Chapter 53, I’m Alive (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

It was nothing but forest.

 

Following the guidance of Sia, who volunteered to be the guide, they moved, stopped to rest, got up, and moved again.

 

Around the time when Kalian thought his eyes were getting sore from all the greenery, after passing through the last trees, a small hill appeared in the distance.

 

There was earth, rocks, and the sky.

 

They had finally escaped the long, long path.

 

Sia’s guide ended here.

 

“Captain, we are here! Now, goodbye!”

 

Sia said this with a smile in front of the forest the group had just emerged from. It meant that it was time for them to part ways.

 

“Sia. Are you going back right away?”

 

“No. There’s another place nearby where there are many Elves. I’ll go there before returning to the village.”

 

“Do you absolutely have to return to the village?”

 

Kalian wished that the still innocent Sia would not return to that strange village.

 

“My family is all there, so I have to go back. I’m fine, Captain. Don’t worry!”

 

“…Okay.”

 

The farewell was not particularly grand.

 

Kalian simply stroked Sia’s head for a long time, and the other members of the group each offered a few words of well-wishes. Still, having been together for a month, it was inevitable that they would feel some regret about their parting.

 

After finishing the longest goodbye with a tight hug with Hina, Sia approached Kalian again. Then he held out the black pebble that he had been holding for a smooth conversation with the group.

 

“Now you take it. Use it well!”

 

In fact, shortly before arriving here, Kalian and Sia had discussed the issue of him always answering first. Since they were on their way to meet the Will of Syspanian, Kalian thought they might be able to ask her the reason why Sia was suffering from this.

 

Due to this, he had asked Sia if he would continue to accompany them until then, but Sia had declined.

 

“Mother Tree told me. That answering this way is the most natural thing for me. She said that just because I’m different does not mean I’m wrong. Because even if the way I speak is different, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m an Elf. So, you don’t have to find out for me. Thank you!”

 

Hearing those words, Kalian had felt somewhat embarrassed. He realised that he had unconsciously been thinking of Sia’s speaking habit as a ‘problem’.

 

Recalling that day, Kalian nodded and took back the stone. Then, Sia answered to Kalian’s yet unspoken words.

 

“Yes! Then I’ll be really happy. Thank you! For saving me!”

 

Though he had already heard the answer, Kalian did not stop himself from saying what he had intended to say.

 

“See you next time.”

 

Sia nodded, waved his arms wide one more time, and then disappeared into the forest. Thus ended the companionship with the kindest Elf Kalian had ever met.

 

After confirming that the bushes Sia had entered no longer moved, Kalian mounted Raven again and climbed the final hill toward their destination.

 

Shortly after, as Kalian reached the top of the hill, he took a deep breath. The majesty that spread before his eyes the moment Raven placed one foot on the hilltop was the reason.

 

Kalian unconsciously exclaimed in admiration and stopped Raven.

 

“So that’s the place.”

 

The Land of Elephants, Siegfried Territory.

 

The place where Plants from a year ago, Randel from three years ago, and Rmain from even further back had once stood. Standing in that spot, Kalian gazed at the Siegfried walls for a long time, forgetting to say anything.

 

The towering walls were more solid and magnificent than the outer walls of Cyriesus. The two statues erected high on either side of the massive outer gate gave a solemn feeling that made one naturally bow their head. The determination to protect Syspanian’s land was fully evident in those walls.

 

It was safe to say that all the Princes of Cyries, who had stood in this spot, had unconsciously sighed in relief. Grateful that they were ‘herbivores’, and had thus never coveted the throne.

 

After appreciating the view for quite some time, Kalian looked to the side with a resolute face. Because before setting foot in the Land of Elephants, there was an issue that absolutely needed to be resolved.

 

“Ian.”

 

In response to Kalian’s call, Ian quickly turned his head and answered obligingly.

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

“Don’t act as a servant when we go in.”

 

[Please for Heaven’s sake don’t.]

 

The surrounding Knights burst into laughter.

 

Hadn’t they thought the same when they first saw Kalian? That they would somehow teach that Prince a lesson, the Prince who Ian was serving.

 

If twenty Knights felt this way, Yuran could not even estimate how many Knights inside were eagerly awaiting for Kalian’s arrival.

