Chapter 24. Cornerstone of Understanding (4)
A quiet room.
On the one hand, I was surprised, and on the other hand, I understood.
Although there were so many gorgeous flowers blooming in the garden, there wasn’t even a common vase in the room. What did I think about sitting alone in this place without even a clock?
It is only after he has Kalian’s blood on his hands and sees Planz’s lack with his own eyes that he steps into this empty room, only then does he realize it. We all feel that we have already come too far.
Lemain, who had to be a father before he was a king, and a king before he was a father, looked at Randel with unspeakable regret.
“I heard you have a bad cold. Are you okay?”
Of course I knew that he was making an excuse to avoid me. I came here even though I knew it.
“You don’t have to worry.”
They last saw him during the birthday celebration and punished him by banning him from leaving Chermil Palace. Since then, a short and long time has passed. And Randel calmly answered without changing his appearance.
It was a face that was unchanging and empty of anything.
“okay.”
I was clumsy.
I was clumsy so I looked away like that.
When I turned my eyes, I couldn’t see it, and since I couldn’t see it, I forgot about it. As I forgot about it, time passed, and as time passed, I realized it.
That I did something wrong.
“…… okay.”
Lemain could not bear to say what he was saying and just said the same thing again. I couldn’t apologize right here and there. I realized that it was just an excuse and violence urging me to understand myself.
Although I knew it very well.
I pursed my closed mouth and let out a sigh containing tens of thousands of words.
“If you’re in pain, don’t bear it alone… If there’s anything else I don’t know, tell me.”
Lemain only said these words and drank the tea in front of him. Randel, who was sitting across from him, watched the scene in silence and answered in a quiet voice.
“All right.”
Even though the story was brought up after a long time, Randel’s answer was concise. It was that much of a gap.
Worried that even staying there any longer would be an unspoken compulsion, Lemain stood up. Lemain, who was looking into the eyes of Randel, who had woken up with him, hesitated for a while before opening his mouth.
“Come again.”
Randel did not answer.
* * *
There will be no more welcoming invitation in the world.
“Prince Calian has asked you to come for a moment.”
When Alan heard that a pretty student was looking for him, he immediately turned over the document he was looking at and stood up. As always, Kalian’s request was more important than anything else.
As I followed Jan into Chermil Palace, Jan opened his mouth again.
“You can go to the training center.”
Alan heard those words and smiled with a thoughtful face.
“My name is Alan Manasil, the prince’s teacher, but the idea of meeting in the training hall instead of the prince’s room is so unfamiliar.”
“The prince is very good at doing things on his own.”
Because Calian had trained so well on his own, he had not actually served as a teacher a few times. Alan, who was embarrassed by this, quickly walked to the training ground.
As I entered the magic training center right next to the swordsmanship training center, I saw Calian sitting in the middle of the spacious space with his eyes closed. Because of the breakfast with LeMaine, I was finally in the process of accumulating mana, which I had been doing every morning. A smile appeared on Alan’s lips as he watched the scene, standing quietly so as not to be disturbed.
‘It is truly vast.’
It was not known whether it was because of Sispanian’s blessing or because old Calian had exceptional talent. The only thing that was accurate was that the amount of mana being refined and accumulated was so large that it could not be compared to other wizards.
So, while maintaining the magic that hides the aura at all times, you will be able to use the sword and magic when necessary.
‘We will see the end of the 4th circle as soon as possible.’
Wasn’t it Calian who had already mastered the 3rd circle at an age before Allen? Therefore, Alan was trying to remember when he became a 4th Circle Master.
“Master!”
Then, a voice full of unwavering joy called out to Alan. Alan, who immediately came out of the memory, smiled and nodded. Then he opened his mouth with an expression that seemed to understand why Calian had called him.
“Since you called me to the training ground, there must be something stuck. What can I teach you?”
Calian pointed to a chair placed on one side of the training hall without changing his smile.
“Yes, there is something I want to learn, but there is something I need to tell you first.”
Alan nodded and sat down in the chair, and Calian, who was sitting across from him, opened his mouth.
“How are you feeling, Vice Commander Hertz?”
