Chapter 168, What One Can Handle (2)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

And on top of that, to tell him to be greedy.

 

He was not young enough not to understand what his younger brother, who surely had more experience in life, was trying to say. Since he had said he would live, it meant he should try actually living instead of just breathing.

 

So, it was a matter he could have just acknowledged appropriately and moved on from, but Plants was not in the mood to respond so graciously right now.

 

If his attendant, Rerik, had said such things, he would have just thought ‘there he goes barking again’ and let it pass. But because it was Kalian who said those words, one corner of Plants’ mouth inevitably curled upward.

 

“That’s not something my little brother should be saying.”

 

The Nobles who were focused on a single ruby accessory could not have missed Kalian’s words when he suddenly called out to Plants in front of them.

 

So within about an hour, rumors would spread throughout Astrisha Street. That the Third Prince Kalian had asked Second Prince Plants for permission to go together to Wilhelm Hall where Valkan was. That his bringing up those words specifically in front of the Nobles was clearly an action to let the Nobles know that Kalian too acknowledged that Plants owned Valkan.

 

Like this, immediately after handing over Valkan so decisively with a single sudden remark made in front of the Nobles, he was now saying such things, so Plants’ mood was to say the least, unpleasant.

 

Kalian, who could not be unaware of his displeasure, answered in a peaceful voice with leisurely composure.

 

“I am already living greedily enough.”

 

Raven made a sound like he was eating weeds.

 

Looking at Kalian speaking with a face that showed not a trace of falsehood, Plants found himself at a loss for words and closed his mouth.

 

Somehow Kalian seemed to consider embracing and protecting everything as his own greed. He did not say so, but somehow he seemed to think that way.

 

Whether he knew of Plants’ thoughts or not, Kalian looked around without saying anything else. Then, gazing at the palace visible in the distance, he spoke.

 

“Would Hina dislike it if I named the cat Camilon?”

 

If it was about bringing up random topics, it would be the best in the continent, not just in Cyries. To bring up talk of cat names as if he had forgotten what they were just discussing.

 

“Or would it be better to save it and give that name to a dog instead?”

 

Plants did not show confusion or ask what he meant.

 

There was only one more cat to name, after all.

 

It also meant he did not want any more mention of the conversation they had just had, so he just let out a short sigh and answered about this sudden topic.

 

“The great one would come to Heisia Palace again.”

 

If they gave Syspanian’s son and this country’s second King’s name to a cat they were raising or a dog they would raise, Syspanian would come looking for them again.

 

This time, it would not be to understand, but according to the meaning of ‘black butterfly’. She would be there simply to kill.

 

“Still, the term for ‘butterfly.’ Doesn’t it suit a cat better than a person?”

 

Plants did not speak for a moment.

 

He had understood that what Kalian said was the meaning of Camilon, and was reminded that Kalian was now drawing upon the knowledge of the Second Prince of Secritia. In Cyries, not many words from that language had been passed down.

 

Anyway, Kalian did not seem to have meant it seriously either, as he did not continue speaking about it. Thanks to that, quiet steps naturally resumed.

 

When Kalian and Plants had approached near Wilhelm Hall, Plants, who had been moving his feet silently, opened his mouth.

 

“…Comfort.”

 

It was an unexpected word.

 

Because of this, Kalian looked at Plants, and Plants added in a low voice.

 

“The cat’s name. If you haven’t decided yet.”

 

He said he hoped ‘I am Prince Kalian’s cat, who likes Prince Plants more’ came to bother him with crying whenever he looked out the window or sat quietly, would have such a meaning.

 

Kalian, who had been looking at Plants with surprised eyes, soon smiled. He realized that he was not the one who would be naming the cat.

 

“Luci, then.”

 

It meant comfort, and the brightest star.

 

He smiled because it was perfect for a cat’s name.

 

“That would be good then.”

 

Plants only nodded, and Kalian, having finally ended two days of deliberation, moved his feet with a refreshed expression.

 

Not long after, when they were entering Wilhelm Hall, Plants brought up one more unexpected story.

 

“Does my name have another meaning too?”

 

Plants. In the current language, it was a name with a meaning befitting Royalty: ‘the Noble Moon’s Guide.’ This was content that not only Kalian but Plants himself knew well. However, he was curious whether there was the same word in the language Kalian knew, aside from that meaning.

 

His words were a bit short, but Plants was still good at learning what he was taught. So following what he was told, ‘to be curious’, he was now curious about his own affairs.

