CH 81

One Chessboard

14. Reversal

It was the night before she left for Pronoia for an academic conference.  Because Kyrie still slept in a room other than hers, she would sometimes walk around the main building in the middle of the night.

Kyrie, who was passing through the main building to find an empty room, suddenly heard voices.

“……It’s dangerous.”

“However…..”

“Perhaps the lady……”

Kyrie headed to the place where the voices were coming from.  The three doctors were gathered in what looked to be Dr. Seaward’s office.  Kyrie quietly leaned next to the crevice of the door.

“I’ve been told that the Emperor’s magic corps is armed,” 

Kyrie listened more to the familiar words that came out of Dr. Hawksong’s mouth.

“Is that true?”

“It is true. It’s a secret message, so I don’t know the details.”

“What is she thinking?”

“Isn’t it obvious? She must be preparing to attack him while the legendary lord is not there.”

There was silence for a while.  Soon Dr. Poe whispered anxiously.

“Is our Emperor a little crazy?”

Dr. Hawksong gulped.

“I’ve never heard of it, but it’s a very reliable hypothesis.”

“Is that even possible?”

“Wouldn’t it be hard? She’s the one who drove out the end.”

“Or did they choose to cooperate with the Lord Protector?”

“Oh my, is he not a comrade?.”

“Or maybe the Emperor knows a special magic because she is the Vallabriga Owrenbridge descendant.”

Kyrie’s body tensed. Given the circumstances, it was clear that the Emperor had found Vallabriga’s lab. It would have been a golden opportunity since Nathaniel was not in the capital.

‘But the royal family couldn’t have found the library, so then …”

There is a possibility that Rubinia Cassner helped. She was not angry. That’s how she survives.

It was followed by a small conversation that was close to a murmur. She could hardly hear the voice. She didn’t need to hear more than that. It was time for Kyrie to straighten her waist and turn around. Someone at the end of the hallway

“What are you doing there? “

Surprised, Kyrie’s face became colder. As she turned her head, Jerome stood far away with a candle.

“My lady….. “

His posture was sloppy as if he was drunk. Kyrie quietly approached Jerome and put her index finger in front of her lips. Then Jerome’s eyes were too blatantly attached to Kyrie’s lips.

“Hush.”

“Shhh …”

“I thought I’d ask something, but I’m not in a mood to interfere.”

The more you have something to hide, the more bold you should be. Kyrie began to tiptoe with the veil flying. Jerome hesitated and followed her.

“Do you know how to ride a horse? Don’t you want to know how to ride a horse? Do you want a ride?”

Jerome kept quietly bumping into/hitting Kirie’s shoulder as he spoke.  It was intentional.

Kyrie thought about it briefly. It was difficult to get caught in a place like this. Kyrie closed her eyes and thought of the person she knew who best knew to get out of this situation

‘If I were Ms. Rubinia…’

Kyrie raised her finger and pushed against Jerome’s chest.

“Drunken men are generally useless.”

“…………hehe, hehe. “

Jerome was pushed back by her finger. He snatched his finger, but it was faster for Kirie to clear it. Jerome laughed in vain./ He tried to snatched at her finger, but Kyrie was faster.

“Then what if I’m not drunk?”

Kyrie smiled.

“I’ll compliment you on your high standards.”

She turned around and left Jerome in the hallway.

Of course she didn’t go back to the room. Kyrie found a dusty attic that seemed to have been made into the bell keeper’s room, squatting in it and falling asleep.

It was not cozy but quiet, and the moonlight was warm. Just like the night she played chess with Nathaniel..

***

At that time, Gray was sitting in front of a chessboard with Nathaniel. Gray looked up foolishly.

‘Why am I doing this?’

He just came up to say good night before going to bed. Then, when he saw the legendary lord sitting in front of the chessboard, he moved his horse reflexively. Then he moved his horse again, and he couldn’t say he’d go to bed in that situation.

Gray came to his senses again and looked down at the board. Nathaniel’s black was dominant.

“Well, We’ll be arriving in Pronoa tomorrow. It’s a free city, so there won’t be protocol, I hope you don’t mind?”

