Turning Chapter 1317

“Thank you for your help. Please tell me where today’s lesson will take place.”

“Yes. I’ll guide you.”

Yuder followed the chamberlain. Passing through the corridor, they arrived at the Sun Palace’s Fifth Palace.

Of the seven buildings that make up the Sun Palace, the Fifth Palace sits at the very center when viewed from above. It alone had a spire crowning its top—something none of the other palaces possessed.

Legend said that adding such a spire to the Sun Palace’s architectural structure was nearly impossible, yet it had been made with the aid of a mysterious nonhuman race. The tale was famous enough that even someone like Yuder knew it.

‘Whether that’s true or not.......’

In any case, amid the Sun Palace gleaming like white pebbles, the long, winding spire rose uniquely, giving off an especially otherworldly feel. No wonder it was the symbol of the palace.

The chamberlain stepped inside the spire without hesitation.

“His Majesty has said that, going forward, he will receive the baron’s lessons here within the Fifth Palace spire—in the Verdant Room.”

Perhaps the attendants had been dismissed in advance; no one besides the chamberlain was visible within the Fifth Palace. Without any sign of strain, the chamberlain climbed the stairs and opened a certain door. The inside was still empty. It was only natural, as there was still some time before the lesson began. Entering, Yuder immediately understood why this room bore the word “verdant.”

‘Through the large window at the front, the Imperial gardens spread in a single view.’

Among them, the section planted with trees that kept their leaves green through all four seasons was the most clearly visible. The cool wash of green, filled with nothing artificial, felt like the forests he had seen from his home.

‘I never knew of a room like this in my previous life because I never bothered to come this far in.’

Emperor Kachian liked large, splendid spaces. He would have had no interest in such a small room that required the trouble of climbing stairs.

As Yuder looked down at the greenery outside, the lingering effect of the dream he’d had earlier quietly subsided. By the time he had put away all the worry, pain, and regret he couldn’t show before others, the chamberlain asked kindly,

“Do you like the view?”

“...I’m a little surprised there’s a place in the Sun Palace where one can see a view like this.”

“His Majesty wished for you to teach in the most comfortable environment. Thus, at Duke Peleta’s Highness’s suggestion, this place was chosen.”

At the unexpected name, Yuder’s eyes widened slightly.

‘What?’

“His Highness said that Baron Aile grew up alongside a quiet, green forest, and would therefore like this view best. I’m glad to see that appears to be true.”

So then, ending up in a room whose view somewhat resembled his hometown forest wasn’t mere coincidence.

To be honest, he could have held the lesson anywhere, but this was an extraordinary consideration. From this alone, Yuder could feel just how deep the Emperor and Empress’s goodwill toward him ran. And he was newly struck by Kishiar’s talent for feigning ignorance despite having had a hand in such consideration without saying a word until today.

Still, thanks to that, he found his composure quickly; in the end, one could say he had once again received help from Kishiar.

“......”

Perhaps mistaking the subtle change in Yuder’s gaze for a sense of burden, the chamberlain added a few gentle words.

“Though circumstances require secrecy, the position of His Majesty’s teacher is by no means light. Moreover, Baron Aile, you are the one who corrected His Majesty’s ‘vessel.’ You are, by rights, owed far more generous treatment than this, so please don’t feel burdened.”

Yuder dipped his head slightly to show he understood. The chamberlain took a small pocket-watch-shaped magic tool from his breast and checked something.

“The signal has come. Their Majesties should depart shortly, so I will take my leave.”

“Ah. Chamberlain. Could you wait a moment, please.”

Only then did Yuder remember the gift he’d brought all the way here. He took a bottle of green tea powder from his luggage and held it out to the chamberlain.

“Hm? To whom shall I deliver this?”

“No. This is for you, Chamberlain.”

“...For me?”

Yuder briefly explained why he had brought the tea here. Surprise lit the gracefully wrinkled corners of the chamberlain’s eyes.

“My word. Such a precious gift......”

It was by no means something one would normally call “precious.” Yet the chamberlain seemed sincerely moved.

“I ought to be repaying you, my lord, yet I only receive. Thank you.”

“I haven’t done anything deserving of such words. Please accept it comfortably.”

“How can you say you haven’t done much? Impossible.”

Shaking his head, the chamberlain spoke in a voice both gentle and firm.

“On the day you restored His Majesty’s vessel, you also saved this old man. Even had you demanded something in return, I would have gladly given it. But you are so modest that you desire nothing at all. You cannot know how much that has troubled me lately.”

Since awakening Emperor Keillusa, the chamberlain had often sent Yuder looks of great favor. But this was the first time he had spoken so plainly of his feelings.

Before Yuder could say there was no need, the chamberlain spoke first.

