Chapter 251, So You Won’t Forget (6)

Translator: Lizzz

Editor: Hedge

 

Tansyll’s response took longer than expected.

 

To be precise, it was the reply from the Crown Prince of Tansyll that was delayed. As a result, Gray also postponed the celebration party for his succession to the Marquis position by several days. Consequently, Kalian had to wait approximately two weeks to meet Eila.

 

Two weeks.

 

A period long enough for the cool breeze to gradually take on a chilly tone.

 

During that time, Cyries embraced winds of change.

 

Allan had begun to move in earnest.

 

After meeting with Euria several more times over the two-week period, Allan entered the preparatory phase for transforming Pollun Magic Academy into Pollun Magic School with Rmain’s official approval, and for establishing branch schools throughout various regions of Cyries. Thanks to this, an environment was created where Euria, who had been in the ambiguous position of ‘Principal of the Magic Academy,’ could work as a proper Principal with a title that made complete sense.

 

“Lord Manasil, I have a favor to ask.”

 

“Speak.”

 

“Could you just fire me?”

 

Of course, it was impossible to know whether Euria, who had once again received a golden principal’s nameplate, truly felt grateful to Allan.

 

“There’s no need to be so modest. Have confidence. As a gesture of support, I’ll make you a drinking companion.”

 

After graciously accepting Euria’s thanks, Allan summoned his daughter-in-law Rachel Grace to the Capital. She had just finished standardizing the installation methods for the Teleportation Magic Circles that would continue to be added throughout Cyries. He then slightly modified his original plan to have her oversee Valkan’s training and instead assigned her to manage the branch schools and serve as vice-principal of the Magic School.

 

Moreover, he began implementing plans for improving the treatment of mages and expanding facilities both within the Royal Palace and on the outskirts of the Capital to accommodate Valkan’s growing numbers. This was all to build Valkan into a force befitting its name.

 

Alongside this, the most important task necessary for Valkan’s growth proceeded.

 

Nidlen Jelia, Pailton Yujeu, Raj Ibeka, and Demian Seukon are appointed as Division Commanders of Valkan.

 

He appointed a total of four Division Commanders, two each from the Mage Order and the Knight Order.

 

From platoon to company, to battalion, through brigade and division to corps.

 

From the beginning, Kalian had no intention of gradually inflating Valkan’s size and changing its designation accordingly. He had called Valkan a corps from the start, when it consisted of only thirty members.

 

‘Designations are important. If Valkan, which was called a platoon, becomes a company, then a battalion, and eventually a corps, each time we raise the name one level, the Nobles will be reminded that the King’s power is growing stronger and will try to be vigilant every time. We’d have to engage in a battle of wits with the nobles each time, and we don’t have time to waste like that. It’s better to start with a designation for a large scale and create the lower ranks one by one.’

 

He wanted to call Valkan by a name matching the scale he aimed for and grow it to that appropriate size. Therefore, after consulting with Arsene and Plants, Allan gave the newly appointed four individuals the title of Division Commander, a rank subordinate to the Deputy Commander.

 

The changes did not end there.

 

Count status is bestowed upon Arsene Hertz, Deputy Commander of Valkan.

 

Viscount status was bestowed upon Nidlen Jelia, Peilton Yujeu, Raj Ibeka, and Demian Seukon, Division Commanders of Valkan.

 

Rmain changed the policy of treating everyone equally as Quasi-Barons regardless of whether they were senior leadership or regular members, as long as they had no individual titles. Accordingly, he granted titles befitting their respective positions to members of Valkan’s leadership.

 

Marquis status was bestowed upon Allan Manasil, the Commander of Valkan.

 

Naturally, Allan also received a proper title befitting his position as the overall Commander of the military. He was Cyries’ second Marquis, a spot that had been vacant for a long time. While the Nobles were not entirely without complaints, no hasty words were spoken.

 

Additionally, one more thing:

 

Viscount status was bestowed upon Hina Bern, healer of Valkan, who revived the Third Prince with the best possible treatment.

 

Compensation was given to Hina, whose abilities were difficult to assess merely by calling them precious.

 

A rise in status by two full ranks, from a Quasi-Baron to a Viscount.

 

She was given a title equivalent to Valkan’s Division Commanders despite being a healer operating alone without subordinates. It was both compensation for having saved the Princes many times and a measure to prevent Kings of other nations from coveting her at will.

