Chapter 6

He heard something from his father that almost made him faint.

"... Could you please say that one more time."

"Yes. Cale."

Basen was standing next to Cale as well. The story of the Henituse family that was not mentioned in the novel was happening in front of Cale's eyes.

"You shall go to the capital as our family's representative."

Cale could feel a headache coming.

"Originally, Basen was supposed to go. However, you are the firstborn of our family."

Cale just opened and closed his mouth repeatedly as he watched Count Deruth sitting there with a gentle smile. Going to visit the crown at such a time. Cale was quickly thinking about the contents of 'The Birth of a Hero' as Deruth continued to speak.

"The crown is hosting a big event, and the noble families of each territory have been invited to gather. It will be your first time to go visit the crown, but Basen has been going to similar functions for the last two years. However, I am hoping for you to go this time."

The big event was hosted by the crown. That made Cale think about a single incident.

The Plaza Terror Incident.

A secret organization commits a terrorist act when many of the citizens of the capital are gathered in one place. Our hero Choi Han is the one who manages to block about half of their plot. That would be the fourth time that Choi Han and the secret organization would come into contact with each other.

As a result, Choi Han can save a lot of the citizens at the plaza and becomes connected with the crown prince. They then quickly develop a friendship with each other.

Cale suddenly got the chills.

Since the novel described the event from Choi Han's point of view, it did not talk much about the gathering of the nobles. All it mentioned was that Choi Han gains some party members before and after the incident, as well as the strong backing of the crown prince.

But he had to go to the scene of that terrorist attack?

Cale turned to look at Basen even as his father was continuing to speak. Basen stood there stoically, looking at his father without giving Cale a single glance.

'Deruth said Basen normally goes to events like this. Should I tell him to go?'

Cale's mouth continued to repeatedly open and close. He did not want to go to a dangerous area. However, he could not bring himself to say Basen's name.

A relationship that was neither good nor bad. That was the relationship between the original Cale and Basen. Basen found Cale to be difficult, but that was it.

Cale's mind started to get complicated. Would Cale have gone in the story? There was no way Deruth would send the trash to the capital. Just why was he trying to send him then? Cale was wondering if he had done something wrong to have caused this to happen.

"You will leave in five days."

Five days later. Hearing Deruth says that Cale knew that the Cale in the novel had not gone to the capital.

In the novel, he was beaten to a pulp by Choi Han four days later and carried into the Count's estate. There was no way he could go to the capital in that condition.

"Cale. Before Basen started to do it, you had participated in all of these ceremonies. Think back on those times and have a relaxed journey."

"Father."

Deruth looked toward Cale at his calling. Basen slowly turned to look at his older brother as well.

"I am a bit anxious because of this sudden development. I have not gone to any of these since two years ago. I don't understand why I would suddenly have to go. Please let me think about it."

Deruth agreed and told his two sons that they could leave. The siblings quickly left the study. Cale was busy thinking about all sorts of things. If Cale threw a fit and caused a scene, Deruth would probably send Basen, but that would leave a bitter taste in his mouth.

It was at that moment.

"Hyung-nim."

Cale could hear his young brother, Basen's voice. Cale turned his head. He could see Basen still stoically walking without looking at him. The 15-year-old Basen always talked like this without ever making eye contact.

"Hyung-nim, there is no reason you cannot go."

Sigh. Cale let out a sigh.

Basen did not even look at Cale as he left the study and headed to his room. Cale stared at Basen for a long time.

"...It's not supposed to go like this."

Cale had been pushed out of the successor spot. Cale could not stop acting like trash even when his younger brother flat out acted like he was the family's successor since two years ago. He was the joke of the family.

That was why there were a lot of reasons he should not go as the family representative to the crown's summon. However, Basen was saying that there were no reasons not to go to the event.

Cale started to frown. He did not like how things were going.

But the other problem was...

'It's worth a shot.'

He thought it was worth going through the events that were about to come up.

The reason was that the chances of Cale coming back without dying or getting hurt were pretty high.

'It will also make it difficult for me if Basen dies without being able to take the Count position.'

For Cale to live a peaceful life, Basen needed to survive. There was still their youngest sister, Lily, but she was too young. Furthermore, Cale needed to head out of Western City after taking the ancient power located at the man-eating tree to take some other ancient powers located outside the Henituse territory.

The scale inside Cale's mind started to tilt.

He started to stare at deputy butler Hans who was heading his way. Hans's expression was intense, but not dark. He seemed to be a bit bitter, but his eyes were clear.

"Young Master, the request that your guest has asked for"

"Hans."

Cale cut him off as he said something else.

"Bring that guest here."

"Excuse me?"

Cale was not going to be pushed around. If he was going to have to move, he might as well do it in a way that was most comfortable for him and in a way that was most beneficial for him.

"Ah, if he doesn't want to come, just tell him this."

