Chapter 64, It’s Been a While (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

[Too early.] Rmain thought when he heard people were showing great interest in Kalian.

 

It was not wariness towards Kalian but concern.

 

It was one day before Kalian’s arrival in Cyriesus.

 

Naturally, people gathered again to welcome Kalian’s return. Since the Prince, who resembled Syspanian, was returning after creating auspicious events with his brilliant achievements, truly many people gathered this time as well. Because of this, Kalian’s name never left the lips of those who filled the streets.

 

They were already predicting Kalian would become the next Crown Prince. That was why Rmain thought it was too early. He was worried that such attention would cause Kalian to become the next target for Sillike and Randel.

 

“Oh. So that’s why you sent the Caera Knights to Latran Castle.”

 

Allan had made a pointed remark after hearing Rmain’s concerns. Of course, Allan’s observations were always correct, so Rmain, who was eating an apple, could not retort.

 

In any case, Rmain’s concerns proved somewhat accurate.

 

While Randel’s thoughts were unknown, another person’s mood had become much more twisted.

 

“Tomorrow, we shall meet again.”

 

A refined voice flowed from lips of vivid red.

 

“The rumors he brings with him are remarkable. I am so pleased.”

 

It was a lunch meeting. It was the first time she would meet her own son in nearly five months since the day Kalian was poisoned. However, all that flowed from Sillike were words of wariness about Kalian, and the scent of Reunieri Flowers.

 

Of course, Plants had never expected anything more from Sillike.

 

Perhaps, he never would.

 

“Is it because of your joy at welcoming my little brother that you wish to see me?”

 

At Plants’ low voice, Sillike, who was somewhat thin yet still beautiful, smiled and answered.

 

“I called you because your Gray will arrive soon, and I just wanted to let you know.”

 

There was not a single word about Lannen, who was in a state of disappearance. She seemed concerned only about Gray, who would be arriving soon.

 

Plants gave a halfhearted nod before answering.

 

“And so?”

 

“What do you mean, ‘and so’?”

 

Coldness gathered in Sillike’s eyes.

 

In her ears, as she looked at her son sitting across from her waiting for this meeting to end, Kalian’s words echoed.

 

‘Plants did not say those words for my sake.’

 

The day Kalian drank poison. When Plants had stopped Sillike from protesting, he had said it was to save Sillike. She did not believe those words at all. She believes Plants had always been desperate to interfere with whatever she was doing.

 

His attitude now was the same. Even though Gray’s arrival would be an unparalleled advantage for Plants, he was regarding it with pure dissatisfaction.

 

Sillike spoke in a gentle, soothing voice.

 

“It’s the path you’ll eventually walk anyway. Don’t you know that? So stop these meaningless rebellions.”

 

At those words, Plants snickered.

 

“That word ‘anyway’ is rather irritating.”

 

After saying that, Plants buried himself deep in the backrest. A languid voice flowed out, befitting that posture.

 

“I don’t even know whose will determined the path.”

 

Sillike did not give another answer. The reason was that who had determined it was too obvious to require an answer. Plants, who had not really expected an answer, continued.

 

“The Mages have discovered more things than I knew. Much more.”

 

He was referring to the information Kalian had revealed about those who died because of Sillike.

 

Plants wanted to know if Sillike had really harmed all of them. Though he already knew it was true, he still wanted confirmation.

 

Sillike brightly smiled.

 

“Why do you still act so childishly.”

 

In short, it was her way so saying, ‘is an answer even necessary?’

 

Plants made a twisted smile and said.

 

“I should have just kept quiet that day.”

 

He was saying that he should have just observed whatever the enraged Rmain had to say to the Knight Order Commander.

 

Sillike’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she realised Kalian had been right. However, that was all; nothing else had changed. Right now, Sillike was simply feeling betrayed once more by Plants’ words expressing regret for stopping Rmain that day.

 

Sillike looked straight into Plants’ lime-green eyes, which were identical to her own.

 

“My son. Don’t try so hard.”

 

The words that Plants had always said came from Sillike’s mouth.

 

At her words telling him to be quiet, Plants also looked into Sillike’s eyes.

 

“While someone has changed too much. Someone had not changed at all…” Muttering as if to himself, Plants rose from his seat first. The intense Reunieri scent was felt again.

 

“It seems like you will continue to try. As you wish. I will remain quiet then.”

 

Plants decided to forget that Kalian had changed.

 

Because that seemed to be the only way to stop that scent.

 

* * *

 

–Viscount Reddington will arrive in Cyriesus by next week at the latest, even if delayed. Though he has no experience with management of a Trader’s Guild, I believe he will adapt well. He shows great enthusiasm once he made the decision to come to Cyriesus.

 

– That’s fortunate. Baron Pollun will at least avoid death by overwork.

