#count deruth henituse

[mytragedyperson]

You know, I think i figured out why I like Deruth. So, I've never really seen Deruth spoken about but I've seen fanfic interpretations and it almost seems like the fandom itself doesn't quite know what to make of Deruth. Some people treat Deruth from the Birth of a Hero and Deruth from LCF/TCF as separate characters and other interpretations, the one I'm more in favour of is that both versions of Deruth cared about their son, they just didn't know how to show it or fix their relationship. Cale himself acknowledges that Deruth is awkward and doesn't quite know how to speak to Cale. I personally see Deuth as someone who made mistakes following the death of Cale's mother and wanted to fix it, but couldn't figure out how, so didn't do anything, which was a mistake in and of itself. Cale starts acting like trash and Deruth again doesn't know how to handle this or fix this, since he blames himself, so, again, he doesn't fix it. And the longer it goes without him doing something, the worse the strain on their relationship gets until it ends up how we see at the first breakfast, Deruth awkwardly trying to speak to his son but unable to, as he doesn't know what to say. So what changes? Cale. Kim Rok Soo becomes Cale, realises how awkward things are and takes the first step, as he compliments breakfast, something he doesn't think about and just does to stop things being awkward but it gives Deruth an opening. It's just a short conversation, but what a difference it makes to the probably usual silent and awkward breakfasts before where no one quite knew what to say or do with Cale, and Cale, if he shows up, either says nothing or speaks only to complain about the food and then leaves.

However, this actually isn't the main thing I wanted to note. So, I've discussed the previous, Deruth's point of view. And I'm not gonna sit here and say he was good father to the original Cale or was the father he needed. He's not winning father of the year awards for original Cale, I can agree with that. Are there worse fathers? Yes, Marquis Stan immediately comes to mind. But it would be hard to say Deruth was a good father to original Cale. Now let's consider the third element here, KRS!Cale Henituse, a man mentally older than his new body, a man who only had caring parents for a few years and it's uncear how much he remembers of them, a man who was abused and mistreated, pitied, a man who's can't care about people, because if he does, something bad will happen to him. I think, in a weird way, Deruth was almost the parent Kim Rok Soo needed at the time. Let me try to explain.

So, imagine for a second a world where the Henituse family dynamics are different, healthier, happier. Maybe Deruth and Cale fixed their relationship, maybe Cale is closer with his step family. They'd be caring, nice, what a family should be. Imagine Kim Rok Soo, an orphan who was abused and had hardened himself to not care about anyone, would this not be more odd to him? Going from keeping everyone at arms length and not letting anyone in to having to show his care for parents and step siblings, something he's never experienced before. I honestly think Kim Rok Soo would've liked this less because he wouldn't know what to do when shown obvious care by a family when he's never head that relationship before. I don't know, I feel like this is more Kim Rok Soo's speed, Clearly care but still allowing that independence and freedom. Care when he gets hurt but awkward and distant. Deruth is not the father Cale needs but in an odd way, he is the father Kim Rok Soo needs at this point. Does that mean you have to like him or see him as a good father? No, it's not up to the child to fix ther relationship with their parent. But it gives less whiplash for Kim Rok Soo than a close, physically affectionate family would. Or maybe I just like him, like that he does care even if he struggles, like that he's trying even if it doesn't always seem like that. again, you don't have to like him or think he's a good parent. This is just my opinion, my interpretation. I don't know man. I've been thinking about this story all day.

On that note, and I could be wrong as someone who is not aroace and has limited knowledge on aroace, but I feel like Cale is on the aroace spectrum. we're in his thoughts for two years and not once does he consider getting in a romantic relationship. In his dream life there's nothing to do with getting married or having kids. Does this necessarily make him asexual? No there are people of all sexualities who aren't bothered about marriage or kids, but they still tend to want some sort of romantic or sexual relationship and Kim Rok Soo/Cale Henituse seems to have zero interest in this. He has kids, he has family, he has friends. At no point does he express any kind of want for a romantic or sexual partner. Could this be because he has bigger problems? Yes. Could this be because of his past and the curse? Yes. Is he the only character this applies to? No, most of the characters show no interest in romance. Because ultimately this book is not about romance, not even slightly. It's found family, it's friendship, it's fantasy but there is no romance and, yet, for most of the characters I wouldn't rule out the possibility of them having some form of romantic or sexual character. Even with Cale I'm not saying he can/will never have those relationships. But even when he acknowledges someone as being attractive, it doesn't seem sexual or anything. He says it like it's a fact, then moves on. This isn't to say I disagree with shipping Cale. I myself don't mind a little Alcale or Choi Han/Cale. Do I personally think they are romantic or sexual? Not necessarily. You can interpret things that way, but i personally like things as they are, no romantic ships but really close friendships, to me platonic love and platonic relationships are just as, if not more, important than romantic love. And, tbf, even in content where there are romantic relationships, those romantic relationships are never the most interesting part. I don't really watch or read things, like non-fanfiction things, where romance is the main point or main storyline. I used to, but as I've gotten older (I say pretending to be wise old woman at the age of 21), I've come to appreciate friendships non-romantic relationships more and it's the main reason I enjoy shows, for relationship dynamics of all kinds.

I think that's why I'm so, like, chill with shipping and fanfiction with like proships. Now, i don't personally read things like incest or age gap fanfiction. It's not for me, no thanks. But i do tend to ship different things for different reasons. So, if I say I ship something, it's not necessarily because I think they'd have a cute, happy, healthy, loving relationship. Sometimes it's quite the opposite. Sometimes it's because i know it would be toxic and unhealthy and dark and it may even be one-sided, but my god, is it interesting. Some ships i ship purely for the angst, for the way they destroy and ruin each other. Other times I go for fluffier, happier ships. I generally think, as long as you know wrong from right in real life, ship what you want, write and read the fanfiction you want to read, and avoid the fics and ships you don't want. Don't like, don't read does apply. Commenting and interacting just gives it more attention. We all know what we like and don't like. At the end of the day you can't tell someone's morals from the fictional media they interact with. Sometimes you don't want something happy and fluffy and safe. You want something angsty and dark and hard to read. That doesn't make anyone a bad person. Sorry, this has little to do with this post. I'm just tired of people saying "if you like reading about X, you're a bad person" and putting labels on people for reading and writing fictional content that doesn't hurt any real, living person

[nonexistentirl]

The crown hosts a ball. Of course all noble households in the Roan kingdom are present. Same goes for the Duke's House of Henituse as well.

Cale, who had separated himself from the rest of his family members to go to a corner and enjoy the desserts with the invisible Raon and had kept his Dominating Aura activated to keep the annoyances away, is approached by his youngest sibling.

Lily, being the brave knight she is, asks her eldest brother for a dance. Cale, who already feels guilty for being as absent from her life as he is and not being a proper older brother for her, accepts it for her sake. He needs to do at least this much for her as an older brother.

There is, however, one tiny problem.

Cale, no, Kim Roksoo doesn't know how to dance. The original Cale Henituse was so invested in his act of being a trash that he never bothered to learn it, so currently Cale had no muscle memory to rely on either.

Lily, who kind of predicted this when she approached him, ends up leading the dance. It's truly an unexpected sight to see Cale Henituse dancing a waltz in the middle of the ballroom. The Commander, who was often seen bleeding out on the battlefield as he fought in the forefront, elegantly moving his body to the flow of the music was truly captivating.

