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The moment Cale wakes up, everyone in the nearby vicinity knows that something is wrong.
First, Cale wakes up without being grumpy. He does not try to gently push the children’s paws on his face away, nor does he groan and grunt on the bed, rolling around for a little while before he notices Ron’s presence. In which, usually, this is what causes him to finally wake up without any more dramatic groaning.
Instead of doing all of these, this morning Cale wakes pretty easily, a low hum let out from his lips as he twists on the bed–gently, ever so slowly, in order so that the kids don’t accidentally get squished by his bigger form–and rubbing the sleepiness out of his eyes.
He stretches on the bed, seemingly content to lie still for a few more moments, and when reddish brown eyes open, they meet Ron’s own brown ones.
Instead of the usual shock at seeing someone standing around near his bed like that, or the alertness that usually accompanies him, today Cale simply stares at Ron for a little while before he smiles, sleepily sending a greeting towards–
“Good morning, Grandpa Ron,” Cale says ever so casually, startling the rest of the people in the room for approximately a few seconds before the children finally yells out.
“Eh?! Windy, is that you?!”
“Ron is called a Grandpa! It has to be Windy, right?!”
“Windy, you’re back?!”
Cale–or whoever is occupying his body right now–blinks their eyes a few times, before a lazy, if slightly dopey smile spreads on their face, the redhead waving their hand casually as they sit up on the bed. “Wind? No, no, I’m not the thief! It’s my turn today!”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Raon tilts his head, “who are you?”
“I’m Glutton! Nice to meet you, cute Raon,” Glutton moves their hand to rub Raon’s head affectionately, “You too, On, Hong, Grandpa Ron.”
Ron hums, his brown eyes narrowed slightly even when the benign smile on his face is still present. “Hoo, the name Glutton doesn’t really tell us which Ancient Power you’re supposed to be.”
“Oh, right,” Glutton agrees. A hand on their chest, Glutton declares proudly, “I’m the Indestructible Shield! Does that answer the question?”
It does answer the question, actually. Ron’s gaze clears up as he receives the answer he’s looking for, the servant nodding in a swift and decisive motion towards Glutton. The children respond in a more excited way, the cats’ tails wagging and Raon’s wings fluttering.
“Cool! You’re the shield?” Hong exclaims, kneading Glutton’s hand with his paws.
“Why is the Shield called Glutton, though? Windy is Windy because she’s Wind.” On tilts her head, the smart child being inquisitive as always. Glutton can’t help but to think that if Cale is awake at this point of time, he’ll probably think inwardly about how smart and observant On is. For all that Cale looks stoic and nonchalant most of the time, Glutton knows he often praises his kids in his mind.
Meanwhile, Raon is also tapping his paw on Glutton’s thigh, his blue eyes sparkling. “Oh, you’re the Wood Ancient Power!”
“That’s right! Aren’t you smart? Yes, you’re really smart!” Glutton coos, once again rubbing Raon’s head and perhaps even more enthusiastic than before. Raon’s wings are fluttering much faster than before, the little dragon closing his eyes as he enjoys the pure unadulterated affection from the Ancient Power possessing his human’s body.
He’d thought that Windy was kind, but he supposes that Glutton is too! The affection is genuine, and so is the cheer they exude. Although odd to look at it from the body of his human, it is also a pleasing sight, to see his human smile so cheerfully.
Though, of course, the rare, gentle smiles Cale lets out are way more precious! Raon amends his thoughts immediately, as if afraid that Cale–who is probably napping right now, just like his deal before with Windy–would think of him as inferior for having the children loving the sight of his Ancient Powers using his body and smiling with his body.
If Glutton, or any Ancient Powers, or maybe even Cale, hears about it, they’ll pat his head and tell him that it’s silly. Cale is not the type to be bothered by it, after all, and he is fine with the children being comfortable and friendly with his Ancient Powers.
After all, the joy of the children is what matters the most in this picture, and the Ancient Powers are well aware that Cale, in their eyes, will never be replaced by anyone else.
