Chapter 182, My Sword (1)

Translator: Lizzz

Editor: Hedge

 

Secritia had short winters.

 

And Cyries had short summers.

 

Such was Secritia’s autumn, perhaps Cyries’s winter. It was the first time since that day around that time. The first time Chase, who had been standing in high places, showed a face that suggested he wouldn’t jump down.

 

Though it wasn’t excessive, he also didn’t touch the wine he habitually enjoyed drinking today.

 

The exact reason was impossible to know since he absolutely wouldn’t speak of it, but how grateful Taillan was for that Communicate bracelet that emitted such a faint light it was barely visible to Taillan’s eyes. Because of this, Taillan barely managed to suppress the urge to bow while looking in the direction where Cyriesus was.

 

Chase, who had said it was regrettable that the place where they were staying didn’t have a rooftop, went out to the terrace with Taillan, carrying a cup of mint tea that he would drink whenever he had a chance.

 

Standing and pacing for a while under the cold moonlight, Chase took a deep breath and quietly opened his mouth.

 

“……Prince Kalian.”

 

Not knowing how to use it, he spoke aloud like this at first. Taillan quickly approached him and explained once more.

 

“It won’t be transmitted if you make a sound.”

 

“Ah. That’s right, yes.”

 

Chase nodded.

 

Then he opened his mouth toward Taillan standing beside him.

 

“Thank you. Lord Kastrin.”

 

Being able to make contact like this was all thanks to Taillan.

 

Plants was short with words and short with writing too.

 

While sending that bracelet clutched in the talons of that large hawk, he had only written ‘The Third Prince said he had something to ask.’ So what that bracelet was, how to use it, why it should be used–Nothing, truly nothing at all was written.

 

Of course, he didn’t mention how much Allan had struggled to modify it, nor did he mention that Allan, worried that the bracelet might be seen in front of Debeullan and cause trouble, had reduced the light it emitted.

 

However, Chase smiled briefly upon feeling Plants’s own consideration in the fact that what was written in that letter was ‘Third Prince’ rather than ‘my little brother.’

 

“I’ll try again.”

 

Soon after saying this, Chase concentrated again.

 

And a little later, he seemed to properly begin the conversation.

 

He laughed several times, then bowed his head.

 

He laughed several times more, then bowed his head again.

 

Watching this, Taillan quietly closed the terrace door and entered the room. Walking to a place somewhat distant from Chase, he muttered to himself.

 

“You said it seemed like you had found your lost brother······.”

 

Chase had definitely said such words at some point.

 

But Chase had just spoken Kalian’s name.

 

He now roughly understood what that strange feeling he had always felt whenever they met was. Come to think of it, quite many things about that Prince resembled Chase, didn’t they.

 

His way of speaking and behavior, even their walking gaits seemed quite similar.

 

“A curious thing.”

 

In any case, it seemed like a great shadow had disappeared from Chase’s face, so even if he were a Prince of Tansyll rather than Cyries, it would be something to welcome.

 

Taillan came out of the room where the low laughter, as welcome as blessed rain, was leaking in, and firmly closed the door.

 

Thinking that Chase, who always barely managed to fall asleep only when the sun was about to rise, would be able to seek comfortable sleep for the first time in a truly long while.

 

* * *

 

– The sea wouldn’t be bad either. Since Cyries doesn’t have a sea.

 

To this question, Kalian sent a small laugh.

 

It was the kind of sound that would be heard when waves rushed onto a beach full of round black pebbles rather than a sandy beach full of fine sand.

 

– Yes. I like the sea.

 

The spire of Secritia Palace was both a good place and not such a place. It was a place he always found himself drawn to as if being bewitched, reminiscing about memories of the past, but it was also a place that brought just as much pain.

 

– So the spire was good, but how about the sea?

 

Chase had asked like that.

 

Without either of them caring whose memory was being opened to answer. Whether the spire would be good or the sea would be good. Whether wine was good or other alcohol was good. Whether he knew how to drink alcohol now. Such things.

 

Asking and answering.

 

They did so.

 

– I recently received a small beach as a gift. Actually, I said I would buy it paying its proper price, but this time too, I paid with just one coin. The house became a little bigger, but there’s a small rock and a small island. The moon rises and stars shine. A peaceful and quiet place like that. There’s such a place that Prince Kalian would also like.

 

Kalian laughed again.

 

This time a little differently, like the sound of light rain falling on distant hills.

 

– I’m curious how it would be. I wanted to go there a lot but couldn’t.

