084 - Reclaiming the Overdue Debt (5)

Calix hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"May I ask one more thing?"

"Of course."

"I possess a rather unusual ability."

"Ho ho...."

"At any moment I choose, my mind becomes utterly serene, and the world seems to shrink before me. It's as if I'm gazing down as an omniscient, omnipotent being. In particular, the good and bad feelings inherent to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠being human fade away dramatically."

Calix tried his best to explain the Star's Heart skill in as much detail as possible.

After hearing it all, the Sorbeville Marquis stroked his chin beard and murmured.

"Fascinating. It sounds like some kind of superhuman mental control or secret art—extremely rare, at that. I've read widely across many texts, but I've never encountered anything like it."

"Is that so."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. But one thing is certain: if you grow strong enough, you'll be able to control that ability freely. History has proven that truth time and again."

"Thank you for the advice."

The marquis seemed to hesitate, as if debating whether to say more, but he soon clamped his mouth shut.

"It was a pleasure today. Time's up, so we must part ways."

"Thank you as well. It was immensely helpful."

"I know full well that your purpose in seeking me out today wasn't to learn about the sword."

Calix felt his heart sink.

'Hitting me with a sudden thrust like that at the very end? Old ginger is indeed spicy!'

In stark contrast to his agitation, the Sorbeville Marquis's tone remained utterly calm.

"I don't particularly care what intentions brought you to me. Those who prattle on about my neutrality often treat me as a focal point for their own whims, but I have no interest in that either."

He paused briefly before speaking firmly.

"However, remember this: I love this kingdom. If anyone threatens its very fate, I will have no choice but to draw my sword."

It was a stern warning.

Calix met the Sorbeville Marquis's eyes head-on and slowly nodded.

"I will keep that in mind. I have no desire to see this kingdom vanish either."

'Of course, I don't particularly like it either. But letting history unfold as it should is advantageous to me... for the time being, I'll play the good boy.'

Once the meeting with the Sorbeville Marquis concluded, a messenger from the First Prince's faction was waiting.

"His Highness the Prince wishes to see you."

"I'll go at once."

Calix nodded impassively.

The messenger delivering the news was the one who seemed flustered by his reaction.

"Did you know?"

"How could I?"

The man ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠chewed his lip for a moment but ultimately said nothing and withdrew.

After all, they couldn't accuse him of a crime just for not being surprised by the summons.

As Calix prepared to enter the palace, Krout asked.

"Did you anticipate this? That the prince would summon you, I mean."

"Hm? Actually, the reason I requested a meeting with the Sorbeville Marquis yesterday was precisely to provoke this reaction. I don't take things lying down, you see."

A short while later, guided by the messenger, Calix entered the palace and came face-to-face with Gail Prince.

Mysterious blue eyes that drew one in, sharp and refreshing features, a solidly muscled physique.

He looked just like a young Hollywood actor.

"This is the first time we've met face-to-face. Pleased to meet you. I am the First Prince of the Lock Kingdom, Gail Krakuf."

"An honor to meet you, Your Highness."

"Impressive. To think you possessed such prowess, yet remained unknown until now—it's baffling."

The prince subtly rebuked him for hiding his abilities, but Calix flatly denied it.

"I've simply had a major enlightenment recently."

An awkward silence fell between them.

But as the saying goes, the thirsty man digs the well.

Gail Prince spoke first.

"You met with the Sorbeville Marquis?"

"Ah, yes. I requested the meeting. I was surprised he accepted so readily."

"Ahem, that just means your presence has grown that much. So, how was it? As the kingdom's greatest swordsman, he must have had much to teach."

"Indeed. It was a very enlightening time."

"And anything else...?"

The prince trailed off, unable to continue.

There was one thing nagging at him, but it was too awkward to ask outright.

Sensing this, Calix took the initiative.

There was no need to drag things out by pretending ignorance.

"Oh, right! He asked if I had any intention of becoming his disciple."

"Cough! Cough! R-Really?"

So startled was the prince that he snorted tea out his nose.

It wasn't exactly a lie.

The marquis had indeed made a courteous remark to that effect.

The reason for the prince's fluster was his worry that the Sorbeville Marquis might form a new faction.

Of course, given the marquis's personality, he likely wouldn't care, but if people began gathering around him, things could snowball regardless of his will—enough to warrant concern.

In truth, Calix had met the marquis precisely because he wanted the prince to think that way.

Fortunately, his scheme had worked perfectly.

It was obvious from the prince's fidgeting demeanor.

"Ahem! You're quite popular. The Cezare Archduke wanted you as a disciple too, and now the marquis makes the same offer. So? You refused, right?"

"I told him I'd consider it positively."

"P-Positively? You refused the Cezare Archduke, so why accept the marquis?!"

