Chapter 905

The next morning, rain fell across the South.

“I’ve lived in the South all my life, and even I have to say—rain this frequent is pretty rare. I was worried the mood would turn sour after the hailstorm the other day, but considering that, things don’t seem so bad...”

Gakein held out his hand toward the window, feeling the rain as if trying to gauge its weight. His expression was unusually serious. It reminded Yuder—for the first time in a while—that Gakein, too, was from the South.

Right. He’s from the South... Wasn’t it Ulan, his hometown?

Ulan was a region quite far from Sharloin. Because of that distance, Gakein still hadn’t seen his hometown or family, even though he’d returned to the South after a long time.

Most of the Southern branch members had come earlier and gotten the chance to show their families how successful they’d become. But Gakein hadn’t had that chance, which tugged a little at Yuder’s mind.

Especially since Gakein, for his part, never brought it up. He went about everything with a cheerful ease, as if he weren’t even from the South.

Knowing what kinds of humiliations Gakein had suffered just for being from a fallen noble house, Yuder didn’t want to see him leave the South without anything to show for it. He was confident the other Cavalry members felt the same.

After a brief pause in thought, Yuder spoke.

“Gakein.”

“Yeah?”

“Did you send word to your family that you’re here?”

“I did. Told them not to come, though. Too dangerous. Why?”

“That was smart. But... you should still make sure they’re ready to come to Sharloin anytime.”

“...Why?”

“Because something’s going to happen that’ll make it worth it.”

Currently, House Hern was focused solely on recovering from the hail disaster. They had postponed both the funeral of the Second Prince and the Duke’s succession arrangements. Ordinarily, this would be unheard of—but with First Princess Mayra throwing herself into the recovery effort and delaying even her own succession ceremony, no one dared object.

But eventually, those events would have to be resumed.

Yuder figured it would happen once all their current operations were complete.

There’ll be plenty of ceremonies and gatherings—perfect timing to invite House Bollenvalt. A good chance to remind the southern fools exactly who Gakein is.

In the past, Yudrain Aile would’ve thought it reckless to plan so far ahead, before things had even happened. But now, Yuder found there was something oddly pleasing about picturing the future—imagining Gakein and House Bollenvalt standing proudly in front of those who once ignored or looked down on them.

That thought alone made even the rain feel pleasant.

“What kind of thing is going to happen...? You’re not saying Ulan’s going to get destroyed or anything like that, right...?”

Gakein tilted his head, half-wary, half-curious, but didn’t get an answer—because someone called out behind them.

“There you are! Yuder-nim! Hello to you too, Gakein-nim.”

“Oh, Priest?”

Lusan, his long hair loosely tied back, approached with a smile. Yuder nodded to him.

“You’re a little early.”

“Finished sooner than expected.”

“Good. Let’s head out, then.”

“Huh? Where are you two going?”

Gakein asked with a puzzled face, clearly unaware of today’s task.

“Nothing serious. Just something we need to do together.”

“Ah... Got it. Well, good luck. See you later!”

Sensing the tone, Gakein wisely didn’t press further and stepped aside. Yuder and Lusan began walking toward the stairs leading underground. As they descended, Lusan asked, looking a little nervous:

“The one joining us today... it’s the new recruit, right?”

“Yes. You can call her Gloena.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

The companion Gloena had wondered about yesterday was none other than Lusan.

Yuder had chosen him for one reason: Lusan was a priest of the Sun God.

Aton, the man in solitary confinement, was not just a swordsman—he was also a Udakwan, a priest of the Black Moon religion native only to the Southern Nation. According to Kishiar, the Udakwan held fierce pride in being the “children of the chosen moon,” and they wielded weapons freely in the name of their faith.

And Kishiar had said this:

"Even if someone’s been hiding their true intentions with unshakable discipline, once you know their background and identity, you can figure out how to handle them. The best way to provoke a priest is through theology. And when a person’s ego is inflated by their noble status and pride in their skill, nothing stings more than being crushed by someone better."

The latter approach had already been used—through Yuder himself. Aton had wavered in the beginning, but over time regained his composure. Yuder no longer affected him.

That’s when Yuder had another idea. If Aton’s resolve came from his priestly identity... maybe bringing in a priest from the opposing faith would be the key, just as Kishiar said.

