Chapter 287: Cale, more than a Dragon (1)

“Hehe.”

Clopeh Sekka chuckled softly. The smile on his face, filled with melancholy with his white hair and green eyes, seemed truly sacred.

- Yes, Cale, now I understand.

Super Rock began to speak seriously.

- When for days and days the snowstorm raged and covered the world in white. Although it seemed impossible, there was a single tree that stood tall with its beautiful green foliage in that white world. When the snowstorm stopped completely and the sun appeared between the clouds, the sunlight reflected on the snow. And when the only green leaf that endured shone with the sunlight. That sacred feeling.

Super Rock was very serious, as if all his doubts had disappeared.

- That sacred feeling is inherently present in the smile of that madman.

Wow, what long explanations.

Cale was perplexed, but he kept his mouth shut. Although he had no desire to contradict Super Rock, his expression inevitably twisted at his next words.

- Of course, that smile doesn't compare to yours when you’re scamming.

What is this Super Rock saying?

Cale sighed deeply.

Clopeh, who had been smiling softly, opened his mouth.

“From the first moment I met Cale-nim, the Legend began. Being so insignificant, I did not realize that Cale-nim’s words were the truth and added my selfish desires, thinking of vain things. Truly, I was very stupid.”

What is this other madman talking about?

Cale's expression twisted even more.

However, Clopeh continued speaking while gently looking at Cale and then directed his gaze to Pope Casillia.

“If one adds selfish desires, they cannot see the true path they desire.”

The Pope looked at him without saying a word. Clopeh continued speaking in a low voice.

“The result of such a foolish act would be a vain death. Moreover, it would leave nothing and be forgotten. If one does not desire that, it is better to follow the path Cale-nim indicates and leave a great story.”

Pope Casillia observed Clopeh in silence before looking away. That white-haired Sword Master was a very cautious person. One should not take his words at face value.

‘His words are as cunning as a snake.’

He probably trusts no one. Well, perhaps in one thing.

‘He is blindly loyal.’

Cale Henituse. Clopeh’s loyalty to him bordered on madness. By not showing it openly, it was even more clingy.

‘And his master knows very well how to take advantage of that essence.’

Pope Casillia evaluated Cale while he looked at Clopeh with a frown. And Cale was thinking.

‘What nonsense is this madman saying, trying to sound grand?’

Cale was beginning to regret having kept that madman Clopeh by his side. However, he soon shifted his thoughts upon hearing the Pope’s words.

“We will move to Exion Castle tomorrow afternoon.”

The 3-Star Dragon. The Dragon called “Exion”, known as the God of Earth.

“If Ryan seemed like a subordinate of the Dragon Lord, Exion is his sword.”

Before arriving at the temple, Cale, Raon, and Eruhaben had visited the island of the Two-Star Dragon, Epley.

‘Human… everything has disappeared.’

‘That's right.’

The place they arrived at via teleportation was completely devastated. The island had disappeared without a trace, and the sea was still churning. Although it might have seemed strange that the effects of a single explosion were still lingering, the cause was clear.

‘It's because of the energy of the Source of the World.’

Eruhaben clicked his tongue while looking at the boiling sea.

‘Ryan’s mana had already returned to nature at the moment of his explosion. But the energy of the Source of the World is a force that does not disappear and persists in this world.’

Hence, the energy of the Source of the World, which had lost its owner, was causing strange phenomena in the sea.

‘Hmm. We will have to leave it like this for a while.’

There was no immediate way to correct the strange phenomena in the sea near Epley’s island. Of course, Cale knew what to do.

‘…We have to destroy everything at once.’

Then, the strange phenomena in the sea would also disappear.

‘Epley won't be able to retrieve anything from here. Even if she returned, it would be useless.’

Eruhaben commented while he observed the location of the vanished island.

‘I thought of collecting Ryan's remains, but it seems he left nothing due to the energy of the Source of the World.’

When a Dragon dies naturally, everything disperses into nature. Although the Dragon's Rage was considered a voluntary decision, Ryan did not want to die until the last moment, so Eruhaben had come to collect his remains. Even if he was an enemy, he thought that collecting the remains was part of his duty as an Elder Dragon.

