Three days had passed since Cale's revelation about the black dragon and the impending mana explosion. As the carriage continued its journey, Athanasia found herself leaning her head on Cale's shoulder, seeking comfort and solace in his presence. Cale couldn't help but think that she must be tired from all the recent events.
Cale's mind drifted to the source of their troubles - the black dragon hidden in the mountain behind a villa owned by the viscount neighboring the Henituse territory. The dragon's misery was largely due to the marquis's second son, Venion, an unhinged and sadistic individual who had harmed even his own older brother to secure his position as heir. Venion took pleasure in torturing the black dragon whenever he visited the villa, and this ultimately led to the destruction caused by the dragon. Cale couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh, imagining the suffering that the poor creature had endured.
Athanasia's mind, too, was filled with anger towards Venion. She knew all too well the extent of his cruelty, having read the novel that foretold these events. Just thinking about how Raon, the black dragon, had suffered for four long years under Venion's torture made her blood boil, and she longed to punch that despicable man.
As the atmosphere in the carriage grew tense, the loyal servant Hans sensed their discomfort. He suggested finding an inn for the night to allow them some rest. Cale agreed with a nonchalant response, while Athanasia simply nodded.
Hans and Choi Han left the carriage to search for an inn, leaving Cale and Athanasia alone together. Athanasia couldn't help but notice Choi Han's smile as he left,
which struck her as somewhat peculiar. She couldn't decide if it made him look like a cheerful puppy or if she was merely imagining things.
Suddenly, Cale spoke up, calling Choi Han back for a moment. Athanasia raised an eyebrow at this unexpected request. But before she could ponder further, an elderly man crossed their path, unaware of an approaching carriage. Just as the situation seemed dire, Choi Han sprang into action, using his momentum to save the old man from harm.
The clichéd heroics left both Cale and Athanasia slightly amused, and they exchanged knowing glances.
Athanasia, being familiar with the novel's tropes, had seen this coming, yet she couldn't help but appreciate the timely intervention. Her mind briefly wandered back to Vinion's carriage, adorned with the noble flag, and she seethed with anger at the man's apparent lack of concern for the lives of common people. Athanasia couldn't help but wish ill upon him.
With a determined look, Cale stood up, preparing to leave the carriage. Athanasia noticed his intentions and asked if she should accompany him, concealing her real feelings behind a fake smile. Cale caught on to her act but nodded, appreciating the gesture.
He offered his hand to help Athanasia descend from the carriage, and she gratefully accepted it. The vice-captain raised a question, inquiring if they were heading over to confront Vinion. Athanasia nodded, and Cale replied with a sense of responsibility, "Who will go if we don't?"
Cale couldn't help but feel irritated by the encounter with Venion Stan, the typical and authoritative noble, whom he recognized as a villain in the novel "The Birth of a Hero."
The situation with Choi Han arguing with one of Venion Stan's servants had escalated, and Cale had to step in to defuse the tension.
"Tsk," Cale made a disapproving sound as he noticed Choi Han's extreme agitation. Athanasia, standing behind him, seemed unfazed and just smiled with a crescent eye, her demeanor calm and collected.
Cale briefly glanced at Athanasia, thinking, "She seems mad, but she's good at hiding it."
Approaching Choi Han with Athanasia still behind him, Cale decided to intervene. "You too, enough," he said firmly to Choi Han, attempting to calm him down.
"But!" Choi Han tried to argue but was interrupted by Cale.
"Calm down," Cale repeated, trying to be the voice of reason in the situation.
As the tension eased, Venion stepped forward to face Cale. Cale noticed a blood stain on Venion's sleeve, which immediately caught Athanasia's attention too. She recognized the blood as Raon's, the baby dragon that Venion had tortured, making her blood boil with anger.
"Lady Athanasia?" Hans asked, concerned about her reaction.
"It's nothing," Athanasia replied, hiding her anger with a fake smile as she continued to glare at Venion.
Venion, unaware of Athanasia's feelings, greeted them politely. "Nice to meet you. Are you someone from Count Henituse's household?"
