Turning Chapter 1006

"...Thank you."

"Hm? I don’t recall doing anything worthy of thanks, so I’m not sure what you mean."

When Kishiar tilted his head with a calm expression, Renèv looked momentarily flustered, her face resembling her friend’s strikingly.

"Ah! That. I apologize. After speaking with Kyril—no, Kureijina—I felt I needed to come and thank you personally."

"Haha, I see."

As Kishiar let out a short laugh, a smile finally broke across Renèv’s face as well. It was an odd look, smiling right after crying, but compared to when they'd first met her in the depths of an illegal fighting arena, she looked far happier now.

Yuder posed her a question.

"Renèv, what do you plan to do now?"

"If it’s alright... I’d like to continue working here at the Southern branch. The recruitment for the second group is already over, so I was thinking of applying to help with general tasks while aiming for the third round of recruitment. I already spoke with Kurga, who’s set to become the branch commander, and he said it sounded good."

Renèv replied without hesitation, as if she had already considered everything.

"While assisting the Cavalry here, it felt like I was rediscovering what kind of power I had from the beginning. I learned that most people can’t maintain their powers while asleep like I can, and when I realized how rare it was to sustain power for as long as I can... it honestly amazed me."

That was probably because, in order to survive, Renèv had developed her ability not to manifest in diverse or stronger ways like others, but to specialize in long-term sustainability. She certainly had her limits, but the level at which she could maintain her power was on a different scale from most Awakeners.

"I used to think I was just unlucky for not awakening a combat-related ability, but now I want to see how far the power I do have can go. Actually... I started thinking that way after hearing about how the Deputy Commander didn’t emerge from the sea for over a day. The same goes for the Commander and Vice-Commander."

Someone who once had no hope for life now saw a new goal ahead. Watching her, Yuder felt as though he were looking into a mirror, and he replied slowly.

"That’s a good change."

Compared to how useful and dangerous her power could be, Renèv had far too little ability to protect herself. Back during the illegal fights, they had ensured her abilities weren't exposed publicly, but that secrecy wouldn't last forever. Thinking of her future, working here under protection was undoubtedly the better choice. She seemed to understand that well, which was fortunate.

'Of course, the fact that her friend Kureijina is here probably played a big part in that decision.'

"Someone already aiming for the third recruitment round, huh? That’s certainly something pleasant to hear from the Commander’s point of view."

Kishiar interjected with a bright-eyed smile.

"It’s still a secret, but depending on how things go, we’re planning to hold an additional recruitment based on recommendations from existing members. So do your best."

At that, Renèv's face lit up instantly.

"...Really? I’ll work hard and wait for the opportunity!"

After she left, Yuder turned to Kishiar with a knowing look.

"An additional recruitment round... That’s news to me as well."

"But even if I hadn’t said it, wouldn’t you have suggested it soon? She’s far too promising to simply let go."

"That’s true."

From the Cavalry Commander’s perspective, there was no reason to reject someone like Renèv who offered to join on her own. Even Yudrain Aile in his previous life would have likely said something similar to her.

"Then I’ll draft the additional recruitment plan as soon as possible. If we schedule it around one year later and require letters of recommendation from at least three current members, including the branch commander, followed by an exam, that should be enough..."

"Sounds appropriate. I’ll expect it in writing."

Yuder curved his lips faintly toward the smiling Kishiar. Just like that, a little conspiracy between Commander and Aide took form in a heartbeat.

"—Duke. General Gino has arrived to see you."

At that moment, a knock on the door was followed by Nathan Zuckerman poking his head in. He had deliberately skipped attending the new Duke of Hern's succession ceremony, opting instead to send a gift indirectly. Including that day, he’d been on a rare break for several days, having officially taken a leave to "visit home." This had reminded Yuder that Nathan, too, was originally from the South.

Thinking back, that hadn’t been obvious because, unlike other Southern-born members, no locals had ever greeted or recognized Nathan Zuckerman with familiarity. Given how Southerners tended to show warmth and instant affection toward fellow region-born people, that had been a curious detail.

'Perhaps it means the place where he was born and raised is so secretive that even Southerners wouldn’t know he’s from the region. Which is why he chose to visit while things were at their most chaotic.'

Maybe Kishiar understood that as well, as he never did anything during the aide’s leave that would make anyone ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) question Nathan’s absence.

"Finally time to stretch my body a bit. Shall we go out?"

"Are you sure you're up for it?"

"Shouldn’t that be my question for you? You’re the one I’ll be sparring with today."

"I’m fine, of course. It’s not a real fight, after all. As long as I can walk and hold a sword, that’s enough."

"Now that’s a perfect line to provoke your sparring partner effectively. It’s beautiful and exciting."

Kishiar chuckled low as he ruffled Yuder’s hair.

As the two left the office, Nathan Zuckerman gave them a short, silent bow. His face was just as stoic as ever—hard to believe he had just come back from visiting his hometown. Yuder fell in step beside him, walking behind Kishiar.

After a few moments of walking, Yuder quietly asked,

"Did you have a good trip?"

Nathan glanced at Yuder, seemingly surprised, before answering in a low voice.

"Yes."

"I’m glad to hear it."

"......"

Yuder thought the conversation had ended there, but as they descended one more level, Nathan unexpectedly spoke again.

"I had been nearby not long ago anyway, so nothing was too different this time. I went back to tend to my parents’ graves."

Upon hearing that, Yuder suddenly thought of his grandfather.

'The valley where I laid him to rest should still be the same. That kind of thing doesn’t change.'

Yuder’s grandfather had asked not to have a grave. Instead, his ashes were scattered in the valley, just as he’d requested. So unlike Nathan, Yuder had no need to tend a grave. Still, typically...

"I see. Do you not have someone to tend the grave regularly?"

"I do. But since I was already there, I figured I might as well check on it myself."

In other words, Nathan Zuckerman had simply wanted to see his parents once more.

'I see... I think I can understand why he chose to return home at this time.'

"If I end up going to sort out my home someday, I think I’ll visit where my grandfather rests as well. I hadn’t really thought about it, so thank you."

Yuder spoke without much thought, but for some reason, Kishiar—walking ahead and occasionally shuddering his shoulders in silence—slightly faltered mid-step. Nathan, too, seemed momentarily taken aback.

A few steps later, Nathan spoke again, unexpectedly.

"On my way back, some villagers gave me a few snacks. I don’t eat them, so would it be alright if I passed them on to you?"

"...To me?"

"You eat well, and I figured you’d handle them without hesitation. Let me know if you'd prefer I didn’t."

"Well, if you're offering, I’ll take them."

Other members had offered Yuder snacks from outside for similar reasons in the past. It was just a bit surprising that Nathan Zuckerman was doing so this time, but thinking of it as an extension of that made it seem less odd.

When they arrived at the training ground behind the Southern branch, General Gino was already warming up with his aide, Meghna Curlieva.

"Welcome, Cavalry Commander. And the young ones, as well."

Clad in light gear and holding only a practice sword, the General looked impossibly young for his age. Just by his physique, one might have believed him to be in his forties.

"General. It’s good to see you looking well. Have you fully recovered?"

"Of course. Everything except releasing aura is back to normal."

General Gino chuckled heartily. Beside him, Meghna Curlieva bowed respectfully toward Yuder.

"I look forward to today."

Yuder returned the bow and faced his opponent. As he removed his outer layer and drew his sword, all eyes in the training ground turned to him at once.