Chapter 47

# Chapter 47: <By Accident>

Crown Prince Albert could see that Cale Henritess's expression suddenly turned sour. He could hear the voice that came with it.

"…A human, right?"

His expression was one of disbelief at such a question. Albert couldn't help but sigh.

"Ah. Yes, that's right. A human."

Cale could see Albert's finger pointing at both himself and the Crown Prince.

"You and I are both humans."

At that moment, the black dragon spoke.

-It's a lie. He's not a complete human.

Dragon. Isn't that enough? Cale found it difficult to manage his expression. However, there was a fatal flaw between the black dragon and Cale. The black dragon could speak to Cale at any time, but Cale couldn't respond. It was one-sided communication.

His weak magical skills were to blame.

-It's the first time in four years of being a dragon that I've encountered someone with this kind of aura.

In four years, the black dragon had only seen dragons, humans, and recently, cat and wolf humanoids.

The Crown Prince was outside that scope. Cale said to the Crown Prince who was looking at him.

"That's right. Is there anything special about being human? We live together, so we're humans."

So, forget what the black dragon said. Cale decided to do just that. Crown Prince Albert, with his lips tightly pressed, looked at Cale and then spoke.

"That's right. There's nothing special. But, you know."

But, you know. But. Cale wondered if he couldn't hear such words anymore. The Crown Prince said to the contemplative Cale.

"At the banquet, I wasn't sure, but there's a strange smell coming from you, or around you."

"…A smell?"

Cale put on a serious face.

"I just took a bath."

The Crown Prince, after a few attempts to speak, closed his mouth. Cale could see the deep frown on Albert's forehead. He seemed to be thinking about something. But he soon wiped that look away and got to the point.

"There's no need for unnecessary formalities among those who already know everything. So, what compensation do you want?"

Albert, with his arms crossed, asked Cale. He had come to visit Cale late at night not only because he was busy with the aftermath but also because he needed to review the information on Cale Henritess.

But there was no information. There was some, but it wasn't useful.

<Reckless and famous in the northeastern region.>

<Completely pushed out of the successor position two years ago, but shows no dissatisfaction.>

<No signs of discord within the family.>

Just a reckless guy who turns into a dog when he drinks. That wasn't information. The Cale in front of Albert wasn't reckless.

Look at him now.

"Your Highness, could you tell me what I need to do first?"

A reckless person wouldn't say something like that. The Crown Prince spoke frankly.

"I want you to say nothing to the nobles."

That was the hardest part. And that was what the royal family was demanding in exchange for compensation. Today's incident was embarrassing for the royal family. It couldn't become a point of contention. That's why they were asking, and because the Henritess family was neutral, they could make such a request.

"And if I'm asked about the royal family, I should praise it?"

"Exactly."

Albert and Cale both smiled, raising one corner of their mouths. Their smiles were quite similar.

"Since it's an ancient power, didn't you show everything you have today?"

"That's right. Actually, it's a useless power other than that."

Cale shrugged at Albert's probing gaze. From what he read in books, Crown Prince Albert knew more about ancient powers than most people.

Of course, he knew less than the current Cale, but as a holder of the 'Healing Star,' he knew a fair amount.

'And by the way, the 'Healing Star' was given to him by the Crown Prince's mother, right?'

Cale suddenly remembered this and kept it in his mind. The Crown Prince then asked about the compensation. His tone was generous, and his posture was relaxed.

"What do you want? A noble title? Investment in the northeastern coast? Or stabilization of power in the northeast?"

So, Cale answered as casually as he could.

"That's not mine, is it?"

"…Not yours?"

Cale pointed at himself in front of Albert, who was staring at him intently.

"Give it to me."

What Cale wanted was what he needed.

After a moment of silence, Albert chuckled. He had seen through this reckless guy. No matter how reckless he had been, in the end, a person, or rather, a living being, always wanted to climb higher and grasp everything. In the end, what was most important was himself, not his family or the people around him.

"Then, what do you want? A title? A medal? Do you want to establish your power base in the capital?"

Albert's expression became subtle as he asked. Cale, contrary to Albert's expectations, slowly shook his head. None of those. Then he said one word.

"Money."

"…What?"

Albert, taken aback, asked again. Cale, whose greatest desire was to live comfortably, hit the nail on the head.

"Give it to me in money. I don't want a medal or a title."

Cash was always the best. In a war, a title? A medal? It was much more beneficial to receive cash and convert it into food, land, or tangible assets.

And the last ancient power he would obtain after 'Sound of the Wind' became stronger with the use of money.

Cale could see Crown Prince Albert covering his eyes with his hand. When he lowered his hand, the Crown Prince asked.

"To buy some drinks?"

Cale responded.

"How did you know?"

Albert chuckled, and by that, Cale's conditions were accepted. He stood up and said to Cale.

"Tell me the compensation you want when you submit your report tomorrow."

"Will you come to visit me again?"

"Why not?"

Cale, with a natural expression, replied.

"It's an infinite honor, Your Highness."

At that, Albert, with a shudder, gestured for Cale to rest and immediately left the room. Cale stared at the closed door left behind after the Crown Prince disappeared.

-But, can you dye without mana? Human, answer me. I'm curious.

Cale ignored the black dragon and fell asleep immediately. From now on, he was a patient.

***

But he couldn't rest easily as a patient. From the morning, Cale had to receive a letter from Ron through Hans.