"I knew it," Cale thought sarcastically while verbally replying, "Yes, nice to meet you, young master Venion Stan," adding silently, "the crazy psycho."
Venion continued with a sly tone, "An unexpected obstacle made me waste time, but I guess it was a pretty good thing since I got to make your acquaintance, young master Cale."
As Venion brought up Choi Han's subordinates and criticized them for not recognizing nobles, the old man responsible for the incident apologized, bowing down.
Cale, being familiar with Venion's personality from the novel, wasn't impressed. Just then, Athanasia decided to step forward, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "Good afternoon, young master Venion," she greeted him.
Walking closer to stand beside Cale, Athanasia continued, "Can I know your name, Miss?" Venion asked, finally acknowledging her presence.
"My name is Athanasia Levine. I am Cale's fiancée," she replied with a fake smile, inwardly cursing Venion for not noticing her until now.
Venion's eyes lingered on Athanasia, which made her uncomfortable. "I didn't know that Cale was engaged to someone beautiful," he remarked with a hint of lust in his eyes.
Athanasia couldn't hide her revulsion, thinking, "You bastard, don't call me beautiful. Your voice makes me want to vomit, and stop with those creepy eyes of yours."
Seeing Venion's inappropriate behavior, Cale's frown deepened, and he spoke up, "Young master Venion, are you done talking now?"
Venion glanced at Athanasia and replied, "Yes."
Athanasia started to help the old man and asked, "Are you okay?" She spoke with a sincere voice and a kind smile.
Cale, joining in, went down and said, "Hey, old man."
The old man replied with a hesitant voice, "Y-yes?"
Cale asked, "Where's the bar?"
The old man seemed confused and asked, "Excuse me?"
Cale replied, "Where can I get some delicious alcohol? As you heard, I am a trah. I need a drink to make sure tomorrow is another great day, so... lead the way."
Cale turned away and approached Venion. He spoke politely, "It was nice meeting you today, young master Venion."
Venion stared at Cale's hand for a moment before shaking it. He said, "I will just be on my way then. I am very busy."
Cale thought it was a very short handshake and said, "If we happen to meet in the capital, let's have a drink together. You're the coolest person I've known."
Venion replied, "Young master Cale is also a very interesting and free-spirited person. Let us meet again in the future."
Cale and Athanasia watched the carriage leave. Athanasia sighed, "I hope I never meet you again."
Cale thought to himself, "No, I have no desire to see you again, forever. Even if I do, it will be from far, far away."
Cale then touched Choi Han's shoulder and said, "Half of the nobles are like that." He cast his gaze towards Athanasia, who was still not in the mood because of Venion's earlier behavior.
He noticed how Venion had gazed at Athanasia earlier and frowned.
He spoke to Choi Han, "Since you saved him, might as well do it all the way and take him safely back home."
The old man spoke up, "N-no, it's okay. That bar you were talking about..."
Cale interrupted, "No need. I'm not in the mood to drink. Take this old man home."
The old man hesitated before saying, "My place sells alcohol."
Cale was surprised and asked, "Hm? Old man, your place is a bar?"
The old man replied, "Yes, sir. It is this village's only inn, and it has a bar and restaurant as well."
After Cale instructed Choi Han to listen to the explanation and guide, Choi Han asked, "Cale-nim, Athanasia-nim..."
Cale interrupted, "What?"
Choi Han asked, "Are you not angry?"
Athanasia forced a smile and said, "I'm mad, but I need to control my anger." She sighed and continued, "Cale, about what happened..."
Cale asked, "The fact that he looked down on me? Or how he made such unbelievable statements to you? How he almost killed that old man and instead of apologizing, said that he was an obstacle?" Cale's thoughts turned to how Venion had gazed at Athanasia earlier.
"I am not someone who can speak like that, nor do I want to. I'm also not that angry," Cale said with a smile. He then added, "That bastard will probably soon be kicked out of his house," smiling as he said that.
Choi Han looked confused and asked, "Huh?"
Athanasia smiled, hearing what Cale said earlier, because she knew what Cale was going to do..