The Final Chance

Preparations

" 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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"Strongest my ass," Cale grumbled under his breath. "If they keep this up, I'm going to end up with a drilled skull."

Lock and Choi Han, who were nearby, stifled their laughter, while Beacrox couldn't hide the amused glint in his eyes.

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Three weeks had passed since the conversation where everything had gone according to plan. Alberu had traveled to the capital with Tasha right after the plan was set in motion. Cale was scheduled to meet the King two days before the birthday event, and Alberu had already informed Zed about Cale's identity as the Emperor of the Oceans. To say Zed was shocked would be an understatement.

News of Cale's attendance at the event had already been sent out, and the requests to join came flooding in from across the continent. Nobles, leaders, kings, and emperors all clamored for an invitation. Everything was proceeding smoothly.

Meanwhile, Cage had gone to visit Taylor and mentioned that she would be attending the birthday event along with him.

Eruhaben had been diligently training Raon during this time, and Lock had traveled to Harris Village two weeks ago to see his siblings, accompanied by Choi Han and Mary. Choi Han sought training, so Cale suggested he go to the Forest of Darkness with Mary. Choi Han could train by fighting monsters, and Mary could search for anything that might be useful to her as a necromancer.

Today was unusually calm. Eruhaben took Raon to his lair, as he had done for the past three weeks. This time, Rosalyn, Ohn, Hong, and Pendrick followed them.

Paseton had already informed the leaders back at the sea. He returned the next day and requested to take Archie and George back with him, claiming they would be 'training' during their break. Cale found it suspicious but allowed it, seeing it as a way to safeguard his 'slacker life,' as he called it.
( Ahem, ' training ' of course😔. I mean, definitely not preparing a ' flashy ' outfit for their emperor to shine among the ' lowly being ' as they called😏)

This left a certain slacker to enjoy his 'slacker life' alone and 'peacefully.' But, as it turned out, his prediction was wrong. He had thought the White Star would be the one to disrupt his rest. But instead, a certain father and son duo had taken the opportunity to punish Cale for something he had done eight years ago.

They had been giving him an extra sour dose of lemon tea three times a day, not to mention souring all the food he ate.

At the moment, Cale was sipping a cup of lemon tea under the watchful eye of a certain Lemon Gramps.

'This is practically poisoning,' Cale thought, glancing at Ron, who was smiling benignly at him. 'And I can't do anything about it.'

"Are you enjoying your tea, young master?" Ron asked 'sweetly.'

"Yeah, thanks, Ron," Cale replied.

•• 💦🌊: PFFT! BAHAHAHA, CALE'S SCARED OF HIM!
Crazy Kid laughed.

'I am not!' Cale retorted mentally, sneaking another glance at Ron before clearing his throat and taking another sip of tea. 'I'm just respecting my elder.'

••💸🔥: Yeah, of course.
Cheapskate mocked, joining Crazy Kid in laughter.

••🪨: Well, at least someone can keep him in check.
Super Rock added.