Chapter 37, Verify (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Kalian rose from his seat and prepared himself as usual before leaving the room. Unlike normal days, he went straight outside the palace instead of heading to the dining hall, having breakfast with Rmain.

 

After the morning meal, they held a simple ceremony. Then, after paying his respects to Rmain, he mounted Raven.

 

Arsene positioned himself in front of Kalian, while Kyrie and Ian flanked his sides, and Hina, who could use heal, took her place behind him. As for the black-clad Knights, they formed ranks before and behind the group.

 

Though a royal carriage borne the royal insignia, Kalian carried no markings identifying him as royalty. Given his already striking appearance, and the fact that he still had more enemies than allies, there was no benefit in openly advertising his status as royalty.

 

When word spread that a Prince resembling Syspanian was leaving for the Roselita, crowds of well-wishers gathered from the plaza to the outer walls of Cyriesus to bid him farewell.

 

Before them, Kalian stepped forward.

 

Though there was no ornate carriage, the Siegfried Knights were present. At their center was Kalian, commanding attention with his presence. Because of this, his procession was no less impressive than those of previous Princes, and cheers and prayers for his safe journey followed his every step.

 

This was a Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony, and the only chance to meet the Will of Sigmund Khan Syspanian.

 

The Roselita had begun.

 

…

 

For several days after departure, there were no issues.

 

This was partly because word from the Royal Palace had been sent ahead to the cities Kalian would visit, and partly because the number of Knights accompanying him was not one that anyone would rashly approach. It was almost disappointing how uneventful it was after all the imaginations about whether to avoid or engage in fights. Kalian simply sat comfortably atop Raven, taking in the sights and conversing with Ian.

 

Occasionally, he would hear Allan’s voice.

 

“Hello, Master. Has anything unusual happened?”

 

“Envoys suddenly arrived from Tansyll. Since Rmain is busy, this old man is quite lonely.”

 

Kalian, who had been thinking of having a leisurely conversation with Allan while sitting on Raven, nodded with a slightly disappointed expression. He understood the roundabout message, that Allan was also busy because Rmain was occupied.

 

“You must be busy.”

 

“It has been so, indeed.”

 

Watching Kalian stare excitedly at his ring before quickly withdrawing the Mana, Ian asked, “Did Lord Manasil say he couldn’t talk?”

 

“Yes. He’s busy.”

 

“It’s more surprising that he responds every time when you send messages like that each day. I’ll be here to keep you company instead of letting you get bored.”

 

Finding it awkward that he seemed to be complaining about nothing, Kalian smiled uncomfortably and looked around.

 

Currently, Kalian’s group was passing through the Latran Forest, heading toward a city called Latran. Below the royal road that wound along the low forest were about ten round lakes. Unusually, the lakes were very similar in shape to each other, and each one was quite large.

 

In truth, though they were called lakes, they were almost dried up.

 

This was natural, as they were not lakes that had formed naturally from accumulated water.

 

Their well-documented origin revealed they were artificial lakes created by Syspanian. Of course, the Great Dragon had not made them simply because she had nothing better to do. They were formed when water collected in the craters left by meteorites she had pulled down while pursuing the Evil God.

 

While intently staring at them, Kalian awkwardly smiled.

 

“To think we’re going to meet someone who left these marks that haven’t disappeared even after 500 years.”

 

“Even so, you’re not meeting her divine self, so no need to feel too pressured.”

 

“Right. I shouldn’t.”

 

“Would you like to have a meal here while looking around the lakes? It’s another two or three hours to Latran, and there won’t be any suitable places to rest after this.”

 

There was no particular reason to refuse.

 

Ian had passed through this place several times before, while Kalian had not. Naturally, Kalian would readily agree to his suggestions. Thus, the group moved to a flat grassland slightly off the royal road.

 

Leaning against Raven’s leg as the horse focused intently on grazing, Kalian accepted a sandwich brought from the previous city. Soon, Hina approached and offered cups of water to Kalian and Ian.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Kalian watched as Hina smiled, nodded, and went to sit beside Kyrie. Seeing this, Ian commented,

 

“Kyrie has taken very good care of Hina.”

 

“She’s his Little Sister.”

 

At those words, Ian responded with a smile.

 

“I wish my Sister would let me take care of her like that.”

 

It was the first time Ian had brought up family matters himself.

 

The further they got from the Royal Palace, the more Ian seemed to return to his original self rather than acting as an attendant. Even now, without being asked, he was sitting next to Kalian and eating.

 

When Kalian looked at him curiously once as Ian mentioned his family, Ian shook his head and said,

 

“I have a precious Sister who tried to stab her sleeping Brother because he didn’t give her a birthday present. You’ll be meeting her soon, Your Highness. Do be careful.”

 

Kalian smiled as he was about to put the last piece of bread into his mouth. He could imagine the scene. [Ian must have cried his eyes out…]

 

Shortly after finishing their meal, Kalian stood up and was about to mount Raven again.

 

But then a strange sound was heard.

 

*Rustle!*

 

It was the slightly subdued sound of someone pushing through the underbrush.

 

Along with it, they saw the dense underbrush leading to the forest swaying from side to side. As Kalian looked in that direction, Kyrie, who had somehow already approached, stepped in front of Kalian to shield him.

 

The Knights also took defensive positions, surrounding Kalian and Ian.

 

“No, wait…”

 

As Kalian was about to say this level of caution seemed unnecessary, a figure even smaller than Hina poked its head out from the underbrush.

