Translator: miraclerifle

Editor: Borderline Masochist

Alberu acquiesced to Cale, and they all boarded the vessel. They immediately proceeded to the onboard teleportation portal.

The Ubarr liege bowed before Alberu.

“Your Highness, I pray for your safe journey.”

“I’ll see you later.”

The Ubarr liege bowed once more to Alberu before smiling at Cale. Cale lightly bowed, then watched as the mage activated the teleportation portal.

Zzzzzz—

The magic portal began to tremble before activating.

—Human, I’ll be there too! I told Gramps Goldie to watch over you properly! See you soon!

—Bye!

Cale simply mused that Raon had left before noticing a light emanating from the teleportation portal. He heard Alberu’s voice at that moment.

“Cale Henituse.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Just be yourself.”

“…My usual self?”

Crackle, zzzzzzz—

The long-distance teleportation portal vibrated. Cale did not observe the warping world around him, but instead, focused on Alberu.

Alberu was smiling.

“Yes, just be yourself.”

‘If you do that, good things will happen.’

Alberu did not voice this last part.

Cale looked at Alberu and began to think.

‘Then I guess I’d better be quiet, as usual.’

Cale’s specialty was staring blankly into nothingness for hours, without a single thought.

Paaaaat!

At that moment, the warped surroundings erupted in a brilliant light, obscuring Cale’s vision. A few seconds later, the light began to fade.

Once the light vanished completely, a salty scent filled their nostrils, accompanied by the sound of waves crashing on the shore.

“You are the second to arrive.”

Cale saw Queen Litana smiling at them. Alberu exited the teleportation area and approached Litana.

“Queen Litana, it is good to see you again.”

“We haven’t seen each other since our last meeting at the Empire. Crown Prince Alberu, you still look, mm, tired.”

Alberu began chatting with Litana while Cale slowly moved away from the teleportation portal and surveyed his surroundings.

Litana and her personal guards maintained the shoreside teleportation portal. Jungle mages also set up alarms in the sky.

‘Is it over there?’

Cale looked toward the shoreline, which still bore the scars of the fire, even after a year. A tent, filled with various magical devices, stood at the center of the shore. Darkness enveloped the area, but magical lights illuminated the tent.

—Human, hello! I’m here! Did you miss me?

Cale simply nodded, unable to see Raon. At that moment, he saw someone other than the Jungle warriors approaching.

A familiar face emerged from the crowd.

—Isn’t that Rosalyn’s younger brother? The one I drenched with a water bomb?

It was Pen, the fourth and youngest prince of the Breck Kingdom. Pen and Cale met eyes, and Cale smiled. Pen flinched and turned away.

‘Miss Rosalyn isn’t with them.’

Cale hadn’t recognized the others, but quickly understood why Rosalyn wasn’t present.

“The Breck Kingdom’s Prince John was the first to arrive.”

John, the Breck Kingdom’s first prince, leading his people, appeared unremarkable. Rosalyn wouldn’t be here to show support for John.

‘Hmm?’

John gently smiled at Cale. Seeing the Breck Kingdom’s first prince smiling at him, Cale subconsciously smiled back.

John approached him and spoke.

“I am pleased that we have gathered here.”

His voice was unremarkable. However, the issue was that this unremarkable person was addressing Cale.

“And this gentleman is?”

Cale felt his turn to speak had arrived and slowly opened his mouth.

‘It is an honor to meet you. My name is Cale Henituse, son of a nobleman from a small territory in the northeastern Roan Kingdom.’

That was the introduction Cale intended to give.

However, someone else spoke before Cale, introducing him.

“He is our kingdom’s treasure.”

Alberu made the introduction.

‘…Didn’t he tell me to act like I usually do?’

How was Cale supposed to react after such an introduction? Cale concealed his anxiety and looked at Alberu. But an even more shocking introduction followed, as Litana began to speak.

“He is also the savior of our Jungle. I have never seen such a good and respectful nobleman with such a strong sense of responsibility before.”

‘Aigoo.’

Cale swallowed hard at Litana’s praise, pretending not to see Alberu’s expression, which seemed to say he’d never heard anything so unbelievable in his life.

—Mm. Well, I guess you’re a good person, weak human.

As usual, Cale ignored Raon’s comment, but felt compelled to speak for himself. Everyone had said interesting things to introduce him, but no one had mentioned his name.

Cale opened his mouth to speak.

‘My name is Cale Henituse. It is an honor to meet you.’

That was what he wanted to say.

“So you must be that Cale Henituse.”

Prince John was faster. Cale wasn’t surprised that John knew his name. However, the fact that John said, ‘that,’ Cale Henituse, was a bit disconcerting.

