Chapter 283, For External Publicity (4)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Probing. And then an exchange of blows.

 

What Debeullan sought to protect.

 

What Kalian sought to seize.

 

What Debeullan sought to seize.

 

What Kalian sought to protect.

 

The conversation between the one attempting to seize and the one attempting to defend continued.

 

“Yes. That’s right. You couldn’t have been unaware of it. Just as I found you intriguing, you must have felt the same way about me, so you couldn’t have been unaware.”

 

Debeullan laughed with a small sound.

 

Kalian moved his lips into a long smile.

 

“Meeting you in person feels quite unfamiliar. The things said about you were so very different from what I see now.”

 

“Ah… that’s for external publicity. It’s probably quite different. Just as it is with Your Highness.”

 

Debeullan coughed, having spoken rather a lot since opening his eyes that morning. Kalian watched this without any particular expression.

 

“Ah, I understand what you mean. Well, well… aren’t you truly an amusing conversational partner. It’s entertaining enough to make me regret that my remaining days aren’t longer.”

 

“If it pleases you more, that too is fortunate.”

 

Debeullan was not one to take offence at words of this degree.

 

If Debeullan had thought Kalian would retreat after being angered, he would have deliberately shouted and shown rage, but knowing full well that would not be the case, he absolutely would not show anger.

 

Wasn’t Kalian the one who thought Count Aizen Aprin might have taken an interest even when those Rye Cookies were meant to mock Freya Hwiteurin? Debeullan was the same. Kalian knew well that Debeullan was genuinely enjoying himself right now.

 

“However, shouldn’t you abandon such grand ambitions?”

 

“Does my desire to set foot a bit more firmly on my own land appear to you as ambition?”

 

“It is ambition. The stench of blood reverberates wherever Your Majesty’s feet touch, so what else would you call wanting to remain longer in such a place if not ambition? It’s burdensome to watch and endure from the side, so I’d appreciate it if you’d withdraw your feet now.”

 

“No. No. It’s not ambition.”

 

“Then is it fear?”

 

“That’s right. Wouldn’t that be quite fitting? Being originally a greedy person, I’m also quite fearful, so I’m too afraid to let go of what I have. I can’t help being so afraid of lifting my feet from the place I’ve lived my entire life, can I? I have no choice but to make some effort not to lift my feet.”

 

Having said this, Debeullan drank coffee to wet his dry throat and suppress his cough. After resting briefly, his voice returned to normal and continued.

 

“By the way, I apologise. Intoxicated by the fragrance of conversing with you, I momentarily forgot what I meant to say.”

 

“It’s fine. Poison is originally like that.”

 

The warm atmosphere continued as if flowers might bloom at any moment, harmonious enough that anyone watching from afar would believe without doubt they were having an exceedingly pleasant conversation.

 

“Don’t worry and continue with what you were going to say. I’ll listen.”

 

“Yes. I should. I’m counting the days until I die, so I shouldn’t delay when the opportunity comes, lest I be too late.”

 

“Yes. You’re quite right.”

 

However, Debeullan couldn’t immediately bring out his question.

 

Kalian watched Debeullan, who didn’t hide the few short coughs that burst forth, and opened his mouth.

 

“You seem rather weary. How about withdrawing for now? You can speak later.”

 

“How could I do that? As you said, I don’t know how long this life will continue, so I shouldn’t postpone it when I have the opportunity. Besides, what I’m about to ask is my real question.”

 

Kalian slowly nodded, and Debeullan continued speaking.

 

“My bird… no. Eila. Yes, Eila. That child conveyed many interesting stories, and I listened with great interest, but the stories about you were particularly worth hearing. At first, I heard you procured poison that stops the heart from my birds and used the swords of the Knights here, then produced Aura overnight. The rather cunning methods by which you solidified your position were so familiar to me, so I became intrigued.”

 

“Did you?”

 

“I heard the stories about you from Eila. But thinking about it, that’s quite strange, isn’t it? Why did I hear those stories from Eila? There were quite many of my birds present there.”

 

Debeullan paused briefly and looked at Kalian.

 

It appeared as though he was asking for an opinion, so Kalian conveyed his answer in a light voice.

 

“Wouldn’t it be because the birds stopped at a hand they were passing through?”

 

As if this was the answer he wanted, Debeullan showed a satisfied expression and opened his mouth again.

