Chapter p2-71: TCF Part 2

TCF2-71

<When I came home... (11)>

"Dongsaeng! Congratulations on your return!"

As Alberu Crossman approached him...

Cale used all of the agility he had to dodge Alberu Crossman.

"...Is there something you need me to do, your highness?"

Cale asked disrespectfully with a scowl on his face but Alberu just smiled brightly.

"Haha! Why would I make my dongsaeng do anything?! Hahaha!"

Raon said something serious in Cale's mind.

- Human, something's suspicious about our crown prince. Do you think that the crown prince is trying to scam us?

'Raon's learning ability really is amazing.

His instincts are pretty good too.'

Cale peeked behind him.

The bishop in charge of the Church of the God of Death in Huiss City, the capital of Roan Kingdom, was smiling awkwardly while looking at all of this.

Yesterday...

Cale thought that he should at least inform people about his return time so he had requested a call to the Roan Kingdom yesterday using the divine item.

'It's you?'

'Yes, young master-nim. It is me.'

Beacrox was the one to pick up.

He was certain that he had called Alberu Crossman's study but Beacrox was seated there alone when he picked up the phone.

'Where are the others?'

'...They are all busy, young master-nim.'

'I'm heading back tomorrow.

Please hear the details when you get here, young master-nim. I will deliver the message. Please let me know the time of your arrival.'

Beacrox ended the short conversation with a gruff look on his face.

However, Cale couldn't help but feel unsettled after hearing what On said once the call ended.

'Something is weird.'

'What is?'

'...He was folding white gloves.'

That was correct.

Beacrox was seated alone in the crown prince's study, folding dozens of white gloves.

"......."

Cale's suspicious gaze headed toward the crown prince but the crown prince was still shining. Energetically.

"Let's go to the Royal Palace. Doesn't that sound great? I've already prepared a carriage."

"...I understand for now, your highness."

Cale moved awkwardly and almost unwillingly as he followed Alberu.

However, he had to stop walking for a moment.

The crown prince turned around to speak to Eruhaben, Choi Han, Sui Khan, and the others.

"Ah. I've prepared multiple carriages so you can each relax in one as we move."

Alberu was speaking informally to Cale's group because they were in front of the bishop.

- It looks like something must have happened.

Cale nodded his head at the ancient Dragon's comment.

Alberu was trying to separate Cale from the others right now.

"Umm, excuse me-"

The Bishop interjected at that moment.

"Is the divine item safe-"

Cale nonchalantly pulled out the divine item in his pocket after hearing the question. The Bishop nodded his head before warily looking at Alberu as he spoke.

"Commander Cale Henituse is an extremely revered guest of our Church of the God of Death and has moved according to the will of our god. I believe he should get some rest in the comfortable place that the temple has prepared-"

Alberu's smile became even thicker.

The Bishop flinched but he started speaking again in order to hold Cale there.

A person who can use a divine item.

The Church of the God of Death had basically been flipped over while Cale was not here because of that.

"The Pope wishes to meet Commander Cale as well-"

"Bishop-nim."

Cale started to speak at that moment.

He approached the Bishop and placed a hand on his shoulder.

They prepared a place for Cale and his people to get some rest?

The Pope wants to see him?

Cale snorted at the Bishop's words.

He knew the reason the Bishop wanted to hold him here.

"Let's only be greedy to a reasonable level."

He was thinking about keeping Cale, the person who used a divine item, in his territory no matter what it took, in order to gain numerous benefits.

"It looks like you were able to relax quite a bit while I was gone?"

The smile on the Bishop's face turned into a frown.

Cale patted the Bishop's shoulder one more time before walking past him.

"Let's live on while using each other to a reasonable level. And don't latch onto me."

The Bishop closed his mouth after seeing the coldness in Cale's eyes.

Cale would quietly use the divine item as he wished and the Bishop would use the fact that the divine item and Cale were in the Roan Kingdom.

The Bishop smiled awkwardly at Cale, who seemed to be asking if the Bishop forgot about that deal they made, before responding.

