Chapter 38. That sword (3)
Alan once said so.
“I once told you that no matter how hard Devlan was, he was better than you because he cared about his children.”
No matter how snake-like Devlan was, I still thought he was a waste of my own child. I thought so, so I said so.
I feel sorry for the princes who are suffering from Lemain’s complete indifference and are holding on to their frayed and worn-out chests, and they are pitiful and pitiful, and are so cruel to their youngest son, who has left them. There was a time when I said Devlan was better.
“My thoughts were short.”
At least Devlan was wary of what his son was thinking and what his desires might be. If he was interested, he would be interested, so I thought it might be better than Lemain.
But no.
Absolutely not.
In fact, Alan didn’t fully know what exactly Devlan had done to Bern. Since Calian didn’t tell him about what he went through and Chase didn’t know exactly what happened, there was no way for Alan to know the details.
If Alan had known all those things, he would never have hesitated on the hill where Siegfried was visible, but fortunately or unfortunately, Alan said that Bern had suffered a lot because of Devlan and that he became a knight because of Devlan. I only vaguely knew the stories.
Nevertheless, Alan was saying that his thoughts were wrong.
“I made a big mistake when I said that Devlan is better. I told you something that you should not say even in your dreams.”
“You think so?”
Actually, I was a bit upset by that story.
I know I was wrong, but I didn’t feel like I was any worse than that snake-like guy.
If he said that, another sound would definitely be heard, so Lemain just nodded his head and raised his glass. Unlike Alan’s, the coffee was not topped with whipped cream and had a strong aroma.
“It is obvious without even looking into how such a dishonest man would treat his children. I did not know that he was such a person and said that I am better than your majesty, so what can I do about this?”
Alan, who spoke this to LeMaine’s shoulders, which somehow seemed to be a little more straightened today, continued as if lamenting.
“Both you and him are the same thing. Without knowing that it was impossible to determine who was better, you tried to carelessly compare up and down. Where on earth could there be something so foolish as this?”
ah. It was a good thing I didn’t say I was upset.
Lemaine, who heard the King’s correction that it’s not that you are worse than that Devlan guy, but that you two are just the same, nodded slowly and thought about this. After that, he looked at Alan with a sad face filled with various emotions about going from being worse than Devlan to being like Devlan. Alan continued his deep self-reflection without paying attention to that expression.
“That’s right. There is no way to distinguish between less bad parents and worse parents. There may be bad parents and good parents, but for a child, there is no difference between the less bad and the worse. I have yet to learn that you tried to carelessly compare them. “It seems like it wasn’t enough.”
Of course, he couldn’t tell Lemaine what kind of parent Devlan was as a parent in the past, but wasn’t it clear that the current Devlan also treated Chase harshly? So, I was just saying this because I thought it would be perfect if I treated him the same way as Lemain.
“… Okay, I understand.”
Still, instead of saying that he knew I was a bad guy, Lemain just quietly got beaten up by Alan’s words this time. Anyway, it is true that I made a mistake, so what should I do?
The wizard, who had finished reflecting, and the king, who had to reflect for the rest of his life, drank coffee in silence for a moment. Alan’s coffee topped with whipped cream had a sweet finish, while Lemain’s was overly bitter.
–
Alan, who had finished half a cup of Palak coffee, opened the letter once again. Then, I read it again, excluding the unnecessary rhetoric.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Crown Prince Chase for welcoming him so well. In return, I would like to invite the 3rd Prince of Kairis, who was particularly close to the Crown Prince, and talk to him in person. It is said that the King of Kairis had exchanges with Crown Prince Chase. “This time…”
Alan said, trying hard to suppress it, but his anger was rising again and he couldn’t even read it anymore, and his face was so angry that he couldn’t even crumple it up or burn it.
“Exchange. I’m calling you a snake for making such ridiculous statements.”
“Yes. Even if the Crown Prince of Secretia visited this place alone, there is no reason to send Calian there just for that reason. I have no intention of sending him there.”
