Turning

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Chapter 121

'It seems he has safely returned from Hartan.'

Yuder, who inwardly clicked his tongue at the figure who openly displayed his reluctance to come, suddenly felt someone's gaze directed at him and shifted his eyes.

'...'

The owner of the gaze was a boy sitting diagonally behind Kiolle da Diarca. As soon as their eyes met, the boy with the lovely features of a doll, his reddish hair, immediately turned his head in a different direction.

'I don't think I've seen his face before... Who is he?'

However, Yuder was not given the opportunity to ponder the boy's identity. This was because Kishiar, with his adjutant Nathan Zuckerman, made his appearance at the VIP seat.

"Behold, His Grace Duke Peletta!"

A cheer erupted from the section where common believers had gathered, far louder than when the Crown Prince had appeared. Kishiar lightly raised his hand in acknowledgment of the cheer, then approached the Crown Prince and exchanged greetings.

While outwardly they conversed as members of the imperial family, the air between them was subtly tense. Watching the Crown Prince Katchian, who was handing some words over to Kishiar with a smile, Yuder felt an unfamiliar emotion.

'Crown Prince Katchian seems to openly dislike Kishiar. Was it always like this?'

Yuder, who had been a close aide of the emperor for a long time since Katchian ascended the throne, knew very well how his eyes looked when he was in an extremely bad mood. The young Crown Prince, who was barely in his late teens, seemed unable to fully hide his emotions.

'I didn't know when I saw him with Kishiar in my previous life...'

Throughout the festival, Yuder thought that the person causing trouble around the Cavalry was Duke Diarca, even if it seemed outwardly to be the Crown Prince. He had considered it a mere attempt to stamp out the budding threat of the newborn Cavalry which couldn't really be a sincere threat to the Crown Prince's faction.

However, seeing that expression, Yuder wondered if the Crown Prince's will was more involved in this matter than he had initially thought.

'Previously, as soon as Emperor Katchian ascended the throne, Kishiar retired quickly and died soon after... I never thought about their relationship.'

But on reflection, Katchian was the one who issued the order to assassinate Kishiar. The obvious fact felt strangely unfamiliar.

It made him think that the memory of the day he had gone to kill Kishiar might have been distorted. Perhaps there had been circumstances unknown to him hidden in Katchian's orders, which he had hitherto considered purely political decisions.

Yuder looked at the face of Crown Prince Katchian, who still showed signs of youth, and overlaid it with the future image of him.

"Yuder. Do you like the Commander that much? You can't take your eyes off him as soon as he arrives."

Just then, Kanna joked, snapping him out of his almost grave contemplation.

"No, it's not like that."

"Well, you don't need to deny it so vehemently. We're all the same after all."

Among the nobles seated in the guest section, many drew the attention of others due to their distinct appearances, a result of their imperial blood. Prince Katchian of the imperial family, for instance, had been compared to a splendid flower since his childhood for his exceptional beauty. Yet, even amidst such nobles, Kishiar commanded an overwhelming presence. Anyone who had once seen him found it difficult to easily tear their eyes away, as if they were entranced by something.

"Ah, the Commander seems to be looking around. Do you think he might be searching for us?"

Before Yuder could retort that it was unlikely, he saw Kishiar, who had just noticed them, flash a bright smile and swiftly closed his mouth.

"Duke Peletta is looking our way!"

Even if he wanted to believe that Kishiar was not looking at them, he couldn't deny it due to the enthusiastic reactions of the surrounding believers. Yuder pretended not to notice Kishiar's gaze, but Kishiar defiantly began waving his hand. The cheers instantly grew louder. Amid the loud acclaim, Kanna, while holding back her laughter and waving back at Kishiar, spoke.

"See, I told you! You should greet him too, Yuder. If you don't, he'll continue like this."

"..."

Without a choice, Yuder glared at Kishiar and briefly bowed his head in greeting. It was a small gesture, but it seemed enough to satisfy Kishiar, who lowered his hand. However, due to his unusual behavior, the surrounding nobles turned their gaze towards Yuder.

