Turning Chapter 1325

For someone as arrogant and deeply distrustful as Kachian, the method to move him was simple. If Kishiar had tried to attach someone from his own side, the ever-suspicious Kachian would likely have never trusted them or acted. But when Kishiar subtly opened a path that looked difficult yet seemed like it could offer help, Kachian stepped forward on his own — sinking deeper and deeper toward a mire, unaware of the trap he was walking into.

When a man believes he has everything under his control — that’s when he becomes the most foolish. Kachian was a perfect example of that.

The “advisor” Kachian had chosen was a lawyer from a fallen noble family, hungry for power.

But behind him stood another force. Kishiar suspected that this force was connected to the radical faction of the Southern Nation.

It was much like fishing — using Kachian as bait to lure and hook the biggest fish they could draw in.

Kachian’s crimes to this point were already too many to count on both hands, yet even so, it would be difficult to sentence him to anything beyond losing the title of Crown Prince.

However, if a member of the royal family were to collaborate of his own will with a hostile foreign power and commit treason against his country, that was a different matter entirely. Because he was royalty, he would be unable to escape the gravest punishment.

If before that he were to restrain himself, step back, and pay the price for his wrongdoings within a reasonable measure, then his life could be spared.......

But could Kachian ever choose such a path?

Swallowing all those thoughts, Kishiar finally spoke.

“If you’ve heard this much, I trust you understand what I mean.”

“Ah....... Yes. Of course!”

Of course, nothing. His face showed he hadn’t understood half of it. Kishiar decided to offer a small bit of kindness to the struggling Kiole, who was groaning while trying to think it through.

“This trial will end very quickly. Thanks to the new evidence the Crown Prince brought today, things will proceed much more easily. So don’t be nervous.”

Kiole’s eyes widened almost to the point of tearing.

“Th—that......! Why......! How could that be......!”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you beforehand. A secret.”

“What?!”

Regardless of Kiole’s bewilderment, Kishiar crossed his arms and turned his gaze toward the window. The carriage they rode was just passing the wide plaza.

It was the very place where, not long ago upon returning from the South, countless people had knelt before them — a breathtaking sight.

But Kishiar’s expression didn’t look as though he was gazing at a place filled with splendid memories. It looked quite the opposite.

Why was that? Kiole couldn’t tell.

***

When Yuder returned to the Cavalry, Kishiar had not yet come back.

'Nathan Zuckerman doesn’t seem to be here yet either......'

He was just closing the empty Commander’s office door and heading downstairs when Kanna waved a hand in greeting.

“Yuder. Finally found you.”

“Were you looking for me?”

“Tomorrow’s finally the day. The day we meet Fay’s old hometown friends.”

That was right. The people presumed to be connected to the Wolf’s Eye tribe were scheduled to meet Fay tomorrow.

“I heard from Glowe that three of them are confirmed to be coming. Though, who knows how many will actually show up!”

“There’ll probably be far more hiding behind them.”

“I think so too. The meeting spot’s in front of the fountain near the East Market of District Seven — shouldn’t we send a few people ahead to scout the area?”

After careful thought, Yuder nodded. The final team selected to tail Fay tomorrow numbered seven. Most of them were intelligence agents who had already handled similar operations before, and the only two who weren’t were Kanna and Steber standing before him.

Even if Kanna wasn’t from the intelligence division, she was too valuable a talent to leave out of something like this; and Steber was more familiar than anyone with the capital’s layout and atmosphere. Both were vice commanders, so there was no reason to hide the mission’s purpose, and their abilities could be fully trusted — an ideal choice.

“Then let’s have Gakein and Debran go first.”

“Gakein will love hearing that.”

Being chosen for the advance team meant his stealth skills were recognized. Someone like Gakein would definitely be pleased.

“That’s all I came to tell you. Since you’ve checked everything, I’ll go now!”

“...Wait, Kanna.”

“Hmm?”

Yuder stopped her. Seeing her puzzled face, he hesitated, then asked,

“Have you felt anything strange over the last few hours?”

“Strange?”

“Any unusual rifts... or some kind of odd change you might have sensed.”

“A rift?....... We’re in the capital, you know?”

Kanna blinked, clearly baffled. But when Yuder just kept staring silently, she seemed to realize this wasn’t a joke and her expression turned serious.

