Chapter 116, Don’t Touch (6)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

If they had seen Kalian, or even Kalian’s shadow, such demands would not have been unfair.

 

“What kind of ridiculous nonsense is this!?”

 

It had not even been a full day since Kalian disappeared. To be honest, they only just found out he had disappeared. But now Siegfried was saying that they would not release Plants back unless Kalian was handed over.

 

[No. In the first place, what was Plants thinking!? Trusting Siegfried’s Knights and following them out? When they called him out in the middle of the night, he should have been suspicious! Why did he go to Siegfried mansion on his own and make things more complicated!? This is completely incomprehensible.]

 

The misunderstanding about how Gray was injured was already unfair enough, but they had ransacked his house claiming Arsene was imprisoned here, and now they were claiming he was holding onto Kalian.

 

“Rmain is actually quiet!? Why do the Elephants even want to stick their necks into this dispute?”

 

Marquis Evan Beurisen, who was innocent except for imprisoning Lannen Beurisen and running a gambling den, exploded in frustration.

 

“Isn’t His Majesty observing the situation? With the Third Prince missing and the Second Prince detained, he should have attacked Siegfried by now.”

 

“He can’t. He can’t move carelessly. He wouldn’t want Plants to get hurt too, or face a situation where Siegfried becomes the first to bring down a King.”

 

Evan, who agreed with his head butler’s words and organized his thoughts, made an irritated sound. After all, he was in a position where he had to solve this matter directly, when even Rmain was not intervening. It was truly maddening.

 

“What will you do?”

 

At the head butler’s question from beside him, Evan was about to say to prepare the Knights immediately, but he shut his mouth. Then, after a moment, he barely suppressed his anger and answered.

 

“…I’ll be alone for a while.”

 

He needed to think.

 

He wanted to lead the Knights and rush there right now. But…

 

[‘Yet you act like a jackal.’]

 

But he had been told this by someone young enough to be his grandson. No, by his actual grandson. He did not want to be treated like that ever again.

 

“When the Third Prince disappears and Siegfried and Beurisen come into conflict, who would benefit the most?”

 

It would obviously be Randel.

 

[Those crazy Elephants are pressuring us even without thinking that far ahead!]

 

“But isn’t the Third Prince a Sword Master?”

 

When facing Kalian directly, even he could not guarantee victory. Whatever method was used, no Aura could be felt. So, unless one possessed martial prowess like Sleiman’s…

 

“Is this a staged act?” Evan’s face hardened as he thought that far.

 

“No. Sleiman was away from the Capital from yesterday afternoon until just now, so it cannot be him.”

 

Evan, who had been considering Taillan, who came with Secritia’s Crown Prince, shook his head again. [He has no reason to do such a thing. Also, with Chase being in the Royal Palace, it would be too risky for Taillan to pull such a stunt.]

 

[In that case, only one answer remained.]

 

“Gray… That’s right. Gray. He was already subtly siding with Randel. He might have been involved in this incident. It would not be completely impossible for him to capture or kill the Third Prince with the help of more people.”

 

Evan still did not know that Gray could no longer use Aura.

 

“Did Randel and Gray collaborate on this?”

 

Having reached this wrong conclusion, Evan sat at his desk and took out a piece of paper. He decided to send a letter first instead of going directly to Siegfried.

 

If Randel had really joined hands with Gray, he could not afford to make an enemy of Siegfried right away.

 

* * *

 

The moment insight and the abyss met.

 

They recognized each other.

 

They definitely recognized each other.

 

The day before, when Chase went to Chermil Palace looking for Plants, he briefly strolled through the rose garden.

 

“There seems to be nothing more to cut.”

 

Chase said this while watching Randel’s hands tending to the roses.

 

At the unfamiliar voice, Randel briefly turned his head and slowly straightened up. Then, with his attendant sent back, he quietly answered this stranger, who had come deep into this place.

 

“They grow if left alone even briefly.”

 

That was how they came to face each other.

 

Without exchanging greetings for their first meeting, the two stood quietly and observed each other.

 

The abyss tried to swallow up the insight, and the insight tried to see through the abyss.

 

“Wouldn’t it be fine to just let them grow?”

 

Randel, who had been briefly looking at Chase’s deep violet eyes, answered.

 

“I don’t like things that stray.”

 

“You might hurt your hands.”

 

The wind blew.

 

When the rose scent lingering at the end of the wind disappeared, Chase smiled slyly and spoke again.