Lusan had been thoroughly briefed. He had been shocked to learn ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Aton’s identity—but as a priest, he also showed genuine interest.

“I’ve heard of the Udakwan. The head priest of the temple I grew up in studied them for years. If he were here, he’d be far more helpful than I could be... It’s a shame...”

“Has he passed away?”

“Oh, no. He’s alive. I just meant... I’m not a specialist in that area, and I’d love to ask him deeper questions. It would help me prepare better...”

“Then do it.”

“...Sorry?”

“You said he’s far away, right? You’d have to write to him, and it’d take too long?”

“Yeah. With normal messenger birds, it’d be slow...”

Lusan’s hometown was in the northeastern countryside. The old priest still lived, taking care of children in the temple.

Distance was the only issue. But that was easily resolved.

Yuder reported it to Kishiar. Kishiar, in turn, contacted the Emperor. Emperor Keillusa arranged for a high-speed dispatch between the capital and the northeastern province—far faster than anything available from the South.

Lusan never knew. But letters packed with theological questions and updates had flown between regions overnight.

And now, here they were.

A priest for a priest.

Theology for theology.

Let’s see... if he’ll react this time like he didn’t before.

“Phew. But still... do you think I’ll really be any help?” Lusan muttered as they descended.

“Thanks to your mentor, you’ve learned a lot. And if he doesn’t speak—well, we’re no worse off than before.”

“I guess that’s true...”

Yuder spoke as if failure was acceptable—but he didn’t really believe that.

Priests are one of the most stubborn people when it comes to their faith. And if they can stay calm when someone touches it, they were never fit to be a priest in the first place.

Even Lusan—the picture of a mild, good-natured Sun priest—became passionate and verbose whenever scripture or doctrine came up. Yuder had often seen him deep in discussion with Alik.

Very passionately, at that.

If he was like that, then someone from a faith that condoned killing in the name of devotion... surely wasn’t any less intense.

When they finally reached the prison entrance, Yuder stopped. Gloena was already there, standing close beside Roenev, who was guarding the gate. It looked like the two had been chatting.

“You’re early.”

“Ah... Hello...”

“So you’re Gloena-nim. I’m Lusan, the priest accompanying you today from the Cavalry’s medical unit. Pleased to meet you.”

“Ah... yes, Priest. Pleased to meet you, too...”

She hadn’t expected her companion to be a priest, and looked a little flustered.

“So, are we going in now?”

“Not yet. We’re waiting for the Commander.”

“The Commander is right here.”

Just as Yuder responded, a smooth voice called from the stairs.

Kishiar appeared, dressed in crisp white Commander’s attire, waving lightly with a relaxed smile.

“Apologies for being the last. I was meeting someone before this.”

Even though it was underground and raining, the brightness of his expression made it easy to mistake this for a sunny day.

Yuder blinked as he caught sight of the familiar figure walking behind Kishiar.

Nathan Zuckerman... He’s back.

He hadn’t been there that morning, and yet now he followed one step diagonally behind Kishiar like he’d never left. If Nathan was back, Kanna and the others likely were too. Yuder could guess what delayed Kishiar.

He must’ve received the report on Naham’s condition. I’m curious, but... it can wait.

More reassuring than any information was knowing trusted allies had returned at the right moment.

“Nathan, you’ll guard the entrance. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Understood.”

“And Roenev—just as we agreed.”

“Of course.”

Roenev smiled brightly from his post. Nathan didn’t introduce himself to the others. But just before taking his position, he met Yuder’s eyes and gave a brief nod.

Yuder returned it with a glance and followed Kishiar inside.

At the door to Aton’s cell, Kishiar stopped.

“I’ll watch from here.”

“Huh? You’re not coming in, Commander?”

Lusan looked surprised. Kishiar nodded.

“My presence might provoke him in the wrong way. I’ll be observing from outside—so don’t worry.”

“A-Alright.”

Yuder opened the door and stepped inside. Gloena and Lusan followed. The door closed behind them.

Aton, who had been sitting with his head bowed, slowly looked up and fixed his gaze on Yuder—and then the two newcomers behind him. A dry sneer escaped his lips.

“So... you brought guests today. What’s the occasion?”