Chapter 70. One to eighty-seven (1)
The large, black, round eyes turned to Kalian.
The black mane was unusually fluttering today.
“I’m not fully healed yet.”
Purr.
“Aren’t you surprised that you’ve grown taller?”
Purruk.
“Still, I recognize it. It’s amazing.”
As soon as she saw Calian, Raven, who had come flying towards her, moved her head.
In the past, Calian would have lowered his head to hug my head with both arms. But this time was different.
Raven may have understood what he said about not being completely healed, or perhaps she was happier than ever with her owner whom she had not seen for a long time, but Raven raised her large head and gently placed her long neck on Calian’s shoulder.
Just like I learned from seeing Alan hug Kalian.
“… It’s okay, Raven.”
Calian, momentarily surprised by the unexpected sight, smiled.
We broke up on a day when I was whining about how difficult it was.
Since I almost saw the owner standing still as if he was lost for the last time, I know how worried the smart guy must have been, alone and unable to speak.
Calian awkwardly hugged the neck of the large animal that was being held by him. And then I gently knocked. Long hair resembling stars also swayed gently.
“But it looks like you didn’t starve and did well. You’re kind.”
I’m glad I didn’t suffer any major problems even after smelling the strong scent that put the Sword Master to sleep. The shiny, shiny fur, strong legs, and large size are all the same. You can see at a glance how well Jan took care of Kalyan while he was away.
“You have no idea how surprised I was to see you coming.”
Purr purr.
A sound like an answer is heard.
Calian let out a small laugh and ruffled his mane, which must have been carefully combed by someone who had gone through the trouble of getting Raven’s permission.
The site of the old Heisia Palace, which was recently rebuilt. Calian walked slowly to a corner of the large vacant lot where the Wilhelm Pavilion buildings would be located, and stopped. Then, out of habit, he sat in front of Raven’s legs. As a result, my upper body moved greatly and I endured the pain for a while as if it were a habit.
– Diverse.
As if he had noticed this, completely black legs with white fur wrapped around the ankles stood supporting Calian’s back. Calian, who felt Raven’s strong legs touching his back, laughed lowly instead of worrying that he was now much heavier than before.
The two legs, which are hard enough to make you feel like your back is full, are too cozy.
“I’m sure Jan is just as worried about me as you are. It would be nice if I could call him and tell him that he’s okay… but I can’t do that.”
Alan, Hina Kirie and Plantz.
These are the people who are allowed to enter the room where Kalian stays. Arsene and Demirea Arianne Randel’s visit was kept secret. It was because of Jan and Lemain. They did so because they thought there was no reason for them to not be able to enter if they could meet those four.
Of course, I reassured him that he was healed enough to be able to move freely in the treatment room. But we couldn’t meet. I would have felt relieved if I could just close the curtain and hear my voice, but I couldn’t even do that. I didn’t want to show those two, especially Jan, even the slightest side of me while I was a different person, even if only for a moment.
“How is Jan?”
Calian, who was fully leaning on Raven’s legs, looked to the side and asked.
After learning that Kalian was receiving treatment safely, Jan decided to wait until he was completely healed. In addition, he showed consideration by sending another guy who, unlike himself, could not wait well, to Kirie’s side.
“It’s gotten a lot better since I found out you’re safe.”
Kirie, who had brought Raven to Wilhelm’s coffin and had stayed by her side in silence, answered quietly. Calian, with a happy expression on his face, quietly opened his mouth.
“Okay. You should get better quickly.”
“If you know, please bite the sparring.”
“That sparring is good for me, not for them, Kirie. I can’t stand still forever. If I deal with them, I’ll be able to remember all the things I’ve forgotten and couldn’t do because my body changed.”
“There’s Lord Castrin, there’s Lord Hill. There’s me, and there’s also the Marquis Manasil. Even if it’s not that many, it’ll be helpful enough.”
“The one-on-one fight will be a little later. There are so many Zeon guys that it won’t be a good idea to spar one-on-one several times.”
“But”
“Why? I’m afraid I won’t be able to deal with eighty-six people?”