But Glutton has no way to know Raon’s thoughts, so she simply looks at On in the eyes, their eyes crinkling as she smiles. “Well, they call me Glutton because I love food!”
The kids blink, tilting their heads simultaneously. It is done in such a cute manner that Glutton nearly squeals. Oh, Glutton has known that the kids are lovely, but to see it directly instead of through Cale’s thoughts and mind-eye is another matter entirely. Children are cute, Glutton thinks, especially so when they’re not gaunt and starved, instead living happily and well taken care of!
“Food?” On repeats, her yellow eyes blinking a few times. “You like to eat!”
“Yes!” Glutton answers, enthusiastic. She moves her gaze towards Ron, who has been watching over their interaction with sharp eyes, the dutiful servant keeping an eye on everything despite already guessing that Cale is safe as always. “Actually, Grandpa Ron, that’s why I am here today!”
“Ho,” Ron raises an eyebrow, the benign smile still present on his face. “And what that might be, Glutton… Miss? Mister?”
“Oh, I’m a girl,” Glutton waves their hand dismissively again, not privy to the thoughts of the old servant by the bed. Ron can’t help it. After all, from Wind Ancient Power’s words, it is enough to realize that Cale can hear and communicate with his Ancient Powers, who somehow maintain their individuality and thoughts in his young master’s body. Wind is female too, and doesn’t that simply mean that his young master has spent years with various ladies inside of his body? Seeing what he sees and interacting with him daily? Perhaps even stripping him off from his privacy entirely?
If Ron hadn't seen his puppy young master’s nonchalance with the charms of women and men alike, even when he’s surrounded by various beauties– Ron would’ve been more worried.
Regardless, he withholds his sigh, instead keeping his attention to the Ancient Power who is currently occupying his young master’s body.
The Ancient Power is cheerful, perhaps even more so than Windy. She speaks loudly and with confidence, eyes curved up into a constant smile as she speaks. The smile is such an almost close resemblance to the late Countess, despite it lacking the noble elegance Lady Jour had, thanks to it being his young master’s body, that Ron’s heart may as well shake a little bit.
If the Lord sees this sight, he’ll probably cry like the older puppy he is.
“I want to eat!” He hears the Glutton say, their hands clapping once near their chest. “Cale said that I can try out as much food and drinks as I want as long as it won’t give him a stomachache, so I’m going to eat to my heart’s content!”
The children gape at her, while Ron himself is taking his time processing the words.
These Ancient Powers, their wishes are rather simple, aren’t they?
Wind wants to be able to see the world,
And Glutton wants to eat.
Such simple wishes coming from ancient souls who should’ve died since Ancient Times. He wonders if it is simply them taking Cale’s body capabilities into consideration, or if they really do only need such simple things.
Regardless, it is not a bad thing to wish for, Ron thinks with satisfaction. His brown eyes rake over the thin wrists of his young master, as well as his skin that has gotten paler than years ago before that fateful day in the Capital’s Plaza.
If Glutton wishes to eat, it will be good for the young master. After all, Ron knows that if Glutton hasn’t come in for today, the young master will probably spend his day staring at nothing while nibbling on grapes again. He’s only ever active if he plans to do something big or if he’s dragged away by the kids, after all.
“Then, this Ron will prepare you a feast,” Ron answers with a smile, “Beacrox will be happy to know he has the chance to cook a lot of food.”
“Awesome!” Glutton cheers, their eyes sparkling. “I’ve always seen Beacrox’s cooking through Cale’s mind-eye, you know, but seeing is different than tasting! And I don’t really share tastebuds with Cale when I’m not in control… They always look so delicious! I bet they smell good too! Aaah, thinking about it already makes me hungry…” Glutton whines at the end, rubbing their stomach with a palm.
Such a display is very in contrast to the young master that Ron can’t help but to feel amused. The kids seem interested too, sitting by Glutton’s side calmly, ears perked up to listen to whatever she has to say.
“My son’s cooking is, indeed, delicious,” he lets himself praise Beacrox, nodding towards the redhead still sitting on the bed. “Is there anything specific that you’d like?”