 

“That’s right. Exactly. Since I wasn’t watching the birds sent to Cyries, the Crown Prince who watched the birds in my stead did not convey those words to me. So I paid a bit more attention. Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince said he would briefly visit Cyriesus, so I told him to do so. Then that child went to Cyriesus and eliminated quite many of my birds. So, what might be the reason for that?”

 

“It’s because Chase cares for me very much. Is there any other special reason for that as well?”

 

“No. This is special. Why does a Crown Prince of another nation cherish you so much?”

 

And Kalian conveyed his answer with a face that suggested it was nothing special.

 

“Who wouldn’t feel inclined to cherish me upon seeing me?”

 

Weren’t quite many people cherishing Kalian, from Allan to Ian, Kyrie, and Arsene, to the close Rmain and the distant Sleiman? He even received affection from Syspanian and the Mother Tree, so Chase behaving that way couldn’t be anything special.

 

Honestly speaking, a Prince with many abilities, much money, much affection, and much understanding, whose mother was an Elf and father was a King, making even his Bloodline special, who had now even learnt to endure well, who wouldn’t cherish such a person?

 

[Ah. Except for Dmirea and my older brother upstairs.]

 

“Would that be the only reason?”

 

A smile played on Kalian’s lips.

 

“If we must search for another reason, there would be one more.”

 

Kalian, who had been looking at Debeullan briefly, raised a finger and pointed at himself as he continued speaking.

 

“Looking at me, it might feel as if he’s found a lost younger brother.”

 

Debeullan, who had been looking at Kalian briefly, leant back against the sofa.

 

“A lost younger brother… then when I look at you, should I feel as if I’m seeing my son?”

 

“Ah… I told you my surname is different, but you’ve already forgotten.”

 

Kalian, whose face still held traces of laughter, shook his head once and conveyed the rest of his answer.

 

“Please do not speak so carelessly. I’m greatly worried my father back home might feel hurt.”

 

Debeullan made a small laughing sound.

 

“Does it work that way?”

 

“It does.”

 

That answer apparently was not unpleasant either, as Debeullan readily nodded. Then he moved his body to take another sip of coffee before leaning back against the sofa and opening his mouth.

 

“Then may I ask one more thing?”

 

“If I said no, would you refrain from asking?”

 

“I wouldn’t.”

 

“Then, please ask. I’ll answer.”

 

Debeullan coughed several times briefly before opening his mouth again.

 

“The Crown Prince cherishes you so much. Then who do you cherish so much? I’m curious about that.”

 

‘Raven.’

 

Just as he was about to say that, Kalian, recalling once more his older brother’s words to engage in the exchange without concealment or falsehood, opened his mouth.

 

“I cherish most the healer named Hina that Your Majesty has been searching for.”

 

“Is that so? If she’s so precious, I’m considering inviting that healer here. What do you think?”

 

“You need not trouble yourself.”

 

Having said this, Kalian smiled brightly and answered.

 

“She’ll be attending Chase’s coronation ceremony anyway.”

 

Debeullan burst into laughter once more.

 

“You truly are an amusing person. I can’t even recall when I last had such a sincere conversation. Conversing with you is truly delightful. So, what am I to do about this?”

 

Whether coughs came or not, whether breath caught or not, he laughed with a face that showed genuine pleasure. After quite some time, Debeullan finally stopped laughing and showed Kalian a gentle smile.

 

“Sending back someone so delightful to only watch once more would leave me with great regret.”

 

And at last, he revealed his venomous fangs.

 

* * *

 

[Yes. I did say that. That I would clean up the situation. I did say that. I said I’d clean things up, but not that I’d wage war…]

 

“… Ha.”

 

Looking at Kalian, who was smiling brightly after barking as instructed, Plants let out a truly deep sigh and pointed at the table.

 

“Right.”

 

It meant he understood. In short, ‘just continue eating what you were eating. Whether you eat or devour it, whatever.’

 

“Did you eat today, older brother? You’re only eating greens again.”

 

[I ate. But I got indigestion this morning, let alone lunch. I had no particular appetite for lunch, so I just picked at some salad and left it at that. After that, I had no particular thoughts for dinner either, so I just ate salad and soup.]

 

[Because I didn’t eat properly and only suffered indigestion, Syspanian’s Blessing didn’t activate this time either.]