“You got hurt because you couldn’t deal with Evan, right?”
If you get caught up in your thoughts while holding a sword, you will die.
Calian, who saw his lowest point while fighting with Evan, did the same. That was the case with Siona, who went back to the past while sparring with Kirie. I really almost died.
“Kiri.”
“Yes, my prince.”
A low voice I’ve never heard before. Even in that low voice, which was completely different from her original vocal quality, Kirie responded as usual.
“What happened this morning. They said you became an Auror.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“… I postponed it because I thought it would be too much for you to look at my sword.”
Calian opened his mouth as he looked at the gray sword that caught his eye because he was sitting alone.
“You used the sword really well.”
A story other than why I didn’t tell them about the manifestation of auras came out.
“It is the same now, but it was the same back then. He said he would become a sword, and he used the sword as if it really would happen.”
“Are you saying that from before?”
“huh.”
There was no word back. Calian, who did not bother to look up at Kyrie’s face to see what kind of expression she was making, continued speaking.
“I also studied the sword really hard. I learned it really hard a lot longer than you did. But I caught up quickly. Whenever I spar with you, the number of days I lose increases by a day or two.”
When Bern had not yet entered the path of the sword. One more memory of that time came out like an old story and flowed down my feet. Kirie lowered her sword and sat down on the floor as if she wanted to hear it more closely.
“Then my father died and I went crazy for a while. Then I realized that you were learning more from my teacher’s sword than me. Then, you ended up becoming an Auror first. To be honest, it was a little unfair, but I didn’t hate it.”
“You didn’t like it?”
“Of course. Isn’t it fun if there are only people who work hard and get things? There should also be people who get things because they are talented. Besides, they say that talented people are my knights. I don’t think they would have liked it.”
Kirie let out a small laugh.
“Then, I left the palace alone for about a year. During that year, I saw and learned many things and thought a lot. I took the path of the sword. On that path, I returned to the palace, boasted to my brother and teacher, and received your congratulations. I continued to spar with you. We spent some time like that, and one day you said, “I think I understand. I think I now know what to do. It won’t be long before the seventh Sword Master appears, so just wait a little longer.”
Calian raised his head.
“I was really happy.”
I looked up at the white stars that seemed to be pouring down from Raven’s neck, which filled my eyes. Calian, who had been tracing the stars as if counting them one by one, opened his mouth.
“I was really happy when you said that it wouldn’t be long before I would be on the path of the sword. Even when I got on that path, I wasn’t happy at all. But when you said that, I was happy. It was the first time I looked forward to someday in the future… absolutely. “It was an unforgettable, happy day for me.”
Kirie, who was looking up at the same place, lowered her head. I looked at the tip of the sword that was placed on the floor. He couldn’t see Calian’s face and couldn’t reply, just looking down at his sword.
I know the end.
I know how the story of that first, brightest day came to an end.
The story that Bern happily kept was ultimately a tragedy.
“So it’s okay.”
Calian said, turning his gaze towards Kyrie.
“Even though I heard that you started using Aurors when you were like this right now, I don’t feel bad inside, Kirie. You don’t have to make excuses and hide it.”
Kirie, who discovered her true intentions, lowered her head a little more.
Calian tapped Kyrie’s shoulder with a hand that was now as big as Kyrie’s, and spoke in a calm voice as if telling her not to worry.
“It’s okay to face eighty-six of those guys like this. It’s nothing. It’s really nothing. So you don’t have to worry.”
“…… yes.”
The person who was given the opportunity to change the tragedy and live quietly remains silent.
He closed his storybook again.
* * *
I chose wrong.
I don’t know how other people will see it, but no matter how I look at it, I made the wrong choice.
Isn’t that true just by looking at Lucy and Anne?
Is there any other life in the world that is as gentle and lovely as this?
The fact that Lucy and Anne get their fur all over the place, blow it out, or stamp their feet while walking around is not because they are not well-behaved. It’s natural to go if you’re curious, and if you do that, you’re bound to leave footprints and hair falls out at will, so you can’t blame pretty Lucy and Anne for that.
