“What the fuck did this damn crown prince manage to do in a day?”
It was when Cale shouted in anger.
Beeeeeep- Beeeeeeep-
There were constant emergency calls inside the tent.
“Human! We have another call!”
Raon started to read the messages left on the video communication device.
“Cale! It’s Toonka! Are you really dead? No, right? Pick up the call!”
The black Dragon read the messages without stopping.
“Young master-nim, it’s Billos. I heard this weird rumor... You're alive right? I’m worried because I can’t reach you.”
The Whipper Kingdom's Commander Toonka and then the Flynn Merchant Guild’s Billos, who should be in the Empire.
“Young master-nim! My goodness! I threatened the God of Death and said nothing better have happened to you! You're okay, right, young master Cale? Please give me a call if you are fine. It must be a lie that you are dead!”
And even the crazy priestess Cage.
He received a few more calls after that as well. The one that Cale couldn't believe the most was the message from his father, Count Deruth Henituse.
“Pretending to be dead, huh. I will cheer you on. I will also help you.”
Cale brushed his face with both hands.
‘Why am I dead?!’
“Human! We keep getting calls!”
‘Driving me nuts.’
Cale could see Raon tilting his head in confusion.
“Our human is still alive! Why are people saying all these weird things?!”
Raon then chuckled as if it was funny. The ancient Dragon was chuckling next to him as well.
The frowning Cale finally managed to get something out.
“...The crown prince.”
‘What the fuck did he do in one day?’
Chapter 317 - Alberu spread certain news that Cale thinks was very exaggerated, and now everyone thinks he is dead lmao
Mary felt her veins that were feeling as if they would burst from the dead mana flowing through.
Her entire body was shaking violently.
Mary could hear a voice once she closed her mind.
‘Mary, keep running! Keep running without looking back!’
It was her mother’s voice.
Her mother had told her to run as she was dying from being poisoned by dead mana.
Mary did not remember anything before she was ten years old.
The only memory she had was of her mother’s voice telling her to run and the soft sand being pushed by her feet.
She finally felt like she could understand the reason for that.
It was because it was in the darkness.
They were in the desert at night when the sand had turned black. She had also seen the black dead mana smoke.
Everything had been black.
That was why she could only remember her mother’s voice and the feeling of the sand even when she tried her best to remember her past. That was all there was to remember about that day.
-(Chapter 317) It's not because she lost her memory, the truth is that she had nothing left to remember other than the darkness.
Cale could hear it as the golems got closer. It sounded like the cries of a large number of people. They were stuck inside the large golems’ bodies and unable to leave.
There were the cries of Sir Rex’s siblings, the children from the slums, and even the Roan Kingdom's citizens who were sold as slaves. They were all here.
The Fire of Destruction continued on.
- I had to hear my parents’ cry like this in the past. My parents were captured inside the golems as well.
My parents had given their everything for me.
The Fire of Destruction had received so many things from his parents. He had to pay back as much as he had received.
That was the reason he had gone crazy, as well as the reason he needed to save the Western continent. He needed to become someone his parents could be proud of.
- I am someone who needs to burn up and disappear.
The fire continued to speak.
- But I will not burn alone.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Cale slowly felt his heart beating faster as he closed his eyes.
The last thing he saw were the concerned expressions on the faces of his friends before his eyes fully closed.
He could only see darkness.
-(chapter 301) Cale has made a decision, no matter how weak his body may be afterwards, he is not going to let this thing exist anymore.
Pain. Anger. Despair.
Of those who were deprived of their lives.
No. Cale will definitely destroy this thing along with the motherfuckers who made it.
- Human! What is it again? Choi Han and I found these terribly sad things!
Raon’s urgent voice was heard in his mind.
- Human, you have to hurry. This is a big problem! I, I think it’ll be hard for even me to handle! Do you think gramps can do it?
“Young master-nim, is your heart hurting?”
However, Cale couldn’t properly hear them.
There was a lot going on in his mind.
Kiiii- Kiii-
A terrible cry and black smoke.
It was the moment he could only see and hear those things coming from the stopped golem.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
His heart began to beat madly.
The inside of his body rocked violently.
‘What’s going on?’
It was then that the always quiet voice rang in his mind.
It was the Vitality of the Heart.
- It’s the same as that time.
‘That time?’
Cale breathed in deeply at the beating of his heart and questioned what was going on.
This time the Indestructible Shield, the gluttonous priestess’s voice was heard.
