Chapter 318: Into the Abyss, with You (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 318: Into the Abyss, with You (2)
With every step he took, his pitch-black cloak fluttered. The black feathers covering one of his shoulders swayed along with it.
Ever since he had opened his eyes again, Calian had worn nothing but black. Some might wonder when he hadn’t worn black, but his insistence on the color had never been this obsessive. If Merlin had known, she would have certainly had something to say about this severe look.
His shirt, jacket, trousers, and even his accessories were entirely black. Black buttons, a polished black chain fastening his cloak, and an onyx pin on the tip of his collar. Amidst this monochromatic display, the only splashes of color were his two red eyes and the butterfly-shaped ruby brooch.
“…I hear that in Kairis, a black butterfly signifies death.”
The eye-catching black attire.
The overly conspicuous red butterfly.
Someone watching Calian muttered to themselves. The thought had crossed their mind unbidden as they watched the butterfly pinned to his chest and the hem of his cloak swaying with every step.
“To go to such lengths… his intentions toward me must be truly unwavering.”
Devlan correctly interpreted the message Calian was openly displaying. He didn’t know that the deceased Evan had once thought the same thing, but he knew exactly what Calian meant by dressing this way.
Chase, who stood beside him, offered no response to Devlan’s words of realization. He simply placed a peony-shaped tart into his mouth and swallowed it slowly, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
“Perhaps it has a different meaning in Secritia?”
Instead, the question came from the messenger of death, who had approached Devlan unnoticed. And Devlan, seemingly unsurprised, replied.
“There was a meaning… but I seem to have forgotten. If you remember, perhaps you could tell me?”
As their conversation began, the music gradually faded and soon stopped completely. The eyes and ears of the gathered nobles turned toward them.
After staring at Devlan for a moment, Calian replied quietly, “It’s not that I’ve forgotten—it’s that I never knew. I am a man of Kairis, after all.”
“A man of Kairis… Indeed, that is true. You were a prince of Kairis.”
“I am.”
“We were so close that I momentarily forgot.”
A stir went through the nobles.
Never before had Devlan so directly emphasized his closeness with anyone. Yet his words implied that, unlike Franz, who had shown him blatant hostility, he was on familiar terms with Calian.
“…I’ll choose to take that in the best possible way.”
“I did not think it was something to take offense at. If my words have offended you, I apologize. For the sake of amicable relations between our two nations.”
Hearing this, Franz started to rise from his seat. It was obvious Devlan was using Franz’s actions to get at Calian. Franz intended to make an excuse to get Calian out of there. In truth, he wanted to ask, on behalf of either Calian or Chase, ‘If you were so close, is that why you treated your own child that way?’ But that was the one thing he couldn't bring up right now.
“Please stay.”
However, Kyrie, who had returned before anyone noticed, blocked Franz’s path.
“He said that while the Crown Prince’s rudeness could be overlooked once, a second time would be considered the arrogance of Kairis.”
“Who?”
“The Prince.”
Calian had already anticipated what provocations Devlan would use and how Franz would react. As Franz frowned slightly, Calian’s reply reached him from afar. His voice was surprisingly relaxed.
“I’m glad our closeness was only enough for you to forget temporarily, Your Highness. Had you considered us any closer, you might have tried to take Crown Prince Franz’s life.”
“Taken his life? You speak in a way that could cause a great misunderstanding. The mastermind behind that incident has already been identified.”
It was indeed prone to misunderstanding. After all, the one Devlan had tried to kill was Calian, not Franz.
In any case, Calian was using his name again. Seeing how freely he was throwing his older brother’s name around, Franz figured there was no need to worry about him recklessly baring his fangs like last time.
“…Look who’s worrying about whom,” Franz muttered with a smirk.
Hina had at least waived his treatment fees in exchange for using his name, but his damn younger brother was using it for free. Franz leaned back in his chair and settled in, ignoring Devlan’s rising voice.
If someone had to step in…
“That is correct, Prince Calian. Did we not obtain confessions from the two suspicious knights who guided Crown Prince Franz and Prince Calian to the sea? They confessed that the assassination was commissioned by Meilin Lonz, the President of the Mage Association.”
…it would be like this.
