Chapter 155, Not a Difficult Task (6)

Translator: Lizzz

Editor: Hedge

 

The spring breeze was magnificent in itself.

 

Using Hina’s expression, it gave the feeling of ‘sunlight powder carried in the wind’. The spring breeze, neither harsh like winter, nor stifling like summer, nor melancholy like autumn, was truly magnificent in itself.

 

The rose fragrance carried on the wind reached all the way to the terrace.

 

“It seems I’m receiving my own words back.”

 

Randel had said this, recalling his own words from some time ago when he told someone not to leave his side. Although the purpose was completely different, it was true that he had told him to stay within sight, so Kalian did not deny it otherwise.

 

“Indeed.”

 

And Randel had held onto the hand that Kalian extended like this.

 

Thanks to this, the rose fragrance that had always weighed heavily on one corner of his heart now approached him a little more lightly. With that slight difference and the momentary leisure that came with it, Kalian smiled with a quite satisfied expression and said.

 

“The fragrance is good. The lime scent is good and the rose scent is good too.”

 

After Kalian returned to his room, the tea that Ian brought carried the same rose fragrance. It was the scent from dried rose petals, paired with thin, round slices of pale green lime.

 

“You seemed very tired yesterday. The rose was the one you handed over last time, made into tea by Hina.”

 

Just one stem.

 

It was the rose he had cut from the garden a while ago to distract Randel. Right after that, he’d had to go find Chase, so he had handed it off to Ian, and now it seemed Ian had made tea with it.

 

The addition of lime, meant to ease his lingering fatigue, was also to his liking.

 

To sit on the terrace overlooking the rose garden in full bloom, breathing in the floral breeze while sipping tea infused with lime and roses. If he had not gone to meet Randel, he would not have been able to properly enjoy this refreshing and fragrant tea. But now, he was able to leisurely enjoy it without any other thoughts. Though it would only be a momentary leisure, it was still welcome.

 

“Thank you. For taking care of it.”

 

So he conveyed his gratitude to Ian like this.

 

It was an ambiguous statement. Was he being thanked for taking care of the rose, the lime, or Kalian himself? Ian was happy regardless.

 

*Knock knock.*

 

When he had leisurely emptied about one cup of tea without any conversation, a knocking sound was heard.

 

Always a quiet sound.

 

A sound made by hesitating before knocking, tapping once or twice so softly it was barely audible, then knocking a little harder. She always knocked like that.

 

“Come in.”

 

So Kalian spoke without asking who it was, just as he did with Ian. Because he knew there would be no answer even if he asked.

 

Soon Hina came to the terrace with very quiet footsteps. Kalian turned his head toward Hina and said:

 

“It suits you well.”

 

Hina was wearing white robes.

 

The robes were adorned with decorative gold buttons, the Cyries emblem was embroidered on the left chest, while a newly designed purple healer’s symbol, made specifically for her, was embroidered on the back. The robes had a splendid appearance, thanks to gold embroidery that grew richer and more intricate toward the hem and sleeve ends, complemented by three gold chains of varying lengths that kept the front securely closed.

 

It was Valkan’s uniform.

 

‘It still seems awkward.’

 

Hina said this in response to Kalian’s words.

 

It was the first proper robes she had worn since putting on what Kalian had wrapped around her on the day he had rescued Kyrie and her.

 

‘I am Prince Kalian’s cat, who likes Prince Plants more.’

 

The second thing Hina treasured like a treasure, after the cat, was the black robe she had worn that day.

 

“Once you come, you’ll recognize it right away. You’ll also learn how many crazy people there are in Cyries. I’m worried you might be disappointed before you even settle in. Because only such strange guys are gathered there.”

 

Crazy guys.

 

Weren’t they the sort who, on their way to the Royal Palace, seemed to have cast off without a shred of regret whatever remnants of proper reasoning they once possessed?

 

‘I think they’ll all be good people.’

 

Hina answered like this.

 

Kalian smiled brightly and nodded.

 

“They’ll probably be fine.”

 

Because if those guys did not treat her well, he would not treat those guys well either.

 

Hina, unaware of what Kalian had swallowed in his thoughts, responded with a pure, clear laugh. Thanks to that laugh and the fragrant cup of tea, Kalian, who had regained energy to move again after resting, rose from his seat.

 

Kalian was planning to go to Wilhelm Hall with Hina. This was because he thought he should pay a little more attention to Hina.

 

“Let’s go. I’ll take you there.”

 

Kalian moved his feet lightly.

 

It was to create something to hold again in his empty hands after taking Hina there.

 

* * *

 

The crackling sound of burning firewood was always peaceful.

 

The face of his Master, who had asked how paradoxical it was to call the sound made by burning dead things peaceful, came to mind. Because of this, a quiet smile was momentarily drawn on Arsene’s face.

 

Seeing this, Euria asked.

 

“Pretty good, isn’t it?”

 

A day had now passed since leaving the Royal Palace.

 

And they had gotten lost.