‘What a pity.’

There was another reason as well.

‘I wanted to know how a Dragon could handle that black substance.’

Ryan handled the black substance with ease. Dead Mana was a deadly poison for most living beings. Especially for Dragons, who were so familiar with mana. Eruhaben wanted to know Ryan's secret for handling that black substance.

‘As we continue fighting, we will find clues about the secret.’

‘So, it will be.’

Eruhaben, Raon, and Cale returned from Epley’s island with regret. Cale, coming out of his thoughts, opened his mouth.

“Only Exion remains among the Three Dragons.”

Pope Casillia briefly trembled at those words.

‘…They killed Ryan, and Epley fled, didn't they?’

The Pope, having confirmed the truth of those words, spoke calmly.

“Yes. And there are still dozens of Dragons left. Including the Dragon Lord.”

Cale responded with a smile.

“That will also end if we eliminate them one by one.”

The 3-Star Dragon, Exion. It was said that he was the strongest after the Dragon Lord. In his Castle, there was a path to the World Tree.

The World Tree.

Due to its existence, Cale had to go there, but there was also another obvious reason to think about it.

“Are you saying that the Elves live in Exion’s Castle?”

“Yes. Most of the elves in this land follow Exion.”

Upon the Pope’s response, Cale added bluntly.

“Is that why the Inquisitors follow Exion’s call?”

“…That's right.”

Exion had given an order to the Church.
‘Everyone gather.’
This included, of course, the Pope and the Bishops, as well as the Inquisitors.
“And you say they also summoned the Ten Dragon Gods?”
To Cale’s question, Casillia nodded.
“Yes. While the Temple’s participation is mandatory, the Ten Dragon Gods were invited to join optionally.”

“Do you think all Ten Dragon Gods will gather?”

At that moment, Clopeh, who had been silent, intervened in the conversation.

“Cale-nim, now they should be the Six Dragon Gods, shouldn't they?”

He spoke softly but with a fierce look directed at the Pope.

“We have faced four Dragons.”

Ryan, Epley. And the imprisoned Kendall and Sisko in the Black Castle.

“Truly, we have done many things. But there are still many Dragons to face.”

With a soft smile, Clopeh looked at the Pope.

“I imagine Your Holiness the Pope finds this situation very regrettable. Isn't that, right?”

We have done much, now it is your turn.

That was the essence of what Clopeh was saying, and Cale smiled slightly satisfied.

‘Indeed, Clopeh is the right one to adapt to my environment.’

While Cale considered Clopeh's advantages, the Pope, with a tense face, opened her mouth.

“I understand. The Bishops and Holy Knights will follow my will and do their best. However-”

She stopped. Cale knew very well the reason. There was a reason why he had arrived a day earlier instead of going directly to the Temple the next day with the Pope.

“The empire, are you worried about it?”

Cale let out a low laugh.

He approached and sat in a chair near the table. Then he leaned his arm on the table and began to gently tap the surface with his index finger.

“Has Exion asked the Empire, specifically the Emperor, to go to the Castle?”

Cale let out a brief laugh. As if it were incredible.

“And to bring the Kings of other human kingdoms with him? Hmm-”

After a pause, Cale continued.

“We can consider it a kind of mobilization. It seems they want to involve humans in their fight and use them as shields.”

The Earth Elemental of the Inquisitor had headed to Exion Castle. Having learned of the events in Har Kingdom, Exion had likely been planning to confront Har Kingdom, Cale, and the Beast People. To escalate the conflict, Exion had intended to involve the Temple and other nations across the continent, turning the confrontation into a larger-scale battle. With sheer numbers on their side, they had planned to pressure Cale until he collapsed.

‘From Exion’s perspective, there is no reason to dirty his hands.’

According to the information, Exion, being the Dragon Lord's sword, usually did not get involved directly. That was the reason why Ryan had been able to establish himself as the right-hand man of the Dragon Lord.

