The Elf Village underneath the lake with the World Tree.

"...Here! We gathered some more!" The young Elf priestess took a pouch out of her loose sleeves and handed it to Cale.

Clang. Clang. The refreshing sound of coins hitting each other reached Cale's ears.

"The World Tree has not said anything, but I thought that we would need another bag of money! I gathered it on my own accord. We cannot have a sea of fire!" The young priestess made it sound like she was close to Cale as she welcomed him with a bright smile.

"...Mm, thanks." Cale debated it for a moment before taking the bag of money.

'It should be fine to take it because Elves are not materialistic.'

Cale was not the type to reject when someone gave him free money. Instead, he took a small jewel out of his pocket and started to speak. "Lead the way."

"I understand! The World Tree has been waiting for you!" The young priestess energetically started to walk.

Cale slowly followed behind the young Elf.

"Oh! Raon-nim, your cuteness is just as explosive as ever!"

"I get to meet Raon-nim like this again! I can die happily now!"

"The great and mighty Raon-nim!"

He could hear the voices of other Elves coming from behind him.

Raon, who puffed up his chest and was flapping his wings, pointed his front paw toward them. "I am busy right now! You can admire me a bit later!"

He then chased behind Cale.

Cale peeked toward Raon and then patted him on the head as he continued to walk toward the World Tree.

In addition to Eruhaben's request, he had something to ask the World Tree.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh-

He headed for the spot where the leaves of the large trees rustled in the wind. It was the average looking tree at the center of that bunch.

Cale could see that the World Tree looked even more average than last time.

"Hey World Tree, have you been well?"

One of the World Tree's branches slightly trembled as if responding to Raon.

The World Tree had lost three branches while telling Cale three things last time.

There is an existence that has gathered three ancient powers.

Find the Water of Judgment.>

Cale remembered what the World Tree had told him.

"Young master Cale-nim, you can speak to the World Tree like last time."

"I guess it is possible to chat now."

The World Tree had fallen into a slight slumber after telling Cale those three facts.

The young Elf put on an odd smile and nodded her head. "Yes, short conversations are possible."

Cale slowly headed toward the World Tree. He then put his hand on the trunk and closed his eyes.

– Cale, it's been a while.

The World Tree sounded weak.

Cale held the small jewel with his other hand. "This is the item that Eruhaben-nim made. There is a defensive magic in order to protect the Elf Village and World Tree-nim within in it."

Eruhaben had decided to strengthen the defensive magic around the World Tree after one of the branches was stolen and had asked Cale to take care of it.

"Raon will install it. It will not take long."

– Is that so? Thank you. Tell Eruhaben thanks as well.

The World Tree's voice was slightly shaking even though they were just having a short conversation. Cale's expression turned into a frown.

The World Tree must have realized this, as it started to explain.

– I am still in recovery. I've already recovered a good amount. I should return to full strength within the year.

Cale was glad to hear this. If the World Tree was at full strength, there would be no reason to strengthen the defense. However, Eruhaben chose to strengthen the World Tree with defensive magic because it was hurt.

– You look like you have some questions. Is there something you wish to say?

Cale's shoulders flinched. He debated it for a moment before starting to speak. "You don't need to respond if something similar to last time will happen."

The young priestess who can only hear Cale's voice flinched after hearing, 'like last time'. She recalled how the branches had fallen down. Her heart was beating so fast just thinking about it.

Raon recalled that as well and started to frown.

– Sure.

Cale started to speak after hearing the World Tree's response. He made it a little vague knowing that Raon was by his side.

He knew that the World Tree would still understand. "Where do I need to go to find it? Not the Water of Judgment."

The others that he had to find. He was talking about Raon's parents.

Cale bit down on his lips. He didn't want to ask if he didn't need to do so, however, it was difficult to find any clues. This was especially because they were currently in the middle of a war.

– I guess I can answer this one.

Cale subconsciously let out a sigh of relief. The weak but slightly strengthened voice entered his head.

– I'm sure it is not the answer you want to hear, however, this is my current limit.

