Chapter 256, Going to See the Sea (4)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Kalian, gazing at the purple-hued wine, laughed softly.

 

“I apologise for what occurred just now, Duke Siegfried.”

 

It was an apology for not being able to fully trust him as the Duke, not as the father of Ian and Dmirea, but as the head of the Siegfried Family. This was when standing in the position of Prince with private matters set aside.

 

“It is entirely understandable that you would be startled when someone who ought to be at home, three days’ journey from here, stroking a puppy named after his son’s nickname, comes bursting in reeking of blood. Moreover, I hear the Baby Elephant has begun walking in a rather different direction, and in such circumstances, you might well not welcome a young wolf who has come visiting your house. So, I understand. Should anything happen, would the nation not become most interestingly turbulent?”

 

Sleiman, who had responded in a refreshing voice, burst into loud laughter as though the image Kalian had shown came to mind again. After quite some time, Sleiman, having ceased laughing, pointed to the wine glass before Kalian while speaking.

 

“Rather than leaving the young wolf sleeping safely alone, why does Your Highness not have a drink as well?”

 

“I have quit drinking.”

 

The same answer he had once given Plants emerged identically.

 

Though it was an answer with profound disparity to his appearance, what did it matter? Even that pale grasshead lived hearing he had quit drinking.

 

“It is admirable that you have quit such a fine thing.”

 

“Had I not, the scoundrel label would likely be attached to me rather than to older brother.”

 

“Did you enjoy it so much?”

 

“…Who can say? I simply leaned upon it while living.”

 

At the answer that emerged from the lips of a sixteen-year-old Prince, Sleiman, without derision, merely nodded repeatedly before opening his mouth.

 

“There are times when I find myself suddenly curious what Your Highness’s core might originally have been, and hearing such words makes me think it would have been good to have met you directly at least once.”

 

“Have you not already met that core?”

 

“There is a tale that as the First King aged, Syspanian created white hair as well. No matter how great a hero might have been, being human, one cannot live unconstrained by outward appearance, so surely Syspanian accommodated accordingly.”

 

Sleiman, having wetted his throat by swallowing a mouthful of transparent purple wine, continued his words.

 

“Your Highness is also human, so it will be the same. Whatever the core might be, it eventually conforms to the shell, so I cannot help but be curious about what that excellent original core might have been.”

 

Kalian made a small laugh without answering.

 

“Might I ask what sort of person you were?”

 

“Who can say? What sort of person might I have been?”

 

Red eyes turned towards the teacup.

 

The tea, containing flowers of some unknown yellow hue, gave off a truly fine fragrance. Though there was no need to drink warm tea, somehow Ian came to mind, so he had requested warm tea.

 

Kalian, who had briefly recalled someone who had leaned upon drink instead of Ian, looked at foot-ends instead of Hina, and though carried drunk by Kyrie, had never been carried while injured, someone who ultimately had not been unhappy, answered.

 

“Someone who was rather fond of wagers, skilled with the sword, good at protecting. Someone who was not ultimately unhappy.”

 

“That would have suited Siegfried quite well.”

 

Sleiman made another sound of laughter as though thoroughly pleased with that story, which lacked any detail whatsoever.

 

In the small garden created on the rooftop of the mayor’s residence, the scent of grass was still thick. It felt newly apparent how far this place was from Cyriesus, and correspondingly how much closer it had become to Secritia.

 

To Kalian’s ears, lost in thought while keeping his gaze on the teacup, came Sleiman’s voice.

 

“The scent of blood upon me is Shiona’s.”

 

The sound of wine being poured into an empty glass rang out briefly and refreshingly. Sleiman, having quickly emptied the glass just filled, opened his mouth again.

 

“Your Highness. On the day the Lesser Duchess closed the gates, were those who harmed Your Highness the Wolves of the Great Dunes?”

 

“Correct.”

 

“No matter how strong the Warriors of the Great Dunes might be, I understand there is only one person who could have rendered Your Highness in such a state.”

 

“…It would only be Shiona Hill.”

 

Warrior of the Great Dunes.

 

Precisely, a Sword Master who had been a Warrior of the Great Dunes.

 

“If so, then the one who attacked Your Highness at that time…”

 

“No. It was other Warriors who attacked me. They are individuals belonging to an organisation called Zeon.”

 

Having answered thus, Kalian explained about Zeon. Afterwards, watching rounded eyes remarkably similar to Ian’s become absorbed in thought, he asked:

 

“Did Shiona fall to them?”

 

“She came, having suffered wounds from Aura, nearly dead. Hearing Your Highness’s explanation, it makes sense. It must have been that organisation’s doing.”

