with anger, Kale calmed it. Fortunately, it didn't seem to be causing a mana fluctuation.

Indeed, dragons are more rational than expected. Kale, thinking about the hell he would unleash on Benyon and the Sten Viscount family in the near future, withdrew his hand from under the tablecloth.

Fortunately, the dragon didn't seem to be going berserk. If it did, the palace would be destroyed, and Kale would be finished. He felt relieved that he had prevented this and looked around.

He could see Eric's group and Benyon's group approaching. Benyon's table was in the northwest corner.

Thump. Thump. The black dragon rubbed its head against Kale's leg.

"Hmm."

Kale pondered for a moment. At that moment, Eric, whose eyes met Kale's, gave a signal.

'Quiet! Stay still!'

Kale ignored the signal and thought about how to pretend he didn't know Benyon. But Benyon greeted him first.

"Prince Kale. It's been a while."

Benyon Sten. His face had become very nervous since the last time they met, but he still maintained a gentle smile, appearing as a model noble. Neo Tolst, however, was fidgeting behind him.

Kale smiled brightly.

"Prince Neo. It's been a while since we met at the Tolst baron's estate."

Kale spoke to Neo with a concerned and worried expression.

"The manor was completely ransacked, they said. Are you alright?"

Neo's shoulders trembled, and Kale could see Benyon's lips quivering slightly.

"Prince Neo. Have you heard the news? I heard you were close friends. Did you hear?"

Benyon answered after a long pause. His tone was natural, but Kale could sense the anger within.

"...Yes. It was indeed sad news."

"Yes. I was surprised when I heard it while drinking a hangover cure this morning. Everything was taken, they said. You lost something very precious, didn't you?"

The most annoying person in the world is someone who is talkative, clueless, and well-intentioned.

Kale was doing all three. How delightful.

Kale spoke kindly to Neo.

"Prince Neo, stay strong. In life, such absurd things can happen. Keep going. Even if you can't find what was stolen, what can you do? Just live on."

Ha. That ruffian. Benyon, who had visited the northeast region, endured the secret, probing gazes of the noble heirs with a smile, suppressing his anger.

'Where are the dragon and the cripple?'

Benyon walked forward, and Kale, glancing at the pale Neo, turned away without hesitation. Of course, he left a warm word.

"Stay strong."

Neo would likely be ransacked by Benyon.

"Prince Kale—"

Kale, with a strange expression of having much to say but nothing coming to mind, saw Eric approaching and sat back down.

- Next is my turn.

He nodded at the black dragon's voice and looked around the table. The northeast region's heirs were watching him. This was probably the first time they had seen such a normal Kale. To meet their expectations, he picked up a wine bottle.

The gazes quickly dispersed.

The power of a ruffian.

Others at different tables watched Kale with curiosity. Enjoying their gazes, Kale handed the wine bottle to Eric.

"I'll drink later."

"...Alright."

Eric, who had finally dropped the formal tone, looked at Kale. Kale glanced at the clock above the entrance. The banquet was about to start, and all the nobles were seated.

The reason was clear.

Benyon Sten and the other three major noble heirs had entered.

"Prince Antonio Gierre of the Gierre Duke family has entered!"

Prince Antonio Gierre of the Gierre Duke family, Princess Karin Orsena of the Orsena Duke family, and the heir of the Aylan Viscount family, another viscount family alongside the Sten.

They entered the banquet hall one by one with their people, and the doors closed behind them. Even with their arrival, no one easily engaged in conversation or stood up.

Kale leaned back in his chair and looked at the entrance. The clock's hands were approaching 5 PM.

Tick-tock. Finally, it was 5 PM.

Creak.

The massive doors opened, and the main character of the event entered with his entourage.

The servant, who usually announced guests, was about to do so but was stopped by a raised hand.

The Crown Prince and 1st Prince, Alber Crossman of the Lowen Kingdom.

He enjoyed the focused gazes on him and walked to his seat on the platform without any introduction. All the nobles stood to greet him, and Alber, feeling the presence of the 2nd and 3rd Princes, stood at the highest position in the hall.

Thud. The entrance doors closed, signaling everyone's arrival. Alber, looking down at everyone, including the 2nd and 3rd Princes, spoke.

"Welcome. Thank you for coming."

No need for introductions. Alber looked down from the top. Kale, looking at him indifferently, glanced at the clock.

'It's time.'

The person who would stir up this banquet hall, perhaps becoming the biggest topic among the capital's nobles for a while, had yet to arrive.

The Crown Prince's voice echoed in Kale's ears.

"This kingdom is blessed with precious talents, future great men, all gathered here. I am very pleased."

The Crown Prince was starting his smooth talk. Then,

"Hmm?"

He turned his gaze to the entrance. The closed door was being pushed slightly, and a noisy sound came from the crack.

Kale's lips curled slightly, unnoticed by others. At that moment, a servant rushed in through a side door and approached the Crown Prince.

'He's here.'

Kale sensed it.

At that moment, the Crown Prince, intrigued by the servant's words, raised his hand to the knight who had appeared at the entrance.

Creak. The massive entrance doors opened again.

The servant couldn't announce the latecomer after the Crown Prince's entrance, but it wasn't necessary.

'Perfect timing.'

A wheelchair entered the banquet hall.

The abandoned eldest son, Taylor Sten, appeared with the mad priest, Cage. At that moment, their gazes swept past Kale unnoticed. That was enough for the three of them.