 

Though neither of them said where that sea was, they both smiled thinking of the same place.

 

Whether the Kalian of that time would still be standing in the same place, whether he would be able to speak and laugh, whether his heart would still be beating at that time, whether he could avoid being forgotten this time.

 

Whether the Secritia of that day would still be peaceful, modest, and beautiful. Setting aside all those things.

 

For the first time, he dreamed with a voice that wasn’t anxious about anything.

 

– So.

 

When that dream was about to end, Chase spoke like this.

 

– What should I tell you, Prince Kalian.

 

[As expected. He is still as wise as ever. As sharp as ever…]

 

Sending a hawk there, with a bracelet fastened to its ankle. Chase knew instinctively that a story delivered this way wouldn’t be just dream talk that flickered like the final sparks of a bonfire, red and faint, cooling into black ash once touched and seen.

 

So he was asking what he should really tell him, not such dream-like talk.

 

– Next time, if it is still not enough even then, I’ll ask you then.

 

As Plants thought.

 

Having heard that voice, he couldn’t bring himself to speak. Learning that Chase was longing for more things than expected, Kalian postponed the question with such words.

 

– …Arcus Tempus.

 

Yet Chase suddenly said such words. Because of this, Kalian briefly held his breath.

 

– My birds saw something in the cave that day, but they said it was unknown characters. Other than that, there doesn’t seem to be information that Prince Kalian would want to find out through me right now. Perhaps you’re thinking of comparing those characters with what was carved on the Arcus Tempus. Would it be alright to tell you about it?

 

Chase didn’t know that it had appeared again in the underground of Heisia Palace. However, if Kalian was curious about something in the current situation, if he was going to ask Chase about something, he was thinking it wouldn’t be anything other than the Arcus Tempus.

 

When there was no answer from Kalian, Chase’s words, having made another arbitrary decision, were heard again.

 

– Actually, I haven’t really recalled it much, so I might not know the details either. I’ll try to look back at once. I’ll send it as I remember. Would that be enough?

 

Kalian couldn’t answer once again.

 

He couldn’t explain, make excuses, or apologize for why he was doing this.

 

– I understand that would be enough for you, Prince Kalian.

 

He also couldn’t tell why he had handed Chase a rotten rope. So he couldn’t say any other words either.

 

– …Thank you.

 

– When you’re alone. Or when you are frustrated. If not that, then perhaps,

 

However, Chase understood both the words conveyed through Mana and the words that couldn’t be conveyed. He understood and comprehended, even Kalian’s expression, which could not be seen.

 

– Perhaps at such times when there’s no reason at all, I’ll contact you again.

 

Words saying that although he couldn’t immediately call the old name or sit together drinking mint tea, he would still make contact.

 

– As much as you want, anytime. That’s good.

 

Kalian answered.

 

A laugh like wind brushing the tip of a thin blade of grass followed.

 

* * *

 

Several more days passed.

 

Days that seemed like daily life yet not like daily life, strangely peaceful days, flowed by for some time.

 

And one morning while spending such days.

 

“So that’s······.”

 

Kalian, who had visited Allan’s office, opened his mouth like this while looking at Arsene with strange eyes.

 

Kalian, unable to continue his next words, raised one hand to cover his face. He was holding back laughter as he often did.

 

“What on earth is that······.”

 

Kalian was currently struggling to hold back laughter so much that he couldn’t continue his words twice. This was because he reminded himself that this was absolutely not a situation where he should laugh.

 

After that, Kalian glared as hard as he could at the blue-haired ice Mage who was standing to greet him.

 

Clearly, Kalian had come to Wilhelm Hall with Kyrie because he had something he wanted to do. It was to see Allan.

 

“Didn’t I clearly tell you.”

 

Kalian looked at the luxurious frame leaning against the table in Allan’s spacious office. A long black cloth was fixed to the frame with a white background. It didn’t take long for Kalian to realize that it was a piece of his black robe.

 

“I told you to burn it. Lord Hertz.”

 

“I came to ask Commander Manasil for Preservation Magic. I will definitely pass this down as a family heirloom for generations, Your Highness.”

 

“It smells strongly of blood.”

 

Arsene smiled. It was a smile filled with determination to never throw away that piece of robe that Kalian had given him.

 

“It’s my blood, so it’s fine.”

 

“I’m not fine with it.”

 

At the end of such fruitless conversation, Kalian, who wouldn’t lose to anyone when it came to stubbornness, took a step back. This was because there was something else.

