Chapter 263: To See the Sea (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 263: To See the Sea (3)
…It looked like a speck of dust.
Or perhaps a stray strand of Anne’s fur, the kind that always clung to Franz’s cardigan.
I’m not a swan among crows, so why am I the only one dressed in black? Calian thought. Just me. All black. I feel like the only gloomy one here, like a criminal caught red-handed. What in the world is this? What is going on?
With everyone else clad in white, Calian—who stood out in stark, almost haughty black—lowered the hand that had been covering his face. Seeing this, Relic gestured to a nearby attendant. The attendant approached, carrying something, and spoke in a cautious voice.
“Your full dress uniform, Prince Calian.”
The prince’s formal attire.
Looking at the garment, which was black like the suit he wore under his robe but properly tailored for ceremony, Calian lowered his head and laughed.
“You’ve really…”
You’ve really made up your mind, haven’t you, Franz?
Swallowing the words he couldn’t possibly utter aloud, Calian accepted the uniform and laughed again. He laughed for a long time, his disbelief so profound that tears welled in his eyes. Then, he opened the black leather bag strapped to Raven’s saddle and stuffed the uniform inside.
The cumbersome formal attire and its red cloak fit neatly into Raven’s bag, which was connected to Calian’s own space pocket, not the one he’d borrowed from Alan.
“Brother.”
Closing the bag, Calian called out to Franz, who was staring at him blankly. He urged his horse forward, the quiet sound of hooves reaching Relic’s ears a few times before suddenly falling silent.
He had cast Silent magic.
“Would you mind explaining what’s going on?”
“It’s my formal attire, but I thought it would fit you as well, little brother.”
Of course, that trivial detail wasn’t what Calian was asking about, but Franz, who couldn’t possibly be unaware, only said what he wanted to. Frustrated, Calian replied curtly.
“Not that.”
“I already explained my reason for accompanying you. Is there another problem?”
“You know perfectly well this isn’t something you need to get involved in, and you know why. So why are you doing this? If you want to help that badly, I’ll just take the soldiers. I can negotiate well enough with them alone.”
“As if the words of someone wielding power without authority would carry any weight.”
Calian let out a hollow laugh. Franz’s remark—that taking soldiers without someone who actually had the authority to command the Valkan was useless—had hit its mark.
“From the very beginning, I intended to go using only my own strength. Power without authority. Leaving behind the mages, the knights, the prince’s formal attire, and you, Brother—just me. Even if I go alone, things will end well enough.”
“Ending well doesn’t mean it will be advantageous.”
“And being disadvantageous doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”
“Why insist on going alone when there’s an easier path?”
“Because going alone is the only way to resolve this without causing other problems.”
“Stop spouting nonsense,” Franz said, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “You simply have no intention of using your position to catch a snake, do you? You don’t want to use what the 3rd Prince of Kairis possesses for something related to the King of Secritia.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Is it because you hate it? Or because you feel sorry?”
Only then did Calian finally understand. He realized why Franz had gone so far as to call him his ‘one and only younger brother’ just to block his path.
Franz had caused all this fuss because he thought Calian was sneaking out of the palace like a fugitive, reluctant to use ‘Calian’s’ authority to deal with Devlan.
Shaking his head to clear the misunderstanding, Calian spoke. “It’s neither hatred nor guilt. This is a completely different matter from who I’ve decided to live as. I don’t even worry about that anymore.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’m doing this not because of a sense of debt to this position, but because of its burden. If I drag an army into a matter involving another country and things go wrong, it will lead to war. As you know, I have no intention of starting one.”
“I came instead of the blue-haired mage, so that shouldn’t be a problem. If things go wrong, we can just say the 2nd Prince brought the Valkan as escorts, not that a vice-commander brought an army. What’s the issue?”
“You make it sound so simple. Do you realize this could affect the entire royal family?”
Franz looked at Calian with an indifferent expression. “I explained it to His Majesty, received permission from Commander Manasil to draft the men, and discussed it with the blue-haired mage.”
