How to Live as the Enemy Prince Chapter 71

Chapter 15. Let me ask you a question (2)

Several more days passed.

Silica’s greenhouse, which had always been filled with the green leaves of the Lurnieri plant, was now completely empty. On the day when Silica met with Calian to exchange oaths, she had shattered all the plants in the greenhouse in her fit of anger.

Since then, Silica hadn't left her room until a few days ago. Because of this, the greenhouse was cleaned up but remained empty and unfilled for several months.

Within the reception room set up in the center of the greenhouse, Silica was slowly pacing. With each step, a chill seemed to flow, preventing the maids from daring to approach her.

Tick-tock.

– Clank, clank.

Tick-tock.

– Clank, clank.

Folding and unfolding the fan in her hand while wandering around the greenhouse, Silica suddenly stopped in her tracks, biting her lips deeply.

Grey Brissen wasn’t coming.

It was certain that he had come near the capital. However, the news abruptly ceased thereafter.

Lennon suddenly disappearing had unknown reasons, but Silica didn't doubt the possibility itself. He was just an ordinary person, so abduction or murder was not impossible.

However, Grey was different.

Now, Silica was not anxious because she thought that might have happened to Grey. She was wondering if Grey had disappeared with different intentions.

As Silica was contemplating this, the head maid rushed over and conveyed a few words to her.

"When Margrave Grey Brissen arrived near the capitol, was attacked by men sent by Marquis Evan Brissen. As a result, the news that he suffered significant injuries and returned to the Brissen residence is spreading widely."

Hearing this, Silica furrowed her brow and asked.

"Father? Why?"

"That... Knowing that he intended to seize the Marquis position, he received a warning not to return to Kyrisis from Evan Brissen, saying to never come back again. Right now, the nobles are very noisy about the matter."

Noble tongues were indeed swift.

The news that Grey, who had come to the capital for treatment, was attacked by Evan spread like wildfire within moments.

It was no wonder. After all, Grey was a Swordmaster.

For such a person to suffer injuries difficult to recover from because of his father, what news could be more interesting than this?

Silica frowned.

After folding and unfolding the fan in her hand several more times, Silica's murmurs flowed.

"No, I ordered to remove him in advance, expecting that he might aim for the Marquis position. At such a time."

Then, as if there was something strange, Silica asked the head maid again.

"My father didn't personally go, so who could inflict injuries on Grey?"

"Grey Brissen was already injured and on his way to the capital. That's why they couldn't respond properly, I heard."

Upon hearing the answer, Silica's eyes sparkled.

Silica, with sharpened eyes, turned to the head maid again and asked.

"Send healing potions to Margrave Brissen. Confirm whether he is really injured and returning, and find out exactly who attacked him. Go and verify with your own eyes as quickly as possible."

The head maid bowed, expressing her intention to do so.

"And immediately find Lord Teyle and bring him here."

Teyle was the vice commander of the Pavel knight order, who left the royal palace because of Calian. He had also swung his sword several times on behalf of Silica. Since he would do anything for money, there was no one better than him to replace Grey in an emergency.

After the head maid hastily left, Silica once again wandered around the greenhouse.

Silica was trying to confirm all three assumptions she had made. The first and second would be verified by the maids who would meet Grey. The third would be confirmed through Teyle.

She thought about someone not revealed.

"Why does he keep coming to mind?"

Calian.

"...Why do you keep coming to my thoughts?"

– Clank, clank!

Struggling to shake off the uncomfortable premonition, Silica returned to her room.

*

On that afternoon, there was a significant announcement from Rumian.

The preparations for founding a magic organization named Valkan were all set, and the inauguration ceremony would take place a week later, followed by immediate commencement of operations.

The temporary commander of Valkan was Alan Manasil, and the vice commander was Arsen Hertz.

On the morning when Silica had frowned upon the news about Grey, she once again wrinkled her brows at this announcement.

"To use Pavel's building and training grounds... His Majesty has completely forgotten about the past."

Seeing Silica uncomfortable once again, the head maid struggled with how to respond. From Silica's mouth, there was a sharp and grinding sound.

"Just because Pavel's building disappeared doesn't mean I've lost my power. Who thinks they can use that place for the mages...”

Silica paused in her words for a moment.

"No."

She refrained from asking about it at this time.

There were rumors circulating that Marquis Brissen had crippled his son. If Silica opposed Rumian in such a situation, people's attention would turn back to her.

"Did you say they gathered about thirty mages?"

"Yes, that's correct."

Silica nodded with a sneer.

"Well, with that, you won't be able to do anything. If His Highness wants to play with the army, I guess I'll show you around first. I understand now."

After saying so, Silica turned away. Then, the head maid cautiously spoke to her again.

"I brought the person you mentioned."

Silica's face eased a little upon hearing that. Teyle, a Pavel knight, had arrived. Silica nodded and went down to meet him.

Silica shooed off everyone in front of the reception room and entered alone. A man in ordinary clothes was seated in front of the table. It was Teyle, the knight.

Teyle possessed the appearance typical of a knight, and his behavior and words were tidy and restrained. Hence, those who saw him for the first time couldn't imagine Teyle’s real personality.

Only Silica knew.

If she handed him three gold coins, he would be willing to kill anyone outside the palace and bring their bodies back.

- Clink.

Therefore, Silica handed the purse filled with money to Teyle. After checking its contents, Teyle asked.

"Are there several opponents to deal with?"

He was asking because there was quite a bit of money.

