Chapter 243, Don’t Stop (5)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

It was not because of the darkness.

 

He was not being careful with his steps because it was difficult to gauge what lay ahead.

 

“···Kyrie.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

The wound was severe. It was serious.

 

It was clear at a glance that the blade had been twisted before being pulled out after entering cleanly. It was a wound inflicted with the intent to kill.

 

After laying down the person who had been standing with such a wound, then lifting him up slightly again and wrapping the bandage tightly, and then supporting him again to carry him on his back and stand up, Kalian did not say a single word about being in pain. He did not even furrow his brow once.

 

His breathing, which had been small and shallow, simply could not be heard for a moment.

 

So, Kyrie walked as if he had just learned how to walk. He walked as if a precious glass had been placed on top of his feet, worried that the person who could not say he was in pain might hold his breath again.

 

“Kyrie.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

After Kalian left the Royal Palace, they found the poison pouch that had been placed in Plants’s hand. The Knight who had that in front of him said something about how he was not trying to poison Plants. After handing him over to the Mages of Wilhelm Hall and leaving the Royal Palace, Kyrie told Kalian what he had learned as he walked to the end of the corridor on the floor where Evan’s body had been.

 

Because it would hurt less to think about that instead.

 

So, Kalian forced himself to think about it in the midst of all that, and after conveying something to Dmirea again, he quietly slumped against Kyrie’s back.

 

“Sorry.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Next time, I’ll let you carry me when I’m drunk.”

 

He meant, ‘next time, I’ll let you carry me when I’m drunk, not when I’m injured.’

 

“Yes. I understand.”

 

His back became soaked and wet, then dried in an instant, repeating the cycle.

 

The person who was injured so badly that it was impossible to gauge how much it hurt yet was worried about the clothes getting soaked in blood again. The person who was paying attention to even such things.

 

“…I’m hungry.”

 

He said he was hungry.

 

Kyrie, who had finished descending one flight of stairs and was stepping onto the next staircase, smiled slightly while being careful not to let his body shake. He smiled because it was such a very Kalian-like thing to say. Because he felt relieved, his mood seemed to have improved a little compared to before, and because those words sounded exactly like a substitute for saying he was in pain.

 

“You will be able to return to the Royal Palace soon, so please bear with it a little longer.”

 

“En…”

 

Kalian, who had answered in a small voice, buried his face in Kyrie’s back. He felt as if he were lying down in the most comfortable place in the world, so Kalian also smiled silently.

 

“Lots of bananas.”

 

“Yes. I will inform the Commander.”

 

“Meat too.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why did he have to give him a poison pouch, of all things?”

 

A heavy story suddenly attached itself after words that seemed light like whining. He brought up that story even though he could not speak at length and had to gasp for breath in between. Kyrie answered without hesitation.

 

“Does that bother you?”

 

[How much care does that pea require, truly. I barely managed to save that young and fragile damn older brother of mine, and he will get upset again.]

 

“I should have hit him once before killing him.”

 

“You did not even hit him?”

 

“No.”

 

He sent off too kindly the bastard who did not teach Plants swordsmanship and only gave him poison.

 

[But, if I told him I hit him once, he might get less upset.]

 

“Still, it will be better than before.”

 

“I suppose…”

 

Kyrie did not stop Kalian from chattering away in a voice like dry sand before the wind, and answered every statement. He did so because it seemed better than being in pain.

 

“But now, it seems you don’t dislike me anymore.”

 

[You hated me so much at first.]

 

“It is because I have come to understand Your Highness.”

 

“Me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You’re kind, Kyrie.”

 

Kalian, who had just praised a Knight older than himself as if treating a child again, let out a long sigh filled with drowsiness.

 

As if trying to chase away sleep, Kalian opened his mouth again.

 

“Right. If I have to learn swordsmanship anew too. There won’t be time, to rest.”

 

“Are you planning to teach him everything?”

 

“Of course.”

 

[I have to teach him everything. I have to tell him right away so he won’t forget.]

 

“There were two swords lying near Marquis Beurisen’s body.”

 

“Yes. That’s right.”

 

“Did you train with me like that knowing this in advance?”

 

Kyrie asked, recalling Kalian who had suddenly started training with two swords only in front of Kyrie a few months ago.

 

“No. Just…”

 

Kalian answered with a laugh that sounded like it was submerging in water.

 

“Just in case it disappeared again.”

 

And then he lifted his left arm and tapped Kyrie lightly. As if thinking of the arm he had lost once.

 

Kyrie only nodded without answering.

 

The end of the dark staircase came into view.

 

* * *

 

Siegfried and Beurisen.

 

The only Ducal Family and Marquis Family in Cyries. And the Two Knight Order Families.

 

Unlike the mansions of other Nobles gathered together amicably on Einansha Street near the Royal Palace, the mansions of these two Families were located somewhat far from the Royal Palace. They were also positioned on opposite sides with the Royal Palace in between.

