Chapter 284, For External Publicity (5)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

It took one year to drive out Sillike.

 

It took two years to remove Evan.

 

Then Debeullan.

 

*Tap tap tap.*

 

After arriving at Secritia Royal Palace, without even a moment to recall some memories and converse with those he had missed, Kalian met Debeullan first. Rather than ‘met’, it would be more accurate to say he was summoned, but anyway, they met. Without taking their eyes off each other for even a single moment, they exchanged poison wrapped in the pretence of words.

 

The fingers holding the glass cup containing cold mint tea made a slow sound. From morning until midday, the only things that had entered his body were a sip of the mint tea now in his hand and the sweet coffee fragrance he had smelt that morning.

 

Nevertheless, the reason he did not feel hunger was…

 

“Because I gorged myself on poison.”

 

With so much poison exchanged between them, even without eating anything particular, he could not help but be full.

 

As soon as he returned to his room, Kalian, uncharacteristically burying himself deep into the sofa, tapped the glass hundreds of times with the fingertips placed on the armrest while thinking.

 

The sleeping incense containing poison that Queen Diana and Royal Consort Louise had prepared was no longer being delivered. Having learnt of Chase’s change of heart and Louise’s betrayal, Debeullan was no longer careless. So, if left alone, Debeullan would live while suffering minor ailments and somehow receive treatment.

 

Since the creature called a snake forgives no one and forgets nothing, if that happened, Debeullan would not abandon his revenge towards Chase and Louise or put aside his deep interest in Kalian.

 

So what should he do?

 

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

 

‘You needn’t worry unnecessarily. Your Majesty won’t see me leave.’

 

How should he burn away that snake, that poison?

 

How should a Prince of Cyries deal with the King of Secritia?

 

*Tap tap tap.*

 

Originally, he had acted out a performance, even showing his red Aura, to make Debeullan suspect his connection with Zeon, but he had been hit by the splendid blow Plants delivered from behind. Thanks to that, there had been insufficient time to make Debeullan, who had been concerned about what Louise had done, to take an interest in Kalian?

 

So he barked at Debeullan.

 

In the end, he barked until words of concern for Kalian’s safety came from Debeullan’s mouth. Though it was a different method from what he had planned, that was how he tied the gaze directed at Louise to himself.

 

After that, he continued his long contemplation.

 

To kill first the opponent who would be thinking exactly the same thoughts with exactly the same appearance as himself at this very moment.

 

“Kyrie.”

 

Without gauging how many minutes or hours had passed, as soon as he opened his mouth quietly, Kyrie, who had been continuously guarding the door since Kalian’s return, entered.

 

“Bring Lord Hertz. Quietly, without drawing attention.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Kyrie, who bowed briefly, went outside.

 

Kalian, who had been about to add that he need not stand guard outside to that extent, just closed his mouth.

 

Before long, Kyrie entered again. The door remained open a bit longer than before, then closed. And Kalian, looking a little behind Kyrie, precisely towards the door where no one appeared to be, opened his mouth.

 

“Come sit here, Lord Hertz.”

 

Along with this, Arsene revealed himself, as if removing a veil hung in thin air. Arsene, who had entered following Kyrie while using an Invisibility Spell, greeted him and then sat opposite Kalian.

 

“You came well without drawing attention.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Not at all.”

 

Arsene, who answered briefly, said nothing further. At his appearance, calmer than usual, Kalian let out a small laugh.

 

According to Kyrie, he had not shown any particular reaction in front of Chase, but he clearly seemed concerned. About being in that Secritia Palace.

 

“Is your duckling doing well?”

 

Kalian, who had been concerned about the pea’s feelings but had not managed to look after his lackey, asked a light question. Even in the midst of this, he could not quite bring himself to say the name ‘Coco’.

 

A straightforward, easy-to-remember name with truly good meaning that even stuck well to the tongue, with nothing to criticise and simply good in every way like Sturdy. Yet he could not even create such an excellent name, but named it Coco. Anyway, his naming skills was something Kalian wanted to avoid commenting on.

 

“Yes, Your Highness. It eats well and grows so much each day, it’s almost unrecognisable.”