“Brother.”
“I also got consent from the Valkan members to accompany us, including that salt-loving, pink-haired mage. So that’s settled.”
“Brother.”
“Marquis Brissen still hasn’t come to his senses, so he won’t be able to plot anything just because two princes are away. And since Brother Randel’s heart is still bound, he probably won’t think of closing the palace gates just because his two younger brothers have vanished.”
“Brother, please.”
“What more of a burden do I have to—”
“Franz.”
“…What.” Franz glared at him for cutting him off.
“You know very well this isn’t something you need to be involved in, yet you’re the one making up excuses to tag along. Don’t be so stubborn…”
“Don’t treat me like Chase. It’s annoying,” Franz cut back, his voice sharp. “I believe I told you. I have no intention of stepping back and leaving everything to you.”
He looked straight into the eyes of the person reflected in his fiery gaze. Slow, deliberate words flowed from his lips.
“Since I’ve kept you alive and taught you, use me properly. Don’t get stabbed in the back again trying to take the long way around just to avoid an easy path.”
“…You certainly have a way with words.”
“All thanks to my younger brother’s excellent teaching.”
A deep sigh escaped Calian as he furrowed his brow. Since Franz was telling him to use what he had been taught, what more could he say? In the end, he had no choice but to back down once again.
“If only he spoke this much normally,” Calian muttered, just loud enough for Franz to hear, his irritation still simmering. He then spoke again. “I don’t know why going to threaten a single tree has to be so solemn… but since I’m the one who started all this, fine. Let’s go together, as you wish.”
Whether it was permission or resignation, Franz nodded at the sound of Calian no longer opposing him.
“But, Brother,” Calian’s words were not yet finished.
“What now?”
Calian pointed a single finger at Franz. To be precise, he gestured toward the prince’s spotless uniform as he continued.
“Since you’re so smart, you must already know this, but we have to use a teleportation magic circle. Our luggage is very light, and of course, there is no chef.”
Completely ignoring the look on Franz’s face—a man who couldn’t even eat rare steak, let alone grilled cod, and had sat on the bare ground exactly three times in his life—Calian spoke in a voice full of anticipation.
“My gently raised brother… I hope you didn’t come here to undermine me, but came prepared to sleep under the stars.”
Calian’s bright red lips curved into a wide arc.
* * *
It was about the thickness of a book.
Its size was roughly equivalent to three of Alan’s palms put together.
‘It’s not time to send gifts yet, but this arrived separately, Marquis.’
It was something he had received through Euria.
After receiving Calian’s request to find out where the other two 7th Circle mages were, Alan had sent a carrier pigeon to Libern. Since this item had arrived afterward, it was likely the answer to his inquiry.
“Why make such a grand gesture when a simple bird would have sufficed?”
Murmuring as he stared at the transparent crystal plate, Alan closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again. Pushing back the years of lingering emotions that filled his sharp eyes, he infused mana into the plate.
Wuuuung…
With a faint vibration, light began to swirl within the crystal. Although he had never seen such an object before, Alan was not so foolish as to be unable to figure out how to use it.
How much time had passed?
By the time the rich aroma of coffee, a scent now familiar to him, had faded from the air, a face as familiar as that aroma began to materialize on the upright crystal plate.
For a while, no words were exchanged.
“Still as ill-mannered as ever,” a playful voice remarked.
Looking at the bright blonde hair, completely devoid of brown, and the deep pink eyes, Alan curled the corners of his mouth.
“As my abilities improve and my age increases, shouldn’t I be allowed to lose some of my manners?”
“Still, I thought you’d at least know how to greet me.”
“I thought we weren’t close enough to fuss over such things.”
The face inside the crystal plate let out a bright laugh. “It’s been a while.”
“It has been a long time, King of Libern.”
Seeing Alan, who was unchanged except for his hair being slightly longer, Elinne asked, “You look a bit tired.”
