Chapter 57, I’m Alive (5)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

– By the way. I have one thing to tell you, Master.

 

– Yes. Please speak.

 

– Rachel Grace and Veronica Manasil are here. I briefly met them today.

 

Unlike Cyries, those from Liberen do not change their surnames after marriage, so it seemed Rachel was the same. She used her own surname instead of ‘Manasil’.

 

After hearing Kalian’s words, Allan responded with delight in his voice.

 

– Excellent.

 

– It seems we’ll be returning to the Capital together.

 

– Yes, you should come together. If you come together, the trip may not be as pleasant as the Forest Path used by Elves, but it will at least be bearable.

 

– What do you mean by that?

 

– Rachel is also a capable Mage. Not only is she a professor teaching students at the Magic Academy, but she’s personally researching Teleportation Magic.

 

– Ah, so. Could it be that Duke Siegfried arrived faster than scheduled because… She provided assistance?

 

Kalian now understood how Sleiman, who had gone out for inspection, was able to arrive earlier than scheduled. It was because Sleiman had met Rachel on his way back from the inspection.

 

Quite pleased with this news, Kalian finished his conversation with Allan and immediately called Rachel and Arsene to the reception room upon returning to the castle.

 

“I called both of you because there’s something I’d like prepared.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness. What would you like to have prepared?”

 

“Cyries’ land is too vast.”

 

This is how Kalian opened the conversation.

 

Cyries was really vast. Too vast. Coming to Siegfried Territory, he realised this fact more clearly. It took several months to travel between the Capital and Siegfried Territory. If he was speaking about the whole country, wouldn’t the size be unimaginable?

 

But…

 

Syspanian had told him to ‘come again.’

 

While meeting Syspanian was not particularly objectionable, he did not want to waste so much time travelling again, just to return to Siegfried.

 

“The time wasted traveling between the Capital and other places is precious. And considering meeting those Elves again, that shorten path isn’t even worth considering.”

 

Arsene nodded without saying anything else.

 

“So, I thought about trying to reduce the travel time between regions.”

 

If one could quickly move between regions, the Valkan Mage Order could also be operated much more efficiently. No matter how the Princes’ conflict might spread, if by any chance it turned into a civil war, the side with quickest movement would naturally hold several advantages.

 

After briefly recalling what he had been thinking so far, Kalian continued.

 

“What’s needed to reduce travel time is magic, more importantly, Teleportation Magic. Better yet, Teleportation Magic Circles! So I’m thinking of establishing Teleportation Magic Circles throughout all if Cyries.”

 

Teleportation Magic Circles that would allow instantaneous travel between various regions of Cyries. He had the idea to create them and found two suitable candidates for constructing the Magic Circles.

 

A Mage who was already researching Teleportation Magic.

 

And, a Mage with nothing else better to do.

 

“Ah…”

 

Arsene made a face like he saw this coming.

 

To simply put it, he looked like someone who knew his fate – he would not be able to sleep for the foreseeable future.

 

In fact, when Kalian first became interested in Teleportation Magic, Arsene had already made an uneasy prediction that this task would be thrown to him. Moreover, while Kalian was in the cave, Arsene had also heard about what Rachel had been researching…

 

Pretending not to notice Arsene’s expression, Kalian spoke to Rachel first.

 

“I heard there are Teleportation Magic Circles connecting different regions in Liberen.”

 

“Yes. I shouldn’t just say they exist, but rather they are very well-constructed. Although expensive, they can be used by anyone who has the funds to support it.”

 

Kalian did not yet know much about Teleportation Magic. Moreover, Magic Circles were not the old Kalian’s area of expertise. Therefore, after nodding appropriately to Rachel’s answer, Kalian asked another question.

 

“As I said, I want to establish this in Cyries as well. However, the travel distances might be farther than in Liberen. Would that be difficult?”

 

Rachel had already helped establish Liberen’s Teleportation Magic Circles several times. Therefore, she knew the solutions for long-distance teleportation.

 

“Even if very distant, it shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

 

Seeing her expression that suggested it was nothing special, Kalian smiled with satisfaction. And Arsene looked relieved.

 

But Kalian’s words were not done.

 

Kalian added the most important condition.

 

“Good. But for now, only my forces should be able to use it. In a situation where we don’t know what kind of conflict might occur with my two older brothers’ forces, establishing Magic Circles that anyone can use would bring no benefit to me.”

