Chapter 28, The Roses Will Bloom Soon (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

After returning to the palace in the morning and getting some sleep, Kalian woke up to find Ian sitting right beside him, staring at him with bloodshot eyes. Startled, Kalian jumped up and moved backward.

 

“You scared me.”

 

The intense blood vessels in Ian’s eyes and the dark circles underneath made it difficult to believe he had gotten any sleep at all.

 

“I told you to get some sleep since you’ve waited for me all night…”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

Ian cut off Kalian’s words with a serious expression.

 

“Why do you drink the morning tea?”

 

Suspecting he was questioning whether it contained poison, Kalian pre-emptively made a blank face.

 

“Because you gave it to me?”

 

The words carried a slight reproach.

 

Of course, he had no intention of blaming Ian for not knowing it was poisoned tea. After all, Kalian himself had not suspected poison either. He was just slightly annoyed at the dull diligence that brought that tea every morning without fail.

 

Whether understanding this meaning or not, not having received an answer to what he wanted to confirm, Ian reached for the bedside table.

 

There was still unfinished morning tea there.

 

Ian picked it up and unhesitatingly brought it to his own lips.

 

Kalian’s eyes turned sharp.

 

*Clack!*

 

Kalian snatched away the teacup before it could touch Ian’s lips. In the process, tea spilled onto the floor. Watching the brown liquid seep into the carpet, Ian unconsciously clenched his fist tight.

 

Seeing that, Kalian’s anger also flared.

 

[First, someone tried to kill me to force me to reveal what my secrets, now another person is trying to kill himself! Why is everyone so extreme!? Can’t they just nicely ask instead of resorting to such drastic measures!?]

 

“What do you think you’re doing!?”

 

Kalian fiercely shouted at Ian while hurriedly reaching out to examine his face.

 

“Did any get into your system?”

 

Ian pushed away Kalian’s hand. It was behavior unlike his usual self, but there was no time to worry about that. Finding the silent Ian frustrating, Kalian raised his voice again.

 

“I asked if you drank it!”

 

“I didn’t!”

 

Ian shouted back. Kalian did not scold him for this. After a moment, Ian opened his mouth.

 

“So I’ve been giving poison to Your Highness with my own hands.”

 

He just stared at Kalian without another word. His expression revealed everything Ian wanted to say. All sorts of curses, anger and regret, appeared and disappeared.

 

All of it was directed not at Kalian but at Ian himself.

 

“When someone who can’t use a knife got one, I wondered why and while thinking about it.”

 

[That damn knife again! I knew I shouldn’t have bought it!]

 

“I connected it to Your Highness’s condition. When I recalled the medicine Lord Manasil gave you, I thought of Lord Manasil’s Son, who was poisoned to death in Liberen.”

 

Kalian looked at Ian in shock.

 

Allan’s incident was something he knew nothing about. Now, he finally understood why Allan had examined everything so thoroughly when they first met, and how he had known the details of his condition.

 

“As I followed that train of thought, I started considering poison. As the thoughts connected one after another, I wondered if it might be the morning tea.”

 

When Kalian had snatched away the teacup, it was as good as confirming it already.

 

Kalian had worried Ian might blame him, given his personality. Fortunately, Ian responded more coolly than expected.

 

“…Is it Sillike?”

 

Ian did not usually refer to Sillike that way.

 

If Kalian said yes, Ian looked ready to storm into Heisia Palace right then.

 

After watching Ian for a moment, Kalian answered quietly.

 

“What? Are you going to get revenge?”

 

“That wouldn’t be impossible.”

 

It was a voice gone cold as ice. The blood had drained from Ian’s clenched fist. Kalian shook his head.

 

“Leave the Elephants alone. It’ll start a war.”

 

Ian, who had been about to say something, closed his mouth.

 

He was replaying what Kalian had just said in his mind. Like that, Ian stared at Kalian for a long while without words.

 

Finally, a surprised voice escaped between his lips.

 

“…What?”

 

From the start, Ian had been too many similarities with Sleiman.

 

Kalian, who spent all day with Ian, could not have missed it. Though he had his doubts, when Rmain did not say anything for days after learning he had left the Royal Palace and found Allan, he completely caught on. Of course, he learned about their nickname, ‘Elephants’, from Allan.

 

Kalian spoke in a firm voice to the Baby Elephant sitting in front of him, blinking his eyes.

 

“We can’t start a war between Siegfried and Beurisen over one poisoned tea. You definitely cannot get your family involved into this. This is my matter, so leave it be.”

 

[You should remain like a proper herbivore, such that the Principals of the Siegfried Family do not waver.]

