Turning Chapter 993

Chapter 993

General Gino Bordelli was respected for many reasons, but one of them was his ability to not openly display personal connections or feelings in public settings. He would exceptionally show a friendly attitude and laughter to Kishiar, who was of imperial blood and he had taught sword in his youth, but even that was closer to the appearance of an old retainer, as he claimed to be.

Meghna, who had been the general's disciple and closest aide for a long time, had never witnessed the old general being so openly intimate with a young person like this before. While Meghna tried to hide her inner surprise, Yuder casually nodded and replied.

"I heard you dug up the sweet potatoes well. I'm glad it was helpful to you, General."

'Sweet potatoes?'

The expressions of those who were secretly listening in to hear what Yuder had said to the general turned strange, but the general just laughed heartily.

"Yes. You were right. You said that sweet potatoes are connected by roots, so if you find one, you can follow the rest and sweep them up. It was indeed a very rewarding time. Next time, I'd like to ask for your advice on how to manage the dug-up sweet potatoes or how to plow the field, if that's alright with you?"

"The Cavalry won't be leaving right after today, so before that should be fine."

Even though a figure as great as General Gino was asking for advice, the young man answered with an expressionless face, arrogantly considering his own schedule without even making time for it. The nobles watching from afar thought the general would get angry at this arrogant young Awakener, but that didn't happen.

"Great. Very good. I'd like to see that sparring match with Meghna as I mentioned before, and spend a pleasant time discussing swords. Ah, do you happen to like strategy games?"

"I know how to play."

"Perfect! I'll send word soon."

General Gino, genuinely delighted like a young man who didn't need to consider dignity or face, patted Yuder's shoulder. If someone didn't know the age difference and positions of the two, they might have mistaken it for a conversation between old friends meeting after a long time, given the uninhibited attitude. Both those who respected the general and those who didn't were all surprised.

The general must have clearly felt the emotions of those around him, but he didn't mind. With a satisfied face, he greeted Kishiar.

"Then I'll take my leave first. I apologize for leaving right after meeting you, but it seems we'll have to return immediately after the succession ceremony, so I'll have to bid farewell here today."

"Oh, that's a shame. I understand. I'll send word again later."

The old general withdrew with his disciple supporting him. When they were far enough away that no one was paying attention to them, he suddenly smiled and asked in a low voice.

"Meghna. Did my behavior just now seem strange?"

After a moment of silence, Meghna shook her head.

"Honestly, I was surprised... but I didn't find it strange. I haven't forgotten the great help Baron Aile provided to our Southern Army this time, so how could you, General?"

The general nodded at Meghna's answer.

"Yes. Age is something that everyone gains just by sleeping and waking up, and status is something you're born with, but it can change at any time and isn't eternal. So don't judge people solely based on those things. I hope you won't experience the same regrets I did by unknowingly becoming accustomed to judging the world by familiar standards."

Meghna, who knew that the old general had recently captured another disciple he had personally raised and made it so he could never use a sword again, putting him in prison, took those words very heavily. The old general sincerely advised Meghna, who had pressed her lips together without a word.

"Don't forget that a world that cannot be predicted by existing standards is already before our eyes. They are the proof of that. Make sure to watch closely with your own eyes how a world that seemed like it would never change is changing. And learn from it."

Because only by learning from those who lead change can we also change the world.

To that single statement, which contained both the old general's long-held regrets and hopes, Meghna could only give one answer.

"I will keep that in mind."

Finally, the official succession ceremony for the new Duchess of Herne began.

Amidst the overflowing seats filled with numerous southern dignitaries and guests from various regions, Myra appeared, dressed in a dignified ceremonial attire. In her hand, she held the spear, the most famous symbol of the Herne ducal family.

The spear, longer than Myra's height, looked so heavy that one might wonder if it could even be lifted, but she walked to the front of the platform without changing her expression while holding it.

"That's Tollenebaragul, the legendary weapon used by the first Duke of Herne. There's a famous story about how he defeated countless enemies on ships with that. That's why the symbol of the Herne family is still a winged spear piercing four waves."

Yuder heard Gakane whispering explanations to Kanna and the other members behind him. As he said, the jewel depicting a winged spear piercing waves was brilliantly embedded at the junction of the spear's blade and shaft.

On the platform, there was a priest who would recite the blessing for the new Duchess who would become the master of Herne. That person was none other than Priestess Galleum, who had long been associated with Myra.

The priestess, who was not well-known as she didn't reside in a large temple and wasn't of noble birth, became one of the most recognized priests in the south after going through the Day of Hail and the Blue Wall of Despair. Myra personally requested her to bless her future path, bypassing the existing famous priests.

"Life is like the land facing the waves. Endless waves will come crashing in, trying to destroy and violate the earth. However, if the land we stand on is firm, God will always shine the light of peace upon our earth and grant us tranquility."

The priestess' calm voice, clearly chosen for today, resounded sacredly throughout the large hall. Everyone was newly moved, thinking of the time when towering waves endlessly rushed in, and the fact that they had finally overcome it and reached today.

"God, bless the Duchess who will embark on a new voyage towards a distant path."

With those final words, the priestess closed the scripture and placed her hand on Myra's head, emitting divine power. After a warm light flowed out, Myra raised her head and stood confidently in front of everyone.

The hand holding the spear slowly rose and then fell, striking the floor.

Thud.

And then again, thud. Thud. The sound and vibration of the spear continuously striking the floor resonated through the space. There were no words, but that was enough. As the sound continued, everyone could clearly feel the will and ambition of the new Duchess of Herne, who held the heavy legendary spear without the slightest tremor.

It was a sound that unmistakably united everyone more than any speech could.

The moment the final twelfth strike was made, a solemn sound rang out from the bell tower of Charloin in the distance, celebrating the succession of the new Duchess of Herne.

Everyone who had been in a daze finally stood up from their seats and applauded all at once. The slowly rising cheers grew loud enough to drown out the bell sound, filling the entire hall.

"Wow!"

"Long live the Duchess of Herne!"

Yuder, who had been applauding for Myra, suddenly glanced up at the man beside him.

Even though it was evident that the lavishness had been deliberately toned down given the timing, the succession ceremony of the Duchess of Herne was solemn and beautiful enough to be more than sufficient just by adhering to tradition. But had every duke been like that?

Kishiar also held the title of duke, but he wouldn't have had a proper succession ceremony. The situation of a prince becoming a duke and being exiled was not something to celebrate. Without a tradition to follow or even a previous duke like Myra had, it would have been impossible to prepare a ceremony like this even if he wanted to.

The name of the 'Peletta Ducal Family' existed for him and him alone in the world.

As Yuder was thinking about the young prince in the portrait who had headed to the far north as soon as he received the title, Kishiar, who had been elegantly applauding with a smile, turned his head and met Yuder's eyes.

"Hm? Do you have something to say?"

"...No. It's nothing."

As Yuder turned his head away, Kishiar laughed softly.

"I did have a succession ceremony, albeit a simple one. Before I left the Imperial Palace."

He had already figured out why Yuder had been looking at him.