Chapter 90. There is a lot to gain (4)
Kalian.
Unlike the former Queen Aisha, whose poisoning was not known to the public, he is the son of Queen Freya, who was clearly poisoned, but no one could say anything about it.
It is not a question of which will be more unfair: Aisha and Freya or Randel and Calian. When I thought about Kalian, the beginning came to mind.
Anyway, Kalyan was like that. He was apparently poisoned, but was born as the son of a man known to have died of illness.
Therefore, at first, many nobles felt pity for it, but that lasted only for a while. The gaze of the nobles was bound to fall on the ‘next king’ with the right qualities and power.
In the end, the youngest prince was helplessly forgotten like a rose blooming at the end of a dry and unsightly branch.
– Pass!
– Patter… patter.
The youngest.
It brought back memories of the day I showed the same thing to Kalian.
‘Put it away. ‘Before I kill them all.’
I said that after learning that a holy knight had been brought into the Kyris Palace to oust Gray Brisen. He did not hide his desire to kill his eldest brother, who tried to eliminate his political opponents using the power of foreign troops.
I remembered the red eyes that made me think that no matter how things changed, they would ultimately be meaningless. I still remember the bright red eyes and mouth that had both luxurious flowers and fierce thorns.
Also, that cold voice still lingers in my ears.
‘I’m going to Camilon and get a dog.’
He so fiercely revealed his ambitions for raising livestock.
‘I was always curious. ‘How did you change so much?’
‘Thank you.’
Should I say that my confidence has grown?
Should I say that it was overflowing with venom?
‘Send the knights back. instead.’
I tried to suppress that confidence and venom.
A person who will always keep eye level with Randel and never bend down, no matter whether I bring him down or come up to where Randel is. As long as he sits quietly inside his fence, he will embrace him as much as he wants, but if Randel picks up a knife, he will immediately aim at his heart.
‘Don’t grow too much or go too far.’
So I issued a threat.
Because I knew then that he was that kind of person.
‘Because it doesn’t look good.’
What a threat to that Calian. Now that I think about it, I wonder if there could be anything more useless than that, but that was the case at the time.
The strength he showed back then was shown again.
For the first time that day and now for the second time.
– Saaa……
I infused the power of the stone into the already cut flower.
Because there are no roots to accept and handle the power given, the flower, unable to withstand the vitality that exceeds its limit, rapidly withers, dries up, and falls apart. The withered rose scattered across the marble floor and disappeared, leaving behind neither red petals nor sharp thorns.
The infinite lightness of ‘What Was a Rose’ that is falling down seems like a thick and heavy poison. It may not be because it is actually thick and heavy, but because of the chilling sight of a rose in full bloom dying in an instant.
“Poison… No, sir.”
“Then how would you explain the scene you just saw?”
“I don’t know anything. Please remove your doubts.”
Plantz is a prosecutor.
There are very few people who know that they have learned magic.
However, the hand of Plantz, who was ‘unable to use Auror let alone magic’, glowed red after holding the rose.
“I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t prepared to identify the poison. It’s terrible.”
If you recognize this red light, it will mean that Count Varzian is also connected to Zeon, and if you do not recognize it but are agitated by the word poison, it will mean that he has an intention or plan to give poison to Plantz. Even if it wasn’t for both of them, it would have been easier to deal with Count Varzian, who was not cooperating due to suspicions about Randel’s whereabouts.
Aiming for multiple benefits with a single move.
Hasn’t the intimidating expert who lives on the third floor, who likes to destroy things, gets fierce at any time, is good at fighting, and can’t control his temper, always behave like that?
“Besides, I told you to explain, not to deny it. Is the Count deaf?”
Is it not only that?
Kalyan is also good at fraud. Isn’t there a history of drinking poisoned tea and committing a large-scale fraud to deal with Silike?
Randel, who was already so good that even Plantz, a model student, could not match him in the practice and application of what he had learned, gazed at Warzian. And like Calian, he added quietly and clearly.
“Now, even though I have shown evidence in front of the earl’s eyes, I am telling you to stop doubting me. Do you have any expectations that I will do that?”
Instead of acting rashly in embarrassment, Varzian closed his eyes and thought, then looked at Randel. And he opened his mouth, facing the light green eyes that seemed to oppress even the direct gaze.
“Please give me a little time, sir. I will take that rose and check it, and if there is a problem, I will find the culprit. Just give me time until then
.” “I.”
Randel cut off Varzian’s voice.
– Jump and jump.
I move my feet again.
Randel’s long shadow, moving away from the window, covered Varzian and reached the desk behind him.
“I am a witness. What I have seen is evidence.”
It seems like there is no rush.
Randel, standing in front of Varzian, spoke slowly.
