Chapter 104, This Time (6)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

It seems like in this lifetime, Rmain’s cause of death would be a weak heart.

 

Allan thought that even with Syspanian’s Blessing, some problem would have developed in Rmain’s heart by now. Therefore, Allan picked up a piece of strawberry pie with an expression that suggested he had found a very entertaining spectacle.

 

Seeing this, Rmain let out a sound of displeasure.

 

“Is food going into your mouth right now?”

 

“It certainly is.”

 

Allan nodded as if there was nothing to consider and answered.

 

The reason why Rmain’s office, where he disliked sweet things, always had sugary snacks prepared was because of a certain Mage, who would occasionally visit and only pick sweet things to eat. So, was it not that Mage’s duty to diligently eat the food present every time he came?

 

Anyway, unlike Allan’s carefree attitude, Rmain was not in a good mood today. Seeing this, Allan clicked his tongue and opened his mouth.

 

“I wonder if you’re really the main character of the birthday celebration festival at this rate. Why is your face so haggard again?”

 

“How can I be at ease when two out of three have gone out again?”

 

It was because of the news that Raul had delivered before leaving just now.

 

Plants and Kalian had gone out on horseback, just the two of them without any guards.

 

Allan, who was looking at the remaining piece of pie with admiring eyes, spoke as if asking where this pie was bought.

 

“Marquis Beurisen isn’t so shortsighted, so the Princes won’t lose a limb. They will come back safe. Don’t worry.”

 

“Lose a limb? I really don’t know what to do with that mouth of yours.”

 

“Just leave it be. Leave your two sons be as well.”

 

Allan had misunderstood what Rmain was worried about. Therefore, Rmain frowned deeply and said.

 

“No. What I’m worried about isn’t that.”

 

The second son handled the sword quite well.

 

The third son would probably be fine even if thrown into the Great Dunes.

 

So, Rmain wasn’t worried about the safety of his two sons.

 

“What I’m worried about is the Marquis.”

 

Setting aside the second son with his fierce personality, the third son was a bit…

 

Especially the third son in front of Beurisen was a bit…

 

“I’m worried because Kalian, who would break at least one thing whenever he met a Beurisen, has gone to meet Evan directly.”

 

“They both know very well that it’s not yet time to fight, so stop making excuses and come sit here.”

 

Allan smiled gently and pointed to the chess board in front of him, as if he finally understood. Allan had suggested a game to help alleviate Rmain’s deep concern about Randel.

 

In the midst of that, Raul had come to deliver news about the Princes.

 

And as soon as Rmain heard those words, he walked to the window and began to sigh.

 

Only two more moves and it would be Allan’s victory.

 

Surely Rmain was not avoiding Allan for that reason. No matter what, Rmain was not that kind of person. Even while saying he was making excuses, Allan believed that.

 

“Prince Randel will arrive soon…”

 

*Knock knock.*

 

Along with the knocking sound that cut off Allan’s words, Raul’s voice was heard saying that Randel had arrived.

 

At those words, Rmain said to let Randel in immediately, as if he had been waiting. Then he opened his mouth, looking at Allan.

 

“Our First Prince has arrived, so regretfully, we’ll have to play again next time.”

 

The feeling that there was a hint of laughter in Rmain’s voice as he said this must be Allan’s imagination.

 

Surely, no matter what, this was the King of Cyries after all.

 

* * *

 

*Clop clop.*

 

A silver-white horse showing off its elegant figure and a black horse that clearly thought the only person higher than itself in the world was Kalian entered Marquis Evan Beurisen’s residence.

 

And not before long, Evan and Kalian met again.

 

Of course, Evan had also heard what the two Princes had done yesterday. Plants had not informed Evan in advance about their alliance. So, he was feeling perplexed when Kalian came to see Evan without any warning.

 

They were already beyond the stage of exchanging pleasantries like ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were coming’ or ‘Nice to see you’. So, Evan asked first.

 

“For what reason has the Third Prince come?”

 

Evan’s attitude was quite different from when he had faced Kalian at the Royal Palace before joining hands with Plants.

 

It was because of the less-than-friendly attitude Kalian had shown when dealing with Evan at that time, and the lingering resentment over Kalian shutting down Evan’s gambling house.

 

Even though he had come to catch Randel’s eye, his purpose was not without aim. Therefore, Kalian immediately opened his mouth to reveal the reason for his visit.

 

“I heard you didn’t attend the banquet yesterday and just returned, is that right?”

 

“Is that something I needed the Third Prince’s permission for?”

 

Evan asked with an expression that openly suggested ‘what does it matter to you whether I return or not?’

 

Kalian smiled slightly and turned his head to look at Plants.

 

Thoughtful Plants knew very well what his role was in this place. Therefore, he was now staring out the window without saying a word, like a sack of barley that had been placed there.

 

Kalian looked back at Evan and answered.

 

“I heard you left the Royal Palace as soon as the Central Noble meeting ended yesterday.”