On the contrary, it was said that Exion enjoyed secluding himself in the castle and training, appearing little among the Three Star Dragons.

“By the way, I am very grateful to Your Holiness the Pope.”

Cale leaned his arms on the table and, with his chin on his hands, observed the Pope.

“......”

Faced with the Pope’s uncomfortable gaze, Cale spoke softly.

“Don't I owe Your Holiness the Pope all this information? If it weren't for you, we wouldn't know anything.”

Cale shrugged.

"Because the Emperor didn’t tell us anything."

Although Cale's tone when speaking about the Emperor was disdainful, the Pope did not let it show on her expression.

The Pope had informed him about the situation with Exion without Cale asking. But the Emperor had said nothing.

"Huu."

Sighing deeply, the Pope continued.

"He is that kind of person."

Emperor Alt.

That is the kind of person he is.

"If he had known Ryan was dead, he probably would have contacted you, Cale Henituse. He would have wanted to have a foot in each camp."

But Cale was hiding all the information he could about what had happened to Ryan.

"Since he doesn't know anything yet, Alt would have moved towards whatever benefited him most."

As he listened to the Pope, Cale leaned back comfortably in his chair.

"Was it jealousy?"

Emperor Alt looked at him with a mix of jealousy and fear at Cale’s Dominating Aura.

"Even so, it is complicated to deal with so many considerations."

"Perhaps he plans to betray us."

Clopeh's voice abruptly interrupted, and Cale turned his gaze to him.

Clopeh was smiling as he spoke.

"A Dragon. And Cale-nim. Could it be that he intends to betray everyone to gain his own benefit?"

With an oddly cold voice, he murmured.

"It’s likely he wants the great ones to fall in their fight so he can take everything for himself."

Clopeh Sekka, who had stayed in the Empire, regularly went back and forth between the Temple and the Imperial Palace.

However, he never informed the other two about Cale’s situation, as they were merely business partners, not trusted allies.

Tap, tap, tap.

Cale tapped the table before speaking abruptly.

"Has there been no contact from the King of Har?"

"No."

Clopeh nodded and continued.

"There must be kingdoms that do not want to follow Exion's will."

"Fighting would only lead to a futile death."

"Exactly. Could we ask His Majesty the King to persuade them?"

After Cale, the people who frequented the King of Har the most were the Pope and Clopeh.

A young man who became King as a child, now transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.

Clopeh responded with a serene smile.

"He will want to achieve it."

"I understand. What if we assign Wisha and Rasheel?"

The White Snake Wisha and the Dragon Rasheel. If they were assigned to help the King of Har persuade other countries.

"Bailey-nim would be delighted."

Bailey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Har Kingdom. Mentioning her, Clopeh continued with certainty in his voice.

"As long as it doesn’t involve those aligned with the Dragon, they can be persuaded."

"You’ve investigated quite a bit?"

Clopeh responded as if it were the most natural thing.

"On the path to legend, one must inspect anything that could cause problems."

Politics.

For that, it was necessary to know the power relationships.

Not just the Purple Blood Family, the Temple, and the Empire. One must see it all.

"You are, definitely, intelligent."

Clopeh smiled satisfied at Cale’s comment. He was truly satisfied.

Neither Choi Han, nor Raon, nor anyone else was with Cale at that moment.

Only him.

"Then, Your Holiness the Pope, I will take care of international affairs."

Cale said that as he stood up.

"And I will also see what the Emperor is thinking. I’ll give him a little push."

He planned to visit the Imperial Palace.

"Actually, I’m going to meet with the Wind Elementals."

He had instructed the Wind Elementals to observe the Imperial Palace and watch the Emperor’s actions. Through them, he could uncover the Emperor’s schemes.

"Understood. We will prepare as well."

Pope Casillia nodded determinedly.

Cale observed her closely.

"She wanted to destroy the world, but-"

He wasn’t sure what had changed in her heart, but the Pope’s actions seemed different.

"But-"

The Pope spoke with concern.

"Even if we manage to persuade some kingdoms, it seems the scale of the battle to come, starting with Exion’s Castle, will be significant."

