Chapter 177, My People (5)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

A pure white beach in the depths of winter.

 

A voice that sank quietly like the foam of waves that had been playing above it.

 

A voice like waves that came and went tranquilly as if to embrace everything, then suddenly when one turned their eyes away, they would surge forward as if to swallow everything.

 

Sometimes quiet, sometimes fierce.

 

Sometimes generous, sometimes merciless.

 

“I…”

 

Such a voice, difficult to grasp.

 

“I think I conveyed the message to withdraw. Was it a dream?”

 

At the feeling of waves dwelling in a voice that had always been like a forest, the birds that had flown carrying the morning dew quietly bowed their heads. The eyes looking down at his birds were hidden by the deeply pressed white hood and could not be seen, but it was clear that what was concealed within was not mercy.

 

Looking at the three spies kneeling before him, Chase continued his words.

 

“If it was a dream, I’ve already dreamed so much that I’m exhausted, and now I’m even weary of falling asleep. Still, was it a dream?”

 

The words telling them not to pursue the Mages. The words telling them to return to Cyriesus. He was sure he had conveyed such words, but perhaps it had been his mistake.

 

Yellow Warbler lowered his head, so low it touched the ground.

 

“Otherwise, I don’t think my birds would so lightly cast aside the words I conveyed.”

 

Rather, answer that they did not hear what he said. They had unintentionally disobeyed orders.

 

Rather than make excuses, Yellow Warbler understood that such was the meaning of those words.

 

Yellow Warbler, who could not meet Chase’s expectations answered with a sunken voice.

 

“…I have no face to show you, Your Highness.”

 

Words meaning that while they had clearly confirmed Chase’s orders, they had not followed them. Such words meant there was not an excuse, that they accept full responsibility.

 

“I made the decision arbitrarily and acted as I pleased. I apologize.”

 

“Arbitrarily…”

 

When the answer returned that it was not a dream, but they had truly disobeying orders, the lips visible beneath the white robe drew a long arc.

 

“The birds I met in my dreams didn’t know such things. How strange.”

 

This was not laughter from being pleased with the situation.

 

He was laughing because resentment was surging up, not knowing toward whom it should be directed.

 

“Since when did my birds grow heads of their own?”

 

Cold words like a blade.

 

The birds did not know that the short dagger like words was aimed not at them but at Chase himself.

 

“I’m truly sorry.”

 

So Yellow Warbler apologized once more.

 

If only he would tell them the reason at least. Surely it must have been action that sprang from a heart care for Chase, yet he was not even saying that and was only apologizing.

 

Such an attitude made him angry and stifled again, and the smile that had formed at Chase’s lips disappeared like it had melted. A voice as ephemeral as the remnants of waves seeping into sand settled down.

 

“Since coming to this place, I have done nothing but abandon expectations. You make me put down all my expectations for my birds that I left behind as well.”

 

Yellow Warbler could not give any other answer.

 

He did not know what dreams Chase had, what he was disillusioned about, what expectations he had left behind. Because he knew nothing, he only bowed his head.

 

*Shing*

 

A coldly forged sound rang in Yellow Warbler’s ears.

 

A pure white sword like fired porcelain.

 

On that sword blade made by melting pure white steel now known to be unobtainable, too immaculate for taking life. On it, the morning sunlight was thinly reflected.

 

“If you have any final words, speak them. I will listen.”

 

Understanding that this was Chase’s decision, Yellow Warbler closed his mouth and bowed his head further.

 

‘”When you return, tell him. That I met you, and that it would be good if he sheathed his sword.’

 

Yellow Warbler also knew what Kalian’s words meant. Hadn’t Kalian said so afterward? That from now on, the Crowd Prince should value life more heavily than information. So surely, those must have been words intended to ask Chase for mercy.

 

That was why he could not bring those words to his lips.

 

“There are none, Your Highness.”

 

Yellow Warbler was neither a soldier nor a Knight.

