Chapter 111, Don’t Touch (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

‘Elves are not good.’

 

To be precise, not all Elves are good.

 

Kalian had personally experienced and realized that they could not be called ‘good’ just because they could not lie, dislike violence, and live together in the forest.

 

Kalian had long since discarded his indiscriminate faith in the Elven Race. Of course, except for Sia, who was the only kind Elf that Kalian knew.

 

“Captain was right! I’m so happy!”

 

How could he not trust Sia, who sat facing Kalian while smiling like the sun?

 

Technically, Sia did not recognize Kalian, who was wearing a robe. However, he recognized Raven due to his distinctive traits. So, he quickly blocked Raven’s path.

 

“I’m so happy to meet you again.”

 

“Yes. I’m really glad to see you too. I was surprised. I was worried when you said you were going back to the village where Elder Zher is, but I’m glad to see you are well.” Kalian said and sent a sincere smile toward Sia, who was happy for him.

 

“How did you come here? In fact, did you come alone?”

 

“No. I didn’t come alone.”

 

Kalian, who had brought Sia back to the Arcane Enclave Building, asked. Meanwhile, Sia, who had turned his gaze away from Kalian and was curiously looking at the books filling the surroundings, answered.

 

“Our Village Elder was chosen as the Elder to come here this time. So I asked. I begged to come too. Because I wanted to meet Captain and Hina.”

 

“I didn’t see any Elves at the Royal Palace. Are you talking about the Elf envoy that was supposed to attend His Highness’s birthday celebration festival?”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

“Don’t tell me Elder Zher is here too.”

 

“No, Captain. Our Village Elder is no longer Zher.”

 

“The Village Elder changed?”

 

“Yes. Zher is no longer the Elder. The Grand Elder was very angry. Zher and Luca will be punished for a long time.”

 

That was certainly pleasant news to hear.

 

Kalian decided not to bother asking what punishment had been imposed on the two. The mention of them would only make his mood worsen.

 

Moreover, there was something he was more curious about.

 

“Sia. How did you manage not to mix up the order of your words?”

 

“This, I got one too.”

 

Soon Sia took something out from his bosom and showed it. Kalian’s eyes darkened for a very brief moment upon seeing it. It was an object that Kalian knew very well.

 

“So, there is another one.”

 

It was another black pebble.

 

It was completely identical to the one Kalian possessed.

 

“There was one more in Luca’s bag. Luca did not know where it came from, so we couldn’t find the owner. The new Elder told me to keep it.”

 

Sia placed the pebble in front of Kalian and said with a bright smile.

 

“Yeah. Take it.”

 

“You’re giving it to me?”

 

After Kalian asked that question, he realized that Sia had already answered. It seemed that without the pebble, his quick responses were here to stay.

 

Kalian smiled back at Sia. Then he returned it to Sia.

 

“Is that okay?”

 

“Of course. Just take it with you.”

 

Since Kalian already had the same thing, there was no need to make conversing with Sia difficult. He could always find Sia later and get it back if he needed it.

 

Kalian put his hand in his pocket and gripped the same pebble he still always carried with him, then spoke in a low voice.

 

“So, there wasn’t only just one….”

 

Syspanian had certainly recognized the identity of this pebble.

 

Although her words could not be conveyed to Kalian due to Serenty’s intervention, the atmosphere she exuded clearly showed that she knew.

 

Since Sia said he did not know more about it, Kalian put aside his questions about the pebble for now.

 

“So, how long will you be in Cyriesus?”

 

“The Grand Elder said he had something to say to the Captain’s Captain. So we’ll stay a little longer before going.”

 

The ‘Captain’s Captain’ would be Rmain.

 

“We came to visit this time but couldn’t enter the Royal Palace. We got permission to enter the Royal Palace, but the Captain’s Captain said we can’t sleep inside.”

 

The Elves were granted permission to enter the Royal Palace, but not to stay. Kalian, who knew this had not been the case until last year. He chuckled upon hearing this.

 

“No wonder I didn’t see any Elves.”

 

“I heard that the Captain’s Captain got angry because of what the Captain went through and wouldn’t let us stay.”

 

Even with the pebble, conversation was not exactly easy.

 

After pondering Sia’s words for a while, Kalian could interpret what Sia meant.

 

“Are you saying His Majesty prohibited Elves from staying in the Royal Palace due to what I went through?”

 

“Yes. That’s right. That’s what they said. They said we need to meet the Captain’s Captain and have a talk.”

 

Rmain must have protested about the incidents Kalian had become involved in with the Elves. The Grand Elder would definitely want to discuss those matters.

 

Kalian just nodded without saying anything else, then had some small talk with Sia for a while. He asked about how they had been doing and whether anything else had happened. After that, he promised to let Hina and Sia meet tomorrow and sent Sia back.

 

Then, he called Euria again.

 

Syspanian had said to wait, but he felt he should not just wait indefinitely. If there exist two black pebbles, it means there would be more somewhere else.

 

Therefore, it needed to be properly investigated, since this pebble was the one that exposed Randel’s rose.

 

* * *

 

[Just how capable are Secritia’s birds?]

 

Plants was beginning to wonder about this.

 

Chermil Palace was where the Princes reside.

 

It was completely different from places like Arpia Palace, Rmain’s office space, where outsiders frequently visited.

 

Of course, Plants did not know this, but even Allan had not been immediately granted permission to enter Chermil Palace. Thanks to that, he had to go through the trouble of using Warp to enter Kalian’s room.

