Chapter 135, Foundation of Understanding (5)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

  

A piece of the sky seemed to sparkle.

 

The sight of dozens of red lights slowly rising toward the sky caught the eyes of many people. Rmain was also one of those people.

 

Allan, who had been sitting across from him, spoke to Rmain as he removed his glasses and set them down, apparently wanting to go to the window.

 

“Don’t look in that direction.”

 

If there was one person who should not know what their meaning was, or whose fireworks those were, it would be Rmain. That was why Allan had come to visit Rmain’s office and had been sitting there for some time.

 

“It seems to be coming from the direction of Chermil Palace.”

 

At those words, Allan closed his mouth and Rmain gazed deeply into Allan’s eyes.

 

“What’s going on?”

 

He knew that among the matters related to Kalian, there were things Allan did not necessarily tell Rmain about. Still, Allan had never hidden or deceived him about things he needed to know, so Rmain had not bothered to pry.

 

Normally, Allan would have brushed it off saying that Kalian was probably just playing around so leave him be, but now he was telling him not to even look. That was why those floating lights bothered him.

 

Whether Rmain, who usually let things slide appropriately, was acting like this today out of simple curiosity or a vague premonition about his own Bloodline. Allan clicked his tongue and answered in a subdued voice.

 

“The Third Prince is simply finding his way.”

 

Upon hearing these words, Rmain looked out the window for a while before finally nodding and speaking.

 

“I see.”

 

“Would you like a drink?”

 

Even without Rmain’s answer, Allan efficiently pulled out a bottle and glasses from the table. He had come prepared without any intention of asking permission to drink.

 

Rmain, whose mind had been complicated from meeting Randel in the morning, readily agreed.

 

“Let’s do that.”

 

Allan smiled quietly and filled both glasses with alcohol. Watching the pale purple-tinted liquor fill the glasses, Rmain spoke.

 

“I realized something again today.”

 

“What did you realize?”

 

At those words, Rmain picked up the glass Allan had not even handed him yet, took a sip first, and then spoke.

 

“That I was unwise. That I’m unqualified both as a King and as a father.”

 

What if he had simply given up when he received the Crown Prince position through the previous King’s decision and when his older brother rebelled?

 

“What are you saying…”

 

Allan, who knew that Rmain had met Randel in the morning, spoke up. His eyes were deeply curved as he spoke.

 

“Are you saying you’ve just realized this obvious fact?”

 

Rmain chuckled.

 

Even if he were dying, he would not take Rmain’s side.

 

It was because of that personality that he was drinking first without even checking what Allan had put in the alcohol he brought.

 

Allan briefly looked out the window. The red glow had almost completely disappeared. Kalian’s flames must have nearly reached the sky.

 

“Don’t try to reverse what has already passed. That would be arrogance.”

 

“I won’t.”

 

Rmain answered in a quiet voice. Then, after finishing the rest of his drink, he spoke again.

 

“I too must find my way.”

 

“Won’t there come a day when you can see it? There’s someone who lights the fire and someone who speaks to you.”

 

This time, Allan was sure he would surely find the right path.

 

Thus, Allan said this with a quiet smile.

 

* * *

 

When one thinks about it, it was quite amusing.

 

Allan has command over the Valkan Mage Order. The Caera and Roan Knight Orders would now be placed under Plants’ control.

 

Allan was currently supporting Rmain. And Plants has joined hands with Kalian, who wants Rmain’s life extended and to be in good health. So, he naturally poses no threat to Rmain.

 

That was why it was so amusing.

 

Originally, all of these should belong to the King.

 

“The state of this country is really…”

 

The reason he trailed off was that even though it was just talking to himself, saying ‘the state of this country is shit’ did not seem appropriate coming from a Prince’s mouth.

 

Therefore, Kalian just shook his head while soaking his body in the dark black bathtub.

