NOVPUB<Cale-nim over Dragons (5)>
“Welcome, Your Holiness.”
A butler greeted Pope Casillia.
Cale observed the butler and recalled what the Pope had told him.
‘Axion is a Dragon but he is close to being a knight. Furthermore, he is quite rational unlike Ryan and the other Dragons. He can also see the future.’
‘What do you mean?’
She answered Cale’s question.
“He knows how to dominate people.’
Cale realized the meaning behind those words as soon as he arrived here.
‘He’s in human form.’
The butler who serves Axion…
He was an old human.
His clothes were as luxurious as a butler serving a high ranking noble and he showed dignity even in the way he stood.
He could also sense the butler’s level of pride in his identity.
“It’s been a while, butler.”
“It does seem that way, your Holiness. My liege wished to come greet you himself but I had to come due to the urgent situation on hand.”
This butler seemed quite proud of serving Axion as his liege.
‘He seems quite-’
Yes, this butler looked quite happy.
‘How entertaining.’
A mood that was completely the opposite of what he had seen in Ryan's castle was flowing through this place.
Cale was currently in a small building within Axion’s castle.
It was a square building built just for teleportation and did not have any decorations.
“I will escort you to your lodging, your Holiness.”
The people standing next to the butler seemed to be knights who worked in the castle.
They were standing firmly at attention and they also seemed full of pride in their roles.
“We have provided a separate building since there are so many in your party this time. I ask for your understanding since it is not the usual bedroom you use during your stays but we have done our best to make sure that it is not lacking in any way.”
“I understand. We have quite a large group this time.” 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
In addition to Cale and Clopeh, Third bishop Hons, the First Bishop and three other bishops were by the Pope's side.
Furthermore, they numbered around twenty factoring in the people of the church serving them.
This was just the first group to arrive at Axion’s calling. Casillia was planning on calling all of the bishops here.
‘We’ll put some of our allies in those groups.’
Choi Han, Rosalyn and other human allies would mix with the bishops to infiltrate Axion's castle.
‘I'll call Raon over to the separate building they prepared for us.’
They had discussed Raon coming over once Cale sent the coordinates of the lodging to be safe.
‘But he is more polite than I expected?’
Thanks to Emperor Alt, Axion was aware of the Pope betraying them and siding with the enemies.
Nonetheless, the butler and the knights showed no animosity at all. It didn't seem like an act because they seemed to show respect toward the Pope.
‘That means that Axion did not tell them about it.’
Creeeeeak.
The knights opened the door of the building.
He could see outside.
Cale thought once again about the Pope’s assessment of Axion.
‘He knows how to dominate people.’
‘Haaa.’
Cale had held back his laughter.
‘It's basically a noble estate.’
What he was looking at reminded him of the castle at the Duke's House of Henituse.
The garden was not fancy but it was graceful and neat. There were no dazzling decorations like a fountain or sculptures, but all of the materials were high-class.
Furthermore, the garden was decorated to match the ancient castle look of Axion's lair, making it all look picturesque.
Just seeing this made him think of what he heard about Axion.
‘It’s like-
Yes, it’s like-
A noble family that has been known for being knights for generations.’
It was the honest and dignified house of a knight that was seen in numerous fantasy novels.
Not just a small one but the typical Archduke or Duke that was known to be the best in the kingdom.
The staff in the garden and the knights heading past the garden to the training ground…
Their expressions were all normal.
They looked like they were just going about with their everyday tasks.
They all respectfully bowed toward the Pope's group.
It was so refreshing and peaceful here.
Cale had an odd feeling.
‘Axion might be the most dangerous.’
Axion, the Third Saint Dragon.
This guy knew how to use his head.
He recalled some other things Casillia had told him.
‘He is a Dragon but chooses to follow certain human ways. He chooses to act like a cool knight, an outstanding noble. Domination… Axion might even be better than Ryan at it.’
Axion was the Dragon Lord's sword but was very shrewd.
Cale slightly bowed to act like a priest who was tasked with attending to the Pope while endlessly looking around.
‘There is a door heading to the World Tree in the rear garden of the castle.’
Cale looked at the castle before taking another look at this oddly peaceful place.
The Pope nonchalantly addressed the butler at that time.
“Butler. Are you aware that a full mobilization order has been given?”
It was a question that was like throwing a rock to the surface of a calm lake.
A full mobilization order.
The Pope purposely brought up this heavy topic.
The butler answered.
“Yes, your Holiness.”
‘Huh?’
Cale flinched and raised an eyebrow at his calm response.
