Humming, Fengari sat on the large horse and patted its mane, while Sir Venlan held the reins and walked beside Cale. It had been somewhat surprising to Cale that Sir Venlan had so willingly engaged in conversation, even if it was a welcome turn of events. Among the first topics they discussed was their destination. It turned out that both parties were on their way to the capital city of Bellator, so they decided to travel together.

"You are the princes' teacher?", Cale repeated the man's statement, who seemed embarrassed for a moment. It was by no means new information to him, but Sir Venlan was surprisingly open with him.

Quite the opposite of Cale's 6th life. Back then, the king's right-hand man had always been somewhat suspicious and cautious toward him, which Cale could not perceive at the moment. Therefore, Cale suspected that his current demeanor had a completely different effect on the people around him. No one knew that Cale was one of the most powerful figures in the world and was in contact with the dragons, the High-Magicians, and the goddess herself.

However, Cale suspected that Julius Venlan's open behavior was due to his relationship with Loys von Freigoud. Cale strongly doubted that the two men had not talked about him. His results in the exam and the fact that he himself was a swordmaster with a Kama sword must have been reason enough.

"That's right. I have been teaching Crown Prince Edward and Prince Marion for some time, and Prince William will also be joining soon."

"Do you enjoy teaching?"

"Actually, it's a surprisingly enjoyable job, even though I never thought I would become a teacher."

"If I may ask, what did you do before your time at the palace?"

"I used to be responsible for the economy and infrastructure of Pistori."

"Really?", Cale said with genuine surprise. "Are you originally from Pistori?"

The Pistori region was directly adjacent to Sylve and therefore had close ties to the capital. However, Cale did not know that Sir Venlan had held such a high position within the government before he even joined the royal family. Cale did not even know if Sir Venlan was born in Pistori, how old he actually was, or if he had a family. To Cale, the man had always been the silent observer who answered questions for the king and refrained from public appearances.

What had influenced him so strongly that he had undergone such a change in his life?

"I come from Stroka, a very small village east of the big river. Does the name tells you anything?"

"Unfortunately, no. How far is your home village from the city of Kradno?"

"Several hours. Stroka is south of it. The nearest, somewhat larger town would be Kutam."

"Kutam?", Cale repeated, shocked.

Sir Venlan's home village was in proximity to the village that was the second to be attacked by the creatures? The same village where the two sisters had been hiding until recently?

"The name seems to be more familiar to you."

"Ah, yes. Indeed. I know Kutam and have already visited it."

"It's a small world."

"Smaller than one might think, indeed", Cale confirmed with a nod, looking up at the blonde-haired girl, who gave him a serious look.

A moment later, just as Sir Venlan also looked up, she was already grinning from ear to ear again. Cale expected a comment from her, but she remained silent, lost in thought, and turned her attention back to the horse. She probably wanted to know if Kutam was indeed the place she was thinking of, but thought it's inappropriate to interrupt Cale in his conversation.

"Do you have family in Stroka?"

"Not anymore, no. My parents passed away several years ago, and I never had any siblings", Julius Venlan announced politely, looking ahead. He seemed a little depressed about this fact, but Cale refrained from asking any further questions. "What about you? I haven't had a chance to ask where you're from yet."

"Ahri and I are from the west coast of Altona."

"From which town exactly, if I may ask?"

Cale swallowed involuntarily for a moment. He had always expected this question to come up, which is why he had already named a village in the documents and certificates he had received from the elder.

A village that no longer existed.

"Ryglewiskan. A village of 100 souls that had become increasingly empty in recent years. Ahri and I were pretty much the last family to leave the place. A remnant from the time of Altona's internal conflict. It's just a ghost village now, if it's still standing at all."

"I see, is that why you moved to Sylve?"

"Among other reasons, yes. Actually, we hadn't planned to live in Bellator directly."

"What were your original plans?"