“Ooh, anything is fine for me, but, hmm, I’ve always wanted to try the steak!” Glutton pumps their hands a few times, the fist poking out from the oversized pajamas looking a bit cute now that the body is acting very bubbly like this. “You know, it always looks so juicy… and cooked perfectly… The redness of the meat and the barbeque sauce, I bet it feels as if it melts in your mouth… I bet it also tastes good! Since Cale really likes the steak, or the sausages, or the grilled ribs…” The Glutton lists off the various food while counting with their fingers, before trailing off and directing her gaze towards Ron once again, their eyes sparkling. “Anyway! I bet it tastes good!”
Ron wonders if she’s aware she’s said that phrase three times by now, he thinks amused.
“It does! Beacrox’s steak is the best, Glutton!” Raon answers cheerfully, flying with his fluttering wings to land gently on top of Glutton’s head. “It’s my favorite dish in the world!”
“It does taste good, nya!”
“That’s right, nya! You’ll like it, nya!” The Cats chorus, smiles on their faces as they join in the conversation.
“I also like Beacrox’s cream soup,” On gives her recommendation, fluffy grey tail swishing to the side. “You should try it.”
“Oh! Oh! I like ice cream!” Hong joins in, paws tapping on Glutton’s thigh. “It’s really cold and refreshing, and it tastes sweet! It’s really good, nya!”
“Ooooh, I want to try them all!” Glutton claps their hands a few times again, a wide, excited smile on their face. “Grandpa Ron, give me anything the children like! Oh, oh, you guys should eat with me too, of course,” she turns to face the two Cats by their thighs, their hands patting the two Cats’ heads. The Glutton’s expression softens as she does so, especially when she utters the continuing words, “Children should eat well, after all!”
The two kids lean closer to the hands petting them, while Raon looks comfortable with his position perching on Glutton’s head. Beside the bed, Ron nods, though he makes a mental note to request his son to make a balanced meal instead of just a bunch of meat and desserts the children like.
If the Ancient Power is going to eat a lot with his puppy young master’s body, might as well make the body eat healthy meals.
“Then, I will inform my son to do so. Should I prepare the bath for you, Miss Glutton?”
“Hm? Oh, it’s okay, I know how to operate the bathtub!” Glutton answers, “I’ve seen Cale do it numerous times!”
Thank goodness for high acting skills, Ron thinks as he manages to stop his smile from slipping down his face. It really isn’t nice to know the young master he raises since he was a baby has a group of unintentional voyeurs…
In a way, the Ancient Powers are lucky they’re nice and do not have a body.
Or Ron might have a few words to say to them. It will be an important talk. Particularly about respecting a healthy young man’s privacy in the bathing chamber.
Anyway, shelving the thoughts aside for later, Ron smiles and bows, walking out of the room to inform his son of this specific request. Beacrox has been Cale’s personal chef for two years by now, and he’s also the one who takes care of the children’s food more often than not, especially the Cat children for the time they’re left behind to stay in the Eastern Continent’s Hope and Adventure Loving Inn.
Beacrox will know best what to cook, because he’ll know their favorites.
Smiling in satisfaction, he proceeds to inform his son just so.
He bets that his son would be interested to meet this Ancient Power who is so eager to try food, to the point where she asked Cale to use his body to try it out. His son deserves all the praise he can get for his passion in cooking, after all.
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Bathing is awesome, Glutton thinks with joy and awe. She knows that soaking in the bathtub? Jacuzzi? Bathing device? Must be nice, considering how often Cale relishes in it. Especially when the war was still at its peak, the groans and moans Cale let out whenever he managed to get a soak in this tub has always made Glutton jealous about it. Especially when he receives rare massages from Grandpa Ron or Hans. Now that must feel super good…
And in a way, it is true! It feels so good. The hot, clean water touching their body feels as if the stress and muscle soreness have left their body in one single dip. Glutton can stay here until the water loses its warmth, if not for the promise of food that will greet her the moment she steps out of the bathroom. Her desire for meals manages to win over the pleasure of a nice soak, in the end.