 

He was a bird, one which moved secretly in places several times more dangerous than theirs. He knew better than anyone how great a sin it was for such birds to disobey orders from above. So, he could not ask to be spared.

 

Chase looked down at Yellow Warbler, and the other two spies likewise kneeling silently beside him, for quite some time.

 

A considerable time passed without words.

 

*Thud!*

 

The sound of the drawn sword returning to its home without cutting anything rang out softly.

 

Yellow Warbler, realizing that the blade that had been briefly reflected had disappeared, looked up at Chase with a bewildered face.

 

“Return to your nest.”

 

The answer to that question came from behind.

 

What had approached behind them soundlessly was Chase’s Escort Knight, and Sword Master, Taillan.

 

“I will contact you when needed.”

 

That meant he would spare them.

 

* * *

 

A few days ago, Rmain was scolded by Allan.

 

Not nagging, but truly scolded. It was because of the lavender tea he had given to Plants.

 

‘In all the world, there’s probably no father other than Your Majesty who stirs up wounds harbored by his own child. Don’t you still understand why Prince Kalian destroyed that palace? Children are precious things that should only be embraced, told not to hurt, not to grieve, yet you shook up one who had barely managed to stand on his own feet like that and thought of only showing interest?’

 

And then he earnestly entreated him not to bring out coffee in front of Kalian, to remove anything fragrant like flowers when dealing with Plants, and not even to brush against Randel’s roses. The meaning was that if he wanted to show interest in someone, he should first examine what hurts them.

 

‘Don’t make excuses about being inexperienced because it’s your first time being a father. Try to understand them a little. If you do such things again, I, who have experience being a father, will take all three Princes and head south.’

 

He followed with such terrifying words.

 

Rmain, who was already reflecting with the momentum to dig his own grave, couldn’t say a word to those words of a count standing before the King saying he would kidnap all three Princes at once.

 

In the end, Rmain decided to just bury the matter of Kalian and Plants’ unauthorized outing. He also lifted Randel’s confinement.

 

It was because he himself agreed with Allan’s words that whatever the Princes had done was better than what he, His Majesty, had done.

 

Anyway, thanks to such events, Kalian could visit the forest again without difficulty. Unlike Chermil Palace, the air that bore no trace of rose fragrance was perfectly clear in itself.

 

“The stars are good at night, but the wind is good in the morning.”

 

Come to think of it, he had only visited this place at night.

 

Actually, it was difficult to say he had only visited at night, since he had only come to this place twice. So, it was somewhat inappropriate to say he had always come only at night.

 

In any case, Kalian had come to the forest for the third time, and it was now early morning.

 

While fierce beasts that shunned Syspanian’s presence could not live there, birds would surely make their nests, so various chirping sounds warily welcoming an unfamiliar visitor prettily rang out.

 

[If that yellow bird convey my words, please spare him, and if he doesn’t, I hope you will trust him.]

 

Listening to the birds’ chirping reminded him of the letter he had sent to Chase not long ago.

 

It also reminded him of how surprised he had been when he went to find the Caera Knights just in case, and found someone he knew all too well inside. It had been someone he knew well from when he was Bern. Surely he was a spy planted for the purpose of conveying news or such if Chase truly needed to use him. Certainly, Chase had left him there for Kalian to recognize and use if necessary.

 

So Kalian had conveyed a letter to the Caera Knight, through a green messenger bird. It was a letter containing the meaning that if that spy directly said Kalian’s words ‘spare this man’, then spare him, and if he didn’t, then consider him someone truly trustworthy.

 

Wasn’t Chase the only one who remembered, truly the only one who remembered the one who had borne the name ‘Bern’? Even if he was not exactly the same Chase who had spent the past together, Kalian believed without doubt that he would still listen to Kalian’s request.

 

“I have been coming to this place every day since then. It has always been a good place without a lack of anything.”

 

A somewhat late answer came from Kirie to Kalian’s words about the stars and wind being good.

