Chapter 47: Somehow (5)

Prince Alberu could see that Cale Henituse suddenly had an expression of disbelief as Cale answered back. “...I am human?” It was an expression that seemed to be asking why the prince was asking such a stupid question. Alberu subconsciously let out a sigh. “Sigh. Right, of course you are human.” Cale could see Alberu point at both of them before continuing to speak. “You and I are both human.” The Black Dragon spoke into Cale’s mind at that moment. - That is a lie. He is not completely human. ‘Little Dragon, can you please stop?’ Cale was having a difficult time maintaining his composure. However, a critical weakness existed between Cale and the Black Dragon. The Black Dragon could talk to Cale whenever he wanted to do so, but Cale was unable to talk back to the dragon. It was a one-way communication. It was his fault for lacking any magic skills. - This is my first time seeing a race with such an atmosphere around them in this great Dragon’s four years of life. The dragon’s four years of life. The Black Dragon had only seen himself, humans, and the Cat Tribe and Wolf Tribe members he recently met. The crown prince was not any of those species. Cale started to speak toward the crown prince who was looking at him. “Of course. Is there much to being human? We’re all human if we live amongst each other.” Cale made up his mind to forget about what the Black Dragon had said. Prince Alberu quietly looked toward Cale before starting to speak. “You are right. There really isn’t much to being human. However.” However. But. Cale was wondering if he could stop hearing these words. Prince Alberu started to speak to Cale as he was contemplating. “I thought I was mistaken at the banquet hall, but there are some weird smells around you.” “...Smell?” Cale responded with shock. “I just showered.” The crown prince opened and closed his mouth a couple times without saying anything after hearing Cale’s retort. Cale could see the wrinkles on Alberu’s forehead from frowning. He looked like he was contemplating something. However, he erased any traces of it from his face and got to the point of the matter. “I don’t think there’s a need for two people who are similar like us to try to sugar coat things. So, what do you want as your reward?” Alberu crossed his arms as he asked Cale. The reason Alberu had come here so late had to do with dealing with the aftermath of the incident, but it was also because he had to look at the files regarding Cale Henituse. However, there was nothing on Cale. Well, there was something, but it was useless. It just said Cale Henituse was trash who liked to fool around and drink. That was worse than having no information. The Cale in front of Alberu was not trash. For example, take the way he responded to the prince’s question. “Your highness, can you please explain what I will need to do for you first?” There was no way a trash would ask something like this. Alberu answered honestly. “I want you to not say anything to the nobles.” That was the hardest thing. That was why this was the crown’s request to Cale and why they were willing to wager Cale’s reward with it. Today’s events were embarrassing for the crown and they could not let this affect their position of power. That was why he was asking Cale for this, and he was able to ask Cale this because Cale was part of the Henituse family that was not part of any faction. “I also want you to praise the crown every so often if you are asked.” “Including speaking about your very understanding nature, your highness?” “Of course.” One corner of both Alberu and Cale’s lips started to go up as they started to smile. Their smiles were pretty similar. “Since it is an ancient power, isn’t what you revealed today the extent of your power?” “Of course. It is useless for anything else.” Cale shrugged his shoulders at Alberu’s inspecting gaze even though he was the one to answer. Based on what Cale read in the novel, Crown prince Alberu knew more about ancient powers than most people. ‘Now that I think about it, the Healing Star was given to him by his mother.’ Cale recalled this memory that suddenly popped into his mind. The crown prince had asked what he wanted as a reward. The tone of Alberu’s voice made it sound like he would probably agree to anything, yet Alberu seemed comfortable. “What is it that you want? Something for your family? My agreement to invest in the Northeastern Shoreline? Or settling the battle for power in the Northeast?” That was why Cale responded back comfortably as well. “None of those belong to me, your highness.” “...It doesn’t belong to you?” Cale pointed to himself as Alberu stared at him. “Please give it to me.” What Cale wanted was something he needed for himself. Alberu, who was silent for a moment, let out a snort. He had figured out what this trash wanted from him. Although Cale had lived as trash, humans, no, all living existences, wished to aim for greater heights and take control of everything. In the end, Cale was the most important to himself, more than his family or the people around him. “Then what is it you want? A higher title? A medal? Do you want to have your own faction in the capital?” Alberu’s expression turned odd as he asked. Contrary to Alberu’s expectations, Cale shook his head no at Alberu’s suggestions. It meant that none of them were correct. He then said a single word. “Money.” “...What?” Cale accurately laid it out for Alberu. For someone like Cale whose greatest desire was to live a peaceful life, this was what mattered most to him. “Please give me money. I don’t want a medal or a higher title.” Cold hard cash was always the best. What would a title or medal do for him when a war was about to break out? It was much smarter to take cash and use it to buy food, land, or other material things. The final ancient power Cale was aiming to get after the ‘Sound of the Wind’ was one that became stronger the more money he used. Cale could see Alberu put his hand to his forehead. He then lowered his hand as he asked Cale a question. “To buy alcohol?” Cale responded right back. “How did you know?” Alberu smiled and accepted Cale’s request. He then got up and informed Cale about the details. “Once you receive the report tomorrow, take a look and then let me know how much you want.” “Will you come visit me again?” “Why? You don’t like it?” Cale responded with an extremely fake expression on his face. “It would be the highest honor to see you again, your highness.” Alberu felt chills on the back of his neck from Cale’s response and told Cale to rest before immediately heading out of the room and disappearing. Cale just quietly observed the door the crown prince closed behind him. - But what kind of power allows him to dye his hair other than mana? Human, answer me. I am curious. Cale ignored the Black Dragon’s question and immediately went to bed. He was a patient from this moment on. However, he was not a patient who could rest peacefully. Hans handed Cale a letter from Ron first thing in the morning. “Mr. Ron has left as scheduled.” Cale nodded his head and opened the letter. Sounded like Redika would die if Ron saw him as well. That was what Cale was thinking as he looked toward the people who came to visit him after Hans. “...I heard you were seriously injured.” Eric Wheelsman. Cale had never seen Eric looking so worried. However, Cale did not say he was okay. He needed to be loyal and play his part. “I have no strength in my body.” “...Cale.” But Cale had no strength in his body because he had slept all day. “My stomach feels weird as well.” This was because Cale just laid around eating when he wasn’t sleeping. He was so full that there was no room for anything else. Eric looked concerned, Gilbert had a stiff expression on his face, and Amiru looked like she had made up her mind about something. The kittens who had been looking back and forth at the three visitors and Cale started to shake their heads.