recap
"Of course nothing of those sort. It's only with me. Because no one will know that I run this little group. If they want information, they need to cough out money. Beside having a reliable flow of information is important in any future war." as they talked about that in more details, Witira said she was going to talk to her father about it and come back tomorrow with the decision. She said that Paseton was welcome to stay for the night, if he wanted.
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The children then started playing and talking with Paseton, even Raon while he is in his human form until Amiru and Toonka arrived with the ingredients for dinner. Then Cale decided to do something he never offered before. 'I want some seafood tomato stew.'
"Hans. Get out of the kitchen." as the butler and chef was kicked out, the red head went in to prepare all the ingredients. In a couple of hours later and a giant pot later, a giant pot of seafood tomato stew was served and it was single handedly made by the trash of the Henituse territory.
"Young Master Cale. Did you really make this?" Amiru asked the latter who looks proud at the giant pot that they brought outside with Toonka and Paseton's help as it was a giant pot.
"I did openly kick Hans and the chef out didn't I?" he asked the lady who is still shocked as she pulled out a recording device to take a picture.
"Why did you make so much?" Lock's brother Maes asked the red head.
"Why not? It taste better sharing. Hillsmen go buy all the bread! This taste best with bread dipped in it!" Cale instructed and toss the wallet to the knight as a couple of them went off to buy all the bread in the village, while the remaining kept the pot hot.
When they came back, the villagers also took an interest and the food was shared with the mass, even Witira who got worried about her brother arrived and joined in the fun. When there wasn't enough food, the same trashy young master went to make more, with the chef and the butler. To end off this great night, was a melody of music that Raon, Hans and Amiru took a recording of.
The next morning, as Toonka/Bob got ready to leave on the boat prepared for him. He turned to greet his friend who was seeing him off. "Come after two month. The world will be different, my friend."
"Well, hurry back home, friend. When you are done, rip this." the red head handed a small tailsmen paper with rune writings on it. "this will tell me that you are done. Then I will come by and buy the magic tower and bring your resources. We can talk about alliance later." Cale told the brute.
"there is nothing much to talk about it. I Toonka will agree to the alliance of me and ... what will you call yourself? You aren't going to use your name, right?" he asked the red head who thought a little.
"Indeed. You are indeed smart. You will know me as the Widow and the group will be called the Web." he told brute as both smiled and shook on it. Before he left on the boat waving to everyone.
'you plan to recreate your former organization, huh? I didn't think you like that Red Widow mercenary name so much.' Abyss commented.
'It will be useful. I will make it earlier and let the circulation of information start first. And the name grew on me. I plan to use it a lot more in the future.'
As he returned to the residences, Witira was there to inform him about her father's responds. "He agreed to the alliance. It will benefit the both of us. We get rid of the Mermaids rebelling and you can protect your land."
"... that is good. I have nothing now to affirm the creation of the group. But I assure you, it will happen in due time. Take this for now." he handed a tailsmen, similar to the one he gave the brute. "it will inform me, should you need to contact me or an emergency. It's currently a prototype."
"How interesting. I didn't know runes can be used like this. And I have gotten the things you previously request." she laid the written copy of the runes documents she wanted the noble to translate and a vial of the mermaid poison. "What is young master nim going to do with the vial of poison?"
"... I'm going to make a poison more potent than this." Cale bluntly answered, which caused the others to shiver in fear. "Don't worry. I won't use it on you. Only the enemies." 'If I do that, I might make Hong eat it... but I would decide against it.' "Anyways, what kind of information did you get from the mermaids."
Paseton then explained the situation to him, the basic about mermaids and that around 6 months ago, the mermaids started acting weird. As they started provoking the whales on purpose and the reason was because they wanted to take control of the sea route that connects the Eastern and Western Continents.
Then it clicked in Cale's head. 'the Mermaids are helping those bastards and that is why they need a network of Sea route.'
"At first, we thought that the new king of the mermaids was leading the charge to create their kingdom, but the information Paseton brought back was different." Witira took over. "The Forest of Darkness has one of the ingredients which help the mermaids get stronger."
