Chapter 70, Let Me Ask Just One Thing (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

Allan’s claim that Rmain always made him work like a slave was truly nonsense. Clearly, Rmain was treating Allan well in proportion to how much he made him work.

 

Among those working in the Royal Palace, Allan was the only person who had a personal office in Arpia Palace, which was Rmain’s workspace.

 

“Wow……”

 

Kalian, who had come to Allan’s office for the first time, exclaimed in admiration. He had not even entered the office yet, so he was not admiring the facilities or the size of the office.

 

“This is amazing.” After saying that, Kalian burst into laughter.

 

Only after realizing that his laughter was echoing through the solemn corridor of Arpia Palace did Kalian manage to stop laughing and comment.

 

“I can see at a glance why Master is always with Your Highness. Your Highness has been taking such good care of Master that he complains.”

 

After saying this, Kalian looked at the two offices located on the top floor of Arpia Palace.

 

On the left side of the corridor, which was densely lined with portraits of the past Kings of Cyries, was Rmain’s office, and on the right was Allan’s office.

 

In other words, Rmain had prepared a place for Allan to work directly across from his own office.

 

With the King just a door away, what greater treatment could there be for Allan, who did not even have a special title in Cyries?

 

“Please don’t say that.” Allan, who was standing beside him, grumbled.

 

Originally working in Narcil Hall, and offered a larger and better room, he got a little carried away, only to find the room was across from Rmain. When he refused, Rmain said he would just add another desk in his own office.

 

Thus, several months had gone by since he reluctantly moved into the new office due to the King’s ‘extraordinary accommodation’.

 

“You probably can’t imagine how much I suffer every day.”

 

Allan’s main duty was related to the Mage Order, Valkan. Of course, it was work he did together with Rmain. But at some point, Rmain had started transferring his share of the work to Allan bit by bit.

 

As a result, Allan, who had thought he would be ‘a Master teaching Magic to the Prince, and help the King a little in his spare time,’ was now barely able to supervise the Prince’s Magic practice in the time left after all the work he had to go through.

 

Of course, Allan’s self-appointment as Kalian’s Master was merely a pretext to enter the Royal Palace. Moreover, Kalian was also practicing Magic well on his own with the knowledge that the old Kalian had learned.

 

But still, was this not wrong?

 

“The workload His Highness gives me is as vast as the ocean.”

 

Kalian started laughing again as he watched Allan’s endless complaints. Allan quickly opened the office door and ushered in his Disciple, who could not stop laughing.

 

After entering Allan’s office, Kalian tried to suppress his laughter as he sat on the sofa.

 

The reason Kalian had followed Allan to Arpia Palace was for a private audience with Rmain. As soon as he heard Kalian’s request, Allan had brought him here.

 

‘No matter how secretly His Highness and the Prince try to meet, everyone will find out anyway. So just say you have business at my office and go over with dignity. That would be much better.’

 

Thanks to this advice, Kalian left as soon as he finished his conversation with Allan. And he arrived at Arpia Palace with dignity, receiving greetings from many people.

 

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll ‘secretly’ bring His Highness now.”

 

After Allan said this jokingly and left, Kalian’s heart started beating fast again. Although it was true that Kalian had requested a secret meeting with Rmain, he had not expected to meet him right away after bringing it up.

 

Sitting on the sofa in Allan’s office, Kalian cleared his throat, moved his facial muscles a few times, and checked his attire. He was making a fuss because he was truly nervous.

 

Before long, the door opened again, and Allan entered first, followed by Rmain. Kalian, who had risen from his seat, formally paid his respects.

 

“Yes.”

 

With a brief word, Rmain accepted Kalian’s greeting and sat across from him. Then Allan went outside again. He was giving them privacy since Kalian had requested a private audience.

 

Kalian, who had been laughing as if everything was amusing until just a moment ago, now wore such a solemn expression that one might wonder if he was the same person. He spoke to Rmain.

 

“Thank you for coming despite my sudden request, Your Highness.”

 

His tone was quite formal. Seeing Kalian’s face, Rmain replied in a comfortable voice.

 

“Don’t be so formal.”

 

Kalian smiled awkwardly, and Rmain continued.

 

“I was worried that you might have taken the Queen’s words at the banquet to heart, but I am glad to hear you laughing and talking.”