"I will visit you next time, Commander-nim."

"Of course. Bishop-nim. We will have an honest and solid chat."

Cale followed behind Alberu after that comment.

"Pfft."

"Why are you laughing, your highness?"

Cale looked at the laughing Alberu. Alberu shrugged his shoulders and closed his mouth but Cale had to talk again.

"Why are we going in this direction?"

Cale had moved as quietly as possible going from Roan to Xiaolen.

It was in order to avoid people's gazes.

However, Cale and Alberu were currently heading toward the main door of the Temple of the God of Death.

It was okay because they were inside right now, but walking a little more would put them in contact with many believers and visitors.

"Who knows?"

"Mm."

Cale stared at Alberu who was avoiding his question using odd phrases like that before peeking behind him.

- Human, everybody other than us are going to different places!

Unlike Cale, who was going with Alberu, the others were being guided toward the back of the temple by the Bishop. It was the direction that was best for avoiding people's gazes.

"Mm."

Cale contemplated for a bit before nonchalantly commenting.

"I'm guessing you need my face?"

"Yeah."

Alberu gave a short response.

He then said the following.

"Smile."

However, he chuckled after turning to look behind him.

"You're already smiling."

The moment they started to see the priests of the temple one by one... Cale already had a gentle smile on his face.

Of course, Alberu Crossman had a radiant smile on his face as well.

"Eek! I, I greet his highness! The Commander-nim as well......!"

Cale and Alberu responded one after the other at the anxious priest's greeting.

"We came quietly so there is no need to be overly respectful right now, priest-nim."

"My dongsaeng is correct. Have a nice day."

The priests nearby who heard their comments quietly showed their respects. The two of them nodded their heads, gave short greetings back, and walked past them.

Although nobody could hear them because they were speaking quietly, the two of them were happily chatting away.

"They really must be sworn brothers."

"It does seem that way. The two of them really have a good relationship."

One of the whispering priests made a comment.

"He's fine."

"Hey."

"Eek!"

The priest was shocked at his friend's gaze and closed his mouth.

He warily looked to see if the two of them might have heard him before lowering his head and quickly leaving the area.

He did so after confirming that the two of them were still chatting with warm gazes toward each other.

"Your highness. Everybody seems a bit shocked to see me? They are observing me as well."

"You truly have a keen eye."

The two of them were smiling while chatting in quiet voices so that others could not hear them.

"Cale Henituse, you did not show yourself for a while. A lot of rumors came up because nobody saw any traces of you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. In addition, there was the attack at the Imperial Palace not too long ago where I was injured."

"I'm sure all sorts of things were said."

The crown prince had been injured by a surprise attack from the Hunters.

Rumors couldn't help but spread because Cale, Choi Han, Mary, and the others did not show up at that time.

"So are we letting people know of my health right now?"

"Yeah. Also that our relationship is still very tight."

"Is it tight, your highness?"

"Sort of?"

Cale asked with a stoic look on his face.

"Are you doing okay, your highness?"

"Took you long enough to ask."

"It is because you look fine."

"Yeah. I am fine. Your complexion looks better as well?"

"Yes, your highness. I got some rest before coming back."

Although nothing was visible between Alberu and Cale, they heard a quiet whisper.

"Hey crown prince, our human didn't even cough up blood or faint this time! Of course, he did flutter in the wind like a piece of paper because he was dizzy! But he's still fine!"

It was Raon.

Alberu wasn't even shocked. He looked as if he expected Raon to follow Cale in his invisible state.

"Eek!"

"I, I greet his highness and the Commander-nim!"

The atmosphere became more chaotic the closer they got to the temple door.

However, thankfully the Royal Knights Brigade was stationed near the temple door so the two of them could move without any hindrance.

"Hahaha. My little dongsaeng!"

Well, the crown prince did suddenly put his arm around Cale's shoulder. Cale put a soft smile on his face with a calm look on his face.

"Please get on, your highness."