 

“It’ll be resolved on Tuesday anyway.”

 

Kalian spoke in a leisurely voice as he drank the remaining tea in the cup.

 

…

 

Kalian sent a carriage to bring Allan to the palace. As Ian had predicted, their schedule had opened up since the farewell ceremony and luncheon with the envoys proceeded without the Princes’ attendance.

 

As soon as Allan met Kalian, he held out a document. It was a compilation of information gathered by the Mages, specifically the circumstances of what Sillike had done. Kalian received it with a pleased expression and said:

 

“Thank you. Please make sure to tell the Arcane Enclave they’ve worked hard.”

 

“I’m giving it to you since you asked for it, but as you can see, I don’t think it will be of much help.”

 

Kalian smiled meaningfully and said:

 

“It depends on how they are used. This is enough.”

 

After putting it in the safe to look at later, Kalian opened his mouth again while looking at Allan. He needed to discuss what Allan would have to do from now on.

 

“Shall we walk for a bit?”

 

With the cloudy sky and strong winds, it was not good weather for walking. But worried about their conversation being overheard, Kalian spoke those words and left the room, and Allan silently followed.

 

“As expected.”

 

Kalian began speaking just as they were passing by the very spot where he had swallowed his anger while looking at the statue of Syspanian on his first day here.

 

Simultaneously with Kalian’s voice, a thin barrier formed around the two of them. It was the same spell Allan had used before, called Silent. This time, however, the Silent barrier moved along with their steps.

 

If Ian could have seen that barrier from the outside, he would have a word or two for Allan.

 

“Oh yeah, you could have used magic. So, we didn’t actually need to come out.”

 

Kalian smiled sheepishly.

 

“It’s good to have a Mage as my Master.”

 

“Please comfortably speak what is on your mind.”

 

Saying that, Allan tilted his head toward Kalian. Kalian nodded and spoke again.

 

“If I start seriously working with magic, whether it’s Sillike or Marquis Beurisen, they’ll definitely want to keep me in check. They’ll rack their brains trying to create justification to interfere somehow. It will only get worse as time goes on. Of course, we could respond just with your name or the Arcane Enclave alone, but I think it would be better if Master had more proper Forces to play.”

 

Allan smiled. He could see the intent behind bringing this up.

 

“Are you planning to use me as a shield this time?”

 

“As you know, you have too many uses. Though, rather than a shield…”

 

Kalian paused briefly to finish organizing his thoughts before continuing.

 

“You’re a weapon. One that should be enough to keep the Beurisen’s Knight Orders in check.”

 

Allan smiled. He had noticed that truly interesting things were about to happen.

 

“How exciting.”

 

“Yes. I think Master will like it too.”

 

“Then, what kind of weapon should I become for you?”

 

Around when their steps entered the area with the rose garden, Kalian’s answer came:

 

“A Mage Order.”

 

Allan tilted his head at the unfamiliar term. Not a Knight Order but a Mage Order.

 

“Literally an army composed of Mages.”

 

The Mage Order of Cyries, Valkan.

 

Kalian’s heart pounded as he recalled the memories of it.

 

How could he forget? The power of an army made up solely of Mages that had taken Bern’s life and Secritia!

 

‘White Demons’

 

This was what the people of Secritia called them. Whenever they appeared in their white cloaks, and white masks covering their faces, disaster inevitably followed.

 

A group that destroyed castles, filled valleys to make roads, burned cities, and froze Knights. They were truly demons who caused Secritia to helplessly lose.

 

However, they did not yet exist in the current time period.

 

“We’ll create a Mage Order.”

 

Kalian emphasized once more as he took another step. Surprisingly, Allan quietly kept his mouth shut and followed. It was not because he did not understand what Kalian was saying or because he felt resistance to it.

 

“Would that be possible? You know how Mages are as… people. Not only are they unused to group activities, but they also can’t train and grow together like Knights.”

 

He kept silent because he could not be certain of its feasibility.

 

It was an understandable reaction. Everyone had been the same. When Rmain said he would gather Mages to create an army, he had heard there was not anyone who did not mock the idea.

 

Allan was thinking the same thing now. [How could an army be composed of Mages? Would such an army even function properly?]

 

“It is possible.”

 

That was an answer more convincing than any other words could be. Because it was a testimony of a past, that was also the future.

 

“And it was accomplished right here in Cyries. It was achieved solely under Rmain’s hand.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Allan let out a short laugh and Kalian continued.

