Chapter 295: Is It Because of Puberty? (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 295: Is It Because of Puberty? (3)
Franz was smiling.
Calian was not.
One man smiled, utterly indifferent to the blade biting into his neck, while the other held that sword to his throat without a trace of a smile.
In that moment, it was hard to tell which of the two was crazier. They stared into each other's eyes as if no one else was there. For a long while, the knights couldn't bring themselves to intervene, and Arsen chose not to.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Red blood flowed from the deep cut, trickling down the blade before dripping onto the sand. It left dark stains on the moonlit beach as it fell.
Calian’s red eyes—the exact same hue as the blood—briefly followed the crimson drops before lifting back to the sword pressed against Franz’s neck. After a silent glance, his gaze returned to Franz’s face.
Everyone present had heard Calian’s demand for an explanation, so Franz, whose breath was held hostage by the blade, must have understood it perfectly. Yet, he offered no answer. He merely stared back at Calian with light green eyes that made it impossible to tell whether he was fearless or simply careless.
How much time had passed?
Just as Calian began to think that the ticking of the watch in his pocket sounded louder than the crashing waves, Franz finally spoke.
"My little brother seems to be quite angry."
But it was not an answer.
"I'll hear your explanation first."
"No."
Uncaring whether the blade against his neck deepened the wound, Franz shook his head and tensed his arm. With the sword he had drawn long ago, he fiercely deflected Calian's blade.
Clang!
Half of the deflected blade gleamed under the dry moonlight.
The first proper swing of the sword—the very one Calian had given him—was used to strike Calian's own. Franz stared blankly at Calian, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
After another long silence, he muttered in a low voice, "……Impertinent brat."
Leaving those words behind, Franz sheathed his sword and walked away with heavy steps, not casting a single glance at the four corpses sprawled in the distance.
Calian’s eyes narrowed as he watched Franz’s retreating back. He spoke in a quiet, subdued voice.
"Sir Hertz, please pack the crystal plate. I went through all that trouble to get it for him, and he just leaves it behind."
"Understood."
"Take the knights and clean up here. I'll head back first."
"Where are you going, Your Highness?"
"The royal palace."
"The road back may be dangerous. I will leave the cleanup to the knights and accompany you."
"I don't think there will be any more attacks. It's fine."
"But Prince Calian, right now—"
"Alone. Quietly."
"……Understood."
Giving a brief nod, Calian set off, following the path Franz had taken moments before.
Since they were ultimately heading in the same direction, they walked the same path even if they weren't walking together. One set of footprints, one trail of blood, and the scent of blood from two men stretched long across the sand.
The play had ended.
*
A tremor entered the usually serene voice.
"Kyrie."
The voice trembled, like the wings of a bird lost in a storm, and the rest of the sentence died on his lips. However, Kyrie, who knew exactly what should have followed, bowed his head slightly and offered an answer. It was directed at Chase, the man Franz had tried to lure ‘outside.’
"I am sorry. I cannot step aside."
Calian wasn't the only one who failed to fully grasp the situation—or rather, the inner workings of Franz's mind, which seemed to process countless thoughts at once. Even with all his insight, Chase could not decipher what kind of plan Franz was currently executing.
No, it would be more accurate to say he lacked the peace of mind to even try.
Except for one thing.
– The knights who came with you when you arrived in Kairis. I doubt they were Devlan's knights.
– That is correct. They are…
– Teilan Castrin. Is that right?
– Sir Castrin manages them, but to be precise, they are my knights.
– Then my little brother must have managed them in the past.
– ……That is correct. Is there a problem with that?
– The Secritia royal sea. Bring your knights and come immediately. Bring our Rachel Grace as well.
– Prince Franz. I need an explanation. Why are you asking this? Why are you calling for me and Sir Castrin? As you know, it is difficult for me to leave the royal palace for long.
– Warriors of the Great Desert wielding the power of Zeon are here. For my little brother.
– How could they suddenly appear? And why are you there, Prince Franz?
– The reason doesn't matter. Just come. Quickly. Bring those precious knights of yours.
Franz had spoken faster than ever before.
He had cut off the communication without even waiting for Chase's reply, which was to say he would go immediately upon hearing of Zeon's attack. Chase knew that Franz hadn't omitted the explanation out of his usual laziness, but because he simply had no time to explain.
Therefore, Chase had to go. Outside the palace.
"……Kyrie."
"I am sorry."
