Chapter 65: It Has Been a While (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 65: It Has Been a While (1)
It was too soon.
That was Lemain’s first thought upon hearing the immense interest people were showing in Calian. It wasn’t a sense of wariness toward the prince, but one of worry.
It was the day before Calian was due to arrive in Kairisis.
Naturally, crowds had once again gathered to welcome his return. A prince who resembled Sispanian was coming back after causing an auspicious event with his shining eyes, so an even larger crowd had gathered this time. As a result, Calian’s name was on the lips of everyone filling the streets.
They were already speculating whether Calian would become the next Crown Prince. This was precisely why Lemain thought it was too soon. He worried that such attention would make Calian a prime target for Silike and Randel.
—Oh. So the one who knew that was the same person who sent the Kaera Knights to Latran Castle.
When Alan heard Lemain’s concerns, he had responded with his usual sharp wit. And since Alan was never wrong, Lemain couldn’t find a single word of retort for the man who had said it while casually chewing on an apple.
In any case, Lemain’s worries were largely justified.
While Randel’s thoughts remained a mystery, the other party’s temper had grown far more twisted.
“We shall meet again tomorrow.”
A refined voice flowed from between red lips.
“To think he brings such grand rumors with him. How delightful.”
This was the first luncheon Silike had shared with her son in nearly five months, not since the day Calian had rejected the poisoned tea. Yet, the only things that came from her were words of caution regarding Calian and the cloying scent of Renieri.
Of course, Franz had never expected anything more from her.
He probably never would.
“Did you call me here just to express your delight over my younger brother?”
At Franz’s low question, Silike—who had grown somewhat thin but remained as beautiful as ever—replied with her unchanging, lovely smile.
“I called you to let you know that the Margrave will be arriving soon.”
There was not a single word about Lennon, who was currently missing. Her only concern was for Gray, who was on his way.
Franz gave a half-hearted nod. “And?”
“What do you mean, ‘and’?”
A cold light flickered in Silike’s eyes.
As she looked at her son, who sat before her merely waiting for the meeting to end, Calian’s words echoed in her ears.
—Franz did not say those words for my sake.
On the day Calian drank the poison, Franz had stopped her from protesting. Silike didn’t believe for a second that he had done it to save her life. After all, Franz always seemed desperate to interfere with everything she did.
His attitude now was no different. Even though Gray’s arrival would be of immense benefit to him, he regarded the news with nothing but displeasure.
Silike spoke in a soft, coaxing voice. “It is the path you are destined to walk anyway. You know this, don't you? So stop these meaningless rebellions.”
Franz let out a dry chuckle. “The word ‘anyway’ is a bit grating.”
With that, he leaned back deep into his chair. A languid voice, fitting his posture, drifted out. “And I have no idea by whose authority that path was decided.”
Silike offered no reply. It was so obvious whose authority it was that she felt no need to answer. Franz, who hadn’t expected one, continued. “The mages uncovered far more than I knew. Much more.”
He was referring to the details Calian had revealed about those who had died because of Silike. Franz wanted to know if she had truly harmed them all. He already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from her.
Silike wore a bright, innocent smile. “Why do you still act so childishly?”
No other answer was needed.
Franz spoke with a twisted smile of his own. “That day… I should have just kept my mouth shut.”
He meant that he should have let a grief-stricken Lemain say whatever he wanted to the Commander of the Kaera Knights.
Realizing Calian had been right, Silike’s eyelashes trembled slightly. But that was all. Nothing else changed. All she felt was a renewed sense of betrayal at Franz’s regret over having stopped Lemain that day.
Silike stared straight into Franz’s light green eyes, which were identical to her own. “My son. Do not exert yourself so.”
The very words Franz always used to say to her now came from her own mouth.
At her command to stay quiet, Franz met her gaze.
“……Someone has changed so much, while someone else hasn’t changed at all.”
Muttering to himself, Franz stood up first. The suffocating scent of Renieri washed over him once more.
“Since it seems you will insist on fighting… I will stay quiet, just as you wish.”
Franz resolved himself to forget that Calian had ever changed.
He felt that only then would that sickening scent finally disappear.
