Chapter 63, Found (5)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Kalian, who had been quietly looking out the window, suddenly spoke.

 

“It’s nice now that it’s quiet.”

 

After Gray left, the soldiers and servants of Reddington Castle moved busily. Because of this, it did not take long to erase Gray’s traces and restore the castle to its original peaceful state.

 

Kalian also returned to his usual self. That is, with a composed face, he was sipping the warm milk tea handed to him by Tessyd’s butler.

 

Tessyd, who was sitting face to face with such a Kalian, spoke with a subdued expression.

 

“The Count is very angry. Aren’t you worried about what he might do?”

 

“Well, I wonder if there’s anything to worry about.”

 

“He’s a Sword Master. I’m concerned that something might happen before you return to Cyriesus, since you’ve provoked the Count’s anger to such a degree.”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

Kalian substituted all the words he needed to say with that short answer. It was difficult to explain the details to Tessyd, and the reason for his composure was not something he could tell anyone.

 

The moment Kalian faced Gray in the reception room, Kalian felt a very strong Aura emanating from Gray. That was why he comfortably pushed down on Gray’s pride. The fact that he could feel Gray’s Aura meant that, at the minimum, he was dealing with someone of equal or lesser ability than himself.

 

Moreover, in the Capital, there were Allan and the Mage Order that Allan was preparing. Kalian knew what decision Allan and Rmain would make once they learned of this incident.

 

[They’ll further expedite the establishment of Valkan once they hear of this incident. Even if they are not well-trained, it would still be a group of capable Mages. So, Gray would not dare to rashly to provoke them. Once fully established, whether it is a confrontation between individuals or different forces, we would not need to worry.]

 

“I just met someone I would have to clash with someday. So, you don’t need to worry.”

 

As he said this, looking into Tessyd’s eyes, there was no trace of anxiety to be found on Kalian’s face. Tessyd found this rather fascinating.

 

Soon, Kalian turned his gaze back to the window.

 

This time, Kalian was looking at something a lot closer, not a distant place. The subject he was looking at had caught his eye for a while now. It was the same subject that had caused Tessyd as much concern as Gray did.

 

Tessyd showed a somewhat regretful expression.

 

“By the way, are you going to leave that servant as is?”

 

‘That servant’ referred to Kyrie, who had been running around the castle’s training ground for dozens of laps.

 

However, Kalian’s lips curled up as he watched.

 

“There are things I need to teach him, even if it has to be done this way.”

 

Kyrie, who had endured the beating from the Knights for Kalian, had to start running immediately without being allowed Hina’s treatment. Of course, Tessyd knew the reason for it.

 

It was punishment for his action of not trusting Kalian.

 

Unlike Kyrie, Arsene had faith in Kalian’s position, his ability to handle the situation, and his financial power. That was why he had turned an enormously expensive carriage into a pile of firewood that could only be used for one season. He had disguised his venting as a warning. In doing so, after the explosion brought Kalian out, he appropriately provoked his Prince’s anger to make him punish those four Knights.

 

Ironically, for making Kalian directly witness blood and emptying his already depleted treasury once more, Arsene was now enjoying sweet rest as a reward.

 

“This child and I have different things to bear. It’s high time for him to realise that now.”

 

Kalian did not tell Kyrie what he had done wrong. He just told him to run until he realised it himself, and then come find him once he understood.

 

“I’m concerned that he is overdoing it, Your Highness.”

 

By now, even the sunset had faded and the moon was brightening.

 

Enough time had passed for even Tessyd to worry about Kyrie. However, Kalian was just silently watching. Soon, Kalian took his eyes off the window and said.

 

“Could I entrust my back to someone who couldn’t endure that much?”

 

His expression was relaxed, and his voice was filled with infinite trust. Because of this, Tessyd nodded with a smile.

 

“I guess this is not an area I should have been concerned about.”

 

“Instead of talking about him, there’s something I’m curious about regarding you, Viscount.”

 

“Yes. Please ask, Your Highness.”

 

Kalian picked up a teaspoon, stirred his milk tea a few times as if to clear the air, and then spoke.

 

“Is your Family in Cyriesus?”

 

“Yes, that’s right. I occasionally visit them.”

 

Kalian’s gaze now turned toward the lake, which had darkened and was only faintly visible. Then, remembering the peaceful scene he had seen in the morning, Kalian opened his mouth.