Because Kyrie had no memories of the past, he could stand in Chase's way. And because Chase possessed those memories, he could not bring himself to push Kyrie aside.
Imagining the helplessness of losing a younger brother was entirely different from actually knowing the feeling. Kyrie could not fully understand what Chase felt upon learning that his brother, who had gone ‘outside,’ was under attack. Yet, Chase knew what kind of death Kyrie had met for Bern's sake in the past. He understood the heart with which Kyrie was blocking him now instead of rushing out himself, and so, Chase could not force his way through.
"Prince Calian gave strict orders that no matter what happens outside, Crown Prince Chase must remain inside the royal palace," Kyrie stated firmly. "Although Prince Franz mentioned an attack by Zeon, if the situation were truly dire, Prince Calian would have personally asked you for help, not Prince Franz. Therefore, please wait."
That was why Kyrie blocked him, and that was why Chase stopped.
"His Highness will not die."
Knowing full well those words were meant more for Kyrie himself than for Chase, Chase stood silently, staring at Kyrie without a reply.
Just then, someone who could not fully empathize with either of their feelings stepped forward.
"Step aside."
It was Teilan.
Teilan, who had been watching the confrontation from behind Chase, didn't know the exact details, but he clearly understood two things: Calian was in danger, and Chase wanted to go outside. Thus, he spoke briefly and took a step forward.
Kyrie blocked Teilan's path without a moment's hesitation, prompting Teilan to speak again.
"Do you know whose path you are blocking?"
"I am a knight sworn to Prince Calian, the Third Prince of Kairis."
Teilan's brow furrowed.
"Neither Crown Prince Chase nor Sir Castrin has the authority to command me."
"I do not care. If you do not step aside, I will make you."
At Teilan's words, Kyrie's grip on his scabbard tightened. It was a clear sign that he would stop him by any means necessary, regardless of the consequences.
Things were taking a bizarre turn.
Calian had intervened in the affairs of Chase and Devlan under the guise of hunting snakes, and Franz had inserted himself into the middle of it all. Calian had been dragged into Franz's plan to catch that snake, and now Chase was wavering.
As a result, the loyal knights of Calian and Chase were on the verge of clashing.
In truth, there was no telling how long Kyrie could hold out against Teilan, the First Sword of the Continent. The real problem was that once Kyrie invoked Calian's name, this could no longer remain a simple dispute between two knights.
"Sir Castrin. Stop."
Ultimately, Chase stepped in to separate them. He could not allow two knights to start a brawl in front of the palace gates.
Teilan immediately stepped back. Seeing this, Kyrie relaxed his grip on his scabbard.
The tension between the two knights was enough to snap Chase from his panic, allowing him to cool a mind that had been tangled with worry for Calian.
Of course, he couldn't risk distracting Calian, who must be fighting the Warriors of the Great Desert, by trying to contact him. Instead, Chase began to piece together this sudden turn of events based on what Franz had said and the circumstances he already knew.
His own presence outside the palace. His knights. The attack by Zeon.
Staring down at his feet as he organized his thoughts, Chase finally nodded to Kyrie.
"Very well. I will not go out. Instead, let me know if there is any other news. I will wait."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness. Thank you."
Without mentioning the conclusion he had reached, Chase simply turned to look at Teilan.
"Sir Castrin. A word, please. There is something I need to confirm."
"Yes, Your Royal Highness."
Answering briefly, Teilan followed behind Chase.
Kyrie watched their retreating figures for a long moment before lowering his gaze and removing his hand from his scabbard.
Had Calian's fight ended by now? Was he safe?
– Even with multiple attributes, they are in the same Circle, so Sir Hertz shouldn't have any trouble putting Dame Seiren or Dame Grace to sleep. Though they might wake up quickly since they are in the same Circle. If those two wake up, then…
Had Euria and Rachel, whom Arsen had put to sleep without a second thought, woken up yet? And was Eila playing her part properly?
Kyrie let out a long sigh at the mounting worries that refused to fade and set off once more. He had to carry out the rest of Calian's plan—the one prepared for any contingencies, specifically to counter Franz's potential betrayal.
*
Neither of them spoke a word as they left the sea and passed through a small forest.
– I was worried. Were you hurt?
– I am safe. It seems I have caused you unnecessary worry, brother.
– No. As long as you are unharmed, that is enough.
– By any chance, did you step outside the palace?
