How It Was Supposed To Be

Weak Hero

Frustration.

That's what the future King of Roan Kingdom felt at the moment.

His inauguration is tomorrow and yet he just received the news about his sworn brother from Eruhaben.

'He's awake'

However, they couldn't say that Cale is fully conscious with how he keeps on mumbling nonsense to the ceiling.

"He's talking in Korean"

Choi Han had also reported to him of all the things that Cale said.

"Human is ignoring us, Little Crown Prince! What should we do??"

The redhead apparently could see the others sometimes after he's conscious. However, he refused to look at any of them and instead, he sounded even more desperate as he called out to... his dead mother.

"The World Tree-nim said that we should let him go... her exact words: 'whether you like it or not, that free spirit shall regain his freedom with the help of The three pillars and The protector of multiverses' balance. I can only advise you to let him go early- it's for your own sake, really'."

Eruhaben had told them as soon he returned from North.

That Ancient dragon looked grim after he passed that important information to their inner circle. To which, that reaction is understandable, after all-

'Who would be in their right mind to accept his death just like that!?'

To think that the ever so respectful World Tree-nim would tell them to let their dearest go just like that.

'It might be easier for us to accept his departure if we let him go as the world tree-nim said... but...'

Should they really give up on Cale?

Should they just... resign to such fate?

Alberu let out a tired sigh as he massaged his temples.

"This is driving me nuts..."

His dongsaeng's already under their protection, and yet even then troubles just seem to love him either way.

'Did he accidentally caught a curse somewhere somehow?'

Alberu couldn't help but wonder.

'...a curse that's related to death?'

Choi Han mentioned something about White Star's origin and its relation with Kim Rok Soo.

Hence why he's speculating that Cale's always ended up near the death gate because he's loved by The God of Death himself.

'Is it because the God of Death couldn't have Cale as his Saint that he wanted him to be this close to him whatever it takes?'

That bastard.

"I need to talk with Miss Cage."

The said ex-communicated priestess is the only person he knows who can actually gets in contact with the said God after all.

With that thought in mind, Alberu used his personal communication device and reached out to Stan Household so he could speak with Taylor Stan, Cage's best friend which also one of his strongest support on winning this throne.

Nearly becoming the highest monarch, his important call doesn't take that long to be answered by the smiling noble himself.

"Yes, your highness? Is there anything this humble noble can help you?"

Taylor gently smiled at Alberu who barely maintained his princely demeanor in return.

Without beating around the bush, that quarter dark elf asked for a moment to have a talk with the ex-communicated priestess of The God of Death church.

However, to his dismay...

"My sincere apologies, your Royal Highness, however, Cage has been missing for a while now."

Taylor looked troubled as he reported so.

"Normally she would be returning soon, but on the day she went missing, her face turned pale as she left with unclear intentions. This is the first time to ever happened, for the longest I've known Cage..."

That's a double lie.

Cage had done it before, back when White Star fought with Alberu and the soldiers and knights under Marquis Stan's leadership-

While the second lie is about her leaving without telling him the reason.

It's unfortunate, However, Alberu only caught on the first lie while thinking that Taylor is trying to keep an image in front of him.

For whatever reason, the light grey-haired man is hiding the fact that The ex-communicated priestess left without a trace.

Alberu only managed to come up with such conclusion thanks to the genuine worry reflected in Taylor's eyes- although, that brunet in disguise seems to misinterpreted the meaning behind the gaze.

Taylor who knows about what his best friend is up to was not worried for her. Rather, he's worried for that certain redhead.

The things that Cage told him were horrendous after all...

'To think that our future Sun is such a twisted guy towards his own sworn brother!'

Towards someone who has been contributing a lot to create this peaceful lifestyle everyone could enjoy...

Taylor's starting to get worried for the Kingdom as well.

Not that any of his real emotions were clearly exposed in his face...

"I see. Well, that's unfortunate."

Alberu then chatted some more about territory all all that jazz before excusing himself and hang up on the call one-sidedly as he has the right to do that.

In any case, his anxious heart only beats off chart even more after hearing about the alcoholic's disappearance...

'That motherfuking God is up to no good'

And he's aiming for his sickly dongsaeng!

'Like hell I'd let that happen right under my nose'

Clicking his tongue, That busy Prince ended up reaching up to one of the said God's mortal enemies instead.

The proxy of Sun God's church.

'Pope Jack...'

Without wasting any second, Alberu contacted the older half of the Sun God twins.

After all, even though they're pretty much going against a God at this point- Cale has never, not even once, backed down from his belief while taking all of them in, under his protection.

So, really, it's only fair that they'd do their very best even if they must lose an arm and legs.

'We're not going to give up on you, Dongsaeng.'

Not to death.

Not to anything.

Full of determination, Alberu decided that it's time for them to be the proper shield for their fragile hero in this time of need.