Chapter 40
Chapter 40
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Forgotten Greenhouse
-----------------------------------------------------------------
While Sir Evan was racking his brains, his mind elsewhere, the conversation shifted topics.
"...All the Rabbit Hole affiliates have been rounded up, and the list of nobles who participated in the auction has been smoothly recovered."
"Now all that's left is to hand out the punishments."
"Actually, there's one more issue. The collapse wasn't caused by simple physical impact as we expected—it was due to the dismantling of the reinforcing magic circle that was holding up the burrow."
"The magic circle? Was there infighting from within?"
"We'll need to investigate further. A few mages claimed they dismantled it in exchange for leniency, but they had no idea how it was actually done. However, the method of dismantling..."
Abel trailed off, biting his lower lip. It was his habit whenever he got stuck explaining something.
"...It was utterly brutish."
"...?"
"Dismantling magic circles can cause mana backlash if handled wrong, so the standard method is to reverse-engineer them for safety. But this was completely different. It was like... just poking the weak point and snipping it clean off."
"And what does that mean?"
Abel narrowed his eyes at King Sedes's utterly clueless remark, glaring at him. If the princes hadn't been there, he would've unleashed a torrent of scolding about how a non-mage like him couldn't possibly understand.
Abel forcibly smoothed his furrowed brow and continued.
"...Your Majesty isn't a mage, so it's only natural you wouldn't know, but magic circles require more mana the larger they get, making them more vulnerable to fatal backlash from mana reversal. Moreover, the Rabbit Hole's large-scale circle had double-layered reinforcement spells alone, plus concealment, illusion, protection, and counterattack spells—five layers in total etched into it."
"Must've been quite the expert."
"Se— I mean, Your Majesty! This isn't something to take lightly!"
Abel's composure nearly shattered at Sedes's continued nonchalance. If the princes' eyes hadn't been on him, he surely would've lunged forward and grabbed his old friend's collar.
"Your Majesty, please listen carefully. We don't know how they even found the concealed circle in the first place—put that aside for now... Magic circles may look fixed on the surface, but mana circulates endlessly within them according to the inscribed formulas, forming vortices. Tampering with even one layer in such an overlapping circle doesn't just cause internal injury—it could destroy your mana heart at minimum, or kill you outright."
"...I see."
Sedes didn't really get it, but sensing an incoming lecture in front of the princes, he schooled his face into a grave, understanding expression.
Abel shot the king a disrespectful glance and pressed on.
"Even a simple circle isn't easy to disrupt without altering the mana flow at all. The way this one was dismantled was like..."
Abel bit his lower lip again, pondering how to make Sedes—the sword nut—grasp it in one go.
Guess comparing it to swords is the only way for a swordsman to understand mages.
"...Like smashing an aura-clad sword with a plain iron rod, without any aura of your own."
Only then did Sedes's eyes widen. Abel quietly clenched his fist at the clear proof that nothing had sunk in until now.
Forcing a smile, Abel mouthed silently without a sound.
'Sedi, let's talk after dinner.'
Sedes realized he now had to brace for a lecture bomb on top of his workload bomb.
In the carriage back to the 2nd Prince's Palace.
Lianus's complexion wasn't great. During the entire meal at the main palace, his older brother kept staring at him, so he'd pretended to focus on eating and stuffed himself to the brim—now his stomach felt queasy.
"Nil... hasn't eaten yet, has he?"
"......"
"Sir Evan?"
"......"
"Sir Evan!"
"...Yes? Y-Yes?"
Lost in thoughts about the lynx's true nature, Sir Evan startled late and replayed Lianus's question in his mind.
"Ah, don't worry too much about the lynx. The servants must've taken care of him, right?"
"That'd be a relief, but... what if he hasn't eaten because he was waiting for me? I should've sent a letter."
"Why worry so much? If he hasn't eaten, we just make him eat."
"I guess."
But eating alone feels a bit lonely.
As soon as they arrived at the palace, Lianus grabbed a maid and asked first about his friend's meal.
"Master Nil? He probably hasn't eaten yet. You were a bit late today—did you already eat?"
"Huh? No, no. I haven't. Prepare some food."
"Pardon? But, Your Highness...!"
Sir Evan started to say they'd just eaten, but Lianus tugged his clothes as if to silence him, cutting him off.
Sir Evan let out a deep sigh.
What is it about that lynx that's so adorable to him...?
"Where's Nil right now?"
"Um, in the bedroom... Oh, there he comes down. How'd he know you were back? He must've been waiting for you. Master Nil is hard to spot usually. He runs off whenever servants approach..."
"...Really?"
Lianus felt a twinge of guilt, as if he'd done something terrible to Nihil.
"Nil, sorry. I was late, huh? You must be hungry. Let's go eat!"
