Turning Chapter 1034

Watching Kishiar—who often stressed the importance of rest to Yuder—being told something similar by the Emperor felt strangely ironic. But Yuder could understand what the Emperor truly meant.

Before awakening as an Awakener, Kishiar had lived under constant orders to do nothing. Yet that didn’t mean he had ever truly done nothing. Despite the limits of his body, he had relentlessly honed his swordsmanship and eventually became a Swordmaster. He’d developed the barren land of Peleta into its current state, and he’d unearthed one remarkable talent after another. Nathan Zuckerman, the Peleta Knights, and even Mick Shuden—now the head of a trading company spanning the entire continent—were all proof of that.

Even when bedridden, Kishiar still managed to orchestrate things by directing Nathan Zuckerman and his subordinates from bed, ensuring things played out exactly as he intended. But no matter how sharp his mind was, lying in bed while working could never truly be called rest.

Even if he sincerely loved working, even if he calculated his limits better than anyone and avoided overexertion—he still needed rest at least once. That seemed to be the point the Emperor wanted to make.

But Kishiar didn’t immediately agree.

He stayed silent for a moment, as if searching his brother’s face for deeper meaning. Then he let out a long sigh and finally spoke.

“...At any other time, I would have thanked you gratefully. However, Your Majesty, earlier you declared your intent to restore my revoked rights and lift my restrictions. Surely you understand that such things cannot be accomplished in a moment by decree alone. If I were to completely withdraw from the capital now, what would happen?”

“Well, I’ll bear that minor inconvenience myself.”

The Emperor responded without hesitation.

“I’m sorry, but this isn’t the kind of thing that can be dismissed as a minor inconvenience.”

It was the first time Yuder had seen Kishiar express such firm concern. But he agreed—it was entirely reasonable.

‘This is practically a political gamble... No amount of concern is too much.’

The Duke of Diarca had just days ago sent assassins after the Emperor and Empress without batting an eye. If he caught wind of today’s unexpected announcement, the palace would effectively turn into a battlefield.

Even if the Emperor had become an Awakener and recovered his health, that alone didn’t guarantee safety.

Yet the Emperor was unmoved by Kishiar’s concern. Even the Empress remained calm.

“Kishiar. That matter is not yours to worry about until your leave is over.”

“Your Majesty... At least let me postpone my leave—”

“I will not allow it.”

The Emperor rejected the suggestion with finality.

“Nothing in this world is to be taken for granted. You, and the capable people around me, have always been by my side—but I must not take that for granted. That applies to you as well, Kishiar.”

“...Your Majesty.”

“You’re clever enough to guess why I’ve made this decision. The fact that you’re still resisting must mean you’re deeply concerned.”

But this is something that must be done.

The Emperor’s voice, calm and composed, carried no hesitation.

“Before issuing today’s decree, I met with the Prime Minister, Grand General Mucker, the head of the Imperial Mage Corps, and the Pope. I’ve resumed the work that had been halted—across law, diplomacy, and history.”

Each one of those names belonged to prominent, politically neutral figures.

“They hadn’t acted for so long because the Imperial Family had failed to give them certainty. I, who disappeared for years without explanation, was the worst of all. To rebuild that trust, to lay the foundation for what must come next—I must remove my armor and show them, clearly, what I can do even in the face of danger. That’s what earns belief.”

“And now is the time to show that.”

“Yes. Exactly one month from now, when you return—everything will be different. You’ll see. I’ll have reclaimed my voice, so no one can feign ignorance anymore.”

“......”

“This is the chance I’ve long imagined. A move that will throw the enemy into confusion, letting me grasp them entirely. A chance to test all that I’ve prepared. A chance to test myself. And a chance for revenge. There has never been a better time for all of it.”

The Emperor’s eyes—behind the glasses—looked squarely at those gathered in the room, but at the same time, it felt as if he were gazing far beyond. Though he appeared merely like a sharp-minded scholar, his gaze revealed an immense will to challenge, a burning passion, and calculated determination. Yuder couldn’t help but be briefly overwhelmed.

Faced with a powerful enemy, most rational people would naturally retreat out of fear. But Emperor Keillusa, even while fully aware of the dangers ahead, stood unshaken.

Just as Kishiar had dreams and visions of the future, so too did the Emperor. And he had no intention of retreating from them.

That sort of iron-willed determination and cold resolve was something only a handful possessed. People with eyes like his couldn’t be broken through ordinary means, and that very ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) quality struck terror into their enemies.

This must have been what Keillusa had been like before he fell ill.

Yuder thought he finally understood why the Duke of Diarca had been so desperate to uproot this young Emperor before he fully matured. Keillusa, as he was now, shone with a strange and mighty dignity—one that could make even the most confident of old foxes second-guess themselves.

The flame of hope ignited in a man who had once given everything up was now too brilliant to look away from.

“...I yield.”

At last, Kishiar raised his hands in surrender.

“If this is what Your Majesty truly believes, how could I dare stand in the way? As your younger brother and closest subject, I will always follow your path.”

“Thank you.”

The Emperor’s commanding presence softened, and a faint smile touched his lips.

“So, Kishiar. For my sake, rest in a way that no one could possibly doubt. You may accompany Baron Aile to Peleta, if he agrees and wishes to go, of course.”

For a moment, Yuder and Kishiar’s eyes met.

Then Kishiar spoke with a lighthearted, mischievous tone.

“Ah, actually... we’ve already decided to do that.”

“...Have you?”

“Really?”

The Empress looked delighted. The Emperor turned to Yuder.

“Baron, are you alright with spending your leave with the Duke? There might be times when you’d prefer solitude.”

“Thank you for your concern. But I’m fine.”

“Do you have anything else you wish to do, aside from visiting Peleta? If there’s anything at all, say so. If I can help you, I will.”

Just a moment ago, he’d seemed eager to recommend Yuder join Kishiar. But now, he seemed just as ready to support Yuder doing something entirely different. His intent was difficult to read—but it didn’t feel ill-intentioned. On the contrary, it felt like sincere goodwill, so Yuder answered honestly.

“In addition to visiting Peleta, I do have other plans. I haven’t been back to my hometown since joining the Cavalry, so I intend to return and settle matters there. There are some things I personally want to look into, so I expect I’ll be away from the capital for most of this leave.”

“Then you won’t be staying in Peleta for long. Are you planning to do all of that on your own?”

“No. The Commander... has agreed to accompany me.”

“......”

The Emperor fell into silence once again. Kishiar, now smiling freely without a trace of earlier concern, gave an exaggerated nod.

“That’s right. I didn’t want to brag too soon, but I’ve been invited to my aide’s home. In fact, just thinking about that day has become the driving force in my life lately.”

“I can see why, Duke. Truly enviable.”

The Empress smiled warmly, genuinely envious. Kishiar’s smile was so radiant it felt as though ten brilliant lanterns had suddenly flared to life behind him.

The Emperor, however, remained silent until the meal came to a complete end.