Turning Chapter 804

Chapter 804

"By the way, you've already finished your piece. Would you like another?"

"I’m fine..."

Before Yuder could even complete his response, he noticed a plate smoothly floating and gliding towards him from behind, as if carried by an unseen force.

With the plate already set before him, Yuder sighed softly and spoke up.

"...It feels a bit odd eating alone. Wouldn't it be proper for the Commander to join me?"

At this, the glint in Kishiar's eyes sparkled strangely with joy, a reaction quite opposite to what Yuder had anticipated.

"Is that an invitation? I would be delighted."

"..."

Kishiar really did cheerfully bring a new fork. Watching him, Yuder suddenly realized something.

'Come to think of it, have I ever made such an offer before?'

In their relationship, it was almost always Kishiar who made such casual offers. Whether it was for walks or meals, it was mostly him. The only time Yuder had offered food was when he had simply cooked some fish and berries Kishiar had caught and picked during a spontaneous retreat to the cabin.

'That was hardly an invitation.'

Yuder realized anew that, apart from his intense feelings for Kishiar, he had never really seen him as someone to whom he could comfortably make offers. Despite their differing status and rank, he knew it wasn't common in a relationship as close and intertwined as theirs. This was in stark contrast to his interactions with his Cavalry comrades, with whom he had often exchanged small favors.

Even then, it had never been Yuder initiating the offers, but he had always seen it as natural to reciprocate in some way, such as planning a new training schedule, without feeling burdened by it.

From his perspective, these were all natural actions, but he wondered if Kishiar might have felt differently, causing a slight ache in his heart.

'I shouldn't have refrained from such gestures just because I never did in a past life.'

Thinking of making offers to Kishiar La Orr made him first recall memories and feelings of rejection. Perhaps that was the biggest reason he had only ever accepted Kishiar's offers until now.

But the Kishiar in front of him now was overjoyed at the mere suggestion of sharing the cake.

"Why do you look so? There's still plenty prepared. Don't worry, I won't eat too much."

Yuder's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the man's naturally surprised expression.

"I wasn't staring because I'm hungry... But why do you keep offering this all of a sudden?"

"Hellem came to nag me."

Kishiar answered with a small laugh.

"She said you seemed thinner than when you were in the capital. What is the Lord doing, she asked. She's right. Now that I think about it, we haven't had proper time together because of various events. I deeply regret that."

"What are you talking about..."

As Yuder expressed his astonishment, Kishiar let out a deep sigh and caressed one cheek.

"And it's not just Hellem. Our very temperamental pharmacist, scolded me when he came looking for the Archmage’s brooch; Kanna Wand, Ever Beck, even the reserved Gakane Bolunwald and the timid mage Alik said similar things in their reports. Would you believe that?"

"No... I'm a grown adult capable of taking care of my own meals. I've eaten enough, and there hasn't been any significant change in my body, so why..."

"I know everyone says that because they know my assistant speaks so harshly to himself," Kishiar said with a smile, cutting off Yuder's speech.

"It's natural to worry and be concerned as much as one cherishes and loves."

"..."

"And I do too."

Yuder looked down at his hand, awkwardly holding a fork, and let out a long breath. He felt he could never win against this man.

How could he refuse when Kishiar spoke so earnestly, making it embarrassing and awkward to deny him?

"Very well. Bring as much as you like. I'll eat it all."

At this resolute response, Kishiar burst into laughter. Yuder did not understand why he was laughing so heartily, but he found the sight of his laughter pleasing after a long time.

Afterward, Kishiar drew towards Yuder five different types of slice cakes and various pastries all at once, explaining the major clue that led him to firmly believe that Galexentre was indeed a spy.

"You might have guessed, but it was largely thanks to the previous game's story. When I looked back at the worst choices and answers that could have occurred in the current situation, based on what happened then, I began to see new information that could have been missed."

"So where did Galexentre Balfors try to pass the Red Stone?"

"It definitely wasn't one of the four major ducal houses."

Kishiar replied thoughtfully.

