Chapter 15. Let me ask you just one question (5)
At first, I thought I opened my eyes right away as soon as I closed them.
It was night when I arrived at Alan’s house and fell asleep, and it was still night when I woke up. But when I woke up right away, I felt strangely refreshed.
So Arsene, who had been absentmindedly considering the situation for a while, realized that it was earlier than before he went to sleep. Thanks to this, I managed to realize that I had slept all day and woke up again at night. I slept for over twenty hours.
– Grumble.
When I came to, I felt hungry and my stomach was churning.
Since Calian had really told him what to say, Alan went to the palace without waking up Arsene, who was sleeping. So Arsene, who had the luxury of waking up again at night, hurriedly left the room.
The lights were on in the house, but there was no sign of presence. After thinking for a moment, Arsene found some eggs-like things in Alan’s kitchen and broke them into a plate. Then, I created a small fire at the tip of my finger and roughly cooked it.
Soon, Arsene began to eat it, made in a very primitive way without even adding salt, with raw bread. It tasted like something was missing, but what more could Arsene do when he couldn’t tell whether what was in his mouth was a chicken egg or a duck egg?
– Tak.
A steaming bowl of chicken stew was placed in front of Arsene. As I was looking at the stew, intoxicated by its very fragrant smell, I heard something similar to a nag.
“Even warriors in the great desert don’t eat like that, man.”
“Ah… thank you.”
It was Alan’s granddaughter, Veronica.
Rather, Veronica, who was more mature than the sixteen-year-old Hina, declared that now that they had become friends, it was time to talk to each other. And then he was treating Arsene with such ease. There wasn’t much of a problem except that Arsene was exactly twice my age.
“Thank your grandfather, not me. He told me not to go anywhere and to take care of him.”
It had already been over a month since I had known Veronica, but the word ‘grandfather’ was still unfamiliar to me. This was because he was not yet accustomed to the fact that Alan, who looked younger than Arsene, had a granddaughter, or to the fact that he freely called him grandfather.
“It looks like it would be perfect to fall asleep and starve to death.”
But the granddaughter was right.
“Uncle said you should never leave the house, so if you need anything, just tell me. I will help you.”
Arsene took a bite of stew and shook his head.
Veronica sat down next to him and ate Arsene’s roasted duck egg. Afterwards, I was so impressed by Arsene’s cooking skills that he created such a bizarre taste by just grilling it, and I spit out what was in my mouth.
Arsene, who was muttering that it wasn’t that bad, asked.
“Did you say anything about why I shouldn’t go out?”
Arsene still didn’t know why he couldn’t go out. First of all, I came as I was told, but I still wanted to hear the reason. Veronica nodded and answered, as if she had heard something from Alan.
“The queen said she would be looking for you a lot. Aside from the palace, there is no place as safe as here, so don’t ask any more questions and just stay here.”
iced coffee.
Arsene, who understood Calian’s meaning reasonably well, although not completely, nodded. And then he started eating the chicken stew in front of him again.
What should I do since the queen is looking for me?
Arsene, who looked well-rested thanks to this, grinned.
* * *
The next morning.
After hearing what the butler said, Marquis Evan Briesen held his head, which was not even in pain.
This is because he did not fully understand the absurd rumor that he was involved in Gray’s injury, and another problem arose.
‘There’s another strange rumor going around, Marquis.’
Although it wasn’t specifically Calian’s intention, another piece of bad news about Evan ended up spreading. This is because Arsene Hertz, deputy commander of the Vulcan Wizards, was attacked on his way home and his whereabouts are unknown.
There were testimonies from Arsene’s coachman and Kyrie, who ‘followed Arsene because he had something to say’, and ten corpses lying on the banks of the Seigne River served as evidence. They were all knights of the Marquis Briesen.
Because the wounds on the bodies of the corpses were so varied, the mixture of bodies with very smooth decapitated bodies did not attract much attention. He thought that if he could pierce a person with an ice spear, he could make an ice knife and cut off his head.
– This time the Marquis of Briesen kidnapped Arsene Hertz!
That’s why this rumor arose.
In fact, Lennon’s work, which Evan directly worked on, did not receive much attention. However, the story continued to spread that Evan was involved in the affairs of Gray, whom he met more than ten years ago, or Arsene, whom he did not even know.
As it happened, Lemain’s interest was focused on Arsène that afternoon. Unless you’re an idiot, there’s no one who wouldn’t know that Lemain created something called Vulcan to counter Briesen. However, as soon as the founding of Balkan was announced, Arsene disappeared and the corpse of Knight Brisen was in his place.
Even if Evan thinks about it himself, isn’t it a situation where he can’t help but be doubted?
“I received word that Kaera’s knights will be visiting this afternoon regarding this matter.”
“I’m going to openly investigate the Marquis’s residence. Your Majesty must think that I have interfered with his power.”
There is no separate mountain range.
‘There’s also Gray’s problem, so there’s nothing good about confronting Lemain right now.’
After thinking this, Evan eventually nodded and answered.
“I understand. When you arrive, please guide me politely.”
Evan, who was saying that, frowned sharply. It was because I remembered the one person who was the culprit of this incident.
“But what on earth did Tails say he got involved with that guy?”
The butler standing in front of Evan answered in a cautious voice in a deeply subdued voice.
“It is said that Tails visited the palace during the day. Perhaps the queen called?”
