Chapter 303: Bear with It, Brother (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 303: Bear with It, Brother (6)
A black butterfly.
He remembered the butterfly, which looked as if it were woven from a cluster of black stars, or perhaps sliced from a piece of the night sky itself. The memory brought Sispanian to mind, along with the strange comfort he had once received from her. The thought drew a soft, self-deprecating chuckle from Calian.
A black butterfly that wished for death. It wasn't easy for someone who had once found comfort only in that wish to now deal with a man who couldn't even fathom such a thing. Especially when that man, Devlan, was the very reason he had been raised to be this way in the first place.
If he hadn't been raised so harshly, taught to be as cunning and ruthless as a viper, he would have lost his life long ago, back in the year he first woke up as a prince of Kairis. If his survival and everything he had accomplished since was, in a twisted way, thanks to Devlan, then what could he say now? He had walked right into a trap while trying to deal with the man himself.
"My younger brother must be quite ill."
Franz’s voice cut through the silence. He had been watching Calian quietly, his expression unreadable. Crossing his legs—a casual gesture Calian hadn’t seen from him in a very long time—Franz continued.
"Seeing as you're barking inside your head instead of with your mouth."
"I wasn't thinking of much," Calian replied.
"I'd sooner expect bananas to grow from Lenisita's downy feathers than believe that."
Franz’s expression screamed, If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. Seeing it, Calian let out a small sigh.
"I won't."
After that, Calian fell silent, his gaze drifting toward the distant sea visible through the wide window. After a moment, he looked back into the room and saw Arsen and Arianne.
He hadn't managed a single word of thanks to Arsen, who had rushed to his aid. He hadn't even been able to properly greet Arianne, whom he hadn't seen in a very long time. The moment he had woken up, he’d had to listen to Franz's report first.
Calian was about to say something to them, but he quickly closed his mouth. A translucent barrier shimmered between them. Arsen, not fully trusting Arianne, had cast a Silent magic barrier around Calian and Franz. He was worried Arianne might do something rash if she overheard their plans to counter Devlan.
"What about Marquis Manasil?" Calian asked, his voice low.
"I asked him to come, so he should arrive sometime today."
"And after that?"
"When he arrives, it will be nice to see him."
"Not that."
"Well, what should we do when Master arrives? Should I send him straight to Devlan's bedroom? I was planning to let Kyrie know soon anyway, so I don't think it would make much of a difference if Master found out as well."
"Now you're the one barking with your mouth," Calian retorted.
He let out a small chuckle and tried to lean back against the headboard, only to inhale sharply as pain shot through him. The wound in his back—a deep cut from a sword infused with fake aura—protested against the hard wood. Giving up, he sat up and looked at Franz.
"Are you good at hunting, brother?"
"If it's with a bow."
"Have you ever seen a trap being set?"
"No."
Calian sat a bit straighter, his voice quiet.
"Traps are quite interesting. To catch a deer, you set a trap on a deer's path. To catch a fox, you set it on a fox's path. But in truth, you never know what you'll actually catch. Something will eventually get caught, but sometimes a fox gets caught in a trap meant for a deer. On a really lucky day, you might catch both."
It was just like how Lennon had been caught in the trap originally set for the count who was trying to sell a sacred artifact and Kairis's intelligence.
"This is a trap Devlan set for Brother Chase. And you and I got caught in it as well. I thought we had drawn enough of Devlan's attention, but it seems that wasn't the case."
Devlan was still trying to drag Chase down.
He hadn't changed his target. He was still determined to capture Chase—who was thoroughly blocking his path to extending his lifespan—before dealing with Calian or Franz, who were merely immediate curiosities. And so, with the true intention of killing Calian, he had pretended to be interested in Franz, deceiving everyone.
The goal was to frame it as if Chase, in collusion with the nobles, had killed Calian and the two mages, and then tried to pin the blame on Devlan.
"If he frames it as Brother Chase joining hands with you to attack me, he can use that as leverage to blackmail Brother Chase. He could pin this incident on Marquis Lin or whichever noble he dislikes, execute them all, and then offer a sincere apology. His Majesty wouldn't be able to go to war over it, either. Because you have the Valkan."
Chase, backed by the nobles, joining forces with Franz to eliminate Calian. Even if that story were true, Lemain couldn't start a war. One of the accomplices would be his own second son, who happened to command the Valkan. In a situation where it was unclear whether Franz, if sent to war, would attack Secritia or his own father, Lemain would have no choice but to let the matter slide.
