Chapter 28. It won’t be peaceful at all (4)
Arsene’s blue eyes take on a cool glow.
Arsene’s eyes were also blue like Lemain’s and Randel’s, but they were also a little different. While the eyes of the two royal families reflected the deep, dark depths of the sea, Arsene’s eyes were a cool blue light, reflecting the dawn of dusk on a clear winter day.
Arsene’s eyes stared at the idiot standing in front of him.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Margrave?”
Kyrie, the sword of Calian. Ren Adrian, Commander of the Knights of Kaera, the King’s Guard. Slayman Hon Siegfried, the only duke of Kairis. Count Aizen Aprin, the representative of the knightly family alliance that follows Calian.
What these people have in common is that they are wielders of swords. And according to Arsene’s standards, he has the brains of an ordinary human or slightly above the average. In short, they are people who are smart.
“Why do you look at me like that? Didn’t you ask me the truth about why you looked for me?”
“Didn’t I tell you just now?”
And the Gray Brisen sitting in front is just a stupid creature that uses a sword. Still, I think it’s a little better than Evan, but the difference is only in the thickness of the hair.
It’s doubtful whether Calian’s second brother really has the same bloodline as them. Of course, looking at his hair color and eyes, it’s definitely the bloodline of Marquis Evan Briesen, but the rest of Briesen are all stupid enough to make you doubt it. did.
‘Originally, all knights are stupid. Little thing, things around you are strange.’
I remembered what Euria had said when we briefly parted ways in front of the Margrave’s mansion.
It’s not that you can’t understand. Most knights were like that. Calian’s associates, who were moderately smart and good at using swords, were strange, but the average knights were not that smart. You can make a living by learning the sword anyway, so what’s the point of learning to write and using your brain?
Brisen was also a family so large that they did not need to use their brains, so they would have had no problem handing over all of their intelligence to the second prince of Kairis and surviving as much as they wanted to be as stupid as they wanted. So I understand.
Therefore, Arsene once again said what he had said a moment ago.
“The house is narrow and uncomfortable, so I came to look around to see if there could be a slightly larger place to live.”
It wasn’t something difficult to understand. Doesn’t this mean that he came to see if it would be okay to leave Calian’s embrace and join hands with Brisen? It was no different from just saying it out loud.
“So that means.”
But I don’t understand. No, I had a fair idea, but I wasn’t sure. So Arsene was having trouble hiding his frustrated face.
Gray wasn’t this brainless person.
Despite this, the reason why the conversation could not take place was probably due to the strong smell of alcohol reaching Arsene, who was sitting across from him. In short, the alcohol I drank last night hasn’t worn off yet. It seems that Euria wasn’t the only one who remembered drinking on the rainy night of the previous day. Or maybe I just drink it every day.
“I’m asking you if you don’t want to put something a little bigger than your name after your name, Margrave.”
So Arsene said something that was perfect for relieving a hangover. It’s not a roundabout way, it’s not the noble language shared by nobles, it’s just direct language. As to whether he has any intention of becoming the Marquis of Gray Briesen, rather than the Margrave of Gray Briesen.
‘As if the Lord would change his mind. Find out if the Margrave wants to come to the capital. It would be better if you could check if you are still in contact with Brother Randel.’
Now that Calian had said this, Arsene was putting his all into acting. Fortunately, Gray, who could not see through his intentions, responded with narrowed eyes.
“Something a little bigger…”
Of all the titles I can have, the only one slightly bigger than margrave is marquis.
Gray, who was mumbling like that, stopped talking. It was only now that I realized what a great story the Vice Commander of the Balkan Army was talking about when he suddenly visited me and requested a meeting.
Gray barely came to his senses and glared at Arsene.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve never wanted anything bigger than where I am now.”
So Gray reacted like this. Because I wasn’t so thoughtless as to rush in and accept Arsene’s words right away.
Arsene opened his mouth.
“Didn’t you fall for the words of Silike, who said he would give you a marquess if you helped him with his work? He broke his back on the way to Kairisis and was brought back here?”
When I try to say it back, the words come out with painful sounds.
“So, it seems that while you were recuperating, you fell for the 1st Prince’s words that if you did as he was told, he would give you the title of Marquis. Thanks to that, you secretly came to the capital, got caught, and came back here. That’s why I’m asking. Are you really not greedy for a bigger position? .”
Gray’s face turned red at these words.
Although it was a very shameful thing, it was true that the reason he moved to Kairisis only twice was because he coveted the marquess.
However, since he had not yet admitted it out loud, Arsene opened his mouth once again.
“Or are you still so intoxicated by the scent of roses that you are not paying attention to the wolf cub?”
Are you still holding hands with Randel? Is that why you have no intention of setting foot in the Plants?
Gray frowned slightly after hearing Arsene’s words.
When he was under the protection of Silike and Briesen, people called Planz a lion cub. A lion cub who will become a proper griffin once he gets the wings of the crown prince.