It was natural for Alan, and Lemain also had the same thought.
“… No. There wasn’t one.”
After saying this, Lemain closed his mouth. Soon, Alan read the letter and checked the situation once again.
“As the space for elves to live in Kairis is decreasing, we have been continuously asking if it would be okay to settle in the forest of Secretia. In Secretia, following the will of the Great King of Secretia, the forest will be granted to those who worship non-Serenti. I didn’t allow it because I didn’t intend to give it away… but when Sispanian hears this, he’ll think it’s a really good excuse.”
Alan paused for a moment and read the letter again.
“After hearing from Crown Prince Chase that Kairis was maintaining a positive relationship with the elves, I realized that such a policy was a bad idea… ha. I am also trying to formally interact with the elves in Secretia. However, At the same time, Kairis also provides a venue for dialogue with the elves, so in order to repay the hospitality of King Kairis, representatives of the two countries and the elves meet together to create common rules, and they even have healing power, which is a unique ability of the elves, so humans and elves have the ability to heal. “It can be said to be sound proof of the positive relationship between Bern and Bern… If the prince sees these words, war will break out right away. Don’t let the prince know. Anyway, I hope Lord Bern and Prince Calian will attend as representatives.”
It was such a great story that anyone who heard it would be mistaken for thinking that Kyris was a subordinate country of Secretia.
It was ridiculous and unreasonable.
It was something I couldn’t listen to.
“This all happened because Your Majesty retreated. How on earth did Devlan view Kairis in such a soft manner that he told the prince of this great country to go away? Anyway, because of His Majesty, our prince got caught up in something big again. So what do you plan to do with this?”
Our prince you speak of is my son.
Why am I being scolded again?
Lemain took a short breath and said.
“Actually, Crown Prince Secretia returned after meeting with Plants more, so if they claim, he should have called Plants, but I don’t understand why he wants to call Calian.”
“He may not know what is going on in the palace, but if he knew that Crown Prince Chase had helped Prince Calian in an awkward situation by using the three people, wouldn’t he have been considered to have developed a close relationship with Prince Calian?”
No matter how many times Chase and Plants met inside the palace. From what we can tell from the outside, the one that Chase got the most from, using birds boasting various breeds and feather colors, was Calian, wasn’t it?
“Yes… If I have to refuse for any reason, I will refuse. Even if you use evil and throw punches in that small country, you won’t even be able to reach this Kairisis.”
The relationship between the two countries may deteriorate, and if that happens, there may be a bit of a battle of wits, exchange of cold words for a while, and then if you make a mistake, you can just hit them.
“Just because the royal authority is weak doesn’t mean there is a lack of military power. If there is a war, Brisen will regain power and my power may decrease again, but I am afraid of that and have no intention of entering Secretia with my head down.”
Alan nodded.
I didn’t think it would make much of a difference if the royal authority, which was already there but invisible to the eye, was reduced again, but I didn’t bother to say it out loud. In fact, it was because Lemain didn’t have a good side so he didn’t come forward, but if Alan made up his mind, he would easily give him the throne again, so there was nothing to worry about.
“But I don’t know why he’s suddenly acting like this.”
“That man is risking his life in a slightly different way than your Majesty is now.”
Alan answered straight away as if he had nothing to hide.
“The story I heard is that he is very sick, but he cannot call a Tensil healer, and elves do not heal human illnesses, so he is causing this mess by saying he will think of a way to survive.”
Elves had strict rules.
According to Kalian, it was indeed strict in a selfish way. They settled in the land of Kairis and traded with the humans of Kairis, and while some caused harm to the humans of Kairis, they never gave humans their healing powers. That was the elf rule.
Knowing this, they turned a blind eye to allowing them to settle down and live in Kairis, partly because they were trading with the humans of Kairis and doing what could be considered a reasonable amount of money, but they did not ignore the power of their ‘mother tree’. There was a bigger reason why I couldn’t do it.