Still, it does feel good. Very different compared to the rare dips to the lake she did when she was alive, or when she managed to wash her face with some water. Back then, water was scarce, especially in the lands not chosen by the Ancient White Star. If there were any water, they would use it for drinking rather than something as wasteful as bathing.
Even though there’s a new White Thing and Darkness Organization, it’s good that Cale can still live lavishly like this, Glutton thinks with a smile. She’s sure that the other Ancient Powers agree as well. It’s nice to see the world has evolved in such a way, after the last battle in the Ancient Times. Not only has the food improved, so have the technologies and general well-being of the people.
There is no land dyed in black and despair, especially this land in which she died for.
It’s good to see it. It’s good to realize that their past efforts have an impact, somehow. No matter how small the significance.
And, if it’s possible, they don’t want Cale and the others to suffer like the Ancient Powers once did. After all, Cale and his family are strong, and Cale has the complete set of Ancient Powers with him too.
They hope that, with this, it’ll be enough somehow, to ensure a happy future for all of them.
No White Star,
No Darkness.
It’s a nice dream, Glutton thinks as she dries herself, putting on the clothes prepared by the kids. It’s lucky that Cale prefers to dress simply whenever he’s not going anywhere. It makes it easier for her to dress-up. Lord knows she won’t know how to wear the complicated noble clothing that the servants usually help Cale wear.
Now, it’s time for food, Glutton thinks with a smile. Her steps are giddy as she skips out of the bathroom.
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When she is guided towards the dining hall with Ron and the children, they manage to meet with Choi Han and Lark, who seem to be on their way back to their rooms after a few rounds of morning sparring. They are surprised to find that she is Glutton, the Indestructible Shield, of course, but they follow along. Perhaps it’s curiosity or something else. It’s definitely not something Glutton thinks much about. They are, after all, Cale’s family. They are free to do whatever they want in the house Cale has decided as his home.
Instead, Glutton allows herself to be more occupied with the thought of food, one that intensifies when they finally arrive at the dining hall, their reddish brown eyes widening and mouth salivating at the sight of the food prepared on the table.
Near the wide and long table, Beacrox is there with the rest of the Wolf Children, staring with unmistakable interest towards Glutton. With no care about their curiosity, Glutton looks at them with sparkling eyes, a wide smile present on their lips.
“Can I eat this now?!”
“...Go ahead.”
“Yes!” Glutton cheers, thanking all the stars above that she manages to win the rock, paper, scissors game with the other Ancient Powers, thus gaining this once-in-a-lifetime chance to occupy Cale’s body for the whole morning.
With an eagerness on a scale that none of them has ever seen before in Cale when it comes to eating food, Glutton sits on the chair, the children following along to sit on their own seats. Picking up the fork and knife, Glutton has a mind to speak, even though their eyes are firmly glued to the juicy, juicy steak before her.
“Ooh, I’ll have to tell you this, I don’t really know table manners, but that’s okay, right? I just want to eat, and it looks so good, ahh, please tell me it’s okay to eat?”
Beacrox’s gaze is unreadable, though from his voice after that it seems as if he’s grumbling, “...Just eat.”
“Yesss!” Glutton cheers again, cutting a piece for herself. She ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ s the whole time, mouth open as it salivates, sparkling reddish brown eyes taking in the sight with such eagerness it makes the children and Choi Han gulp. Somehow, thanks to Glutton’s behavior, Beacrox’s cooking looks ten times more delicious than usual. And the usual is already delicious.
“Ooh, it’s so juicy!” Glutton gushes, “How do you make it like this? Ahh, it looks like the sauce just melts along with the meat! Omo, omo! It looks so pretty and delicious!” Not wanting to wait any longer, she quickly stuffs the piece of meat into her mouth, chewing it and savoring the taste.
