Chapter 102, This Time (4)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

The brilliantly beautiful Siegfried Hall.

 

The grand banquet hall of the Royal Palace of Cyries, praised as the most splendid in the continent.

 

Nobles gathered in that fantastical place made of crystal and platinum, sharing all kinds of stories.

 

Words predicting the kingdom’s future, words worrying about children, words to show off knowledge, words seeking self-interest, words, words.

 

If such words, which seemed like they would never stop even if the world turned upside down, were to disappear in an instant like a lie, there would be only one reason.

 

‘Kalian.’

 

As always, all attention was focused on him.

 

What outfit the Third Prince would wear today, what accessories he would have, what actions and what words he would say.

 

And most importantly, who he would be with.

 

That was exactly what was happening now.

 

Everyone gathered in the Siegfried Hall lost their words. No, beyond losing words, they were all looking at the entrance of the banquet hall with shocked faces.

 

It was not because of Kalian’s impressive formal attire—a dark red jacket with a black cape embroidered with golden threads. Nor was it because of the ruby pendant on his shirt pin that he had ostentatiously worn again.

 

“Prince Plants Lune Cyries and Prince Kalian Rain Cyries have entered.”?

 

The two had stood on the same side again.

 

While the Nobles could not decide how to take this situation as the two Princes entered, overwhelming the audience, Randel, who had been quietly watching them, simply rose from his seat and returned to Chermil Palace.

 

Seeing this, the Nobles began exchanging their opinions quietly once more.

 

But completely unrelated to this atmosphere, there were three people sitting closely together, enjoying a peaceful moment.

 

“Listen carefully. Concentrate.”

 

One of them whispered this in a corner of the banquet hall that had fallen into perfect silence. It was Arsene, who had secured a seat early in a place that would not catch others’ attention. Kyrie, where Arsene’s words were directed, and Ian was sitting next to him.

 

Anyway, at Arsene’s instruction to listen carefully, Kyrie nodded vaguely with an expression that said ‘this isn’t what my ears are meant for.’

 

Soon after Kalian and Plants sat down, the Nobles began to open their mouths little by little. After listening to those sounds for a moment, Kyrie spoke.

 

“Lord Hertz—”

 

When Kyrie called his name, Arsene made an expression that seemed to say ‘there, you see?’ and then held out his palm to Ian. But Kyrie’s words were not finished yet.

 

“—Has lost.”

 

He meant that he had called Arsene’s name because he lost, not because he won. In an instant, Ian changed his expression and held out his hand to Arsene instead.

 

“See? I told you nobody would say such things about our Prince.”

 

To simply put it, the two had made a bet.

 

Sillike, who poisoned Kalian’s mother and tried to kill Kalian as well. Kalian, who drove Sillike to her death. Plants, who took Sillike’s knife meant for Kalian. Kalian, who saved Plants as he was dying.

 

What kind of relationship did they have, exactly?

 

Anyway, after going through such events, once Sillike stepped down, Kalian helped Plants and formed an alliance. And as was well known, Plants hit Kalian from behind and they grew apart. But today, they entered together again, appearing on good terms.

 

So, what kind of assessment would the Nobles, who did not know the inside story, make of Kalian who made such a decision?

 

This was what Ian and Arsene had different opinions about, and they had bet money on it.

 

On what would be the first words to come out among the Nobles.

 

“Who would be bold enough to call our Prince a pushover?” Ian, who won the bet, said this triumphantly.

 

Then, Arsene, looking somewhat wronged, looked at Kyrie with disbelieving eyes and asked.

 

“Did they really say that the Prince has a generous disposition?”

 

Ian had said the Nobles would praise Kalian’s generosity, while Arsene had said they would say there was no bigger pushover in the continent than Kalian. Because he had accepted his older brother again after being betrayed and abandoned.

 

But he was wrong.

 

Arsene, though he lost the bet, looked quite pleased.

 

“Still, it’s a good thing.”

 

Whether it was recognition of Kalian’s ability, or fear.

 

Whatever the reason, it meant that Kalian had now reached a position where people would no longer dare to criticize him in public.

 

That was an orbit of a completely different dimension from just being popular.

 

“I feel good that the Prince I will serve for life is receiving such recognition. Since I am in a good mood, I should work a little harder for our Prince.”

 

Saying this with such a good mood, Arsene smiled faintly, got up from his seat, and went outside.

 

This, without giving the five silver coins he had bet.

 

* * *

 

His sons were all intelligent.

 

Not only were they skilled in social dealings, but they were also good at political actions.

 

For ordinary parents, this would naturally be welcomed, but to Rmain, it felt like a double-edged sword.

 

*Clunk.*

 

Rmain picked up the glass of alcohol in front of him, drank half of it, and put it down.

 

Originally, Sleiman, Marquis Evan Beurisen, and Allan were supposed to sit at Rmain’s table. But Sleiman did not come, and Evan did not come because he did not want to see Sleiman.

 

Of course, Sleiman and Evan had notified the King of their absence in advance.

 

Because of this, Rmain had thought about who to fill the empty seats with, but then instructed them to be left empty. Even if those two did not come, there was one person who could fill the seats.

 

So, the reason Rmain was sitting alone looking miserable now was because of Allan, who was not showing up on his own accord.

 

As a result, useless thoughts kept invading his mind.

 

‘Today, Prince Plants and Prince Kalian entered the banquet hall together…’

 

A little earlier, when Rmain arrived at the banquet hall, he received this news from his Grand Chamberlain, Raul.

 

Hearing those words, Rmain had slightly furrowed his brow.

 

He knew that Kalian and Plants had falsely turned their backs on each other. Therefore, he also knew well that their opposite approach this time was aimed at keeping Randel in check.

