Chapter 178, Not Yet, But (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

He had received many, but he couldn’t recall ever giving one.

 

He thought he might have prepared something for Chase, and for Chase and Bern’s two Mothers, but it was something from when he was so young that it was difficult to remember.

 

He was naturally referring to birthday presents.

 

Since he had grown a bit taller, he had never prepared one directly, not even once.

 

It was difficult to have the leisure to prepare a gift to commemorate any particular day. Because Royal ‘gifts’ always carried excessive meaning beyond mere congratulatory feelings. He could not directly step forward to take care of something even for Chase, always needing to be mindful of the attention from those around him.

 

After becoming Kalian, though the reason was different, it was the same that he could not manage to give gifts.

 

Bern’s birthday, born on a unique day that was difficult to manage in Cyries and not even marked on calendars, passed by forgotten without Kalian himself being conscious of it. In fact, even if he was aware of it, there was no particular reason he needed to take care of it now.

 

He learned what Allan’s birthday was recently thanks to Ian telling him yesterday, but since birthdays were not something to be taken care of after they have passed, he just pretended not to know. Allan’s birthday, the same Allan who would surely live long and prosper, could be taken care of starting next year.

 

“This would be good.”

 

However, he could not let pass the birthday of their precious Hina, whose heart would sink just from hearing a sneeze and whose heart would break even from a single tear drop that appeared while yawning.

 

Thanks to this, it was naturally Kalian, who was deeply troubled preparing an unfamiliar birthday gift, and it was Melpir of the Pollun Trader’s Guild, who suffered unexpected hardship. Due to Kalian’s sudden request, he had to bring as many as twenty horses to the Royal Palace and present them before Kalian.

 

Anyway, Melpir showed a relieved expression when he saw the horse Kalian chose from among the highest quality horses owned by the Pollun Trader’s Guild. He had been worried that there might not be a horse to Kalian’s liking.

 

“It may not be as good as Your Highness’ horse, but it still has a good bloodline. It’s not excessively large and has a gentle temperament, so I think it will suit Lady Bern very well.”

 

Watching Kalian carefully select one horse, Melpir said this. It was not lip service but words spoken from the heart.

 

Actually, what horse on this continent could be as clever as Raven? Even though Ian and Kyrie’s horses are surely of the same bloodline as Raven, were they not clearly different?

 

“Yes. It looks splendid without any shortcomings.”

 

Therefore, Kalian answered with quite a satisfied face, then conveyed his gratitude for the sudden hardship.

 

“You must be very busy with trade dealings with Secritia, but thank you for coming directly like this, Baron Pollun.”

 

Even at the words of thanks conveyed by Royalty, Melpir did not panic greatly and bowed his head. It was because he knew that Kalian always spoke honest greetings without authority.

 

“It’s not a difficult matter. Please call on me anytime if you need anything.”

 

At those words, Kalian nodded, and Ian, who had been standing behind listening to their conversation, stepped forward one step. It was to pay for the horse Kalian had chosen.

 

But Melpir bowed his head a little deeper toward Kalian and opened his mouth in a quiet voice.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

Then he closed his mouth again without continuing his words.

 

Knowing that he had something else to say, Kalian gestured for Ian to step back again, then asked with a face bearing a small smile.

 

“It seems like you want to say you’d like payment for something else instead.”

 

It seemed like he wanted to receive payment for that horse with something other than money, so these were the words he spoke. Since Melpir, who knew well how much Kalian hated ‘requests,’ was acting like this, there must be a reason, so Kalian decided to listen to Melpir’s story first.

 

At Kalian accurately pinpointing his feelings, Melpir smiled faintly and spoke.

 

“It’s Lannen Beurisen, Your Highness.”

 

Lannen Beurisen, who was imprisoned in the basement of Evan Beurisen’s mansion.

 

He was the one who had monopolized and wielded at will not only the commercial districts near Cyriesus but also the territories of Nobles connected to Beurisen. Moreover, he was also the person who had supplied all the poisons that Sillike had used, including the poisoned tea that Kalian had drunk.

