Chapter 277, Truly Beautiful (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

*Tap tap tap…*

 

… Still, since I regret not being able to tell you in advance, I shall cancel the decision to cut off all contact with you…

 

He had read the same content numerous times.

 

After reading it two or three times, every single character had already been engraved in his mind, yet he continued reading it repeatedly.

 

“This must be a letter containing the most entertaining story in the world. I never tire of it no matter how many times I read it.”

 

A letter containing a gaze looking down on Secritia so overtly that it could be called blatant. Content so amusing that one could scarcely believe it came from Rmain, who was renowned for his obtuseness.

 

And once again, a piece of news that had been delivered.

 

“Eila Berdan. No, that’s not right. Her surname has changed now, hasn’t it. To Brigit of all things.”

 

At the end of his muttering, laughter briefly attached itself.

 

Blue Warbler accompanied them as if to show off. Euria Seiren, whose name alone was said to repel spies. Arsene Hertz, who had followed them in a state of ‘relieved of duty’, as if they had no intention of even concealing the deception.

 

And another name was added to these.

 

“…Kalian.”

 

How similar the method of refusing to summon a healer was to his own.

 

“I had intended to set aside my interest in you because I was occupied with other matters, yet you continue to draw my gaze in this manner. In that case…”

 

Whether he brought along that bird worth hanging from a noose in the plaza immediately, or brought the Midday Reaper, or came with that second-in-command of the military force he was so confident in.

 

“How could I dare obstruct the path of the Princes of that remarkable nation?”

 

He did not know how Kalian had managed to coax the notoriously ill-tempered Second Prince, but the excuse was truly excellent. Since he had gone to such lengths to come to this place, if one wished to see that distinguished face, one should not stand in the way.

 

“Open the way. Bring them all in, exactly as they desire.”

 

Since Kalian was coming in person, how could Debeullan possibly stand in his way?

 

* * *

 

According to Kalian.

 

Money, power, and beauty were better in excess.

 

Having been born with beauty and already possessing excessive wealth, Kalian had summoned Arsene to reinforce the remaining element. It was the day before he would be struck from behind by his still-unsuspected, frail older brother.

 

‘I have something to give you.’

 

‘Yes, Your Highness.’

 

Kalian, who had presented a notice of relief from duty before Arsene’s expectant face, smiled brightly, and Arsene, struck from behind by Kalian, who would be struck from behind by tomorrow’s pea, smiled wryly.

 

‘Are you finally handing over Anne and Luci this time?’

 

Then he suddenly asked this.

 

After all, the person who seemed like he would never let them out of Valkan before he died. No, the person who acted as if he would bury them in front of the steps of Wilhelm Hall even after death, had suddenly issued a notice of Arsene being relieved from duty.

 

‘Ah. That will be later. It will be after I first review your letter of reflection, so don’t get your hopes up just yet.’

 

‘Then what is this?’

 

‘An abuse of authority for a personal matter.’

 

Naturally, but beginning with words difficult to understand properly, Kalian continued his explanation.

 

‘In truth, I had no intention of claiming authority over Valkan. Although I created it together with Master, strictly speaking, it was no different from copying the military force I had seen before in my past life.’

 

It was sincere.

 

Of course, initially he had created it to make it his own force, but he had never once coveted the position of Commander of Valkan.

 

‘However, I think it would be acceptable for me to abuse my authority somewhat regarding you.’

 

Still, it should be fine to secure authority over his own followers, should it not?

 

‘I would like Lord Hertz to accompany me to Secritia.’

 

‘Would it be acceptable for me to go?’

 

‘…Why? Are you worried I might recall the past?’

 

‘To be honest, yes.’

 

‘If I thought that would happen, I wouldn’t be able to go either. I have Cyries attached to the end of my name, so what difference would it make to whom I bring?’

 

Kalian took a sip of the mint tea that had been secretly chilled without Ian’s knowledge and set it down before continuing.

 

‘In any case. I cannot cross the border with military personnel, but if I completely dismiss you, you’ll never return to Valkan. So I only relieved you of your position. In any case, whether it’s dismissal or relief of duty, there’s no way Secritia will believe it’s genuine.’

 

‘Will you be angry if I say that’s regrettable?’

 

‘Yes.’

 

‘Relief of duty is fine, Your Highness. I’m truly fortunate you didn’t dismiss me.’

 

As he said, it was not a dismissal.

 

It meant becoming a civilian who only belonged to Valkan, with restrictions placed on all actions he could take as a military officer. It was a nominal position.

 

‘I’ve already spread this news in advance so it will be easier for you to accompany me. I don’t know when we’ll depart, but I want you to prepare in advance. It will probably be after my older brother’s birthday banquet, so rest well in the meantime.’

