Cale, who had returned to his room after dinner with the Mercenary King, looked at the children gathered together with a smile.

"We are great and mighty!"

"We are great and mighty!"

"Great and mighty!"

Raon, On, and Hong. The children averaging nine-years-old shouted one after another. They all seemed to be very excited.

Cale started to chuckle. "Do you like it when I said that? You should go eat your dinner if you're hungry, you were not able to eat with those two around before."

"Then you will know. You will know just how great and mighty we are."

The children averaging nine-years-old really seemed to like what he had said to the Mercenary King. The three of them were playing with each other while repeating that over and over.

"...Haaa." However, something was making Cale sighed.

"Young master."

He heard a benign and gentle voice. Cale handed the item in his hand to Ron with a resigned expression on his face.

'I never thought I would personally hand this over to someone else.' Cale was looking at the item in Ron's hand with a tiresome expression on his face.

It was the item that was to be delivered to Bud Illis, the Mercenary King.

"Human!" Raon approached him and started to shout. "Don't worry! Rosalyn took a very clear recording! He'll be able to clearly tell who is who!"

This orb had part of the footages that Rosalyn and Clopeh had recorded during their battles until now. That was the identity of the item in Ron's hand.

"...That is not what I am worried- never mind." Cale just decided not to say what he was going to say.

He got up and followed behind Ron, who was heading toward the Mercenary King.

Ron looked toward Cale with a concerned expression. "Will you be coming with me, young master? You should rest if you're tired, you've just drunk a few glasses of alcohol after just waking up, after all."

Cale shook his head after hearing Ron who sounded even more concerned than usual.

"No. I'm fine. I can't sleep anymore now. I'm going somewhere else for a moment."

"Is that so?"

Cale headed out of the room with Ron. Ron headed toward the Mercenary King's room while Cale started to walk elsewhere.

– Human, I'm coming with you!

"Meeeeeow!"

"Meeow!"

The children averaging nine-years-old followed behind Cale.

Cale continued to walk as he recalled the conversation he had with Ron a moment ago.

"Where is he?"

"He should be near the back door of the kitchen."

Cale was walking toward the back door of the inn's kitchen. He could see someone washing dishes at the creek by the rear door once he got there.

Clack. Clack. Maybe Cale's footsteps were muffled out by the sound of the dishes clanging against each other.

The person washing dishes did not look up and instead continued to focus on washing the dishes as Cale approached.

Cale's expression slowly turned cold. He walked close enough before starting to speak. "It's been a while."

Clack. The person washing dishes stopped moving.

It was the Dragon half-blood. He raised his head.

Cale could see the Dragon half-blood's pale sunken face. His hair that was dyed with Eruhaben's magic was now red.

The Dragon half-blood slowly started to speak. "Long time, ugh."

A short groan suddenly came out of his mouth.

Cale could see the Dragon half-blood clenching his chest above his heart. Cale had seen it as he approached.

The Dragon half-blood's hands that were washing dishes were slightly shaking. He had sweat on his face even though he was in the shade.

The Dragon half-blood's heart was causing him significant pain every few seconds. He was slowly dying a painful death.

"Huuuuuu." The Dragon half-blood let out a deep breath before looking back up at Cale and resumed speaking. "Long time no see."

He then looked back down and went back to washing dishes.

Cale heard Raon's voice in his mind at that moment.

– Human! It's w-weird, but I feel sorry for the Dragon half-blood!

'I don't know about that.' Cale crouched down and looked at the clean dishes instead of responding to Raon.

"Enjoying yourself?" Cale's calm voice echoed by the creek.

Someone might think that Cale was trying to start a fight after hearing those words, however, Cale was too calm as he said that.

He was sincerely wondering about it. Dragon half-blood had lived a life much worse under White Star for hundreds of years, after all.

Clack, clack. The Dragon half-blood continued to look down at the plates as he responded back. "It's bearable."