Basen Henituse has never been so jealous of his little sister seven years his junior. Neither has he ever felt so remorseful of being born a man. He wishes he could share a waltz with his elder brother too.

Cale, the magnanimous brother as he is, readily agrees to dance with him. When they're off the floor, Basen makes a victory fist as soon as nobody is watching.

Duchess Violan hesitates at first. But then she decides she should join in on the fun too. Thus, for the first time ever, she shares a waltz with her step son. Something she only used to do with her husband and son, Basen, in the past. She never expected there would come a day when it would be possible for her to dance with Cale. However, as it seemed, today was the day.

Deruth is much too overwhelmed at being reminded of Jour to ask Cale for a dance. He's just happy watching the others enjoy themselves.

The thing that Lily started, what was continued by Basen and Violan, naturally everyone wanted to be a part of it. Not everyone was lucky enough though. Cale accepted their requests for a dance because they were his family. As for the rest of the people present in this ballroom? He could care less.

He does end up sharing a dance with Amiru Ubarr and Rosalyn though, people who were good at leading the dance for the inexperienced him.

Once he returns from the ball, the children demand he dance with them. Raon, who watched his dance at the ball, tries to imitate his partners leading Cale through the dance. On and Hong are quick to learn as they watch before each following suit one after another.

It was the night the Black Castle shone the brightest and illuminated the Forest of Darkness to the point the name had never felt less fitting as it did that day.

Bonus:

Taking a leaf out of Basen's book, Alberu asks his precious dongsaeng for a dance. Cale is disgusted and flabbergasted but also plays along.

"dongsaeng, are you purposefully trying to step on my feet?"

"hyung-nim must know I never learned to dance, so it's expected."

"you didn't step on anyone else's feet though?"

"maybe they were just better at leading the dance than you are."

Alberu, baffled, "cheeky brat."

"the brat is older than yourself, hyung-nim."

"ha!" Alberu is in disbelief. "Well, i guess I should assign a dance instructor to my beloved dongsaeng then."

The dance ends and Cale whispers to him before walking away "sure. Send him to the Black Castle." Knowing it's near impossible for anyone to withstand the presence of the individuals residing there.

The next day, Tasha is at the Black Castle.

"My nephew asked me to teach the young master how to waltz. I was the one to teach that boy, so you can rest assured!"

Cale feels like he lost for the first time in a while.

[yuriisclumsy]

hii! How are you darling :)

Can i request a crack/ funny and fluffy cale x pregnant reader ? Like she is a few months pregnant, so cale and the kids always lay with her and dont let her do much.

Ofc the others are overprotective of her, bc like shes clumsy😭 like always falling down the stairs, nose bleeds (me core) and she watched everyone panic while looking at them with a deadpanned look bc

1. Shes a baddie whos to hot to die

2.the baby is fine and alive

And cale is loosing his mind bc he cannot leave her alone for two mins bc she will somehow make even more trouble simply bc shes ✨just a girl ✨

Stay still, will you?

𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝:1,267

»»►This is a funny scenario. I like to think Cale is a super, over the top, overprotective, man. If you mess with those he cares about or loves, you’re about to find yourself in an interesting situation. 

»»►But when Cale finds out he’s going to be a papa, he goes wild. Forget accepting whatever mission the crown prince wants him to do, he needs to be right next to his wife–24/7. 

»»►And let’s be honest with ourselves, this man would literally take this chance to laze around even more. This is the life he wanted, no? 

»»►Oh, but his dear wife doesn’t like sitting still for more than a minute. This is torture for her—but can’t do anything about it because her husband and (adopted)kids want her to relax and take care of herself and the baby. 

»»►But, why? You may ask. That’s for the single fact that she is clumsy (hey just like me!). She crashes stuff, trips, falls, hurts herself—according to Cale and the others—she denies such accusations—and last but not least, she gets herself in trouble. 

»»►So, yeah. [Name] have no “stepping outside the state” privileges until after the baby is here physically. But [Name] is a tough cookie. She can handle herself when no-one is around. So—to everyone’s dismay—she goes outside one day. It’s just to stroll around and see what has progressed in Harris Village. 

»»►One thing to note: she didn’t tell a soul about her outing. 

»»►Now imagine Cale’s face when he comes back to see the staff panicking for the whereabouts of his wife. 

»»►Let's just say…it was chaotic that day. 

“Woah, that looks tasty...!” [Name] drooled at the sight. 

“Good morning, lady [Name]! What can I get you today?” The shop owner greeted [Name] with a smile. 

“Can I have this please?” [Name] pointed to one of the delicacies of the bakery. It was a croissant-looking-bread stuffed full of chocolate. 

The owner of the bakery gave her a bag filled with what she ordered. “Here you go! Please come back soon!” the owner waved goodbye. 

“I will!” She waved back at the owner. [Name] took one of the baked goods and began to eat it.  

“I wonder how everyone is doing at the state.” 

… 

“LADY [NAME]!” 

“M’lady! Where are you?!” 

“Does anyone remember the last place [Name] went to?!” 

“M’lady, please be okay!” 

Currently, everyone is in a frenzy. The lady of the house was nowhere to be found, and everyone and their mothers were running like headless chickens in search of her. And if they did not find her, their master was going to kill them! 

“What is with the commotion here?” a voice spoke from the entrance of the manor. 

Everything stopped. Slowly, the housekeepers and butlers turned their heads towards the voice. They knew this voice. Very well in fact. Although they grew to like it, right now, they wish they didn’t hear it. They prayed that it was a ghost. Dread overtook them as they saw the voice’s owner. 

Cale Henituse. Their young master. And the husband of the manor’s lady they were trying to find. 

“So? Is anyone going to tell me why you are all running like the world just ended?” Cale spoke. 

Who was mad enough to even dare to tell the young master that his wife magically disappeared? Not me. And not anyone in this room.  

Yet a brave soul stood up and spoke. May he rest in peace. 

“Ah…y-young mater Cale,” a young butler went forward and vowed, stammering in his word, “we..uh…. Can’t find lady [Name] anywhere...?” 

“...” 

“...” 

It was deafeningly silent. No one moved an inch, waiting—waiting for the order to execute them. They fully accepted their fate. 

“Well, what are you all just standing there for?” he spoke, breaking the iceberg. 

“Huh?” 

“Standing still isn't going to bring back [Name].” He stood there, staring at the crowd. 

He was right. 

They needed to get back to searching for Lady [Name]!  

A chorus of ‘yes, sir!’ was heard before a horde of housekeepers and butlers left in search of their Lady. 

“*sigh* Why are you like this [Name]...?” Cale whispered and looked up. He slowly walked to the exit of the manor heading to the town; the children followed after him–this included Choi Han. 

“Master Cale, where are you going?” Hans asked. 

“I’m going to the market area in the town,” he said, not bothering to look back. “Ron, make my bed as comfortable as you can make, will you?” 

“Yes, young master.” Ron responded. 

“Great.” 

… 

Lovely day for [Name] sitting in the shade of an umbrella and her delicious foods. Going from one shop to another, she had managed to gather a lot of food. She had gone overboard again, yes, but the baby she was carrying and her were happy. Who could ever disturb such happiness? 

“[Name].” A male voice called her name firmly from behind. 

Of course. The only person that could was her husband. [Name] knew he only meant good, but right now he had broken that tranquility. 

“Oh! Cale, love, darling, how are you...?” [Name] turned and looked at him nervously. The children had gathered around her–with Raon being invisible naturally. 

