'Why... am I here again?'
"We are currently investigating why the whirlpool may have suddenly disappeared. My father and our territory’s mages will all soon arrive as well."
Ree stood stiffly at his young master Cale's side as Cale looked out at the calm sea by the central island and played along with Amiru.
"Is that so? I’m glad. I hope we can quickly figure out what happened."
'Yeah right.'
Ree rolled his eyes internally. Cale was talking as if the whirlpool's disappearance had nothing to do with him.
Ree, who was forced to be here after a full night of not sleeping, was beyond annoyed. But, as usual, none of it was shown on his face.
There were a lot of people looking out at the ocean at this time. And it was quite chaotic. Fortunately, as he was accompanying his young master, there was no need for him to join the chaos as he can safely stay at the noble's side, overlooking everything.
"I hope all of the other whirlpools can quickly disappear as well."
Cale then added.
Ree managed to control his expression and maintain his calmness as he pretended to not know his young master's involvement.
He also kept his gaze focused at the whirlpools, pretending not to notice his young master's obvious nonchalance.
"Yes. We will definitely figure out what happened and get rid of the other whirlpools as well. With such an opportunity in front of our eyes and many people helping us, we need to grasp this opportunity completely."
Ree finally had enough of young lady Amiru's passionate self and young master Cale's pretence. He really couldn't bare to stay any longer. Not to mention...
'Just how long are you planning to stare at me like that.'
Ree, who appeared calm and composed, was actually sweating bullets for a while now. Because Toonka's fiery gaze somehow never left his figure.
"I'm getting a bit dizzy from all this sunlight, may I go rest for a bit underneath the shade?"
Hearing his young master's words, Ree finally snapped out of his reverie. He subconsciously reacted before he had the chance to stop himself.
"Would you like me to accompany you, young master?"
"No need. I will be back shortly."
Hearing this, Ree almost heaved a sigh of relief outwardly. Fortunately he managed to stop himself and maintain a polite smile.
"Then, please call if you need anything young master."
Ree could almost kneel while thanking the Gods as he felt Toonka's gaze moving away from him and toward his young master.
"Then, please rest well, since you are still in recovery. Do not overdo it."
"Thank you."
Ree watched as Cale walked farther and farther away. Suddenly, he accidentally heard a passionate voice from behind him.
"That is what makes him amazing."
Ree flinched a bit before peeking at young lady Amiru who fell at his young master's act.
He couldn't help but pity her after seeing her passion filled her calm gaze as she quickly walked over to the investigators to help.
But, as young lady Amiru walk away, Ree realized something.
"Your master is weird. He's weak but he is surrounded by a strong feeling."
Ree couldn't help but stiffened up. He forgot about Toonka for a moment.
And now that young lady Amiru is gone, there was only the two of them here now. Mini Ree anime cried inside as he call out to his young master to come back.
Outwardly, Ree simply smiled politely and didn't comment.
Seeing as the butler didn't plan to answer him, Toonka wasn't dissatisfied. Instead, it made him more curious toward the strong servant.
"How about a spar between us? You are strong, so you will accept right?"
Ree, who finally had enough, stared unblinkingly at the "idiot" character depicted in the novel. The aura surrounding him changed, it was as if he was a beast looking at it's prey.
'This guy won't stop bothering me, right? So beating him like what Choi Han did in the novel won't be too bad... right?'
Truthfully, Ree already had a severe migraine due to his lack of sleep. Not to mention the headache caused by several unwanted encounters he experienced yesterday.
It hasn't even been a month since he joined Cale's group yet he was already stressed. No scratch that, it hasn't been a month since he met them, and yet they're already giving him headaches left and right.
Because of the sequence of events that lead to where he was today, Ree was actually brimming with stress and his patience was running thin.
Unfortunately, Toonka wasn't smart enough to read the mood.
"Ohh! I like that look! Come on! Show me what you got!"
The brown haired butler's sharp eyes and predator like gaze excites Toonka and fired him up. He really, really, really wanted to fight the butler since the first time he met him.
Ree was just about to give Toonka what he wanted when he caught sight of Young lady Amiru and the knights at the corner of his eyes. He paused for a moment before taking deep breaths to calm himself.
'I almost forgot the Toonka vs Witira fight later. If I really fought him, then he'll missed meeting Witira.'
When Ree shifted his gaze back at Toonka, he was already back to his polite and calm self. He smiled politely before bowing slightly to the burly man.
"I am sorry to disappoint but I'm currently on duty."
With that, he promptly ignored the other while gazing at the whirlpools at the ocean.
Meanwhile, Toonka was stunned at the sudden shift. It was as if the man's ferocious aura retreated within him, vanishing without trace.
To be able to control his momentum and aura at will. As well as to appear ordinary despite his abilities. This was the first time Toonka encountered someone like this.
He was at a daze for some time. Blankly looking at the butler's side profile while the other was looking out at the sea. The reflection of light from the ocean and the blue sky illuminating him, making him glow as if he had a halo.
Ree, who could practically feel Toonka's eyes burning a whole on his body, sighed subtly before leisurely taking his pocket watch out to check the time.