 

Sleiman, who had explained while nodding, paused briefly before continuing.

 

“Those who had been pursuing could not enter the territory and fled, and Shiona was somehow saved over the course of nearly a month. I remained constantly at her side, which is why the scent of blood was so thick.”

 

“Then is she perhaps still here?”

 

“She disappeared yesterday morning. Though I have been searching everywhere as her body has not fully healed, she has not returned.”

 

This was the reason Sleiman had told Kalian he did not know whether he had come out to greet or to farewell the guest. Because he could not be certain whether Shiona would return or had disappeared forever from this land.

 

“You mean she is connected to Zeon but is not on the same side as them. Since she was greatly injured, it also means Shiona is not being manipulated by that power.”

 

For now, it was news that allowed reasonable relief. What Kalian had worried about was not the meaningless death of a Sword Master, but a Sword Master being used as a chess piece.

 

“If she is being pursued, one cannot know what will happen going forward, so I shall have to continue tracking her whereabouts as well.”

 

“I shall do that, Your Highness.”

 

For some reason, Sleiman had stepped forward first.

 

Finding this unfamiliar, when Kalian looked at him, Sleiman smiled sheepishly while speaking.

 

“Though not to the extent of the dull-witted King or the Mage with thorns in his mouth, that person is also a reasonably old friend of mine. I am rather worried, so I shall make inquiries.”

 

“Should you learn anything?”

 

“Of course. I shall contact the Royal Palace or my residence in the Capital.”

 

“I am grateful. Please be careful yourself, Duke. They are not to be taken lightly.”

 

“Are they not fellows who nearly captured two of the precisely three Sword Master I know? I shall not be careless.”

 

Kalian, Taillan Kastrin, Shiona Hill. Thus three.

 

Evan and Gray were not even included in the calculation.

 

This time, Sleiman, who had savoured the wine’s fragrance for quite some time while drinking, opened his mouth.

 

“However, I heard the Lesser Duchess has been raising a child without my knowledge, but she refuses to speak of it whatsoever, so I am curious. Your Highness, do you perhaps know?”

 

Sleiman, who could not enter the Capital this year due to punishment, asked with a face full of curiosity.

 

Kalian, who had unconsciously been staring at the abundant grass surrounding them, shook his head. The story that the Lesser Duchess of Siegfried had taken in one of Beurisen’s Bloodline was not content to be conveyed through a third party. It would be better if she spoke of it herself.

 

“It seems a matter you should hear directly from the Lesser Duchess.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Once again, purple hue filled the wine glass.

 

The sound of the campfire burning was not unpleasant. No, rather it was welcome.

 

Since everyone had volunteered to stand watch on this first night of sleeping rough, he had told them if they all insisted, he would forcibly put them all to sleep. For the time being, Kalian had no problem remaining awake for several days, and since leaving the Royal Palace and Siegfried Territory, he had been serving the role of the strongest person in the party rather than the Third Prince.

 

The members, recalling both the fact that Kalian was still unskilled with Sleep Magic and the livid bruise on Arsene’s nape, immediately crawled into their sleeping bags and fell into slumber.

 

In the quietened midst, into the mind of Kalian, who was quietly gazing at the brightly burning flames, came a gentle voice. It was Allan.

 

—Have you found where the Elves live?

 

—Not yet. Since they will have hidden it similarly to the village we stopped at before, once I reach the place Syspanian indicated, I plan to look around here and there.

 

—If you cannot find them immediately, would it not be better to return for now?

 

—Since there is the possibility that members of Zeon’s group might be in the vicinity, I considered this as well.

 

He had deliberated for quite some time. Whether to return to the Capital again, or to continue seeking the Elves.

 

If it had been a journey undertaken alone, he would have thought ‘to hell with it’ and continued on his way, but the baggage attached right now was… considerable. While the Valkan members could at least manage their own lives somehow, there was still one fellow like a papyrus sprout who had yet to pull his own weight.

 

—I changed my mind towards finishing quickly and returning because I think no one will attack recklessly. My current party is too exceptional for anyone to thoughtlessly attack.

 

—Indeed. In terms of exceptionality, they are likely foremost on the Continent of Shisterra.

 

The Royal Army: thirty Knights and ten Mages. With half of half the party being Mages, they possessed firepower that could by no means be disregarded.

 

—Nevertheless, please do not let down your guard. It differs from when you move alone, and Prince Plants is also there.

 

—Yes. Understood.

 

Of course, Kalian had already finished calculating that he could sufficiently preserve even the papyrus sprout’s thread-like life.