“Of course, I understand that this fact alone is hardly proof that my father was uninvolved. Therefore, I do not fail to understand why you raise these suspicions. However, it would be wise to refrain from speaking of hasty doubts where so many can hear.”
Chase would step in on his own.
Perhaps the one who most resembled the snake-like Devlan was Chase himself—even more so than those who barked and bit.
With that thought, and having confirmed that Chase was handling things, Franz decided to truly stop caring and return to pondering his wish. He had been about to wish for Lucy and Anne to live long lives, but he chose to think a bit more. He wasn't thinking about Lucy and Anne, nor was he wishing for Lemain a long and healthy life to postpone the headache of them fighting over the throne. Instead, he wondered what his own wish truly was.
“Then may we trust Crown Prince Chase to conduct a thorough investigation? As you know, the Crown Prince of Kairis nearly came to great harm, so we cannot simply let this slide. Since so many are gathered here, I would like to receive a firm commitment in front of everyone. Is that possible?”
“You need not worry. I am already looking into the matter thoroughly myself. After all, it involves not only Crown Prince Franz, but also my mother’s accident.”
“Understood. Since Crown Prince Chase has given his word, we will trust you and wait without further comment.”
Having said this, Calian turned briefly to scan his surroundings. Then, he faced Devlan again to conclude.
“…For the sake of amicable relations between our two nations.”
Devlan chuckled softly at hearing his own words thrown back at him. Calian met his gaze with the exact same smile.
At that moment, a faint swirl of mana surrounded Calian, and a translucent Silent barrier, invisible from the outside, unfolded.
“Thank you for entertaining this sudden conversation, Your Highness. Though we already said our farewells in the Water Garden, an urgent matter arose, prompting me to seek you out again.”
The rest of Calian’s words reached only Devlan’s ears. Calian had drawn Devlan’s attention to secure a public commitment from Chase and to buy time for Alan and Teilan to finish their preparations. He continued.
“Thanks to you, I’ve secured some precious time.”
“Oh, dear. Was that it? And here I was, feeling glad to see you for nothing.”
Devlan laughed.
He now understood the true intention behind Calian’s approach. He had thought Calian would, at most, whine about revealing the assassin’s mastermind; he had not expected him to touch upon the matter of Marquis Legian Lin.
He had been so sure Calian wouldn’t act immediately, if only for the sake of ‘amicable relations’ between Secritia and Kairis.
“You make an unexpected choice. I didn’t think you would interfere in external affairs.”
“I have a harder time holding back my anger than you might think. In a fit of temper, surely I can offer Brother Chase this much help?”
“If you interfere, this country will be swept into war. Do you not care?”
Calian looked at Devlan.
‘Devlan won’t think you would be the first to make a move on this, little brother.’
‘Because it’s true. If I touch this…’
‘War won’t break out. Even if you do.’
‘You think so?’
‘Yes.’
‘Understood.’
A beautiful smile formed on Calian’s lips.
“War won’t break out just because I get involved. So no, I do not care.”
“Do you think so?”
“Not as long as you are not here, Devlan.”
“I see.”
Replying as if it were nothing, Devlan stood up. He walked toward the chief chamberlain standing outside the Silent barrier and gave an order in a voice audible only to Calian and Chase.
“There will be those gathering at the royal palace.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Clear them out. All of them.”
He ordered them killed, not just driven away. This was to ensure Calian wouldn’t just interfere alone but would be forced to draw on Alan’s power as well. That way, even if Devlan brought out what he had hidden to counter Alan, it would appear as self-defense.
* * *
In front of the inner castle of the Secritia Royal Palace.
Knights and soldiers stood in tense formation, guarding the castle gates. Watching them from a distance, Alan smacked his lips.
“It’s a relief the Prince doesn’t have to see this unsightly mess.”
A similar sight must have played out on some day in the past. Knights guarding the castle gates. And those who appeared before them, moving toward the palace.
“Judging by what the Prince said, they didn’t move the soldiers inside Secritia’s borders, so at least that’s a great relief.”
The sentiment was half sincere relief, half regret. Muttering to himself, Alan took a deep breath. Postponing his lingering thoughts about things he couldn’t remember, he focused on the task at hand.
Vrrr!
The mage, who had only recently reached the 8th Circle, gathered his mana.
