Chapter 992

“We sincerely welcome the esteemed guests from the Cavalry. We will do our utmost to ensure you experience not even a moment’s discomfort.”

Dozens of servants from House Hern, all moving with well-trained precision and polite decorum, guided the arriving Cavalry members. Astonishingly, these attendants had been selected solely to serve the Cavalry today, and they had already memorized every visiting member’s name and face.

As the Cavalry followed them inside, they were surprised to discover that a large private lounge had been specially prepared for them to rest in before the ceremony. Inside were delicious snacks, soft chairs comfortable enough to relax in without wrinkling their formalwear, and even books and card games to help pass the time. Gentle music filled the space, and the flushed faces of the resting members lit up as they began chatting among themselves.

“Whoa... what is this? Are ducal succession ceremonies always like this?”

“Of course not. It just means the new Duke of Hern holds us in very high regard.”

“Can I really eat this stuff?”

“Eat all you want. I asked one of the attendants, and they said if anything’s missing, just ask and they’ll bring it straight away.”

“What if I spill something?”

“They’ve even got magical tools that can instantly clean up any mess, just in case someone like you messes up.”

“Seriously? I’ve heard of those, but this is the first time I’ve seen one actually used...”

While other guests were also being well-treated, the level of attention given to the Cavalry was in another league entirely. To provide such hospitality to so many people at once—on par with what would be offered to members of the imperial family or other noble houses—was unprecedented even in the long history of House Hern. Some nobles glanced over enviously, clearly enraptured by the blatant display of favoritism toward the Cavalry.

But while those unfamiliar or too prideful hesitated to approach, those with prior connections to the Cavalry strode in without hesitation.

“Wow. So this is the Cavalry’s lounge? I thought the one prepared for the Kakheop Unit was impressive, but... this is way bigger.”

“Well, obviously, Suns. Look how many more people are in the Cavalry.”

“I know, I know. I was just saying.”

“I mean, what’s with all of you? Just changing your uniforms made you look like entirely different people. I thought I walked into the wrong room!”

Suns and Emon, who had also received handwritten invitations to the ceremony, stepped into the lounge and openly expressed their awe. While the Cavalry looked striking in their ceremonial uniforms, the two weren’t any less impressive themselves.

Wearing the imperial army’s formal dress—something rarely seen—they had their hair styled sharply, donned crisp hats, and even sported medals they hadn’t worn before. Suns still wore an eyepatch from overusing his power, but it didn’t seem to inconvenience him in the slightest. With bright faces and their usual playful energy, they joked with the Cavalry members they’d become friendly with, teasing about not recognizing each other, and then went to find Yuder.

“Yuder. We wanted to come say hello before everything starts—uh...”

“......”

They found themselves face to face not with Yuder, but with Kishiar, who had been standing in front of him. Despite having seen the Duke of Peleta several times in the South, the sheer impact of his appearance still struck them like a lightning bolt.

The two straightforward soldiers stood frozen, rendered speechless by the overwhelming presence before them, forgetting they had even meant to speak. Only when they heard Yuder’s usual emotionless voice did they snap out of it.

“Suns. Emon.”

“Ah! S-Sorry!”

“We were rude...! Please forgive us, Commander.”

As the two reflexively bowed in apology, the Duke of Peleta responded gently.

“Hmm? No need for that. Everyone reacts like that, so don’t be embarrassed. Who could blame someone for being momentarily dazzled by a beautiful flower?”

Had someone else said such a thing, it might have sounded absurdly arrogant—but when Kishiar said it with his serene expression, it simply came off as a touch of humorous humility.

‘He’s terrifying...’

Suns and Emon quickly turned their heads away and looked for Yuder—only to be stunned all over again for a very different reason.

“Uh... uh...”

“What is it.”

“Yuder... that’s you, right?”

“Is there someone else you could mistake me for?”

“No... no, of course not.”

They had seen Yuder wear formal attire once before—on the day of the hail, for the funeral. But that memory was quickly buried by the chaos that followed, and what stuck with them was the image of Yuder covered head to toe in blood, on ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) the verge of collapsing.

So seeing him now, healthy and clean in full dress uniform, was a pleasant shock.

“Dear gods, Yuder. I thought I looked decent in my formal wear today, but now I’m just embarrassed. You look amazing.”

“Oh, that was just him. I, of course, had no such thoughts.”

Emon added dryly, and Suns immediately jabbed his side with a hand-chop. It looked like a playful gesture, but he’d subtly used his Clairvoyant power to strike a pressure point—it was actually a deadly serious attack.

“Shut it.”

“Gah—will you stop using your ability like that? Anyway, I’m glad to see you looking well, Yuder. I heard you were fine, but I wanted to confirm it myself. We’re close enough that it’s okay to check on each other like this, right?”

Yuder looked at their eyes—filled with warmth, familiarity, and the kind of trust forged only by surviving hardship together. Then he slowly nodded.

“Yes. I’m fine. I’m glad to see the two of you are doing well, too.”

At Yuder’s confirmation, joy lit up their faces.

“We’ve been fine for a while now, haha.”

“Well, except for Suns’ eye. We’ve had to follow the weakest one of us as our leader, so it hasn’t been easy—ow!”

Emon’s final jab earned him another pressure-point strike from Suns, but it was nothing serious. After making Yuder promise to meet with them again before they left the South, they finally moved on.

And after that, people kept coming. Officials Yuder had met on his first day in the South, people from the Mage Guild, merchants—all now far more respectful than during their first encounters. Some nobles even worked up the courage to introduce themselves to Kishiar, and others from the Emperor’s faction—though previously unacquainted—came to pay respects due to his efforts in the South.

Just before the ceremony began, the last person to enter the Cavalry lounge was General Gino Bodelli, supported by Meghna Curlieva.

“Greetings, Commander of the Cavalry.”

“General. I hadn’t heard you were injured.”

“Haha. It wasn’t severe enough to be worth mentioning.”

Kishiar frowned slightly and looked at Meghna, who explained calmly after offering her greeting.

“After the final wave receded, the General single-handedly dealt with the traitorous criminals who tried to infiltrate the Southern Army’s main camp. He fell ill afterward. He’s nearly recovered now, but still experiences occasional dizziness. I asked to assist him, if only modestly.”

“I told her it wasn’t necessary... My disciple worries too much.”

The old general smiled wryly and shook his head. Kishiar quickly looked him over and then nodded, smiling.

“I see... I’m glad it wasn’t serious. But since Deputy Curlieva’s concern seems well-founded, don’t turn her down until she’s reassured. That’s not just coming from your aide—it’s from someone who also studied under you.”

“How could I refuse, when you say it like that? Hah. You're all too much.”

Sighing and shaking his head, the old general turned his gaze to Yuder and smiled warmly.

“Yuder. I wanted to tell you this personally. Your advice helped me greatly. I’d heard you’d done something monumental, but I couldn’t help worrying, since I wasn’t there to assist. I’m truly glad to see you’re well.”