Based on Hans's expression, Cale was certain that Choi Han's issue was settled properly. In the novel, Count Deruth gave a proper funeral to the villagers and took care of everything even after Choi Han beat Cale to a pulp. That shouldn't have changed at all.

"Payment."

"Pardon?"

"Tell him to come because a way for him to pay me back has come up."

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"What did he ask for?"

"Ah."

Hans seemed shocked at Cale's sudden words, before quickly putting on a serious expression and starting to report. It was the information Cale expected it to be.

Hans could not hide his sorrow and disappointment while sharing about what happened to Harris Village and had gone to the Count with Choi Han to deliver the Village Chief's Plaque that Choi Han brought.

"Father met with him?"

"Yes. The Count immediately ordered for a funeral and will be sending inspectors, knights, and soldiers to investigate."

Mm. Hans stopped for a moment and hesitated before continuing to speak.

"However, the guest has indicated he will not be going back with us."

Hans recalled meeting the Count with Choi Han, as Choi Han explained the situation to the Count.

Choi Han was speaking normally, but the tips of his fingers were shaking. It was then that Hans found out that Choi Han was 17 years old. He was able to keep his life because he happened to be searching for medicinal herbs on his own at the time of the massacre, but he still had to watch his neighbors and friends all being killed at such a young age. Just how much shock would he have received?

"Will that be okay?"

That was why Hans had asked Cale. Will it be okay for him to not say his final farewell?

"It is his decision."

Cale answered Hans's question and changed the topic. He already knew why Choi Han did not want to return. He had already said his goodbye as he buried them. All that was left was to get his revenge on the people that took their future away.

"Has Ron been taking care of him?"

"Yes. He has made sure that the guest eats every meal. He has also been very friendly with him."

The three of them did indeed seem to be getting along.

"Ah."

Hans seemed to have remembered something as he continued to speak.

"Mr. Ron seems to have hurt himself while working again. He had bandages around his wrist."

"Really? Make sure to give him some medicine."

Knock Knock Knock

Choi Han had arrived. Hans opened the door, and Cale could see Choi Han standing outside. Cale waved his hand to send Hans away, and Hans bowed his head as he quietly exited the study. Only Cale and Choi Han were left in the room.

Cale kept the desk between them as he pointed at the chair across from him.

"Come sit down."

Choi Han slowly looked around the study as he sat down on the chair. Cale gave him enough time to look around the study.

Like a typical pure and smart hero, Choi Han liked books. That was why the first thing he did after coming out of the Forest of Darkness and arriving in Harris Village was to learn how to read from the Chief. After looking around for a long time, Choi Han's gaze finally landed on Cale.

"What is the payment?"

'Getting right to the point.'

Cale smiled looking at how Choi Han didn't beat around the bush.

Payment. Choi Han was thorough when it came to debts he owed.

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"Are you capable of protecting people?"

"...It is difficult."

"But not impossible."

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"Go to the capital with these two."

"Rosaline. Lock."

"Glad to know you can read."

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"You will start the journey with me."

"...I just need to protect these two people?"

"If you want to."

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"Why are you not answering? Can you do it?"

"Yes. I can do it."

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"In addition, everything we discussed here is a secret. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that?"

"Of course."

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"Father."

"Yes?"

"I need money."

"Okay. I will tell Hans to give you some."

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Cale laid down on the bed with another 10 million gallon cheque in his chest pocket, while Edwin and the kids played together.

Ron approached him and put the cup on the nightstand as he started to speak.

"It is warm lemon honey tea. My son made it especially for you, young master. Please have a good night. I am always by your side."

Cale's sleepiness went away in an instant. He lifted the lemons honey tea and reluctantly took a sip, only to be surprised at the sudden sweetness. He glanced at Ron who was looking at him with a smile.

Ron will try to make it sour along with Beacrox. So who made it sweeter? Was it Hans? Cale subconsciously fixed his eyes on Edwin who looked back at him with a wink. Cale realized, Edwin can use magic. He knew it was useful to hire him.

Cale happily drank the now sweet tea. Ron was staring suspiciously at him.

" Thanks for that, Ron. It was delicious." Cale smiled. He did not lie, it was delicious since Edwin made it sweeter.

"...I will deliver the compliments to the chef." Ron bowed with the mug in his hands and left the room.

Cale gratefully looked at Edwin. "Thanks."

Edwin grinned with his pearl teeth. "No problem!" He then turned to the felines in his arms. "Kids, it is time to sleep."

"Awwww..." They complain while yawning.

"You can sleep with Cale." Edwin gently gathered them in his arms.

"Okay..."

"You don't mind, do you?" Edwin cheekily looked at the young master. The said master just sighed and smiled. "You will do it either way."

"You know me so well." Edwin placed them beside Cale. Discreetly, he spread relaxing dust across the room to make them more comfortable.

A few seconds later, the trio on the bed were coddled up with the fluffy blanket and were cuddling together.

Edwin fondly smiles at them and closed the lights. "Good night."