"An ingredient..."
"I heard them talking about a swamp in the Forest of Darkness. That was why I was chased by them. We need to go to the swamp and figure out what the ingredient is." Paseton declared.
"I understand. The faster we rid of this ingredient, the rebuilt village would certainly be safer. But won't it complicate things?" Cale asked, completely calm about the whole situation.
"Excuse me?" then I recalled Aster complaining about working with Whales before as they are prideful creatures who won't help them when they fought with that shit star on land. Why help them with the ocean?
"Humans cannot interfere in the events of the sea." he pointed out. But Witira immediately responded to that answer.
"We know that is is the case. However, we plan on making sure you are not at a disadvantage in any way from this. Everything will be done by us in secret. Plus, it will strengthen our alliance in the Web. Would it not?" she pointed out. "Furthermore, the mermaids broke the agreement first. They would have needed help from land in order to reach the Forest of Darkness."
"But there is still a huge chance of danger. You know that, right?"
"Yes. As for the reward, we offer a sea route. There is sea route that the mermaids have prioritized in their takeover. It is one that humans have not found yet. It's the safest sea route available."
"Ho. Where is it?"
Witira then confidently answered.
"Our ocean. The Western Continent's Northern Sea. It is our territory." Cale then understood what she was implying.
"Isn't the Whale territory the most dangerous? It is the location of the ocean's strongest lifeforms."
"But it is a safe place for you now, young master Cale. You will be given the rights to use that route." she explained.
"Interesting... but I don't really need it. I rather just mutually share it with you. But I do have a request in exchange as well..." Cale admitted as he wasn't going to conquer the oceans for any reason.
"What is it?"
"Please lend me your strength when I need it." he admitted, with the thoughts of the upcoming war in mind. "Because I will give you information of any big event in the future... War will occur and it will not only affect the land, but sea as well." he then went on to explain that the mermaids are most likely getting help from a group called Arm and they want to destroy the world and make their leader a god. The fact, made Witira frown in disbelief.
"How are you so sure?"
"because their influence are already spreading. The human contact that the mermaids have, in order to get the ingredient they need are most likely through them. And they have conquered the underworld in the Eastern Continent. They destroyed a Blue Wolf settlement and the village I was planning to rebuild. All for the purpose of gaining power. The evidence is everywhere. War is unavoidable." he explained.
"You are saying that the Wolf children under your care are - " Paseton shakily asked.
"the survivors of the settlement."
"I don't exactly fancy fighting in your war as your soldiers. None of the Whales would agree on this matter." Witira sternly told the red head.
"I know. But I said you are specifically helping me... I never said anything about being the kingdom or territory's soldiers. They have their own heroes and soldiers for that. I want you to help me, to deter this war and ruin as much as those assholes' plans. In exchange, should you need any help, I will happily run over to assist." Cale explained his real intentions. "Mainly you will be working with the future members of Web, and not the kingdom."
"... so, which prince do you support?" Paseton asked, as the young master never mention anything about the princes, even though he says that he is working to fight with the war.
"... None of them. I know that the current crown prince is the best among his siblings to be king. But I refuse to work for them. My family might side with one, but I won't side with any of them. That is what I desire."
"Normally I don't want to get involved in the land business. But if you are willing to help us with our fight with the mermaids. I might consider, but the members of your group must be as strong as you." Witira bargained.
"... Very well. I will try to not get you and your tribe involved in as much of our business as possible. I will take you with me to the Forest of Darkness and for the future members of the Web. At least the front members... Most members should be strong. I know the person I plan to drag in, is indeed strong. But I can't say it for everyone." he went on to explain that the Web is going to be purely for information circulation and gathering. But should they need manpower and materials, they are welcome to contact him.
"You really surprise me, young master Cale. I never expect a trash to plan something like this in advance." Witira bluntly said, wanting to making the red head react or rethink his proposal. But it wasn't a bad one to say, as they would get help from this trash human to deal with the ingredient the mermaid was referring to. And all they need to do is help when the human called. Plus the human was willing to help them should they need help. But that chance is very low, as they are the strongest lifeform in the ocean for a reason.