Cale's group, the people of the Temple, the Har Kingdom, and the Beast People.

The Har Kingdom and the Beast People were not yet strong enough forces.

In comparison, the enemy was considerable.

Dozens of Dragons, Elves, and Dwarves covering most of the continent. And many people.

Among them, Swordsmen and Mages who were called Chosen Ones.

How would they face them?

Although concerned, the Pope did not seem to have any intention of avoiding the fight.

Ha.

At that moment, she could see Cale smiling.

A rather mischievous smile that didn’t match his sacred attire.

"Don’t worry. There is a plan."

And he added.

"Quantity isn’t always the answer. Although I prefer to overwhelm the enemy with a majority."

With those incomprehensible words, Cale headed for the door. Pope Casillia watched him, hesitating for a moment.

Cale, noticing this, spoke suddenly.

"Raon didn’t come today."

"Pardon?"

At the Pope’s surprise, Cale smiled and left the room, followed only by Clopeh.

"Cale-nim, should I then handle the Har Kingdom’s affairs?"

Since Cale was going to the Imperial Palace, Clopeh assumed he should handle the Har Kingdom's matters.

"No. Don’t handle that."

Cale firmly refused. He then headed towards the carriage in front of the Temple building.

"!"

Clopeh stopped when he saw the person in front of the carriage.

Choi Han.

Before coming here, he wasn’t present, but now he was opening the carriage door to greet Cale.

"Have you finished your business?"

"Yes."

Beacrox was already sitting in the coachman’s seat.

"Let’s go to the Imperial Palace."

Cale got into the carriage. Clopeh tried to follow, but he was stopped.

"Don’t get in."

At Clopeh’s confusion, Cale spoke to him, leaning towards him. Clopeh did the same to hear his words and heard his low voice.

"I have the Elf guardian’s sword to protect the Dragon Lord."

He had received it from Eruhaben.

"I was going to give it to Choi Han."

But Eruhaben said that sword wasn’t suitable for Choi Han. And Cale agreed.

"I need a sword for myself, both against a Dragon and against a God."

"..."

Clopeh's smile faded. His cold expression was reflected in Cale’s eyes.

Yes, that was the true face of this madman.

"Take Choi Han’s sword."

Choi Han looked at Clopeh.

But Clopeh only looked at Cale.

Cale’s serene eyes were the same as always.

He spoke to Clopeh with the same calm as always.

"If Choi Han allows it."

Receive Choi Han’s sword if he agrees. That was the condition Choi Han set when he learned that Clopeh was the recipient of the sword.

Click.

Cale closed the carriage door without hesitation.

Clopeh didn’t get into the carriage.

Clop, clop.

The carriage moved away.

Only Choi Han and Clopeh remained.

Clopeh turned his gaze to Choi Han.

"Ha."

Choi Han let out a chuckle.

Looking at Clopeh’s eyes, filled with madness contrary to his cold expression, Choi Han spoke disdainfully.

"If you want my permission, you know what to do, right?"

The air around him changed. Under the bright sun, only the area around the two felt cold.

Clopeh nodded slowly.

"Of course, I know."

A sword only for Cale-nim.

"I’ll have to fight you. Then you’ll give your permission."

Choi Han and Clopeh.

The time had finally come for them to point their swords at each other after a long time.

"Hehe."

Laughter kept escaping Clopeh’s lips. His eyes, which once resembled green leaves, turned into a dark, damp swamp.

***

Defining Temple and Church in the Novel

Temple:

- In the Novel, a "Temple" refers to places of reverence specifically tied to divine beings, like the Dragon Gods or the Blue Wolf God.

- Temples focus on spiritual rituals and direct worship of these powerful entities.

Church:

- In contrast, a "Church" represents a structured religious organization led by figures like the Pope. It acts as a governing body that unites people under shared faith and enforces doctrine.

- Unlike temples, which are tied to specific gods, the church embodies broader institutional power and often includes hierarchy (e.g., bishops, inquisitors).

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Yu Ryeo Han]

[Translator – Anowa]

[Proofreader – Rai_Mayank]