 

It seems he had heard Kalian’s laughter and conversation echoing through the corridor. Feeling embarrassed, Kalian was about to apologize when Rmain spoke first.

 

“I don’t mean it in a bad way. Don’t worry. Rather, I feel relieved that you seem to have grown strong enough not to be swayed by such words.”

 

To Rmain’s sincere words, Kalian lowered his head with a deep sense of gratitude that he had never felt even for Debeullan, the King of Secritia.

 

“I do not worry over such things, Your Highness. I am merely grateful for your concern.”

 

“Yes. That’s fortunate.”

 

Rmain nodded slightly with a smile.

 

And for a very brief moment, Rmain gazed deeply into Kalian’s eyes. Then, after a slight pause, he opened his mouth.

 

“Lord Manasil tells me that you’re thinking of breaking something again, that I should hear you out before that.”

 

It was a statement filled with both concern and worry. As soon as he heard Rmain’s words, Kalian’s eyes turned toward the door. That was where Allan would be.

 

Judging by Rmain’s words alone, it sounded as if Kalian was several times more of a troublemaker than Plants.

 

Kalian unconsciously let out a small sigh. Seemingly understanding that feeling well, Rmain did not comment on Kalian’s sigh.

 

Soon, Kalian put aside his resentful gaze toward Allan and looked at Rmain, answering.

 

“Yes, Your Highness. There is something I want to break.”

 

Rmain nodded.

 

“I will mentally prepare for what you want to break. So, tell me.”

 

“Naturally, it’s the Beurisen.”

 

Rmain’s gaze turned toward the window outside.

 

“You’re referring to Viscount Lannen Beurisen and Count Gray Beurisen?”

 

“No. I’m not talking about a specific individual, but rather the whole Beurisen Marquis Family itself.”

 

Instead of expressing further concern about that, Rmain tried to remain as calm as possible as he spoke.

 

“Yes. It’s something that must be done eventually. Continue.”

 

“First, I plan to meet with Nobles from Knight Order Families. I wanted to ask if this might be a burden to Your Highness.”

 

“You’re asking whether the growth of your power would harm me or become a matter for me to be cautious about?”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

In other words, it was essentially asking how Rmain would feel about the increase in Kalian’s power and influence. It was certainly a bold question.

 

Understanding this, Rmain chuckled and said.

 

“Like Master, like Disciple.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

 

“When you said you wanted to establish a Magic Academy, Lord Manasil asked the same thing. But now, it’s about Knights.”

 

Saying this, Rmain smiled at Kalian with a rather fatherly smile.

 

“Very well. Do as you wish.”

 

“Thank you for your permission.”

 

After expressing his gratitude, Kalian continued with a more detailed explanation of what he wanted to request.

 

“There are several people I want to talk to, but I need to avoid Beurisen’s eyes. Could you perhaps expand on what you mentioned to my older brother Plants at the banquet and proceed with it?”

 

What Rmain had brought up at the banquet was not just empty talk. Therefore, as soon as Kalian finished speaking, Rmain immediately understood what he was talking about.

 

“You’re referring to the hunt?”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Having said that, Kalian continued his explanation.

 

“It came up naturally during the meal, and you suggested it to my brother Plants, not to me. Therefore, even if it’s suddenly pursued, few would be suspicious of it.”

 

Rmain nodded and listened carefully to Kalian’s words.

 

“Besides, it’s a hunting competition, so it wouldn’t be strange for the Nobles from Knight Families to participate in it. The Queen won’t be present, and soon, rumors about Count Beurisen will spread and Marquis Beurisen won’t be able to come either.”

 

At those words, Rmain’s expression darkened somewhat. It was not because organizing a hunting competition was difficult. Rmain, who had realised something from Kalian’s words and quietly asked.

 

“While saying you need to avoid Beurisen’s eyes, you’re asking me to arrange an event that Plants must attend. Have Plants and the Queen turned their backs on each other?”

 

“Yes. At the very least, it seems my brother Plants has had a change of heart.”

 

Rmain had a somewhat mixed expression.

 

Soon, he nodded and replied.

 

“It’s not a difficult matter. I’ll instruct preparations to be made.”

 

Kalian once again expressed his gratitude for the ready consent. Then, in an even more cautious voice than before, he said.

 

“And there is one more thing I would like to request.”

 

“Speak.”