 

“A quiet place like this would not be difficult to maintain even without your direct attention. I’m curious if there’s any particular reason you continue to stay at this castle, away from them.”

 

Tessyd looked at the same place as Kalian and answered.

 

“Since there’s no better place to read books, it’s not easy to have the heart to leave.”

 

“Books… I see. It’s understandable to be greedy for a life of reading books in a place like this.”

 

Kalian nodded as he answered like this.

 

However, the feeling that it was a waste to just let him stay and read books was stronger. Thus, Kalian brought up something he had been contemplating for a while.

 

“Your carriage. Was the axle really broken?”

 

It was a question that forced Tessyd to recall how he had calmly told Gray that the axle of his carriage was broken and Gray could not use it.

 

Tessyd let out a short laugh, remembering Gray’s face when he heard those words. Soon, Tessyd’s answer followed.

 

“If I carelessly lend out a carriage used by the Lord of such a small territory, I might find myself with nowhere to go.”

 

In short, it was merely an excuse to refuse to loan it out.

 

A satisfied expression appeared on Kalian’s face. Not because he confirmed that it was indeed a refusal, but because he was satisfied that Tessyd had told Kalian his true feelings about how difficult it was to carelessly take sides.

 

Kalian quite liked this Viscount, who was thoughtful, dignified, and who knew when to step forward or step back according to his beliefs. He also did not discriminate between people, and show concern for others.

 

Kalian thought he would get along quite well with the quick-thinking and calculative Melpir Pollun.

 

If there was not a suitable talent that came to mind from his past life’s memories, no one he could search for and use, then he just has to meet them now. When a talent caught his eye, he should pick them up without hesitation.

 

Kalian gazed deeply at Tessyd and asked.

 

“Do you have many books left to read?”

 

Tessyd silently looked at the teacup and out the window for a while.

 

After that, instead of answering immediately, he asked in a calm voice.

 

“I would like to inquire about the reason behind your question.”

 

“Come with me. To Cyriesus.”

 

Kalian answered immediately like this.

 

Kalian could see the tension in the hand holding the teacup.

 

“By the time Your Highness’s party’s horses recover, the repair of the carriage axle should also be complete.”

 

“The timing is good. That’s fortunate.”

 

Kalian nodded with a silent smile.

 

[I’ve finally found someone who can help Baron Pollun.]

 

And thus, he managed to answer Allan’s request that had been conveyed about a month ago.

 

* * *

 

While Kalian was sitting with such a leisurely posture, focusing on recruiting talent, there was one person who was moving busily to support the already discovered talents. It was Ian, who found the 24 hours in a day insufficient to assist Kalian, who had many incidents and even more accidents.

 

After Gray left, Ian first estimated the cost of Gray’s carriage and wrote it down separately. It was then delivered to Kalian.

 

Ian soon went to find Arsene and delivered the message that Kalian would compensate for the carriage, and Kalian’s words, which was for him to relax and not worry about the ‘homework’ today. Ian did not even bother to mention how weakened his heart had been today thanks to Arsene’s actions.

 

After that, he received the ice cream he had requested from the castle’s chef and went to visit Hina’s room. He intended to console her and explain why Kyrie could not receive treatment immediately and had to run around the training ground. However, Hina’s response was quite unexpected.

 

‘It’s okay. I’m sorry for crying.’

 

Those were not just empty words; Hina was really fine.

 

If it were not for her swollen eyes, he would not have believed that she had cried so much earlier. Hina, who already knew that Kyrie was safe, listened to Ian’s explanation about why Kyrie was being punished and she calmly replied.

 

‘That’s right. Brother needs to be scolded.’

 

While the bear-like Kyrie was running around the training ground with his injured body, not knowing the reason for his punishment, Hina was nodding her head and deliciously ate the ice cream. Ian, who momentarily forgot what to say, cautiously opened his mouth.

 

“Don’t take today’s events too much to heart.”

 

Hina smiled and answered.

 

‘It’s okay. The Prince has already repaid back everything done to us.’

 

Ian did not know, but when Kalian brought the Kyrie siblings to under his care, he had promised to repay them for Hina’s cut ear and her inability to speak. That was why Hina understood why Kalian took those actions to punish the four Knights.