When war breaks out, power flows to the nobles with private armies and those with military authority. Starting a war in this situation would only expand the barely diminished influence of the Brissen family and increase the power of Franz. Devlan knew this. And because he knew, Calian figured, Devlan must have calculated that he could preserve both his country and his own life even after getting rid of him.
Devlan didn't know how far Alan—who sat in the position of military commander instead of acting as Calian's master—would go for him. And Devlan would never understand Franz's true nature. Thus, Devlan had crafted a fine trap to eliminate Calian, place Chase under his thumb, and extend his own life. And he and Franz had walked right into it.
"…Or so I thought. But it doesn't seem to be the case."
At first, that had been his conclusion. But something was off.
Slightly different from their conversation before visiting the villa, a proper discussion between the two brothers continued.
"If only one of us were to die."
"Exactly," Franz agreed. "If it were a trap where you could survive, then your theory would have been correct."
Calian briefly cast his eyes down. Tapping his fingertips against the black blanket covering his legs, he organized his thoughts.
"Actually, I found it a bit strange," he began again. "Why did they bother splitting up the warriors of Zeon and the swordsmen? Using poison on me meant they absolutely wanted me dead, so why divide their forces? Why did the Zeon warriors just stand by and watch as the swordsmen were slaughtered?"
Thirsty from talking, Calian poured a glass of water from the carafe beside the bed and drank it all. Franz frowned at his carelessness, drinking without even checking if it was safe. Calian paid him no mind, simply holding his breath for a moment before exhaling.
"Even if you were the one to attack first, I thought it was strange that the swordsmen immediately tried to kill you. If things had gone as planned, they should have focused entirely on me. It was bizarre how easily they treated the Second Prince, their supposed partner, as a disposable pawn. We should have realized it then. Both of us were short-sighted."
Though he had barely managed to complain about the color of boiled peas before fainting, leaving him no room for other thoughts, Calian decided to blame their own carelessness for now.
After staring alternately at the chandelier and the view outside, Calian spoke again.
"Zeon. What do you think of them?"
"It seems Devlan was deceived as well."
"So Zeon's actions were a variable."
"Probably."
Nodding, Calian paused to catch his breath. "You said the knight who spoke to you when the warriors appeared on the beach showed no reaction. That means what Devlan prepared was likely just the four Zeon warriors we first encountered, and the ones sent to Bridget Forest."
"It seems Devlan didn't know how well my little brother can bite. So, yes."
At being compared to a dog again, Calian chuckled.
"To eliminate any potential trouble from my death, it would make sense to deal with Sir Seiren's side. That's why he sent Zeon to Bridget Forest. If both sides died, that would be ideal. Even if they didn't, he probably thought it wouldn't matter, since it would still serve as a way to bind Brother Chase."
"…The second group," Franz murmured.
"Yes. The swordsmen and the other two from Zeon targeted not just me, but you as well. They were not sent by Devlan. And seeing how the warriors waited until all the swordsmen were dead, it's clear they weren't entirely on the same side either."
Devlan had set a trap to catch Chase. While he was at it, he set one for Calian, too.
But someone else had intervened.
"If two princes die side by side on this land, the one who loses the most is Devlan."
It didn't matter much to Devlan if Calian died, but Franz could not.
The story of two brothers killing each other would serve as an excuse, of course. But if that happened, the force holding Lemain in check—the Valkan—would disappear. If Franz died, Lemain would take control of the Valkan and would be forced to start a war, if only to keep the Brissen family in check. The situation would be completely reversed.
Recalling the fear of war that had flashed through his mind as the sword flew toward him, Franz's eyes darkened.
"Because a war would truly break out."
Tap, tap, tap.
Calian's fingertips drummed softly on the blanket.
"There is no trust."
"Indeed. I don't know how he managed to employ Zeon, but Devlan got stabbed in the back, too."
Then who would benefit from a war between Kairis and Secritia?
"If war breaks out, the power of the nobles will grow," Calian stated.
Franz nodded.
"And if a war between Kairis and Secritia breaks out, the other nations will benefit."
A war desired internally by the nobles of Secritia, and externally by the other two continental powers. It meant someone wanted that war.
