Translator: miraclerifle

Editor: Borderline Masochist

Cale made a gesture to Bud with his eyes before picking up the call.

Bud immediately walked towards the old man.

“Senior, why don’t we have a nice chat as we stare at the sunset?”

“Hmm? What kind of chat?”

Hunter Bobe, who was enjoying the sunset before the approaching night, started to frown at this naive young man that blocked his view.

However, Bud simply smiled and put his arm around the old man’s shoulder, slowly pulling him away.

“Oh, come on, please come this way.”

Cale received the video communication device from Raon after seeing Bud wink at him, distracting the Hunter from the others.

“…Ha. I can’t believe I was bewitched.”

Beacrox, whose pride was hurt, was blankly muttering to himself in a corner, but Cale ignored him, focusing on the connecting video communication device.

– Young master-nim, did you take care of everything you needed?

“What’s with your face?”

Cale instantly frowned, looking at Tasha’s face.

– Ah, it’s a bit dusty, isn’t it?

“Not a bit dusty, I thought you were a giant piece of dust.”

– Ay, look at you joke like that.

“I mean it.”

– …Is it that bad?

Tasha wiped her face after seeing Cale’s serious expression. She then frowned, seeing her dusty palm.

– …That Bear bastard, I need to f*ck-

“Ahem.”

Cale quickly coughed to prevent Raon, On, and Hong from hearing, and Tasha awkwardly smiled before shutting up.

– That’s right human! We need to f*ck that Bear King up too!

Cale frowned at Raon’s voice, audible only to him. Tasha noticed the frown and quickly spoke.

– Young master-nim, as you mentioned, the Bear King and the White Star, who were entering the desert with their subordinates, teleported away shortly after you left.

That was probably when they received Lion King Dorph’s call and quickly headed toward the second secret base.

– He really did return after a few minutes too.

“Is that so?”

The White Star had returned to the desert, chasing after Cale, who waved goodbye.

– Yes! After that, mm.

“What happened after that? Did something happen?”

Tasha had an awkward smile on her face.

– He is running wild, as if he’s gone mad. What did you do? – he seemed extremely angry.

Tasha recalled the White Star’s outburst of anger.

She had watched from a distance, concealing her presence. While it might seem unusual to hide in the desert, the desert’s constantly shifting hills provided ample cover.

This allowed the Dark Elves, who knew the desert better than anyone, to observe from a distance.

– He seems to have stopped the bleeding from his left arm, but… Anyway, he was throwing things around with a pale expression. It really…

The White Star looked…

– He just looked like a crazy bastard to me.

He seemed too vicious.

That’s why Tasha had taken the nearby Dark Elves and Mary, and they quickly hid.

– I thought it wouldn’t be good for us to run into him in such a state, so I grabbed Mary and the Dark Elves and hid in the Underground City again.

The old and young Dark Elves, less capable fighters than the humans of the Underground City, had already evacuated.

Furthermore, they had destroyed all entrances to the Underground City except for one known only to the Dark Elf warriors and Mary, preventing enemies from finding them.

Finally, they had rigged the remaining entrance to explode if enemies tried to force it open.

– We have sent Wind Elementals to observe the White Star. He is still searching the desert. He seems to be with the black mages, focusing on areas where the earth’s power is unusually strong.

Tasha, who had been reporting for a while, flinched at Cale’s expression.

– …Young master-nim?

He was smiling.

Only one corner of Cale’s lips curled up in a wicked smile.

“Hehe, you’re saying he’s acting crazy? He, he must be very angry.”

Tasha had never seen such a refreshed look in Cale’s eyes before. Unlike his wicked lips, his gaze seemed like a puppy excited by the spring breeze.

“Very good.”

Cale was indeed feeling very refreshed, as Tasha thought.

That was why he planned to continue feeling this way.

“What about Eruhaben-nim?”

– He is still in the Dubori territory. The Caro Kingdom’s forces are there as well.

“Alright, I got it. Stay underground as long as possible. I will visit the palace and then head over before midnight.”

– Yes sir. Hiding is not hard. But what do you mean by the palace?

Tasha wasn’t the only one confused by the mention of the palace. Others were looking at Cale as well.

– Human! We are not going to the desert right away?

