[Turning] Fragments of Forgotten Days

Fragments of Forgotten Days

Another year had passed, and the first day had dawned.

Although it was a day off for most people to celebrate a new beginning, for some, even such a short break was not allowed. Ever Beck, one of those unfortunate ones and the Deputy Commander of the Cavalry, the last spear and flame of the Orr Empire, climbed the stairs today in a uniform that was impeccably wrapped. Perhaps due to the lack of people coming and going, the corridor was eerily quiet, as if ghosts might appear. Whenever the sound of boot heels clashing echoed regularly, short hair swayed along with it.

Now that decent Cavalry branches had been established throughout the empire, there were not many people residing in this small rookie dormitory and training center building located in the corner of the 7th Wall Cavalry site in the capital. Most of the members worked at the headquarters within the 2nd Wall, so few even knew that this building was the first one created when the Cavalry was formed.

However, even those who knew that fact did not dare to mention the history entangled with the building. The history of this place was almost like a taboo. There were a few more such taboos within the Cavalry.

Upon reaching the top floor, a closed door with faint light flowing out could be seen. The only space that existed here was the old Commander's office that the Cavalry Commander could use.

"This is Ever Beck. I'm coming in."

Ever opened the door after knocking, without waiting for a response. The familiar space was revealed before her eyes, and a faint smell of old dust wafted. It was a place that felt more like an abandoned doll's house than a space where a person stayed, as nothing changed whenever one came.

Ever saw the side profile of a man sitting at a desk under the light that was far too insufficient to illuminate the entire spacious room. He was not resting, but he was not in the middle of working either. With the white uniform coat that only the Commander could wear folded and hung, and documents piled up in front of him, his gaze, which was blankly staring somewhere, clearly must have sensed Ever's presence, but it did not move at all.

Ever turned her head in the direction he was looking. A luxurious sofa with no signs of use, a bookshelf where the titles of the books inserted did not change even after several years. And the central mana stone fireplace, which was always turned off. There was nothing among them that was worth looking at so intently. It was impossible to know what he was looking at.

"Commander. A request has come from the Sun Palace to come."

At Ever's call, the man finally turned his head.

Under the black hair that held the small light illuminating the desk, a thin shadow swayed and draped. It was difficult to read the intense energy befitting a leader of a huge organization from the pale face where one could not tell what he was thinking. However, that dry and hard man without any moisture was clearly Yudrain Aile, the head of the Cavalry, an Awakener renowned throughout the continent, and famous as a scentless Omega.

"I remember being told not to come to this year's New Year's party."

The low and slow voice without any inflection resembled a beast just before going out to hunt. People shuddered whenever they heard that voice, recalling the approaching footsteps of the grim reaper, but Ever, who was used to it, answered while accepting it.

"The envoy sent from Nelarn was curious about the reason for the Commander's absence. Therefore, the previous order has been canceled."

It was not a day or two that the Emperor was capricious, so everyone was used to it. Issuing an order to keep a subordinate with outstanding and dangerous power from entering the palace and then canceling it was rather mild.

"..."

The man did not remain silent for long. He got up from his seat and put on his outer garment again. He took out a few painkillers from a small medicine bottle placed on one side of the desk, swallowed them, and picked up a long cane placed by the window, finishing all preparations.

"Let's go."

Ever followed the man who was leading the way without hesitation, turning her head slightly. However, the answer to the fragment that Yudrain Aile had been watching was still not visible inside the Commander's office, which was engulfed in darkness.