"Why, even a trash surprises people, once in a while." Cale calmly answered, not effected by her comment at all. In fact, the red head just smirked, like he knew everything.
"Then. I, Witira, as successor of the Whale Chief, accept your conditions." Witira declared, revealing her title, but it wasn't like Cale didn't guess it, in fact Cale just smiled.
"Am I supposed to speak formally to you now? Because the last time I did that, it just pissed people off." Cale just joked.
"There is no need to do that, young master Cale. I need to hide my identity." she answered with a teasing tone in her voice as well.
"Very well." Cale then shook hands with Witira, as an agreement for their alliance. Allowing the pair to leave, as he felt a weight on his lap, as Raon landed on him. "Did you have fun with the children?"
"Yup. Are you done with the big business?" Raon asked with bright blue eyes.
"Yes. There is one more meeting with Amiru's mother. Before we head back to the territory... Raon, do you want a house?"
"A house? Like this?" he referred to the residences they are staying at.
"Yup. Where we will always return to. A place where we rest, relax and be with family. You, me, On, Hong, the wolf children and anyone." he explained and the 4 year old looked at his guardian in excitement. Making the elder smile and pat his head.
"I want. But you feel like home the best." Raon declared and climbed onto his human's chest. Cale spotted On and Hong outside, before gesturing them to join in, as they too jumped into their human's embrace.
'Cale. There should be another ancient power in the Forest of Darkness. You should calm it before you go to the Eastern Continent. Are you serious with the poison immunity?' Abyss asked.
'Of course. But I will do it after we established Harris Village.'
'Fighting. Crybaby.' the other ancient powers wished the vitality of heart good luck. As their current master is someone who doesn't care about their health.
After meeting up with the Viscountess of the Ubarr territory, to talk about the ideal location and how the whirlpools would be a natural defence to protect there territory. He received a message from Count Henituse that the rebuilt of the Harris village was ready. And the young wolves will be able to move in once they reached.
Once all the business was done, even the extra recording that the Ubarrs were happy to make out with. The young master went off to sit in their carriage with the kittens on their lap, an invisible dragon beside them and a pair of invisible whales opposite him. "You can take it off now."
With that all invisible trio took off their invisibility, the pair of siblings seeing Raon made Paseton flinch and Witira's pupils dilate. As Raon just lay his head on his guardian's leg and blankly looked at the whale siblings.
"What are you looking at?"
"...That magic presences back then... that was you?" Witira gasped a little. Then they started staring at each other. The two of them recognizing each other's strength. They also wanted to see how strong the other was.
At that moment.
Pat.
Cale's hand landed on Raon's head, before continuing to pat in a soothing rhythm.
"Let's go home quietly."
Cale calmly stated, and Raon quietly closed his eyes and went to sleep. As everyone in the carriage also dozed off into a light slumber.
After a few days of traveling, with Witira and Cale sparring and the knights and Hans panicking about it, while the children cheered. They soon arrived at Rain City, he left the children and the knights at the newly rebuilt village, with the Whales. Before heading to his father's office to relay the message, only to get tackled by the said man instead.
"CALE! YOU ARE ALRIGHT? I HEARD THAT YOU WERE CAUGHT IN THE EXPLOSION! IT S A GOOD THING THAT THOSE HEROES PROTECTED EVERYONE ~~" he went on for a while, as the red head rebutted everything his father said in his mind. But because of his giant memory changer, no one knows that it was him who did shit.
"Father I'm fine... I need to report to you something." Cale bluntly said, as he pushed his father off him.
"Right. We can talk in my office after dinner - "
"I still have things to do after this, therefore, I won't be available." Cale told the Count, before he got the items that he bought as presents for his siblings. Before dragging his sorry excuse of a father to his office.