Cale let out a chuckle. He had seen something else in addition to the Dragon half-blood being in pain as he approached.

He had seen how the Dragon half-blood had a tiny smile on his face as he moved a dish to the clean pile.

Cale chuckled once more before saying something else to the Dragon half-blood.

"We fought against White Star."

"...I heard."

The conversation slowly moved back and forth.

"He was very strong."

"...He is very strong."

Cale looked toward the Dragon half-blood who was created by White Star. "You remember, right?"

The Dragon half-blood turned toward Cale after hearing the question.

Cale was asking if the Dragon half-blood remembered the conversation they had in the past.

It was the beginning of this year. The Dragon half-blood recalled the conversation they shared.

Cale had asked about the location of Arm's base. He had also given an order to him as well.

"Rest a bit and we will go attack Arm when I call you again."

Attack Arm. The Dragon half-blood remembered what Cale had said after that.

"Do whatever it is you want to do. Of course, it will be under supervision. You will not have complete freedom."

"Ah, and there is no such thing as free."

"I know you are in pain, but you can still work here."

"Nothing is free."

"You're an adult as well, you need to pay for your meals."

The Dragon half-blood slowly started to speak. His lips were shaking as he was not used to the pain that was getting worse as the days went by.

However, his voice was calm as he responded back. "Yes, I remember."

He then hesitated for a moment before adding on. "...I think it is a good place to fight one last time with everything on the line."

A final battlefield with everything on the line. Cale paused for a moment before responding back.

"Are you talking about yourself?"

"Yes."

Clack, clack. The Dragon half-blood lowered his head and went back to washing dishes.

Cale did not ask anything else either. He turned around and started to head off.

– Human! Can I watch the Dragon half-blood for a bit?

"Meeeeeow."

"Meeow."

Cale slowly nodded his head. He looked toward the back door of the kitchen that connected to this rear garden area.

He could hear the children averaging nine-years-old talking to the Dragon half-blood, but he did not turn around to look.

On the other hand, there were people were only looking at one thing and could not take their eyes away.

"...This." It was Mercenary King Bud Illis.

Bud could not hide his shock while looking at the footage recorded inside the orb. He could feel chills on his back.

He watched the footage a couple of times. He watched Cale's group fighting against black magic. He also saw them fighting against White Star.

"I never expected White Star to be this strong." The mage from the Poeff household brushed his face with both hands.

The true strength of White Star that he had only speculated in the past was causing him fear. However, the people who were winning against such strong opponent were also beyond their imaginations, making the Mercenary King unable to take his eyes away from the footage.

"...Patriarch-nim." Bud Illis turned his head.

He could see Ron Molan who was sitting on a couch and looking down at him with cold eyes.

Ron started to speak. "None of the footage is fabricated."

Ron Molan. There was still information about him in the Mercenaries Guild's directory. He was a highly respected assassin.

"Think hard." Ron gave that advice as he turned away from the Mercenary King and the mage.

He heard Bud's voice as he headed for the door.

"Patriarch-nim." Bud Illis cautiously started to ask. "Are you planning on spreading your household name on the Eastern continent again?"

Bud could see Ron turning around after hearing his question. He could not help but flinch after seeing Ron's face again.

The corners of Ron's lips had curled up.

It was a cold smile that was far from his usual benign smile. "Just focus on your own life. No need to ask me about mine."

It was an answer suitable for the Molan patriarch who was described as cold in the directory.

Bud Illis recalled what Cale had said after he could no longer see Ron who walked out the door.

He couldn't tell whether that blunt yet confident tone was Cale Henituse's natural tone. However, it was the first time he had heard confidence and a sense of pride in Cale's tone.

"Then you will know. You will know just how great and mighty we are."

Mercenary King Bud Illis closed his eyes.

It was time to think about his life and the future of the Mercenaries Guild as Ron advised.

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

Raon and the siblings had returned to Cale's room after staying with Dragon half-blood for a long while.

