Chapter 360

Candy of different colors and flavors.

Cookies whose taste you can’t tell by looking at them.

So this time, I wondered what it was, and one of the threads of thought that always continued in various directions came to mind.

“I’m thinking about what I should make this time. It’s something I couldn’t do while raising three children, so it’s so fun that it’s become a hobby I can’t quit.”

However, Serie put down the ordinary almond cookies, saying that she had not made anything new yet because she had just returned to the capital city of Kairis yesterday. The cherry tea served with cookies had a subtle sweet and sour scent. It was later said that Jan, who would be with Reric in another small living room, liked cherries and prepared them together.

Serie’s interest in my children. I never disliked the affection that was conveyed to Riri. The time to feel bitter or envious while looking at that situation has already passed.

“okay.”

“If you don’t like sweets, I should ask you to prepare fruit. I don’t know what you like, so I prepared it according to the other children’s tastes.”

“No. It’s delicious.”

The first conversation we have just together.

Even when he went to Siegfried’s duchy for Rosellita’s coming-of-age ceremony, Plants did not mingle with Siegfried’s people.

A portrait of two boys and one girl. Did you notice who your younger brother’s servant was when you saw that, or did you find out later? At that time, I didn’t have enough space in my heart to even be interested in Jan. Even with that smart brain, I couldn’t even remember that.

Even at dinner together, I didn’t have any special conversations with Plantz, whether it was Dmirea, Serie, or Sleiman. All conversations were conducted by a senior attendant who was by Plantz’s side at the time, and Plantz simply stayed there and returned.

“At first, I heard that Prince Calian wanted to meet me. But I was a little surprised when he said he would speak on his behalf.”

“I wasn’t trying to replace you, but my brother was trying to replace you.”

“Is that so.”

Plantz, who had barely remembered the events of the day, looked up. He then spoke to the only member of this family who did not have puppy-blond hair.

“There’s something I’d like to ask you to do.”

It is not very easy to open your mouth.

A long time ago, the first time I went down to the 3rd floor. The day I went down to hand over my life and my mother’s life to another person who looked like my younger brother.

Until that day when I asked for someone to hold my hand so I could let go of everything, I had only asked one person for a favor, and my requests in that way were always rejected. That’s because it’s rare for me to ask someone for a favor.

“Please speak. I will listen to what you request.”

Serie, who had heard that Planz had changed but had not expected such a story to come up, answered with a slightly surprised look on her face.

“I was wondering if I could learn your spear.”

Now, instead of being a mother of two children and a new mother of another child with a bright green color, Serie, who had become Serie herself, looked at Planz.

“Are you talking about spearmanship?”

“okay.”

Plantz’s answer was not long.

Serie, who was looking at Planz, said with a smile that looked just like Demirea’s.

“Sir. Generally, when a person asks a favor from another person, there is a reason. Depending on the reason, you can decide whether to grant the favor or not.”

“…Why?”

“Yes. That’s right. If it is not an order, I would like you to tell me the reason for your request.”

If it had been Calian, he would have raised his sword and explained the reason, just like he did to Jan. However, because Plantz was just learning how to breathe and live, he had not yet learned how to treat other people.

“Because there are two swords.”

I couldn’t explain it.

It would be correct to say that I thought I would understand the reason at that level. Thanks to this, Serie, who was even afraid of Slayman, let out a small laugh. I wasn’t laughing, but I was laughing because the gap between my current situation and my memory of the person sitting in front of me was so big.

Serie stopped laughing for a moment and looked at Plantz. He extended his hand towards the Crown Prince, who was still looking at him with an expressionless face, and instead of apologizing for his laughter, he said something else.

“Then may I take a look at your sword for a moment?”

The crown prince nodded meekly at these words and handed over the Sinasta, which contained all of Brisen’s secrets, to Serie, even though it was made by Siegfried’s blacksmith.

Serie, whose eyes had suddenly become sharp, took out a sword in front of Planz. And he looked carefully as if he was trying to find a connection between having two swords and asking to teach him how to use a spear. Neither of them paid attention to the fact that the warrior in front of the crown prince had a weapon in his hand.

– Crash.

How much time has passed like that? It was only after Serie checked Sinasta’s special device that the two handles’ ends are interlocked and fixed together that she truly understood what Planz was saying. Both Demirea and Siegfried’s blacksmith had kept quiet about the secret hidden in the sword, and now I learned the reason.

“It can be a single sword, a double-edged sword held in both hands, and can be joined together like this, so it’s a weapon so amazing that it’s hard to believe it was invented by Briesen.”

“okay.”

Serie also doesn’t watch Briesen and Planz together, so it’s a gossip that can be brought up. Therefore, Plantz did not feel offended and simply sympathized.

“Are you coming to me to find out how to use the sword even in this condition?”

“that’s right.”

“I understand. However, since this is different from a spear, I will contact you after thinking about how to use it.”

It was permission to teach him his spear skills.

