Chapter 288: Cale, more than a Dragon (2)

Choi Han and Clopeh Sekka.

The two were in a secret training ground deep within the Temple, facing each other.

“This building is currently not in use, so you can use it freely.”

The Third Bishop, Horns.

At the Dragon Half-Blood's words, Choi Han and Clopeh turned their gaze away from each other and looked at Horns.

“Thank you, Third Bishop.”

Clopeh responded with a gentle smile, while Choi Han, after a brief pause, followed Horns, who was leaving the building.

He approached and whispered.

“…Is it alright?”

Horns' eyes widened a bit before he smiled.

“Yes. I have no filial attachment. In fact, there’s only hatred.”

“……”

Seeing the concern on Choi Han's face, Horns added.

“I thought I could never break free, but the world I desire is finally coming. To me, my father was only my mother.”

Horns, son of the Dragon Ryan.

Although they shared blood, there was no affectionate relationship between them. Choi Han saw the sincerity on Horns' face and bowed his head in. respect.

Horns returned the bow and left.

Tap, tap, tap.

As he climbed the stairs leading to the surface, Horns thought of Choi Han and Clopeh Sekka, two swordsmen close to Cale Henituse.

‘Since the building might collapse again, please use the secret training ground.’

With an order from the Pope, Horns headed to the abandoned building housing the secret training ground, a slight smile on his lips.

“…One seems too honest, and the other too cunning.”

At his age, Horns could read people. The former was clearly Choi Han, and the latter, Clopeh Sekka.

“Hmm.”

But the truth is...

“A knight-”

Horns didn't finish the sentence. Instead, he exited the building and looked back. The abandoned building was covered in vines and had a gloomy appearance.

What would happen down there?

With the curiosity of not being able to witness what would occur, Horns prepared to depart for the Castle of Exion the next day.

At that moment, Choi Han and Clopeh were facing each other. Clopeh was the first to move.

Swing~

He drew his sword. Clopeh, with a strange smile, seemed quite pleased. To an observer, it might seem like he was out for a stroll.

Choi Han, observing this, did not draw his sword.

‘As expected.’

As expected, something was not right with him.

Just before Cale left in the carriage, when he mentioned the wooden sword, Clopeh’s expression hardened.

The madness in his eyes even made Choi Han feel chills.

If he were not an ally, he would be very troublesome.

‘He’s troublesome even as an ally.’

Even as an ally, Clopeh Sekka made him uncomfortable. Perhaps it was because their first encounter was as enemies in the war.

‘No, that’s not it.’

It wasn’t just that.

With the Sword Master Hannah, he didn’t feel this discomfort.

Choi Han looked at Clopeh.

Clopeh Sekka, with a smile, patiently awaited Choi Han to draw his sword.

Choi Han was determined to fight today.

‘I need to confirm it.’

Clopeh Sekka is weaker than I am. But his potential is greater.

He could clearly see where Clopeh was headed.

‘Shadow.’

He intended to become the shadow of Cale-nim. But Choi Han did not want to be a shadow.

“Clopeh Sekka.”

That’s why he did not draw his sword.

“I thought we would fight immediately, but it seems you want to talk first.”

Despite Clopeh’s gentle question, Choi Han continued in a cold tone.

“You intend to be Cale-nim’s shadow. But the sword that Cale-nim wants to give you is not suitable for that role.”

The true sword of the Dragon Lord.

It was said to be the wooden sword of the elf guardian.

When Choi Han first wielded this sword, it vibrated. As if the sword were alive.

That’s why, when the sword awakened, its true power would be enormous.

Should he give such a sword to Clopeh?

“A Guardian. This sword should be wielded by someone capable of protecting Cale-nim.”

And Choi Han believed—

“The Guardian should not be a shadow. It should be someone who can fight at the forefront.”

The Guardian.

Choi Han learned the true meaning through Cale.

In fact, recently he saw someone who fit better in the role of Guardian.

‘Lock.’

Lock, whom he had considered young, was suitable to be a Guardian.

