"Normal speech"

'Thought'

• Ancient Power

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Late at night, Count Henituse's office

Deputy butler Hans could be seen standing in front of the Count's desk, reporting to the Count.

"The young master is currently sleeping in his room. This morning, the driver has reported that he went to Flynn Merchant Guild's illegitimate son's tea shop.

Apparently, he had visited there yesterday as well. There's also some talks about how young master bought a lot of bread before heading toward the slums.

And tonight, he had brought a young man whose identity we could not identify yet as a guest. Young master had also requested that you would granted an audience with the young man."

Hans looked toward Deruth who seemed deep in thought. "He seems to keep a clear head despite drinking quite an amount tonight. Should we put a tail on him just in case?"

Deruth waved his hand to oppose the suggestion. "No need. Just continue what you are doing and report his activities inside the house. Since it's Cale's guest, make some adjustments to my schedule, I want to have a meeting with him. Also bring me information related to Flynn Merchant Guild."

Billos Flynn. The owner of the tea shop Cale visits.

"Yes, sir. I'll get right to it."

"Thanks for your hard work."

"Have a good night, Count-nim." Hans bow to leave the room.

Deruth thought about Cale's change starting from yesterday. He had already missed the sincere smile Cale had when he enjoyed his meal.

"How long was it since he smiles that happily?" Deruth glance at the message he got from the Royal court today. 'The atmosphere around the continent was getting dangerous. Like a volcano before eruption. I should start to reinforce the wall.'

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Cale had slept in yet again today. Maybe because he got to eat the delicious steak before bed, or maybe he was just happy he didn't get beaten by Choi Han.

"Young master, you're awake. You were sleeping so soundly that I dare not wake you up." Ron smiled as he passed a cup of lemon tea to Cale.

Cale looked at the tea before decided to take a test sip first. His face scrunched up at the slight bitterness. 'Not enough honey.'

Cale raised his head wanted to complain but frowned when he saw the bandage around Ron's neck. "What's happened to your neck? How did you get injured there?"

"Are you perhaps worrying about me?"

"I-I'm clearly just annoyed that people under my care got hurt for no reason." Cale turned his head away from Ron's teasing eyes.

Ron's smile grew a bit sincere unknowingly, seeing the slightly pink ears. "No worries, young master. It was just a little scratch from an annoying cat's claw."

'He definitely talked about Choi Han. If Choi Han is a cat, then am I a fish?' Cale sighed and got up to the bathroom. "Okay, a cat."

After helping Cale getting ready to start the day, Ron asked casually. "Are you heading out today as well, young master?"

"Yes. I still have things I need to do outside."

"Okay. I understand. Oh young master..."

Cale opened the door, but quickly closed it back right away. He patted his chest to calm his heart, he was surprised. Choi Han was still in his twisted state. His eyes remind Cale of when he got beaten up.

"Ron..." Cale groaned softly. "What if I died of heart attack?"

"I'm sorry, young master. I was about to tell you but your hand moves too fast. I've told the guest to wait in his room but he insisted that he needs to see you and wait outside."

'Damn you, Ron' Cale took a deep breath and opened the door again. Acting as if he haven't slammed the door to the other person's face.

Looking at the innocent face after washing up, fixing his hair and wearing new clothes, he give out a fresh and pure look.

"What's going on?"

"Paying you back"

"Hmm?"

"Paying you back for the meal and the bed."

"I do need your help for something but I have somewhere to go now. Let's talk later? If you need anything, ask Ron or Hans for help for now."

Choi Han shook his head. He saw how Cale told to the Deputy butler about his request to meet the Count. He didn't want to owe this person anymore when he haven't repay the favor yet.

Cale remembered a most important detail "Ron, help him get his identification. He said he lost it on the way from Harris village. I have to go now, bye."

Ron looked at the young master who ran away. He seems scared of this black hair punk, but steel himself to help this person anyway.

"Hmm... interesting." Ron touched the bandage on his neck. It's the first time in a while that he got injured, but something else more interesting kept attracting his attention. 'What made him change so suddenly? And right before meeting this punk.'