 

Thanks to this, Arsene, who had become the strange person titled ‘Valkan-affiliated civilian’, was elated. He was so elated that he had to suppress the desire to go dance in front of Allan’s office once more at the freedom he had temporarily regained.

 

It was precisely for only one day he was elated.

 

Rather than the news of his relief from duty spreading, even before it was reported to Plants or Nidlen, Plants showed signs of attempting to exit the palace main gate.

 

When he went to Chermil Palace to meet Kalian, Kalian who should have been there was absent. Moreover, Ian had apparently gone out to watch over Raven lest he kick the attendants. Afterwards, while attempting to leave the palace, amongst the carriages stationed within the palace, a Royal Carriage was conspicuously positioned.

 

The moment he saw that carriage, his hair standing on end was a miracle-like occurrence created by the tearful days spent by Plants’ side over a long period.

 

Having realized what Plants was plotting, Arsene went straight to the Arcane Enclave to entrust the duckling ‘Coco’, and learned that Kalian had also selected Euria as a companion for this journey.

 

Time was short and there was nowhere to entrust precious Coco.

 

*Cheep!*

 

So, he would have to bring him along.

 

“The little one is impressive.”

 

“There are so many impressive things about me that I don’t know which one you’re referring to, Enclave Head.”

 

Impressively capable for his age, impressively devoted to Kalian, impressively fond of explosions, impressively mad Mage asked this question.

 

“A Mage raising a duck in a prestigious carriage. That’s impressive, isn’t it?”

 

Inside the carriage that did not shake in the slightest even while ascending the winding mountain path, cheeping sounds could be heard. Except when passing through the border checkpoint, that carriage had been entirely Coco’s domain.

 

Arsene, who was ascending the mountain path at the very rear of the group, looked at Euria and answered.

 

“I’m fortunate that I don’t have to carry him throughout the journey. However, I’m worried about what His Highness Deputy Commander will say about this later.”

 

“He’ll say you’re a mad blue haired Mage who brought a duck on a journey to a foreign country.”

 

“Yes. I believe he will say that.”

 

Arsene, who chuckled at the absurdity of it even to himself, added in a voice that might have been directed at Euria or might have been a mutter to himself.

 

“Still, it’s good that I ended up bringing a duck rather than the troops.”

 

“What. Were the troops originally supposed to come too?”

 

“No. It wasn’t that they were supposed to come, just… there was such an incident, Enclave Head.”

 

Having said this, Arsene looked around with a smile. Euria, who followed his gaze from beside him, took a deep breath before speaking.

 

“I feel it every time I come, but Secritia certainly seems easy to blockade at the gate. The mountain range between Cyries and Secritia is so treacherous that if you just block this route, one must go all the way around.”

 

More rugged than Cyries’s mountains but more level than the Great Dunes’s mountains. The mountain, where sharp rocks jutted high rather than being covered with dense forest, had winding paths. On the mountain path that extended who knows how far, what lay beyond was not yet visible.

 

“With these rocky mountains blocking the way, few know how beautiful the land beyond them is.”

 

“Have you been to Secritia before?”

 

“Yes. It was when I was working near the border before I first met you. I entered twice while pursuing barbarians. This makes it three times.”

 

“I didn’t know you had crossed over this far. If Secritia permitted border crossing, they must have been quite formidable opponents.”

 

“Of course I entered secretly. As if they would grant me permission.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Soon, an expression reminiscent of tracing memories from quite long ago was etched on Euria’s face.

 

“The Basilica was truly delicious though.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Arsene, recalling the alcohol that was more potent than Himolika if anything, nodded his head.

 

“Don’t look at me like that and hurry up and advance your Circle.”

 

“If that could be done just because someone tells you to, I would already be an Eighth-Circle Mage.”

 

“That’s aiming high. What would you do after reaching your Eighth-Circle? There hasn’t been one in nearly three hundred years since Roygrand.”

 

“We return to youth when we complete the Seventh-Circle and don’t age at all.”

 

“Does that look appealing to you?”

 

“Wouldn’t one live tediously long? Witnessing all manner of things.”

 

“Are you saying it’s good or bad?”

 

“If it were good, Roygrand would still be alive.”

 

“What are you trying to say? Don’t talk drunk nonsense while sober and just comfortably stay at Sixth-Circle. So that we can drink together.”

 

Euria, who had responded appropriately, untied her long purple hair and properly retied it while speaking.

 

“Circle or whatever, I’m just going to drink Basilica to my heart’s content while I’m here having crossed the border successfully.”

 

“We didn’t come here to drink, Enclave Head.”

 

“Does a Mage deliberate over occasions to drink? They just drink.”

 

“That’s not because you’re a Mage but because you’re you, Enclave Head.”

 

“Did the little one leave his guts in Cyries?”

 

“No. I brought them with me, Enclave Head.”

 

Euria chuckled at Arsene’s quick response.