 

Kalian’s eyes, having barely managed to turn away from that frame that was not just eccentric but bizarrely so, now reached Allan’s table.

 

A human figure the size of a palm was placed on it, and that was-

 

“Give it here. I’ll melt it.”

 

It was an ice sculpture with the exact appearance of that very day when Kalian had stood in front of Arsene carved intact.

 

That crazy follower had actually made it.

 

A statue of Kalian!

 

Kalian could feel Kyrie, who was quietly standing behind him, holding his breath. Even Kyrie was holding back laughter.

 

“Ha.”

 

Because erecting a statue of a Prince who hadn’t even ascended to the Crown Prince position yet wouldn’t have a very good effect on Kalian, he couldn’t make it the size of Kalian’s actual height.

 

He was even showing enthusiasm that when the time came to go to Camilon and raise dogs, he would make one of the proper size then.

 

“I don’t mind giving it to you, but Your Highness. I think if I give you this, I’ll probably make it again anyway.”

 

His expression was quite serious.

 

This was the Arsene who didn’t lie to Kalian, wasn’t it? So these were words, he truly meant them.

 

However, he didn’t mention that he was here to ask Allan whether it would be possible to add a function to the statue to say the wonderful words that Kalian had uttered that day, like the statue that said ‘Welcome to Archmage Allan Manasil’s house!’ placed in Allan’s home.

 

This was because he knew that if he said that, he might really die in the blink of an eye.

 

“I shouldn’t have saved you for nothing.”

 

Kalian, who also couldn’t lie, said such words with a quite serious face.

 

And then he thought that he definitely had to visit Wilhelm Hall after Arsene got off work someday and get rid of that robe piece that was still hanging and that creepy statue.

 

Seeing this, Allan smiled slightly and moved his Mana. The small statue that looked exactly like Kalian quickly melted and disappeared as if evaporating.

 

Since he said he could make it again.

 

“Please sit down first. You sit too.”

 

Allan, who had eliminated the culprit that made Arsene stubbornly oppose Kalian with just a finger, said this.

 

“I’ll make it again properly when it’s time to do so, then.”

 

“Don’t do it. Absolutely don’t do it.”

 

It was nothing new that Mages were crazy, so that was fine. But Kalian, who now fully realized that Arsene was the worst among them, let out a deep sigh and sat on the sofa. Then he called Kyrie to sit together.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

Allan asked Kalian like this.

 

This was to change the topic somewhat.

 

Right when Kyrie, who had tasted the sweet flavor of a soufflé cake with too much syrup that would be exactly to Allan’s taste, showed a slightly surprised face.

 

“When the Knights join, there seems to be a lack of people to train them, Master.”

 

Kalian, who said this, looked at Kyrie and gave him a meaningful smile. Then he continued speaking.

 

“Even if he can’t train them, it seems like he could sufficiently serve as a sparring partner for the Knights. What do you think?”

 

This was saying that he wanted to place Kyrie as a person who could spar with the Knights belonging to the Knight Orders that Plants had started managing, Caera Knights and Roan Knights.

 

Allan, who had been looking at such Kalian for a moment, turned his head toward Kyrie and opened his mouth.

 

“Have you already grown that much?”

 

Allan, who said this, noticed that there was something different between Kyrie’s eyes now and then, when he had swung his sword toward the people in the gambling house and still stood firm.

 

Even as Allan spoke with apparent pride right before him, Kyrie drank a sip of tea without saying anything particular. This was because he still didn’t know well what he should say about words evaluating his own abilities.

 

“I understand. I will convey the message to His Majesty.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Arsene, who was sitting beside them, looked at Kyrie and smiled.

 

“Congratulations.”

 

Thus, Kyrie became very flustered. To be precise, from Allan’s words ‘Have you already grown that much?’ until now, he couldn’t understand what conversation had taken place at all.

 

Kalian had brought Kyrie along without any explanation. He understood up to sparring with the Knights of Caera Knights or Roan Knight Order without much difficulty, but what was this sudden talk of congratulations?

 

Seeing Kyrie’s bewildered face, Arsene explained.

 

“Could an escort attendant spar with Knights?”

 

Only after hearing those words did Kyrie understand a little what the conversation was about, and Kalian opened his mouth with a smile toward him.

 

“Now you should do something other than being my shield, Kyrie.”

 

Knight appointment. Kalian’s Sword.

 

It was about granting Kyrie a Knight title.