Chapter 17

Yuder decided to answer honestly, rather than trying to evade the question.

"Saying you don't know isn't much of an answer. Haven't you made bold judgments without fully understanding the abilities of Kiolle and the Imperial Knights? For instance, what about Nathan, who's standing behind me right now?"

"Well…"

Yuder involuntarily glanced at Nathan, who was positioned behind Kishiar. At the moment, he was unaware that Nathan was a Swordmaster.

However, since Yuder was known for his keen eye in assessing others' abilities, he needed some time to consider how to respond appropriately.

"I get the sense that your deputy, Nathan, is so powerful that he could likely defeat all the Imperial Knights we've seen today if they were brought here."

"Ho, did you hear that, Nathan? He's rating you quite highly."

Kishiar grinned, and Nathan's gaze shifted to Yuder's face.

"And how would you compare him to yourself?"

"If I were to compare him with myself…"

Yuder paused, taking a small breath.

"…I'm not sure if I could win right now, but I believe that could change with time."

'It's more challenging than I thought to give a modest answer to something so obvious.'

Nathan was undoubtedly one of the top Swordmasters in this world, but Yuder had once been a Cavalry commander known for being unmatched.

Although he hadn't yet fully developed his abilities, if he could reach the same level of growth as before, he was confident he could defeat multiple Swordmasters.

In the past, it took him nearly ten years to reach that level, but since he was retracing a path he had already traveled, he believed he could grow much faster this time.

"Hahaha. You say my deputy is stronger than the so-called experts of the Imperial Knights, and now you're confident that he will eventually become weaker than you. Truly an impressive level of confidence."

Kishiar laughed heartily. Yuder slightly bowed his head, wondering if Kishiar had always been so cheerful.

"So, you're saying you can't assess my abilities?"

"...Yes."

That was all Yuder could say.

"Hm, I see."

Fortunately, Kishiar didn't press him further. Yuder felt as if Kishiar's red eyes were focused on him, like he was an intriguing prey.

"What about the Cavalry as you see it? Can you not speak about that either?"

Just when Yuder thought he might be dismissed, Kishiar asked another question. Yuder was momentarily taken aback.

He could answer questions about individuals, but responding about the entire Cavalry might sound like he was critiquing Commander Kishiar's leadership.

Yuder couldn't understand why Kishiar was asking him, a mere member, questions that should be directed to other important figures.

"Well... I think there might be someone else who could provide a better answer."

"Of course, I'm asking others as well. But I'm asking you because you seem to have a good eye. There's no hidden agenda, so feel free to speak your mind. Whether it's something you noticed during training or any concerns you might have, don't worry about being expelled for expressing them."

"…"

Yuder discreetly glanced at Kishiar's deputy, Nathan Zuckerman, hoping he might intervene and end this precarious conversation. However, Nathan remained silent, staring ahead as if he hadn't heard a word.

'I don't remember anything like this happening in the past. I don't understand why he's behaving this way all of a sudden. I just need to answer vaguely and get out of here.'

"The Cavalry... is a good place. We haven't fully realized our power yet, but I believe that with time, under your guidance, we will greatly improve and establish a system that will contribute to the safety of the empire."

"Really? Is that what you think?"

"Yes."

Yuder was certain that future was inevitable. Even after Kishiar's death, the Cavalry would develop as he had predicted, becoming an organization more powerful than any other before it.

In a few years, the only ones capable of protecting the empire and the world would not be the knights or mages, but the Cavalry and the Awakeners. Therefore, he had no doubts when he responded that way.

"Interesting. Everyone else says the opposite."

"Pardon?"

Surprised by the unexpected reply, Yuder blinked. Kishiar, having finished his tea, slightly tilted his teacup to the side. Nathan Zuckerman, who had been standing by, refilled the cup with more of the red liquid from the teapot.

"They all say that I will fail. They ask how I can accomplish anything with illiterate people and no system in place. It's something no other country has attempted—there's no precedent. I have to create rules and a system from scratch."