The children and Beacrox lean closer to the redhead from where they are standing around, like audiences watching a rather interesting spectacle, their gaze focused. Belatedly, Choi Han realizes that this is rather similar to those eating shows back in Korea, where people would get satisfaction just from watching someone eat.
…Huh. He would have never expected it to be possible here.
Directing his gaze back towards Cale–or rather, Cale’s body that is being controlled by one of his Ancient Powers right now–Choi Han watches as well, waiting for the reaction from the Ancient Power who claims to love food so much she is called a Glutton.
The redhead has stopped chewing for a while, and from her focused expression, there comes… tears?!
Everyone in the room jumps in shock, the children screaming for the Ancient Power.
“G-Glutton?! Why are you crying?! Don’t cry?!?!?!”
“Wu…” From Glutton’s mouth comes a small whimper, that in mere moments turn into full blown wail, the redhead throwing their head back as she does so. “Wuaaaaaah! It’s too goooooooooooooooood!”
Silence.
Dumbfounded silence fills the room, the previously shocked and worried occupants now staring at the sobbing Glutton incredulously. Glutton doesn’t seem to notice their gaze, because she is way too occupied with cutting and shoving more steak in her mouth, an absolutely obscene moan escaping their lips every time she stuffs more and more food inside.
“So good! It’s so good! What is this?! I’ve never had any food this good before!” She speaks as she eats, “Oh, the ancient times never had anything this good before! Cheapskate was good at making fire, but all the meat we managed to find would always be charred! But this! This is!!!!”
“Slow down, Glutton, you’ll choke!” On warns her, yellow eyes watching in worry.
Glutton nods a few times in response to it, though she still continues to eat nonstop. Thankfully, her tears seem to have subsided, though with it comes a long ramble in-between munches. “How can you make this so juicy? And the sauce just blends really well with the meat! What is this sauce called? The meat is so chewy but not too chewy! Oh, thank you, Raon!” Glutton says cheerfully when Raon, with blue eyes silently watching in intrigue, uses his paw to push a few of his steak to Glutton’s plate. “Mmm! I can eat this forever! And Cale says that Beacrox’s steak is the best?! I don’t think I can eat any other steak other than this if that’s the case, though?!”
Beacrox seems to perk up at that, his intense gaze focused on Glutton.
“The young master thinks my steak is the best?”
“Hmm?” Glutton pauses in her munching to look at Beacrox, before she nods, a brilliant smile on their face. “Yeah! Your cooking is his favorite! He never says it, but he keeps on praising your food whenever he eats, you know? ‘ As expected from Beacrox’s cooking’ this, ‘ Beacrox’s cooking is always good’ that, your cooking is a favorite!”
Eyes gleaming with satisfaction, Beacrox nods sharply. He does not say anything else, but Ron knows his son enough to realize that he’s very satisfied and excited with what he heard.
The young master may get served with his favorite foods when he wakes up, Ron thinks with a smile. It’s good to know that his puppy young master appreciates his son. He knows that Beacrox will be so proud of it.
After the steak is wiped clean, On takes her turn to push a bowl of cream soup towards Glutton, tail swishing as they listen to another chorus and ramblings of a food enthusiast. “You know, something like this, I don’t think it existed in the Ancient Times! Well, even bread was not good during Ancient Times! The food has really evolved, in a good way! I’ve never tasted anything creamy like this!”
And with ice cream, “How can this be so sweet and soft and cold?! This isn’t like eating snow at all!”
And with vegetables, “This is much much better than eating grass! The combination of this with tomato and garlic is top tier! Ooh, what is that slight spiciness I taste? It’s pepper? It’s good!”
And so on, and so forth.
“Oh, I’m full!” Glutton pats their stomach a few times, a satisfied smile on their face. Gazing longingly at the desserts the children are eating, she mumbles, “I can eat some more… But Cale might get sick… and he’ll be grumpy…”
Ron smiles, benign and warning at the same time, “Please do not eat too much, so our young master won’t feel sick.”
Glutton sighs, mournful. “Yeah… I won’t do that to Cale. It’s too bad though! There are so many more foods and drinks I want to try! This is great, your cooking is really good, Beacrox!”