“It’s because I haven’t been sleeping well lately. Do not worry.”
Nodding slightly, Elinne spoke again. “I see. Well, what shall we talk about? It would be too dry to just tell you what you wanted to know and end the call. Shall I start by bragging about the new communication magic we developed in Libern? Or should I ask if you nag your country’s taciturn king like that as well?”
“Since I am currently witnessing how remarkable this new communication magic is, there is no need for that. As for the man who is truly like an ox, it is exhausting even to mention him, so there is no need for that either.”
“Hmm. Then what should we talk about?”
After pondering for a moment, Elinne failed to find a suitable topic and brought up the main point, which she had intended to save for last.
“The two mages are currently in the Magic Tower. We’ve been watching them, but we haven’t seen anything suspicious yet.”
“As I told you, if their power reaches that of an archmage, it will be difficult for you to stop them. Keep a close eye on them so that the magic bombs do not ignite. The same goes for any other high-circle mages.”
“Since it’s said to allow ordinary people to wield the power of a Sword Master, I can’t even begin to imagine how dangerous it is. I will keep a close watch with due caution, so don’t worry too much.”
“Understood. Please contact me immediately if any problems arise.” Saying this, Alan tapped the crystal plate. “I will keep this by my side and monitor it constantly.”
“That’s expensive. It costs more than your carriage, so don’t break it by tapping it like that.”
Alan smiled and nodded.
With that, the conversation fell silent. The main point had been addressed, and there was nothing left to say.
Whether she felt a lingering regret or had other questions, Elinne did not end the call but quietly stared at Alan. In the end, he spoke first.
“Is your son doing well?”
Elinne pressed her lips together. The lingering emotions Alan had swallowed earlier surfaced briefly on her face before vanishing.
She was the king who had taken Alan’s son from him, yet she also had to prevent the archmage from seeking revenge. She let out a long, silent breath. A fleeting look of regret passed over her face—the regret of someone who, having incurred a debt that could never be repaid, had to spend the rest of her life paying it back.
“Now that I’ve placed a small crown on his head…” the king, who did not even have the right to remain silent, spoke quietly. “He interferes in absolutely everything. It’s a bit of a headache, but he’s doing well.”
“I see. It is a relief that he no longer seems to be going astray.”
“Yes.”
“Do not worry about me. I am doing well.”
With that, Alan offered the answer to the question Elinne must have been most curious about, forcing her to bow her head.
After lowering her head for a moment to absorb his words, Elinne looked back at him with a faint smile.
“Would I be a bad person if I said thank you for letting me know?”
“Since you couldn’t possibly get any worse, what does it matter?”
“I suppose so. There’s no room to get any worse.”
As Elinne nodded slowly, Alan brought up another matter.
“I have a new son.”
Elinne stared at Alan in silence.
“He is a lovely fellow who causes his father as much heartache as he suffers himself. A thoughtful child who doesn’t try to fill an empty space, but instead creates a new one.” The mage, who was forgiving her one by one by accepting every precious thing she sent, concluded with a gentle smile.
“So, the next time we meet, wouldn’t it be alright for you to ask how I’ve been first?”
The corners of Elinne’s mouth trembled slightly before forming something resembling a smile.
“…Yes. Next time, I will.”
It was both an expression of gratitude and an apology. Understanding it all, Alan nodded.
* * *
They rode for a full day, not rushing, but not moving at a leisurely pace either.
Part of the reason was that they couldn’t leave the royal palace empty for long. The other reason was slightly different.
“So, about the meals…”
They had finished the food Relic had worriedly packed by lunchtime. Since Franz wasn’t the type to ask mages for preservation magic just to pack his own food, they had only brought enough for a single meal.
Thanks to that…
“Remove all the flower ornaments. There’s no need for decorations. Cook the meat thoroughly, and avoid using spices as much as possible. No seafood. Lots of vegetables would be nice, but no bell peppers. Cook the onions completely… actually, just leave them out entirely. I’d prefer the bread not be rye; plain white bread will do. Oh, and by any chance, do you have peas? It would be great if you could add a generous amount. Lots of peas. A whole lot of them.”
