Chapter 111: Behind the Abyss (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 111: Behind the Abyss (6)
He was incredibly bold.
Even if it wasn't entirely by his own choice, Calian was already using Siegfried as a shield. Now, he was asking to use them as a screen as well.
"What do you think, Duke Siegfried? It shouldn't be too difficult."
Just how much help could Siegfried offer?
Just how far did the boundaries of their convictions extend?
Lemain's older brother, Asnan, had failed to grasp that. Because they were irreplaceable friends, Asnan had believed Suleiman would grant his every request. However, Suleiman, then the young lord of Siegfried, had flatly refused his friend's plea to take up arms for his sake.
"Calian."
That was why Suleiman laughed.
Calian knew exactly where that line was. He understood the precise scope of what Suleiman could do to help him without compromising Siegfried's convictions.
"Calian. Calian… Hahaha!"
Calling the prince's name over and over, Suleiman burst into a hearty, characteristic laugh. Hina looked flustered as the duke’s wound began to reopen, but he laughed on, completely unbothered. Then, looking at Alan sitting across from him, he spoke in a booming voice.
"My boy takes after me so much I thought he was just a useless runt, but he certainly chose his master well!"
Alan, who had been quietly listening from the side, spoke softly.
"Your boy doesn't even know what he's chosen."
At this accurate assessment, Calian—who, in Yan's eyes, was nothing but a delicate flower—let out a faint chuckle. He then addressed Suleiman.
"May I take that as your consent?"
"Still, that's a steep price for a single marble. Give me one more thing," Suleiman said, flashing a broad, playful grin as he began to bargain.
Seeing Suleiman act surprisingly clever for once, a glint of intrigue appeared in Alan's eyes. Calian simply nodded, a silent gesture for him to continue. Suleiman lowered his head for a moment, glancing at his wound and then his sword before speaking to Hina.
"I'm sorry, but could you give us a moment?"
Hina nodded and stepped outside. In a lowered voice, Suleiman asked, "The swordsmanship Teilan uses has changed. I didn't think much of it before, but this time, I am certain. Your Highness's swordsmanship is the same as Teilan's."
"Are you asking how Sir Teilan and I share the same swordsmanship?"
"A knight guarding the Crown Prince—and the First Sword of the Continent, no less—would not go around teaching other knights of Secritia. Is that not so?"
To explain how he knew a swordsmanship that Teilan would never teach another knight, Calian would have to reveal the truth: that he was, in soul, a prince of Secritia and the younger brother of Crown Prince Chase.
Recalling what he would have to say, Calian gave a pale smile.
It wasn't as if it would be a problem for someone who already knew the truth to learn a few more details, but Calian simply wasn't in the mood to dredge up such matters.
Alan, catching a glimpse of Calian's expression, spoke up.
"If it is something that can be explained, I shall speak of it. Please go and rest, Your Highness. As for hiding your knights in the Siegfried territory, I will discuss it with His Grace and let you know separately."
Even though Alan likely didn't know exactly what had happened yesterday, he was still looking out for him.
"Thank you. I will leave both matters in your hands, then."
Expressing his gratitude for his master's consideration, Calian stood up. He excused himself to Suleiman and stepped outside.
Alan had told him to rest, but there was another place he had to go.
He had to meet Euria, the Mage Association President, and Melfir Polun, the owner of the Polun Trading Company. It was also time to meet someone who was desperately waiting for his help, yet unable to ask for it.
With so much to think about, so many places to go, and so many people to meet, how fortunate it was that he had no time to rest.
Smiling silently at the thought, Calian walked on.
*
"Meow!"
At the sound of the creature begging to be held, he reached out and picked it up.
"What on earth is with you?"
Whenever he stared out the window, the cat would pester him to be held, as if telling him not to harbor any gloomy thoughts.
He couldn't help but wonder if the cat truly understood or if it was all just a coincidence.
Of course, since he would never get an answer, Franz simply stroked the scruff of the cat's neck. As he did, he noticed the collar had changed slightly.
At first, he thought it was a new one to accommodate its growth, but something was off. Looking closely, Franz let out a chuckle.
'I am Prince Calian's cat, who likes Prince Franz more.'
It was definitely Hina's doing.
Calian's mind and heart were in a chaotic state, and besides, he wasn't the type to do something like this in the first place.
He was staring at the cat's collar, now sporting a much longer name, when—
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
Franz stared at the door for a moment without answering.
As was the case every year, the princes' schedules became even busier once the festival celebrating the King's Birthday ended. All the events postponed for the preparations were carried out at once.
Consequently, the servants were the busiest of all. Franz's attendant, Relic, was currently in a meeting, just like Yan.
