Chapter 186, My Sword (5)

Translator: Lizzz

Editor: Hedge

 

Sharp.

 

If Kalian’s sharpness was like a hidden dagger, Bern’s sharpness was like a massive sword that had thrown away even its sheath to be ready to swing at any moment.

 

And Chase’s sharpness was like the gaze of a hawk piercing through the heart of a field mouse. Not the sharpness that cuts and wounds, but the sharpness that properly examines and accurately judges, regardless of who the opponent was or what the target might be.

 

In other words, insight.

 

‘I’m not certain if Your Highness already knows, but there are occasional days when I can smell blood heavily emanating from the Second Prince.’

 

He already knew that there were those who disappeared suddenly without any word. He knew the reason for their disappearance and also knew who was behind it.

 

Debeullan.

 

Chase knew all too well how Debeullan held dominion over the Nobles. However…

 

He did not know who the sword that Debeullan wielded was. He could not even imagine.

 

[Could it be that a father would use his own child…]

 

‘I can no longer bear to simply watch and do nothing, so I’m telling you this.’

 

It took far too long to hear those words.

 

[Why did it take years of merely watching before finally telling me!? Could you still call yourself that child’s Master after all that?]

 

Chase didn’t blame Taillan with such words.

 

He understood that Taillan couldn’t have believed it.

 

Chase was also Debeullan’s son, offspring of the snake.

 

Wasn’t he the older brother who had risen to the position of Crown Prince by receiving a loyalty oath from his own younger brother? Therefore, Chase understood that Taillan couldn’t carelessly open his mouth to Chase, whose exterior and interior might differ. He understood that Taillan had only watched, fearing that his own intervention might become a greater wave that would sweep away Bern.

 

Because of this, Chase could not fault Taillan.

 

He regretted and blamed himself, wondering if the great sin that he couldn’t blame anyone for was one he himself was committing.

 

Even so.

 

Could he still call himself an older brother?

 

‘Everyone makes mistakes. I don’t think you, Crown Prince, are such a perfect person. I don’t know what you did wrong, but you need to fix what you’re doing wrong right now. Why regret? Do you have so much time?’

 

Arianneu’s words were always sharp, and he immediately came to his senses, cut by the blade attached to those words. He examined more closely, and gained more accurate insight.

 

He moved according to his decision.

 

The sorcerer from the Viper Den is heading to Nebullade’s great nest.

 

Around that time, Debeullan was suffering from an illness.

 

It was a disease whose cause was unknown, and the condition worsened day by day.

 

Born as the son of a Royal Consort and having struggled to reach the position of Crown Prince, having risen to the throne by breaking his half-blood siblings with his own hands, Debeullan, who didn’t want to lose the throne that was so precious to him, eventually ignored the Royal Palace’s laws and summoned healers from Tansyll.

 

And the bird that Debeullan had raised steadily gathered information that healers were heading toward Secritia and reported it to Chase.

 

“Lord Kastrin.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

“I would prefer that the bloodline of traitors never set foot on my land.”

 

Chase decided to uphold the law rather than follow Debeullan. Thus, protecting his younger brother from their father was Chase’s choice and decision.

 

Had the healers come, perhaps the illness could have been cured. Or perhaps he could have faced his end with a little less suffering, or rather a little more quickly.

 

“The healers. I’ve taken care of them all.”

 

But nothing in this world can be perfect.

 

Complete and flawless pure white cannot exist.

 

“Father.”

 

Chase, who was too kind.

 

Was in the end still Debeullan’s son, the offspring of the snake.

 

* * *

 

— Arcus Tempus, I’ve remembered something.

 

An immediate response to those words didn’t come. Because of this, Chase spoke once more.

 

– I sent a letter by hawk, but it seems like it will take time, so I contacted you in advance. The detailed contents will go by letter, so please check it.

 

He had remembered the characters written on Arcus Tempus. However, just as Bern had been, Chase also couldn’t read them. So even though he recalled them, it wasn’t content he could explain in words. Nevertheless, the reason he deliberately sent the conversation was, just.

 

Or because he had said he would contact him for no reason at all. So just.

 

– …I’m worried that you might have overexerted yourself.

 

Instead of words of thanks and apology, Kalian expressed worry. He conveyed his concern without hiding it.

 

Kalian’s voice seemed to be heard right beside him.

 

It was concern about having contacted him faster than expected. He had clearly said that his memory wasn’t coming back well, yet wondered if he had forced himself to recall it. Whether he had recalled unpleasant memories.

 

Chase was about to say not to worry, but instead nodded his head obediently and answered.

 

– Actually, some different memories came back together. It wasn’t a pleasant matter, so I was a bit surprised, but I wasn’t shaken beyond that.

 

Having said this, Chase picked up his teacup, took a sip, and briefly recalled an unexpected memory before opening his mouth.

