Chapter 253, Going to See the Sea (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

The scent of butter was abundant.

 

There was a garlic aroma, and a hint of pepper as well.

 

When the white flesh was separated from the bright red shell, the butter scent rose even more strongly. The broccoli grilled alongside it, the crispy onions and yellow peppers also carried the scent of butter.

 

“You don’t need to use that much butter.”

 

Veronica’s eyes widened at these words spoken while pushing aside the discarded shell.

 

“You can talk?”

 

Eila nodded and put a piece of well-grilled lobster into her mouth. The white bead ornament on the hairpin holding up her long hair swayed and sparkled.

 

“If the first words you speak after three days are about there being too much butter, it is deflating to the listener. At the very least, it should be something like ‘pleased to meet you’ or some kind of introduction.”

 

“That’s still better than the first words after three days being that you’re rude.”

 

It had been five days since arriving at Allan’s house, three days since meeting Veronica.

 

So strictly speaking, Veronica smiled broadly and asked Eila, who was opening her mouth for the first time in five days.

 

“Sorry. Did I upset you?”

 

“I said you were rude, not that I was upset, so do as you please.”

 

Even though she was the granddaughter of a Marquis, Veronica was not unaware that speaking informally to someone older whose status or title she did not know was rude. That was why she had asked Eila for permission to speak casually. Eila had not answered, and Veronica had simply taken that as consent.

 

“I grew up watching grandfather. Sorry.”

 

The Allan in question had sharp words but was not thoughtless, yet Veronica always attached this as an excuse regardless.

 

In the end, it was informal speech again, but at any rate, Eila had said to do as she pleased, so she simply nodded once more. After that, she pushed aside the onion that was not fully cooked and had a white tinge, and picked up a piece of broccoli nearby to eat.

 

Veronica, who had been watching such an Eila, spoke.

 

“Why are you hiding here?”

 

Kalian was not meticulous and Allan was busy.

 

Thanks to this, they had failed to explain to Veronica who this woman was at Allan’s house and why, leaving Eila alone in the empty house. More precisely, it would be correct to say they had not thought that Veronica would have any reason to stop by Allan’s residence when she lived with Rachel in a different house.

 

Neither of them would know how surprised Veronica had been when she came to visit Allan’s house on the second evening and saw Eila, managing well on her own. Of course, the fact that Eila, upon encountering Veronica, had silently put away the dagger she had hidden behind her back, was something not only the two of them but also Veronica did not know.

 

“I have my circumstances.”

 

Eila gave a brief answer, unable to say she was a bird who had fled from a neighbouring country. Though it was hardly a kind reply, Veronica nodded and asked again.

 

“Are you someone who uses a sword?”

 

“Why do you think that?”

 

“You don’t seem like a Mage.”

 

“I thought you’d ask first if I was Lord Manasil’s lover, but you do ask unusual questions.”

 

“Grandfather isn’t the sort of person who forgets how old he is.”

 

“Just because I’m not a Mage doesn’t mean I necessarily use a sword.”

 

“I know. But people who come to grandfather’s house generally use one or both of those.”

 

Of course, the only person who used both was Prince Kalian.

 

Eila looked at Veronica, who was answering like this, for a moment, then picked up another piece of pure white lobster flesh and spoke.

 

“I use a sword. And I’m the Third Prince’s person.”

 

“I knew it.”

 

Pleased that her guess was correct, Veronica extended her hand.

 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Veronica. I’m someone who wants to become someone who uses medicine instead of swords or Magic. My hair and manner of speech take after grandfather, my appearance takes after mother, so I’m trying to take after father for the rest.”

 

Eila looked at such a Veronica briefly, then put down her fork and clasped that hand.

 

“I’ll tell you my name later. I’m pleased to meet you too.”

 

Veronica, having finished this strangely ordered conversation that began with talk of too much butter and ended with introductions and a handshake, stood up.

 

“It’s time for mother to arrive, so I should go. I’ll come again tomorrow. Is there anything you’d like to eat? I’ll make it.”

 

“…Fresh oysters.”

 

She seemed quite natural eating seafood, and what she wanted to eat was fresh oysters.

 

“People from Cyriesus don’t like seafood that much, so I’m not sure if there’s any shop that sells them here. I’ll try to find some tomorrow.”

 

Around the time she gave this answer while thinking that if she liked seafood and was connected to Kalian, she might be someone from the Ducal Family, a cheerful sound was heard from far beyond the door.

 

“Welcome to the home of the ArchMage, Allan Manasil!”

 

Eila furrowed her fine brow briefly, recalling how she had almost broken someone else’s gatekeeper, having been quite impressed by her encounter with the charming statue outside the door.

 

Soon, with the sound of the door opening and closing with a click, someone entered. Then they bowed slightly in greeting to Veronica, who was waving her hand.

