Turning Chapter 1012

Chapter 1012

"Moreover... didn't you give my disciple a profound realization as well?"

Yuder shook his head with a cool expression, even though it was true that he had intentionally provoked Meghna to break her tedious swordsmanship. There was no need to affirm that statement here.

"I merely sparred with her. I didn't particularly give her anything. The achievement Adjutant Kurlieva attained is entirely her own."

"Yeah. Well, if that's how you want to put it!" General Gino laughed heartily, his face showing that he didn't take Yuder's words seriously at all.

"Before the spar, I thought I could teach you something about the sword. But now that I see it, I feel like I was about to do something utterly unnecessary."

That was truly the highest praise General Gino could give to a young person.

"I don't know who taught you the sword or when you started learning, and there must be personal circumstances, so I won't ask further. Just promise me that you'll continue wielding the sword from now on. I'm curious to see how far you can go as an Awakener and a swordsman."

His voice was so low and secretive that it was difficult for others to hear. General Gino seemed to have guessed that there was some secret story behind Yuder's remarkable skills, which he had discerned while watching the spar.

'I thought it was inevitable for someone like Gino Bordelli to figure something out after seeing my swordsmanship... But I didn't expect the result of that guess to be goodwill rather than wariness.'

Not only did he say he would pretend not to know and not ask how Yuder could have accumulated such swordsmanship, but he even went as far as saying he wanted to keep watching Yuder and told him not to put down the sword in the future. The excessive praise was perplexing, but what could he do? Yuder hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"...I understand. I won't put down the sword as long as I can."

"Thank you. That's the best promise I've heard today."

After saying that, General Gino soon opened his mouth loudly so that everyone could hear.

"I'd like to say let's have a match right away, but for now, I'll have to put that aside with regret! But I have no intention of giving up, so make sure to spar with me someday. I'll be waiting for that day!"

"Wow. Did General Gino just say he wants to spar with Yuder?"

"I can't believe it..."

As people murmured, Meghna, who had been beside her teacher, stepped forward. Her hair was disheveled enough to cover her face, and her limbs were still bleeding, but even in such a mess, she looked simply delighted without any sign of pain.

"Assistant Aile. Through today's spar, I was able to realize many things I had forgotten. Thank you. You are the winner."

"The outcome is not important. I, too, was able to realize various things while sparring with Adjutant Kurlieva. Congratulations on your great achievement as well."

It was an utterly stiff congratulation, but Meghna grinned.

"You said you're returning to the capital tomorrow, right?"

"Yes."

"That's a shame. If we had a few more days, I would have invited you to my home for a meal. The children are at a curious age, so it might be a bit noisy, but my husband's cooking skills are quite good."

"Oh, it's not just 'quite good,' Meghna. Don't be so modest, or the guest won't feel like coming! I've been to Meghna's house often, so I know a little, but Abelito's cooking skills are among the top three in the South. I guarantee you won't regret it."

Even General Gino chimed in from the side. Meghna finally stepped back, satisfied after hearing Yuder's answer that he would definitely visit if he ever came to the South again. He thought she was just a thoroughly work-oriented person, but she had unexpected aspects.

And Kishiar, who had been watching all of this with a grin, finally slipped in and spoke to Meghna.

"Adjutant Kurlieva. If you become a Master, you'll have occasions to come to the capital soon."

"Ah... Yes."

"The Cavalry will always welcome your visit, so it would be nice if you could come and give our members some guidance for a while."

"Those words..."

Meghna smiled, seeming to try to understand Kishiar's intentions for a moment.

"...If you grant me the opportunity, I will definitely do so. Thank you for the offer."

"I should be the one thanking you. Now, go and get treatment. The Cavalry's priest and pharmacist are very skilled, so they will be of great help."

Meghna and General Gino left. Yuder finally felt like he had completed his last schedule in the South and let out a long sigh.

"Are you leaving already?"