 

Understanding that this was about exchanging something about Lannen Beurisen for the horse, Kalian spoke in a low voice.

 

“I think a more detailed explanation will be necessary.”

 

Because that unwelcome name had come to mind, the smile that had been showing on Kalian’s face deepened.

 

* * *

 

Kalian had thought it was the color of dried grass, or perhaps light milk tea.

 

But a platinum-colored horse? This was certainly the first time he had seen one.

 

Still. since Hina said it was platinum-colored, then from now on horse would be platinum-colored. In the end, they were all similar colors. But now, it was definitely platinum-colored. Even if the world were to end tomorrow, that horse would be platinum-colored.

 

“You name it. It’s your horse.”

 

Kalian, who had given a platinum-colored horse as a birthday present, said this with a pleased face. Of course, he had said the words congratulating the birthday first. Somehow, he had said it even before Kyrie.

 

To speak of the result first, Kalian properly paid for that horse he had given to Hina. It does not mean he substituted the payment with something other than money, but that he properly took out gold coins from the treasury and handed them to Melpir. He did not want to make deals with a gift he was giving to Hina.

 

Kalian decided to think about the matter Melpir had requested regarding Lannen a little later. First came celebrating Hina’s birthday, that was what was truly important. There were also other matters that needed to be looked into first.

 

‘My horse?’

 

It was a horse whose entire body was platinum-colored, and whose long tail and mane were very light platinum. Hina, who had been looking at the mysteriously colored horse that seemed to sparkle brilliantly under the warm midday sunlight, widened her eyes round and asked this.

 

Since Hina had also ridden horses during the Roselita, this was not a story about not knowing how to ride.

 

‘Not a horse provided by the Royal Family? A horse given by Your Highness?’

 

Since horses were naturally provided to each Valkan Mage, Hina was also scheduled to receive a horse from the Royal Family. She noticed that Kalian had canceled that and prepared this directly, so she was asking.

 

“Yes. That’s right.”

 

Seeing Kalian nod with an expression similar to Allan’s when facing Veronica, Hina glanced very briefly at Kyrie standing behind Kalian, then smiled and nodded.

 

Given her personality, she wanted to refuse saying she would ride the same horse as other Mages, but it was because Kyrie had tipped her off in advance to just accept Kalian’s gift. Kyrie understood best why Kalian was taking care of Hina.

 

‘Thank you.’

 

At these words, Kalian smiled brightly. Wasn’t it true that with gifts, the giver was more delighted than the receiver? Moreover, when their Hina, who shines most brightly in the world, says thank you.

 

Naturally, he could not be any happier.

 

* * *

 

Kalian had asked Ian to get tack that would suit Hina.

 

Kyrie headed to the training ground with the sword he had regained after a very long time. He had returned to daily life.

 

Kalian was the same.

 

After checking on Arsene’s condition, who still had bandages wrapped around his shoulder due to injuries to not only muscles but bones and cartilage, he looked at the black robe hung up proudly as if it were an exhibit and said with a disgusted face to burn it immediately.

 

Then he stopped by Allan’s office and conveyed that information about Tansyll’s Crown Prince was needed. It was a preparatory step to release the Seal of Oath bound to Randel’s heart.

 

After that, he returned to Chermil Palace and frowned as he placed various bundles of paper on the table.

 

The characters carved on the black pebble, the characters written on the paper that Euria and Arsene had found. And the papers with characters copied from the Arcus Tempus. He was in the middle of contemplating the unsolved riddle for several days while examining them in order.

 

In addition to thinking about Lannen Beurisen, his mind was riddled with questions and he could not help but feel impatient.

 

“My little brother continues to smell of blood.”

 

Toward such Kalian, a low voice similar to always popped out.

 

Hearing those words, Kalian smiled slightly.

 

The smart green pea who had been brought down because he was just sitting on the sofa petting a cat without anything to do, was saying things like this as if uninterested in helping solve the riddle.

 

“Is that so.”

 

Kalian, who pushed forward the biscuit baked with thinly sliced strawberries, strawberries that he had said could be brought out because he did not avoid them as much as the old Kalian, continued his words.

