"Normal speech"

'Thought'

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It was quite a late afternoon when the Young master of the Count Henituse decided to go around buying every bread remaining on shelves of several bakeries.

The bakers were looking at him strangely, wondering what was wrong with this young master who famous for his bad reputation all over the territory.

Not that they complained about it, the young master was very generous with his purchase. One gold coin for a few days worth of breads, the bakers had made a huge profit.

Cale as the target of the strange gazes, learnt to ignore it expertly. He made sure all the breads were inside the spatial bag before heading toward the slum.

'I need another spatial bag. I really don't want to mistakenly drop my box to feed the tree.' Cale gave himself a thought until a foul stench filled his nose, causing him to frown. He had entered the slum area.

No matter how wealthy their territory overall, there were always poor, starving people existed.

Cale's attire and hair color had made him the center of attention again. Not to mention, the smell of delicious bread that lingered on him after the several bakeries he visited.

"Tsk." Cale hated being at the center of attention. He swiped his glare around before heading uphill toward the rumored Man-eating tree.

Cale felt a lot better once he got to the top of the hill, free from the stench and all the stares.

The tree was fenced in all directions but the entrance door seemed to rot to the point that it broke down just from a touch from Cale.

"D-Don't go in there. Y-You will be eaten."

"I-It's a Man-eating tree. You will die."

Cale knew that these two children had been following him since he stepped into the slum.

Cale turned to look at them and couldn't help but frowned. 'No, Cale. You couldn't help everyone. I can't took in every kid in the slum just because they look pitiful.'

Cale sighed and took out two pieces of bread anyway. He gave it to the little girl who seemed to be the elder sister.

"I won't die that easily. I still have a lot of promises to fulfill. Don't worry. Wait here and see for yourself that I'll be back." Cale grinned. "Thanks for worrying about a stranger like me, you're so kind."

The little girl still looked worriedly at this nice, but weird stranger. However, she nodded her head when she saw the firm gaze of the stranger.

She took the bread and led her brother to a space a little bit away from the fence.

The little girl couldn't help but tell the stranger again. "You can't die"

Cale nodded and turned to enter the fence toward the black tree. He took a deep breath. "Let's get started."

Cale started to take the bread out, making sure that the Enchanted box was still secure in the spatial bag before he began to put the bread inside the hole near the root of the tree.

The novel mentioned that the darkness in the hole will be lighten up when the shield was ready. But even after Cale finished feeding all the breads he bought today, he didn't see the darkness lighten in the slightest.

Cale sighed. "I expect as much. You were called a Glutton for a reason. I'll come back again tomorrow. I'll help you solve your dying grudge."

Rumble....

"Hmm? Did you just...?" Cale stared at the tree with curiosity. "See you tomorrow, you gluttonous priestess."

Rumble... The sound was heard again by Cale, but this time, he felt that it was saying goodbye.

Cale saw the siblings as soon as he walked out.

Cale approached them and crouched down to be on eye level with the kids. "I'll bring some breads for you guys again tomorrow. But in exchange, you need to keep a secret about me coming here and what I do here. Deal?"

The little girl was a bit hesitant at first, but one look at her brother, her eyes turned determined. She quickly covered her brother's mouth and acted like she didn't see this strange redhead.

Cale got up and praised the girl in his mind. 'So smart. Let's get them some sweets as rewards.'

Cale looked at the sky and hastily left the slum with another destination in mind.

[The Fragrance of Tea with Poetry]

Cale was standing in front of a three-story tea shop with the expensive-looking exterior.

Billos Flynn, the owner of this place was one of the people Cale needed for his plan.

'Hmm, to get him on my side. He is a merchant who is richer than me right now. Even as an illegitimate son of the Flynn Merchant Guild, he is very resourceful to become the Guild Leader later.' Cale pushed the door open.

Not many people are inside as it was around dinner time already, but the customers inside were all shocked to see Cale.

They were wondering why this trashy young master who looked like a mess visit a tea shop instead of the bar he frequently visited. They didn't dare look at Cale more than a few glances, Cale's reputation played a major part in this.

"Welcome, Young master." The piggybank looking man, the owner of the tea shop, welcome Cale with a warm smile.

"I am planning to stay on the third floor for a while." Cale said as he flicked a gold coin towards Billos. "Bring me a cup of tea and some refreshments, too. Anything will do as long as it's not bitter."

'Let's talk about buying the spatial bag when he delivered the tea.' Cale walked toward the stair.

"Ah" Billos's mind came back to reality. "This is too much, Young master."

"Consider it a tips, or just treat everyone here to a cup of tea. Bring my order upstairs when it's done."

Cale ignored the whispers about him and continued his way up. He saw a perfect spot near the window. "Directly face the city gate. Perfect."

'Choi Han will be here tomorrow morning. Though he'll get chased away because he doesn't have any identification.

Haa~ He's such a passionate person, to run here in a day when it usually takes a week riding carriage.

After knowing that Harris Village's massacre somewhat connected to me, really make me regret those words I said to Choi Han in my past life. I guess I deserved that beating.'

Cale shivered at the thought though. 'Still he was so vicious. It left a scar even after using High grade potion'

Cale was lost in thought when Billos came to deliver his orders. "Young master, your tea and refreshments is here. I got you some sandwiches, since it seems like you haven't have your dinner yet."

"Thanks. What a good merchant you are. Right, I want to buy a spatial bag from you. And reserved his floor for me tomorrow, I planned to stay here all day tomorrow." Cale picked up the sandwich to eat, not paying any mind to Billos observing eyes.

"I understand, young master. I'll have the bag ready for you tomorrow. Please excuse me for now." Billos left Cale to enjoy his meal.

Cale ate his fills and drank the sweet tea Billos brought. "Sweet tea is the best. After all, sweets are luxury items in apocalyptic world. Luckily I'm the son of the richest Count. Being rich is the best."

Cale finished everything and got up from his seat when he saw the sky turned dark. He looks at Billos who was at the counter once he got down.

"Do you have novels here as well? Or is it just poem? If you have interesting novel, recommend it to me tomorrow." Cale said before turning to leave without waiting for reply.

Billos frowned a bit before his face turned back to normal. "Yes. I understand. Please visit anytime. I will be waiting for you."

Cale hummed softly to himself on his way home. 'What sweets should I get for the kids? Should I let Beacrox made some? He and Ron may ask questions. Let's leave it to fate.'

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Tsuki: Cale in this story, has started one day earlier than Cale in the original novel.

And On and Hong have made their appearances. Do you like their interaction with Cale? Tell me how you feel.

If you haven't noticed, Cale could open up toward a stranger better than those he care about. But he is learning to do the same with his loved ones.

Enjoy!