 

For Rmain, who was well aware that Hina was a Commoner of Half-Elf origin, who initially had no surname and whose status was difficult to verify, this was truly a radical personnel decision.

 

Among various other matters as well.

 

‘They’re moving as if they were waiting for Beurisen to falter.’

 

Enough for the Nobles to evaluate it this way, there were truly many changes in the Royal Family, as if everything had to be transformed before Gray Beurisen Marquis could establish his position.

 

All of this was Rmain’s power and the Royal Authority of Cyries that needed to be reclaimed. Everything was accomplished in just two weeks.

 

And at the starting point of all these changes was Kalian.

 

Although Kalian’s name still appeared nowhere, it was unmistakably the flutter of a butterfly’s wings created by Kalian’s hands, summoning a typhoon.

 

“Is that a butterfly?”

 

“Would butterfly wings look like that? It’s clearly a bird, isn’t it?”

 

At a place where cheerful music flowed.

 

Gray Beurisen’s residence, temporarily using Lannen’s mansion instead of the burned-down Evan’s estate.

 

The Nobles, who had been reluctant to visit due to Beurisen’s momentary instability following Evan’s death and the tremendous incident involving Beurisen and Secritia’s agents, heard rumors that Valkan’s Deputy Commander would attend bearing a gift from Kalian.

 

‘Does this mean the relationship between the Third Prince and the new Beurisen Marquis isn’t too bad?’

 

‘He must be delivering a gift. And they say he’s even sending Count Hertz.’

 

‘Then we suppose we should attend.’

 

Thus, Nobles who properly interpreted Kalian’s gift as signifying that the relationship between the Prince and the Marquis was not bad, attended the party. Behind them, several gathered in front of a sculpture erected at the entrance to the spacious garden, exchanging conversation.

 

“Ah, I see. Two birds then. But why would he send birds instead of ‘cats’?”

 

Kalian’s gift.

 

They were diligently trying to gauge its meaning.

 

“I think this red bird might be a Griffin.”

 

“Isn’t it a bit much to call it a Griffin?”

 

A sculpture made using fire, ice, and water.

 

Atop a decorative stand reaching waist height, water about a hand’s breadth deep pooled. Despite the absence of any device to contain the water, the rippling water remained clustered together without flowing downward.

 

And there was a bird of flame with both wings stretched toward the sky, appearing as if just about to lift its body from the water. The bird’s long wings, with its legs submerged and invisible in the water, emitted light as if engulfed and burning in crimson flames.

 

“Rather than calling it a Griffin, it’s more like…”

 

One person who had been observing the bird’s long neck murmured.

 

“It looks like a swan made of flames.”

 

“I see. Looking at it again, I see it that way too. But what exactly is that swan holding in its mouth?”

 

Ice.

 

Another sculpture made of ice was held in the bird’s beak. Something round about the size of a human fist. Yet something with a distinct form.

 

“…A sparrow?”

 

It was similar but not a sparrow, a Blue Warbler with a blue tint.

 

In other words, Kalian had created a sculpture depicting a Red Swan just taking flight from the water, biting a Blue Warbler to death, and sent it to Gray.

 

There would be no problem sending a sculpture of a Red Swan and a warbler that had nothing to do with Gray.

 

“This sparrow-like thing probably represents Evan. Having lost his surname and title, how could we call it a Griffin? It’s just a sparrow. And that swan seems to mean he should show a changed appearance rather than being arrogant like the Griffin that was only large in the past. It seems to convey the message to make efforts with a heart to renew oneself and burn away all the stains of previous days.”

 

“Ah. So that’s the meaning.”

 

Whatever he sent, they would find and attach grand and favorable meanings to it anyway.

 

“Being a Noble looks to be quite difficult.”

 

“You’re a real Noble now too, kid.”

 

At the words of the blue-haired Mage standing some distance from them, the purple-haired Mage replied lightly.

 

“Should I add lightning up there too? To add another meaning about living with awareness.”

 

“That would look good.”

 

At the same moment, purple lightning began striking above the Red Swan sculpture. The Nobles admired it and soon nodded with faces that seemed to have realized much.

 

“…They seem like intelligent fools.”

 

The purple-haired Mage who saw this left an honest impression.