“Uh....... I haven’t noticed anything particularly strange. Everything’s been the same as usual in the Cavalry... Should I go out and check around just in case?”

Yuder shook his head.

“No. That’s not necessary. If you felt nothing unusual, that’s enough. You can get back to work.”

“Are you sure it’s okay? If something happened......”

Just then, Kishiar appeared, climbing the stairs from below.

'Finally back.'

Yuder signaled Kanna with a glance — there’s nothing definite yet; we’ll talk later. She nodded and disappeared, still looking concerned.

At last, his eyes met Kishiar’s. The man, who surely must have known Yuder was here from far off, smiled with his eyes curved. If he had received Yuder’s letter, he must have been worried — yet that bright smile was surely meant to say he was fine.

Unavoidably, the last traces of worry in Yuder’s heart melted away under that smile.

“Was the inquiry wrapped up well?”

“Of course. It was a pleasant time.”

“How was Kiole?”

“He, too, fulfilled his role well.”

Smiling as if recalling something amusing, Kishiar tilted his head slightly toward Yuder.

“How about my aide? How was your first lesson?”

They stepped into the Commander’s office. The door closed behind them. Following Kishiar’s lead, Yuder answered honestly.

“...It was more enjoyable than I expected.”

“Was it? So Their Majesties were eager participants, I take it. That’s good.”

As he spoke, Kishiar pulled Yuder into his lap on the sofa. The moment Yuder’s body settled, Kishiar’s arms wrapped tightly around him — almost too tight, nearly taking his breath.

Through the seamless contact of their bodies, Yuder could feel the fierce beating of Kishiar’s heart. Only then did he realize — though outwardly calm, Kishiar’s heartbeat was running rough and fast.

Even knowing Yuder had noticed, Kishiar only smiled.

“I’d like to hear more details. Would you tell me more about the lesson?”

Yuder gazed quietly at his face, then nodded. He tried to recount everything that had been said during that first lesson — how the Emperor and Empress had been so affectionate, how brightly they laughed together.

When he reached the part about how the Empress had invited Yuder to have tea after the next lesson, and the Emperor had tried to wedge himself in out of envy, Kishiar laughed aloud.

“His Majesty has never once won against Her Majesty since the old days. He probably intended to follow her lead from the start, yet pretended otherwise. Remarkable acting. As a younger brother, it gives me chills.”

“Is that so? Actually, at that moment I thought....... No, never mind.”

It was rare for Yuder to swallow back words once he began to speak, and Kishiar looked at him with great curiosity.

“You’re making me too curious to bear. What were you about to say? If you kneel and kiss the top of my foot as payment, will you tell me?”

“...I was merely going to say that I thought His Majesty the Emperor and you, Commander, are surprisingly alike. I only hesitated because I wondered if that might be disrespectful.”

Kishiar’s eyes went round.

“Huh? Alike? ...In what way, exactly?”

With a small sigh, Yuder reached out and brushed lightly at Kishiar’s brows and the corners of his eyes.

“...When you soften your gaze here like this, and look at someone — that expression... is exactly the same.”

“......Ah.”

A faint flush rose around Kishiar’s eyes. He laughed, brows still softened.

“My brother and I were famous in our youth for being completely unalike...... yet I’ve discovered a resemblance in such an unexpected place. If I told him that, I bet he’d be horrified.”

“Please keep it secret that I ever thought such a thing.”

“Shame, but if that’s what you wish. I’ll have other chances to tease His Majesty.”

Somehow, Yuder could picture Emperor Keillusa sighing and rubbing his forehead. He smiled faintly, then let it fade, before saying what he most wanted to mention about the lesson.

“I heard it was you who suggested the Chamber of Verdure as the class venue.”

“Ah. Did Yuliver tell you?”

“Yes. ...It was a wonderful place. The view of the forest from inside reminded me a bit of my hometown. Thanks to that, the lesson felt very comfortable.”

Kishiar lowered his eyes.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

The air between them softened. Yuder drew Kishiar’s head gently into his arms. As they sat quietly pressed together, the sound of Kishiar’s heartbeat finally settled to its usual pace.

“...Alright. I’m ready to hear it now.”

Kishiar murmured, his face still buried against Yuder’s chest.

“Will you tell me? About the dream this time.”