Chapter 96, Older Brother (4)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

It was not only Raven who had to exert all his strength to stop.

 

Chase, whom he had been searching for so desperately, was right before his eyes. That was why his hands, feet, words, and even his gaze, all pulled back. Kalian truly pulled back with all his might, as if his life depended on it.

 

“I’ve really wanted to meet you, Prince Kalian.”

 

At those words, Kalian’s mind, which had been trying to compose itself, suddenly went blank. Were those words not exactly what he wanted to say right now? Yet it was Chase who spoke those words first.

 

[He must be saying that because he knows nothing, simply thinking he is finally meeting the renowned Third Prince. So, don’t waver. I must not waver.]

 

Kalian barely managed to open his mouth with a smile.

 

“I feel the same.”

 

Though he responded as if nothing was wrong, he could not bring himself to say the name Chase. He feared that if he spoke the name, the word ‘older brother’ would slip out along with it.

 

So, he closed his mouth after those brief words.

 

“You can exchange greetings at leisure, so please have a seat first.”

 

The quick-witted Allan helpfully interjected.

 

Thanks to that, Kalian was able to take his seat without having to say anything more, and he lowered his head for a moment. It was because he could not afford to show any sign of being shaken.

 

Allan, who observed Kalian’s behavior, silently clicked his tongue. [This clever boy has completely lost his composure in front of Chase.]

 

It was only natural, so Allan had no intention of blaming him. He only felt sympathetic. And now, he just hoped that Rmain, who had caused this predicament, would hurry up and arrive so they could start and finish the luncheon.

 

Of course, Allan was not the only one who noticed that Kalian was not acting like himself. Plants was also looking at Kalian with curious eyes.

 

[Why is he behaving so strangely today?] Those thoughts were clearly written on Plants face.

 

Only after making eye contact with Plants did Kalian finally regain some of his senses. He properly realized that Chase was not the only one present.

 

He could not throw away the life he had carefully adjusted to as Kalian in a single moment. Reminding himself of this, Kalian clenched his fist under the table and looked back toward Chase.

 

And then he had to clench his fist even tighter.

 

Taillan Kastrin, who had stood in the way of Valkan’s advance on the Capital before Bern, who was supposed to protect Chase, and thus delayed Secritia’s fall by three days with his life. Right now, this man, who had also been Bern’s Master, was looking at Kalian not with the eyes of one observing a Disciple, but with the face of someone examining a very interesting opponent.

 

[…Master.]

 

When Kalian spotted Chase at the palace entrance, he had also seen Taillan beside him. Therefore, before entering Senu Hall, Kalian had already dispelled the Magic that was concealing his Aura.

 

It was truly fortunate that Kalian, with his remarkable talent for being discovered, could manage this detail in the midst of all this chaos. If Taillan had not been able to sense Kalian’s power, who knows what might have happened.

 

Perhaps sensing Taillan’s gaze on Kalian, Chase, who was sitting across from him, spoke to Kalian again with a gentle smile.

 

“I was very surprised when I heard of the rumors recently, that Prince Kalian had taken up the path of the sword.”

 

“I was merely fortunate.”

 

Kalian answered briefly once more, and Chase nodded. Then, looking at Plants, he said.

 

“It’s a personal matter, but I truly envy you, Prince Plants. For having such a brother.”

 

[If you envy it so much, just take him and make him your brother.] Plants, whose mood had been sour since meeting Chase, was about to respond like that when he glanced briefly at Kalian sitting beside him.

 

It was actually a casual glance without much thought.

 

But then he saw Kalian’s face. Yes, he saw that face.

 

Plants’ eyes narrowed.

 

Now. he understood.

 

The reason for the sense of aversion he had been feeling was because the Secritia Crown Prince completely reeked of Kalian. And why he reeked so much of Kalian, the reason for it.

 

Though it defied common sense, he now knew.

 

Therefore, Plants turned his head again and looked straight into Chase’s eyes. And he responded with words completely devoid of any mockery.

 

“Of course. I am always grateful.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“He is my brother whom I would proudly present anywhere in the world.”

 

He concluded with these words, playing the role of the world’s most affectionate older brother.

 

Despite surely having heard from his spies how poor their relationship was, Chase simply nodded.