“What more should I check?”
“…… Lowering.”
“You arbitrarily wasted my time following His Majesty’s wanted order. Now, you are demanding my time again, saying you will prove the Count’s innocence. Do you think you will complain about the Count’s injustice even after giving me poison?”
It’s unreasonable.
I know that if it weren’t for the crown prince’s name, it wouldn’t make sense.
I’ve heard of a magic item that reveals the dagger hidden in one’s bosom, but it’s a magic tool to discern poison. I have never experienced or seen it.
If there had been, so many princes of Chermil Palace and princesses of Siella Palace would not have died. That many queens and state ministers would not have vomited blood in Heisia Palace. The morning tea that passed through Den’s hands would not have contained poison.
also.
The same car would never have headed to the third floor.
So Randel knew very well that it was an unreasonable threat.
“Lowering.”
“why.”
“Is it true that Prince Randel is safe?”
“I remember you answered yes.”
“…… then.”
And of course.
“No one in my domain has dared to threaten the safety of His Majesty the Crown Prince. I suspect that the wanted Rashid Brissen has been hiding here and plotting something disastrous.”
Varzian too.
“If you allow me, I will immediately send people secretly to search the compound and find not only Rashid Briesen but everything related to him.”
I clearly understood that the Crown Prince in front of me had not truly been given poison, but rather had a justification to cut off Varzian’s head right away.
It seems that he has finally come to the conclusion that it would be wiser to first follow the words of the Crown Prince in front of him and understand the circumstances of the Whitlin Estate rather than insisting on checking on Randel’s safety and getting his head cut off.
Slurp.
Randel looked at Varzian, who seemed like the most loyal person to me. And after pretending to continue thinking for a while, he opened his mouth.
“count.”
“Your Majesty.”
“How much time do you think will be left until the next poison is delivered to me, who is so generous in believing that it is a misunderstanding?”
“I think it’s three days. I’ll check within three days to make sure no more sexes are headed towards you.”
“It’s different from what I thought. If that happens, I think I’ll have to face death at least three times.”
“… Then. Until I greet you again tomorrow morning, I will definitely take measures to ensure that you can stay safely here.”
“Can I just endure it for one day?”
“Yes, sir. It’s a day.”
“Okay. Let’s try that.”
“thank you.”
Varzian lowered his head and got his foot bitten.
I slowly walked out of the VIP room and closed the door. The back of Kirie, who was standing guard outside the door, was briefly visible.
day.
We were given one day to find Rashid Brissen, who may be staying in the territory, or any traces of Rashid Brissen that may have been left behind.
Of course, Randel can’t sit idle in the meantime. Breathing the same air as Rashid Briesen was not pleasant to Randel. So, I was planning to send Kirie out soon.
– Jeopuk.
Randel turned his head again and walked to the window.
One step, two steps, slowly another step.
I moved towards the bunch of roses that I had no reason to hesitate about. And then I placed my hand on the red rose that was blooming flawlessly.
“Why are you touching that again?”
Then a voice came from the bathroom.
A person who watched the confrontation between Randel and Varzian from behind the slightly open bathroom door. It was Siona disguised as Demirea.
The Little Duke walking out of the Crown Prince’s bathroom.
If this was discovered, it would be a rumor that could never be quietly ignored, but no one here cared about it. If the rumor spreads further while we are here, and Calian is not put to rest by handing over the name to the top, then the resident of the 4th floor of Chermil Palace, who caused this situation, will take care of it.
Randel, who kept an expressionless face as he thought about this, spoke in a low voice.
“Is there any reason why I can’t touch it?”
“I heard it’s poisonous. If it’s so poisonous that it melts as soon as you touch it, I guess it’s extremely poisonous. Why are you trying to touch it again?”
Randel kept his mouth shut.
And then he quietly turned his head and looked at Siona.
“The royal family of Kairis has a big heart to send back the lord’s representative who used such poison alive. Of course, except for the 3rd prince. By the way, I didn’t know there was a magic item that could detect poison, but it’s surprising.”
Siona’s words continued to be heard.
“As expected, humans are improving day by day. That’s amazing.”
okay.
Siona did not yet understand this situation.
I had little experience with the prince and the count to listen to their conversation and understand the inside story. Because he was a sword master who only knew how to put his true feelings on the tip of his sword but did not know how to hide his true feelings behind his tongue.
“It is done. Go and rest.”
“I think so. I’ll throw away that rose on the way. Don’t touch it because I’m afraid it will hurt you.”
“… It’s okay to just leave it alone. Rest.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“okay.”
Randel simply said this.
Because my mouth is too cumbersome to explain many things. However, I didn’t have any intention of expressing my frustration at the words that were said with a worried heart.
