Chapter 55: I Am Alive (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 55: I Am Alive (2)
Two good things had happened since morning.
First, he had completed his 4th Circle.
Second, the breakfast prepared by the mayor of Citren included oysters!
People in this region, which was relatively close to Secritia and Libern, were said to enjoy seafood. True to form, large raw oysters, carrying the distinct briny scent of the sea, were laid out on the table. Seeing them, Calian desperately tried to suppress the corners of his mouth from twitching upward.
Had Alan known that Calian was more thrilled by the raw oysters than by completing his 4th Circle, he would have had plenty to say.
In any case, his first day in Siegfried began on a very pleasant note.
Yan, who usually rode right beside Calian, was now at the very front of the procession alongside Yuran. Part of the reason was to greet the many people who had come out to welcome him after so long, but the main reason was that Arsen was sticking close to Calian’s side.
Recalling the aura he had sensed from Calian that morning, Arsen spoke.
“Your Highness’s aura felt like a drawn blade.”
Calian offered a faint smile at his words.
“There’s a reason for that.”
Arsen waited for an explanation, but none came. Taking it to mean the reason couldn’t be shared here, he simply nodded.
After they rode through a few more streets in silence, Calian gestured toward Arsen’s hand.
“Sir Hertz.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“How strong is the ice you create?”
Arsen thought for a moment before asking, “Forgive me, Your Highness. May I ask you to clarify what you mean by ‘strength’?”
Arsen’s sentences are always so long-winded, Calian thought. Why make it so complicated when he could just ask for an explanation?
“How much force it takes to break it,” Calian clarified, his expression calm. “And what’s the hardest thing it can… pierce.”
As he spoke, he pictured the ice spear Arsen had once used to pierce the tough body of a Sword Master.
Arsen pondered the question again. Not only had he never really considered it before, but he also didn’t understand why Calian was suddenly so curious about the strength of his magic.
Soon, an example came to mind.
“A while ago, I had a brief spar with Bern.”
Calian stiffened, his gaze locking onto Arsen. It took him a moment to remember that ‘Bern’ was also Kyrie’s surname.
Realizing Arsen was referring to Kyrie and not his past self, Calian calmed his startled heart. “Yes. Go on.”
“At that time, I launched an ice spear at him, but…”
Of all things, he had to use that as an example!
Calian forced an awkward smile as Arsen continued with a look of deep regret.
“My ice spear was shattered by Bern’s sword.”
Calian turned his head to glance at Kyrie, who looked utterly confused as to why the prince was suddenly staring at him with such a strange, warm smile.
Unaware of the context, Arsen continued, “And with that same ice spear, I have previously pierced a thick log. Since you know the caliber of Bern’s swordsmanship, I hope this explanation helps you gauge its strength.”
“Yes. That’s more than enough.”
It was true that Kyrie’s swordsmanship was outstanding. Calian had trained him diligently, and Kyrie’s own talent and effort were by no means lacking. In Calian’s estimation, Kyrie wouldn’t lose easily even against the knights of Siegfried, with the exception of Yuran.
Of course, he was still far from what Calian would consider truly ‘strong.’ But if Kyrie’s sword had shattered the ice spear, it meant the magic’s strength fell short of what Calian desired.
“Hmm.”
Arsen asked cautiously, “May I ask what prompted this inquiry?”
Hearing the question, Calian set his thoughts aside and smiled, amused by Arsen’s excessively polite tone. By now, Calian knew exactly when he had first met the man.
To think that the one who had delivered death and the one who had crossed back over the river of death would meet again. The irony was so absurd that he had laughed for a long time when he first realized it.
Arsen had been impeccably polite even back then, when he had no idea who Calian truly was. While not a bad trait, it wasn’t exactly fitting for the Commander of the Valkan. Calian made a mental note to tell him to tone down the overly formal attitude he applied to every time, place, and person.
Finishing his train of thought, Calian glanced to his side and saw Arsen still waiting for an answer. He quickly recalled the question and replied, “Ah. Since I cannot carry a sword, I was thinking of a way to use magic to create one.”
It was a convenient thought, now that he had acquired mana infused with aura.
“However, if even your magic only reaches that level of strength, it would be difficult to use as a sword. I suppose I will have to think on it a bit more.”
Arsen didn’t know how to respond. He understood Calian’s reasoning, but he knew it would be no easy task.
Calian hadn’t expected an answer anyway. He simply fell back into his thoughts, stroking Raven’s mane as they rode.
* * *
The following evening, Calian halted Raven once more, his eyes fixed on the rocky mountain visible in the distance.
The setting sun bathed the mountain in shades of orange, a sight so grand and beautiful that it almost overshadowed the majesty of the ancient castle nestled at its foot. The mountain was located within the inner walls of the Siegfried Duchy, a piece of history in its own right.
Pointing toward it, Yan spoke.
“That is the place, Your Highness.”
It was an incredibly simple statement, devoid of any further explanation, yet it was enough. Calian knew Sispanian’s Empty Nest lay there. He nodded slowly and urged his horse forward once more.
By the time the last of the sunset faded and the sky began to darken, the group arrived before the inner castle. Inside the gates, numerous knights stood in formation, waiting for him. They wore the same black armor as the knights who had escorted him here.