Even though I asked cautiously, “Isn’t it true?”, it was definitely the reason. There was no way for the kicked out knights to enter the royal palace unless Silike called them.
“Silike… Is it Silike again?”
He teamed up with Lennon and did something foolish, leaving a scar on the family that has not yet healed, and now he is starting to drive his father into a deep hole. Why on earth did you arbitrarily manipulate the Marquis’ article and issue this scandal!
Soon Evan stood up and said.
“I’m going to the palace right now.”
“Do you want to meet the queen?”
At those words, anger appeared in Evan’s eyes.
“Do you really want to see me kill my child with my own hands?”
Right now, Evan was so angry that he didn’t know what he would do if he met Silike. The butler, realizing that he had said the wrong thing due to the terrifying energy rising from each word, hurriedly bowed.
“I’m sorry, Marquis.”
“… You will meet the prince.”
“Are you talking about Prince Planz?”
“Then what are you going to do when you meet Randel or Calian now?”
“all right.”
It was surprising that Evan would meet Planz in person, but it was not like the butler could ask why. Therefore, the butler simply bowed once again and replied that he would quickly prepare.
* * *
Kalian was looking at the sky full of dark clouds.
– The date for the hunting competition has been set. It’s Saturday three days later. However, it is said that if it rains a lot and the ground becomes very wet, it may be postponed.
Since the topic of hunting came up at dinner with the princes, there were no people who were particularly opposed to Lemain’s opinion to hold the hunting competition that was canceled last spring. After a few days of choosing the day and confirming the date for the event, the sky became cloudy like a lie.
Calian, who had to meet the nobles of the knight family as soon as possible, let out a small sigh.
‘It shouldn’t rain this time.’
Wasn’t the spring hunting competition also canceled due to heavy rain?
If you think about it, that rain really blocks Kalyan’s path.
Lennon got rid of him with money, and Gray got rid of him with a stick.
What should I do to clean up the sky that rains needlessly?
While Calian was looking out the window and thinking these useless thoughts, a low voice sounded in his ears.
“Brother, do you go hunting with me?”
Since he was just thinking about hunting, Calian almost opened his mouth and answered that he would.
Calian, barely able to keep his mouth shut and out of his thoughts, glanced at Planz, who had just asked the question. Randel also glanced at Plantz and then answered.
“I don’t plan on going.”
Randel doesn’t know why the hunting competition is being held so quickly. He must have thought it was just Lemain inviting others to the hunt he and Plants were planning to go on.
In the end, there was no way Randel would attend such an event, as Lemain would have considered it to be an event prepared for Plantz. Moreover, hunting did not suit Randel’s taste.
“It would be nice to get some fresh air outside sometimes.”
Calian laughed inwardly when he saw Planz recommending it one more time. I wasn’t saying this because I really wanted Randel to be there, but because I knew he wouldn’t come.
Randel answered in an indifferent voice.
“Thank you for your concern.”
Either the one who worries or the one who responds with gratitude for the worry.
It would be quicker to find humanity in Silike than to find sincerity in their words.
Randel’s eyes fell on Calian, who was eating quietly while listening to the conversation between his two brothers.
“I heard that the vice commander of the Balkan army has gone missing. You must be very worried.”
Calian raised his head and looked at Randel.
‘You’re bringing up the story about the wizards that I had no interest in.’
I wasn’t saying that I would be worried because of my personal relationship with Arsene. Even though it is known that Balkan and Calian have nothing to do with each other, they are asking if they are worried about the ‘vice-corps commander’ by pointing out Calian.
Calian soon thought of Arsene, who had disappeared two days ago and was still sleeping peacefully, and answered.
“I’m worried because I got used to it a lot during the Rosellita period. But I think you and Master are more worried than me.”
Perhaps this would be a good answer.
Because this answer is of no help to Randel.
Randel stared at Calian for a while and then nodded.
“okay.”
Calian ate his salad to hide his deepening thoughts.
Even before I left Rosellita, the atmosphere wasn’t this gloomy. Whether there was conversation or not, there was no fight over wits at the meal.
‘All we did was exchange random greetings or talk about the weather.’
I couldn’t tell if it was because Calian had become an adult or because Plantz had stopped drinking and dressed well. However, it was clear that Randel was slowly experiencing a change of heart.
Calian was the first to come out of the restaurant after finishing his meal, thinking another fruitless thought about whether Plantz, who did not want to handle Randel like that alone, had asked him to come for breakfast.
“Jeonseo-gu would have already arrived by now, right?”
It was referring to Calian’s letter sent to the Marquis, and Jan, who came to the side, answered.
“Yes, it should have arrived yesterday afternoon.”
“okay. “Okay then.”
Calian nodded at Jan’s words and opened his mouth to say something.
– Soo.
Then he suddenly closed his mouth and stopped walking.
Calian’s eyes looked towards the distance beyond the wall.
A very interesting battle of momentum outside Chermil Palace. It was because I felt that this was starting to happen.
The endless fear and the sense of death were weighing each other out.
There are only two people except Calian who would show off that kind of energy in this Kairisis. So Calian smiled slightly and muttered.
“My master. Why are you so angry?”
“Lord Manasil? Are you angry?”
Jan, who was standing next to him, looked as if he was wondering what he was talking about.
Calian smiled as if it was nothing and answered.
“I’ll be on the terrace, so prepare some tea for me. .”
The spirited battle between Alan Manasil and Evan Briesen.
Wouldn’t it be wise to sit back and watch when great people are fighting against each other?
