Chapter 165, Not Peaceful At All (4)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Arsene’s blue eyes held a cool light.

 

Arsene’s eyes were also blue like Rmain’s or Randel’s, but they were a little different. If the two Royals’ eyes contained the deep, dark depths of the ocean, Arsene’s eyes were a cool blue light that captured the dawn twilight of a clear winter day.

 

Those eyes of Arsene’s gazed at the fool standing before him.

 

“Why are you looking at me with that expression, Count?”

 

Kalian’s sword, Kyrie. Ren Adrian, Captain of the Caera Knight Order. Sleiman Hone Siegfried, Cyries’ only Duke. Count Aizen Aprin, representative of the Knight Family alliance following Kalian.

 

What they had in common was that they were all people who handled the sword. And by Arsene’s standards, they possessed minds that were either ordinary human level or slightly above the ordinary. In other words, they were people who belonged to the intelligent side.

 

“Why am I looking at you like this? Didn’t I ask about the truth behind why you came to find me?”

 

“Didn’t I just tell you a moment ago?”

 

And Gray Beurisen was sitting in front of him… a stupid creature that merely uses the sword. He might be slightly better than Evan, but that was only a hair’s breadth difference.

 

It was questionable whether Kalian’s second brother was really of the same bloodline as these others. Of course, looking at that hair color and eyes, he was undoubtedly of Marquis Evan Beurisen’s bloodline, but even so, it was a true wonder if the rest of the Beurisen bunch all were equally stupid.

 

[‘Originally all Knights are stupid. The ones that are strange are the kids around you.’]

 

He remembered what Euria had said when they briefly parted in front of the Count’s mansion.

 

It was not incomprehensible. Most Knights were like that. It was strange that Kalian’s close associates were reasonably intelligent while also being skilled with swords. Typical Knights were not that smart. After all, if they could make a living by learning the sword, what use was there in learning letters or using their heads?

 

Beurisen too was such an excessively large Family that they did not need to use their heads, so they could have given all their intelligence to Cyries’ Second Prince and live comfortably even while being as stupid as they pleased. At least, that was how Arsene understood it.

 

Therefore, Arsene brought up again what he had supposedly said a moment ago.

 

“I said my house is cramped and uncomfortable, so I came to look around and see if there might be some more spacious territory.”

 

They were not difficult words to understand. Was he not saying he came to gauge whether he could leave Kalian’s embrace and join hands with Beurisen? It was practically the same as speaking outright.

 

“So, what you mean is…”

 

But Gray did not understand. No, he understood moderately but was not certain. So Arsene was having trouble hiding his frustrated expression.

 

Gray was not someone who was this bad at using his head.

 

But the reason the conversation was not happening despite this was probably due to the strong smell of alcohol that was reaching even Arsene sitting across from him. In short, he had not sobered up from last night’s drinking yet. On that rainy night before, it seemed it was not only Euria who had thought of alcohol. Or perhaps he was just drinking heavily every day?

 

“I’m asking if you have any thoughts of attaching something a bit bigger than the Count title you currently hold.”

 

So Arsene said something that would be perfect for curing a hangover. Not roundabout speech, not the refined language Nobles shared, but direct words. About whether he had any thoughts of becoming ‘Marquis’ Gray Beurisen instead of Count Gray Beurisen.

 

‘Don’t say I sent you. Act as if you’re changing your mind. Ask if the Count still has any intention of coming to the Capital. It would be even better if you could confirm whether he’s still in contact with older brother Randel.’

 

Since Kalian had said this, Arsene was currently putting on a performance with all his heart. Fortunately, Gray, who could not see through such inner thoughts, responded with narrowed eyes.

 

“Something a bit bigger…”

 

[Among the titles I could have, was there not only the Marquis title that is a bit bigger than my Count title?] Gray, who had been muttering like this, stopped speaking. He finally realized what kind of significant conversation the Deputy Commander of Valkan, who had suddenly come to request a meeting, was having.

 

Gray, who had barely come to his senses, glared at Arsene.

 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve never wanted anything greater than my current position.”

