Chapter 71, Let Me Ask Just One Thing (2)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

A few more days passed.

 

Sillike’s greenhouse, which had always been filled with pots of evergreen Reunieri Flowers, was completely empty. On the day she returned after meeting Kalian and agreeing to the Seal of Oath, they were all shattered during Sillike’s outburst.

 

After that, Sillike did not leave her room until a few days ago. As a result, her greenhouse was merely cleaned up but remained unfilled for several months.

 

Sillike was slowly walking around the reception room set up in the center of such a greenhouse. With each step she took, it seemed like cold air was flowing, so the maids dared not approach her.

 

*Click.*

*Rustle*

*Click.*

*Rustle*

 

Sillike, who had been pacing around the greenhouse while opening and closing the fan in her hand, stopped in place and bit her lip.

 

Gray Beurisen did not come.

 

It was clear that he had arrived near the Capital. After that, news of him suddenly ceased.

 

Sillike did not doubt the possibility of Lannen’s sudden disappearance when she first heard the news. After all, though the reason was unknown, since he was an ordinary person, if there was a reason, it was not impossible for him to be kidnapped or killed.

 

But that could not be the case for Gray.

 

Sillike was not anxious about something happening to Gray. She was suspicious about whether Gray had disappeared with some other intention in mind.

 

Her head maid rushed to Sillike and conveyed a few words.

 

“It is said that when Count Gray Beurisen arrived near the Capital, seeking recuperation, he was attacked by men sent by Marquis Evan Beurisen. News that the Count suffered serious injuries and returned to his Territory is spreading like wildfire.”

 

Upon hearing this, Sillike frowned and asked back.

 

“Father did? Why?”

 

“Well… It is said he was warned to go back and never return to Cyriesus after learning that he intended to take away the title of Marquis. The Noble Families are in quite an uproar over this matter.”

 

The mouths of Nobles were truly fast.

 

The rumor that Gray, who was coming to the Capital, got attacked by Evan, spread in an instant.

 

It made sense because Gray was a Sword Master.

 

A Sword Master was said to have suffered injuries severe enough to make recovery difficult because of his own father. What could be more interesting news than this?

 

Sillike frowned.

 

After repeatedly opening and closing the fan in her hand several times, Sillike muttered to herself.

 

“He struck first, thinking that he could aim for the position of Marquis at this point in time?”

 

Then, as if there was something strange, Sillike asked the head maid again.

 

“Father wouldn’t have gone directly. So, who could have injured my brother?”

 

“Wasn’t the Count already injured before coming to the Capital? That’s why he couldn’t respond properly, or so they say.”

 

Sillike’s eyes flashed upon hearing the answer.

 

Sillike bit her lip once more before speaking.

 

“No.”

 

Gray was not coming due to an injury. It was Sillike who had told him to use that as an excuse when coming to Cyriesus. After that, she had told him that if he helped raise Plants up to the position of Crown Prince, she would oust Marquis Evan Beurisen and give that position to Gray.

 

*Rustle!*

 

Sillike considered several possibilities in her mind.

 

Evan Beurisen, knowing Gray’s plan, personally stepped forward to attack.

 

Gray betrayed Sillike and then made an excuse to return.

 

Or, someone undisclosed attacked Gray.

 

Soon, Sillike looked at the head maid with sharp eyes and said.

 

“Send medicine to my brother. Find out if the Count really was injured and is in his Territory, and make sure you uncover who attacked him. You must see it with your own eyes as quickly as possible and report back to me.”

 

The head maid bowed, conveying that she would do so.

 

“And find Lord Tayle and immediately bring him here.”

 

Tayle was the vice-captain of the Pavel Knight Order, who had stepped down from the Royal Palace because of Kalian. He was also someone who had wielded the sword on Sillike’s behalf multiple times. As long as he was paid, he would do anything, so there was no one better than him to serve as a substitute for Gray in urgent matters.

 

After the head maid hurriedly left, Sillike paced around the greenhouse once more.

 

Sillike was now trying to verify all three possibilities she had thought of. The first and second would be confirmed by the maid who would visit and check on Gray. And the third, she intended to verify through Tayle.

 

Thinking about an undisclosed someone…

 

“Why do I keep-”

 

“-thinking of you!?”

 

[Kalian!]