 

As the duck’s parent, understanding this was a question meant to change the atmosphere, answered with a smile. After exchanging several light words following that, Kalian closed his mouth briefly. Then, organising his thoughts once more, he spoke.

 

“There’s one matter I’d like to ask of you, which is why I asked you to come.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness. Please tell me anything.”

 

Kalian, who nodded, made the mint tea he’d been holding for ages, which ice had completely melted, cold again. Then, after taking a sip, he presented a request to Arsene. Having heard the entire story, Arsene readily nodded, and Kalian conveyed his thanks.

 

This was before spending the bright hours with coffee fragrance and a cup of mint tea, devouring quite many things, and then, when the dark night came, being dragged to the sea while pretending he could not resist his adolescent older brother’s birthday demands.

 

* * *

 

They did not go to the small sea they had visited with Chase.

 

Since the spire alone had been sufficient to take Plants there without considering Chase’s feelings, there was no intention of going to that sea with Plants as well.

 

Besides, that small sea was also a place Debeullan did not know about, so they should avoid moving their feet in that direction. Queen Diana’s grave near that sea could be visited later.

 

Kalian, who had mounted Estina and briefly glanced at Plants following without a word, turned his head forward again. The Knights of Secritia who would guide them to a sea owned by the Secritia Royal Family came into view. Plants, whose whims were truly severe and who insisted on seeing the sea in the dead of night, and Kalian, who ultimately could not stop such a Plants.

 

There were familiar faces.

 

No, there were exactly two unfamiliar faces. The remaining thirteen were all people he knew.

 

They were not Knights of the Royal Knight Order, who had remained in the Palace until the very end and thus left outside the Palace with Bern. However, they were those who had already been standing there before the Royal Knight Order exited the castle gates.

 

“… I’ll need to have a conversation with Great Elder Elf, Narzan, later.”

 

Kalian, deliberately erasing the recollection of each Knight’s name and final face, opened his mouth as such.

 

“Since my older brother likes the sea so much, shouldn’t I, in my duty as a younger brother, make arrangements so he can visit that sea he loves whenever he wishes?”

 

The dark night.

 

The sound of horses’ hooves matching steps and walking at a constant pace without galloping.

 

Because the only noise heard was precisely that, Kalian’s quiet voice reached everyone.

 

“Why does my younger brother plan such useless things?”

 

Surprisingly, Plants spoke the words ‘don’t bark’ at quite some length. Thanks to this, Kalian’s lips lifted long. He had caught on to what sort of conversation Plants wanted now.

 

Kalian, making a very small laughing sound, opened his mouth.

 

“Whether it will be useful or useless. Unless one is Syspanian, no one can know such things, can they? So, wouldn’t it be good to make preparations in advance? That’s what I think. Especially these days, all the more to do so.”

 

“I’ll understand if you don’t give me a present, but I’d appreciate it if you’d at least close that noisy mouth.”

 

“Noisy? How hurtful. I’m a younger brother who came all this way with you and is even walking this troublesome path together. Couldn’t you treat me a bit more affectionately?”

 

“If you’re going to keep spouting words you don’t mean, go back.”

 

“No. Since I’ve already taken these steps, I must continue.”

 

Kalian, who retorted with a bright smile, added in a somewhat smaller voice.

 

“… Since it is your birthday.”

 

The younger brother said he would make arrangements so that when removed from the position of Crown Prince, unable to remain in the Palace, Plants could at least live looking around the sea he loved. And the older brother responded that it was he who would ascend to the position of Crown Prince, so why was he making such useless plans.

 

Thus, an ‘extremely ordinary conversation between Princes’ concluded. And the Knights pretended they had heard nothing and just kept looking straight ahead in silence.

 

How much further did they walk like that?

 

A thick smell of salt became perceptible, and the sound of great waters wetting the earth began to be heard little by little.

 

“This is the place. We’ll guard the perimeter, so please look around comfortably.”

 

Even if there was a reason for coming to this place, it was no less welcome for that.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Kalian, who nodded and answered the words of the one who had led the Knights, briefly stopped Raven’s steps and looked around with a face bearing various expressions. Then he gripped Raven’s reins firmly.