Silica nodded, tilting her head.

"Just one."

Upon hearing that, Teyle let out a muffled laugh. It was because he had recently dealt with one opponent and received a considerable sum of money.

Lennon Brissen.

One of the two knights who brought him in front of the Marquis was Teyle. Of course, Teyle was a knight who kept his mouth shut, so Silica would never know about it.

"Who is it?"

Someone who had performed Calian's Roselita, stayed outside the palace, and was not a member of Alan Manasil's family.

Silica spoke in a low voice.

"A mage named Arsen Hertz."

The vice commander of Valkan, who had been actively discussed among the Kyrisis nobles along with Grey. Teyle had also heard his name.

"If you encounter Grey Brissen, find out what happened if you did. After finding out, you should seal his mouth well. If you handle it well, I'll double what I've given you."

After realizing why the purse was heavy, Teyle quietly got up from his seat. Putting the purse into his pocket, he left Silica's reception room.

*

That evening.

Yan had an extremely excited expression.

"Finally, our prince is gaining influence, isn't he?"

Of course, there was no mention of Calian anywhere in relation to Valkan. However, Yan knew that the magic organization Valkan was part of Calian's army.

"Although there are only thirty for now, the number will increase enormously soon. So, won't our prince be able to walk confidently now?"

In response to Yan's words, Kyrie, who stood side by side with him, waiting for Calian to finish showering, cautiously replied.

"...I'm not sure if it's okay for you to become even more confident than you are now."

Yan widened his eyes at the sincere words.

"How can you endure living under Prince Franz and Prince Randell? Especially if you know how harsh Franz is towards our prince."

Yan, who said this, would be surprised to know that Calian was even somewhat connected to Franz. As a result, Calian, who heard Yan's words in the shower room, briefly made a perplexed face.

He worried about what kind of reaction Yan would have if he told him about the matter with Franz.

After finishing the shower with complicated thoughts, Calian put on simple formal attire and headed to the banquet hall at the Senate. While Valkan had not been officially founded yet, it was to attend a light dinner to commemorate Rumian’s announcement of the foundation.

Not long after entering the banquet hall, Calian stopped for a moment because of the intense attention.

"Prince Calian has arrived!"

There were mages gathered from all over the country, and there weren't many who had seen Calian so closely. So, everyone unanimously began to scrutinize Calian.

- Are those eyes really as red as Sispanian’s?

Thanks to that, Calian had to greet each and every mage personally, making eye contact.

'How fortunate it is that Randell and Franz didn't come.'

Both of them, along with Silica, had plausible reasons for their absence. Calian was glad not to have to deal with the attention.

Thinking about that and chuckling to himself, Calian was approached by Arsen last. He had a rather tired expression. Therefore, Calian, with a hint of apology, spoke.

"Lord Hertz. Are you okay?"

"I don’t think it will get better anytime soon, Your Highness."

Arsen responded sincerely, and Calian smiled and spoke.

"There will be a banquet on the day of the inauguration, so just rest today."

Then, Arsen's expression brightened a bit. He desperately wanted to go home, but he couldn't for several reasons.

"Thank you for your consideration. However, after the dinner, I have to meet with Manasil. Besides, if I just go home like this, I can’t even imagine what Corps Commander Manasil will say tomorrow."

Calian, looking at his face, laughed again.

" I will convey my message to Master."

"But..."

"Rest when you can."

At that moment, Arsen, who sincerely felt grateful to Calian, politely bid him farewell.

"Thank you. I'll be leaving first today, then."

"Be careful going in. Don't fall asleep on the way."

Having said that, Calian smiled mysteriously.

Of course, Arsen didn't recognize it. He just quickly moved his steps and got on the carriage, feeling like Alan was coming after him.

Arsen's house was across the Senyu River, so it took some time to arrive. Although Calian told him not to fall asleep, a human’s eyelids were not easily controlled.

- Dagdak, dagdak

Arsen’s eyes slowly closed as he quietly listened to the rhythmic sound of horse hooves. And he fell into a deep sleep.

After crossing the Senyu River.

Arsen was awakened by the uneasy shaking of the carriage and the urgent voice of the coachman.

"Lord Hertz!"

Arsen, who woke up with a strange feeling, was called by the coachman again.

"Please wake up!"

Only then did Arsen come to his senses and hurriedly get up.

At the same time, the carriage shook violently.

- Boom!

Arsen's eyes, which had always been calm, glinted coldly.

He forcefully opened the door of the still-moving carriage.

The carriage was moving much faster than usual, rushing frantically. Unfamiliar scenery flashed by.

Instead of being flustered by the sudden situation, Arsen calmly surveyed the area, shouting towards the driver.

"Keep going, keep running away!"

He swiftly manipulated his magic.

[Teleport]

Simultaneously, Arsen's body vanished from the carriage and appeared exactly where he had been looking a moment ago.

Moving from the running carriage to the ground, Arsen immediately created a shield to protect himself. Then, several horses, which were chasing the carriage, surrounded Arsen.

Moonlight glinted off the blades aimed at Arsen.

Realizing that his suspicions were correct, Arsen calmly spoke.

"Nice to meet you."

The 5th circle magician who was only 28 years old specialized in fast and efficient offensive magic, and was capable of creating ice spears at a speed faster than lightning. 

"Arsen Hertz, Vice Commander of the Valkan Sorcerer Corps."

Ice imbued with a chilling glow shot out from Arsen Hertz.