"Mr. Ron has left as planned."

Cale nodded and opened the letter.

<Young Master. I will report once a month. I didn't know our Young Master was hiding such power. I heard his description from Chae Han. I'll remember it. And I'll tell it to Vikros too.>

Redica thought she would die if she was noticed by Ron. Cale, thinking this, looked at the next visitors who came after Hans.

"…I heard you're very sick."

Eric Wheelsman. Cale had never seen such a worried expression on him before. However, Cale didn't say he was fine. One must be faithful to their role.

"I have no strength in my body."

"…Cale."

He had no strength in his body after sleeping all day.

"My stomach feels heavy too."

After lying in bed all day and eating, his stomach felt heavy. There was no more room for it. The solemn Eric, the stern Gilbert, and Amir, who seemed to have made a firm decision, were looking at Cale in turn. The two cats shook their heads.

"If you need anything, just say it."

"That's right. I'll get you whatever you need."

Cale nodded and asked.

"It doesn't seem like a simple visit, does it?"

At his words, Eric exchanged glances with Amir and Gilbert. When the two nodded, Eric took out a document from his coat and handed it to Cale.

"It's the revised content of the northeastern coast tourism investment project. I brought it with me while visiting you."

Cale flipped through the first page. The first word he saw was 'navy.' Amir, as well as Gilbert, seemed to have made up their minds.

Cale glanced at Amir. She smiled.

"News will soon reach the Henritess family, along with the proposal."

"That's right. Then, will you meet Crown Prince Albert?"

"Yes. We're meeting tonight. We need to show interest first so we can move properly."

Cale, looking at Amir and Gilbert, said smoothly.

"It will go well."

His voice was full of confidence. He was confident. And the three of them felt relieved. Cale, waving the document, said to them.

"From now on, send such documents through the attendant. It's hard for you to come visit me. You don't have to come."

"No, I'll keep coming. You need to know everything."

Seeing Eric, Gilbert, and Amir insist, Cale nodded casually and dismissed them. It was tiring to receive people while lying in bed in a patient's gown. So, he kicked off the blanket and sat up to greet the next visitors.

He said to Chae Han, who was standing like a criminal.

"Go."

Rosalin bit her lip. She had already dispelled her magic and revealed her red hair and eyes. She was dressed in a suit, having thrown off her robe.

"I'm sorry, Young Master Cale. But I need Chae Han and Lac."

Rosalin, now exposed in the palace, needed to return to the Breck Kingdom as soon as possible. If it was known that she was alive, those who had sent assassins could hide the evidence.

But she couldn't return alone. This incident had revealed that she was a high-level mage, and the enemy would prepare accordingly. That's why she needed strong people.

Lac was standing by the door, fidgeting with his fingers without coming closer. Cale, looking at Chae Han and Lac, said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"What's there to be sorry about? Miss Rosalin, you helped us with a difficult task. We should help you too."

Rosalin could see Cale smiling.

"Miss Rosalin is Lac's sister and Chae Han's friend, isn't she?"

"…Thank you for saying that."

Rosalin, who had been in danger of death due to the assassination, was now confident that this time would be a turning point for her.

Cale looked at Chae Han, who took a step forward.

"Mr. Cale, I should protect you."

"Chae Han."

If Chae Han left, Cale would have more freedom and could prepare for hiding during the war. Cale could see Chae Han's characteristic relaxed smile.

"I will never die."

He would become strong enough to run away and live comfortably, accumulating a lot of money. That was his plan to enjoy a long life. With a dragon and Chae Han protecting him, Chae Han himself was a burden.

"That's right. I was worrying unnecessarily."

Turning his gaze from the relieved Chae Han, Cale beckoned to Lac with his finger. Lac, startled, hesitantly approached. Why was this timid guy so shriveled? But Cale didn't have the heart to think about such reactions.

"Lac, I'll take care of your siblings. Come to our territory after three months."

"…What?"

"What? Have you forgotten our deal?"

"Oh."

To the dazed Lac, Cale, recalling the moment to use this guy, handed him a map. It was the map of the northeastern territory he had received from Hans.

"Henritess. Come to this place. Your siblings and I will be there. You must come back."

"…A place to return to-"

Cale, finding Lac's mumbling annoying, grabbed his shoulder firmly. This guy needed to come back for things to go smoothly.

"Yes, a place to return to. Remember it well. Within three months."

"Y-Yes! I will definitely return within three months."

With Lac nodding vigorously, Cale felt a sense of relief. The story had already deviated a lot, but he still wanted it to follow the main framework.

Because he wanted to know more. Cale was disappointed that he couldn't send Vikros with them, but he could send him with Ron when he returned from his leave.

With a more peaceful mind than ever, Cale lay on the bed, looking at the group spending time in various parts of his room, and then at Hans entering the room.

Hans, seeing Chae Han guarding the door like a knight, Lac playing with the cats, Rosalin leisurely reading a magic book, and Cale leaning against the bed with a lazy air, quietly approached Cale.

And he whispered.

"His Majesty the King wants to award a medal to the young master."

Instantly, all movements in the room stopped.

Then, Hans quietly handed over a document. It was information about the rumors surrounding the square terror incident. Cale, taking the document, read the first line and let out a word.

<Young Master Cale Henritess, who has inherited the pride of the Henritess family in protecting the kingdom from the Dark Forest>

"Ah."

It was a deep sigh.

He had expected it, but it was still a spectacle.