Turning Chapter 1028

The man captivated everyone simply by walking with a smile, without wearing a single piece of extravagant clothing.

It didn’t matter whether someone still believed the old rumors of Duke Peletta being a foolish libertine. The moment they saw his radiant appearance under the brilliant sunlight, even the basest curiosity or malice had nowhere left to go.

His unusually tall stature and well-trained body stood out from afar. The way he walked—naturally, as if it were only right for him to lead everyone—was something no one could fabricate in a short time. Even children instinctively understood that.

Even the Awakeners in the Cavalry, whose somewhat unusual appearances might typically trigger fear, seemed perfectly ordinary when walking behind Kishiar. Though the Cavalry might seem disorderly at a glance, those who looked closely realized something remarkable: not a single one of them stepped ahead of their Commander—not even on his shadow. That alone drew gasps of admiration.

“Ah...”

He was someone who naturally led a crowd of diverse individuals.

One might have expected him to be overwhelmed by the sweltering heat of the attention pouring down like a waterfall, but not a trace of discomfort showed on his face. He looked like someone born to stand in that very spot.

In this moment, everyone thought of the old legends they’d heard in childhood.

Of the Founding Emperor, said to be born with the blood of the Sun God, who wielded the Divine Sword Orr, cleaved mountains and oceans with Archmages at his side, and saved the world from the Great Ruin.

Of the peace and hope that everyone once dreamed of.

The fatigue of daily life and anxious doubts melted away in an instant. Those who had come only to satisfy their curiosity found themselves raising their hands and shouting in unison without even realizing it.

“Wooooaaaaah!”

Yuder watched it all with quiet satisfaction.

Of course, not everyone in the crowd was celebrating. If one looked carefully, there were some trying to jeer at the Cavalry and Duke Peletta, or shout slanderous remarks. The ominous energy they emitted made it clear they weren’t just ordinary citizens.

‘They were probably hired to slander the Cavalry and the Emperor.’

It was an obvious trick. In his past life too, every time the Cavalry returned after accomplishing something, people like that would show up along the path to loudly spread unverified rumors or hurl insults. When they were caught and interrogated, most turned out to be back-alley scoundrels hired by political enemies—but by the time the truth came out, their rumors had already spread too widely to erase cleanly.

‘I can ignore rumors that I did something weird, but lies like the Cavalry killed innocent people or let Awakened criminals go free—those are the ones that stick and become “truth.”’

Back then, people didn’t celebrate the Cavalry’s return like they did now. A few planted rumor-mongers were enough to dominate public perception. The missions weren’t recognized as heroic rescues either—they were desperate struggles with heavy casualties and serious injuries, barely holding back disaster.

He had never once felt proud while returning from a mission. There had been no welcoming ceremony, no cheers. The path back was always one of mourning—filled with death. And no sooner had they returned than another crisis awaited them.

A return that might as well have been a funeral procession.

Back then, they returned quietly, hoping to avoid notice, and went straight back to the office.

But this time was different. No matter how loudly the tricksters tried to shout their lies, no one listened. Their petty noise was instantly buried under the thunderous applause.

Kishiar la Orr, walking beneath the roar of celebration—

A flawless hero whose return could only be welcomed. A new hope no one could deny.

Was there any sight more satisfying?

Kishiar had fulfilled the promise he made to Yuder in the South. This was the very sight Yuder had longed to see. He made sure to etch every detail of this moment into his mind, so he would never forget it.

Soon, the Prime Minister came into view, surrounded by officials and knights. She had come to welcome the Cavalry in place of the Emperor. Dressed with dignified formality, she raised her voice with a warm smile.

“Welcome, Commander of the Cavalry—and all members of the Cavalry who have returned after saving the South from crisis. I, Prime Minister Hebraena Leiflang, express my heartfelt gratitude to you all, as a citizen of the Empire, for the great deeds accomplished through your courage.”

Her speech wasn’t long, but it was clear and graceful enough for all to understand its meaning. She praised the Cavalry for saving the Southern region from danger not once, but twice—for risking their lives in the process—and assured them that the Emperor and the Empire would never forget it.

When her speech ended, the Prime Minister stepped forward, bowed with proper etiquette before Kishiar, and offered a bouquet of flowers she held in her arms.

“These are Jubeck blossoms—flowers the Emperor has personally bestowed upon returning heroes who saved the Empire since ancient times. Though it is not yet the season for them to bloom, they flowered in the Imperial greenhouse yesterday, as if sensing your return.”

“Wooooaaah!”

‘It wasn’t that the flowers sensed the return. They probably used magical means to force them to bloom in time.’

Having spent a long time in the palace, Yuder could roughly guess how the flowers made it here. But he said nothing.

What mattered wasn’t whether the flowers had bloomed naturally or not. It was that the Emperor had gone to such lengths—had shown such care—and had made it visually clear to everyone that he cherished the Cavalry.

To package it this beautifully—angering the noble faction while giving joy to the common people—spoke to the Prime Minister’s oratory skill, which was nearly on par with Kishiar’s.

Apparently having had the same thought, Kishiar smiled, stepped forward, took the bouquet, and spoke.

“The Jubeck blossom is said to be the flower that the Founding Emperor once plucked himself to reward his knights when he had nothing else to give. The Cavalry will never forget this priceless flower His Majesty has bestowed upon us, nor the meaning behind it. We shall cherish it forever and continue to devote ourselves to the Empire.”

Then he turned toward the direction of the Solar Palace, where the Emperor would be, and knelt on one knee. He laid the bouquet before him, drew his sword, and presented it still in its scabbard with both hands. With his head bowed and the sword held high, he resembled a knight straight out of an ancient legend.

Yuder remained still for a moment, then, as if awakening from a dream, glanced at the crowd cheering around them—and followed Kishiar's example. He knelt on one knee in the same direction.

Naturally, he released a subtle wave of wind energy toward the other Cavalry members, a silent nudge.

‘Fall in line.’

“...Ah. Ah!”

Only then did the other members, who had been mesmerized by Kishiar’s movements, snap out of it and hurriedly follow Yuder.

Though not perfectly synchronized—and causing a bit of noise and dust—the moment still formed a breathtaking spectacle. The Prime Minister, whose eyes had widened slightly at the sight, smiled and solemnly turned, kneeling in unison with them, pushing the atmosphere to its emotional peak.

Finally, when even Nathan Zuckerman, who had been guarding the rear, knelt with practiced grace, it seemed the moment would conclude—

But then, a new development emerged.

The citizens watching began to kneel down, one by one, following the Cavalry’s lead.

Not even Yuder, who had just been spreading subtle pressure toward his comrades, had expected this.

Until now, it had all felt like a staged performance—for the Emperor, for Kishiar, for the Cavalry.

But as countless people joined them... something indescribable began to fill the air.

An odd sensation, like every hair on his body stood on end—a chill of awe running through his veins.

What was this?

They had merely knelt together on the ground. Why did it feel like ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) this?

“...”

Even after living two lives, there were still far too many things in the world Yuder did not understand.

Did Kishiar, sitting in front of him, know the answer?

As he pondered that, Yuder remained seated, gazing at Kishiar’s back for a long time—until the man rose again.

The events of that day would go on to be recorded as yet another legend of the Cavalry.

“Welcome. His Majesty is waiting.”

The next day, the formal welcoming ceremony was held in the palace. It was a quiet, dignified affair without a party.

Emperor Keillusa, accompanied by the Empress, received them not in the Second Palace, but in the grand hall of the First Palace.