Chapter 68. Sleep (4)
There were two footsteps heard.
There is one sound of shoes that is confident and without hesitation, and one sound that resonates heavily in the hallway. The latter was something I had already heard of today, but the other was unfamiliar. However, it was not that difficult to guess whose steps it was, so Capital Guard Captain Triburn quickly stood up. And then he opened his mouth to the person sitting in front of him.
“His Crown Prince and Duke Siegfried are coming. Wake up.”
A man who didn’t stand up, show respect, or even show proper respect in front of Kalian, whom he met a long time ago. A man who acted like that before his arm was cut off because of the pain of his injured arm, after his arm was cut off because of a sense of loss, and above all, because he was scheduled to be executed for touching the body of a royal family. Afterwards, the man received understanding instead of punishment from Kalian.
Norton Ramirez stood up without another word this time. Then he bowed towards the two people entering the dark room together.
“Meeting His Majesty the Crown Prince and the Duke. This is Trivan Fiat, Commander of the Kyrisis Guards. And this is Norton Ramirez from the Whitlin Estate.”
Trivan’s greeting followed.
Reric came over and took a step out of the chair where Planz was sitting. Plantz, who was greeted by nodding his head with a barely visible movement, sat down.
‘Calian. Where is it?’
‘It is near Einansha in the capital. Following the man’s instructions, while searching the area around the area, Lord Hill identified a location where the scent of several people’s blood was suspected to have been forcibly removed. It also matches his statement. According to Lord Hill, the scent of one person’s blood, that of Prince Calian, was cut off on the way to Einansha.’
‘……Einansha. Isn’t this where nobles live?’
‘yes. you’re right.’
‘I don’t know where it is.’
‘If you can call a higher-ranking person who I can trust, I will tell you directly. Even if we don’t meet in person, if we send Balkan wizards to Einansha to search the mansion…’
‘We will meet. now.’
‘…… All right.’
Planz, who was thinking about the conversation they had in the palace a while ago, waited for Demirea to sit down and then leaned diagonally against the backrest. I crossed my arms and crossed my legs.
In short, he adopted a posture that would make everyone in the room uncomfortable except for one person, Planz.
Planz, who had no need to worry about that or not, cocked his head. Then Trivan spoke in a cautious voice.
“Recently, something suspicious occurred within the Whitlin Territory, and they came to the capital to meet and talk to Prince Calian in person about it. Then, they encountered the suspicious person they had seen in the Whitlin Territory again here, and while chasing them, they saw Prince Calian. “I know where Prince Calian is, but as I told you… he is not opening his mouth.”
Plantz nodded at Trivan’s words, then his eyes turned to Norton. After looking down at Norton, who was standing a little away, for a long time, he opened his mouth.
“say.”
Short command.
Words without permission to sit down.
Demirea, who not only knew well how much this behavior of the royal family but also the nobles discouraged others, especially the commoners, and who found it quite disapproving, did not say anything about it.
I also heard from Ronansite, a knight who had been in the duchy until recently and came up to the capital along with Kalian and Planz, that ‘the two royal families and Arsene stopped by a restaurant frequented by commoners and had a meal’, and from Slayman, ‘ This is Demirea, who also heard that the two of them stopped by the brewery and bought alcohol. Of course, even if that wasn’t said, don’t you already know that Plantz is a person who doesn’t usually show such an authoritarian attitude? So I was thinking there must be a reason.
Plantz’s eyes were still focused on Norton. As desired, it meant that since a ‘higher person’ personally walked like this, he should speak properly.
“…Where should I start? Sir.”
Norton’s somewhat cracked voice turned to Plantz.
Plantz looked at that face for a moment and slowly turned his head. Then he spoke in a low voice to Trivan, who was standing a little away from Norton.
“I came here because they said it has a mouth. It turns out it has a head.”
This means that you don’t need a brain to filter out and convey only what you want to hear. You don’t need the brains to ask a question, listen to the answer, and understand it, so just keep your mouth shut.
He skipped the reprimand for asking questions to the royal family without permission and just said that.
“I’m sorry, my Majesty.”
Instead, Triburn, who apologized, spoke to Norton.
“From beginning to end. Don’t leave out anything you’ve been hiding and upload it.”
Upon hearing this, Norton closed his eyes for a moment. After that, he closed his mouth again for a moment. I thought about it for a while, thinking it wasn’t necessary.
One side of Planz’s lip quirked up when he saw that. Norton, whether he knew it or not, raised his head towards Plantz. Since I wasn’t allowed to look in the eyes, I started talking by looking at Plantz’s arsenic mouth.
