Chapter 287, Is It Because You’re Going Through Puberty? (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Plants was smiling.

 

Kalian was not.

 

One fellow smiling without a care for the sword digging into his throat, and one fellow not smiling while holding a blade to that throat.

 

It was difficult to tell which of the two madmen was more unhinged at this moment as they stared into each other’s eyes with an attitude as if no one else existed around them. Even after a considerable time had passed, the Knights could not bring themselves to intervene between them, and Arsene chose not to intervene.

 

*Drip drip drip…*

 

Red blood flowed down the blade from the deeply cut wound and dripped off. It dripped onto the moonlit sandy beach, leaving dark marks.

 

Red eyes briefly followed the droplets that shone with the same light as his own, and reflected in them was the image of a long sword inscribed with different characters. Without a word, Kalian glanced at it, then his gaze rose again towards Plants.

 

Everyone present had heard the demand for an explanation, so Plants, whose breath was held by the red blade in Kalian’s hand, must have understood it well. However, Plants offered no answer whatsoever. He merely faced Kalian with light green eyes that made it difficult to read whether he was without worry or without fear.

 

How much time passed like that?

 

Around the time when the ticking of the pocket watch Kalian kept in his pocket seemed to sound louder than the waves.

 

“My younger brother appears to be quite angry.”

 

Plants finally opened his mouth.

 

However, it was not an answer.

 

“Explanation first. I shall hear it.”

 

“No.”

 

Plants shook his head, unconcerned whether the wound from the sword touching his throat opened further or not, and put strength into his arm. With the sword he had been gripping from the start, he fiercely struck away Kalian’s blade that hung over his throat.

 

*Clang!*

 

Half of the blade gleamed as it caught the dry moonlight.

 

The first proper swing of that sword, which Kalian had given him from beginning to end, was to strike away Kalian’s blade. Plants, who had been staring intently at Kalian, curled one corner of his mouth upward.

 

And then, after another long while, he spoke in a low voice.

 

“This ill-mannered bastard.”

 

Leaving behind the voice that flowed out dismissively, Plants sheathed his sword and trudged away from the scene. Without even a glance at the four corpses sprawled at a distance.

 

Kalian, who had been following Plants’s retreating figure with narrowed eyes, spoke in a quietly subdued voice.

 

“Lord Hertz, collect the crystal plate. I went through the trouble of obtaining it for him and he is leaving it behind.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Take the Knights and sort out the situation before returning. I shall go ahead.”

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“The Royal Palace.”

 

“The journey may be dangerous. Let us leave the sorting to the Knights and I shall accompany you.”

 

“There does not seem likely to be any further attacks, so it is fine.”

 

“But, Your Highness. Right now—”

 

“Alone. Quietly.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Kalian merely nodded his head and moved his feet. And he followed the path Plants had walked just moments ago.

 

In the end, since the direction they needed to go was the same, even without travelling together, they would walk the same path. One person’s footprints, one person’s blood trail, and two people’s scent of blood stretched long across the sand.

 

The performance had ended.

 

* * *

 

A wind blows at the end of a voice that had always seemed peaceful.

 

“Kyrie.”

 

Because that voice trembled like the flapping wings of a bird lost in the wind, the words that followed could not continue in time. However, Kyrie, who could not possibly not know what might have been attached to the end of it, bowed his head slightly and conveyed his answer. It was towards Chase, the person Plants had summoned outside.

 

“I apologise. I cannot move aside.”

 

It was not only Kalian who had failed to fully see through the circumstances unfolding, or more precisely, the inner thoughts of Plants, who could have been thinking several things at once for all anyone knew. Even Chase’s insight could not discern what plan Plants was currently executing.

 

No. It would be more accurate to say he had no mental capacity to discern it.

 

However, just one thing.

 

—The Knights who came with you when you arrived in Cyries. They did not seem to be Debeullan’s Knights.

 

—That is correct. They are…

 

—Taillan Kastrin. Correct?

 

—Lord Kastrin manages them, but to be precise, they are my Knights.

 

—Previously, my younger brother would have managed them.

 

—That is correct. Is there some problem with that?

 

—The Secritia Royal Sea. Come at once with your Knights. Along with our Rachel Grace as well.

 

—Prince Plants. An explanation is needed. Why are you asking such things? Why are you summoning Lord Kastrin and me? You must understand that I cannot easily leave the Royal Palace for long.

 

—Warriors of the Great Dunes who use Zeon’s power have appeared. Here. To my younger brother.

 

—How did they suddenly appear? Why are you there as well?

 

—The reason is not important. Come. Quickly. With that excellent Knight of yours.

 

Plants spoke faster than ever.

 

He cut off the communication without even listening to the end of Chase’s reply, which had immediately said he would come upon hearing there was an attack from Zeon. Chase understood that it was not because Plants found talking bothersome as usual and omitted the explanation, but because there was no time to explain.

 

Therefore, he had to go immediately. Outside the Royal Palace.

 

“Kyrie.”

 

“I apologise.”