 

Looking at Plants, who had been acting fiercely tempered just moments ago but was now giving names to cats like a completely different person and even asking about his own name, Kalian slowly opened his mouth.

 

“Ah…”

 

Kalian’s expression as he trailed off was truly strange. It was hard to distinguish whether he was smiling, troubled, or perhaps both.

 

“There is a word the same as older brother’s name. It’s not a bad meaning, but…”

 

[Should I tell him, or not?]

 

After seeming to consider for a moment, Kalian smiled mischievously and said.

 

“My older brother is still young, so I’ll tell you when you’re older.”

 

*Ha?* At this ridiculous remark from his younger brother of unknown age, Plants, momentarily at a loss for words, made an annoyed face.

 

“Barking again.”

 

Kalian nodded with a mischievous smile. Then he entered Wilhelm Hall first.

 

How could he tell a growing teenager that, ‘you know, like grass and other greens. Maybe trees. Anyway, green growing things. That stuff you’re always munching on. That’s called Plants.’

 

Rather than say that, It was better to just bark.

 

* * *

 

There was no need to announce that someone had come to visit.

 

He would have known long ago and would have been waiting for him to come in.

 

“Master!”

 

So Kalian immediately opened the door and entered while speaking cheerfully. Allan, who had already been sensing Kalian coming to his office, smiled and welcomed him.

 

“Since you didn’t come for so long, I thought you had just forgotten and left.”

 

Due to Arsene’s absence, Allan was also spending more time at Wilhelm Hall. Knowing this, Kalian had arrived at Wilhelm but had not come out of the training ground, so he had been giving up hope, thinking he would just train and return today. So he was all the more pleased.

 

“Kyrie was having some difficulty, so I was looking after older brother’s sword in his place.”

 

Having said this, Kalian sat across from Allan. And as always, he picked up the tea Allan had prepared in advance and took a sip. It was tea brewed with dried tangerines, with a fragrance as rich as Allan’s thoughtfulness.

 

Savoring that fragrance for a moment while showing a pleased smile, Kalian recounted what had happened during this time. However, he did not mention details about Kyrie’s affairs. What had happened in the past wasn’t something to share worries about, but would only upset Allan.

 

Instead, he told him about meeting Syspanian on the day it rained heavily.

 

“Because she came so suddenly, I couldn’t escort Master to see her.”

 

After that, he added this while looking at Allan. Since Syspanian had come to Cyriesus, specifically to Heisia Palace which was so close to Wilhelm Hall, yet they had not been able to meet.

 

This time Allan did not show as much disappointment as he had then.

 

“Actually, I went to that place that day and returned.”

 

“You did?”

 

At the unexpected words, Kalian asked in surprise. Allan explained with a somewhat satisfied expression.

 

“Since Prince Plants turned my feet back, I went at a different time. I wondered why he did that, but now I understand the reason.”

 

Then, he made an expression that said ‘so my kid really did make a friend,’ making Kalian feel disgusted. It was a rejection of being told he seemed to have become friends with Plants, a human like cat who lived on grass.

 

“Yes. I’m also continuing to check about the Arcus Tempus, so I’ll tell you right away if I learn anything.”

 

Kalian, who had nodded, asked.

 

“It seems like Lord Seiren is continuing to investigate that matter, is that correct?”

 

Since it was a question that seemed already certain, Allan brought up words he had not shared before, worried that Kalian might be concerned.

 

“I heard that the night after those two left the Capital, sudden purple lightning fell for quite a while. I was told that forty corpses were found where the lightning struck. It was probably something the Enclave Head did.”

 

At those words, Kalian let out a short sigh. It was because he had confirmation that Euria and Arsene had really become involved in that affair.

 

“When those two return to the Capital, I must tell them to withdraw their hands.”

 

“That would be good. What remains is something Your Highness and I can investigate.”

 

At least Allan wouldn’t be in danger because of them. Kalian nodded, meaning he should do so.

 

“Crown Prince Chase is also continuing to move. In Cyriesus, corpses suspected to be Secritia spies have been found, and traces of spies following the Enclave Head have also been discovered. Are you aware of this?”

 

Kalian glanced at the tangerine pieces in his teacup, then opened his mouth.

 

“He would have dismissed the spies he suspected. He would not have stopped investigating them either.”

 

That was conduct somewhat different from the Chase of the past, closer to Bern’s approach. He could not have taken on everything that Bern had handled, but he would have done so to some degree.

 

The person who would change due to Bern’s absence was Chase, not Debeullan.

 

“If anything is confirmed, he’ll let us know, so I’d like you to just leave the birds alone, Master.”