As soon as they arrived in the city of Citren in the Siegfried territory, Calian was busy.
He had known this would happen. He should have brought Relic instead.
Two low-ranking knights had been sent ahead to notify the mayor of the princes’ visit and have him prepare lodging and meals. That part was fine. The problem was the eating habits of one gently raised prince. Calian couldn’t very well explain all those details to the knights and have them relay the message to the mayor’s chef.
“Honestly, I’ve hung out with knights, drinking and carousing. I’ve even gotten into fistfights and slept in all sorts of places, but…” Calian said, sitting opposite Franz and looking at the food set before them. Seeing his younger brother, who had cast Silent magic at some point, grinning at him, Franz replied quietly.
“It seems my younger brother is about to spout more nonsense.”
“But this is my first time acting as someone’s attendant. Thanks to you, I get to experience all sorts of new things, Brother.”
“Quiet.”
“I’m gaining experience, and I’m gaining a temper. It’s really great.”
“I never asked you to.”
Right. He hadn’t. Franz had said he would eat whatever was served and get by however he could.
But what was the point of saying that? What was Calian supposed to do with this pale-faced man who, upon seeing the wild chicken Calian had excitedly caught right before sunset, had merely nodded with a stiff expression?
Thanks to him, they had released the chicken and ridden straight to the Siegfried territory. Completely forgetting his earlier mockery about being prepared to sleep under the stars, Calian had been the one to dash all the way here first.
“Brother, why don’t you just stay here? It would be faster if I just went and came back by myself.”
“No.”
Nodding with a bright grin, Calian spoke. “Alright. Then please, eat. It won’t be like the palace food, but it’ll be better than that chicken from earlier. You won’t be able to have a dinner like this for a while starting tomorrow, so eat up.”
Not even bothering to reply, Franz furrowed his brow as he looked at the mountain of pea salad. He knew exactly whose doing this was, but he was too tired to fight over it.
“There are an awful lot of peas.”
“I told you to stop spouting nonsense.”
“I wasn’t. I just said there are a lot of peas. Though, I don’t know why they overcooked them so much. They’re completely mushy.”
He’s acting just like a certain someone looking at a wild chicken, Calian thought.
“You.”
“Yes?”
Franz was annoyed, but if he showed it, he would be admitting he knew the peas were meant to represent him. He couldn’t say anything, but staying quiet only made him more irritated.
“…Stop it.”
He had never imagined he would miss Lucy and Anne this much. A deep regret about coming—something he hadn’t even felt when looking at the wild chicken—welled up inside him.
Click.
The door to the dining room swung open without permission.
Calian, who had been laughing foolishly just a moment ago, snapped his gaze toward the door. At the same time, Franz noticed a shield materialize in front of him before he had even processed the intrusion.
“To think you would visit so suddenly again. And this time, the two of you have come together?”
With those words, a large man stepped inside—someone who had the right to enter the princes’ presence without seeking permission.
At the familiar voice, Calian stood up with a delighted expression.
“Duke Siegfried.”
The shield in front of Franz vanished. In its place, he saw Calian’s back.
“It might be too soon to say it’s been a long time, but it’s good to see you. Were you nearby?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I had some business to attend to in the vicinity.”
“I see. But why does the Duke…” Calian paused, his welcoming smile still in place, before continuing, “…smell so strongly of blood?”
Seeing Calian ask this while standing protectively in front of Franz, Suleiman realized the misunderstanding and burst into a hearty laugh. He held out his empty hands and said, “Ah, no. A guest paid a brief visit, and I was just on my way back from either welcoming or seeing them off. Please do not misunderstand.”
“A guest?”
Suleiman glanced briefly toward Franz before speaking.
“Siona Hill. Do you happen to know her?”
Hearing the name of the person he had been searching for, Calian’s eyes narrowed.