Chapter 368: Nest (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 368: Nest (2)
Candies of every color and flavor. Cookies whose tastes were impossible to guess from their appearance alone.
What will it be this time? The question flickered through one of the many threads of thought that constantly ran through his mind.
“I was wondering what to make this time,” Serie said. “It’s something I never had the chance to do when I was raising my three children, so it’s become a hobby that’s too much fun to quit.”
However, since she had only returned to the capital, Kairisis, yesterday, she explained that she hadn’t been able to make anything new yet. She set down a plate of simple almond cookies. The cherry tea served alongside them gave off a subtle blend of sweet and sour aromas. She added that she had prepared it because Yan, who was likely with Relic in another reception room, was fond of cherries.
It was a glimpse of Serie’s care for her children, affection that now extended even to Ririe. He didn’t dislike it. The time when such a sight would have made him feel bitter or envious was long past.
“I see.”
“If you dislike sweets, shall I have some fruit prepared? I wasn’t sure of Your Highness’s preferences, so I ended up preparing things according to the other children’s tastes.”
“No. This is good.”
This was the first time they had ever spoken completely alone.
Even when he had visited the Siegfried territory for Roselita’s coming-of-age ceremony, Franz, unlike the others, had not conversed with any of the Siegfrieds.
He remembered a portrait of two boys and one girl. Had he realized then who his younger brother’s attendant was, or had he found out later? Back then, he hadn’t had the mental space to spare any interest for Yan. Despite his brilliant mind, he couldn’t even recall that detail clearly.
During the dinner they had shared, neither Demirea, Serie, nor Suleiman had spoken to him directly. All conversation had been handled by the senior attendant at his side, and Franz had simply sat there until it was time to leave.
“At first, I heard that Prince Calian wished to see me,” Serie said. “So I was a bit surprised when Your Highness said you would speak in his stead.”
“I’m not speaking in his stead. Rather, my younger brother was trying to speak in mine.”
“Is that so?”
Pushing aside the faint memories, Franz raised his head. He addressed the only person in the household who didn’t have the family’s signature puppy-like bronze hair.
“There is… a favor I would like to ask.”
Just opening his mouth to ask was difficult.
A long time ago, on the day he first descended to the third floor—the day he went to hand over his and his mother’s lives to a stranger wearing his brother’s face. Until that day, when he had asked that stranger to take his hand so he could finally let go of everything, he had only ever asked one person for favors, and those favors had always been rejected. Because of that, he had almost never asked anyone for anything.
“Please, speak. I will listen to whatever you have to ask.”
Though she had heard Franz had changed, Serie hadn’t expected this. She swallowed her surprise and replied smoothly.
“I was wondering… if I could learn your spear technique.”
She looked at him not as the mother of three children, only two of whom remained, nor as the new mother to a child with vivid green eyes, but as Serie, a woman who had become her own person.
“My spear techniques?”
“Yes.”
Franz’s reply was brief.
Looking at him, Serie gave a smile that was the spitting image of Demirea’s. “Your Highness, when someone asks a favor of another, there is usually a reason behind it. One can decide whether or not to grant the favor based on that reason.”
“A reason?”
“Yes. If this is not an order, I would like you to tell me why you are asking.”
If it had been Calian, he would have drawn his sword to demonstrate, just as he had with Yan. But Franz was someone who had only just begun to learn how to breathe and live; he had not yet learned how to interact with others.
“Because I have two swords.”
He failed to explain.
More accurately, he thought that was all the explanation she would need. At his words, Serie—the very woman even Suleiman feared—let out a small laugh. It wasn’t mockery; the gap between the man before her now and her memories of him was simply too vast.
Stopping her laughter, Serie looked at Franz. Instead of apologizing, she reached a hand toward the Crown Prince, who was still staring at her with an expressionless face.
“Then, may I examine Your Highness’s sword for a moment?”
At her request, the Crown Prince nodded meekly and handed over Sinasta—a sword that, though crafted by a Siegfried blacksmith, contained all the secrets of the Brissen family.
Her eyes sharpened as she drew the blade in front of him. She examined it carefully, as if determined to find the connection between having two swords and learning spear techniques. Neither of them paid any mind to the fact that a warrior was holding a weapon right in front of the Crown Prince.
Click.
After some time, Serie finally understood Franz’s words. She had discovered Sinasta’s special mechanism, which allowed the ends of the two hilts to interlock. Since both Demirea and the Siegfried blacksmith had kept the sword’s secret, she was only now finding out.
“It can be a single blade, a pair of swords for dual-wielding, or joined together like this. It’s a fascinating weapon. Hard to believe the Brissen family came up with it.”
“Indeed.”
It was a slight she could only make because she didn’t associate Franz with the Brissen family. As such, Franz took no offense and simply agreed.
“Did you come to me to learn how to use the sword in this state?”
“Yes.”
“I understand. However, this is still different from a spear. I will contact Your Highness once I have devised a way to adapt my techniques for it.”