 

*Rustle!*

 

Sillike returned to her room, trying to shake off the unpleasant premonition.

 

* * *

 

That afternoon, there was a major announcement from Rmain.

 

The preparations for establishing a Mage Order called Valkan had all been completed, and after the inauguration ceremony a week later, operations would begin immediately.

 

The interim Commander of Valkan was Allan Manasil.

 

The Deputy Commander was Arsene Hertz.

 

Sillike, who had frowned at the news about Gray that morning, frowned once more at this news.

 

“Using the Pavel buildings and training grounds… His Majesty must have forgotten all the past events…”

 

The head maid was at a loss as she realised that Sillike was displeased once again. A sound of grinding teeth came from Sillike’s mouth.

 

“Just because the Pavel Knight Order is gone doesn’t mean my power is gone. Out of all places, you chose to put those Mages there…”

 

Sillike stopped herself mid-sentence.

 

“No.”

 

She had realised that it was not the right time to question this.

 

Rumors that Marquis Beurisen had crippled his own son was circulating. In such a situation, if Sillike opposed Rmain’s will, attention would naturally turn towards her.

 

“Did you say that His Majesty has gathered thirty Mages?”

 

“Yes, that’s correct.”

 

Sillike sneered and nodded.

 

“I see. But with only so few Mages, he won’t be able to do anything. If he wants to play army, I should let him have his fun. I’ll be understanding for now.”

 

After saying so, Sillike turned around. Then, the head maid held her feet as she carefully said.

 

“I have brought the person you mentioned.”

 

Sillike’s face brightened a little at those words. Tayle of the Pavel Knight Order had arrived. Sillike soon nodded and went down to meet him.

 

Sillike, having dismissed everyone around the reception room, entered alone. One man dressed in ordinary clothes was sitting in front of the table. It was the Knight called Tayle.

 

Tayle was a man with an appearance that seemed to say, ‘This is what a typical Knight should look like’. Moreover, his behavior was proper, and he was a man of few words. Therefore, those who saw Tayle for the first time could not imagine what he was really like.

 

Only Sillike knew.

 

That if you put just three gold coins in his hand, he would kill and bring anyone out of the Royal Palace.

 

*Clink.*

 

That was why Sillike first handed over a money pouch to Tayle, who was sitting in the reception room. After checking its contents, Tayle asked.

 

“Are there multiple targets?”

 

He was asking because this was quite a lot of money.

 

Sillike shook her head and said.

 

“Just one.”

 

At those words, Tayle smiled suspiciously. It was because he had recently dealt with one person and received a large sum.

 

Lannen Beurisen.

 

Tayle was one of the two Knights who had captured him and brought him before the Marquis. Of course, since Tayle was a tight-lipped Knight, Sillike would never know about it.

 

“Who is it?”

 

Someone who had accompanied Kalian’s Roselita, did not stay in the Royal Palace, and was not a Family member of Allan Manasil.

 

Sillike opened her mouth in a low voice.

 

“A Mage called Arsene Hertz.”

 

The Deputy Commander of Valkan, whose name, along with Gray’s, had been on the lips of Cyriesus Nobles all day today. Tayle had heard of this name too.

 

“Find out if he encountered Gray Beurisen, and if so, what happened. After finding out, you must keep his mouth eternally sealed. If you handle it well, I will give you double the amount.”

 

Realizing why the money pouch was so heavy, Tayle quietly rose from his seat. Then, after putting the pouch inside his clothes, he left Sillike’s reception room.

 

* * *

 

And that evening.

 

Ian had a very excited look on his face.

 

“Finally, our Prince will have a faction of his own.

 

Of course, Kalian’s name was nowhere in the content related to Valkan. But Ian knew that the Mage Order was Kalian’s army.

 

“It’s only thirty people now, but it will increase enormously soon. So, now the Prince can walk around proudly, can’t he?”

 

In response to Ian’s words, Kyrie, who was standing next to Ian waiting for Kalian to come out of the shower, cautiously answered.

 

“…I’m not sure if it’s okay for him to be more confident than he is now.”

 

Hearing those sincere words, Ian opened his eyes wide.

 

“He’s been pushed around so much by Plants and Prince Randel. Especially if you knew how harshly Plants treat our Prince, you wouldn’t say such things.”