 

However, since he could not explain why he had indigestion, Plants, who was actually gentle when one truly got to know him, just nodded roughly without other words.

 

Then he opened his mouth towards Kalian, whom he had only met in the evening after Kalian had not come out of his room all day following his private meeting with Debeullan.

 

“Eat. Continue.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Kalian, who readily nodded, began delicately wielding his fork and knife again.

 

Salad full of olive fragrance and white bread.

 

Tender soup with minced beef and white mushrooms, lobster and mussels grilled in butter and garlic. Veal steak placed atop cream sauce containing fragrant truffles. Tomato stew with squid and prawns, and raw oysters arranged with lemon.

 

Because eating habits were one thing that did not change even as time flowed, people changed, and places of residence altered.

 

Plants, who had been staring for a while at Kalian calmly reducing the variety of dishes before him, a menu prepared in a place that could perhaps provide the most suitable meal, full of meat, full of seafood, full of many, many oysters… let out another sigh.

 

[At this rate, I’ll grow old before I learn of that bastard’s real age.]

 

With a truly complicated expression, Plants, who had been recalling in his mind all that numerous content Kalian had barked at Debeullan, turned his head.

 

“Blue haired Mage.”

 

“… Yes, Prince Plants.”

 

Arsene, who couldn’t say anything, reluctantly answered, and Plants opened his mouth again.

 

“Call Lady Seiren and Lady Grace.”

 

The Head of the Arcane Enclave was Lady Seiren and Lady Grace was just Lady Grace, but why was he called the blue haired Mage, by the green-haired Prince Plants?

 

“… Yes. Your Highness.”

 

Arsene, whose face clearly showed he was holding back what he wanted to say, nodded in acknowledgement and stood up. He had finished eating ages ago anyway and had been watching the oysters tumbling into Kalian’s mouth one after another, so there was no reason to remain seated.

 

“Don’t contact Cyries.”

 

“I won’t.”

 

He answered in a grumbling manner, looking at Plants, who had added a word in case this Mad Mage might actually ask them to prepare for war. Then he walked out with heavy steps.

 

Afterwards, Plants turned his head towards his younger brother, who had cut tender meat, covered it thoroughly with cream sauce, put it in his mouth, and was making the most satisfied expression in the world.

 

[As always. He really devours it well. Really devours it all well.]

 

Anyway, knowing full well that his younger brother became hungry in the stomach when empty in the heart, Plants just left alone his younger brother who barked well, came back, stayed holed up in his room all day, and now devoured his food thoroughly well.

 

And some time later, Arsene brought the two Mages.

 

When Plants, who had briefly gone outside to converse with the two Mages, returned to where Kalian had been alone, Kalian was putting down the fork and knife in his hands. Finally…

 

“I ate well after a long time.”

 

[Yes. You ate really well just yesterday too, but I suppose you’ve forgotten all that.]

 

“Right.”

 

Kalian, who had been sipping a beverage mixed with a very small amount of wine, tangerines, limes, and sparkling water, turned his head to look at Plants.

 

“You’re neither sitting nor leaving. What are you doing there?”

 

“Waiting.”

 

“Why are you waiting for me?”

 

“To go out.”

 

“Where to?”

 

“Outside.”

 

“You don’t mean outside the Palace, right?”

 

“I do though.”

 

A *clinking* sound came from the ice that had filled the sparkling water. Kalian, who made an ice sound once like clicking his tongue, opened his mouth again.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“The sea.”

 

[I don’t want to keep looking at a bloody sea for the rest of my life, older brother, why do you keep going on about the sea?]

 

Kalian, whose face held such thoughts, spoke more politely.

 

“Older brother, when exactly does your adolescence end?”

 

And Plants paid no attention.

 

“If you’re going to bark, go bark there. Let’s go.”

 

“Why go there? It’ll be night soon.”

 

“It’ll be my birthday by the time we arrive at the sea.”

 

“You’re saying you must see the sea because it’s your birthday? Even though it will clearly be dangerous?”

 

Plants nodded.

 

Kalian, who had been staring at Plants for a long while, quietly nodded. Then he stood up from his seat.

 

“Alright. Let’s go.”

 

The corners of Plants’ mouth lifted slightly as he watched Kalian say this and lead the way.

 

[I told Chase. That I wouldn’t play the role of bait. But I didn’t say I had no intention of throwing my younger brother out as bait.]