Turning Chapter 811

Chapter 811

Not long after the Commander of the Cavalry, his assistant, a few members, along with Sunz and Emon, had departed the branch in a carriage, a timid exchange unfolded.

"Um... Kanna... Deputy Commander."

"Yes?"

"Today is the funeral of the Herne Duke's family, isn't it?"

Kanna lifted his gaze to Hosanna, who had asked the question. Despite not saying anything significant, the frail-looking young man from the south avoided eye contact, fiddling with his fingers as if he had committed a grave error. He hesitated before speaking again.

"It's just... it seems a bit noisy outside. It just came to my mind, suddenly."

Hosanna was remarkably bad at hiding things. Even without using any special abilities, it was easy to guess what he was thinking.

'It wasn't sudden. He's been worried about it all along.'

Yet, Kanna responded with a smile, pretending to be oblivious.

"Yes, that's right. I met the Commander and Yuder earlier. They were dressed in funeral attire."

"Oh..."

"The Commander is naturally handsome, so there’s no question about that, but you should have seen how surprised people were by Yuder. Of course, Yuder didn't like it!"

Kanna greatly admired and sometimes respected his friend Yuder Aile, who had no interest in personal adornment. So indifferent was he to such matters that on casual dress days, he alone would wear his stark black uniform, becoming a legend in his own right.

His hair, always just long enough to potentially cover his eyes, and his consistently cool, expressionless demeanor meant few realized his potential to stand out if dressed up.

'Of course, some found his dark and intimidating air decadently attractive.’

Yuder was a conspicuous figure, in a different way than Kishiar. It would have been more surprising if someone with his power didn't stand out. His silent presence alone drew attention.

And Kanna, often by Yuder's side, had inadvertently read many secret thoughts of those evaluating him. It wasn’t intentional; she just hadn’t mastered controlling her power.

Nevertheless, there were times when Yuder, usually so hidden in his plain uniform, would fully reveal his hidden gem-like qualities.

That was on the days when the Commander ordered him to wear formal attire.

Knowing his assistant had no flair for dressing up, the Commander, who had dominated the capital's fashion for years, would personally ensure Yuder was properly attired. After his touch, Yuder always emerged in a form that astonished his comrades.

And today was no exception.

'It's all black attire, whether it's the uniform or the formal wear. How does he manage to look so good in it? The half-up hairdo was refreshing, but that wasn't all. Commander's skill is truly amazing.'

When Yuder appeared in his formal wear, the members whistled at the rare sight. Even the imperial soldiers and passersby, seeing his neat appearance for the first time, were shocked, questioning if that handsome man was truly Yuder Aile.

Of course, this ceased when the incomparable Kishiar appeared, but it was still amusing.

Lost in a moment of pleasant reminiscence about the amusing scene, Kanna quickly sobered up as she recalled the esteemed Commander and her friend walking shoulder to shoulder. '...Hmm, let's stop thinking about that. It might bring back memories I've been trying to forget.'

"Anyway, I was originally supposed to go with them, but I had to stay behind due to some work. I'm glad for it, but I'm a bit worried about Gakane who went in my place. Ah, you know who Gakane is, right?"

"Um... Yes. The handsome Cavalry member with red hair....."

"Ha ha, right. When it comes to Gakane, 'handsome' is always the first word that comes to mind."

As Kanna laughed heartily, Hosanna managed a faint, hesitant smile. Kanna, maintaining a cheerful demeanor, quickly revisited the conversation in her mind.

'Today, Hosanna seems quite alright. Should I delve further and try to read more information?'

However, doing so would mean using a walk as an excuse to go outside. The basement of this southern branch was within Reneve's domain, which suppressed abilities, making it hard for Kanna to use hers.

Therefore, whenever she wanted to investigate Hosanna directly, she used the excuse of needing fresh air to step outside briefly with him. This was a secret Hosanna was yet unaware of.

'The weather isn't great today, but a bit of fresh air outside shouldn't be unwelcome.'

"Um, Hosanna, would you like to go for a walk today?"

"Ah... Yes, I'd like that. I'm grateful..."

"Great. Just wait a moment. I'll let the others know and be right back."

But the opportunity did not present itself. The urgency of someone knocking and calling for Kanna interrupted them.

