Chapter 80

Steady Gardener (2)

Melchior's gardening gloves were covered in dirt.

'Wow, what am I going to do with this image?'

Melchior, returning his pruning shears to the toolbox, pointed to a simple wooden chair placed by the pond.

"Sit down; now's a good time."

As he sat down, he could see a rose with the leaves beginning to fall. Looking closer, the leaves had been eaten, and the vines were yellowish. A tin kettle and a rough tip cup were placed randomly on the simple outdoor table. The prince took off his gardening gloves, revealing thin cotton gloves underneath them. Kleio, who glanced at the back of Melchior's hand, felt disappointed.

'You can't see a stigma unless you put ether into it, but it's unusual.'

He couldn't understand the prince's thought process at all.

'Well, is there anything I can understand about him? No, I suppose not.'

Whatever Kleio was feeling, Melchior remained elegant and relaxed as he poured some tea before pushing the glass in front of Kleio. Kleio, catching himself a moment later, looking around reflexively for a photographer or illustrator. He suspected that this was for some promotional picture, a picture of the prince of simple tastes caring for the garden. Wouldn't that make for a good photo? There was no way the prince couldn't notice Kleio's glancing about, however.

"What are you looking for?"

"I was looking around because I thought I was in the presence of a journalist again."

"Haha, you must've been quite surprised by the medal ceremony the other day, Sir Kleio."

"It's something I'm not used to."

"Today is a holiday with no planned schedule. This is my private space, not a place for journalists."

'He says that, but he seems pretty close with them...'

Everything about it was uncomfortable for Kleio, but the casual way the prince referred to him was the most uncomfortable. Kleio had only signed a pledge of loyalty without [Covenant] and been granted a position as a formality, but he felt he was being treated as a subordinate each time the title was used.

"Would you please use a title that suits my age and situation instead of referring to me as a knight?"

"When others get the title, they are eager to use it. Why don't you like it?"

"It's because I feel like I'm wearing clothes that don't suit me."

"Alright, let's do that, Kleio. You've caught me in the middle of my hobby."

"I thought it might be a pretense. However, the cottage garden in the middle of the palace has quite the atmosphere."

"One-third of the rose vines are rotten, and it's too late to dig up the flower bulbs, but thank you for that. There was an early frost this year, so I don't know how the flowers are still blooming."

Melchior, still sipping at his tea from a tin cup and dressed in simple clothes stained with soil, gazed at the declining garden. A gentle smile emerged on his face. Even though Kleio knew he wasn't a human being worthy of such an expression, in such a moment, he couldn't take his eyes off him. How did a person who knew the world was being used again and again grow new flowers every year? Kleio couldn't even guess at his feelings.

'To those who knew that everything has already been decided, the blooming and death of those flowers and of humans may feel no different.'

Rather, he thought the former might hurt him more.

"Skillful gardeners hear each and every signal from the plants and the trees, but I can't understand it. That's disqualification as a gardener."

In Melchior's speech, his will mingled with a slight sense of regret. Those wordless plants were the only things that the prince could peacefully exist with. If he could read the hearts of everyone in the world, that would be hell. His unstable origin, excessive beauty, and extreme power all drove him far from what made a human being happy.

'Though it had nothing to do with me. Right now, he's the crown prince of Albion.'

"Are you often too busy with your duties to devote time to your hobbies? Rather, I'd like to ask where you learned landscape architecture."

"When I was young, there was a quiet gardener who took care of this place. There was no gardener who knew how to cultivate a simple cottage garden, so they brought a worker from my mother's hometown. I followed him and learned by watching."

"Oh, then, maybe this place..."

"Yes. It was my deceased mother's residence. She was originally a commoner, so she couldn't grow attached to that cold palace and longed for her hometown. His Majesty created this to resemble her hometown.

"It still has a beautiful and simple appearance."

"You know how to flatter when you have a request."

Kleio stiffened while holding his glass.

"...I can't hide my heart from the prince."

He took a sip of the tea to hide his twitching lips. He couldn't even smell the tea.

"Haha, isn't this the first time you contacted me first? However, Asel is an important contract partner for me, so if I can provide convenience for you, I'll listen to it. Let me tell you."

Should he be grateful that they were getting to the point fast, or should he be afraid? Of course, Kleio wouldn't miss his chance.

"Can you get me in and out of the King's Library?"

"However much."

"Yes?"

"Will you go now?"

"...Without asking why?"

"What do I know about magic? Most of the books in the King's archives are indecipherable ancient documents, miracles and wonders, and forbidden magic, but they aren't something that can be realized."

"I've heard that is the case."

"It's a good attitude to have an inquiring mind. Besides, this is really my first time doing this, so it's fun for me."

