How to Live as the Enemy Prince Chapter 70

Chapter 15. Let me ask you a question (1)

Alan's claim that Rumian was always pushing him around was bullshit. Clearly, Rumian was treating Alan just as nicely as he was working him.

Among those working in the royal palace, Alan was the only one with a private office in Arphia Palace, Rumian's workplace.

"Wow..."

Calian, who was visiting Alan's office for the first time, exclaimed in admiration. It wasn't because he had seen the facilities or size of the office; he hadn't entered the office yet.

"It's incredible."

Having said that, Calian burst into laughter.

After realizing that his laughter echoed through the solemn corridors of Arphia Palace, Calian barely managed to stop laughing before speaking again.

"I can see at a glance why you always stick with the king. You must have complained because His Majesty takes such good care of you."

Calian, who spoke like that, looked at the two offices located at the highest level of Arphia Palace.

On the left side of the corridor, filled with portraits of past Kings of Kyris, was Rumian's office, and on the right was Alan's office.

In other words, Rumian had arranged for Alan to work right across from his own office.

Since opening a door meant encountering the king, where else in Kyris could Alan receive better treatment than this, even without any special rank?

"Don't say such things."

Alan, who was standing next to him, retorted in this way.

He originally worked at Narsil Hall and had come after being told that he would be given a bigger and better room, only to find the room across from Rumian. When he said he didn't like it, Rumian suggested putting another desk in his own office. It had been several months since he entered his new office with tears in his eyes from the king’s unprecedented treatment.

"You probably can't even imagine how much I suffer every day."

Alan's main duty was related to the magician's division, Valkan. He was working together with Rumian, of course. However, at some point, Rumian began to pass on one or two of his tasks to Alan.

Thanks to that, Alan, who had originally planned to "help the king a little during the time left when teaching magic to the prince," now barely had time to observe the prince's magic after work.

Of course, Alan offering to be Calian's master was merely an excuse to enter the royal palace. Besides, Calian, using the knowledge from the old Calian, was practicing magic well on his own.

But no matter how you look at it, isn't something wrong?

"The amount of work that His Majesty assigns is like the vastness of the sea."

Seeing Alan endlessly complaining, Calian's laughter started again. Alan quickly opened the office door and ushered his disciple, who couldn't stop laughing, inside.

Entering Alan's office like that, Calian tried to erase his laughter as he sat on the sofa.

Now, Calian had come to the Arphia Palace with Alan like this for his secret meeting with Rumian. It was scary to hear Calian's request, so Alan brought Calian here.

TN: I made a mistake last chapter. Calian wanted to secretly meet with Rumian, not Alan

"Anyway, even if His Majesty and the prince meet secretly, it will eventually be revealed. So, just boldly say you have something to see in my office. It's better that way."

Thanks to this, Calian left immediately after finishing the conversation with Alan. With many greetings, he confidently arrived at the Arpia Palace.

"Wait a moment. I will bring His Majesty secretly now."

After Alan jokingly said this and left, Calian's heart started beating again. While Calian had indeed requested a secret meeting with Rumian, he didn't expect to meet him right away, making it terrifying to speak.

Calian sat on the sofa in Alan's office, soothing his throat, moving his facial muscles a few times, checking his appearance, and fidgeting with his clothes. He was nervous.

Before long, the door opened again, and Alan came in first, followed by Remein. Calian, standing up, politely bowed.

"Hello."

Having received Calian's brief greeting, Rumian sat across from Calian. Alan went out again, since he wished for a private conversation. Calian, who had moments ago worn a somewhat amused expression, now had a serious demeanor, almost as if questioning the appropriateness of someone coming here. He addressed Rumian.

"Thank you for coming out on such a sudden request, Your Majesty."

His tone was notably formal and stiff. Seeing Calian's awkward smile, Rumian responded in a comforting tone.

"Don't make it seem so difficult."

Calian forced an awkward smile, and Rumian continued.

"I was worried that you might have taken offense at the queen's behavior during the banquet, but hearing laughter and chatter puts my concerns to rest."

