Chapter 46

# Chapter 46: <By Accident>

As he boarded the carriage with the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince insisted on some kind of performance until the very end. Naturally, the carriage that Kai rode in was the Crown Prince's carriage, urgently brought from the royal palace.

"Lord Kai, please get in first. Today, I respect you."

As if to erase any trace of his previous sullen expression, the Crown Prince immediately put on an infinitely benevolent smile as others approached the carriage.

"No, Your Highness, how can I get in before you, the star in the hearts of the kingdom's people?"

"…Human. Is your head okay?"

Kai casually ignored the Black Dragon's words. He patted Kai's shoulder and said, thump thump, with quite a bit of force.

"No, it’s my way of showing respect."

"Then, I will get in first."

Even after the other nobles had left, Crown Prince Alber remained at the terror scene, giving orders to the knights and taking care of Kai first. The image of Kai Henitus that remained most vividly in the minds of those present today was impressive. At the same time, it conveyed a sense of broad-mindedness like the sea.

As Kai got into the carriage, he subtly turned his gaze to the side.

Near the carriage were the children of nobles, and behind them were the kingdom's people. Kai gave a slight nod to Eric, Gilbert, Amir, and Taylor, and showed a kind smile to Neo Tols, who was staring at him blankly.

At that moment, Neo flinched, and the expression of Beinion Sten, who was nearby, became strange. It wasn't just him; the high nobles were watching Kai.

'How could that rascal have such power? No, how could he do such a thing?'

Kai saw such meanings in their gazes but ignored them, looking straight at Neo, who flinched and turned his head away.

'I can get rid of this crude villain.'

Kai thought this as he got into the carriage and immediately wiped the kind smile from his face. Then, Crown Prince Alber got in and gave an order to his attendant.

"Make sure the lady behind is treated with the highest respect."

Of course, he was referring to Rosalyn. The carriage door slowly closed, and through the gap, Kai met Rosalyn's eyes. Her smile was reassuring.

Click. The carriage door closed, and Kai leaned back against the chair's backrest.

'As expected, the royal carriage is different. How do they get such leather for the seats?'

Feeling the comfort of the seat, Kai, who had been sitting expressionless, saw the Crown Prince, who had also put aside his benevolent smile, with a blank face.

"Do you need treatment?"

In response to the Crown Prince's question, Kai replied indifferently.

"My body is healthy, but wouldn't the best medical team and priests be necessary? I would like to lie down for a few days."

"Hah."

The Crown Prince burst out laughing, almost in surprise, and then nodded.

"Yes, that's good. A noble's son who stepped forward to protect everyone being treated with the highest care in the palace. Very good."

It was hard to tell if Crown Prince Alber was a good person or a bad person. No, it wasn't even clear if he was human. But Kai didn't care about that. Instead, he said what he had to say.

"Yes, I expect compensation."

"Hah."

The Crown Prince shook his head from side to side but didn't say that Kai shouldn't expect compensation. It meant he would provide generous compensation.

Thus, Kai entered the palace again and received treatment of a different level. The best room in the annex, which boasted the most luxurious facilities for visiting nobles from other countries, was given to Kai.

'Well, Choi Han and the others stayed here too.'

Kai lay on the top-tier bed, which was incomparably soft and comfortable compared to the one in his mansion, eating grapes one by one.

Another person staying in the annex came to see him.

"Lord Kai."

It was Rosalyn. And of course, she didn't come alone.

"Lord Kai."

Choi Han came with her. Behind him, the cats and Lac were standing with pale faces. But Kai's face twisted when he saw the last person.

"Y-Your Lordship!"

It was the butler, Hans. He looked like he was about to cry. Hans, Choi Han, and Lac were allowed to enter the palace to serve and protect Kai. Kai stretched out his hand toward Hans, who seemed ready to run over.

"Stop."

Hans stopped, and Kai got up from the bed and said to the others.

"Come in."

He looked as natural as if he were the master of this palace.

Kai first talked to Hans. Hans, who had looked like he was about to cry, now reported as usual after checking Kai's condition.

"I have contacted the family. I thought it would be better to do so before the royal family, so I reported through a communication device with a mage. It cost a bit more."

"Good job."

"And."

Hans glanced at Rosalyn.

'As expected.'

Kai's lips curled slightly. Hans was a capable butler candidate. He had more information about the children of noble families than Kai. Such a person wouldn't lack other information.

"Go on."

With Kai's permission, Hans reported.

"I have already instructed the mansion staff to keep quiet about Lady Rosalyn."