"They might have been curious about the Red Stone, but not desperate enough to obtain it, nor did they find it particularly appealing. From their perspective at the time, it would have been more beneficial if His Majesty the Emperor recovered and brought it to the capital without them lifting a finger."

They would have been willing to lend a hand if it meant embarrassing Kishiar and the Cavalry, but as far as the Red Stone was concerned, there was no reason for the four major ducal houses to take such a risk. Yuder agreed with this.

"That makes sense. Then it must be a foreign country."

"Specifically, I believe it's from the south."

It was a statement affirming the identity of the enemy, still shrouded in mystery despite two lifetimes of experience.

"Many of the phenomena observed by Sunz overlapped significantly with the traditional signaling system used in the south, utilizing natural features. It's not used for military purposes, but perhaps they thought it useful enough to teach to an imperial like Galexentre for communication."

"How did you know such a thing? Did you also investigate that?"

"It wasn't because of this incident; I already knew."

"How so?"

"When Nathan and I wanted to play secret tricks as children, we needed our own codes that even the smart people in the palace couldn't easily decipher."

Kishiar's lips curled up slightly.

"Back then, I thought it was cool and fun. Using hand signals from traditional games of other countries that others ignored, or implicit signals unknown in the Empire, to sneak out of the palace and play."

Thanks to this, Kishiar was able to quickly identify a candidate during his conversation with Sunz. Maybe those childhood antics were useful in some way, Kishiar mused with a smile.

There seemed to be a glimpse of the mischievous prince's character from his youth in that smile.

Yuder found himself lost in thought, gazing down at the five empty plates.

'So... it's the south again.'

Was Galexentre Balfors from his previous life also a spy from the south? Did he use their methods to push aside his rival Meghna and seize the position of General in the south?

"I can't be certain, but when you think about it, that alliance wasn't such a bad outcome for either Balfors or the South. Balfors gained a General's position he never could have attained normally, and for the South, it meant more freedom of action in the southern territories."

The Southern countries had long been meddling with the imperial south. Consequently, the imperial south had become a region where many Southerners resided, and it was also the place with the most Southern half-bloods. Even the original base of the recently captured Aton and Southern merchants was in the south.

Although General Balfors from the previous life had not been on good terms with the Cavalry and had been slow to respond to the great calamity in the south, he had been diligent in one aspect.

That was during the time Emperor Katchian decided to engage with the Southern countries, and Balfors was responsible for gathering and conveying the Southern countries' perspectives.

Being in a position to represent the Emperor's will, yet well-informed about the Southern countries, and being the least politically problematic figure, he was naturally seen as the ideal choice for the role of the General of the South. And indeed, he had performed that task quite diligently.

Considering that the beginning of the Southern countries' interactions with various countries north of the desert started with its exchange with the Orr Empire, it was a significant achievement.

"Furthermore... they were as quick as us to realize the usefulness of the Awakener's abilities. There might not be a direct organization like the Cavalry, but who knows how many more capable Awakeners like Aton and his subordinates exist."

There had always been countries covertly vying for the Red Stone. However, the meticulousness and preparedness shown by the Southern countries over the years were on a different level compared to those nations.

The determination of those people, which he hadn't considered too important in his previous life, now came to him with a chilling clarity.

Yuder looked down at the last empty plate and spoke.

"It seems there's one more thing to ask Aton about."

—

Not long after, a new visitor arrived.

It was Lady Myra, the First Princess of Herne, bringing news of the official funeral of Second Prince Ashrav. She was dressed in a funeral-appropriate black attire with a short veil and placed a letter directly on Kishiar's desk.

The letter, encased in a black envelope adorned with a white leaf, was a traditional noble's funeral invitation, signifying the importance of inviting esteemed guests to the deceased's final journey.

"It's been a while, Your Grace, Duke Peletta. I hope you've been well."

"Of course. But you, Lady Myra, look rather tired. Are you alright?"

"I wish I could say I am, but sadly, that's not the case."

Lady Myra's lips curled faintly behind her veil.

"While it's one thing that my father finally arrived, the situation became quite noisy with the arrival of an uninvited guest."

"An uninvited guest?"

"It's the youngest son of the Diarca family."