It didn’t matter that he was under the protection of the Blue Wolf; it was Lock who bravely faced the gray wall created by the God of Chaos.

The Guardian.

That name seemed to fit Lock more than Clopeh. But Clopeh Sekka also had some merit as a sword dedicated to Cale-nim, so Choi Han asked.

“Can you protect Cale-nim? Can you fight at the forefront for him? Can you protect him against a Dragon, a God, or any other being?”

Choi Han awaited Clopeh’s response.

“…”

Clopeh said nothing, simply looking at him.

Silence filled the training ground.

Choi Han patiently waited for his reaction. Then, Clopeh responded.

“Ha!”

Suddenly, Clopeh lifted his head toward the ceiling and let out a brief sigh, a mixture of laughter and amazement. At this unexpected reaction, Choi Han’s eyebrows slightly raised.

Then his eyes widened.

“Ha, hahaha—”

Clopeh began to laugh.

“Hahaha—”

He laughed as if he really found something amusing. Then, finally, he stopped laughing, although a smile lingered on his lips. With that smile, Clopeh looked back at Choi Han.

“…Do you think I’m joking?”

At that moment, Choi Han’s voice turned icy.

“Let me ask you a question.”

“A question? First answer my question,”

“Suppose.”

Clopeh ignored Choi Han’s words and continued.

And those words made Choi Han stop.

“Suppose that in front of a very powerful enemy, Cale-nim is in danger of being attacked. At that moment, Choi Han, would you give your life to save Cale-nim?”

My life?

Despite Clopeh’s light and gentle tone, his eyes were not laughing.

Unlike his face, which still showed a smile.

Choi Han responded seriously and without hesitation.

“That is obvious—”

But Clopeh’s question wasn’t over yet.

“But if you save Cale-nim, all the other companions will die.”

“…!”

This time, Choi Han flinched, and he couldn’t continue speaking.

Clopeh didn’t stop.

His gentle voice echoed in the underground training ground.

“The young Dragon Raon Miru, On, Hong. All those children will die. Mary, Rosalyn, Tasha, Lock. All your companions will die, and you will only be able to save Cale-nim. Of course, if you don’t save Cale-nim, the others will live.”

Clopeh maintained a completely calm demeanor. With a smile, he asked.

“So, what would you do?”

Choi Han couldn’t answer easily. Being close to Cale, he knew him to some extent.

‘Even if he survives, if all his companions die, he will suffer greatly.’

Although he wouldn’t show it, that pain would consume him, and he would live with an indelible wound. Moreover, for Choi Han, his companions were as important as Cale.

Cale was also his family.

There was no one who wasn't important.

The soft voice, like a devil's whisper, reached Choi Han's ears.

“It’s a difficult decision, isn’t it?”

He looked at Clopeh Sekka again. There was no doubt in Clopeh’s eyes. Now, he wasn’t smiling. With a serious expression, Clopeh spoke.

“I don’t care if all of you die. I don’t care if I die. I don’t care if my whole family dies.”

Cale’s companions, Clopeh’s own family, and himself. He didn’t care if all of them died.

“Of course, if all the companions die, Cale-nim will be sad. He’s that kind of person. That’s why he has the qualities of a great Hero.”

Choi Han swallowed. Clopeh Sekka also knew about Cale.

“That’s why I won’t raise my sword against Cale-nim’s companions.”

Even so, Clopeh was firm.

“But if only one of you or Cale-nim can survive, of course, I will choose Cale-nim.”

Clopeh walked towards Choi Han. There was no Dominating Aura on his body. He didn’t have that level of skill yet. However, Choi Han could feel Clopeh’s determination. Sometimes, a firm conviction shows without words. Clopeh stopped two steps away from Choi Han and looked him directly in the eyes.

“But what did you say? That you can face anything for Cale?”

Clopeh’s lips twisted into a smile.

“Ha, ha, ha!”

And then, he let out a big laugh. But that laughter soon disappeared. Clopeh took another step towards Choi Han and, looking directly at him, asked.

“Choi Han, do you think you are a Knight?”

