Turning

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Chapter 289

What was the meaning behind that fleeting expression worn by Kishiar, who had always seemed so calm and composed? The image of his face was somehow indelibly etched in Kanna’s mind, causing her to quietly withdraw.

Afterward, matters swiftly concluded. As his subordinates were preparing to leave, Prince Ejain exchanged a brief farewell with Kishiar near the village entrance.

He had planned to return home as soon as he left the village formed by the Star of Nagran, but instead he decided to stay a little longer at the hut, his original destination, for his still wounded subordinates. A strange emotion fluttered across the face of the young prince as he disclosed this plan.

“Are you sure about staying here longer, given the dangers of this place?”

“The route home from here passes through a third country, so the risks are minimal. Furthermore, I am... well, it still feels unreal, but I've become an Awakener, haven't I?”

As Prince Ejain spoke, he gazed at the shining stones circling around him with an unfamiliar look.

“These things are my protection, it seems... it puts my mind at ease. I don't feel as anxious as before. I think protecting those who chose to stay with me is more important now than rushing home, even if it means accepting some sacrifices.”

“No. Our positions are different, aren't they? If I were in your shoes, I would have done the same.”

Kishiar’s jest did not draw laughter. Instead, Prince Ejain replied with solemnity, his gaze becoming resolute.

“Regardless, it will take a bit longer to return home than expected, but rest assured, I'll fulfill our promise as soon as I get back. I've made arrangements to ensure the first matter can be handled, even if something happens to me.”

“The fulfillment of the promise isn't urgent, take your time. I was worried because many are startled by sudden awakenings, but I'm glad to see you've regained your composure.”

“That's probably due to your assistant, my new friend, sharing his words with me.”

The atmosphere surrounding Kishiar subtly shifted at that moment. After a pause, a faint voice emerged from beneath the brim of a concealing cloak.

“Is that so?”

“He once asked me if I thought I'd be followed by more people once I suddenly acquired a great power and shook off all the trouble around me. It was a shocking question for me. Embarrassingly, I had never doubted that part before.”

At first, the meaning of that enigmatic phrase eluded him. But in a situation where he had nothing to do other than suppress his presence and move around, he had no choice but to persistently ponder that distressing thought to escape his mental agony.

Then, Ejain had an epiphany. Had he ever thought about himself from such diverse angles before? He had pondered countless times about the future of Nelarn, the crises that were immediately in front of him, the talents he couldn’t obtain, and the powers he wanted but couldn’t get. However, he had never purely gazed into his own inner self before. That moment felt as if his eyes were being opened.

“In retrospect, he might have wanted to tell me that the crucial factor in changing my surroundings was not power, but myself. That was the first thought that came to me when I awakened. It was as if he knew this would happen and told me in advance… His insight was truly astonishing.”

Kanna, who had been listening to their conversation not far away, was deeply startled by those words. She had seen Yuder speaking with Prince Ejain on several occasions, but she never imagined they had exchanged such words. Moreover, friends? Honestly, she found it harder to believe that Yuder Aile was a friend of Prince Ejain than that the Prince had become friends with a Cavalry member.

Despite her bewilderment, the conversation between the two continued.

“Through this imperial visit, I have received immense help from His Majesty the Emperor of Orr Empire, the Commander, and a new friend. The people of Nelarn will never forget this favor. The next time we get in touch, I will repay you with good news so you do not regret our alliance.”

Prince Ejain said his farewells with a gentler expression than when they first met, and turned around. His subordinates and the attendant Melbon, who had been waiting at a distance, formally greeted him. They bowed with sincere thanks toward the Cavalry members, then turned away. The Cavalry members watched their departure with mixed emotions. It was the moment when the first mission that had brought them all the way here was finally accomplished.

“Afterwards, we parted with the Peletta Knights and returned here. Everyone was in good spirits up until that point.”

Despite the incessant marching with little rest, not one of them expressed discontent. It was because their commander had led from the front. It didn’t take long for all the members to notice that, unlike when they arrived with Kishiar, they were in quite a hurry this time.

Kanna, who noticed that his gaze often lingered to the east where their destination lay, secretly smiled. The Commander who never lost his composure and smile was in a hurry because he was worried about those around him, no doubt about it.

'When we return, I should ask Yuder if he really became friends with the Second Prince of Nelarn. Ah, and I should also tell him about the awakening. That would surprise Yuder, wouldn’t it?'

She realized something was wrong when they were nearing the base where the Western Mage Union stayed.

“...Commander. This is the fifth one.”

Gakane murmured, glancing around. In front of him lay the corpse of a monster torn apart by a shadow clone. The monster, an unidentified purple creature, was small in size, but its thorny tail was exceptionally long and large.

“It feels odd to see such weak monsters appearing this frequently. I apologize if I’m over-worrying…”

“No. It’s not over-worrying, it's accurate judgment.”

Kishiar responded, looking down at the ground soaked with black bodily fluid.

“I have a bad feeling about this. Can everyone pick up the pace a bit?”

“Yes.”

The Cavalry members quickened their tired steps. Just before they entered the base, they encountered mages struggling to handle monsters identical to the ones they had defeated on their way.

When the Eldore siblings smashed the monster with a giant arm they had modified, the mages slumped to the ground with exhausted faces. They had no energy even to utter words of thanks.

“What’s the situation? Have there been abnormal monster appearances again?”

“No, it’s not that. Something worse… A calamity-like creature has appeared.”

Watching the mages with terror in their eyes, as if recalling something, the Cavalry members exchanged glances. The icy feeling that brushed down their spines marked the moment Kishiar strode forward and entered the depths of the base.

"My goodness! You've all returned safely..."

The moment they entered the last remaining building, the bloodstained Lusan rushed out to greet them. However, the other person they had expected to be at his side was nowhere to be seen.

"Priest Lusan. Where is Yuder Aile?"

Having briefly surveyed the surroundings, Kishiar asked in a cold tone. Priest Lusan shook his head regretfully.

"He... He went out to handle the monster."

"A monster?"

"A strange monster we've never seen before has appeared. It's said to grow larger and stronger each time it's attacked..."

Lusan tried his best to briefly explain everything he had seen and heard so far. Despite stumbling over his words due to his lack of eloquence, Kishiar did not rush him and listened patiently until the end.

"So, Yuder went out to defeat the monster and other mages followed. I've been staying here, protecting this place and treating those who've been injured..."

The anxiety in Lusan's trembling eyes deepened the unease the Cavalry members were feeling.

"If only you'd come a little earlier, you could have gone with them..."

At that moment, Kanna felt a shiver down her spine. Looking around, it seemed she was not the only one to feel that way; all her comrades wore shocked expressions as well. At the end of that chilling sensation was their Commander.

A moment later, an emotionless voice flowed out from beneath the hood of his black cloak.

"All Cavalry members, stand by here and keep an eye on the surroundings."

"..."

"Determine what the mages upstairs are doing and what situations have arisen based on the story we've just heard. Kanna Wand will be responsible for gathering information."

"...A-ah, understood."

Though she tried not to stammer, she felt an icy tingle that froze her lips and overwhelmed her. As Kanna gritted her teeth, Kishiar's gaze shifted upstairs.

"And."

He gave his final command to Lusan.

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