Chapter 87: The Footsteps (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87: The Footsteps (6)
Truth be told, Calian was a terrible liar.
Truly.
As a result, less than a year after possessing Calian’s body, two people already knew the full truth of his past—Alan and Kyrie.
Furthermore, Suleiman had seen through the secret without Calian saying a word, Franz was drawing dangerously close to the truth, and Arsen, though unaware of the details, had noticed Calian was hiding something extraordinary.
At this point, his secret being discovered was no longer a major issue, so Calian had given up on vehemently denying it.
However, Lemain was a different story.
If there was one person in this world who must never find out Calian’s secret, it was Lemain.
Because of this, it had taken Calian over a week to come up with a plausible excuse for how he had embarked on the Path of the Sword.
“So, you’re telling me your plan is to say you had a grand epiphany at Sispanian’s Nest, sparred with Suleiman, and then just happened to awaken to the Path of the Sword?”
At Alan’s question, Calian nodded.
Alan’s face lit up as if he’d just heard the most entertaining joke in the world. He remarked dryly, “Go ahead and tell him that. I would quite like to see a curse word slip from his mouth for once.”
Between Yan, who believed enlightenment could be gained from learning self-defense, and Calian, who planned to claim he’d learned the principles of the sword from a dragon…
Calian let out a deep sigh.
“Then how else am I supposed to explain it?”
In any case, three days had already passed since Franz woke up, and it was becoming difficult to linger in his room. Every time Franz opened his eyes, he would make a fuss and tell Calian to get out.
In the end, Calian headed to Arpia Palace with Alan, completely unprepared.
Upon hearing of Calian’s arrival, Lemain quickly finished his breakfast and returned to his office. His face was considerably haggard, which made Calian feel incredibly guilty. To think he’d hidden Franz’s recovery for three whole days just because he couldn’t come up with a good excuse for himself.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
At Calian’s greeting, Lemain gestured for him to sit. Once Calian took his seat opposite Lemain, Head Attendant Raul entered to set down tea and fruit. The moment the office door clicked shut behind Raul, Lemain spoke.
“I hear you have been going through a great deal of trouble lately.”
Lemain believed Calian had been staying in that room to nurse Franz, and the remark pricked Calian’s conscience. He quickly replied, “Brother Franz has woken up safely. He is doing well.”
At those words, Lemain’s face lit up with joy, but a look of worry quickly returned to his eyes.
“Is he truly alright?”
Since Calian had just confirmed Franz was physically well, the question had to be about something else. After all, Silike’s dagger had left a deep wound that was more than just physical.
“Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to be entertaining any dangerous thoughts. Still, I think it will take some time for him to fully recover.”
It was a relief he showed no intention of following Silike to the grave. Even so, his wounds would take a long time to heal.
“I see. I am only grateful that you are looking after him.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty.”
Calian unconsciously let out a bitter smile.
Even Calian himself had never imagined, not for a single moment, that he would end up helping Franz to this extent.
Having set aside his worries about Franz, Lemain paused to choose his next words. Calian waited quietly.
“There is much talk, both inside and outside the palace, about what you showed us that day. Many are curious, myself included.”
Calian merely nodded in silence.
“I did hear a story from that Siegfried boy, but…”
“I am sorry.”
Calian quickly apologized for the worry Yan had caused him.
Good grief. Whether Yan actually believed it or not, Calian never imagined he would relay such a ridiculous notion directly to the king.
“Allow me to explain properly.”
With that, Calian bowed his head slightly and extended his hand, manifesting a tiny mass of mana.
As usual, a sphere resembling a cluster of transparent glass shards materialized on his palm.
“My word.”
Seeing the power he had only glimpsed that day appear right before his eyes, Lemain let out a short gasp, his eyes widening in admiration.
Calian shaped the mana into a small, dull-bladed knife, infused it with Aura, and then immediately dispersed it. It was inappropriate to display a weapon for too long in the king’s presence.
“Since I can use both mana and Aura simultaneously, I have developed this little trick.”
