Turning Chapter 1253

Kanna drew in a sharp breath, her eyes snapping open once more to meet Yuder’s unflinching gaze. He posed a direct question:

“Who was it that spoke just now?”

“...What I was attempting to discern was the reason behind the disposal of these items and by whom. Therefore... those were the sentiments and conclusions lingering from the individual who discarded them.”

The perpetrator of the discarding was, in fact, Yuder’s grandfather.

He had already suspected his grandfather’s motive for placing the articles in the incineration bin was to conceal his past as a mage. However, the details Kanna had just unraveled felt significantly more chilling than anticipated.

‘The owner,’ indeed.

After a brief pause, Yuder’s voice resurfaced, inquiring softly, “Is it possible to ascertain the connection between the person who discarded these items and their original owner?”

The answer was already known to him. They were one and the same.

Yet, Kanna remained unaware of this crucial fact.

“No… I cannot. That was precisely what I desired to read the most—how the individual who discarded these items originally came into their possession. But no matter my efforts, that aspect remained shrouded in mist. All I could perceive were convoluted emotions… far too intertwined to articulate.”

Kanna’s head shook slightly, a hint of apology in her expression.

Regardless, this alone was sufficient for Yuder to arrive at a conclusion.

Kanna had operated under the assumption that the discloser of the items and their original proprietor were distinct individuals.

Her deduction had been so natural that she hadn’t even paused to question Yuder’s subtly ambiguous phrasing.

And for someone like Kanna Wand, possessing the ability to perceive even concealed truths from residual energy in objects, to interpret it so—it carried significant weight.

It was time to reveal the truth and request her to re-examine the situation.

“Kanna. There is something I neglected to mention previously.”

“And what might that be?”

“These articles you have just perceived were indeed your grandfather's cherished possessions. However, they were not items he bequeathed. He disposed of them, casting them into a burn receptacle. I was only able to retrieve them here because another individual intervened before they were consumed by flames.”

“...Hold on, then...”

“Precisely. The original proprietor of these possessions and the one who attempted to discard them—they are identical. This was something I knew already, but I wished to observe how your ability would interpret this scenario.”

The reason being—

“I recall my grandfather as an exceptionally unremarkable man. Yet, I have begun to harbor suspicions that at some juncture, he underwent a complete memory alteration, transforming into an entirely different entity. This was not mere amnesia; an excessive number of anomalies suggest a much more complex situation.”

Yuder reached out, his hand gently opening the notebook Kanna had been holding earlier. The torn page had left a faint impression at its center. The subsequent page was densely covered in charcoal.

It was Kishiar and Yuder who had applied the charcoal, in hopes of uncovering the imprint left by the missing upper page.

Kanna’s attention fixated on the faintly discernible characters superimposed over the charcoal.

Airik, the current 38th Emperor, a mage, Melach Cantinto.

The script was rudimentary, likely scribbled in haste during the year of the incident. While the words clearly held significance, they could not possibly represent the full content of the missing page. Residue marks typically leave their strongest impression on the final page that was in direct contact with the missing one.

These characters had ignited Yuder’s initial conjecture that his grandfather might not simply have forgotten something—but could have been someone entirely different.

“A comprehensive explanation would be excessively protracted, so I shall provide a summary. A considerable time ago, a mage encountered an accident and, against all odds, survived. However, in its aftermath, he transformed completely, as if reborn as a different individual. This was beyond simple memory loss. He adamantly asserted his identity as someone else entirely.”

“So… you suspect that your grandfather experienced a similar occurrence?”

Kanna’s brow furrowed, her question posed with genuine seriousness.

“Indeed. And if such a precedent exists, there is no logical impediment to it happening again.”

“...However, during your time residing with your grandfather, were there ever any peculiar occurrences?”

“Never. I never once entertained the notion that he had any connection to magic.”

“That… is indeed peculiar.”

“You would be entirely justified in believing I sound utterly delusional.”

After all, it was a narrative exceptionally challenging to accept.

Yet, Kanna, to Yuder’s surprise, shook her head with unwavering conviction.

“I do not hold that belief in the slightest. Admittedly, it sounds like a tale lifted from ancient legends. However, the information I just perceived was not fabricated.”