I thought I would definitely be rejected, so I came without any intention of persuading him. Kalian only came with me because I thought it would be better to speak directly and be rejected rather than speak on my behalf and be rejected, and I did not come with the expectation of permission. But it went easier than I thought. The permission was too quick.

“I thought you’d refuse.”

“Just in case, I’m not saying I’ll help you because I’m you. I’m not saying I’m helping you because I have a relationship with Prince Calian, the Duke’s betrothed, so please don’t misunderstand that it’s because of that.”

“Then. Why?”

Even if you give permission, they ask why.

It was clear that he had no intention of persuading anyone, and he didn’t seem to be the type to bury questions, so Serie smiled again.

“Isn’t it always fun to watch people grow up who have more time left than before? There’s nothing more rewarding if you can guide them, so there’s no reason to spend time hiding what you know and keeping it to yourself just because your family and hometown are different. Isn’t there one?”

It is clear that the crown prince originally had some questions buried. A person who would never have asked someone for a favor. Seeing how difficult it must have been for someone like that to say something like this, Serie added in a soft voice.

“You’ve changed a lot, sir. I don’t think you’re the same person as when I saw you a few years ago.”

“…It looks like that.”

“Yes. You’ve grown a lot. I don’t know why.”

Although it sometimes wilts, I get compliments every day that it is growing well. I hear it every day from the mouth of my younger brother, who must have once been a stranger. I heard that from someone else.

The reason it grows like that.

Maybe it’s because of my younger brother.

Or maybe it’s thanks to my younger brother.

Planz thought for a moment and spoke in a low voice.

“Because I have a younger brother.”

It may be difficult to say that it was a repayment for the request to do a favor, but it was an answer to what Serie was curious about. While listening to the beautiful meows of the two cats and Lillie’s beautiful laughter coming from afar outside the window.

* * *

Eight heroes saved the world.

I fall asleep listening to stories about heroes from my mother or grandfather sitting at my bedside, and I learn about their history from the teachers at the academy. After growing up like that, we live our lives complacently and having serious discussions about who would have won if the heroes fought each other, who among them was the strongest, whose sacrifice was the most heartbreaking, whose decision was the most decisive. As time goes by, they grow old by sitting at the bedside of their children or grandchildren and passing on the old stories to their descendants.

As an old story, as history, as a mere snack or as a serious discussion. The words that lead in all those ways always have the same ending.

– Without them.

– We probably weren’t there either.

That’s how the story is told.

It is a long-standing story that has been consistently passed down through history and through word of mouth. Stories of heroes that are great to hear and tell.

A legendary story that created the beginning for everyone living today. A story that has become a legend.

“It seems that Sispanian disappeared. Some time before or a little after the replacement of Secretia’s throne.”

The reason the story was able to continue without being buried or altered was because one of the legends was still alive and breathing.

Sigmund Kahn Sispanian.

This refers to an extremely great and thoughtful Sispanian.

Although he had not been seen in front of people for several generations after Hatsuara’s death, Sispanian definitely existed. This was proven by the dragon blood that passed down to the Kairis royal family, the traces left throughout the palace, and the various magics that were still in full force.

That’s why they believed in reality, and so their stories remained indelibly scattered throughout history. They praised, followed, and respected Sispanian as if he were the last line of salvation to replace the sleeping Serenti. They used Cispanian in the names of all kinds of stores and became familiar with them and showed affection to them.

“Has the blessing disappeared?”

“No. Brother Planz got hurt a little while ago, and after that, I checked with him to see if there was anything wrong with the power of the blessing. The blessing was the same, and all of the Sispanian magic left in the palace is still intact. Sis. The items Fanian was collecting also remain intact.”

“Then why are you doubting the absence of the ancient dragon?”

“It’s not where it should have been and it’s not where it always has been.”

Slayman, who was told that he should have appeared but did not, tilted his head.

“Isn’t it difficult to say that it has disappeared based on that alone? Is there any other reason why you think that way?”

Just a few months.

To a human, it may seem like a long time, but to a Sispanian who has lived through heaven, it is like a fleeting moment. So, even if only that much time has passed, isn’t it too early to suspect the absence of the ancient dragon? Therefore, instead of making a fuss about Sispanian disappearing like Kalian, Sleiman asked about the basis for the judgment.

Calian shook his head.

“No other grounds are necessary.”

Because it is the axis of time.

Didn’t they call Sispanian saying that the axis of time had appeared? There was no way that an ancient dragon with such a wide sense of responsibility would ignore the call that he had found a fragment of something he had created himself and called a ‘disaster’. Cispanians have not learned how to live comfortably ignoring things.

Therefore, Sispanian must have come before the debris that appeared in the sea. He should have come to the cavity he created. But it didn’t happen.

That was absolutely un-Cispanian.

Calian, who spoke as if he were confident, looked at Slayman for a moment. The owner of the family that had guarded Sispanian’s nest throughout the history of this land did not fully understand Calian’s words.

