Chapter 81

# Chapter 81: < Flustered >

Currently, Kale was inside Rita's tent. He had slept in for a long time and woke up late, then sauntered over to her tent. Rita stared at Kale intently before speaking.

"Bin!"

At Rita's call, one of her subordinates stood in front of Kale. He was someone Kale had met since the cave. Kale knew that Bin was Rita's most loyal subordinate, exceptional in martial arts rather than in letters.

"You can go with Bin. He will guide you."

Rita handed a document to Kale. Upon receiving it, Kale had to manage his expression.

"Ms. Rita, this is too much. It's really excessive."

Unlike when she said she wanted to leave, Rita smiled as if there was nothing she could do about Kale's troubled face.

"No, it's not excessive at all."

The document Kale held had Rita's name and her seal. Once Kale signed it, it would become an effective contract.

The contract had one more blank space besides Kale's signature.

The location and size of the land were also left blank.

Rita spoke.

"It would be difficult if it were within the district, but I'll take responsibility for any other place. Take as much as you want."

Kale found the arrangement of words as beautiful as a song. After all, the sound of money was always beautiful.

Rita. She was generous.

"Why are you giving me such a contract if I take all the coastal land?"

"I knew you'd say that. But it doesn't matter. Do as you please."

Indeed, kindness repaid a thousandfold. Kale understood why Rita chose Bin, the simplest of her subordinates, to guide him instead of a strategist or financial officer.

'You must be planning to give it all away.'

Kale had a troubled look on his face.

"I think too much land would be cumbersome. I just need a small plot where I can rest when I miss the jungle."

Rita suddenly wondered how she could repay this upright person. Kale had given orders for his subordinates to help with the restoration of the first district early in the morning.

Of course, Kale, who had slept in, didn't know what his group was doing.

"Mr. Kale, can I know the name of your family?"

Kale felt a chill run down his neck. It was a premonition that he might get into trouble. So he reflexively said,

"I just want to leave quietly. Forget about yesterday and look to the future."

"…You're making it impossible for me to repay you."

Repay? There was no better repayment than this.

"Just the coast? Why are you giving me such a contract?"

"It's fine. Do as you please."

Indeed, kindness repaid a thousandfold. Kale understood why Rita chose Bin, the simplest of her subordinates, to guide him instead of a strategist or financial officer.

'You must be planning to give it all away.'

Kale had a troubled look on his face.

"I think too much land would be cumbersome. I just need a small plot where I can rest when I miss the jungle."

Rita suddenly wondered how she could repay this upright person. Kale had given orders for his subordinates to help with the restoration of the first district early in the morning.

Of course, Kale, who had slept in, didn't know what his group was doing.

"Mr. Kale, can I know the name of your family?"

Kale felt a chill run down his neck. It was a premonition that he might get into trouble. So he reflexively said,

"I just want to leave quietly. Forget about yesterday and look to the future."

"…You're making it impossible for me to repay you."

Repay? There was no better repayment than this.

"Mr. Kale, can I know the name of your family?"

Kale felt a chill run down his neck. It was a premonition that he might get into trouble. So he reflexively said,

"I just want to leave quietly. Forget about yesterday and look to the future."

"…You're making it impossible for me to repay you."

Kale was about to open the document when he heard a voice in his head.

- Hey! There's nothing here!

The coastal area of the first district was completely burned, leaving nothing.

- The sea is also black!

The sea near the coast was blackened by the ash. Kale gazed at the sea and the landscape quietly. A refreshing yet salty breeze enveloped him.

Rita's subordinate observed Kale's demeanor. The queen had ordered him to report everything about Kale.

"This place must have been very beautiful."

The subordinate paused at Kale's words. It was true; it must have been a beautiful place.

"Sunset will be soon, so can I look around a bit? I'll let you know when I choose the land."

"…Of course."

It was almost sunset.

Kale stroked Lark's head and whispered,

"Play with Ten. Don't follow me."

"Okay."

Now, it was a matter of routine.

Kale approached Vikros, who stood with a stern face. Vikros was frowning at the black ash. He hadn't taken off his white gloves for days and immediately spoke when he saw Kale approaching.

"I'll keep that Bin or whatever his name is."

"Of course, you understand."

Kale asked him casually.

"Vikros, have you ever been to the northwest of Rowen Kingdom?"

"No, I haven't."

"Really? Don't you want to?"

"I need to go to the viscount's kitchen."

Vikros looked at Kale with a dubious expression. Kale knew that Rosaline, an excellent mage, would be a problem if she discovered the magic crystals.

"Alright, let's go."

At Kale's words, the rest of the group pulled their reins. They had loaded their horses with plenty of luggage.

"Goodbye. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Kale responded warmly to Rita's farewell. One must never let their guard down until the very end.

"See you next time."