“I don’t know how all people who use magic are like that.”
As soon as the question was finished, an answer mixed with a deep sigh came out of Alan’s mouth.
The head of the tribes said this to the prince who wanted to gather the tribes and use them, and then continued.
“He’s quite the hero now.”
A man of great faith who carried out every word Calian said without hesitation. A knife-like calculation that led to setting a target in an appropriate location and blowing away Heisia Palace in one blow. The cool guy even shouted that the cost of the building should be deducted from his salary.
Arsene was now an idol in Balkan.
“As a result, we ended up erecting a statue at Wilhelm’s pavilion.”
Isn’t this a truly wizard-like response?
Calian laughed out loud as if it was fun.
“I have no choice but to trust Vice Commander Hertz since he handles things so clearly.”
“Don’t act like that. We can’t even guess what will disappear next.”
“Ah. Actually, I don’t know what I’m going to break next.”
Calian, who was smiling brightly, quickly got to the point before Alan scolded him.
“Please make one more seat in Balkan, Master.”
“Is it yours? I guess you’ve finally decided to get your hands on something.”
He asked happily, but unfortunately Kalian shook his head.
“It’s not me, it’s Hinayo. I’m thinking of putting it in the Balkans now, but I wanted you to make some preparations beforehand.”
Kalian said this, recalling Hina who had made up her mind after Planz left the training center the night before, and who had been talking with a firm face.
“I was originally going to talk to Lord Hertz, but he seems to be preoccupied with disposing of the wreckage.”
“That’s right. Isn’t it going to be difficult?”
“Thank you, Master.”
Is there any other helper as reliable as Alan, who willingly follows whatever is said at any time?
“And Sir Hertz, he only did this because I told him to, so please don’t criticize him too much.”
What a bruise.
Alan responded with an expression that asked, “What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”
“Right now, he’s clearing away the remains of a building with a face that looks like it might burst into song if I press it hard. This is the first time I’ve seen him so excited since I met him. Don’t worry.”
It wasn’t a lie.
Alan shook his head, remembering Arsene, and then opened his mouth again.
“You are probably calling me for healing arts, so I would like you to call Veronica to help me in the afternoon.”
Since the unexpected name came out, he looked like he didn’t really understand what Alan said.
“If you’re Veronica, aren’t you Master’s granddaughter? I understand she’s currently attending a magic academy.”
“That’s right. However, although he has limited magical talent, he is very interested in medicine. So, how about letting him run errands for you?”
“Do you mind if I leave it like that?”
The Count is an archmage and the prince’s teacher.
Allan, the only one who had an office in Arpia Palace, was saying that he would have his granddaughter help Hina, who was a maid, with her work.
“I don’t think it would be a bad idea to ask him to do something he likes.”
The answer seemed not to have even occurred to me that the question was asked because of the difference in social status. This is because there was no such distinction between Jan and Alan.
Kalian was also concerned, but did not ask about his own status. So I nodded without asking anything else.
“As long as Veronica is okay with it, I’m fine. Aside from helping with work, I’d be happy if you could at least be a conversation partner for Hina.”
“Then, please lend me the prince’s baby elephant for a while. Balkan guys really like learning, so it won’t take long for them to learn sign language.”
Calian, who had the same thought, smiled and answered.
“Yes, I will.”
Kalian, who vaguely conveyed what happened about Hina, fell silent for a moment. Now it was his turn to talk about what he was going to learn.
Soon Kalian held out his palm and made something.
A lump of red light magic power.
Calian said as he looked at it, which was moving unsteadily because it was not used often.
“I’m not used to handling fire because I don’t hold anything or mainly use the power of wind. I asked you to come and see if you could help me.”
Alan’s expression darkened for a moment as he realized what Calian was trying to learn by looking at the shape of what was placed on his hand.
“I forgot what day today was.”
“Actually, I found out about it too late. Now I’m trying to practice quickly.”
“Okay, I’ll teach you. It’s not difficult, so you’ll be able to do it in no time.”
Alan, who decided that it would be better to postpone the story about the black stone and Tensil’s carriage, nodded and answered.
