“That is not allowed . ”
Cale turned his head .
He could see Choi Han’s stiff expression . He looked toward Cale and started to sternly speak .
“I don’t know what thoughts you are having right now, but no matter what they are, they are not allowed . ”
“Hmm?”
“Please let me tell you a fact . ”
Clang .
Choi Han slightly pulled his sword out of the scabbard .
“You will die if you are stabbed in the heart . Blood is not allowed . ”
Choi Han’s vicious glare made Cale’s already wildly beating heart beat even faster .
Forget being his senior or whatever, that gaze was really scary no matter what .
Extremely scary .
That was why he subconsciously responded like this .
“Are you crazy? I'm someone who dreams about living a long life as a wealthy slacker!”
‘Ah . ’
He really ended up sharing his honest sentiments .
“……”
However, Choi Han just quietly observed him without saying anything .
‘…Why does it look like you are looking at me with pity?’
Cale looked away as he could not meet Choi Han’s gaze any longer . Pendrick started to speak at that moment .
“Anyway, I delivered the World Tree-nim's message . ”
Cale looked at Pendrick and thought about the World Tree .
‘Does she know about the Vitality of the Heart that I have?’
He felt iffy after thinking that the World Tree might know about all of his ancient powers .
‘…I thought she said my future was not visible . ’
Did she lie when she said that it was difficult to see the futures of people with ancient powers?
‘I don't think that it is that . ’
Cale had a lot to think about .
The problem was that this was not the time to thoroughly think things through .
“Groooooooo”
There was a shaman on the ground twitching and groaning in pain .
Baaaaaang!
Boom .
Boobooboooooooooom-!
He also heard things breaking in all directions .
‘Aren't they all just destroying things without thinking about what to do after that?’
Everybody seemed to be using all their powers as if there was no tomorrow . He needed to stop that .
They needed to conserve some strength to escape from the palace and reunite with Bud’s side . …Excuse me .
The fake World Tree cautiously started to speak at that moment . They could chat because there were branches still holding Cale up .
Cale looked toward the World Tree .
“Cale-nim . ”
However, Choi Han called out to him, making him motion for Choi Han to hold on for a moment . However, he turned toward Choi Han after hearing what he said next .
“This fake tree is being controlled by Elisneh . It is resisting it right now, but it can only maintain that for about 20 more minutes . ”
“…20 minutes?”
“Yes . That is why we planned to destroy the maze during that time, injure the enemies as much as possible, and leave with you, Cale-nim . ”
Cale started to frown .
It was only 30 minutes if he added the time he had been unconscious . It was a short amount of time .
“Were you all attacking at full strength because you didn't have much time?”
“That is correct . I thought that escaping was the most important thing right now . I also thought that it would be difficult for Elisneh to cast an illusion properly if we were running wild like this . ”
Choi Han was correct .
‘That is true, but…’
“Choi Han . You can’t use all of your strength without saving any for when an urgent situation might pop up later . Make sure nobody goes overboard . ”
“…I understand . ”
Choi Han was silent for a few seconds before responding .
However, Cale turned his gaze after feeling an odd sensation only to find Pendrick looking at him with an odd expression .
“What is it? Do you have something to say?”
“N, no . ”
Pendrick was shaking his head but still looking at Cale with disbelief .
He could clearly see that Cale was pale and had dry blood on his lips from using his ancient powers . That was why he couldn't believe what Cale was saying .
‘…He truly cares more about his friends than his own body . No wonder he was able to overcome the illusion . ’
Pendrick understood what Choi Han, who was standing there with a stiff expression, must be feeling . Anybody serving such a liege would feel frustrated but also respect that person .
Cale opened his mouth to speak .
“First, let the others know that I woke up-”
-H, h, humaaaaaaaaaaan-!
‘…Ha . Something always pops up when I try to do something . ’
Cale started to frown as he thought about the invisible Dragon that was probably charging toward him right now .
Boom!
He then flinched .
Something had slammed into the tree .
He was certain it was Raon .
“…Raon . Are you okay?” Human! You woke up?
However, Raon didn't seem to hear Cale’s question . I'm relieved! Human, I'm destroying the maze right now! I'll turn the maze walls into sand!
…The six-years-old Dragon's vocabulary was increasing, but it seemed to be moving in a dangerous direction . Weak human, you sit still . We will take care of everything! Hey black tree, don't let him out! The human will faint if you let him out!
Squeeze .
The black tree enveloped Cale a little tighter .
Cale could not help but sigh .
“Haaaaa . ” Ah right! We got a call from the crown prince!