“[Name]...” Cale rubbed the temples of his face before sighing, “why are you out?” he asked sternly. 

“Well clearly, I was taking a walk. And I bought some snacks on the way.” She answered, petting both Hong and Raon while On made herself comfortable in her lap. 

“What–no. That’s not what I meant.” 

“You asked why I was out, and I told you why.” 

“You know exactly why I asked that.” 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” [Name] gave the children the treats she had bought earlier. 

“[Name], please. You know how dangerous it is for you to be here right now. You are due at any point now! And I just…agh..I just want you to stay safe.” He said in frustration. 

[Name] looked at him, feeling a bit guilty that he is like that. She had reached her ninth month a week ago, making this month the most crucial. She just didn’t want to stay locked up in her room all the time. It was something that did not sit right with her. 

“I’m sorry…” [Name] looked down in shame. 

“I…*sigh* You are going to be the death of me.” Cale came closer to her and placed his hands underneath her. 

“Hu-huh? Cale? What are you doing?” panicking a little before realizing he was going to carry her. 

“Carry you, obviously.” He scuffed. “We’re going back to the manor.” 

“Aww…can’t we go to another shop? It’ll be the last one, I promise!” Her begging went to deaf ears. He wasn’t letting her get away with it, so she started to wiggle her way out his arm. 

“Stay still, will you?” 

“Not until I get my last treat.” 

“*sight…* Fine. But you’ll have it after dinner. Dinner is going to be served soon.” Cale said while walking to the nearest candy shop. 

“Mmmm, I'm fine with that. Oh! Choi Han, hello. Sorry, I didn’t notice you there.” 

“It’s fine lady [Name].” Choi Han gave her a small nod. 

“Moooom…I want a treat too!” 

“I also want one!” 

“The great Roan Miru will get one too, right?” 

“Wait a second. Since when do they call you mom?” Cale asked in confusion. 

“Yes, yes. All of you will get one.” 

“Don’t ignore me.” 

Choi Han giggled as Cale continued to ask and get ignored by them. 

Fin 

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Master-List

[fallen6253]

Not sure who has talked about it yet (prbly everybody) but I love how Cale was a bit more capable of letting people from Roan in than in Korea as TL.

Like he seems like the same person, and he is, but it's visibly easier to get close to him from the perspective of Choi Han, the Molans, everybody. And I love that the reason is because they, to Cale's knowledge, had nobody. Choi Han has nobody from Korea or Harris, the children have no parents, neither do the wolves, the Molans lost their home, Rosalyn left her home and faced assassins, Alberu was scorned his whole life, and the list goes on.

It's pointed out that he tried to distance himself from the members of his Team after he became leader because they all had families and he did not. And that he, Choi Jung Soo, and Lee Soo Hyuk became close because they were people who already lost everybody. Then those people died, and he couldn't do it again.

Then he arrives in a world, surrounded by people who lost their parents, their homes, their whole worlds, and.

There is no family they have to go home to. So. Couldn't he help them have that? So he doesn't push them to leave, he just grumbles.

And I love how it's awkward for him (at first) to interact with the Henituse family. Not just because they were supposed to know Cale better than anyone else, but also that they were already their own family and he had to consider if he should be there at all, both as an 'outsider' and as 'Cale the Trash'. But then the Henituse household does that thing where they look at him, and no matter who they see past the eyes, it's a member of their own ranks. So even if they knew from the beginning about it or not, whether there is somebody else there or if a person truly chose change, this person is in their family and he is welcome in their house. Especially after all he's done, they have to chain him down somehow so he doesn't kill himself like a moron.

Anyway, I went back a couple of arcs to reread and catch up on part 2 cuz I haven't gone past Murim yet, how are u guys doin

[somber-cryptid]

WHY DO PEOPLE TREAT DERUTH LIKE HE'S THE EQUIVALENT OF KIM ROK SOO'S UNCLE????

LIKE HE'S TRYING, I'M SORRY HE DOESN'T HAVE THE HIGHEST EMOTIONAL EQ???

He's no track star of a father, but he's no deadbeat either?

I feel like y'all don't see parents as people. Because they are. They're flawed people who existed before you and carry their own burdens.

Yeah, there are some really shitty people out there who force their burdens on their children. There are parents out there who never let their children know they had a burden at all. Everyone is different. They carry their burdens differently, and some people crumple beneath them.

Deruth crumpled beneath the burden of his wife's death and failed to be an emotional support figure for his son.

I don't think this makes him evil, just weak.

Do I think this makes him a deadbeat shitty father who deserves the bizarre amount of condemnation he receives?

Er, no. I'll never promote Deruth as the father of the year, but the way people take what we don't know about the relationship between og!Cale and him to make Deruth the sole cause of Cale's problems...

you do a disservice to og!Cale's character. He had his own reasons for what he did, and he himself refers to them as his family when he spoke with krs!Cale. Why would he sign up for a war to avenge people who he felt neglected by? he wasn't just some victim, he played an active role in his life the same way krs played an active role in his og!life.

😗

[thelikesoffinn]

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Duchess Violan and Duke Deruth took petty revenge on Cales enemies out of pure spite.

Cale: The Bishop of the Church of the Sun God looked down on me.

Violan and Deruth: *probably planning to run off to donate a fuck ton of money to the church of the God of death simply because they can*

[cindythecyclops]

The idea that all OG! Cale needed was a single responsible adult whom he respected to sit him down and set him straight to prevent his self-destruction is so tragically frustratingly funny to me.

Like, it could have been Deruth, Violan or even Ron and he would have stopped.

I imagine that in a modern AU, when Cale's behavior first started, Deruth made the decision to go to therapy with his whole family to sort out their issues. Because Deruth loves his son and I do think that if therapy was a thing in Roan, then he would have definitely taken Cale.

Anyway, Therapist tells Deruth to get his shit together and sit with his son to have a heartfelt conversation because his eldest is more than the remnants of his late wife. They do that and badabing bada boom, issues are sorted and Cale isn't ruining his life and making himself miserable, and the family is close.

OG! TBOAH meet this Modern AU Henituse family and they are SHOCKED at how different the two Cales are, including Cale himself.

Then the reason is revealed and oooh boy, are there a lot of revelations.

"WAIT IT WAS ALL AN ACT?"

"All I had to do was tell him to stop????"

Funny shit.

[alien-slushie]

Deruth: What did you do this weekend?

Cale: Joined a Cult, got engaged, became the Priest of said Cult, blew up a building, called off the engagement, adopted some children, and set another building on fire. Not nessicarrily in that order.

Deruth: ...this is revenge for ignoring you, isn't it?

Cale: :)

[jenjenmina]

Everyone always talks about how Cale looks like Jour but I think Cale and Deruth have the same sad puppy eyes

[infinizero]

I am of the opinion that if Cale were to ever realize how much his kids think of him as their parent, he would absolutely speedrun therapy and you cannot change my mind

[nukudraws]

Deruth and og Cale comic - Part 3

~Maybe~

~If I hadn't, missed it all~

~Maybe, he'd be fine~

~Maybe we'd unwind~

..........................................................................................