The air began to vibrate, and an immense energy—powerful enough to make even an ordinary person turn their head—began to clash and fluctuate violently. The energy gathering in his hands created a shimmering distortion, but it was colorless; he had completely transcended the limitations of attributes.
Soon, Alan’s fingertips pointed toward the front of the distant inner castle.
At that moment, the knights in formation felt as if a haze were rising from the ground before them. Wondering what sort of omen this could be on a winter night, they gripped their swords, preparing for the unknown.
Ssssshh!
Almost simultaneously, a massive magic circle began to carve itself onto the solid ground with lightning speed. A white light, briefly illuminating the darkness, flickered several times before erupting into an intense flash.
Flash!
The magic circle on the ground emitted a blindingly white light. Before the knights could react, the light surged upward in arcs, converging at a single point. It formed a shape like a giant dome rising before the palace.
Focused on his spell, Alan couldn’t witness the spectacular sight himself as he uttered a short incantation. The dazzling light seeped into the air and gradually faded. The knights’ gazes turned as one to a single spot.
“I am Marquis Legian Lin.”
Just then, a voice introduced herself.
As his vision returned, the Knight Commander looked ahead. Alan could see a look of great bewilderment wash over the man’s face.
Countless figures in black masks held magic lamps in their hands. It was clear to anyone that their visit was not a peaceful one.
“What brings you here at this hour, Marquis?”
“I have come to speak with His Highness directly.”
Their conversation began.
And that was it.
This was the extent of Alan’s first task. Teilan would be by Legian’s side, and this matter had to be resolved by their hands. If Alan interfered any further, the situation would truly spiral out of control.
Snap!
After watching for another moment, Alan snapped his fingers. With that, he vanished from his vantage point.
Unaware of this, the Knight Commander spoke, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
“Marquis Lin. We cannot open the gates. Please turn back.”
“I will enter.”
“Turn back. Bringing private soldiers to the royal palace is against regulations.”
Though he feigned ignorance about her visit, their defensive posture suggested they knew exactly what was happening.
“I only intend to approach the front of the palace. I plan to meet His Highness there and then return, so…”
“There will be no further warnings. Please turn back.”
“Must we truly draw our swords against each other for you to let us pass?”
“We only follow the King’s command.”
“Whose command? Is there even a proper king in this palace?”
“…We are merely the King’s knights, Marquis.”
Whether he was a proper king.
Or not.
Teilan, standing beside Legian, clicked his tongue. The guards didn’t know the masked man beside her was Teilan; everyone in their party was dressed in the same attire. Thus, they didn’t know he was a knight as well.
Taking a step forward, Teilan let out a deep sigh. He might have to use his sword against the very knights he had raised with his own hands. Just as he tightened his grip on his hilt, then loosened it again—
Whoosh!
A sharp whistle of tearing air pierced his ears. Legian didn’t see the arrowhead flying toward her.
Teilan did not draw his sword.
Clang!
Nevertheless, the sound of clashing steel rang out, accompanied by a shower of sparks. A moment later, an arrow, deflected by a blade, thudded into the ground some distance away.
Seeing it glint in the moonlight as it rolled to a stop, Legian turned her head. She realized Teilan was looking somewhere else entirely—not at her, and not in the direction the arrow had come from.
He was looking ahead.
A step in front of where Teilan should have been guarding her. Someone had blocked the arrow for him, moving while Teilan was still weighed down by his hesitation to draw his sword.
“Explain yourselves.”
It was not the King’s knights, the Crown Prince’s knights, the Marquis, or her private soldiers. It was not another country’s Crown Prince, nor was it another country’s prince and archmage.
“For what reason do you block the Crown Prince’s knight from entering the palace?”
They were the ones who could recognize the masked Teilan at a single glance. A smile played on Teilan’s lips as he looked at where they stood.
A son who struck down his father without a righteous cause would only succeed him as a tyrant, and a new king who relied solely on the power of nobles and foreign princes would be nothing but weak.
They had gathered in an instant, riding the great wings of Alan’s magic. They wore black but did not cover their faces. They had lived hiding their names but would now live a different life.
“May we view the attack just now as a declaration of war against our master?”
Chase’s birds drew their righteous swords.
And aimed them at the royal palace.