Chapter 45, You’ve Come Too Far (4)

Translator: Lizzz

Editor: Hedge

 

After Hina left, Kalian sent Kyrie and two knights to Hanson Village. He was concerned that Hale Latran might take Norton’s wife and threaten her. Of course, since there was also a high possibility that Hale would try to harm Norton, he made sure the prison was properly guarded as well.

 

He contacted Allan, who had just finished his meeting with Rmain and was leaving the palace, and said.

 

– Master, I don’t think you should go to the Beurisen Trader’s Guild.

 

He could sense Allan’s confusion. He was planning to visit the Beurisen Trader’s Guild to subtly inform them that Hale had turned his back on Beurisen.

 

He had even told Rmain beforehand that his visit might cause a stir since he was not sure how Beurisen would receive him. So it was strange to now be told not to go.

 

– Has something else been confirmed?

 

– Yes. Everything else can proceed as planned, but regarding the Guild…

 

Kalian paused briefly and recalled what had happened after leaving the underground prison earlier.

 

* * *

 

After Kalian came up from the prison.

 

Before returning to his room, he met with butler Malcom. Despite being a Tansyll  Priest, Malcom had shown suspiciously excessive deference to Hale, so Kalian had sought him out without Hale’s knowledge.

 

Until then, Kalian had only assumed that Hale must have had some leverage over Malcom. Therefore, he had thought that if he could resolve that issue, Malcom might help in finding something Hale had hidden away, such as ledgers that could prove the transactions.

 

“Please save me, Your Highness!”

 

So when Malcom saw Kalian in the room and spoke these words while prostrating himself, Kalian could not help but be quite taken aback.

 

To cut to the chase, Malcom did have a weakness. It was not anything extraordinary, just the common matter of money. He said he had ended up owing a large debt to Hale, which was used to keep him under control.

 

Therefore, Kalian told him that since Tansyll would now be taking their Priests back, the debt would no longer be an issue. Upon hearing this, instead of feeling relieved, Malcom replied.

 

“I know that. But that’s not the problem.”

 

His plea for help was for a different reason.

 

“If the Count truly gets punished for this, and if it’s discovered that I was involved in the buying and selling of Divine Artifacts, I’ll be killed as soon as I return to Tansyll.”

 

It seemed that the various things Kalian had mentioned to pressure Hale had actually frightened Malcom even more. Kalian’s expression became complicated at Malcom’s unexpected words.

 

“I understand about buying Divine Artifacts, but selling them? Are you saying you didn’t buy Divine Artifacts to curry favour with Tansyll by giving them as gifts?”

 

That had been what everyone thought until now.

 

Hale had bought Divine Artifacts from Blue Warbler and sent them to Tansyll. That was how he had maintained his connection with Randel.

 

“They weren’t sent to Tansyll.”

 

Surprisingly, Malcom shook his head. Perhaps thinking Kalian was his only lifeline for survival, interesting information began pouring out.

 

“The Count is completely despised, so he has no way to directly approach the Tansyll side. But when it seemed that Prince Plants had grown distant from the Crown Prince position this time, he looked for various ways to reconnect the severed ties.”

 

It seemed Hale had become anxious when Plants’ future looked quite dark and Kalian’s response to Hale was not favourable either. Therefore, he had tried to reconnect with Randel, but neither Randel nor the Tansyll side would meet with Hale, Malcom explained.

 

Of course, while this was interesting, it was not particularly surprising information. Seeing Kalian’s unsurprised face, Malcom observed him briefly before seemingly making up his mind and continuing with his next revelation.

 

“Blue Warbler has been completely bought by the Count. She finds Divine Artifacts using information obtained from Cyriesus and sells them to the Count in quite large quantities. That’s why she wanted me to hide that I was a Priest from you as well, Your Highness, fearing this might be discovered. Anyway, the Count bought them and resold them cheaply elsewhere. He made a deal saying he would simply give them away once a connection with Tansyll was established.”

 

“Where did he resell them to?”

 

* * *

 

Recalling how he felt when he heard the following words, Kalian told Allan.

 

– It seems the Marquis Beurisen has failed in raising his child properly.

 

– The Guild Master of the Beurisen Trader’s Guild, Queen Sillike’s brother, Viscount Lannen Beurisen. He has been the one gifting Divine Artifacts to Tansyll.