* * *
It was just as I remembered.
Although his appearance was shabby and there were no scars anywhere, his eyes remained the same. Not only is he looking straight at Calian with his eyes raised, but he is not at all intimidated, as if he has copied the image from his memory.
Norton Ramirez.
This was someone I met shortly after Calian went on to the Rosellita coming of age ceremony. He was on the verge of being executed for swinging a sword at Calian while confronting him, saying he was going after an elf who had stolen a sacred item.
‘They’re saying they’ll release you because you brought that arm in return for pulling out a knife on me. We can make arrangements for you to live in another territory and provide you with a suitable house and land for farming.’
I saved that guy and helped him escape.
‘What on earth is going on that requires such generous conditions?’
‘Because it can be dangerous.’
Of course it wasn’t free.
‘Do it. ‘What can I do?’
Anyway, Norton did an excellent job doing what Calian asked him to do. And Kalyan faked his death and helped him escape. Not only that, but arrangements were made so that his wife could obtain a new identity and live in Whitlin.
“It’s been a while, my prince.”
Norton, who was sitting on the other side of the interrogation table set up in a corner of the prison, stood up and bowed his head appropriately. Calian, who was watching this, chuckled.
Should I keep my confident appearance the same?
I guess that kid is still spoiled.
Because I can’t figure it out.
“But he still says hello.”
“I don’t know if he’s an enemy or a benefactor, but I saved him from the brink of death, so I shouldn’t say hello to him.”
Norton Ramirez is right.
Hina had already stopped by to check for a disguise, but even if that hadn’t happened, she would have been immediately convinced that this bastard was the real Norton Ramirez she met back then.
The Norton I met at Duke Siegfried’s residence in the capital was definitely different from the Norton disguised as a white eagle at the time. Aside from the way they speak, the difference lies in their attitude, which you cannot find even if you wash your eyes and look at them as if they are polite.
Calian said, letting out a short laugh as if it was fun thanks to this.
“He’s a benefactor, of course. You brought it on yourself by carrying a sword and setting up the installation. I saved your life, so of course I should be grateful, but I don’t know.”
“So you put aside the fact that my arm was cut off and said hello.”
“Is that the end?”
“If you want more, just come find my fallen arm and I will thank you.”
“I can’t do that. If I had the talent, there’s someone else who would have found it and put it there before you, but I couldn’t do anything about it.”
“You mean the knight standing at the door?”
“saw?”
“You saw it. After he took me away, he was complaining because he couldn’t tie the sword belt that was loose, so I taught him how to use one hand.”
“It was a big deal as soon as I arrived.”
“It’s frustrating to watch, so I have to be able to bear it.”
Calian nodded appropriately and looked to the side. It was directed at the wizard, who had been standing still after guiding Calian to this place and was unable to do anything about his blushing face due to Norton’s attitude.
“Please make room for me. I have something to share.”
“Are you going to tell me something I shouldn’t hear?”
“You don’t know. What will be said.”
“Prince, I thought you had no more secrets from me. I’m sad.”
“Get out before I make you even more upset, Lord Hertz.”
“Yes. I’m going out.”
“really.”
Calian smiled brightly as he immediately answered and called Arsene back, who was about to leave. Then he pointed to the seat next to Norton and said.
“Please call Whitlin.”
“Haven’t you finished talking? Why are you looking for that elf again?”
Then tap tap.
Instead of my crazy ear plugged, I heard a short tapping sound on the innocent table.
Arsene quickly opened his mouth.
“No, you can find it. There may be more to the story. I’ll bring you right away.”
“Not right away, but in about twenty minutes.”
“Yes. I will drop you off in twenty minutes.”
“Okay. Let’s go out and see.”
“Yes, my prince.”
Click.
There was the sound of the interrogation room door closing.
Calian looked at the sunlight seeping through the small window just below the ceiling for a moment and then moved his magic. A translucent silent membrane surrounds Calian and Norton.
“White Suri. When did you meet?”
Norton, who thought for a moment about the main point that was immediately brought up, answered.
“Who is that?”
“A guy who couldn’t see, hear, or speak. He’s Secretia’s third son. Have you ever met him?”
“ah.”
Norton gave a short exclamation and widened his eyes.
“Where is that bastard? I think I’m going to tear him to death.”
“Across the Seine River.”
“Are you dead?”
“yes.”
“Did the prince kill you?”
“It did.”
“Thank you.”
The words “thank you” come out right away.
The guy who didn’t even flinch when I tried to escape with his life changed his attitude right away when he heard that the white eagle was dead.
Calian, who laughed empty-handedly, opened his mouth.
