How utterly brazen, Ron thought as he silently observed him as he felt a slight familiarity with him.

While the man didn’t even bat an eyelid.

The man was tall and swarthy with the average brown hair and his uniform was clean and neat, making him look respectable and competent enough even with a missing arm.

But what caught Ron's attention is the murderous intent in his jade eyes.

Then it occurred to him it was the sensation he felt when he first met Choi Han, and it was not something pleasant.

A voice pulled them out from their thoughts. He turned around and both glanced at the one who spoke, their eyes fell on Hans, who already making his way towards them.

His face was filled with panic, his back was breaking out in a nervous sweat.

He quickly approached them, nearly ramming into them, and then moved to separate the two.

He looked back and forth, noticing that they are still sending daggers toward each other. He decided to introduce them.

"I forgot to introduce you two, this is sir Geno, the young master's butler. He personally brought him to the estate when he was traveling—"

"A stray that he picked up from the streets," he pause for a moment before looking at him, he then snorted coldly. "A new hobby of his?" he asked, cutting him off.

Geno narrowed his eyes towards him, his eyebrows were wrinkled slightly.

"Haha hah" Seeing the tension between the two, Hans awkwardly laughs. "This is the Young master's previous butler, sir R–" but he was stopped in mid-sentence again.

"Ah, you must Raul who left the estate with some unknown bastard." He spoke without any reserve as if casually spitting some facts.

The corners of Ron’s mouth twitched as he saw an irritating smirk plastered on the other's face.

Realizing the mess that he made, he pursed his lips into a thin line while his eyes search for an escape. His eyes landed on the liquor in Geno's hand.

"How about we’ll settle this later, I'll first escort Sir Ron to young master's chamber while you should carry on, it's not quite ethical to leave young master waiting." he dissuaded them.

Only then did Geno finally look at him while Ron withdrew his gaze from the other, the anxiety in Han's heart began to ease.

"Sir Ron?" He called out and motioned his hands to follow him.

Ron gave him a final glance before following Hans.

'Human someone's coming.' Raon spoke in his head.

Cale glanced at them as he gestured his hands. The three understood as Raon quickly turned his invincibility magic while the two siblings were now on their cat forms.

Hans knocked at the door before speaking. "Young master, Sir Ron wishes to speak to you."

Cale's ear perked up at the mention of the name.

"Young master?" Hans called out again, confused at the lack of response.

As he was about to knock again a subdued voice answered from within. "Enter."

Hans opened the door revealing a youth with exquisite facial features and crimson hair, one that could not be ignored.

Clad with expensive clothing, although his attire may look rather dull compared to the increasingly expensive clothes, he had worn in the past.

Hans gestured him to enter, Ron swept his eyes across the room before stepping inside.

The room was the same in his memories, the only difference was the bookshelf that occupied almost half of his room and the crimson curtain, his eyes then landed on the cats that were sitting leisurely in Cale's lap.

Interesting, he thought.

When Ron fully entered the room, he glance at the face that was deeply engraved in his memory, a trace of nostalgia flashed in his eyes.

He then took notice of his hair which was always demanded to be cut short, was now significantly longer.

Cale's eyes were lowered, his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath his eyes. Not even glancing at him, as though he was too lazy to spare him even a minute of his time.

But there was no presence of his usual arrogant side.

Instead of following, Hans gently closed the door and stayed right outside, giving them some privacy.

He proceed to take out a handkerchief from his trouser pocket and wiped the sweat on his forehead.

Ron stopped at some distance as he remembered that Cale didn’t like other people evading his personal space.

The only time that he was able to is when he was helping him get dressed.

"What do you need?" Cale directly asked him, not bothering to beat around the bush.

His lips moved upwards, one of the things he and his father shared in common—a straightforward personality.

"If it isn't inconvenient, I would like to ask for your permission." he answered.

"With what exactly?" he asked as he raised an eyebrow.  He was slightly confused as to why Ron went to him, instead of his father.

"If you happen to allow us to stay at your residence." he supplied.

'Oh,' Upon hearing this, Cale was taken aback for a moment, but quickly calmed down, and asked. "For how long?"

"Just a few days would suffice, young master."

Cale pondered over his answer. His slender fingers seemed to move on their own, tapping the small table.

He sighed internally before coming to a conclusion. "All right, you can stay for as–"

He was forced to swallow the word that was already on the tip of his tongue, as he remembered the roses that were almost close to harvest.

"Three weeks..." he said instead, then added. "That's all I could give you." he did not speak any further, putting an end to their discussion.

Ron bowed his head.  "I'm deeply touched by your generosity, young master, and can hardly thank you enough." There was a trace of gratitude in his eyes.

Looking up, he glance towards his previous young master, who still refuses to look at him, he then said. "It's a pleasure meeting you once again, young master."

Not expecting an answer, he turned on his heel as he proceeded to leave. As the door closed a faint voice can be heard. "Likewise."

On the other side of the door, Hans was confused as to why Ron stood frozen with a stunned expression.

But he didn't worry too much, observing the other expression they are no trace of disappointment or displeasure, meaning the results should be very satisfactory.

"Ron?" Hans called out, after a moment of stillness.

Ron was still holding the knob, after a while, his lips suddenly curved into a shallow smile.

"If you're done with your business, I suggest you leave." a voice interrupted them.

"You are blocking the door you see." he added.