It seemed that the sounds of Calian's laughter and conversation echoed through the corridor. Just as Calian became embarrassed and was about to apologize, Rumian spoke first.

"It's not meant to be taken negatively. Don't worry about it. In fact, I feel relieved that you've grown strong enough not to be swayed by such words."

Grateful for Rumian's sincere words, Calian bowed his head, expressing a depth of gratitude he had never shown to King Devlan of Secretia.

"I don't care about such things at all, Your Majesty. I am truly grateful for your concern."

"That's good. It's a fortunate thing."

Rumian chuckled slightly and nodded.

Then, for a brief moment, Rumian stared deeply into Calian's eyes. After a slight pause, he opened his mouth.

"Manasil’s prediction was that you're contemplating breaking something again. He suggested listening to what you have in mind."

It was a statement filled with concern and apprehension. Hearing Rumian's words, Calian's eyes instinctively turned toward the door, where Alan was.

Just by listening to Rumian's words, one might think that he was a troublemaker, perhaps several times worse than Franz.

Unconsciously, Calian let out a small sigh. Somehow, Rumian seemed to understand that sentiment and chose not to comment on Calian's sigh.

Soon, Calian, suppressing his resentful gaze directed at Alan, turned to Rumian and responded.

"Yes, Your Majesty. There is indeed something to break."

Rumian nodded.

"Prepare yourself for what you're going to break. Go ahead and tell me the story."

"Of course, it's Brissen."

Rumian's gaze turned toward the window.

"Are you talking about Viscount Lennon Brissen and Margrave Grey Brissen?"

"No. I'm referring to the Brissen successor itself, not a specific individual."

Instead of expressing further concern, Rumian tried to remain composed.

"Alright. It's something that needs to be done eventually. Continue talking."

"I plan to meet the nobles of the Knightly House first. Hence, I wanted to inquire if there's anyone you prefer as the successor."

"Are you asking whether your growing influence would harm me or pose a concern I need to be wary of?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Essentially, it was a question about how Rumian would perceive the increase in Calian's power—a bold inquiry.

Understanding this, Rumian chuckled and said, "Like master, like disciple, it seems."

"What do you mean?"

"When he talked about establishing a magic academy, Manasil asked similar questions. Now it's about knights."

Having said that, Rumian looked at Calian and offered a fatherly smile.

"Alright, go ahead and do as you wish."

"Thank you for granting permission."

After expressing gratitude, Calian continued to provide specific details about the favor he sought.

"I have some individuals I'd like to have a conversation with, but I need to avoid Brisen's scrutiny. Could you perhaps discreetly advance what you mentioned to Franz during the feast?"

The words Rumian brought up during the dinner were not mere empty talk. Therefore, as soon as Calian finished his story, Rumian immediately grasped what he was talking about.

"Are you talking about the hunting trip?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Calian proceeded to explain further.

"It was a conversation that naturally arose during the meal, and it was something you suggested to Franz, not me. Therefore, even if it is suddenly pushed forward, there will be few who are suspicious."

Rumian nodded, paying careful attention to Calian's words.

"Moreover, since it's a hunting competition, it wouldn't seem strange for all the nobles of the Knightly House to participate. The queen won't abstain from attending, and soon rumors about Grey Brisen will spread, making the Brisen successor unable to avoid the event."

Rumian's expression darkened slightly at these words. It wasn't because organizing a hunting competition was difficult. Rumian, realizing something from Calian's words, asked quietly.

"You're saying we need to avoid Brisen's scrutiny, yet you're asking me to arrange an event where Franz must attend. Did Franz and the queen turn on each other by any chance?"

"Yes. At least Franz has seemed to have turned away in some manner."

Rumian wore a somewhat awkward expression.

Soon, Rumian nodded and replied, "It's not a difficult task. Prepare yourself.."

Calian expressed his gratitude once again at the willing approval. Then, in a more cautious tone than before, he spoke.

"And there is one more thing I'd like to request."

"Speak."

