"Normal Speech"

'Thought'

"Past Speech"

Past narration

**********************************

Cale had only waited for a few moments before he heard knocking.

Choi Han has arrived. Hans had opened the door for him. Cale waved to send Hans away, which left Choi Han alone with him.

"Come sit down. Don't just stand there." Cale let Choi Han looked around the study all he wanted while he was sipping his tea, waiting.

Choi Han that he knew from the novel was a typical pure and smart Hero who loved books. That was the reason he learnt how to read from the Harris Village Chief right after he came out of the Forest of Darkness.

After a while, Choi Han's gaze turned to Cale. "What do I need to do to repay you back?"

"No hurry. Have some tea first. I need to make sure that you could do it first, before I would tell you what you need to do. Hmm, think of it as a job interview." Cale smiled amiably.

Choi Han grew curious of this 'job interview'. The redhead in front of him was completely different from the rumors he heard these past two days.

"Please go ahead and ask."

"Do you know how to protect people?"

"... What do you mean?" Choi Han flinched at the question.

"Exactly that. Are you capable to protect instead of killing?" Cale asked straightforward while observed the swordsman in front of him. "The job I need you to do is to protect two people. So can you or can you not protect?"

"I-I am not sure." Choi Han was sitting with his head down, thinking hard about the question.

Cale carefully asked again. "You could kill someone, right?"

Choi Han replied easily this time. "Absolutely"

Cale smiled and announced firmly. "Then it means you are able to protect people, too. Don't you think so?"

Choi Han's eyes shook at Cale's resolute tone. "That is difficult."

"Difficult doesn't mean it is impossible." Cale offered.

"I guess you're right..." Choi Han said bitterly.

"Of course I'm right. Just believe in yourself. Or believe in me. When I said it's true, then it's true." Cale cleared his throat and try to be serious again. "Can I ask the last question?"

Choi Han's bitter smile faded a little when Cale said to believe in his (Cale's) words, if he couldn't believe in himself (Choi Han). "Please ask away."

"What's your name?"

"You don't know my name?"

"I might have known it from other people, but I want to hear it directly from you."

"Choi Han. My name is Choi Han." Choi Han reached out his hand.

"I'm Cale Henituse. A pleasure to be your acquaintance." Cale shook his hand firmly. "Now that the introduction is done, let's talk about what you need to do for me."

Choi Han nodded at that.

"I need you to protect two people and bring them to the capital." Cale handed Choi Han two pieces of paper.

Each one had information about the name, the appearance as well as where to find the two people.

The two people were Rosalyn and Lock, Choi Han's teammates after he recruited Ron and Beacrox.

The two was known as the Arch Mage and the Wolf King by everyone in Roan kingdom after the Terror Plaza incident in the past life.

Rosalyn was the princess from the neighboring kingdom. She was a powerful mage whose goal was to be the magic tower master.

Lock was a beast person. He was of Blue Wolf tribe. He's the only survivor of his tribe from what the novel described. Because he has the purest blood of Wolf, he would become the Wolf king in the future.

"Rosalyn. Lock." Choi Han read the two names from the paper.

"I'm glad you could read. If not, I was going to ask Ron to help you." Cale couldn't help but tease. "I've heard that you're close these days."

Choi Han's face turned black. "We are not close at all."

'I will never try to tease you again.' Cale coughed when he saw the blacken face. He quickly spread the map on the table. "Umm, let's see. You will start the journey with me and separate at this point. Then you could just follow what I wrote on the paper."

Cale point at the separation point, but he didn't hear Choi Han said anything. So he chose to continue. "Come to the capital with the owner of those two names. I need their help on something."

"...Okay. I just need to protect these two people till the capital?" Choi Han asked to confirm.

"Yes, please. It's better if you don't get hurt in the process. You need to take care of yourself to protect others." Cale raised his head from the map when he felt the look Choi Han gave him. "Why are you staring at me like that? Did I say anything wrong? Do you disagree?"

Choi Han's eyes get a bit clearer, the darkness in his eyes fade a little more. "It is not wrong. I will make sure I will not get hurt."

Choi Han spoke a bit more respectful. It made Cale surprised at the sudden change.

'As long as he comfortable with it.' Cale decided to let it be. "You know that this matter is the secret between us, right?"

"Yes, of course."

"Great. You can go back to rest now. I also need to go back before Ron comes to drag me back to my bed. Good night."

"Good night." Choi Han responded back.

**********************************

Cale woke up to a cup of slightly bitter honey lemon tea, again. The reason? Because he chose to talk with Choi Han instead of resting properly.

Cale was happy that he could eat breakfast that Beacrox made, so he didn't have anything to complain. However, he couldn't help recalled what happened this morning as he was getting ready.

"Young master. I heard about everything from deputy butler Hans. This Ron will do whatever I can to make sure you shine brightly at the capital."

"Sure. Whatever made you happy. Well, let's take Beacrox with us too." Cale acted as soon as he thought about it. "Hans, I want to take Beacrox as my personal chef for the trip"

"Ah? But he is extremely busy running Kitchen #2." Hans tried to at least reason with Cale.

"I don't care. I will take him. You figure out everything else."

Hans became anxious and determined. "I'll inform the Count about it and make sure Beacrox could go then."

"Young master, my son will be happy to hear your words. We had a need to go to the capital anyway. I will deliver your exact words to him." Ron seemed very happy.

Cale's attention was on the word that Ron had said 'a need to go to the capital'. 'Did he find clues that lead to the capital because of the terror incident that was going to happen?'

Cale didn't say anything and just walked to the dining room with Hans and Ron following behind him.

Cale finished his breakfast and headed to his father's office.

"Father."

"Yes, Cale."

"I need more money."

"Okay. I will tell Hans to give you some."

"Thank you."

"Anything for you, son."

"Um... I would like Choi Han to be one of my guards on the journey. He will only stay for the beginning part of the journey though."

Deruth stared at Cale. He wanted to agree right away, but Cale's safety was the most important matter for him. "I will have to test his skill first before I could allow that. Is that okay with you?"

Cale smiled, he was very confident about Choi Han's strength. "Yes. Thank you very much, father. I'll be going now."

**********************************

Cale waited until Hans delivered another 10 millions gallons. He asked Hans casually. "Hans, don't deputy butler learn basic martial arts?"

"Yes, young master, we do"

"And you're the greatest butler candidate?"

Hans said very proudly. "Yes sir. I know the basics of three different styles: Martial Arts, Dagger Arts and Spear Arts."

"You're amazing. Oh, tell Ron to take Choi Han to buy some clothes and other necessary items for travel after Choi Han completed the test Father arranges. And then go to meet me at the [Fragrance of Tea with Poem]."

"Ah? Choi Han-nim will go to the capital as well? You are so sure that he could pass?" Hans couldn't help but asked.

"You'll know when you see him fight. Remember to tell them about it. I'll smack you when I return if I don't see them." Cale got on the carriage and head to his destination without listening to Hans's reply.

**********************************

Tsuki: Enjoy!