Turning Chapter 998

Chapter 998

Myra apologized sincerely while not hiding her anger.

"I'm fine. I didn't know he had intruded without an invitation, but... as you said, Duchess, I think it's a matter that requires a clear investigation. I will do my best to help until the issue is resolved."

Upon hearing Gakane's answer, Myra shook her head.

"I appreciate your words, but I can't ask a guest to go that far..."

"No. Since the person he insulted and tried to harm belongs to our Cavalry, the Cavalry also has an obligation to investigate him. As Gakane said, it would be best to proceed together."

Kishiar, who smoothly intervened between them with a smile on his face, spoke firmly. Myra, lost in thought for a moment, nodded her head refreshingly.

"The Cavalry Commander is right. Then, let's conduct a joint investigation of that man by the Cavalry and House Herne."

It was a very brief incident that occurred in the banquet hall.

However, the way Kishiar and Myra handled it gave the people who witnessed the scene a truly profound meaning.

'There were rumors that Duke Peletta created the Cavalry with a light heart, but seeing it today, that's not the case at all.'

'The Emperor's side is sincere in gathering and protecting the Awakeners. Indeed, just looking at the power Gakane Bolunwald used earlier, it's understandable. Just by having them, the Emperor will gain a power that no one can challenge.'

'The new Duchess Herne doesn't seem to fear or find it insulting to handle internal affairs in cooperation with the outside. It's completely different from the secretive way the former Duke Herne handled matters.'

The eyes of the people filling the hall continued to change subtly. Yuder didn't miss any of those changes and remembered them well.

Myra, who had concluded how to deal with Megdolgen Mijelskan's actions, turned away with a clean resolve. Gakane secretly let out a sigh of relief, but he froze again when Kishiar approached and tapped his shoulder.

"Gakane. You handled the perplexing situation excellently. Can I entrust Mijelskan's interrogation to you?"

"Ah, yes! Of course."

"Good to hear such enthusiasm. I'll personally assist so you can recover the insult you suffered today."

"Th-there's no need to go that far..."

Just as Gakane was about to reflexively refuse in surprise, someone naturally yet forcefully kicked the tip of his shoe.

"Ugh?"

"Thank you, Commander! Gakane says he's grateful too."

Kanna quickly greeted in a bright voice while holding down Gakane's startled back. Seeing her gaze, Gakane made a surprised sound and awkwardly bowed his head together. Kishiar laughed at the action that clearly showed his trust in Kanna. He gave a kind look to the Bolunwald family members who were watching this series of events with a slightly dazed expression from behind Gakane.

"Ah. You must be the guests from House Bolunwald. I've always been grateful for sending me an excellent member. You must have been quite startled by the unexpected incident, but I hope you forget it all and have a pleasant time."

"Oh... Yes. Thank you for your consideration."

Gakane's father replied in a voice that couldn't hide his trembling. It was the first time he had seen an imperial family member this close, and who would have imagined that they would politely speak to him first? The Bolunwald family members looked like they were about to faint.

The man, who lastly winked secretly at Yuder, soon turned around and walked away.

Gakane's younger siblings, who were watching his back as if enchanted, finally came to their senses and clung to Gakane.

"Brother. Is that the Cavalry Commander? He's so cool. Can I join the Cavalry too?!"

"I've never seen anyone more handsome... no, prettier... no, more beautiful than you, brother!"

"Kids... Could you please keep your voices down a bit here?"

Gakane muttered, covering his flushed face. The surrounding Cavalry members who were watching the Bolunwald family also held back their laughter in relief.

At that moment, the prelude to a new dance song began to flow out. Surprisingly, it was the prelude to Avitan, not Rancha, which had been repeating until now.

"Huh...?"

The startled people stopped and murmured in unison.

"What? Could this be..."

"Oh my. Are they really going to play Avitan...?"

While everyone was confused, Myra stepped forward with a nonchalant face, holding the hand of a man. Yuder didn't know who he was, but some of the southern nobles seemed to recognize him, as more shocked whispers flowed from here and there.