"Groka", Cale replied quickly, causing Sir Venlan to look at him in surprise and fall completely silent. An oppressive silence arose between the two men, prompting Cale to clear his throat and speak up. "You probably know why I came to Bellator."

"Did you have family in Groka?"

"Yes, I did, but they escaped with their lives. Praise the gods."

"We should praise the two magicians", Sir Venlan corrected thoughtfully, looking away and staring at the leash in his hands. He paused for a moment before turning to Cale with a serious look. "Have you ever had any contact with the Magistrat?"

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"The Magistrat? Why do you ask?"

"Well...", Sir Venlan began cautiously. Suddenly, Cale got goose bumps, not knowing what to expect. "The royal family had requested help from the Magistrat and several weeks ago, a report about the creatures had arrived. High-Magician Aaron Thopas had signed it personally."

Sir Venlan paused for a moment and simply stared at Cale, as if waiting for a reaction. But Cale understood at that moment why the man had so willingly entered into a conversation with him. Cale sighed quietly and closed his eyes as he ran a hand through his unusually short hair.

"How much do you know?"

"High-Magician Thopas mentioned that you helped with the investigations and that the Eldest vouched for the authenticity of these documents."

"I see."

"Sir Thopas also mentioned that you are the swordmaster who carries Karekama."

Suddenly, Ahri began to cough loudly, causing Sir Venlan to turn abruptly toward her. This meant he did not see Cale's face turn pale. Damian must have told Aaron that he possessed Karekama, but why did Aaron simply pass this information on? Hadn't he instructed Aaron to keep it secret?

<Wait, I never tried to keep Karekama a secret from the Magistrat. How many people now know that I carry Karekama with me?>

"Forgive me for asking... but how many people have read this report?", Cale replied with a warning undertone, completely ignoring the way Ahri was looking at him.

"So far, only me. When you asked the palace for permission to use a Kama sword, it was me who brought the matter to Duke Freigoud's attention. I assumed you wanted to use Karekama, but even I was surprised that you have another Kama sword."

"How come you didn't tell Sir Feigoud directly?"

"How come you keep Karekama hidden?"

Cale did not comment on the statement and stared at the man with a blank look, while Fengari spoke up in his head and laughed.

<"So much for that. Seems like Aaron got his revenge.">

A brief grin appeared on her face, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Fengari was well aware that she had to try hard not to show that she could follow the whole conversation. Outwardly, she continued to play the good child, while inwardly she mocked Cale for his actions and his lack of awareness. For a brief moment, Cale considered inviting Damian into the conversation, but he didn't have time for that right now.

"That fucking morron of a High-Magician", Cale said irritably, holding his forehead with one hand. "Of all the things he could have done, he had to mention Karekama."

"So you really own it?"

"Yes, Karekama belongs to me", Cale confirmed, defeated. "I have to ask this directly, but what exactly do you want from me? There must be a reason you kept this a secret for so long, right?"

"Because of the analysis of the attack on Groka."

"Because of the... analysis? What are you talking about?"

"The assessment of the attack on the village, what would have happened without the presence of the two magicians, and why the soldiers' actions were such a problem."

"I never wrote an analysis on that, my only task was to name the creatures and note their abilities."

"The analysis itself was written by High-Magician Thopas, but he quoted some of your personal statements in it. Strategic chaos were your words, if I remember correctly."

Speechless, Cale stared at his companion. He had wanted to lure Sir Venlan into a trap, but had fallen into one himself. Julius Venlan had long known that he was no ordinary person, even if he did not know the extent of it. But where did he get this confidence in his words? Sir Venlan from the 6th life had great respect for Cale, but the current Sir Venlan seemed almost as if he were superior to the swordmaster of Karekama.

"That was a casual comment in a brief conversation with High-Magician Thopas. If I had known that the palace might hear about it, I would have chosen my words more carefully", Cale defended himself immediately. "Still, I don't understand why you kept it to yourselves."

"You were there, weren't you? On the day of the attack."

"On the day of the attack on Groka? No, I wasn't."

