Chapter Text
It has been two years since White (Dandruff) Star and goons were eliminated. Cale and his party had an almost overall win and with a bit of a bad consequence. They have found out what he planned and tried to stop him but they were a bit late since Cale had already stabbed himself and is fighting White Star and they are busy with the enemy's leftover soldiers. They have successfully defeated them and Cale is in a coma for two months. When he woke up everybody on all sides heard about the news (Courtesy of a Cale Fanatic) who had been watching in an orb that he placed in the room without anyone noticing. No one knows who is the mysterious messenger that released it. Cale, who has a slight doubt it's Clopeh, believed it's not him since he went to call in a record time that he always does. Cale asked his comrades what happened and Choi Han and Ron reported on both sides, him palling at the word party as he realized he will have to face the thing that threatened his slacker life... The Public, seriously all he wanted is to stay away from the public but noooo... Alberu promised Cale three golden plaques to him. After the party that seemed to have ended in a week. Cale hid in his villa and went out unless needed.
Now he is staring at the sun, dead to the world. Choi Han, Rosalyn and the kids are reprimanding him about how pale and thin he is.
“Cale-Nim, I think it's better if you walk to the garden for some sun," Choi Han said.
"Young Master Cale, I agree with Choi Han, it will be healthy for you as well," Rosalyn said.
"Weak Human! You should listen to them, they're stronger than you! But don't worry I the great and mighty, Raon Miru will guard you, weak human!” Raon said excitedly as he flew around Cale. Hong chiming in with them as well. On was staying silent observing Cale. It’s usual for Cale to not speak up as he was napping or sleeping most of the time but looking at him he seems paler and paler day by day and it is not the healthy kind of pale.
She left the room as she turned back to have one last look at Cale before running to Ron and Eruhaben as something was fading away. The other four never noticed as they were busy reprimanding Cale. Choi Han heard a small buzzing sound like a heart monitor sound as clear as he could remember before it stopped. Choi Han shook Cale and he fell forward Choi Han catching him on reflex.
He sat Cale up more properly and noticed lines that were not there before. He realized what kind of lines they are and what about to tell Raon to call for Eruhaben or Ron when the two of them slammed the door open. “Okay, Cale, what does On mean by…?” he trailed off before he ran to Cale, checking for any source of life but an orb and a letter dropped instead.
He picked it up and read it.
To Whoever Is Reading This,
As you can see by this letter and the proxy, I left a while ago. Ummm… To be honest it’s kind of suffocating that you cannot leave me alone and under all of your watchful eyes… Is kind of pressuring… So I decided to prove to all of you that I can survive without problems. Consider this as a test.
A test of Endurance for me but a test of Seeking for you. If you find me in a month I will listen to you and whatever you say but if I win I will still listen to your request.
With Respect,
Cale Henituse
P.S.
No asking Cage or the God Of Death, where am I, as it will be a foul on both sides.
Everybody stared at the letter, pacing around. Eruhaben told Ron to call all Cale’s allies and quickly they answered.
“So what is the meaning of this?” Alberu asked first. “What happen to my friend?” Toonka asked frighteningly calm. “What happened to Cale this time?” Bud asked as this is new, Cale fainting and bleeding has been normalized now. Ron explained what is happening and everybody is silent. “So Dongsaeng is gone and none of you realized it until today?” Alberu said calmly, inside he is having a headache coming towards him. “Yes, Your Highness…” Ron said. “And he said not to ask Cage or God of Death, is that right?” Taylor asked as he was confused, why would Cage be in this. “How about this… We will look in our respective area and ask the others that are not here” Alberu said trying to calm his nerves down from the headache. “I agree… We will scout for him in the jungle” Litana said, she patted Ten’s head as he knows what Cale’s scent and it helps when Ten liked Cale too.
“Then we will search in the Mogoru Kingdom and the Twins will search the capital and the church?...” Sir Rex said unsure. “Why the church?” Bud seemingly asks as he did not know what Cale do before they met. “Oh, he disguises as a priest once am I right?” Alberu said as he remembered Cale’s disguised by the word church itself. “Yes, he did that once… Wait a minute… That means he can be anyone we met today and nobody notices it was him if it’s a disguise and since no one knows when he disappeared and Raon should know but since he didn’t know also he could be anywhere and we don’t know where to start, he could be in the Eastern Continent or the Roan’s palace now planning to kill Alberu for the slacker life that he promises and didn’t give!” Glenn said and Alberu once feared his life when he played at the knock on the door. “Uncle Cookie, are you alright?” On asked the paling Alberu. “I’m fine but not anymore since the thought of Cale coming after me is scary and I know all of you will agree to hide the evidence, with that being said, raise your hand if you would help Cale get away with murder,” Alberu said and raise his hand and simultaneously everybody raises their hand as well. Bud just gave up on reality and raised his hand as well.