 

So Gray made this excuse. He was not thoughtless enough to immediately show delight and rush at Arsene’s words.

 

Arsene opened his mouth.

 

“Weren’t you the one who was swayed by Sillike’s words about giving you the Marquis title if you helped her, and while on your way to Cyriesus, broke your back and was carried back here?”

 

Having given up on roundabout speech, literally bone-achingly painful words poured out.

 

“Then it seems you were swayed again by the First Prince’s words about giving you the Marquis title if you did as told while recuperating. Thanks to that, you secretly came to the Capital, got caught, and returned here again. So, I’m asking. Do you really have no ambition for a higher position?”

 

At these words, Gray’s face turned red.

 

It was extremely embarrassing, but it was true that both times he had moved his feet toward Cyriesus were because he coveted the Marquis title.

 

However, since he had not yet acknowledged this out loud, Arsene opened his mouth once more.

 

“Or perhaps you’re still intoxicated by the ‘rose fragrance’ and not setting your eyes on the ‘young wolf’?”

 

Whether he was still joining hands with Randel. Whether that was why he had no intention of placing his feet on Plants’ side.

 

Gray frowned slightly upon hearing Arsene’s words.

 

When he was under Sillike and Beurisen’s protection, people called Plants a young lion. A young lion that would become a proper Griffin once he gained the wings of Crown Prince position.

 

Griffin meant Beurisen, which used the Griffin as their Family emblem. In a way, people’s words contained expectations or mockery that Plants would become a perfect puppet, giving infinite power to the Beurisen Family if he received the Crown Prince position.

 

However, as Sillike fell from grace and Beurisen wavered, Plants, left alone in the Royal Palace, was no longer called that. Of course, he was still joining hands with Evan Beurisen, but it was only a relationship for mutual benefit. The Nobles’ assessment was that without Sillike as a mediator, Plants could not be used as Beurisen’s complete puppet.

 

In addition to escaping from Beurisen’s grasp, there were even rumors that Evan Beurisen was being manipulated by Plants. A new nickname was born containing the meaning of a beast who knew how to properly find his own way to survive even alone.

 

“Young wolf, you say.”

 

[Wolf, huh?]

 

Gray knew that occasionally the Warriors of the Great Dunes were called wolves. He also knew that he himself had the nickname ‘Wolf Hunter.’

 

And he knew all too well that the young wolf mentioned now was not referring to the wolves of the Great Dunes but was referring to Plants.

 

“I’m not unaware that you’re the Third Prince’s closest associate, so why would you mention the young wolf…”

 

“What ancient story are you talking about?”

 

Third Prince Kalian, a name that made his stomach hollow and his back ache just to have it in his mouth. Was Arsene not the one that Kalian used like his own hands and feet? But what Arsene had just mentioned was not Kalian. Gray wanted to ask about this but Arsene cut off his words before he could.

 

“In the current situation, aren’t the Count and I in the same position with nowhere to climb?”

 

Arsene well knew that Gray’s goal was to live extravagantly in the Capital while being called Marquis. Actually, everyone already knew this. Otherwise, how would Randel have thought to use Gray?

 

But Marquis Evan Beurisen was a Sword Master.

 

It was expected that he would live long and healthily for many years. Furthermore, as long as Evan was alive, Gray could absolutely never become Marquis. If he was lucky, maybe Gray’s son would ascend to own the Marquis title. However, this turn would absolutely never befall to Gray.

 

“If that person goes to Camilon, my path forward ends here.”

 

If Kalian ascended to the Crown Prince position, even if a lifetime passed, Valkan’s Commander position would belong to Allan. He was already strong and aged slower than others. Arsene escaping from the Deputy Commander position would be more difficult than Gray ascending to the Marquis position.

 

So Arsene’s current words were that Gray and Arsene were in the same situation. It also meant he did not want to spend his life in a second-place position because of a superior who lived far too long.

 

“Moreover, if the Count and I join hands, wouldn’t I be the one helping? We’re in the same situation, wanting to share the same drink, so why are you being so wary?”