“… As I speak, Your Majesty.”
“it’s okay.”
Grumble!
The sound of a chair being pushed out of the way as one stands up resonates in the silent room. Triburn, a little surprised, looked at Plantz, and Demirea stood up with him without saying a word. Norton stood up and looked down at the tips of Plants’ shoes.
“If you have anything else to say, talk to the guard captain.”
“Yes, sir. I will do so.”
Trivan, who just answered without asking why, turned around and looked at Plantz. And then he stuck his tongue into it.
That was the thought that the royal family even taught them how to deal with people.
‘If a subordinate in front of you pauses before speaking, it means that he or she is nervous, carefully choosing his words, or making calculations. People who are simply nervous have dry lips and frequent movement of the uvula. There is no need to be very cautious when talking to such people. It’s just that they’re scared of a high-ranking person in front of them, so it’s enough if you treat them comfortably.’
In fact, it was not a royal family.
Of course, it was Calian.
‘The prudent person often states the conclusion of the story first. Because I already have what I want to say in my head. His voice is even and his face is calm. The pupils do not move much and there is no unnecessary action. This includes Baron Melfir Fallun and the Count of Eifrin, who heads the Knights’ Union, Viscount Reddington, who works with him. There is no need to be wary of such people, but you, too, should listen to them carefully and treat them accordingly.’
The royal court taught etiquette, and Silike taught how to govern. Of course I didn’t forget. I learned it well and use it well in my own way. However, what Planz was recalling now was neither etiquette nor rules.
‘The problem is the latter. If conditions are put out before the story, don’t listen. If your brother tries to tell you something other than what you need, refuse. Cut him off and deal with him. You may leave your seat. You must not forget that the initiative in the conversation is always yours. If you are swayed by someone else’s tongue, no matter how important it is, it will be of no help to you.’
How to not lose, how to win, how to deal.
How to deal with it.
I was thinking back to the words of Calian who taught me that.
– Jump and jump.
He is so skilled in dealing with people with words that he seems like he could defeat Serenti in a single argument. The gentle Plants, who had learned his younger brother’s teachings very well and could not tell whether he was holding the blade with his hand or his mouth, moved his feet as if there was nothing more to see. Relic quickly followed and walked toward the door first.
“I think it might be wrong to call that type and that aura.”
“Ramirez. Shut up.”
I heard Norton’s words coming from behind and the sound of Trivan stopping Norton.
– Jeopuk.
I continued walking without any other reaction.
The words directed at Plants continued.
“I know that sometimes the younger brother is more skilled than the older brother.”
“Didn’t I tell you to shut up? Why were you being so rude? Have you forgotten what kind of place this is?”
– Jeopuk.
Plantz’s feet did not stop.
I moved towards the door as if I hadn’t heard anything.
“In a time like this, if it were Prince Calian, he would have first offered to protect his safety if he spoke out. No one else but His Majesty Plantz has come to hear about Prince Calian’s whereabouts, so why should I trust him and open his mouth?”
– Stand tall.
Plantz’s footsteps stopped as he continued to say those words as if he were frustrated.
‘ah. Of course, everyone is different, so you can’t deal with them all using the same method. There are always exceptions. It’s up to you, brother, depending on the situation.’
The last words of the careless teaching linger in my ears.
“The person who said he lost his arm at the hands of my brother came to me and said he would help me find my brother. I don’t know what I should believe in and even trust him.”
– Jeopuk.
The steps moved again until they reached the open door.
Plantz looked at Relic.
Relic lowered his head and stretched out his hand to open the door. But he soon put his hand away and turned his gaze towards Plantz. Then he whispered and asked in a voice that could not be heard even by Norton.
“Sir… You say you know the prince’s whereabouts. Wouldn’t it be better to ask him again just once? Searching and finding him is of course an option, but then time is running out…” “Marquis Briesen.
” “I heard it’s there. What more should I ask?”
Planz said to Reric.
Norton didn’t say anything, but Plantz opened his mouth again to look at Reric, who suddenly looked like he was a marquis.
“I don’t know if he saw someone taking my brother into the marquis’ residence or if he found out about the circumstances that he didn’t tell me… The person who said he would tell me what he found out when a high-ranking person on my brother’s side comes saw me. You keep your mouth shut. You said you knew my brother’s whereabouts, and now you’re talking about protecting him. Doesn’t that mean you’re wary of me? Ultimately, that means Briesen is involved. Even I don’t know the relationship between me and the Marquis Briesen. “It’s probably just to be on guard. If you’re that insensitive to news, there’s no way you’d be able to tell whether the owner of the house is related to Briesen just by looking at Einansha’s house.”