“Eww wow!”
“Niaang…!”
“It’s like dealing with eighty-six. It must be difficult.”
First cat, second cat.
Calian’s low voice followed suit.
Kalian put down his spoon and looked carefree in the soup, which was a mixture of boiled and mashed chestnuts and cream. He said he already had this conversation with Kirie the day before and that he had no intention of breaking my stubbornness.
That’s it.
Just by looking at the expression he showed the day before, Plantz had already given up. Instead, he thought about that as he felt the heaviness of Lucy and Anne, who were now curled up on his now narrow thighs. I chose the wrong one.
“It will be fun. From what you see, brother.”
That guy is not a cat.
Choosing a black cat as a symbol to represent me was clearly a mistake on my part.
Why on earth did Alan Manasil call a guy like that a cat? What on earth are those people buying black cat decorations on Astrisha Street thinking? Even if everyone’s eyes were wrong, they were all wrong for a long time.
“I guess my brother thought the number of Balkans was excessive.”
“Why should I reduce the number of your army?”
“I think you’ll probably reduce it.”
“I won’t kill you. I’ll give you some short-term care.”
okay.
That laugh.
There’s no way a guy with such a fierce smile could resemble a cat, right?
“I thought you would be worried about your younger brother getting hurt, but you are so worried about the crew. I didn’t raise you with all the care to do this already. Of course, it’s nice to see you grow up well, but if you take care of strangers like that, I feel like I’m watching my younger brother. I guess I feel sad.”
Plus, it barks like this.
It could be a cat.
“… I see that you are barking well, so I guess you will eat well on your own even if I don’t ask you to eat more.”
Calian smiled brightly at Plantz, who spoke in an irritated voice.
“I also sent Raven away at dawn. If you go, who will eat all this grass?”
– Sweet!
A sound filled with discomfort echoed throughout the treatment room.
Calian, who burst out laughing as he saw Plantz putting down the dishes and trying to get up, waved his hand.
“I’m bored. Please finish eating and then leave.”
Again, smiling.
It’s clear that they don’t know that they don’t suit each other.
…… The article below. Because I’m not even looking in the mirror.
In the end, Planz, who couldn’t beat Calian, picked up the fork again and moved his hand away from picking up the salad with lemon dressing. Then, I took a piece of pork barbecue that was smoked over oak charcoal and then grilled it and put it in my mouth. Kalian, seeing that, burst into laughter again.
After eating a generous portion of steak fragrant with rosemary and seasoned with high-quality rock salt, Kalian said as he placed his hand on the chicken thigh meat submerged in a sauce made from stewed pears and grapes.
“older brother.”
“why.”
“You do mock battles often.”
“okay.”
“Where do you do it?”
“You’re not the one to ask questions because you don’t know that.”
“Still, I’m curious.”
“Wilhelm. Royal Forest. Outskirts of the capital.”
“How much do you hunt?”
“not really.”
Kalian swallowed everything he put in his mouth and quenched his thirst with carbonated water with a slice of lemon. Then, after wiping his mouth with a napkin, he spoke.
“Of course, mock battles between members are important. They plan a strategy, form a formation, move in order, understand the situation, and exchange attacks and defenses. It is necessary training.”
“Then. Why hunting?”
“Mock combat is for humans. You can predict where they will move, what they will think, and what counterattacks they will make.”
Plantz looked at Calian without answering.
“But they are not beasts. They have only their instincts left, and it is more difficult to predict what they will do, where they will run, and who they will attack. That is why hunting is also important.”
“Are you talking about holding a hunting competition?”
“yes.”
“Shouldn’t we talk about that with His Majesty?”
“No. No need to do that, just this time.”
After saying this, Kalian raised his finger and pointed at himself.
“Eighty-six to one. Let’s hold a hunting competition like that.”
It was as if he knew that just a moment ago, he was trying to determine whether that guy was a cat or another animal. Plantz made a strange expression when I heard those words dismissing myself as prey.
“Are you saying that instead of sparring, let’s go hunting with your brother as our prey?”
“you’re right.”
“The reason is.”