 

At yesterday’s banquet, both Sleiman and Evan did not attend, leaving Rmain sitting alone for a while.

 

“That’s right. But, I’ve already informed the Royal Palace about this prior, so I have nothing more to say to the Third Prince about it.”

 

“Isn’t it strange?”

 

“What do you find strange?”

 

“That you would have been curious about many things regarding yesterday’s events, yet you so promptly hurried back.”

 

Evan stared at Kalian without answering, and Kalian continued.

 

“During yesterday’s meeting with the Central Nobles, I left in the middle. Other Nobles might not care, but shouldn’t the Marquis want to know the reason? Given your position of having to watch every move I and my older brother Randel make. Yet you went home, and I find that somewhat unusual. Someone who has embarked on the path of the sword shouldn’t rashly fall ill either.”

 

“Are you really coming all the way out of the Royal Palace just to ask about that?”

 

“If it was just that, I wouldn’t have come out like this.”

 

Evan nodded as if telling him to continue, and Kalian went on.

 

“Even though I announced my alliance with older brother Plants at yesterday’s banquet, you’re staying put in your house like this. I can’t help but be curious.”

 

Arsene had said no one was particularly coming in or out of Evan’s house.

 

Evan was someone who understood the importance of information well.

 

Even when the gambling house incident occurred, was it not immediately reported to Evan? So, he should have been busy trying to assess the situation all night long, but Evan had been unusually quiet.

 

Kalian’s red eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

 

“At this timely moment when Prince Randel has called Count Gray to the capital, the way you’re staying cooped up in your house as if you can’t leave it… Why does it seem to me… Like you came back because you had something that made it difficult to leave the house for long? That you’re hiding something too big for me to not be curious about your true intentions?”

 

“That is—”

 

“So I came to see. Like this, deliberately.”

 

Evan closed his mouth.

 

Kalian put down the tea he had sipped and continued.

 

“Gray Beurisen, send him back. Don’t hide him.”

 

“You’re just saying things I don’t understand.”

 

Evan showed no change in expression. His face suggested it was something he was hearing for the first time.

 

Because of this, Kalian was convinced his thoughts were correct.

 

“Having him stay by your side after being persuaded by someone on Prince Randel’s side won’t be of any help to the Marquis.”

 

Evan pressed his lips tightly without saying anything else.

 

To Kalian, this looked like affirmation.

 

Throughout entering this house, Kalian had not felt Gray’s Aura. This meant he had not recovered his Dantian. Of course, Evan, not knowing this fact, would think Gray’s fighting abilities had become stronger.

 

So, he could not leave the house for more than half a day. In case Gray might change his mind. Was that not always how the Beurisen Family had been?

 

After giving Evan some time to think, Kalian looked into Evan’s eyes with a meaningful face and continued.

 

“Besides… Even if his broken waist has healed, his skills won’t be as good as before. I’m not even sure if he had any skills to begin with.”

 

Evan’s eyebrows rose at those words.

 

Plants, who had been continuously staring out the window while listening to Kalian’s words, also turned his head.

 

It was not because Kalian’s tone was harsh.

 

Evan spoke in a low tone.

 

“I didn’t announce that his waist was broken. I only informed that the Count’s condition was ‘an injury so severe that recovery was impossible,’ but I never specified exactly what part was injured or how. How do you know about it?”

 

“I naturally know.”

 

*Click.*

 

Kalian, who had nodded as if it was nothing, took another sip of tea and put it down. Then in a calm voice, he opened his mouth.

 

“Because I was the one that did it.”

 

At those words that came out so nonchalantly, Evan momentarily forgot what to say. And Plants turned his head back toward the window, raising one corner of his mouth.

 

The reason Kalian revealed this was simple. It was to bind Evan, who did not know Kalian’s level of power, from moving rashly. In case Evan might step toward Randel’s side, when Randel and Kalian were struggling against each other, Kalian’s power would be troublesome to deal with.

 

Of course, he also knew that Evan would not be particularly angry about that matter. To the current Evan, Gray was, before being his child, nothing more and nothing less than a Baby Griffin eyeing his position.

 

Evan’s face looked as if he was choosing what to say.

 

There was no need to wait to hear those words, so Kalian said with a reproachful expression.

 

“Why are you so trusting in keeping him by your side when you don’t even know what Prince Randel is aiming for by calling the Count here?”

 

Having said all he wanted to say, Kalian stood up as if he was done. Then, looking down at Evan who was still sitting, he delivered his final words:

 

“Don’t leave the Count’s Territory empty. Send him back immediately.”

 

* * *

 

After leaving Evan’s house, Kalian sat on Raven with his eyes lowered and did not say a single word.

 

Raven could find his way to the Royal Palace on his own, and Plants did not feel the need to speak to Kalian first, who was deep in thought. Therefore, Kalian was able to return to the entrance of the Royal Palace in that silent state.

 

Stopping Raven at the entrance, Kalian finally looked at Plants and said.

