Chapter 4, I Haven’t Grown That Much (1)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

The royal family of Cyries were said to be descendants of Dragons.

 

To be precise, they were descendants of Harts-ara and Syspanian, who were among the eight heroes who sealed away the evil god during the Two Gods War.

 

Sigmund Khan Syspanian.

 

Syspanian, known as an Ancient Dragon, who had been in existence since the beginning. She married Harts-ara not as a matter of ‘amusement’ but as part of her life, that had spanned millennia. In other words, it was not Harts-ara who took Syspanian as Queen, but Syspanian who chose Harts-ara as her Dragon Companion.

 

Syspanian wanted her descendants with Harts-ara to be special. Thus, she bestowed the power of her Bloodline, given only to the King of Cyries and their direct children.

 

It was the power of healing and magical talent.

 

This was Syspanian’s blessing – the ‘Boon of Syspanian’.

 

“But, the wound remains unchanged.” Kalian’s wound, with the power of the blessing, should have been almost healed by now.

 

However, the injury from the knife Plants had thrown had not healed at all – even by evening. He wondered if perhaps Kalian was not Rmain’s true Son. However, he recalled memories of the wounds healing normally in the past.

 

This meant that his inability to heal had suddenly developed.

 

But that was not the only problem.

 

[Is Kalian… a Mage?]

 

Bern was a Knight.

 

Not just any Knight, but one of only six Sword Masters in the entire continent. Meanwhile, the old Kalian had possessed a thin frame that was far removed from physical activity. The question arose of ‘whether such a body could manifest Aura.’

 

But. when he focused on Mana, he was shocked to discover three Mana Circles near his heart. A strange and vast knowledge of magic came flooding in.

 

He chuckled at only just realizing this important fact after two days had passed.

 

As he tried to manipulate Mana, he felt stabbing pain in his heart.

 

“When I try to use my Mana, my heart hurts…”

 

In fact, he had felt his chest hurt when he caught the knife Plants had thrown. It happened when he unconsciously tried to surround his body with Aura to catch the blade. As a result, he had unknowingly gripped too hard, getting injured even from that dull blade.

 

Just in case, he tried manipulating Mana once more.

 

Without fail, stabbing pain tore at his heart. Kalian unknowingly clutched his chest.

 

“The wound would not heal and this heart pain…” Kalian frowned as he faced these two things that should not exist.

 

The frustrating part was that he had no memory of such issues before. It seemed like this was likely a problem that arose after Bern entered Kalian’s body, or perhaps he was afflicted with this just recently.

 

“This is a problem. If this continues, I can neither use Aura nor Mana.”

 

It was concerning. No, it was extremely dangerous.

 

Realizing this was not something he could just ignore, Kalian began to think deeply. [I needed someone. Someone I can seek advice for this situation.]

 

Naturally, there would be no one within the Royal Palace who could advise Kalian. He began carefully reviewing his memories, thinking about whether there might be someone who could help him.

 

*Woong!*

 

Suddenly, the magical device for temperature control made a sound as it heated the water that had apparently cooled. Hearing this, Kalian’s eyes suddenly lit up.

 

“A Mage… Yes, a Mage.”

 

Kalian unconsciously splashed the bathwater, causing light splashing sound.

 

“Allan Manasil.”

 

The Archmage Allan Manasil.

 

The current Allan was one of the three Seventh Circle Mages.

 

Among the three, he was the youngest and most talented, practically an idol to most Mages.

 

That was ten years ago by Bern’s standards, which meant now – the present day!

 

Allan had visited Cyries when invited to King Rmain’s birthday celebration festival. Due to certain circumstances, Allan was turned away at the Palace gates without being allowed to enter. Then, he immediately returned to the Kingdom of Liberen. And after ten years had passed, Allan became the continent’s only Eighth Circle Archmage.

 

“It was said that none in the continent could match his knowledge of Mana.”

 

Kalian quietly murmured.

