Chapter 56, I’m Alive (4)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

That day.

 

Birds took flight all day long from the Siegfried Territory.

 

Messenger birds of all colours departed toward Cyriesus. Though the birds’ appearances varied, the contents of their letters were all the same.

 

When the Third Prince entered Syspanian’s Lair, a bright light spread out. A light so vast it was visible even from outside the Siegfried outer fortress.

 

This was the extent of the news written by the servants of Nobles staying in Siegfried Territory. Since no one knew what had happened inside or what that light was, no additional information could be included.

 

The only person who could confirm this was Kalian, who came down from the mountain with a face that suggested he had merely gone for a walk. After simply declaring that he had completely finished his coming-of-age ceremony, he immediately returned to Siegfried Castle.

 

Duke Sleiman did not ask Kalian about it.

 

He merely ordered lunch to be sent separately to Kalian’s room, then went out to the terrace connected to the reception room to leisurely enjoy the breeze.

 

While standing on the terrace, Sleiman chuckled as he watched several messenger birds disappear into the sky. With genuine surprise, he remarked.

 

“Only now do I realise how many mouths there are in my territory!”

 

He was saying that he had not even kept track of how many people resided in Siegfried Territory – who had sent the news out. This prompted the person beside him to rebuke.

 

“Is this really a matter to marvel at?”

 

It was Dmirea, Ian’s little sister, and heir to the Siegfried Ducal Family.

 

Dmirea had a cute face with round eyes like Ian, and though seemed somewhat awkward, she wore a strict expression that somehow strangely suited her.

 

Looking at his daughter, who had grown up so quickly and had started nagging at him, Sleiman gently said.

 

“Isn’t it fine to just appreciate it and move on?”

 

But Dmirea firmly shook her head.

 

“Those who envy great power can be found anywhere. Will they never be involved with our Family? I believe we need to know in advance which Families’ servants are here and be vigilant of them.”

 

She was clearly expressing her thoughts with reasons to support them. Sleiman smiled contentedly at the sight of Dmirea gradually growing into the next Head of the Siegfried Family.

 

“Very good. You seem to take little from me. My marriage has been a good one indeed!”

 

Sleiman was probably the only person who would be happy that his children did not take much after him. He laughed heartily as he thought of the always thoughtful Duchess Siegfried, then looked at Dmirea and continued.

 

“But if our Family becomes wary of them, that it would become political. We are protectors, not rulers or kingmakers. We build our strength to hold up our shields, don’t we?”

 

Dmirea did not immediately answer. Her thoughts differed from Sleiman’s.

 

After a moment, Dmirea pointed to a window visible in the distance. It was toward the guest room where Kalian was staying.

 

“Dad, but this time might be different.”

 

Ian was at the Royal Palace and he was deeply connected to Kalian.

 

Sleiman knew what she meant. After all, hadn’t the Duke already sold his name to Ian during his recent visit to the palace?

 

Whether Ian would need only Sleiman’s name next time or his sword—that was something even Sleiman found difficult to guarantee.

 

“Even without being vigilant, we are still preparing, aren’t we?”

 

Saying this, Sleiman looked toward the training ground within the castle. Numerous Knights were diligently training, crossing swords without fail.

 

“You should know I’m not oblivious.”

 

Though his words sounded foolish, they conveyed confidence rather than arrogance.

 

However, Sleiman was not one to stubbornly insist only on his own ideas. Therefore, he gently stroked Dmirea’s head and continued.

 

“Even so, do find out which Families’ servants are living here.”

 

Only then did Dmirea nod.

 

As she was about to thank Sleiman for listening to her opinion, the terrace door opened and Ian came out.

 

“Wow. There are a lot of messenger birds, aren’t there?”

 

The number of people who merely appreciated the sight increased by one.

 

Dmirea’s face hardened, and Sleiman laughed loudly as he answered.

 

“Aren’t there!? I even saw a hawk!”

 

As if responding to his words, another bird took flight.

 

Watching the father and son, who were saying things like, ‘There goes another one, wow!’ Dmirea’s eyes were filled with deep worry. This was because the shoulders that would one day have to bear this Family felt very heavy.

 

* * *

 

‘Come back when you think you are sufficiently prepared.’

 

Kalian recalled Syspanian’s final words and chuckled.

 

[I wonder what else she wants to tell me?]

 

Ian, who had just returned from meeting his father, was now sitting across from Kalian, with his round eyes opened wide.

 

Instead of answering that gaze, Kalian lifted the cold mint tea that was on the table. The ice in the cup made a clear sound.