“I have heard much about you from Crown Prince Alberu-nim, Queen Litana-nim, and my older sister. Even Pen had a lot to say about you. Nice to meet you.”

“It is my honor to meet you.”

Cale shook John’s hand and respectfully greeted him. He then quickly tried to release his grip, but Prince John didn’t seem to intend to let go.

The two locked eyes.

“My sister seemed pleased. Thank you.”

The corner of Cale’s lips twitched slightly.

—Human, this guy seems better than that Pen or Ben or whatever that punk’s name is!

Cale understood why Rosalyn thought highly of John.

At that moment, they heard the sizzling sound of the teleportation portal again.

It was the arrival of the last guest.

All of them turned their gaze toward the magic circle supporting the teleportation portal. Cale also turned toward the magic circle, releasing John’s hand, before a bright light flashed and three people appeared.

Harol Kodiang, Chief of the Whipper Kingdom, appeared along with Toonka’s subordinates.

Harol bowed to the assembled group.

“Greetings, my name is Harol Kodiang, and I represent Chief Toonka.”

They had met before at the Empire’s celebration, as Harol was always by Toonka’s side.

Harol greeted each person before reaching Cale. Prince John, standing beside Cale, spoke.

“Chief Harol, this is your first meeting with Young Master Cale, correct?”

John addressed Harol respectfully, as they were here to cooperate, not to clash.

“No, we have met before.”

“Hmm? You know each other?”

John was unaware of Cale and Toonka’s relationship. John could see Harol’s genuine smile.

“Yes. Young Master Cale is someone I respect.”

“Ho.”

John let out a soft gasp. Cale looked indifferently at the hand in front of him as Harol spoke.

“Young Master Cale-nim, it has been a while. It feels like I’m seeing a close friend I haven’t seen in a long time.”

“…Nice to see you again, Chief Harol.”

“Young Master-nim, please speak casually, as you usually do.”

“…Sure.”

Cale nodded and released Harol’s hand. He then saw Toonka’s subordinates who had arrived with Harol.

“Nice to see you again, Young Master-nim!”

“Young Master-nim, I hope you are well!”

The large Whipper citizens bowed deeply to greet him. Cale looked at Harol.

“Commander Toonka-nim instructed them to show respect to his friend.”

Cale internally clicked his tongue at Harol’s smile, then turned to Alberu.

Alberu was looking at him with a look of disbelief.

However, Alberu quickly gathered everyone’s attention and spoke.

“Let us begin. The night is short.”

They needed to conclude their meeting before nightfall.

Litana pointed to the tent, and the leaders of the Whipper, Breck, and Roan Kingdoms headed toward it, each with a single guard.

Cale stepped back, watching them enter the tent. Raon asked him a question.

—Weak human, aren’t you going?

‘Why would I go?’

Cale had other things to do. More importantly, why get involved in a conversation involving the heads of their respective kingdoms?

‘His Highness will handle everything.’

Cale thought he could simply remain as the meeting’s provider.

Yes, that was his thought.

“Cale Henituse.”

However, Alberu called for him.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Aren’t you coming in?”

Alberu smiled, urging Cale with his eyes.

—See! Human, I knew they would call for you!

Cale couldn’t help but let out a sigh. He approached Alberu, who was waiting outside the tent.

Both of them had smiles that reflected their trust in each other. Cale spoke softly, like a ventriloquist.

“Didn’t you tell me to be myself?”

“Yes. Stand behind me and do that.”

Alberu said this before entering the tent, and Cale turned around. Eruhaben stood there, a proper knight.

“Haben.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Stand guard outside the door, and quickly enter if I call for you. Got it?”

“…Yes, sir. I understand.”

Pat. Pat.

Cale patted Eruhaben on the shoulder before entering the tent.

Eruhaben felt a strange sensation as Cale entered the tent.

Cale certainly acted as if their relationship was a proper lord and knight, but something felt off.

Eruhaben didn’t know the look Raon had as he followed Cale, remaining invisible. Raon was looking at Eruhaben as a reliable guard.

Cale stood before Alberu and thought to himself.

‘I knew it would be like this.’

The meeting was rather dull for the first hour.

First, they agreed to work together to repel the Empire and the Northern Alliance. Prince John of the Breck Kingdom spoke first.

“Based on reliable sources, the Northern Alliance is nearly finished constructing ships to cross the Eastern ocean. Since summer is ending, they will complete the ships by fall. There is no way the North will move in winter, so they will cross as soon as spring arrives. The Roan and Breck Kingdoms need to prepare for their arrival.”

Harol spoke up.

“However, we must focus on the Empire now. They haven’t used the dead mana bombs yet, but we don’t know when they might. Shouldn’t we reduce their forces while we can?”

“I agree. We need to weaken the Empire first.”