 

*Whooom.*

 

The sound of the temperature control device activating could be heard, indicating that the water set to a warm temperature had cooled down from being there so long. It also meant he had been that focused on various thoughts.

 

His mind had become unnecessarily complicated, so he had gotten into the water, and as he followed the trail of thoughts, he had reached the precarious state of Rmain’s life. Soon, Kalian pulled back his thoughts that had gone too far and returned them to the starting point.

 

Looking at his fingertips that had become wrinkled and pruney from the water, Kalian spoke in a low voice.

 

“To accept the Seal of Oath so readily.”

 

As if there were not already mountains of worries.

 

The black pebble, ‘their’ identity, Arcus Tempus and Serenty, Randel’s schemes and hidden power, Aizen’s Knight Order, the true meaning of the ‘good’ Hina mentioned, what kind of dog to raise if he goes to Camilon, and so on.

 

But his older brother had added one more thing, while carefreely saying things like his little brother would surely keep him alive.

 

“Should I just leave it for him to solve on his own?”

 

[Syspanian. You should have been a little less thoughtful. If it’s something that constricts the heart, it should naturally be resolved with your Blessing. Your Blessing’s power being bound by the Seal of Oath you’ve created. Don’t you think that’s strange?]

 

“Ha. Seriously.”

 

He did not even have time to be sentimental about bidding farewell to the old Kalian. Therefore, venting his frustration to the Ancient Dragon whose location was unknown, Kalian let out a short sigh.

 

“Anyway, first let me hear the contract terms.”

 

There was no point in complaining to Syspanian. Since the contract terms that came from Evan’s head were definitely made on the spot, there were bound to be loopholes to take advantage of. He trusted that Plants would not have accepted the Seal of Oath without such things. So, he decided to postpone worrying about this until after hearing the conditions.

 

The next thing that came to mind was Randel.

 

He did not know what they had talked about, but he did not expect Randel to have much influence on Rmain. Randel would absolutely never open his heart to Rmain.

 

“Does Serenty want me to solve all the problems of the family?”

 

Like cleaning up after the mistakes Rmain made.

 

Kalian chuckled at the absurd thought, leaned his head against the bathtub, and looked up at the ceiling. After lying still in the water like that, he let out another deep sigh.

 

“Come out.”

 

He had come again.

 

Kalian frowned briefly at that firm voice that did not care about his privacy at all, then spoke.

 

“Sure.”

 

[Since you’re the one telling me to come out, I will go.]

 

* * *

 

He gets along well with cats.

 

He does not get along with Randel.

 

He dislikes mint. He cannot bear to eat sour things. He does not particularly like raw onions. He does not seem to eat meat much. He does not eat bread with nuts. He does not touch jam or butter.

 

He eats grass well.

 

He eats white bread quite well. He eats eggs too. Milk is neutral, he generally drinks all juices. Not sure about coffee, but he drinks black tea well.

 

He has a sharp tongue but does not curse. Oh, he does say he barks though.

 

He is quick-witted.

 

He really finds talking bothersome. He does not move much but is not slow. He thinks deeply. Once he falls into thought, he stays still until he reaches a conclusion.

 

And surprisingly, he’s impatient.

 

It seems like he gave all his consideration to a cat.

 

*Meow!*

 

‘I am Prince Kalian’s cat, who likes Prince Plants more.’

 

The cat made a sound from Plants’ arms. Whether he came through the door instead of the window this time, he had boldly entered bringing even the cat with him.

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“Contract details.”

 

“Did you come at this hour because you couldn’t tell me about the Seal of Oath terms? You could have told me during tomorrow’s meal.”

 

“You’d be worrying about it anyway.”

 

“I wasn’t worried enough to be curious about it in the middle of the night.”

 

Kalian answered in his still dry voice. With his dripping wet hair left as it was, he was clearly showing his displeasure at having his personal time interrupted.

 

Of course, Plants did not care at all. Therefore, Kalian let out a silent sigh and spoke.

 

“Please tell me.”