 

[…’Sufficiently prepared,’ huh?]

 

It was still a difficult statement to interpret. Ian shifted his gaze from Kalian to the window. He did not want his staring to seem like it was demanding an answer.

 

Kalian also looked out the window.

 

The training ground filled with Sleiman’s Knights came into view. Kyrie, who had somehow made his way there, could be seen among the Knights.

 

Thinking that he was diligent, Kalian turned his gaze and this time saw Hina sitting in the garden.

 

Hina was continuously stroking something, which upon closer inspection turned out to be a poodle with bronze curly fur. It was Sleiman’s dog that supposedly resembled Ian so much that it had been named ‘Ian’ as well.

 

Seeing Hina’s brightly smiling face, Kalian murmured. “So, she prefers dogs to birds. I wonder if dogs can be kept in Chermil Palace?”

 

Ian, who had been silently drinking tea with him until now, spoke up.

 

“You keep thinking about what to give Hina. Last time you showed interest while thinking about birds.”

 

Ian’s voice showed suspicion. Since it was obvious what he was thinking, Kalian immediately clarified the misunderstanding.

 

“Not that kind of interest.”

 

Meaning he was not holding any romantic feelings for her.

 

Nodding at those words, Ian looked back at Hina and smiled. This was because he saw Hina making hand gestures in front of the poodle’s eyes.

 

“She’s using sign language even with a dog. How cute.”

 

That comment made Kalian curious enough to ask.

 

“How do you know sign language?”

 

It was a casual question.

 

But there was no answer from Ian.

 

Realising he had asked something inappropriate, Kalian was about to change the subject when Ian spoke again. He still had not taken his eyes off the window.

 

“I had an older brother.”

 

The key word being ‘had’.

 

That alone was explanation enough.

 

But Ian did not stop there and continued his story.

 

“He wasn’t healthy…… I had to learn many things to be with him. Soon, it all became useless.”

 

After saying this, Ian took a sip of his tea. Seeing Kalian’s face, unable to find suitable words to respond, Ian smiled and said.

 

“It was a long time ago, so it’s fine. I have the Prince now.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Soon, Ian pointed to the dog outside the window, clearly intending to find a different topic.

 

“That one is scared of everything. It barks so much. If you were to raise it in Chermil, Plants would not be able to stand it. Same with Prince Randel.”

 

He clearly did not want to dwell on the topic and become gloomy.

 

He might also have been considering Kalian’s awkwardness. In any case, it was clear that he intended to put aside the story about his deceased brother, so Kalian did not ask further and responded to the new topic.

 

“Then I’ll have to go to Camilon.”

 

Camilon Palace.

 

It was the Crown Prince’s residence.

 

Ian turned his head to stare at Kalian and asked.

 

“You’ve never mentioned becoming the Crown Prince until now.”

 

“You said I can’t keep it in Chermil. So I’ll have to go to Camilon, don’t I?”

 

Ian’s face became incredulous.

 

“The only person who would go to Camilon just to keep a dog must be Your Highness.”

 

Kalian took a sip of tea and set it down.

 

The refreshing scent of mint was quite appealing.

 

After savouring the aroma that filled his mouth, Kalian looked out the window with a relaxed expression and spoke.

 

“Well, I must also be the only Prince who met Syspanian’s true self.”

 

Ian blinked his round eyes several times.

 

It took a few seconds for him to understand Kalian’s words.

 

Then the glass in Ian’s hand fell to the floor.

 

* * *

 

The inner castle of Siegfried, like the Cyries Royal Palace, was a place where Syspanian’s power reached. Therefore, communication with Allan was impossible.

 

So, Kalian had to ask Ian to guide him to a suitable place where he could converse with Allan. And Ian, still not having fully calmed his surprise at the news that Syspanian was truly alive and that she had directly summoned Kalian for a conversation, went outside with Kalian.

 

After barely thinking of a suitable place that was close to the inner castle yet lacking of people and beyond Syspanian’s reach, Ian guided Kalian there.

 

“People rarely come here.”

 

Kalian looked around and chuckled.

 

There was an amused smile that did not match the surroundings. After all, this area was filled with gravestones of the deceased. The place Ian had guided them to was the cemetery for important figures of the Siegfried Family.

 

“This is certainly more deserted than any other place.”

 

“Yes. You can be comfortable here.”

 

Climbing to a slightly higher spot, they found a wide-open space without any gravestones. Kalian went up there and called Allan.

 

– Did you complete the Roselita well?