 

What followed from Kalian was something Rmain had not expected at all.

 

“I would like to build a large-scale Teleportation Magic Circle between Cyriesus and the Siegfried Territory. In the future, I’d like to connect it to other regions as well.”

 

“Siegfried.”

 

The Land of Elephants. A Teleportation Magic Circle connecting that place to Cyriesus.

 

“In case of an emergency, Siegfried’s Knights could envelope Cyriesus within three days.”

 

“That’s right, Your Highness.”

 

“I’ve heard from Lord Manasil that your closest aid is the firstborn of Siegfried. I also know the nature of Duke Siegfried, but… the matter you’ve just brought up doesn’t seem like one that can be easily decided based solely on your trust in them.”

 

Rmain continued his thoughts for a while.

 

But as it was not something he could decide easily:

 

“I’ll give you an answer later, so please wait a little.”

 

“I will do so.”

 

In the end, Rmain answered that he needed time to think.

 

* * *

 

People’s preferences could change in an instant, like flipping the back of one’s hand. The fact that Kalian did not particularly like the coffee that Bern used to enjoy was proof of that.

 

Since it was coffee that he had drunk on the day he purged the poison from his body in front of Sillike, Kalian did not refuse it when someone offered it, but he also did not seek it out. He felt an understandable subtle aversion to it.

 

Since learning of this, Ian had never served coffee to Kalian.

 

Although Allan always had coffee with him, he too was well aware of Kalian’s feelings, so he did not drink coffee at Chermil Palace.

 

Therefore, when Allan, who had returned to Chermil Palace with Kalian after their conversation with Rmain, was asked by Ian what he would like to drink, he replied.

 

“Anything will do.”

 

And Arsene, who was sitting across from Allan, politely replied to Ian asking the same thing.

 

“May I request a strong cup of coffee?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Readily answering, Ian placed a highly concentrated coffee, seemingly filled with the darkness of the abyss, in front of this Mage, with equally abyss-like dark circles under his eyes.

 

Taking a sip of mint tea, Allan glanced at the coffee and gently said to Arsene.

 

“My friend. If you drink all of that, you might die.”

 

“I don’t think it would make much difference.”

 

Whether dying from overwork or from drinking coffee that had a color resembling the night sky…

 

Without any particular aversion, Arsene downed a cup of coffee in one go.

 

Seeing this, Kalian shook his head.

 

“Is it because you haven’t been able to develop the Teleportation Magic Circle?”

 

Kalian, who had not really pressured Arsene, spoke up. Anyway, since Rmain had said he could not give an immediate answer, there was no rush to the project. At this rate, there was an even graver threat—it seemed Arsene might die before becoming the Commander of Valkan.

 

“It would be better if you took today to rest. We can just make it with a regular Teleportation Magic Circle. As for its security, we can post guards.”

 

As he did not intend to overwork Arsene like this. Thus, Kalian intended to retract his order.

 

“No.”

 

But surprisingly, Arsene shook his head and said:

 

“I’ve found the answer, Prince. I’ve modified the principle of how it activates. It’s possible to establish a contract of use between multiple subjects and the Magic Circle.”

 

Looking at Kalian, who seemed to be asking why he drank that life-shortening coffee if he already had the answer, Arsene grinned and concluded.

 

“Prince, you’ll be able to monopolize the Teleportation Magic Circle.”

 

That was indeed pleasing to hear.

 

Kalian showed a trusting smile to Arsene.

 

“You’ve worked hard.”

 

Arsene, who had downed Ian’s coffee fearing he might fall asleep before hearing these words from Kalian, collapsed onto Kalian’s sofa as if passing out. And he fell into a deep sleep he had not been able to experience in a long time…

 

Seeing this, Allan asked Kalian:

 

“Does this friend of mine have any more work to do?”

 

“No. I’m thinking of dispatching Mages from the Arcane Enclave to proceed with building the Magic Circle.”

 

“Then, that of my friend has now become a leisurely Mage again, no?”

 

Realizing why Allan was asking this, Kalian could not bring himself to respond. Allan, who already found the answer on Kalian’s face, smiled with satisfaction.

 

After all, with the Mage Order’s work piled up in Arpia Palace, was it appropriate for the future Commander to be this idle?

 

Silavin: Damn. These guys just love to Tai Chi their work around! Bro is already in a coma…