“…What?”
A video communication device suddenly appeared in the air and headed for Choi Han’s hand .
The red video communication device was immediately connected . Why did you take so long to answ-! …Dongsaeng . Are you captured somewhere?
Alberu who had answered the call with a look of urgency looked confused .
“It’s nothing much, sir . What is going on?” Tsk .
Alberu lightly clicked his tongue .
Cale’s appearance was terrible for it to be nothing much . It even made him debate if he needed to find some good medicine for Cale .
However, Alberu did not have time to think about such things right now . We got information that some suspicious individuals have entered the northwest region .
Cale’s gaze instantly changed . His body automatically leaned closer to the video communication device .
The White Star needed to go to the Roan Kingdom's northwest region, the third potential spot for the earth attribute ancient power .
The White Star could openly invade the Roan Kingdom, but Cale had thought it was more likely for him to stealthily have his subordinates infiltrate the Roan Kingdom's northwest region .
That was why Alberu had sent people throughout the Roan Kingdom’s northwest region to look for suspicious people . They seems to be the White Star’s subordinates as we expected .
“I see . In that case-” That is why I am busy . I will send the important info via messages .
“Excuse me?” I'm busy . Until later then . Take care of your body .
Click .
The call ended .
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Cale was silent for a moment .
Ooooooooong-
He heard the video communication device go off again . It happened as Cale was about to turn back toward the video communication device expecting it to be Alberu's message .
“…How-! How did you already!”
He could hear Elisneh’s piercing scream .
Elisneh who was shocked after seeing that Cale was awake was heading toward him with the shamans . Cale's gaze headed toward them .
“The young master-nim is awake! Block them!”
“The Commander-nim is awake! Increase the speed even more and focus on getting out of here!”
Tasha and Jeet thought about Cale’s condition and gave orders to their respective subordinates .
Elisneh was still looking at Cale with a shocked expression . She seemed even more shocked than when Choi Han had come out of her illusion .
“T, t, that sir said that it was an illusion that would make a person face their greatest fear-!”
‘It wasn’t much of a fear . ’
Cale snorted . He did not see Choi Han’s vicious gaze or invisible Raon's sparkling eyes because he was looking at Elisneh .
“Ugh!”
He suddenly heard a suppressed groan .
Cale looked toward the direction of the groan in shock . He saw someone flying away at a distance .
Boom!
The shaman with glasses fell to the ground and rolled . He looked limp as if he had fainted, and the person who had kicked him pulled out his sword .
“Three left . ”
Choi Han said that as he headed toward Elisneh and the shamans . He said one more thing as he moved .
“Please get some rest . ”
Of course, he had thrown the video communication device to Cale .
Shhhh .
The black tree’s branches made a gap to catch the video communication device and handed it to Cale .
“Ho . ”
Cale gasped while looking at what happened . He then had an odd expression on his face .
‘…It looks like they’ll be able to take care of most bastards on their own even without me . ’
He thought that things might get a little easier for him as he looked down at the video communication device . He needed to check the crown prince’s message .
He then became anxious .
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep-
The sharp noise of an alarm echoed in his ear and made Cale's face freeze .
“…As I expected . ”
He bit down on his lips for a moment after seeing who was calling .
He had expected it . That was why he connected the call immediately .
He had an ominous feeling about this red light that was even brighter than the one from Alberu earlier . Human, I'm connecting it right away!
Cale nodded his head and looked toward the screen with concern .
It must be an emergency if this person was calling . Cale-nim .
Clopeh Sekka's cold and stiff face appeared on the screen . We found Lion King Dorph in the forest near the Lake of Despair .
Cale’s eyes started to sink after hearing that what he expected but didn't want to happen was happening .
“Cale-nim, we found Lion King Dorph in the forest near the Lake of Despair . ”
Clopeh Sekka sent that message as he looked down .
“Captain-nim . ”
“Quiet . ”
He quieted his subordinate . His cold gaze was looking at a spot on the ground .
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‘It is as Cale-nim expected . ’
Cale and crown prince Alberu had contacted Clopeh a few days ago to talk about an urgent need to cooperate .
It was not for the Paerun Kingdom but just for Clopeh .
< We believe it is highly likely that the White Star's subordinates will infiltrate the Lake of Despair, one of the Five Forbidden Regions . We are requesting your cooperation during that situation . >
Clopeh recalled the contents of that contract . It is as I expected .
Cale’s voice sounded cold and low .
Cale had been worried about something while planning the trip to the fake World Tree .
