Silence filled the area for a moment.

Harol remained silent, while someone whispered in Prince John’s ear as he observed Cale and the Whales.

At that moment, Witira began to speak. She seemed more confident than ever, her gaze fixed on the leaders of the four kingdoms. She did not even bow.

“My name is Witira, and I represent the Whale tribe. We came at the invitation of our benefactor, young master Cale. Nice to meet you.”

She was respectful, yet her bearing conveyed her status. It was clear that she acted this way, as the Whales were the greatest faction in the ocean, especially after defeating the mermaids. As the future Queen of the Whales, there was no reason for her to be subservient to these four leaders.

Furthermore, they were the tribe renowned as the strongest after the Dragons. Those present could all see the whip wrapped around Witira’s forearm.

Cale watched all of this with satisfaction. He had asked Witira to do this.

‘Set the tone for the meeting.’

Witira properly set the tone as an influential member of a powerful tribe. Paseton and Archie stood behind her, their expressions stoic, also contributing to the atmosphere.

The warriors and representatives of each kingdom likely now have a strong impression of the Whale tribe. Their impression of the Roan Kingdom, which was able to bring the Whale tribe to this meeting, should have improved as well.

‘Not bad.’

Cale was pleased with how things were progressing and slowly surveyed the room. He then suddenly flinched.

Litana, who had been anxious moments before, was looking at him.

‘Hmm?’

She was smiling at Cale as if she were looking at something wondrous. Cale couldn’t handle such a bright smile, so he turned his head away, only to meet Harol’s smile directed at him.

Harol was giving Cale a similar look that Litana had given him.

‘Why are all these people like this?’

Cale couldn’t understand why they were looking at him this way. It was at that moment…

Clap!

A soft clap echoed through the area. Everyone’s gaze turned towards the source of the sound.

Crown Prince Alberu Crossman received everyone’s attention as he began to speak.

“Let us enter and have a more extended discussion.”

Prince John agreed with Alberu.

“I believe we must. There is too much information flooding me at once. My mind is somewhat chaotic at the moment.”

Contrary to what he was saying, John’s expression was calm. It was quite different from the anxious expression on his youngest brother Pen’s face, who stood behind him.

Alberu nodded at John and looked towards Litana.

“Queen-nim, it seems we need three more chairs.”

Litana nodded.

“Chairs for the three Whale tribe guests, correct?”

Litana looked towards Bin and began to speak.

“Bin, bring a fourth chair for young master Cale while you are at it.”

“Queen-nim, young master Cale is already accounted for in the three chairs.”

“Excuse me?”

Litana turned her head back towards Alberu, asking. Alberu was saying that Cale was already included.

‘Will only two of the Whales sit down?’

That was what she was thinking. In fact, that was what everyone was thinking.

However, a noise soon dispelled all their assumptions.

“Huh?”

Someone spoke in a nervous voice.

Siiiiiiizzle.

The teleportation magic circle began to spark. Anyone attempting to use this portal needed the magic incantation and the passcode sent by the Jungle’s mage.

That was why the mage standing before the magic circle was growing anxious.

At that moment, someone placed a hand on the mage’s shoulder and pulled him back.

The mage turned his head.

It was Cale Henituse, looking down at him.

“It is someone we invited.”

“…Excuse me?”

Siiiiiiiizzle.

The sparks intensified, before a brilliant light coalesced into a human silhouette.

The Whale tribe was not the only surprise Cale had prepared. He began to smile as he watched the person slowly emerge from the magic circle.

He hadn’t seen this person in a while. He extended his hand, and the newcomer grasped it, stepping out of the teleportation magic circle.

“Miss Cage, long time no see.”

“It has indeed been a long time, young master-nim.”

It was the eccentric priestess Cage. She followed Cale’s hand to the sand, wearing a black priestess robe without any crest. The robe fluttered in the wind as she greeted everyone.

“It is an honour to meet you all.”

She still excelled at maintaining the facade of a proper priestess.

Some people grew nervous upon the arrival of this unknown priestess.

However, the Breck Kingdom side remained calm. They had seen Cage before.

Cale introduced the eccentric priestess to the group.

“She is a priestess serving the God of Death.”

Everyone pondered one thing after hearing Cale mention the God of Death.

The Vow of Death was the sole reason for a priestess of the God of Death to attend such a meeting.

Alberu added, once Cale finished speaking.

“The matters we are about to discuss are extremely confidential.”

Alberu smiled before continuing.

“Therefore, rather than relying on faith or trust, shouldn’t we use something more reliable? What is more reliable than putting your life on the line?”

Alberu was smiling brightly, but the mood in the area quickly soured.

Alberu was demonstrating to everyone that he had access to a priestess of the God of Death, as well as the Whale tribe. This meant that everyone present needed to make a Vow of Death.

“Really, you really.”

Someone finally spoke.

Chief Harol looked towards Alberu and Cale as he continued.

“I think you have some very interesting people in the Roan Kingdom. Such a fun method of doing things is definitely my style.”