But they were silence as if they were thinking about something very important.

Cale was instantly curious. "What's happened? It's time to sleep, why are you guys thinking so hard? Tell me, I'll help."

"Human... I was thinking..." Raon fidgeted as he thinking whether to ask Cale about it or not.

"The last time you're this nervous was when you ask me to give you a name..." Cale said without thinking much.

The children seemed to froze at the statement though.

"He knows."

"How?"

"Cale knows everything."

"You really want me to think of name? For who?"

"Dragon half-blood..."

"... Who?" Cale frowned. "Raon, he tried to kill you before.... and you want me to think of a name for him? You guys as well?"

"I don't know how to explain, Human. B-But I feel something familiar from him. A-And he was pitiful right now."

"We want what our Maknae wants."

"We don't like seeing our Maknae troubled, please Cale."

Cale's frown deepened. "Can I talk with Raon alone?"

""Okay"" The siblings agreed and left the room, looking back every three steps.

"Raon Miru... are you saying that you could forget about how he was trying to kill you when you're vulnerable before?"

"Isn't that crazy Clopeh the same? He also tried to kill you before! You also very angry when you first met him, but he was still alive and very much lively right now."

"How is that the same?"

"How is it not the same?"

The little Dragon asked back.

"One was aiming at me, one was aiming at you, How is that the same? Obviously I won't forgive anyone trying to kill you... you're my child."

"Hu— Cale, you said before that I shouldn't just think about revenge and I should be joyful just like my name, the name you gave me." Raon said while looking at Cale. "I remember every word you said.... but I also know that having no name is very very sad. I only didn't have a name for four years, but he didn't have a name for 900 years..."

Raon flew towards Cale's arms and snuggled close to his body. "F-Furthermore he is so pitiful because he didn't have siblings like Noona and Hyung, he didn't have a gramps to teach him magic, didn't have friends and family to be next to him... and he never got a father like you, he only have a bad father like White Star. He didn't have what I have this two years even though he lived for 900 years."

Cale hugged the child and patted his back. 'He acknowledged me as his father...'

"So can you think of a name for him, please?"

"Alright. I can't say no to my son's request. I'll think about it. But I won't promise any good name. And I won't forgive him."

"That's good enough. Thanks... father."

The last word was barely heard, but it brought a wide smile on Cale's face. 'A name in exchange for a 'father' from my Raon is definitely a bargain for me.'

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

Early next morning.

Cale had to face Mercenary King Bud Illis with the rest of his group.

"I accept your offer."

Cale lightly clenched his fist and then quickly unclenched them after hearing Bud's response.

"Then let's get started right away."

Cale wanted to get started right away. He didn't look at the pale Eruhaben next to him as he continued to speak. "I wish to start with the second one first."

The Mercenary King remembered that Cale's second offer was to 'save the Dragon' and nodded his head. "I understand."

He had seen it in the footage. The Dragon in front of him was injured while fighting against White Star.

There was no need to explain any further. However, there was something he needed to discuss.

The Mercenary King's cold gaze headed toward Cale. "You are pretty famous in the Western continent, my friend. They say you are quite talented."

He had contemplated a lot of things last night. Mercenary King Bud Illis had naturally looked up information on Cale Henituse. He couldn't just trust the footage in the orb.

His investigation told him that Cale Henituse was a talented person. "I'm guessing you heard about me having a healing power from somewhere?"

Cale thought about the conversation with Adin as he nodded his head. "Yes."

Bud started to smile. He took a small bottle of alcohol out of his chest pocket and started to chug.

'...Where the hell did that bastard take a bottle out from? Does he carry alcohol in his spatial pocket bag?'

Bud finished the bottle and started to speak as Cale watched him in disbelief.

"But it doesn't look like you have accurate information."

"Hmm?"

"I do not have a healing power."

"I know that. But I also know that you have a way to get that healing power though."