Because the sound of the explanation was not quiet, Norton, who was standing far away, caught Plantz’s gaze.
“Unless it is Gray Brisen’s own home.”
It hadn’t been a day or two since Planz had been quick to think, so Reric, who was already used to it, didn’t ask any other questions and just said it was normal. There was no need to bring up the fact that His Majesty had already looked into that place because there were many people listening. It’s not like Plants doesn’t know that.
Soon Planz spoke to Demirea who was next to him.
“Siegfried, put all the knights in. Don’t close the gate.”
“Are you worried that Siegfried will get caught up in your actions?”
“…… okay.”
“Yes, then. I will wait in peace without knowing anything.”
“okay.”
Demirea smiled slightly and nodded.
And then he opened his mouth to Triburn.
“That person. He is a guest from the estate of the third prince, my fiancé. If there is nothing more to investigate, I would like to invite him to the mansion and treat him to a meal. Would that be okay?”
“Ah… yes, of course. It won’t be a problem.”
Siegfried says he will protect your safety, so there is no reason to refuse. Therefore, Triburn answered willingly.
“Thank you for your concern.”
“No, Little Duke.”
After confirming that the conversation was over, Relic finally opened the door.
Plantz, who had no reason to stay there any longer, was the first to move, followed by Demirea and Reric. And so on again and again. The sound of two footsteps walked away along the dark hallway and soon disappeared.
* * *
Somehow.
I saw the dead Lennon in my dream.
Gray patted his aching lower back and looked around. He looked at the waves of pure white robes lined up behind the crown prince, who was facing him, and the knights in silver armor standing several layers behind him.
It is at a disadvantage without even counting.
no. Is counting even necessary? With just Alan Manasil standing behind the crown prince, it was already difficult to even say that there was a difference in power.
So Gray, barely able to make out a smile, opened his mouth.
“I don’t know if you know, sir.”
“know.”
…… What do you know?
Gray barely made a face and smiled once again.
There had already been a confrontation between Plants and the troops standing behind Plants for quite some time. I don’t know if Lemain really approved this move, but if the troops were brought in without Lemain’s knowledge, I was planning to hold out for a while as Elazar would come to resolve the situation.
“Please wait a moment.”
“Don’t. Open it.”
Gray closed his eyes tightly and let out a silent sigh.
The day the two met. Wasn’t this Plantz, who was hiding his true feelings and holding Calian’s hand? So, for now, I was trying to stop the blade and look at the planz with an open mind. The purpose was to find out what the hidden secret was.
By changing his mind, he greatly offended his son, Rashid. Rashid set a trap and almost caught the wrong prince. He did not know that the dead Lennon had briefly appeared in Gray’s dream and then returned. .
“But, sir. Your Majesty has already…”
“Commander of the Manasil Corps.”
“Your Majesty.”
“I wish you could open it instead. Is that possible?”
“Should I open the door or open the walls and roof to make it a little easier to look around? Please let me know and I will try.”
If not, another solution would be to open that author’s chest.
Plantz nodded and conveyed his decision to Alan’s words, which seemed to be a mixture of these words.
“Everything…”
“No, I’ll open the door.”
Gray, who understood the situation, interrupted Plantz.
“However, as I already said, Prince Calian is not in here. If it is repeatedly confirmed that he is not there, then I will…” “
I hope that he is not there either.”
Alan’s voice cut off Gray’s words.
Alan, who had been smiling gently, looked straight at Gray.
“If I confirm that Prince Calian is in here, I will have to go to the trouble of finding the culprit on the spot and burning him from his fingertips.”
I felt like I wanted to eradicate the entire Marquis’s residence right now, but I held back. I was holding back my anger, thinking about Planz’s words that if I felt like I couldn’t control my anger, I should just comfort Lemain, who was very surprised, inside the palace.
Those words eventually silenced Gray.
Soon Alan took a step. There was no physical contact or anything visible, but Gray’s body was pushed hard by something and he took a couple of steps back.
Only then did Brisen’s knights, who saw this, loosen the defensive net that had surrounded them. And between them, a path was created for a few people to pass through.
– Bang!
Kirie adjusted her sword again and raised one arm to point forward. Plantz nodded and moved his feet. I set foot in the sturdy castle that was once the home of Lennon Brissen and is now the marquess’s residence, if only for a short time.