 

Lannen Beurisen.

 

He had established connections with Tansyll.

 

He had betrayed Plants and taken Randel’s side!

 

This meant that Lannen had turned his back on his father, Marquis Beurisen, and his sister Sillike. A gasp had involuntarily escaped Kalian’s lips.

 

He had only met a little Elf and gotten delayed by the rain.

 

Yet Kalian, having gotten wind of this, would bring the second storm to Cyries. He quietly asked.

 

– Master, what should we do?

 

The wise mage Allan Manasil could not answer his Disciple’s brief question and instead pressed his temples.

 

Allan turned his carriage around.

 

He needed to immediately tell Rmain that his youngest son had caught a bear with a trap meant for a fox.

 

* * *

 

While Allan and Rmain had a very long discussion about how to handle the unexpectedly caught bear, Kalian, the culprit who had uncovered all this trouble, returned to his room after dinner.

 

While Lannen was certainly an issue, catching Hale was the priority, so Kalian decided to proceed with his plans as intended.

 

Through Hina, whom he had met in the morning, Kalian had asked to have the birdcage left open at this hour. So if the bird had immediately found its owner, there should be a very welcome guest inside by now.

 

Therefore, Kalian stopped Ian, who was about to open the door.

 

“Bring me a cup of tea.”

 

“Yes. I’ll bring it right away.”

 

Ian nodded without any suspicion and left, and Kalian slowly opened the door and went inside.

 

As expected, there she was.

 

He could see the open birdcage and open window. And instead of a white dove, Blue Warbler was sitting in the chair. Kalian, who had magically locked the door in case someone might enter, smiled and said:

 

“You came extremely quickly.”

 

Blue Warbler could not maintain her usual composure like before. Despite the absence of the two swordsmen who could help Kalian, her expression was rigid.

 

The reason was simple.

 

It was because she had read Kalian’s letter brought by her messenger bird. Blue Warbler stood up from her seat and said to Kalian. “The contents of your letter were quite impressive.”

 

Kalian had written that if she did not want the Naeransha Bird Shop to learn about how she had helped herself to substantial profits by assisting people from Cyries, she should come.

 

“I know.”

 

She could not have ignored Kalian’s summons. How could she, when White Hawk would hunt her for the rest of her life if he learned of this fact? Blue Warbler, faced with this unexpected situation, frowned and asked.

 

“Why are you threatening me?”

 

“I need evidence of Hale Latran’s Divine Artifacts trade. And evidence that information was sold. That’s why.”

 

“Then you could confirm with the Count. Why specifically me?”

 

According to Malcom, Hale had not left any evidence of the transactions. He seemed to have worried that it might be discovered and used against him. Of course, while Kalian did not completely trust Malcom’s words and would still conduct a search, there was a high chance nothing would be found.

 

That was why he called Blue Warbler again.

 

Since there was no need to tell Blue Warbler that Hale had no evidence, Kalian just smiled and replied:

 

“Yours first.”

 

Saying this, Kalian pointed to the oath document that had been placed where Blue Warbler had been sitting. It contained the Seal of Oath, the same as what had been used when dealing with Sillike.

 

“If you hand over the evidence, I’ll keep your secret.”

 

Blue Warbler tapped the floor with her toe. She was considering whether to hand over the information and leave, or kill Kalian to silence him.

 

Blue Warbler’s foot stopped momentarily.

 

Along with it, a suffocating killing intent was directed at Kalian. Instead of being pressured by the killing intent, Kalian asked in a calm tone:

 

“Is this your answer?”

 

“A truly troublesome relationship has been formed.”

 

Kalian’s eyes darkened as he said, “If you knew beforehand what kind of situation I’ve been caught in because of you, you wouldn’t be saying this.”

 

Blue Warbler smiled sweetly.

 

Along with it, there was a small clicking sound, and three sphere-like objects shot toward Kalian.

 

They were mana bullets created by condensing the power of Fireballs.

 

If even one made a direct hit, the corpse would have to be collected piece by piece with tweezers – that was the level of firepower they contained.

 

Though it was a sudden attack, Kalian quickly deployed a shield and threw himself to the side.

 

*Bang! Bang! Boom!*

 

Three explosive sounds rang out as the mana bullets hit the wall.

