Chapter 86, Those Steps (6)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

The truth was, Kalian was not good at lying.

 

He truly was not.

 

Due to that, in less than a year since taking possession of Kalian’s body, there were already two people who knew of Kalian’s past. Of course, they were Allan and Kyrie.

 

Moreover, Sleiman had seen through his secret without Kalian saying anything, Plants was approaching the truth, and Arsene also, had noticed Kalian had hidden something special.

 

It was no longer a big issue if they discovered Kalian’s secret. So Kalian gave up on adamantly denying it.

 

But with Rmain, it was different.

 

If there was only one person in this world who should not know Kalian’s secret, it would be Rmain.

 

Because of this, it took Kalian more than a week to find a suitable excuse for how he had embarked on the path of the sword.

 

“So, you’re saying that you gained a great enlightenment at Syspanian’s Empty Lair, and then awakened to the path of the sword while sparring with Sleiman? Is that what you’re going to tell him?”

 

Allan asked, and Kalian nodded.

 

Allan made a face like he had just heard the most intriguing story in the world and blurted out:

 

“Go ahead and try saying that. I would love to see profanities come out of that mouth.”

 

Whether it was someone who thought they gained enlightenment while learning self-defense or someone who was going to say they learned the principles of swordsmanship from a Dragon…

 

Kalian let out a deep sigh.

 

“Then, what kind of explanation should I give?”

 

It had already been three days since Plants had awakened.

 

It was becoming difficult to stay in Plants’ room any longer. As soon as he opened his eyes, he would pester Kalian to leave.

 

In the end, Kalian went to Arpia Palace together with Allan without any preparation.

 

When Rmain heard that Kalian had come to visit, he quickly finished his breakfast and returned to his office. His face looked quite gaunt, which made Kalian feel very apologetic.

 

[Wait, now that I think about it, is it not because I couldn’t find an excuse that I had hidden the fact that Plants had awoken three days ago?]

 

“I greet His Majesty, the King.”

 

In response to Kalian’s greeting, Rmain gestured for him to sit down. After Kalian sat down opposite Rmain, the Grand Chamberlain, Raul, entered and set down the tea and fruits. After Raul left and the sound of the office door closing was heard, Rmain immediately spoke.

 

“I heard you’ve been through a lot lately.”

 

This was said with the belief that Kalian had been in Plants’ room nursing him. It was truly a remark that pricked Kalian’s conscience, so Kalian hastily replied.

 

“My older brother has awakened well. He is fine now.”

 

At those words, Rmain made a very happy face, but then immediately showed a worried look in his eyes.

 

“Is he really well?”

 

Since Kalian had just said that his body had fully recovered, this question must have been about something else. After all, the dagger of Sillike had caused a long and deep wound not just to the body.

 

“Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to have any other thoughts. Still, I think it will take time for him to be completely fine.”

 

At least he did not seem to have any thoughts of following Sillike immediately, which was one fortunate thing. However, no matter what, it would take a lot of time for such a wound to heal.

 

“Yes. I am grateful that you are looking after him.”

 

“Not at all, Your Majesty.”

 

Kalian unconsciously gave a bitter smile.

 

After all, even Kalian himself had never thought for a moment that he would end up helping Plants to this extent.

 

Having put aside his worries about Plants, Rmain now carefully chose his words to bring up the next concern. Kalian quietly waited for Rmain’s words to continue.

 

“There’s a lot of talk going around inside and outside the Royal Palace about what you showed on that day. Many are curious. Of course, I am too.”

 

Kalian quietly nodded.

 

“I did hear the story from that child of Siegfried, but…”

 

“I apologize.”

 

Kalian quickly offered words of apology. It was for the worry that Ian had placed on Rmain.

 

Kalian did not expect Ian would convey his thoughts directly to Rmain.

 

[No wonder His Majesty got even more worried…]

 

“I will explain it to you again.”

 

After saying that, Kalian slightly bowed his head toward Rmain and then extended his hand. And then he created and showed a very small mass of Magic Power.

 

As always, a sphere that looked like transparent glass fragments gathered together rested on his palm.

 

“My.”

 

When what he had briefly seen that day appeared right before his eyes, Rmain once again showed surprised eyes and let out a short exclamation.

 

Kalian made it into a small knife with a blunt edge and then infused Aura into it. And then he immediately dispersed it. After all, it was difficult to show a weapon for a long time in front of the King.

 

“Since I can use both Magic Power and Aura, I developed this talent.”

 

[A ‘talent’, you say?] Rmain laughed at Kalian’s words.