Cale could see the Pope peek at him at that moment. She looked as if she wanted to inform him about something.
Cale could read the anxiety in her eyes.
‘What is going on?’
The butler calmly spoke as Cale was confused.
“Ryan-nim is dead and Epley-nim is missing. Doesn’t it mean that a strong enemy that threatens this world has appeared?”
‘What the?’
Cale had an odd feeling.
The butler and the knights…
Their faces still looked peaceful.
“But Axion-nim has called for a full mobilization and the Lord will soon return. Won't all of the issues be resolved?”
The butler gently smiled as he looked at the Pope.
“Your Holiness, are you not here after receiving Axion-nim’s order to stand with us and not the enemies?”
‘…Wow.’
Cale couldn't believe what he was hearing.
‘What the?
These guys know all about it.’
The butler and two knights…
They were this calm despite knowing that the Pope had worked with the enemies.
‘How can they do that?’
Cale was truly shocked.
He was even more shocked at what the butler said next.
“Your Holiness, Axion-nim told us to treat you and your people with the utmost respect. He said we needed to turn you back into our allies.”
The butler jokingly shrugged his shoulders and added on.
"Axion-nim said that you are a bit particular so we needed to treat you very well to win you over. He said that we should give you everything you want, your Holiness. Haha-”
‘Wow.’
Cale was a bit amazed.
‘This butler…
Axion as well. This Dragon is really smart.’
Cale thought that Axion might be different from the enemies he has faced until now.
“Your Holiness. Axion-nim said that he would set up a separate meeting with you to offer you something. That offer might be something that can get rid of that limit of yours. All he asks is that you not take either side and wait until that meeting.”
The Pope's eyebrow slightly twitched.
‘…That limit of mine?’
The Pope, who had been trying to tell Cale about Axion's true danger, immediately realized what he was talking about.
Her life.
She was sure that he was talking about her life.
‘Axion has something to offer in regards to my life?’
“Pfft.”
The Pope chuckled.
‘I think I know what it is.’
She thought about Cale and Third bishop Hons.
The information they had given her…
‘The Hunters are scheming to create a different world.’
That was what Cale Henituse had told her.
‘He said that they were trying to turn a virtual reality world into reality?’
“…Okay.”
The Pope quietly answered.
“That limit of mine is very clear. I look forward to the conversation with Axion-nim.”
Her voice was full of sincerity.
The butler’s face lit up.
“Thank you for agreeing to it so easily, your Holiness.”
He stopped outside a building and opened the door.
They could see inside this cool looking building.
“Please rest peacefully, your Holiness. We are ready at your call should you need anything.”
“Okay. Thanks for escorting me here.”
The butler bowed to the Pope and then at the bishops and the others before leaving the building with the knights.
Cale walked into the building with the Pope and then looked at the First Bishop.
Screeeech.
Mana rose around the First Bishop as soon as the door closed.
Oooooo-
The mana spread throughout the building.
The mana quickly searched through the building like the wind before returning to the First Bishop's side.
“There is no surveillance.”
The Pope calmly answered the First Bishop.
“That’s expected. Axion is not someone who would do that.”
Surveillance, eavesdropping… He was not someone who would do something like that.
The Third Bishop walked up to the Pope.
“Your Holiness. Will you hear out Axion’s offer?”
Casillia read the concern in Hons' eyes.
She chuckled as she answered.
“Are you worried that I would choose to go over to that world to continue my life?”
“Mm.”
Hons could not say anything and closed his mouth.
The Pope looked instead at Cale.
“Commander, how do you think I will decide, no. I guess there is no need for such a question.”
Cale was leisurely smiling.
The Pope saw this and shook her head.
“You look too relaxed, Commander.”
Cale casually answered.
“Your Holiness, don’t you want to focus on the boundless emotions inside of you rather than your limit?”
“…….”
The small smile disappeared from the Pope's face.
She looked at Cale with a stoic face.
“…You are truly great at figuring out my thoughts.”
Casillia.
There was something she wanted much more intensely than her limited lifespan.
Her rage toward the world… The grudge in her heart… The desire for destruction…
Those were her boundless, endless emotions.
This was something Axion could not settle for her. It was obvious.
Someone looking at Casillia's limit would not be able to look into the endless pit within her heart.
“Commander, you are truly an entertaining person.”
The Pope said that without even the traces of a smile on her face. She then looked away from Cale.
But she heard Cale’s voice at that time and her shoulders shook slightly.
“I am not usually this kind of person, but… If I dare say something, boundless emotions… I think it would be good to think about what that really is.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
The Pope's eyes fired up.