A deep conviction flashed in Kishiar's eyes, as red as the tea.

"There are already plenty of powerful mages and knights in this country, so why am I insistently bringing dangerous individuals into the capital? All I have is my own strength and the support of the Emperor."

After saying this, Kishiar suddenly smiled.

"And yet, the promising member I managed to recruit says he can leave without any regrets, but he's also the only one who assures me that the Cavalry I created is good and will succeed. Isn't it funny?"

"..."

His words were startlingly candid. Yuder had never expected to hear such honesty from him, even considering his past memories.

For a moment, Yuder doubted whether the words he heard had really come from Kishiar's mouth. However, the duke in front of him continued sipping his tea with a relaxed smile.

"I've found you quite interesting from the start."

Yuder lowered his gaze to avoid Kishiar's red eyes, but ended up staring at the cooled red liquid in his own teacup. That vivid red seemed inescapable, no matter where he looked.

"If someone else had said that, I would've thought it was just a flashy answer. But your eyes—they see things others cannot, so I somehow want to believe what you're saying."

Kishiar's gaze remained fixed on Yuder as he spoke.

"So, I hope you won't speak of leaving without regrets next time. That's all I have to say."

Yuder rose, offered his greetings, and left Kishiar's quarters.

An odd sensation washed over him. Who would have thought he would have such a conversation with Kishiar La Orr? His previous impression of the man had been of an enigma, a figure whose true nature remained unfathomable until the end.

'What are you thinking, Kishiar La Orr?'

Had he always been this ambitious? Or had he sensed something about me?

The man Yuder thought he knew, or believed he knew, seemed strangely different, making him wonder if his memories were flawed.

'He seemed more worldly...and irritating, giving off the impression that his thoughts were impossible to read.'

But one thing was certain: from Yuder's perspective, this Kishiar was not a bad person.

'If things continue like this, I might not need to inherit the commander's position as I did before.'

This was certainly a good outcome. However, the strange feeling Yuder had upon seeing this unfamiliar side of Kishiar lingered, deeply embedding itself in his mind, lasting until he fell asleep.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Nathan."

"Yes."

After Yuder left, Kishiar, still gazing at the untouched teacup on the opposite side, finally spoke. Kishiar's own cup was empty, but the one across from him remained as it had been from the start.

"What do you think of that man?"

It was an unusual question. Nathan pondered for a moment before replying.

"If I hadn't known his background beforehand, I would never have guessed he was a commoner."

He was indeed a commoner, an orphan barely twenty years old, yet he showed no hesitation in front of Nathan, nor in front of the noble duke who was revered like the heavens.

But that wasn't all. He seemed to assess his opponent with an impassive gaze, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

His gaze suggested someone accustomed to evaluating others and, at the same time, someone who had long been accustomed to standing in a position of authority.

When their eyes met earlier, for a fleeting moment, he reminded Nathan of his fencing master from childhood.

One might think he lacked the manners befitting a commoner, but there was something different about him. The fact that he did not drink the tea and simply left was one indication.

Typically, one would not rise so dismissively if someone they deemed superior offered them tea.

Even if he had awakened his abilities, it had only been two years. Nathan Zuckerman had grown up wielding a sword, enduring all sorts of harsh training.

He had never seen someone display such an attitude toward someone with far more experience and skill.

Normally, most people would shrink in fear and avoid eye contact when meeting either him or the duke.

How could a young man of barely twenty exude such confidence? That man was... In any case, he was not just bold; he was unusual.

"He might be a spy; it would be best to investigate."

"Actually, I've already done some investigation. There wasn't much to find."

Kishiar chuckled.

"He actively participates in training, and his performance is exceptional. If he had joined the Sul Division, I might have immediately offered him the position of deputy commander."

"If I investigate further, I might uncover something."

"Well..."

The expression of his master, who would usually instruct him to proceed with meticulous care, seemed nuanced. A strange smile, as if he were suppressing a laugh, briefly flickered across Kishiar's face.

"Perhaps we need more people like him here."