Cale did not open his closed eyes. However, Alberu did not say anything about it.
It was because he knew that he was asking for a lot by asking Cale to not just meet a Dark Elf, but to go to the Dark Elf village.
– There is an item I need you to retrieve for me. The Dark Elves helping me and I are all unable to move right now.
Alberu was busy getting stronger using the dead mana while the Dark Elves helping him were under disguise getting things done.
– I also need a human to go.
Although this item was made by an expert, it was a one-time use item that would activate as soon as it came into contact with someone who had even a bit of Dark Elf blood. That was why it was only possible to be transported by beings who did not have the darkness attribute, like humans or animals.
Cale slowly opened his eyes and leaned back onto the rocking chair.
"What kind of item is it?"
Cale's casual posture was one that the king would probably consider treasonous, but Alberu could only frown.
– Sigh, why do I only have someone like you by my side?
"What did you say?"
– I was thinking about how I have such a handsome person like you by my side.
Crown prince Alberu chuckled like he found his own words to be funny. He noticed that his true personality started to show up more and more the longer he spent with Cale.
'He knows my weakness.'
But ironically, that was the reason Cale Henituse was the only person he could trust. Cale had at least kept his secret for the past two months.
"If it is difficult for you to move right now, couldn't you tell your subordinate to pick it up later?"
Cale knew that Alberu had many subordinates under his command.
– I wish I could.
Alberu let out a small sigh. He was currently secretly using the video communication device with the help of a Dark Elf mage instead of a mage from the palace.
– I need to go to the Empire.
'The Empire? The crown prince of the Roan Kingdom needs to go to the Empire?'
Cale and Alberu made eye contact.
– The imperial prince invited me to a celebration hosted by the Sun God Twins.
'Celebration?'
This was something that did not happen in the first 5 volumes of, 'The Birth of a Hero.'
Cale did not know about this celebration.
However, Cale quickly understood Alberu's situation.
The Sun God Twins were a Holy Maiden and a Saint who were said to be the embodiment of the Sun God.
They were the Holy Maiden and Saint that were always a part of any decent fantasy world.
"Mm."
Cale was suddenly at a loss for words.
The Holy Maiden and Saint, who were said to be extremely good and treated as the symbol of sacrifice in normal fantasy worlds, were kind of special in, 'The Birth of a Hero.'
Their level of, 'good or bad,' depended on the god they represented.
– The Church of the Sun God is the enemy of the Dark Elves. I am worried that the chances of them figuring out that I am a quarter Dark Elf is pretty high. If that happens, mm.
"A terrible situation would happen."
– Indeed.
The Dark Elves were despised on the Western Continent. As someone who had even a portion of Dark Elf blood, he would immediately be removed from the crown prince position.
Furthermore, he might even die.
– Those twins would try to kill me.
Cale could not respond to that.
The Sun God, as the representation of the sun, hated creatures of the dark. It was because they roamed the darkness where he did not exist.
His way of dealing with these creatures that he hated was to burn them to death.
These twins carry the Sun God's teachings, so they would definitely rush to kill him if they ever found out his identity.
That was their definition of justice.
'I have a bad feeling about this.'
The chill he was feeling this time was much worse than when he had heard the term, 'Dark Elf.' His entire body was covered in goosebumps. Cale subconsciously stated to speak.
"Please enjoy your journey."
Alberu started to laugh.
– I didn't plan on taking you anyways.
"But why is the imperial prince randomly hosting such a celebration? He probably had to contact all the other kingdoms."
– Maybe he's crazy.
Cale was at a loss of words for a moment after hearing Alberu's casual remarks.
"…Aren't you being too casual in front of me now, your highness?"
Alberu shrugged his shoulders and responded back.
– I think it is weird as well. Based on my information, the current Emperor and the imperial prince were supposed to be trying to get rid of the Church of the Sun God.
That was correct.
The reason Cale had an ominous feeling was because he knew that the imperial prince did not like the Church of the Sun God.
The imperial prince wanted to be the one in control of the Empire in the future, so he grew his strength by pushing alchemy. Why would someone like him appreciate the Church of the Sun God that he could not control?
Furthermore, the Church of the Sun God also knew that the current Emperor and imperial prince were trying to push them out of the Empire.
– But the imperial prince is suddenly celebrating the 150-year anniversary of the Church of the Sun God? Does that make sense to you?
"Not at all."
– You know what is even funnier?
"What is it?"
– Apparently, it has also been 500 years since the Alchemists' Bell Tower was created. They are having a celebration for that as well.
"Ho."
Cale let out a gasp.
"The Church of the Sun God allowed them to celebrate alchemy at the same time?"
– They must have, since the imperial prince went around inviting people.
Cale and Alberu made eye contact again.
"Something smells fishy."
– Definitely fishy.
Alberu started to smirk.
– Don't you get the feeling that something is going to happen during the celebration?
It definitely felt that way.
Either that, or there was a hidden agenda for this celebration.
"I'm not sure."
However, Cale feigned ignorance.
One of the themes of fantasy worlds was religion. Cale was not interested in religion and did not think much about it.
'I just don't want to get involved with them. It'll be annoying.'
It would be fine as long as he wasn't being dragged left and right.
Cale's gaze headed past the video screen and toward Raon.
Raon tilted his head wondering why Cale was looking at him.
'If religion or anything else tries to boss me around…'
'No, it is impossible for that to happen.'
Something like that should not happen as long as he was with Raon, Choi Han, and Rosalyn. If all else fails, Cale thought that he could just blow it up like he did with the island. Cale was a bit more courageous now than before.
– Liar.
