Turning Chapter 1026

Chapter 1026

The imprint completely embraced Yuder. Yuder didn't resist the golden threads that bound him.

The threads that wrapped around his entire body haphazardly flowed with hot and cold sensations. They were all the emotions and sensations that Kishiar was feeling. Feeling as if multicolored lights were flashing and mixing before his eyes, Yuder exhaled a trembling breath.

'Ah...'

Suddenly, a thought occurred to him.

What if he could have shared such a connection with Kishiar in his previous life?

If he had asked Kishiar what he was thinking first, and even if there was no answer, if he had persistently waited for a response.

Could he have felt this sensation back then?

Could he have obtained something other than the pain he remembered, even if only a little?

Until now, he had thought it was meaningless to recall the irreversible past. The end of such thoughts was always a chilling wind that left a bitter taste in his mouth.

But now, after seeing the white-gloved hand that remained in the darkness, it was different. Yuder now knew the wounds that existed within those gloves. He remembered the decisive help that hand, which he had always thought would push him away forever, had led him to and shown him.

He could finally be certain of the truth that Kishiar neither abhorred nor hated him.

In front of the evidence he had only learned upon returning, all the bitter pains of the past had now lost their color.

'Still, the assumption of 'what if' may be meaningless.'

Yet, sometimes, that meaningless assumption could conversely make one realize more clearly the significance of the present before one's eyes.

The fact that even in the past, where Yuder could no longer find answers, somewhere within Kishiar La Orr, such things had existed. The meaning of the fragile truth that would have vanished so ephemerally without knowing anything if he had not been given another chance after death.

And thanks to that, Yuder felt anew, with sickening clarity, how deeply he desired this beautiful, unfathomable being who needed him more than anything else in the world, and thus, how heartbreaking he was.

He never wanted to escape from this sensation that felt as if his body was being consumed by fire, from this feast of light that made his eyes water. Even if his entire body were to melt and crumble to death like that, he would rather welcome it.

Feeling a strange sensation of his long-yearned-for thirst being quenched while simultaneously becoming even thirstier, Yuder embraced Kishiar in his arms.

Just wanted to continue doing so for as long as he wished.

Without counting the time that flowed by.

—

The Cavalry that saved the South was finally returning.

The entire capital whispered the news and buzzed with excitement.

In fact, the people of the capital knew that the Cavalry Commander and his followers had accomplished something tremendous, but they did not yet know exactly what had been done and how. The South had been under lockdown ever since the day of hail, and the Emperor and aristocratic figures had prevented overly detailed news from spreading for their own reasons.

However, even the small amount of news that had spread through the blockade was more than enough to surprise people. Some were excited by the story that the Duke of Peletta had proven himself to be an undeniable swordmaster, while others marveled at the anecdote that Nathan Zuckerman, the Duke of Peletta's adjutant, had also been recognized by General Gino as a new swordmaster-like figure.

The countless deeds said to have been accomplished by Yuder Aile, the famous hero of the Cavalry who had saved the West and been granted the title of Baron, and his comrades also made many curious individuals restless with just a few rumors carried by the wind.

Had they truly accomplished such incredible feats as the rumors suggested? Or were they exaggerated like legends? Wouldn't they be able to see if it was true or not when they returned?

People who were dying to satisfy their curiosity flocked to the southern gate of the capital, where the Cavalry would enter, even though no one had ordered them to do so. The crowd that had gathered was so large that there was not even room to set foot, even more so than when the Cavalry had returned from the West.

As the people came to see the Cavalry, most of them were commoners, but not all of them. A considerable number of carriages also departed from the 3rd and 4th Walls, where the high-ranking nobles resided.

And in front of the main residence of the Tain family, one of the four historic ducal houses that had accompanied the thousand-year history of the Orr Empire, there were also people preparing to leave.

"It already feels like the spring festival has begun, sister. The streets are full of vitality, and many places have put up shimmering decorations like our mansion! They must have all put them up to celebrate the return of the Cavalry, right?" Phileban, the fourth youngest sibling, exclaimed with excitement.

"Yes, Phileban." Priscilla, the second daughter and heir of the Tain family, smiled as she listened to her young sibling's thrilled exclamation.

Unlike the young Phileban, who was simply happy and immersed in the festive mood, the third sibling, Priam, knew how to assess the surroundings with a rather cool-headed expression. "I heard that when the Cavalry returned from their mission in the West, the 3rd and 4th Walls didn't show such a reaction... I wonder if this change is also related to His Majesty the Emperor healthily revealing himself." Priscilla stroked her young sibling's head and nodded.

"That's right. It means that among the people living in this 3rd Wall, there has been an increase in those who want to try and side with His Majesty the Emperor. Or they might be trying to look good to us."

"Hmm. I see. Seeing them particularly concentrated near the Tain ducal residence... honestly, it's a bit disgusting," Priam muttered, wrinkling their nose. A cold, agreeing smile flashed across Priscilla's face.

"I'm not too pleased about it either. But don't forget that even the actions of such people, when gathered together, can become a means to pressure the opposing side."

"If it helps brother Elle and Nippy, I can endure it," Priam immediately changed their attitude.

"By the way, I heard that this time, unlike the previous occasion in the West, His Majesty the Emperor won't personally come out to greet them?"

"Yes. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress are scheduled to welcome the Cavalry at the Imperial Palace tomorrow, and today, I heard that High Minister Hebreyina Reiflang will go out to greet them instead."

"It's the first time I've heard of the High Minister appearing at an event like this."

"His Majesty the Emperor said he intends to restore the authority of the High Minister to what it used to be, so this must be a part of that."

Hundreds of years ago, there was a time when high-ranking officials, led by the High Minister, tried to seize power and shake the country. The Emperor at the time borrowed the power of the ducal houses to stop their misdeeds, and in the process, the authority of the High Minister was reduced to what it is now. Naturally, the power of the ducal houses increased as a reward given by the Emperor.

'But the situation now can be said to be the opposite of back then, so it's quite ironic,' Priscilla thought to herself.

While Priscilla was having such thoughts, news arrived that the carriage the three of them would ride in was fully prepared.

"Let's go."

The three of them got into the carriage. Inside, there were gifts they had prepared for the family members they would meet after a long time. Priam's face brightened as they hugged the gift box.

"I want to meet brother Elle and Nippy as soon as possible. I miss them since it's been a long time since I saw their faces."

"Me too."

Priscilla hadn't told her younger siblings yet, but she had received news that Pruelle had manifested a second-gender in the South. She thought that since Pruelle had become an Awakener, such a thing might happen someday, but it was a much faster and more sudden change than expected.

'Second gender... they say there's no visible change, but I heard Pruelle was sick for several days. I want to quickly check if everything is really okay.'

"Sister! When we get there, will we be able to see the Cavalry Commander? And the people I often saw in brother's letters?"

Priscilla, who had been lost in thought, raised her head at Phileban's cheerful voice.

"Yes. You'll be able to see them."

"Wow...! It's my first time seeing a swordmaster in person, so I'm really excited...!"

Phileban's cheeks flushed with excitement upon hearing Priscilla's answer. The kid's fantasies about the Cavalry had grown immensely while reading Pruelle's letters that had flown in from the South.

'It's not surprising at all. Everyone else seems to be in that state, not just that child.'

The Duke of Peletta had clearly proven that he was a true swordmaster, superior to any other. When rumors about his aura that had split the sea first arrived, the knights in the capital had such dumbfounded expressions.