Knight.

For some reason, Choi Han couldn’t easily answer. It was difficult to give any answer. Clopeh’s eyes were like a deep green swamp. Once trapped, it was hard to escape. And that swamp was full of intense yearning. Clopeh spoke in an indifferent tone.

“I think I am a Knight.”

Even if he became a shadow or acted as an assassin, he would never forget that his start was as a Knight.

“And do you know what it means to be a Knight?”

For everyone, being a Knight could mean different things. But for Clopeh…

“For me, it means having conviction.”

For him, being a Knight was having conviction.

“A Knight must never give up their conviction.”

Therefore, a Knight who gave up their conviction would lose their purpose. So, they must never give up their conviction.

“And my conviction is…”

Choi Han felt he knew what Clopeh’s conviction was. Clopeh spoke calmly.

“My conviction is Cale-nim.”

Choi Han felt a strange sense of relief wash over him. He couldn’t take his eyes off those deep green eyes. Clopeh, the Knight, said.

“The path he follows is my conviction.”

Cale’s path is his conviction and the reason for Clopeh’s being as a Knight. Without hesitation, Clopeh could state that he would die for Cale and do anything to save him.

“……”

Choi Han remained silent.

“Why?”

Clopeh smiled again.

“Why, do you want to call me crazy?”

He knew very well how others saw him. He knew his essence and how others perceived him. Choi Han opened his mouth after a while.

“…No.”

Clopeh was surprised. He thought Choi Han would call him crazy. But Choi Han had changed his opinion a bit.

“Yes.”

Maybe more than himself or Lock…

“This lunatic…”

This lunatic might be the suitable guardian Knight for Cale.

Did he say he wouldn’t raise his sword against Cale’s companions because he knows it would hurt him?

Clopeh Sekka, who thought not only of Cale’s life but also of his emotional well-being. Yet, this lunatic said he would save Cale at all costs.

“In the future, we might face Dragons and Gods.”

Fighting against Gods. It was hard to believe that as humans, they might have to fight against Gods. He didn’t know how strong they would have to become.

That’s why…

That’s why…

‘We need this lunatic.’

Cale needs someone like him by his side. Clopeh isn’t someone who will fight at the front for Cale. But he is someone who will appear at any time and place to protect him.

Choi Han turned around without drawing his sword.

“I’ll give you the wooden sword.”

He opened the door of the training room and, looking at Clopeh, warned him.

“But a Knight who loses their conviction has no reason to exist. So, I will take your head myself.”

Choi Han saw a wide smile forming on Clopeh’s lips. Finally, Choi Han could say.

“Lunatic.”

Bang.

He closed the door and walked away without regrets. And Clopeh, left behind, covered his face with both hands.

“Pff.”

His shoulders trembled.

“Ha, ha, ha, ha!”

Finally, he burst into a great laugh. Although Choi Han had already left, Clopeh added a few more words.

“Yes. If I only get in the way of the Legend…”

Clopeh’s eyes shone with a strange light.

“Make sure to kill me.”

He would gladly accept that death if it was Choi Han who did it. If he is a Knight, then Choi Han is a warrior. A warrior who would hunt and kill anything for his master.

“Lunatic.”

This time, he was glad he didn’t have to pretend to be kind. A refreshing smile appeared on Clopeh’s lips.

***

“Human, do you think Choi Han and that lunatic Clopeh are doing well? Won’t they be destroying everything?”

Ignoring Raon’s worried words, Cale got off the carriage.

“I welcome you.”

The assistant of Emperor Alt came out to receive Cale. With a bow, he guided Cale. While walking, Cale looked beyond the assistant’s shoulder.

The Emperor’s palace was in sight.

Swoosh~

The wind blew, brushing against Cale, the invisible Raon, and the assistant.

“…Freedom… Chaos! We follow the order…!”

“The Emperor is a disaster!”

“Traitors must be punished!”

The Wind Elementals began to greet Cale enthusiastically, conveying all kinds of information to him. Cale patiently listened to the information coming his way.

***

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]