Nathaniel didn’t answer. Gray rolled his eyes.

“…Kyrie plays chess well.”

Then Nathaniel touched the tip of the cane and tilted his head.

[Destructive look.]

As expected, he doesn’t react unless it’s Kyrie.

“You know, she’s pretty good at using the Queen.”

[I didn’t see that]

“All Buchanans learn chess, but she… , surprisingly does not give up the king.”

Gray turned his head. A neatly folded cloak and a white king were basking in the moonlight by the window.  Its insignificant cleanliness made him feel meaningful for nothing. It seemed that dust would never accumulate there.  As if his memories never become memories.

“Does Kyrie know that Nathaniel-sama cares for her so much?”

[She must.]

“Wow. But she ran away?”

[It’s a human instinct, so I don’t blame her. I just don’t want her to die.]

Gray shrugged.

“Honestly, I think I’m kind of on the same page with Nathaniel now, may I ask you a question?”

Nathaniel pushed the look to the end of the cane without answering. Gray paid a silent tribute.

“I’ve been wondering. Excuse me, but wouldn’t it be better to be nicer to Kyrie?”

[Do you think I want to win her favor?]

“Of course not. It’s stupid to think that way after all this far.”/I would be a fool to think like that after coming all this way

[It’s amazing. you aren’t an idiot.]

Gray was in tears, but smiled uncontrollably.

“I mean, your opponent is Kyrie, right?”

[Kyrie]

Nathaniel lowered his head and added.  Suddenly, a trembling smile appeared on him.

[My Kyrie]

Gray was silent and then opened his mouth.

“Did you want her to run away?”

[That is not it. It is better for her to stay quietly beside me.]

“Quietly…”

[Quietly. Not in danger]

“Danger…”

[Have everything she wants in a place higher than others…]

“…….”

[Beside me.]

Gray blinked and looked at Nathaniel.  Nathaniel, in the moonlight, felt so sacred that such maddening words did not suit him. He couldn’t even imagine where such an irrational obsession came from on that face.

“……So Nathaniel-sama doesn’t care what Kyrie’s condition is?”

Nathaniel, noticing the meaning of his words, lowered his eyes as if there was nothing to say.

[I’ve never cared about that before. It doesn’t mean much]

“It doesn’t?”

[Yes.]

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand….”

[[Whether I care about her condition or not, the way she looks at me is always the same.  I am powerful and immortal, people admire me or want to destroy me. I am easy to blame.] 

Nathaniel rubbed his chin languidly. He didn’t seem too hurt when he said that someone had blamed him. It wasn’t like boredom.  Rather, it was more like dullness, Gray thought.

[So, does it make sense to care about that condition?  Either way,  in the end, they would either hate me and try to kill me, tremble in fear, or realise the implication of borrowing my power; go mad or end up begging me for death.]

Nathaniel spoke as if he was telling a funny story, but there was a strange cynicism underneath it.  Gray’s eyes widened slowly.

‘There was something strange about this part.  The Legendary Lord has a big misunderstanding…..Kyrie will act like a normal person.’

Gray hesitated. At this point, Gray had a choice. To say or not to say  He clearly knew that his words might go against the heart of the Legendary Lord.

But even then, Gray muttered as if possessed.

“…But Nathaniel. She…, this is Kyrie.”

Nathaniel moved his eyes to look at Gray.  Gray spoke as if he had dropped a drop of water on his calm waters, not realizing the wave of his words.

“She wouldn’t.”

Gray’s face darkened. On the other hand, Nathaniel’s face was becoming expressionless as if his features were being erased.

One chessboard, two men. The moonlight.

Nathaniel stared at Gray endlessly.  Gray felt a little nervous, but he couldn’t help saying the next thing he had been estimating the whole time.

“She will never give in to what she thinks is wrong.  Even if the opponent…is you..”

***

“What kind of place is Pronoa?”

Kyrie asked Dr. Poe, who sat across from her in the carriage. Dr. Poe, who was trying to hold down his motion sickness with a handkerchief covering his mouth, raised his head.

“It is the largest academic city in the country. It’s the second capital.…but haven’t you been there?”