It was an acceptance. She would teach him.
He had come fully expecting to be rejected, without even preparing an argument to persuade her. He had only tagged along because he thought it better to be rejected himself than to have Calian be rejected on his behalf. He hadn’t expected her to agree. Her permission had come far too easily.
“I thought you would refuse.”
“Let me be clear, just in case. I am not helping you because you are the Crown Prince. Nor am I helping because of my connection to Prince Calian, the Young Duchess’s fiancé. Please do not misunderstand.”
“Then… why?”
Even after receiving her permission, he still asked for a reason. He clearly had no intention of persuading anyone, yet he didn’t seem the type to let his curiosity go unanswered either.
Serie smiled once more.
“Is it not always a joy to watch those with more time ahead of them than behind them grow? If one can guide such people, there is no greater reward. Why should I hide what I know and let it wither with age, just because our families are different?”
The Crown Prince of the past would surely have buried his curiosity. A man who had likely never asked anyone for a favor. Knowing how difficult it must have been for him to voice his request, Serie added gently, “You have changed a great deal, Your Highness. So much so that I can hardly believe you are the same person I met a few years ago.”
“Do I seem that way?”
“Yes. You have truly grown. Though I do not know the reason.”
He was told almost daily that he was growing well, even if he withered from time to time. He heard it every day from his younger brother, who had once been a stranger. And now, he was hearing it from someone else.
The reason he was growing.
Was it because of his brother?
Or was it thanks to his brother?
After a moment of thought, Franz spoke in a low voice.
“Because I have a younger brother.”
It was hardly a grand repayment for her granting his favor, but in his own way, he answered the question Serie had left unspoken. All the while, the lovely cries of two cats and Ririe’s beautiful laughter drifted in from a distant window.
* * *
Eight heroes saved the world.
Children fell asleep listening to the tales of these heroes, told by their mothers or grandfathers at their bedsides. They learned their history from academy teachers.
After growing up, they lived on, debating who would win if the heroes fought, who among them was the strongest, whose sacrifice was the most tragic, and whose resolve was the most decisive. These were subjects for casual banter over drinks or for serious discussion.
As time passed, they grew old, sitting by the bedsides of their own children and grandchildren to pass those same tales down to the next generation.
Whether as old tales, history, drinking banter, or serious debate—the end of every conversation always led to the same conclusion.
—If not for them…
—…we wouldn’t be here.
The story was passed down just like that.
An ancient tale, consistently handed down through history books and by word of mouth. A story of heroes that was wonderful to hear and to tell.
A legendary tale that marked the beginning for everyone living today. A story that had become a legend.
“It seems Sispanian has vanished. Sometime shortly before, or perhaps slightly after, the succession of the Secritian throne.”
The reason that story could be passed down without being buried or distorted was because one of those legendary figures was still alive.
Sigmund Khan Sispanian.
The name meant the immensely great and thoughtful Sispanian.
Although she had not shown herself publicly for several generations after Hatsuara’s death, Sispanian certainly existed. This was proven by the dragon bloodline passed down through the Kairis royal family, the traces she left throughout the royal palace, and the various spells that still held power.
Because of this, people believed in her existence, and so their stories remained, never scattering into the dust of history. They revered, followed, and respected Sispanian as if she were the last thread of salvation to replace the sleeping Serenti. They even used her name for all kinds of shops, a sign of their familiarity and affection.
“Has the blessing disappeared?”
“No. Prince Franz was injured a while ago, and I checked with him afterward to see if there were any anomalies. The blessing remains intact, and all of Sispanian’s magic in the royal palace is still maintained. The items she was collecting also remain as they were.”
“Then what makes you suspect the Ancient Dragon’s absence?”
“She did not come to a place she absolutely should have, and she is not in the place she always used to be.”
Hearing that she should have appeared but didn’t, Suleiman tilted his head. “Wouldn’t that alone be insufficient grounds to assume she has vanished? Do you have another reason for thinking so?”
A mere few months. While a long time for a human, it was but a fleeting moment for Sispanian, who had lived for thousands of years. It seemed far too early to suspect the Ancient Dragon’s absence after such a short period. Thus, instead of panicking, Suleiman asked for the basis of Calian’s judgment, just as Calian himself would have done.
Calian shook his head.
“No other evidence is necessary.”
Because of the Axis of Time.
Had he not summoned Sispanian, telling her that the Axis of Time had appeared? That meddlesome, overly responsible Ancient Dragon would never ignore a call informing her that a fragment of the object she herself had created and dubbed a ‘disaster’ had been found. Sispanian had never learned how to live by turning a blind eye.
Therefore, Sispanian absolutely should have appeared before the fragment that emerged in the sea. She should have visited the hollow she had created. But she hadn’t.
That was completely unlike her.
Speaking with absolute certainty, Calian looked at Suleiman. The head of the family that had guarded Sispanian’s nest throughout the land’s history did not fully grasp his words.