 

They had gotten lost exactly one day after leaving the perfectly fine Capital. Because they had taken the wrong direction at a fork in the road, an entire day was spent returning. Thanks to this, they couldn’t find a city with warm meals and lodging, so they finally decided to camp.

 

Since they were Mages who could sit anywhere and sleep anyway, it wouldn’t be particularly inconvenient just because it was outdoors.

 

So Euria was excited and Arsene did not think much of it. He just accepted it, in other words.

 

The idea to eat before the sun set, sleep roughly, and depart early was Euria’s opinion. Arsene again had no particular thoughts, so he just nodded. And with Euria’s encouragement, he caught a wild chicken.

 

“Not bad.”

 

Arsene answered appropriately toward Euria, who was checking the golden-brown fragrance of the chicken floating and cooking over the campfire.

 

Euria, camping for the first time in nearly 10 years, had lit a campfire for cooking that could easily be done with Magic. For no other reason than campfires were perfect for camping.

 

From the start, she had not worried about the smell spreading into the forest, or the campfire attracting attention when darkness fell later. There could not possibly be bandits in a forest only a day’s distance from the Capital, and even if they encountered such a group, it wouldn’t be particularly problematic.

 

Euria, who had opened her own space and taken out tea leaves, brewed two cups of tea with water created from thin air and handed one to Arsene.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Looking at Arsene’s white robes as he received the teacup saying this, and the royal emblem engraved on his chest, Euria said:

 

“You’re not someone who should be under anyone. That was unexpected.”

 

“I was more surprised that the Enclave Head was acting as an informant.”

 

“It’s more fun than I thought, being an informant. So I’m thinking of really making one later when I have time. An information organization.”

 

Euria, who said this, laughed by herself. It was because she was thinking that both of them were doing unexpected things because of Kalian.

 

“What business are tasked with this time, Enclave Head?”

 

Arsene, who had been waiting for Euria’s laughter to end, asked.

 

“To examine the Teleportation Magic Circle.”

 

“It seemed like the Prince didn’t know, so I just stayed quiet, but isn’t Lord Grace already there?”

 

The ‘Prince’ that Arsene spoke of was always Kalian.

 

Euria nodded slightly.

 

“Well, that’s true. But I have some other things to look into nearby.”

 

Since she seemed reluctant to explain in detail, Arsene just nodded a few times. This time Euria’s question was directed at Arsene.

 

“Heisia Palace, the Prince ordered it, right?”

 

It was a question asking about the main culprit who blew up Heisia Palace. She already knew, but since there was nothing else to talk about, she had brought it up. To Euria’s question, Arsene answered with a smile:

 

“Is there anyone else who would do such a thing?”

 

“Count Manasil must have said something.”

 

“He can’t. Count Manasil is someone who can’t say anything to the Prince.”

 

The person who knew best how Allan treated Kalian would be Arsene. Only then did Euria, recalling Allan’s infinite love for his Disciple, say ‘That’s right’ and chuckle.

 

“Come to think of it, how did the tavern incident get resolved? With the Prince’s personality, I thought a few guys would be bedridden.”

 

Arsene’s gaze calmly turned toward Euria.

 

It had been quite noisy within Valkan, but thanks to Kalian’s ‘sincere compensation money’, no particular rumors had spread outside. But Euria knew about something that even Nobles interested in others’ affairs did not know.

 

“Is this just a question, or information gathering?”

 

No matter how much Euria stood on Kalian’s side, Arsene did not trust people so easily. Moreover, since he had left the Capital under the pretense of examining Magic Circles for Kalian, he was suspicious whether Euria might have other intentions.

 

“…The kid has grown up.”

 

When this kind of answer came back to what was just a curious question, Euria smiled sweetly and said:

 

“Putting on a uniform and walking around without fear.”

 

Ah, he had forgotten.

 

Arsene, who flinched at Euria’s aura that instantly billowed up softly, quickly answered:

 

“I found it, the fear.”

 

How could only Valkan’s Mages be crazy? All Mages were crazy. To suspect such a capable person who had been successfully leading such crazy Mages for over 5 years without incident. He must have really been crazy to think so.

 

But Euria’s aura did not disappear.

 

Arsene, who was about to ask if she was getting too angry over a verbal mistake, quietly closed his mouth. Seeing the sharp light in those eyes, Euria spoke again:

 

“You have grown big. Kid.”

 

It was praise for Arsene, who had belatedly noticed the movement of someone with clearly bad intentions caught in Euria’s detection range.

 

Arsene sipped the tea in his hand. As if nothing had happened.

 

“Is the work you’re investigating dangerous? There are quite a few of them.”

 

Euria said while untying the string that had been loosely binding her purple hair and tying it more firmly:

 

“Yeah, a bit.”

 

That too was said as if it were nothing much.

 

Arsene grumbled.

 

“You asked me to come along knowing it would be dangerous?”

 

“You know how to fight too, at least.”

 

Euria, who had evaluated Valkan’s Deputy Commander as ‘a kid who knows how to fight’, rose from her seat. Seeing this, Arsene also rose with a grin.