"Kanna! Are you here? Kanna!"

Startled, Hosanna stepped back. Opening the door, Kanna blinked at the unexpected faces.

"Eh? Hinn... Finn too? What's going on?"

"The guy we've been chasing! You know?"

"We've finally found something here! But the traces are unusual!"

"So, Ever told us to bring you! Just in case!"

"It's an important day, so we need to be quick and careful! No time to waste, let's go!"

The two, already self-centered in their speech, rapidly fired off sentences, leaving Kanna overwhelmed.

Yet, with the ability to read and categorize a plethora of information in the blink of an eye, Kanna managed to make sense of their words.

'It seems they've found traces of the sage within Charloin, and it's unusual. Today, with many gathering for the Herne family funeral, they want my help just in case. Hmm, got it!'

"Okay, I understand, I'll go. Hosanna! Sorry, but I have to leave now. Could I ask another member to take you for a walk?"

There was no need to send Hosanna for a walk in Kanna's absence.

However, to avoid unnecessary suspicion and to maintain trust by fulfilling her word, Kanna decided it would be better to send him out briefly.

"Ah, wait! Just a moment!"

Hosanna hastily grabbed Kanna's sleeve as she was about to leave.

"Those people have found something about the sage or Nahan, right? If you're going for that, then I... I can help!"

"Yes?"

"I can help, too! You know my power. I can move faster than anyone. I know the most about them. And, if we meet, I might be able to persuade them... if you permit me!"

'Oh no.'

It seemed that Kanna wasn't the only one who had understood the chaotic words of the Eldore siblings.

Naturally, Kanna replied that she could not comply with the request.

"I'm sorry, but that won't be possible. Don't forget, Hosanna, that our agreement to cooperate was only until your arrival in the South. Expecting more would be excessive."

"Ah..."

"However, I'll tell you what happened when I return. So, please go on your walk quietly."

Kanna's response was gentle yet firm, leaving no room for argument. A dejected Hosanna slumped down with a sad expression. As Kanna left, she glanced back at her sleeve, which Hosanna had grabbed, with a slight unease.

"Hmm..."

'Did I feel something strange when he grabbed my sleeve? What was it?'

"Kanna, what are you doing?"

"We need to hurry!"

The Eldore siblings were causing a commotion up front. Kanna, shaking off the unexplainable sensation, called over a member of her group. It was a sturdy, tall member with formidable fists.

"I was supposed to go for a walk with Hosanna, but I can't now. Could you take my place?"

"Um, sure."

"Don't stay out too long, just in case. And make sure to hold onto his arm."

She added this unusual instruction because of the faint uneasiness she had felt earlier.

"You probably won't have to worry about that, look outside."

The sky, which had been overcast and drizzling sleet since morning, had now darkened almost to the point of nightfall. Thick clouds completely obscured the sun.

"Even someone who's been locked away without sunlight for ten years would want to turn back in this weather."

"Um... maybe."

"It's not a maybe, it's a certainty."

"Kanna!"

The increasingly impatient Eldore siblings stamped their feet.

"We're going to use our powers to get there! We need to leave here quickly!"

Kanna, resigned to the situation, smiled and waved her hand.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Let's go now, everything's finished!"

Kanna and the Eldore siblings departed.

The member, following Kanna's instructions, took Hosanna, who was shrouded in a robe, for a walk. Unlike walks with Kanna, this path was silent, yet Hosanna showed no sign of discontent.

In truth, any displeasure would have been hard to discern in his covered state.

Contrary to the member's expectation of a brief walk, Hosanna, leaning on his umbrella despite the poor weather, continued his stroll. He circled the training ground behind the branch building repeatedly, turning the walk into a tedious and chilly ordeal.

The member, hesitating, cautiously suggested.

"Um, shall we go back now? Even if winters in the South are mild, walking any longer might lead to a cold."

"..."

"Hey?"

Receiving no response from Hosanna, the member, feeling frustrated, moved his hand up from Hosanna's arm to his shoulder, intending to peer at his face.

In that brief moment.

A fleeting gap when their skins parted.

Suddenly, the necklace around Hosanna's neck made a crisp snapping sound and broke apart.