Cale met Harol’s bright smile with his own gaze.

‘Why is he looking at me?’

Just as Cale had this thought, Harol turned his gaze to Alberu and continued.

“You are right. Life over trust. I agree with this method.”

“I will first listen to what you have to say before deciding whether or not I will follow this method.”

John spoke after Harol, then stepped back. Litana was the only one left to state their opinion, so everyone turned their gaze towards her.

She soon began to speak.

“The three chairs must be for the future Whale Queen-nim, the priestess, and the last one for young master Cale.”

She gave Bin an order.

“Go make a list of all the warriors and mages here today.”

Her gesture indicated that she accepted the conditions of the Vow of Death. Alberu walked into the tent as he began to speak.

“Let us discuss the rest inside.”

After the night’s commotion, the new arrivals were added to the table.

Cale sat down in his seat and began to think. The meeting was already underway.

‘Isn’t it enough for me to simply stand behind his highness?’

Originally, only Witira and Cage were supposed to sit. Of course, since Cage was a priestess, they would only allow her to sit once the other parties agreed.

‘Why am I sitting down as well?’

Cale suppressed his question as he observed the meeting with a stoic expression.

Witira and Alberu had just begun to share information about the secret organization, as well as the “Arm” faction, which was the organization’s battle faction.

Arm had taken control of the Eastern continent’s underworld.

They were responsible for the terror incidents in the Roan Kingdom and the Church of the Sun God.

They attacked an Elf village to try to steal a branch of the World Tree.

They also recruited the Mermaids to try to take control of the sea route connecting the Eastern and Western continents.

The mood in the room continued to decline as they shared these details with supporting evidence.

“…Ho.”

Prince John couldn’t maintain his poker face as he pressed his temples with one hand. He began to speak, almost as if sighing.

“So you’re saying that such an organization is working with the Northern Alliance and the Empire, and that we knew nothing about this, including their activities on the Western continent?”

John was flabbergasted.

‘How could such an organization exist, and how could we know nothing about them?’

He couldn’t understand it at all. However, it was possible if the Northern Alliance and the Empire were aiding Arm. Furthermore, there was no way an organization that had taken over the Eastern continent’s underworld was weak.

A calm voice spoke at that moment.

“What a terrible organization. We must eliminate such an organization that spreads terror with magic bombs everywhere.”

That was Harol’s reaction.

Cale turned his head towards Harol to see his expression, then flinched.

‘How vicious.’

For someone like Harol, who detested magic, something like a magic bomb terror incident should disappear from this world. Toonka would likely have a similar reaction.

‘They’ll do their part well.’

Cale was satisfied with Harol’s response. That’s why a smile was about to appear on his stoic face. However, that smile instantly vanished when he made eye contact with Litana.

Litana was looking at Cale with an extremely serious expression. Cale subconsciously began to speak after seeing her expression.

“Miss Lina, is there something you wish to say?”

“It is amazing.”

‘What?’

A question mark appeared in Cale’s mind. What nonsense was she talking about?

Litana continued to speak.

“I heard that young master Cale played a pivotal role in preventing the Roan Kingdom’s magic bomb terror incident. You also helped the Whale tribe and even put out the fire in our Jungle.”

Litana truly found it amazing.

She couldn’t understand how good a person the man with the stoic expression sitting before her was, after hearing the information about “Arm.”

“You also saved the Elf village?”

‘Does young master Cale ever get any rest? How much suffering must he have endured with that calm expression on his face to work for world peace?’

Litana was thinking that this person before her likely had many sleepless nights due to a heavy heart.

“Not only that, you worked hard to save the Saint and the Holy Maiden.”

Looking past their friendship and the fact that Cale had saved the Jungle, Litana truly felt that Cale was the most qualified person to sit at this meeting. That’s why she asked for Cale’s opinion.

“Young master Cale, what do you think our next steps should be?”

Everyone’s gaze slowly turned towards Cale.

Cale began to think as they all looked at him.

‘Why is she asking me? Isn’t it all of your jobs to figure that out?’

Of course, Cale had already decided what he was going to do. However, he couldn’t tell them about it, nor did he have a reason to. Cale looked towards the group and was about to speak when Raon began to speak in his head.

– Human, are we saving people again? Saving people is a great deed! It is very satisfying!

Cale did not ignore Raon as he usually did.

A Crown Prince, a Queen, a future Queen, a Chief, and a First Prince. A simple noble’s son’s voice began to speak to this group of heavyweights.

Cale’s response to Litana’s question about their next steps was calm.

“Shouldn’t we save the Western continent? Shouldn’t we bring peace to the citizens of our continent?”

It would also give himself some peace and quiet to relax at home.

“I believe that the people here can make that happen.”

‘Please work hard so that I don’t have to do much.’

That was what Cale was thinking.

– Human, you are right! You really are a good person!

He ignored Raon’s compliment.

Cale finished speaking and looked towards Litana, who began to speak.

“…Really. You are right, young master Cale. You always seem to be walking down a path of justice.”