 

“I heard that when Rmain suddenly changed his stance of neglecting Mages, and said he would create a Mage Order, Beurisen did not even consider it worth opposing. That it would naturally disappear. Thanks to that, it was created. Since it was possible once, there’s no reason we can’t create it by moving up the timing.”

 

Allan did not respond. He had already started pondering how to create and operate it. However, there was something more important that needed to be told first, so Kalian interrupted Allan’s thoughts.

 

“It took quite a long time before it became a proper army. But right after the Mage Order took its complete form, Rmain died. It was a suspicious death.”

 

How he died, the cause of death was never revealed at all. The completed Mage Order was passed down intact to Plants, who inherited the throne.

 

For that reason, it was Plants rather than Rmain who realized the power of the Mage Order, and Secritia who feel it might.

 

“So it won’t be easy this time either. It will be dangerous. Because it’s on a completely different level from simply gathering Mages with Master’s reputation.”

 

“Since it’s dangerous, rather than asking if I can do it, you’re telling me there’s something that needs to be done, but it comes with risks that I should note, is that correct?”

 

“Yes. That’s right. It’s necessary but I’m also worried.”

 

Looking at his Disciple’s calm expression as he assigned him this new and dangerous task, Allan slightly tilted his head toward Kalian. Then, in a small voice come out, as if sharing a secret.

 

“Actually, I’m quite good at using magic.”

In other words, ‘Do not to worry.’

 

When Kalian nodded with a smile, Allan spoke again.

 

“But the beginning won’t be easy.”

 

If Allan stepped forward to create a Mage Order, the Beurisen family would not ignore and let it pass like they did when Rmain previously pushed forward with it. There would certainly be interference.

 

“Yes. That’s why I’m telling you now.”

 

After answering, Kalian watched the trees swaying in the wind for a moment before bringing up the most important part of this matter.

 

“Soon, Rmain will have another occasion to exchange gifts with Sillike. Like how he reduced some of the Beurisen Trader’s Guild’s profits in exchange for overlooking Plants’ mistake. This time, it will be in exchange for overlooking Sillike’s mistake.”

 

“Are you finally planning to deal with the poisoned tea?”

 

Since Allan immediately understood what he was going to say, Kalian clicked his tongue. [I was a fool to think I could try and deceive someone like this!]

 

“You really are quick-witted. Yes. The tea. I’m planning to get rid of this issue now. However, as I mentioned before, we won’t be able to punish Sillike with this incident. So, I’m thinking of using a slightly different method.”

 

The Mage’s testimony and records of importing Crimosa containing poison were insufficient as evidence to prove Sillike had given poisoned tea to Kalian. Moreover, since the people around Kalian would be harmed if it was revealed he had drunk poisoned tea, Kalian completely gave up on the idea of punishing Sillike with it.

 

“May I ask what method you are employing?”

 

Instead of answering, Kalian just gave a faint smile. It meant he would not explain in detail just yet.

 

“I’ll make it so we can use the fact that Sillike used poison on me as leverage for negotiation. When that happens, following Plants’ verbal slip recently, it will be as if Sillike herself has also caused trouble. In that case, Beurisen won’t be able to speak up much. At that time, you should demand that Marquis Beurisen and Sillike not interfere with the creation of the Mage Order.”

 

Allan nodded.

 

“And regarding getting rid of the tea, there is something I’ll need help with from the Arcane Enclave. I’ll ask once things are organized.”

 

“Understood. Just let me know, at any time.”

 

Allan answered readily before opening his mouth while recalling someone.

 

“By the way, once Your Highness’s poisoned tea issue is resolved, Rmain will also be relieved.”

 

“What do you mean Rmain will be relieved?”

 

“Actually, when I came here that day, I got quite angry at Rmain’s behavior. Then I ended up telling him what kind of ‘gift’ Sillike was giving to Your Highness.”

 

Along with these words, Allan explained what was said at the time. After expressing gratitude for taking his side in such a strong manner, despite only meeting for a day, Kalian fell into thought for a moment before nodding.

 

“Thanks to Master, what we’ll gain from this incident has increased. Though, we’ll still need some luck.”

 

After saying that, Kalian returned to their original conversation and continued.

 

“Anyway, since we don’t know when they will make such a huge mistake, like attempting to assassinate a Prince, we must negotiate this time. For that, we need at least have an outline planned for the Mage Order. So please start right away. Please discuss it with Rmain as well. I’m sure Rmain has thought about it a lot.”

 

“My Disciple, you’re working your old Master too hard.”

 

“Ian says you’re very energetic. So, I plan to work you without guilt.”

 

Allan’s gentle laughter softly echoed within the Silent barrier.

 

“As you wish.”