 

Having said this, Arsene created a sneer perfectly identical to Plants’ and attached it to his face. Just like Kalian had done once.

 

“Ah… are you scared because you broke your back? Or are you scared because of what was torn? Which is it?”

 

Arsene was someone who knew as well as Kalian that nothing was better than Plants’ sneer for getting under people’s skin. He had experienced it himself many times, after all.

 

Gray’s eyebrows twitched.

 

It meant Arsene knew that he was no longer a Sword Master. The faint hope he had held because he had been away from that place at the time crumbled in an instant.

 

Regardless, Arsene’s words continued.

 

“When Mages move, making one Sword Master disappear is nothing at all, so I don’t know what you’re so afraid of, but stop being cautious and let’s have a proper conversation.”

 

It was both a threat and proof of his own power.

 

That Arsene had the power to properly support Prince Plants and put him in the Crown Prince position. That eliminating Evan’s neck would be an easy task. That he could become a more reliable ally to Gray than anyone else. Those were the kinds of words he was sprouting.

 

“If you’re so strong, I don’t understand why you would specifically join hands with me.”

 

“What’s useful isn’t the Count but the name Beurisen.”

 

Arsene, who had leisurely drunk his tea and set it down, once again put Plants’ style of sneer on his lips.

 

“Wouldn’t I also want to enter a broad embrace and enjoy a comfortable life? So, the Count just needs to ascend to the Marquis title and act as my backing. It shouldn’t be difficult.”

 

Having heard up to that point, Gray narrowed his eyes.

 

How was this different from saying he would kill Evan and give him the Marquis title, but after putting Plants on the Crown Prince position, Gray should live quietly?

 

“I am listening, but you’re really acting quite arrogant.”

 

If he was pushed back here, even if he joined hands with Arsene, Gray would really have no choice but to be stuck in the back room as Arsene said. So, to secure even a little more of the shares when divided, he could not be pushed back by Arsene at this moment.

 

“Do you not know who I am?”

 

Arsene’s blue eyes watching this gleamed coolly.

 

“Since you seem to have forgotten while living quietly in the borderlands, let me tell you.”

 

As soon as those words ended, a cold wave swept in.

 

White frost began to settle on the table placed between Arsene and Gray. Soon it spread white thread-like strands of ice in all directions.

 

*Crack crack.*

 

Very unsettling sounds filled the reception room as the expensive table froze solid. The ice strands did not stop there and froze the table legs and all the teacups and teapot placed on the table.

 

A voice filled with the same coldness flowed out, piercing Gray’s ears.

 

“I am the Deputy Commander of the Valkan Mage Order, Arsene Hertz. Count.”

 

Having said this, Arsene extended one finger to show Gray. And with the tip of that finger, he lightly touched the edge of a teacup.

 

*Crash!*

 

The table shattered.

 

The solid table made of marble, the frozen teacup broke into pieces about the size of a finger joint and scattered on the floor.

 

Arsene, who had quietly watched this, looked at Gray once more. A voice that had become as quiet as the Senu River followed.

 

“If you make that kind of noise one more time, I won’t hold back. I came to join hands, not to become someone’s lackey.”

 

* * *

 

Once again, killing intent bloomed.

 

Who else but Kalian’s sword would cause it? This time too, without fail, killing intent bloomed just like that.

 

However, this time Plants grasped his sword instead of saying “stop”. He faced the two different colored eyes that seemed to devour him, he sent out the same energy.

 

Killing intent.

 

He had never once stained his hands with another person’s blood, but killing intent was not necessarily created only by committing murder.

 

It was not like Kalian’s that gave extreme fear, nor was it filled with explicit murderous intent like Kyrie’s, but a sharp and keen cool energy that seemed to pierce the heart flowed toward Kyrie.

 

A gentle curve was drawn at the corners of Kalian’s mouth as he sat leaning against the training ground wall with his eyes closed.

 

‘Today too, quite good.’

 

[He definitely hated losing, and he is definitely quick to learn.]