It’s natural. Someone who doesn’t know what the axis of time is or what’s going on that’s causing Kalyan to continue his second life here wouldn’t be able to understand Kalyan’s confidence.

Because of this, Calian thought for a moment.

Would it be okay if I told you what I knew? To be precise, even if we inform Slayman of that fact, whether Dmirea will be able to let him go without pulling out the sword.

“……There was something called the axis of time, Lord Siegfried.”

And after making up my mind, I opened my mouth.

Because one day, I might have to use the sword and shield of elephants. Not towards the brothers of this country and this palace, not towards the nobles. To create another legend that I wish never had to be created.

– You must use the axis of time in your land. certainly. I.

-What bullshit.

ah. Of course, I didn’t reply like that.

Bern, who was enjoying an elegant language life after spending all his vigorous days, gave a beautiful answer that packaged the meaning very elegantly. It’s just that Pea, who understood the hidden meaning of the reply very well, attacked right away.

In any case, what’s important is not Bern’s reply, but the fact that Planz started a war without even giving a proper explanation. The mad king who moved Balkan, with the help of Alan, quickly pushed into the land protected by Bern as Secretia. Without any hesitation, they marched straight to the capital and headed toward the axis of time.

In any case, it must have been urgent.

So, if that time comes again and the same thing happens again, there may not be time to explain. Therefore, Kalian told Slayman in advance the story of what happened in the ‘past’.

Well, it could have just been because the pea talk was shorter than it is now, or it could have been because the peas, which were completely withered by the scent of Renieri and had no way to recover, were a little more crazy than Bern. I have to believe it at least that way so I can hate the peas at least a little less. anyway.

“Are you saying that Sispanian created the item that started the war? Fragments of it have begun to appear again?”

“That’s right.”

“And another part of it appeared, but is it true that Sispanian did not answer the call?”

“you’re right.”

“…… haha.”

It’s more legendary than a legend, more like a play than a play, more false than a lie, but it’s a story from a time that has now disappeared. When Slayman heard that story, he just laughed. Then.

“I need to go to the crown prince and bow to him. There is no way I would have gone to war with another country over this land without losing another one of my babies.”

I gave this answer.

It’s a forgotten time, it’s an axis of time, it’s something.

Sleiman was definitely Dmirea’s father. After hearing that incredible story, the first thing I thought of was about Yan from the past.

Whether or not Calian’s words are true or not, and whether or not Calian’s mental head is okay as he lives with the people of the enemy country while embracing the forgotten Bern. Slayman, who did not consider such things too important, opened his mouth to Calian.

“Then, would you mind if I go to the territory with you?”

“Unless you have to go to the territory, a letter authorizing you to visit the nest is enough. Since nothing will happen to the nest right now, I don’t think there is any need for you to accompany me.”

“In that case… I came up with the intention of getting to know the child a little more until spring ends. I will write you a letter.”

“Please do so.”

Unless Sispanians disappeared completely, Slayman had no part to play. Even if Sispanian appeared in front of Calian again, it would not be possible for even Slayman to meet Sispanian. Therefore, there was no need for Slayman, who had come to Kairisis to see Lirie with his dog Yan, returning to the duchy together.

Slayman immediately went back to the study and wrote down a few lines, then handed the letter with his seal to Kalian and said:

“I hope the same thing doesn’t happen again this time, Prince Calian.”

I’m not talking about war.

I’m asking you again to work on Jan. Not to anyone else but to ‘Khalian’.

Calian nodded with a calm smile that he rarely saw.

“I can’t undo what has already happened to ‘me’… but whether I find out the truth or let it go forever. Jan will be okay. I will be there.”

Even though he is my father, it is something that even Slayman cannot do. Kalian knew as well as Slayman that only Kalian could keep Yan standing where it is now.

“please.”

“yes.”

Plantz was granted a favor. And Kalian, who gave one favor and received another. Calian, as Calian, and Plantz, as Plantz, resolved their respective affairs and returned to the palace together. And Calian put aside all other matters and left the palace again.

This time, I explained the situation to Demirea in advance and did not forget to postpone the remaining sparring for a few days.

In the royal palace, there is Alan, Lemain, Balkan, and Siegfried. Therefore, even if I were to leave again for just a few days, there would be no problems in the palace, so I wasn’t worried about that. Even if things go wrong, it is natural that Sispanian must be taken care of first. If there is a problem with the safety of the Sispanians, the palace and the continent may be shaken.

So, Calian passed through Siegfried’s city of Citren in Siegfried’s territory, to the Duke’s residence, and to the rocky mountain behind it. It was busy. Of course, Pea, who, despite having such a good head, had obviously forgotten his position, was also rolling around.

– Were you worried? you.

And then we met.

We finally met again.

“That’s why I came.”

Calian’s eyes narrowed.

With a black dragon in front of me, bigger than a huge castle, more majestic than a majestic mountain, and taller than the sky.

A huge egg of transparent light held in its arms.

Because I saw a red bird crouching in it.