Chapter 1013

"Over here, over here!"

The place Kanna led them to was a restaurant not far from the branch headquarters. It wasn’t fancy, but it was clean, and above all, large enough to fit dozens of people with room to spare. With no dividing walls beyond the kitchen area, the wide-open space drew an instant round of admiration as they stepped inside.

"This is amazing! It’s huge!"

"You can even see the sea through the window!"

"Ooh, the food’s already coming out! Smells delicious. I’m starving!"

Just like someone had shouted in reaction to the aroma, the kitchen was already in full swing. Bite-sized appetizers were already laid out on the tables, filling the air with a mouth-watering smell.

"How did Kurga and Ever manage to reserve a place like this?"

"I heard the owners are relatives of someone from Kurga’s village. Apparently, it’s usually super popular, and they were only going to rent the second floor, but the owner generously shut down the entire place ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) for the day and gave it all to us."

Ever, who had appeared right on cue, answered the question with a smile. Considering all the gifts and letters that had poured into the Cavalry after they saved the South twice, this wasn’t even surprising anymore.

"Ah, I see...!"

"But where’s Kurga? I don’t see him."

"He said he couldn’t accept such kindness for free and insisted on helping out in the kitchen."

Ever pointed into the back of the kitchen. Turning their heads, the members spotted a large head poking out in the middle of the busy kitchen like a bear. Kurga, looking absurdly mismatched, had tied a tiny apron around his neck and was turning a massive pot—easily big enough for fifty servings—over the fire with one hand.

"Pfft! What the hell is that?!"

As the members burst into laughter, Kurga turned his head, only now realizing they had arrived.

"Oh. You’re all here. Just grab any seat. Ah, and Yuder is today’s star, so we’ve saved the best seat for him—make sure he sits there."

He paid no mind to their laughter. Before Yuder could say anything, the members, following Kurga’s words, ushered him to a wide table near the kitchen. On it was a folded paper sign that read: “The Victor Who Displayed the Cavalry’s Might to the World.”

‘...You’ve got to be kidding me.’

As Yuder stared blankly at it, Kanna sat down next to him and chuckled.

"Don’t be so stunned. I wrote that."

"......"

"After watching your duel, I felt like I had to put that on your table. Everyone agreed."

"Yeah. Kanna’s surprisingly good at naming things. Isn’t it perfect? It really fits the spirit of your glorious victory today."

Ever leaned in behind Kanna, smiling brightly. Yuder glanced back and forth at the two mischievous faces before letting out a short sigh.

‘Well, compared to titles like “The Emperor’s Dog,” “The Cavalry’s Demon,” or “Half-formed Omega,” I guess “The Victor Who Displayed the Cavalry’s Might” is a lot better.’

He lightly pushed the paper sign aside. Laughter broke out even louder around him.

Before long, the table was completely filled with all sorts of colorful dishes. As Kurga explained, everything had been prepared with the restaurant’s most popular southern recipes—heavy on the seafood, generous in portion, and mouthwateringly fragrant.

"Whoa! Look at that seafood tower! It’s insane!"

"Even if I eat myself sick and can’t go back to the capital tomorrow, I don’t care! Out of my way!"

Seeing some members lunge toward the plates in excitement, the newer recruits stared wide-eyed, unaccustomed to the rowdy atmosphere. But really, most of the people here were acting as if they were drunk—despite not having had a single drink yet—riding high on the rush of Yuder’s duel and victory.

"Hey, you punks! You can’t eat until we toast!"

"Oh, right!"

"Yuder! Raise your glass!"

"Yeah! Raise it! Give a toast, too!"

Yuder looked at the enormous mug set in front of him with a heavy thunk, beer sloshing at the brim.

‘A toast, seriously.’

Did he really have to go that far?

But seeing all the eyes around him, gleaming with anticipation despite trying to hold themselves back from pouncing on the food and drink, he realized that dismissing it would kill the mood. He sighed once more and picked up the mug.

Seated beside him were Kanna and Gakein, both smiling. A bit farther away, Ever rested their chin on a hand and watched. Even Kurga, busy cooking, stole glances this way. Across the table, Steber—clearly eager for a drink—swallowed repeatedly, and huddled tightly beside him were the water-type Awakeners from the deep-sea rift mission.

Yuder’s gaze swept over the tables, noting how the members sat freely, not bound by familiarity or rank. He looked further to the end, where Elpokin sat like a tall tree among former members of the Star of Nagran. Near him were Renev and Kureijina—no longer official members but close enough now. Marin and Gloena were nearby as well. Even Fruelle and Revlin, who were from major ducal families, were chatting comfortably, blending right in.

In his past life, most of the people now gathered here were either long gone by this time or hadn’t appeared yet—or had been enemies. If Yudrain Aile from that past life had seen this scene, he’d have thought he was trapped in a vivid nightmare.

But the current Yuder didn’t think of it as a nightmare, nor did he find his place among them strange.

He took it all in and finally opened his mouth slowly.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work."

“...Oh......”

"If even one of you is late tomorrow, even by a second, you’ll be chasing the carriage on foot."

The members, who had looked ready to be moved to tears by the opening words, froze like statues.

Yuder smiled faintly at the silly expressions that crumbled under the weight of ruined expectations. Though not a warm or kind smile, the rare, momentary grin—too cold and sharp to be called gentle—made the members blink in disbelief.

Then, it disappeared behind the large mug as Yuder raised it to his lips and began drinking without hesitation. The mug, twice the size of everyone else’s, drained rapidly, his throat moving relentlessly up and down until it finally stopped.

Wiping the beer from his lips with a swipe, Yuder held the empty mug upside down above his head.

"......."

Not a drop fell.

For a moment, silence reigned. Then:

"For the Cavalry," Yuder said.

At last, the dazed members erupted, slamming the tables and screaming.

"U... UWAAAAHHH!"

"Insane! What the hell did I just witness?!"

"To embody the Cavalry’s spirit, you’ve got to drink like that! That was awesome!"

"Yuder Aile! Yuder Aile! Yuder Aile!"

Chanting his name, they all raised their own glasses with vigor and shouted in unison.

"For the Cavalry!"

Cheers erupted, mugs clinked, and liquids sloshed. Whether the drinks were alcoholic or not no longer mattered—everyone was swept up in the madness of the moment.

Yuder, watching their faces as they drank, laughed, and shouted, slowly closed his eyes.

He suddenly recalled the night he and the other new recruits had gone out drinking together after joining the Cavalry. That had also been in a place like this—several people mingled, drinking, dancing.

‘Back then, I only went because I didn’t want to repeat the same life as before. It had no deeper meaning.’

He remembered the slight emotional tug he felt just from making a different choice. But that was all—no real sentiment beyond a faint sense of change.

But now?

"Tonight reminds me of when we first gathered for drinks back in the capital."

Just then, someone seemed to read his thoughts and spoke. Turning his head, Yuder saw Ever standing beside him, smiling, glass in hand.