Chapter 44, You’ve Come Too Far (3)

Translator: Lizzz

Editor: Hedge

 

Seeing Hale’s expression, Kalian similarly furrowed his brows.

 

“Count, your expression doesn’t look good.”

 

Hale, who had been worried about whether his selling information to the Blue Warbler would be discovered, quickly smoothed his expression. His thoughts raced.

 

[No. Even if I get caught, aren’t the Secritians known for being ruthless? They will end their life the moment they are captured.]

 

Having found something to reassure himself with, Hale spoke sweetly.

 

“Not at all. My deep anger towards the one who attacked Your Highness drives me. Therefore, from today onwards, I, Hale, will take the lead in catching the culprit. After all, didn’t this happen in my territory?”

 

Kalian briefly showed an expression that indicated he was displeased. Through that expression, Hale became certain that Kalian was hiding something and secretly sneered at him.

 

[He was trying to test me. How presumptuous.]

 

Whether aware of such thoughts or not, Kalian slowly nodded his head.

 

“I understand.”

 

After his brief response, Kalian continued his meal without further words. During this time, Yuran quietly entered the dining room, said something to Ian, and left. Then Ian approached Kalian, bowed at the waist, and relayed what Yuran had just told him. Upon hearing the message, one of Kalian’s eyebrows visibly rose.

 

Soon, Kalian’s eyes turned toward Hale. Since Hale had been focused on Kalian from the moment Yuran entered, Kalian spoke directly without needing to call for his attention.

 

“That Norton man says he has something to tell me directly.”

 

After relaying the message, Kalian immediately put away his napkin and stood from his seat. Because of this, Hale, who had barely eaten anything, had to stand as well. As soon as Hale rose, Kalian asked.

 

“I’m thinking of going. Care to join?”

 

“Your Highness, are you saying you’ll go to the prison yourself?”

 

At those words, Kalian stared at Hale for a while. Then he answered in a quiet voice.

 

“Yes?”

 

“Isn’t that where the prisoners are?”

 

“Are you asking the obvious? It’s a prison, so of course there are prisoners.”

 

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

 

How could he say that he would take him to that filthy place where the prisoners were? If he wanted to go, he should go alone!

 

Hale suppressed these words that were trying to burst from his mouth.

 

“Couldn’t you have him brought here to meet us instead?”

 

“I could have him brought to meet me, or I could go to meet him. Is there anything I cannot do as I wish?”

 

“… No, Your Highness.”

 

In the end, with a face similar to a prisoner being taken to jail, Hale followed behind Kalian.

 

Hale had visited the underground prison once in his childhood out of curiosity. After fainting at the sight of pus-covered prisoners and the mass of centipedes writhing beneath the straw on the floor, he had never set foot in there again.

 

Returning to such a place after so long, Hale covered his nose. It was due to the unpleasant smell that had become particularly intense because of the unusual rain. Hale thought it fortunate that he had not eaten much breakfast as they walked toward Norton.

 

Norton sat with the same expression he had shown Kalian the day before. When he showed no particular reaction despite seeing Kalian and Hale enter, butler Malcom stepped forward.

 

“What are you doing? Why are you not standing to show respect?”

 

At those words, Norton glared at Malcom and said.

 

“Because of my accursed status, I am counting the days until my death. Do I still need to show respect now?”

 

He meant that if he had crossed swords with a commoner rather than a Prince, it woud not have come to this. Hale wanted to strike off this disrespectful fellow’s head immediately. But he was someone who needed to be kept alive to catch the greater criminal who had committed a more serious wrong. Norton was likely showing such nerve because he knew this as well.

 

Hale, thoroughly angered, briefly observed Kalian’s demeanour, but Kalian did not appear particularly displeased. So how could Hale show more anger in front of the Prince? He could only swear to himself that once everything was over, he would ensure Norton would not die peacefully, while desperately suppressing his rising anger.

 

After this brief incident, Norton spoke to Kalian.

 

“I remembered something, so I asked you to come.”

 

Kalian nodded slightly and replied.

 

“Speak.”

 

Norton briefly looked at Hale and Malcom. Then he glanced at the knights, and briefly observed the prison walls and its fist-sized windows. After surveying his surroundings like this, he slowly opened his mouth.

 

“That person is called Blue Warbler. She’s a spy from Secritia.”