 

“I’ll go meet Lady Seiren before returning. You should go in first.”

 

The Magic Academy was somewhat back along the way they had just come. So, if they had directly parted from Evan’s residence and headed there, he could have arrived a bit faster.

 

Despite this, the reason for deliberately going to the front of the Royal Palace and then turning back was that Kalian was, in his own way, escorting Plants.

 

Why would Plants not understand that? But he just nodded without saying anything and entered the Royal Palace. Behind Plants, the sound of Raven’s hooves moving away could be heard, *clop clop clop*.

 

And a moment later, Plants stopped his horse and recalled what Kalian had just said.

 

[‘Because I was the one that did it.’]

 

“Ha.” Soon, a short sound that was almost like laughter escaped from Plants’ mouth.

 

Whether it was Kalian or someone else who broke Gray’s waist, whom Plants had never seen, was not something Plants should care about.

 

The reason he laughed was because he could not understand where such confidence, bordering on recklessness, came from to say such things without hesitation in front of Evan.

 

“I’ve got quite a remarkable little brother now.”

 

While muttering this and walking forward again, Plants stopped his horse once more after a while. The reason was that someone had greeted him from the front.

 

“We meet again, Prince Plants.”

 

In this vast Royal Palace, to run into each other at least once a day. Can there be such a bad fate even in terms of coincidence?

 

A corner of Plants’ mouth twisted upward at the sight of the Crown Prince from the neighboring country, who had a smile exactly like his remarkable little brother.

 

* * *

 

Kalian, who had no idea that his brother of the past and his brother of the present had met again, briefly met Euria to deliver a message and then returned to the Royal Palace.

 

He was planning to go to the training ground until night fell.

 

Not only had he been unable to properly train in Magic or swordsmanship for several days, but if he stayed alone in a quiet room, he would inevitably sink back into those memories that he should not recall right now.

 

With such plans in mind, Kalian dismounted from Raven in front of Chermil Palace. Then, after handing Raven’s reins to a palace servant, he turned around.

 

At the same time, a long smile spread across Kalian’s face.

 

It was because he saw deep, deep blue eyes, standing by the artificial lake, intently gazing at Kalian.

 

He had been planning to seek out Randel anyway, but it seemed that Randel had been waiting for Kalian instead. Thanks to this, he was spared the trouble of climbing up to the fifth floor.

 

“You were in a hurry.”

 

Kalian muttered quietly and walked up to Randel with unhurried steps, then paid his respects.

 

Randel simply nodded and walked ahead. He did not say anything else, but it was clear that he meant to take another walk, so Kalian followed without hesitation.

 

Passing by the Syspanian statue in the middle of the lake and all the walking paths along the lakeside, they reached the rose garden. Only then did Randel open his mouth.

 

“Let’s walk together for a moment.”

 

Kalian’s steps halted.

 

Kalian was already walking with Randel.

 

“Such words usually come when there’s something to be exchanged, no?”

 

“Does something need to be exchanged just to walk together?”

 

“It’s not really about walking together, is it? It’s about joining hands.”

 

“You understand well.”

 

Kalian smiled in a way that even Randel could not gauge his intentions, and looked at Randel as he spoke.

 

“To join hands, there needs to be give and take, but don’t I need to have some visible power besides just the background of Tansyll, like my Valkan or Plants’ Beurisen?”

 

“That’s not incorrect.”

 

“It seems you’re saying this because you have something to give in exchange for what’s mine. Unless I’m mistaken?”

 

“That’s not incorrect either.”

 

“Are you thinking about the Priests?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Kalian did not even need to bring it up first.

 

Randel himself had just revealed the identity of the Priests.

 

“The thirty Priests who came to Cyries. They couldn’t possibly be real Priests, so I thought they might be spies or assassins, but it seems they’re not just that level of force. It means they have enough power to trade with Valkan.”

 

What he had forced himself to think of…

 

Was this group of just thirty people, but could provide enough strength to Randel. Priests who could act as healers scattered throughout Cyries, yet when gathered together, could become Randel’s sword.

 

“… Like Holy Knights, for instance.”

 

The Holy Knights of Tansyll.

 

Randel stopped and looked at Kalian.

 

Facing his little brother who had somehow grown tall enough to almost match his eye level, Randel said.

 

“You seem to have grown too much.”

 

“Please stop saying things like that. It sounds as if you’ve been taking care of me all this time.”

 

Kalian quietly stretched out his hand.

 

And he pointed to Rubia Hall, where the envoys would be staying, where the thirty ‘Priests’ would be staying.

 

“Don’t be greedy to gain me, and immediately remove your ‘swords’ that are there.”

 

Now that he knew the other had secretly brought his ‘swords’ into the Royal Palace, there was no thought of joining hands even in a dream.

 

“Before I kill them all.”

 

Kalian’s eyes, full of killing intent, stared into Randel’s eyes, which were akin to the abyss.