I told him to stay next to Siona.
I didnât ask to have a fight with Siona.
I guess I should have talked a little longer.
Since I was outside the palace anyway, I didnât expect to come here and train. So, Plantz predicted that they were just making a fuss by drinking carbonated water like it was their life, making some ridiculous bet among themselves, or just resting well on their own.
But when I came back, forty, no, forty members were lying abandoned on the sandy beach.
I thought I was attacked.
âI donât think it will be a sparring match. Did the crew decide to learn something from Siona?â
Calian asked this as he looked at the forty people who were trying to quickly get up from their seats after seeing the two. Just looking at him, he looked like he had just been hit once or twice and collapsed, so there was no need to worry about injuries.
And Planz, who received Calianâs question, thought for a moment but very deeply before answering.
â⦠I didnât.â
âyes.â
Although he didnât seem to believe it, Calian nodded again without saying a word.
Calian, who had figured out the situation on his own but was trying not to get involved as much as possible in Balkanâs affairs, probably knew Planzâs feelings that I couldnât tell him because they had bet him on it, and let out a small laugh.
âWhy on earth are you going out and getting beaten up?â
As Calian muttered this to himself, his laughter gradually grew louder and he burst into laughter.
The laughter that broke out did not stop at all. I continued to hear Kalianâs laughter for a long time as he returned to the place where he was staying, saying he would get some rest.
Plantz, who tried to ignore his younger brother, sent everyone in, telling them to go inside, wash properly, sleep for those who will sleep, and rest for those who need to rest. If I were to explain it accurately, I said, âGo in.â
âDivision Commander Zeia.â
âYes, Vice Commander.â
âstay.â
Except for the pink-haired middle manager who eats things with salt in them.
In a situation where neither Calian nor Plants were present, and all the crew members were at a standstill, Needlen had nothing to say.
I asked to know how the warriors of the Great Desert fight, but I was not curious about how the Sword Master, the warrior of the Great Desert, fights.
I was deceived.
People called elves cannot be trusted.
Anyway, 40 people fell to their knees after just six âtanglesâ. Just then, the two princes were seen approaching and Siona fled at the speed of light.
In the end, the middle manager, who had a lot of work to do today, bowed his head before the throbbing pain in his solar plexus from being hit by the bored Sword Master went away.
âsorry.â
âThatâs it.â
And I heard an unexpected answer. I wasnât scolded.
âI want to ask you something.â
Furthermore, I was really surprised to hear this. I was surprised not because Plantz was curious, but because the words that followed were so long.
After listening to Planzâs question to the end, Needlen nodded and was about to answer, but suddenly opened his mouth with a look on his face as if he remembered something.
âBy the way, Vice Commander. It will take some time to tell you what you asked. Do you mind if I show you one thing first?â
Even when Plantz said something else to the princeâs question, he just nodded without saying anything, and soon Needlen took out something from inside his robe. It was now a familiar pocket of space for wizards.
While opening it, Needlen opened his mouth.
âBut Prince Calian seems to be in a good mood today. He seems to be smiling more than usual.â
âMy brother, you didnât smile today.â
Plantz responded:
Needlen, who did not quite understand what this meant, looked at Planz, but Plantz did not explain further.
Needlenâs face didnât make him ask any more questions, so he closed his mouth and quickly started searching through his pockets. This is because I felt the need to quickly change the topic.
Needlen, who had been rummaging around with his elbows in his fist-sized pockets, soon looked like he had found what he was looking for and withdrew his hands. Plantz, seeing what was coming out of his pocket, frowned slightly and asked.
ââ¦â¦ what.â
âItâs a conch shell, Vice Commander.â
A large conch shell with a light sand color.
Needlen pretended to pick it up and put it to his ear, then opened his mouth.
âIf you do this, you can hear the sound of the waves.â
Siona told me that this is a way to hear the sound of waves in Kairis, where there is no sea.
Of course, I knew it, but thanks to Siona, Needlen remembered the thought and heard the sound inside for the first time. Then, she handed me the conch shell.
âItâs fascinating. Vice Commander, please listen to it too.â
Plantz, who took it, put his ear to it as Needlen had instructed. And I quietly began to listen to the sound of the waves coming from within.
