Chapter 1114

Yuder blinked several times, forgetting for a moment that he was supposed to respond. He was genuinely taken aback—he hadn’t expected Nathan Zuckerman to thank him so honestly. But as he met the Cavalryman’s steady, unguarded gaze, his thoughts cleared and the surprise subsided.

“If it was of any help, I’m glad. We don’t have long-term deployments in the Cavalry yet, but while discussing the new branch offices, the Commander and I had talked about that aspect a fair bit. I only added a few thoughts from what I remembered, since I thought the approach might be practical, even if untested. It’s really nothing worth mentioning.”

“I see.”

Yuder had dropped Kishiar’s name just in case Nathan grew suspicious or had further questions—but that was it. The knight didn’t inquire further, as if it didn’t matter where the information had come from in the first place.

“It’s possible Commander Weliven may ask to consult with you again. He was quite pleased after your help, and said several times he’d like to speak with you about the training regimen as well. But be warned—once he gets going, he tends to ramble endlessly when he’s enthusiastic. Please don’t hesitate to cut him off when needed.”

The words were delivered flatly, like a request to curb a bothersome habit. But beneath them was unmistakable concern—and affection—for Weliven. Yuder nodded slowly and answered.

“I’d be happy to speak with Commander Weliven anytime. But I’ll remember your warning too, Sir Zuckerman.”

Nathan Zuckerman’s expression, ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) normally unreadable, softened just slightly. He lowered his eyes and allowed a faint smile to appear on his lips—an expression Yuder had never seen, even in his previous life.

“Yes. And if you ever need my help, Sir Aile, don’t hesitate to call for me. I’ll always be near His Grace... and you.”

How the story of Yuder assisting Weliven spread through Peleta Castle was unclear, but from that day on, more people began approaching him with work-related concerns. Their stated reason was that Kishiar was unavailable, and they had no one else to ask. Most of their issues were easily resolved with Yuder’s experience as former Cavalry Commander.

Eventually, even Peleta’s chief steward, Enk, came to find him. But her reason was slightly different from the others.

“Baron Aile. May I have a moment of your time?”

“What is it?”

Yuder wondered if there was an urgent message for Kishiar, but Enk shook her head.

“I heard you've been helping many people in and around the castle lately.”

“I wouldn’t call it helping. I only happened to run into them and offered a few suggestions.”

“Even so, as steward, I must say I feel rather ashamed. You came here on leave, and now you’re doing all this... It seems we’ve troubled you too much, and I failed to recognize it soon enough. I’d like to apologize.”

Yuder wanted to say that no apology was necessary, but he sensed that such words alone wouldn’t be enough to make someone like Enk lift her head again. After a moment of consideration, he replied,

“I’m a member of the Cavalry, sworn to protect the Empire. Helping others is my duty. But my actions here in Peleta aren’t just because of that.”

Finally, Enk lifted her head. Yuder met the lines of age around her eyes and continued slowly, clearly, with sincere intent.

“I want to do whatever I can for the person who made it possible for me to be here. Just... a small selfish desire, I suppose. I hope you’ll see it that way.”

Something unspoken flickered across Enk’s weathered face—hardened by sea winds and the burdens of age. Then, a gentle smile emerged.

“I see. That makes sense. I remember Mick muttering something about how I didn’t need to come talk to you, that I’d just end up embarrassed. Seems like, for once, he wasn’t wrong. Still, I’m glad I came.”

“...”

Mick Shuden said that?

Embarrassed? What was that supposed to mean? Enk didn’t explain. But from her smile, Yuder could tell it wasn’t meant negatively.

Enk looked at him with a now-relaxed expression and spoke again.

“Well... if you don’t mind, would you be willing to go over the background check results on the impostors we captured recently? The news just came in—Weliven received the report earlier, and I figured you might be interested...”

“I am. Let’s go.”

There was no need to think twice. The new background check on those frauds who impersonated the Shuden Merchant Guild and got humiliated by Kishiar? It was likely based on digging through Fay’s hometown. Yuder rose immediately. Enk smiled, covering her mouth with a pleased expression.

“Good. I’m glad to have someone to look over it with.”

Enk’s presence was naturally firm and intimidating—her smile alone could frighten most. But Yuder felt no discomfort. He accompanied her to her main office, where the mana crystal orb was housed, and read through the new intelligence.

According to the report, the Southern merchants had grown unusually close with several young Southern-born residents in Fay’s hometown. They had tempted them with promises of good jobs outside the village and offers to help fulfill their dreams. But the deceived youths never truly knew who those “helpers” really were.

“They just felt a sense of kinship because of shared blood. Thought they’d made a good friend. Thought the guy had a crush on them? ...What an idiot. Anyway... yeah. They targeted only the most naive and impressionable ones.”

Which meant there was now a very high possibility that Fay, too, had been lured away and helped into the Cavalry under false pretenses by those same merchants.

‘And judging by how the others reacted, Fay likely still doesn’t know who they really were.’

Of course, this was still just a hypothesis. But it was no longer Yuder’s problem to solve—it was Kanna’s turn now.

With that thought, Yuder glanced over. Enk was reading the same report, brow furrowed, muttering curses under her breath.

“These bastards... Should drown ‘em in freezing water with rocks tied to their... Trying to act like saints, luring kids in, selling fake goods to other towns for five times the price? And on top of that, snooping for info on Duke Peleta? These shit-eating little—ugh. I swear I’ll rip their—stuff it with salt and—”

She was trying not to let Yuder hear, mouthing the most violent words silently. But they weren’t hard to guess.

So this was what Enk was like when she let her guard down. It made sense now how someone like her had managed to run an entire coastal town alone, without help, against all odds.

Would Kishiar know how deeply all these people cared for him?

‘He probably knows better than anyone.’

That’s why he was still working nonstop, despite Yuder telling him to rest.

Being here brought peace of mind. To know that everyone around Kishiar felt the same as Yuder did—even people he’d only just met—created a rare and strange sense of closeness.

Everyone wished for Kishiar’s health, comfort, and swift return.

‘Today makes... four days?’

Yuder counted the days since Kishiar had entered his room. The month-long leave that once felt long had already passed its halfway mark. He wasn’t at all regretful about not visiting his hometown, but he was starting to think about how to handle things if Kishiar’s heat cycle extended past the scheduled leave...

That’s when it happened.

—...!

A massive pressure, silent and oppressive, suddenly descended over the entire Peleta Castle.

It crushed down like fog—heavy, stifling, suffocating. A weight and scent so thick it felt like drowning.

“Baron?”

Yuder shot up so fast his chair toppled, every hair on his body standing on end. Enk looked up in confusion.

“Your chair—what’s the matter?”

“Don’t you feel it?”

“Feel what...?”

Instead of answering, Yuder turned and ran.

“Baron?!”

“It’s started. I’m going up immediately. You should prepare as well.”