Yup, that's it, I know it's kinda short but yeah :⁠'D

Hope you liked it ~⁠ ⁠(⁠°⁠ ⁠~⁠ ⁠°⁠ ⁠~⁠)

Version with sound|yt version

Part 1, part 2

You can support me over here if you want to:

[mytragedyperson]

Thoughts I had while reading TCF/LCF chapter 14

Well done Cale, you didn’t get beat up. One of the few times your plan actually works and you don’t get hurt. Also poor OG Cale. Getting beat up already suck but it was raining too? Now that’s just sad.

Also the start of his hoard of ancient powers because as mentioned Cale hoards pretty much everything, as he should

Oh the awkwardness that is the early days Henituse family. I don’t hate or dislike Deruth. Idk what the general consensus about him is. I don’t necessarily think he’s the best father ever but I also don’t think he’s the worst father ever. I think he tries his best but it’s hard. I don’t think anyone is solely at fault for the awkwardness in the family. Like it would be so easy to say it’s OG Cale’s fault or it’s Deruth’s fault but it’s not really that black and white. We know from the beginning that Deruth is at least trying from the way Ron tells Cale the master has been wanting to eat breakfast with him for a while. It’s one of the first things we hear in the novel, but it also seems he didn’t really try to intervene when Cale was acting like trash, except we get that information from the novel, which doesn’t even name the secret organisation tormenting everyone in the first 5 volumes. He doesn’t try to correct his manners, but really his manners aren’t that bad at least compared to OG Cale who calls the food trash and breaks stuff a lot. I do think he could be a worse father, but I also think he could be a better character so for now I’m fairly neutral towards him. I do think he’s trying to protect and care for Cale in his own way, he just doesn’t know how to do that, snd he may be worried that pushing too hard will cause Cale to leave altogether. Maybe my opinion will change as time goes by.

Similarly I don’t yet have much of an opinion on Violan. Some may say that, as the adult, she should be the one putting in the effort and trying to improve their relationship, but I feel like it’s already more awkward for step parents, especially in a case like this where the biological mother is dead, because you don’t want to try and force a relationship and you don’t want to seem like you’re trying to replace the biological parent. Again fairly neutral towards her, maybe that will change. I feel like it’s easy to tell that, in her own way, she does care for Cale, she just doesn’t know how to show that and I feel like that’s especially clear in the way she discusses the larger envoy and appearances. Yes, it’s partially about protecting the family’s image but it’s also her own way of looking out for Cale and protecting him from the nobles and politics of their world. Also this may be the first somewhat positive interaction they’ve ever had and she seems fairly happy with it.

Also it’s not really like Violan is wrong about the whole appearances matter thing, and Cale knows this better than most. He knows the reputation OG Cale has and uses that to his advantage while moving in secret. Just take the Black Dragon thing. He’s a trashy young master who was drinking early, got too drunk, and retired for the night early. He also uses this to smuggle Taylor and Cage into the capital, and to mess with the enemy. Cale is a master at using appearances to his advantage, so ifanyone would agree with Violan’s beliefs about appearance being important, especially to nobles, it’s Cale.

Another instance of him being kind/non-selfish, him not taking more servants. This ignores a few things. 1) he doesn’t have to help the Black Dragon at all, he could just pass through the village and be out of there before Raon even poses a threat. I know we’re all glad he didn’t do that but the point remains that he could’ve and, who knows, if he did that Raon may have even been able to still live. He was a beserk dragon so it may not have been a happy ending, and all the villagers would probably die, but Choi Han wouldn’t be there to kill them. Of course the secret organisation would’ve been hunting him then, but somehow I don’t think they’re beating a beserk dragon who hates people unless the white star himself does something but I could be wrong. As I said glad this didn’t happen. Raon deserves better than that but it was a possibility. 2) he claims not to care about people but so far all he’s done is care about people. And I know him not being able to watch people die is valid but, again, if his plan somehow fails or he doesn’t manage to free Raon, he knows what day it happens. I bet, if he’d been unable to save Raon for whatever reason, plan B would’ve been an evacuation. Idc what he says, he wasn’t letting those villagers die. Cale is a lot like Choi Han in that respect. He refuses to let people die if he can help it. of course he’d never admit this and would be horrified if anyone said it, but this trait, that he says is so admirable of Choi Han, is a trait that he also has but doesn’t notice. Remind you of anything? Like, maybe him admiring how open minded Choi Han is and how he befriends all the races, only to go on to befriend even more races than Choi Han did. That’s right, I’m calling Cale out for being exactly the thing he admires, because he continues to call himself selfish, lazy trash while being the opposite.

Honestly he isn’t fooling anyone. He can use as many words as he wants, at the end of the day, it’s very clear that he just doesn’t want people around him to get hurt, if he can prevent it. Oh I don’t care about people, I just don’t want to see them hurt in front of me or to be responsible for the people who get hurt. That’s so many words to say I care about people and son’t want them to get hurt.

Ok I get that he has a point about the responsibility of others being a burden, but it’s one that he actively takes on himself. If Raon did get free, that wouldn’t make him responsible. Just knowing about things doesn’t magically give you the ability to change or fix it. It would still be Neo Tolz’ responsibility and the Stan family’s responsibility. It’s their territory, their people. The Stans are smart enough to keep it in a different territory but arrogant enough to keep it mear people. They’re so sure that it won’t escape but it does, in every world it gets free, either by freeing itself or being freed. You can’t tame a dragon or keep it contained but they’re so arrogant, and as a result they put innocent people, the villagers, in danger, and they don’t even care, and why would they? It’s not the Stan’s territory so the consequences don’t affect them as much. God I hate them, I hate them so much.

The fact that Kim Rok Soo is taking more responsibility for events and people that are happening in an entirely different world and these complete monsters can’t even be bothered to pretend to care about the people they’re supposed to protect and leave. They are a waste of human life

Also I notice Cale is very big on eye contact. Every time he talks to someone he tries to make eye contact, and I love this because I feel like this is another sign that he sees them as equals. Now, I’m not saying people who don’t make eye contact don’t see others as equals, I get it, eye contact can be awkward. But it can also be poweful and a show of respect. First it’s almost vulnerable in a way and shows that you’re not hiding anything. The eyes are the window to the soul and by making eye contact he’s showing his emotions, showing he’s being honest, showin he understands. It also shows that he’s engaged with the conversation, he’s looking at them, he’s listening to them, he’s fully focused on them and the conversation. He wants to hear and understand their opinion and their point of view. It shows he cares about what they have to say but also that he wants them to hear what he has to say. He’s not distracted, he’s not interrupting, he’s listening and paying attention. Again, I’m not saying people who can’t or don’t make eye contact aren’t equally invested or whatever, I just feel like it’s another nice subtle way of showing that Cale respects people and sees him as equals. It’s also a good way for Cale to read others. The mouth and even the body can lie, but the eyes usually can’t. maybe it’s just because I was always taught that it was polite to look at people when you’re talking to them or they’re talking. Idk.

Ugh and art being the mirror to the soul is such a great statement. Whatever art you do, it’s usually a reflection of your emotions right. Sometimes that emotion is as simple as I like this thing or I felt like drawing this thing but there’s always some sort of emotion involved somewhere.

How happy they are that Cale and Violan are getting on. This is why I can’t feel negative towards Deuth or Violan.

Ah the information network. Funny to think that by the end of the novel Cale will have the best information network there is.

How surprised do you think they were that Cale actually read all the information? In the beginning everyone seemed shocked that Cale was reading and writing things down to the point that I would actually be offended but I kinda get it.