 

*Clang!*

 

When Plants, who had briefly closed his eyes and opened them, thrust out his sword, Kyrie’s sword that had been rushing toward Plants was blocked.

 

Kyrie’s killing intent deepened another layer. Plants looked at the tip of Kyrie’s sword with sharply focused eyes.

 

Soon Kyrie moved once more. This time too, Plants remained stopped in place and briefly followed Kyrie’s movements with his eyes. Then, he kicked off.

 

Because Kyrie’s sword was lighter than Plants’, its direction changes were quick.

 

Kyrie, who blocked the sword stabbing toward his right shoulder with an upward parry, slashed down his sword toward Plants just before he could recover his bounced-up sword.

 

But Plants had already stepped back one pace before even seeing it.

 

Since he had already grasped what kind of movements Kyrie’s sword had, he anticipated that he would target gaps and dodged in advance.

 

*Thwack!*

 

In the meantime, Plants, having recovered his sword, leaped forward and drew a long curve toward Kyrie.

 

*Whoosh!*

 

With a heavy sound, the sword’s trajectory split the air.

 

*Clang!*

 

Plants’ sword, which had put all the falling force from leaping high into it, was blocked by Kyrie. Whether the contained force had become much heavier than before, Kyrie’s sword was pushed back slightly.

 

Kyrie did not resist and lowered his sword to let Plants’ attack flow past. It was a situation where he could lose his center. However, Plants rotated his body following the trajectory of the sliding sword and attacked once more.

 

*Clang! Clang!*

 

Ignoring Kalian, who had the expression of finding an interesting spectacle, the two’s offensive and defensive continued.

 

As if teaching how to deflect attacks with weight, how to counter attacks with speed, Kyrie really blocked Plants’ sword in various ways and attacked again.

 

Certainly, Kyrie was the most suitable sparring partner for learning how to properly utilize the advantages of a moderately heavy and moderately fast sword.

 

However, he was excessively filled with killing intent. So, sparring was only possible when Kalian was present, but that would not be much of a problem. After all, in actual combat, didn’t everyone take up swords with their lives on the line?

 

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

 

When he twisted upward to block the sword thrust toward Plants’ waist, Plants, who had hastily changed his sword’s path, managed to block it.

 

Plants’ eyes flashed fiercely at the attack he barely blocked with his sword tip lowered.

 

[Seriously. He really intends to kill.]

 

Now the killing intent that no longer needed to be hidden swept strongly once more, and Kyrie’s eyes shone sharply. Kyrie kicked off the ground once more. Plants also faced it and thrust out his sword.

 

*Whoooosh…*

 

At the same time.

 

Another change came to Kyrie.

 

All around was enveloped in deep silence. Everything that had been visible just moments before changed. The sensation he had awakened during sparring with Kalian expanded once more.

 

Where that opponent using his head as much as his sword would come, whether he would swing, thrust, or strike down his sword, how he would move afterward. As if a single trajectory was being drawn. As if that sequence was being drawn.

 

Where to cut. Where and how much to cut for the opponent to die.

 

It was as if someone was telling him.

 

In that space where everything seemed to have changed to black and white, one red blood line was drawn before his eyes. It was telling him that cutting that place was the correct answer.

 

Therefore, Kyrie moved his sword following exactly that blood line.

 

Kyrie’s sword lost its form for an instant and disappeared.

 

*Swoosh!*

 

The sound of the formless sword tearing through the air was heard, and simultaneously.

 

*Claaang!*

 

A sharper sound than ever before shook the inside of the training ground. Only after hearing that sound did Kyrie look ahead. He learned where the tip of the sword he had slashed down toward the red blood line was aimed.

 

Plants stood in front of Kyrie.

 

Sword and sword were touching.

 

“Congratulations. Kyrie.”

 

Between the sword and Plants’ heart, a sword filled with crimson energy was blocking it.

 

With Kalian, who had been watching the two sparring from a distance, now blocking Plants’ front. Blocking Kyrie’s sword.

 

“But my older brother’s heart needs to be spared.”

 

He grinned while congratulating Kyrie on achieving another growth.