Chapter 136: The Foundation of Understanding (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 136: The Foundation of Understanding (4)
The room was silent.
On one hand, Lemain was surprised; on the other, he understood.
Randel cultivated such brilliant flowers in his garden, yet he didn't keep so much as a single vase in his room. What could he possibly think about, sitting all alone in a place that didn't even have a clock?
It was only after getting Calian's blood on his hands, after witnessing Franz's downfall with his own eyes, and after stepping into this barren room that Lemain finally understood. And with that understanding came the crushing realization that they had already gone too far.
Lemain, who had to be a father before a king and a king before a father, looked at Randel with a regret he could never voice.
"I heard you caught a severe cold. Are you alright?"
He knew, of course, that it was just an excuse to avoid him. Yet, he had come anyway.
"You needn't worry."
The last time he had seen him was during the King's Birthday festival, before confining him to Chermil Palace. A period both short and long had passed since then. Randel answered calmly, looking exactly the same as always.
His face was, as ever, completely devoid of emotion.
"I see."
I was clumsy.
And because I was clumsy, I looked away.
Because I looked away, I didn't see, and because I didn't see, I forgot. I lived in that forgetfulness as time passed, and as it flowed by, I finally came to a realization.
That I was wrong.
"…I see."
Unable to bring himself to speak his inner thoughts aloud, Lemain could only repeat the same words. He couldn't offer an apology, not here and now. He knew that would be a mere excuse, a form of violence forcing Randel to understand him.
And yet, I knew that so well.
A sigh carrying tens of thousands of unspoken words finally escaped his tightly closed lips.
"If you're unwell, don't suffer alone… and if I fail to notice again, please, tell me."
Having managed only those words, Lemain forced down the tea placed before him. Randel, sitting across from him, watched silently before replying in a quiet voice.
"I understand."
Even after Lemain had taken so long to speak, Randel's response was brief. That was the depth of the chasm between them.
Fearing that staying any longer would feel like a silent coercion, Lemain stood up. Looking into the eyes of Randel, who rose with him, Lemain hesitated for a long moment before speaking.
"I will come again."
Randel did not answer.
* * *
There could be no more welcome invitation in the world.
"Prince Calian has requested your presence for a moment."
At the news that his beloved disciple was looking for him, Alan immediately flipped over the documents he was reviewing and stood up. As always, Calian's requests took precedence over everything else.
As he followed Yan into Chermil Palace, Yan spoke again.
"You may head to the training ground."
Hearing this, Alan smiled thoughtfully.
"I may be Prince Calian's master, Alan Manasil, but it feels rather strange to be summoned to the training grounds instead of his chambers."
"The Prince does so well on his own, after all."
Because Calian had always been so diligent in his own training, Alan rarely had a chance to truly act as his master. Feeling a bit embarrassed by this, Alan quickly made his way to the training ground.
Entering the magic training ground, which was right next to the swordsmanship training ground, he saw Calian sitting in the middle of the spacious area with his eyes closed. Because of his breakfast with Lemain, Calian was only now performing his daily morning mana accumulation. Standing quietly so as not to disturb him, Alan watched as a smile spread across his lips.
It's truly vast.
Whether it was due to Sispanian's blessing or because the original Calian possessed exceptionally brilliant talent, he couldn't be sure. The only certainty was that the amount of refined mana accumulating within him was incomparably greater than that of other mages.
That was likely why he could constantly maintain the magic to hide his aura while freely using both his sword and his spells as the situation demanded.
He'll also reach the end of the 4th Circle faster than anyone.
After all, Calian had already mastered the 3rd Circle at an age younger than Alan himself had. The thought made Alan try to recall how old he had been when he became a 4th Circle Master.
"Master!"
Just then, a voice filled with its usual warmth called out to Alan. Snapping out of his memories, Alan smiled and nodded. He then spoke, looking as though he already knew why Calian had summoned him.
"You summoned me to the training grounds, so you must have hit a wall. What can I teach you?"
Without losing his smile, Calian gestured toward a chair on one side of the training ground.
"Yes. There is indeed something I wish to learn, but there's something else I must tell you first."
Alan nodded and sat down. Calian, sitting opposite him, spoke.