“As it happens, I’ve recently received a fair number of sweets that go well with tea. I will send them to the Cavalry later. Please don’t refuse.”

The chamberlain left. Yuder gazed for a moment at the place where he had disappeared, then let out a small breath.

...

The Emperor and Empress entered together not long after. Both wore attire far more relaxed than what they wore for official schedules.

The couple, as pleasing to the eye as a pair of birds, smiled gently in unison the instant they saw Yuder. Though the degree to which they showed emotion differed, their expressions were strikingly alike.

“I greet Your Majesties.”

“At last, the day is here. I’ve never so earnestly awaited learning.”

With a bright face, the Empress sat in the chair prepared in advance. Emperor Keillusa took the seat right beside her.

“The Empress was so eager for the first lesson today that she could hardly sleep.”

“And I heard that you, Your Majesty, ordered your writing tools from your prince days to be fetched a few days ago.”

“The tools for work and those for study differ in what suits the hand.”

Each had brought their own stationery and paper for the day. Their eagerness to remember every part of the lesson was palpable. Watching them chat softly, as if returned to boy and girlhood, Yuder thought,

‘They prepared this place so I could teach at ease, yet they don’t so much as boast.’

Not only that—there were only the three of them in this room. Which meant that, for today’s secret lesson, the Emperor and Empress had dismissed most of those who guarded them.

It must have been quite a hassle, yet they said nothing of it to Yuder.

‘I didn’t expect even the chamberlain and the chief lady-in-waiting to be waiting outside.’

Their trust called to mind the trust Kishiar used to extend.

They were family—perhaps it was only natural they resembled each other.

After briefly gazing at those who now held a meaning different from before, Yuder quietly spoke.

“Today, I have come to teach Your Majesties what an Awakener is.”

Rather than offer a noisy show of gratitude when he already knew of the consideration the Emperor and Empress had hidden, Yuder chose to act as he usually did. They had said they wished him to teach comfortably; then doing so would be the proper answer.

“Not only non-Awakeners, but many Awakeners themselves often do not understand what they are. Some changes that occur upon awakening are personal and unique, but others are common to most Awakeners. Once you learn what those are, you will begin to form a picture of what an Awakener is.”

There was no needless chatter. Without a hint of nerves, his concise, essential words slid into the ears of the Emperor and Empress.

First, Yuder asked the Emperor to tell him everything he had felt changed from before, after awakening. The Emperor gathered his thoughts briefly, then answered.

“The first thing I noticed was my five senses becoming more acute than before. And my appetite increased. When I use my ability, my energy drains as if being sucked out, and it gets harder and harder to exert strength. Even ordinarily, I get hungry more often and eat more. When I used too much power, I felt pain in my senses and even felt my senses vanish temporarily...... For now, that seems to be the extent of it.”

“Of what you’ve mentioned, the increased appetite belongs to the common changes that appear in most Awakeners.”

“Indeed? Kishiar didn’t seem to feel much change in appetite compared to me.”

“There is variation by person, but even if the change in appetite isn’t large, the amount one eats does increase. Digestion also strengthens, so it’s rare to have stomach trouble no matter how much one eats.”

All members of the Cavalry boasted considerable intake. Even those who didn’t look as if they ate much would astonish non-Awakeners with how well they ate. The very rare exception was Nipolen, who spent most waking hours in the form of a kitten; even he ate more than before awakening.

In Kishiar’s case, since his health had been poor for so long right before awakening, it was hard to know for sure what his usual appetite and intake had been. His self-control was formidable; even if he felt hunger, he never showed it outwardly.

‘As for his current intake... when he’s not in a position where others’ eyes matter, he eats about the Awakener average. The problem is that when he dines with me, he keeps trying to yield his portion.’

After hearing Yuder’s explanation, Emperor Keillusa spoke, pen in hand.

“Interesting. I’ve just recalled that after my intake rose to what it is now, the chronic indigestion I suffered before awakening almost disappeared. Since using one’s ability consumes far more energy than ordinary activity, perhaps the body changes to compensate by eating.”

“That is my conjecture.”

“Then Yuder, because you use a stronger ability than others, your body may have changed more, needing that much more food.”

The Empress, diligently taking down Yuder’s words with her pen, murmured gravely. Yuder sensed it was the right moment to clear up a certain misconception the imperial family held.

“As Your Majesty says, my stomach is strong enough that I can, if needed, eat everything set before me. But in truth, even if I don’t eat for several days, it doesn’t become hard to function from hunger, nor does it become difficult to use my ability.”

“Hm?”

“What do you mean by that.”

Emperor Keillusa furrowed his brow and tilted his head. The Empress’s eyes also widened, as if shocked.