Chapter 73

# Chapter 73: <Contrary to Intentions>

"How did you know?"

"Mana taught me."

A twisted smile formed on Herol's lips as he looked at the gentle response from Kale.

'Mana taught me.' This phrase, often used by the now deceased head of the magic tower, was quite famous.

Herol Cordian. He was born to a tribal member and a wizard, inheriting the traits of both, but his appearance bore no resemblance to the tribal member.

"…Do you intend to use my blood as a weakness?"

Kale did not answer the question directly but instead turned his gaze to the view from the 20th floor.

The birth of a hero. There were many memorable supporting characters and extras in that story, and one of them was Herol Cordian.

His mother died giving birth to him alone, and his father was unaware of his existence. This fact was the beginning of Herol's anger.

'But he didn't know.'

In the book "The Birth of a Hero," his anger was tragically summed up in just one line that only the author and readers knew.

<Herol Cordian. He was born out of the love between two people, but sadly, he could never know this.>

The book did not explain the details. It only mentioned that the head of the magic tower had fallen in love during his youth while on a training journey.

Kale, still looking out the window, spoke to Herol, the son of the head of the magic tower who had destroyed it.

"Is blood a sin to be used as a weakness?"

Herol did not respond. Kale turned his head to look directly at Herol.

"Anyway, isn't it urgent for your side?"

Before the autumn harvest, during the transition from spring to summer. The people, unable to bear the taxes imposed by the magic tower, had risen up to survive.

Herol had to satisfy their desires to some extent. Only then could another madness unfold.

Tunca, who desired war more than anyone, wanted to eradicate all the wizards in the world.

"…There was a wizard in your party, wasn't there?"

"Yes."

Herol, who could sense mana like the head of the magic tower but could not use it, could not have been unaware of Rosalyn's true identity. Dragons, of course, were an exception and might not have sensed it.

Herol looked at Kale, who seemed calm and composed, and asked.

"What do you intend to do with the magic tower in the Roen Kingdom?"

Kale's brow furrowed slightly. He gave Herol a clear answer.

"The magic tower is mine."

Herol, standing by the window of the magic tower's top floor, looked at the red-haired man.

"I don't share what's mine with anyone."

Would he give it to the kingdom just because he was crazy? Kale recalled the time he had wasted coming here. It was impossible. The magic tower had to provide the materials to build the most solid fortress in the world.

"…Prince Kale, the five minutes are up."

The private conversation between the two ended.

Choi Han poked his head through the open door to announce the end of the time and added.

"And others have arrived."

Others? Herol's face was filled with confusion. Choi Han and Bikross approached. Bikross looked around the head of the magic tower's room and asked Kale.

"Will you clean up the mess?"

Kale answered softly.

"Clear it all out."

Just as Bikross let out a sigh of relief, Kale stood up from leaning against the window and started to walk away. There was no need to see anything else.

He would come back at night anyway.

***

A deep furrow appeared on Kale's brow. Tunca's voice reached him.

"Are you not feeling well?"

"Yeah."

Kale's indifferent answer distorted Tunca's face. The surroundings were very noisy. The tribal members were enjoying a toast to welcome the new warrior.

Tunca, who was aware of their budget, still considered his status more important and had to lead the people as a warrior. Thus, the staff had prepared this evening's celebration.

"…Weakling."

With a puffy face, Tunca seemed displeased. Kale pointed to Choi Han.

"At least there's a protagonist, so it's fine. And I'm weak, so I need to rest."

Kale, who also seemed displeased, gently pushed Choi Han, who then slowly approached Tunca's group. Hillsman was naturally by his side.

"Hahaha! I can feel the romance of the warriors of the Wiper Kingdom! A toast! How splendid!"

Indeed, the deputy commander had some social skills.

"Then, I'll leave."

Kale left the celebration without hesitation. Bikross, who was assigned to guard him, followed. As they headed to the tent where Kale's group was located, far from where the soldiers were, Bikross asked.

"Should I just guard the front of the tent?"

"Yeah, I'm going to sleep."