"I was told that you were stuck in Persiven when you tried to cross the border. But the timing and the fact that the descriptions of the incident were so detailed made me suspicious. So I'm asking you straight out: Do you know who the two mages were who protected the village?"

"Sir Venlan, I think you're misunderstanding something. I wasn't..."

"Please be honest with me. I want to understand the purpose of your presence in Bellator. From what I've seen so far, you should be in Exarion, not here."

"As I just tried to explain to you, I was not present at the time of the attack, and I do not know the identities of the two magicians", Cale lied coldly and looked up at Fengari. "My daughter was by my side the whole time. If you cannot trust my words, then ask her."

Fengari lay relaxed on the horse, playing with its mane. When the attention shifted to her, she looked confused and sat up straight.

"Sorry, Father, I wasn't listening."

"It's okay, we're talking about work, but Sir Venlan has a question for you."

"A question?", Fengari said thoughtfully, looking down at the teacher. "How can I help you, Sir Venlan?"

The man seemed to be considering whether he should actually ask the girl. It seemed disrespectful to him that he did not trust the swordmaster, when even the elder vouched for his statements.

"It's all right, Ahri. My question has already been answered."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, thank you very much, dear."

"You're welcome", Fengari replied cheerfully, putting on her hypocritical smile, while Sir Venlan turned his gaze back to Cale, almost as if blaming him for making him feel guilty.

However, Cale took advantage of this moment of doubt.

"We traveled from our homeland to Persiven, where we encountered the barrier and were informed of the attack. That evening, we happened to meet High-Magician Grischa Vonstetten and arrived in Exarion the next morning with his entourage, where I met with the Eldest and helped them with their investigations. Shortly thereafter, we departed and, after the borders opened and a brief detour to Rikadel, we arrived in Bellator", Cale finally spoke up, returning the dry, reproachful gaze. "Forgive me for not being able to answer your question. But please do not blackmail me with the knowledge you have about Karekama and my relationship with the Magistrat."

"I had no intention of blackmailing you, Sir Adenia. Please forgive me if it seemed that way to you."

"It did", Cale replied simply. "Nevertheless, I would like to know what you intend to do with this information. Will you inform King Leonhardt of Sylve and Duke Loys of Freigoud?"

"Unfortunately, I have no choice. Withholding the information is in itself a criminal offense."

"Can you promise me that this information will not reach the public? People tend to become envious, and that would get Ahri into trouble, which I would like to avoid."

"I can try, but the decision is not mine to make."

Cale sighed at this statement.

He should have treated Aaron differently, then he probably wouldn't have come out with this information so easily. But Cale still didn't understand why he had mentioned it at all. What did Aaron gain from mentioning his name and Karekama? And above all, why hadn't the Eldest warned him?

"I'll just have to accept it. I really hope my stupidity doesn't put my daughter in unnecessary danger", Cale said with a sigh. "Do you have any other questions for me?"

"I have one more, yes. A request, to be precise."

"A request?"

"Would you show me Karekama?"

Cale stared at his counterpart suspiciously before they both came to a halt.

"You're asking a lot of me, I hope you realize that. Carrying Karekama always comes with a certain amount of power and responsibility, which I am reluctant to take lightly", Cale explained, hiding his left arm behind his back as he used his mana to check if there were other people nearby. But since they had been traveling for quite some time and it was getting late, they were now alone.

"I am aware of that. I am merely curious, as I have never seen one of the tree legendary swords."

Cale calmly took a step closer to the forest and turned completely around. His long brown coat, which he had been wearing all day, served as the perfect cover, allowing him to use his zero magic unnoticed.

Nevertheless, Cale immediately realized that Julius could still sense the mana.

"Understandable. I, too, have only heard the stories for a long time", Cale replied calmly and made the black sword appear in his hand. When he took it out from behind his back, Julius's eyes lit up. "This is it. This is Karekama, also known as the Black Thunder."

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