 

Of these, the Siegfried Family estate was something that Harts-ara had directly prepared so that Kythros, who had been Syspanian’s Knight, would have no inconvenience in training his Knight Order in the Capital. Because of this, it was built large enough to suit Harts-ara’s taste.

 

It may be difficult to understand the appearance of the King helping a Duke cultivate private soldiers in the Capital, but Harts-ara, who trusted Kythros completely. He simply did so without any particular reason. In fact, since the Siegfried Knights had never once raised their swords toward the Royal Palace until now, it would be difficult to say that Harts-ara’s unreasoned trust was entirely unwise.

 

The Beurisen Family estate, which was built much later, was established under the pretext of keeping watch over such a Siegfried, but since a Marquis could not have a larger mansion than a Duke, it had an area about three steps smaller than Siegfried. In other words, Evan Beurisen’s mansion was also large.

 

Anyway, the reason there had been no particular conflict even though the military forces of these two Families were within the Capital was because Siegfried, the relatively larger Knight Order, was the ‘Elephant.’ A gentle herbivore that was fine as long as one does not provoke it.

 

However.

 

There was about to be a confrontation between Siegfried and Beurisen!

 

An unprecedented event was about to occur now.

 

The Knights of the two Families, who had been wary of each other but had never directly clashed, were now about to raise their swords toward each other.

 

However, that scene was truly strange.

 

The Siegfried Knights were standing with Evan Beurisen’s mansion at their backs, blocking Lannen Beurisen’s private soldiers. Thanks to this, they were creating the appearance of Siegfried defending Evan Beurisen’s mansion from Lannen Beurisen. Could there be a stranger scene than this?

 

Though it would be stranger still if people knew that there were no living souls inside the residence they were defending.

 

“I came to find my father, why are the Elephants blocking my way!”

 

“Show proper respect to the Ducal Family, Viscount Beurisen.”

 

“Wouldn’t it be proper to let me confirm Marquis Beurisen’s safety first?”

 

In any case, in the middle of the night, Dmirea, the Lesser Duchess of Siegfried, and Lannen, whom Evan Beurisen had recently tried to present as his ‘public heir,’ had just begun their power struggle.

 

When the Royal Palace, which must have heard about this volatile situation, showed no reaction, the Nobles unrelated to this matter all closed their gates for now. They were sharpening their senses to gauge where they should align themselves when day broke.

 

“Allowing you to confirm the Marquis’s safety does not fall under proper etiquette. And your words sound as if Siegfried is detaining Marquis Evan Beurisen. Be careful with your words and actions.”

 

“If this is not confinement, then what is it!”

 

“We are not detaining him.”

 

They truly did not detain him.

 

After all, he was already dead.

 

Toward Ronankite, Siegfried’s Knight Captain, who could not reveal the truth for now, Lannen shouted again.

 

“I will speak with the Lesser Duchess directly, so summon the Lesser Duchess!”

 

“The Lesser Duchess is receiving treatment befitting her rank. Please show proper respect. Viscount.”

 

In other words, Lannen came to Lannen’s father’s house, but the neighbors came and said, ‘If you greet us properly, we’ll let you in.’

 

Among these, Ronankite, who had unfortunately been assigned the role of the ‘neighbor’, smiled inwardly for a moment.

 

[I’m not so different from the thugs blocking the road demanding a toll right now.]

 

Though he was aware of this, Ronankite had no choice. The search of the vast mansion was not yet complete, and there was no other justification to tie up Lannen’s feet and buy time.

 

“If you tell me why Siegfried’s Knights are here, I will consider it.”

 

“We were resting briefly while out for training.”

 

“Right in front of my father’s darkened house, of all places?”

 

“Yes. When we settled down, it happened to be in front of the darkened Marquis residence.”

 

Right now, only Lannen’s private soldiers had Magic lanterns. All the Knights standing here or searching the mansion were those accustomed to seeing in the dark. Thanks to this, it was not outwardly visible that Siegfried’s Knights had already set foot in the Marquis residence shrouded in darkness, and that they were thoroughly searching the interior.

 

“Do you think Siegfried will be safe when this becomes known!”

 

“It is you, Viscount, who came to find the Knight Order that was resting briefly in front of the Marquis residence and has committed impropriety.”

 

What was fortunate was that the opponent was Lannen.

 

He had once led the Beurisen Trader’s Guild, but unlike Melpir Pollun, the Guild Master of Pollun Trader’s Guild, he was a fool who had appointed a separate manager and only took profits. With such a fool before him, even though it was Siegfried making unreasonable claims, Ronankite had the advantage in the war of words for now.

 

Anyway, as the war of words went on for quite a while.

 

*Clank.*

 

The sound of heavy metal clashing against each other was heard.

 

Because that sound was quite loud and heard periodically, both Ronankite and Lannen closed their mouths and turned their heads in that direction.

 

The Knights lined up behind Ronankite moved one step to the left and right in unison, creating a path.