"Did you know that young master Cale picked these specially for you 2?" Hans added to the siblings, as both looked very happy at the little gesture. Ignoring how their brother just dragged their father off to talk about serious shit.
Once, Cale relayed all the information he needed to his father, about the naval base which he support, the hero party who also consist of the father and son duo, the wolf children who will populate the formerly destroyed Harris Village, and how he will leave the Henituse estate.
"What? Why?"
"I will come back once in a while. But there are things to be done. You will be able to train Basen to be the next head, no problem." Cale emotionlessly told his father. "I will stay at Harris Village and take care of the children. Hans is welcome to stay by my side at your instructions, but my plans will be a bit unpredictable."
Deruth Henituse bit the inside of his cheeks, but couldn't retort his son, as he finally open his ears and heard all the false rumors that his councilmen have spread of his son and Basen finally confessed that they were threatening him not to take the heir position for himself, as he doesn't have the blood of the Henituse. And how his oldest would argue and fight back with the council members and mark them on their black list. His oldest, whose trash act is just a mask to hide their very soft heart. Now it is hardened and cold that not even Deruth's warmest intent could melt it. (this is false. As it's the prolong use of Abyss and his regressed state, made him like that)
"So, what are you plans for now?" Deruth asked, completely surrendering to what Cale was planning to do.
"Rest for a day, then prepare to go into the Forest of Darkness. Settle an alliance and ~~" Cale went on with a brief list of task, he wanted to do in a short time span, but without the acknowledgement of his father, who's jaws just dropped.
"Very well. I will fund whatever you need." with that the young red head bowed, thanking the Count and left the office.
Outside of the door, he was greeted by his siblings, looking up to him like a role model, Cale just pat their head, before he telling them that they are doing a great job. Before retreating to his room. To pack the most basic clothing he owned. "Where are we going, Cale?" Hong asked while jumping on the red-headed estate's bed.
"We are going to move to Harris Village tomorrow and stay with the wolf children. The following operations are going to be ridiculous, I cannot harm my family anymore. It is better to think that they have abandoned their eldest child."
"But I have disguise magic and you have your artifacts. Nothing can stop us." Raon declared.
"Ah. Curious rats certainly will and I don't want them to touch what I plan to do. So, we are going to get a safe and open space for all future bullshit." Cale told them, not caring that he just swore in their faces. But they just agreed and cheered. While On looked at her younger siblings in disbelief.
Not long later, Hans came running in. "Young Master Cale, so many servants have been fired for some weird reason! Even the council members are stripped of all their assets and mansions. They are now calling you a devil in disguise throwing bad names at you and young master Basen. They are currently rioting in front of the estate."
"... Oh. Those bastards dare." Cale growled, but his face looked absolutely surprised. "Punks like that should just perish. What is father doing about the situation?"
"He is sending the guards to stop them." then Cale quickly moved and grabbed a couple of forks from the drawer... not remembering why he put them there. But he brought them with him, and when he found one of the fallen council members, he was threatening Basen and Lily. Despite Lily holding a sword, she is being towered over by the fallen noble. Then the red head used the forks as projectiles and sent them sailing between them.
"Look who we have here. A rat in our house." Cale taunted as the noble looked to him with anger in their eyes.
"It's all your fault. If you kept your mouth shut, this won't have happened. You could have been Count and no one would take your position. Not this brat. Not the half-blood. You are the union of 2 nobles, you should be proud of your heritage - Argh!" the noble cried out as a fork was stabbed into his sword hand and he dropped his blade, as Cale Henituse just glared at the rotten bastard.
"Baron Liam. There is a limit to my patience. I don't care if you spread your rumors or try to make me your puppet. But should you harm my family, whether it is blood tied or not. You don't deserve to breathe the same air as them." Cale threatened as he picked up the sword and tossed it to him. Before turning to his little sister. "Lily, mind letting me borrow your new sword?"
"Here. Orbeonim." Lily immediately handed the weapon over. It was just sharpened by the weapon owner the last time they visited. Therefore it's very sharp, as Cale pointed it at the Baron.