 

Allan seemed quite welcoming to this news. It appears he had become quite friendly with Melpir during Kalian’s absence.

 

Soon, after Kalian’s side finished conveying their message, Allan began relaying news.

 

Kalian, who had chuckled upon hearing that Rmain had almost paid for the carriage, asked.

 

– So does Valkan get established right after I arrive?

 

At Kalian’s question, Allan paused briefly before asking.

 

– Did I tell Your Highness about that?

 

– No. I just thought you might have decided to move up the date because of the trouble I caused. I figured you would have worried about potential attacks if the establishment happened while I was outside Cyriesus. So, I thought you would set the date for right after my return and keep it secret until then.

 

Allan’s laughter came through.

 

– So, we were playing nicely in Your Highness’s hands. It is exactly as you said. We plan to announce the establishment as soon as you returns and then hold the founding ceremony the following week. Until then, we won’t inform any outsiders.

 

– You mentioned that the Magic Academy is temporarily using an empty building on Naeransha Street, but what are your plans for the Mage Order?

 

It seemed that Kalian had not thought about where Valkan would be stationed either. Therefore, expecting Kalian’s surprised reaction, Allan said.

 

– We decided to encroach on Pavel’s territory.

 

Hearing Allan’s words, Kalian gripped Raven’s reins tightly.

 

After thinking for a while without giving another answer, Kalian finally transmitted.

 

– Sillike would be livid, so there might be threats to His Highness too.

 

– He has taking that into account. Also, don’t underestimate the Caera Knights too much.

 

[Don’t underestimate the Caera Knights?] Kalian softly chuckled. It was chuckle that would not be transmitted to Allan.

 

– Underestimate? I’m worried precisely because I see them as they are. Even the Knight Commander has not entered the path of the sword. How can you protect Rmain from two Sword Masters?

 

While Allan might have thought it would be fine since he was by Rmain’s side, Kalian found it difficult to feel at ease. In the current situation, if Gray went to Cyriesus, Rmain’s life would truly be in danger.

 

Tapping on Raven’s saddle instead of a table as he thought, Kalian opened his mouth. It was directed not at Allan, who was connected through the ring, but at Ian who was riding alongside him.

 

“Is this the only road from Reddington to Cyriesus?”

 

At those words, Ian nodded and answered.

 

“Yes. Unless one takes a substantial detour, this is the only path.”

 

Kalian nodded and muttered.

 

“The Count wouldn’t want to ride in that pink carriage all the way to the Capital. If we’re lucky, we might just meet him.”

 

Then he fell into thought for a moment. [It is time to weigh the various possibilities regarding my next decision…]

 

Soon, Kalian teasingly transmitted.

 

– Master. I might cause another incident.

 

Hearing those words, Allan responded with concern.

 

– The fact that Your Highness met Count Beurisen and that your paths to the Capital are the same is known to all here. So, please don’t create unnecessary misunderstandings. I worry you might hastily wield your sword.

 

– I have no intention of killing Gray. But I also have no intention of letting His Highness risk his life for me.

 

– May I ask what you plan to do?

 

– Rather than saying I plan to do something… it would be more accurate to say I no longer intend to let the Count reach Cyriesus.

 

Kalian replied with a smile.

 

– I won’t wield my sword. I’ll save my sword for when I really need it, so don’t worry.

 

– Understood. As long as it’s not your sword, do as you please.

 

Whatever trouble he planned to cause, dealing with a troublemaking son would be Rmain’s responsibility. Therefore, Allan simply responded this way, considering it as gaining one more interesting spectacle while his friend could deal with all the aftermath.

 

* * *

 

*Clop, clop!*

 

Several horses were pacing at an incredible speed.

 

It was on a completely different level from the usual pace of horses. If someone saw it, they might wonder if they were dreaming. That was how astonishing their speed was.

 

“So in other words…!”

 

On top of one of these incredibly fast horses, Arsene and Rauchel were having a conversation.

 

Kalian had only mentioned that he would like to see some results regarding the Teleportation Magic Circle before arriving in Cyriesus. However, Arsene was feeling as if the day of arrival in Cyriesus was approaching like the end of his life. Eventually, he had reached the point of continuing discussions with Rauchel regardless of time and place.

 

The problem was that the horses were moving too fast.

 

The speed had become this extreme due to Kalian’s request. Immediately after finishing his conversation with Allan, he had asked for the horses to run at the fastest speed they could endure.

 

“What I’m saying is, couldn’t we use something like the Seal of Oath!?”

 

“But the Seal of Oath is a one-to-one contract, so—*gulp*!”

 

The first voice was Rauchel’s, and the latter was Arsene’s.

 

Kalian neither wondered about nor worried about why Arsene’s words were cut off with a strange sound. Instead, with a relaxed expression, he opened his mouth.

