Chapter 71

Chapter 71

Translated by Wook

Edited by Iris Sakura

“Interesting news: two weeks ago, a civil war broke out in the Kingdom of Lagos. I just got the news as the information was well concealed.”

Calyx quickly shook his head. Lagos was under the Illavenia Empire and it was the second-largest kingdom after Balta. The current ruler of Lagos, Baiferm Ploeto, was a woman rumored to be in a secret relationship with Prince Haqab of Balta.

[E/N: Ploeto is pronounced Pluto- like the god, the planet, or the dog (PLoo-Toe). Oh, and Lagos = Lay-Gus. Anyone with more knowledge about the “oe” sound can correct me .]

[T/N: Our dear Editor just likes Pluto better because “the woman already sounds like she’s going to be a b*tch” is what she said ]

[E/N: Calling me out Wook...]

“I see many people want to remove Ploeto from office, but it’ll be tough. Even if she falls in love and loses her mind, her power will never be weak.”

“...Baiferm of Lagos and Prince Haqab. Hmm... Are they truly...” Calyx trailed off.

‘In a special relationship?’ It was too vulgar for them to speak, but Ricardis politely nodded.

“Yeah, it’s like that. I can’t imagine how Haqab could twist such a story. I heard that Haqab is coming to Illavenia’s Founding Festival this year. How irritating. I can only hope that the civil war will continue and Ploeto will not come as well.”

“Well... It seems that they’re trying to pressure Illavenia in that way. Illavenia’s side will be wary of Lagos, and there will be plenty of gained benefits just by completely immobilizing our troops.”

“We should hope the civil war turns in our favor.”

Ricardis wrote a few orders on the report, and then he moved on to the next page. There was a gleam in his eyes, and he seemed more interested than before. It must be something urgent or critical.

Calyx drank tea and waited.

“Oho,” Ricardis hummed and nodded his head. “In Vista, Young Lord Calyx is famous for being cute, pretty, nice, and rich. Did you know that?”

Calyx barely swallowed the tea he almost spat out. ‘Those aren’t urgent papers! No, why does he have such a useless thing in the pile right after an important issue like the civil war in the Kingdom of Lagos?!’

Calyx looked at him fiercely.

“Did you do a background check on me?”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s because the story is close to the rumors of Sir Rosaline. So, Lish’s honey nectar is delicious? I don’t think you’ll be full if you eat one by one from the flowers like that. I’ll give you some on your way out. Not a bouquet wrapped in paper, but nectar in a glass jar.”

“...”

Now he was joking around. The news of going around the market street biting flowers and sucking nectar with his sister seems to have reached the capital. Ricardis made Calyx even more pissed off by seriously going through the urgent papers and returning to the Radwiell news again.

After reading for a while longer, Ricardis exclaimed.

It wasn’t just because he saw Ricardis working hard behind the scenes for his sister. It’s hard to explain, but he just believed in Ricardis. He didn’t know if it was his calm tone, his keen and sometimes easygoing expression, or his friendly eyes pulling Calyx into them.

Ricardis had precisely addressed what had been stabbing at Calyx’s heart: ‘You have to do it right.’ Calyx admitted he was being stupid. Who doesn’t know what his Father will think? Has the Radwiell family even come into his hands yet? What of 1st Prince Elpidio? Or the Emperor, Elpidio’s father? It’s not like anyone is his sister’s ally.

His sister was strong. However, that strength did not necessarily work in the aristocratic world. Many will reach out to grab and topple her one defense. Calyx was well aware that he alone was not enough. His strength alone cannot keep his sister safe.

Rosaline had always been alone on a precipice where no one reached out to her. Those wretched circumstances had eventually led to her death, and Calyx had no intention of repeating the same foolish mistake. At the very least, he and his sister should hold hands and fall together. He thought this was a more stupid action, but his heart had already decided.

Calyx jumped to his feet. The attention of the two quickly focused on him. Isserion and Ricardis were just discussing how much Calyx resembles Rosaline. Ricardis’ eyebrows lifted as Calyx knelt on one knee.

“Calyx Esther Radwiell will swear a sincere oath before the Laurel of the Snowfield.”

[E/N: Should have mentioned this before, but nobles incorporate their land’s name into their formal name. So Esther, being a region controlled by the Radwiells, is the middle name for Rosaline, Calyx, and Fertan.]

“This crazy...”

It wasn’t Ricardis speaking. It was Isserion, unwittingly revealing his inner thoughts, and Ricardis’ expression was also distorted. Calyx continued talking beneath their astonished gazes.

“Calyx Radwiell will be the sword of Idelavhim that cuts through the black moon.”

“Wait a minute, Young Lord Calyx! Life is too short...!” Isserion tried to stop him with a stutter.

Calyx opened his eyes wide and looked straight at Ricardis, unshaken.

“Calyx Radwiell will protect the weak and be loyal to the Empire.”

Ricardis must have come to his senses as he closed his eyes and opened them again.

“Young Lord Calyx, this is too sudden... No, surely I’m not the only one who feels that way... right?”

“Under the splendor of the glorified Idelavhim...”

“Aaagh! C- Crazy! I guess I’ve gone crazy! Young Lord Calyx, what does this mean...!”

The two people’s pupils only grew bigger and bigger. At this moment, no one was seated anymore. One was on his knee, and the two others stood up, showing their nervous energy.

“Let’s talk about it first, Young Lord!”

“...I swear to dedicate this life...”

“I will reach out to tell Count Radwiell!”

It was very messy.

“...to becoming a knight of the 2nd Laurel.”

It was a low but firm voice. At that point, a wake-up call rang through all their heads.