Chapter 25: Chapter 24
"Could one of you fetch him?"
When the knight, who had taken the lead in guiding and cooking, made the request, a slight sense of guilt grew in the hearts of the group. As if anticipating this, Yuder let out a small sigh under their gazes and rose from his seat.
'Yes, I suppose it would be intimidating for anyone to meet with a high-ranking individual alone. I understand.'
Even Yuder, who had once been the deputy commander assisting Kishiar and had spent years in a high-ranking position, wasn't particularly eager for such situations. How much more daunting would it be for the others?
Nevertheless, he decided it was better for him, who had returned after living about ten more years, to take on this task for these younger ones with promising futures.
"...Commander."
As the knights had mentioned, Kishiar was standing next to his horse, which was tied to a tree near the creek, not far from the dining area.
Though he stood in a shadowed spot, he appeared strangely luminous, as if surrounded by an aura of light.
'I remember that being some sort of lineage effect... but I can't quite recall.'
"It's time for you to eat."
"Ah, has it come to that already?"
Kishiar turned around.
"You came all the way here alone. It seems you are the most trusted among the ten."
"That's not quite the case."
The others had likely realized that Yuder was the best person to handle difficult tasks, as he wouldn't be easily rattled no matter where he was placed.
People quickly recognize those who provide an opportunity to take cover behind them.
Yuder walked ahead without looking back, a few steps in front of Kishiar. It was proper etiquette to either walk ahead of or behind a superior, so Yuder thought it best to walk where Kishiar couldn't see him.
"When your name was called out earlier..."
But if words came from behind, avoiding them was ultimately futile. Yuder halted his silent walk.
"You seemed incredibly surprised. Did you really not expect that I would call your name?"
"...My ability is not to predict the future."
He simply remembered what had happened in the future. But this time, everything that had happened then had changed. How could he not be surprised?
Even so, he hadn't expected Kishiar to notice and bring it up when they were alone.
"Right, of course. But it was quite refreshing to see such an expression. It was interesting."
"...Is that so? Should I say I'm glad to have entertained you, Commander?"
Yuder's voice was icily calm. Though his tone remained polite, the underlying meaning of his words was unmistakably sharp. There was no one present who didn't grasp the tension in the air.
"Hahaha."
Kishiar laughed softly.
"So, are you unhappy about following me? If you wish to turn back, you can do so now."
"I will fulfill my duty."
Yuder replied as succinctly as possible. Regardless of his personal feelings toward Kishiar, retreating was simply not an option. He had a goal—to protect Kishiar and the Red Stone with his own hands.
"You're truly fearless. That's what makes you interesting."
"..."
Without further response, Yuder turned and resumed walking.
"Yuder Aile."
"..."
"I like you. Would you consider opening up and getting closer?"
Yuder stopped in his tracks once again. He turned to face Kishiar, who wore an inscrutable smile.
'What is he trying to achieve?'
Had this happened before? No, they had never been on a mission together, so there was no precedent to compare this to. Yuder, slightly perplexed, looked at him and spoke.
"...I have been trying to respect you, Commander, with all my heart. If that was not enough..."
"I know. But that's not what I'm asking."
"I apologize if I've misunderstood. My social skills are somewhat lacking, having lived alone in the mountains for so long. If I've offended you..."
Inwardly, Yuder tried to decipher Kishiar's intentions while outwardly offering an excuse. Kishiar's lips curled into a small grin.
"So, that's a no."
"..."
"Alright, I understand."
"Commander! Over here!"
Before Yuder could respond, a knight called out to them from a distance. Yuder had no choice but to move toward the group, missing his chance to speak further with Kishiar.
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Two days later, Kishiar maintained his usual demeanor as they approached the Airic Mountain Range, where the Red Stone had fallen.
He avoided personal conversations, speaking only to manage the interactions between the knights of Peletta and the Cavalry members.
Unlike the Imperial Knights, the knights from Peletta displayed no hostility towards the Cavalry members. While it was impossible to know their true thoughts, their outward behavior was impeccable.
The Cavalry members assumed this was because their master, Kishiar La Orr, was an Awakener, but Yuder had a different perspective.
'If it were merely because of that, they wouldn't behave so flawlessly.'
The Peletta Knights were the first group Kishiar La Orr had formed after receiving his title. Consequently, they were also the first to be disbanded after his death.
'They are blindly loyal to their master.'
Even after just three days together, it was evident how they felt about Kishiar. To them, Duke Kishiar La Orr was not just a master but a true 'Lord' deserving of utmost respect.
But how could such devoted men have agreed to disband without taking action when Kishiar died in the past?
'Whatever happened in those two years, I can't know. But even though they're loyal now, something changed.'
However, Yuder was determined that this time, there would be no disbandment due to their master's death.
"Over there! I see the flag of the stationed army."
At that moment, one of the Peletta knights at the front shouted loudly. As he had said, a flag was visible not far away, tied high on a tree and fluttering in the wind. It was a red background with a golden lion—the imperial flag used by the Orr Empire's army.
"We'll be arriving soon. Please slow down."
Whistles sounded here and there. Yuder too blew his whistle, signaling his Misty Wind Horse to slow its pace.
The Misty Wind Horse was indeed an extraordinary mode of transportation. Its speed was unmatched by any living horse, and its tireless endurance was impressive. But its most remarkable ability was its capacity to move in great strides, silently and without causing much strain to its rider.
Despite having ridden almost nonstop for three days, with only brief breaks for meals and sleep, there was barely any sign of fatigue on the travelers' faces—a testament to the horse's exceptional ability.
Had they been traveling on real horses or in carriages, not only would they not have arrived yet, but exhaustion would have been plainly visible on their faces.
The group followed the lead knight, slowly approaching the entrance to the temporary imperial army base set up at the foot of the mountain range. Before long, they saw a barricade constructed from large logs and soldiers standing guard with spears in hand.
"Identify yourselves! State your affiliation and purpose!"
"We come under the Emperor's command. In our company is the brother of His Imperial Majesty, Duke Kishiar La Orr, the commander of the Cavalry and master of the Peletta Knights."
At the knight's booming voice, the soldiers immediately straightened their stances.
"Please wait a moment. We have relayed the message, and someone will come to greet you shortly!"
Yuder felt his Misty Wind Horse snort, its breath cold like a winter wind. Each time the horse's mist-like mane, which dissipated like smoke, brushed against his skin, it sent a chill through him, as if touched by ice.
As a life form not born naturally, Yuder's body instinctively rejected it. Because of this, he had avoided riding these horses unless absolutely necessary in the past.
'I can tolerate it, but it certainly doesn't feel pleasant.'
Yuder found himself hoping for the swift arrival of those meant to greet them so he could dismount from the horse.
"Your Grace, welcome. We have been awaiting your arrival since we received the order."
Finally, people emerged from within. Leading several armored soldiers was a middle-aged man with a sharp demeanor who immediately saluted upon seeing Kishiar.
'...Isn't that the Southern Army's General, Count Gino Bordelli?'
For a moment, Yuder doubted his eyes. The man was familiar to him. It was well known that after the Red Stone fell, the army sent by the Emperor guarded the area thoroughly, but Yuder had never expected a man of the general's rank to be here in person. Even the Yuder of the past would not have known this fact.
Gino Bordelli was not dressed in armor like the other soldiers. He wore a military uniform adorned with a gold lion brooch, bestowed by the Emperor, on his shoulder, and a blue cape draped over it. But the aura he exuded was heavier and more intense than anyone else present.
At first glance, he appeared to be in his forties, but Yuder knew that in reality, he was at least twenty years older than he looked.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone