Turning

Chapter 442

All day, he had acted as if the events of the previous night held no significance. Yet, as the sun began to set, he spoke words that held a sense of gravity.

Yuder's gaze moved beyond Kishiar's back to the slowly darkening sky, then settled back onto Kishiar's eyes. Just as he was about to speak, his thoughts swirling with what Kanna and Enon had said, the sound of a knock on the door broke the tension.

"Let's discuss it after we wrap up today's last duty."

Kishiar softly muttered and offered Yuder a slight smile before turning his head. Nathan Zuckerman entered the room.

"I've brought what you asked for, my lord."

Unaware of the complex and delicate exchange of emotions that had just occurred, the man solemnly placed a box on the table.

"Is everything there?"

"Yes. Both items are present."

"Well done, Nathan, especially considering the time constraints. Anything else to report?"

"We've found traces of the one we were chasing."

A new development regarding Nahan emerged. Instead of pondering the complexity of his thoughts, Yuder focused on Nathan's words.

"As you already know from previous reports, the individual evaded me and dove into an underground sewer. The many exits made it unclear where he had escaped to, but after a thorough search, we found evidence near the north gate."

"The north?"

"Yes. Please look at this."

Nathan Zuckerman pulled out a small piece of cloth from his pocket. The deep blue fabric was torn, as if caught on something, and was filled with dark bloodstains that made it hard to discern its original color.

"This was found by those chasing the merchants who escaped from the secret auction house. Initially, they thought it was the merchants' belongings, but they brought it to me because it was soaked in blood and water."

The southern merchants who had fled from the secret auction had used a hidden passage leading north. Nathan Zuckerman, upon seeing the torn piece of fabric discovered near the north gate, quickly recognized it as belonging to Nahan, whom he had fought.

"It’s rather coincidental that this cloth was found in the same direction the merchants had fled."

Hearing Nathan's report, Kishiar's eyes turned icy.

"An enemy of an enemy could well become a friend under certain circumstances. We must consider the possibility that the merchants and Nahan crossed paths and aided each other during their escape."

When they had encountered each other at the security management team that day, the southern merchants and Nahan’s group had faced each other. The southern merchants falsely believed that Nahan's group had robbed their auction storage, while Nahan and his associates harbored open hostility toward the merchants, who were minions of Duke Tain and Baron Willhem.

Yet, the fleeing southern merchants were not genuinely loyal to Duke Tain and were also Awakeners.

Although the likelihood of them running into each other while escaping in the same direction was low, considering the similar timeframe, Kishiar felt that the possibility couldn't be entirely ruled out. Nathan Zuckerman seemed to share this cautious view.

"Given Nahan's capabilities, it's entirely possible that he could have influenced not just the merchants, but also others he encountered, to aid him," Nathan spoke cautiously.

"That’s more likely, but we should keep all possibilities open for now."

"Yes."

"Send that piece of cloth to Kanna Wand as soon as possible. Make sure she also gathers information from the surrounding area where it was found. As for you, focus your search to the south."

"Understood."

It was suspected that the contraband goods from Duke Tain were originally intended to be partly auctioned off, and the rest, including human trafficking victims, would be headed south where illegal fighting arenas were rampant. Kishiar seemed to think that the southern merchants who had fled with just a sack of drug powder would still be heading in that direction.

And Yuder's thoughts were not much different from Kishiar's.

'They initially said they met Duke Tain while trading in the South, and they're originally from the southern lands. They would naturally head south.'

Furthermore, according to what Robel had said earlier, the headquarters of the Star of Nagran, where he had gone to meet the sage before relocating to the western base, was also in the south. If Nahan, who had escaped alone and survived despite severe injuries, was still alive, he too would most likely be heading south.

"Do you have anything else to report?"

"No, that's all."

"Then finally, you'll have some time to rest. Take your time preparing to return to the capital and try to rest for a while."

It was the first time Yuder saw Kishiar openly telling Nathan Zuckerman to rest. Nathan's fine, dark eyebrows moved subtly upward. The knight, who had endured hardship from his reckless behavior, seemed less than thrilled to be told to rest.

"I've had plenty of rest since I came here..."

"Rest when you're told to rest. You pursued Nahan relentlessly for days after fighting him alone. It's time to step back. Don't underestimate that person's capabilities, especially since you've seen what he was like in the past."

"I've only seen it, so it had no effect on me," Nathan retorted.

Yuder's gaze shifted to Nathan Zuckerman, understanding why Kishiar had insisted that his adjutant take some time off.

He had heard that Nathan had faced both Nahan and Hosanna simultaneously and yet did not sustain a single significant injury. However, that didn't mean he hadn't been subjected to Nahan's illusions.

Nahan's ability forcibly opens a person's mind and shows them all sorts of horrifying illusions, causing mental collapse. Sometimes mental scars were harder to recover from than physical wounds.

Though Yuder didn't know what 'past' illusions Nathan had seen, if Kishiar was that concerned, there must be a reason.

"It's your judgment that it had no effect. This is my judgment, as someone who has personally experienced that man's abilities. It's not an excessive worry. I presume my assistant would agree."

Suddenly, the arrow of conversation was aimed at Yuder. Come to think of it, all three people present had experienced Nahan's powers. Yuder met Nathan Zuckerman's eyes and quietly expressed his agreement.

"...Yes, I think it would be wise to heed the Commander's advice for the sake of future operations."

"Understood."

Finally, Nathan Zuckerman conceded and let out a small sigh, along with a salute. The broad shoulders of the knight, who had come to report on his mission activities and unexpectedly gained a period of rest, somehow looked a bit deflated.

"Well, that wraps up today's business."

Kishiar rose from his seat, turning his eyes towards the deepening twilight outside the window.

"Let's head back."

"Commander, are you returning to your quarters?"

The guards by the door greeted Kishiar in loud voices.

"Yes. You guys should head back too; it's time for a delicious dinner. You've worked hard."

"Oh, not at all! Be careful when you go out the main gate; some rowdy folks are still around."

"Are they still out there? They're quite persistent. Very well."

What the soldiers were referring to were the servants of nobles, who had surrounded Baron Willhem's mansion since the day after the party, wanting to meet Kishiar. These people were sent by the relatives of those who had been imprisoned due to crimes connected with Baron Willhem or for participating in the secret auction.

Originally, after the incident, various indirect pressures and bribes were expected to flood in toward Kishiar and the Cavalry, causing significant disruptions to the investigations and daily work. However, Kishiar, without batting an eye, seemed to have preemptively anticipated this. He sent them all away and, instead, posted a large notice in front of the mansion and the security force's headquarters.

"After this point in time, anyone obstructing the investigation under the pretext of saving criminals will have to meet with the Cavalry Commander in person to clarify the intent behind their actions. Those who are confident should step forward and express their views in court."

While the nobles badmouthed Duke Peletta for his outrageous behavior, none dared to directly confront Kishiar, especially after the rumors had spread about his bold actions at the party.

So, all they could do was to send their servants to lament their grievances outside the main gate.

Yuder followed behind Kishiar as they walked through the garden. Traces of the battle that had not yet been cleaned up were still evident throughout the mansion, now vacated by Baron Willhem and his family.

"Have you gathered much information about the task we decided to perform tonight?"

Kishiar, who was walking a step ahead, threw the question over his shoulder. Yuder tensely sealed his lips before nonchalantly opening them to reply.

"Yes."

"Hmm? You seem a little less confident than usual."

The tone was playful and teasing.

"No, that's not the case."

"Do you think you can handle it?"

"...I'll have to try to know, but I intend to do my best to ensure no harm comes to you, Commander."

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