Calian's following words were something Rumian had not expected at all.

"I want to create a large-scale teleportation array between Kyrisis and the territory of Duke Siegfried. I also plan to connect it to other regions in the future."

"Duke Siegfried."

The land of the elephants. A teleportation array linking that place and Kyrisis.

"In case, Duke Siegfried's knights could engulf Kyrisis in just three days."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"I heard through Manasil that your servant is Siegfried's eldest son. I am well aware of Duke Siegfried's temperament. However, the story you brought up now doesn't seem like an issue that can be easily decided based solely on trust in them."

Rumian continued to ponder for a while.

But it wasn't something he could decide easily.

"I will give you an answer later on. Please wait a little longer."

"I will do so."

In the end, Rumian answered that he needed time to think.

* * * * *

People's preferences naturally change at any moment, like the flip of the palm of a hand.

The fact that Calian did not particularly like the coffee that Bern enjoyed was evidence of such a change.

On the day when Calian relieved the poison from his body in front of Silica and drank something, it was coffee. Therefore, Calian was not explicitly refusing if someone offered it, but he did not seek out coffee to drink first. There was a subtle sense of aversion.

After learning this fact, Yan had never once offered coffee to Calian.

Despite Alan always carrying coffee, he, too, was aware of Calian's feelings and refrained from drinking coffee in Chermil Palace.

Thus, after concluding the conversation with Rumian and returning to Chermil Palace with Calian, when Yan asked what they wanted to drink, Alan responded to him.

"Anything will do."

And Arsen, who was sitting across from Alan, politely responded to Yan's similar question.

"May I request a cup of strong coffee?"

"Yes."

Yan, who answered readily, placed a highly concentrated coffee in front of the magician with dark circles that resembled the abyss under his eyes.

Taking a sip of mint tea and glancing at the coffee, Alan spoke gently to Arsen.

"My friend, if you drink all of that, you might die."

"I don't think there will be any particular difference."

Whether it was dying from exhaustion or drinking coffee that emitted a color similar to a subspace.

Arsen drank the cup of coffee without any hesitation.

Seeing this, Calian tilted his head in amazement.

"Is it because you are unable to develop teleportation arrays?"

Calian, who had never specifically pressured Arsen before, spoke up. Since Rumian couldn't give an immediate answer anyway, and considering that Arsen might die before becoming the commander of the Valkan Legion at this rate, there was no need to rush.

"For now, it's better to take a break today. And just create a regular teleportation array. Reinforce the guard if necessary."

Since Calian didn't intend to push Arsen to the point of collapse, he questioned what he had ordered.

"No, Your Highness."

Surprisingly, Arsen tilted his head and spoke, "I have an answer, Your Highness. I modified the principle of how the oath mark is activated. It allows for a usage contract between multiple subjects and magic arrays."

Facing Calian, who’s eyes seemed to be asking why he drank that coffee that seemed to reduce not tiredness but life itself, Arsen concluded with a smile, "Your Highness can monopolize the teleportation array."

It was truly a pleasing statement.

Calian looked at Arsen with a smile of trust.

"Well done."

Arsen, who had been drinking Yan’s coffee for fear of falling asleep before hearing Calian's words, collapsed on Calian's sofa as if he had fainted. And he fell into a long-awaited deep sleep.

Seeing this, Alan asked Calian, "Does he have anything else he needs to do?"

"No. I plan to send mages from the Mage Association to proceed with the construction of the magic array."

"Then he can now be a leisurely mage again."

Calian, having grasped why he was asking, was unable to answer. Alan chuckled satisfactorily when Calian didn't respond.

The affairs of the Mage Guild were piling up at the Arpia Palace.

How can someone who will become the future Legion Commander have free time?

---------------------------------- TN: It's been.... two months. I'm so sorry. The website I was originally getting raws from closed for a while, so I was trying to get them from a different place, which wasn't working, and I kind of lost motivation. I'll be trying to get chapters out more regularly but no promises!

As always, if theres a mistake anywhere please let me know. Thanks for reading!