 

Because, just like that day long ago when he had first encountered Chase, Raven tried to dash immediately towards where the waves were clearly visible.

 

“Wait here, Raven.”

 

Kalian, who conveyed his words as if whispering, dismounted from Raven’s back.

 

Soon Kalian took out his pocket watch to check the time, then moved his feet step by step. He heard the sound of Plants following behind.

 

Kalian did not leave footprints on the sand.

 

The two people walked towards the waves, and only one person’s footprints remained.

 

“What are you thinking about again?”

 

Kalian, standing at the end of those footprints and breathing in deeply of the salty scent, opened his mouth. Plants, who had been looking at the semi-transparent Silent barrier that would not be visible from outside, answered.

 

“Not much.”

 

“I don’t think that’s true.”

 

Kalian, smiling broadly, added one more syllable.

 

“…Though.”

 

It was not the pea’s birthday just yet.

 

Watching Plants’ brow furrow again, Kalian opened his mouth.

 

“I came since you insisted on coming. But whether you’re trying to deceive Debeullan or deceive me, I don’t quite understand your schemes, older brother.”

 

When they returned to the Palace, the conversation the two had shared before coming here would be conveyed to Debeullan, and Debeullan would not believe it. Because he knew that Kalian, who uses Magic, would not have a personal conversation in a place where Knights were present.

 

Would he believe these two brothers got along well?

 

Or would he think they did not get along?

 

In the end, these steps were for deceiving and being deceived, so it was difficult to hastily predict.

 

“Or did you genuinely want to see the sea?”

 

“Both.”

 

[I do have a scheme in mind, but it’s also true I came to see the sea.]

 

“Curious. Because you said it was different.”

 

Instead of asking whether he would reveal those schemes, Kalian just nodded and answered.

 

“It is different. The sea’s colour is different and its appearance is different. The sea there was very deep, but this one isn’t. There are even days when it’s so truly clear it’s difficult to distinguish whether it’s the sky or the sea.”

 

“I see.”

 

“To see that, you should have come during the day. Shame.”

 

“… Later.”

 

“Yes. I’ll show you again later. Later, when you can eat cod with peace of mind.”

 

Soon Kalian bent his body and sat where he had been standing. Though a table and chairs were prepared at a slightly distant spot for them to sit separately, he paid no attention. He also switched off his concern about the amazement the Knights, who had never seen a Royal sit on the ground due to Bern’s absence.

 

After all, Bern used to sit, lie down, and sleep anywhere. So, how might one feel at seeing a Royal sitting on the ground for the first time, was intriguing indeed.

 

“I didn’t prepare a birthday present. I’ve given you so much already that if I gave you a present as well, it seemed you’d try to repay me.”

 

“I didn’t ask for one.”

 

“I know.”

 

“Though it feels like I might have received one already.”

 

Kalian raised his head to look up at Plants.

 

Plants, who had been looking at various parts of the sea for quite some time without other words, sat in a spot somewhat removed from Kalian, a bit closer to the waves.

 

“You planted Reunieri Flowers.”

 

“How did you know about that?”

 

“By chance.”

 

“I didn’t give them as a birthday present though.”

 

“Isn’t it the receiver’s heart that matters?”

 

‘Besides, wasn’t it around the same time anyway?’

 

Somehow, feeling as if he had heard such words, Kalian let out a short sigh once and raised his head to look at the sky.

 

“I don’t remember when it started… but around my current age, I didn’t look at the sky. Well, it would be a lie to say I never looked at it even once, but I had never consciously looked up at the sky.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I couldn’t bear to see it.”

 

Kalian continued opening his mouth while looking at the literally overflowing silver sky.

 

“Living like that without looking at the sky even once, after Debeullan died and I was driven out of the Palace as I mentioned, I had nowhere to go, so I went to a different small seaside place rather than here. It was the sort of place where they told me to rest comfortably and stay as long as I wanted, so I intended to spend time there appropriately before returning.”

 

Plants nodded silently.