 

“Not to betray Beurisen.”

 

“Yes. What about the clauses?”

 

“There aren’t any.”

 

“You came to tell me just that one thing?”

 

“Yes.”

 

When he looked at him with eyes asking if Evan Beurisen really said only that, Plants chuckled and answered.

 

“How arrogant.”

 

If the scope of ‘betrayal’ Evan thinks of is from here to here, then the other party would be made to think the same way. His judgment would be the ‘universal standard’, so there were supposed to not be any contradictions.

 

“I’m sorry to say this, but…”

 

He was about to follow up with saying Evan had been too stupid, but Plants answered first.

 

“I know.”

 

“Yes.”

 

[No wonder he had easily accepted the Seal of Oath. But, if they hadn’t made the contract on the spot, Evan’s thoughts would have gone deeper. Then he would have created at least one more detailed clause. That’s why older brother must have said he would make the contract on the spot. To not give time to insert other schemes.]

 

Rather than something specific and detailed with no gaps, it was better to have vague and ambiguous conditions. The scope to be careful of becomes wider due to the ambiguity, and the probability of the Seal of Oath actually activating would get lowered.

 

“Even if it’s bothersome, it’s better to be on the safer side. That’s fortunate.”

 

Plants nodded, and Kalian looked at Plants. Plants, who once again ignored the obvious look asking him to leave if he had nothing more to say, continued speaking.

 

“The Knight Order. I’ll need to tell His Majesty.”

 

“Of course. We should tell His Majesty in advance before the Knight Order goes to you, older brother. Anyway, no matter what we do, Marquis Beurisen won’t hand over that authority to His Majesty, so if my older brother holds it, His Majesty won’t be reluctant to accept it.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“Please tell him tomorrow, older brother. I can’t leave Chermil Palace until tomorrow.”

 

[It’s not like I can summon His Majesty to come and go like Master does.] Kalian said with a grin.

 

“Besides, since older brother was the main actor in this matter from beginning to end, it would be right for older brother to face His Majesty instead.”

 

An expression similar to when drinking mint tea appeared on Plants’ face.

 

It was natural. Though not as much as Randel, Plants would also have lingering resentment toward Rmain, so meeting him alone would not be pleasant.

 

“…I understand.”

 

Soon a short sigh came from Plants’ mouth.

 

“And tomorrow, I’d like you to meet Lord Hertz with me. We need to discuss the specifics of this matter. How about it?”

 

Annoyance filled Plants’ expression.

 

Seeing this, Kalian laughed.

 

It was the first time Plants looked his age.

 

“Don’t dislike it so much. He’s an interesting person once you get to know him.”

 

Looking at Kalian saying this, Plants curled up one corner of his mouth. Soon, Plants leaned back against the sofa and spoke in a languid voice.

 

“You’ve accepted that crazy Mage so well that you’re even saying he’s interesting.”

 

Kalian looked at Plants in silence for a moment.

 

“…I told you those are only assumptions.”

 

“Isn’t it obvious? Who else would have command over Valkan instead of Count Manasil?”

 

Plants was merely guessing—Who the person was who led Valkan in Allan’s place. Who else would have stopped said person, and what actions that person would have taken.

 

Who gave and received death.

 

Kalian, who was not unaware of Arsene’s spear, which surpassed Bern, and who it was ultimately aimed at last, smiled a little.

 

“My little brother is… either broad-minded or has a short memory.”

 

“There would be too many unjust things to remember if I tried to keep such things in mind.”

 

Though his face looked as though it was full of injustices, Plants did not bring up any other words. And Kalian, as if trying to change the subject, spoke as if he had just thought of it.

 

“Come to think of it, tomorrow I should probably go meet someone who has been as wronged as me.”

 

Saying this, Kalian raised his hand and pointed upward. He would go meet that one person who was left alone and empty even with his wronged heart.

 

Plants looked at Kalian silently and just nodded once.