Turning Chapter 1031

Chapter 1031

The concept of a birthday was infinitely foreign to Yuder.

Commoners in the Orr Empire, once they grew up and aged to a certain extent, rarely mentioned their birthdays or celebrated them with anyone other than family. Most of the Cavalry members, who were also of common origin, hardly bothered to celebrate their own birthdays.

In the mountainous Central region where Yuder grew up, this atmosphere was particularly strong. Even Yuder's grandfather never properly informed him of his own birthday until the day he died.

Around the time of young Yuder's birthday, his grandfather would prepare a more delicious meal than usual or make small items himself, but that was all. After his grandfather passed away, Yuder lived almost without recognizing the word itself.

It remained the same even in his previous life when he was regarded as standing at the pinnacle of power. The gifts sent arbitrarily by those who wanted to impress him were merely bothersome, and he found it difficult to understand why anyone would make a fuss over what was, to him, just another day. This attitude earned him scorn from those who disliked him, accusing him of being unable to hide the "poor smell" unique to commoners, but Yuder became even more stubborn in his ways.

'Why should I listen to those who have nothing to boast about except being born? Just because I received a title and became a noble doesn't mean I have to live like them.'

Finding it unpleasant to be treated the same as such people, he lost interest in birthdays even more. To him, his own birthday and the birthdays of others were equally worthless information that he didn't need to remember.

There was just one exception. When Emperor Katchian specifically pointed out information related to someone's birthday and issued a 'special mission.'

Katchian's smiling voice vaguely came to Yuder's mind.

“Winter will soon be over. This capital is blessed, so neither heat nor cold invades strongly, but in the north, the wind still blows as if it's cutting through flesh, and beasts freeze to death. This desolate and barren period, when there's nothing to see, is none other than the birthday of Duke Peletta. Did you know that?”

“No.”

“He didn't tell you? Well, that doesn't matter. What's important is the information that people around that clumsy traitor always become scarce when this period approaches. I don't know the reason, but I heard he prefers to keep people away and maintain a minimum number around him for a few days before his birthday. I received a report that the knights guarding the castle and the territory have gradually begun to withdraw starting yesterday. What filthy deeds he intends to commit under such pretense is beyond me.”

“...”

“If we miss this period, we'll have to wait another year to find a moment to visit Duke Peletta's castle as quietly as possible. That's not what I desire. Do you understand what I mean, Cavalry Commander? …”

“...”

“Now. I shall assign you a special mission. Show me your worth, the reason I should keep the Cavalry around.”

That was how Yuder received his first special mission. As Emperor Katchian had informed, Peletta during that period was terribly cold and desolate, and there were strangely few people guarding it.

The same was true for the Duke's castle built on a cliff where waves crashed. No matter how much he kept people away, Yuder thought there would at least be Nathan Zuckerman, a swordmaster and adjutant, but even he was nowhere to be found, and it was just quiet.

The place was so dark, cold, and even lonely that it was hard to believe it was the period before the birthday of the last remaining member of the ancient imperial family, the noble Duke.

Yuder shook his head to clear his thoughts, recalling the moment he entered the secret passage through the waterway under the cliff connected from the sea, wearing a shabby black cloak and prepared for death. The cold that had been rushing in until just now melted away at once, clearly showing the current reality.

He was not in the dark Peletta castle but standing in the middle of the Imperial Palace, where warm magic stone fireplaces scattered beautiful flames everywhere.

'...Right. Well, anyway... because of that, I became aware of when Kishiar's birthday is.'

If it hadn't been for that order from Emperor Katchian, Yuder wouldn't have even known when and in what period he took the other person's life. In his previous life, Kishiar had not properly informed anyone about his personal information during the year or so he spent in the Cavalry. Yuder didn't know when his birthday was or whether he had kept people away or not during the birthday he had before leaving for Peletta.

'But this time is different from then...'

Although he had been busy and distracted, it was surprising that he only realized it after hearing Emperor Keilusa's words.

He wondered if Kishiar himself had really forgotten about it, but it was difficult to know his true thoughts just by looking at his back as he talked to the Emperor.

'...'

In the end, Yuder found himself going to have a meal with the Emperor, Empress, Kishiar, and even Nathan Zuckerman.

The other members who couldn't directly hear the conversation between the Emperor and Kishiar after descending from the platform seemed to have no particular thoughts even when told they had to return by themselves. Of course, Kanna and Gakane were exceptions. While briefly talking to entrust the Deputy commanders with leading the others, Kanna lowered her voice and asked,

"Are you okay, Yuder? You said you're going to have a meal with the Commander, but your eyes seem a bit... different from usual. Did you hear something from His Majesty the Emperor...?"

He did hear something. It just wasn't related to Yuder himself.

Yuder looked down at Kanna, who had quickly noticed his subtle change that others hadn't, and then turned his gaze away. Gakane, who was standing nearby, also seemed to have similar thoughts, looking this way with eyes like a large dog with its tail drooping.

Feeling that both of them were worried about him, the confusion that had been swirling in his mind in the face of this absurd and tremendous event quickly regained composure. Yuder shook his head at the two, indicating that he was fine.

"It's nothing. I'll tell you about it later when I come back."

It seemed inappropriate for him to mention that information first, rather than Kishiar himself, so he decided to refrain from speaking for now. Fortunately, Kanna and Gakane were satisfied with just those words.

"Hmm... okay. Make sure to tell us!"

The Cavalry left. As Yuder followed the three members of the imperial family with Nathan Zuckerman, he observed his face.

'Just by looking at his face, I can't tell if Nathan Zuckerman didn't know about Kishiar's birthday or if he knew but was just keeping silent.'

"Today's meal has been prepared here. Please come in."

The Emperor's chief attendant, who looked as healthy as ever despite not seeing him for a long time, guided them with a polite attitude. The Empress had personally whispered that it would be a special meal, and instead of the place where they had dinner before, a much larger and more beautifully decorated place welcomed them.

It was a room painted in a bright yellow color, with portraits of modest gardens and children filling the walls. It was a place with such a gentle atmosphere that it was hard to believe it existed in the Imperial Palace.

'Was there such a place in the First Palace? ... According to my memory, there was only a warehouse for storing unused furniture on this side.'

It was a place Yuder had never been to even in his previous life, but it seemed to have a special meaning for the imperial family, as the atmosphere was slightly different from usual.

"Your Majesty. This place is..."

"I thought this would be the most suitable place to have a meal with my younger brother, whom I haven't seen in a long time, so I ordered to dust it off. Why? Do you dislike it?"

"You should know that's not what I meant."

Kishiar, who had looked around, smiled as he relaxed his eyebrows.

"It's been a while. Everything is the same as before, making it feel as if time has jumped. Nathan. Do you remember coming here before?"

"Yes."

Even Nathan Zuckerman seemed familiar with this place, as if he had been here before.

Fortunately, the identity of this place was soon revealed. After sitting down, Kishiar whispered the answer to Yuder.

"This place is called the 'Room of the Little Dandelion.' Have you been here 'before'?"

"...No."

Kishiar wasn't surprised, as if he had expected it.

"This was a favorite spot of the previous Empress and was often chosen by the late Emperor when he wanted to create a comfortable setting just for the family. It has been closed for the last few years, though."

Yuder focused more intently on Kishiar's face as he spoke. There was a hint of bitterness, yet he also seemed to be enjoying the reminiscence.