Cale noticed Athanasia's smile and couldn't help but smile himself
"I plan on snatching that bastard dragon," Cale said
Afterward, they found themselves in the only room available in their current lodging. The old man who owned the place spoke up nervously, "Young master, miss, this is the best and only room that we have."
Athanasia couldn't hide her surprise and thought to herself, "Only one room? Am I sleeping with Cale again? Well, we're engaged already, and it's not the first time I've slept with him, so it's okay."
Cale glanced at her and then turned to the old man, saying, "Well, it seems acceptable."
The old man explained that it was the first time they had a noble staying with them and expressed his anxiety about the room not being up to their standards.
Athanasia, ever kind-hearted, approached the old man and reassured him with a smile, "Sir, please relax."
Cale, not one to tolerate self-deprecation, added, "I don't like people who put themselves down like that. This place is where people who come and go from our territory stay to rest. There is no way such a place will be lacking."
Athanasia nodded in agreement with Cale's words, appreciating his support.
Then, the old man stares at both of them
and asked a question, "Young master and miss, are there a lot of good people like you in the Henituse territory?"
Cale responded in a self-deprecating manner, dismissing any praise, "What the hell are you talking about? I'm the biggest trash in our territory,
except my fiance, who is nice and caring. Have you heard the rumors about my fiance being a saint? They said almost anybody you find will have a better personality than me, other than my fiance."
Athanasia and On ,Hong, who were present, shook their heads in disagreement with Cale's self-riticism.
Cale then suggested that the old man go and attend to his duties, which he did, leaving the room.
After the old man left the room, Athanasia and Cale sat on the bed, enjoying each other's presence. Athanasia began reading a book while Cale leaned his head on her shoulder, and their hands interwove, creating a sense of intimacy between them.
Athanasia didn't mind Cale being a bit clingy
As Cale breathed in Athanasia's lavender scent, he felt a deep sense of calm and contentment. The atmosphere in the room seemed to envelop them, shutting out the outside world and leaving them in their peaceful bubble.
But suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Cale made a tsk sound and got up, saying, "Come in."
Hans entered the room, carrying a box. He spoke, "Young master, you asked only for this box, right?"
Cale replied, "Yes, hand it over."
As Hans handed the box to Cale, Athanasia noticed Hans's curious expression as he looked at the box.
She thought to herself, "Hans is like a kid who is curious about the item in the box." Amused by the thought, Athanasia couldn't help but giggle.
"Funny man," she thought, but before she could say anything, Cale spoke, "Isn't a butler not supposed to show their emotions on their face, especially curiosity?"
Hans replied, "One of the proper etiquettes of a butler is to show all of their emotions to their master."
Amused by the banter between the two, Athanasia continued to observe silently. "Funny man," Cale said to Hans.
Hans replied, "I guess I am a bit funny."
"Get out," Cale said.
Hans nodded cheerfully and said, "Yes!"
After Hans left the room, Cale sat back beside Athanasia on the bed, placing the box on the mattress. Athanasia's silver kitten, On, couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, "I'm really curious about what's in this box."
The red kitten, Hong, chimed in, "Really curious."
Cale proceeded to open the box, and Athanasia thoughts, "I really want to see Venion's face when the dragon escapes. Just thinking about it satisfies me." She smiled, relishing the idea of Venion's shock and frustration.
Cale picked up a black ball from the box, and On curiously reached out to touch it. Cale explained, "This is a mana disturbance tool
worth almost a billion gallon. It costs 20 million gallon just to rent it. It causes a disturbance in the flow of mana within a certain range, rendering all magic tools useless. However, you need to install this 27 hours in advance, and it will last for 40 minutes."
Hong and On were amazed by the value of the item, and both kittens exclaimed, "Nya!"
Cale continued, "It's quite expensive for a single item, but I like the fact that it's durable and doesn't break easily." He tossed the black ball onto the bed, and the curious kittens, Hong and On, started playing with it.
Athanasia couldn't help but marvel at the wealth of the Henituse family, thinking, "Billion has a lot of money. Henituse family is really rich. Just thinking about renting it for 20 million..." She sighed,
Cale added, "You two know how to read a map, right?"
On, the silver kitten, replied confidently, "Of course I can. We were potential successors to the Fog Cat Tribe at one point."
Hong, the red kitten, nodded in agreement, saying, "Right, my sister is right."
Cale pointed to the map and explained their mission, "We are in this village right now. You see this mountain? If you go east of the village, you'll find a villa. Don't go near it because you can't get caught. There's a cave behind the villa where something is being tortured. We're going to rescue him, so you have to be careful."
Hong asked with curiosity, "Hm?"
Cale confirmed, "Yes, it's even younger than you, Hong."
Hong was surprised, "Even younger than me?"
Cale nodded, "Yes, four years old."
On spoke up, "We're going to save him?"
Cale clarified, "Save? Sure, I'll just help get him out."
Cale handed the black ball to On and instructed, "Just stay in your cat form and go bury this orb in the mountain without getting caught."
On asked, "Where should we bury it?"
Cale replied, "Anywhere on the mountain."
On was a bit taken aback, "Really, anywhere?"
Cale assured him, "Yes, anywhere."
Hong found it easy, saying, "Easy."
On continued, "We even managed to get past our cat tribe's elder to escape."
Athanasia couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, remembering the challenges Hong and On faced to leave their tribe.
Cale encouraged them, "It should be easy for the two of you. I wouldn't ask someone useless to do something like this in the first place." He then promised them a reward, "I will give you as much beef as you want once you successfully return."
Both On and Hong smiled at the tempting offer.
After the kittens left through the window, Cale smiled, but Athanasia had something on her mind. She called out to him, "Cale—"
Cale turned his gaze to Athanasia, who was still sitting on the bed.
Athanasia said with determination, "I want to help."
Cale, with a stoic face, replied flatly, "No, it's dangerous."
But Athanasia persisted, "But I want to help the baby dragon, and I want to get revenge for what Venion did to the old man."
Cale remained firm, "Still, no."
Athanasia, however, didn't back down. She knew her capabilities, and she was determined to prove herself. "I can defend myself, Cale. You don't have to worry about me. I can use a little magic, and you know I have ancient power."
"magic?" Cale asked, his curiosity piqued.
Athanasia nodded her head confidently, "Yes, I've been practicing my magic, and I've learned a few useful spells. I can take care of myself."
Cale pondered for a moment, considering the situation. Finally, he relented, "Okay, but you need to stay by my side at all times and promise not to do anything dangerous."
A bright smile spread across Athanasia's face, relieved that Cale was allowing her to help. "Okay," she said, nodding eagerly. "I promise I'll stay close to you and won't do anything reckless."
Cale couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and affection for her. He gently placed a hand on her cheek and said softly, "Just be safe, okay?