“I didn’t have time to be away. I’ve heard that my governess studied in Pronoa.”

“Ho! What a talent.”

“That’s what my father liked. He likes everything that’s top notch.”

As Kyrie sarcastically spoke, Dr. Poe lowered his handkerchief and smiled warmly.

“Excuse me, that’s why scholars hate Sel Arellano.”

Kyrie chuckled. Poe said, closing his eyes and painting the scenery of Pronoa.

“It’s a great city. There was once royal oppression, but it flourished. It’s thanks to scholars’ desire to explore knowledge in a safe place…”

“That sounds great.”

“But don’t stray away from us. The conference is the largest annual event in Pronoa, so if you get lost, you will be hard to find. Especially on the last day, there’s a very special event, so there’s always  missing children because all the scholars of Pronoa gather!”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Oh, come to think of it-“

“Are you worried about the Legendary Lord’s movements?”

Kyrie nodded her head.

“Once Clásico was ‘like that’, he searched the castle of Clementz and disappeared. He was with a young man.”

It’s Gray Buchanan. Kyrie’s eyes deepened. One more reason to run away from Nathaniel.

“No information has been received since then. You know, we’re not particularly capable of collecting information, but this is the limit.”

“That’s enough. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Dr. Poe smiled brightly.

“But in common sense, there’s no reason for the legendary lord to come to the end-of-the-world research conference!”

Kyrie replied with a smile in a positive sense. Nathaniel was unexpectedly reluctant to talk about the end, the founder, and what happened before he went to sleep. Furthermore, not only scholars but also investors will come to the conference. Most of them will be nobles, so there is no way that Kyrie will go where his face may be revealed…I’d appreciate it if you could go somewhere else with the thought that …

The problem was Gray.

‘I don’t know where I’m going to go.’

Gray has always acted unpredictably. If he did it again this time…….

‘Against Nathaniel? Please, I hope you’re not that crazy.’

***

Unfortunately, however, Grey was that crazy.

He had to live. That’s why he’s getting more and more outlandish. If it didn’t lighten up the mood, the one behind the back would immediately pull out the remaining eyes.

‘I shouldn’t have said that.’

Gray regretted what happened that night. At that time, it was clear that what he said was against Nathaniel’s will.

Nathaniel became increasingly eerie and beautiful, like rotten flowers, oily artificial jewels. And then he became silent. He could feel that he was repeating what he had said. It was hell to be next to Nathaniel, who was silent and didn’t smile. When his mysterious worries were over, his neck was about to be cut off, too. So Gray acted more like a clown.

“Look at this book, Nathaniel! It’s a pretty good old book. Why don’t you give it to Kyrie as a gift?”

[Yes.]

When Nathaniel answered quietly, Gray kept his smile for a moment and quickly moved on to the next store.

“That women’s dressing room looks great! Would you like to choose a costume for Kyrie?”

[Yes]

Nathaniel must be aware of Gray’s movements. But he didn’t say anything. Even if he seemed so indifferent, he was told that the people of Old Ciudad and Fort Ducane, ordered by the Legendary Lord, were scouring the continent. Based on Neveah’s actions, Buchanan also seemed to be looking for Kyrie.

“How the hell did she escape from the capital, and what did he do to enthrall people so tightly?”’

Gray, who left Nathaniel in the dressing room for a while, called Neveah.

“Did you call me, young master?”

“Uh. Kyrie?”

“I didn’t find her.”

“Oh, my god!”

Gray roughly kicked a wooden chest in the alley.

“Why the hell can’t you find it?”

Neveah was silent. He wouldn’t have asked it for an answer.

“Anybody’s fine, we need to find Kyrie! Damn it! ‘That thing’ is really going down!’

“We’re doing our best.”

“Not for the best! The result matters, the result!”

Gray slapped and punched Neveah’s left shoulder. However, Gray rebounded off Neveah’s muscular body.

“Are you all right?”

“Darn it, fuck it! Ahhhhhhhh!

Gray struggled rolling on the floor. Neveah held out her hand while blocking people’s eyes. Finally, the true Gray plopped on the floor, huffing and puffing.