Honestly Deuth must’ve been pulling his hair out trying to keep up with Cale. He knows his son is responsible for some things, he just doesn’t know how, and Cale never actually explains, and then he somehow has to keep track of Cale leaving the territory for onre thing, to go to one place, only to be gone for weeks just traveling around the continents. And then he just retuens and is like hi I come baring new family members/allies, and also I’m moving to Harris village, and also we now have an alliance with this random group and access to this thing and we’re financing this, and Deuth is just there like wtf? He asks Hans, Hans is like idk. He asks Ron, Ron just smiles benignly. He asks Hilsman, Hilsman just gets a haunted look in his eye. Eventually he decides he’s better off not knowing and just accepts it.

Also I heard the manhwa dropped the ball when it came to the man eating tree so, is there any fanart of it? Specifically the transformation? Please it sounds so pretty, I need to see it. If anyone can point me towards someone who’s done fanart of this I’d appreciate it.

Oh my god the man eating tree is out of its goth/emo phase, good for the tree. Jk goths and emos are cool and their clothes are pretty.

Deruth: I heard an interesting rumor recently

Cale: don’t be suspicious, don’t be suspicious.

I’d say I’m sorry but I’m really not and if even one of you read that and heard it as a song my work here is done

I imagine sometimes Deruth will be trying to sleep and just as he’s about to drift off, he remembers the man-eating tree’s transformation and just gets lost internally debating what Cale did. No sleep is had on those nights as he considers the possibilities.

I mean, even when Cale does come back he doesn’t get to immediately become a couch potato, then he has like a month to laze around and then is back to being busy for weeks. That’s like one of the things Cale is bad at, being a couch potato

So I know this is a fantasy world and they’re nobles so rules are different but I just imagine 7 year old Lily Henituse, looking up at 18 year old Cale Henituse after he asks if she wants him to bring back a present. And he’s probably expecting her to ask for idk a doll or a teddy bear, idk what 7 year old little girls like but you know something fairly innocent and harmless. And she just completely earnestly looks up at him and says, with the most innocent expression possible “a sword”. That is simultaneously adorable, hilarious, and slightly terrifying, and maybe even a little bit badass. I wouldn’t normally recommend giving a child a sword but just for the mental image this provides I’d say she deserves it.

she’s so adorable. Lily must be protected at all costs. If anything bad happens to Lily I’m going to have no choice but to transmigrate into the novel and pull a Raon by just destroying everything.

Ok but Cale’s children grow up so spoiled.

And she’s so polite when she asks for a sword too. Fuck Cale. I want the story of Lily saving everyone with the power of cuteness, politeness, and this sword she found. Please and thank you.

Honestly the first real clue we get that Cale’s earth may not be the way we know it, other than his complete calmness about all of this, is probably the way he reacts to Lily asking for a sword. He doesn’t really react much after the initial shock and just agrees. Again I know it’s a fantasy world but Kim Rok Soo isn’t from this fantasy world, and I can only imagine it’s because, after the apocalypse or whatever on his earth that I only know anything about from fanfic, any kids that are still alive, probably not unusual to see them with some sort of weapon. And that also makes sense for Cale because he knows being young doesn’t mean you’ll be safe, he’s too used to kids being in danger.

And Basen seems like such a good brother. Like he’s so encouraging and supportive. I like Basen and Lily.

I love how supportive Basen and Cale are of Lily and how willing they are to take her and her dreams seriously? I can only imagine that a lot of people would hear that a 7 year old girl wants to be swordsman and just not take it seriously or make fun of her or think she’ll grow out of it or disapprove because “it’s not ladylike” and she’s supposed to be a noble. It’s so nice to see that Lily’s family supports her and doesn’t try to ridicule her or try to change her mind. They just accept it and accept her. God I love this story

And that must’ve felt so good for Lily, hearing that her brother who she hasn’t talked to much and thought didn’t like in her believes she can do it and is willing to support her.

And then you get Basen who just wants a fountain pen. I know that’s equally as valid but the difference in the present they want is funny to me and a nice gender switch of the roles I believe, having Basen be the one dealing with admin stuff and Lily the swordsman and protector. I love that.

Deputy Butler Hans really said because they’re my favourite and gave On and Hong the comfiest set. He’s so real for that

And thank God Hans didn’t see the poison fog because God knows Cale wouldn’t explain shit if he had.

Oh my god, I love the way this novel says do we want our characters to be cute or terrifying and the answer is always why not both. Cute and terrifying are not two separate things. Things and people can be both cute and terrifying at the same time.

I feel like there could be serious conversation about how paralysis is worse than death. It does depend on how you die. I also took this to mean full body paralysis, so alive but unable to move, speak, anything. And I do think personally to me that would be worse than death. That might just be me idk.

Good, On and Hong deserve all the praise and also all the happiness and all the hugs and pats and affection, just everything good basically.

Another day, another reason I love Hans. Of course most of those reasons are related to the cat tribe siblings but I stand by what I said.

Everyone but Hans knowing something is great and should become the running joke of the series. Even Hilsman should know before him, Hans should be the last to know everything, if just to protect his innocence and give Hans plausible deniability.

Ah Choi Han and Cale. One of the best bromances to ever bromance. Choi Han is the true ride or die

I guess it makes sense that Choi Han wouldn’t call Cale young master because physically he’s younger than him. I feel like that would be awkward, calling someone older than you young master. Also I know nothing about ‘nim’ except that it shows respect but it could also be slightly more equal? I honestly don’t know. If I’m wrong about what some of this means, please tell me.

What is a persimmon? Is it a fruit? I know it’s a real thing and probably a food but that’s all I know. One sec. ok it is a fruit. Is it any good? Are they bitter? I’m guessing they’re not supposed to be

Gotta agree with Cale on this one. There is very little reason for Choi Han to be in the same carriage. That would probably limit movement anyway if someone managed to get through to the carriage to attack Cale. Much more logical to protect the carriage from outside, more room and you can prevent them getting to Cale in the first place.

Cale really speedrun? Speedran? Cale’s character development from the book huh? Good for him.

Ok I get that Choi Han was hiding his full strength but he still beat the Knight’s Brigade or members of it so I still don’t really understand why you’d try to mess with/look down on him.

Cale letting Choi Han deal with Hilsman and the knights on his own is actually a really good move. He could intervene but this is more likely to just cause more resentment. Choi Han needs to prove himself and honestly probably doesn’t want Cale to do anything anyway. You go Choi Han. Get him

No, in all seriousness, I actually don’t mind Hilsman. I don’t dislike him or anything but I do think at this point he could stand to learn a thing or two about looking down on people and underestimating them and Choi Han is the perfect example of why you shouldn’t underestimate him. So is Cale but this isn’t really about him at the minute. This also pushes Hilsman to grow, as a knight and as a person, and encourages the other knights too, in a way that Cale couldn’t. another thing Cale didn’t mean to have happen but did. And all because he chose to take Choi Han to the capital. Butterfly effect: now the knights are stronger and know not to underestimate people.

Hans’ concern for Choi Han is really sweet and we again get to see the trust he has in Cale since he takes the issue to him and seemingly trusts him to deal with it.

Hans: I think Choi Han is being bullied

Cale: really? By who?

Hans: the vice captain

Cale: poor guy

Hans: yeah it sucks that he’s doing this to Choi Han

Cale: I meant the Vice Captain. Poor vice captain

Hans: visibly confused

Similar energy to call the ambulance but not for me, you know.