 

Hair the colour of water, similar to Eila’s eyes but lighter.

 

It was Kyrie.

 

“Please rise.”

 

Kyrie, who had been looking at Eila for a moment with a face difficult to read, spoke.

 

“His Highness is looking for you.”

 

And thus conveyed the message that there would be no eating fresh oysters for the time being.

 

* * *

 

The aftermath following Evan’s death had somewhat subsided.

 

Measures had been taken against those who should be punished, and the urgent matters following them had been concluded, with a major personnel reshuffle as well.

 

So now it was time to give rewards, was it not?

 

The Valkan Mages, who had remained on high alert for nearly a month for the safety of the Royal Palace, were given leave. Of course, it was not possible to let everyone rest at once, so they were to take turns resting for a fortnight each.

 

That became the catalyst.

 

“Enclave Head.”

 

The Mages, who had forgotten how to rest and would do well to simply sleep if they had nothing to do, emerged from their homes and gathered sluggishly. They were playing about, sipping sparkling water while debating how Arsene broke swords. When Arsene appeared, having finished the day’s work and heading home, with his leave still not claimable yet.

 

Arsene joined them, pleased to meet his subordinate Mages, whom he had thought he would not see for several days, and ordered beer for himself, deliberately refusing the sparkling water everyone else was drinking. Then, during the time it took to drink exactly two beers, he explained how he broke swords before cleanly rising from his seat.

 

Walking home like that, he saw a welcome head of purple hair.

 

“Kid. Perfect timing.”

 

“Is something the matter?”

 

“Yes. I was trying to see Lord Manasil about a gift sent from Liberen, but he seems busy. I also have something to say about Prince Kalian’s matter, so if you have time, let’s talk for a bit.”

 

“Very well.”

 

For that reason, the two took seats on a pub terrace perfect for conversation. They manifested Silent so others would not overhear them, and limited Arsene to exactly two beers so he would not get drunk.

 

“Prince Kalian said he would make it so I don’t have to be the head of the information organisation. The Arcane Enclave Mages who were being wasted as spies might be able to do other work now.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

“And Liberen sent a Magic item made of a rather thick crystal plate, and it seems to be for communication. I’m seeing it for the first time so I’m not certain, but that’s what has been explained. So if Lord Manasil has time, please tell him I’d like to visit.”

 

“Ah…”

 

But somehow Arsene’s reaction was rather odd.

 

Wondering if his alcohol tolerance had weakened further, Euria looked at him, and Arsene smiled wryly and spoke.

 

“You see, Enclave Head. Actually, I was on my way after drinking two glasses earlier. I thought it would be fine since it’s been a while since I drank, but…”

 

“…Damn it.”

 

A rather rough word emerged from Euria’s mouth as she became busy protecting the chips from Arsene, who had drunk four beers, forgetting about conversation and message delivery and everything else.

 

“But what about the chick? Division Commander Nidlen said it takes about twenty days for a chick to hatch, Enclave Head.”

 

“Yes. It must have died. It’s not hatching. I’m going to fry it tomorrow.”

 

“Our Enclave Head is too much. You said you’d make a chick, but it’s disappointing if you’re going to eat it…”

 

Having said this, Arsene tapped the table.

 

With a *crackling* sound, a strand of ice extended and touched the plate of chips placed far away.

 

He had managed to freeze it.

 

“…Never mind.”

 

Euria, who had picked up a frozen chip only to put it back down, downed a glass of Basilica, of an acceptable quality. Then, she placed on the table the egg she had taken from her bag with Warming Magic and Impact Dampening Magic thoroughly applied to it, she spoke.

 

“I should just eat it now. That would be better.”

 

Having somehow understood these words, Arsene quickly snatched the egg away, saying.

 

“No! Ah, the egg, how pitiful.”

 

“I find those chips and the four beers in your stomach more pitiful.”

 

Like that, bickering back and forth, saying they would eat it now, no they would not, snatching the egg from each other and squabbling.

 

*Crack!*

 

A fine crack appeared in the pure white egg.

 

The movements of the two Mages stopped in an instant.

 

*Crack, crack!*

 

Regardless, another crack formed.

 

Arsene looked up at Euria with wide eyes.

 

“Surely not.”

 

Around the time the words ‘surely it’s not really hatching’ were hovering at Euria’s lips.

 

*Crack!*

 

A slightly louder sound rang out.

 

Then, before long, something small popped out beyond the eggshell.

 

Jet-black eyes, still wet but seemingly fluffy yellow fur.

 

And a blunt beak.

 

“Hmm?”

 

[…A blunt beak?]

 

“A duck?”

 

*Cheep!*

 

A cute, small duckling was looking at Arsene.

 

The blue haired Mage, who could not distinguish between a duck egg and a chicken egg, smiled brightly at the purple haired Mage, who also could not distinguish between a duck egg and a chicken egg, and he spoke in a splendid voice.