Griffin refers to Briesen, who wears the word griffin as the family emblem, so people’s words were either an expectation or a mockery that if Planz received the crown, he would become a perfect puppet who would give infinite power to the Briseen family.
However, with Silike’s fall and Briesen’s collapse, Plantz, who remained alone in the royal palace, was no longer called that. Of course, he is still holding hands with Evan Briesen, but it is only a relationship for mutual benefit. The nobles’ assessment was that they would not be able to treat Plantz as a full-fledged puppet of Briesen without Sillike as an intermediary.
In addition to escaping from Briesen’s grasp, there are even rumors going around that Evan Briesen is being swayed by Plantz. A new nickname was created, meaning a wild beast that knows how to survive on its own.
“What a wolf cub.”
It’s called a wolf.
I know that sometimes the warriors of the Great Desert are called wolves. I also knew that I had the nickname ‘Wolf Hunter’.
And I knew even more well that the wolf that Gray was talking about did not refer to the wolf of the Great Desert, but to Plants.
“I don’t know that you are the third prince’s closest aide, so why do you have a wolf cub…”
“When exactly are you talking about?”
The third prince, Kalyan, is a name that makes your stomach feel empty and your back hurt just by mentioning it. Isn’t Arsene the one that Calian treats like a hand and foot? But what Arsene was talking about now was not Calian. So, while he was asking that, Arsene cut Gray off.
“In the current situation, wouldn’t the Margrave and I be in the same situation as there is nowhere to go?”
Arsene knows very well that Gray’s goal is to live a life of luxury in the capital while listening to the marquis. In fact, whoever it is, they probably already know it. Otherwise, how could Randel have thought of taking advantage of Gray?
By the way, Marquis Evan Briesen is a sword master.
I may not know it, but it means that I will live a long, healthy life. As long as Evan lives, Gray will never become a marquis. If we’re lucky, Gray’s son will become a marquess or not. Gray would never get his turn.
“If he goes to Camilon, my path will be blocked here.”
If Calian ascends to the crown, the commander of the Balkan corps will belong to Alan for the rest of his life. Since he is already strong and grows older more slowly than others, it will be more difficult for Arsene to get out of the position of deputy commander than for Gray to become a marquess.
So what Arsene was saying now was that both Gray and Arsene were in the same situation. It also meant that he did not want to remain second in command for the rest of his life thanks to his superiors who lived for a long time.
“Besides, if the Margrave and I join hands, I won’t be the one who will help you. So why are you so wary of us drinking the same drink in the same situation?”
Arsene, who said this, made a sneer that was exactly the same as Plantz’s. Just like Calian once did.
“Ah… are you scared because you broke your back? Or are you scared because it was torn? Which is it?”
Didn’t Arsene know as well as Calian that there was nothing like Plantz’s ridicule to upset people?
Gray’s eyebrows twitched.
Because Arsene knew that he was no longer the Sword Master. Because I was away from that situation at the time, any expectations I had had were instantly dashed.
Either way, Arsene continued.
“If the wizards move, it wouldn’t be a big deal for a sword master to disappear. I don’t know what you’re so scared of, but let’s stop panicking and have a proper conversation.”
It was both a threat and a proof of his power.
He has the power to properly support Prince Plants and elevate him to the crown. It would be easy to remove Evan’s head. For Gray, he can be a more reliable ally than anyone else. That’s what it said.
“You’re so strong, but I don’t know why you bother joining hands with me.”
“It is the name Brisen that is useful, not the Margrave.”
Arsene, who drank his tea with leisurely movements and put it down, once again let out a Plantz-style sneer.
“Wouldn’t you like to live a comfortable life in a wide embrace? So, all you have to do, Margrave, is to step up to the Marquis’s throne and play a role in my background. I don’t think it will be difficult.”
Gray heard that and narrowed his eyes.
How is this different from saying that they will kill Evan and give him the title of marquis and that they should remain quiet after placing Planz on the throne?
“From what I hear, you’re being really arrogant.”
If you are pushed out of here, even if you join hands with Arsene, you will have no choice but to stay in the back room like Arsene said. So, if you want to get even a little more of your share, you shouldn’t be pushed out by Arsene right now.
“How dare you know who I am?”
Arsene’s blue eyes glowed coolly as he saw this.
“I’m telling you this because you seem to have forgotten because you’re living quietly in the outskirts.”
As soon as those words were finished, a chill hit me.
White frost began to settle on the table between Arsene and Gray. Soon it spread out white, thread-like strands of ice in all directions.
– Tsk tsk tsk tsk.
A very disturbing sound filled the living room and the expensive table froze. The ice strands didn’t stop there, they froze the table legs and the teacups and teapot on the table.
The same chilly voice pierced Gray’s ears.
“I am Arsene Hertz, Deputy Commander of the Vulcan Corps. Margrave.”
After saying that, Arsene spread one finger and showed it in front of Gray. And then he touched the end of the teacup with the tip of his finger.