Also love Cale just not caring. Just he’ll be fine probably and goes about his day,

Ah yes, Cale’s envoy. You know, despite his preference and attempts, that envoy never actually seems to decrease. It just seems to get bigger.

Oh these poor bandits. They chose the wrong carriage on the wrong day. The lesson here: don’t be a bandit or, if you are a bandit, don’t try to steal from Cale Henituse. In fact that may just be a lesson/rule in general.

I’m sorry if you, as a bandit, attack a carriage, and the people on the carriage don’t even bother to look out the window at you, to even feign concern, that’s probably a sign you should run.

Even Hong thinks you’re an amateur and he’s like 8 at this point. Get out of here. Can’t even scare an 8 year old, no one is phased.

He’s also way too good at just ignoring screams of terror and pain, which is kinda sad if you think about it too long

[slackerlifewhere]

In defense of Deruth

Fair warning, there will be some SPOILERS so if you haven't finished the first novel or you care about spoilers, I suggest you don't continue reading. Thanks!

I'm a reader of fanfics, manga, manhwa, manhua, and novels. I basically consume different stories whenever I'm bored (which I usually am).

But the things I've read most often involve parents, which I'm not really looking for but it's there so whatever.

I had to read stories with basically the same plot but different...ingredients but the thing I notice is that most stories involve abusive or neglectful parents. And it's weird to me. Like can't heroes or villains have good parents and they turn out the way they are because of other circumstances? Obviously, it's because authors want us to root for the character but for me, it's just lazy writing.

So imagine my annoyance when, after reading the first volume of TCF, I see several fics hating and trashing Deruth Henituse and saying he's the worst father in existence.

I get it. He's not the best father. His wife, who he loves very much, died and left him as a single father. He has responsibilities as a count and soon marries Violan who has Basen by then. They have another kid soon after, which is Lily. He seems to entrust the responsibilities of the heir to Basen after OG Cale's reputation took a nosedive. In a sense, he appears as if he doesn't care about OG Cale's feelings and reputation and looks like he's focusing on his other children.

BUT he's not the worst father either. Listen, you may hate him for whatever reason, whether you've consumed too many stories with bad parents or you see yourself in OG Cale, BUT he's an okay parent.

Let me list the top three fathers that are absolutely disgusting compared to him before I explain why I think he doesn't deserve all the hate he's getting:

1. Marquis Stan

We all know what happened to Taylor Stan and while we can blame it on Venion, it's also because of their father. Their father is basically an asshole who wants to see his children fight for the heir's position. And he doesn't care if they end up killing each other for it. It's basically like watching sports for him at this point. He's mainly the reason why Venion grew up into a twisted bastard. While yes, Venion is not innocent in any shape or form after what he did to his brother and Raon, it's obvious he became that way because of his father.

In fact, Taylor is also a victim of Marquis Stan's abhorrent parenting. He's not evil like his family but he learned to be independent and to fight back because he doesn't want to become like them. He died in the original story.

So yeah. Marquis Stan is absolutely disgusting and no one can change my mind that he's the worst existence among all the fathers in the story.

2. White Star

The only reason why he's not number 1 is because he's not a literal father but he does pose as one for DHB. If you know what he did to dragons, then I don't need to summarize it for you. For those who don't, you need to read the novel because it's going to be a long explanation. All I can say is that he's also the reason why DHB became so crazy. And honestly, I'm glad that even if Cale is very guarded at DHB, he still gave him the freedom to choose and repent later on.

3. Zed Crossman

He's the lesser evil of the two but he's kind of like Marquis Stan but tamer.

He basically has his three kids fight for the throne while ignoring or favoring one over the other. And he doesn't even try to hide that he doesn't care too much unless it involves his plans.

He basically wants to see who is more fit for the throne but he doesn't stop them from sabotaging one another.

Honestly, I put all the effort on Tasha and Obante's part that Alberu became a better person. Zed is completely useless.

---

So...is Deruth a bad father?

Before I answer that, here's the thing about OG Cale. He's a complex character who is grieving most of his life and wants to protect his siblings in his own twisted way. In order to do that, he needs to act like he's trash and push everyone away. But is that Deruth's fault? Eeeeh kinda but not really???

They both lack communication as father and son. In fact, the moment KRS, now Cale Henituse, was forcefully transmigrated into OG Cale's world, it's shown that Deruth is trying to communicate with his son.

The first few chapters show that he cares for his son in his own way when Cale sits down to join them in breakfast. He attempts to talk to Cale even though he was hesitant. He seems surprised but happy when Cale answered. Yeah, it's shitty that OG Cale's family and Ron didn't notice he got switched but in all honesty, it'll be hard for a normal person to come to the conclusion that a God was involved. If I were in their shoes, I would find it suspicious (probably thinking that something happened that changed that person's actions and personality) but I wouldn't think of transmigration or God of Death. Conspiracy theories aren't the first thing I'll think of. That's just dumb to use as an excuse for hating the Henituse family.

People, fans, want family drama but in all honesty, they're just ruining OG Cale's character in the way they do it. It's actually disrespectful to his sacrifice for his family. He made that deal with God of Death not only because he wants to see his mom but also because he wants his family to live after they all died in the war against the White Star. He lived through that war with him as the sole survivor of the whole family. That sucks. He could've stayed but he didn't want to and also because he already died in the future anyways. If he wants to help them as himself, I doubt he'll shut up about it to the God of Death, regardless if it's a literal god he's gonna argue with. Let me remind you that this guy is so stubborn, he made a trashy reputation to help his brother.

Instead of doing it himself, he chose to let KRS (who didn't know he's going to be involved in a war in another world btw) save his world and family in exchange for seeing his mother. He chose to leave not because of Deruth (not completely, at least) but because he simply wants to. And he's content with his decision, regardless of his regrets.

By the way, his mom, Jour, is also not pretty great if you think about her decision before she died (my unpopular opinion but whatever). I do think her final conversation with him and her following death traumatized him in a way that I can't help but feel angry for him. It's mainly the reason why he hates the Harris Village that Choi Han ended up in. It doesn't excuse his reaction to the village later on but it does explain why he hates the place, even if it's not their fault his mother died. So yeah, I don't like his mother (I'm not talking about her reincarnation btw. She's a kid). That's not the way to care for your son, ma'am.

Deruth is obviously trying but a relationship needs to work between two people and not just one. That's what you call a one-sided relationship, guys. It's why OG Cale and Violan are not close. Both of these characters don't try to be close, maybe not because they dislike each other but maybe because of a misunderstanding or whatever (who knows).

Cale only got close to her because he actually treats her with respect (also because...you know...he's an orphan and was abused as a kid so deep inside, he thinks Deruth and Violan are good but not the best parents). And whenever Cale gets hurt or is in a bad situation, we sometimes get their reaction. They're worried and angry for him. They want him to stay away from danger. In fact, the last few chapters are basically Deruth getting angry at Cale for endangering himself (completely understandable).

You can also argue that Deruth didn't try hard enough. Well, let me just tell you as someone who's been depressed since I was a kid that whenever my parents try to ask me what's wrong, I usually reply with "nothing" or "I'm fine." So for parents to try harder doesn't usually end up with a heart-to-heart talk unless the other wants to talk.

So yeah, I think KR novels and manhwa are basically the reason why some readers immediately jump in defense for the character they like because of possible abuse and neglect from parents. Without thinking about it properly. Like please, if you hate a character, at least try to understand them first and list down the other worst characters before you actually say that they're the worst.