"Don't worry. I will give you a chance to fight back. Should you be able to land a hit on me, I will let you leave with your life intact. But should you fail. I can't be so sure you will be alive." Cale continued with the shivering noble. As the other servants also arrived soon after, as they heard and felt the shivers which come from the trash's threats.
"What makes you think you can win against me? You never held a -"
Just then the doors were swung open and Paseton came running in, with a disguised and with a sword in hand. "Cale nim! Is everything alright?" there were a couple of blood splatters on him, but he didn't bother.
"Nothing much. Just teaching a dog what happens when he bites his master's hand. Right, former Baron Liam." Cale as with venom in his words.
"How dare you!?" with that the former noble swung, but his hit never made it's target as he lost his wrist in the movement, from a simple swing from the trash. He screamed and cried in pain at the realization of his missing wrist.
"Don't worry. If you know a priest or mage, they should be able to reattach your wrist." Cale said as he crouched to the same height as the crying fool, as his hand was left further away as everyone looking at the scene flinched. "I can fix it for you as well. But tell me why should I do so?"
"i-I I am a loyal servant of the territory. P-ple-please heal me." he shuttered and begged.
"But why? You were going to harm my siblings. You were going to harm your future Count and now you are begging? How ironic. What do you think, Basen, Lily? He was the one who attempted to harm you, I will listen to the future leaders of this territory." Cale stood back up and turned to his siblings who are shivering at the scene. But Basen regained his composure and gave him the command.
"Please heal him, Hyung. We will judge him properly with all the others."
"Your wish is my command." Cale acknowledged before picking up the fallen hand and dropping it beside the punk. Before he snapped his fingers as the former Baron was engulfed in a rune's power and when the light died, he had his hand back. But he was still shiver in fear.
"Guards what are you doing? Throw him in the dungeons!" with that the guards soon arrived and did as Basen instructed.
"Cale nim, you are really cool. If it were my sister, she would have lost control entirely." Paseton commented, as he walked closer to the young master, who was radiating a chilling aura.
"Where is she anyways?" Cale asked, sheathing the sword which had no evidence of a speck of blood, despite what the latter did.
"At the front gate, beating the other nobles and their guards up." Paseton then mentioned that Hillsmen told them to tour around as he was most likely only going to come by the next day.
"Hyung/Orbeonim!" the younger Henituse called their older brother who walked over calmly. Like he didn't just attempt to kill someone.
"Sorry, I got your new sword dirty, Lily."
"No worries. Orbeonim was very cool, can you teach me how to do that? The swing, the light, everything?" Lily excitedly asked as she got her sword back, as Cale just pat her head and promised to teach her some things when she is a little bigger. But now she has to build up stamina and strength to be on his level.
"Hyung. Sorry about - "
"What are you apologizing about? This isn't your fault, it's the council member's fault. You are just doing your best as a proud Henituse. I will entrust the territory to you, didn't I already say that." Basen lowered her head in submission, but Cale pushed his chin up. "Chin up. You are a Henituse. Never let those people tell you otherwise. You earn this position with your hard work and diligence. I certainly won't be able to pull off what you did. Be proud of yourself and your achievements and never back down, as we are the Golden Turtle, are we not?"
"Yes, hyung. I won't disappoint you!" Cale just smiled and ruffled the other's head.
"You never disappointed me. Now, you two go and inform father about what happen." the pair nodded and ran off, before Cale turned to the disguised Whale. "Paseton, follow me to the front gate. We will deal with the issue at the source. Hans!"
"I have your sword!" Hans came running down with the children behind him and Cale felt Raon around too. He handed his sword to his master, as the pair walked to the front gate, where most of the nobles were being suppress by the knights and Witira.
-What are you going to do, Human?-
"Make sure that they never attempt to harm anyone ever again. Who knows, I will let Basen and the Count decide." when they arrived the knights all stopped and looked at the sole red headed man behind the gates. "Look who we have here. More rats... it's honestly a pity that Ron decided to leave... but he has been too nice to the rats and gave them more food than necessary."