Beacrox nods. “Thank you.”
“Glutton noona, you said a lot of food now have evolved, but what kind of food did you eat during Ancient Times?” Hong can’t help but to ask, his head tilting slightly. The other people in the room also perk up at that, curiosity winning over their interest in eating.
Glutton reaches over towards Hong with a handkerchief in their hand, wiping the cream off of Hong’s lips. In response to the question, she groans, irritation entering her expression. “Oh, it was terrible! Just terrible. The people in the Temple said that the food they were giving was from the god, but they were not delicious at all! And I spent most of my days on the run with other Ancient Power users, you know? Like Windy.”
“You were Windy’s friend, Glutton?”
“Yeah! Actually, hehe, this is a bit of a funny coincidence, but all of Cale’s Ancient Powers in his body know each other. We were friends, all of us!”
“Woah! That’s amazing, nya.”
“What an odd coincidence, nya~”
“Right? Right? I didn’t expect Cale to also pick up my friends’ powers too, but it’s certainly fun! I get to talk with them again, and know what happened to them after we got separated, so it’s nice…”
Raon leans closer to Glutton, his blue eyes blinking. “You got separated from each other? Why?”
“Things happened,” Glutton answers, nonchalantly. “That’s just how life is! We went our separate ways, but perhaps we shouldn’t have, because then we started dying one by one, all alone…”
The Cats let out noises of sympathy, and Glutton reaches forward to rub their heads, gentle and reassuring. “That’s why, you guys have to stick together, especially in fighting that White Thing. It’s better for family and friends to band together, that way you all will be stronger, and you can protect each other.”
“Yeah!” Raon’s wings start to flutter, his paw tapping on the table gently. “Of course we’ll stay together, Glutton! We won’t leave the human alone!”
“Of course, nya,” the Cats chorus.
“We won’t!” The Wolf Children follow.
“It’s obvious,” Beacrox responds.
“Indeed,” Ron nods.
“We have no intention to leave each other,” Choi Han affirms, nodding as well. “And we will protect Cale-nim, too.”
“Good,” Glutton smiles, sweet and true. “And just as you will protect Cale, this Shield of his will protect all of you, too.”
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Bonus:
“By the way, Glutton, if I may ask…”
“Hmm? What is it? Ask away!”
“How did you… die? You said that each one of you died separately… All alone?”
“Oh, yes! You know, I died in the Henituse Territory.”
“Eh?”
“Huh?”
“What?”
“Well, I guess it wasn’t Henituse territory yet. This land was once desolate, you know! Rocks everywhere, and the land was dyed black.”
Dyed black.
Nearly everyone there knows what that means.
Either that means that it was covered in ashes from rampaging fire–
Or it was dead mana.
And they have a feeling… That it is the latter.
“I couldn’t just leave it be… I felt like I had to do something, you know? So I ate it all.”
“You… ate it all?” She ate dead mana?
“I became so weak and tired afterwards, but there was nothing that could help sate my hunger, you know? I tried to eat dirt but even the dirt was not enough. So I died.”
“...”
“...”
“...”
“Anyway, that’s how it happened. That’s why I really like eating the food in this era! It’s so good, you know? Ah, I hope Cale can give me permission again to eat some more food…”
“...Forget it,” Beacrox says, already walking towards the door.
“Huh?”
“Don’t go back yet, I’ll make you one more food.”
“Eh? Really?! Sweet! Beacrox, I love you!”
Beacrox nearly stumbles on his feet.
Hearing those words come out from his young master’s mouth is a bit weird.
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Bonus 2:
“Uuughh… My stomach is bloated… What did you guys feed her?”
“Uhmmm… Ummm… We’re sorry, human! We got too carried away!”
“Carried away? By eating?”
“She deserves to eat a lot of good food, that’s why! We’re so sorry, human! I’ll ask Grandpa Ron to bring stomach medicine!”
“Sorry, nya!”
“So sorry, nya!”
“...Haaaa… It’s okay…”