Chapter 18, Aren’t They Being Too Obvious (2)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

[You must be the epitome of haughtiness.] That was Kalian’s impression as he watched his horse, Raven.

 

Right now, Raven was walking with his head held high through the crowd that parted like waves. Judging by how he deliberately made his hooves clop louder where people gathered, he was clearly enjoying the attention.

 

[I’ve seen many horses, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one quite like this…]

 

Kalian turned his head away from watching Raven’s black mane swaying with each step. Come to think of it, this was his first proper look outside the Royal Palace since waking up in Cyries.

 

Though he had ventured to the plaza to meet Allan, it had been nighttime then, and he had been too preoccupied with thoughts of Allan to have the leisure to observe his surroundings.

 

[Cyriesus is certainly well-organized. It’s impressive how these roads connect to cities throughout all of Cyries.]

 

The capital he was treading upon now was truly admiration-worthy.

 

In truth, it showed the confidence befitting a powerful nation.

 

There was a clear sense of confidence that they held no fears about enemies potentially using these roads.

 

[This must be the road they took to Secritia…]

 

His last memory inevitably surfaced.

 

Because of this, Kalian’s gaze naturally shifted to Plants.

 

Plants sat on his horse with his eyes closed.

 

[What a temper…]

 

The cut-like wounds on the back of his hand gripping the saddle handle caught Kalian’s eye.

 

[I thought he was just like his Mother. I didn’t know their relationship was this horrendous.]

 

That morning, Kalian had unintentionally overheard shouting coming from Plants’ room. The windows had been open due to the good weather, and Plants’ room was directly above Kalian’s.

 

At that time, Kalian had been quite surprised to hear Ian’s comment about Sillike. It was then that he had unexpectedly learned that Plants and Sillike’s relationship was far from cordial.

 

“Prince, we’re almost there.”

 

Ian’s small voice was heard.

 

Kalian deliberately pushed away his thoughts and turned his gaze from Plants to look around.

 

They had entered an area lined with buildings that, while not quite as grand as the mansions in the Naeransha Street where nobles resided, still had quite luxurious facades. This was a street called Astrisha, where high-end shops and cultural facilities for nobles were gathered. Their destination today was the theater owned by the Pollun Trader’s Guild at the end of this street.

 

Kalian noticed some children watching the King’s procession from a distance.

 

[Judging by their clothes, they’re not nobles… Did they come all the way here just to watch?]

 

When he gave a slight smile toward the group that appeared to be commoner children, they were visibly startled. Finding their reaction quite pure, Kalian unconsciously said.

 

“The children are quite adorable.”

 

“They look older than you, Prince.”

 

At Ian’s response with an expression that seemed to say ‘what nonsense is he sprouting, Kalian smiled awkwardly. He still could not mentally accept the fact that he had become much younger.

 

However, there was another child standing slightly apart from the group, staring intently at the procession.

 

This child was notably in more ragged attire than even the surrounding commoners. This one child was looking at the Kaela Knights, who were escorting Rmain in their formal uniforms.

 

While everyone else was looking at the King, Queen, and the Princes, this lone gaze directed elsewhere felt strange. It caused Kalian to unconsciously focus his attention there.

 

The smile disappeared from Kalian’s face.

 

“… Kyrie?”

 

The aqua-colored hair was noticeable even from afar.

 

Slightly tanned skin and already tall stature.

 

This child’s appearance was very similar to the child Kalian had sought out to place as his guard. The distance made it difficult to confirm. As the urge to go closer and verify rose within him, Ian’s panicked voice was heard beside him.

 

“Prince, why are you suddenly…!”

 

Startled, Kalian looked to see Ian, with a panicked expression, holding Raven’s reins.

 

Once again, Raven had read Kalian’s desires and tried to turn sideways. Kalian hurriedly stroked Raven’s neck and whispered.

 

“No, Raven. We can’t do that right now. We can’t go there.”

 

Only then did the stubborn Raven face forward again and walk. Ian, who had been startled by the sudden movement, let out a relieved sigh and said to Kalian.

 

“I’m sorry, Prince.”

 

“No, that was my fault. No need to apologize.”

 

After responding thus, Kalian looked to the side again, but the child with aqua-colored hair had already vanished. Kalian scanned the surroundings with eyes that seemed to be searching for something dear.

 

[Kyrie.]