"How dare you?! We were only looking out for you! How can you allow a peasant like him, take the role as lord. Don't worry about it young master, Baron Liam has already infiltrated the place soon you will - "
"He is dead you know. For attempt murder of the children of the Henituse. And for drawing his blade at me.... but for now, he is awaiting his death in the dungeons." Cale answered one of the nobles.
"What?! how? He is the best swordsman among us - "
"Well, but young master Cale is certainly better than him." Paseton added.
"No one is asking you peasant - ouff." as one of them insulted the Whale Halfling, Witira was about to attack, but the latter sudden fall on the ground, like something was pushing him down. Witira looked up and saw another rune above the said noble.
"Watch what you say, men. The person you are insulting is one of my people. Should you speak badly about them, it's the same as doing the same to me. In fact, all of you should be on your knees." Cale emotionlessly told them as more runes appeared above all the nobles, pushing some onto their knees and others onto their bellies. "But what do you know, you have been doing it for so long. Do you really think I don't know what you are up to?"
This was followed by revealing all their wrong doings, which they remembered from the very beginning. As the crowd watching this grew bigger and bigger, adding to more humiliation to the corrupted council members. Until the Count and Basen ran out, as well. "What is the meaning of this, Cale?"
"... all I'm doing is reciting the sins of these people. Am I really doing anything wrong?" Cale questioned, "Besides it seems that these mutts aren't happy with your decision... well, then -" there was a crash, as one of the fallen noble's hired guards stood up, clad in a white aura.
"I will do as my job requires me to. Kill Basen Henituse." the guard yelled and rushed at the group of Nobles. Deruth immediately went to shield his second son, as Paseton stood in front. But before the guard could make it, he was faced with a red head and a sword. "Get out of my way child."
"Haha... HAHAHAHA! Is my threat not enough to deter you, very well. I shall rid of all pest. Come." at that, the guard swung his greatsword, which was parried by a mere sword. There was an intense exchange of swings, which caused a lot of force between strikes. As the bastard clad himself in an intense aura, it was immediately broken apart by the opponent.
"How? You aren't even a swordsmaster. Much less have an aura. Have you been hiding your strength the whole time? How interesting? The trash is a lot more interesting than I thought." the man laughed, as he released a wide arc swing, which was deflected by the said swordsmaster, up into the air.
"... I'm tired. If you really want to continue, I promise to chop you up, alright?" Cale gave a blank expression, as the air around them seems to drop by several degrees. But the maniac didn't stop and as Cale promised, his sword arm and opposite leg was severed from his body. As he screamed and fell to the ground, as the blood splashed everywhere and even got onto the young master. The whole entrance was shocked, as no one expected the trash to be so strong. The trash who drinks everyday, suddenly he is on par, no better than a mercenary that they hired and it seems that that isn't all.
"Cale..."
"Count Henituse. What shall we do with these rebels?" Cale asked his father formally. But the count was shocked at the sudden change of his eldest, therefore, Basen answered in his father stead.
"Knights send all of them to the dungeons! They will be judged on their crimes in the proper way!" the knights listened as the runes above the fallen nobles disappeared and they were all dragged off. "Hyung. Please restore the limbs of the mercenary. He was only here to do his job."
"If that is what you wish, future lord of the Henituse territory." Cale smiled, sheathing his sword, as the arm and leg were picked up by the whale siblings and placed with the shivering mercenary. As a rune appeared beneath the fool, before a light engulfed him and the guard miraculously regained his limbs.
But the moment that was done, the noble's eyes started losing focus, before he almost landed face first onto the ground. But was caught by the Whale siblings. "Young master Cale!"
"I feel sick... rest." Cale mumbled, as Witira offered to carry the skinny man to their quarters. Once he was there, the kittens and dragon started crying and telling their guardian not to die. But the butler only told them that he probably used too much runes and it was just a headache and a nosebleed.
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A.N. Badass Cale is mercilessly chopping people apart.
Enjoy. ;)