"How is Vice-Commander Hertz doing?"
"I'll never understand why all mages are like that."
The moment the question was asked, a reply mixed with a deep sigh escaped Alan's lips.
The leader of that very same 'sort' spoke thus to the prince who had gathered them all, before continuing.
"He's become quite the hero."
His unyielding loyalty, executing Calian's command without a moment's hesitation. His razor-sharp calculation, selecting a target that would obliterate Heisia Palace in a single strike. And the sheer audacity of shouting that the cost of the building should be deducted from his salary.
Arsen had now become the idol of Valkan.
"At this rate, they might erect a statue of him in Wilhelm Hall."
A truly mage-like reaction.
Calian laughed out loud, amused.
"Since he handles matters so decisively, I have no choice but to trust Vice-Commander Hertz."
"Please don't overwork him like that. I can't begin to imagine what will disappear next."
"Ah. To be honest, even I don't know what I'll break next."
Grinning, Calian quickly brought up the main point before Alan could scold him.
"Please make one more spot in Valkan, Master."
"Is it for you, Your Highness? It seems you have finally decided to take something into your own hands."
Alan asked with anticipation, but unfortunately, Calian shook his head.
"Not for me, but for Hina. I'm thinking of placing her in Valkan now, so I would like you to make some preparations in advance."
Recalling Hina, who had spoken with a determined face the previous night after Franz left the training ground, saying she had made up her mind, Calian continued.
"I originally intended to speak to Sir Hertz, but he seems to be passionately devoted to clearing the debris."
"I shall do so. It is no difficult task."
"Thank you, Master."
Was there any supporter as reliable as Alan, who readily agreed no matter what Calian said?
"And please don't scold Sir Hertz too much. He only caused that incident because I ordered him to."
Scold him?
Alan replied with a look that asked what kind of nonsense that was.
"He is currently clearing the building debris with a face that looks like he might burst into song if you so much as poke him. I have never seen him look so thrilled since the day I met him, so do not worry."
It was no lie.
Shaking his head at the thought of Arsen, Alan spoke again.
"Since you are bringing her in for healing magic, it would be good to have Veronica come and help this afternoon."
At the unexpected name, Calian wore a look of confusion, as if he hadn't quite understood Alan's words.
"Veronica? Isn't she your granddaughter, Master? I believe she is currently attending the Magic Academy."
"That is correct. However, her talent for magic is mediocre at best, while she has a great interest in medicine. So, how about letting her run errands for Hina?"
"Are you truly fine with that?"
Alan was an Archmage, a Count, and the Prince's master. He was the only one with an office in Arpia Palace, yet he was suggesting that his own granddaughter help Hina, who had been a maid.
"I think it wouldn't be bad to let her do what she enjoys."
His answer revealed he hadn't even considered that the question was prompted by the difference in their social standing. Then again, neither Yan nor Alan paid much mind to such distinctions.
Calian, too, had only asked out of concern, not because he personally cared about status. Thus, he asked no further questions and nodded.
"As long as Veronica is fine with it, I would be glad. Aside from helping with the work, it would be wonderful if she could just be someone for Hina to talk to."
"Then please lend us your baby elephant for a while as well. The Valkan lot love to learn, so it won't take them long to pick up sign language."
Calian, who had been thinking the same thing, smiled and replied.
"Yes, I will do so."
Having conveyed the matters regarding Hina, Calian fell silent for a moment. It was now time to bring up what he wished to learn.
Soon, Calian held out his palm and conjured something.
A mass of red-colored mana.
Looking at the unstable, flickering mass—a result of his lack of practice with it—Calian spoke.
"I usually keep my mana reserves empty or use wind magic, so I'm not accustomed to handling fire. I asked you here hoping you might be able to help me with this."
Seeing the shape of what rested on Calian's hand and realizing what he wished to learn, a brief shadow fell over Alan's face.
"I'd completely forgotten what day it was."
"To be honest, I only realized it late myself. That's why I'm practicing in such a hurry now."
"I understand. I shall teach you. It is not difficult, so you will master it in no time."
Deciding it would be best to postpone their discussion about the black stone and Tensil's carriage, Alan nodded and replied.
* * *
Plop.
