Turning Chapter 1263

“I feel the same. Still, it seems the outline is gradually becoming clearer, so we’ll need to keep collecting related information from all directions.”

Such speculations must have arisen from things said during the investigation. But if even the writer of that document couldn’t uncover more, then the chances of anyone else finding answers were slim.

With every mystery solved, a new question emerged—like an endless vine that kept unraveling the more one pulled.

And yet, it didn’t feel hopeless. Because beside him was Kishiar, who was investigating this more seriously than Yuder himself. And Kanna had offered great help too, hadn’t she?

Yuder calmed his thoughts and let out a long breath.

“Is that the last of the documents you wanted to show me?”

“For today, yes.”

“For today” meant there would be more. Who knew what else Kishiar would investigate and bring next? His energy and initiative were remarkable.

Yuder bowed his head respectfully.

“You’ve helped me a great deal. Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I only did what I believed we ought to do together.”

After answering like that, Kishiar fell briefly silent. It was as if he were choosing his next words with great care before speaking.

For someone who was rarely hesitant with his words to suddenly pause like this?

Ah. We haven’t even started discussing the theory related to what Kanna discovered yesterday. Is that what he’s about to bring up?

What must Kishiar have thought while listening to Kanna’s findings? He’d likely already known the materials he showed today—so he must have had his own conclusions.

Yuder, instead of rushing him, watched the sunlight reflected off Kishiar’s golden hair, so bright it turned white at the edges, and time passed more pleasantly than he expected.

At last, Kishiar slowly opened his mouth.

“Yuder.”

“Yes.”

“The information Kanna read yesterday and the records I showed you—was there anything you were particularly curious about?”

Something I was particularly curious about?

The fact that he added “particularly” implied Kishiar thought there might’ve been something unrelated to the main topic that might have caught Yuder’s attention. Was there something like that? Yuder blinked, then shook his head.

“No, nothing in particular.”

Kishiar looked like he’d expected that answer.

“Hm.”

“...Should I have been curious?”

“No. Not necessarily.”

After saying that, Kishiar tilted his head slightly. His gaze was calm and quiet, but it felt like he was carefully watching Yuder, trying not to miss even the slightest reaction.

“What is it? If something’s bothering you, just say it directly.”

“I’ve looked into just about everything I could through others, but there are still questions I can’t answer. I think it’s time to visit the closest related party I’ve been putting off.”

The closest related party he’d been postponing seeing.

The answer came to mind immediately.

“You mean... Helrem.”

“Right.”

They had already gathered the Royal Mage Office’s investigation reports. Even if the data wasn’t perfect, there was enough to understand the incident’s before and after. It was now certain that Yuder’s grandfather became someone completely different after the accident. So was there really anything more worth uncovering from Helrem, if it meant stirring up old wounds?

...Is it really necessary?

Kishiar never did anything without reason.

What am I missing?

Yuder lifted his head—and met the gaze of red eyes that were always gentle, yet held a quietly burning affection, hidden so deep that no one else could perceive it.

Eyes that seemed like they wanted to say something to Yuder but hesitated.

...

The realization struck like lightning.

It’s me.

If there was anything in the world that could cause Kishiar la Orr to hesitate, it could only be Yuder Aile.

“You want to ask Helrem about me? Or... about my parents or family?”

They had already had a similar conversation once, back in Yuder’s hometown. Kishiar had suggested that if they looked into the accident victims, they might learn more about the child—Yuder—and said it would be quicker to ask Helrem. But Yuder had responded: was there really a need to do so?

He had no interest in anyone beyond his grandfather. That still hadn’t changed.

But if Kishiar is revisiting this now, despite already hearing that...

Kishiar spoke.

“You once wondered why the person who became Melach Cantinto after the accident—your grandfather—chose to raise a child. In a state where his memories and identity weren’t intact, he could’ve just left you in the village and walked away. But he didn’t. It’s a strange choice to make if it was merely out of a sense of duty. And if he truly was a Great Mage who threw away everything for the future, then the mystery deepens.”

“...”

"..."

"If we intend to uncover who he was, his intentions, or his ultimate goal, it will inevitably require us to delve deeper into your own past. I understand you’ve expressed a reluctance for this, but we cannot proceed without addressing it."

With those words spoken, Kishiar’s brow slowly relaxed.

"...Perhaps I’ve presumed too much."

He softly traced Yuder’s cheek. It was only then that Yuder became aware of the unintended tension gripping him.

What am I doing... I’m not a child.

The fact that his grandfather had loved him—Kanna ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) had discerned this with clarity. Therefore, this conversation wasn't a sudden, shocking revelation. Intellectually, Yuder grasped the entirety of Kishiar’s statement.

The reason Yuder himself hadn’t initially considered these points was... because each time he began to, an inexplicable sense of unease, a form of resistance, would surface.

He yearned to know more about his grandfather. Yet, he recoiled from the prospect of learning about himself.

What was the origin of this disquiet? Yuder began to probe the depths of this internal resistance.

It might sound trivial, but perhaps...

"...I am truly content with my current life."

Yuder placed his hand over Kishiar’s, which still rested on his cheek. The words emerged spontaneously, yet Kishiar offered no inquiry into their meaning.

"I lack a family. I am solitary. Still, I have never felt a void. And the thought that uncovering my identity might bring to light things better left unknown... that’s the source of my hesitation."

Kishiar gently pressed his lips against the back of Yuder’s hand, a silent affirmation that all was well—that this was not a sign of frailty, nor anything peculiar.

Even without uttered words, that simple gesture stirred something within Yuder’s heart. He briefly recalled the extensive suffering endured to reach this juncture. Every instance he’d fought against forming a bond with Kishiar, against succumbing to his feelings—at that time, his resistance had been far more potent than it was now.

But at present?

Now, contemplating the moments when he had embraced the very transformations he once resisted, he discovered a sense of gladness. Reflecting on how profoundly he had changed—and how this evolution no longer stirred anxiety but brought peace—his heart settled.

Indeed. Perhaps this current resistance would eventually appear foolish in retrospect.

And even if it did not—

As long as you are here...

There stood a man who, fearing he might cause Yuder pain, had refrained from articulating the theories he had already formulated. Only now did Yuder fully comprehend the meaning behind the 'comfort' Kishiar had offered the previous night.

If Kishiar remained by his side, what else could there be to fear?

As long as the connection between them endured—a bond unbreakable even by death—nothing else could hold him captive.

...

Yuder leaned into the substantial hand cradling his cheek, rising onto his toes. He offered a brief kiss.

And with that, his heart found its equilibrium.

Right. Does any of it truly matter?

"Proceed. Tell me what you've uncovered. I wish to hear it."

"...To alter your stance so decisively could not have been easy. Are you certain?"

"I still harbor no desire for this knowledge... but if it is essential, I will face it. Did you not state as much yourself?"

He had said that should he wish to learn more about his grandfather—his motivations and thoughts—then he would need to gain a deeper understanding of himself as well. If that assertion held true, then only one course of action remained.

"Therefore, please, share your deliberations. It pertains to me, after all, and perhaps that is why my thoughts are clouded."

Only then did Kishiar appear convinced of Yuder’s unwavering resolve.

"Very well. However, should any part of it cause you discomfort—simply voice your objection, and I shall cease."

"I doubt such a moment will arise, as long as it is you speaking."

"...Such unearned confidence. It compels me to consider how best to reciprocate."

With a faint chuckle, he finally resumed speaking, his tone slightly more rapid and at ease than before.

"Do you recall the roster of casualties from the Airik Expedition Investigation Group incident—the one I presented to you earlier?"

"Yes."