Ron turned his head, a man with one arm holding out a tray full of various meals, some were even steaming with white smoke.

"Of course." Hans moved his body out of the way in a hurried but still precise manner.

Ron reluctantly let go of the doorknob and turned his body to face him as he began to speak. His eyes were visible with irritation that he didn't bother to hide.

"My apologies, I didn't notice you there." he spoke nonchalantly and moved his feet to make way.

"I'll be going now." he then turned to Hans and added. "I have troubled you for too long, no need to walk me out." And began to leave the two of them.

"I insist." Hans said as he hurried his pace to catch up to him.

Geno stared at them who were steadily walking farther away from him and didn’t move for a moment.

He then heaved a sigh and turned the knob, opening the door.

"I bought you dinner and some delicacies, young master." and placed the tray on the small table.

Without receiving a reply, he called him again. "Young master?"

"Ah...Yes, thank you." he faintly said.

"Are you okay? Nya." On asked as she jumped from his lap to get a better view of him. Hong followed suit while Raon turned off his invisibility magic.

"Of course, I'm just a bit tired, that's all." he then offered them a smile as he looked at them.

Geno and On narrowed their eyes as they look unconvinced, but in the end, they didn't say anything. Sometimes, a person had to know when not to ask questions.

Cale gets up calmly and walks towards the window.

Looking at the scenery out of the window, he runs a hand through his scarlet hair and curses under his breath.

They heard him sigh expiration and remarked. "Things have gone south lately."

Later on that day, somewhere along with the Roan kingdom.

Rosalyn sat on the cushioned chair, a trace of restlessness can be seen in her eyes as she looked in the direction of the door from time to time.

She then quickly stood up as Choi han and the others turn their heads as they saw the door opening, soon the person they all have waited has finally come. 
 
"How did it go?" she asked.

"It went well, they will be escorting us soon" Ron replied.

"That's good." she said as she sighed in relief.

"How's Pendrick's condition?" Ron asked in return.

"He's getting worse, he now eats less and sleeps more." Lock answered instead. "He hasn't woken yet since this morning." he continued.

"Don't worry he'll be alright, I'm sure we'll find a way." Rosalyn said in assuring tone and went towards Lock.

She moved her hand to comfort him, tapping his back, she then recalled what Cage said, the same reason why they were here in the first place.

"Go west. Henituse. Seek for help."

Cage sighed, then said. "That's the only thing that I can remember, at least that's what I was able to hear because of him."

"Him? Do you mean the God of death?" Rosalyn asked.

Cage shook her head and she said. "It's someone else, he was the one who keep intervening in my dreams this past few nights."

"How do you know it's a man." Lock asked.

Cage looked at him before answering. "I heard him... I wasn't sure at first because it was faint, but I'm certain now, and to be precise it was a child's voice."

They all looked quite taken aback at the mention of a child. They wondered how could someone interfere between a former priestess and a God, let alone a mere child.

Looking at their expression she added. "I was surprised as well, I didn't know such a thing is possible."

"But who should we ask for help?" Lock asked.

"That's what I have been meaning to find out too." Cage supplied.

"But still, it doesn't make sense, why Henituse? There is nothing really special about that family. " said Rosalyn.

"Regardless of whether it's true or not, that's what the God of dead wants, thus we shall head west and if possible, let's not stray from them for a while." said Eruhaben.

Hearing him say that, Ron quickly said. "But it would be best if we still put some distance lest they should be in danger."

Turning to Cage, he then asked. "What did he say?"

Cage was quite startled and asked. "Pardon?"

"You said that you heard him, what did the child say."

"Ah... He said that you have sinned, we have suffered for too long, and for that, you must grant us our freedom." she then frowned and continued. "That's what he kept repeating but I do think it was rather directed to the God of death than to me."

There's been a deafening silence around them until Eruhaben decided to speak.

"It's obvious that the child has no  intentions to impede us, he wanted to communicate with the God but he might not found any way except through you."

Suddenly they all heard Pendrick groan in pain, breaking her from her trance.

"Pendrick!" Lock shouted in alarm, he went closer to him followed by others, Eruhaben quickly took Pendrick wrist to examine him.

He pursed his lips in displeasure, as he moved his fingers towards the other's forehead, a bright light surrounded Pendrick.

After a moment, Eruhaben withdrew his hand and the light gradually disperse, he then began to speak. "I don't think I can prolong it much longer."

"H-He can't be, he isn't dying... Right, Miss Rosalyn?" He looked at her with desperation in his eyes.

Rosalyn's heart trembled slightly, and she couldn’t speak for a while, She averted her eyes and bit her lip.

Seeing their interaction the others felt their hearts hollowed out, only bitterness and misery were left, making them almost unable to breathe.

After a long silence, Lock asked faintly. "H-How long?"

No one dared to open their mouth as they all knew what he meant by that.

They hopefully looked at Eruhaben, but his answer only made them feel grief, which soon would give way to anger. "A week or less..." he responded hoarsely.

"It's all my fault." Lock muttered. If Pendrick didn't block the attack for him, he wouldn't be in this kind of state.

Rosalyn put her hands on her mouth and her shoulder shook with sobs while Choi han left, bringing his sword along with him, he even slammed the door with a loud thud.

Ron and his son, Beacrox impassively staired, only their uncontrollably quivering hands revealed a few of their emotions.

After standing still by the bed for a long time, Eruhaben had finally retracted his gaze away from them and clenched his fists.