âThis is the prettiest thing we all found together after the Vice Commander left during the day. It will be the Vice Commanderâs birthday soon, so Iâm planning to give it as a gift.â
birthday present.
Not pearls, not mother-of-pearl, just conch shells.
Instead of a rare gem that was said to have been obtained with great difficulty, it was just a conch shell that the Balkan crew found after searching the beach for a long time.
If possible, he would have given it to the crew when they were all together, but since everyone was shy, he just asked them to hand it over quietly. Plantz didnât say anything.
ââ¦â¦ okay.â
And after a while, he answered like this.
Needlen smiled brightly as he listened to the sound coming from inside the conch shell and understood that the words spoken meant âthank you.â
* * *
There was no smell of coffee or tea in the teacup.
Alan had a somewhat complicated expression on his face as he quietly looked down at it.
â Do you mind?
The ring on Alanâs hand was emitting a bright light. Calian answered the question full of concern.
â Are you talking about your decision to go to Secretia with your brother?
â yes. I am concerned about that. I know that Prince Planz feels that the past events have nothing to do with it. However, there is always a difference between what you know and what you feel, so this can be cause for concern.
â I said I wouldnât mind if my memories came back.
Alan didnât answer for a moment.
He only brushed the edge of the teacup with his hand and did not lift it, but was engraving Calianâs words for a moment.
Instead, Calianâs words continued.
â So, by now, youâre probably only worried about what clothes to wear to avoid getting wet. Not the princeâs uniform or the Vulcan vice commanderâs uniform, but just my brotherâs clothes that donât get dirty.
The story was that it didnât matter because Secretia, who had come to see him as the king of Balkan, was now just thinking of becoming Calianâs older brother.
â Is it possible to change that mindset as easily as changing clothes? Iâm afraid youâll have nightmares again.
â Anyway, me and you⦠weâre used to nightmares now, so itâs okay. We tried waking each other up a lot.
A small sigh escaped Alanâs mouth.
â Then, is it okay for the prince to go there?
â There are probably a lot of things that come to mind. Wouldnât it be nice and nice to meet you?
â The prince is asking about standing in front of that person. There must be a way to solve this problem without having to go there in person.
â Due to my lack of patience, I was worried that Devlan would get angry as soon as I saw his face. But actually, I learned one thing this time.
-What did you learn?
â There are some things that can only be shaken off if you face them in person. When I say âIâm shaking it off,â I feel a little sad. Anyway, I learned one thing. So Iâm intentionally trying to go further. To shake it off.
The finger hovering over the edge of the teacup paused for a moment.
Alan, who was still looking down at the dark tea water with no scent, sent a friendly voice.
-Did the elvesâ mother also leave behind the prince?
There was no answer for a moment.
â yes.
My honest feelings were conveyed.
â Should I go and punish that evil tree?
â It seems like you really want to do that, so I canât even be foolish enough to ask you to do it. This too later. Please have a drink together.
â Thatâs right. Iâll be waiting.
â I really like it when you say you will wait. Chase and my father said the same thing⦠and this time, I can go back too. Itâs good.
A lie that Iâm not good at telling.
It was a lie that I said I would go and I would definitely come back.
Because I donât have to do it this time.
A smile appeared on Alanâs face when he heard Chase call him that. I think we will have a lot to talk about when Calian returns this time.
â Please come back carefully.
â Yes, I will return safely.
With these words, the ringâs light diminished and disappeared.
âHave you finished talking with Grandfatherâs new son, the prince?â
Veronica asked this to Alan, who had been looking down at the lingering light for a while.
âHave you noticed it yet?â
âGrandpa, I know that you have a son, Mom knows, and Dad probably knows too.â
Veronica smiled as she looked at the jewel-like flowers that had not yet been brought to the mansion and were growing well by the window.
âI liked it and my mom liked it too, but I donât think I like it as much as my dad.â
A smile appeared on Alanâs lips.
After that, he tapped the teacup with his fingertips and opened his mouth.
âAnyway, how can I eat all that bitter food?â
âGrandpa, you havenât been able to sleep lately. Itâs because itâs medicine and itâs bitter, so donât complain and drink it all.â
Veronica looked quite stern and said this to Alan, who seemed to be about ten years older than me.