"Hmm. It has been an honor to be in your presence sir, but I would need to leave now to look for my master. Please excuse me."
Without even waiting for Toonka to respond, Ree already walked away.
~
Ree followed the direction which his young master took. But, as there was really no clear direction written in the novel, he was unable to find him no matter how long he walked.
Truthfully, he was planning to really take an intentional detour at first. To give way to Witira vs Toonka fight.
Ree will then "accidentally" meet Young lady Amiru and the knights while looking for his young master. And he will then ask to join them as he was not familiar with the place.
The plan was perfect... except, he actually got lost for real.
He had already retraced his steps in hopes of finding his way back to the shore he came from. But, alas, luck wasn't on his side.
But instead of pointlessly roaming around, he decided to just follow the shoreline to quickly find people he could ask for direction.
Just as he thought, after just a minute of walking, he could already hear some vague voices. Mini Ree jumped in joy, as if the voices he heard were his savior.
But, before Ree could rejoice, he finally recognized the voices as he drew near. He couldn't help but froze in place.
It was unmistakably Toonka's wild and crazy voice.
'Guess I do have the typical fate magnet that every transmigrators have.'
"Stop paying attention to such a useless person. Hurry up and fight me. That's more fun!"
Ree sighed to for the nth time before composing himself, straightening his clothes, and dusting off some imaginary dust on his shoulder.
'Now then, shall I wait for Young lady Amiru or should I show myself early?'
Just as he thought of that, Ree caught a glimpse of a gorgeous woman with blue hair standing valiantly with a whip. This sight caused Ree to instantly froze on his spot.
Too stunned to even react.
Only one name appeared in his mind.
Witira. The next Whale Queen and the elder sister of Paseton from the Whale Tribe. In the novel, it was said that whales were extremely gorgeous, even more than elves.
But reading about it and seeing it in person really was heavens apart. Not only was her appearance beyond imagination, even the aura she was giving off was on a completely different level.
Mini Ree facepalmed at his outer self for freezing like this.
Boom!
The loud sound of collision snapped Ree out of his daze. He looked back at the source of the sound only to see Toonka being hit with the whip again, sending him flying toward the forest near Ree's location.
Right at that moment...
"... What is going on?"
Amiru Ubarr, the investigation squad, and the knights appeared in that direction. Just like in the novel. But...
'Everyone's reaction seemed slower by half a step than in the novel.'
Ree didn't know why, but the timing when Witira letting out a stream of water and Cale letting out his shield seemed delayed. At this point, Toonka would definitely hit the newcomers before any of the two could help.
"Everybody, open up your shields!"
Ree was a few steps behind the group, a little to their left. Making a split decision, Ree immediately jumped up a big tree, making use of his speed and agility to swiftly propel himself forward with his sheathed sword in his hand.
'Redirecting him should be enough.'
Bang!
Ree used the sheath of the sword to block Toonka's body from colliding with the group behind him while simultaneously using the impact of their collision to redirect his landing. And just as he calculated, the appearance of his young master's silver shield was right on timing.
He used that to safely land himself by using it a stepping stone while Toonka's landing was cushioned by Witira's water shield by accident. Ree sighed in relief as he ran his fingers through his slightly messy hair.
"Well, that was quite troublesome. Are you alright, young lady Amiru?"
Keeping up his usual calm and polite attitude, Ree turned toward the direction of the group he just protected.
Meanwhile, everyone was stunned in silence. Specially young lady Amiru Ubarr and the group of people with her.
They were actually preparing for the worst the moment they saw someone flying toward them. Then suddenly, a shadow went pass right above them followed by a loud sound of collision.
Before any of them could react, a calm and smiling figure was already in front of them. That smile was like a streak of sunlight after a dark, dangerous looking cloud passed.
Ba-dump.
All of them somehow felt their hearts skipped a beat.
By the time they all realized they were in daze, the butler was no longer in front of them. Rather, he was already fusing over his young master who also had a history of doing what he did.
~
"Young master Cale, I would really appreciate it if you would please stop involving yourself on situations such as this."
Ree, who still has his usual polite smile, calmly and nonchalantly handed Cale a fluffy white towel while holding another fluffy and warm bathrobe, ready to cover his young master with it.
Cale was a bit taken back after being handed the towel and being covered by the robe.
"Why are you here?"
Cale ignored Ree's nagging as he asked his own question. Hearing this, Ree simply stepped back to put some distance between them before bowing slightly.
"I am, for some reason, placed as young master's butler for today. It is only natural for me to be where my master is, to serve them. Besides, I will probably have to answer to your loyal chef if something were to ever happen to you, young master."
If Ree was being absolutely honest, the last part was actually his biggest concern right now. He really is worried about Beacrox' reaction if he found out that Cale nearly got hurt while in his care.
Just thinking about it, Mini Ree couldn't help but anime cry.
~•~•~•~•~
I accidentally left an out of the blue chapter before this one right when my demon counterpart (I call it my DemonRei for the sake of my mental health) got bored. I apologize for that.
I kinda rushed this a bit... I hope it still turned out well.