Chapter 57: Living (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 57: Living (4)
That day, birds took flight from the Siegfried Territory all day long.
Carrier pigeons and messenger hawks of every color departed for Kairisis. Though the birds were all different, the contents of their letters were identical.
– When Calian entered Sispanian's Empty Nest, a bright light burst forth. The light was so intense it could be seen even from outside Siegfried's Outer Castle.
That was the entirety of the message sent by the vassals of nobles staying in Siegfried. Since no one knew what had transpired inside or what had caused the light, no further details could be included.
Calian, the only person who knew the truth, descended the mountain looking as casual as if he had merely gone for a stroll. After briefly announcing that he had completed his coming-of-age ceremony, he immediately returned to Siegfried Castle.
Duke Suleiman asked Calian nothing.
He simply ordered a separate lunch to be sent to Calian's room, then stepped out onto the terrace connected to the reception room to leisurely enjoy the breeze.
Standing on the terrace, Suleiman chuckled as he watched several carrier pigeons fly off and vanish into the blue sky. He spoke with genuine amusement.
"I'm only just now realizing how many gossips I have in my territory!"
It meant he hadn’t even bothered to keep track of how many people living on Siegfried land were sending news to the outside. Consequently, the person standing beside him chided him.
"Is this really something you should be marveling at right now?"
It was Demirea, Yan's younger sister and the young head of House Siegfried.
Demirea had a cute face with round eyes just like Yan's, but she wore a stern expression that, while slightly awkward, suited her strangely well.
Looking at his daughter, who had grown up in the blink of an eye and was now nagging him, Suleiman spoke gently.
"Can't a man be amused for a moment?"
Demirea shook her head firmly.
"People who envy great power are everywhere. Is there any guarantee they won't cross our family? I believe we must identify which families these vassals belong to and remain on guard."
She articulated her thoughts clearly, backing them with solid reasoning. Watching Demirea, who was gradually growing into the next master of Siegfried, Suleiman smiled warmly.
"Splendid. It seems you take after me just a little bit. In any case, I certainly married well!"
Suleiman was probably the only person who would be delighted that his children didn't take after him. Laughing heartily as he thought of the ever-thoughtful Duchess of Siegfried, Suleiman looked at Demirea and continued.
"But Lea, if our family starts putting up its guard, it becomes politics. We are protectors, not rulers or kingmakers. Isn't our strength meant to be a shield?"
Demirea did not answer immediately, as her thoughts differed from his.
After a brief silence, she pointed to a window visible in the distance. It was the guest room where Calian was staying.
"But this time might be different, Father."
Yan was in the royal palace.
Moreover, he was deeply involved with Calian.
Suleiman knew this was the reason for her words. Hadn't Yan already used his name once when he visited the palace not long ago?
Therefore, whether Yan would next need his name or his sword—not even Suleiman could say for sure.
"Even if we aren't on guard, that doesn't mean we aren't prepared."
Answering thus, Suleiman looked toward the training ground within the castle. Countless knights were training, their swords clashing without rest.
"I'm not completely helpless, you know!"
Though he spoke in a goofy manner, his words carried confidence, not arrogance.
However, Suleiman was not one to stubbornly insist on his own views. Gently patting Demirea's head, he added, "Still, I will at least find out whose vassals are living here."
Only then did Demirea nod.
She was about to thank him for listening to her opinion when the terrace door opened and Yan stepped outside.
"Wow. There really are a lot of carrier pigeons, aren't there?"
Another person had arrived to simply marvel at the sight.
Demirea's face stiffened, while Suleiman laughed heartily again.
"Aren't there? I even saw a hawk!"
As if in response, another bird took flight.
Watching the father and son babble things like, "There goes another one, wow!" Demirea's eyes filled with deep worry. The weight of the family she would one day lead felt exceedingly heavy on her shoulders.
* * *
– Return on the day you believe you are fully prepared.
Recalling Sispanian's final words, Calian let out a dry chuckle.
"I wonder what else she wants to tell me."