"Even if Zeon is spread across the continent, they must have a leader. The most likely scenario is that this leader wanted war and plotted this by winning over the local nobles. On one hand, they pretended to join Devlan; on the other, they drew in the nobles they had persuaded. But since the plan seems to have failed… what should we do now?"
It was true they had fallen into Devlan's trap. But Devlan, too, had almost fallen into the trap set by Zeon and the nobles. The only reason he hadn't was because Calian had survived.
So, Calian was caught in Devlan's trap, and Devlan was caught in Zeon's.
"How amusing."
Tap, tap, tap.
"Are Kyrie and the knights still at the royal palace?"
"You told them to keep watch, didn't you? On Marquis Lin's side." As he spoke, Franz's gaze briefly drifted outside the Silent barrier. "Isn't that why you had your new subordinate bring her here behind Devlan's back?"
Calian had left the royal palace fully expecting an attack. Even if he didn't know the details, he had anticipated that some of the nobles would have other plans.
He hadn't expected them to mobilize Zeon, but if the nobles were to gather, who would be at their center? With that question in mind, he had ordered surveillance on Marquis Lin. Since the Marquis was closest to Chase, he would be the best person to monitor Chase's situation. Even locked in prison, his ears and mouth weren't sealed.
And just in case Marquis Lin tried something foolish, he had sent Eila.
"Excuse me, you two princes over there!" Arianne's voice called out, loud enough to be heard even through the barrier. Noticing their glances, she continued, "If you've captured someone, you should treat them properly! Why is your conversation so long?"
Seeing this, Calian burst into laughter, only to clutch his side in pain again.
"She's the most carefree hostage in the world."
Eila had flawlessly executed her first order: capture Arianne and bring her here if Calian failed to return to the palace. Now, the captive daughter of Marquis Lin was pointing at her stomach. She clearly wanted her hunger dealt with before worrying about greeting an old friend she didn't remember or the fact that her mother was a prime suspect in this incident.
"Go have something to eat," Calian said, his voice carrying through the dissipating barrier. "Once I get in touch with Brother Chase…"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Franz saw it at the same time.
—Prince Calian. Is that you?
The ring on his finger glowed as if it had been waiting.
The voice coming through it was not Chase's.
—…Speak, Sir Castrin.
Calian held his breath once more.
*
Sweet on the outside, savory on the inside.
Well-roasted almonds were coated with a thin layer of chocolate and allowed to harden, a process repeated multiple times. The chocolate was layered so often that a fingernail-sized almond eventually grew to the size of a small knuckle. This created a sweet, savory treat that was both crispy and smooth, without compromising the firmness of the almond within.
"The chef's skills have improved."
Alan slowly chewed the almond chocolate. It had been coated with smooth milk chocolate full of sugar, though he wouldn't have minded a few layers of bitter chocolate as well. Swallowing the almond pieces with a coffee topped with milk foam and a scent of cinnamon, he wore a pleased expression.
Lemain, who couldn't understand why Alan ate such sweet things—though he himself might occasionally indulge in grapefruit jelly—set a stack of documents down in front of him. Instead of praising the chef, who had been diligently mastering the art of sweets since Alan's arrival, Lemain praised something else.
"The Valkan is stabilizing faster than expected. I was worried there might be confusion after its sudden expansion."
"Your worries were unnecessary."
"I thought it would be difficult for the mage corps and the knight order to get along."
"Did the very person who thought of gathering mages to build an army hold such a prejudice?"
"I heard their temperaments are just too different."
Alan’s finger pointed toward the almond chocolate. "When you put something that melts at the slightest touch together with something incredibly hard, it produces a wonderful taste. Why would it be any different for people?"
He took another sip of coffee before continuing. "Even if they are men who live thinking about raising ducklings in the royal carriage, their nature isn't rotten. There's no reason why mages like that and the knights raised by someone who thinks of himself as a rye cookie shouldn't harmonize."
The mages of the Valkan were skilled in combat. They were not fools who would stand rooted to the spot chanting a spell, only to be helplessly cut down. If you paired one such mage with one knight, the mage would prevail more than nine times out of ten. Count Aizen Aprin, who had trained the knights, never envied that difference. He knew that while there were differences in individual combat power, the knights were by no means inferior in mobility and numbers. The knights who joined the Valkan understood this. As for the existing Brissen knights, their mindsets had been straightened out under Franz's command.
Thus, there was no reason they couldn't harmonize.
"There is no need to be anxious, so just keep watching. Since they have become quite a decent army, they will continue to grow beautifully."