 

“You don’t need to be so urgent to think about it. Also, don’t open your mouth while on horseback. You’ll bite your tongue.”

 

Yet, Kalian’s own voice as he spoke was not that different from usual. The elegant Raven remained elegant even at high speeds.

 

Anyway, after going through this series of events and riding for a couple more hours, the group was finally able to slow down. This was because Kalian had found what he was looking for.

 

Kalian’s lips curled upward as he confirmed Gray’s Aura emanating from the carriage running ahead.

 

“Found him.”

 

At Kalian’s voice, which sounded like a cat’s meow upon discovering a mouse hiding in a wall crack, the group showed various reactions.

 

Ian retreated on his own, and Rauchel sent Hina and Veronica behind her.

 

Kyrie, who had barely grasped Kalian’s intentions after running around the training ground until past midnight, raised his fighting spirit and placed his hand on his sword hilt. He had decided not to foolishly hold back anymore because of unnecessary consideration for Kalian.

 

As for Arsene, he began examining which carriage looked the most expensive after the one he had destroyed last time.

 

Instead of telling the group that they did not need to do all this, Kalian simply smiled.

 

Meanwhile, Gray, who was barely enduring the uncomfortable carriage with thoughts of comfortably stretching out his legs in his Cyriesus home tomorrow, was addressed by his butler.

 

“Count. Someone is following us.”

 

“Following us?”

 

Gray’s expression distorts as he immediately pulled back the curtain behind the carriage and looked back.

 

“Why is it that Prince again!? How on earth did he follow us?”

 

Of course, the reason was simple.

 

Kalian’s group had entered Reddington Castle and rested for three days. Afterwards, using Magic that increased their travel speed, they covered a four-day distance in just two days.

 

During that time, Gray spent one day purchasing and preparing a carriage, then traveled for the four days. This was the primary reason Kalian was able to find Gray, whom he might not have been able to meet otherwise.

 

Gray’s face expressed utter exasperation as he confirmed that Kalian, who was gradually approaching him, was even smiling.

 

“He learned a little bit of Magic and now has his liver growing outside his belly!”

 

Gray resembled Evan Beurisen, the Marquis. He not only shares his arrogant personality but he also shares his disdain for Mages.

 

“He doesn’t even realise that I am the one exercising patience.”

 

While he was muttering these words, caught in a great misunderstanding, Kalian had almost caught up with Gray’s carriage.

 

Gray’s butler then asked through the window.

 

“Count, shall we stop the carriage?”

 

Gray answered in a voice full of edge.

 

“If the carriage stops, I might wring the Prince’s neck. Just ignore him and continue.”

 

“Y-Yes, sir.”

 

The butler, startled by the Count’s extremely rough expression, turned back and urged the coachman. Meanwhile, Kalian had approached near Gray’s carriage. Gray sat motionless with the window curtain drawn.

 

As Kalian wanted to go beside the carriage, Raven elegantly weaved between the horses of the Knights surrounding the carriage. Having thus cleverly attached himself right next to the carriage, Kalian opened his mouth while continuing to ride.

 

“Count. I see your ill manners remain unchanged.”

 

Gray, who was inside the carriage, squeezed his eyes shut.

 

For now, he was just repeating to himself the thought that he needed to keep that Prince alive until he met Sillike.

 

And Kalian, turning his head to look around at Gray’s companions, asked.

 

“By the way, Count. You only have six Knights. What happened to your other four?”

 

Gray tightly gripped his sword hilt.

 

Kalian scratched his cheek.

 

“Ah. They aren’t Knights anymore. I personally stripped them of their titles, yet I was forgot.”

 

The six Knights’ faces hardened as they remembered the four fools who had become food for the fishes in Lake Reddington. And Kalian still maintained a calm expression.

 

“Come to think of it, I’m curious about your dogs disappearing. Aren’t you curious as well?”

 

After saying that and pausing momentarily, Kalian continued in a very leisurely tone.

 

“About why your brother suddenly disappeared.”

 

Since Lannen had not been of much help to the Family anyway, Gray had not been particularly curious about it either. And his father, the Marquis, further stated that it was likely the work of those seeking money, and that they would eventually find him – whether the person himself, or his corpse.

 

“Actually, someone gave the Marquis Beurisen a lot of money. To get rid of Lannen. And then Lannen disappeared.”

 

“Is that so. I didn’t know.”

 

Gray was not greatly disturbed by Kalian’s words.

 

But Kalian’s words had not ended.

 

“So I became curious about something.”

 

Gray did not answer.

 

Kalian continued with a relaxed smile.

 

“I wonder if the Marquis would also get rid of his first son who covets the Marquis title, for money.”

 

Killing intent suddenly surged from inside Gray’s carriage.

 

Kalian’s eyes drew long arcs as he confirmed the direction of the killing intent.