“Ho~ Your Majesty, you will let Cale get away with your murder” Ron’s eyes glinted at the word. “Probably,” Alberu said as he heard the knock once again, “Let me take this real quick,” He said and got everyone's approval but they listened in, they don’t mind that everyone is practically a family at this point and only needs a father and mother pair. “ Come in,” Alberu said and the door swung open to reveal a redhead, “I’m sorry for disturbing you, Your Majesty but the former King and the former queen of Roan wants to have an audience with you,” the maid said as she bowed respectively. “I see, it looks like we have everything planned. I will look here in the kingdom, Bud will look at the eastern continent, Queen Litana will look at the Jungle and Sir Rex and the twins will look at the Mogoru Kingdom and the church while the rest will spread out and find him in places that he visited.” Everyone agreed to that plan and said their farewells.
Alberu stood up and walked towards the maid who was waiting patiently. “Lead the way please, Miss Kim” Miss Kim bowed but led the way. It was silent with a few maids looking love-struck at the Emperor while glaring that the maid who is leading him, Alberu had to smile at them to calm them down so they can not hurt the maid in front of him, the maid in question couldn’t care less about the glare and the interaction but continued to guide him. Midway, Alberu made a conversation, since he felt like the maid in front of him is the type of person who will talk unless asked.
“What did they want to talk about if you might know?” Alberu asked as he tried to lighten up the mood, the maid looked back at him, his breath hitched at the sight of the amethyst eyes looking at him, they seemed to be glowing. They were still walking to the room, she turned and looked straight ahead. “Which one? The former queen’s side of the former king’s side?'' She said they did not stop. ‘ Ah… She’s a blunt one’ Alberu thought before answering. “The former king’s side please.” He said straight to the point. The maid answered dutifully “Former King Zed Crossman wanted to ask you if you would like to marry someone as you are of the age of someone who is carrying an heir to the throne, it is the only free choice that he can have you after all these years is what I heard. Is that answer satisfying to you, Your Majesty?” Miss Kim answered. Alberu is surprised but nods, here comes the dreaded part. “ What about the former queen’s side?” Alberu asked if preparing for the worst might be helpful. “The former queen wants to use the excuse of the queen candidate to put someone at your side that she can control. Since it cannot be her child on the throne she uses that excuse to control you” Miss Kim said truthfully, ‘Ah… She is blunt, could have sugar-coated a bit’ Alberu thought of a plan but he might need to reconsider the possibilities.
“Is that all you heard?” Alberu asked once more. “The Former Queen asked the third and second prince for a potion that can manipulate a person’s mind and a wizard to do that, after that she went to the king for the marriage options” she answered. Alberu is silent, it is clear on who they will use it on. He can probably save himself but he will release the illusion as if he will need the majority of it to stop the potion from spreading. He heard no more footsteps and raised his head to see Miss Kim staring at him. He was about to ask when Miss Kim spoke, “Will you trust this one, Your Majesty?” She said with a sincere tone. Alberu can’t help but trust her. “Alright” Alberu prepared really for the worst. She gave him a pouch so he could hide it in his pocket. “I’m a beginner in alchemy and magic potions but this is a seed that my family produce when they were still alive, I’m only continuing this now since I went to the capital for work and all the ingredients are here, I use this every day to protect myself in poison and potion. It might help you stop the potion from spreading but I don’t know only my family use this so I never knew if other people are fine with it” She said Alberu looked at her astonished.
“How does it work and why are you giving it to me?” Alberu asked. “Well… Miss Tasha… Well… She gave me the chance to live here, she was the one who introduced me to a friend of hers that lives in the capital and she gave me a job. After that here I am” Miss Kim answered happily. “I see… How does it work?” Alberu felt like blushing but kept calm. “Oh! You must take one before eating or drinking. Once you take the tampered food, it will melt and go along with the other food. Once it melted you will feel a cooling but burning sensation. The only problem is that the pain will be as strong as the effect of the tampered food. If nothing has tampered but you ate one you can still chew it to make sure nothing has tampered. You better take one now your majesty, if you don’t want to fall into their trap” she said as she changed back to her indifferent state… Like a certain someone…
Miss Kim continued to walk to the requested room along with Alberu behind. She looked at the knight who was guarding the door. “Please open the door,” She said the knight nodded and she announced Alberu’s arrival “His Majesty’s Emperor Alberu has been brought, your highnesses” she bowed then walked back to the door. “I shall excuse myself now,” she said as the door closed leaving Alberu in his own devices, he prays that he can get out of there unscathed.
Miss Kim went to the kitchen to tell them that her shift for the week had been done. “Oh! You’re going to pass the merchant right? Can you request the order that the palace placed and tell them that we can receive it now?” the head chef told Miss Kim and she agreed. ‘Miss Kim’ left the castle with a prayer that Alberu can survive this trap.
In the castle where Alberu is, he is calmly telling the former king he will not marry someone for now, despite the dismay of the queen. He rather marries with love or not marry at all, with the missing case, he will be busy until they find Cale. He excused himself and bid farewell to the former and left. He quickly walks back to his office, the dark elf Tasha notices her nephew’s uneasiness, and is about to help him when Alberu faints. She called Eruhaben and Rosalyn through Raon. The only thing in Alberu’s mind is ‘Tch! They used a strong one!’ before he fainted.