Chapter 18: Chapter 18
"Perhaps we need more people like him here."
"It's better to weed out those with ill intentions early."
"If they had ill intentions, they wouldn't dare to challenge the Imperial Knights, risking their lives—especially against the Diarca Duchy."
"..."
At those words, Nathan fell silent. Amusement flickered in Kishiar's red eyes.
"It was quite the spectacle. It's almost a pity I couldn't share it with you."
Knowing how much Kishiar detested the nobles, particularly those from the four major ducal houses, Nathan sighed at the sight of his master's rare, genuine smile.
"You seem to have enjoyed it."
"Enjoyed it… Yes, I suppose I did."
It was indeed fun and unusual. His attention had been captured from the start. With a murmur, Kishiar rose from his seat.
"By the way, Nathan, were there any messages while I was out?"
"Yes, a message arrived from the Sun Palace."
Nathan retrieved a short letter from the leg of the courier bird that had flown in just before their guest arrived and handed it to his master.
The Sun Palace, where only the Emperor of the Orr Empire resided, had its insignia—the sun emblem—stamped clearly on the wax seal of the rolled-up letter.
Kishiar took the letter, broke the seal, and quickly read through it.
"Hmm. They want me to bring the Red Stone as soon as the induction ceremony is over."
"Isn't the induction ceremony the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, it's a tight schedule."
Kishiar tossed the paper into the central furnace. The flames, fueled by a magic stone burning in a rainbow of colors, consumed the paper in an instant, leaving no trace.
"Retrieving it isn't the issue. It's just that the system here isn't fully established yet. I'm a bit concerned about what might happen if I'm away for too long."
"Don't push yourself too hard. The Peletta Knights are on standby. If you let me know how many you need, I'll have them ready."
Kishiar turned to Nathan. He frowned and smiled, as if burdened by too many worries.
"You worry too much, Nathan. Lately, I've been thinking that even my late mother would have worried less about me."
"Since your awakening, everyone has been more concerned about you. They fear you might overexert yourself."
"I know my body best."
Kishiar quietly cut off his adjutant's words.
"So far, there hasn't been any problem."
"I apologize if I overstepped."
"No, it's alright. And about the knights... Yes, prepare about five."
"Five is too few. I should accompany you as well..."
"You need to act on my behalf here. Who else will receive messages from the Sun Palace?"
"But..."
Transporting an unknown object like the Red Stone with only five knights was risky, even with Kishiar himself present.
"I need to return quickly, so I can't move with a large entourage. And it won't just be the five knights—I plan to select a few from here to join the mission."
"From here... do you mean?"
Despite knowing that this group had been painstakingly assembled by his master, concern crept into Nathan's voice. Kishiar responded with an understanding expression.
"Didn't you just see? Given a bit more time, there are those who believe they could challenge you. After observing them, I've noticed some possess quite interesting abilities. These individuals gained power through that stone, so they might be of help. Moreover, it's the best opportunity to introduce the name 'Cavalry' to the world."
The decision had already been made. Kishiar was not one to change his mind once it was set.
Nathan looked at him for a moment before bowing his head.
"I understand. Do you plan on taking him with us?"
"I'm considering it."
Kishiar smiled faintly as he mentioned Yuder.
"I want to see just how much power he possesses, given his confidence. His disregard for whether someone is a noble or of the imperial family is quite intriguing. Don't you think it would be amusing to test him a bit?"
"I hope your interest doesn't escalate excessively."
Worry etched itself on Nathan's icy expression. Kishiar rarely showed deep interest in anything, but when he did, he pursued it relentlessly until it was resolved.
This trait of his master hadn't caused any major problems thus far. However, Nathan feared that this interest in the commoner they had just met could lead to trouble.
Too little was known about those who had awakened their power two years ago. With this man's abilities still uncertain, it was crucial to prevent any potential dangers to his master.
"Haha. Are you worried that I might get hurt?"
"...I am aware that such a situation is unlikely, but there's always a possibility."
"Don't worry, Nathan. If anything could harm me so easily, there'd be no need for all this trouble."
Kishiar patted Nathan's shoulder lightly.
"Life is tedious, always requiring one to express what's stored within, no matter what. Compared to that, this is natural and interesting."
"Now, you should rest too." After Kishiar said this, Nathan bowed in acknowledgment and retreated to another room prepared for him.
Even after his loyal adjutant disappeared, Kishiar remained standing before the central fireplace, not retiring to bed.
Unlike the red flames of a wood-burning fire, the magic stone-fueled fire emitted a mystic, multi-colored glow. It produced no smoke or ash and burned for more than ten days with just a handful of stones.
Moreover, it didn't require ventilation, allowing for such a beautiful fireplace to be created.
When it was first invented, those accustomed to wood-burning fires and even mages treated it as magic. However, it had since become a common sight everywhere.
That's why Kishiar had specifically instructed this fireplace to be installed in the center of his dwelling.
Would the outcome of what he was creating here be seen as akin to this fire? The answer remained unknown.
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Two days later, a ceremony of conferring last names took place in the open space in front of the accommodations where the Cavalry members stayed, with more than half of the entire Cavalry in attendance.
It was a special event, held only a few times in the empire's history of over a millennium. The faces of the Cavalry members who were to receive a last name directly from the Emperor were filled with awe.
'Reality may be humble, but still...'
As one of them, Yuder stood in his black uniform. Ideally, the Emperor himself should have attended such a ceremony, bestowing the names or last names in person.
However, with the number of people to be conferred being too large, and the Emperor having been absent from political discussions for several years due to health reasons, the ceremony took place not in the imperial palace but in a small open space in front of the Cavalry building. Kishiar La Orr, the Cavalry's commander, stood on the stage with a decree bearing the Emperor's seal, his posture no different from when he made announcements to the Cavalry members.
Yet, even that was enough to inspire awe in the Cavalry members. Receiving a title meant rising above being a commoner. It liberated them from many of the strenuous duties of commoners, granted numerous benefits, and allowed them to pass their last name on to their families.
In other words, they could establish a lineage. Although they were not yet on par with the nobility who owned territories and titles, this was a step towards that goal.
When a commoner became a knight, one of the few professions that allowed for social advancement, and received the title of 'Sir,' they couldn't pass that title on to their family. But receiving a last name was an incomparably greater benefit.
"Moreover, it's a last name given by His Majesty the Emperor himself. It's unbelievable."
As names were called one by one and individuals stepped forward, Kanna, standing next to Yuder, patted her cheeks with an awe-struck expression.
"I'm not sure if we really deserve all this. We haven't done anything yet."
Of course, they deserved it. They would become accustomed to receiving more rewards with each significant mission they completed.
In Yuder's case, having been a commander, he had received territories and titles directly from the Emperor. He had even received several mansions in the capital.
He had been bestowed with so many precious treasures, servants, and honorable titles that eventually, none of them seemed to hold any meaning. Looking back now, it all seemed like a laughable memory.
"Yuder, aren't you happy? Try to smile a bit more."
"...I am happy."
Kanna lowered her voice and whispered, perhaps sensing Yuder's pensive expression as he recalled the past. He replied, but she seemed unconvinced.
"Does that look like a happy person's face? I don't think so..."
"Next, Kanna."
"Yes!"
Fortunately, at that moment, Kanna's name was called. Yuder watched as Kanna ascended the stage.
"I confer the honorable last name, 'Wand,' to Cavalry member Kanna."
"T-thank you. I accept the last name."
Kanna Wand. With tears welling up in her eyes, Kanna, now bearing her new title, turned around and bowed. This was the only scene that hadn't existed in the past.
"Next, Yuder."
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