Turning

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Chapter 187

Yuder leaned back slightly in his chair, deftly steering the conversation back on track.

"Regardless, if there are any further developments or changes regarding yesterday's incident, I will report to you immediately."

"Please do."

Although Yuder found Kishiar's tiny smirk, indicative of an expected response, rather displeasing, he continually reminded himself of Kishiar's poor health, striving to regain his composure.

"Speaking of which, did you hear why Thais Yulman is so insistent on meeting me first thing in the morning? He said he had something to say about the power of the Red Stone, so I thought I would listen to him later."

"Ah, yes. That's..."

The reason for Thais Yulman's excited departure suddenly sprang to mind as he opened his mouth to reply without a second thought.

He had forgotten, taken aback at the sight of Kishiar lying in bed.

"I apologize. I should have mentioned this sooner, but Alik became an Awakener this morning. That's why Mr. Yulman sought you out."

"The young mage who fainted yesterday? He became an Awakener?"

The news seemed to startle even Kishiar. Rising from the cushion, Kishiar questioned him with a serious face.

"Are you certain? What's his ability?"

"I am certain from what I observed. He has the ability to summon water, and given that he couldn't use elemental magic before, there doesn't seem to be room for doubt."

"If you saw it that way, then it must be certain."

Accepting Yuder's answer, Kishiar leaned back on the large cushion again.

"A mage awakener... I thought such a case might exist, but I never expected it to appear so close to home."

"Mr. Yulman seemed to think that Alik's awakening was due to the environment he was in, which was heavily exposed to the power of the Red Stone."

"That makes sense. There was also the rise in the rate of awakenings among the imperial soldiers during the Red Stone retrieval operation."

"I thought the same and informed him of this."

Kishiar rubbed his chin lightly and nodded.

"Good job."

"Mr. Yulman, after hearing the story, thought of a few new hypotheses linking that incident and this one. It might be best to discuss them once you're feeling better."

"I was planning to do that... But hearing you say this, it might be better to meet him right away."

Before Yuder could protest, Kishiar had fully risen.

"I'm sorry, but could you bring me the clothes I left over there?"

"Commander, you don't need to push yourself to meet him right away."

"I'm fine. Talking with you seems to have healed me more than ten revitalizing incense sticks could. It was a conversation more invigorating."

"What are you..."

"If you won't bring them, I'll just change myself. Or do you prefer to stand there and admire my body?"

‘Inspecting the body of an imperial family member could be punishable as a sacrilege, but I'll allow it for you,’ Kishiar untied the string around his waist with a playful grin. Yuder averted his gaze from the suddenly exposed chest and silently moved toward the clothes Kishiar had requested.

A set of top and bottom clothes, seemingly prepared in anticipation of needing to change at any moment despite his poor health, were neatly placed in a noticeable spot along with a robe. Seeing this, he couldn't help but question the truth behind the saying that Kishiar indeed knew how precious his body was.

"Fetch the undershirt and trousers first. The overcoat follows."

As per his command, Yuder returned to the bed with the trousers and undershirt in hand, the overcoat slung over his arm.

"Is it alright if I do not assist you?"

He asked quietly, eyes lowered. A lighthearted chuckle responded.

"It's fine. As I've said before, there's no imperial family member who can dress himself as well as I. Yet, why do you avert your gaze even after I've said it's alright?"

Rather than replying, Yuder chose to turn away immediately. Fortunately, Kishiar did not further engage in conversation, quickly changing into the clothing.

"Now hand me the overcoat."

Upon hearing the command and turning around, Yuder saw Kishiar just buttoning the last button of his shirt. Yuder held up the overcoat he had draped over his arm, spreading it so Kishiar could slip his arms straight into it. Kishiar's clothing felt surprisingly large, a testament to his larger-than-average stature. Kishiar turned around, a small, wry smile lifting the corner of his mouth as he raised an eyebrow.

"Even when I said it's alright, you still help. I appreciate it."

Once fully dressed and with his hair casually combed, he seemed in perfect condition save for a slightly paler complexion than usual.

"Let's go now."

Nathan Zuckerman, who had been standing near the dressing room entrance, seemed surprised at the sight of his lord swiftly emerging dressed. However, he quickly sighed and summoned Thais Yulman, who was still waiting outside.