 

The conversation between the Mages, who maintained a clear distinction between official and personal matters, rendering meaningless the exchange of flowers, continued in this manner.

 

* * *

 

A night with only starlight twinkling in place of the Moon that had yet to rise.

 

Dried grass blades swayed between sporadically exposed rocks.

 

Having already crossed the border, perhaps they had arrived long ago, but he knew that only after passing the rocky mountains would true Secritia begin.

 

Therefore, once they descended this rocky mountain, they would truly arrive.

 

Not where his older brothers lived on the upper floors of the vast palace, but precisely on that land he had so wanted to protect.

 

“You do not look at me in that way.”

 

The quiet voice was exactly like dried grass blades.

 

Unable to tell whether he made such sounds because he was facing things he had forgotten while living, or because he was frightened of the nightmares he would meet ahead, he kept staring, and then Kalian smiled.

 

“There are many things I remember, and I’m glad.”

 

By the time they had nearly finished climbing the rocky mountain, night had always fallen.

 

Whether a person of Secritia, a person of Cyries, or a person of both. Everyone greeted the night at the summit of the rocky mountain.

 

At the peak of that rocky mountain, Kalian, who had been gazing into the distance for some time, opened his mouth towards Plants. However, the voice flowed from Plants’s direction.

 

“I’m not cold.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Because it was obvious what he would say.

 

Plants, who had been staring silently at what was held in the hands of the smiling Kalian, asked.

 

“What is it?”

 

“The alcohol we bought then. Seiliju.”

 

“Speak formally.”

 

“Seiliju, dear Sir. It was in Raven’s bag. Perhaps the Master packed it, so I brought it over. You should be fond of alcohol here, shouldn’t you, older brother? Since there are many watching eyes.”

 

The watching eyes referred to the Secritia Knights in the watchtower at the rocky mountain’s summit. Therefore, it meant he had brought out Seiliju for ‘that alcohol-loving older brother.’

 

“You. One glass of Himolika…”

 

“No.”

 

Kalian, who had cut off Plants’s words with somewhat urgent speech, swished the wine bottle about. His expression suggested he would drink but asked whether his older brother would drink as well.

 

“I have no intention of drinking to get drunk in a place like this right now, so don’t worry that I might get drunk instead of protecting my frail older brother.”

 

“Bark again.”

 

It was not only Kalian whose insides were noisy, was it not?

 

In this place he was visiting for the first time, what words might he have spoken here sometime in the past, how might he have attacked from

 

What expression did he wear then?

 

There was no reason to refuse the suggestion to put aside profitless thoughts and just drink. Therefore, Plants nodded his head and accepted the glass Kalian handed over.

 

“Older brother, this is your first time drinking wine too.”

 

“I’ve tried it.”

 

“But you said you hadn’t drunk alcohol.”

 

“I hadn’t drunk. Alcohol.”

 

[So are you saying you get drunk just from smelling wine, older brother?]

 

Plants, who chuckled at Kalian with this expression, looked at the wine held in his hand for the second time in his life.

 

Long ago, at some time.

 

Long ago, on one day.

 

“…The day I first stood against my mother.”

 

The day Kalian, who had been receiving Sillike’s poisoned tea, had blocked the power of Syspanian’s Blessing. The day Kalian had first obstructed Sillike’s path.

 

Plants had been the same.

 

He had blocked Sillike’s path for the first time. And he had emptied the wine that had been set out for Randel. Thinking that what had melted Kalian’s insides might be in it as well, for Plants it had not been alcohol.

 

“Then today, you can drink real alcohol for the first time.”

 

Kalian, who already knew everything about what had happened that day, stopped Plants’s words and pointed to the glass.

 

“It will be delicious.”

 

Because it was not poison.

 

“Yes.”

 

The two glass cups prepared by the thoughtful Master who had worried about this time made a clear sound. Between the wind sounds like the songs of dried grass blades, different bitter memories flowed out together and scattered.

 

Thus, one glass became two glasses.

 

The wine glasses continued to be filled and continued to be emptied.

 

At the time when Kalian, watching the pea who was unbelievably stronger with alcohol than himself, was repeatedly pushing away the intoxication with Aura while earnestly erasing his complicated expression.

 

A pure white light rose in the distance.

 

The late Moon was rising. The moonlight that appeared in the distant sky played upon the distant rippling clear water.

 

Plants, who had been quietly watching that sight, suddenly opened his mouth.

 

“I understand why my younger brother was unmoved before that sea.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

The vast land reveals itself beneath the rising moonlight. That longed-for place beginning at its edge.

 

Yes.

 

It was the sea, the sea his younger brother truly missed.

 

“I hope this time only good memories remain for you, older brother.”

 

While gazing at the sight that could not be completely concealed even by the deep darkness, Kalian made a small sound of laughter.

 

“It’s truly beautiful, Secritia… truly a beautiful place.”