 

From what he remembered, Kyrie was an orphan who lost much in Cyries and came to Secritia. He was a genius Swordsman.

 

Bern, who recognized Kyrie’s talent, took him in and personally taught him swordsmanship. In return, Kyrie repaid this by giving his life.

 

On Bern’s final day, Kyrie blocked the rain of arrows headed for Bern with his own body.

 

[Just you wait. I’ll find you somehow.]

 

Kalian had to postpone meeting with Kyrie while trying to calm his racing heart.

 

“Prince. We’ve arrived.”

 

By the time Ian’s voice was heard again, the Knights had begun moving busily to secure the surroundings.

 

The theater came into view.

 

The exterior walls were made of stone, with black and white granite creating a design reminiscent of the Narcil Hall in the Royal Palace.

 

Soon Kalian dismounted from Raven, and Ian handed Raven’s reins to a servant of the theater.

 

“This is the Prince’s cherished horse, so please handle him very carefully. Very, very carefully.”

 

Ian, knowing Raven’s temperament well, and did not forget to say this with a face that seemed to say ‘he acts up terribly when the Prince isn’t around.’

 

Turning his head, Kalian noticed the red carpet that must have been laid out for the Royal Family extending to the theater’s main entrance.

 

“Welcome. It is truly an honor to receive you like this.”

 

And then, Melpir Pollun came into view.

 

…

 

Melpir Pollun.

 

He was a man with a round face and short gray hair.

 

The first impressions of Lannen Beurisen, the head of the Beurisen Trader’s Guild, and Melpir Pollun, the head of the Pollun Trader’s Guild, were distinctly different. In that brief moment of greeting, Melpir smiled while making eye contact with each member of the Royal Family.

 

It was an action meant to observe the other party and leave an impression. The weight of his presence was different from Lannen, who opened his mouth without thought.

 

“I will guide you inside.”

 

After saying this, Melpir personally led the way.

 

While following behind, Kalian looked around trying to gauge where the incident would occur. Before long, Kalian’s eyes flickered slightly as they landed on a particular spot.

 

[That must be it.]

 

It was not difficult to find the potentially problematic factor.

 

It was a large basket that seemed to contain flower petals and such for the finale of the performance. That was the only temporary structure tied with ropes.

 

The theater was shaped with an oval field in the center, surrounded by eight levels of audience seating. There was a special box in the center of the seating area, which was where the Royal Family would sit. The basket was suspended high above that.

 

[So, that’s what will fall. Does this mean the Knights did not check beforehand?]

 

There were certainly Knights who had accompanied them here.

 

The Kaela Knights, who were the King’s Personal Knight Order, exclusively provided close protection for Rmain. Meanwhile, the Royal Knight Orders like the Pavel Knights were responsible for guarding other royal members. They were the ones tasked to inspect the surrounding people and fixtures. So surely the Pavel Knights must have inspected those ropes as well.

 

[If an accident occurred despite the inspection, it means either the Pavel Knights knew and ignored it, or they did not bother to check it at all.]

 

Of course, the Pavel Knights was a Knight Order under the Beurisen, paid by them as well.

 

Kalian grumbled silently.

 

[Is there no one in this world one can trust?]

 

Soon as the Royal Family ascended to where the special box was located, the audience members who had already taken their seats all stood up and welcomed them with applause. Rmain raised his hand in response to them. Then Melpir raised his arm to indicate the seats.

 

“This way, please.”

 

Rmain and Sillike took their respective seats, and Randel and Plants walked to the seats prepared behind them. As always, Kalian moved last.

 

Kalian slowed his pace.

 

Passing by Melpir’s side with notably slow steps, he opened his mouth in a very quiet voice.

 

“The space above seems unsafe. Please check it.”

 

For a brief moment, Melpir’s gaze fell on Kalian.

 

But Kalian walked to his seat and sat down as if he had not said anything, his eyes downcast.

 

Melpir too showed no other reaction and straightened his slightly bowed waist.

 

[Sorry but I can’t explain more explicitly since this isn’t a situation where I can openly help. Still, as the head of your merchant guild, you should be perceptive enough.]

 

If Melpir did not understand his words and an accident still occurred, Kalian planned to pull Randel close to protect him from injury. As long as it was not revealed that Randel was the target, Melpir could save his life too.

 

Melpir’s gaze lingered on his seat prepared next to Rmain. It would be a position where he could converse with Rmain without interference from other nobles throughout the performance. Naturally, it was never easy for Melpir, a Baron, to have such an opportunity to sit beside Rmain for this long.