Lemain had expected Alan to say something cutting, like, Why worry needlessly when you don't even know whose credit it is that the Valkan grew so well? Since Your Majesty doesn't seem to have the capacity to worry properly, just watch quietly. Instead, Alan had come by, eaten a few chocolates, and was responding without a single bitter word.
Finding this strange, Lemain stared at Alan for a moment, then took off his glasses and set them down. "It seems something has happened again."
"Does it look that way?"
"You are the kind of person whose treatment of me changes whenever something happens to the Third Prince. There must be a reason you are speaking so sweetly."
Alan smiled faintly. "I am glad to see you are not the type to act like a stubborn ox even after sending two of your children to a foreign country."
"…What is it that you need?"
"Your Majesty's neck."
"I thought it was always on the line. Is there a sudden need for it now?"
"A sudden need has indeed arisen."
"Speak."
"Grant all authority over the Valkan to Prince Franz. And Your Majesty, hold the authority to command Prince Franz."
The authority to mobilize the Valkan's mage corps and knight order, as well as command over the two vice-commanders, originally belonged to Alan. He was now proposing to hand it over to the Second Prince, currently in Secritia, and the King of Kairis.
"The Young Duchess will arrive soon to have a brief chat with her fiancée's father. She said she would also introduce a precious guest who visited the mansion, so do not refuse. Let him stay at the royal palace for a few days and ask him to take a look at the swordsmanship of the Valkan's knights."
Lemain knew who was staying at the Siegfried mansion. He knew the "precious guest" did not refer to Ririe Brissen.
Siona Hill.
A situation where Siona Hill—the Sword Master said to be on par with Calian—had to be kept in the royal palace, the Valkan’s command handed over to Franz, and Lemain himself holding the authority to direct Franz.
Lost in thought, Lemain pressed his temples and asked a question instead of answering. "I saw that you relieved Vice-Commander Hertz of his post. Are you asking me to do the same for you?"
"I am speaking of dismissal. Those fellows will do their part even if their commander disappears for a while. It wouldn't be bad to trust them."
"Is it a temporary dismissal or a permanent one?"
"If the map of Secritia must change, then it will be a permanent dismissal. Though that is not what I hope for."
"…Has something happened to the safety of the princes?"
"Yes."
"If so, what is needed is war, not your dismissal."
"If Your Majesty starts a war with Secritia, you will lose the chance to see your sons forever. Be content with just not seeing them for a single winter."
Answering thus, Alan checked the time. "And I have one request."
"Speak."
"How about bestowing the position of Crown Prince now?"
Lemain took a deep breath.
*
He put on a white shirt.
He wore a black jacket with a collar that half-covered his neck, and black trousers. After gazing for a moment at the emblem of Kairis embroidered in gold thread, he put on a long coat with gold buttons. Finally, he draped a red cloak adorned with black fur trim over his shoulders.
"Will you be alright?"
Welcoming Calian inside the royal palace were Kyrie and the knights of Kairis who had remained there.
A pale-faced Calian and a grim-looking Franz had returned to the royal palace of Secritia. Abandoning any thought of resting while they assessed the situation, they had come here first.
"I'm fine."
Euria and Rachel were still at the Mage Association, while Arsen remained at the villa with Arianne for the time being. He was there at Chase’s request to protect Arianne, who was effectively being held hostage.
“…Where is Brother Chase?”
“He is inside.”
“And Mother?”
There was no answer to his second question.
Nodding silently, Calian stepped into the royal palace.
At that moment, knights of Secritia swarmed in, surrounding Calian, Franz, Kyrie, and the Kairis knights standing guard beside them.
“Subversive movements have been confirmed within the palace. By His Majesty’s command, we are to escort the party of the Kairis princes to a safer location.”
“…This doesn’t look like an escort to safety.”
“Our apologies, Prince Calian. We will escort you directly to the annex.”
Calian’s eyes narrowed.
Just as he opened his mouth to say something—
Whirrrr!
A massive surge of mana erupted in front of the palace.
A flicker of relief appeared in Calian’s eyes, and Franz took a step back.
Red light gathered in the empty air, coalescing into the shape of a person.
“Master.”
“It has been a while, Prince Calian.”
Alan, clad in a red robe, stepped forward quietly.
“And…”
Alan, who had greeted them with a gentle smile, turned his gaze toward Franz.
“Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.”