Turning

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Chapter 287

Ejain generously gave away several gold buttons pinned inside his clothing to the hunter-garbed Awakener, who had offered assistance to his subordinates without asking for anything in return. He expressed sincere gratitude, but the man refused to accept such tokens, saying that he merely lent a hand out of sympathy for their story of near-death betrayal by their former comrades. However, upon Ejain's repeated insistence, the man reluctantly accepted the buttons, his face etched with discomfort.

"Ah, goodness. You insist so much... Aren't these items more necessary for distinguished folks like you, who have a long journey ahead? Anyhow, feel free to continue your discussions. I'll be outside."

Despite his grotesquely twisted finger-like appendages and scar-ridden face, the Awakener was genuinely simple and compassionate. After he left the room, Ejain could finally comfortably recount to his subordinates the ordeals he had gone through. His men were shocked at the tale of treachery they heard, and were even more astonished upon learning of his Awakening, unable to hide their surprise as they shared in laughter and tears.

As they conversed, Kanna, who hid her face within the hood of her cloak, secretly used her abilities, under the direction of Kishiar. From various corners of their dwelling, the genuine worries of Ejain's subordinates that had filled their minds, undoubtedly formed data and flowed into her head. Only then was she able to feel somewhat relieved.

"I'm not sure how those who despise Awakeners will feel once they learn that I've Awakened. If you feel it is difficult to serve me because of this, there's no need for you to return to our homeland with me."

"But Your Highness, our views on the Awakeners have completely changed since we arrived here. We didn't understand when you suggested adopting a policy similar to the Orr Empire to accept the Awakeners. But now we do."

Ejain had long advocated for Nelarn to adopt a policy akin to the Orr Empire to include Awakeners in their ranks, but his proposition had never been accepted until now. However, he had now become an Awakener, and his close aides had also experienced the power of the Awakeners. If they could safely return home, much would likely change.

As she observed this, Kanna pondered on the Awakeners who were still ostracized and not acknowledged by society. Although she was lucky to have Awakened an ability that went unnoticed unless she revealed it herself, which even allowed her to join the Cavalry, there were far more who were not so fortunate.

Take this village, for example. Through the information she gleaned on the way, Kanna was astounded to realize that this village was an outpost of the Star of Nagran. Although she had assumed it would be a dangerous place as it was one of the organization's bases, the actual first impression of the outpost was nothing more than an ordinary village surrounded by a dense forest.

Kishiar, who had secretly received a report on the true nature of the village from Kanna, fell into deep thought. He concluded that they should slip away as inconspicuously as possible once Ejain's business was settled.

However, things didn't proceed as smoothly as anticipated. Just as they were wrapping up their conversation, an unusual sound came from outside. Startled by the noise of several people rushing by and distant shouts, Kanna peeked outside, only to be stopped by the stern-faced host.

"It's probably nothing. But you folks shouldn't show your faces. I'll go check it out."

"What's happening?"

Ejain, who was also alarmed by the noise from outside during their conversation, displayed his anxiety. His subordinates responded to him.

"Perhaps a monster had appeared on the outskirts of the village, or more likely, they had brought ordinary folk like us that they'd found in the Great Sarain Forest."

"Does that happen often?"

"During the few days we stayed in this village, monsters continued to appear, causing quite a commotion. But they say no one was killed or seriously injured. Remarkable people, really."

"So... they often save people like you and bring them to the village?"

"More often than you might think. There are quite a few who escaped from being captives in foreign countries or from the burgeoning slave trade. Many of the Awakeners in the village have a strong sense of justice, so they couldn't just stand by when they saw people in such conditions. However..."

One of Ejain's subordinates hesitated for a moment before continuing with a gloomy face.

"Not all are virtuous, of course. As the village, a sanctuary carefully hidden away, becomes more crowded with ordinary people, conflicts among them appear to be on the rise. We've seen the Awakeners who saved our lives argue fiercely with other Awakeners in the village."