 

Kalian looked at Rmain’s face for a moment and then opened his mouth. And then he explained that for unknown reasons, he had acquired the memories of a Swordsman who had died sometime in the past.

 

It was something difficult to call either truth or lie.

 

“I have crossed swords with Duke Siegfried. According to the Duke, the swordsmanship I use is the same as that of a Secritia Knight.”

 

Kalian himself knew it was too far-fetched, so he appropriately mixed in Sleiman’s name to add credibility. After all, when would Kalian have ever met a Secritia Knight? If one said that Kalian knew of their swordsmanship, this was the most appropriate response he could think of.

 

“Since when have you possessed such power?”

 

“I acquired the memories shortly before Your Highness’s birthday celebration. And what I just showed you, I became able to use it after arriving at Duke Siegfried’s Territory.”

 

At that, Rmain suddenly laughed.

 

“He said it would be my neck on the line, not yours. Lord Manasil knew about this, I see.”

 

“I apologize for not telling you beforehand.”

 

Rmain let out a short sigh and took a sip of tea. Then, looking at the view of the Royal Palace visible through the window, he said:

 

“I understand that if you weren’t in the Royal Palace, there would have been no reason to hide it. I don’t intend to reprimand you for hiding it, so don’t be sorry.”

 

After saying that, Rmain turned his head to look at Kalian.

 

“I’m relieved to hear it wasn’t something you learned while practicing self-defense techniques.”

 

“…I apologize.”

 

Kalian’s head bowed unconsciously. [As expected, Ian was truly being Ian.]

 

“No need. However, it would be difficult to reveal the process of how you obtained this power to everyone.”

 

This meant that he would announce that Kalian had embarked on the path of the sword, omitting the process. Since he would not yet know what state Gray was in, the news that Kalian had become the sixth Sword Master would spread.

 

“I will announce it at Valkan’s inauguration ceremony.”

 

Due to the Sillike incident, Valkan’s inauguration ceremony had been slightly delayed. Through Ian, Kalian had heard that it was scheduled to proceed in about a week.

 

Kalian did not object and nodded.

 

Having shown that power in front of so many people, Kalian’s tale would have already flowed to all countries on the continent through informants. So, it could not be stopped. Given the situation, he could only welcome the fact that he could now train openly.

 

“And I’ve thought about the Teleportation Magic Circle you mentioned earlier.”

 

This was about the spatial Teleportation Magic Circle. Kalian looked at Rmain with bright eyes. He seemed to have been waiting quite a while for an answer, so Rmain opened his mouth with a slightly smiling face.

 

“I accept. Do as you wish with that as well.”

 

Originally, Rmain had intended to refuse, saying it would be too difficult.

 

But the story of Kalian embarking on the path of the sword had spread. If so, it was clear that Viscount Beurisen would start to be wary. Therefore, Rmain had come to think that if he connected Siegfried and Cyriesus, there would be less chance for Beurisen to have improper thoughts.

 

Also, regarding Randel.

 

Of course, Rmain did not know that Randel was a Priest. But he did know that when Plants had collapsed, the reactions shown by Kalian and Randel had been starkly different.

 

Kalian had rushed to Plants, and Randel had gone outside.

 

[‘Until Prince Kalian empties that palace, Prince Randel will behave. You’ll be able to see what’s inside him then, even if it’s not visible now’] Recalling Allan’s words, small wrinkles formed between Rmain’s brow.

 

That day, Randel had all but revealed his inner thoughts. It meant he would view Kalian and Plants as competitors before brothers. If such a Randel were to ascend to the throne, how he would dispose of Kalian or Plants was clear without having to see it.

 

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

 

Whether that power given to Kalian would indeed be beneficial or whether it would become another poison, in Rmain’s eyes lingered a light of worry that had not yet been washed away.

 

* * *

 

From the Royal Palace of Cyries, everything related to Sillike was erased.

 

On the list of Cyries’ Queens throughout history, which began with the great name of ‘Sigmund Khan Syspanian’, two lines were drawn over the letters Sillike Beurisen. The greenhouse created by Sillike was completely dismantled and removed, and repair work was being carried out on the place where the accident had occurred.

 

The same treatment was given to those associated with Sillike. They were judged according to whether they were guilty and the severity of their crimes, and those found guilty were sent to prison. Even those who were not guilty could not be kept in the Royal Palace, so they were all sent outside.

 

As a result, all of Plants’ servants were driven out of the Royal Palace. Without exception, every single one of them had been Sillike’s limbs. Thus, the person in charge of Internal Affairs of the palace sent a letter to Plants asking whether he intended to personally select new servants or whether they should be assigned from the Royal Palace.