 

“…I’m saying this out of concern. Because there are thorns.”

 

A voice like a gently circling fragrance followed after the laughter.

 

Once again, the wind blew.

 

* * *

 

Rubia Hall’s annex.

 

It was built for distinguished guests among the envoys who visited Cyries.

 

Those who could receive such distinguished treatment from Cyries, which provided them with an annex, were actually very few. Therefore, this annex was also not opened frequently, so it was rare to see people coming and going from the annex.

 

Of course, except for recent times.

 

Since Crown Prince Chase of Secritia entered the annex, the annex had been quite busy. And since yesterday, several people busily going between outside the Palace and Rubia Hall had become particularly noticeable.

 

One of them was the Knight, Taillan.

 

*Knock knock.*

 

Taillan, who entered the annex with considerably large strides, knocked on the door of Chase’s room prepared at the highest part of the annex and said.

 

“It’s Kastrin, Your Highness.”

 

Then, even without permission to enter, he immediately opened the door and went inside. This was an action permitted because Taillan was Chase’s Escort Knight.

 

Chase stood with his back to the door, looking out the window. Seeing Taillan’s reflection in the window, Chase spoke.

 

“Still nothing from Siegfried’s side?”

 

“Yes. There’s still no other news.”

 

“I see.”

 

A small sigh escaped from Chase’s lips.

 

Though Taillan did not know why he was so concerned about the Cyries Third Prince’s matter, he knew well that even if he asked, there would be no answer. Therefore, instead of questions, Taillan brought up what he needed to tell Chase.

 

“The Arcane Enclave’s Mages have started moving to investigate. Should we send in the birds?”

 

“Let them move as they are already doing. There won’t be any conflict.”

 

“Understood.”

 

“Any other news?”

 

“There’s no movement within the Capital, and inspections for entering and leaving the Capital have been strengthened by King Rmain’s orders, but there are no suspicious individuals among those leaving or entering the Capital.”

 

Even in the information brought by the birds active in Cyriesus, the enemies’ movements have not been detected.

 

“They’re either still being cautious and watching the situation, retreating while waiting for the next opportunity, or they’re all already dead.”

 

“Yes. But it would be better to exclude the possibility that they’re all dead.”

 

“That’s right. When the birds found traces of the battle, the bodies were already gone, so someone must have cleaned them up.”

 

“Exactly, Your Highness.”

 

Chase, who was nodding, shifted his gaze from Taillan reflected in the window. Looking at the fountain outside the window, Chase spoke again.

 

“The Beurisen Marquis Family.”

 

“Yes. There’s still no particular reaction from them.”

 

“They are moving slower than expected.”

 

Chase, who had been lost in thought again briefly, nodded and said.

 

“I understand.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Taillan bowed toward Chase’s back, still looking out the window, then went outside. Hearing the sound of the door closing, Chase quietly spoke while recalling Randel, who he had met the day before.

 

“Prince Randel does not seem to be involved… but…”

 

Chase did not know exactly what Randel had said to Kalian. However, he knew a bit more than Bern about what kind of person Randel was when he became the King of Tansyll.

 

Therefore, guessing how Randel viewed his two brothers was not very difficult for Chase.

 

Randel was not cornered enough to immediately send a sword at Kalian. He was not someone who would take such foolish actions. It also seemed like Randel knew nothing about this incident either.

 

“Then, who could it be?”

 

Chase’s face reflected in the window was coldly hardened.

 

* * *

 

“I’d like some rumors to be spread.”

 

Kalian, sitting against the bed with a haggard face, spoke like this.

 

“Do you mean rumors about this incident?”

 

“Yeah. That I disappeared.”

 

To Dmirea’s question, who had lived completely uninterested in rumors, Kalian answered with a mischievous expression that did not match his complexion, which would not be strange if he collapsed again at any moment.

 

Kalian knew best how much Nobles cared about rumors. Because it was directly related to their honor. That was why Kalian had used the power of false rumors several times until now.

 

“Marquis Beurisen won’t move carelessly anymore.”

 

Saying this, Kalian briefly looked at Plants, who was sitting beside the bed with his eyes quietly closed.

 

A moment ago, Plants had completely filled Kalian in on everything that had happened from when he last met Kalian until now. Including what he had said when meeting Evan.

 

Therefore, judging that Evan would want to quietly pass over this incident, Kalian decided to borrow the power of rumors once more.

 

“If the Marquis just sits quietly by and only sends letters, it would be too quiet.”