Yan, who had returned from a brief meeting with Suleiman and was sitting across from Calian, widened his eyes.
Instead of meeting his gaze, Calian picked up the cold mint tea from the table. The ice in the cup made a crisp, clinking sound.
"...Fully prepared, indeed."
It was a difficult phrase to decipher. Yan shifted his gaze to the window, worried that staring might seem like he was pressuring the prince for an answer.
Calian followed his gaze.
The training ground, packed with Suleiman's knights, was visible at a glance. He could see Kyrie among them, having already made his way over.
He’s certainly diligent, Calian thought, shifting his gaze to spot Hina sitting in the garden.
Hina was stroking something in her lap. Looking closer, he saw it was a poodle with curly, bronze-colored fur. It was Suleiman's dog, which supposedly resembled Yan so much that it had even been named ‘Yan’. Seeing Hina's bright smile, Calian muttered, "She likes dogs more than birds. I wonder if we're allowed to raise a dog in Chermil Palace."
Yan, who had been silently drinking tea, spoke up.
"You keep thinking of things to do for Hina. Last time, it was a bird you were thinking of getting her."
Yan's voice was sly. Since it was obvious what he was implying, Calian immediately cleared up the misunderstanding.
"It's not that kind of interest."
Nodding, Yan looked back toward Hina and smiled. His eyes followed her as she gestured in front of the poodle.
"She's even using sign language with the dog. Saying it's cute."
Curious, Calian asked, "How do you know sign language?"
It was a casual question.
But Yan didn't answer.
Just as Calian realized he had asked something he shouldn't have and was about to change the subject, Yan spoke again, his eyes still fixed on the window.
"I had an older brother."
The past tense. That alone was explanation enough.
Yet Yan continued. "He wasn't healthy... so there was a lot I had to learn to get along with him. Though it all became useless soon after."
With that, Yan lifted his tea and took a sip. Seeing Calian at a loss for words, he smiled.
"It was a long time ago, so it's fine. Besides, I have Your Highness now."
"...Right."
Yan soon pointed to the dog outside, his voice clearly searching for a different topic. "That dog is a huge coward. It barks so much. If we raised it in Chermil, Prince Franz wouldn't stand for it. Neither would Prince Randel."
He clearly didn't want to dwell on the past. Perhaps he was also trying to put the awkward Calian at ease. In any case, his intention to put the story of his deceased brother away was clear, so Calian didn't pry further and played along.
"Then we'll have to go to Camillon."
Camillon Palace.
The residence of the Crown Prince.
Yan turned his head to stare blankly at Calian, then asked, "You've never once mentioned the position of Crown Prince until now."
"You said we can't raise it in Chermil. So we must go to Camillon."
Yan looked utterly dumbfounded. "Your Highness is probably the only person who would go to Camillon just to raise a dog."
Calian took a sip of his tea and set the glass down. He quite liked the refreshing, distinct aroma of mint.
Savoring the scent for a moment, Calian looked out the window with a relaxed expression and spoke.
"I'm probably also the only prince who has met Sispanian's true self."
Yan blinked his round eyes a few times.
It took several seconds for the words to register.
Then, the glass in his hand slipped and shattered on the floor.
* * *
Siegfried's Inner Castle, much like the Kairis Royal Palace, was a place touched by Sispanian's power. Because of this, communication with Alan was impossible.
Calian asked Yan to guide him somewhere suitable. Still struggling to calm his racing heart after learning that Sispanian was alive and had personally spoken with Calian, Yan led him outside.
After wracking his brain for a spot that was free of Sispanian's influence, sparsely populated, and close to the Inner Castle, Yan finally guided Calian there.
"People rarely come here."
Calian looked around and let out a soft laugh.
In stark contrast to his amusement, the surroundings were filled with gravestones. The place Yan had brought him to was the cemetery for key figures of the Siegfried family.
"It certainly has fewer people than anywhere else."
"Yes. You can speak freely here."
Moving to a slightly higher elevation, they found a wide patch of land free of gravestones. Once there, Calian called out to Alan.