 

His expression had not hardened because he was displeased with their actions.

 

[Will Randel really quietly step back?] This thought had occurred to him.

 

Naturally, Rmain loved all three of his sons.

 

But passing on the throne was something that had to be determined by criteria separate from his feelings of love.

 

Therefore, it could not be Randel.

 

The day he left Wilhelm Hall, abandoning the dying Plants. That was the day, Randel had all but proven himself to not be the King material Rmain had in mind. Rmain did not want his remaining two sons, who could not become king, to be imprisoned, like with their uncle.

 

Since such a Randel might already be harming the other two, yet he could not step forward and remove the Crown Prince title, Rmain, who had to be both a father and King at the same time, could not help but be anxious.

 

Anyway, for that reason, as he sat alone for a while, all kinds of thoughts continued to intrude. So, when he was sighing briefly with a somewhat dark face.

 

*Screech!*

 

Someone walked over to Rmain’s side and sat down with a *thud*.

 

“The Princes have been acting like this for not just a day or two, will you keep looking like you’re at your wit’s end every time?”

 

Since the seat was assigned to Allan Manasil, the person who pulled the chair back and sat was naturally Allan. In fact, even if it were not his seat, Allan was the only one who could say such words.

 

Although Allan had left in anger earlier that day, neither the person who got angry nor the person who caused the anger was the type to dwell on such things for long. Therefore, instead of mentioning the earlier incident, Rmain simply gave a natural answer.

 

“As if that were up to me.”

 

“It’s not a matter of wondering how Crown Prince Chase came from snake-like Debeullan. The real puzzle is how such sons came from someone who worries so much, is dull, thinks narrowly, and requires so much attention.”

 

At those words, Rmain chuckled and nodded.

 

“Even I’m beginning to find that quite fascinating. ”

 

“But.”

 

Since Allan had already told him several times not to worry about the Princes’ affairs, he did not mention it further and brought up another topic.

 

“Crown Prince Chase said he saw something strange on his way here.”

 

“Something strange?”

 

In response to Rmain’s question, Allan took a big gulp of water and then opened his mouth.

 

“He said he saw thirty Priests from Tansyll. By any chance, did Your Highness also permit this?”

 

Somehow, it felt like he was going to get scolded again, but he could not deny it.

 

So, Rmain quietly nodded and answered.

 

“Yes. I gave permission. Kalian asked about it recently, and now, to think the Count is asking about this too.”

 

Allan nodded for a moment, not knowing that Kalian already knew about this. Suddenly, he understood why Kalian and Plants had entered the banquet hall together.

 

“According to the Crown Prince, they might be fake Priests. He said he was concerned that speaking directly to Your Majesty might be seen as meddling in this country’s affairs.”

 

It was just as Allan said.

 

When Chase saw thirty Priests on his way to Cyriesus, he immediately identified them as fake.

 

However, his position was awkward to report this directly to the King, so he had asked Allan to convey it.

 

“If Prince Kalian also knew about this, then isn’t the sudden appearance of your two sons together related to this matter?”

 

“…I understand. I’ll look into it myself.”

 

After answering like that, Rmain stared at Randel’s empty seat for a long time.

 

* * *

 

The dinner ended, and the lights in the Siegfried Hall were turned off.

 

The night passed, and the next day came.

 

As Plants had thought, Rmain did not include the Princes in the schedule with the envoys this year either.

 

Last year, because of Plants who was drinking, and this year, because of Kalian who had to hide his Aura.

 

Since Chase had those past memories, it would have been fine for Kalian to step forward, but he could not inform Rmain of this. So, Kalian obediently followed Rmain’s decision.

 

‘There was someone looking for you, little brother.’

 

And according to the appointment Plants had kindly arranged, Kalian visited Arsene’s office set up in Wilhelm Hall.

 

When he opened the door and entered, there was a face he was seeing after a very long time. It was Count Aizen Aprin.

 

Perhaps having waited for Kalian for quite a long time, Aizen brightened up as soon as he saw Kalian and paid his respects.

 

” Prince Kalian, I am honored to see you once more.”

 

In fact, he had seen Kalian at the dinner the night before, but because there were too many people, he could not properly greet him.

 

Kalian nodded lightly in response and asked Aizen.

 

“I heard you requested to meet me.”

 

If it had been Plants, he would have certainly said something informal like ‘what is it’ or ‘what’s up.’ Therefore, Aizen felt very grateful for Kalian’s words delivered in this way.

 

“Yes, Your Highness. I have something to return to you, so I wished to see you like this.”

 

What Aizen held out was the remaining money from the amount Kalian had paid last time. Seeing it, Kalian laughed in disbelief and asked.

 

“You came all this way just to return this? If you really wanted to return the money, it would have been enough to do it through Euria.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness. I have one more thing to tell you.”

 

Soon, Aizen raised his head and continued.

 

“It seems we are somewhat prepared now. I thought it would be better to tell you this directly.”

 

“Are the Knights already prepared?”

 

“Yes. It should be enough to replace the Royal Knight Order.”

 

Enough numbers to replace the Caera Knights and Roan Knight Order.

 

Of course, Kalian’s ultimate goal was to have far more Knights than that. However, even the number of Knights Aizen mentioned now could be considered a very rapid achievement.

 

“I understand. For now, there are other issues, so it will be difficult to call them right away. When the time comes, I will contact you.”

 

“Yes. I will do so.”

 

After answering like that, Aizen paid his respects to Kalian and went outside.

 

Watching his retreating figure, Kalian began to measure something with his eyes slightly lowered.

 

[Randel and Beurisen. Which side would I have to draw my sword against first?]