A mere trick, he called it.
Lemain laughed at Calian’s words.
Calian watched Lemain’s face for a moment before explaining that, for reasons unknown, he had inherited the memories of a long-dead swordsman.
It was an explanation that was neither truth nor lie.
“I have crossed swords with Duke Siegfried before. According to the Duke, the swordsmanship I use is identical to that of a Secritian knight.”
Knowing how absurd the story sounded, Calian wove in Suleiman’s name to lend it credibility. After all, when could Calian have possibly met a Secritian knight? If he knew their swordsmanship, Lemain would have little choice but to believe him.
“Since when have you possessed such power?”
“I began to have these memories shortly before Your Majesty’s birthday. As for what I just showed you, I became able to use it after arriving in the Siegfried territory.”
At this, Lemain suddenly let out a short chuckle.
“So when he said it would be my neck on the line, not yours… Sir Manasil already knew about this.”
“I apologize for not telling you sooner.”
Lemain let out a soft sigh and took a sip of his tea. Then, looking out the window at the palace grounds, he spoke.
“I know you would have had no reason to hide it if you weren't in the royal palace. I have no intention of reprimanding you, so there’s no need to apologize.”
Saying so, Lemain turned his head to look at Calian.
“I am just glad you didn’t awaken to it while merely learning self-defense.”
“……I apologize.”
Calian’s head bowed of its own accord. That was Yan for you.
“No, it is fine. However, it will be difficult to let everyone know the process of how you obtained this power.”
He meant he would only announce that Calian had embarked on the Path of the Sword, omitting the details. Since the public was likely unaware of Gray’s current state, the news that Calian had become the Sixth Sword would spread like wildfire.
“I shall announce it myself at the Valkan’s founding ceremony.”
Due to the incident with Silike, the Valkan’s founding ceremony had been slightly delayed. Calian had heard from Yan that it was scheduled to take place in about a week.
Calian did not object and simply nodded.
Having displayed his power before so many people, rumors had likely already spread to every nation on the continent via their spies. There was no stopping it. Since it had come to this, he had no choice but to welcome the opportunity to train openly.
“And I have given some thought to the teleportation magic circle you mentioned the other day.”
The teleportation magic circle. Calian’s eyes lit up. Seeing his eager anticipation, Lemain spoke with a faint smile.
“I approve. You may proceed with it as you wish.”
Originally, Lemain had intended to refuse, thinking it would be too difficult. However, the news of Calian embarking on the Path of the Sword had already spread. If that was the case, Marquis Evan Brissen would surely grow wary. Therefore, Lemain reasoned, connecting Siegfried and Kairisis would make the Brissens think twice before harboring any foolish schemes.
The same went for Randel.
Of course, Lemain was still unaware that Randel was a priest. However, he knew that when Franz collapsed, the reactions of Calian and Randel had been starkly different.
Calian had rushed to Franz’s side, while Randel had walked away.
“Until Prince Calian empties that palace, Randel will remain quiet. Only then will you be able to see what lies inside him.”
Recalling Alan’s words, a small crease formed between Lemain’s brows.
On that day, Randel had essentially revealed his true colors. He had declared that he viewed Calian and Franz as competitors, not brothers. If such a man were to ascend the throne, it was painfully obvious how he would dispose of them.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed.”
Would the power granted to Calian prove to be a blessing, or would it become yet another poison?
A shadow of unresolved worry flickered in Lemain’s eyes.
* * *
The Kairis Royal Palace worked to erase every trace of Silike.
In the list of Kairis’s historical queens, which began with the glorious name of Sigmund Khan Sispanian, two lines were drawn through the name Silike Brissen. The greenhouse Silike had built was completely dismantled, and restoration work was underway at the site of the incident.
Those associated with Silike faced similar fates. Depending on the severity of their guilt, those who had committed crimes were sent to prison. Even the innocent could not remain in the palace and were expelled.