- We had to fight thousands of golems back then. Golems are existences made of dead mana and suffering souls. The core’s liquid is a terrible and horrible thing.
Next the Sound of the Wind, the thief, chimed in.
- Golems. If you want to run away together from that then use my power. If you want to protect your people and your home, then use the power of the earth.
Use the wind to run away together or use the earth to protect everyone.
- And lastly.
Another voice stepped in at that moment.
It was the Sky Eating Water.
- And if you want to destroy them?
- Our names aren’t just for show.
Cale thought over her words.
If he wanted to, ‘destroy,’ then...
The Sky Eating Water whispered while he was thinking.
- What would we need to eliminate both the ‘golem’ and the ‘black despair’ within the dead mana?
There was only one answer.
Cale said the answer out loud.
“...Fire.”
The Fire of ‘Destruction’.
The Super Rock’s voice could be heard.
- Do you know why that cheapskate ended up setting fire to the northern area of the Western continent? Of course, it started for a different reason as well as to help the Sky Eating Water, and um, there was also the fact that this nutjob went crazy, but...
The time when the northern area of Western continent was set on fire.
It wasn’t an easy ordeal no matter how crazy you were.
However, the Fire of Destruction was only able to save it by going mad.
He was able to save the Western continent.
- This cheapskate was the one who eliminated the greatest amount of black despair and golems in the Western continent. That was why he was a hero at least to all of us.
Fire and light. The one who surrounded himself with the fiery thunderbolt and used fire and light to fight against despair.
- The true power of the complete fire is to destroy or purify everything.
Destruction or purification.
Nature’s element of ‘fire’ was somewhere that contradictory existences coexisted.
Cale heard the voice of the fiery thunderbolt that had been quiet until now.
Its voice was serious for the first time.
- Golems and black despair are existences containing the despair of those who have been deprived of their lives. Their deaths weren’t natural but the result of black magic.
‘...Black magic? Not alchemy?’
The voice that lost its lightness was infinitely low.
The Fire of Destruction spoke its will and beliefs for the first time.
- We need to get rid of that damn thing. No one’s lives should be taken away like that. People need to protect their lives.
Cale could feel the five ancient powers roaring together for the first time.
They all shouted at the same time.
- Get rid of that!
-(chapter 299) Raon tells Cale that something is wrong with this "dead mana", but he is too busy getting revelations about ancient times and that one of the reasons the dark times ended in disaster was because of this thing. Black magic. An existence that never should have existed
- ...Choi Han? Are you hurt? Why are your hands shaking? Your body seems tense!
Choi Han’s fingertips were trembling as Raon pointed out. He put strength into his trembling hands.
‘Strange.’
Badump badump.
Choi Han’s heart was beating wildly.
Why was his heart acting odd like this? He felt the aura in his body start to fluctuate at the same time.
Then he headed towards one direction.
Choi Han’s eyes looked to one place.
The lower central area on the back of golem No. 1’s neck.
The place Raon said that the orb containing the source of the golem’s power was located.
That was where Choi Han’s undivided attention and senses were focused.
Thud. Thud.
His heart beat harder.
Choi Han drew his sword.
His sword and his hand desired the source of the golem’s power.
He realized it instinctively.
‘I can get stronger.’
‘The thing inside contains the last piece that I need to make my perfect darkness.
I don’t have to stand up against despair if I absorb this.’
[ . . . ]
A chilling sound filled the battlefield.
Then everyone saw it.
The saw the black smoke that was rising from the back of the golem’s neck.
Kiiii-
Kiiiii- Kiii-
A terrible cry rose together with the smoke.
Choi Han couldn’t move as if he was frozen. Black energy flowed through his sword using his imperfect darkness as a medium.
Pain.
Anger.
Despair.
The despair of those who have been deprived of their lives.
- Choi Han!
Choi Han could feel the despair of others.
No, he was bombarded by the despair of hundreds of people.
- Choi Han!
His eyes stopped at where his sword was embedded.
Something began to flow up through the sword.
Driiip. Drip.
A liquid spilled out from the orb within golem No. 1 which had stopped moving.
Black liquid.
It was dead mana.
However, it was different from the dead mana that he had encountered so far.
He could feel despair within it.
Darkness, extremely deep darkness, flowed out.
It was a mass of despair.
- Choi Han!
Driiip. Drip.