However, feigning ignorance did not work against the crown prince.
– Anyways, I need your help. I will definitely reward you accordingly later on.
Cale did not immediately respond to Alberu's sincere request.
Alberu probably agreed to go to the Empire because his position did not allow him to send the second or third prince. Cale finally started to speak after a while.
"Your highness, the star of our kingdom."
Alberu held back a sigh. It sounded like Cale was going to reject him. However, the continuing words made Alberu start to smile.
"Where is it?"
No matter how much Cale thought about it, he was the only one, other than the few people helping the crown prince in the dark, that could be trusted enough to do this.
Which meant that he had no choice.
He could not let the crown prince die.
Alberu quietly laughed before starting to speak.
– The west. You will need to go west.
Alberu's answer triggered a location in Cale's mind.
It was one of the 5 Forbidden Regions.
"The Dark Elves live in the Land of Death?"
– You really are very smart.
The Land of Death was similar in name to the, 'Gorge of Death,' but it was different from the other forbidden regions that were created naturally. The Land of Death was the product of history.
It was where the necromancers of the past waged the final battle with their skeleton armies.
Located in the desert, the Land of Death had red sand during the day and black sand during the night. New sand dunes were created every day.
– The Dark Elf Village is located there. You just need to get the item from the chief of the village.
"Mm, your highness."
Cale had heard that the Land of Death, a desert, was so hot that even plants could not survive.
And it was currently summer.
– What is it?
A slightly gentle voice came out of Alberu's mouth. He was not pretending nor strategizing, it was his honest voice. Cale cautiously asked his question.
"Can I not go?"
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Cale then nodded his head.
"I'll go since I said I'll go."
– Mm. I will give you a guide. Since it is the desert, you need to be with someone who knows the way.
It was obvious what kind of guide he was going to get.
– She is my mother's sister, so my aunt. My aunt is the only Dark Elf who is currently able to move.
Alberu added on.
– It may be just one person, but she is the one in charge of all of the Dark Elves under my command. You can trust her abilities.
Cale nodded his head with a serious expression. He seemed so sincere that Alberu even felt sorry for Cale.
"Your highness."
– Yes, young master Cale.
"I can ask you for any travel expenses, right? May I buy a lot of magic ice? I really hate the heat. Furthermore, can I pick the reward again? This time I will choose money."
Cale asked many questions at once. Alberu quietly observed Cale before giving him an answer.
– Sure, do whatever you want.
Cale started to smile as he responded back.
"I'm sure you are already aware, but I always complete my tasks with 120 percent efficiency, so I expect an even greater reward."
– I know. That is why I said do whatever you want.
"Yes sir. Please leave it to me."
– Sure, I'll trust you.
Cale and Alberu discussed a few more things before ending their call. The light disappeared from the video communication device before Raon and Hong approached him.
"Human, are we traveling again?"
"The desert is very hot! You can't faint!"
Raon looked at Cale with a serious expression after hearing Hong's words. Cale didn't care as he pointed back to the video communication device and gave Raon an order.
"Reconnect the video communication device."
"Again?"
"Yes, but somewhere else."
"Where?"
Raon could see Cale smiling at his question.
There was another strong religion other than the Church of the Sun God in this world. It was a very strong church.
The Church of the Moon or the Church of Darkness?
No.
It was the Church of Eternal Darkness, an existence that made people never see the sun ever again.
Death. Death was stronger than the sun.
"Connect me to the Stan estate."
The crown prince probably knew about the power of death, but he could not speak to the Church of Death because he could not trust them and didn't want to risk his identity being revealed.
However, Cale knew a priestess that the Church of the God of Death had excommunicated, and many people did not know about. Even after being excommunicated, she was still treasured by the God of Death. The Church of the God of Death currently did not have a Holy Maiden nor a Saint. Why was that the case?
– Young master Cale?
"Hello Cage, it's been a while."
The crazy priestess Cage.
"Are you bored these days?"
Cage observed Cale for a moment after hearing his question before finally shaking her head.
– I had a bad feeling about today. I don't remember the contents of my dream but there was this bitter taste in my mouth. It's a good thing that Taylor will soon become the official successor, even without my help.
Cale had heard as well.
Taylor Stan, the eldest child of Marquis Stan had recovered his position and would soon be announced as the official successor.
– So, I have nothing to do.
The crazy priestess smiled as she asked Cale.
– What can I do for you?
Cale quickly responded like her response was obvious.
"We need to go to the Land of Death."
– I will prepare right away.
Cage did not seem to hesitate at all, even after he said that they were going to the Land of Death. She really was the type who would put her life on the line for her best friend Taylor. Cale now understood why the God of Death would continue to bless her, even after she was excommunicated. She embodied something that was even greater than death.
– I have to return the favors you've done for us.
Cale smiled to respond.
"See you soon, Cage."
He smiled once more before the communication ended. Cale then immediately got up.
"Human, good! You need to move to be healthy!"
"… What are you talking about?"
Cale walked past Raon and opened the door. He could see Hans coming down the corridor with a tray of fruits.
"Hans."
"Yes sir."
"Tell everyone to gather, except the Wolves."
"Mr. Ron and the chef as well?"
Cale didn't know that the Dark Elf Village was in the Land of Death, where the necromancers were last seen. It gave him a feeling that he might find the necromancers there too. Of course, he was only 50 percent sure about it.
But wouldn't it be better to be prepared, just in case?
"Yes. Tell everyone to come, since we are heading out."
Two days later, Cale headed out of the Henituse territory after only getting to enjoy the slacker life for a month. Cale's crew's two carriages were heading toward the capital.