 

The building shook. Thick dust obscured both Kalian’s and Blue Warbler’s vision. Kalian frowned and opened his mouth.

 

“Did you come with the intention to kill from the start?”

 

Given that she had prepared such expensive items like this, it seemed she had no intention of accepting Kalian’s deal from the very beginning.

 

While he had anticipated an attack, he hadn’t expected mana bullets.

 

[She used to use a sword, why mana bullets now?]

 

She was very skilled with a sword. She never fought by shooting mana bullets like this in his previous life.

 

Even in this urgent situation, he could understand the reason for this change. It was none other than Bern who had advised Blue Warbler that she could become sufficiently strong with just a sword.

 

[Damn it!] Soon there was another clicking sound, and mana bullets flew toward where Kalian’s shadow could be seen. Kalian dodged again, and another explosion rang out.

 

*Boom!* Finally, the wall that had been hit directly by four mana bullets collapsed.

 

The entire view of Latran City could be seen through the huge hole. Looking at the guest room wall that no longer needed windows, Kalian laughed bitterly.

 

“Are you trying to kill everyone?”

 

The sounds of Ian and the knights approaching from outside the door could be heard.

 

The room was not large enough for multiple people to fight in, and the explosion’s range was quite wide. Therefore, Kalian placed another lock on the door while saying.

 

“Don’t come in.”

 

As the dust settled, another mana bullet could be seen in her hand. Kalian was shocked and raised a shield as the mana bullet flew with the speed of a throwing knife.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

Kalian, who had drawn his sword, did not dodge the incoming mana bullet this time. Unlike the Cyries Royal Palace, this castle was different. He thought the building might really collapse if the mana bullets hit the walls again.

 

Kalian swung his sword while maintaining his shield and deflected the mana bullet. A huge explosion erupted again from the mana bullet that flew out through the broken wall.

 

Blue Warbler took another step closer to Kalian.

 

Kalian made an annoyed sound. “Any more?”

 

Blue Warbler drew her sword and said, “No more.”

 

Simultaneously, Blue Warbler’s body moved quickly. Her sword extended like it was flying, rushing toward Kalian’s neck. Kalian raised his sword to block the attack.

 

*Clang!* The sound of the two swords colliding was worrying.

 

It was an ordinary iron sword that had been strained multiple times from practice with Kyrie. It clearly would not be able to withstand proper Aura.

 

Therefore, Kalian wrapped Aura around his body instead of his sword. Then he twisted his sword to deflect Blue Warbler’s attack and immediately brought it down. Blue Warbler swung her sword again to parry Kalian’s sword.

 

And at that moment.

 

Kalian disappeared from Blue Warbler’s sight.

 

Blue Warbler hurriedly retrieved her sword while turning around. Kalian’s sword was already coming at her from behind; he had somehow circled around her.

 

The sword tip moved so fast it could not be seen. Though Blue Warbler sensed the danger and instinctively twisted her body, she could not prevent her arm from being deeply cut.

 

Kalian raised his sword again.

 

Blue Warbler took something out from her clothes and threw it again. A clicking sound was heard.

 

“I thought you had no more.”

 

The distance was too close.

 

There wasn’t enough space to deflect it.

 

In that split-second moment of decision, Kalian’s sword glowed intensely.

 

*Woong!* A clear sound rang out with a subtle tremor. Blue Aura coated the sword, shining coldly.

 

Kalian raised his Aura-infused sword and brought it down on the mana bullet that had already reached point-blank range.

 

*Slash!* The mana bullet, which had been surging with red energy, could not overcome the power of Aura and was cut in half, falling to the ground. The blue afterimage lingered in the air for a while before slowly disappearing.

 

There was no explosion.

 

Instead, with a sharp shattering sound, Kalian’s sword broke into pieces. It could not withstand it.

 

Kalian lowered his eyes.

 

“What should I do with you now?”

 

Kalian’s eyes, which had briefly become Bern’s while watching Blue Warbler, returned to their original selves. Then, he called her in a cold voice.

 

“Ayla.” Blue Warbler did not even register that Kalian had just called her real name. She was only staring at Kalian’s broken sword, her eyes were filled with shock.

 

The sixth Sword Master was standing right before her eyes.