The liquid that flowed out a drop or two at a time dyed Choi Han’s ordinary iron sword black.
‘That thing is similar to dead mana. I should avoid it but...’
Choi Han was aware that he had to move but couldn’t move at all. His body wouldn’t move as if it was frozen.
He realized it instinctively.
How to obtain perfect darkness.
‘An easy way out when I don’t want to personally suffer despair.’
It was to become a monster that fed on the despair of others.
Choi Han’s heart and the aura within his body kept urging him to become a monster.
‘...No. This... this-’
It was as Choi Han’s face turned white.
- Choi Han!
“You stupid bastard!”
Gasp!
Choi Han gasped as he felt an invisible round body pushing him away from the sword.
He also felt someone’s hand grab him by his collar.
“...Raon.”
It was Raon who pushed him away from his sword.
“...Clopeh.”
Clopeh was the one who grabbed him by the collar.
Choi Han was separated from his sword and flew up with Clopeh holding his collar.
He felt the cool yet oddly warm and soft touch of reptilian skin on his cheek. It was Raon’s front paw.
“...I, I must have gone crazy for a second-”
I think I went crazy for a second.
[. . .]
Choi Han started to speak.
“W, we have to get rid of that liquid.”
They had to get rid of that black liquid that was more terrible than dead mana.
That thing should not exist in the world.
“Raon, we have to inform Cale-nim.”
They had to let him know that there was something more terrible than the golems.
He needed to know that the Empire and Arm were truly crazy.
And that hell will really begin when that thing comes out into the world.
-(chapter 299) The war is here, ancient weapons have been put into play, but the truth behind them is something much more terrible than you can imagine. The bastards responsible for this are cruel and now Choi Han is sure.
He could only say a single thing toward Cale who had gone up against these monsters.
“Stupid idiot.”
“What?”
Cale couldn’t help but ask.
‘What the hell?’
However, Raon chimed in at that moment as well. The invisible Dragon who had been quiet was speaking again.
- The crown prince is right!
‘What?’
“You fucking moron.”
“...Excuse me?”
It was a two-hit combo.
Cale had a baffled expression on his face but the crown prince was being serious.
What was the thing that people who wanted power valued most above all else?
It was their lives.
They wanted to live a long life in power.
The crown prince shared his honest sentiments with the pale Cale.
“You are the craziest of all.”
“Excuse me? Hyung?”
Alberu just ignored Cale and turned away.
“Choi Han.”
“Yes sir.”
“You've suffered quite a bit.”
“Thank you very much.”
Choi Han respectfully bowed his head.
‘What the hell?
What kind of conversation are they having without me?’
Cale looked toward them with a shocked expression, but Alberu jumped off the tree and patted Cale's shoulder as he continued on.
“Work hard. Otherwise, I will make you a Prime Minister or the Chairman of the Nobles Meeting.”
‘What terrible things to say!’
His life as a slacker in his thirties to fifties would turn to dust if he became the Prime Minister.
And he would have to work until he died of old age if he became the Chairman.
‘How could there be such an evil prince?!’
Cale looked toward the crown prince as if he was ready to silently shout. However, Alberu continued to speak as if he understood what Cale was thinking.
“However little bro, I promise on my name that I will let you live your life as a slacker if you successfully complete everything.”
“Hyung, you really know how to say something so strong and wise as the sun in the sky.”
-(chapter 309) Alberu is amazed at the things Cale is capable of doing, but even more outraged that this fool decides to do it all alone, even though he says he wants to live like a slacker. It is obvious that Alberu is not the only one who has the same opinion.
The water spear slowly started to disappear into the sky as well.
However, there was one existence that was not disappearing.
Their gazes all headed toward one person's back.
Commander Cale Henituse, the Roan Kingdom’s hero.
They could personally feel the miracle that the Roan Kingdom’s hero had created. They all had goosebumps on their skin.
Cale also got goosebumps.
‘...What the hell?’
The fire was completely out.
No, it had disappeared without a trace. He could clearly see Maple Castle in front of him.
‘That was a fire made by ancient Dragon. It was able to get rid of that this easily?
I didn't even use that much strength, did I?’
The Sky Eating Water took less time that the Dominating Water to eat up the Dragon's Rage.
- I can eat up anything and everything including the sky.
He could hear the clear voice of the water again.
Cale slowly lowered his head and looked at his hands. His hands were shaking. He had a question as he looked at his hands.
He was not the only one.