 

Thunder sounded outside.

 

Lightning struck in Hale’s mind.

 

Among all the birds, why did that particular name have to come from those lips!

 

Norton alternately looked at Kalian and Hale. Then, as if revealing a great secret, he lowered his voice considerably and opened his mouth again.

 

“She said she was planning to sell something to someone here. Said it was someone she had connections with for a very long time.”

 

Norton grinned.

 

Seeing Hale’s face was quite a spectacle. Thinking this might be his only chance to corner someone of a Count’s status, Norton continued without stopping.

 

“But isn’t that strange? Having long-standing connections with a spy. What could there be to maintain such connections with a spy?”

 

Thus far, Norton had skillfully carried out what Kalian had ordered the night before.

 

“Just confess a few more things. As I tell you.”

 

“Are you telling me to lie?”

 

“It’s not a lie. I’m just borrowing your mouth.”

 

“After taking my arm, now you want my mouth as well? Alright.”

 

Recalling his conversation with Norton from the previous night, Kalian glared at Hale and said.

 

“‘There is nothing else but espionage, right?’”

 

And then, with a look that showed curiosity about Hale’s reaction, he asked again.

 

“Isn’t that right, Count Latran.”

 

Hale nodded his head in a way that made one wonder if creaking sounds could be heard. Kalian asked Norton.

 

“Have you ever heard the other party’s name?”

 

“I think I did, but I can’t quite remember.”

 

“You’ll soon be escorted to Cyriesus. Make sure to remember that name before you arrive. It won’t hurt you to be helpful.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Having realised this was not simply Kalian testing him, Hale unconsciously looked around. The smell, that unpleasant smell, stirred his mind. It felt like the mass of centipedes under the straw was crawling all over his body, and his limbs were covered in pus. He continuously imagined himself imprisoned in this jail.

 

Despite it being a commoner’s testimony, Hale was overwhelmed with anxiety that Rmain might take the testimony at face value and chop off his head if he was unlucky.

 

Hale hurriedly returned to his room, claiming a sudden headache. He needed to ask Marquis Beurisen for help right now!

 

Watching Hale’s retreating figure, Kalian quietly muttered.

 

“Hurry up and get busy.”

 

[Please create some proper evidence for me.]

 

* * *

 

When Kalian entered his room after visiting the prison and briefly stopping elsewhere, there were two unexpected guests: Sia and Hina.

 

Sia stared blankly at Kalian while Hina was startled and bowed at the waist. From what it appeared, they had been watching the bird while taking a break from cleaning.

 

“Hina came to clean. I followed. The bird is here. Hina said I shouldn’t come.”

 

Of course, Sia’s answer came first before any questions. Kalian spoke with a perplexed expression.

 

“I know. I won’t scold Hina. I wasn’t going to ask why you came.”

 

Arsene, the conversation handler, was needed, but he was not here.

 

Having not only wandered around catching birds but also staying up all night guarding Sia, he had probably fallen asleep not long ago.

 

Though the Blue Warbler had said she would leave Sia alone, Kalian could not send him away immediately. Therefore, they had reached an implicit agreement to accompany him at least to the vicinity, if not all the way to the Hirisca Forest.

 

[Would I get use to these conversations by the time we parted?] Kalian gave a small laugh. [Probably not,]

 

Then Kalian remembered the ‘forest path’ the Blue Warbler had mentioned and looked at Sia. She had definitely said they could not follow an Elf escaping through the forest path.

 

As soon as he said ‘forest’, Sia answered on his own.

 

“Right. forest path, I know a little too. Faster than human paths.”

 

Colour rose to Kalian’s face. He wondered if they could use that path to quickly reach the Siegfried Territory. But Sia spoke first.

 

“Mother Tree doesn’t open the forest to humans. So humans can’t use that path.”

 

[How unfair.] Kalian tried hard to suppress his desire to suggest to Rmain that they should ban Elves from using Royal Roads.

 

At that moment, Hina looked at Sia from beside them. Thanks to that strange and wonderful ability, Sia answered without needing to see the sign language.

 

“Okay.”

 

Then looking at Kalian, he said.

 

“She said she’s sorry. She’ll leave. She said she’d come back to clean later when the captain is not around.”

 

He had interpreted Hina’s words.