The lake had sparkled so beautifully this morning. Why did it now look so sorrowful, dyed red by the setting sun?
Was it because it was red that it looked so sorrowful?
Calian had sent Yan back with Alan. Perhaps they had started teaching sign language right away, for Yan had not returned even as half the day passed and evening approached. Dividing the personnel into those clearing the palace debris and those learning sign language, then having them take turns, would certainly take quite some time.
Having heard that Franz, after meeting Marquis Evan Brissen, had arrived at Chermil, Calian had sent Kyrie to him. The two of them would still be at the training ground.
He had stopped Merlin from coming out with him and stepped out alone. The two escort knights standing in the distance were useless, anyway. He decided to just pretend they weren't there.
Plop…!
Left to himself, Calian was currently shaping finger-sized lumps of mana and tossing them into the water. He did so because the sound, which resembled small pebbles being thrown in, was pleasant to hear.
Sitting silently by the lakeside, he waited alone for night to fall.
It did not take long for night to arrive. The gradually approaching darkness settled heavily, and the once-red lake now merely shimmered in black.
Soon, a red light glowed in Calian's hand.
He tried to manipulate the magic he had hastily learned from Alan that morning. The flame flickered out twice before he finally managed to form it into the proper shape.
"I didn't really know how to do it that day. I had only heard about it."
Calian spoke aloud to himself.
Splash.
A ripple stirred by the blowing wind touched the tips of Calian's feet. Calian stood up slightly and placed the red light in his hand down onto the water's edge.
"There are no flowers today, either."
Along with his quiet words, another red light was placed upon the water.
A single flower and a candle, offered to the deceased with a silent word. Countless lights and countless words to accompany the departed on their final journey.
"I can't go to the river, but this is similar, so please understand."
A third red light—no, a flame mimicking an Annerusia flower—was floated onto the lake.
Today was the anniversary of Calian's death.
In Kairis, they do not observe the death anniversaries of the deceased. Even so, he was deliberately recalling the original Calian one last time, if only to finally let him go.
"I'm sorry."
I have to let go of my guilt toward the original Calian now, he thought. Even if some might call it selfish.
"Because I want to live, too."
I don't know what will happen in the future.
But for now.
"I'm sorry."
The flames placed upon the water glowed red, matching the number of apologies he offered.
Crunch.
As he stood quietly watching the dozens of flames floating on the water, he heard the soft sound of footsteps behind him.
Without even turning his head, Calian spoke.
"You've arrived."
There was no reply, but there was only one person who would seek Calian out at this hour.
With a soft rustle, Franz sat down beside him and stared at the lake. He did not ask what the large and small red-glowing flames were.
Turning his head slightly to observe Franz, Calian let out a soft chuckle before speaking. It was because he could feel a foreign trace of mana on Franz that hadn't been there at breakfast.
"…And here you said you wanted to live."
The same man who claimed he wanted to live had gone and placed a restriction on his own heart. Calian was certain he hadn't hesitated for a second.
Calian understood the contradiction all too well—not sparing one's own life in order to pave a path to survival.
"Surely my dear little brother will keep me alive," a languid voice replied.
Turning his gaze back to the lake, Calian spoke.
"You know me too well."
Since Calian wouldn't let Franz die anyway, neither of them had anything to worry about.
Soon, Calian stood up.
He would worry about the restriction on the heart later. He had said everything he needed to say to the original Calian, and Franz had obtained what he needed from Evan. There was no reason to remain here any longer.
Brushing back his hair, which had fallen loose in the wind, Franz spoke quietly.
"Just one."
Calian, who was about to take a step, paused. Without a word, he conjured one more flame and handed it to Franz. Franz silently accepted it, and Calian began walking back toward Chermil Palace with steady steps.
Franz sat in silence for a while longer before placing the flame he held onto the lake. Watching this from his room through an open window, Calian moved his hand.
Once everything that needed to be said was said, it was time to let go.
One by one, the countless apologies that had been floating aimlessly on the lake began to rise. They soared higher and higher, lighting up the night sky like stars rising in reverse.
Calian knew that what looked like a beautiful spectacle to some was, for others, an act of atonement.
Carrying an exceptionally heavy burden of words, the very last flame rose slower than the rest, gradually fading into the darkness.