 

Though speaking as if it were nothing special, if there had been another Mage present besides these two, they would have been quite surprised. Maintaining Magic of different Attributes in specific forms was by no means an easy task.

 

“Why don’t you just master the Fire Attribute while you’re at it? Like me with dual attributes. After all, you do like fire.”

 

“I’m not doing dual attributes.”

 

“Why?”

 

“My Master said that what you truly like should be done as a hobby to be fun. And there’s nothing better than ice for killing people.”

 

To the Midday Reaper who sprinkled water and summoned lightning for mass slaughter, the ice Mage who carefully pierced hearts one by one spoke.

 

“And I’m going to reach Sixth-Circle quickly.”

 

“Why Sixth-Circle? To drink?”

 

“Yes. Don’t I need to drink well so I don’t freeze the Enclave Head’s snacks?”

 

“Uh, yeah. Do your best.”

 

Euria responded halfheartedly after hearing the reason why this individual, who was Valkan’s Deputy Commander, a genius Mage, and a Count, dreamed the grand dream of achieving Sixth-Circle.

 

“Come to think of it, I don’t see Lord Pollun.”

 

“He’s nearby with his wife. If I stay too close to him, it might raise unnecessary suspicions. But Baron Pollun is called Lord Baron while I’m a kid?”

 

“A kid is a kid, obviously.”

 

As such simple conversation passed between them, the flowing music changed. It was the sound announcing the start of the party.

 

“I wonder if the chirping one you were looking for saw that.”

 

“He must have seen it. There was one man who looked at the sculpture from a distance and then quietly disappeared.”

 

Right, Euria answered and briefly adjusted her upswept hair.

 

Not only the sky-blue silk dress adorned with plenty of jewels and the deep purple high heels, but also having her long hair, which she usually just braided loosely or tied in a single bundle, swept up made it both heavy and left the back of her neck feeling quite empty.

 

“Are you uncomfortable?”

 

Noticing this somehow, Arsene asked, and Euria nodded.

 

“Yeah. I’ve been a bit busy lately, so I haven’t attended parties much.”

 

“Still, it suits you as well as your robes.”

 

“Of course.”

 

At Euria’s answer as if it were obvious, Arsene, dressed entirely in black from shirt to jacket and pants with a purple tie, grinned. Then he created a single ice flower exactly resembling his hair color and lightly inserted it into her purple hair, which had only been secured without other decorations.

 

“What’s this?”

 

“I thought this would suit you too. Not boring.”

 

Euria, who lightly touched the new decorative pin, smiled and answered instead of saying she had removed all the decorative pins because her already long hair was heavy.

 

“Of course it would.”

 

Arsene, who mentally thanked Kalian for teaching him how to make blue flowers that looked much better than the boringly purchased purple flowers, extended his hand.

 

“Since you’re here, shall we dance one song before you go, Enclave Head?”

 

“Yeah. I’m going to dance one song and then drink, so kid, you just watch. Don’t freeze other people’s houses.”

 

“Yes. Understood.”

 

Thus, the two Mages who had finished their tasks entered the banquet hall looking quite friendly.

 

* * *

 

*Rustle*

 

At the sound of papers being turned, the sleeping Luci made a sound like sleep-talking while fully stretching out her pink paw pads.

 

The cat ‘I am Prince Plants’s cat who likes Prince Plants’, who had been sleeping with her paw pads, much darker purple than Euria’s hair, facing upward, slightly opened her eyes at Luci’s sleeping habit and wriggled.

 

Deep into the night…

 

“Sorry for waking you. Keep sleeping.”

 

Kalian, who had caused the gray kitten to wake, spoke quietly. Then he raised his finger and carefully stroked beneath the kitten’s chin.

 

“That pea must have been so busy he forgot to name you. Right, Butterfly?”

 

“Miaow.”

 

The kitten made a thin sound as if in response, gently closed its eyes, and fell back asleep. The small figure was so precious that Kalian carefully let out a laugh.

 

Plants had not yet returned, as he was handling even Arsene’s work, who had gone out for ‘on field duty’ dressing splendidly. So, Kalian had been reviewing reports about the various matters that had changed recently while quietly putting to sleep the two cats that had come to find him instead of Plants.

 

*Rustle*

 

Several sheets of paper made sounds as wind blew in through the open window.

 

However, this time neither Luci nor the kitten woke. It was thanks to manifesting Silent between the cats and the table, lest the two small cats wake again.