– Wow!
The table was broken.
The frozen teacup on the solid marble table broke into pieces the size of a finger and scattered on the floor.
Arsene, who had been watching this quietly, looked at Gray once again. Before I knew it, a voice that had become as calm as the Senyu River continued.
“If you say something like that one more time, I won’t stand it. I came here to hold hands, not to tell anyone else.”
Of course, the content was not quiet.
* * *
Life bloomed once again.
Who would say that it is not the sword of Calian? This time too, life like that blooms without any reason.
However, this time, Planz held his sword instead of saying ‘Stop’. And as he looked at the two eyes of different colors staring at him as if they were going to devour him, he released the same energy.
To live.
I’ve never had someone else’s blood on my hands, but you don’t have to commit murder to become worthy of death.
It didn’t give extreme fear like Calian’s, nor did it contain blatant murderous intent like Kyrie’s, but a cool aura that seemed to pierce the heart sharply and sharply was directed at Kyrie.
Calian, who was sitting far away leaning against the wall of the training room and closing his eyes, had a line drawn on the corner of his mouth.
‘Pretty good today too.’
I definitely hate losing.
It’s definitely fast to learn.
– Kaaaang!
Plantz closed his eyes slightly and stretched out his sword, but Kirie’s sword, which was charging towards Plantz, was blocked.
It’s touching, and Kirie’s murderous spirit becomes even more intense. Plantz looked at the tip of Kyrie’s sword with sharp, locked eyes.
Soon Kyrie moved once again. This time, Plantz stopped in place and followed Kyrie’s movements for a moment with his eyes. And he kicked his feet.
Because Kyrie’s sword was lighter than Plantz’s, it was able to change direction quickly.
Kirie, who blocked the sword that was stabbing at her right shoulder, lowered her sword towards Plantz, who was about to retrieve the sword that had bounced up. Before Planz could see it, he had already taken a step back.
Since he already knew what kind of movement Kirie’s sword had, he expected that he would aim for a gap and avoided it in advance.
– Taaat!
Meanwhile, Planz, who had retrieved the sword, leaped forward and drew a long curve towards Kyrie.
‘Boo!’
With a heavy sound, the sword’s trajectory split the air.
– Kaang!
Plantz’s sword, which jumped high and used all of its force to fall, was blocked by Kirie. Kyrie’s sword was pushed back slightly, perhaps because the power contained therein had become much heavier than before. Kirie did not hold back and lowered her sword to let Plantz’s attack go. It was a situation where he could have lost his balance, but Planz attacked once again, rotating his body along the sword’s sliding path.
– Kagang! Kaaaang!
The battle between the two continued while ignoring Calian, who had an expression on his face that said he had found something interesting to see.
As if showing how to throw off a weighty attack or how to counter a speedy attack, Kirie blocked Plantz’s sword in a variety of ways and then attacked again.
Kirie was definitely the most suitable sparring partner for learning how to properly utilize the advantages of a moderately heavy and moderately fast sword.
However, he was overly aggressive and could only spar when Kalian was around, but that wasn’t much of a problem. After all, in actual battle, everyone sacrifices their lives to take up the sword.
– Kaang! Kaga River!
When he twisted the sword extended to Plantz’s waist and struck it, Plantz quickly changed the path of the sword and blocked it. Plantz’s eyes glowed fiercely at the attack, which he barely managed to block with the tip of his sword lowered.
You’re really going to kill me.
Kirie’s eyes shone sharply as the deadly spirit that no longer needed to be hidden surged once again. Kyrie kicked the floor once again. Plantz also faced it and thrust his sword.
– Saaaa…!
At the same time.
Another change came to Kyrie.
There was deep silence everywhere. Everything that was visible just a moment ago has changed. The senses awakened during the sparring with Calian expanded once more.
Where will the opponent, who uses his head as much as his sword, come from now on? Will he swing his sword or stab or strike? How will he move after that? As if a single trajectory was being drawn. As if the order was drawn.
‘Where should I cut?’
Where and how much must be cut before the opponent dies.
As if someone told me that.
In a space where everything seems to have turned to black and white, a red blood line is drawn before your eyes. They were telling me that cutting down that place was the right answer.
So Kirie moved the sword along that blood line.
Kyrie’s sword lost its shape in an instant and disappeared.
-Ssam!
At the same time, the sound of a shapeless sword tearing through the air was heard.
– Kaaaaang!
A sound sharper than ever shook the training hall. Only after hearing that sound did Kirie look forward. I realized where the tip of the sword pointed towards the red blood line was headed.
Plantz was standing in front of Kyrie.
Sword and sword were touching.
“Congratulations, Kirie.”
A sword filled with dark red energy was blocking the space between the sword and Planz’s heart.
Calian, who had been watching the two’s sparring from afar, was suddenly blocking Plantz’s path. Blocking Kyrie’s sword.
“But my brother’s heart doesn’t work.”
I grinned and congratulated Kirie on her growth again.