“I can’t do this.”

“What would you do?”

“Look for a girl. Light purple hair.”

Gray gritted his teeth.

“I have to get away from him. If he hears we’ve found Kyrie, I’m sure he’ll go after her, I can escape in the meantime. Will he look for me? He won’t, will he? But what if he finds out…? 

Neveah wondered if that was really possible. However, she closed her mouth as she watched Gray, who seemed to be out of his mind. Recently, her master had to tell the story of the lady until his lips were swollen next to the legendary lord from dawn until he fell asleep. And Neveah’s eyes also saw that the words were falling off.

Of course, the legendary lord would know. The fathomless blue eyes that looked at Gray seemed to be saying this.

I’m looking forward to when your stories run out.

“What a fucking…….”

Neveah looked down at him silently. Gray soon rose slowly from his seat.

“You remember Bale, don’t you? Cover it with something similar. If you don’t have the right person, hold on to anyone and threaten them. It wouldn’t be a problem if she died because she’s a commoner.”

“Yes.”

“And what else was there?”

“You were asked to give a speech at the opening ceremony at the conference.”

“Say yes.”

Gray, who was wearing an outer garment, paused.

“Come to think of it, the people of Aldrelm will come to the conference?”

“Yes, an invitation lecture is scheduled.”

“Aldrelm.”

Gray fixed his tie with an indifferent face.

[Don’t touch your mother’s territory.]

That’s what Nathaniel said.

But there’s a chance that Kyrie went to Aldrelm. Is there any?/wasn’t there?

Scholars do not meddle in political conflict. He had heard his mother was in the capital, and if the scholars knew they would not accept Kyrie. Kyrie would know that, so it was unlikely she would have gone to them. He wondered, though, if his mother had asked her to do something else?

‘That’s ridiculous.’

Zhenya Hartwood was not maternal.. Kyrie was foolishly obedient to his father because of loyalty to family, but Gray abandoned all expectations of his family early on. What would you do under a father who only sees his child as a tool, a mother who treats her child coldly because they are not as intelligent as her? Buchanan is such a family.

‘She was the only one who was weird.’

It was pathetic that she struggled to make a harmonious family as a parent, rather than give up.

“…a stupid little girl.”

No matter how smart you are and how good you are at work, if you are not prepared to neglect your family, all of it is useless. You have to kill him before he gets killed. That’s right. Gray pulled himself together.

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to have a formal greeting. Make an appointment with the people in your mother’s lab.”

“I see.”

After changing, Gray stood in place and slapped himself twice. His handsome face was greeted with a pure and cheerful smile.

“Here we go. Good luck.”

Neveah bent down.

***

Pronoia was a complex city.  In particular, in the old town, it was difficult to distinguish the passage from the rooms because the small houses were so densely packed.  It was like a pile of toy boxes piled high on top.  However, as they entered into the new city, the paving stones were well laid, the houses became more plausible, and above all, Kyrie was speechless at the splendor of the famous Pronoia Grand Library.

The Pronoia Grand Library was made entirely of marble and glowed white when lit by light.  The glass windows adorned the walls glistened, and the hanging gardens on each floor were filled with magically maintained greenery.  The spires were uncountable.

“It’s a great building.”

Kyrie, who was watching the large library with the cloth removed from inside the carriage, said.  Dr. Poe replied with a proud face.

“Is that right? In the past, there was a time when I made a slide with magic for each spire and played on it!”

“Are you doing that?”

“It’s a tradition!”

It was not difficult to enter the dormitory disguised as an attendant.  Eventually, when everyone gathered at once, Dr. Seward opened his mouth first.

“Did you hear the plan?”

“Wait in your room until the conference starts.  On the last day, taking advantage of the commotion, we will go to Libra in the carriage prepared with Dr. Poe.”

“Have you hired a carriage, Dr. Poe?”

“Jerome decided to do it!”

Dr. Poe replied, smiling like a white, fat baby.  Dr. Seaward murmured, “It’s terribly disturbing,” but he soon put his nose to the paper he was carrying and began to read.  Dr. Hawksong, who brought the tea just in time, handed the teacups to everyone.