Alan looked down at the dark, dark brown tea for a long time and drank it in one gulp without hiding the expression on his face that he was really forcing himself to eat it.
Veronica, who came to sit next to Alan, checked the empty glass and took out the box of chocolates she was holding in her hand.
Alan quickly took it and put one in his mouth, his frown slightly opening.
âDo you know that the tasks between Grandpa and I have changed? Grandpa gives me these things and I have to say no.â
âBut what can I do, since bitter things are not to my taste?â
Alan said this again to his granddaughter, who looked exactly like her but had completely opposite tastes. There are so many delicious, sweet, and good things in the world, but they give you bitter tea.
âStill, Iâm going to let it go to this point. If it werenât for my pretty granddaughter giving it to me, I wouldnât have even put it in my mouth.â
As a soft smile appeared in Alanâs eyes, Veronica made the same face.
âOkay. Iâll move on.â
Alan opened his mouth to Veronica, who he kept close but seemed to grow up every time he saw her.
âOkay. How can I help you?â
âHuh? What do you mean?â
Alan smiled slightly at the question, pretending not to know, and spoke again.
âI thought you brought this bribe because I had something to help you with. Otherwise, donât tell me.â
Although he looks much younger than Arsene on the outside, he is clearly Veronicaâs grandfather on the inside. Veronica said, tapping the top of her head with her palm.
âStop standing on my head, come down.â
Alan let out a happy laugh at his cute complaint telling him not to talk from the top of his head. Veronica, who had kept her mouth shut as she watched that scene, spoke as if she had made up her mind.
âI want to quit magic school.â
âSo be it.â
Veronica opened her eyes wide.
âDonât you even ask why? You didnât even say youâd talk to mom, just told grandpa to do whatever he wants and thatâs it?â
âI already told you, so donât worry.â
âMom wonât be angry?â
âRachel deserves to be mad at you for sneaking out of school, but you âIâm not the type of person to get angry even if I donât want to do something.â
âThen mom isnât upset?â
âWhy would she be upset?â
âI wanted to do what my dad did.â
Instead of following my mom, Rachel, into becoming a wizard, my dad, Ronil. Veronica, who said she would follow suit and become a pharmacist, looked at Alanâs empty teacup for a moment and continued,
âI couldnât tell my mom because I was afraid she would think of my dad. Thatâs what my mom said. âYou have to forget it and live.â
Veronica, who had once again brought up the story she once told Hina and Demirea, looked at Alan. Veronica looked at Alan, who was smiling kindly, and said in a low voice. âIâm sorry, Grandpa.â She said, âIâm sorry, Grandpa
. â
Because I know that Rachel is not the only person who thinks of Ronil every time.
âDo you really think it will be a memory that will be forgotten even if you live like that? In the end, everything comes to mind and you end up just thinking about it.â
After saying this, Alan stretched out his arm and stroked Veronicaâs head a few times. Veronica smiled softly and hugged Alan tightly.
âLive your life doing whatever you want. Donât worry.â
Pat pat.
Alan comforted Veronica and smiled once more.
* * *
â
Jingling A small bell rang from the hill overlooking the elvesâ mother tree and the sea. Somehow, that sound made me feel dissatisfied today. Calian, feeling full, smiled mischievously.
âDonât laugh. It still hurts.â
âYou touched my people first.â
Midnight.
A hill overlooking the black and silent sea.
After a conversation with Alan, I came to this place where I could hear the sound of waves in the distance, and it seemed so quiet, so I came to see him avoiding the place. There was Siona, who pretended to run away. So Calian rushed at Siona without saying a word and relieved the crew.
âYou have a bad personality.â
âBetter than a deceitful elf.â
Calian responded by holding a bladeless red sword. He looked at the muttering elf for a moment, massaging his hit neck, and then lightly threw something.
Siona, who had caught it in an instant, asked in surprise.
âI heard you donât trust elves.â
âBecause theyâre warriors of the great desert.
â âI said I donât like warriors either.â
âBecause Iâm an elf.â
Siona laughed.
Then she put the black pebble she had just received from Calian into her bosom.