- ...Human, are you not coughing up blood? You're fine even after using that much power!
‘That’s exactly how I feel.’
Raon and Cale had the same question.
The Super Rock chimed in at that moment.
- Water moves stealthily and quietly before launching a single hit.
Cale flinched.
- It’ll be calm until everything rushes in at once.
Cale started to frown. His hand was slowly starting to shake faster and faster.
‘Perhaps?
Really?’
- The aftershock of the water has always been strong. Be strong.
Cale started to shout in anger.
“Son of a, cough!”
It was at that moment.
The dark red blood coming out of Cale’s mouth caught the attention of everyone as the dark blue flame and the blue water had all disappeared.
The hero who had sacrificed himself was slowly falling to the ground.
-(chapter 295) Cale used the element of water for the first time, Sky-Eating Water, and thought she would understand the desire to just pretend to use the power. And oh god, Cale was so wrong on that one.
Crown prince Alberu's bright smile was visible on the other side of the screen.
- You're screwed.
“...Haaa.”
Cale brushed his face with both of his hands after seeing Alberu smile while saying that he was screwed. Alberu seemed to be enjoying this right now.
On the other hand, Sir Rex and Billos had turned pale.
Their gaze was on the black Dragon who was patting Cale's leg.
“Human! Do you not want to see the Imperial Prince? Cheer up!”
Pat pat.
Raon's chubby front paw continued to tap on Cale’s leg. Sir Rex and Billos just turned away in shock.
“...It's a Dragon. I really did find a golden thread-”
Billos was mumbling, but nobody was paying any attention to him.
Alberu just chuckled and shook his head.
- This is bad. The Imperial Prince is asking for you. As an honorary citizen of the Empire who received a medal of honor, shouldn’t you go?
‘Damn it.’
-(chapter 291) Conflicts intensify and now the Empire asks for help from the honorary citizen, not knowing that he is the one behind all this chaos. And worst of all? Cale cannot deny the request for help.
Oh yeah, there's also the fact that the knight Rex and the merchant Billos find out about Raon, a dragon. Yes, a bloody dragon whoisunbelievablypattingcale'sleginconsolationandwhat'sgOINGON?!
Choi Han had not felt this sense of urgency ever since he came out of the Forest of Darkness as he had become too strong.
However, he now had a home and a new family; he once again had something to protect.
That was why he believed he was in this state of urgency.
‘No. I don't feel any sense of urgency at all.’
He figured out the identity of this wall.
Choi Han realized why his progress had stalled.
It was because of these voices.
- Choi Han, raise your hand if you think you are about to get hurt! I will create a shield for you!
- Choi Han, the human says don’t overdo it!
[. . .]
It was because he was the only one who was not in a state of urgency.
-(chapter 287) Ever since the conflicts started, Choi Han has been trying to achieve perfect darkness in his aura to become stronger but he found a wall he couldn't break through.
For a long time he didn't know what it was, but now in the midst of war, he does.
“Cale-nim, your thoughts and mine are a bit different.”
“What is different?”
Choi Han had followed behind Cale this whole time. That was why he could see it.
‘Something too big is happening.’
But Cale was trying to handle and take care of it all on his own.
Although Cale might think that was the right thing to do, Choi Han did not agree. He recalled the conversation he had with Ron while Cale was in pain.
Ron had quietly told Choi Han and the others that they should get stronger. He had said something else as well.
He had looked Choi Han right in the eyes as he said the following.
‘The young master-nim is still young. He may seem like an adult, but he has not lived as long as an old man like me. Follow him. Follow him no matter what. You’ll be able to see something if you do.’
Choi Han had lived longer than Ron, however, Ron had more world experiences.
That was why he had taken Ron's words to heart.
‘And if you fill your fence with that, both the young master-nim and all of us will have fewer chances of getting hurt.’
Choi Han thought about Ron's comments as he started to speak.
“I think that everyone needs to carry the weight together.”
Cale recalled his subordinates from when he was Kim Rok Soo.
Cale looked toward Choi Han, On, Hon, and the invisible Raon who were all looking at him as he responded back.
“I'll think about what you just said.”
Choi Han started to smile. It was because Cale seemed pretty serious. Cale usually meant the things he said if he said it with this nonchalant expression.
And Choi Han’s guess was correct.
-(chapter 270) Cale decided a long time ago to take responsibility for the people around him, but Choi Han thinks that he shouldn't take this responsibility alone.
