Turning Chapter 1028

The man held everyone spellbound simply by strolling forward with a smile, despite lacking any flashy or expensive attire.

It no longer mattered if people still clung to the old gossip painting Duke Peletta as a mindless playboy. The moment they witnessed his luminous presence bathed in the brilliant sun, even the crudest curiosity or ill-will vanished into thin air.

His remarkably tall frame and athletic, well-honed physique were visible from a great distance. The natural, effortless way he carried himself—as if leading a crowd was his birthright—was a quality that could never be faked. Even the children watching understood that instinctively.

Even the Awakeners of the Cavalry, whose peculiar appearances might normally spark anxiety, looked like ordinary people while walking in Kishiar’s wake. Though the Cavalry appeared relaxed at first glance, keen observers noticed something stunning: not a single member dared to step ahead of their Commander—not even to tread upon his shadow. That detail alone elicited breaths of awe from the spectators.

“Ah...”

He was a man who effortlessly commanded a diverse following.

One might have expected him to be stifled by the sweltering heat of the intense attention pouring down on him, yet no sign of irritation touched his features. He appeared as though he were born to stand precisely in that spot.

In this instant, the minds of the crowd drifted toward the ancient myths of their youth.

They thought of the Founding Emperor, born of the Sun God’s lineage, who gripped the Divine Sword Orr to split mountains and seas alongside Archmages, rescuing the world from the Great Ruin.

They thought of the peace and hope that everyone had once prayed for.

The exhaustion of daily life and nagging doubts evaporated in heartbeat. Those who had arrived merely to satisfy their curiosity found themselves raising their arms and cheering in unison without even realizing it.

“Wooooaaaaah!”

Watching the scene, Yuder felt a wave of quiet pride.

Naturally, not every person in the crowd was there to celebrate. A careful look revealed individuals attempting to heckle the Cavalry and Duke Peletta, or shouting venomous lies. The dark energy radiating from them made it obvious they were no mere citizens.

‘They were likely paid to defame the Cavalry and the Emperor.’

It was a transparent tactic. In his previous life, whenever the Cavalry returned from a successful mission, such people would line the streets to loudly broadcast unproven rumors or scream insults. When captured and questioned, most were revealed to be street thugs hired by political rivals—but by then, the lies had already traveled too far to be fully retracted.

‘I can brush off rumors of personal eccentricity, but falsehoods claiming the Cavalry murdered innocents or released Awakened criminals—those are the ones that take root and become "truth."’

Back then, the public didn't celebrate the Cavalry’s homecoming like this. A handful of planted agitators were enough to poison public opinion. Their missions weren't seen as heroic triumphs either; they were desperate, bloody struggles that left many dead or maimed, barely staving off catastrophe.

He had never once experienced pride while returning from a task. There were no welcoming parties, no applause. The journey back was always a funeral march—saturated with death. And the moment they returned, a new disaster would already be waiting.

A return that was essentially a mourning procession.

In those days, they would creep back in silence, hoping to remain unnoticed as they headed straight to the office.

But things were different now. No matter how loudly the provocateurs tried to scream their deceptions, no one paid them any mind. Their petty rants were drowned out instantly by the thunderous clapping.

Kishiar la Orr, walking through the roar of the festivities—

A perfect hero whose homecoming was undeniable. A fresh hope that no one could reject.

Could any sight be more gratifying?

Kishiar had kept the promise he made to Yuder in the South. This was the exact scene Yuder had yearned to witness. He focused on burning every detail of this moment into his memory, ensuring he would never lose it.

Before long, the Prime Minister appeared, flanked by various officials and knights. She had arrived to greet the Cavalry on behalf of the Emperor. Clad in dignified, formal robes, she raised her voice with a gentle smile.

“Welcome home, Commander of the Cavalry—and to all members who have returned after saving the South from ruin. I, Prime Minister Hebraena Leiflang, offer my deepest thanks to you all, as a citizen of the Empire, for the magnificent feats achieved through your bravery.”

Her address was brief but elegant, clear enough for everyone to grasp its weight. She lauded the Cavalry for protecting the Southern region from peril not once, but twice—at the risk of their own lives—and promised that the Emperor and the Empire would always remember their service.

As her speech concluded, the Prime Minister stepped forward, offered a respectful bow to Kishiar, and presented the bouquet of flowers she carried.

“These are Jubeck blossoms—the flowers the Emperor has personally granted to returning heroes since the old days. Though they are not currently in season, they bloomed in the Imperial greenhouse yesterday, as if they sensed your arrival.”

“Wooooaaah!”

‘The flowers didn’t sense anything. They likely used magic to force them to bloom on schedule.’

Having spent years in the palace, Yuder could easily guess the truth behind the flowers. However, he remained silent.

Whether the flowers bloomed naturally didn't matter. What mattered was that the Emperor had gone to such trouble—showing such deliberate care—to visually demonstrate to the public how much he valued the Cavalry.

To present it so beautifully—irritating the noble faction while delighting the commoners—was a testament to the Prime Minister’s silver tongue, which was almost a match for Kishiar’s.

Seemingly sharing that thought, Kishiar smiled as he stepped forward to accept the bouquet.

“The Jubeck blossom is said to be the flower the Founding Emperor once gathered himself to honor his knights when he had nothing else to give. The Cavalry will never forget this precious gift from His Majesty, nor the sentiment it represents. We shall treasure it always and remain devoted to the Empire.”

He then turned toward the Solar Palace, the Emperor’s residence, and dropped to one knee. Placing the bouquet before him, he drew his sword and held it out with both hands while still in its sheath. With his head lowered and sword raised high, he looked like a knight stepped out of a classic legend.

Yuder froze for a second, then, as if snapping out of a trance, glanced at the cheering crowd and followed Kishiar’s lead. He knelt on one knee in the same direction.

Quietly, he sent a faint ripple of wind energy toward the other Cavalry members as a silent signal.

‘Get in formation.’

“...Ah. Ah!”

Only then did the others, who had been captivated by Kishiar’s display, recover and quickly mimic Yuder.

While they weren't perfectly in sync—and created a bit of a clatter and dust—the resulting image was still breathtaking. The Prime Minister, her eyes widening slightly at the sight, smiled and solemnly turned to kneel alongside them, pushing the emotional atmosphere to its peak.

Finally, when even Nathan Zuckerman, who was guarding the rear, knelt with practiced elegance, it seemed the scene was complete—

But then, something new happened.

The watching citizens began to kneel as well, one by one, following the example of the Cavalry.

Not even Yuder, who had just been nudging his comrades, had foreseen this.

Up until now, it had felt like a choreographed show—for the Emperor, for Kishiar, and for the Cavalry.

But as thousands of people joined them... an indescribable feeling began to saturate the air.

A strange sensation, like every hair on his body was standing up—a shiver of pure awe racing through his blood.

What was this feeling?

They were simply kneeling on the dirt together. Why did it feel like this?

“...”

Even after living through two lifetimes, Yuder found there were still many things in this world he could not comprehend.

Did Kishiar, kneeling at the front, have the answer?

Lost in thought, Yuder remained there, staring at Kishiar’s back for a long time—until the man finally stood up.

The events of this day would later be recorded as yet another legendary chapter for the Cavalry.

“Welcome. His Majesty is expecting you.”

The formal reception took place at the palace the following day. It was a serious, dignified event without a party.

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