 

“Are you telling me to create and spread rumours unfavorable to Beurisen?”

 

“Yeah. That way, this incident will spread along with it.”

 

Kalian said in a light tone while peeling the banana he was holding.

 

“Understood. There should be an Arcane Enclave Mage nearby, so I’ll pass it along.”

 

“Did I say the Arcane Enclave would step forward?”

 

“You did not.”

 

“But you know well.”

 

“Aren’t they the ones who would step forward on their own for matters related to you, Prince Kalian?”

 

Seeing Dmirea’s appearance, so different from Ian who had recently used up all his intelligence for a lifetime, Kalian chuckled.

 

“Right. By the way, that Baby Elephant must be whining again. Tell him I woke up.”

 

Dmirea answered with a smiling face for a moment.

 

“Understood.”

 

“Thanks, Dmirea.”

 

He was really indebted in many ways.

 

The ‘shield’ matter was just an excuse. Blocking the front gate and stepping forward like this was more like Dmirea unilaterally helping Kalian rather than a decision based on their alliance.

 

“I’ll receive payment later. It will be expensive.”

 

Then, pointing to the pile of banana peels, she added.

 

“Including the cost of those bananas.”

 

“Ah, I should have saved on some bananas.”

 

“They’re not free, so eat as much as you want.”

 

Kalian nodded with a smile, and Dmirea went outside after a brief greeting. It was to meet Euria’s Mage, who would be hiding somewhere around the mansion.

 

After Dmirea left, Kalian looked at Plants and spoke. However, before any words came out of his mouth, Plants spoke first.

 

“Unnecessary.”

 

“I see.”

 

Kalian, who gave up on saying ‘thanks’ again, showed the last remaining banana to Plants.

 

“Would you like one, older brother?”

 

“No.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Kalian, who did not say the same thing twice and did not make the same offer twice, nodded and ate the banana. Then, he looked at Plants and said.

 

“…They were Warriors of the Great Dunes.”

 

The words that followed were content he could not yet tell Dmirea. Because he could not tell others about that power similar to what Randel had used.

 

“It felt similar to when dealing with the power older brother Randel used. There was one with abilities similar to Aura and four with abilities similar to Magic. The strongest was a Swordsman, and all five had the power of healing.”

 

“You’re saying Warriors of the Great Dunes are using Divine Power?”

 

Plants, who had been lost in thought for a moment, slightly opened his closed eyes and asked.

 

“If it can be called Divine Power, sure. Actually, I thought Tansyll might be behind this incident. They might be moving separately from older brother Randel. I wondered if they had stepped forward on their own.”

 

The information known so far clearly pointed to Tansyll. There was also adequate justification. After all, Kalian was the biggest obstacle to Randel’s path to the throne.

 

If Randel became the King of Cyries, what greater benefit could there be for Tansyll? So they had reasons to target Kalian’s life, and could be moving separately from Randel.

 

“My little brother sure is outstanding.”

 

At Plants’ words, Kalian, who smiled briefly, spoke.

 

“But no matter how I think about it, it doesn’t seem like a possible situation, so I’ll put aside my suspicions for now. No matter how much they joined hands with the Great Dunes, I wonder if Tansyll would really commit an act that would immediately turn into war if things went south.”

 

“Right.”

 

“Then who could it be… I can’t think of anyone else. Unlike older brother, I don’t think I’ve lived doing bad things enough to be attacked in the Capital.”

 

“Stop barking.”

 

Seeing Plants’ reaction to the words added like a joke, Kalian grinned.

 

Looking at Kalian, who was lost in thought while considering various possibilities, Plants spoke.

 

“Stop thinking.”

 

Though he was eating bananas to his heart’s content and talking as if nothing was wrong, his face looked like he was about to die.

 

“Yes.”

 

Kalian, who nodded without argument, lay down. And soon fell asleep again.

 

After that, Kalian slept for another full day before opening his eyes again. During that time, due to the rumors Euria had faithfully spread, Marquis Beurisen finally came, made threats once, and then returned.

 

When five more days passed like this, Cyriesus was filled entirely with talk of Kalian’s disappearance. The Nobles who supported Kalian visited the Royal Palace daily, and Rmain remained consistently silent.

 

And, finally, they moved.

 

Kalian, who heard the news, smiled and said.

 

“Call Master.”

 

He had nearly died facing five of them. Wouldn’t he be crazy to go alone this time?

 

It was time to see the skills of Allan Manasil, the man full of love for his Disciple.