 

With those words, Sia, who had lost interest in Kalian’s room, left first.

 

And Hina hurriedly gathered her cleaning supplies. Even while doing so, her eyes kept wandering to the birdcage. Seeing this, a smile played on Kalian’s face. The damp feeling from being in the castle’s underground earlier seemed to dry up completely.

 

Although Hina was older than Kalian, this was a moment when he completely agreed with Ian’s words that if he had such a little sister, he would treat her well.

 

Soon Kalian spoke to Hina.

 

“The bird, I need to send it away this evening.”

 

Instead of showing disappointment, Hina nodded. Kalian spoke again.

 

“When we return to the palace, I’ll buy you a different bird.”

 

Hina’s eyes grew round before she quickly shook her head. A birdcage in a maid’s room? It would make Merlin, who lived with her, uncomfortable.

 

Kalian briefly looked out the window.

 

Because of the heavy rain, it was impossible to tell what time it was just from the sky’s colour. After standing silently for a while, Kalian pointed to the window and said.

 

“When I go in for dinner, please open the birdcage door. And the window too.”

 

Hina nodded in understanding.

 

* * *

 

Allan thought this might be the first time Rmain seemed to welcome his visit. Having left the news about Kalian unfinished last night, he had said he would properly inform him today, so that must be why Rmain was rising from his seat as if he had been waiting.

 

Wouldn’t it be better to deliver the news quickly since he had waited?

 

Therefore, Allan got straight to the point this time as well.

 

“Which criminal’s crime is more serious – the one selling Cyries information to another country, or the one involved with the group that attacked the Prince?”

 

Rmain silently gave a short nod.

 

Before Allan could gauge what that response meant, Rmain called for the captain of the Caera Knights.

 

“Are you planning to send a Knight Order to Latran, and the Caera Knights at that?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Allan hurriedly tried to dissuade Rmain, who was acting uncharacteristically emotional.

 

“It is not good for the Prince if the King’s Guard moves so easily. You know this, don’t you? The Caera Knights should be by Your Majesty’s side, so call another Knight Order.”

 

Rmain’s eyes twitched.

 

What Allan had explained was a serious crime among serious crimes that needed to be punished directly by the Royal Family. So it was not strange at all to send the Royal Knight Order. Moreover, there was a clear reason for wanting to send the Caela Knights.

 

“Are you saying we should send Beurisen’s sword to that child, who is right now among traitors?”

 

He spoke, thinking that a Knight Order belonging to Beurisen would not properly help Kalian, who would be there by himself. Hearing Rmain’s words, Allan answered leisurely.

 

“Since one of those traitors has betrayed Beurisen as well, there shouldn’t be any problems regarding this matter.”

 

After saying this, Allan explained who the two that needed to be caught were and what crimes they had committed. Rmain responded with a deep sigh.

 

“I knew Count Latran was good at sweet-talking, but I didn’t realise it was to this extent. And a Secritia spy at that. How did that child end up entangled with such dangerous people?”

 

“It just happened to turn out that way, he says.”

 

Allan answered with a face suggesting it was not a big deal.

 

It was not an excuse but rather the truth, so there was nothing to explain. Rmain interlocked his fingers and opened his mouth.

 

“I’ll send the Caren Knights.”

 

“Fine. And could you send some people to Count Latran’s mansion?”

 

Though the possibility was very low, he was asking because there might be evidence about this matter in the mansion in Cyriesus. It was being done, just in case.

 

Rmain, who had already been thinking of doing so, nodded.

 

“I’ll do that.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

After saying this, Allan looked at the lemon tea placed on the table. Even in the hot summer, Rmain enjoyed hot tea, and seeing steam rising vigorously from the tea, Allan shook his head. Then he tapped the teacup lightly with his fingertip.

 

As the rising steam subsided, a thin layer of ice formed.

 

Though he had long since transcended the realm of feeling hot and cold, shouldn’t one still drink something cool during summer?

 

After drinking the cold lemon tea with a satisfied expression, Allan said.

 

“If I may ask one more favour. I have somewhere I need to go today.”

 

Rmain looked at Allan.

 

Allan’s expression became very gentle.

 

“Even if my footsteps become somewhat noisy, please understand.”

 

Rmain nodded. Somehow, there was a hint of a smile on his face.