'Not the answer I want to hear?'

– A king is someone who is accepted by nature.

'Why is the World Tree suddenly talking about a, 'king'?' Cale started to frown. However, he had no choice but to pay attention to the World Tree's words.

– An existence that should have died is alive.

The hand touching the tree flinched. Cale had asked about Raon's parents. However, he had heard a different response.

The existence that should have died in volume 1 of The Birth of a Hero.

Raon Miru.

– Nature has accepted that existence.

Nature had accepted the existence that should have died.

– The one that has a twisted fate. That alone was enough to receive the qualifications to survive. Changes, the forbidden and the unbelievable.

Plop. Cale felt something pat him. He then calmed himself back down. He could see Raon's round head when he looked down.

"Human, is everything okay?"

Cale heard the faint voice of the World Tree at that moment.

– That is what nature truly is.

A continuation of the mysterious and the ever-changing. That was the way nature worked.

'Is it possible?' Cale was thinking about the king that nature would approve.

The chubby Dragon that was slightly more than 1 meter and 20 centimeters slowly started to frown. "Human, why are you looking at me like that?"

The young priestess approached them and started to speak as Cale could not respond back. "The World Tree-nim has fallen asleep again."

"...I know. I'll come visit again next time."

Raon had a disappointed expression as he kicked the sand on the ground with his feet. "How disappointing. I wish to speak to the World Tree as well!"

'...That's possible. Was that what lead to the world destruction in the past life?'

Dragon Lord. Cale could not say that word out loud as he started to speak to Raon.

"Let's hurry back for now."

"Alright! I will hurry so we can go see Lock!"

Cale watched as the six-years-old Dragon took the jewel he had received from Eruhaben and flew off toward the defensive barrier before pushing everything off in his mind. 'Whatever it is, that won't change anything.'

***********************************

A half day later with only one day left before the battle with the Indomitable Alliance.

Cale was standing on top of a teleportation magic circle with Raon. He was headed somewhere other than the Roan Kingdom right now.

**********************************

Paaaat!

Cale opened his closed eyes. He could hear the invisible Raon's voice.

– It's been a while since we've seen everyone!

Cale started to smile. They were inside a small tent. A teleportation magic circle was drawn within this tent. There were two people greeting him as he stepped out of it.

"Long time no see."

Rosalyn and Lock. The two of them welcomed Cale over.

Choi Han, Hilsman, and Mary had not come over yet. Cale had come here stealthily without anybody else knowing about it.

Cale was smiling brightly as it had been a while since he had last seen the two of them. However, that smile quickly disappeared.

"Long time no see, Cale." Rosalyn was smiling, but there was something slightly odd about it.

Next to her was Lock, who had his head down and could not look at Cale in the eyes. The Wolf boy Lock. He didn't dare to look Cale in the eyes.

Cale was concerned after seeing Lock act this way. 'Is he upset because I left him here alone for a long time?'

"Young master-nim..."

"Yes, Lock. Long time no see." Cale put a hand on Lock's curled up shoulder after hearing his upset voice. However, the hand changed direction to his head.

Pat, pat. His hand patted Lock's head. "You suffered quite a bit on your own here."

It was the moment he said that.

"I'm sorry."

"Hmm?"

Cale could see the now slightly taller Lock's face. Although his head was down, Lock's eyes were looking at Cale.

Lock hesitated for a moment before starting to speak with shaking lips. "...I can't go berserk anymore."

'What? What is he talking about?'

Berserk transformation. It was when Beast people were at their strongest. It was the moment that their animal features and their human features became much stronger. But that wasn't possible anymore?

'He can't do it even though his first berserk transformation already happened?'

Lock continued to speak despite his shaking hands as Cale thought about this issue.

However, Lock's voice was extremely shaky. "I-I-I need to hurry up and become the Wolf King's successor. I really need to do that."

Originally, Lock would have grown after the despair caused by losing Pendrick.

"...It looks like I cannot get stronger."

But this Lock was different than the one from the novel. He wanted to be stronger, but could not go berserk.