 

“Then, the day was so hot I absolutely couldn’t stay inside the hut. So, I came outside and lay down, and the sky was visible. The Moon was bright and there were many stars. As I kept looking at it like that, laughter came out for no reason. I laughed like a madman, clutching my stomach.”

 

“You are a madman.”

 

“Ah, well, that might be true. You’re right about that.”

 

Kalian, who laughed briefly, continued speaking.

 

“I thought, there’s no reason I can’t look up, is there? After that, I kept looking at the sky like that. Looking at the Moon, looking at the stars. Watching the clouds and often making bets with older brother Chase about whether it would rain or not. That’s how I lived.”

 

[Come to think of it, I need to collect all that betting money when I go back.]

 

Kalian thought, making another laughing sound at the resolution that arose unconsciously. His voice, placed upon the waves, flowed out like the sound of waves, sometimes resembling rain and sometimes resembling wind.

 

“You bowed your head. That day, older brother. Because I happened to see that, I didn’t hesitate either. I just didn’t pay attention to what I was thinking and just planted them. The Reunieri Flowers.”

 

“You’re saying you saved me without knowing why.”

 

“It’s true I just felt I should save you without knowing the reason. But I didn’t hesitate.”

 

Before Plants blocked Sillike’s path. Because he saw someone bow their head at the words that someone had died, he prevented Plants from dying to Sillike’s dagger. So, he planted the Reunieri Flowers, he had explained.

 

He had also said things like, ‘Do you perhaps know why I saved that hateful bastard?’, and asked whether he truly would not tell him why he’d lived such a life to the very end, and said things like, ‘Whatever it is, I have nothing to apologise to you for.’ He seemed to have said quite many things, but since he did not remember them all, he just did not mention them.

 

“Well, anyway.”

 

Kalian, who concluded his words appropriately, took out a small pouch from his bosom. Then, after rummaging inside it several times, he took out something about the size of two palms and handed it to Plants. Though it seemed his birthday had arrived, this was not a birthday present. He’d just offered something he’d been planning to use himself.

 

“What is it?”

 

“Because you can handle Mana.”

 

“You said there was no present.”

 

“It’s not a present, though.”

 

After not forgetting to use informal speech one last time, speech he wouldn’t be able to use again until next summer, Kalian smiled and said.

 

“I understand why you told me to come live here. You probably thought it would be right for me to return here since my old home is here, my older brother is here, and my old mother is also here. Because mother knows me, I’d already agonised over the same thing. But I found myself unconsciously thinking, ‘I should go back once I’ve resolved matters here.’ So, you needn’t worry about me, but…”

 

Plants, without other words, looked down at the crystal panel in his hand.

 

What Etienne had sent to Allan. What had been included along with the orchid-scented green tea that Rmain and Allan had drunk.

 

The item was sent to Allan, after the Queen found out he had a newly acquired son. She wanted Allan to see his face wherever they went, and Kalian had just given it to Plants.

 

Since he had made the request to Allan after returning from the spire, the other crystal panel would probably by now be…

 

*Miaow!*

*Miaow!*

 

With Rerik.

 

As soon as faint light flowed from the crystal panel, before even seeing what was on the other side, that sound was heard.

 

To Plants, who still silently gazed down at it, Kalian added one more word.

 

“I’m giving this in case you think only I have a place to return to. Though I possess many things, you lack nothing compared to me, so don’t be envious.”

 

“… stop barking.”

 

“Isn’t your reaction too harsh when I’ve given you a present?”

 

“You said it’s not a present.”

 

“Ah. That’s right.”

 

Having said this, Kalian stood up from his seat and brushed off the sand on his clothes with light taps.

 

“I don’t think I’ll forget your face, older brother, but just in case I do forget. Greet them briefly. As for me…”

 

Kalian, briefly examining the distance, smiled slightly.

 

A satisfied growling, like that of a predator having found good prey, created a red light. Kalian’s eyes narrowed as he looked far away at other lights of a colour seemingly similar to what had gathered at his fingertips.

 

“I’ll go and receive the blow from behind that my clever other older brother has prepared.”

 

Beneath the black sky facing the black sea, Kalian concealed his body within the shadows.

 

*Whoooosh!*

 

The afterimage of red light created a long light in the air before scattering away.