Side note: The worst thing that I also notice is fans also target Basen and Lily. They include the whole Henituse family and write a fanfic about how abusive or neglectful all of them are. BASEN AND LILY ARE LITERAL KIDS. WTF ARE YOU GUYS THINKING. They didn't do anything to OG Cale??? They're just there?

Did I just create an account to rant about how stupid some fans are? Yeah, pretty much. You can hate on Deruth but don't include the kids. They're kids??? Without any involvement with OG Cale and Deruth's drama?

Reminder: I haven't read the second volume because I'm planning to read it when it's completely translated. That way, I won't have to wait too long for the next chapter.

[yuriisclumsy]

I'm so excited that more people started taking cale request!!!✧\(>o<)ﾉ✧

Anyway hiii! Can I have an enemy to lovers with cale henituse and fem.reader idk something cliche like a dance scene or one gets protective of the other or maybe a cute "oh shit I'm actually in love moment"

Sorry I'm bursting with ideas rn.~

Love's Dance

Part 1 (You are here) | Part 2 | Part 3

𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 2,729

Authors note: You ask, and I shall deliver. PS. why did you give me such a good idea? like, I'm at 5k word for the overall thing, and I am not even done yet... (send help)

The streets of Roan Kingdom's Capital were bustling like usual. The vendors selling their goods, children running around carelessly, mothers screaming at them to not get dirty, and the usual underground activity Arm did. 

I strolled through these streets, thinking of nothing and relaxing ‘til I get another mission. 

“That reminds me…Arm has been quiet as of late. Sigh…they are up to no good…” I spoke to no one in particular, walking back to the Quiet Isle lodge. 

Quiet Isle is an inn in an area a little off the center of the Capital. I stayed there for the past three weeks after finishing my last mission. The price to stay is cheap, while still being comfortable. It has comfortable rooms, a clear view, free breakfast, and most importantly, it wasn’t noisy at all! Bonus points for the innkeepers, as they have been nothing but sweethearts.  

All-in-all, a good Inn if you’re looking to get your coins worth. 

I went through the inn’s doors, a sweet aroma of lavender hitting my nostrils as I neared the front desk.  

The Innkeepers were an old couple, and the misses genuinely enjoyed the smell of lavender. That is why, as you walk through the inn, you’ll be met with an influx of light purples from the flowers. 

Reaching the desk, I was greeted by a senior woman whose smile could cure all kinds of child injuries. 

“Oh! Why if it is the youth I’m all too familiar with!” The old granny said, delighted to see me. 

 “Greetings, Granny Fes,” I vowed curtly with a small smile. “Have there been any new guests at the inn?” I asked as she extended her hand to give me a piece of candy. 

Receiving the small candy, I offered a small ‘thank you.’ She said a quick ‘You’re welcome!’ before responding to my question. “Yes, yes! I welcomed a few new guests shortly after you left this morning for a stroll!” she excitedly told me. 

“Two of the five I welcomed are a couple expecting a child! Isn't that exciting? Ouu, to be young again…” 

“Oh, please. I say you are still quite young!” I say to get her head out of that cloud. 

“Fufufu, you are too kind [Name].” Granny Fes pinched my cheek as she got a bit flustered. “I believe one day you’ll meet a handsome young man that is suited just for you.” She added. 

I blushed a little, “Oh no, I don’t think that will happen…” I pause for a second. “Do you really think I’ll get lucky enough to have that...?” I asked, not believing I would get someone special to spend my days with. 

“Don’t give me that!” Granny Fes yelled, as if scolding one of her own. “You are beautiful! Which man wouldn't dream of having a wife such as yourself!?” 

All I could do was smile in response. This is how I want things to always go. Living in a peaceful area, sharing memories with people I meet along the way, even starting a family. Arm is nowhere near that picture. And it will never be. 

But alas. Good things always end. 

“Ah! That reminds me. [Name],” she called my name and handed me an envelope, “You received mail from a young lad. He said it was urgent.”  

Looking at the envelope as Granny Fes left to continue her job, I had an ominous feeling, yet I couldn’t pinpoint what it was.  

I turned it around only to see Arm’s seal stamped on it. Arm only sends letters if it is an important mission, and based on the color of the seal, it is of utmost importance.  

I am already not liking this I thought, refusing to open the letter. Maybe if I were to pretend its existence was nothing but a useless paper, it would disappear. But alas, I needed to open the envelope. With worry present in my face I opened it with the seal. Inside was a letter addressing Agent White Gold.  

That code name. It is the thing I despised most in this world. 

To Agent White Gold, 

Play time is up, White Gold. You have been assigned a mission in the Henituse Territory. We have discovered the traces of the leader of the organization known as ‘True Arm.’ Your mission is to go there and find out who the leader of the organization is, dead or alive. It is your choice which one you pick.  

A carriage will come to pick you up at sunrise, so don’t miss it.  

Once you arrive at your destination one of our men will greet you and guide you to your resting location and hand you an envelope. Inside, you will find descriptions of the one we are looking for, alongside a list of individuals that we found to match the description of our target. 

Remember, Agent, we are counting on your success. 

Don’t disappoint us, 

Arm 

Dammit… The moment I receive some peace after working for them like a slave…! I angrily store the letter to shreds, as if it were them instead of the letter. All I wanted was to disappear from the eyes of those bastards. They took me from my home, changed me to fit in an identity they made…they just can’t leave me alone, can they? 

 

I wanted to say no. To be able to run away to a far corner of the world so they would never be able to find me. But it is impossible. No one leaves. Rather, they die. Dying was the only way out. 

Yet, I want to live. 

I looked at Granny Fes as she talked with a few guests that were checking out. At that moment I knew that if I tried to escape, they would get everyone I was surrounded by. She doesn't deserve that. Neither does her husband, or her children and grandchildren. 

It is best I comply. 

“Sigh…Once you're in, there is no escaping their grasp…”  

The sky was tainted in hues of blues, purples, and oranges. The sun was rising from the nap it took, and fully ready to greet us. 

A carriage arrived early at the Quiet Isle Inn. Inside stood Granny Fes and Gramps Liy right next to me. Their eyes expressed sadness when looking at me. 

“Why so sad?” I asked the couple. 

“Oh, it’s just…it’s just that we’re both sad you’re leaving so soon.” Granny Fes confessed. Her husband, a bit more stubborn, only scuffed. Granny Fes elbowed him hard with a smile still shooting at me, gaining a small scowl from Gramps Liy. 

“AGHEM,” he raised one hand to fake a cough, “I guess you will be missed.” 

I laugh at his antics. Deep down he cares, he just has an unconventional way of expressing his feelings. 

“I’ll miss the two of you.” I looked at them with a small hinge of sadness but kept a smile to reassure them. I looked outside to see the coachman wave his hand signaling that he was ready for departure. “It seems I must go,” I turned to them, “see you later?” 

“Yes, yes. Goodbye little lady.” Gramps Liy ‘shud’ me to the carriage as he and his wife stared at me opening the door of the carriage. 

“Farewell, sweetheart. Make sure to take good care of yourself. And remember to look out for good lads while you’re traveling!” Granny Fes nagged me like I was about to never come back. Although, she was right about that. I don’t think I will be able to come back if I want to protect them. 

I laughed and said a small ‘I will!’ as I climbed into the carriage. Closing the door the carriage started moving. I waved to the couple one last time before I could not see them anymore. 