– Did you complete Roselita successfully?
Alan's reply came instantly, as if he had been waiting. He must have been curious, as he was the one who had discussed the Axis of Time with Calian and advised him to meet Sispanian.
– Yes, Master. The coming-of-age ceremony is complete, and I have met Sispanian.
Calian relayed everything that had happened inside the cavern.
Alan's initial reaction was no different from Yan's. He was speechless. Calian figured Alan must have been several times more shocked than Yan. If the priests of Tensil had Serenti, then all the mages in the world had Sispanian.
– To think you met Sispanian's true self. I should have gone with you.
As expected, Alan spoke those words, a wave of profound shock and regret washing over their connection.
Of course, even if Alan had come along, he wouldn't have been able to meet Sispanian. He might have seen the light from the cavern, but that would have only amplified his regret.
– She told me to return when I am prepared, so next time, I will definitely bring you with me, Master.
– That is the best news I have heard. So, what kind of preparation did she mean?
– There is only one thing I must prepare for right now, is there not?
Saying this, Calian leisurely scanned his surroundings. Gazing at the place marked by death, a testament to the devotion of the living, he sent his thoughts.
– I must survive. First and foremost.
A man possessing the soul of a royal brother of Secritia, of whom not even a trace remained, spoke of life.
– Once I return, I will have to deal with Silike, who will undoubtedly make another move. So first, I must secure my position. The path ahead will only become clear when I can worry a little less about survival.
– ...Indeed. Regrettably, you are correct.
– How is the atmosphere on the Brissen side? I am also curious about Silike. How are they handling Lennon's disappearance?
As if he had anticipated the question, Alan replied immediately.
– Since they haven't found Lennon after ten days, they seem to have realized something is wrong. This morning, Evan Brissen entered and left the palace.
– She must have summoned Marquis Brissen to ask what happened.
– I believe that is likely.
– Indeed. It must be frustrating for her, since Viscount Lennon Brissen, whom she used like her own limbs, has suddenly vanished.
Calian chuckled softly before continuing.
– Is there no worry that Marquis Brissen might reveal the reason for the Viscount's disappearance?
– He has shared a Seal of Oath with me. If he speaks of it to Silike, the Marquis's life will be forfeit. He will absolutely never utter a word.
It was just as Alan said. Evan Brissen had sworn a Seal of Oath, promising not to tell Silike how he had dealt with Lennon. If he broke it, his heart would be crushed by the seal, killing him. There was no need to worry about the secret leaking.
– In that case, Silike will try to find another pawn to replace Lennon. Neither she nor I can move freely outside the palace. She will definitely seek out the next person to aid her, so please keep a close eye on things.
Instead of a verbal reply, Alan's chuckle was transmitted.
Narrowing his eyes, Calian asked, – Don't tell me... is there already a new figure from the Brissen side entering and leaving the palace?
– I currently hold a letter in my hand. It has caused His Majesty quite a headache, and I was actually planning to speak to you about it.
– A letter? What do you mean?
Whether he was unfolding the letter or choosing his words, Alan fell silent for a moment. As Calian waited, looking at Yan standing in the distance, Alan's voice came through again.
– "Having sustained injuries in battle against the barbarians, I wish to return to Kairisis to recuperate for a time. Therefore, please send someone to my territory to temporarily assume my duties." That is the request.
– Could it be... a letter from Margrave Brissen?
Gray Brissen. The eldest son of Marquis Evan Brissen. He was also the Margrave whose territory bordered Tensil.
– Correct. It seems Silike summoned him the moment she realized Lennon had vanished. He is likely trying to return to the capital under the pretext of his injuries. Though he has not yet entered the palace, he will probably arrive slightly ahead of you, Your Highness.
– As expected.
An expression full of intrigue washed over Calian's face.
– I will finally get to see his face.
Calian turned his head slightly, looking in the direction of Kairisis.
He saw yet another carrier pigeon flying away.
The news it carried, Gray Brissen, and Calian himself.
– Another Sword Master... This will be interesting. I wonder what will happen when we meet.