She glared at Cale. She had no idea that she was reacting like this.
Cale gently shrugged his shoulders.
“Words that you can just ignore.”
“…….”
The Pope had her lips tightly pressed together as she glared at Cale before turning to speak to the others.
“Everybody head to your rooms and get some rest. However, could all the bishops please come to my reception room?”
She did not look toward Cale anymore.
Cale leisurely watched her before motioning to Hons with his eyes. Cale was asking him to send Raon the coordinates through a video communication device.
Hons nodded his head and they all moved to their respective spots.
Clopeh stuck to Cale like glue as all that happened.
As things were bustling like that…
Bang!
There was a loud explosion.
‘Hmm?’
Cale looked toward the door in shock.
Craaaaaaack!
The sturdy looking door cracked and split into two.
A leg came through the crack.
The foot soon disappeared back through the gap and…
Bang!
It kicked the door once more.
Boom-!
The individual ignored the piece of door that flew inside and stepped through.
‘An Elf?’
Cale looked at the woman who stepped in and his eyes opened wide.
‘Is she an Inquisitor?’
As he was about to have that thought…
Hons stood up so his full large frame took up a lot of space and stepped forward with a stiff expression on his face.
“Inquisitor 3. What is this disrespectful-”
But he could not keep talking.
“!”
Hons’ eyes opened wide.
Cale’s eyes opened wide as well.
“What the…?”
Swoooooooosh-
The Elf with wind swirling around her quickly charged toward Cale.
Cale got shocked and debated opening his shield to protect himself but he got even more shocked after seeing the woman’s eyes.
‘She's gone crazy.’
The Elf’s eyes looked crazy.
It scared Cale a bit.
– Let's cast your shield!
The Super Rock was shocked as well.
Cale was about to cast his shield when he saw someone back in front of him.
Clopeh Sekka.
– Ah! That’s right! We have an even crazier bastard!
He heard the Super Rock's happy voice, and…
“Inquisitor 3!”
Hons’ voice became louder.
Swooooooosh!
Inquisitor 3 started to speak as the noise of the wind reached its climax.
“You-!”
The Elf grabbed Clopeh by the collar with both hands.
The hood he was wearing came off.
His white hair and green eyes were revealed.
Her target had not been Cale.
It was Clopeh Sekka.
“Y, you, who the hell are you?”
Her voice was shaking quite a bit.
Ooooooooong-
There was a strong rumbling on her side.
The sword on her hip, no, the swordless scabbard was vibrating.
That wooden scabbard had a peculiar shape.
As Clopeh's eyes clouded over while looking at it…
“Identify yourself!”
Inquisitor 3 clenched Clopeh's collar even harder.
“Inquisitor 3, what are you doing?!”
“Please stop.”
“…Inquisitor 3. Have you forgotten that you are in front of the Pope?”
As the Bishops and the Pope tried to calm her down…
Inquisitor 3 spoke in a shaking voice.
“How was a human like you able to become the Guardian Knight of the Dragon Lord?”
The Guardian Knight of the Dragon Lord.
Silence filled the room once they heard that term.
The twenty or so people here were all the Pope's closest confidants and shared her will.
All of them looked toward Clopeh, who stood there as the Elf grabbed his collar.
Smile.
Clopeh then smiled.
It was a refreshing smile.
It did not suit this silence at all.
“This situation is one I never expected to happen, but…”
Clopeh's voice was so calm that it was hard to think someone was grabbing him by the collar.
“I am Cale-nim’s Guardian Knight.”
Clopeh's extremely calm and gentle voice, together with his appearance, made him seem extremely holy.
“This is a position dedicated to the glorious name of the sir who will become a legend. You said the Dragon Lord? How could you put the name of a mere Dragon in the place of the glorious name of my liege?”
Cale brushed his face with both hands as he listened to this nonsense.
He wished Raon and Choi Han would quickly arrive.
Clopeh didn't care as he smiled brightly and asked the Elf.
“Hmm? How could you do that?”
The Elf flinched.
“How could you ask if I am the Guardian Knight for a shitty Dragon Lord instead of Cale-nim? Huh? Please answer me. I am so curious. Hmm?”
Inquisitor 3 detected lunacy in the brightly smiling Clopeh's face.
Inquisitor 1 guarded the Dragon Lord. Clopeh's gaze reminded her of that guy's crazed gaze, and her hands that were holding Clopeh's collar subconsciously started to shake.
As for Cale, he was still brushing his face with both hands.
– Wow.
The Super Rock was truly amazed.
—
Translator's Comments
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