Anyway, Lemaine, who guessed the reason for this ridiculous request made by using such elves, answered quietly.
“The target must be Lord Bern.”
“That’s right. From the elves’ perspective, they are people who become elves when they need to and become humans when they are in trouble. From the elves’ point of view, they cannot and do not need to stop Sir Vern from using his healing power, so they would have left it alone, but it would be bothersome if they interfered. It’s a threat.”
The story was that if Secretia had the elves on its side no matter what it offered, the elves might have a problem with Hina’s healing arts.
So, Kairis is also being told to attend this meeting.
There is no need for Calian to go, but if he is going to come, the three princes, who are said to be close to Chase, will come in person and receive Secretia’s generous treatment in return. At the meeting, Devlan tells them to make sure to prevent any adverse events from happening to Hina before returning. It was done.
“Just in case, don’t worry about why this troublesome thing happened because of just one healer. If that one healer goes wrong, Kyris will be torn to pieces.”
Lemain frowned slightly at Alan’s threat, which was not a threat, and then asked.
“Perhaps that kid Calian has Lord Verne in mind…”
Then, at the look in Allen’s eyes that seemed to be looking at trash rolling on the side of the road, asking if he thought my pretty student was like you, he quietly shut his mouth and went back to his usual routine. I brought up the story again.
“… Right. Anyway, I have no intention of making a decision alone. If I want to respond to Secretia’s opinion, I will have to postpone deciding on the crown prince, but I will listen carefully to the stories of the parties before doing so.”
If Calian was really planning to go there, it would be less dangerous to go as one of the three princes rather than as crown prince, so he would postpone the decision to become a crown prince. Or, if I said I wouldn’t go, I was thinking of immediately showing my refusal to Secretia and proceeding with the schedule for the Crown Prince as scheduled.
“Anyway, I think we need to talk about this with Prince Calian. As your Highness said, wouldn’t you need the opinions of the parties involved? Even though Lord Verne belongs to Balkan, it is true that he is Prince Calian’s man.”
“I understand. When you come to an opinion, let me know.”
“I will.”
After ending the conversation, Alan took the last piece of chocolate and put it in his mouth, then got up and went out.
LeMaine took another sip of the bitter coffee after briefly looking at the empty seat of the wizard who had finished eating all the sweets.
* * *
Alan knew that Calian had not returned.
Nevertheless, coming to Chermil means that there is something urgent that needs to be said, so much so that one has to go into an empty room and wait for Calian. But wouldn’t it be one thing if Alan had something urgent to say to Calian?
– If you’re talking about snakes, tell me.
Therefore, Plantz, who ran into Alan on his way to Wilhelm early in the morning, grabbed Alan with a few words and listened to his story while engaging in the foolishness that was ‘allowed’ by Calian.
And after speaking to Kalian, who had eaten well, I learned about life.
After briefly explaining the general situation, Plantz opened his eyes with a silent sigh, patted Lucy, who had turned into a big cotton ball, and spoke his conclusion.
“I think I should go.”
As Plantz’s explanation continued, the fierceness that had been eased little by little while trying not to lose one’s reason disappeared in an instant like the wind in a ball with a hole in it. This is because I was forced to return to my senses because I heard something so absurd.
Thanks to this, Calian regained his composure faster than expected and asked quietly.
“The conclusion is strange. Why are you going there?”
“To see the sea.”
What are you talking about, this head of grass?
A guy who can’t even eat grilled cod says he’s going somewhere to see something now.
Soon Kalian tapped his ear with his palm and looked at Yan and asked.
“Did Lucy meow just now? It sounds very human-like.”
“Barking…”
Plantz, who was about to tell him not to bark as a habit, closed his mouth. I just heard that Calian meowed, but as an older brother, I guess I can’t say that he barks at his younger brother.
“Prince Calian said… Eup!”