Cale saw that the others were looking at him with admiration and glanced towards Alberu. He then flinched.

Alberu had a warm smile on his face, but his gaze seemed to say, ‘this bastard is saying things he doesn’t mean again.’

Cale smiled back at Alberu, who understood his true feelings.

John then began to speak.

“The Roan Kingdom-.”

He stopped mid-sentence.

John couldn’t remember what he was going to say after seeing the trusting smiles on Cale and Alberu’s faces as they looked at each other.

However, their mutual enemy became very clear. This was the case for the others as well.

Litana began to speak in a refreshing way.

“We will reinforce the Whipper Kingdom with rations of food.”

This statement meant that the Jungle was willing to work together with the group and provide something unrelated to alchemy or magic.

Harol had a bright smile on his face as he began to speak.

“We want to handle anything related to the magic bombs. We need to kill all those bastards.”

It was a vicious answer, fitting for someone who detested magic.

Cale saw that the table was becoming active again and leaned back in his chair. The meeting progressed well, with Alberu leading the way since he had the most information.

The three kingdoms would secretly deliver funds and rations to the Whipper Kingdom. Furthermore, if the Empire manages to cross into the Whipper Kingdom’s borders, the Jungle would immediately send a secret battle squad to assist.

In addition, if the Empire uses the dead mana bombs, the Roan Kingdom would provide the steps to handle the situation, while the other kingdoms would provide the funds to implement those steps.

They also discussed their support for the Whales’ winter battle, as well as the issue of the Northern Alliance. They had set plans for everything until next spring.

“Then let us make the Vow of Death now.”

Cage stood up at Alberu’s statement.

The meeting concluded after everyone made the Vow of Death.

Cale could see the sun rising as he headed towards the teleportation portal. Eruhaben was walking behind him.

Cale stood before the magic circle with Alberu’s group and Cage. Harol was the first to leave.

Siiiiiiizzle.

The teleportation magic circle activated, and Harol began to disappear.

Cale, waiting by the side, made eye contact with Harol, who began to smile.

“Young master Cale-nim, see you after our victory.”

Harol disappeared before Cale could respond. Alberu looked towards Cale and asked.

“He wants to see you again?”

Alberu received his answer through Cale’s indifferent expression. He chuckled before moving to stand on the teleportation magic circle with Cale.

The two soon arrived in the Ubarr territory. Alberu had something to say before they parted ways.

“Looks like you have nothing to do until winter. Get some rest while waiting for the good news of their victory.”

Cale had no problem responding, as it was already clear what he had planned.

“That was my plan, your highness.”

However, Cale felt uneasy after seeing Alberu’s smiling face. Alberu was thinking that it had been a while since Cale had said something unbelievable like this as he said goodbye.

“Of course. Make sure to get some rest.”

However, Cale couldn’t do that.

Cale frowned, looking at Toonka, whose face was pressed close to the video communication device.

“Aaaaaaah!”

“I can do it!”

These energetic shouts could still be heard outside Cale’s window.

It was already autumn, but the voices didn’t seem tired at all.

Cale needed to see Toonka’s unpleasant face to hear the first news since autumn had arrived.

“What is it?”

Cale had been receiving daily updates on the Whipper Kingdom through Alberu and the information organization Ron was leading. The Whipper Kingdom was doing quite well against the Empire.

The Empire hadn’t revealed all its cards, such as the dead mana bomb.

This was only possible because, contrary to the belief that the poor Whipper Kingdom would eventually run out of funds, they were able to keep their soldiers equipped and fed.

‘But it is moving too slowly.’

That was the last piece of information Cale had heard. That’s why he didn’t bother chatting with Toonka right now.

– I wanted you to be the first to know.

Toonka then added.

– We’ve won about halfway.

Cale’s expression changed.

– We managed to take over a castle! Kuhahahahahaha!

Toonka stepped back from the screen to laugh.

‘This crazy bastard.’

Cale could then see that only Toonka’s face was clean. The rest of his body was covered in blood. He could also see many corpses behind Toonka.

He had piled up the enemies’ corpses before calling him to share the news. He truly was a crazy bastard.

– I also did as you asked.

Cale found it odd that Toonka would say something like that.

“Like I asked?”

– Yes. I didn’t abandon the injured soldiers. I brought them with me.

Did Toonka lose his mind?

Cale was shocked by what Toonka was telling him. It was strange that he was doing something he wouldn’t normally do.

Toonka continued to speak with a proud look on his face.

– The strong need to know how to care for the weak.

‘Is this really Toonka?’

Cale seriously questioned if this was the real Toonka. However, he pushed that thought aside after hearing what Toonka had to say and seeing the worried look on Toonka’s face.

– But I think it will be difficult to heal them.

Cale had an idea of what was happening.

Even if the Whipper Kingdom now had more funds, they couldn’t afford expensive potions to heal all their soldiers.

‘They also don’t have enough priests.’

No churches had a strong influence on the Whipper Kingdom, as churches were a faction of magic. That’s why they lacked priests for the war.

Furthermore, the