Lianus dashed to Nihil, grabbed his hand, and pulled him toward the dining hall.
Nihil had noticed Lianus hiding something but pretended not to know and followed obediently.
The low, calm voice for a child snapped Sir Evan out of it.
"Rian."
Lianus paused mid-slice of his second steak, looking at his friend.
"Yeah?"
"I'm done eating."
Lianus's eyes widened at Nihil's sudden declaration.
They'd barely started—what was wrong? Was he sick?
"Nil, are you feeling okay?"
Nihil hesitated at Lianus's worried question before speaking carefully.
"...Actually, you were taking a while, so I had a snack. I'm full."
"Oh... really?"
"Sorry. I ate without you."
"Huh? No, no! Don't apologize. I'm fine with that."
Lianus's face brightened a bit. His own stuffed stomach was uncomfortable anyway—this worked out.
Sir Evan wondered where the servant-shy lynx had gotten snacks, but he was relieved the prince wouldn't overeat.
Nihil spoke up.
"Rian, the weather's nice. Want to have some light tea outside?"
"...Huh? Yeah, yeah! Sounds great! Awesome!"
Lianus blinked blankly before grinning wide and hopping off his chair.
Now that I have a friend, I can have tea time whenever I want! No more waiting for Older Brother to suggest it!
I'm so, so glad I made a friend!
Lianus bolted over and grabbed Nihil's wrist.
"There's a greenhouse. Let's go there!"
"Sure."
Sir Evan called after the scampering kids that he had something to grab and to wait, but Lianus's excited ears missed it. Nihil heard but ignored.
Nihil lightly petted his trailing seaweed hair. As they exited the palace, he spotted an approaching dog but firmly shut the door. Curses of "damn lynx" echoed from beyond, ignored once more.
A couple steps out, the door burst open again as Sir Evan caught up.
"I said wait a moment. How can you leave your only guard behind?"
Lianus belatedly realized and widened his eyes before giggling.
"You always catch up quick anyway."
"Still."
"Sir Evan can take it easy. Guarding alone must be tough."
"It's not that bad."
Normally, he wouldn't rush like this.
But thinking the lynx might be a demon race stirred inexplicable anxiety. Even knowing he couldn't harm the prince.
Sir Evan fiddled with the holy water vial in his pocket and followed cautiously.
Arriving at the greenhouse, Lianus was momentarily speechless.
It was clean, but too clean. With no dedicated caretaker beyond basic weeding, not a single flower bloomed.
"Hmm, should we go somewhere else...?"
Lianus scanned the uninviting interior and pouted slightly.
Nihil gently stroked his drooping seaweed hair.
"No, it's still chilly out—here's fine. No one uses this greenhouse?"
"Yeah. Once we hire more servants, I'll have them tend it."
"Then, Rian, can you give me this greenhouse?"
"Huh...? The greenhouse?"
Lianus blinked wide-eyed. It was the first time Nihil had asked him for anything.
"Can't I?"
As Lianus delayed, Nihil smiled softly, tilting his head.
Sir Evan recoiled in horror at the century-old fox vibe, but Lianus's eyes sparkled at the chance to do something for his friend, beaming innocently.
Good thing he was a prince. A greenhouse was nothing.
"Of course! But it's small and rundown, so I'll build you a big new one."
"No, Rian. Something unobtrusive like this is perfect."
Lianus rolled his eyes, wondering what else he could offer.
"How about rare flower seeds? Like flowers?"
"I don't dislike flowers, but I have plants I want to grow. So that's fine. I'd like to tend it myself—can you keep the servants from entering without permission?"
Sir Evan realized Nihil planned to secretly grow herbs here.
Innocent Lianus thought he just wanted a secret space.
"Of course! I'll make it your private spot! And you can command the palace staff directly—no need to tell me every time. Oh, once it's set up, can I visit sometimes?"
"No place in my space is off-limits to you, Rian. You don't need my permission."
Sir Evan stuck out his tongue at Nihil's casual bombshell, expressionless. Whether he knew or not, the kid would break hearts once grown.
Is he really a demon? The kind that seduces humans and steals souls...?
As Sir Evan's suspicions tilted demonic, a maid brought tea.
Now aware of Nihil's discomfort with servants, Lianus had her leave the tea and dismissed her quickly.
Pouring fell to Sir Evan.
"That lynx is useless anyway."
Muttering, he poured—sweet, tangy plum aroma filled the greenhouse.
"Plum tea?"
Sir Evan questioned the odd choice. The prince didn't hate it but never sought it, preferring iced over hot.
"Nil wanted some!"
Lianus grinned brightly, gulping the warm plum tea.
Sir Evan eyed Nihil suspiciously. The kid had already latched onto the prince's hand, fiddling with it.
"You little... ha..."
Sir Evan sighed deeply, realizing something.