 

—Has any incident occurred at the Palace?

 

Kalian, having covered the glowing bracelet with his sleeve, thus asked.

 

He could not remove the ring connected to Chase, yet wearing rings on both hands was rather uncomfortable, so Allan wore the ring while Kalian wore the bracelet. How long had he burst into laughter upon seeing Allan, who had decided no longer to concern himself with modifying it to enable communication within the Palace, independently change its function?

 

—His Majesty nearly dropped his heart again, but it was nothing serious.

 

—What happened?

 

—Two of his sons disappeared overnight again.

 

—I heard that older brother had already explained to His Majesty about going outside the Palace.

 

—…Whether that can truly be called an explanation is rather questionable.

 

The doubt at the end of Allan’s words was profoundly deep.

 

—He said he was going out briefly to catch Your Highness, who seemed about to flee. So he permitted a brief outing, but as it turned out, he had dragged along all of Valkan and trotted out following, so is that not startling?

 

—Brief outing… I wondered what words he used to obtain permission, speaking so confidently as though having received His Majesty’s permission, but it was not that after all.

 

—At any rate, I have soothed His Majesty well, so do not concern yourself and return once you have finished all tasks.

 

—Yes. I am grateful.

 

Somehow.

 

He had thought Rmain could not possibly have given permission so readily, and there was such a reason.

 

Kalian, looking at Plants sitting somewhat apart in a similar posture, gazing into the campfire, gave an empty laugh. In this way, was it any different from Kalian, who had secretly fled?

 

—Are there no other problems?

 

—That child called Eila is staying attached to Hina’s side without leaving for even an hour. However, when Your Highness returns to the Palace, you should be prepared to receive nagging from the Baby Elephant for three days and nights.

 

Clear laughter leaked outside his mouth briefly.

 

—Understood.

 

—And the two Mages from Liberen report no incidents.

 

[Ah.] The laughter entirely disappeared from Kalian’s face.

 

Allan always thus casually raised important and difficult matters.

 

—…It appears contact came from Liberen.

 

—The discussion concluded well, so please do not worry.

 

Kalian, recalling Etienne, Queen of Liberen, released a long sigh. Though told not to worry, not to concern himself, not to be anxious, he knew well how Allan’s insides must be boiling.

 

—I should have been beside Master.

 

When recalling Etienne, there would obviously be another who came to mind together.

 

Unable at such times to tactlessly raise the subject of father and son while stepping forward to offer clumsy comfort, ultimately Kalian sent only plain words to Allan.

 

—Coming so far away, I am merely gazing at a campfire.

 

—Indeed. When I now have only one son, rather than comfort, I am causing only worry, so what am I to do?

 

Allan did not even accept such an apology.

 

Even in this situation, he read and observed Kalian, saying the comfort he wished to offer was acceptable.

 

Therefore, Kalian sent quiet words.

 

—I shall buy good liquor instead.

 

—That would be good. Whether Himolika or Seiliju, please buy just one bottle.

 

—When I return, let us drink together… father.

 

Allan, who had been silent for a very brief time, conveyed his answer.

 

—Yes. I shall be waiting.

 

Unable to determine whether the campfire was warm or the words were warm.

 

Kalian looked down at the bracelet for quite some time.

 

Whether to buy spirits that, though sharing the same name, differed entirely in taste by region, or to buy Siegfried wine. Deliberating this briefly, when the thought arose that he should simply buy both, a beautiful smile entered his bright red eyes.

 

After exchanging a few more words, Kalian finished his conversation with Allan. Then, gazing briefly at the bracelet’s light, which was gradually diminishing as Mana subsided, he turned his gaze to the campfire.

 

A peaceful night.

 

The sound of burning wood reached him more quietly than silence.

 

“…Are you not cold?”

 

“I am not cold.”

 

Right. Peaceful.

 

Except for the problem that the peas would not sleep.

 

“Please sleep.”

 

“Not yet.”

 

“Very well.”

 

At the answer that had become short again, Kalian, having laughed briefly, turned his head. Towards the fellow seated somewhat apart, similarly gazing at the campfire, he opened his mouth.

 

“Are you hun—”

 

“I am not hungry.”

 

“Very well.”

 

Regrettably, the Siegfried Duchy was a place that considered freshness without the touch of Mages’ hands to be supreme. Therefore, they could not obtain food with Preservation Magic cast upon it. By unfortunate coincidence, amongst the individuals Plants had carefully selected, there was no Mage capable of Preservation Magic, thanks to which Kalian simply obtained some dried food and biscuits from the Sitren mayor and placed them in Plants’s hands. Since it was obvious he could not eat wild chicken.