 

– Even if I faced the same situation now, I know that I would still make the same choice.

 

Bern would likely be the same.

 

If Bern had been there, even if he faced the same situation now, he would have made the same choice without hesitation and walked the same path. So Chase was the same.

 

He couldn’t remember why Debeullan had committed such cruel acts. He briefly thought that perhaps there were clear reasons for such actions.

 

Nevertheless, the reason he felt neither disappointment nor profanity regarding what he had decided and executed was that he knew he himself was not someone who would hide behind Bern’s shadow and try to shine alone, even knowing of it.

 

Even if it was clearly wrong, he would not regret it twice. That was Chase’s belief in himself.

 

– So don’t worry. I’m fine.

 

Hearing this, Kalian felt somewhat unfamiliar. He couldn’t understand at all what Chase had chosen, what that unpleasant matter was.

 

Was it a story about Arcus Tempus, or was it about something else entirely? As he pondered this briefly, Chase’s words were heard again.

 

– I also saw Arianneu in my memories, and I was surprised that her words were harsher than now.

 

Kalian unconsciously let out a laugh.

 

The person who had taught Bern how to upset others was none other than Arianneu. Though not as much as Allan, who had taken away Serenty’s glory, Arianneu was also someone who had quite a fine tongue. And it was Bern who had learned that eloquence, used it well, developed it, and taught it back to Arianneu.

 

It was the result of such interaction, so her words had to be harsher in the past than now.

 

– I’m curious how she is now.

 

Instead of deliberately revealing that this too was because of Bern’s absence, Kalian only answered like this. Because he would already know without being told.

 

There was no need to confirm to Chase that Bern’s empty seat was evident even to the person who could guard his side now.

 

– Except that her words are slightly less sharp, she’s still the same. Still fights well, scolds well, comforts well, and so on.

 

Kalian, thinking it was fortunate, nodded silently.

 

Chase’s words continued.

 

He had contacted him for no reason, but there was so much to say.

 

– I told Lord Kastrin the truth.

 

[Ah. What a relief. Really, what a relief.]

 

– I was worried about what to do if he didn’t believe me, but fortunately he doesn’t seem to think I’ve gone mad. So I barely managed to restrain him from immediately getting up and heading to Cyriesus.

 

Kalian laughed.

 

He laughed because there was finally one person who properly knew Chase’s situation and could stay by his side, and he laughed because the incident of nearly blocking the sword of the continent’s first Sword Master had disappeared.

 

– Thank you.

 

So Kalian said this.

 

It meant both thanks for not suffering alone and bringing it out into the open, and thanks for holding back that upright Taillan.

 

Taillan would really be of great help. Like Allan.

 

– Lord Kastrin said the same thing. He also said thanks for letting him vent his affairs. He also said thanks for letting him know about it, saying he was very pleased with his end. He said various other things of thanks, but I forgot them all in the meantime.

 

He left out the part about crying.

 

No matter what, he was Kalian’s former Master, so his dignity should be maintained.

 

Bern who had entered the path of the sword at twenty-one.

 

He also didn’t convey the words about being grateful for letting him know that he had raised that great Disciple who had realized the principles of the sword two years ahead of himself.

 

It was partly because he was grateful to know why Bern had to become a Sword Master so quickly, but it was more because he learned that no matter how much he talked about it, Taillan couldn’t remember the name ‘Bern’. So he couldn’t convey those words to Kalian.

 

– There’s something else I didn’t tell you in Cyriesus, Prince Kalian.

 

Having said this, Chase tapped the table for a while.

 

Actually, there were quite a few things Chase hadn’t told Kalian in Cyriesus. The story of how he had almost given up everything and really intended to kill Plants, the story of meeting Randel in Chermil and giving him a warning that wasn’t a warning, the story of how his feelings were complicated when he saw Arsene, the story of how he had mentioned Bern’s name to Plants but Plants had probably forgotten that too. And besides that, quite a lot of other things.

 

– I had brought a sword. Because I wanted to return it if it was correct.

 

The pure white steel sword that Bern had used.

 

The sword used by Knight Bern Neriad, Husband of the Great Queen of Secritia. Unlike the current Bern, the sword of him who had become a truly unforgettable hero according to the meaning of that name. He had brought it to give to Kalian.

 

But he could not hand it over.

 

Wasn’t that too cruel?

 

Whether he knew this meaning or not, Kalian smiled slightly. Then he answered in a voice that was truly nonchalant.

 

– I’m using a different sword now. So I hope that Crown Prince Chase would use that one instead.

 

At these words, Chase made a slightly surprised face. He had never informed him that he was learning swordsmanship. Although it wasn’t a face Kalian could see, he definitely looked surprised as he looked down at the bracelet.

 

Because there was no answer, Kalian spoke again.

