Chapter 1033

A brief silence passed through the room—then, suddenly, a loud burst of laughter rang out like fireworks.

“My goodness. To think you had the wit to craft such a clever oath in that moment...”

“So that’s why Kiole di Diarca suddenly started behaving himself.”

Beside the Empress, who laughed so hard her shoulders shook, the Emperor let out a dry chuckle, removed his glasses, and rubbed at his eyes. Even the ever-dignified steward couldn’t hide his astonished expression. Nathan Zuckerman, too, looked at Yuder with a rare shift in expression and spoke.

“That explains it... I’d been wondering why that Diarca knight suddenly stopped sneering at the Cavalry or at us directly. Now I understand.”

And Kishiar—the only one in the room who had already known about Yuder’s oath with Kiole—was laughing the most freely and heartily of all, thoroughly enjoying himself.

“Isn’t it brilliant, Your Majesty? Who else, in that situation, could have so swiftly crafted those conditions—taking into account even the danger of the information leaking to House Diarca—and bound him with an oath so effectively? To subdue the other party without taking a life, and still turn the situation to our advantage... such a feat would’ve been impossible if not for my aide.”

No, it wasn’t just that he was enjoying himself—Kishiar was also heaping boundless praise onto Yuder’s name. Yuder had expected someone to step in and say they should maintain some decorum—but surprisingly, no one did.

In fact, the Emperor even nodded in agreement.

“I can’t deny it. Even if the man himself is incompetent, he’s still of House Diarca. Yet you managed to have him agree to such an oath and kept it in effect to this day. That’s truly remarkable.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Baron Aile. Did it not occur to you that Kiole di Diarca might go to the temple and have the oath annulled, then go and tell his family everything? Or was there a reason you didn’t include a clause to prevent that? Did you visit him periodically and, shall we say, ‘discuss’ the matter to ensure his silence?”

That phrasing—‘discuss the matter’—was a refined way of asking whether Yuder had threatened Kiole to keep his mouth shut.

How honest could he really be here? Yuder deliberated for a moment, then answered.

“The reason I didn’t forbid it outright... was partly because I didn’t have time to list and ban every potential method of annulment. But more than that, it was because I didn’t think it necessary.”

There was a twitch in Emperor Keillusa’s cheek at that.

“You didn’t think it necessary?”

“Yes. I don’t believe I have particularly keen insight into people... but when I saw Kiole di Diarca, I had a certain conviction.”

“What kind of conviction?”

“That someone so stubborn, so blinded by pride born of status, and so incapable of thinking a single step ahead... would never willingly speak of the humiliation and fear he experienced in the East. Especially not to his family.”

It was a conviction born from his past life—and Kiole had behaved exactly as Yuder had predicted.

Emperor Keillusa rubbed his chin and let out a thoughtful hum, as if he had understood perfectly.

“I see. Precisely because they’re family, he wouldn’t reveal his disgrace to them... I’d always seen him as someone who relied on his family’s power and status, so I hadn’t considered that.”

“Perhaps that would be true if he hadn’t done anything shameful. But once he had, the situation changes. Kiole admires his father—but he’s also deeply afraid of him. Though, more in the way of a frightened child than a man who understands true fear.”

“You’re more observant than I expected, Baron.”

The Emperor muttered, somewhat surprised. His eyes behind the lenses gleamed for a long moment, intrigued by Yuder’s insight and judgment.

“Your Majesty,” Kishiar interjected smoothly, “don’t forget that the oath document used at the time happened to be one prepared by House Apeto. It would’ve been far superior to any mere imitation with limited power. Do you really think Kiole di Diarca, alone, could’ve found someone capable of dissolving an oath of that caliber—and do it in secrecy from his own family?”

Kishiar’s cool smile accompanied his interruption. If Kiole had been present, he might have felt terror before shame—wondering if his very thoughts had been read aloud.

“I think not,” Kishiar continued. “The easiest path for him would’ve been to visit the Central Temple here in the capital. But that very simplicity also made it the least viable.”

“Right. Based on what I’ve personally seen of him, it makes sense he would just endure under that assumption all this time. Thanks to the clever Baron, we now have one more card to play when dealing with House Diarca. I feel much better now that this mystery has been resolved.”

The Emperor nodded. The Empress, who had finally managed to calm her laughter, also agreed.

“My only concern now is how I’ll keep a straight face if I run into that young Diarca knight somewhere. Aside from that, everything is splendid. Thanks to you, Yuder, I’ve learned a very entertaining story.”

And so the subject of Kiole came to a close. In the softened atmosphere that followed, Emperor Keillusa looked down at ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) his cup—now inverted as a sign that his meal was finished—and spoke again.

“Kishiar. May I ask what you plan to do during the period of rest granted to those being rewarded?”

Earlier, after the award ceremony, the Emperor had promised several days of vacation to everyone being honored. Those who had achieved the most were granted longer leave—Yuder, for example, was given a full month. Kishiar, as the Commander, received the same.

They wouldn’t actually rest the entire month—there were places to go, things to do—but the fact that it was an imperial decree gave it great weight.

“I plan to meet with the Second Cavalry members summoned to the capital, wrap up some lingering matters, and then head to Peleta. I’ve kept the people there waiting long enough.”

“And these ‘lingering matters’?”

“Surely, Your Majesty already knows what they are.”

Kishiar responded playfully. The Emperor shook his head.

“I’m asking if there’s more beyond the Cavalry and Peleta affairs.”

“There’s much more. Matters concerning the southern intruders we encountered, the sinister hands now reaching toward Your Majesties from within this very capital, and the realization that what happened in the South may now occur anywhere across the Empire—we must remain vigilant and watch for signs... Shall I go on?”

“No. That’s enough.”

Any further, and they would veer into secrets known only to the Emperor and Kishiar. After curtly cutting off the subject, the Emperor looked back and forth between Kishiar and Yuder with an unreadable expression.

Then, after a pause, he delivered a surprising command.

“This time, leave aside all matters unrelated to the Cavalry and Peleta. Especially anything tied to the capital.”

“...Your Majesty?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Kishiar’s face. When he called out to the Emperor with concern, the man offered a faint smile.

“I don’t mean to cast you out. If that were my intent, I wouldn’t have spent so long lifting the restrictions placed on the Peleta domain. I merely wish to give my younger brother, who has survived thirty years safely, a time of true rest.”

“Your Majesty, I am already resting well. You know better than anyone that a Swordmaster’s stamina and health far surpass that of ordinary people.”

“I do. But I also know that’s not everything.”

For a moment, Kishiar fell silent, seemingly caught off guard.

“Now, listen to me first.”

The Emperor continued, still speaking in his usual calm tone.

“My health has been poor for a while, and I placed far too many burdens on you and the Empress. Especially you—asking you to do things that couldn’t be spoken aloud has weighed heavily on my conscience. But now my health is restored, and I must return to the battlefield that wears the face of politics. I do so without fear. That courage was a gift from you... and from the Baron.”

“......”

“Do not forget: before a true battle begins, what one needs most is rest. That’s what our mother always said. Kishiar. You’ve never once taken a true break. So this time, leave it to me. Go.”