– Kyrie's stubbornness is truly something else. I couldn't take a single step outside and remained within, so do not worry.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
Calian watched the silver-white horse leading the way a few paces ahead. Seeing the rider's blue-violet cloak fluttering, Calian sent another question to Chase.
– Has anything else happened?
– No, all is quiet. Both Father and the nobles.
At the mention of the nobles, Calian took a brief breath as Chase's voice continued.
– It would be best to discuss the details once you return. I also need to speak with Sir Castrin.
– Yes, I understand. I will be there soon.
Having informed Chase of his safety and confirmed that Chase was safe as well, Calian lowered his eyes. Raven let out a soft snort.
"I'm fine," Calian replied, patting Raven's neck, and looked ahead once more.
Soon, Raven's pace quickened slightly.
As if sensing this, Estina slowed down a bit.
When the two horses were riding side by side, Calian spoke.
"You were hasty."
Because real feelings sometimes bled into their acting, and because he had confirmed that Franz had tried to use him as bait to lure Chase out, Calian's voice remained sharp and carried a heavy weight of fatigue.
"Politics is not simple addition and subtraction. There is a high probability that things will not go exactly as you think. You are not someone who doesn't know that variables exist, just like today."
Instead of asking why he had done such a thing or if the wound on his neck had healed, Calian offered a quiet reprimand.
Franz did not reply.
It had always been Franz who ruined Calian's plans, but this time, it was the opposite. Calian had completely ruined the plan Franz had set. Of course, knowing full well that this was only because he had proceeded on his own without informing Calian beforehand, Franz simply stared ahead without a word.
"And… if you draw your sword without considering your opponent, you will die, brother."
At this, Franz frowned.
Why would someone who had just been peacefully watching a cat suddenly draw his sword and stand there? He must have been trying to head toward the fight with the Warriors of the Great Desert. Then again, Calian thought, Franz might have just wanted to take the opportunity to get rid of Arsen, who had suddenly appeared.
Thanks to that, Calian had drawn Franz's blood to reverse the appearance of 'the estranged older brother stepping forward to save his younger brother.' He figured a slight cut on the neck was better than Devlan—who would hardly look kindly upon a close brotherly relationship—deciding to lay a hand on Franz. While it was true Calian had been angry, that reason had been far greater.
"If you had just told me, I would have thought of another way."
"What are you talking about?"
It was always so hard to get a straight answer out of him.
Who was the one who almost died because of this?
…No, wait. Did he survive?
"That you tried to trick Devlan, but the nobles were the ones who fell for it. And that you were trying to save your brother's precarious life, so I should play along."
Hearing Calian's words, Franz's brow furrowed once more. He utterly detested those crimson eyes that looked as if they were sitting right inside his head, reading him completely even though he hadn't said a single thing.
"You ask when you already know everything."
"Kyrie overheard you talking to some knight in the garden. I understood that the nobles are plotting something, and that Devlan is hesitating over whether to lay a hand on me, since he's highly interested…"
"Stop talking. I'll explain it properly when we arrive."
"Yes."
"And."
He had heard "stop barking" plenty of times, but "stop talking" was rather unfamiliar.
"I don't know how much mana my little brother has, but I wish you'd stop wasting your effort trying to erase the scent of blood."
This remark was even more unfamiliar.
Calian, his face showing a hint of surprise, forgot the instruction to stop talking and spoke again.
"You already know that much, brother? You recognize the use of mana better than I thought."
"Shut. Your mouth."
"Yes."
Franz cut Calian off again, his voice thick with irritation. Then, he pulled something from Estina's saddle and threw it at him.
Catching the flying object on reflex, Calian looked at the bandage in his hand and chuckled.
"I don't think this will be enough. Do you have any more?"
"No."
"Yes."
The reason he had insisted on sending the knights away and traveling alone.
The reason Arsen had worried and Raven had been anxious. The reason he had answered that he was "safe" instead of "unhurt."
Wrapping the bandage around the deep, long laceration on his waist—left by the gray-haired warrior and hidden beneath his cloak—Calian spoke.
"Happy birthday."
"……I get it."
He had no idea how someone could respond with "I get it" when being congratulated. Shouldn't one just say "thank you" in times like this?
Calian considered saying as much, but decided to stop pretending he was fine and quietly closed his eyes.
"You don't have to worry."
"I'm not."
"Yes."
The clip-clop of the two horses' hooves cut through the long, dark night.
Since they were ultimately heading in the same direction, the footprints of the two walking the same path were left side by side on the hard dirt road.