"Very well done."

"Good job."

Rosalyn and Kai praised Hans. Before they could align their stories, it was better to keep quiet, which made it easier for Rosalyn and Kai to move.

"Your Lordship."

"Yes."

"I reported, but I think I should contact the family through the communication device later. Otherwise, the head of the family might come up."

If it were his father, Duke Dert, he would certainly do that. Kai nodded roughly, thinking of a way to resolve the issue without affecting his position as the successor of Vassen. Hans got up from his seat at this gesture.

He was perceptive.

Rosalyn, Choi Han, and Lac. Kai needed to talk to them, so Hans had to leave.

"Then I will meet the manager of this annex and talk to him."

"Yes."

Hans left the room, and at that moment, the Black Dragon revealed itself. The Black Dragon went to Kai's bed and started eating the fruits on it, then reported.

"There are no recording devices in here, either."

Well, it seemed like a good idea to check, even though it didn't look like there would be any. Kai thought this as he looked around the room where he was staying.

A space for visiting nobles from other countries. Would they plant recording devices here? This was a declaration of war, whether it was cooperation or not. So, the invisible battle for recording and eavesdropping usually took place at separate dining venues rather than where they stayed.

In other words, he could say anything here. Still, Rosalyn cast a sound-blocking spell.

"It's better to be safe, right?"

"Your point about safety is excellent, Lady Rosalyn."

Kai responded positively to her and looked at Choi Han, who had been bowing his head since he arrived. Kai had a hunch.

He couldn't kill Redica.

"Tell me."

Choi Han raised his head.

"The mage appeared at the place you mentioned. I tried to kill him, but his subordinates attacked me."

"He must have been prepared to die."

"…Yes."

The secret organization strangely cherished Redica.

"So, you let him go?"

"…Yes."

Choi Han, still bowing his head, continued.

"But I managed to cut off his left arm from the shoulder."

Hmm?

"Out of concern that he might come back and reattach it, I burned it. Oh, and his left eye was also injured."

…Wouldn't that be a fatal injury for a mage? The need to cast spells with both hands to maintain mana balance would be a significant blow. Kai looked at Choi Han with a sullen expression.

Choi Han was clenching his fists tightly and bowing his head.

"I should have killed him. I apologize."

"No, there's no need to apologize. You did your best."

Kai sat next to Choi Han and looked at Lac and the cats, On and Hong. On and Hong, unlike usual, didn't go near the Black Dragon and were stiff in Lac's arms. Lac was looking at Kai with a desperate expression.

'Could he have lost control?'

Kai asked Choi Han.

"What about his subordinates?"

"I thought it would be better to kill them, so I dealt with them cleanly."

The red cat, Hong, rubbed her face against her sister On's body at these words. Choi Han had killed the subordinates cleanly, leaving no trace in the world, melting them with black aura. Hong learned for the first time that people could be melted by aura.

"Clean is better to avoid any aftermath. You didn't destroy the building, did you?"

Kai was worried that Choi Han might have lost control and destroyed the building or the area. The village of Harris and the blue wolf clan incident were traumatic for Choi Han. Kai was concerned that he might have lost his cool when he saw the people from the organization that caused his trauma.

'If he loses control, I might have to clean up the mess.'

Since Choi Han was staying in his mansion, Kai didn't want to deal with the aftermath.

"Yes, of course. As Lord Kai said, I made sure to avoid damaging the building or the surrounding area."

The cats recalled the words Choi Han had said while killing the subordinates.

'My precious people almost died because of you. Today too!'

The building was intact, but the sight of Choi Han melting people alive was quite terrifying. He didn't lose control, but that made it even more frightening. On and Hong eventually approached the Black Dragon and found comfort next to it, as it was the most kind, cute, and strong being here.

Kai, watching the cats head to the bed, said to Choi Han.

"Yes, you did well."

Choi Han looked at Kai. Kai, looking at not just Choi Han but everyone, said.

"Today, you all did a great job. Thanks to you, everyone survived. Lady Rosalyn also did well."

The tension in Choi Han's clenched fists slightly eased. Rosalyn, looking at Lac, Choi Han, and the cats wagging their tails, finally looked at Kai. A strange sense of connection enveloped her.

At that moment, the Black Dragon, which had been sleeping under the bed, woke up and spoke in Kai's mind.

-Now I'm sure. That guy is not human.

Then, the Crown Prince asked a question.

"…Are you human?"

What was this? A straight pitch came unexpectedly. Kai suddenly felt like he wanted to be sick.