 

The sound made when a heavy sword hit something with each step. It was the sound that Ian had once felt seemed to be created by heavy responsibility.

 

*Thud thud.*

*Clank, clank.*

 

The steady, regular, and unhesitating footsteps contained an air of intimidation.

 

Dmirea, wearing a silver sword at her waist and a jet-black chainmail that came down to her thighs, walked without a hint of hesitation and stood with her back to Ronankite. She faced Lannen Beurisen.

 

And she said.

 

“Marquis Beurisen is dead.”

 

Silence descended.

 

* * *

 

He had wiped away the blood out of concern for Kyrie.

 

This time, he used Mana out of concern for Raven.

 

Since Raven had already been startled a lot before, it seemed he would not want to be alone if he came back injured this time, so thinking what good was conserving his remaining Mana anyway, he used Magic again.

 

“The child is being moved to the Siegfried Family estate for now. The Lesser Duchess said it would be best not to announce it externally for the time being.”

 

At the words of Yuran, a Siegfried Knight, Kalian, who had gotten down from Kyrie’s back and was leaning against Raven, slowly nodded his head.

 

He wanted to say words of thanks or words telling them to go ahead, but now words really would not come out well, so he just let it be.

 

“Since the Lesser Duchess is completely drawing attention, no one will come to this place.”

 

On a low hill behind the mansion.

 

Kalian had set Raven down in a place where he could safely withdraw and where there were no people. Since he had searched for a place where private soldiers would not come from the beginning, the possibility of others coming this far was small.

 

“Still, would it not be better for us to escort you to the Royal Palace?”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Kalian answered briefly and Kyrie opened his mouth to add an explanation.

 

“It would not be good if Siegfried Knights were seen near the Royal Palace. And by now, the Royal Palace has probably sent someone as well. Until then, I can escort him well.”

 

Not Allan, not Valkan, not a Knight who was difficult to fully trust in the current situation.

 

It meant that there would be someone coming to fetch Kalian, who would be in the most danger if he remained outside the Royal Palace in this situation, where Siegfried and Beurisen were pointing swords at each other.

 

Yuran nodded as if he understood, bowed, and descended the hill.

 

A while later, Kyrie turned toward Kalian and reached out his arms to help him mount Raven’s back. Then, he suddenly hardened his face and stood blocking Kalian’s front.

 

[Footsteps?]

 

Footsteps began to be heard approaching this place where he thought no one would come.

 

“Please wait a moment.”

 

Kyrie’s hand slowly reached for the sword handle. Kalian still had his eyes closed, leaning against Raven. He thought there was nothing to worry about since Kyrie was there.

 

As the footsteps gradually began to approach, Kyrie’s eyes became sharp.

 

[Fifteen Knights and one more.]

 

The sound of horse hooves could not be heard.

 

Instead, there was the sound of fifteen people thought to be Knights, and one other person’s footsteps.

 

A look of slight surprise crossed the face of Kyrie, who had been listening intently with a tense expression.

 

[Could it be…]

 

Soon Kyrie removed his hand from the sword handle and turned his head toward Kalian, opening his mouth.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Did they come from the Royal Palace?”

 

Kalian smiled faintly.

 

It was because he thought he could now return to the Royal Palace and rest comfortably, then eat bananas and meat.

 

“Yes. It seems so.”

 

“They found out where I am, how skilful”

 

“But…”

 

Uncharacteristically, Kyrie trailed off.

 

*Thud thud…*

 

And the footsteps gradually drew closer.

 

Kalian, who had opened his closed eyes, turned his head in the direction of the sound. And he frowned.

 

“You…”

 

[If you woke up after collapsing, you should stay quiet and sleep. You enemy-like bastard… Son of a b!teh…]

 

Kalian, who had pressed many words tightly into his mouth, opened his mouth filled with patience.

 

“Why would you come here?”

 

Kalian had informed Allan to send some of Valkan’s Knights by name to come fetch him. And exactly those Knights were standing in front of Kalian. That much was good.

 

The problem was that when those Knights boldly left the Royal Palace, in an even bolder manner after going out without permission, the pea who had thought very well with that smart head of his about where his younger brother might have hidden his horse, found him and was standing at the very front of those Knights.

 

The patient who had just escaped from nearly stopped heart and had a face that had turned completely pale was rolling up one corner of his mouth while looking at the critically ill patient who had a face that turned pale blue with an expression saying, ‘I’ve kept this bastard alive well until now, so now I’ll just kill him and live comfortably alone from now on’ displayed on his pale blue face.

 

“Since my younger brother did not come. I wondered if perhaps you had died.”

 

“Sure, it seems that will probably be the case soon.”

 

Kalian, who had barely responded, slowly blinked his eyes.

 

Looking at the pale, wriggling thing that had crawled out again after he had barely kept it alive.

 

“Damn pea… so fresh and green…”

 

After confirming he was alive well and giving him a solid curse.

 

*Thud!*

 

He finally lost consciousness.