 

Yet surprisingly, he ate it.

 

Not wild chicken, but remarkably, wild boar. Of course, it was wild boar that Kalian, again excitedly alone while setting aside all members, had caught.

 

Though he ate precisely two pieces before taking out biscuits, at any rate, he had eaten without frowning.

 

Sparks flew in the blowing wind.

 

Plants, who had probably seen even that for the first time, endlessly captured in his eyes the red light scattering and disappearing in the wind.

 

“Are you not uncomfortable?”

 

“I am uncomfortable.”

 

Someone so delicately raised that sitting on bare ground was uncomfortable, lying on bare ground more uncomfortable, eating unseasoned boar meat uncomfortable, flying insects uncomfortable. Yet, he had shown no sign of it even once.

 

Nevertheless, now when asked, he gave honest answers to Kalian, so should this be considered fortunate, or should one laugh and be unable to cry? It was impossible to know.

 

“Why do you not say you are uncomfortable? You do not say you dislike it either.”

 

Plants, who had been sitting on a blanket spread over a tree stump, looked at Kalian. The thought suddenly arose that red fire reflected in green eyes did not suit particularly well.

 

At any rate.

 

Because sitting before that campfire, which seemed to bring forth and burn things from somewhere at the far edges of memory, one or two things contained within inevitably emerged.

 

“Because it was useless.”

 

Plants thus brought forth one thing.

 

Seeing this fellow for whom saying he disliked it, saying he was uncomfortable, had been useless, Kalian felt as though things contained within himself might burst forth as well, so he averted his eyes from the fire within the green and looked at his own feet. He buried the question of why he had treated him that way, keeping his eyes on his feet.

 

No matter how much time passed, matters that could no longer be understood by anyone and must not be understood by anyone. Therefore, reminding himself that the current Kalian, who was no one else, must absolutely never approach such matters, he asked again.

 

“…You may speak of being uncomfortable.”

 

Thus ultimately, it became that Plants had brought forth one thing while Kalian had put one thing away.

 

Kalian, turning his head again, saw the dirt-stained jacket. The damned fellow, relying on the younger brother who removed cat fur for him, had packed black clothes for his younger brother to wear but had not packed other clothes for himself.

 

No.

 

He had packed them. He had one more identical white uniform, or so he said.

 

…As though one had the Mana to spare.

 

“Clean”

 

He cast again the Spell he felt he had already used over thirty times today alone.

 

“Why do you not speak?”

 

“Of what?”

 

“Magic. That you are uncomfortable.”

 

Why, when using the same Spell over thirty times in a single day alone, did he not say he was uncomfortable? Why did he not ask why such white clothes had been created, making him endure pointless hardship?

 

“Because I think I understand. Why it is white specifically.”

 

The robes of Valkan’s Mages, which the past Rmain created and Plants completed, and the Knight Order’s uniforms that the present Plants created, why they were white specifically. Though Mages could always maintain cleanliness, why the Knights’ clothes were also decided to be white.

 

“I try to bury things while older brother tries to recall them. I think that is why.”

 

The lives of others that would stain those clothes.

 

“…Informal speech.”

 

“Does it matter right now?”

 

Whether that thought was correct or incorrect, Plants did not answer.

 

“Please sleep.”

 

“I refuse.”

 

“Why do you refuse?”

 

“I am uncomfortable.”

 

“Are you reviewing?”

 

The campfire burned.

 

“However, could you perhaps change the colour? Even if it is not white, stains are far too noticeable.”

 

“Why should I?”

 

“Going about it together, I alone am black, so I am rather embarrassed by it.”

 

“Informal speech.”

 

Kalian grinned without correcting himself.

 

Because it seemed that if he opened his mouth, these words would emerge: ‘do you realise that being all white with only green hair makes you resemble an onion remarkably well?’ Lest he now refuse to eat even softly cooked things.

 

“At any rate, you really must sleep now—”

 

The words emerging with a grin stopped.

 

Kalian, whose eyes had become chillingly intense, swiftly rose while turning backwards.

 

On this peaceful night when the campfire burned, lit without concern for being noticed.

 

The shadow of one who approached making sound without concern for being noticed drew slowly nearer.

 

The members and Plants, who had by now risen from their places, and the guest.

 

The eyes of Kalian, standing between them, sank coldly.

 

The Sword Master who had been a Wolf of the Great Dunes.

 

From the end of the sword hilt at her waist, a small bell sound rang.

 

“…Shiona Hill.”

 

The small silver ring fitted at the tip of her pointed, long ear glinted in the campfire light.