Choi Han's gaze momentarily stuck on the redhead's back. Before he spoke. "Lead the way."

"Sure."

This punk clearly gave off the violent aura from the Forest of Darkness. Even though it was gone now, he didn't like that such a dangerous punk was near his young master. But since young master even decided to lie to help this guy, he will do as he was told.

"Follow me."

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Cale somehow got more bread today despite waking up a bit late. It seemed like those bakeries decided to make extra breads since they got paid well.

Cale walked toward the slum again, what greet him was the limping girl and her brother. That's confirmed his thought again.

Cale gave them the bread. "Here you go. Did you change the medicine? Wait here, I'll help you change it if you haven't yet."

Cale walked toward the tree and started the feeding process again. 'I want to have lunch at home today.'

"Will this be enough or do I have to come again tomorrow? But a promise is a promise, I'll feed you till you're full." Cale grumbled to himself.

• Give me more, please. I promise I'll give you a gift if you feed me more.

"Oh good thing I have extras today. Have it all." Cale dumbed the two extra bags inside the hole.

• You are definitely a good person. The breads are all tasty. The soft texture of breads. I especially love the one with fruity flavor. Why did ancient time not have this delicious goodness?

Cale could feel a headache as the chattering voice suddenly sounded directly in his head. "I'm glad you like it?"

• You know, the people of the Forest of Darkness claimed to be servant of god but they only give me tasteless things. And they dare to say I'm a glutton! I'm not a glutton, so I left with my friends, to put the world back on the right track.

Cale felt a bit pity for the voice, so he endured the headache. The information about Ancient time was new and it was interesting. "So that's why you were called Glutton. Your life sure was harsh, but you got your friends with you."

• Oh, I'm feeling so touched that you understand me. Yes it's good to be with friends, that's why I was very sad when we have to part ways later on. I even end up dying because I had to eat dirt.

"Uh. I won't ask why you had to eat dirt. But if it'll help you feel better, I'll make sure to eat a lot of delicious food in your stead."

• Yes. I will protect you, so make sure you get to eat a lot of foods for me.

The voice of the Indestructible Shield is the voice of a woman with cheerful and warming tone.

The Man-eating tree which were originally black was starting to turn white. Suddenly some fog appears around the tree area, hiding Cale and the changing tree from the curious eyes.

Cale had noticed the mysterious fog, but he chose to focus on the tree first. He put one hand into the hole that is filled with light. "I feel it. It's warm. I finally had it. The power to protect."

A warm and strong power wrapped around his hand then it was absorbed into his body. All the silver light started to gather around his heart. When Cale lifted his shirt, he could see a small silver shield inscribed over the area of his heart.

Cale quickly used the method mentioned in the novel to trigger the Ancient power.

The Indestructible Shield appeared in front of him. A silver shield with two angel wings on surface of the shield.

Cale could move the shield to a certain radius away from himself as well as the size of the shield.

'I need the Vitality of Heart next to strengthen the shield. I have to get it before Taylor Stan.' Cale held his thought when he heard thunder sound.

He quickly went to look for the children. The two kids were nowhere to be found, but he did saw two kittens trying to find a place to hide from the incoming rain.

Cale picked them up, didn't mind that his clothes got dirty. "Is the fog just now your ability? You can stop it now. You're still young, don't hurt yourself from overuse your power."

Cale patted them. "Thank you for hiding me. Though do you want to come with me now? I'll feed you meat and give you cakes."

The silver kitten was in conflicted. She thought she couldn't trust any adults as the adults she knew apart from their parents are all bad.

But she was just a 10-year-old kid. She had mentally exhausted trying her best to protect her precious younger brother. She wanted someone she could relied on.

She mewed softly. Snuggled into the warmth of this kind stranger, because she felt how shield her and her brother from the rain that had started to fall despite being drenched by himself.

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Tsuki: Hope that I nailed the feelings for this chapter. Enjoy!