Chapter 962

In the past, Yuder might have felt despair and futility. But when he confirmed the nature of the final rift, the first face that appeared in his mind was Kishiar’s.

Yuder had already decided that if something happened beyond his ability to handle, he would ask Kishiar for help. Maybe now was that moment. But was it truly fair to ask for even more from someone who had already fought and used his powers all day long?

‘...He might be at his limit too.’

The shiver he’d felt when he heard that Kishiar had gone to the front himself to fight monsters—it still lingered in his body. Truth be told, Yuder had almost regretted not seeing it with his own eyes.

Kishiar surely understood what it meant for Yuder to send monsters toward him, placing his trust in him. Even separated by such distance, the moment Yuder grasped that fact, he felt almost as if they were together.

But if Kishiar had truly been fighting at the frontlines, that meant he’d pushed himself that much harder. Had there ever been a time before when he used his powers continuously for so long?

‘...No, probably never.’

Yuder didn’t know exactly how stable Kishiar’s body—or “vessel”—was. If he was overexerting himself despite poor condition, then summoning him here might not change anything. In fact, he wasn’t even sure Kishiar could make it here at all.

In this situation, what could truly be called the best option?

In the past, Yuder would have believed that the best course was to send everyone away and dive into the rift alone. If he could use the last of his power—both water and earth—to focus entirely on suppressing the quake, even if he couldn’t prevent it, he could at least minimize the damage.

Of course, that meant he would be unable to avoid the monsters—and might very well lose his life. But if sacrificing himself could stop the Southern Great Quake from repeating, it was, by all means, a viable solution.

‘But now... I don’t think that’s the best anymore.’

Yuder closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.

There was a time when he’d taken all the blame and allowed himself to be briefly imprisoned in Tain, believing that was the best way to minimize damage to the Cavalry and resolve things efficiently. When Kishiar had secretly visited him then, he hadn’t gotten angry. Instead, he’d said this:

“You’re probably going to say that this was the best option. I know. No need to apologize. But just know—I plan to make you see that next time, another choice could be better.”

Back then, Yuder hadn’t really understood what Kishiar meant by “another choice.” And he hadn’t bothered trying to.

But now—

‘...Now, I’m trying to find that other choice myself.’

It was a situation that should’ve filled him with despair, but strangely, that emotion didn’t rise. It was nothing like the dull numbness he’d felt facing the giant sense of failure on the day of the hailstorm. This was different. Clearer.

Yuder realized, once again, how much he had changed since that day. Of course, it was Kishiar who had brought about this change—but now, the Cavalry had become part of that reason too.

Who would have imagined that Kishiar’s words—that someday Yuder would believe another choice to be better—would manifest like this?

People can change, even in just a month. Not just Yuder, but his companions, and Kishiar, who had thrown himself into the fray without holding back on land.

Rain falling like mist doesn’t seem heavy at first—but when you finally come to your senses, your whole body is soaked. The change Yuder now felt in himself was much like that.

Rumble. The tremor surged again. The waves quaked, and Yuder’s skin tingled with danger.

His nerves, already stretched thin, screamed like they were burning alive. A piercing phantom sound rang in his ears, impossible to hear underwater, sharp enough to split his skull.

The intensity of it cleared his hazy mind in an instant, wiping away every swirling thought.

‘...Alright.’

Glaring down at the darkness beneath him, Yuder solidified his resolve. He turned and sent a signal to the other members using water magic.

‘Gather around.’

Despite their exhaustion, the members immediately swam to his side.

‘You’ve probably heard by now—the last remaining rift is buried partially underground.’

‘......’

‘No matter what we do, it’ll cause a quake, and this one will be far more dangerous than the previous ones. But... I plan to deal with it. No matter what.’

‘......’

‘That said, you don’t have to stay with me. This is the final chance to return to land.’

The unspoken message was clear: if anyone wanted to go, now was the time to say so.

The members glanced at one another. A moment later, one hand rose. It was Steber, his head wrapped in bandages. With a tired face, he spoke seriously.

‘Right, I see. So then—when do we start? Hurry up and explain the plan. I’m sick of waiting.’

Blub. The others burst into laughter, air bubbles rising around them. Then, one by one, they raised fists, thumping their chests and thrusting them forward—a gesture of agreement and solidarity. Multiple fists united like tree branches stretching through the darkness.

Reckless. Shameless. As if they didn’t know fear.

Worn down and barely clinging to life, their eyes blazed with grim determination—they had no intention of leaving this place until the job was done.

Yuder fell silent as he looked into those mad, unyielding eyes.

What a bunch of damn maniacs. And yet—he didn’t dislike them.

Scanning the faces full of fierce resolve, Yuder opened his mouth.

‘...First, someone go up and relay a message to the Commander. I’ll explain the next steps after that.’