Calix stared at the prince with wide, innocent eyes, as if asking why he was questioning the obvious.

"Isn't he the guardian deity of the Lock Kingdom? He's not a foreigner, so there's no need to relinquish my territory. I plan to study diligently for just three years, then return to inherit the count's title. Of course, there are other reasons too."

"Other reasons?"

"As Your Highness knows, I need to shake off that persistent Antonio Marquis faction stalking me. Becoming the Sorbeville Marquis's disciple would make it hard for them to dispatch inspectors secretly and strike from behind, wouldn't it?"

Only then did realization dawn on the prince.

That Calix was indirectly chiding him for not warning about the inspectors in advance.

Had this been before Calix's tournament victory, the prince would have simply scoffed.

But now, he couldn't brush it off lightly.

The emergence of a new prodigy who had dominated every finals opponent en route to victory.

If he allied with the Sorbeville Marquis as backing, his influence would skyrocket overnight.

The prince was already in sharp conflict with the Fifth Prince's faction; he didn't need more headaches.

"Ahem, I instructed my subordinates thoroughly beforehand, but unfortunately, there was a mishap. I apologize."

The prince bowed his head lightly.

Seeing this, the corners of Calix's mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.

'Hah! Cutting off a tail and wiping your mouth clean? You think I'll let that slide?'

"Not at all, Your Highness. Subordinates can err. I started off on bad terms with the Antonio Marquis because of Russell's inflexible nature... but once I inherit the title, I can just reconcile appropriately. It's not uncommon to reset diplomatic ties when a new lord takes over."

Gail Prince imagined the future unfolding as Calix described.

'Nightmarish.'

It even occurred to him that Calix's request to the king to delay his inheritance might have been a calculated move.

'Was his reputation as a dunce just a disguise to hide his true self? Did I misjudge him?'

Forcing a smile onto his increasingly rigid face, he asked.

"Would the Antonio Marquis truly accept that?"

"Would he really push it to the end with everyone watching? Especially now that I've gained some fame."

The prince was unaware of the stolen silver ingots Calix had taken. Thus, he mistakenly believed reconciliation might actually be possible.

Rubbing his dry face with both hands for a moment, he let out a deep sigh and got straight to the point.

"Hoo, fine. Let me ask ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠directly: what would it take to bind you to our side?"

Calix realized the treasure chest's lock had finally sprung open.

But he couldn't just demand the most expensive item outright.

It had to be an artifact of moderate value—one the prince wouldn't mind parting with.

He didn't deliberate long.

His eyes fell on the sword at the prince's waist.

Graham had been born with a broken mana hole. He grew up to become a smith who hammered steel. And he forged a sword to overcome his limits. For revenge.

The ability to briefly endure a Sword of Light—usable only by class 6—was enticing.

But it wasn't particularly rare. The dark knight who had disguised himself as a bandit to face Krout not long ago had wielded a similar enchanted blade.

Yet a first prince like him must own far superior swords, so why carry Graham's Sword?

'Simply because he likes the black blade. In other words, it's something he wouldn't mind giving away.'

And Graham's Sword provided a perfect pretext.

"I have no intention of standing against Your Highness. But no matter how much I explain that to others, few would truly believe me. Especially given my history of being left unprotected."

"Get to the point."

"If Your Highness bestowed upon me that fine sword you're wearing, who would believe I wasn't on your side, even if I said otherwise?"

"Hahaha!"

Gail Prince laughed heartily before cutting it off abruptly and calling his attendant.

"Head attendant!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Give this sword to Baron Calix."

"...Understood, Your Highness."

"I'll be watching you closely from now on. You can be trusted to make good on the sword's value, I presume?"

"Of course, Your Highness. I'm a man who settles his accounts properly."

After the audience with the prince, as Calix left the chamber, Jerard approached.

"It's been a while, young master."

Calix still found the man's appearance unappealing.

Slightly thinning crown, sagging ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wrinkles under droopy eyes, deep dark circles, sunken cheeks.

And a slightly hoarse voice to top it off.

He could see why the pedophile rumors had started.

Forcing his stiffening face into a smile, Calix replied.

"Indeed it has. I heard you've received an official title. Congratulations. You're proper blue blood now."

"It's merely an honorary knighthood. Please treat me casually."

"Honorary knight... pity. Had you reached class 4, you'd deserve a far higher title."

"No, no. I'm more than satisfied with this. I have no need for lofty titles anyway."

Jerard waved it off in denial, but a sudden thought brought a sly smile to Calix's lips.

'Is that so? Let's test that from now on. See if you're truly satisfied.'

"Hmm, shall we move somewhere and talk? I have a fine proposal."

"...Very well. Follow me."