If Kishiar hadn't asked that, Yuder would have definitely returned straight to the branch residence to make the remaining preparations.

"...Already? Was there something more to do?"

Then, the man, who had been grinning without answering, slightly moved his gaze behind Yuder. Turning his head to where his gaze was directed, Yuder discovered a group of people still lingering around even though the spar had ended.

'Those guys.'

The moment Yuder looked at them and slightly furrowed his brows, Kishiar laughed softly and placed his hand on Yuder's shoulder.

"Remember what I said before? I had recommended sharing the words we exchanged with other colleagues."

Despite the plain voice, the moment he said that, Yuder recalled the days when he lay in bed with the man and freely talked. The pleasant and languid sensations he had felt then, too.

He blinked to shake off those sensations and answered.

"...Yes. I remember."

"I think now might be that moment."

"But there's still so much to do. How can I just leave them?"

The answer that came out after a slight pause was because he hesitated, knowing that he had already said it was okay during their previous conversation, but still feeling concerned. And the man, who knew that better than anyone, shook his head coolly, squinting his eyes just like back then.

"There's not much left to do. I can handle it alone. But it will be difficult to enjoy moments like this if not now. Don't you think?"

The man, who had said something impossible to refute, smiled softly and removed his hand from Yuder's shoulder.

"Have a good time."

"..."

"Nathan, shall we go back first discreetly?"

Before Nathan Zuckerman, who had bowed his head without laughing at the joking voice, turned to leave, he glanced at Yuder.

"I'll try to make more time when we return to the capital."

"..."

"I, too, have become interested in training with Sir Aile."

In his eyes, a faint spark of rivalry, similar to what General Gino had shown earlier, was clearly present. Yuder watched the shadows of the two tall men disappear.

"Yuder!"

"Commander’s Assistant!"

As if they had been waiting, the people who ran over finally surrounded Yuder, calling out to him. Most of them were the first-generation members who had been with him since the capital, but among them were also faces of those he had met not long ago. Elpkins, with the deer antlers protruding from his head, shouted excitedly, not knowing what to do.

"The spar just now was re-really amazing! As expected of you, Yuder, no, Commander’s Assistant. I-I admire you!"

Beside him, Jack, who was much shorter than Elpkins, clenched his fists and shouted.

"I heard you're going back tomorrow! It would be too sad to part like this! And I feel like I haven't properly thanked you for saving me at the fighting arena that time! I-I want to express my gratitude!"

Unlike those who could barely look at Yuder properly, the colleagues he had known for a long time were much more at ease.

"Yuder. How are you so unscathed even after engaging in such combat? It's obvious, but I'm so glad you're in the Cavalry."

"I know, right? When I saw you slam Adjutant Kurlieva in the same way you did to me, my instep that had cracked back then throbbed again!"

"Indeed, the nature of the Cavalry!"

"No. The pride of the Cavalry!"

"..."

As everyone spoke one after another, their voices mixed and mixed until it became so noisy that it was impossible to properly understand what they were saying. However, Yuder didn't find those noisy voices very unpleasant.

"Yuder. Are you okay? You don't seem to be in pain, but..."

"I'm fine."

Gakane, whose cheeks had turned red from failing to calm his excitement like the others, asked carefully, and Yuder barely heard and answered. Then, someone suddenly shouted loudly.

"How long are we going to stand here and talk when the weather is getting chilly? Let's talk somewhere decent!"

"Somewhere decent? Where?"

"Haha. I had a feeling this would happen as soon as the spar ended, so I asked Kurga and Ever to secure the best spot nearby!"

"Oh!"

Amidst the cheers mixed with whistles, someone appeared in the distance. Kanna ran over with a smile on her face, waving one hand and shouting.

"I made a reservation! Everyone, follow me!"

"Wow!"

A joyful cheer erupted. Yuder was pushed by the hands pulling him, with everyone linking arms regardless of who they were, and left the Cavalry's Southern Branch.