*
—Viscount Redington will arrive in Kairisis by next week at the latest. He has no experience running a trading company, but I believe he will adapt well. Once he made up his mind to come, his enthusiasm was remarkable.
—That’s a relief. At least Baron Polun will be spared from dying of overwork.
Alan’s tone was surprisingly warm. He must have grown quite close to Melfir during Calian’s absence.
Soon, Calian finished his report, and Alan shared his own news. Calian chuckled at the story of how Lemain had nearly ended up paying for the carriage, then asked:
—Then will Valkan be founded as soon as I arrive?
At his question, Alan fell silent for a moment.
—Did I mention that to you, Your Highness?
—No. I simply thought you would have decided to move up the date because of the trouble I caused. However, since you would have worried about a potential attack if it were founded while I was outside Kairisis, I figured you would set the date for right after my return and keep it a secret until then.
He could feel Alan smiling on the other end.
—I see I was dancing in the palm of your hand. It is exactly as you said. As soon as you return, we will announce the founding, and the inauguration ceremony will be held the following week. We plan to keep it hidden from the outside world until then.
—You mentioned the Magic Academy is temporarily using an empty building on Teinansha Street, but what about the Mage Corps?
Calian didn’t seem to have considered where Valkan itself would be located. Alan spoke, anticipating his surprised reaction.
—We have decided to encroach upon Pavel’s territory.
Hearing this, Calian gripped Raven’s reins tightly.
He didn’t reply immediately, pondering for a long while before sending his next message.
—Silike has quite a temper. This will likely pose a threat to His Majesty as well.
—He is taking that into account. Also, please do not underestimate the knights of Kaera.
Underestimate them?
Calian chuckled softly, a sound that wouldn't reach Alan.
—Underestimate them? I worry precisely because I see them so clearly. When even their Commander has not set foot on the Path of the Sword, how are they supposed to protect Lemain from two Sword Masters?
Alan might have brushed it off, confident in his own ability to protect Lemain, but Calian couldn’t be at ease. If Gray made it to Kairisis, Lemain’s life would be in grave danger.
Tapping Raven’s saddle as if it were a table, Calian spoke. He addressed not Alan, but Yan, who was riding beside him.
“Is this the only road from Redington to Kairisis?”
Yan nodded. “Yes. Unless one takes a massive detour, this is the only way.”
Nodding, Calian muttered, “The Margrave wouldn’t ride in that pink carriage all the way to the capital. If we’re lucky, we might run into him.”
He fell into deep thought, weighing the possibilities of the decision he had just made. Soon, he sent a playful message back to Alan.
—Master. I might cause another incident.
Alan replied with a tone of mock concern.
—Everyone here is aware that you and Margrave Brissen have crossed paths, and that your routes overlap. Please do not do anything that might cause a misunderstanding. I worry you might be too quick to draw your sword.
—I have no intention of killing Gray, either. But I also have no intention of letting His Majesty risk his life because of me so soon.
—May I ask what you plan to do?
—It’s less that I’m planning to cause trouble… and more that I no longer have any intention of letting Margrave Brissen reach Kairisis.
Calian replied with a smile.
—I won’t draw my sword. I will only swing my blade when it won’t cause any trouble, so don’t worry.
—Very well. As long as it’s not a sword, do as you wish.
Whatever trouble Calian was planning, it would be Lemain’s job to get a headache over his son. Alan simply treated it as another entertaining spectacle to watch and gave his blessing.
*
Clip-clop, clip-clop!
Several horses galloped at an incredible speed, a pace so immense that any onlookers would wonder if they were dreaming.
“So, in short…!”
Atop these horses, Arsen and Rachel were deep in conversation. Calian had merely mentioned he hoped for some results with the teleportation magic circle before they reached Kairisis, but Arsen felt their impending arrival like a death sentence. Consequently, he had resorted to debating with Rachel at every possible moment.
The problem was the speed at which they were riding. As soon as his conversation with Alan had ended, Calian had requested they ride as fast as the horses could endure.
“What I’m saying is, couldn’t we utilize something like the Seal of Oath?!” Arsen shouted over the wind.
“But the Seal of Oath is a one-on-one contract, so—ack!” Rachel yelped.