What a terrifying thing to say. If he ever saw Rita again, it would most likely be on a battlefield. So Kale declined, responding with a smile.

"Ten, shall we go?"

Kale asked politely, and the black panther moved. The other horses followed. Rita watched the scene.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty?"

"I'm fine."

She answered calmly to her subordinate's question. The first life she had saved was the black panther, Ten. They had always been together since then. For a moment, Rita had entrusted Ten to someone else for the first time.

Unaware of this, Kale rode Ten to the first district. The jungle people stopped their restoration work and greeted him. Each of them bowed in their own way. There were no cheers or intense reactions, as if Rita had instructed them.

'Indeed, leaving quickly is the best choice.'

After causing trouble, leaving as quickly as possible. Kale realized this was the best way to avoid unnecessary complications as he headed to the first district, which was now just a pile of black ash.

***

Kale dismounted from the black panther. The voice of the black dragon echoed in his head.

- Hey! There's nothing here!

The coastal area of the first district was completely burned, leaving nothing.

- The sea is also black!

The sea near the coast was blackened by the ash. Kale gazed at the sea and the landscape quietly. A refreshing yet salty breeze enveloped him.

Rita's subordinate observed Kale's demeanor. The queen had ordered him to report everything about Kale.

"This place must have been very beautiful."

The subordinate paused at Kale's words. It was true; it must have been a beautiful place.

"Sunset will be soon, so can I look around a bit? I'll let you know when I choose the land."

"…Of course."

It was almost sunset.

Kale stroked Lark's head and whispered,

"Play with Ten. Don't follow me."

"Okay."

Now, it was a matter of routine.

Kale approached Vikros, who stood with a stern face. Vikros was frowning at the black ash. He hadn't taken off his white gloves for days and immediately spoke when he saw Kale approaching.

"I'll keep that Bin or whatever his name is."

"Of course, you understand."

Kale asked him casually.

"Vikros, have you ever been to the northwest of Rowen Kingdom?"

"No, I haven't."

"Really? Don't you want to?"

"I need to go to the viscount's kitchen."

Vikros looked at Kale with a dubious expression. Kale knew that Rosaline, an excellent mage, would be a problem if she discovered the magic crystals.

"Alright, let's go."

At Kale's words, the rest of the group pulled their reins. They had loaded their horses with plenty of luggage.

"Goodbye. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Kale responded warmly to Rita's farewell. One must never let their guard down until the very end.

"See you next time."

What a terrifying thing to say. If he ever saw Rita again, it would most likely be on a battlefield. So Kale declined, responding with a smile.

"Ten, shall we go?"

Kale asked politely, and the black panther moved. The other horses followed. Rita watched the scene.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty?"

"I'm fine."

She answered calmly to her subordinate's question. The first life she had saved was the black panther, Ten. They had always been together since then. For a moment, Rita had entrusted Ten to someone else for the first time.

Unaware of this, Kale rode Ten to the first district. The jungle people stopped their restoration work and greeted him. Each of them bowed in their own way. There were no cheers or intense reactions, as if Rita had instructed them.

'Indeed, leaving quickly is the best choice.'

After causing trouble, leaving as quickly as possible. Kale realized this was the best way to avoid unnecessary complications as he headed to the first district, which was now just a pile of black ash.

Kale dismounted from the black panther. The voice of the black dragon echoed in his head.

- Hey! There's nothing here!

The coastal area of the first district was completely burned, leaving nothing.

- The sea is also black!

The sea near the coast was blackened by the ash. Kale gazed at the sea and the landscape quietly. A refreshing yet salty breeze enveloped him.

Rita's subordinate observed Kale's demeanor. The queen had ordered him to report everything about Kale.

"This place must have been very beautiful."

The subordinate paused at Kale's words. It was true; it must have been a beautiful place.

"Sunset will be soon, so can I look around a bit? I'll let you know when I choose the land."

"…Of course."

It was almost sunset.

Kale stroked Lark's head and whispered,

"Play with Ten. Don't follow me."

"Okay."

Now, it was a matter of routine.

Kale approached the hill and saw that it was the highest point visible from the coast. The black panther and the queen's subordinate watched as Kale walked up the hill.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human! Five steps to the left, there's something!

Kale took five steps to the left as Laon directed. He crouched down and pulled out a hoe from his magic bag, the same one he used to obtain the ancient power 'Voice of the Wind.'

Thud. Thud. The hoe dug into the black ash and soil. The ground was sticky, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,

"Wow-"

An exclamation escaped his lips.

An ordinary but very large iron chest. Despite being charred, it looked radiant. Kale dug around the chest.

- Human, why are you so enthusiastic? I've never seen this before!

Kale ignored Laon's comment and continued digging with the hoe. The ground was sticky due to the ash mixed with rain, but Kale dug carefully, as if nothing was more precious.

Finally,