Jan, who did not respond to Calian’s words, stopped Reric, who was determined to work harder as Plantz’s servant, from taking his liver overboard on Plantz’s behalf. He knew that if he tried to scold Calian in this situation, Relic’s soul and body would be separated.
Jan, who had silenced Reric, who was older than her but slightly shorter, bowed slightly to the two princes. Then, he dragged Relic and went outside. I knew very well that serving and listening to the two princes’ meowing and meowing was also an acceptable limit.
Kalian, seeing the door closing, asked in a light tone.
“Was there anything else during the meal that you didn’t like?”
What did I do wrong to have such ridiculous thoughts?
Plantz, who was truly smart and immediately understood Calian’s words, frowned. Either that or not, ‘I’m still the same age as you, brother, and I’m a little angry, but brother, you don’t even talk to people, so I don’t know, I’m just going to bark again today,’ and opened his mouth again.
“My older brother, who never really had one, now has a sword and has started to live curious and greedy, but I guess his desire to have it has become too much. He is trying to take away all of my share of sour tangerines.”
Because I know why it’s like that, I’m only paying attention to it.
“Just stop there. I will be grateful.”
I asked you to help me solve the problem together, but I didn’t mean to ask you to meet Devlan on my behalf and solve the problem.
“There were a lot of tangerines. Shouldn’t I have brought one whole?”
If there was just one sour tangerine, I would share it, but I guess there are too many of them. So, it was difficult to understand why they called it greed when they said they would just take the whole piece and eat it.
“I’m telling you this because you said you would help me without paying me back, but it seems like you’re trying to pay me back. I don’t know what else you received, but you’re going back and trying to pay me back. I haven’t given you anything more.”
“That sword.”
That hard sword that doesn’t reflect anything in the world because everything has already been burned.
A piece of a star.
Remnants of a star.
“I don’t think I paid the full price.”
“I told you that was my secret price.”
– This is the sword you originally used.
“… Isn’t it enough to pay for the sword?”
“I’m not that bad at calculating. You can just use it, brother. I’ve already received everything.”
Calian, who said this while shaking his head slightly, looked at Plantz. Then, with an expression similar to her normal face, she babbled louder than Lucy.
“Is there any way to send my brother, who is so weak and weak, so far away? Just grow up quietly and raise a cat.”
It was a sound that would have made Plantz angry and ready to turn to the sword, but surprisingly, it was sincere. After all, isn’t Calian a person who can’t lie?
“You can just keep living like you are now. Don’t even think about turning me into ashes already.”
There was Zeon’s problem, Plantz’s heart problem, Randel’s problem, and the crown prince’s installation problem. Aren’t there a lot of things that overlap? It is clear that things will become more dangerous if Calian leaves this place, so it is truly amazing that the smart pea thought to go to Secretia on Calian’s behalf and come back with a lot of excitement.
But that’s it.
“Don’t do that. You don’t have to. I wish you wouldn’t.”
Wasn’t he the one who had been smelling the blood on Calian’s hands for several days? So, I said this because I didn’t want you to think about getting blood on your hands already.
And after looking at the rain pouring outside the window for a while, I opened my mouth again with a face that didn’t know whether I was falling into the rain or falling asleep.
“… The crown prince of Secretia suddenly stopped dreaming, and before I knew it, I stopped dreaming…”
Calian turned his head and took a sip of mint tea with strawberry syrup, his bright red face. Eyes stared at Planz.
“Wouldn’t it be okay if at least one person lived a dream that wasn’t a nightmare?”
Kalian, who said this, chuckled. It was because I remembered having similar thoughts alone one day.
I thought that one person who is not too late should have a proper dream, and that one person who just woke up from a nightmare does not need to have another nightmare.
Calian, who realized that such thoughts still persisted, let out a laugh.
“You must have good dreams, brother. You also received a good sword.”
okay.
After all, I have no intention of letting you experience being chased by a ghost and having nightmares.