 

– I noticed when you served me coffee. Now that I think about it, you were too relaxed while staying alone without any guards. That’s how.

 

He meant he had seen the calluses on Chase’s hands.

 

– But there’s one crazy Mage around me who wants to break any sword he sees. He’s beautifully insane in a way that’s difficult to explain, but if you happen to encounter him, please don’t show your sword. I hope it doesn’t break this time.

 

Arsene Hertz.

 

Not a hint of hesitation was felt in bringing up talk about him. So Chase was reassured once more.

 

It was because he felt that he wasn’t enduring alone in as terrible a place as he had thought.

 

– That blue-haired Mage. I’ll be careful, Prince Kalian.

 

Since Chase also knew that he wasn’t as terrible a person as he had thought he’d be, his chilly feeling when recalling that name also diminished somewhat.

 

– …Name.

 

Kalian said this.

 

And it didn’t continue for quite a while.

 

It was when Chase had drunk from his teacup about three times and set it down that the next words continued.

 

– Name, you may call me however you wish to call me.

 

Words saying not to endure even in this conversation where no one else could even listen together. It was saying that since putting down the name was Kalian’s portion, Chase didn’t need to share and bear that burden too.

 

Chase smiled broadly.

 

Because he quite liked the feeling that the coffee he was drinking after a long time had a mint scent.

 

– When drinking alcohol. I’ll do that. Later.

 

Kalian’s laughter was conveyed.

 

A gentle voice followed.

 

– By the seaside.

 

– Yes. By the seaside.

 

* * *

 

He chuckled and then chuckled again.

 

It seemed his younger brother was really a bit strange.

 

No. He was strange.

 

Anyway.

 

Whether he was strange, crazy, insane, laughing or not, it didn’t matter.

 

But this was his room.

 

As their conversation, which began as soon as the dishes were cleared away, showed no signs of ending, Plants was pondering when he should kick out his younger brother, who was his brother but also someone else’s brother, but anyway still his brother, who seemed to be somewhat aged right now.

 

*Knock knock*

 

A knocking sound was heard.

 

He told them to come in on behalf of my very busy younger brother and turned his head to see Rerik had come alone. Since he brought tea up a bit later than usual and Ian wasn’t there, he thought there might have been some other business among the servants for a moment. Plants, who had been sitting there without much thought, slightly frowned.

 

Coffee scent.

 

*Clink*

 

Dessert made of thinly sliced dried tangerine halves coated with chocolate was set down. And Rerik set down a drink that would go very well with that sweet and sour treat.

 

Yes.

 

It was coffee the same color as chocolate.

 

The conversation must have ended at some point, as Kalian’s gaze, which had briefly looked at the ring that no longer shone, reached the coffee.

 

“No.”

 

And Plants said.

 

It meant to bring something other than coffee.

 

Rerik, who through painstaking effort could now immediately understand such words, approached to take back the coffee he had set down.

 

Seeing this, Kalian slightly raised his hand and said.

 

“No. I’ll drink it. Thank you.”

 

Thanks to this, Rerik didn’t have to trouble himself twice and went outside after greeting them.

 

With eyes that could be interpreted as something like ‘So the Prince living on the third floor even says thank you’. While not knowing how much he might be scolded by Ian, who would learn that he had brought coffee to Kalian.

 

Around the time the sound of Rerik closing the door as he left could be heard, Kalian looked at Plants with a very unexpected expression. Although he had never drunk coffee in front of Plants, since he had never drunk it, he had also never shown that he disliked it.

 

Kalian, who quietly raised his hand to take a sip of coffee and set it down, said.

 

“My older brother, with that level of perception, wouldn’t starve wherever he goes.”

 

“Stop barking and get out.”

 

Kalian, who had taken a bite of the dried tangerine chocolate, tapped the coffee that still had quite a bit left. It meant he would finish drinking and leave on his own, so wait.

 

“Busy.”

 

Then Plants tapped the cardigan he was wearing and said this. It meant he had many things to do after changing clothes and going out, so get out of his room now.

 

Pure white cardigan.

 

Long cardigan.

 

Seeing this, Kalian recalled something he had forgotten. Something he shouldn’t have forgotten, but had completely forgotten because the situation and mood hadn’t been very good, came vividly to mind.

 

“Older brother.”

 

Kalian called the thoroughly cooked pea with an irritated face.

 

[Come to think of it, you bastard, why were you holding our Hina’s robe last time? Thinking about it, I already restrained myself once then, but just a moment ago, didn’t you even put that precious name, which would be a shame to wear away, in your mouth?]

 

“Would you like to have a duel?”

 

He smiled broadly like that, completely forgetting that Plants had said he was busy. It was a smile full of relief from someone who realized he had almost restrained himself twice.

 

After that, he drank the fragrant coffee once more.