 

It was Kyrie who answered after waiting a moment, as it seemed Kalian who had first spoken was thinking of other things. After Kalian took a deep breath, he spoke once more.

 

“I messed it all up, but it is still okay?”

 

He was saying this because it was he who had disturbed that forest while sparring with Allan. Hadn’t he made it look fine on the outside but completely chaotic inside?

 

“Once I got used to it, even that had become unnoticeable. It all seemed to become part of the forest, so even Your Highness’s sword marks looked good.”

 

Kalian nodded with a slightly smiling face.

 

Kyrie’s heart seemed to have settled in quite well. Of course, it would be difficult for Kalian to be certain and carelessly relieved, but he thought there would be no major problems.

 

When Kyrie’s blue and black eyes looked at Kalian, there was no more confusion.

 

“I think it would be fine to go meet Hina now. Your Highness, would that be alright?”

 

Kyrie asked in a voice that was careful but unhesitating, as if to instil confidence in Kalian. It seemed he understood that Kalian had deliberately kept Hina away.

 

Since those words also meant that those lines were no longer visible, Kalian nodded and answered.

 

“By all means.”

 

Wanting to walk for a long time, he had left Raven at the forest entrance. Kyrie’s horse ‘Iris’ was likewise left there.

 

So the two walked silently side by side, treading on the earth. After walking slowly like that for a while, Kyrie opened his mouth.

 

“There is something I would like to ask Your Highness.”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Even though permission was given to ask, Kyrie did not speak hastily. Instead of being frustrated, Kalian quietly waited for the next words.

 

After passing through the deep path leading into the forest and arriving at that place full of the sound of water. Kyrie faced toward Kalian. As Kalian’s steps stopped as well, Kyrie’s quiet voice followed.

 

“I was curious whether I have the qualifications.”

 

And he asked what he had been wondering about.

 

Kalian did not ask what qualifications he meant.

 

The qualification for Kyrie to again grasp that sword Kalian had temporarily withdrawn. The qualification to someday become Kalian’s Knight. The qualification to continue guarding Kalian’s side. All such things would be included in those words.

 

Perhaps it might even be asking if he had the qualification to cut people down.

 

“Kyrie.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Kalian, standing face to face with Kyrie, raised his hand.

 

Then he gently stroked Kyrie’s head.

 

Kalian remembered a day when Kirie bowed his head entering Chase’s office. He remembered when he had received a gold coin. Back then, even though Kirie was older than Bern, Bern had patted his head because he thought Kirie looked admirably grown-up. Now, Kalian does the same. He gently stroked Kirie’s water-colored hair, even though Kirie is older and taller than him, as if comforting and praising the child.

 

“What do you think was the last thing you showed me?”

 

Then in such a calm voice, he spoke of the last day and asked. Asking if he knew what Kyrie had shown to Bern at the end of that day.

 

“My back.”

 

An answer with not a hint of contemplation.

 

An answer that sprang forth immediately without doubting anything.

 

[The same Kyrie.]

 

Whether Kyrie’s answer was right or wrong, Kalian did not answer. He only wore a gentle smile that might not suit his current face.

 

“I think that answer will also serve as the answer to your question.”

 

How could Kalian speak of qualifications regarding that heart?

 

“I only think with gratitude.”

 

A country where the King’s mother, the King’s Knights, the King’s Mages, the King’s subjects, had all gone mad.

 

A King who alone had not gone mad beside them, and thus was alone in his madness.

 

What he had decided and what he had resolved. What he had prepared for and taken up his sword for. What he had sent his hawks for, none of this could be known.

 

Though it remained full of questions what all those people had died for, though he still did not understand at all what Bern had returned for…

 

Still…

 

“I have found you again like this.”

 

Having regained the one person who could uniquely stand before Kalian, who must show his back to everyone.

 

“It is something to be grateful for.”

 

Saying this, Kalian held out the dark-colored sword in his hand.

 

Confident that he would never take it back. Resolving that he would never send him away first again.

 

Promising that this time he would repay the debt.

 

Kyrie.