 

Seeing the Knights and the Mage pointing their weapons at it, the figure’s eyes widened in surprise. Then, raising both hands, before calling out:

 

“Right! Save!”

 

[[What!?]]

 

The Knights frowned, not understanding what his figure was saying. Kalian’s expression hardened for a slightly different reason. While the Siegfried Knights might have been somewhat familiar with such an appearance, Kalian was not.

 

The small figure was a male child with short hair, and on the sides of his face were ears slightly longer and more pointed than human ones.

 

Kyrie, who was usually silent, opened his mouth involuntarily upon seeing the child.

 

“An Elf?”

 

As if answering those words, the Elf boy slowly stood up.

 

The first major disruption to Kalian’s peaceful journey began with the sudden appearance of this single Elf boy.

 

Before they could even marvel at the perfect ears of an Elf they had never seen before, the Elf spoke:

 

“I, Sia.”

 

Now everyone’s faces showed the same expression. They could not understand what this Elf had been saying from the start.

 

Knight Yuran’s eyes turned to Kalian.

 

“What would you like us to do?”

 

He was asking whether they should lower their swords against this peculiar intruder or continue to maintain their guard.

 

Elves do not attack humans. They also were not very good at lying.

 

Thinking it might be alright to lower their guard a little, Kalian made a gesture, requesting them to put away the swords as he took a step closer to the Elf. Along with this, the Knights’ swords were withdrawn.

 

Slightly bending down to examine the Elf’s face, Kalian asked,

 

“Sia? Is that your name?”

 

“Yes. Hungry.”

 

“Did you come asking for food?”

 

“Was hiding.”

 

The conversation seemed to make sense yet was strangely incomprehensible.

 

Scratching his cheek with an expression that said ‘I don’t understand what this kid is saying either,’ Kalian deliberated for a while. He turned his head to look at Kyrie, wanting to ask if all Elves were like this.

 

However, Kyrie was looking back at him with the same expression. Of course, Hina standing next to him was no different.

 

Seeing their expressions, Kalian helplessly chuckled.

 

“Right. You wouldn’t know either.”

 

Kalian scratched his cheek again before speaking.

 

“What are you doing in a place like this?”

 

“Right. Sorry.”

 

[Hmm…] Kalian considered whether to abandon this conversation and just feed him before sending him on his way, or try to be more patient.

 

Then, suddenly, Kalian’s eyes changed.

 

Slowly straightening up, Kalian smiled and said,

 

“…You should have first brought up that someone was chasing you.”

 

The sound of horse hooves could be heard.

 

That alone would not have been a major problem. However, the fact that they were heading straight for Kalian’s group, had swords drawn, and above all, were barely containing their killing intent, were the problems.

 

The Knights once again placed their hands on their sword hilts.

 

“Thank you.”

 

The Elf named Sia said this while making a tearful face, clutching tightly to Kalian’s clothes. Though his words had not made sense since earlier, his actions were understandable. He was asking for help.

 

Kalian found himself smiling, suddenly thinking it might be easier to communicate without words. He responded in a low voice to that gesture asking for help.

 

“Let me see first.”

 

First, Kalian took out the robe that had been tied to Raven’s saddle and covered Sia’s head. Then, sending Sia to the back, he said to Kyrie,

 

“Keep him with you.”

 

Nodding, Kyrie took Sia and positioned him beside the boy.

 

Meanwhile, the Knights who blocked Kalian’s front prepared to draw their swords at any moment, and Arsene was completed preparations to deploy a shield whenever needed. As for Kalian, he briefly checked the knife in his sleeve.

 

He wondered if there would be any need to draw it. After all, there was only one approaching horse.

 

*Clop, clop.*

 

Soon the pursuer stopped near the group.

 

Kalian turned his head toward the man who kept approaching without paying any attention to what kind of group was in front of him – a black-haired youth accompanied by twenty Knights.

 

The man had long hair. Though it was not clear which army he belonged to, he was dressed as a soldier.

 

The man stepped forward and briefly surveyed the group.

 

He showed no particular reaction upon seeing Kalian, suggesting he probably did not recognize Kalian by appearance alone. So, Kalian found this somewhat strange.

 

[Anyone from a noble family or a Trader’s Guild would know my travel route.]

 

Yuran stepped forward.

 

Fortunately, he did not tactlessly reveal who Kalian was to such a suspicious-looking person.

 

“Who are you?”

 

“I’m chasing after a thief who ran away with stolen goods. Have you perhaps seen a strange child?”

 

It was not an answer to the question. Yuran furrowed one eyebrow as he responded.

 

“Your demeanor isn’t that of someone chasing a thief.”

 

“Is there a specific look for chasing after thieves?”

 

“There is no such child here, so withdraw.”

 

The man surveyed the group once more.

 

Then, he spotted the robed child standing in a corner. Since it was a suspicious sight to anyone, the man mockingly smiled.

 

“It seems there is one though. I’ll just take a look and go. I’m not here to pick a fight with you Knights, so please make way.”

 

Soon, the man dismounted and took a step toward the group.

 

It was quite unsettling how he so boldly approached a place with twenty Knights. Since he was a soldier who could not even contain his killing intent, he clearly must have something he was relying on.

 

As Kalian looked around with this thought in mind, he sensed something.

 

Yuran made a more guarded expression, perhaps noticing the same thing.

 

Blocking the man’s path with his sword, Yuran spoke again.

 

“Stop.”

 

Kalian briefly looked at Yuran before stepping forward.

 

This was after he had identified what the man was relying on – namely, several bows hidden in the undergrowth on the opposite side, aimed in their direction.