"Isn't that man the former Duke's illegitimate child...?!"

"He was the one who fiercely demanded to be acknowledged as a child for several years, I believe."

"When he disappeared one day, we thought he was dead..."

The former Duke of Herne had many illegitimate children. Most of them died for various reasons, but it seemed there were still some who survived somewhere. Myra found those who were about to be miserably erased and invited them to her succession ceremony, and even went out to dance with them. It meant that she would acknowledge the remaining illegitimate children as her blood relatives just the same.

It may be easy to say, but it must not have been an easy process. It was even more so considering that she had accomplished it in such a short time.

The man who stepped out to dance in the melody of Avitan undeniably resembled Myra. Although he showed a somewhat tense appearance, he didn't seem to harbor any hostility towards Myra. Seeing him, Yuder was reminded of Nahan.

On the day of hail, Nahan had seen the enemies created based on Yuder's memories in the illusion formed by the aftermath of the rampage. If he had survived and opened his eyes, he must have realized something more from those memories.

Even Yuder, who had lived through the future and returned, found it difficult to guess what actions he would take based on that information.

'He received an apology from Myra then and eventually achieved his revenge by killing the former Duke of Herne. With Hosanna and the Sage dead, and his brainwashing broken, no one knows what path he will choose now that he's alone.'

He was already a variable in himself. The fact that he had seen Yuder's memories was troublesome in many ways.

'Right after the day of hail, I even thought that I shouldn't have sent Myra to him then...'

Perhaps it was because he was seeing Myra and her half-blood relative dancing together without any hostility or negative feelings towards each other. Or maybe it was thanks to preventing the southern earthquake.

Even if he went back again, he felt like he would have still sent Myra to Nahan then.

Anyway, if it was certain that he was alive, they would meet him somewhere again. Somehow, he could be sure of that.

"Gakane! Shall we go dance?"

While Yuder was lost in thought, Kanna pulled on Gakane's clothes beside him.

"With me?"

"We haven't danced together before. Do you not like it? I thought it would be okay since I'm not good at Rancha yet."

"No, no. It's fine!"

"Okay. Then let's go! Yuder. We'll be back!"

Gakane smiled with a relaxed face and disappeared, led by Kanna's hand. Looking around, other members also seemed to be confidently stepping out, drawn to the familiar Avitan melody.

As they joined around Myra and happily began to dance in a large circle, some southern people who were at a loss also stepped forward with courage.

"Excuse me! Branch Head Kurga Sing. I was about to be crushed by a collapsed stone while walking on the beach in front of Charloin the other day, but you helped me... You may not remember. If it's alright, could I dance with you?"

"Huh? Are you talking to me?"

Kurga, who was busily devouring food, blinked in surprise at the young lady from a noble family in Charloin who asked him to dance with a flushed face, and,

"...Deputy Commander Ever. Do you have any plans to dance today? I heard you enjoy it, but you don't seem to be moving today..."

"Huh? I don't mind, but... Elle. I heard your manifestation has not been long and your body isn't well yet. Is it okay for you to come like this?"

Ever, who was leaning against the wall and only enjoying conversations with others, tilted her head at the unexpected dance request.

"I'm perfectly fine. It's alright!"

"Even with Avitan?"

"You didn't know. I love Avitan the most!"

"I see."

Pruelle, who finally went out alone with Ever, showed his hands and feet going in the same direction, drawing laughter from those around him.

The unpleasant incident involving Megdolgen Mijelskan that had just occurred was instantly forgotten in everyone's minds amidst the Avitan melody.

And Yuder walked around the dancing people and extended his hand to a man who was sitting quietly. The man, who blankly looked at the hand placed in front of his face, asked with inscrutable, slanted eyes.

"What is the meaning of this hand?"

"You asked who I would dance the second dance with, didn't you? This is the answer."

Kishiar, who was unusually speaking politely and covering his mouth primly, finally laughed as if a flower bud was about to bloom and placed his hand on top of Yuder's.