* * *
– Fondant.
The lake sparkles so beautifully in the morning, but why is the lake colored in the sunset such a sad red?
It looks sad because it’s red.
I sent Jan along with Alan on his way back. Perhaps because he started teaching sign language right away, Jan did not return until half a day had passed and evening had passed. It would have taken quite some time to divide the staff into those who would clean up the remains of the palace and those who would learn sign language, and take turns teaching them.
Planz, who met Marquis Evan Briesen, said he had arrived in Chermil, so he sent Kyrie. The two will still be at the training center.
Merlin stopped me from coming out with him, so I came out alone. There are two escort knights standing far away, but they are mana. I decided to just treat it as nothing.
– Fondant…!
Calian, who was left alone, was now gathering a finger-sized lump of magic and throwing it into the water. I liked the sound of throwing a small stone.
I sat by the lake in silence and waited alone for night to fall.
It didn’t take long for night to fall. Gradually the darkness deepened and the once red lake shimmered black.
Soon, a red light appeared on Calian’s hand.
I had to turn it off twice in the morning as I was trying to implement what I had quickly learned from Alan before I was able to get it into the right shape.
“I didn’t really know what was going on that day. I only heard about it through word of mouth.”
Calian’s mouth opened alone like this.
-Snap.
The ripples blown by the blowing wind touched the tips of Calian’s feet. Calian stood up for a moment and placed the red light in his hand down on the water’s edge.
“There are no flowers today either.”
With quiet words, another red light appeared on the water.
A single flower and candle that floats in response to a single word addressed to the dead. So that the countless lights and words that are given like that can accompany the dead person’s last steps.
“I can’t even go to the river, but it’s similar, so watch it.”
The third red light no. A firework imitating Annelusia was floated on the lake.
today.
It was the anniversary of Kalyan’s death.
In Kairis, the anniversary of the death of the dead is not observed. Still, the reason I was thinking about the old Calian one more time was to let him go.
“sorry.”
Now I have to let go of my debt to the old Kalyan.
I thought about it.
You may call it selfish, but it may be.
“Because I want to live too.”
I don’t know what will happen later.
But for now.
“Sorry.”
The fireworks on the water glowed red in proportion to the number of words of apology said.
– Jabak.
As I was looking at dozens of fireworks on the water, I heard a quiet sound of footsteps on the ground behind me.
Calian opened his mouth without even turning his head.
“Are you here?”
There was no reply, but there was only one person who bothered to come to where Calian was sitting at this time.
Plantz sat down next to me and looked at the lake. I didn’t ask what the big and small red glowing flames were.
Calian, who turned his head to look at Plants for a moment, smiled and opened his mouth. This is because I felt a strange magical energy that was not present until breakfast.
“… He said he wanted to live.”
The guy who wanted to live came and placed a bondage on my heart. There certainly wasn’t a single hesitation.
Kalian also understands the paradox that risking one’s life is not a waste to open the way to live.
“I wonder if my brother will let me live.”
A languid voice answered.
Calian turned his head back to the lake and opened his mouth.
“You know so well.”
Kalian won’t let Plantz die anyway. So there is nothing to worry about for Kalyan or Planz.
Soon Kalyan stood up.
We’ll worry about the binding of the heart later. All that had to be said to old Calian was said, and Plantz got what he got from Evan. There was no reason to be here any longer.
Plantz, who was brushing his hair from the blowing wind, quietly opened his mouth.
“just one.”
Calian, who was about to move his feet, stopped. And without another word, he created another firework and handed it to Plantz. Planz quietly accepted it, and Calian walked towards Chermil Palace.
After sitting in silence for a while, the flame in Planz’s hand was placed on the lake. Calian, who had entered the room and was looking at the scene through the open window, moved his hand.
I need to let you go once I’ve said everything I wanted to say.
The countless regrets that had been placed on the lake with nowhere to go came to mind one by one. They flew high and high, brightening the night sky like stars rising upside down.
Kalyan knows that while it may be a beautiful sight for some, it is atonement for others.
The last flame that rose unusually slowly, containing an unusually large number of words, slowly disappeared.