“……”

“The incident I read about just now… it truly transpired. The owner of those items was present at the scene—made an attempt to rescue someone—and met their demise there. While I cannot assert with absolute certainty that they perished, the evidence strongly suggested it.”

If that owner was, in reality, Yuder’s grandfather, it presented a profound contradiction.

She had perceived that the individual had likely died, yet Yuder was aware that his grandfather had survived and subsequently raised him.

“Initially, I entertained the possibility that the original owner associated with the accident-tainted items was not your grandfather. That is why I endeavored to investigate deeper into the individual who discarded them. But now I comprehend your request for my assistance. Naturally, it was imperative to maintain secrecy.”

Kanna offered a smile, having now fully grasped Yuder’s underlying objective.

“Yuder, your decision to seek me out, the Commander’s endorsement of you, and my own capabilities—these are the three pillars I’ve sworn never to doubt since becoming Vice Commander. To discover now that my power might be the sole key to aiding you… it fills me with an exhilarating sense of purpose.”

She gently pressed her hand to the center of her chest. Witnessing the resolute determination and unwavering trust etched on her face, Yuder felt an unnamable emotion surge within him.

“Very well. Now that I possess a clearer understanding, shall we begin anew? That was your intention all along, wasn't it? You had me examine the materials without prejudice to gauge my initial impressions.”

“...Precisely.”

“So then… from where should I commence my renewed analysis? Should I concentrate on the individual who disposed of these items, or perhaps explore another avenue?”

“Anything that could substantiate the hypothesis I put forth—whatever insights you can glean.”

“Understood.”

Kanna rolled up the sleeves of her attire, her expression resolute, her breathing even and calm with a clear resolve.

“This time, I will commit my full effort. I shall absorb all the information without reservation. Consequently, the process will demand significantly more time, and I will be unable to communicate while engaged in it.”

“That sounds rather perilous.”

“Oh, we’re part of the Cavalry, aren't we? A little danger like this is hardly cause for alarm.”

She spoke with the nonchalance of a seasoned warrior facing the final throes of battle, then placed both her hands once more upon the open notebook Yuder had provided.

“I won't faint, but a nosebleed is a distinct possibility. So, please don't be taken aback. If you interfere before I signal, it could disrupt the flow and trigger a backlash. Just observe until I indicate it's safe.”

Yuder was about to voice his concern about proceeding if it risked a nosebleed, but Kanna had already closed her eyes.

—Fwaaaah!

From the outset, the manifestation of her power was strikingly potent. Her hair billowed as if caught in a fierce gale, her eyes, only half-closed, were bloodshot, and her hands trembled as though her bones were on the verge of shattering. Her lips moved in a rapid, inaudible murmur—too faint to decipher.

“...No. No, that's not it. Not that either… I already grasp that. Too soon. Too late. That was not the opportune moment. Retreat—further back… no, earlier…!”

She appeared to be directing commands at an unseen entity.

The aura surrounding her intensified, warping the very fabric of space. Within this swirling vortex, Kanna’s complexion grew progressively paler.

An overwhelming torrent of invisible information must have been assaulting her consciousness.

And then—

“...Found it…”

Plop.

Accompanied by a soft sigh, blood trickled from Kanna’s nose.

She slumped to the side.

Yuder swiftly moved to catch her.

‘I need something to staunch the bleeding—’

“Here.”

Before Yuder could even turn his head, Kishiar was already present, extending a handkerchief.

“Kanna has not yet concluded her ability activation. I believe I can establish contact using my power to mitigate any adverse effects. Would you allow me some space?”

Kishiar reached towards Kanna. An unseen force effortlessly dispersed the shimmering energy. He gently wiped the blood from her lips and jaw, then pressed the handkerchief to her nose, stemming the flow.

It was at this precise moment that Kanna’s eyes fluttered open.

She blinked in surprise, momentarily startled by her Commander’s proximity—yet remained silent. Still disoriented, her gaze shifted towards Yuder.

“...I believe I've uncovered the answer within the fragmented notebook page.”

She murmured weakly.

“Yuder, just as you suspected… it was indeed someone else. Unequivocally.”

This implied—

“I perceived someone… someone consumed by anguish and bewilderment, to the point where they no longer recalled their own identity.”