“You too, Miss Buchanan.”

“Thanks.”

“The meal will be brought to you by Jerome.  Then as planned-.”

Knock knock.

The sound of a knock on the door cut through the room.  All eyes turned to the door at once.  A terrifying silence ensued.

Dr. Seward, raising his head like a startled lizard, was the first to hiss low.

“Dr. Poe!”

“Jerome went to rent a wagon. It’s probably not Jerome.”

“Are they likely to be members of the society?”

“Gerald, would it be the scholars coming to call?”

“There should be  no one coming after all.”

Dr. Hawksong whispered softly.  She blinked at Kyrie, and Kyrie quickly hid inside her room.  Dr. Seward began to pretend to read the thesis, and Dr. Poe began to pull his mustache so awkwardly next to him.

Dr. Hawksong opened the door.

“What can I do for you?”

“Good afternoon, sorry to visit so early..”

Hearing her voice, Kyrie’s heart sank. It was Gray’s assistant.

“It’s no different, young master Buchanan wants to speak with Dr. Hartwood’s colleagues.”

Dr. Hawksong asked as if he had heard it for the first time, even though he might have been embarrassed.

“Did Buchanan’s young master return home?”

“Yes. He is now in Pronoia.”

Kyrie, who was hiding and listening to the story, was silently surprised.

‘Gray is in Pronoia?’

Dr. Hawksong responded in a natural way without showing a sign of embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. Zhenya is now at Sel Arellano.”

“We know. He just wants to see you.”

“But we don’t have time because we have to prepare for an academic conference.”

“We will set the time. I just hope to see you within a day or two.”

“Well.  Excuse me, did I just say I was free?”

“Sorry. You did not. But I thought Buchanan’s name might set you free. You don’t want to experience the power of a duke.”

In an instant, the atmosphere became cold.  Dr. Hawksong asked coldly.

“Is it Buchanan’s way of rushing in and robbing time?”

“Of course not.”

Neveah spoke as if she had taken a step back mentally.

“I do not wish to argue with you. The master is currently in charge of a very important task and he would like your assistance.”

Kyrie stumbled. She bit her lip and put her hand on her floor, not saying anything.

However, Kyrie was on the better side. Dr. Seward held the paper so tightly that the paper was crumpled, and Dr. Poe was pulling his eyebrows with one hand and his mustache with the other. Only Dr. Hawksong did not show any outward reaction.

“I cannot imagine what kind of assistance we can give young Master Buchanan..”

“I am only a servant, so I do not know how the master thinks. He just asked that we meet as soon as possible.”

After a moment of silence, Neveah said,  His gaze slowly turned into the room.

“In addition, I apologize for interrupting your meeting.”

“Our meeting?”asked Dr. Hawksong. Neveah answered naturally, as if it was no big deal.

“You have four teacups.”

“Hik!”

It was Dr. Poe who screamed.  The eyes of both Dr. Hawksong and Neveah turned to Dr. Poe at the same time.  He spilled the teacup he was holding in his hand, couldn’t even look at Neveah, and he didn’t know where to put himself.

Neveah’s eyes shone sharply like an eagle.

“….I guess I said something I should not have.  I will say goodbye for now..”

“Yes?”

“See you next time.”

Neveah added after one beat.

“Soon.”

Neveah withdrew as fast as the tide.  Dr. Hawksong barely replied with ice before closing the door.

All that was left was Dr. Poe, who was shrieking, Dr. Seward, who couldn’t even blame him for making the same sound, Dr. Hawksong with a troubled expression on his face, and Kyrie.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry….”

“Wow, huh.  Do you think she noticed?”

“I don’t know.  But it is clear that there is a need to change the plan.”

“It’s a big deal….”

“Hey, this is all because I can’t act…!”

“There is something I was thinking about.”

Dr. Hawksong cuts Dr. Poe’s self-blame.

“Isn’t Pronoia traditionally ‘that’?”

“That?”

She laughed a little playfully.

“Think about it. On the last day of the conference….”

“Oh…!”

“If that’s the case…!”

***

Nathaniel in a boy band~