 

He felt certain that Allan could help with this problem as well.

 

“It would be even better to use this opportunity to make him my ally.”

 

Support of a capable Mage rivaled a Knight’s loyalty. Therefore, if Allan were to side with Kalian, all the Mages in Cyries would stand with Kalian from that moment on.

 

“That would reduce the risk of dying quietly without anyone knowing.”

 

The reason no one dared to threaten Second Prince Plants’ life was because of the power of the Knight Orders under Queen Sillike. What about First Prince Randel? Aisha, the former Queen of Cyries, who died of illness and was Randel’s Mother, was a Princess of the Halidom of Tansyll. Therefore, Randel’s life, being also royalty of Tansyll, was not something anyone could carelessly target.

 

That was power and influence Kalian did not possess.

 

If he could bring Allan to his side, Kalian would gain such a power as well.

 

Of course, the biggest change Allan would bring was something else entirely.

 

Kalian’s eyes narrowed.

 

“My name would be added to the list of succession candidates for the throne.”

 

Despite being a nation ruled by Dragon descendants, Cyries treated Mages very poorly. This was due to Sillike’s influence, who was from a Knight Family and controlled multiple Knight Orders. Because of this, Mages wanted a Crown Prince who could free them from this situation.

 

If Kalian obtained Allan’s support, the Mages would support him. It was clear that even if Kalian were to ally with any other powerful family, he would not be able to gain as much power and influence compared to allying with the Mages.

 

Kalian tried manipulating Mana once more.

 

Without fail, a sharp pain stabbed at his heart once more.

 

“First, I need to meet Allan Manasil. Only then can I proceed with my next task.”

 

Kalian’s next task was to find a certain child. If Allan could save Kalian, that child was someone Kalian needed to save. He needed to save them and make them his ‘sword.’

 

It was one month until Rmain’s birthday celebration.

 

It would also be around that time Kalian’s predicted his death was due.

 

[The timing is interestingly aligned.]

 

*Splash.*

 

Kalian splashed the water once more.

 

*Thud!*

 

The measuring tape in clothing attendant Satinn Slake’s hand fell to the floor upon seeing Kalian. Satinn hurriedly cleaned up what he dropped and took out a new measuring tape. This was because he could not use something that had touched the floor on a royal’s body.

 

After turning his head to look at Kalian again, Satinn briefly gazed into the distance as if reminiscing before returning his gaze to him.

 

Somehow, while Ian showed an anxious expression, Satinn opened his mouth.

 

“Seeing the Third Prince reminds me of Royal Consort Freya,”

 

“Slake.”

 

The anxious Ian immediately cut off Satinn’s words. As if finally realizing his verbal mistake, Satinn startled and deeply bowed to Kalian.

 

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

 

Kalian was naturally more surprised by the sudden change in atmosphere. When he looked at Ian, he too was already bowing.

 

“I apologize. I will immediately bring in someone else.”

 

Kalian’s expression became complicated.

 

He did not know why they were apologizing.

 

Feeling intensely frustrated, Kalian hurriedly searched through his old memories.

 

[Why do these memories only come when I deliberately try to recall them!?]

 

Before long, memories related to this incident surfaced in his mind. After quickly scanning through the memories like flipping through a picture book, Kalian let out a sigh.

 

“Haaaaa…”

 

The old Kalian had trembled at being told he resembled Freya. He even hated looking at his own face in the mirror. It was because he had to suffer all those years being told he resembled someone he had never even seen in his life.

 

Now, he understood why the maid had gone outside to fetch a mirror when he first entered Kalian’s body. And, when he asked for one why Ian had been so flustered.

 

He had lived without looking at his face, and he had suddenly made such a fuss about it.

 

[It’s amazing I had not been found out.]

 

After a short sigh, Kalian carefully chose his next words.

 

Of course, right now he had no feelings about Freya. Still, suddenly overcoming such trauma overnight would raise suspicions. He needed to show a reaction, something better than before but still somewhat averse.