Cale looked back at the tall young boy who could not look him in the eyes. The young boy with his head down.

Cale could also see Rosalyn who was looking at Lock with a concerned expression.

He was a Beast person who could not go berserk even after his first berserk transformation had already passed.

Rosalyn did not know what to say as this was the first time she had heard about such a situation. It made it even more difficult for her to say anything to the weakened Lock as she herself had gotten much stronger in the past few months. That was why her expression did not look good as she gazed toward Lock and Cale.

It was at that moment. Rosalyn's body flinched.

Plop. The tent's entrance was lifted up and someone shouted inside. "Commander-nim, the Roan Kingdom's forces have arrived."

They were calling for Rosalyn. She was the commander for all magic in the Breck Kingdom. She had come back to her senses thanks to the person outside.

The Roan Kingdom's forces. Although they were not large in number, friends that she could trust to cover her back were coming. It was a happy and welcomed arrival.

At the same time, she recalled the upcoming battle and knew that she needed to hurry. However, Lock's current situation made her hesitate. She heard a quiet voice at that moment.

"Why is a young boy like you so skinny?"

Rosalyn could see Cale pat Lock on the back before heading toward the tent entrance.

Cale opened up the flap in order to exit as he looked toward Lock. "Let's go."

Lock fidgeted and could not move.

"Raon, push him." Those words made Lock flinch. He could then feel a small paw gently pushing his back.

"Everybody wants to see you! Let's go, Lock!"

Although he was invisible, Lock could feel Raon's existence based on his paw and his voice.

Lock thought about the people waiting for him, as well as the Dragon pushing him as he bit down on his lips and slowly started to walk.

He was extremely weak if he could not enter his berserk state. He was still stronger than the normal person, but compared to the others, compared to his family, he was so weak that he was likely to be a burden. That was why he was not confident enough to greet them.

Cale started to speak as soon as the young boy stopped right in front of him. "Focus on my back. Follow behind me, you don't need to think about anything else."

Lock's head slowly raised up. He could feel the small paw patting him on the back as well.

The flap covering the tent entrance was completely lifted. Lock could see the Breck Kingdom's people standing in formation outside the tent.

The Gorge of Death. Many people had been stationed at different spots on the long and dangerous gorge ever since a few days ago. They were using magic in order to stealthily hide their movements.

This was the spot where the largest number of people were gathered. Rosalyn and the leaders of the Breck Kingdom were all here.

Lock could see the leaders and their forces standing outside. They had all gathered here in order to see a single person.

The Roan Kingdom's northeast region's commander. They were all waiting for him.

Lock could see Cale heading out of the tent. He had heard a lot about the war while spending time with some of the Breck Kingdom's mages at the Gorge of Death.

Lock naturally had heard about how much work Cale and the others had put in. That was why Cale's back seemed extremely large to him.

Cale seemed to be someone who was worlds apart from someone like him. However, Lock then heard Cale's voice.

"Are you not coming?"

Cale still had his back toward Lock, but he was standing there without moving as if he was waiting for Lark to follow him.

Lock then felt two gentle pushes on his back. One was Rosalyn, while the other was the invisible Dragon.

Lock slowly started to walk. He no longer paid any attention to the Breck Kingdom's leaders outside the tent.

He walked while only looking at Cale's back. That was why he seemed curled up as he looked down at the shorter Cale, however, nothing was preventing him from walking forward anymore.

Cale started to walk as he looked around. There was a large number of people gathered here. However, the majority of the Breck Kingdom's forces were stationed at the closest city next to the Gorge of Death, ready to move at any moment.

Cale looked toward Rosalyn, who walked up to him and started to speak. "Are all the troops moved?"

"Yes, Cale. We installed teleportation magic circles at multiple points around the gorge, while the knights and soldiers will all gather early tomorrow morning."

The information about the Indomitable Alliance was currently being sent through Clopeh Sekka.

The Roan Kingdom had decided that it was better for the Indomitable Alliance to not know about Clopeh and the Paerun Kingdom's betrayal until later. That was why the Breck Kingdom's preparations for the Indomitable Alliance were done as secretly as possible.