It was fortunate he understood, but that only made Kleio more uncomfortable.

'...Does this author allow anything to further the manuscript? I doubt it'll go over so smoothly.'

"Also, I have something to ask of you."

Kleio felt an icy sword rub against his throat at those words. Melchior's request had no details, making it an item scarier than a blank check that was signed and handed over.

"Is there anything you can tell me about it?"

"It's a short-term guidance."

"Are you planning a trip? I was born and raised in Kolpos, and I don't even know downtown Lundane, so I don't know where I can guide you."

"Why, is there any place you can't? You have a unique prediction skill."

"It's hard to guess where you'll need it."

"I, too, will enter the remembered world once. In that case, I will need a guide."

'Did the prince show any interest in the dungeon in the last manuscript?'

Looking through the manuscript through Memory, he found a retrospective of Isiel, who had accompanied the prince into the dungeon. They were in the City of Pearl, at the safest place in the dungeon. When the door opened to the City of Pearl, the crown prince intervened with Arthur's party with great timing. Arthur and Isiel tried to stop them, but they were defeated without a weapon by the words, 'The remembered world is also my territory, so I cannot withdraw from the work of protecting my territory and subjects.' Thus, the real purpose of the prince's visit was unknown until the end. Maybe it was just a move to gain popularity.

'So that's probably why he needs guidance. But that'll be dangerous.'

"Why would you want to dwell in such a dangerous place?"

"Dear Kleio, I have no obligation to explain why."

Subtle loneliness lingered in Melchior's gaze. The tension was like the moment of calm before a tsunami hit, but Kleio barely managed to answer yes.

"I apologize."

"So, I'll ask you in the future."

.

.

.

After that, he was busy following the prince. It seemed like he had turned around nine corners and climbed five stairs before Melchior stood before a long corridor without a single picture. The prince, who was looking closely at the wall, took off the glove from his left. Taking a close look, it appeared to be a normal, clean hand.

'The stigma will be on the right hand.'

Placing his hand on the wall, a complex magic formula began to build up.

'Is he removing the seal?'

It was clear looking at it through Perception. Several magic formulas like [Defense] and [Concealment] were engraved on the inside of the wall, only to be released by contact with a person who met certain conditions. A few seconds later, a line appeared on the wall to form a square door without a knocker.

"Come in."

The seals were incredibly powerful, but the library was only a room the size of a private study in a large mansion. Two-story bookcases were placed on both walls, with a narrow window in the style of the era of Absalom II on the wall opposite the door. A magic stone heater and a chair were beside it. Melchior sat down in the single armchair beside the steam heater, placing his straw hat on the table. Upon opening the library, the prince said Kleio had to be closely monitored.

"Will you be there throughout my reading?"

"By regulation, yes."

"The reading will take a while. Can I cause such an annoyance...?"

"Wizards avoid distracting elements. I heard it well, but what can I do? Well, had it been the days of the queen, there would've been anyway."

"What is it?"

"The king's spouse has the same rights as the king if they make a mutual [Covenant]. Wasn't my grandmother the queen? Her husband also had an interest in books and magic."

Kleio wondered if he was making fun of him, but he decided to save the information away in his head.

'So Queen Juleika has the authority to access this place...'

"Since then, it seems that there have been few visitors."

Melchior pointed at a guestbook with a page blank except for Kleio's name. As he had said, there had been a gap of more than thirty-years between Kleio and the previous visitor.

'No way, Melchior couldn't have noticed like Juleika. Besides, if his mother could come in, Aslan wouldn't have tried to get permission from Melchior. That's something I didn't know.'

"For such a thing, the library is cleaned without any dust."

"Do you see the pattern on the floor?"

"Yes?"

"It's all mana stone platinum. [Preservation] is inscribed into it. It won't get dirty even if someone's muddy boots walk all over it."

'I knew the Riognan royal family was wealthy, but to see it on display like that...'

For a while, Kleio was distracted by the floor rather than the books and had to regain his concentration.

"When I consider it, there is one more who can enter without restriction. The Archbishop has the same powers as the chairman of the nobility."

"I heard that she has been bedridden for a long time."

"In recent decades, her health has improved, and it is said she will talk to others soon."

The bells of the cathedral intervened in their conversation. Kleio had arrived just in the afternoon, but it was already 2 PM.

"Let's explore the secrets of magic as much as we can for the day."

"Thank you for your consideration."

"Well, I must ask you that no transcriptions or memos are taken. These banned books cannot be taken out."

"I know. Then..."

In case Melchior might sense something in his expression, Kleio hurried back as the corners of his lips went up.

'I've no need for something like that with Memory.'