Instead, he stopped a knight and personally opened the door of the bright and shiny royal carriage before motioning for Alberu to get on.

"Hahaha! My dongsaeng is even opening the door for me. How wonderful!"

"I have to at least do this much for you, my dearest hyung-nim! Hahaha!"

The two of them were laughing as they got on the carriage. The smile never left their faces.

There was a relaxing and bright mood between the two of them.

Click.

The moment the carriage door closed...

"My mouth hurts."

Alberu stopped smiling and rubbed the corners of his lips with his hand.

"Why the hell did you bring such a sparkling carriage, your highness?"

Cale grumbled with a disgruntled look on his face.

Chhh.

He then closed all of the carriage curtains.

"It's been a while, crown prince!"

Raon then showed himself and placed his face not on Cale's knees as usual but on the crown prince's knees.

"Yes, Raon-nim. It is wonderful to see you again. Raon-nim. You look even more energetic and confident now."

Raon's cheeks were a bit chunkier now.

"As expected, the crown prince knows of my greatness!"

"Yes, Raon-nim. I've also prepared some cookies for you."

"Mm. Very nice!"

Cale, who was watching this with a cold look on his face, asked a question almost as if it was as easy as the flowing river.

"I guess something is quite complicated these days, your highness?"

"Yeah."

Alberu agreed without any hesitation.

"First, as you've heard... There is a rumor that you are injured. It's because nobody saw you for a while."

"I guess that will get resolved now."

"Yeah. That will naturally be resolved as of this moment."

"Then?"

Alberu looked at the windows that had the curtains closed.

"It's a simple issue."

His looked at Cale again.

"The Roan Kingdom currently does not have the strength to handle anything else."

Alberu's voice was stoic.

"It is because the king has disappeared, the palace was destroyed, and one of the highly regarded Duke's household was destroyed."

Cale's gaze was just as stoic.

"Furthermore, the crown prince was injured in the second attack on the palace and the enemies ran away before he could even properly respond to the enemy's attack. While all of that was going on, Cale Henituse and his people have not been seen for a while."

Alberu asked a question.

"How do you think the foreign kingdoms will respond once they hear these things?"

He asked one more question.

"And how will the Roan Kingdom's administrators react?"

Cale calmly answered back.

"The foreign kingdoms will think that this is a good thing. While internally for us, there will be quite the chaos."

"Yeah."

"Furthermore, I guess the internal issues of the Roan Kingdom have spread quickly to foreign kingdoms?"

"...Yeah."

Alberu let out a short sigh.

"Apparently there was a rat inside the palace. My injury was basically top secret but it spread much quicker than I expected."

The fight against the Hunters when they abducted the youngest young lady of the Duke's House of Orsena at the royal palace.

Cale needed to hear the details about that battle as well.

It was because he suspected those Hunters as being members of the Blood Cult.

"Mm. For now..."

Alberu debated for a moment before saying everything.

"Everybody other than the Breck Kingdom, Whipper Kingdom, and the Jungle either reduced or tried to get out of their commitments for the reconstruction of Puzzle City."

Puzzle City was where the final battle against the White Star had happened.

The foreign kingdoms had agreed to help reconstruct the scorched city.

"The change in attitude was quite fast."

"That's right. It is because they learned that Roan did not have the strength to point its blade toward them."

Alberu added on with a stoic expression on his face.

"It is the truth."

Roan had to take care of internal affairs right now.

They didn't have the time to pay any attention to other kingdoms.

'Most importantly, Cale Henituse will continue to head to other dimensions to fight against the Hunters.'

Cale and his people were a significant portion of the Roan Kingdom's strength.

This was not because they would fight for the Roan Kingdom. Just their presence was a pressure for foreign kingdoms.

'But all sorts of rumors of discord will spread if he frequently disappears.'

Alberu stopped himself from going deep into his thoughts and continued to speak.

"There is also a lot of talk about Endable."

"On the Eastern continent?"

Endable. The White Star used to rule over the place but it was currently run by Duke Fredo.

They also wished to become a part of the Roan Kingdom.

