Chapter 132, Foundation of Understanding (2)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

  

How truly mysterious.

 

How red and blue could meet and blend so naturally together.

 

Allan had been sitting there unaware of the passing time when he noticed the window gradually turning red. The sky was divided into two completely different colors and it did not seem strange at all. The contemplative Archmage, gazing at that sky as the sunset descended, and spoke rather sentimentally.

 

“Perhaps that incomprehensible mingling is also Serenty’s blessing?”

 

In fact, that was an utterly unmage-like thing to say. But since the topic Allan was currently pondering over was also not something a Mage would typically consider, those words made sense.

 

About 200 years ago, a scholar named Sion Gerald claimed that ‘humans could create Divine Artifacts with their own power’. Details regarding his origin and personal information are unconfirmed, and there are records that he went missing while searching for ways to prove his theory.

 

This was the summary of the investigation results Euria had provided.

 

Since this was the result of thoroughly searching through all theological texts in the Arcane Enclave’s archives, it would be difficult to find other information unless they visited Tansyll. In fact, one might question whether any country would have other accurate records about such an absurd claim.

 

Lost in thought, the coffee he had set down had gone completely cold. Therefore, Allan briefly wasted his precious ability to heat the coffee with Mana and took a sip of the bitter brew.

 

“Creating Divine Artifacts…”

 

A similar murmur to what he had uttered when meeting Euria the previous day flowed out again.

 

Whether it was due to the bitter taste of the coffee or because he had learned that someone had attempted to cross a line that should not be crossed, his mouth felt very dry.

 

Allan picked up one of the coconut cookies that Raul, Rmain’s attendant, had prepared sometime ago and fell deep into thought once more.

 

“The Prince already has more than enough matters to worry about. When would it be the right time to inform him of this?”

 

He would have to tell Kalian about this, which he was not even able to make certain was related to the current situation. However, such information felt unsettling nonetheless.

 

[Come to think of it, he said he would meet Prince Randel.]

 

Then he remembered how Kalian had said he would meet Randel once more.

 

Therefore, to avoid approaching Randel with the preconception that the current information might be connected to Tansyll, Allan decided it would be better to inform Kalian after he had met with Randel first.

 

Allan, who had been nodding to himself while organizing his thoughts, turned his head toward the window again.

 

“A guest is coming.”

 

And with this murmur, he rose from his seat and pondered whether it would be alright to serve coffee at this hour, then began brewing slightly less strong coffee.

 

As he was savoring the aroma of the freshly brewed coffee, his guest arrived. It was Chase, of course.

 

“I came thinking I might be able to meet you at this time.”

 

Taking a seat and offering these words, Allan nodded and replied.

 

“His Highness makes such good use of this old man that I can’t leave the palace.”

 

In truth, he had not been able to leave due to deep concerns about matters related to Kalian, but he simply made the excuse that he had too much work to go home. Then he spoke first to Chase, who was sitting quietly, just staring at his coffee.

 

“Your mind seems quite troubled.”

 

“How difficult it is to hide one’s true feelings in front of Lord Manasil.”

 

Chase replied with a quiet smile.

 

“I came to this place briefly during the day to meet Lord Manasil. Then I happened to encounter Valkan’s Deputy Commander.”

 

Allan showed a momentarily troubled expression.

 

It was because of Kalian’s expression when he first thought of Arsene. It was the same as the expression Chase was showing now.

 

After all, was Arsene not the Commander of Valkan’s forces who had been Plants’ sword? Naturally, both the King and Prince at the time would know that Arsene had directly delivered the final blow.

 

“Ah. I’m fine.”

 

Seeing Allan’s expression, Chase said this, and Allan softly clicked his tongue.

 

Even Kalian, who had saved Plants and tried to extend a hand to Randel, could not forget the coldness that had pierced his heart.

 

There was no reason Chase would be any different.

 

Yet with a face that vividly remembered that sensation, he was saying he was fine. This was coming from a man who had even seen it once and experienced it once.

 

“I know it wasn’t something I directly experienced, and I believe the same thing won’t be repeated. So I’m fine.”

 

“Usually people can’t do that. Because they’re human.”

 

Kalian had accepted Arsene. He had saved Plants. Chase said he was fine because he trusted Kalian.

 

But, it could be said that Bern had never forgiven Debeullan, who had nearly led Chase to his death. At the same time, Chase had not forgiven White Hawk, who had attacked Kalian.

