The kingdom was healing.
The once-deserted streets now bustled with cautious movement. Merchants reopened their stalls, hesitant but hopeful. The nobility, once paralyzed by fear, began to emerge from hiding. News of the sudden recovery spread like wildfire—people whispered of a miracle, of salvation when all seemed lost.
In the palace, King Aldric observed it all from his balcony. Just days ago, his kingdom had been on the verge of collapse. Now, life returned. And at the heart of it all was one man—the masked stranger who had offered him a cure.
Seated in his private study, Aldric poured two cups of wine as Kale entered.
"I must admit, I did not think the cure would work so quickly."
Kale merely inclined his head. "It was always a matter of timing."
The king studied him for a moment before setting down his cup. "I've been thinking about our deal. You could have asked for much more than 30thousand gold coins. Why settle for so little?"
Kale gave a faint smile. "Because your kingdom has already suffered great losses. If I drained your treasury further, it would only weaken you more."
Aldric's expression softened. "I see… you are not as greedy as I assumed."
A satisfied chuckle escaped him as he reached into his coat. "In that case, consider this an additional token of my gratitude." He placed a pouch on the table. "One thousand Mythril Coins. More valuable than gold, and far rarer."
[1 mythril=50 gold coin]
Kale accepted the pouch without hesitation. "A generous gift."
"The people will believe your royal physicians created the cure."
The king frowned. "Why go to such lengths to hide your involvement?"
Kale met his gaze evenly. "Because miracles must have familiar faces. If the people believe their own kingdom saved them, their trust in you will strengthen. If they knew the truth, they would start asking where I came from, what I want. That kind of attention is dangerous."
Aldric hesitated before sighing. "You are not wrong. Very well. The royal physicians will take the credit."
Kale said nothing, but inwardly, he was satisfied. With this, no one would trace the cure back to him. The Divine Order would never suspect his interference.
The True Purpose
After finalizing their agreement, Aldric led Kale through the palace halls to the royal treasury. The room was vast, lined with chests of gold, rare artifacts, and relics of ages past.
"Take your pick," the king said, gesturing to the wealth before them.
Kale scanned the collection, his gaze sharp. He ignored the piles of jewels, the ornate weapons, the enchanted tomes. He wasn't here for wealth—he was here for something far more valuable.
Then, at the far end of the chamber, he saw it.
A large, obsidian-black egg resting on an old pedestal. Unassuming. Forgotten.
Kale walked toward it, brushing the dust off its smooth surface.
"That?" Aldric asked, raising a brow. "No one knows what it is. It has been here for generations. Are you sure you want that?"
Kale gripped the egg, feeling the faint pulse of energy beneath his fingers.
So it really was here.
This was why the Divine Order had chosen this kingdom. They hadn't spread the plague just for influence. They had done it because of this.
Suppressing his satisfaction, he turned to Aldric. "Yes. This is what I want."
The king chuckled, shaking his head. "You are a strange man. Very well, it's yours."
Then, as if on a whim, he pulled a ring from his finger and handed it to Kale. "Take this as well. An inventory ring. A small gift for saving my kingdom."
Kale accepted the ring, sliding it onto his finger.
"And if you ever need my help," Aldric continued, "simply ask."
Kale smiled beneath his mask.
Just as expected.