 

“This is a duck I’m giving you, Enclave Head.”

 

Then, with a *thud*, he buried his head in the table and fell asleep.

 

* * *

 

Kalian had said it did not mean ‘pea’.

 

It was a relief that it was not, but Kalian had still laughed.

 

“I don’t mean it like that, so you needn’t worry…”

 

Moreover, his words had trailed off.

 

He could not lie.

 

“I said I’d tell you when you’re older. Stop being so curious.”

 

So, no matter how much Plants asked what his name meant, he kept saying the same thing. He did not know how much older he would have to get before being told, but Kalian absolutely would not speak of it.

 

Then he remembered that he was that fellow’s older brother.

 

So, he got irritated.

 

“Thoughts—”

 

A small voice was heard from behind.

 

*Clang! *Crash!**

 

Plants quickly turned his body and parried the two swords attacking at the end of that voice.

 

“Thoughts must not enter the sword.”

 

“…I know.”

 

Plants, who had been harbouring stray thoughts without realising it, grasped his sword anew.

 

He had been pondering whether to secretly go down and steal that ring while that fellow was washing after the sparring ended. Then perhaps ask that fellow with purple eyes, who liked birds, what his name meant.

 

Because saying he knew he should not think did not mean he would not think.

 

*Clang!*

 

Soon the two swords rushed once more before Plants’s eyes. Plants raised the swords in both hands to block the attack, then withdrew the sword in his right hand and thrust forward.

 

*Crash!*

 

Naturally, the blocked sword rang with a strong striking sound. Plants frowned slightly, listening to the thoroughly sharp sound.

 

[Come to think of it, what had it been? What had made this guy, who insisted he should not think, recuperate for nearly a month?]

 

*Clang!*

 

The left hand that blocked the swinging sword tingled.

 

Without time to feel it, he extended the sword in his right hand again to block the attack descending from above.

 

Soon, the sword in Plants’s left hand aimed for Kalian’s neck. Kalian’s other sword, having deflected it, headed towards Plants at the speed of light.

 

*Crash!*

 

“…Older brother.”

 

Kalian, who had been looking at Plants deflecting the sword that had reached right before his nose, quietly stopped moving.

 

“I told you that if you have too many thoughts, you die.”

 

“But you.”

 

“I did not die. Absolutely not.”

 

Kalian, having given a perfunctory answer to Plants, who was once again curious about the incident of losing focus during the fight with Evan, took a step back.

 

“We still have not received a response from the King of Secritia. We do not know what he might be plotting, and Crown Prince Chase cannot find any movements on his end either. If you are going to think of other things, please think about that. It is not only my concern, after all. And if you are curious about something, be curious about older brother’s affairs, not about me.”

 

The red swords in Kalian’s hands disappeared smoothly.

 

“Ah, not the meaning of the name. I will not tell you that until you are older.”

 

“Shut it.”

 

At Plants’ words, Kalian smiled brightly and looked briefly out of the training hall window. The dusky moonlight shone on the darkened sky that had already arrived.

 

“The bird I found several days ago will come soon. For the time being, she will be in charge of finding and sending Divine Artifacts, and if we catch a lead on Zeon, I am thinking of having her serve as my eyes and ears instead of the Enclave Head. The Beurisen Family will be quiet for the time being, but they will probably try to make contact with older brother Randel, so we must keep watch. Because he is someone who knows that as long as older brother exists, his position is not secure.”

 

Plants frowned slightly as he listened.

 

Regardless, Kalian’s words continued.

 

“You can practise the swordsmanship I taught you through Kyrie, and I have asked Master about Magic, but if he is busy, please practise with Lord Hertz.”

 

“You.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Plants, who had been looking at Kalian’s eyes briefly, nodded and spoke. It was because he had noticed what thoughts were making him speak such words about leaving affairs behind.

 

“When are you going?”

 

“Around tomorrow.”

 

“When are you coming back?”

 

“About ten days, if it takes longer than expected, around a fortnight. It seems I need to go to the Siegfried Territory and travel another three or four days to reach the Elf Village, and if I am to meet the Mother Tree and do some threatening, that much time seems necessary.”

 

These words came from his plan to go to where the Elves were and have it out with them, since his body had recovered adequately. To make them release the hand they had clasped with Debeullan, and to try to find a connection to Zeon if possible.

 

“I have not told His Majesty, so please make some kind of excuse. Older brother Randel probably is not interested anyway, but if he asks, make one up for older brother Randel’s side as well.”

 

Plants, who had been looking at such a Kalian for quite some time, obediently nodded.

 

“All right.”

 

While pondering what luggage he would need to pack for a fortnight’s outing, and whether it would be better to leave Luci and Anne behind.