 

Ian said this, not knowing that Kalian had half-joined hands with that very Plants. Because of this, Kalian, who heard Ian’s words from inside the shower, momentarily made an awkward face.

 

He was worried about how Ian would react if he told him about matters with Plants.

 

With such complicated feelings, Kalian finished his shower and put on a simple formal attire. Then, he moved to the banquet hall prepared in Senu Hall. Although Valkan had not been officially established yet, he was attending a light dinner to celebrate Rmain’s announcement of its establishment.

 

Before long, Kalian entered the banquet hall and paused momentarily due to the concentrated gazes, more than ever before.

 

“Prince Kalian has arrived!”

 

They were Mages gathered from all over the country, and not many had seen Kalian this closely. So, everyone began to observe Kalian with one heart and one mind.

 

To check whether those eyes are truly as red as Syspanian’s.

 

Thanks to this, Kalian had to greet each and every Mage by making eye contact with them.

 

[It’s fortunate that Randel and Plants did not come.]

 

Sillike, of course, was not here as well. They had been informed of their absence with plausible reasons prior. It was something they were glad about, as they did not have to see Kalian receiving such attention.

 

Thinking like that and smiling to himself, Arsene finally approached Kalian. His face was quite tired. Because of this, Kalian spoke with an apologetic heart.

 

“Lord Hertz. Are you alright?”

 

“I think I will soon not be alright, Your Highness.”

 

At the honest answer, Kalian smiled and opened his mouth.

 

“There will be a banquet on the day of the inauguration ceremony, so just go and rest today.”

 

At that, Arsene’s expression brightened a little before stopping. Though he desperately wanted to go home, he could not. As for the reason…

 

“Thank you for your concern. But after the dinner ends, I must go see Lord Manasil again. Moreover, if I just go home as I please, I can’t even imagine what Commander Manasil will say tomorrow…”

 

Watching his face, Kalian smiled again.

 

“I will convey the message to Master.”

 

“But…”

 

“Rest when you can.”

 

At that moment, Arsene, feeling genuinely grateful to Kalian, respectfully bowed.

 

“Thank you. Then I will leave first.”

 

“Be careful on your way home. Don’t fall asleep on the way.”

 

So said Kalian, showing a smile whose meaning was unclear.

 

Of course, Arsene did not recognise it. He just quickly moved his steps and got into the carriage, feeling as though Allan might come after him if he delayed any further.

 

Since Arsene’s house was across the Senu River, it took time to arrive. Kalian had told him not to fall asleep, but can human eyelids ever be controlled so willingly?

 

*Clop clop.*

 

Arsene’s eyes gradually closed as he listened to the regular sound of horse hooves. And he fell into a deep sleep.

 

After crossing the Senu River.

 

The uneasy shaking of the carriage and the coachman’s urgent voice woke Arsene up.

 

“Lord Hertz!”

 

The coachman called Arsene again, who had slightly opened his eyes with a strange feeling.

 

“Wake up!”

 

Only then did Arsene come to his senses and hurriedly raise his body.

 

Along with this, the carriage shook.

 

*Bang!*

 

Arsene’s eyes, which were always calm, coldly flashed.

 

Arsene flung open the door of the still-running carriage.

 

The carriage, moving several times faster than usual, was rushing recklessly. Unfamiliar scenery passed by quickly.

 

Instead of being bewildered by this sudden situation, Arsene shouted toward the coachman while taking note of a suitable spot.

 

“Keep running and escape!”

 

He swiftly manipulated his Mana.

 

“Teleport!”

 

Simultaneously, Arsene’s body disappeared from the carriage and appeared exactly where he had just observed.

 

Having moved his body from the running carriage to the ground, Arsene immediately casted Shield to protect himself. Then, several horses that seemed to have followed the carriage surrounded Arsene.

 

Blades flashing in the moonlight were all pointed toward Arsene.

 

Realizing that the suspicious situation was real, Arsene opened his mouth in a calm voice.

 

“Nice to meet you.”

 

Having studied only fast and efficient person-to-person Attack Magic, thus able to create ice spears at a speed faster than lightning, now at just twenty-eight years old, a Fifth-Circle Mage.

 

“I am the Deputy Commander of the Valkan Mage Order, Arsene Hertz.”

 

Arsene Hertz’s ice, filled with a chilling light, shot out.