They decided by rock-paper-scissors and sent one up. Yuder had considered the possibility that Kishiar might not respond—but that was a pointless worry.

‘Yuder! The Commander’s here—he’s come all the way to the boat above! And he brought someone else with him!’

Rumble. Another tremor, stronger than before, rolled up from below. At the same time, Yuder’s heart pounded harder.

Judging the vibration through the water, Yuder spoke again.

‘Steber. I’m going up for a moment. Hold this position while I’m gone. If anything happens, send a signal immediately.’

The others looked surprised. Steber’s eyes widened, but then he nodded with a smile.

‘...Got it. Go do what you need to do!’

Finally, Yuder rose toward the surface of his own accord. Though the situation behind him was worrying, he didn’t look back.

The darkness gradually brightened. The crushing pressure lightened.

Splash. Yuder finally broke the surface. Through the curtain of falling water, he saw a small boat—and the people standing atop it.

“Yuder!”

“Yuder’s surfaced!”

The others were startled, but Yuder simply stared at the man standing there, as if he’d known he would come.

Exactly one day had passed.

Yesterday morning, just past dawn, he’d leapt into the sea with the sun barely peeking over the horizon. Now, that same sun lingered in the exact same place beyond the sea.

The sea. The sun. And Kishiar, standing just a little apart, watching him.

Everything was so eerily similar, it didn’t feel like a day had passed. It was as if time hadn’t moved at all. The hours spent in that dark abyss felt like a dream—and this, now, felt like reality.

But on closer look, Kishiar’s clothes, though still neat, were frayed and torn at the edges. Yuder, unlike yesterday, was drenched, with temporary bandages haphazardly wrapped around his arms and legs. And the burning, unfamiliar-yet-familiar emotion in his chest—was something that hadn’t been there before.

To others, Kishiar’s expression might have seemed the same as always. But Yuder could read the emotion flickering behind ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ those red eyes. Something indescribable—and eerily similar to what Yuder himself was feeling.

If Mick Shuden hadn’t cheerfully interrupted with his greeting, Yuder might have just kept staring at Kishiar’s face.

“...Long time no see, Advisor! Or should I call you Baron Aile now?”

It felt like they’d been looking at each other forever, but when Yuder blinked, he realized only enough time had passed for a single drop of water to slide off his hair. Looking at Mick, with his scruffy beard and tired eyes, Yuder shook his head.

“Yuder is fine.”

“Alright then. But... are you really going to stay in the water like that? I know the Southern winters aren’t too cold, but this is the sea... Aren’t you freezing?”

“I’m fine. And I need to head back down soon anyway—this is more convenient.”

“Hm. I figured you’d be in terrible shape after spending a whole day underwater... But from what I can see, you actually look better than before.”

Though Mick said it casually, Yuder understood what he meant. He was referring to Yuder’s essence—what his eyes saw beneath the surface—having improved since their meeting in the West.

‘Back then, he said there were holes everywhere.’

Then, Kishiar stepped forward and, without hesitation, leapt from the boat into the sea. A loud splash followed, startling everyone.

“Commander?!”

“If my aide is in the water, then I should get used to it too. And... it’s not as cold as I thought.”

Relieved, the other members managed faint smiles.

And Yuder—

“......”

He flinched as he felt a hand gently brush his submerged one. Though covered by gloves and bandages, Kishiar’s touch was careful—nothing like his smiling face above.

He briefly entangled Yuder’s index finger, almost as if by accident, before slipping away. Then he finally spoke, softly.

“...Now then. I suppose it’s time you told me why you called me here. What’s the situation below?”

Yuder exhaled deeply and began his explanation.

“There is only one rift left, as you know. But it turns out it’s partially buried underground. I believe all the tremors we’ve experienced are due to its position.”

“......”

“There’s still a considerable number of monsters inside. The exit is smaller now and located in a far more dangerous spot. They haven’t fully emerged yet, but it’s only a matter of time. And once they do...”

“The earth under the sea will rupture. A quake, followed by a massive tsunami.”

Kishiar finished the thought, reinforcing it for everyone.

“Yes. That’s what will happen. So, I’d like to borrow your strength—to minimize the damage when the monsters break through.”

“Borrow my strength...? You’re asking me to go underwater?”

“Is that even possible?”

While the others voiced their doubts, only Kishiar remained calm.

“You think it’s possible with my power?”

It depended on how much strength he had left. But judging by everything he’d done with his power up to this point...

Yuder fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly, with certainty.

“In my judgment—yes.”

“So that’s what you believe is the best option.”

Hearing that phrase—the best option—Yuder realized Kishiar was recalling the conversation they’d once had in the prison in the West.

“...Yes.”

A bright smile appeared on Kishiar’s tired face. One so unexpectedly open and joyful it stunned everyone.

“Good. It’s something I’ve never tried before... but if that’s the best you’ve found, then I doubt I could find a better one.”