 

Of course, Chase was the only one nodding.

 

Allan and Kyrie could not move, busy doubting their own ears. Allan in particular was admonishing himself for momentarily suspecting that Plants might have started drinking again.

 

Kalian, who once again felt his soul leaving his body because Chase happened to mention the word ‘brother’. He immediately understood why Plants had spoken such uncharacteristically affectionate words.

 

“You flatter me… older brother.”

 

Kalian let out a small laugh.

 

[Plants. So, you’ve figured it out. Truly my loving and hated older brother.]

 

* * *

 

After meeting Rmain, Sleiman looked at Ian who was standing beside him. Then, he opened his mouth with a serious voice.

 

“I heard about what you’ve said.”

 

“What did I say?”

 

“What you told Rmain about how Kalian became a Sword Master.”

 

“Ah, that.”

 

Looking at Ian, who was staring back at him with innocent wide eyes, completely oblivious, Sleiman shook his head. He could not bring himself to get angry at that innocent looking face.

 

“Yes. Sometimes I wonder. If this boy is really mine…”

 

Anyone could see that Ian was Sleiman’s son.

 

From the hair color to the eye color, they were identical, so when placed side by side, Ian was clearly a Baby Elephant.

 

That was why Ian frowned.

 

“I’m definitely your child. I just don’t look aristocratic enough.”

 

Anyone could see that Ian was somewhat unsuitable to be viewed as a Duke’s son. Of course, Sleiman was equally unsuitable to be seen as a Duke of a country. So, they were in a way truly father and son.

 

Sleiman, who had been staring blankly at Ian, opened his mouth.

 

“That’s right. You are my child.”

 

“Of course I am. Why are you suddenly saying such things?”

 

He was just grateful that Kalian did not reject Ian and instead embraced him and his flaws as he took his son around.

 

“It’s just that. My heart is quite complicated.”

 

Moreover, Kalian was not tolerating Ian because he was the son of a Duke. In a way, he was truly a benefactor like no other. As a father, Sleiman had no right to say anything to Kalian.

 

With a melancholy face, Sleiman soon raised his hand and gently stroked Ian’s head.

 

“Well… just live healthily. That’s all that matters.”

 

Sleiman had said those words to Ian his entire life, so how could he not understand that Ian was truly living healthily each day? However, what else could he say at this moment?

 

As Ian was retying his disheveled hair, he asked.

 

“I heard that the Crown Prince of Secritia came today. Did you meet him?”

 

Chase was so renowned even in Cyries. So, Ian was curious about what impression he would make in person. But since Kalian had left Ian behind when he went to the luncheon, he had not been able to meet him, so he was asking Sleiman.

 

Looking at Ian, Sleiman laughed ruggedly.

 

“If I had met the Crown Prince of Secritia directly, one person would have left this Royal Palace dead today.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“The Knight called Taillan who is escorting the Crown Prince. If I had met the Crown Prince, I would have to meet him too, right? If we had met, we would have had to fight at least once.”

 

Ian retorted as if Sleiman was talking nonsense.

 

“You’d lose, you know? Dmirea is still young. You need to live a long life.”

 

“Oh, you sweet child of mine.”

 

Such were the kind words for his father.

 

* * *

 

Thanks to Plants, he barely regained his composure and finished the luncheon.

 

After returning to his room, Kalian immediately went out to the terrace.

 

Chase said he would stay here for two weeks.

 

Since he had come to meet Allan, if his conversation with Allan extended, the schedule could be prolonged.

 

Two weeks was a long time.

 

So, as time passed, things would gradually get better.

 

*Thud!*

 

As he was sitting on the terrace chair, trying to compose himself, someone approached and put something down on the table. When he turned his head, he saw it was alcohol.

 

Seeing it, Kalian gave a wry smile. And instead of asking why he had come in such bright daylight, he spoke in a quiet voice.

 

“I’ve quit drinking.”

 

There was a big difference between not drinking and quitting. Moreover, those words were not something that should come from Kalian’s mouth. Nevertheless, Plants sat down next to Kalian without any particular reaction.

 

“Since my little brother has quit drinking, there’s no one to drink with.”

 

“You drink it then, older brother. You used to like it.”