âBe careful not to use it in strange places.â
âYou take care of it.â
It was with the meaning of trust. Calian, who said this, roughly brushed away his hair that had become disheveled in the wind.
Raven, making small footsteps, came up behind Calian, who was sitting on the grass. After stroking Ravenâs lowered head under the chin a few times, Calian sat down, leaning on his two long black front legs. As if being held in Ravenâs arms.
âWhy did the prince come up here alone?â
âTo see the sea. And I didnât come alone. I came with Raven.â
âOkay.â
âWhy did you come here?â
âTo see the sea.â
âOkay.â
As a few words were exchanged, seemingly familiar yet awkward, silence returned. So Calian looked back toward the distant sea. âI know your mother.â In the silence
,
Siona said these words.
âYou understand. âSheâs the queen.â
âI stayed with her until I went to the Great Desert. In Brigitteâs Forest.â
â⦠Yes.â
Siona turned her head and looked at Calian when he answered as if there was nothing particularly surprising.
âMy life is a bit unusual for me to be surprised by such words.â
What did Siona know? It was obvious what he wanted to say, so Calian spoke as if it was no big deal. Seeing Calian calmly answering without even looking at her, Siona added, âI was born in Brigitteâs Forest, and Freya was driven out to the forest
. I think it was around the age of twelve⦠Karte Hill was my teacher, and until I went to the Great Desert, I managed to become close friends with Freya. âI havenât seen her since.â
Calian nodded.
âI donât remember her very much because she was young, but I remember she was very pretty.â
âI know that. I look like this.â
Siona, who looked a bit dazed because of the natural response, smiled and opened her mouth. âI
think our personalities are a bit similar.â
Calian, who was about to say that he and Freya couldnât possibly be similar in personality, just said. Another reply was,
âThank you anyway. âPlease let me know.â
When Siona first said âblack hair and red eyesâ right before attacking Calian to vent her anger, did she mean that she recognized the sword master named Calian or that she recognized the sword master who was her friendâs son? Do you know why Freya came to Kairis? Did Freyaâs family stay with Freya? If they stayed together, how did they treat Freya? Did
my mother do well there?
â Shootâ¦
Take it out. Calian let out a short sigh as many unanswered questions were washed away by the calm waves. Siona, who watched this for a moment, stood up and asked,
âAre there more coming?â
âYes. You go down first.â
âSure.â
Siona nodded and walked down the hill with light and fast steps. The sound of small drops was heard regularly, then gradually became distant and disappeared. Instead, the
sound of waves was heard just as regularly.
For a while now, or A sea of deep blue light that we will never see again.
Even if you look at it with eyesight that is several times better than others, it is just a quiet sea.
âThat is the sea, Raven. Look carefully, too.â
Calian, who disliked the silence for some reason, spoke like this.
Raven purred and answered.
Then, as if she really understood Calianâs words, she raised her head towards the sea.
âNow, itâs over there again . âYou might not be able to see it.â
Calian looked at the sea for a long time.
Ravenâs big eyes, which were supporting her ownerâs back without anything in sight, were also filled with the sea.
Then, suddenly,
a blue light shone in Ravenâs black eyes.
Raven moved her head.
A blue light floated over the sea.
One more.
And another one.
The blue lights fluttering over the waves increased. In
front of the ocean, in front of the dark waves.
I saw Niedlen. I saw Kane. . Wizards wearing pure white robes were seen.
On the waves filled with darkness, on the sea.
Niedlenâs blue light was raised. Kaneâs blue light was raised. The blue light of the wizards wearing pure white robes was raised. When was the
last day? I donât know.
Today is the day the king who received the last greeting from Kalian left. I
donât know, but you all should just come out and use magic with a godly heart. The number of blue lights created by the magiciansâ fingertips increased. Inside, the blue lights, which I donât even know how to make, continued like that.
ââ¦Ha.â
A short sound came out of Calianâs mouth.
The blue lights increased one by one.
Small, small blue lights fluttered along the waves.
Pure white cloak . I saw a pale older brother wearing a
robe. A blue flame in his hand reflected in his red eyes.
âYou raise it againâ¦â
It was a night when blue stars were drifting far beyond the sea.
Calian laughed. .For
the first time today.