 

Kalian did not even want to know the reason why Plants had tormented the old Kalian. Apart from feeling sorry for replacing the old Kalian, he did not even try to understand why Rmain had been so indifferent.

 

Because if he knew the reason and thought about it, he would come to understand, and then he might eventually forgive.

 

“How can both of you have such a scope of understanding?”

 

Even if it were past events, emotions would naturally get involved, yet how could they so thoroughly divide and deal with what was and wasn’t past events, as if measuring with a ruler? Not just Kalian, but Chase as well.

 

“In the end, it was that child who set the boundaries. I’m merely following them.”

 

“You’re both truly remarkable.”

 

Finally, Allan spoke in a pitying voice, and Chase quietly smiled.

 

“I didn’t come about this matter, but because I have something to tell that child.”

 

“Why don’t you meet directly instead of just asking me to relay a message?”

 

“Tansyll’s broken carriage axle was probably not an accident.”

 

Those words came out as if he had not heard Allan’s question. Still, hearing those words, Allan frowned. Despite reading the Archmage’s expression, Chase continued speaking without any other reaction to Allan’s thoughts.

 

“Please tell him to keep that in mind.”

 

Tansyll’s carriage axle.

 

He was referring to the accident where Tansyll’s current King and Crown Prince had died together. And this was something Allan did not know about.

 

Therefore, Allan could not fully understand what Chase was saying now, but since it seemed to be related to Tansyll, he nodded and replied.

 

“I’ll convey that to him.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“So, when are you planning to depart?”

 

He was asking because the schedule for the staying days were being filled.

 

“I’m pondering over it. What to do.”

 

“When I think of the Prince, I want to keep him from ever leaving, but then when I think again, I want to push him back to Secritia right away…”

 

At Allan’s words filled with complex feelings, a low sigh escaped from Chase’s lips.

 

It was probably because he had the same thoughts himself.

 

* * *

 

The sword Kalian created was sharper than anything else.

 

Therefore, those who could fully receive and face it were only Sleiman and Arsene, and Dmirea and Kyrie.

 

One corner of Plants’ mouth curved up as he looked at that unique sword in Kalian’s hand.

 

“So that’s it.”

 

The power that had been exposed because of Plants, that had ruined everything.

 

He was finally seeing it now.

 

Kalian had continued to spar with Plants using only training iron swords until now. The fact that Kalian had brought out his true power, Plants knew well what that meant.

 

Kalian was really going to teach him his swordsmanship.

 

“I’ve never seen Marquis Beurisen’s sword. But it will be quite different from yours, older brother.”

 

Kalian tapped the ground with his sword tip and spoke.

 

“What Evan Beurisen taught the Knights and what the Knights taught you probably wasn’t the real swordsmanship of the Beurisen Family. He’s not that kind of a person.”

 

“I know.”

 

Plants nodded quietly.

 

He had been thinking the same thing.

 

If someone were to inherit the Marquis Beurisen Family, it would be Gray or Gray’s son, so there was no reason to teach Plants the Beurisen sword. There would be no benefit to Evan in teaching it to someone who might ascend to the throne.

 

Strength entered the hand of Kalian, who had been loosely holding his sword.

 

“Of course, I’m the same. I’ve never shown you my proper sword either, older brother.”

 

It was for similar reasons to Evan.

 

He had been thinking there would be nothing good about teaching Bern’s swordsmanship to someone from Beurisen.

 

Seeing Kalian’s sword tip rise slightly, Plants’ eyes changed. With sharp, tension-filled eyes like a wolf facing a predator, he looked down at Kalian’s sword tip.

 

Seeing this, Kalian’s mouth drew a long arc.

 

“If you just keep watching like that.”

 

The moment his words ended, Kalian’s figure disappeared from Plants’ sight.

 

In real combat, no one sends their sword with the words ‘Then I’ll begin.’ Therefore, even though Kalian himself was not the weaker party, he always began spars with surprise attacks.

 

“…You’ll die.”

 

A small, whispered voice flowed from an indeterminate direction. Plants swung his sword.

 

*Clang!*

 

A sword slightly heavier than Kyrie blocked Kalian’s attack. Plants’ sword then cut through the air. The sound of tearing air and weighty striking sounds burst forth in succession.

 

Plants’ sword was not weak either.

 

It was never weak.

