Chapter 979

...Maybe I only feel this way because the great Southern disaster has passed.

The voices of his comrades, who had hugged him, cried, and laughed in relief, still echoed faintly in Yuder’s mind. A ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) strange thrill lingered briefly in his chest before fading. As he exhaled deeply and let his eyes close, Kishiar—lying beside him—let out a quiet laugh.

“Isn’t it strange? It’s only been a day since everything ended, but going into the sea feels like it happened ages ago.”

“...”

“What? Just me, then?”

“I...”

Yuder tried to recall the memory of the deep, dark sea. Back then, the surface had felt distant and unfamiliar, yet now, just as Kishiar said, those moments seemed like they belonged to a previous life. The hardship was already fading fast, leaving only the exhilaration that came after it all ended—and a faint, solitary bitterness, buried at the very bottom.

And at the same time...

“...To be honest, sometimes I wonder if I’ll open my eyes and find that everything still needs to be done, or that I’m still underwater.”

It felt real, yet somehow not. Maybe it was because his body felt too intact upon waking.

Come to think of it, even in my previous life, I never woke up this clean and comfortable after a major battle.

It was also the first time he had woken from danger without any looming, urgent tasks. The first time he didn’t feel the need to rush to his feet. Just lying here in bed with a healthy body, doing nothing... that alone was rare for Yuder Aile.

But now... it felt like that was okay. Just for a moment.

It was a feeling too complex and strange to describe.

As Yuder quietly blinked, deep in thought, Kishiar sat up beside him.

“Then I should help you feel it.”

Before Yuder could ask what he meant, Kishiar swiftly scooped him up. It was effortless, as if lifting a child, despite Yuder being a full-grown man.

“...What are you doing? Aren’t I heavy?”

“Hahaha. Not at all. In fact, you’re so much lighter than two days ago it worries me.”

Still laughing, Kishiar carried him out of the bed.

In the past, Yuder would’ve scowled and insisted on walking on his own. But now, he didn’t say a word and simply let Kishiar do as he pleased.

After all, the Commander’s quarters—and even the office outside—were empty now. After the emergency treatment at the harbor, Inon had handed Kishiar a firm prescription: “Do not leave that bastard alone. Keep him with you at all times.”

Everyone else likely interpreted that as Inon demanding Yuder be treated like a rare treasure, receiving the finest care and attention. But the two of them knew the deeper meaning.

In order to help both Yuder’s spirit and Kishiar’s vessel recover quickly, staying together was the most effective option. Whether Inon liked it or not.

Yuder had no intention of opposing the prescription. Kishiar had agreed with a smile as well.

Before leaving the harbor, Kishiar had passed command of the recovery efforts to First Princess Mayra and ordered everyone to prioritize rest and healing above all else—including himself and Yuder.

That was why the Commander’s quarters were so quiet now, even after such a major event.

Approaching the curtained window, Kishiar let out a soft breath—and the fabric slid aside smoothly, even though he hadn’t touched it.

“You shouldn’t be using your powers already.”

“That was less effort than lifting a fingernail. Let it slide.”

He replied like a beast trying to win favor after being scolded, and gently shifted Yuder in his arms to give him a clearer view outside.

He wants me to look out? What could be out there... there shouldn’t be—

Yuder’s breath caught.

It wasn’t empty.

The Southern branch courtyard was overflowing with people.

Some were sweating and exercising, even while wrapped in bandages.

Others sat chatting and laughing in groups.

Some lay out in sunny spots, ravenously devouring food.

Yuder couldn’t hear their voices from here, but their laughter was clear in their expressions. Despite being the middle of winter, it was a scene filled with spring-like warmth and energy. He stared, stunned.

So many of those faces—by this time in his previous life—were already gone. Dead, discharged, or never accepted into the Cavalry in the first place, struggling through hardship elsewhere.

But now they were all here. Together. Smiling.

It didn’t mean nothing had happened. No, there was something in their eyes—a quiet bond, forged by surviving something terrible together. And that, Yuder realized, was something he now shared with them.

“...”

“Does it feel real now? Seeing what you protected?”

Yuder gazed at them for a long time, then slowly turned his head. Their eyes met, and Kishiar tilted his head with a mischievous grin—as if to say, See? Told you so. The faint scars on Kishiar’s face, still healing, stirred something in Yuder’s chest.

Yuder shook his head.

“...No.”

“Hmm?”

“I didn’t protect them. We did.”

And in that “we,” he included himself—and Kishiar, standing beside him.

Kishiar blinked, then chuckled softly in defeat. He pressed a gentle kiss to Yuder’s temple.

“...You’re right. We protected them.”

“Yes.”

We. As Yuder silently repeated that word to himself, sunlight streamed through the window and warmed his gaze.

The scene Kishiar had shown him outside worked wonders. Yuder no longer felt that strange disconnection when opening his eyes.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say he ate a meal piled so high you couldn’t even see the tray beneath it—and polished off every last bite. He even took the medicine Inon had sent. His strength surged back.

He curled his fingers into a fist and relaxed them a few times to check his condition. Surprisingly, he’d already recovered some of his energy.

I thought I’d be drained for a while after pushing myself to the limit... Maybe it’s the Red Stone’s power that’s helping me bounce back so fast.

“If you’re done with your meal, it’s time for dessert.”

From between the blazing mana-stone heaters, Kishiar appeared again—this time with an absurdly ornate tray stacked with colorful desserts. Towering cakes on a five-tiered stand, artfully arranged by type.

“....”

“If you don’t like cake, there are cookies. Bread too. Just name it.”

“When did you even...”

“Oh, we didn’t make these. The people of the South sent them as thanks. Actually, the kitchen’s overflowing now. At first, they were all wary of us. But now they’re sending letters begging us not to withdraw the Cavalry from the region.”

Kishiar chuckled as he elegantly poured tea for Yuder. Then, as if performing for an audience, he sipped his own cup and cut into the topmost cake with a fork.

“It’s delicious. You can tell the baker poured their heart into it.”

Yuder picked up a slice of a Southern-style baked cheesecake, drizzled with honey. It looked dry, but was surprisingly soft—and very sweet.

And somehow, eating it beside this man made it feel even sweeter.

Kishiar seemed to notice Yuder’s stare and lifted his eyes, smiling with a slight crinkle at the corners.

“Being alive is a beautiful thing. I spent all day yesterday just wanting to see you like this—sitting beside me, eating cake. And now that dream’s come true.”