 

Allan’s response came as if he had been waiting.

 

Allan must have been curious too. After all, it was Allan who had advised him to discuss about the Arcus Tempus with Syspanian.

 

– Yes, Master. I completed the coming-of-age ceremony and met with Syspanian.

 

With that opening, Kalian relayed everything that had happened inside the cave.

 

Allan’s initial reaction was no different from Ian’s—he was speechless. Kalian thought that Allan must have been several times more surprised than Ian. After all, if the Priests of Tansyll had Serenty, then all the Mages in the world had Syspanian.

 

– To think that you met Syspanian’s true self. I should have gone with you.

 

Sure enough, Allan said those heartfelt words.

 

His feelings of surprise and regret were clearly conveyed.

 

Of course, even if Allan had come along, he would not have been able to meet Syspanian. He might have seen the light from the cave, but that would only have increased his disappointment.

 

– She said to return when I am prepared, so next time I will definitely come with you, Master.

 

– That is the most welcome news I’ve heard. So, what preparations did she say you needed to make?

 

– Currently, I believe there is only one preparation I need to make.

 

Saying this, Kalian leisurely scanned his surroundings.

 

Looking at this place filled with countless gravestones, where the final devotion of those who wished to remember the deceased was kept, he conveyed his words.

 

– I need to survive. First and foremost.

 

The one bearing the Soul of a Prince, who had not left a trace in this world, spoke of life.

 

– When I return, I’ll have to deal with Sillike, who will be on the move once more. I must first maintain my position. Only when I can worry less about survival will I be able to see the path ahead.

 

– …Yes. Sadly, you are right.

 

– How is the atmosphere around Beurisen? I’m also curious about Sillike’s side. What is happening after Lannen disappeared?

 

As if he had anticipated Kalian’s question, Allan immediately answered.

 

– After ten days of not finding Lannen, she seemed to have sensed something was amiss. This morning, Evan Beurisen entered and left the palace.

 

– So, she summoned Marquis Beurisen to ask about the whole story.

 

– I believe so.

 

– Well, it would be frustrating to have Viscount Lannen Beurisen, whom she had been using like a limb, suddenly disappear.

 

Kalian chuckled before continuing.

 

– Is there no concern that Marquis Beurisen himself might reveal why Viscount Beurisen disappeared?

 

– He exchanged a Seal of Oath with me. If he tells Sillike all the facts, the Marquis’s lifeline will be cut, so he absolutely cannot tell anyone.

 

Allan was right.

 

Evan Beurisen had exchanged a ‘Seal of Oath’ with Allan, promising not to reveal to Sillike how he had dealt with Lannen. If he broke it, his heart would be crushed by the Seal of Oath, so there was no need to worry about the secret leaking.

 

– Then Sillike will likely seek another subordinate to replace Lannen. Neither I nor Sillike can freely leave the palace, so she will certainly try to find someone else to help her. Please keep a close watch on this.

 

Instead of a verbal response from Allan, laughter was transmitted.

 

Kalian narrowed his eyes at this sudden reaction and asked.

 

– Don’t tell me there’s already a new person from Beurisen entering and leaving the palace?

 

– I currently have a letter in my hand. It’s a letter that has troubled His Highness quite a bit, and I was planning to tell you about it.

 

– A letter? What do you mean?

 

Whether he was unfolding the letter or choosing his words, there was a brief silence from Allan. As Kalian waited, looking at Ian who was standing far away, Allan’s words came again.

 

– It says that he was injured in battle with the barbarians and wishes to return to Cyriesus to recuperate for a while, so he requests someone be sent to his territory to temporarily take his place.

 

– Could it be… a letter from the Count at the Beurisen Territory’s border?

 

Gray Beurisen.

 

The name of Marquis Evan Beurisen’s first son, who was also a Count with territory adjacent to Tansyll.

 

– That’s correct. It seems like Sillike had summoned him as soon as she realised Lannen had disappeared. He’s probably using injury as an excuse to return to the capital. He’s not yet coming and going from the palace, but he’ll likely arrive at the palace a little earlier than Your Highness.

 

– I see.

 

An expression full of interest appeared on Kalian’s face.

 

– I’ll finally get to see his face.

 

Kalian turned his head briefly to look in the direction of Cyriesus.

 

He saw another messenger bird flying away.

 

The news it would deliver – Gray Beurisen and Kalian.

 

– So, another Sword Master is coming… This should be interesting. What will happen when we meet?

 

Kalian already anticipated the day when the three of them would meet.