 

Since everything would be revealed once they arrived anyway, Ian had also told Kyrie, Hina, and Arsene where his hometown was. That was why there was laughter on their faces as well.

 

Ian’s eyes curved into a smile at Kalian’s words.

 

“I’ll handle it my way.”

 

Having just realised what kind answer those vague words meant, Kalian took another moment for self-reflection.

 

* * *

 

Allan’s face showed surprise, and he asked Rmain for permission.

 

“Excuse me for a moment.”

 

He rubbed his eyes with his palm and picked his ear with his finger. Seeing this, Rmain deeply regretted his words and said.

 

“Forget it if you don’t want to.”

 

Allan quickly shook his head. He looked at the wine bottle and the two glasses on the office table before smiling.

 

“I didn’t expect Your Majesty to reach for the wine first.”

 

Rmain silently offered the seat across from him. But instead of sitting down, Allan pointed outside the window.

 

The surroundings were dark, and the autumn sky’s moon shone brightly.

 

“Wouldn’t it be nice?”

 

He was suggesting they drink outside.

 

Rmain hesitated for a moment.

 

Since ascending to the throne as King, he had not been able to take a proper, relaxed walk. For a powerless King bearing the weight of this massive country alone, no place was safe except in front of the desk in this vast palace.

 

So, on a night like this with a bright moon and a Mage by his side. Wouldn’t it be nice to relax once in his lifetime?

 

“…Let’s do that.”

 

Rmain soon rose from his seat. Allan smiled and snapped his fingers, making the wine bottle and glasses disappear.

 

Soon, Allan led Rmain to the rear garden of Arpia Palace. It was where a stream slightly larger than the one in Siegfried Hall flowed in an elegant curve.

 

Walking steadily onto the lawn, Allan sat down with a *thud*. Then, he patted the ground beside him and said.

 

“Sit down. This is the best spot, you know?”

 

The Commander of Caera Knights did not know what to do when shown such rude behaviour, but Rmain, who had now resigned himself to seeing just how far this rudeness would go, sat down next to Allan.

 

Then, the wine bottle and the glasses that Allan had set aside earlier appeared before them.

 

Allan personally filled Rmain’s glass and poured wine into his own. Then, looking at Rmain, he asked.

 

“Are you relieved, or are you worried about something else?”

 

That evening, Kalian had set foot into Siegfried Territory.

 

He had safely reached Sleiman’s embrace. That was why Allan was asking whether Rmain had requested wine because he was happy about it or if he had other concerns.

 

Rmain drank his wine first. After a brief pause, he said.

 

“I’m worried about when to light the Fire of Camilon.”

 

“You mean who will become the Crown Prince?”

 

“When Kalian returns, all three Princes will be adults. It also means the day is approaching when the Crown Prince must be decided upon.”

 

“You’re already worrying about who will be the Master of Camilon?”

 

“The most serious one, Randel, is so deep that even I can’t see through him. The strongest one, Plants, keeps trying to go down the wrong path.”

 

After mentioning the two Princes, Rmain added with a small sigh.

 

“At the same time, Kalian is not yet fully grown.”

 

For Rmain, the Prince who was the most helpful, and the Prince his heart leaned toward the most, was Kalian.

 

But Kalian was the youngest.

 

He was young in age, and the power he held was just beginning to grow.

 

Allan laughed and then sharply spoke.

 

“If you’re in such a hurry, place the one you like least there first. He’ll disappear as soon as you do.”

 

Though it was a rebuke for his hasty worry, the barb in those words was too obvious. Rmain said in a half-angry tone.

 

“Really, can’t something be done about that mouth of yours?”

 

Ignoring Rmain’s chastisement, Allan raised a finger to point in a certain direction. It was Heisia Palace, where Sillike lived.

 

“Until Prince Kalian empties that palace, Prince Randel will behave. You’ll be able to see what’s inside him then, even if it’s not visible now.”

 

Rmain looked toward Heisia Palace following Allan’s finger. Allan continued.

 

“Until then, you shouldn’t show your intentions. So, don’t worry about who to pick. Whether it’s for Kalian’s sake or for the other two Princes’ sake. Don’t give special treatment to just one. If you forget what I said, just carelessly send our friend here out there.”

