Turning Chapter 1258

Was his need for comfort still not appeased? Or did some other desire linger, one he wished to fulfill while thus positioned? Kishiar, observing intently and attempting to decipher Yuder’s unspoken intentions, watched as Yuder made himself comfortable. With his eyes closed, Yuder then spoke.

“...Cease your thoughts. Simply find repose.”

“……”

“It’s not merely my own requirement for rest… you require it as well.”

Ah, so it was neither of those possibilities.

Yuder had seen through him completely—Kishiar had been clinging to the very edge of his composure, determined to offer comfort until the very end. Therefore, the reason for Yuder now positioning himself atop Kishiar… was, in essence, to prevent Kishiar from moving once he had drifted into sleep. He had assumed the role of a human anchor.

Kishiar knew, better than anyone, that Yuder’s own body was the most potent method to ensure Kishiar la Orr remained stationary.

A smile, born of overwhelming affection, struggled to break free, but Kishiar instead managed a casual whisper.

“Mhm. I understand. However, this place is quite disarrayed at the moment, making it less than ideal for sleep. Allow me to escort you to my chamber—rest there for a spell while I attend to this.”

Yuder offered no verbal response. Yet, a subtle alteration in the aroma emanating from his form conveyed his dissent.

A clear rejection.

He harbored no desire for Kishiar to find pretexts for further movement after they had agreed to rest together. This was a judgment befitting one who understood intimately the extent of Kishiar’s clandestine capabilities, even within the briefest moments. The state of the damp sheets held no consequence for Yuder; his sole wish was for their shared slumber, right here, right now.

Very well. He would have to concede.

Kishiar swiftly relinquished the notion. Releasing all the tension from his physique, he gently stroked the back of the individual reclining above him. At this tender gesture, Yuder’s scent softened once more, as if sensing Kishiar’s acquiescence. Kishiar was adept at facilitating Yuder’s ease.

Although Yuder had never voiced it, Kishiar was aware of his preference for resting his ear against Kishiar’s chest, listening to the cadence of his heartbeat. Regardless of the circumstances, drawing Yuder close and allowing him to perceive that steady rhythm invariably led to a remarkably swift calming.

This instance proved no different. As Kishiar adjusted his posture to draw Yuder into a more comfortable hold, Yuder nestled his head against Kishiar’s chest—and a prolonged, steady exhalation escaped him.

The sound signaling the conclusion of a taxing day.

The respiration of one succumbing to tranquil slumber.

An intangible, mist-like fragrance brushed delicately against Kishiar’s hair and visage before dissipating. Uncharacteristically, however, it did not recede back into Yuder’s form. It lingered in the atmosphere, gently undulating like subtle waves.

“……”

Only then did Kishiar dissolve the magical seals and the force he had employed to secure the room. The Swordmaster’s heightened senses confirmed the Cavalry’s perimeter remained unbreached—no interlopers, all was tranquil. Thoughts, as ingrained as breathing, began to surface—yet the solitary sigh Yuder released dispersed them instantaneously.

Kishiar emitted a soft chuckle, then bestowed a gentle kiss upon the sleeping one’s crown.

Just as Yuder found solace in his heartbeat, Kishiar discovered his own ability to shed all thought and find true rest within Yuder’s breath and comforting warmth.

***

Yuder’s eyes fluttered open. Without the need for a timepiece, he could accurately gauge the hour by the ambient light filtering through the window.

Precisely as anticipated—the time he typically awoke to commence his morning training regimen.

His body felt remarkably light. A mild discomfort persisted below his waist, yet even this sensation was not unwelcome. Indeed, a sense of refreshment permeated him.

“Awake, are we?”

As he assessed his own physical state, Kishiar’s voice, gentle and low, reached him. He remained positioned beneath Yuder, as if serving as a living mattress. There was no hint of discomfort; in fact, he appeared so profoundly at ease that the scene suggested the utmost naturalness. Yuder, momentarily captivated by Kishiar’s countenance—a visage somehow rendered even more striking in repose—leaned into the fingers that were idly caressing his hair, responding with a subtle nod.

A radiant smile graced Kishiar’s lips.

“I had intended to inquire if my efforts to facilitate your rest were appreciated, but observing your expression, I believe the answer is self-evident.”