 

For a long time.

 

For a very long time, he was witnessing it.

 

A Mage who treated the Fifth-Circle Mage, Arsene, as ‘a kid who could fight a little’. He saw the Magic of one of the few Mages capable to cast it.

 

*Crack, crackle!*

 

Against the gradually reddening sky and setting sun, pale purple sparks arose in the hands of the standing Mage. Beneath her feet, blue energy containing the power of water began to ripple.

 

Dual Elements, a nearly impossible feat to achieve.

 

A Fifth-Circle Mage who handled both water and electricity.

 

That was Euria Seiren.

 

* * *

 

Arpia Palace, King Rmain’s workspace.

 

Although it was said to be the place where the King spent the longest time, it was inevitably a place where outsiders had to visit. On the first floor of such Arpia Palace was a space that no outsider was allowed to visit, accessible only to royalty.

 

A place where all the original portraits of successive royal families were displayed.

 

All the portraits of kings hanging on the floor where Rmain’s office was located were copies of what was in this place.

 

‘Hall of Memory.’

 

It was a place he knew existed but had avoided.

 

The previous Kalian had also never visited that place even once.

 

So now Kalian was setting foot in this space for the first time since birth.

 

Before coming here, he had taken Hina to Wilhelm Hall and left Ian with her. Since he hadn’t yet learned sign language well enough for smooth communication, he planned to do so for the time being. After arranging that, he had come to this place alone. Since it was a sacred place where no one but royalty could enter, the Escort Knights were left outside the door.

 

The hall was so spacious that it was insufficient to simply call it wide, having occupied the entire first floor. It seemed designed to directly confirm the country’s long history. However, judging by history alone, Kalian, who had spent time in Secritia, which had actually continued for a somewhat longer time, wasn’t particularly impressed by those numerous portraits.

 

*Step, step.*

 

Kalian entered with quiet steps.

 

The beginning was naturally the portraits of Founding King Harts-ara and Syspanian.

 

Syspanian, who looked no different from when he had met her in Siegfried Territory, and Harts-ara, whom he had seen many times and was familiar with. There was also a portrait capturing their son, the crown prince of that period, the second King of Cyries. And Kalian passed that place and continued walking in.

 

From the second to the third generation, to the fourth.

 

Having walked all the way like that, Kalian’s feet stopped in front of where the very last portrait was placed.

 

‘Rmain Rue Lune Cyries.’

 

A portrait of a slightly younger version of Rmain, the current King and father of the three Princes, was placed there. Since the Crown Prince position hadn’t been decided yet, there were no portraits of Randel, Plants, or Kalian.

 

Below, he could see a portrait of Aisha Ariellie, Randel’s mother. The empty space next to it was probably Sillike’s place. And next to that.

 

[It’s here.]

 

Kalian, who had been staring ahead for a while, quietly opened his mouth.

 

“…You really resemble each other.”

 

Crimson hair. The color was different, but everything else greatly resembled what he saw in mirrors. The large eyes without double eyelids, the nose bridge, the shape of the lips. They really resembled each other greatly. It was Kalian’s unfamiliar but definite mother.

 

Royal Consort Freya Hwiteurin.

 

There was also a replica portrait in the corridor where Rmain’s office was located, but he had never looked at it. Therefore, Kalian silently looked at that face he was encountering for the first time for quite a while. And he bowed his head slightly.

 

It was a greeting containing the meaning of apology.

 

*Click.*

 

After some time had passed like that, the sound of someone opening a door and entering from far away was heard. It was of course Rmain, who had responded to the request to meet not in the office but in a place that he was a bit reluctant to walk in.

 

Kalian, who glanced once toward the entrance of the hall in the distance, turned his head again to look into Freya’s eyes. After a little more time passed like that, Rmain walked over to Kalian’s side.

 

Kalian, who turned his body toward Rmain, showed respect.

 

Rmain glanced once at Aisha, then at Kalian, and finally at the vacant portrait of Sillike and Freya’s. Then, he spoke.

 

“What business do you have, asking to meet in this place?”

 

Though he tried not to show it, he couldn’t completely hide his discomfort. Aisha’s face, Freya’s face, and Sillike’s empty place too. All of them would be uncomfortable. To explain why he had specifically requested to come to this place knowing that, Kalian opened his mouth.

 

“There is something I would like to request.”

 

“A request.”

 

The voice that repeated this was truly gentle.

 

The youngest son who had been dying while he couldn’t pay attention, who because of that had received the unique words ‘my son’ from Rmain. Who had somehow changed and was now a troublemaker causing all sorts of incidents by himself.

 

But was not Kalian the only son who made ‘requests’ to Rmain?

 

“It might not be a difficult matter, or it might be a difficult matter.”

 

“Yes. Tell me about it.”

 

Kalian turned his head for a moment.

 

Looking into the red eyes inside the portrait that exactly resembled his own, Kalian said:

 

“Please posthumously honor my mother as Queen, Your Majesty.”

 

Kalian, who had put down everything in his hands, thus,

 

Spoke of legitimacy.