"I understand."

Bikross was easy to communicate with, and unnecessary explanations were not needed.

Thus, Kale gathered three people inside the tent. Of course, he had to bend down to see them.

On, Hong, and Laon were sitting in a row on the ground.

"Did you find it?"

On and Hong grinned.

"I have a feeling where it might be!"

"I think we found the general area!"

They were very excited.

Kale was already dressed in his night gear. He looked at the black dragon Laon and said.

"To the head of the magic tower's room. Please."

Kale, On, Hong, and Laon used flying and invisibility spells to reach the 20th floor of the magic tower without being seen. The alarm magic devices had already been destroyed, and only a few guards were stationed at the entrance due to the celebration. This was a strong order from Tunca, who was helpful at times.

Waaaaa-

Hahaha-

Laughter, applause, and even singing echoed as the tribal members and soldiers danced under the lights, seemingly delighted to have a feast after a long time.

Kale casually hung his magic bag on his waist and looked at the cats, who silently guided him. He followed them down the stairs, avoiding the use of magic devices that would leave records.

However, Kale's face grew more and more troubled.

He stopped at the 15th floor and asked.

"…Where is he?"

The book "The Hero's Book" described Muller as follows.

<Muller used his small stature to hide in a secret wall on the magic tower's stairs. It was a path known only to his family and the head of the magic tower for generations. The coward hid there, unable to come out due to fear of the guards, effectively imprisoning himself.>

Which wall on which stairs? Where exactly was it located?

Hong, wagging his shiny red tail, said.

"Basement level 1!"

Damn. He chose the wrong location. Kale suppressed a sigh, quietly used the sound of wind, and picked up the cats. He then said to Laon.

"Follow me."

Kale's body quickly descended the stairs. Tap, tap. The sound was so faint that the guards at the entrance could not hear it.

The magic tower was known to have 20 floors above ground and 3 floors below.

"Amazing!"

"Instantly!"

-Weak, but as fast as a claw, human!

Hearing the average 7-year-old's praise, Kale stood in front of the stairs leading to the basement level 1.

"Is it around here?"

"Yes!"

The cats said they could smell the rodent hybrid. However, even they could not pinpoint the exact location. Kale, having read the book, knew where to find it.

'They really wrote a lot of unnecessary details.'

'The Birth of a Hero' always provided descriptions of even the most minor supporting characters and extras. That was why.

Kale took out a small metal rod from his magic bag. On and Hong flinched as they watched. Regardless, Kale carefully tapped the wall, step by step.

Thud.

Tap.

"Where could it be?"

Thud.

Tap.

The red-haired man hummed as he descended the stairs, which were faintly lit by phosphorescent stones.

Kale felt quite good about saving Muller, a minor character who was supposed to die a tragic death, nearly starved to death, crushed, and forced to watch his family's graves being desecrated.

Thud.

Tap.

However, the expressions of the cat and dragon following him were not good.

Then, as Kale descended a step and tapped the wall.

Thud.

"Found it."

It looked like any other wall, but the inside was different. A smile deepened on Kale's lips. He took out a mana crystal from his magic bag and felt the wall.

This required delicacy, so Kale was quite cautious.

'There are supposed to be five grooves in the shape of a star evenly spaced on the wall.'

Kale found the five star-shaped grooves and placed the mana crystal at the center of the stars. At that moment,

Click. The wall moved, swallowing the mana crystal. Kale took a step back.

Creak. A strange sound echoed as the wall slowly opened, revealing a very small person. Kale, seeing the gradually appearing face, tried to greet him affectionately.

"…Hello?"

But something was off.

"Huuuuu."

The very small coward was trembling and pale, as if he had encountered a ghost or a serial killer.

This reaction was a bit different from what Kale had intended when he planned to rescue Muller.

"Huuuuu, hic!"

He even hiccuped. Kale tried to greet Muller with the most benevolent smile.

"Hello?"

But Muller trembled even more, terrified. On, Hong, and Laon looked at Muller with pity. Kale was puzzled.

Why is he reacting like this?