Even setting aside the fact that this place was a base for the Star of Nagran, it was inevitable that internal strife would break out in a village established for the Awakeners who had been persecuted to live in peace. Kanna's gaze shifted directly to Kishiar and his companions, feeling the complexity of their thoughts passing over their faces.

"This is no ordinary situation."

Before long, the host returned with a serious look on his face and addressed Ejain's subordinates.

"I went to check out reports of a monster, but it turns out that armed men had gathered in large numbers searching for some guy who was picked up by our villagers this morning, like you."

Why on earth were there so many reckless people venturing into the Great Sarain Forest at such a dangerous time? He cursed and then sighed deeply before continuing.

"They're still prowling around the village, but their leader seems to be quite formidable. I'm not sure how this will turn out. The leader looks like he's from the Southern countries... I wonder what brought a Southerner this far north..."

For a moment, Kanna thought of Nathan Zuckerman, Kishiar's adjutant, who had the distinctive red skin of a Southerner. It seemed she wasn't the only one who had this thought as Kishiar, who had been silently observing the situation until now, finally stepped forward.

"A person found near here this morning... Who is he?"

"We're not sure. All we know is that he was injured, fleeing through the dangerous forest, and we felt sorry for him."

The man they had rescued had regained consciousness not long ago. As soon as he woke up, he offered to give them as many precious gems as they wanted if they would hide him here for a while. By his clothing and appearance, he was clearly not from the Empire. Unlike the refugees or slaves who had fled here, he was wearing expensive clothes and wouldn't say anything about himself. Until new intruders showed up, there had been a heated debate in the village over this mysterious man.

"We were able to decide quickly to treat you and send you on your way because you told us your situation immediately. But with him... we have to be cautious. And now this..."

"Didn't he give his name? What does he look like?"

"Hmm... Benn, or maybe Jenn. I think that's what he said his name was when he woke up. As for his looks... all I remember is that he had brown hair. But why do you keep asking?"

At those words, a rumbling noise came from Ejain and his subordinates. Prince Ejain, with his stern face, rose and addressed Kishiar.

"...It seems we are too late. No, we are certainly too late."

"Coincidentally, I was thinking the same. Then, it would be clear who the trackers outside the village are."

Things started to take a turn, contrary to the intentions of the host who had been trying to conceal them from prying eyes and send them off. Originally, they were supposed to arrive at the mountain hut with Prince Ejain, and wait for the Peletta Knights, who would follow a bit later with the traitors.

However, due to the unexpected presence of the traitors who betrayed Ejain's men and the outpost of the Star of Nagran near the hut, everything was drastically altered. They ended up confronting other Awakeners from the outpost, who had quickly gathered from the center of the village.

"Who are you? Who the hell are you to know the ones who came out there, the one picked up at dawn, and the ones who had been laid down and treated for days? What do you know about us? Could you be the ones sent by the Lord of Tainu?"

Looking at the Awakeners with their faces filled with suspicion, Kanna broke out in a cold sweat.

'What should I do....'

Even if she denied it, they didn't seem likely to believe her. The look of fear in their eyes, suspecting that they were sent by the lord of the western metropolis to kill them, was gradually turning into anger. Even if a fight broke out, they didn't think they were outmatched, but they were at a disadvantage due to the number of injured on their side.

Despite sensing Kanna's anxious gaze, Kishiar confidently stepped forward in front of the others...

"So, what happened then?"

Yuder, seizing the momentary pause in Kanna's story, asked anxiously. A faint chuckle came from the invisible darkness beyond.

"What do you think you would have done?"

"If it were me..."

If Yuder Aile had been there and in the same situation as Kishiar, he would have first subdued the ominous Star of Nagran Awakeners all at once, cooled down a bit, and then proposed to talk.

"...I would have created a situation for conversation and then started talking."

As Kanna gave her short response while collecting thoughts she shouldn't know, she burst out into a louder laugh.

"That's exactly what the Commander did."

"Huh?"

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