Chapter 272, Himolika Is Delicious (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

His mood had improved quite a bit.

 

Whether it was because the rain had lessened somewhat, because raw oysters were placed at breakfast, or because he had sparred properly with Plants the previous night, he did not know, but although the rain was still falling, Kalian’s mood was fine.

 

Thanks to this, Kalian conveyed his answer with a quite willing heart.

 

“Yes. It is a proposal I find agreeable. Duke Siegfried.”

 

Kalian, who had taken a bite of his favourite raw oyster with a sauce of lemon juice, olive oil, and a bit of garlic lightly placed on top, looked at Sleiman sitting opposite him. Sleiman, who actually lived in the south yet claimed not to particularly like uncooked oysters, was eating grilled scallops topped with sliced garlic.

 

And Shiona paid no attention whatsoever to the salad containing steamed mussels with celery and onions or boiled prawns, touching only the steak topped with pomegranate sauce. To repeat, she was an Elf.

 

“However, I am rather curious whether this is the Duke’s opinion or Shiona’s opinion.”

 

The answer came from beside him.

 

“I said I would go.”

 

Kalian nodded his head in an elegant motion while gracefully cutting the lamb with its subtle rosemary scent and putting it in his mouth. Just in case there is any doubt, this was indeed the Prince who had gone out hunting a wild boar two days prior.

 

Shiona’s words continued.

 

“I thought it would be good to stay in one place for the time being if I am to exchange correspondence with the Great Dunes side and share information with you. And just at that time, the Ducal Family Residence needed a sword instructor.”

 

“Yes. That is a good idea.”

 

Shiona had said she would stay at Siegfried Ducal Family Residence.

 

Of course, she meant the Ducal Family Residence in Cyriesus, where Dmirea was. Not the current duchy. While the stated purpose was to serve as Ririe’s swordsmanship instructor to hide the investigation into Zeon, if she stayed there and instructed someone’s sword, she would end up looking after Dmirea’s sword more.

 

However, Shiona had no Cyries nationality and was not even Human in the first place. Although she was a Sword Master, that alone made it difficult to enter the Capital, so she needed someone to guarantee her identity.

 

But Sleiman, who could not enter the Capital this year due to Rmain’s punishment, could not provide the guarantee, could he? So, she was currently asking Kalian like this. In return, she had attached the condition that she would guard the Royal Palace well when Kalian was away so that Randel, Zeon, or Gray could not cause any particular trouble.

 

Looking after Dmirea’s sword, and guarding the Royal Palace together with Allan in place of the absent Kalian, were both very welcome matters for Kalian.

 

“You do not have another purpose, do you? I am rather precious, so I cannot carelessly sell my name.”

 

Shiona, who would not know that it was a name so precious it had been sold entirely for a few bananas from Dmirea, nodded and answered.

 

“Why not give up the habit of suspecting Elves? Would it not be better for me to be in the Capital if there is to be no trouble at that huge house of yours when you go to Secritia?”

 

“I know. That is why I said it was a proposal I find agreeable.”

 

Although Allan was there, the more people to guard the house, the better. So, this was indeed a good proposal. However, there was one small problem.

 

“But I cannot open the Teleportation Magic Circle for you. That is not under my authority.”

 

“You were using a Magic Circle? I thought the Mages brought people.”

 

“Even my Master cannot yet transport people while moving, so how could I do that? We are using a Magic Circle, so if you are going with me, get permission from my older brother. I shall provide the identity guarantee so you can stay in the Capital.”

 

It was not at all true that he lacked the authority to add one Elf to the list of allowed Teleportation Magic Circle users, but Kalian had never written his name there. Even when Kyrie had first used the Magic Circle to bring meteorite iron, he had gone through Allan. This was to hand over to Valkan the authority to use the Magic Circle that he had been trying to make his own.

 

“That will not be difficult. I will do so.”

 

“Good.”