 

Having found the appropriate answer, Kalian opened his mouth toward Satinn.

 

“Continue what you were doing. You don’t need to say what you were going to say. I know well that I resemble ‘Mother.'”

 

“Y-yes. I’ll begin right away.”

 

Though both were surprised by Kalian’s words, they did not seem suspicious.

 

Satinn, who had nearly been dismissed, awkwardly straightened up and carefully began taking Kalian’s measurements. A servant who seemed to have come with him busily wrote down the measurements Satinn called out.

 

Shortly after, having taken all the measurements, Satinn carefully spoke up, “You should eat more, Your Highness. I’m worried because you’re too light.”

 

Kalian smiled.

 

There was no reason to take offense at being called light since it was said out of concern. While he was not short, it was true that he was indeed too thin.

 

“Indeed.”

 

The measuring had finished faster than expected, so just as he was thinking he could rest a bit before dinner, a servant brought Satinn thick books. Satinn received them, placed them on the table, and began opening them one by one.

 

“…What is this?”

 

One book was a collection of various designs for formal wear, and another was a compilation of fabric samples in different materials and colors. Additional books of lace collections and drawings of various accessories were added. There was also a book with countless similar-looking buttons dangling from it. There was also another with hundreds of drawn shoes.

 

That was not the end of it…

 

Looking toward the servant, they were bringing two more books.

 

As Kalian stared blankly with an expression asking what all this was, Satinn spoke as if the real work was about to begin.

 

“Now we must decide on the design, Your Highness. You need to choose four outfits.”

 

“How many outfits?”

 

While he made a fed-up expression, the answer came from his memories.

 

He needed to prepare five outfits in total. The other one was the Prince’s formal uniform, so there was no need to choose this – that was why he only needed to choose four right now.

 

Kalian’s face turned pale.

 

[I have to choose from all of that?]

 

This was something he had never experienced when he lived his life as Bern.

 

In his childhood, the Queen, who was Bern’s Mother, had done this in his stead. After he became a Knight, he only wore the Knight’s uniform so there was no need to choose clothes. Moreover, Secritia did not have any grand events requiring five outfits at once. After all, no event there was celebrated this magnificently.

 

Anyway, now there was no one to choose clothes for him, and no default uniform either. So, while he was wearing a troubled expression, Ian spoke from beside him.

 

“You’ve changed a lot lately, Your Highness. But this month there are no schedules with nobles because of event preparations. So, this birthday celebration for His Majesty will be the first time you appear before others with your changed appearance.”

 

“I know you’re advising me to dress well and make a proper first impression.”

 

“Yes. That’s right, Your Highness.”

 

“Right. I understand that, but…”

 

Kalian looked at the books densely packed on the table. Just looking at them made him feel tired. How could he care about clothes when he now had a body that could not even use his own Mana?

 

“I don’t have confidence to go through all that. Why don’t you choose instead?”

 

‘You’ meant Ian and the maids. It was meant as a suggestion to give up, but Ian’s face brightened.

 

“Would that be alright with you?”

 

“Yes. It’s fine.”

 

Kalian nodded and replied, then went to sit on the sofa.

 

And thus, the true war began.

 

For some reason, they became very passionate about it.

 

The maids who had followed silently without saying a single word for two days began speaking up, trying their best to make Kalian stand out.

 

Kalian, inadvertently hearing their back-and-forth discussions, occasionally offered his own opinions.

 

“No large ribbons. No small ribbons either.”

 

There was brief disappointment in the atmosphere before other ideas emerged.

 

Kalian spoke again.

 

“Not too many frills.”

 

They did not give up.

 

“…Would lace be okay?”

 

[Just what are they trying to make? What’s with the bells?]

 

In the end, Kalian joined their discussion and began arguing with them.

 

After all, he had to stop the ‘many frills’ no matter what.