 

So, no matter how much Rmain respected Chase, he would never allow the Crown Prince of another country to enter Chermil Palace.

 

“The Crown Prince of Secritia is either fearless or thoughtless—”

 

But now, here was a Knight of Secritia. Moreover, this Knight was the continent’s strongest Sword Master, boldly entering Chermil Palace where the Princes of Cyries resided.

 

“—Enough to bring a forged one.”

 

Plants said this while looking at the palace entry permit in Taillan’s hands.

 

Of course, the only ones who could forge such a thing would naturally be spies who knew what the Royal Palace permits looked like. Right now, he was curious about the limits of their capabilities.

 

Taillan, who had slightly frowned at Plants’ words, spoke.

 

“His Highness is waiting for Prince Plants.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Won’t you find out when you meet him?”

 

Outside Chermil Palace would naturally be where the artificial lake or rose garden was located. Chase would not be in the rear garden leading to the training ground.

 

At Taillan’s words, Plants had one corner of his mouth curled up and replied.

 

“Call him here.”

 

Wandering around Cyries’ Royal Palace alone, coming at such a bright time with a forged permit and boldly staying outside. On what basis does the Crown Prince rely on to act so arbitrarily?

 

What if he runs into Randel?

 

“Right now.”

 

Therefore, Plants added this and closed the door. Then, he sat on the sofa and waited with his eyes closed for a moment, for the one who had been his younger brother’s older brother to enter.

 

Thanks to Hina’s addition, the cat with the long name that became even longer, ‘I am Prince Kalian’s cat, who likes Prince Plants more’, quickly ran over and settled on Plants’ lap, lying down.

 

*Knock knock.*

 

And a little later, Chase entered Plants’ room.

 

Plants’ eyes briefly touched on the area around Chase’s neck. This was because Chase’s quite long hair had been cut much shorter.

 

Except for that change, Chase looked somewhat better than Kalian. Of course, it was not Plants’ job to worry about whether he actually looked better or was just pretending to look better.

 

Plants silently just pointed to the seat across from him.

 

Chase, who sat down, looked at the cat lying curled up on Plants’ lap under the morning sunlight. Then he spoke as if surprised.

 

“I never would have thought I would see Prince Plants and a cat.”

 

“…It keeps coming in.”

 

[Yes, who would have thought?] Plants, who answered simply, covered the cat’s collar with his hand. It was because he thought there was no need to show it to Chase. Then he looked at Chase’s deep purple eyes and spoke in a somewhat cold voice.

 

“Your preparedness is impressive.”

 

“I prepared it in case it might be useful.”

 

Chase nodded and responded, recalling the entry permit. He still gave a confident answer.

 

“Useful for meeting my little brother or useful for ending my breath?”

 

“Well. I don’t think there’s any need to tell you what I was prepared for.”

 

“The latter, I suppose.”

 

Chase did not answer and Plants chuckled.

 

“So. What brings Secritia’s Crown Prince here?”

 

Upon hearing those words, Chase smiled slightly before answering.

 

It was because he felt that instead of the cumbersome title of ‘my little brother’s older brother,’ he was being addressed the same way as when Plants first saw him.

 

[Was he quick-witted? Or had Kalian told him?] Even for Chase, it was difficult to gauge that much. Therefore, Chase put aside such thoughts and answered.

 

“I came because I have something to tell you. The birds brought an interesting story.”

 

[The Crown Prince of Secritia comes to Cyries and says he’ll inform a Cyries Prince of information that Secritia’s spies have discovered? So, he is someone who reveals what could be glossed over. He really resembles someone far too much…]

 

“Speak.”

 

“Were the Beurisen Knights chasing after Tansyll’s Priests your idea?”

 

However, what Chase brought up was not about the spies’ news but a different matter.

 

“I can clearly see what I need to do when the Secritia’s Crown Prince leaves this place.”

 

“If you’re thinking you need to clean up the spies, you’d better give up. Even my little brother doesn’t know where all of them are hidden, so it won’t be easy. Also, they won’t bring any harm to Cyries.”

 

[‘My little brother’, huh?]

 

An unexpected word was included in the answer given as if there was no problem.

 

Chase, who noticed Plants’ expression change, showed a very warm smile and spoke in a gentle voice.

 

“Separate from accepting that we’re not brothers, I think at least one person should continue to remember. Since Prince Kalian laid down all those things and left me, shouldn’t I at least keep the memories?”

 

[So that the meaning held by the name ‘Bern’ would not be damaged.]

 

“Right.”

 

After looking at Chase like that for a while, Plants nodded once and said.

 

“Then, what does my little brother’s former older brother have to say?”

 

The title changed again. Chase smiled.

 

And he spoke.

 

“His Majesty, the King of Cyries, will soon know about this news. But my birds happen to be a little faster.”

 

“Tansyll and the Warriors of the Great Dunes have met. If you tell my little brother, he’ll understand. I think Prince Plants will also understand what this means.”

 

The Great Dunes was not technically a country. However, it was full of Warriors. Naturally, their military power was beyond imagination.

 

“Tansyll, which suffered so much flood damage, wouldn’t start a war again with the Warriors of the Great Dunes now.”

 

“Yes. It means that Tansyll, which serves the Gods, and the Great Dunes’ Warriors, who deny the Gods, have joined hands.”

 

“In other words, older brother Randel’s power will increase.”

 

Plants’ eyes flashed with a sharp light.