Seeing them, Calian straightened his posture in the saddle and rode past, showing no hint of intimidation.
At the end of the path, a middle-aged knight sat mounted on a white horse.
He was a man who did not need to dismount to greet a prince. The sole duke of the Kairis Kingdom.
He was none other than Suleiman Hon Siegfried.
“Welcome!” he boomed, spotting Calian and Yan. He spread his arms wide in a grand gesture of welcome.
Calian grinned and rode closer. A similar smile played on Suleiman’s face.
“It has been a while, Duke Siegfried.”
This was only their second meeting, and they hadn’t exchanged a single word during the first. Back then, Suleiman had merely felt the sharp, menacing aura Calian had gleefully directed at the nobles, and Calian, knowing the duke would notice, had made no effort to hide it. That was the entirety of their interaction.
This was the first time they had actually spoken, yet there was no awkwardness between them. They already knew too much about each other for that.
Suleiman observed Calian for a moment, his eyes filled with genuine admiration. He didn’t bother to hide his surprise.
“My! You have truly changed a great deal.”
Whether he meant his appearance or the power hidden within was unclear, but Calian smiled with ease. Either way, it was true.
“Yes. I’m a bit better off than I was back then.”
Suleiman laughed heartily at the reply and turned his horse, falling into place beside Calian. The slender prince on his black horse, Raven, and the muscular duke on his white horse presented a perfect contrast as they rode side-by-side.
Yet, an atmosphere akin to old friends reuniting after a long time lingered between them, bringing a pleasant smile to Yan’s face as he watched from behind.
Their conversation continued.
“I heard you have that foul-mouthed mage tightly under your thumb.”
Alan Manasil was truly consistent. Even Suleiman, who claimed to have known him for a very long time, saw him that way. Calian smiled and nodded.
“I am merely grateful for his help.”
“Since the Sixth Sword is now wielding magic, that damn mage has certainly landed himself a fine disciple.”
Suleiman’s voice was low, but Calian was not surprised. He had expected that while Marquis Brissen, who hadn’t walked the Path of the Sword for long, might not notice, Suleiman would recognize it instantly.
“As expected, you saw it right away.”
“Though I may not look like much, I haven’t lived my life in vain. How could I possibly miss Your Highness’s neatly layered aura? While mine may be invisible to you, yours is perfectly clear to my eyes.”
It was just as he said. Suleiman could see Calian’s aura, but Calian couldn’t see his. The difference in their power was simply too vast.
“At any rate, that mage must be absolutely thrilled,” Suleiman continued. “To think a Sword Master is now wielding magic as well.”
“I’m not sure if he’s thrilled, but he is certainly working hard,” Calian replied, thinking of his master.
As they continued their pleasant conversation, they arrived at the castle entrance. Suleiman turned his horse once more.
“I would love to talk more, but I cannot postpone my inspection of the western district. I’m afraid the rest of our talk must wait for tomorrow.”
“There is no need to apologize. After all, the schedule was disrupted because I arrived far too early.”
Replying without a hint of displeasure, Calian glanced toward the rocky mountain in the distance. “We can talk tomorrow. By then, I’ll have a new story to tell after meeting Sispanian’s will.”
Suleiman nodded. “Indeed. Take care on your way. You will have plenty of stories to share when you return.”
With that, he let out a jovial laugh.
* * *
Sigmund Khan Sispanian.
The Most Great, Sispanian.
The two titles preceding her name were bestowed by the prideful dragons themselves, and she was more than deserving.
Once, she had struck terror into the entire continent; once, she had sealed away the Evil God to protect it; and once, she had loved humans.
Then, one day, she vanished without a trace. Some said she had returned to nature, unable to bear the weariness of life, while others claimed she had become a god in place of the slumbering Serenti.
After traveling so far to meet the will left behind by this legendary figure, Calian stared at the massive cavern before him.
“I’m finally going to meet her.”
A prince’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony was held alone. Such was Sispanian’s will. The others remained at the foot of the mountain, leaving Calian by himself.
After taking a moment to organize the questions he wanted to ask, Calian stepped into the cavern. Though it was a bright morning outside, the moment he crossed the threshold, he was plunged into absolute darkness, utterly alone.
He paused for a moment before walking forward again. The sound of his footsteps echoed dully before fading into the distance.
How far have I walked?
Curious, Calian looked back.
At that exact moment, light exploded.
A golden light burst forth from all directions, fiercely banishing the silent darkness. Calian reflexively threw up a hand to shield his eyes.
A few moments later, once his eyes began to adjust to the glare…
Whoosh…
A soft breeze ruffled his hair, carrying the scent of grass to his nose. It was a sensation that should have been impossible inside a cavern. Calian opened his eyes.
And held his breath.
Calian couldn’t comprehend the principles of mana the way Alan could, but he could feel its presence. And what he felt now, he was absolutely certain of.
An immense magical power, its depths impossible to gauge. A presence so overwhelming it felt like his heart would stop.
This is not a mere will.
This was no mere will. It was nothing so simple.
Therefore, Calian bowed his head.
“The Most Great.”
Black hair.
Red eyes.
“I greet Sispanian.”
Sispanian was looking at Calian.