Calian didn’t bother to wonder why her words had cut off with a strange sound. Instead, he spoke with a relaxed expression. “You don’t have to stress over it so urgently. And try not to open your mouths on horseback. You’ll bite your tongues.”
His own voice was perfectly steady. The elegant Raven remained graceful even at a full gallop.
After another two hours of this, the group was finally able to slow their horses. Calian had found what he was looking for.
Confirming that Gray’s presence emanated from the carriage ahead, the corners of Calian’s mouth curled upward.
“Found you.”
His voice was like the purr of a cat that had discovered a mouse in the walls, and his companions reacted in various ways.
Yan instinctively reined in his horse. Rachel ushered Hina and Veronica behind her for safety.
Kyrie, who finally understood Calian’s intentions after being run ragged in late-night training, placed a hand on his sword with burning fighting spirit. He had decided to stop holding back out of useless consideration for the prince.
And Arsen began scanning the procession, looking for the most expensive-looking carriage to destroy next.
Instead of telling them they didn’t need to go that far, Calian simply smiled.
Meanwhile, a butler spoke to Gray, who was enduring the uncomfortable carriage with the sole thought of finally sleeping in his own bed in Kairisis tomorrow.
“My Lord Margrave. Someone is following us.”
“Following us?”
Gray immediately pulled back the rear curtain and looked out, his expression twisting into a scowl. “Why is it that prince again? How on earth did he catch up?”
The reason was simple. Calian’s group had rested for three days at Redington Castle, then used magic to cover a four-day journey in just two. Gray, on the other hand, had spent a day acquiring a carriage before traveling for four days straight. This was how Calian had managed to close the gap.
Seeing Calian steadily approaching with a slight smile, Gray looked thoroughly disgusted. “I heard he learned a bit of magic, and now he’s grown incredibly reckless.”
In his arrogance and his contempt for mages, Gray was the spitting image of Marquis Evan Brissen.
“He has no idea that I’m the one exercising real patience here.”
While Gray was lost in his delusions, Calian had nearly reached the carriage.
“My Lord Margrave,” the butler asked through the window, “shall we stop?”
Gray’s voice was sharp with irritation. “If the carriage stops, I might just wring the prince’s neck. Ignore him and keep going.”
“Yes, my lord!” Startled, the butler quickly relayed the order to the coachman.
By then, Calian was alongside them. Raven elegantly slipped between the escorting knights until he was right next to the carriage window. Keeping pace, Calian spoke.
“Margrave. Your insolence is as consistent as ever.”
Inside, Gray squeezed his eyes shut, repeating to himself that he had to keep the prince alive—at least until he met Silike.
Calian glanced at Gray’s entourage. “By the way, Margrave, you only have six knights. What happened to the other four?”
Gray’s hand tightened on his sword hilt.
Calian scratched his cheek. “Ah. They aren’t knights anymore, are they? I forgot I stripped them of their titles myself.”
The six remaining knights stiffened, recalling the four fools who were now fish food in Lake Redington. Calian’s expression, however, remained perfectly serene.
“Come to think of it, even I’m curious about the disappearance of your dogs. Have you never wondered about it yourself?”
After a brief pause, he continued in an incredibly leisurely tone.
“About why your younger brother suddenly vanished.”
Lennon had never been much help to the family, so Gray hadn’t been particularly concerned. Besides, Marquis Brissen had said it was likely a kidnapping for ransom and that they would find him eventually.
Whether it was Lennon…
Or Lennon’s corpse.
“Actually,” Calian said conversationally, “someone gave Marquis Brissen a vast sum of money. They asked him to get rid of Lennon. And then, Lennon vanished.”
“Is that so? I wasn’t aware,” Gray replied, his voice flat. He was not particularly shaken.
But Calian wasn’t finished.
“Because of that, I became curious about something.”
Gray didn’t answer.
Calian continued with a relaxed smile. “I wondered… if the Marquis would also get rid of his eldest son, the one who covets his title, if he were paid enough.”
A sharp surge of killing intent erupted from inside Gray’s carriage.
Confirming the source of the murderous aura, Calian’s eyes curved into long, smiling crescents.