"Why do you seem to know a lot about me even though we've just met? I indeed know the path to where that power should be."

Cale said nonchalantly. "The original owner of your Ancient Power is a friend of the original owner of my Wind Ancient Power."

"Huh?"

"Anyway we need to go get it, when can we go?"

"My friend, you are so hasty. We can go right now however..."

Bud Illis's eyes behind his glasses looked around Cale. He pointed to each of Cale's group members one by one.

Ron, Choi Han, Beacrox, Eruhaben, On, Hong, and even where the invisible Raon should be.

He pointed to all of them before starting to speak again. "This sir, that sir, these Cat children, and even the invisible Dragon-nim."

Bud Illis sounded serious. "None of them can go. They won't be able to get that power even if they know the way. They will definitely not be able to get it."

Choi Han flinched. This power was something that even he could not get?

Choi Han looked at where the Mercenary King was now pointing. He was pointing at Cale.

"But you can get it." He then lowered his hand and continued to speak. "And I can get it."

"You need a wind attribute Ancient Power, right?"

"You really know. You're one scary friend, Cale."

The quiet ancient Dragon started to speak. "What kind of power is that healing power?"

What was it that only those with wind attribute Ancient Powers could get it?

Bud responded back. "An ancient artifact."

'Ancient artifact?'

"It is said to be an ancient artifact that came over from the Western continent."

Boom! Cale's heart suddenly started to beat wildly.

"Gasp!" Cale grasped his chest and took a deep breath.

– Human!

"Meeow?"

"Cale-nim!"

He could hear the others calling for him. However, Cale quickly recovered and waved his hand to say that he was okay.

He heard a voice in his mind.

• I remembered...

'What do you remember?'

It was the Sound of the Wind. He heard the voice of the thief who once owned the Sound of the Wind. It was a husky voice that was extremely excited.

• Cale, my top whip was with the artifact. You need to get that.

'...Okay, I understand.' Cale quickly started to speak after feeling Thief starting to get more excited. "I'm guessing we have to go to an island."

Bud Illis was getting goosebumps. "Wow. Do you know everything?"

"I told you the owner of our Ancient Powers were friends." Cale shrugged.

"Island?" Choi Han asked.

"A lone island on one side of the Eastern continent's ocean." Bud Illis's expression turned grim. "This Wind Island has tens of thousands of sharp gusts of wind that rip apart anything that enters."

It was a place that no living being could enter. The wind became the blades of death and killed any living being who approached.

"The ancient artifact is located deep within that island."

Mercenary King Bud Illis had used that ancient artifact just once. He tried to bring it out with him, but had no choice but to leave it behind after being attacked by the deadly wind.

"Only that ancient artifact will work to save someone like Dragon-nim." Bud glanced at Cale curiously as he said that.

Cale heard the low but excited voice of Thief again as Bud's heavy voice explained the situation.

• My top's whip, you have to remember to take it. It's precious to me. But it will be helpful for you, too. So please.

'Don't worry, I never forget things. I promise.' Cale calmed the exciting voice inside his head.

Cale thought about the top that was spinning endlessly while creating all those whirlpools in Ubarr territory. The top's whip and the top.

He heard Bud Illis's voice again.

"The Wind Island. People also call it the Grave of the Wind Blades. It is a deathtrap."

It was the place where the wind blades killed everything and turned it into their graves.

"And that island only allows one person with the wind attribute Ancient Power to enter at a time."

Choi Han, Eruhaben, Raon, and the others all turned toward Cale once Bud Illis finished speaking with a heavy expression on his face.

"Then I will go get it."

They could see a smiling Cale.

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

[Hope and Adventure Loving Inn]

It was a new inn in the free city of Leeb-An City with warm and reliable staff and luxurious food that could put most fancy restaurants to shame.

The third floor of that inn was filled with silence.

"Then I will go get it."

The silence had started after the proclamation by the twenty years old Cale Henituse of the Henituse household.