The Final Chance

The Second Step

" Cale " Talking
'Cale' Thinking
" CALE " Shouting
••Cale: Ancient powers

The picture on the top doesn't belong to me, credits to the owner of the picture

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As the breakfast went on, Alberu decided to get down to business.

"Dongsaeng, I heard you wanted to make an alliance with the Roan Kingdom," he said seriously.

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"I do," Cale confirmed, his voice steady and calm, despite the weight of his words. "Unfortunately, as the current ruler of the ocean, the ancient oath between the land and the sea forbids us from interfering in each other's affairs. That old agreement is tying our hands in the situation against Arm," he explained, glancing around the table where the others listened with serious expressions.

"That's one issue," he continued, his tone thoughtful. "But there's another: I'm aiming to attract the attention of the other land rulers. The more allies we gather, the stronger our stance will be-especially against that white bastard nuisance." Cale's voice remained composed, even as he deftly wiped the food from the mouths of the three children beside him, who were oblivious to the gravity of the discussion.

"Ah, I see," Eruhaben mused, his golden eyes gleaming with understanding. "So your plan is to both rally all the races who are suffering under Arm's tyranny and to gain more allies," he said, sounding both impressed and satisfied.

"Indeed," Rosalyn agreed, her head nodding thoughtfully. "It's a more strategic and united approach, gathering everyone who's been wronged by him."

"As expected of His Majesty!" George declared, puffing up his chest with pride.

"Ha!" scoffed Archie, shooting George a withering glare. "His Majesty doesn't need your pathetic flattery," he retorted, his tone dripping with disdain.

And just like that, the two of them were at it again, bickering with all the intensity, completely oblivious to the tick mark that had formed on Cale's forehead.

'These idiots...' Cale thought to himself, irritation simmering beneath his calm facade. 'And it's all because of those three old hags-Gerald, Hera, and Shickler-who convinced me to take these two idiots along.'

As the argument between George and Archie escalated, with George waving his arms dramatically and Archie leaning across the table to jab a finger at him, Cale sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Rosalyn bit back a smile, trying and failing to maintain her serious demeanor. Eruhaben, on the other hand, simply chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair as he watched the scene unfold, amused by the chaos.

Cale, meanwhile, mentally cursed the three elders again for saddling him with this never-ending headache.

' why would they give me those two? Amos and Aries looked way more better ' Cale thought crying internally, barely keeping his stoic facade while holding his anger

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×× Flashback ××

"Your Highness, you must take them with you. It's for your safety," Gerald insisted earnestly, his brow furrowed with genuine concern. The gravity in his voice made it clear that he wasn't simply offering a suggestion-he was issuing a plea.

Cale's eyes narrowed, his reddish-brown gaze cutting through the air like a blade. "Do I look like I need protection?" he shot back, his tone dripping with incredulity. The question was more of a challenge than a statement, and the sharp edge in his voice left no room for doubt.