 

*Rustle, rustle*

 

A good thing he did.

 

Otherwise, the cats would have really awakened.

 

“You came faster than expected.”

 

The person who had been leaning against the railing for a moment moved lightly and stepped inside the terrace.

 

The hair of the visitor swayed in the breeze. Because it looked exactly like undulating waves, Kalian briefly recalled the fishy smell full of salt.

 

“How fearless.”

 

Hearing the added words, Eila smiled brightly as she sat across from Kalian.

 

“You found me later than expected.”

 

Clear water-colored eyes beneath long eyelashes gazed at Kalian.

 

“Fearlessly so.”

 

The answer that returned his words exactly as they were sounded pleasant, causing Kalian’s eyes to form a gentle smile.

 

“Don’t use any explosives. The cats dislike noisy things.”

 

“I didn’t bring any.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Really. I hate having scars.”

 

Eila who spoke thus rolled up her sleeve slightly. The scar from the wound Kalian had inflicted during their fight at Latran Territory remained long.

 

“It’s not something I should apologize for, is it?”

 

“You speak as if you’d apologize if it were.”

 

“I should if you ask me to.”

 

“Never mind.”

 

Eila, wearing tight black clothing as if to blend into the darkness, asked while leaning back against the sofa.

 

“Anyway. Why did you call me?”

 

“To kill you.”

 

“As if. You must be curious about many things.”

 

“Why did you come?”

 

“To kill you.”

 

“You said you hate scars.”

 

“Just in case.”

 

“I’m not that pathetic a person, Eila.”

 

Kalian, who answered with a small laugh, lightly placed something on the table. Since it was clearly a pouch containing money to anyone’s eyes, Eila kept her gaze on it as she spoke.

 

“I’m not someone who does just anything for money.”

 

“I thought you might answer a few questions.”

 

“Hmm… I wonder about that.”

 

Eila, who had been watching Kalian for a moment, moved slightly and picked up the pouch. Instead of the sound of coins clinking, there was a rattling sound. Without even looking inside, Eila laughed and said.

 

“It’s not money.”

 

“Something better.”

 

She felt something smaller and rounder than coins clustered together placed on her hand. Having roughly guessed what it was, Eila asked.

 

“Rubies?”

 

“Quick-witted. As always.”

 

“Hmm. I wonder why.”

 

Eila, who had unhesitatingly released from her hand an amount beyond imagination, leaned back against the sofa again. Then she tilted her head slightly askew and looked at Kalian.

 

“Your Highness, how about not accepting the rubies in exchange?”

 

“If you don’t accept them, you’ll die after the questions end.”

 

“The pretty Prince has such an unpretty mouth as always.”

 

“It’s no fun if everything’s pretty.”

 

Eila, who laughed softly as if Kalian’s answer was amusing, soon nodded. After that, she raised her finger and pointed at the pouch Kalian had handed over.

 

“If I accept that and answer your questions, will you let me go?”

 

“Eila.”

 

Kalian, who cut off the playful words, raised his red eyes and looked at Eila. Then he slowly and clearly opened his mouth.

 

“If you came because you need help, say you need help.”

 

“…Wow.”

 

A faint killing intent appeared in Eila’s eyes.

 

“You even know I’m on the run.”

 

“Because I know that the person who was your Master has quite the unpretty heart, not mouth.”

 

Kalian, who simply accepted that killing intent, answered calmly.

 

Debeullan was not someone who would let a bird live who knew a secret that could be used as a major card against Kalian. So, if Eila had truly run away, informed Debeullan of Kalian’s secret, and was still alive despite that.

 

He thought she must have run away from Debeullan as well.

 

“If you speak honestly, I’ll give you that and help you too. But you have to help me a little too. How about it.”

 

“If you tell me who Your Highness really is, I’ll think about it.”

 

“Only think about it? That’s disappointing.”

 

“I told you I’m not an easy person.”

 

“I know.”

 

Kalian nodded and continued speaking.

 

“How could I not know. I was your real master.”

 

The killing intent deepened.

 

Kalian opened his mouth with a smile whose meaning was difficult to guess.

 

“Don’t do that, Eila. Because I don’t want to kill you. Still.”

 

A cool breeze blew and the cats slept soundly.

 

The peaceful night deepened quietly.