 

Although Kalian would explain the reason differently to others, the real reason he had seen their blood was not because they had mocked Hina. Rather, because they had ridiculed her inability to speak. So, they were to suffer the same fate. Stripping them of their Knight titles was the punishment for the mockery of someone who they saw as beneath them. Kalian also technically did not punish the Knights for hitting Kyrie. After all, was he not punishing Kyrie right now?

 

‘Since the Prince has repaid everything, there’s no reason to be upset anymore.’

 

Ian, who did not know the inside story, simply thought it was a great relief that Hina say that she was fine.

 

* * *

 

“I hear that Your Majesty’s son has destroyed someone else’s carriage this time. Looks like money will be flowing out again.”

 

In fact, it was Arsene, not Kalian, who had committed the act, but Allan said it like it was Kalian’s doing.

 

Rmain looked to be surprised at the news delivered in a tone suggesting that his rascal son had caused trouble again. Then, he asked something obvious.

 

“Are you saying that Kalian did it?”

 

“As if Prince Randel or Prince Plants would do such an ill-mannered thing.”

 

Randel was a given, and no matter what, Plants had never harmed others outside. Although he had once thrown a dinner knife at Ian, since Ian was not injured, they did not see a herd of Elephants in the Capital.

 

“Kalian must have had a reason to act that way.”

 

After giving such a trust-filled answer, Rmain took a check book out of his drawer. And as he brought his pen to the amount field, he looked at Allan. It meant that since a lot of money had left Kalian’s treasury, Rmain would pay for the carriage at the very least.

 

At that, Allan grinned, and Rmain frowned. Looking at Allan’s lips, it seemed like another remark was about to come out.

 

“Are you planning to offer your youngest son’s neck as payment for the destroyed carriage?”

 

He was scolded again.

 

“If Your Majesty pays for the carriage, it will be like telling the carriage owner that you condone the Prince’s actions.”

 

In other words, it would be an action where Rmain himself proved that Kalian had Rmain backing him.

 

“Your Majesty should just be curious about whose carriage it was.”

 

Normally, Rmain would have asked first about who Kalian had clashed with, rather than readily offering to help by taking out his check book. That was why Allan was now criticizing him.

 

“Whose carriage was it?”

 

“It was Count Gray Beurisen’s carriage.”

 

After Allan’s subsequent explanation, Rmain’s face went through about a decade’s worth of aging. Rmain was silent for a while after hearing that Kalian had stripped four of the ten Knights Gray had brought of their titles and made them unable to speak for life.

 

“He has applied the strongest possible punishment within Cyries law for the crime they have committed. While I understand it, it seems he has become quite brutal.”

 

“That’s just how much he cares for his people. He knows how to distinguish when to endure and when not to, so you don’t need to worry too much on that front.”

 

Considering the repercussions of Kalian’s over protective concern for his own people, Rmain spoke in a subdued voice.

 

“Has the list of Mages to be assigned to Valkan been roughly compiled?”

 

“Yes. Although there are fewer than expected, it’s enough for the Prince to not be intimidated by the two Royal Knight Orders.”

 

Allan answered, recalling the 30 Mages that have been meticulously selected.

 

“Actually, I was planning to start the establishment of Valkan with two or three more months of leeway. We don’t even have a dedicated building to accommodate them yet. But due to the change in situation, it seems like we need to hurry.”

 

The situation was indeed changing.

 

What was needed now was not the generosity to condone Kalian’s actions with the carriage payment, but real power that would not be suppressed by Beurisen’s forces.

 

Rmain briefly lifted his head to stare into space and let out a deep sigh.

 

“If there’s no building, we can use what exists. Let Valkan use the building and site that the Pavel Knight Order used within the Royal Palace.”

 

This would bring forward the establishment of the Valkan Mage Order.

 

Furthermore, they would be establishing the Mage Order in the area of the Pavel Knight Order, which had been Sillike’s weapon.

 

“You’re going to bring Valkan into Pavel’s building. Are you planning to declare war on Beurisen?”

 

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

 

Hearing Rmain’s words, Allan burst into loud laughter. Then, looking at Rmain with sharp eyes, he replied.

 

“Congratulations. Soon, your neck will truly be hanging by a thread.”

 

Rmain, whose neck would soon be hanging by a thread, laughed along.