Furthermore, Franz had not yet hired any other attendants besides his maids and a single footman. If someone visited while Relic was away, he had to answer the door himself.
"Who is it?" he asked, his tone far from friendly.
There was no reply.
Thinking Hina might have come for the cat, Franz opened the door, and his eyes narrowed.
A moment later, a languid voice drifted from his lips.
"My little brother's room is downstairs."
His words were directed at Chase's knight, Teilan.
*
Randel had tried to attack the Margrave's territory, where Gray was stationed, bringing the Holy Knights of Tensil with him. The plan had failed.
Would he really stop there?
"Prince Randel won't give up," Calian said.
He had to think one step ahead of Randel, put himself in his shoes. To do that, he desperately needed information. That was why he had sought out Euria and Melfir.
"Since he likely feels pressed for time, he must be planning to stir up something else. But because he does things so far beyond common sense, I have absolutely no idea what he might try next."
Calian let out a dry laugh. It was absurd that Randel, a man who was typically so rational, had acted so irrationally.
Soon, he looked toward Euria and asked, "Are the Holy Knights making their exit properly?"
"You do not need to worry about that."
At Euria's words, Calian tilted his head. "And why is that?"
Euria replied with an amused expression. "Last night, the knights from the Lancelot territory followed them."
"Lancelot… is that the Baron who stands with the Brissen family?"
"Yes. It didn't seem like they were looking to start an armed conflict; I received word that they would likely escort them safely to the Tensil border. They are tailing them closely to prevent them from slipping away or turning back to attempt another attack."
"There's no way Marquis Brissen knew the true identity of the Tensil healers. Brother Franz met with Marquis Brissen, so he must have mentioned it then."
Since Evan wasn't capable of thinking that far ahead, ensuring the Tensil healers were escorted to the border to prevent any foolishness was undoubtedly Franz's idea.
"My brother helps me once again."
Chuckling softly to himself, Calian spoke to Euria. "Still, we shouldn't let our guard down. We must keep monitoring them from our end."
"Of course. Do not worry," Euria said, smiling again.
Calian then turned to Melfir, who was sitting beside him. It had been a long time since they had met face-to-face.
"Please check on any territories showing sudden movements."
Melfir received as much information as Euria, given that his trading company did business with territories all over Kairis.
"There has been nothing unusual so far, but I will inform you immediately if anything strange comes up."
Calian nodded. Then, with a slightly apologetic look, he spoke. "The Polun Trading Company will take a hit. If our relationship with Tensil sours because of this, they might declare a halt to the diamond trade."
"Do not worry about that."
Replying with an easygoing smile, Melfir slid a small tin box toward Calian.
"What is this?"
"Something more precious than diamonds in Kairis right now."
"Is there something more precious than diamonds?"
"Open it."
Opening the box, Calian's face filled with bewilderment. Inside was a vivid red gem that perfectly matched the color of his own eyes.
"Is this… a ruby?"
"Yes, Your Highness. It is a ruby." Melfir nodded, his eyes crinkling into a warm smile.
"I knew that the demand for rubies in Kairis had unintentionally increased, but I didn't realize it was enough to replace diamonds."
"It's not just replacing them; we can't sell them fast enough because we're completely out of stock. However, there is someone in the Secritia delegation who deals in rubies. I met with them yesterday, and they were surprisingly favorable toward us. So, you do not need to concern yourself with the diamond trade with Tensil."
Ah, Calian thought, falling silent for a moment.
It was Chase's help.
Chase likely knew that Melfir, who should have died, was alive. It wouldn't have taken him long to figure out who Melfir had allied with.
"That is a relief."
With many of his worries eased thanks to Franz and Chase, Calian let out a small laugh.
With only one last person left to meet, he stepped out of the Mage Association, his heart feeling slightly lighter.
Raven trotted along at a comfortable pace with Calian on his back. Since the stallion would safely bring him back to the royal palace on his own, Calian pulled the hood of his robe deep over his face and closed his eyes. It wasn't that people wouldn't recognize him, but he felt too tired to greet every single one of them.
Clack, clack.
As if understanding his mood, Raven kept his hoofbeats quiet.
Just as Calian smiled to himself, thinking what a remarkably clever horse Raven was, the stallion came to a halt. Sensing this, Calian opened his eyes and looked ahead.
Standing there was a figure wearing a hooded robe, just like him.
Upon seeing the face revealed beneath the hood, Calian froze, just like Raven.
"You…"
What brings you here? How did you get here?
Instead of asking those questions, Calian smiled and called out the name.
"Sia."
"Boss! It's been a while!" the young-faced elf replied with a bright grin.