 

Frowning slightly and thinking about those words, Rachel asked.

 

“In Liberen, the Magic Circles themselves are guarded. But from Your Highness’s words… Do you mean that rather than securing the areas where the Teleportation Magic Circles are located, outsiders should not be able to use the Magic Circles themselves?”

 

Kalian answered with a smile that had not faded.

 

“That’s right. Good things are great when they can be monopolized.”

 

[This is an eternal truth.]

 

Thinking that Kalian’s smiling face somehow resembled Allan in some way, Rachel answered.

 

“I’ve never applied such conditions before. I can’t give you an immediate answer for its viability, but I’ll think about it.”

 

Rachel, who had come to be in charge of the Mage Order’s education, was given homework before even arriving at Cyriesus. Feeling both sorry and grateful, Kalian smiled.

 

“Yes. Thank you.”

 

Afterwards, Kalian opened his mouth toward Arsene.

 

“I would appreciate it if Lord Hertz would also think about this together with you.”

 

To that, Arsene asked.

 

“Would there be no opposition from the Capital? I think it would be proper to first speak to His Highness.”

 

“Informing him is the natural course, but His Highness will not oppose. Other factions won’t be able to oppose forever, so it’s fine to just proceed. In fact, even if we don’t proceed immediately, it would be good to prepare a plan in advance so that we can start right away when the time comes.”

 

Basically, it meant to put aside any objections and just think about it for now, since it would be created one way or another.

 

Arsene, who could not bring himself to say, ‘Your Highness, aren’t you a mage too? Aren’t you going to help?’, headed straight to the library of Siegfried Castle.

 

* * *

 

After meeting Rachel and Arsene, Kalian went to see Sleiman.

 

“There’s a perfect place where we can quietly talk.”

 

Sleiman, who had readily agreed to the request for a conversation, went to a place Kalian had not expected.

 

Usually in such cases, one would have their conversations in reception rooms, studies, or offices.

 

Kalian awkwardly looked around Sleiman’s personal training room, which was completely different from the rooms with the subtle scent of tea or the quiet smell of books. Instead, this place reeked with a strong scent of sweat.

 

“This is actually quite comfortable to sit on.”

 

Sleiman, who had not noticed Kalian’s awkwardness, said this while pointing to a log placed on one side of the training room.

 

Eventually, Kalian’s laugher burst out.

 

If Ian had seen this, he would have immediately made a fuss, but Kalian did not hesitate to sit comfortably on the log and said.

 

“If I had my way, I’d like to invite you to come to the Royal Palace with me. I’d like to see what it’s like with you and my Master together.”

 

He really could not imagine what it would be like to have them together, with two men strangely alike yet not.

 

His words came from pure goodwill, without any other meaning or intention.

 

He expressed his regret at not being able to see Sleiman often as he had to leave Siegfried Territory soon.

 

Sleiman also nodded and replied.

 

“If I had my way, I’d like to tell Your Highness to stay here and spar with me.”

 

Soon, conversations, which would be difficult to share in the presence of others were exchanged between them. Ian’s dullness became the main topic. Sleiman laughed until tears streamed down his face when Kalian mentioned that Ian believed he had only learned minimal sword skills for self-defence.

 

Despite this, Sleiman did not doubt or wonder how Kalian was able to handle Aura overnight. Although there were plenty of reasons to be suspicious, he did not think it was particularly important, and for the same reason, Kalian did not bother to explain.

 

After that, they discussed how Rmain’s attitude toward the Princes had changed a bit recently, and how it was thanks to Allan’s sharp tongue, before Kalian finally came to the main point.

 

“I met Syspanian today, Duke Siegfried.”

 

“Yes. I know. What conversation did you have with Will of Syspanian?”

 

“No. It wasn’t her Will.”

 

Sleiman’s eyes widened as he realised the meaning of Kalian’s words.

 

“Could it be that you met the true…”

 

In response to the question he could not even finish, Kalian nodded and opened his mouth.

 

“Yes. I met her true form.”

 

The large smile that had always been on Sleiman’s face disappeared and then reappeared. Soon, it became a loud laugh.

 

“Hahaha! I knew it! I knew she was alive!”

 

He was the head of a Family that had guarded that Empty Lair for 500 years! He did not even knowing if Syspanian still existed. How happy must he feel to confirm that Syspanian was alive?

 

Because of this, Sleiman laughed for a while longer and then said.

 

“I’m relieved. To see that our Family’s stubbornness has not been meaningless.”