 

Kalian, who through this matter could find the last Sword Master whose whereabouts had been mysterious, keep that Sword Master close by to watch so she would not be used by Zeon, and also have his absence well filled, ate more raw oysters in an even better mood.

 

Then, he opened his mouth while watching Sleiman, who was drinking pale golden wine while eating grilled shellfish adductor muscles with cheese.

 

“By the way, is there a decent brewery nearby? I am thinking of buying some Himolika and Seiliju.”

 

At the Prince who had said he had quit drinking suddenly asking about a brewery saying he would buy alcohol, Sleiman answered with a face that seemed to understand the reason.

 

“There is no need to go as far as a brewery. There is a liquor shop nearby. But, if you are thinking of giving a gift to Marquis Manasil, I shall prepare it for you.”

 

“It is true that it is a gift for my Master, but I am thinking of going briefly to look around as well. It seems difficult to depart for the Capital today, and it feels somewhat stifling to keep staying inside.”

 

In the end, it was just about going out for some air.

 

The quality of the liquor Sleiman would prepare would naturally be better, but because Kalian wanted to prepare it himself, with his own efforts, what he would drink together with Allan for the first time, he made an appropriate excuse.

 

Besides, if Allan was beside him, whatever the liquor was like, it would just be unconditionally good anyway.

 

* * *

 

Somehow, Plants had memorised almost all of Kalian’s expressions.

 

It was not that he went about memorising everyone’s expressions, but after recognising Kalian, who had once smiled cheerfully with a face that looked like he would die any moment crushed by life, he just decided to memorise them.

 

Of course, it was Ian who had provided the standard for that distinction. Plants had memorised appropriately by observing when Ian’s expression was fine and when it was not while Kalian was smiling.

 

“You make very good use of me.”

 

“I make good use of people, not just you.”

 

And Kalian paid almost no attention to Plants’s expressions.

 

Whether he was fresh, boiled, or pickled. He just roughly distinguished to that extent.

 

If a person were too meticulous, would that not be tiring?

 

It was his second life, so he should live it enjoyably, letting things pass moderately.

 

Thanks to Kalian’s positive mindset, today’s Plants was somewhat annoyed. Plants’s face was not particularly fresh, but neither was it boiled nor pickled, so Kalian paid no attention and continued speaking.

 

“How difficult it must have been for you to create that drunkard personality of yours. Would it not be too wasteful to just leave it idle? I must make full use of it at times like this.”

 

The second liquor bottle held in the hand of Kalian, who was humming again, went into the bag fastened to Raven’s saddle. And Plants became a person who had given up on being angry at his younger brother, who was barking all day as if to make up for the day he could not bark yesterday.

 

So that morning.

 

After finishing breakfast, Kalian, who had gone to find Nidlen, gave all of Valkan a one-day holiday, calling it ‘Plants’s decision’.

 

Nidlen, who had already been spending very satisfactory days since the day they left the Royal Palace, had a bewildered face.

 

“I do not know how we should rest any more than this, Your Highness.”

 

To her sincere answer, Kalian said again to go out and play as they wished within the bounds of not causing trouble. He even handed over money, telling them to eat delicious things and drink moderately. In fact, he gave them a lot of money.

 

Plants probably did not know how excited Nidlen, who was old enough to be Kalian’s aunt rather than older sister, and the other members were about being permitted to drink. Of course, he also did not know how pleased the members had been to hear that the Deputy Commander had quite liked the seashell.

 

In any case, having taken good care of Valkan in this way, Kalian abruptly brought out the pea that had been sitting blankly in the room.

 

He properly covered the pea with a black robe enchanted with waterproofing and temperature regulation Spell so that the pea, who could not even photosynthesise on such a day, would not catch a cold, then placed him on Estina’s saddle. After that, he mounted Raven and set off with Estina, who was carrying the pea, towards the brewery Sleiman had told him about.

 

‘My older brother, who drinks alcohol quite well, says the scent is not good.’