 

“I never drank it.”

 

[What kind of lie are you sprouting now?] Kalian turned his head with a surprised face and looked at Plants.

 

“Are you saying you’ve been pretending to drink all this time?”

 

Plants opened his mouth with an expression as if it was nothing special.

 

“We’ve each discovered one of our secrets, so let’s call it even.”

 

“To value your secret about not drinking and my secret equally. Your calculation is quite generous.”

 

Kalian laughed out loud.

 

After a moment, Kalian got up and went to the safe in the bedroom. From there, he brought out a sword. Among the two wootz steel swords that had arrived this morning, it was the less sleek and heftier one.

 

It was made specifically for the Beurisen Family’s swordsmanship.

 

“I thought Raven could be the payment, but my calculations were wrong.”

 

Kalian said this as he placed the sword in front of Plants. Then, showing the scar on his palm, he said:

 

“Let’s consider Raven as payment for this scar, and this sword as payment for my secret. I’ll keep your secret about not drinking to myself.”

 

Plants did not say anything else.

 

Raven had been the payment for the scar from the beginning, so there was nothing more to say.

 

“Since you lost your sword to Lord Hertz, you should use this, older brother.”

 

[That damn Mage!] Plants’ eyes suddenly became fierce.

 

After being irritated for a moment, Plants reached out and drew the sword. Then, completely captivated by the blade that slid out smoothly, his expression changed. He seemed to have forgotten about Arsene, who had just recently broke his sword.

 

Kalian added an explanation.

 

“The maker said it would be able to handle Aura, so I’m giving it to you as an encouragement to train diligently.”

 

“It’s too much for keeping a secret.”

 

“It’s not too much.”

 

Kalian did not bother to mention that this sword originally belonged to Plants in his previous life and only said this much.

 

However, there was no sword left for Sleiman, who should have been the original owner of the remaining one. After all, he was thinking of giving that one to Kyrie.

 

He decided to consider the sword taken from Sleiman as payment for taking good care of his inadequate son.

 

Kalian could not help but praise how his calculations were ‘quite accurate’.

 

Soon, Plants put the sword down beside him and quietly opened his mouth.

 

“I think you owe me an explanation.”

 

“About what?”

 

“Why does my little brother look like he has died and come back to life when someone else mentions the word ‘brother’?”

 

It seemed understandable, yet it was something that could never be understood.

 

“You seem to have figured it out already.”

 

Even as he said that, Kalian activated the Spell, Silent. It was because he felt he should explain a little.

 

But before that, there was one thing he wanted to ask.

 

Now, he thought he might know the answer, but it was something he had wanted to ask at least once.

 

“If…”

 

Kalian, who started like that, looked toward Arpia Palace.

 

He was thinking of Chase, who would be there right now.

 

“If there was something you truly wanted, older brother. But it was in someone else’s hands, what would you do?”

 

“I don’t have a hobby of taking things from others.”

 

“What if you really needed it? Would you still leave it alone?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Though he did not know why Kalian was asking such a thing, Plants gave an answer.

 

Kalian nodded with a troubled face.

 

[In that case, it would be foolish to wonder why he started that war. Whether someone changed Plants’s personality or started the war in his stead, it is a question the current Plants cannot answer anyway. In fact, even if I knew the answer, nothing would change.]

 

Kalian felt that just confirming what Plants actually thought was enough.

 

“Time flowed backwards.”

 

So, Kalian quietly opened his mouth.

 

Plants did not look at Kalian, and Kalian’s words continued briefly.

 

“I was that person’s brother, and now I am your brother.”

 

He could not say more than that.

 

How could he tell this older brother, who claimed he had no hobby of taking things from others, what he had done?

 

Then, suddenly thinking of how he had behaved during the luncheon, Kalian laughed.

 

“Even though I know it is different now, it’s not easy to act accordingly.”

 

Plants just nodded.

 

He did not show any more surprise. After being shocked by so many things, he had reached a point where he just accepted such matters.

 

And Plants decided not to ask about Kalian’s actual age, given that he claimed to have quit drinking. The intelligent Plants knew well that there were times not knowing was better.

 

So, he also did not ask what Kalian had been deprived of by him.