‘The Elves already tried and failed once . ’
The reason for it was the dead mana liquid .
Cale had thought about this attempt through the White Star's perspective instead of the Elves .
He would think that the Elves would attempt to come to destroy the fake World Tree again .
‘He probably expected for me to be involved as well . ’
Cale had a connection with the Elves after saving the Ten Finger Mountains’ Elf Village in the past .
The White Star's side would have expected the Elves to ask for Cale’s help and that they would come in large numbers .
That was why once they thought about Cale and the Elves coming to the Eastern continent…
‘They would have expected the Western continent to be empty as well . ’
If Cale was the White Star, he would try to protect the fake World Tree while attempting to destroy the real World Tree at the same time .
That suspicion was correct . You remember our plan?
Clopeh gave a short, ‘yes, Cale-nim,’ in response .
He had naturally agreed to take part .
It helped that the contract had discussed the benefits for Clopeh, but…
‘…Most importantly, it is getting involved in the path of a legend . ’
“Keke . ”
The corners of Clopeh’s mouth slowly started to go up .
An unbearable level of passion-filled him up .
Cale had sent him a separate message along with the contract .
< I told a few wyverns to follow you for a set amount of time . >
Of course, Choi Han was actually the one to order the wyverns .
< The wyverns will follow your orders . You may use the wyverns as you please in addition to our request during that time . >
Clopeh licked his lips with his tongue .
‘I should be able to organize the north a bit after taking care of this situation . ’
His eyes sparkled .
Someone else was the hero and the legend, but shouldn't he at least be the ruler of the north?
He opened his mouth to speak .
“We are going down . ”
There were tens of wyverns . The knights on top of those wyverns started to quickly descend to the spot Clopeh pointed out .
Clopeh also headed down to the forest .
He heard Cale’s voice at that moment . Win . If you can't win, persist . Persisting for as long as possible is the most important part .
“Yes, Cale-nim . ”
‘I need to help out in writing a page in your legend . ’
Clopeh turned toward a direction .
He saw Lion King Dorph who looked just as Cale described, quickly moving toward the Lake of Despair with the Lion tribe .
“Mm!”
He could see Dorph being shocked to see the descending Clopeh .
He had a twisted smile on his face .
“Ugh! Looks like you found us . ”
Clopeh immediately gave an order to the knights .
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"Get ready!”
The knights tightened their grips . Their arms and shoulders swung back with long steel spears in their hands .
“Throw!”
The long spears flew toward the forest once Clopeh gave the order .
“You bastards!”
Dorph had recognized Clopeh right away . A dark barrier was created by his hands .
The rest of the Lions took out shields or hid behind trees to dodge the spears .
Baaaaaang!
Boom- boom! Bang! Baaaaang!
Dorph’s’ black barrier and the knights’ long spears crashed and caused quite some loud noises .
“Ugh!”
Dorph frowned after blocking the long spears and then glared at the person coming down toward the forest .
“…Clopeh Sekka . ”
“Oh . You know who I am?”
Clopeh put on his holy-looking knight’s smile .
Dorph looked relaxed again as he snorted toward Clopeh .
“Ha! Clopeh Sekka! Do you even know what is here? You bastard . -”
‘That’s none of my business . ”
“…What?”
Clopeh didn’t’ know what was in the Lake of Despair .
However…
“I'm just helping out in the path of a legend . I don’t care about anything else . ”
“…What kind of, this crazy bastard-”
Dorph shouted with a shocked expression .
“You're supposed to be the Guardian Knight of the North but you just do whatever Cale Henituse orders you to do?”
The smile disappeared from Clopeh's face at that moment .
Clopeh started to speak with a stoic expression as a calm but firm voice flowed out .
“You're so stupid . ”
“…What?”
“What reason do you need to help out in the process of a legend and a hero being created?”
The corners of Clopeh's lips rose again and his eyes started to sparkle .
Before Dorph could think that he had the gaze of a lunatic…
Rustle . Rustle .
As he heard the sound of leaves…
Baaaaaang!
Some trees were split in half as a whip burst out between them .
Flick-
The whip instantly grabbed one of the Lions who were hiding behind a tree to avoid the long spears .
Baaaaang!
“Ugh!”
The Lion groaned after they heard the noise .
The Lake of Despair and the World Tree .
Clopeh Sekka was Cale’s first safety net to protect this place .
The second safety net had now appeared as well .
Dorph started to speak .
“…The Whale has come out of the water . ”
The Ruler of the Ocean, Witira had appeared through one of the split trees .