 

Normally, they should have first sent temporary people to serve until Plants made his decision, but Kalian declined on behalf of Plants. He added an explanation that his own servants would take turns looking after Plants.

 

Thanks to this, Plants was not assigned new servants and was being served by Kalian’s servants. Moreover, even after getting up perfectly fine, he was pretending to still be in a ‘comatose state’ and had not yet answered the letter from the person in charge of Internal Affairs.

 

Because Kalian had not left.

 

He absolutely had no intention of leaving!

 

[It’s all ruined because of you, older brother, so please understand this much.]

 

Since the reason why that power, which Plants had not even properly seen, was discovered by others, was because of Plants. He also could not drive out Kalian, who was going back and forth between the 3rd and 4th floors through the window. So, he could only just stay put and bear with it.

 

He also had to swallow the question of ‘whether you are really my brother’ and just bear with it.

 

In any case, as a result of those events.

 

*Meow!*

 

A single cat kept coming.

 

Today was no different.

 

It was after Kalian had finally gone out, saying he would meet Rmain.

 

Left alone, as he was absentmindedly looking at Heisia Palace vaguely visible through the window, that cat jumped onto the bed. After following Hina around a few times as she cleaned, it had claimed Plants’ room, or rather his bed, as its territory.

 

*Meoow!* When first seen, it was only as big as a palm, but it had already grown by half again. Nevertheless, the creature was freely coming and going through the gap under the door.

 

Only after seeing the cat did he realize.

 

How large the gap of the closed door was.

 

I am Prince Kalian’s cat.

 

Plants chuckled as he looked at the words written on the collar. Then he glanced at the door for a moment. It was because he thought he would soon hear a knock.

 

*Knock, knock.*

 

Sure enough, before long, someone knocked on the door. Plants, who was in a ‘comatose state’, did not answer, and soon Hina cautiously opened the door and entered.

 

And then with a helpless face, she made hand signs toward Plants.

 

‘I’m sorry.’

 

I’m sorry, thank you, I will clean, I will prepare a meal, and so on.

 

Plants had learned several sign languages. Since it was bothersome to write in a notebook every time to show her, he just learned it.

 

Anyway, Hina’s words were an apology because the cat had come in again, and Plants briefly replied.

 

“Leave it.”

 

After all, it was not difficult to let a cat play at his feet.

 

‘Thank you, good, Prince.’

 

Plants only understood the word ‘thank you’, and Hina smiled.

 

As always, it was the kind of smile that erased all the shadows that filled the heart.

 

Before he knew it, Plants had forgotten about looking at Heisia Palace and was only gazing at the cat at his feet.

 

* * *

 

Time passed again.

 

As if trying to erase what had happened at Wilhelm Hall, Valkan held an even more magnificent inauguration ceremony at the same place.

 

Plants was recovering well.

 

By entering Wilhelm Hall, where the accident had occurred, together with Kalian, he announced both his well being and that the two Princes had completely joined hands. Thus, Randel temporarily halted his steps.

 

Allan Manasil, who wore his usual attire instead of the splendid new clothes he had made, was granted Latran Territory, which had recently lost its Lord and was enfeoffed with the title of Count.

 

Because of this, that place should now have become the Manasil Territory, but Allan, who absolutely hated such things, decided to maintain the name of the territory as it was.

 

Arsene’s eyes became slightly red.

 

Whether it was due to the emotion of being officially appointed as the Deputy Commander of Valkan, or due to fatigue from the night work that had started again, only Arsene and Allan knew.

 

Aizen Aprin, who came to lead the Knights of the anti-Beurisen faction, was putting all his efforts into training Knights. The ten Knight Families who had decided to share his will were doing the same.

 

The Beurisen Marquis Family closed its gates for a while.

 

Evan engaged in training, thinking about how on the day of the accident, he had not felt Kalian’s Aura at all. Of course, this was because Kalian had hid it with magic, but this was a fact Evan did not know.

 

After Valkan’s inauguration ceremony, Rmain officially announced that the sixth Sword Master had been born in Cyries. People cheered that the 3rd Prince, who resembled Syspanian, had embarked on the path of the sword.

 

‘May the glory of Serenty be upon Cyries!’

 

Winter came, and passed.

 

When the ice that had frozen the quiet Senu River solid melted, the scent of Fredia Flowers announcing the beginning of spring spread in all directions.

 

Thus, the scent of Reunieri was erased, and a new spring came.

 

The gates of the Beurisen Marquis Family opened again.