By single-handedly leading an army that would be enough to erase everyone connected to Brisen from the world right now.
* * *
Adelia, who had been silent for a moment, frowned.
This is because the busyness is now clearly audible to Kalian’s ears.
Adelia, with a troubled expression on her face, opened her mouth.
“Can I run away?”
There was no need to say anything else.
Calian chuckled.
I thought my dad had come.
“Can you run away?”
“You can do it alone.”
“Okay then. I’ll explain it to Master.”
“If it’s dangerous to be alone, I’ll stay for a little while longer. That’s it. I’ll help you.”
“If I decide to hide, even Master won’t be able to find me. Don’t worry.”
but. He was a sword master.
Adelia nodded, remembering something she had forgotten for a moment, then took out something and handed it to me. When Calian, who took it, raised his head, Adelia continued speaking.
“When the border opens, send a letter there.”
It was a piece of paper with coordinates written on it.
Calian, concerned about the situation outside, memorized the coordinates written there and burned it. Adelia spoke to Calian as if making a promise.
“You have to pay me back for saving me. Otherwise, I’ll have to come here again.”
“okay.”
Adelia stood up.
Instead of using magic, he used his hands to brush off the dust on his clothes, then stretched out his arms and waist. And then he disappeared in an instant, as if everything he had seen so far had been a hallucination.
Saying that the moment you disappear, the smell and presence of blood will all spread, so telling you to prepare for a possible fight, telling you to take care of yourself, and saying that we will see you next time. Without even saying a single word out of all those words.
Thinking that this was truly Adelia-like, Calian laughed as he disappeared as soon as Adelia disappeared.
But even for a moment. Calian straightened his back as if the smile had immediately been washed away. I got cut several times and straightened my body without knowing where or how I got stabbed. I had no intention of spreading the smell of blood by making a hasty move, so I held my breath as much as possible and hid in the shadows while watching for sounds outside.
Then, at some point, I stopped.
“Kiri.”
And quietly.
If Alan had come, he called his driver who would definitely be with him.
I don’t know what’s going on outside. In fact, I don’t even know exactly where in the mansion this is. However, if Alan had come here anyway, it would have been better for him to be discovered by Alan and Kyrie than to be discovered by Brisen’s knights. They must have come here because they have a solution. Now that I think about it, I guess they brought Balkan, but they probably didn’t bring in the army without any measures.
…… Oh no way.
I tried to get rid of my anxiety for now.
Instead, he worries about what to do when he meets Alan whom he hasn’t seen in a long time, how his disappearance will spread in the future, and a patient plan about when to deal with Rashid Briesen. That time when I was looking around, thinking about so many thoughts and erasing them.
– Jeopuk.
There was the sound of someone walking.
When Kalian heard that sound for the first time, joy appeared on his face.
– Jeopuk.
Then he frowned.
– Jeopuk.
After that, he took a deep sigh.
I was glad that Pea had come all the way here without starving to death, but I was worried that they really had brought in the army without a plan, and then I sighed after remembering that Pea was also a secretly irrational person.
took it out
– Tak.
I don’t know if you know the complex story behind it.
Plantz, who had walked alone to the deepest part of the basement of the mansion, stopped. And I looked at Calian for a while. It was alive, but even if it was alive, I looked at it for a long time, wondering if it made any sense.
“sun.”
He said something very short to Calian, who was still staring at him without saying anything.
“…… What.”
“apologize.”
I’m telling you in case you misunderstand, but I didn’t come to save my brother, I came to apologize. Words containing such an explanation are returned.
Calian chuckled and nodded.
And then he quietly opened his mouth.
“I don’t like it.”
Plantz made an annoyed face. Calian said, smiling brightly while looking at that.
“I won’t leave you alone, so if you happen to be alone, we didn’t keep our promise not to wander around as we please, so I’m not apologizing… but the rest.”
Calian’s already pale face became even grayer and he spoke with an expression that made him not know whether it was me or you who had died and come back to life.
“About 30 years from now. Or maybe 50 years from now. When Serenity and evil spirits forget everything and become faint. All you have to worry about is whether to go hunting tomorrow, whether to sit at home and read a book, or whether to eat cow or pig for dinner. When those are the only things left. Around that time. I will apologize then.”
You have to be alive to apologize.
Wouldn’t that be a pretty good promise?
“If you don’t keep it.”
“I will protect that.”
“…… okay.”
Plantz nodded.
So, both of them decided not to apologize or accept an apology. no.
We postponed it a little bit. About 30 or 50 years later.
