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 wasnât 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 Kalianâs blood on his hands and sees Planzâs 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.
âI heard you have a bad cold. Are you okay?â
Of course I knew that he was making an excuse to avoid me. I came here even though I knew it.
âYou donât have to worry.â
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.
âokay.â
I was clumsy.
I was clumsy so I looked away like that.
When I turned my eyes, I couldnât see it, and since I couldnât 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.
ââ¦â¦ okay.â
Lemain could not bear to say what he was saying and just said the same thing again. I couldnât 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.
âIf youâre in pain, donât bear it alone⦠If thereâs anything else I donât know, tell me.â
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.
âAll right.â
Even though the story was brought up after a long time, Randelâs 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.
âCome again.â
Randel did not answer.
* * *
There will be no more welcoming invitation in the world.
âPrince Calian has asked you to come for a moment.â
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, Kalianâs request was more important than anything else.
As I followed Jan into Chermil Palace, Jan opened his mouth again.
âYou can go to the training center.â
Alan heard those words and smiled with a thoughtful face.
âMy name is Alan Manasil, the princeâs teacher, but the idea of meeting in the training hall instead of the princeâs room is so unfamiliar.â
âThe prince is very good at doing things on his own.â
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 Alanâs lips as he watched the scene, standing quietly so as not to be disturbed.
âIt is truly vast.â
It was not known whether it was because of Sispanianâs 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.
âWe will see the end of the 4th circle as soon as possible.â
Wasnât 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.
âMaster!â
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.
âSince you called me to the training ground, there must be something stuck. What can I teach you?â
Calian pointed to a chair placed on one side of the training hall without changing his smile.
âYes, there is something I want to learn, but there is something I need to tell you first.â
Alan nodded and sat down in the chair, and Calian, who was sitting across from him, opened his mouth.
âHow are you feeling, Vice Commander Hertz?â
âI donât know how all people who use magic are like that.â
As soon as the question was finished, an answer mixed with a deep sigh came out of Alanâs mouth.
The head of the tribes said this to the prince who wanted to gather the tribes and use them, and then continued.
âHeâs quite the hero now.â
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.
âAs a result, we ended up erecting a statue at Wilhelmâs pavilion.â
Isnât this a truly wizard-like response?
Calian laughed out loud as if it was fun.
âI have no choice but to trust Vice Commander Hertz since he handles things so clearly.â
âDonât act like that. We canât even guess what will disappear next.â
âAh. Actually, I donât know what Iâm going to break next.â
Calian, who was smiling brightly, quickly got to the point before Alan scolded him.
âPlease make one more seat in Balkan, Master.â
âIs it yours? I guess youâve finally decided to get your hands on something.â
He asked happily, but unfortunately Kalian shook his head.
âItâs not me, itâs Hinayo. Iâm thinking of putting it in the Balkans now, but I wanted you to make some preparations beforehand.â
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.
âI was originally going to talk to Lord Hertz, but he seems to be preoccupied with disposing of the wreckage.â
âThatâs right. Isnât it going to be difficult?â
âThank you, Master.â
Is there any other helper as reliable as Alan, who willingly follows whatever is said at any time?
âAnd Sir Hertz, he only did this because I told him to, so please donât criticize him too much.â
What a bruise.
Alan responded with an expression that asked, âWhat kind of nonsense are you talking about?â
âRight now, heâs 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 Iâve seen him so excited since I met him. Donât worry.â
It wasnât a lie.
Alan shook his head, remembering Arsene, and then opened his mouth again.
âYou are probably calling me for healing arts, so I would like you to call Veronica to help me in the afternoon.â
Since the unexpected name came out, he looked like he didnât really understand what Alan said.
âIf youâre Veronica, arenât you Masterâs granddaughter? I understand sheâs currently attending a magic academy.â
âThatâs right. However, although he has limited magical talent, he is very interested in medicine. So, how about letting him run errands for you?â
âDo you mind if I leave it like that?â
The Count is an archmage and the princeâs 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.
âI donât think it would be a bad idea to ask him to do something he likes.â
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.
âAs long as Veronica is okay with it, Iâm fine. Aside from helping with work, Iâd be happy if you could at least be a conversation partner for Hina.â
âThen, please lend me the princeâs baby elephant for a while. Balkan guys really like learning, so it wonât take long for them to learn sign language.â
Calian, who had the same thought, smiled and answered.
âYes, I will.â
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.
âIâm not used to handling fire because I donât hold anything or mainly use the power of wind. I asked you to come and see if you could help me.â
Alanâs 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.
âI forgot what day today was.â
âActually, I found out about it too late. Now Iâm trying to practice quickly.â
âOkay, Iâll teach you. Itâs not difficult, so youâll be able to do it in no time.â
Alan, who decided that it would be better to postpone the story about the black stone and Tensilâs carriage, nodded and answered.
* * *
â 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 itâs 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.
â Fondantâ¦!
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 didnât take long for night to fall. Gradually the darkness deepened and the once red lake shimmered black.
Soon, a red light appeared on Calianâs 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.
âI didnât really know what was going on that day. I only heard about it through word of mouth.â
Calianâs mouth opened alone like this.
-Snap.
The ripples blown by the blowing wind touched the tips of Calianâs feet. Calian stood up for a moment and placed the red light in his hand down on the waterâs edge.
âThere are no flowers today either.â
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 personâs last steps.
âI canât even go to the river, but itâs similar, so watch it.â
The third red light no. A firework imitating Annelusia was floated on the lake.
today.
It was the anniversary of Kalyanâs 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.
âsorry.â
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.
âBecause I want to live too.â
I donât know what will happen later.
But for now.
âSorry.â
The fireworks on the water glowed red in proportion to the number of words of apology said.
â 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.
âAre you here?â
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 didnât 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.
â⦠He said he wanted to live.â
The guy who wanted to live came and placed a bondage on my heart. There certainly wasnât a single hesitation.
Kalian also understands the paradox that risking oneâs life is not a waste to open the way to live.
âI wonder if my brother will let me live.â
A languid voice answered.
Calian turned his head back to the lake and opened his mouth.
âYou know so well.â
Kalian wonât let Plantz die anyway. So there is nothing to worry about for Kalyan or Planz.
Soon Kalyan stood up.
Weâll 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.
âjust one.â
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 Planzâs 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 Iâve 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.