 

It would not be easily defeated by Dmirea. If they fought ten times, Plants would probably win two or three times. Considering the difference in time they spent training, this meant Plants had talent, maybe because of the Bloodline he possessed.

 

*Swish! Clang! Clang!*

 

Kalian’s sword, which seemed to exhale coldness, and a dark-colored sword, intertwined. They created intense sounds. Sharp blade attacks rushing forward were blocked by the sword with heavy energy. And the attacks continued ceaselessly.

 

Kalian, who had deflected the sword rushing toward his heart. He rotated his body in the direction where the force had extended, thrusting out his sword.

 

Plants quickly twisted his waist, letting the attack flow past, and brought his sword down diagonally.

 

*Clang!*

 

Seeing Kalian block the attack with a sword he did not know how or when he had retrieved, Plants pushed away Kalian’s sword. After that, no one counted how many exchanges followed. Only sharp attacks and seamless defenses continued.

 

Kalian’s figure disappeared again.

 

It was speed so different in level from the movements he had shown before.

 

In fact, he would be even faster if he truly did so in earnest. But how could one achieve such speed?

 

*Swish!*

 

Sensing the attack coming from behind, Plants turned his body and positioned his blade forward. Without fail, an intense striking sound burst forth, and an invisible sword was blocked right in front of Plants’ brow.

 

“Think too much and you’ll die.”

 

[Annoying bastard!]

 

“Stop barking already.”

 

Plants, who replied with a slight frown, had his eyes sharpen once more. A brilliant trajectory shot forth, cutting through the air.

 

It was aimed not at where Kalian stood, nor where he was going, but in a completely different direction.

 

*Clang!*

 

The sound of blades clashing tore through the air.

 

A smile appeared on Kalian’s lips as he quickly stopped and deflected Plants’ attack. In that brief moment, Plants had read Kalian’s movement and ‘anticipated’ his next position.

 

[As expected of my clever older brother.]

 

Kalian kicked off the ground.

 

His body, which had risen higher than his own height, momentarily distorted its form and disappeared. Plants, who quickly judged where Kalian would head this time, turned right and extended his sword.

 

And,

 

*Swish!*

 

Along with an unpleasant feeling around his neck, bone-chilling coldness was transmitted to Plants.

 

A glass-like sword extending from the direction completely opposite to what he had expected lightly grazed Plants’ neck as if cutting it.

 

His neck had been cut again.

 

It was Kalian’s victory.

 

* * *

 

Warmth appeared in Hina’s hands.

 

Having finished one round of scolding Kalian, Hina began treating the wound on Plants’ neck. Watching this scene, Kalian’s eyes narrowed. It was because of a memory that suddenly came to mind.

 

The reason why Plants in the past had specifically obtained meteorite iron to forge and use a sword. Perhaps he had not taken the meteorite iron simply because it was precious material.

 

[The owner of the remaining sword might not have been Duke Siegfried.]

 

One sword was used by Plants, and another was sent to the Siegfried Ducal Family. These swords that made best use of Aura. Perhaps it was not sent for Sleiman. Perhaps…

 

“My expectations are high, older brother. Let’s go again.”

 

It was followed with the words ‘stop barking,’ so Kalian simply ignored those words. Hearing the conversation between the two, Hina smiled quietly and gestured.

 

‘It’s done.’

 

It was not a serious wound, so healing it was quick.

 

Plants, whose treatment was finished, got up and walked toward the outside of the training ground without any particular words. Hina, who had been watching Plants’ retreating figure for a moment, moved her hands toward Kalian.

 

‘I’m glad.’

 

“About what?”

 

And Hina, as she always had, gave her answer with a sun-like smile.

 

‘The kind Prince and the good Prince seem to have become much closer.’

 

[…Hmm. Wait a minute. There’s one word in there that shouldn’t be mixed in.]

 

Kalian’s feet quietly stopped as he watched the gestures of Hina, who was the apple of everyone’s eye. It was because of one word that he had thought would eventually come out but would never admit to it.

 

Even so, shouldn’t there be a distinction between ‘good’ and ‘amicable’? Kalian, who cleanly abandoned such rational thinking, opened his mouth with a grinning face.

 

“Wait a moment, older brother.”

 

‘My beloved and detestable older brother, you bastard, have just one more spar with me before you go.’ He was showing a pretty smile containing such meaning.