“What happened after I came here, how I met the white suri, and why I almost burned to death in the prison in the next town instead of here. Tell me every detail without leaving anything out.”
“If I tell you, will you let me go?”
“If there’s no problem, I’ll let you go.”
“Whether or not there will be a problem is not in the prince’s mind anyway.”
Even if there is sin, you can say there is no sin, and even if there is no sin, you can say there is. Calian, who was always in the position of a predator, nodded calmly.
“That could be possible.”
“Please release my wife first. She has nothing to do with this. If you release me, I will tell you.”
“Tell me first what you are talking about. I will listen and if there are no problems, I will release both you and your wife.”
“How can I believe that and open my mouth? How do I know that, like those guys, they will just take away everything I know and throw it away?”
“Who wants you to believe me? Are you saying things like that because you don’t know me?”
Norton pursed his lips.
Calian, who saw this, spoke as if knocking on one side of the sign at the crossroads.
“You know how to use a knife with one hand.”
“I’ve learned it. Suck it.”
“You can’t use a knife like you did when you attacked me.”
“Write better. If you do it now, you won’t make any mistakes.”
“So, talk about it. If you come up with something helpful, I’ll give you the white clothes that those guys out there are wearing.”
Even if Calian personally teaches a knight who lost one arm how to use a sword with one hand, he cannot correct his every move. From how to put on armor to tying boot laces, no matter how much Kalyan he was, he had never done anything like that. I lost my life before I lost my arm.
Even if there was no need to teach me such things directly, it would be great to have someone next to me who could watch and follow along and quickly get used to it.
Just by looking at him, it’s clear that he was used to dig up information about Kalian, but now that he’s no longer useful, he’s been left to die. I wondered where this bastard, with his long hair, no manners, and one arm, would go now and live with his wife while avoiding Zeon’s eyes.
“Really?”
“If only you didn’t hide the stinking things.”
After saying this, Kalian leaned back against the backrest.
And as he always did when interrogating someone, he opened his mouth, taking in all of Norton’s eyes, eyebrows, mouth, jaw muscles, ear color, and shoulder movements.
“Tell me. Don’t lie.”
Norton nodded.
And then I told Calian a short message.
Calian, who had not even moved his eyes while listening to the entire story, took a long breath. And he nods his head and tries to say something.
– Kwaaaaang!
An unexpected explosion was heard outside.
Norton was startled and stood up, and Calian pushed Norton’s shoulder to sit back down and looked at the door.
– Kalyan.
Then a voice came.
This is a sound that came from Plantz’s communication equipment, which he decided to give away because he was taking so much from the baby elephant.
– Is there a problem.
– Whitlin. It looks like there’s something I haven’t said yet.
– yes?
– Caught now.
At the same time, quite a long thought comes into Kalian’s head. Calian frowned and opened what had just been delivered.
– Jump up!
He then opened the interrogation room door and went out, leaving Norton alone.
Whitlin is seen standing at the entrance to the dungeon.
You can see Whitlin’s defense shield blocking the way.
And in it, you can see the pea calmly held in Whitlin’s hand and the short blade touching the pea’s neck.
Plantz met Orte.
After that, he came down to check on Whitlin. Then Whitlin asked me to take him to the capital right away. Of course, Plantz refused, and what happened after that is the current situation.
Because the person who attempted to assassinate the crown prince would not be executed in such a remote territory. If his head doesn’t fall into the hands of Calian or Balkan, he will be taken to the capital immediately.
– What is the reason you go to such lengths to meet Gray Briesen?
– I don’t know.
– Anyway, I understand.
Calian, who gave the answer to Plantz, looked at Whitlin for a moment. And then he spoke to Plantz.
– I’ll go first. Norton Ramirez is alone. Please resolve it quickly and come back.
– …… hey.
Plantz’s eyes narrowed.
Calian took his gaze away from those light green eyes and looked at Whitlin and said.
“You’re saying you’re going to threaten me. You’re saying you’re going to help me.”
Drip.
Without paying any attention to the blood drops falling from the pea branches.
“Do whatever you want. But it won’t be of much use. My brother, no matter what, is good with a sword, good with a bow, and good at fighting.”
ah. You swear well too.
Plantz furrows his eyebrows at the words added quietly but clearly.
“Really. Very well.”
Whether the stale peas make an impression or not. Calian shrugged his shoulders and smiled. Then he turned back as if he was really telling him to do whatever he wanted. Then he took a step toward the interrogation room.
Then
– wow wow!
Magic power moves.
The magical power of refreshing water gathers in an instant.
The whirlpool of water gathered in a split second rushes towards Whitlin’s heart.
– Slut!
Calian felt this and made a surprised face.
No, oh my god.
Whose magical power is this?
do.