‘My older brother, who likes alcohol, says the colour is cloudy.’

‘My older brother, who has considerable expertise in alcohol, said this would be best.’

 

And like this.

 

While making very effective use of that drunkard scoundrel-like personality, which Plants had worked hard to create, he bought one bottle each of the best liquor from two breweries. Although he had not tasted them since they were liquor to drink together with Allan, having selected well based on years of accumulated experience, they would surely be fine.

 

It was not that he did not know why Plants had acted like a drunk scoundrel, but counting only from when he had opened his eyes again as the current Kalian, there had been countless times he had endured and let Plants have his way. So, should he not at least make use of that scoundrel in this way, so both their hearts could feel a bit lighter?

 

“It is nice being with you.”

 

The ‘kind, pretty, and good at running errands for his older brother, flower-like Third Prince’ Kalian spoke with a beaming smile, and Plants let out a deep sigh.

 

“It reminds me of old times too.”

 

Because such words were added, he could not get angry this time either.

 

“If you have finished buying, let us go.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Because the duchy itself was so vast, although they had only stopped at two places, it was already afternoon and the rain had stopped. *Clip clop, clip clop,* they returned the way they had come, looking around while sitting atop two horses treading the dirt road.

 

Even without properly holding the reins, Raven found the way on his own.

 

‘Raven, you must not eat grass that looks like that.’

‘Raven, water pooled after rain is fine, but you must not drink water pooled on clear days.’

‘Raven, when travelling such roads, stones might fall, so you must be careful.’

 

And so on.

 

When Kalian occasionally said such things, Raven answered well too, whether by moving his ears, making a *purring* sound, or raising his head to show.

 

Plants, who had been watching such a Kalian, opened his mouth.

 

“You must feel stifled too.”

 

Kalian when inside the Royal Palace and when outside, he was like a completely different person. He had never seen inside the Royal Palace such an appearance of chattering away cosily with Raven. He had known Kalian was clever, but he had not known that such large and small blades (survival skills and wisdom) were stacked so neatly inside that head.

 

Living with such memories, might he not have felt stifled being confined in the Royal Palace? Such curiosity arose.

 

“Even if I continue to stay inside the Royal Palace from now on, I am fine.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Perhaps because I have wandered around to the point of being sick of it, I do not feel suffocated like you do even if I am in the Royal Palace. I also escape on my own well enough… Moreover, thanks to the Founding King taking such meticulous care, are there not many places within the Royal Palace where one can breathe?”

 

From Kalian, who spoke thus, came a small laugh. His face was not visible as he did not turn his head.

 

[Was it a lie, or not?] This time, Plants could not gauge even by the voice.

 

“So you need not worry. Do not think you have entrusted me with an unwanted burden either. I do not regard it as such.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Words given after understanding the real reason for the question. Words telling him not to mind that he had stubbornly refused to receive the throne.

 

“Even within the Royal Palace, there are many places where one can breathe, older brother.”

 

And as if emphasising.

 

Kalian said the same words again.

 

“…I understand. I will not forget.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Kalian nodded and gently stroked Raven’s mane.

 

“By any chance, can you not eat raw oysters?”

 

“I have not tried them.”

 

“Then what about scallops?”

 

“I have not tried them.”

 

“…What about adductor muscles?”

 

“Why?”

 

“I was thinking of eating them for dinner.”

 

“I do not like them.”

 

“I see.”

 

And he thought they would just have to eat only meat for dinner.

 

In any case, he would go eat grilled cod.

 

He could eat his fill then.

 

* * *

 

He stood still with his eyes lowered, organising his thoughts.

 

‘I checked what Your Highness mentioned. Your Highness’s thoughts were correct.’

 

‘…The traces?’

 

‘I found and eliminated everything that could be evidence. I could not use Lord Taillan and moved our people. But, you need not worry about word getting out.’