Litana agreed with Harol, adding,

“We also need a way to defend against their alchemy.”

“So, first…”

Harol pressed his finger on the table, continuing.

“Shouldn’t we find a way to defeat the Empire?”

Litana and John paused.

Ultimately, the Whipper Kingdom sought support in defeating the Empire.

However, a major Whipper victory would be complicated.

The Breck Kingdom was working with the Roan Kingdom to increase their mages. In such a situation, they couldn’t allow the Whipper Kingdom, a kingdom that dislikes magic, to become stronger, even if they were allies.

The Jungle had no land connection to Roan or Breck, but was connected to Whipper. They worried that a stronger Whipper would turn its attention to the Jungle. Thus, the Jungle also didn’t want this.

Litana considered the best response, realizing one side had been unusually quiet.

The one who brought them together, Prince Alberu of the Roan Kingdom, was unusually quiet.

Litana wasn’t alone in this observation. Litana, John, and Harol all turned their attention to one side of the table.

Harol began to speak.

“Your Highness, you seem very quiet.”

Alberu, who seemed to embody the title of prince with his blonde hair and blue eyes, gently smiled at them.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

His index finger tapped the table.

Alberu was waiting for something.

He slowly began to speak.

“I have much to say, however…”

Tap.

He tapped the table again, his finger resting on the surface. Alberu continued.

“Young Master Cale, do you have anything to say?”

Alberu casually addressing Cale made everyone look at him. Cale seemed even more relaxed than Alberu.

Even though Cale should have known everyone but Alberu was looking at him, he remained calm as he spoke.

“I don’t really have anything to say, Your Highness.”

It was the truth.

Cale had nothing to say. He was simply looking at the clock on the wall.

At that moment, Raon spoke in his mind.

—They’re coming.

Cale smiled.

“They are about to arrive.”

Alberu smiled upon hearing Cale’s words.

The moment he had been waiting for was near.

“Arrive?”

Litana looked at Cale in confusion. The rest were confused as well.

And then.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep— Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep—

A magic alarm blared.

Everyone around the table paled, except for Alberu and Cale.

The tent entrance flew open, and a Jungle warrior rushed in. Litana cried out.

“What’s happening?!”

“Your Majesty, the ocean alarm has sounded.”

The alarm they had set up several hundred meters from the shore had triggered.

It meant someone or something was approaching.

Litana looked worried.

“What kind of ship is it? Can you see a flag? How many ships?”

She asked many questions, while Prince John stood up, his guard beside him. Harol looked at Cale.

The warrior spoke amidst the chaos.

“It is not a ship.”

“What could it be if not a ship?”

“That…they are whales!”

Silence descended upon the previously chaotic tent.

Beeeeeeeeep—

The magic alarms continued as the warrior continued.

“Very large whales are heading toward us!”

Someone else spoke in the midst of the commotion.

It was Cale.

“They have finally arrived.”

Plop.

Cale walked to the tent entrance, lifting the flap. He saw the ocean and the warriors forming along the shoreline, their gazes fixed on the water.

Splaaaash, splaaaaaash—

Two large whales and one smaller whale were approaching.

Screeeeech.

The sound of a chair scraping echoed as Alberu stood up.

He looked around the tent before speaking.

“There is a secret organization working with the Empire and the Northern Alliance.”

‘What?’

‘Huh?’

The sudden information, in this chaotic moment, made everyone anxious. Harol, who had been quiet, shouted.

“What are you talking about?”

“Prince Alberu, what do you mean by a secret organization?”

John asked. The whales weren’t the problem. However, Alberu pointed outside the entrance.

Their gazes followed his finger towards the ocean.

Psssssssssssssssh—

The lead humpback whale exhaled a large plume of water vapor.

Once the vapor cleared, a figure appeared, easily leaping over the warriors.

“Huh?”

A confused warrior cried out as the figure landed behind them.

Tap.

The figure, brushing back her blue hair, said,

“…The Whale Tribe?”

Someone murmured in confusion.

The Whale Tribe was known as the strongest beast tribe, but also one difficult for humans to see. Many thought this must be from the Whale Tribe.

The unexpected appearance of these guests silenced everyone. However, someone inside the tent spoke.

“Witira, long time no see.”

It was Cale Henituse, stepping out of the tent.

The three whales were naturally Witira, Paseton, and the Killer Whale, Archie.

All three had arrived on land.

Witira, in front, smiled and greeted Cale.

“Long time no see indeed, Young Master Cale.”

Cale nodded in response, looking toward Alberu inside the tent.

“I have invited the future Queen of the Whales, as you instructed, Your Highness.”

Alberu and Cale’s smiles deepened as they looked at each other.

This meeting between the four kingdoms and one tribe could not help but proceed as Alberu and Cale intended.