 

Kyrie could block Chase’s way because he had no memory of the past, and Chase could not push Kyrie aside because he had his memories.

 

While powerless, gauging the feeling of losing a younger sibling was different from knowing it, so Kyrie could not fully understand Chase’s state of mind upon learning that his younger brother who had gone outside was being attacked. Chase knew what kind of death Kyrie had faced for Bern, and therefore what state of mind Kyrie must be in now to be blocking his way without rushing out.

 

“Prince Plants stated that Crown Prince Chase must unconditionally remain inside the Royal Palace no matter what happens outside. You said they are under attack from Zeon, but if the situation were truly poor or truly urgent, it would have been Prince Kalian himself who requested help from Crown Prince Chase, not Prince Plants. Therefore, please wait.”

 

So, he blocked, and so Chase stopped.

 

“Prince Kalian will not die.”

 

Chase, who understood well that those words right now were directed at Kyrie himself rather than at Chase, simply stood still and looked at Kyrie without offering a different answer.

 

Then, one person who could not fully empathise with either Kyrie’s state of mind or Chase’s stepped forward.

 

“Move aside.”

 

Taillan.

 

Taillan, who had been watching the standoff between the two from behind Chase, seemed equally unaware of precisely what was happening, but clearly understood that Kalian was in danger and Chase wished to go outside. Therefore, he opened his mouth briefly and took a step forward.

 

Kyrie blocked Taillan’s way without a moment’s hesitation, and Taillan opened his mouth again.

 

“Do you know whose way you are blocking right now?”

 

“I am a Knight sworn to Prince Kalian, the Third Prince of Cyries.”

 

Taillan’s brow furrowed.

 

“Crown Prince Chase and Lord Kastrin cannot give me orders.”

 

“It matters not. If you will not step aside, I shall make you step aside.”

 

At Taillan’s words, strength entered Kyrie’s hand gripping the scabbard. It meant that regardless, he would block by any means necessary.

 

Matters were taking quite an absurd turn.

 

It was an affair where Kalian had interfered in Chase and Debeullan’s business, saying he would hunt snakes, and Plants had inserted himself in between. Kalian had been drawn into Plants’s plan to catch snakes, and Chase was wavering.

 

As a result, the loyal Knights of Kalian and Chase were about to confront each other.

 

In truth, even if they did have a confrontation, how long could Kyrie possibly hold out against Taillan, the continent’s finest swordsman? However, the problem lay in the fact that the moment Kyrie invoked Kalian’s name, this could no longer simply be a matter between Knight and Knight.

 

“Lord Kastrin. That is enough.”

 

In the end, Chase stepped forward and blocked between the two.

 

They could not very well have the spectacle of two Knights fighting in front of the Royal Palace gates, could they?

 

Taillan immediately withdrew, and seeing this, Kyrie released the strength from his hand gripping the scabbard.

 

Thanks to the battle of wills between the two Knights, Chase, who had regained his reason, cooled the complicated tangle of thoughts in his head that had been knotted with worry about Kalian.

 

Of course, it would not do to disturb Kalian’s concentration by initiating conversation while he was fighting Warriors of the Great Dunes affiliated with Zeon. Therefore, Chase organised the current sudden circumstances one by one based on Plants’s account and the situation he himself had known.

 

What would happen if Chase went outside?

 

Chase’s Knights. And Zeon’s attack.

 

Chase, who had been staring down at his feet while organising his thoughts for a long while, nodded his head towards Kyrie.

 

“Very well. I shall not go out. Instead, if there is other news, do inform me. I shall wait.”

 

“Yes. Understood. Thank you.”

 

Without mentioning what conclusion he had reached at the end of those thoughts, Chase, having said only this, turned his head to look at Taillan.

 

“Lord Kastrin. A word, if you please. There is something I need to confirm.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Taillan, who answered briefly, followed behind Chase.

 

Kyrie, who had been watching the backs of the two for a long while, lowered his gaze and removed his hand that had been resting on the scabbard.

 

[Had His Highness fight ended by now? Is he safe?]

 

—Even with control over multiple Attributes, they ultimately have the same number of Circles, so there should be no problem for Lord Hertz to put Lady Seiren or Lady Grace to sleep. Though they might wake quickly since they are in the same Circle. If the two do wake, then after that…

 

Had Euria and Rachel, whom Arsene had put to sleep without thinking twice, woken? And was Eila properly fulfilling her role?

 

Kyrie, who let out a long sigh at the various worries that did not disappear but only accumulated, moved his feet again. It was to proceed with what Kalian had instructed in preparation for any situation, Kalian’s plan to guard against Plants’s betrayal.

 

* * *

 

He had not opened his mouth throughout leaving the sea and passing through a small forest.

 

—I worry whether you are injured anywhere.

 

—I am unharmed. I seem to have caused you needless worry, older brother.

 

—Not at all. If nothing has happened, that suffices.

 

—You did not happen to come outside the Royal Palace, did you?