“Isn’t there anyone else who knows what I look like now? Outside of the palace.”
“Gray Briesen and Rashid Briesen.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Why is that?”
“One cat can catch eighty-six crazy people. While I’m catching them, I want to catch some more.”
“What are you going to catch?”
“A place for my brother to live.”
Plantz, who couldn’t guess Calian’s thoughts even with his clever mind, frowned at the explanation that came out intermittently. Calian, who saw that, smiled and opened his mouth.
“Do you remember how I got angry at Marquis Briesen?”
“remember.”
“I think you said it as if your brother would take Marquis Briesen’s side because of that. Is that true?”
Planz didn’t answer for a moment.
He said that to Gray Brisen as if he had something to aim for, holding Calian’s hand while holding his breath.
“I didn’t tell you. How did you know?”
“When I was at the marquis’ residence, I saw Marquis Briesen contradicting my brother’s words. After that, Marquis Briesen’s eyes never left my brother. Like someone trying to open and examine something that was hidden. Normally, Marquis Briesen would have looked at me. Even though it is.”
Plantz let out a low sigh at Calian’s words, which made it impossible for him to hide anything.
“Please tell Gray Brissen that a mock hunting competition is being held for me. Like it would be a good opportunity.”
“That doesn’t mean Marquis Briesen will try to stab my brother right away.”
“I won’t do anything. Nothing. Instead, I will gauge your intentions. Later, when I feel like it’s okay for you to point a knife at me, I will go see you.”
It was meant to slightly reveal that he had the intention of betraying Calian. Even if we don’t do anything right now, let Gray know Plantz’s inner thoughts.
Planz thought for a moment and nodded.
“When the time comes and the Marquis of Brissen comes to visit you, you can grab it and defeat Marquis of Brissen. Get rid of Rashid somehow. After that, you can keep it. Brissen.”
“When that time comes, you will rise above me.”
“That’s right. You said you don’t like crowns.”
“How? Have you thought of anything now?”
“I don’t have one yet.”
“For your brother to wear the crown while protecting my life. I don’t think there would be an easier way than for you to leave me as is and for your brother to climb to a higher place.”
Calian, who was about to reach for the glass of sparkling water, looked at Plantz. Planz, with an unwavering expression, pointed to his sword propped against the wall.
“You know very well, what can I do?”
Knight’s Oath.
Same thing Verne did to Chase.
All that is required is for Plantz to swear fealty to Calian. If Plantz, who has gained the power of Brisen, does that, no noble will be hasty in rebelling or trying to attack Plantz.
Calian closed his eyes for a moment and looked at Plantz. And then he opened his mouth with a face that looked like he had just come out of an abyss.
“I don’t like it.”
“why.”
“Brother, you are too weak.”
“Don’t bark.”
“I don’t want to worry about something that hasn’t even come yet. And I don’t need a knight who is weaker than me. I have no interest in having as a knight someone who is clearly not going to be able to beat me even if they spend their whole lives.”
“You won’t be able to break my stubbornness.”
Get up, kneel down and say a word.
That’s all.
No one can break the knightly oath under Serenti’s protection.
If you ask for permission to become a knight, you can deny it. In that case, the person who requested the knight will never be able to raise a sword again in his life. So Kalyan will not be able to refuse it.
Even if it is Kalyan.
“Why are you trying to take the easy way back?”
“He’s a person who enjoys going back and forth.”
Calian, who spoke in a low voice, looked at Plantz.
“Then, let’s make a bet. Will the smart mind win or will my sword win? We can check it out together.”
Calian, who was staring at Planz with cool eyes, opened his mouth.
“You, brother, take command of those eighty-six.”
One to eighty-seven.
Eighty-seven to one.
“If you find it useful, I will let you be my knight.”
“You are still as spoiled as ever. My brother.”
“As reckless as your brother is.”
The light green eyes that met the light purple eyes clearly were sharp. Planz, with one corner of his mouth curled up, made a low sound.
“sun.”
“yes.”
So I decided to go hunting.
A clear expression of anticipation appeared on Calian’s red mouth.