 

“Yes. I could not agree more.”

 

Kalian, who had said this, brought up the original topic he intended to discuss.

 

“I don’t know if Syspanian will come here directly, but it seems I’ll meet her at least once more in the near future.”

 

At those words, Sleiman looked surprised once more.

 

Kalian continued with the extension of the conversation he had just had with Arsene.

 

“So, I want to create a path to travel between Cyriesus and Siegfried. A much faster path. Starting with connecting Cyriesus in the north and Siegfried in the south, I want to gradually expand Teleportation Magic Circles throughout Cyries. I requested this conversation to seek your permission on this matter.”

 

“Teleportation Magic Circles… My opinion is important, but would His Highness permit it?”

 

Sleiman said with a not-so-positive expression.

 

“There will be many differing opinions on this since Cyries has its Capital to worry about. Having Teleportation Magic Circles would increase the risk of exposure to external invasions.”

 

“I know. If you agree, I’m thinking we could try connecting with Hwiteurin Territory instead of Cyriesus.”

 

Hwiteurin, Kalian’s territory, was four days away from Cyriesus. So, if connecting with the Capital was difficult, he was saying he would create Magic Circles on his own personal land.

 

Kalian continued.

 

“If we establish them, I plan to restrict usage to only those with my permission. And the Teleportation Magic Circle to be built here would be constructed at a distance more than a day away from Siegfried’s outer walls. If you judge that the Magic Circle poses a threat to the safety of this place, you may remove it at any time.”

 

After this explanation, Sleiman thought for a moment and then nodded.

 

“If His Highness approves, I won’t oppose constructing it at a distance of more than a day away.”

 

“Thank you. And I have one more favour to ask.”

 

“Yes. Please speak.”

 

In response to Sleiman’s words, Kalian grinned and raised his hand. Then, sharp Mana began to concentrate at his fingertips.

 

Seeing this, Sleiman laughed heartily and said.

 

“Are you requesting a duel? I was thinking of that when I brought Your Highness here. I’m certainly glad you mentioned it first!”

 

“It’s similar to a duel, but slightly different.”

 

The Mana concentrated in Kalian’s hand, which had briefly paused, had already grown to the size of a large apple. Seeing this, a sharp light gleamed in Sleiman’s eyes.

 

This was a form he had never seen before. It was a completely new power that was neither fire, nor ice, nor wind.

 

It was a mass of pure Aura that Kalian had created by removing all Attributes, leaving only the original essence of his Circles.

 

Looking at the concentrated mass that seemed like numerous glass fragments swirling and intertwining with each other, Kalian spoke in a low voice.

 

“It’s created with Aura. Ordinary Aura needs to be layered on top of a medium like a sword, but fortunately, I can use Magic. After concentrating Mana using the method used by Mages, and then condensing Aura, I was able to manifest Aura without a medium.”

 

Right now, Kalian was showing Sleiman for the first time the power he had thought deeply about for days.

 

Though he spoke the matter as a casual feat, this was by no means a simple method as it required operating both Aura and Magic Power simultaneously.

 

“Seeing you create such a thing, bearing witness to Syspanian herself, has been a great fortunate for our Family. Syspanian’s Blessing is another fortune for Your Highness.”

 

Kalian silently smiled.

 

In fact, this was only possible because Bern, who was essentially a Sword Master, had entered the body of the old Kalian who had talent in Magic. However, he could not give a detailed explanation about that, and best to leave it as something related to Syspanian’s Blessing.

 

“Anyway, what I wanted to ask was.”

 

As Kalian closed his eyes briefly and concentrated, the form of the Mana concentration began to change. It gradually lengthened and thinned, soon creating a shape like a ‘sword’.

 

Seeing this, Sleiman could not help but exclaim in admiration.

 

Kalian continued.

 

“I want to use this as my ‘sword.’ But I have not properly tried to use it yet. So, I don’t know how hard or sharp it is.”

 

“Do you want to verify that now?”

 

“Yes. It’s difficult to gauge how much power I have. But, since I’ve met you, I’d like to accurately confirm it.”

 

Now fully understanding what Kalian wanted, Sleiman showed intense fighting spirit. The smile spread across his face was directed at Kalian’s ‘sword’.

 

Sleiman said just one word in response.

 

“Come.”

 

Blue Aura condensed on Sleiman’s sword, which he had drawn at some point.

 

At the same time, Kalian’s figure disappeared.