 

‘I see. Thank you. You worked hard, Arianneu.’

 

‘But will it be all right?’

 

While recalling the conversation he had had with Arianneu before meeting Debeullan, Chase stood as if nailed to one spot.

 

‘As long as there is no evidence, it will be fine. He knows best that he can do nothing by insisting without evidence.’

 

‘When that younger brother of yours drove out the former Queen of Cyries, there was no evidence either. When he eliminated that Marquis, there was no evidence either. His Majesty will be the same. No, he will do more.’

 

‘Father knows well that the Nobles will rise if he lays hands even on you. So, he is not unaware that the only weakness of mine he can grasp is mother. He is not someone who would think to touch mother by forcing matters.’

 

‘Would it not be better to turn his head back towards your younger brother instead?’

 

The hot wind passed and cool wind began to blow.

 

‘No. I must make him more wary of me.’

 

‘What will you do if he reaches out to your mother when you make him more wary of you?’

 

‘He knows my weakness, he will leave mother alone. Just as he left me alone to handle my younger brother. He is someone who knows that to hold and shake me, he must not rashly harm mother. So, I just need to make him more diligent in being wary of me.’

 

‘…At least for now.’

 

In the middle of the garden, she spent time like that for a while, lost in thought.

 

Until quiet footsteps were heard.

 

*Step step…*

 

At the small footsteps that had never once rung loudly, Chase turned his head. Louise, wearing a beautiful dress of silk the colour of the clearing sky adorned with silver thread and lace, was slowly approaching. Those following her had already fallen far behind, and she walked alone.

 

“Mother.”

 

A leisurely afternoon.

 

Chase, who smiled with a smile that seemed to hold the clearing sky, pulled out the chair placed before the pure white tea table.

 

Louise, who extended her hand to firmly grasp Chase’s hand, sat down.

 

“It feels good to see the Crown Prince at such an hour.”

 

“I was worried I might be troubling you by asking for merely a cup of tea while you are busy, but I am relieved.”

 

“No matter how busy I might be, how could I fail to make time to meet the Crown Prince?”

 

Knowing that two days ago, Chase had entered Debeullan’s office and not come out, causing so much worry, and knowing that only after seeing the light turn on in Chase’s room and waiting quite some time longer did she return to the separate palace.

 

Louise did not bring up such stories.

 

Just as Chase did so, she showed nothing and merely expressed her pleasure. Even so, because time passing felt precious, she did not speak of other matters.

 

“I met Arianneu briefly yesterday. Although her worries must be great due to Count Lyn’s matter, seeing that she was still full of energy put my mind very much at ease.”

 

The Royal Palace prison.

 

Not underground, but a prison located above ground for high-ranking Nobles.

 

Although imprisoned, Chase was taking care to ensure there was no danger to her safety or discomfort. Furthermore, since Debeullan also had no intention yet of harming Count Lyn’s safety, Arianneu was also trying to get by reasonably well.

 

“When the matter is resolved later, make sure to take good care of her.”

 

“Yes. I understand.”

 

Having said this, Louise drank a cup of clear black tea with nothing mixed in. Then she set down the teacup silently and opened her mouth.

 

“There is nothing that makes my heart feel better than seeing two people getting along well. Because you each have such solid places to lean on, I believe that both the Crown Prince and Arianneu will continue to do well going forward.”

 

“Yes, mother. I shall pay more attention so you need not worry.”

 

Chase nodded and answered thus.

 

Then he quietly extended his hand and carefully brushed back Louise’s hair that had become slightly dishevelled in the wind.

 

“It would be good enough if mother would simply watch over us for a long time. I am already more than grateful just for you being by my side. So…”

 

Chase, who had lowered his hand, grasped Louise’s hand again.

 

Looking quietly into her calm sky-blue eyes, he opened his mouth.

 

“Please do not add anything else to His Majesty’s sleeping incense anymore.”

 

A gentle voice rang in Louise’s ears.