 

“How sensitive my older brother is.”

 

Kalian, who spoke playfully, chuckled. Even though he said this, he was actually a bit startled.

 

The smell of blood that only Knights could feel was different from ordinary people smelling with their noses. It was felt by extending the sense that detects the bloodlust itself.

 

He had not particularly thought to hide it, but it was not something to inform others about first either, yet Plants was asking about it now. About that energy flowing from the two pebbles that Kalian had brought out, which not even Knights at Chermil Palace had noticed.

 

“I brought you here to use that good head of yours, so what should I do if you’re just smelling things?”

 

“I didn’t ask you to bark.”

 

Plants, who learned and returned exactly what Kalian had said earlier, narrowed his eyes thinly. It meant to stop making other noises and explain.

 

“That day, I brought out the pebbles that the Wolves of the Great Dunes were carrying. It should disappear after a few more days, but if it’s uncomfortable, please go back up.”

 

At those words, Plants narrowed his eyes thinly once again. He seemed to understand well what it meant to have ‘brought out’ stones from them.

 

“Fine.”

 

And saying this, he took a sip of black tea brewed with dried pears.

 

Because this was quite an unexpected reaction, Kalian made a surprised face. [Isn’t he the most sensitive ‘fresh fellow’ in all of Cyries? He does not even eat steaks with blood seeping out, yet he says he’ll endure this smell. Should I say he’s admirable? Or should I say I’m sorry?]

 

“Yes.”

 

Kalian, who gave a short answer mixed with many meanings, turned his head back to the paper. Then he opened his mouth in a casual tone.

 

“That power that produced the red light. It’s used by burning life. They said the color deepens as time passes. They said they don’t know how to use a stone that is completely black.”

 

Plants’s hand, which had been putting down the teacup, stopped briefly.

 

The ever smart Plants would understand who this information was obtained from, which Kalian was conveying now. Who else could this come from but a Warrior of the Great Dunes?

 

Plants knew that simply sitting in front and glaring wouldn’t help him gleam any information. So, he moved closer, and noticed what had caused the smell of blood wafted incomparably more than on the day Kalian had rescued Arsene.

 

“… I see.”

 

Plants only said this and picked up the teacup he had put down to drink tea once more.

 

Since he was being told because he had asked to know, it was now Plants’s responsibility to accept everything, regardless of its weight. Since he started being curious, it was now time to learn the consequences of following his curiosity.

 

Kalian, who had been silently shuffling through the papers, opened his mouth as if something had suddenly occurred to him.

 

“I think I’ll need you to act as a messenger bird once more.”

 

It was not possible for Kalian to continuously step into the territory of the Caera Knights. So, he had no choice but to go through Plants.

 

“Why again.”

 

To the question that did not bother to hide annoyance, Kalian tapped the paper in front of him and said.

 

“Since this is only a fragment of the Arcus Tempus, I wondered if he might be able to remember. If he could remember, I think it would be helpful.”

 

In short, it was about asking whether Chase might remember all the letters carved in the Arcus Tempus from Chase’s memory.

 

Hearing those words, Plants let out a short sigh. Then, he slowly straightened his back that had been leaning against the chair back.

 

After looking at Kalian for a while like that, Plants’s mouth opened briefly.

 

“… You.”

 

Like this.

 

He called out to someone who might be Kalian, might be Bern, or might be both.

 

“How mad do you think others are?”

 

Kalian did not ask what that meant. He just looked at Plants with calm eyes.

 

Since it would mean to continue, Plants opened his mouth once more.

 

“Secritia’s Crown Prince. You said he’s younger than you.”

 

For Bern, Chase would always be an older brother, but he was actually someone younger than Bern. So, someone who could be that much more unstable. Someone who would definitely not be okay because of memories obtained without knowing anything.

 

How could he think of telling Chase, who was still too young, to be as mad as Kalian, to dig up memories about the Arcus Tempus, which was the beginning of everything?

 

When saying this, even he was getting angry. Plants was, at Kalian.