 

It was a request to pretend not to know. So, Allan just nodded quietly.

 

Allan, who had been watching Kalian sit silently like that for a while, paused briefly, then picked up his tea, took a sip, and set it down.

 

“By the way, is your intention to cut down the Marquis still the same?”

 

Training with him to increase his Aura, requesting Freya’s recommendation from Rmain, sending Arsene to win over Gray. Today he had shown clear intention about the ownership of Valkan in front of the Nobles. All of this was preparation to take Marquis Evan Beurisen’s life.

 

Kalian, whose head was sufficiently aching just from matters concerning ‘them,’ nodded and answered.

 

“It remains the same. As long as Marquis Beurisen doesn’t die, isn’t it a blade that could fall on older brother at any time?”

 

It was no different from living with a sword placed over his heart. The moment Plants deviated from the standards Evan had set, the Seal of Oath would activate, and his older brother’s life would be forfeited.

 

“It’s fortunate that Marquis Beurisen isn’t very clever, but one never knows.”

 

It would be better to eliminate him before Evan could notice how many gaps there were in the Seal of Oath, the standard of not betraying Beurisen.

 

Allan, who had been watching such a Kalian, opened his mouth in a quiet voice. By now, a transparent barrier was rippling around them.

 

“When the time comes, I’ll go myself.”

 

When it became safe to kill Evan without difficulty, he would kill Evan himself rather than having Kalian do it. That was what he meant. For Allan, Evan Beurisen might be somewhat troublesome, but he was not a dangerous opponent.

 

At the words brought up as if it were no difficult matter, Kalian smiled slightly. He had known Allan would say this.

 

“The reason Beurisen was able to swallow Cyries with their foolish and light head was because Marquis Beurisen’s sword was that strong.”

 

Seeming to understand why Kalian was bringing this up, Allan let out a silent sigh. Kalian, who had never once shown a disturbed appearance, brought out a textbook-like answer this time as well.

 

“I don’t want to break Beurisen’s sword.”

 

As Kalian said, Beurisen’s head was light, but their swords were strong. The reason the greedy and thoughtless Beurisen had been able to maintain their lineage until now lay in the strength of their swords.

 

But Evan was the only one who could fully use that sword now. Wasn’t Beurisen’s swordsmanship unknown not only to the Knights but to Plants as well? Gray was there, but since Gray was no longer a Sword Master, it was difficult to say he could handle the complete Beurisen sword.

 

So, what Kalian was saying now was:

 

“Are you planning to teach Prince Plants their sword as well?”

 

“They would never try to teach him directly. They know that no matter what happens, older brother’s name won’t change.”

 

Even if Plants gained control of Beurisen, Plants could not be considered a complete Beurisen. Even if he gained Beurisen, the Royal Plants’ name would not change. He would merely become Plants Lune Cyries, Head of Beurisen.

 

Neither Evan nor Gray was unaware of this. They knew well how significant that difference in names was, so they would never teach Plants their sword under any circumstances. For Beurisen, Plants would always be an appropriately close outsider.

 

“It’s a family that was maintained and wielded power through their swords, not brains. No matter how smart older brother is, it would be difficult to properly move Beurisen with just his head.”

 

They were one of Cyries’ Two Knight Order Families. A Prince with only a good head who overnight inherited a family that had been passed down through swordsmanship would never be able to maintain that family. With only Kalian’s swordsmanship, which had no relation to them, it would be impossible even to be recognized as the Head of Beurisen’.

 

“If I step forward, they won’t teach, but they will show.”

 

Though they would never teach Plants, they would have no choice but to display their skills when faced with Kalian in order to survive.

 

So, Kalian was saying he would directly cross swords to confirm their techniques. It also meant he planned to teach Plants the swordsmanship he learned that way, even if not perfect.

 

“Since I’m trying to sit in the seat where older brother should have sat, I should properly prepare the seat he’ll sit in instead of the throne.”

 

Having thus rejected Allan’s intervention, Kalian drank the tea that was as fragrant and tangy as his caring heart.

 

“Anyone listening would think you’re forcibly taking it away. When exactly do you plan to put down this unnecessary sense of debt?”

 

With a pitying heart, Allan clicked his tongue while saying this. Kalian, grateful for that caring heart, spoke in a gentle voice.

 

“I won’t die. I won’t.”

 

Words meaning he would not make him experience sending another son away.

 

Allan, who understood that meaning all too well, could not give any response.

 

* * *

And several more days passed.

 

Even as Sunday night approached, Arsene and Euria had not returned.