 

—Kyrie’s stubbornness can hardly be called ordinary stubbornness. I could not take even a single step and remain inside, so do not worry.

 

*Clop clop.*

 

The silvery-white horse walked ahead several steps away. Kalian, who had been watching the blue-violet cloak of the one seated atop it flutter, directed a question towards Chase.

 

—Were there no other incidents?

 

—Indeed. It is quiet. Both father and the Nobles.

 

At the mention of Nobles, Kalian briefly drew in a breath, and Chase’s words continued.

 

—It would be best to have a precise conversation after you’ve returned. I also need to have a word with Lord Kastrin.

 

—Yes. Understood. I shall return shortly.

 

Kalian, who had informed Chase of his safety and confirmed Chase’s safety, lowered his eyes. Raven made a small sound, going *purr*.

 

“It is fine.”

 

Kalian, who answered while tapping Raven’s mane, looked ahead again.

 

Soon Raven’s pace quickened slightly.

 

Somehow knowing, Estina’s pace slowed slightly.

 

When the two horses drew level, Kalian opened his mouth.

 

“You were hasty.”

 

Because occasionally sincerity became mixed in when engaging in performance, and because it had been confirmed that Plants had tried to summon Chase while using Kalian as bait, a voice that still carried some edge and considerably more fatigue continued.

 

“Politics is not addition and subtraction. There is a high possibility it will not work out as you think. Like today, you are not one who is unaware that there will be variables, are you not?”

 

Instead of asking why he had undertaken such a thing or whether the wound on his throat had healed somewhat, he quietly reprimanded.

 

At the voice heard from beside him, Plants did not answer.

 

It had always been Plants who ruined the plans Kalian established, but this time it was reversed. Kalian had completely ruined the plan Plants had established. Of course, Plants, who well knew it was because he had proceeded with matters as he pleased without informing Kalian in advance, simply looked ahead without other words.

 

“If you draw your sword first regardless of the opponent, older brother will die.”

 

At these words, even Plants frowned.

 

What business would someone who had been perfectly well watching cats have to be standing with a sword drawn? He must have been trying to come towards where the Warriors of the Great Dunes were fighting. Well, one might also think he might have wanted to take this opportunity to eliminate Arsene, who had suddenly appeared.

 

Thanks to that, to reverse the situation where he had become ‘coming to rescue a sibling he does not get along with,’ Kalian had drawn Plants’s blood. It seemed better to have his throat cut a little than to have Debeullan, who would hardly favour brotherly relations that were too good, perhaps decide to lay hands on Plants’s side. Though it was true he had also been angry, that reason was greater.

 

“If you had spoken to me, I would have thought of another method.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Getting that answer was truly difficult.

 

Who nearly died because of it?

 

Though, he did survive.

 

“You tried to deceive Debeullan but the Nobles were deceived instead. So, while trying to save my sibling’s life hanging by a thread, I asked you to match my tempo.”

 

Plants, who heard Kalian’s words, frowned once more. Even without saying anything, he was displeased with those bright red eyes that wore an expression of being completely in control.

 

“You ask what is already known.”

 

“Kyrie roughly overheard your conversation with some Knight in the garden. I understood approximately that the Nobles are scheming something and that Debeullan is wavering about whether to lay hands on me, who would draw much interest…”

 

“Stop talking. I shall explain properly when we arrive.”

 

“Sure.”

 

Though he had heard ‘stop barking’ many times, ‘stop talking’ was unfamiliar.

 

“I do not know how much Mana my younger brother possesses, but. I would appreciate it if you would cease the futile effort of trying to erase the scent of blood.”

 

These words were even more unfamiliar.

 

Kalian, whose face showed slight surprise, forgot about being told to stop talking and opened his mouth again.

 

“You already know that much, older brother. You recognise the use of Mana better than I thought.”

 

“Shut it. Your mouth.”

 

“Fine.”

 

With a voice full of irritation, Plants blocked Kalian’s words again. Then he retrieved something from Estina’s saddle and threw it to Kalian.

 

Kalian, who inadvertently caught what came flying, looked at the bandages in his hand and chuckled.

 

“It seems insufficient. Do you not have more?”

 

“No.”

 

“Alright.”

 

The reason he had insisted on going alone, dismissing the Knights.

 

The reason Arsene worried and Raven was anxious. The reason he answered that he was unharmed instead of saying there were no injuries.

 

Kalian, who was wrapping bandages around the deep, long wound at his waist left by the grey-haired Warrior, hidden by his cloak, opened his mouth.

 

“Happy birthday.”

 

“I know.”

 

When someone offers congratulations, how on earth does the answer ‘I know’ come out? Should one not simply say thank you in such cases?

 

Wondering whether to say something about this, Kalian, who had stopped pretending to be unaffected, quietly closed his eyes.

 

“You need not worry.”

 

“I am not.”

 

“Good.”

 

The clopping sound of two horses’ hooves cuts through the long, black night.

 

The footprints of the two walking the same path because the direction they must go is the same, remaining side by side on the hard earth road.