Early the next morning. That was the time Clopeh had said the Indomitable Alliance would make their move.

"Cale, the number of forces we are currently moving should not seem odd, even if the Indomitable Alliance manages to notice it."

"Of course."

As Rosalyn mentioned, the number of people that were already at each spot seemed normal and not as if they were preparing for battle.

The Indomitable Alliance had not given up yet. In that case, where else could they strike?

Anybody would be able to tell that it would be the Breck Kingdom. People could not easily believe it because of the Gorge of Death, however, it would seem normal that the Breck Kingdom would send approximately 100 soldiers to places around the Gorge of Death, just in case.

Rosalyn started to speak. "The Roan Kingdom and Breck Kingdom's Mage Brigades will be able to properly show themselves this time."

Cale looked at Rosalyn's confident smile and chuckled.

This was the Mage Brigade's true leader.

Rosalyn had not shown herself until now. She was a highest-grade mage with the qualifications to be a future Magic Tower Master. She had spent the last few months strengthening herself and her magic abilities.

The thought of using that power for the first time was making her mind run wild right now. "I'm curious about this method that the Dwarves figured out in order to cross the Gorge of Death."

Cale recalled one piece of information Clopeh had provided after hearing Rosalyn's thought.

"The Flame Dwarf tribe will supposedly play a big role in the upcoming attack. They said that they found a way to freely move across the Gorge of Death

However, they will not reveal the method until right before the attack. It looks like they are seeking redemption for the ships at the Caro Kingdom. I think they are trying to exaggerate their abilities by revealing it at the last possible moment.

Anyway, I will let the Roan Kingdom know as soon as I find out, so it shouldn't matter, right? Hahahaha!"

Cale started to frown after recalling Clopeh's crazy laugh as well. He would only trust half of what that crazy bastard said from now on.

Rosalyn did not see Cale's expression as she pointed to a side. "Ah, Cale. You remember Count Ecross, right?"

Cale's gaze headed toward where Rosalyn was pointing.

Count Ecross. He was the number one disciple of the top mage in the Breck Kingdom, making him the second-ranked mage in the entire Breck Kingdom. Of course, Rosalyn was not a part of that ranking.

Cale clearly remembered how Ecross had ignored and looked down on him when he visited the Gorge of Death last time.

Count Ecross flinched as soon as they made eye contact. He subconsciously gulped.

Cale Henituse. Ecross clearly remembered how Cale had come with the Tiger tribe earlier in the year. The Cale from back then and Commander Cale in uniform today felt extremely different.

It could not be helped as Ecross had heard about everything Cale had done.

The battle at the Henituse territory, the battle at the Roan Kingdom's northeast region's shores, and finally, the battle in the Caro Kingdom.

All of those deeds had made Count Ecross embarrassed about his past actions, however, he felt relief knowing that the Cale who came to assist the Breck Kingdom was reliable.

"Long time no see, Count Ecross."

"Yes, Commander Cale-nim. It has been a while." Count Ecross subconsciously used respectful language toward Cale, however, neither of them realized the change.

– I knew he would be like this!

Raon had realized it, but Cale did not have time to pay attention to him.

"Commander-nim."

"Cale-nim."

Cale could see a group of people walking toward him from the other side.

They were the Roan Kingdom's First Knight's Brigade and the Mage Brigade. Finally, there was Choi Han, Mary, and the rest of his group.

Count Ecross looked toward the main characters responsible for the Roan Kingdom's victory and took a small step back. They had already won two battles. The aura around them was completely different than his own.

Cale looked at the people around him and started to speak. "Let us start our meeting."

The Dwarves' method of crossing the gorge, the Lion tribe and Bear tribe, and even the enemy soldiers that will come with them. They needed a good plan that would make all of them walk on top of their palms.

Cale headed back to the tent with Rosalyn and the other leaders and passed by Lock, who was standing behind him.

He walked by and said something to Lock. "Let's eat dinner together tonight."