Cale shook his head and said one last thing to Tasha before ending the call.

“I will be there by the end of the day, so see you later. Ah, don’t forget to eat as you work.”

Cale handed the video communication device back to Raon and began walking. He was heading toward Hunter Bobe, who was slowly pushing away Bud’s arm around his shoulder.

The two of them seemed very friendly.

Cale could hear their conversation.

“No, senior! I really mean it! I’m an extremely famous and amazing person! Sadly, I’m just an errand boy over here though.”

“Ahem, anyway, I heard you were that merchant-nim’s secretary.”

“Ah, yes, I am his secretary. But I am actually an amazing person! I have many subordinates!”

“Ho, my goodness. Such a young man is so good at telling jokes without turning blue like your hair color.”

“Ah, mister. Isn’t my hair color cool?”

“…Well, it’s bearable.”

“Wow, you’re so cold!”

‘What is he doing?’

Cale frowned more at Bud’s words, but quickly composed himself.

“Huh? You’re here?”

Bud noticed Cale behind him and smiled. Hunter Bobe used the opportunity to move away from Bud and approach Cale.

“You really did defeat the snake.”

Bobe looked at Cale with sparkling eyes.

The sword master had been at the peak as well, but for some reason, he felt as if it was Mr. Merchant Bob who had been at the center of the snake’s scales who had defeated it.

“I’ve always been avoiding that snake and praying that it would disappear someday, thank you for resolving that life-long prayer for me. Mr. Bob, thank you very much.”

Nake Mountain was still rugged, but now, free of fog, it displayed its beauty.

Bobe was saddened that he could no longer see it as the sun set. However, he could smile, knowing the fog would not obscure the mountain tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or any day after that.

“I think a lot of people will visit this mountain now. The scary legend will disappear as well.”

“Mr. Bobe.”

The old man, sharing his sentiments with a satisfied expression, turned his head at the merchant’s voice.

“…Gasps!”

He gasped so hard he almost died.

“N, no way?”

He looked at the merchant, Cale, with wide eyes. Cale gently smiled, handing the item in his hand to Bobe.

“I am thorough with my deals. I need to keep my promise.”

“T, this- such-!”

Bobe’s hands trembled.

“One…two… Five… T, ten……! Ten!”

Ten checks, each for one million gallons, were placed in Bobe’s hand.

Furthermore, the checks were issued by the Flynn Merchant Guild, the renowned and much-discussed merchant guild of the Roan Kingdom.

“This is the payment for your help.”

Cale had given him the promised 10 million gallons.

Bobe looked at merchant Bob with trembling eyes. Though night had fallen, a bright light seemed to shine behind Cale.

“I never expected you to really give this much……! That’s okay. I don’t need the money.”

“Please take it. I am rich.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m rich. I’m very wealthy.”

“…Ah.”

Bobe, seemingly regaining his composure, spoke.

“Let’s first head down the mountain as it will be harder once it gets completely dark! I will provide you tea and dinner! We can, uhh, talk more about this money over dinner!”

“No thank you. I must leave now.”

“Excuse me?”

Bobe noticed a bright light suddenly appear in the air.

It was a teleportation magic circle.

Merchant Bob and the others who had come to help Bobe were already gathered by the light. Bobe tapped his foot anxiously as Cale took the checks from Bobe’s palm, calmly stuffing them into the hunter’s shirt pocket before stepping onto the teleportation magic circle with a smile.

“Then we must be off now.”

“No, wait-!”

Paaaaat!

Bobe reached for Cale, but he had disappeared before Bobe could touch him.

He stared blankly at the sky before taking out the checks from his pocket.

“…J, jackpot.”

Cale appeared in the middle of a beautiful garden filled with autumn flowers. He sat on a bench, gazing at the ornate fountain.

– Human, the way it sparkles is so pretty!

As Raon mentioned, the sparkling magic fountain illuminated the area. It was night, but the magic lights around the garden gave it a different kind of beauty.

“Hey, I didn’t expect you to really give him all that money. Ten million gallons. Aren’t you being too generous?”

Bud, plopped down on the ground, looked up at Cale and asked.

Cale stroked On and Hong’s heads resting on his knee as he replied.

“He placed himself in danger for us, so I should give him the money I promised. Oh, also.”