Most lost interest quickly after seeing the military uniform that Yuder and Kanna were wearing. But a few were different. Kiolle, too surprised at discovering Yuder, opened his mouth wide then suddenly turned his head away. Prince Katchian, for some unknown reason, gazed at them for quite some time.

After his cold gaze disappeared, Yuder decided to complain about this incident to Kishiar later on.

"The Holy Pope will appear shortly. All believers, prepare yourselves."

Not long after, the worship began. Twelve senior priests came forward, sprinkling holy water and reciting prayers of blessing. Soon, the elderly Pope, dressed in a long, thick white robe, revealed himself.

'His name was Mclaren III... It's been a long time.'

Yuder looked up at the face of the Pope who would leave this world about five years from now. Even though he had only seen him face to face a few times in official settings, it was strangely emotional to see this man, who was dead in his memory, alive in front of his eyes.

The nobles, who did not appear particularly devout, acted like deeply faithful believers during the worship. Among the common believers, many were moved to tears upon seeing the Pope.

While watching these scenes and staying vigilant for any suspicious signs, the time for the end of the worship service approached.

As the Pope finished his final prayer, a waterfall of light made of divine power cascaded from above, evoking admiration and prayers that resonated throughout the square.

It was a beautiful sight, but those who were dispatched to maintain security could not afford to observe it for long. They had to be alert to control the crowd that was about to leave the square en masse. Sure enough, as soon as the Pope finished his blessing and rose from his seat with the senior priests, the common believers started rushing towards the exit of the square.

Yuder had saved several individuals who were scrambling among the crowd using the power of the wind, and handed over the crying children who had lost their parents to nearby Imperial Troops. The narrow exit of the plaza was a chaotic mess, overcrowded with those trying to leave.

'Why on earth do they insist on worshipping in such a place? It can't be the only available location. Such a perverse preference.'

"Yuder, I'll be right back! I'm going to help that old lady over there! She seems to have lost her group."

"Alright."

"I'll be back soon!"

Kanna, who had been using her abilities to assist those in need just like Yuder, spotted another distressed individual and ran over to them, leaving Yuder alone with a troubled expression on his face. After Kanna disappeared, Yuder sighed momentarily, only to turn his head toward a small voice that suddenly echoed from behind him.

"Um, you're a member of the Cavalry, right?"

It appeared to be another person who had lost their way and needed help, but the person turned out to be unexpected. A boy with a doll-like, beautiful appearance, wearing a simple black cloak, was looking up at Yuder with a stern expression on his face.

Yuder glanced toward the VIP seats. But the nobles, including Kishiar, who had been there, had all disappeared.

'Did he not lose his way, but came here intentionally?'

Even if he was a young boy, if he was a noble invited to the VIP seats of the Grand Worship, he wouldn't be an ordinary clan member. Feeling a hint of suspicion, Yuder slowly opened his mouth.

"It might be better if you ask for help from the priests or the Imperial Knights rather than me."

"They can't help me. I came looking for you."

The boy's voice was very small, but it penetrated his ears with peculiar clarity.

"Could you hear my story in a place that's out of sight from others? It will only take a moment."

At that moment, Yuder's eyes widened slightly.

'...Is he an Awakener?'

He had felt a faint energy, although it wasn't entirely certain. But the energy he felt from the boy was undoubtedly the unique power of the Awakener.

'What should I do?'

Yuder hesitated for a moment. How could he be sure that this wasn't a trap set by Duke Diarca to target the Cavalry? When considering the team, it would obviously be right to send the boy away. However, for some reason, he felt uneasy about the boy's eyes, which, contrary to his confident demeanor, trembled like a small animal being chased.

"…Follow me."

In the end, Yuder led the boy behind a large statue of an angel, out of the view of others. A place where a few old trees intertwined skillfully to form a shade, making it an ideal location to hide.

"It seems you'd prefer to avoid the eyes of others, so it might be better if you cover your face with your hood while we talk."

"Oh, ah, um. Thank you."

As he lightly pulled the tip of the hood that hung behind the boy's cloak over his head, a flustered voice of gratitude returned.

'Seeing his clumsy behavior, he doesn't seem like he's here to cause trouble.'

Then, what could be the reason? Yuder opened his mouth, his curiosity piqued.

"So, what is it that you want to talk about?"

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