Sighting, I took out the map I packed. Looking at my destination, it was a few days from the capital. “This is going to be a loong trip…” I commented, making myself comfortable for the journey ahead. 

I hope I get this mission done quickly, so I can get another vacation from Arm. I looked up at the ceiling. I mean…how hard could it be to find this ‘leader’ anyways? 

… 

An old butler walks dutifully around the state halls. In hand, he holds a tray with a fancy tea set with a steel dome keeping the food inside warm; its aroma could be smelled by the passing housekeepers with wet laundry. 

The butler knocked at a door, he did not have to wait long, as he got an immediate response from the person inside. Opening the door he says his greetings. 

“Good morning, young master. I brought breakfast along with your favorite drink.” He says as he places down the tray on the table close to the window. 

“Ah, thank you, Ron.” A male voice thanked the butler. 

“It is my pleasure, young master Cale.” The butler, Ron, bowed. 

The man, who is now identified as Cale, sat down on the table to enjoy his breakfast. 

“Young master, if I may…” Ron waited for permission to continue speaking. 

���*Sight* Just spit it out.” Cale said in an uninterested voice. This is another one of his tangents. Drinking the lemonade that Ron made as he thinks of Ron’s earlier endeavors. 

Ron smiled, “I have detected Arm activity within the city.” 

“PFF–” spilling all the lemonade on the cup, he looked at Ron with widened eyes.

What is Arm doing here?! They have more pressing issues to deal with! Like, figuring out who Real Arm is! Cale’s thought went haywire.

 

Ron took his handkerchief out and gave it to Cale to use. 

“What do you mean there is Arm activity in the city? Is it more bombs?” He asked while using the cloth given to him to clean the mess he made. 

He shook his head, “no, at least not yet. I have seen them snoop around the city for information. It would seem we left them a small lead.” 

“Not good…” 

“If you’d prefer, young master, I could go rabbit hunting.” 

Looking at Ron with a drop of sweat evident in his forehead, he reluctantly answered. “...do whatever you want.”  

“Hehe. Then I will take my leave.” He bowed before leaving the room without making a sound. 

Scary old man. He looked outside pouring more lemonade in his cup. It’s not a good sign if Arm is here. I need to prepare in case they strike. 

… 

“Hey, wake up! We’re almost there!” 

“WHAT? HUH–huh?” I got up from my seat at lightning speed, looking around in a daze. As I scoot closer to the window, I see the giant walls looming overhead. On top of one of the towers built in the wall was a flag. It was the Henituse’s family crest imprinted on it.  

I’m already in the Henituse territory! 

Getting closer at the entrance door of the city, the carriage stopped, as they had to do a check before letting anyone in. 

“Execute me, m’lady. May I have your identification paper?” A soldier asked me. 

Security check? When I traveled to other places, they didn’t ask for my identification but the coachman’s. 

I handed him the paper without complaint, receiving it right after he checked that everything was good. The other soldiers gave him a thumbs up after checking the carriage and the coachman. Without further interruption they let us through, wishing us a happy stay. 

“That was…something.” 

The coach man dropped me off at a tavern near the city square. Going upstairs to the second floor of the establishment, I sat down at a table near the edge of the balcony. Waiting for the man that was supposed to give me the information mentioned in the letter I looked out into the streets, I could see the liveliness of the people.  

They were too lively in my opinion. 

Hearing footsteps approaching my table I diverted my attention to them. I was greeted with a man wearing a hat with fancy clothing. 

“Hello, m’lady,” the man greeted by taking his hat off and vowing curtly. 

Didn’t know Arm also had rich allies. I thought, seeing the man's mannerisms. 

“Good evening,” I vowed slightly, “are you the one mentioned in the letter?” 

“Eager now, are we?” He sat down in front of me with a smug smile. He placed his hat down before taking out an envelope. He slid it across the table. As I grabbed it, I took out its content.  

It was a list of suspects. They all had red hair and were male. And that was it. No underground activities, no records, nothing. 

“That’s…it?”  

This is the only information they managed to find…seriously? I thought. Was someone able to sneak past Arm’s noses? How is that even possible? 

“Unfortunately, it is.” 

“Ha...!” I laughed at the absurdity of the situation. I looked up at the man after reviewing the list of suspects.  

“This is the only description we managed to find,” the smile on his face dropped into a frown, “only at the low cost of our scouts: a single spy was able to escape long enough to hide a piece of paper in a tree trunk…” he said. 

“....” I looked down at the list.  

To be able to kill all of our scouts…this is no meek foe. Just thinking of how strong they are sends shivers down my spine…  

“I have arranged a small room at an Inn close by here. I have left some equipment at your disposal. The location is on one of the papers in the envelope.” The man stood up and put his hat on, adjusting his suit a little before looking at me.  

“If you need anything else, I left a card at your place with instructions as to how you can contact me. Remember I’m at your service m’lady, Tata! ~” 

“I will keep that in mind.” 

Watching as he disappeared behind the doors of the second floor, I decided to order something to eat before heading to my fixed place. 

…

 

“…a festival?” Cale looked at the flier given to him. 

“That’s right,” Count Deruth, Cale’s father, said nonchalantly, “the festival will brighten the people's moods, as well as show that we are financially good.” 

Politics…. 

! 

“Wait, here it says the ‘Henituse’s’ are attending…I don’t have to attend…right?” 

Deruth raised an eyebrow in question. “You don’t have to go.” 

“...” 

I must go. *Sight* My well-deserved rest has been postponed once again… can’t I catch a break for once? 

“On that note, I have reserved a spot on the city square where we will be presiding during the time,” he said as Cale gave him back the paper.  

“You don’t have to talk–or better said–you don’t have to even move. Just sitting there is enough.” 

Cale smiled at this I don’t have to move? Seems perfect to me! 

“I’ll be attending in that case.” 

“The festival will start in a few days. Be ready.” 

Cale exited his father’s study, walking back to his room. 

I need to tell Ron about this. It’ll be no surprise if Arm takes advantage of the festival. There stands a man with black hair waiting outside Cale’s room for him to come. 

“!” 

“Young master Cale!” The man runs towards him with puppy-like energy. 

“Choi Han, is there something you need?” Cale asked. 

“I heard from Ron that there have been suspicious activities happening in the city. So, I came to ask for permission to investigate.” Hans explained. 

Cale hummed. Strange. Usually, you would do these types of things without letting me know. Perhaps he thinks this is a bit dangerous and if he doesn't return, we know where to look? 

“You can do as you please, no need to ask for my permission.” 

“I see…thank you young master,” Han vowed, “I will report back immediately once I find anything!” As he said that, he began to leave. 

“Oh, and, Choi Han?” Cale spoke before he could fully leave. 

“Yes, Cale?” 

“If you find anything, make sure to report first. Don’t go around making havoc, got it?” Cale instructed. 

“...yes” he responded with a bit of thinking, knowing it was the best decision. 

Let’s see what they have in store for us. Cale entered his room, he’ll laze around until the festival actually begins. What a bother… 

… 

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Master-List

[calerokso]

Toonka calling Deruth Henituse 'Our Fwather' is just adorable.

*he just wants to be cale's sibling*

[somber-cryptid]

ok so if Deruth was actually aware his son transmigrated, and that someone else was in his son's body...

what do you think his thoughts were when said person took cale's allowance to buy massive amounts of bread?