 

Still, the time he took deliberating was not long.

 

Melpir turned around. Kalian came into view, his face appearing as if he was not even paying attention to Melpir.

 

Melpir pressed his lips together once, then spoke to Rmain.

 

“Your Highness. I will need to personally supervise from below during the performance. Therefore, I must regrettably leave my seat. I apologize.”

 

“I see. Very well.”

 

Kalian smiled slightly.

 

[He’s clever.]

 

At Kalian’s single comment, he immediately gave up the chance to converse beside Rmain. It showed he was prudent enough to prioritize potential issues over immediate gains.

 

Having received Rmain’s permission, Melpir left his seat.

 

“It is an infinite honor to meet you.”

 

Not long after, the performance host walked out to the center of the field.

 

Bringing one hand above his navel and bowing toward the special box, the host bowed once more toward the audience seats.

 

“I would like to welcome to all the audience members gathered here today.”

 

The crowd responded with loud applause, and the host continued.

 

“The Astrisha Pollun Theater, where you are seated, is located in a very historic place. This spot where I stand is where His Majesty, King Harts-ara, stopped Queen Syspanian as she was about to leave after the War of the Two Gods ended!”

 

The crowd laughed in unison.

 

This was because they say the same thing at all equestrian theaters in Cyries.

 

Having captured the audience’s attention, the host built up the atmosphere while deliberately putting on a serious face and making jokes.

 

“Then let us begin the performance without further delay.”

 

After finishing his greeting thus, the host went inside and the main performance began.

 

Riders who came out leading several horses showed various tricks such as doing handstands on horseback and passing under running horses’ legs.

 

Kalian watched with somewhat bored eyes. After all, most were things he could easily do himself. Of course, most of the audience who did not have such abilities exclaimed in delight.

 

Sillike still held her fan, and whenever a risky trick was performed, she made gestures as if unable to watch properly by covering her face with it.

 

Since Sillike sat diagonally in front of Kalian and the performance was taking place in that direction, Kalian had to watch her actions in their entirety.

 

[Where did that Sillike, who spoke so openly of killing me, disappear to?]

 

Unable to endure this detestable sight any longer, Kalian turned his head. This time, his eyes met with Plants, who was glaring fiercely at him.

 

Already, memories of Kyrie’s death had resurfaced on the way here. It rekindled his emotions of Plants. Therefore, Kalian stared back at Plants without hiding his hate-filled expression.

 

At that moment, a rider who had been standing on a running horse jumped up and landed perfectly on the saddle of another horse running behind.

 

The audience burst into applause and cheers, and taking advantage of that noise, Plants’ mouth opened.

 

A chillingly unpleasant and gloomy voice, but just loud enough for only Kalian to hear, flowed out.

 

“Unpleasant, sinister, and cunning.”

 

It was directed at Kalian.

 

Though unclear what else had displeased him, Plants began speaking to Kalian thus.

 

“Not knowing your place.”

 

Kalian’s eyes turned fierce at this absurd situation where Sillike sent poison and Plants sent insults.

 

[This madman must have lost his mind!]

 

Kalian, who nearly lunged at Plants in that instant, barely recalled the many eyes around them. He reasoned with himself that there was no need to confront him here.

 

Kalian closed and opened his eyes.

 

The sharp look in his eyes and expression disappeared as if it were a lie. What returned was the expressionless face he usually showed Plants. Seeing this, Plants’ mouth twisted.

 

“Disgusting. How you make me want to vomit.”

 

Plants was different though. He did not know how to control his anger in consideration of his surroundings. Plants continued speaking as if like a broken dam.

 

“… That vulgar and filthy blood flowing through you.”

 

Randel looked at Plants with raised eyes.

 

The gazes of the Knights and servants standing behind were no different. Everyone looked at Plants.

 

Rmain as well.

 

His sunken eyes also turned to Plants.

 

By then, the first part of the performance had ended and the audience’s voices had disappeared, causing Plants’ voice to ring clearly, making everyone in the special box hear his words.

 

[Plants!] Sillike’s eyes twisted miserably.

 

A silence where not even breathing could be heard flowed.

 

Having lost confidence in hiding his expression, Kalian covered his face with both hands.

 

Kalian’s mouth, hidden behind white hands, drew a long wide arc up.