"There are a lot of shunned races there so some people have even talked about destroying everybody in there. Most importantly, there have been talks about why the Roan Kingdom is going after land in the Eastern continent."

"Mm."

"It is mainly talks about destroying Endable. At least on the Eastern Continent. Ah, the Molden Kingdom is an exception. In addition-"

"There are more issues?"

"Mogoru."

"Ah."

"Some of the free cities desire the land of Mogoru. They are weaker than before after all. The Caro Kingdom also seems to be aiming to become an Empire."

The quiet Raon asked in a confused voice.

"Hey crown prince."

"Yes, Raon-nim."

"This is weird! It hasn't been that long since they were all scared and shaking in fear because of the White Star. They are all thinking about fighting again?"

Raon looked as if he could not understand this at all.

Alberu smiled and responded.

"It is always like this. This is how politics always is."

Raon continued to tilt his head in confusion.

"It must be quite the headache, your highness."

Cale opened his mouth to speak.

"It's going to cost a lot to reconstruct Puzzle City but now there is the palace and the Duke's Estate as well. There are a lot of places that require money."

"That's right."

"You'll also need to come up with a plan for Endable as well. It looks like we will need to give them some strength."

"Yeah."

"We were also talking about working with Mogoru to create a city where Alchemy and magic would rise back up."

"That's right."

"So it would be bad if a free city or a kingdom messed with Mogoru in the process."

"That's right. There are even talks about demoting Mogoru from an Empire to a Kingdom."

"Mm. It is true that Mogoru no longer holds the weight of an Empire."

Cale stopped for a moment before adding on.

"I will be leaving again soon."

"...I know."

Alberu brushed his face with both hands as if all of this was a major headache for him.

"...Cale Henituse."

"Yes, your highness."

"...I'll give you the title of Minister of Finance. Will you do it?"

Cale's face stiffened and he subconsciously commented back.

"Did you go crazy, your highness?"

"...I must have gone crazy."

Alberu's response made Cale's face turn pale.

The crown prince admitting that he must have gone crazy gave him the chills.

"Haha."

Alberu laughed at Cale's gasping face before shaking his head.

"Don't worry. I'll let you be a slacker."

He meant those words.

"...Why are you smiling like that?"

Alberu frowned after seeing Cale smile as soon as he finished speaking.

"Hey crown prince, it looks like our human is plotting something again!"

Cale reached his hand into his inner pocket at that moment.

Oooooooong— ooooooong--

He pulled out the divine item that had been vibrating since a few moments ago.

Something popped up on the mirror screen.

< Where should I set it up? >

< - From Xiaolen, who is different from the God of Death >

It was a pop up window with a message.

The title of the window was simple.

< Reward 1 >

Cale opened his mouth to speak.

"Your highness."

"...What is it?"

The unsettled crown prince heard Cale's voice.

"It would be quite entertaining if the largest mine of highest-grade magic stones on both the Eastern and Western continents appeared in the Henituse territory. Don't you think so?"

"...Huh?"

The crown prince subconsciously asked back in confusion.

'What is going to appear?

The largest mine of highest-grade magic stones on both the Eastern and Western continents?'

"Mm. There is also one gold, one silver, and one diamond mind as well."

"...Huh?"

"There is also one mine of highest-grade magic stones that have dead mana in them as well. Ah, apparently they will change it to a different mine if I want as well."

"......?"

"Ah, right. Just so you are aware, all of these mines are going to be incomparable in size to anything you can find on either continent."

The crown prince blinked a few times.

One corner of Cale's lips curled up as he continued to speak.

"Wow. It would be quite entertaining if all of those appeared in Roan Kingdom. Right? Should I put one of them in Endable? Of course, they are all mine but I can always make deals."

"Huh?"

"I can place these mines wherever I want. Even one of these mines being discovered would be so wonderful for that kingdom. Don't you think so?"

"......."

The crown prince brushed his face with both hands a few times before raising his head and looking at Cale.

"This is driving me nuts."

The crown prince was smiling.