"Commander! You're finally awake. I've been waiting for so long."

The old mage, unable to hide his excitement, exclaimed as he rushed in. Spotting Yuder behind Kishiar, he sent a brief glance of gratitude his way.

"Please hear my story. Amazingly, my apprentice Alik this morning...!"

"He’s an Awakener now, I heard."

"Yes, that's correct. But the important thing is not that...!"

Kishiar, with a nonchalant demeanor, managed to escort the excited mage to a sofa and patiently listened to his tale. Frankly, Yuder had difficulty understanding the phrases and terms that Thais rambled breathlessly, often skipping from one point to another. Yet, Kishiar seemed to comprehend it all.

"... so, if we can find a way to validate this theory, something incredible will happen."

"If it happens as you say, indeed."

"Do you think the same, Commander! Then the future research...!"

"Before that, I have something to address."

At Kishiar's firm tone, which broke off the conversation with a smile, Thais Yulman was momentarily taken aback. His excitement over the research seemed to cool down.

"While I have faith in your capabilities as a researcher and a mage, what's most crucial in dealing with this matter is mutual trust and caution. Should I continue to entrust this task to someone whose greed and excitement, like yesterday, might get ahead of his reason, potentially bringing danger to all... I've been pondering this since last night."

"Your Highness. That is..."

Thais Yulman, who changed his address in his haste, was silenced by a raised hand from Kishiar. The old mage felt crushed under the gaze of the young duke, much like a prey before a predator, and closed his mouth.

"…I apologize. As soon as I saw you, I should have asked for forgiveness and promised there would be no recurrence, but in my excitement, I mistakenly prioritized."

After he respectfully bowed his head in apology, he seemed to finally break free from the oppressive force that weighed him down.

"I hope there is no repetition of what happened yesterday. We will also change the location for future research. A new oath must be written, and we might need additional manpower for the research. Is that acceptable?"

"Of course, it's acceptable. It... will ease our minds as well."

"That's good."

A soft yet threatening smile briefly swept over his red eyes.

"We'll discuss the details later. You may leave now."

Thais Yulman promptly rose, said his farewell, and hastened out of the office. Yuder watched his retreating figure, apparently shell-shocked, and felt relieved that he probably wouldn't be reckless as he had been before.

"Commander, then I shall also…"

"Ah, you stay here a moment."

Kishiar, who had been quietly watching the door until Thais Yulman disappeared, finally exhaled deeply and leaned back on the sofa.

"Nathan, bring that along with the water."

'…That?'

Seeming to notice his puzzlement, Kishiar slightly opened his previously closed eyes. The gaze that had been so stern when dealing with Thais Yulman had entirely softened.

"You'll understand once you see it. It's for you."

"Here you are."

Nathan Zuckerman returned, placing a glass of ice water in front of Kishiar, and a paper bound with string in front of Yuder. After a moment of hesitation, Yuder untied the string and promptly read the written contents.

I, Cavalry Commander Kishiar La Orr, grant Assistant Yuder Aile the authority to continuously appoint five subordinates and allies directly under his command. Appointments are limited to Cavalry members and exclude anyone in a Deputy Commander position. Apart from this, it is left to Yuder Aile's discretion.

No matter how many times he read it, the content was the same. It was an order giving him the power to have colleagues and subordinates to assist him in his work under Kishiar.

"Commander, this is…"

"Didn't I say I would reward you if you rested well for three days? Although there was an incident yesterday, I thought I should give it now, as a form of praise."

He had promised a reward, but Yuder never expected it to be something like this. As Yuder blankly stared in surprise, unsure of the intention, Kishiar chuckled softly and waved his hand.

"You always strive to go beyond what you're commanded. After some thought, I decided it would be better to give you extra hands to assist you."

"I am fine without such authority."

His objection was promptly overruled.

"You don't have to decide immediately, just accept it for now. Also, there is actually another reward."

"Excuse me?"

"You'll find out when you return to your quarters from the medical division."

“You will probably like that one better,” Kishiar mumbled, a mysterious smile on his face. Seeing this, a strange sense of unease stirred within Yuder.

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