“...Yes. By your grace, my rest was deep and restorative.”

To this candid admission, Kishiar responded with a soft chuckle. With Yuder still resting upon him, the resonance of that laughter traveled directly through their connected skin, bestowing a delicate, sweet sensation.

He hadn't even recognized the extent of his own pent-up tension until this very moment. Every taut nerve within him finally unfurled. His mind felt exceptionally clear, and his body was suffused with such a gentle warmth that he felt nourished, even without sustenance. The respite had been so absolute, so devoid of dreams, that it bordered on the unbelievable.

“Then, as pledged yesterday, a story is owed to you. Shall I recount it now? Or perhaps after the session of morning training?”

Yuder contemplated for a brief period.

“I shall return following the training.”

The narrative concerning his grandfather held significance. However, its urgency did not necessitate an alteration to his established daily schedule. Now that clarity had returned to his mind, he could finally comprehend the words Kishiar had imparted the previous day.

“Understood. I shall await your return then.”

Kishiar leaned forward, bestowing a tender kiss upon Yuder’s cheek.

Back in the capital, morning drills with Ever had recommenced.

Thanks to the new understanding she’d acquired down South, Ever’s command over her abilities had become distinctly more polished. She greeted Yuder with a far steadier and more radiant smile than she had previously.

“Welcome back.”

The morning exercises Yuder undertook with Ever were now exclusively dedicated to mastering the circulation of Qi. Previously, Ever had found it challenging to comprehend Yuder's methods of power manipulation—but now, her confidence had blossomed to the point where she could openly share her own insights.

She hasn’t quite regained her prior life’s strength… but her developmental trajectory has taken a different course. It remains uncertain what impact this might have.

In Yuder’s past existence, Ever had been akin to an unyielding monolith, steadfastly focused on maintaining a constant, unshakeable power regardless of circumstance. This made her incredibly dependable during critical moments. However, being immoveable also implied a lack of change.

The present Ever, conversely, was exploring methods to partition and modulate her power—sometimes decelerating, sometimes accelerating, contingent on the prevailing situation. She had also commenced practicing combat maneuvers that incorporated the use of terrain and throwing blades. Astonishingly, these new approaches proved remarkably suitable for her. It was an aspect of her Yuder had never before witnessed.

The transformations extended beyond her combat style. In former times, their interactions rarely ventured beyond their training sessions. Yet now, the pair found themselves frequently engaging in light conversation while working in tandem. Neither was inherently verbose, but an easy camaraderie existed between them, devoid of any awkwardness.

“Last night, Hin and Pin once again slipped into the indoor training hall. They were discovered mid-session. We had explicitly agreed they wouldn’t train outside of the scheduled times, yet... they persist in doing so. I’m concerned they might fall ill from pushing themselves too hard.”

Hearing the deputy commander express her anxieties regarding Hin and Pin evoked memories of encountering the siblings at Alik’s residence. The instant they laid eyes on Yuder, they had fled—and from that point onward, they had acted like phantoms, expertly evading his gaze. Nevertheless, it appeared they had continued their training.

Upon reflection, Ever too had faced setbacks in the South while pursuing the Sage, and she had ultimately triumphed. Perhaps she could perceive the twins from a different vantage point.

“They were likely training at that hour to evade me.”

“Evade you? For what reason?”

“They were assisting Alik with a magical experiment. I happened upon them.”

“An experiment...? What sort of experiment? How did they even…”

“Alik is attempting to construct a magical artifact for Awakeners that facilitates teleportation. Apparently, they were lending their assistance.”

“Good heavens! Can such a thing truly be created?”

Ever blinked in astonishment.

“It remains in the research phase, so success is not guaranteed. That, in itself, is not the primary concern. However, their disposition... Something has been weighing on them since our return from the South.”

“By disposition, you imply...”

“They haven’t articulated it clearly, but... it seems connected to Hosanra.”

Ever grasped his meaning instantly, even without a thorough explanation.

“I had noticed they’d become unusually subdued since then… but to this degree…”

“I wish to comprehend their true thoughts before they veer too drastically off course. Yet, it appears they are genuinely disinclined to converse with me. Would you be willing to offer your assistance?”

After a brief pause for contemplation, Ever nodded without any hesitation.

“I believe I understand their sentiments. I will attempt to speak with them.”