Consequently, all of Franz’s attendants and maids were cast out. Without exception, every one of them had been Silike’s hands and feet. The palace’s internal affairs officer sent Franz a letter, asking if he wished to select new attendants himself or have them assigned.
Normally, temporary staff would have been sent in the interim, but Calian declined on Franz’s behalf, explaining that his own staff would look after the prince.
As a result, Franz was receiving help from Calian’s attendants and maids. Furthermore, even after fully waking, he was still pretending to be comatose and had yet to reply.
Because Calian wouldn’t leave.
Because he had absolutely no intention of leaving!
‘This is all your fault, Brother, so you can at least put up with this much.’
Since Calian claimed that his power—which Franz hadn’t even properly witnessed—had been exposed entirely because of Franz, Franz couldn’t bring himself to kick him out. Instead, he endured in silence as Calian made himself at home, traveling between the third and fourth floors via the window.
He even held back the urge to ask if Calian was truly his brother.
As a result of all this…
“Meow!”
The cat became a regular visitor.
It appeared just after Calian had finally left to meet with Lemain.
As Franz sat alone, staring blankly out the window toward Heisia Palace, the cat hopped onto his bed. After trailing Hina a few times as she cleaned, the creature had claimed Franz’s room—specifically, his bed—as its territory.
“Mee-ow!”
The kitten, no larger than his palm when he first saw it, had already grown by half. Despite this, it slipped in and out of the gap beneath the door with complete freedom.
It was only by watching the cat that he realized just how wide the gap under his door was.
I am Prince Calian’s cat.
Staring at the words on the collar, Franz let out a dry chuckle. He then glanced at the door, expecting a knock at any moment.
– Knock, knock.
Sure enough, a knock soon came. The ‘comatose’ Franz did not answer, and the door opened gently to reveal Hina.
Looking flustered, she gestured to him in sign language.
— I am sorry.
Sorry. Thank you. I will clean. I will prepare a meal. Franz had ended up learning a few basic signs. It bothered him to watch her write everything in a notebook, so he had simply learned them himself.
Hina was apologizing for the cat sneaking in again. Franz replied curtly, “Leave it.”
After all, letting a single cat play at his feet was no difficult task.
— Thank you, kind Prince.
Franz only understood the sign for ‘thank you.’ Hina smiled.
It was a smile that, as always, seemed to sweep away the shadows filling his heart.
Before he knew it, Franz had forgotten about Heisia Palace and was simply watching the cat at his feet.
* * *
Time began to flow again.
As if to erase the memory of what had transpired at Wilhelm Hall, the Valkan held an even grander founding ceremony in the very same place.
Franz was recovering well. By entering Wilhelm Hall—the very site of the incident—side by side with Calian, he showed the world he was alive and well, and that the two princes had joined forces. In response, Randel paused his ambitions.
Alan Manasil, dressed in his usual attire instead of the flashy new clothes he had tailored, was granted the masterless Latran territory and bestowed the title of Count. The place should have become the Manasil territory, but Alan, who detested such things, decided to keep the territory’s original name.
Arsen’s eyes grew slightly red. Whether it was from the overwhelming emotion of being officially appointed as the Vice-Commander of the Valkan, or from the sheer exhaustion of resuming his overtime work, only Arsen and Alan knew.
Aizen Aprin, who had come to lead the knights of the anti-Brissen faction, was pouring all his efforts into their training. The ten knightly families who had sided with him did the same.
The House of Brissen temporarily closed its gates.
Evan devoted himself to training, brooding over his failure to sense Calian’s Aura during the incident. He remained completely unaware, of course, that Calian had simply concealed it with magic.
Following the Valkan’s founding ceremony, Lemain officially announced the birth of Kairis’s Sixth Sword. The people cheered, celebrating that the third prince, who so resembled Sispanian, had embarked on the Path of the Sword.
— May the glory of Serenti be upon Kairis!
Winter came and went.
As the ice on the quiet Senyu River melted, the scent of Fredia flowers heralded the arrival of spring. The lingering scent of Renieri was washed away, and a new season began.
The gates of the House of Brissen opened once more.