 

The King’s Sword, the idol of all Knights.

 

Allan, was referring to the Commander of the Caera Knight Order, also known as the King’s Knight Order. He looked at Rmain and emphasized each word.

 

“This old Mage really wants to go to a warm southern country for a good long rest.”

 

A statement he had once made to Kalian as well.

 

When Kalian heard it, he thought it was a frightening thing to hear.

 

As for Rmain, he nodded as if it was something welcome to hear. Of course, if those words were really sincere.

 

Allan chuckled and spoke again.

 

“Regardless of who becomes the Master of Camilon, when the time comes, they will need to prove themselves. There’s no need to worry ahead of time. Today, just look at the moon.”

 

Rmain slowly nodded.

 

And as instructed by the Mage, he looked at the moon and emptied his glass.

 

* * *

 

Kalian realised just how vast the Siegfried Territory was.

 

He had expected he would be able to meet Sleiman late at night after passing through the outer wall. Yet, the sheer size of this place completely shattered such native thoughts.

 

“We’ll reach Siegfried Castle in about two more days.”

 

This is what Ian said in a relaxed tone after they passed through the outer gate.

 

Because of this, Kalian gave up on seeing Sleiman that day and spent the night in Sitren City, which was connected to Siegfried’s outer gate.

 

Early the next morning, Kalian sat down and quietly closed his eyes. Then he began drawing in the Mana from around him.

 

As this new energy gathered, Kalian sent the refined Mana to his heart, as he had always done.

 

He was trying again to increase his Circle, but just like before, he felt the Mana flowing into his core instead.

 

Because of this, while he was feeling disappointed and thinking that today was another failure, he suddenly felt as if Sia’s voice brushed past his ear.

 

“Because even if the way I speak is different, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m an Elf.”

 

Recalling those words, Kalian’s eyes lit up.

 

Just because Mana was converted to Aura did not mean the source had changed. If the source of Aura and Circle were the same, why had he thought they were different?

 

Even if he was clumsy at creating Circles, was he not someone who could handle Aura better than anyone else?

 

“If I can’t break the habit of converting Mana to Aura, I should just make a Circle with Aura.”

 

The Circle that the old Kalian had created.

 

Instead of operating the Magic Power accumulated in his Circles, he was trying to create his Fourth Circle with the Aura he had been accumulating in his core until now.

 

Having thought of an unexpected solution, Kalian closed his eyes again.

 

He immediately released the power of Aura that had been rounded up in his Dantian and began carefully operating it.

 

Soon, the strong and sharp power of Aura formed a Band and flowed into his heart.

 

Instead of the Mana with its original warm temperature, it was Aura. It was like a well-tempered blade. It moved little by little and began to flow according to Kalian’s intention, forming a longer shape. Kalian continued to increase the speed and repeat the same process.

 

After a while.

 

The Mana that Kalian was operating finally formed a ring.

 

And at last, it began to rotate with power.

 

The connection to his Fourth Circles could be clearly felt.

 

After focusing on the rotation of the Circles for a while, Kalian opened his eyes. Then, he raised his hand and caressed the area near his heart. An incomparable amount of power was now contained in his heart, incomparable to when he merely had Three Circles.

 

“Ah… Finally!”

 

Just realising that small difference was enough to change everything.

 

Kalian’s eyes showed great satisfaction at the new achievement, the first since obtaining this body.

 

Kalian straightened his posture again and began to gather and refine the surrounding Mana once more. He replenished the Aura that had been consumed in creating his Fourth Circle.

 

Outside Kalian’s room stood a man.

 

It was Arsene Hertz, who had hurried here after feeling the Mana swirling in the air since morning. He was also the only person who knew exactly what state Kalian was in right now.

 

“Is he alright?” Ian, who had been standing next to him, quietly asked with a slightly worried expression. The reason was that Arsene had been standing in front of Kalian’s room, preventing anyone from entering, for over an hour.

 

Arsene nodded slightly and replied.

 

“He’s already done. He is now settling it. There’s no need to worry, please just wait a little longer.”

 

He felt Kalian’s ‘Mana’, which was far from warm and gentle, but rather chillingly cold, gradually subsiding.