“What is it?”

“Can you deploy some mercenaries around Mr. Bobe and Nake Mountain?”

“Is this a commission?”

“Yes. It is a commission. I need someone to make sure the hunter doesn’t say anything strange to others and to protect the hunter and that village in case the White Star drops by.”

“How thorough of you. I got it. I was planning on properly building a Mercenaries Guild on the Western continent as well, so I might as well bring some of them over to slowly get that rolling.”

Cale began to speak, as Bud’s response didn’t seem trustworthy.

“You better do it prop-.”

“Hey! You, you-!”

However, Cale was interrupted by another voice.

You, you-!”

The person, huffing and puffing towards the fountain, pointed a finger at Cale, touching their forehead with the other hand.

You, you-”

At that moment, a voice echoed in their mind.

– Hey crown prince! Why do you keep going, ‘you, you-!’ like that? It’s only been a few days, but nice to see you again! Do you not have any cookies today?

Alberu Crossman.

He closed his eyes after hearing the young, powerful Dragon’s voice.

This had happened while he was having a serious conversation with his close confidants moments before. Rosalyn had come looking for him, saying it was urgent.

She had said:

‘Young master Cale is here.’

‘…Excuse me?’

Alberu had subconsciously responded in a foolish manner. Rosalyn pretended not to notice and gently replied.

He’s in the garden behind the palace right now. I kept young master Cale’s visit a secret from everyone else.’

‘This is driv, no, I will head over.’

Alberu immediately canceled the meeting and headed to the garden.

“Oh, Miss Rosalyn, you managed to call his highness over so quickly.”

Cale greeted Rosalyn, who entered the garden behind Alberu. Alberu frowned, listening intently.

The gentle and handsome crown prince was nowhere to be found.

Cale made eye contact with Alberu. The crown prince saw Cale’s relaxed smile.

Cale was even waving as he began to speak.

“Hyung, have you been well?”

‘Ow, my head.’

Alberu felt a headache coming on.

“…Cale Henituse.”

He briskly walked towards Cale. Alberu’s hair was messy, his clothes wrinkled, unlike his usual appearance. Cale’s relaxed smile faded as he looked at Alberu’s imposing figure and powerful stride.

‘Why is he like this?’

Alberu Crossman walked up and held a paper in front of Cale’s face, causing Cale to frown.

“Huh?”

Cale’s eyes widened at the paper’s contents.

“What is this?”

He read the first line.

“…The White Star has started a war with the Caro Kingdom. Hero Cale Henituse has saved the Caro Kingdom and disappeared into the Land of Death with the White Star. I, crown prince Valentino, am seeking help from our allied kingdoms……?”

Crown prince Valentino had urgently sent this document around. The Caro King’s seal was on the document.

At the end of the document was crown prince Valentino’s urgent and eager statement.

< I, Valentino, and the Caro Kingdom have decided to make sure we defeat the White Star after seeing Cale Henituse and other great heroes sacrificing so much in their battle. It is for the peace of the Western continent. I ask for your help. Let’s all fight together. ‘...When did crown prince Valentino send something like this?’ However, it was the contents that were complicating things in Cale's mind. ‘The Caro Kingdom's war against the White Star... Isn’t the fact that they are seeking help from the other kingdoms in the White Star mean that he's asking pretty much the entire Western continent to raise their weapons toward the White Star? Did the scale just grow significantly all of a sudden?’ Cale looked away from the document and slowly looked at Alberu. Alberu began to speak with an annoyed expression. “Where the hell is the punk who said he was going to go lightly smack the White Star from the back and why the hell is the Caro Kingdom that said they would sit back and watch declare war on the White Star? Furthermore, why is the hero who is said to have disappeared in front of my eyes? Hmm? Dongsaeng, talk to me. Hmm?” Alberu had a vicious glare. “No, why is the punk who said he was going to light a bonfire causing a fire through the entire continent? The Roan Kingdom is getting calls from all over the Western continent right now. They're asking if the person responsible for the Indomitable Alliance and the Mogoru Empire's black magic is aiming for the Caro Kingdom. They’re asking if we need to band together to rise up and fight.” Cale slowly avoided his gaze and began to speak. “Mm, why did the scale suddenly get so big?” “You're driving me nuts.”