It was only natural. Someone who didn’t know what the Axis of Time was, or what had transpired to allow Calian to live his second life, could not possibly understand his conviction.
Calian pondered for a moment. Was it alright to reveal the truth? More precisely, would Demirea let it slide without drawing her sword if he told Suleiman?
“…There was something called the Axis of Time, Lord Siegfried.”
Having made up his mind, he spoke. One day, he might have to use the sword and shield of the elephants. Not against the princes of this country or its nobles, but to forge another legend—one he hoped he would never have to create.
—I must use the Axis of Time in your land. I absolutely must.
—What kind of bullshit is that?
Ah. Of course, Bern hadn’t replied in exactly those words. Having already passed his hot-blooded youth, Bern was enjoying a more elegant linguistic life at the time and had sent a beautifully wrapped, polite reply that carried that exact meaning. It was just that the Pea, who had perfectly grasped the hidden meaning, immediately invaded.
In any case, the important thing wasn’t Bern’s reply, but the fact that Franz had started a war without a proper explanation. The Mad King mobilized the Valkan and used Alan’s power to instantly push into Secritia, the land Bern was defending. Without a shred of hesitation, he marched straight to the capital and headed for the Axis of Time.
It meant things had been incredibly urgent.
If that time came again, if the same thing were to happen, there might not be time to explain. That was why Calian was sharing the story of the ‘past’ with Suleiman now.
Well, it might have been simply because the Pea’s vocabulary was even more limited back then. Or perhaps because the Pea, completely withered beyond recovery by the Renieri scent, had gone slightly madder than Bern. Calian clung to that thought, as it was the only way to make the Pea of that time seem even a little less detestable. Anyway.
“Are you saying that Sispanian created the object that triggered that war, and that its fragments have begun to appear again?”
“Yes.”
“And another piece has appeared, yet Sispanian did not answer the call. Is that correct?”
“That is correct.”
“Hah…”
A story of a lost time, more legendary than legend, more theatrical than a play, and more unbelievable than a lie. Having heard it all, Suleiman simply let out a dry laugh. Then, he gave a reply.
“I ought to go and bow to the Crown Prince. I would never have gone to war with another country over this land unless I had lost another one of my children.”
Forgotten time or not, Axis of Time or not, Suleiman was undeniably Demirea’s father. After hearing such an overwhelming story, his very first thought was of Yan’s fate in the past.
Whether Calian’s words were true, or whether Calian’s mind—living among his enemies while harboring the memories of the forgotten Bern—was sound, Suleiman didn’t seem to care. He simply spoke to Calian.
“Then, should I accompany you to the territory?”
“Unless you have business there, a letter granting permission to visit the nest will suffice. Nothing will happen to the nest immediately, so there is no need for you to accompany me, Duke.”
“In that case… I came to the capital intending to get a bit closer to that child before spring passes. I will write you a letter.”
“Please do so.”
Unless Sispanian had completely vanished, there was nothing for Suleiman to do. Even if she did manifest before Calian, it wasn’t as if Suleiman would be able to meet her. There was no need for him to return to the duchy when he had come all the way to Kairisis with the puppy-like Yan just to see Ririe.
Returning to his study, Suleiman penned a few lines, stamped the letter with his seal, and handed it to Calian.
“I sincerely hope that the same thing does not happen this time, Prince Calian.”
He wasn’t referring to the war. He was asking him to look after Yan once more. He was asking ‘Calian,’ and no one else.
Calian nodded, a gentle smile on his face that he rarely showed.
“Though I cannot undo what has already happened to ‘me’… whether he learns the truth or remains forever ignorant, Yan will be fine. Because I will be there.”
This was something that even Suleiman, his own father, could do nothing about. Both men knew that only Calian could keep the current Yan from falling apart.
“I’m counting on you.”
“Yes.”
Franz, who had been granted a favor, and Calian, who had made one request and received another. Calian as Calian, and Franz as Franz, they each resolved their respective matters and returned to the palace together. Then, putting everything else aside, Calian set out from the royal palace once more.
This time, he didn’t forget to explain the situation to Demirea beforehand and postpone their remaining sparring matches for a few days.
With Alan, Lemain, the Valkan, and Siegfried at the palace, he wasn’t worried. Leaving his post for a few days would cause no issues. Even if something did go wrong, Sispanian’s matter took absolute priority. If anything happened to her, it wouldn’t just be the royal palace—the entire continent might be shaken.
Thus, Calian moved swiftly toward the Siegfried territory, passing through Citren of Siegfried to the Duke’s mansion, and then to the rocky mountain behind it. Of course, the Pea, who despite his brilliant mind had clearly forgotten his place, was tagging along as well.
—Did you worry? You?
And they met.
At last, they met again.
“That is why I have come.”
Calian’s eyes narrowed.
He stood before the black dragon, who was grander than a massive castle, more majestic than a towering mountain, and loftier than the high heavens.
His gaze was fixed on the giant, transparent egg cradled in her embrace, and the red bird he could see curled up inside.