Why did they think it was a mere joke? It had been only about an hour since Yuder had devoured precisely seven and a half of the bread given to him in the prison, facing the trembling expressions of the soldiers and whatever you could say of Robel's unease. In such circumstances, having emptied the stew bowl twice, he had not eaten less than usual. Just for reference, the reason he did not eat the eighth piece of bread was because Jeymer, the Knight Commander, had come to release him in the middle.

Of course, the bread he ate there wasn't as soft or warm as the bread set out on the current table, but it wasn't stony or rotten, and the water was clean. From past experience, the food given in prison was a considerable guest treatment.

Still, seeing Enon's concern for him as much as Lusan's, Yuder silently ate more of the prepared dishes. Only after finishing the meal was he finally able to receive a proper examination instead of a mere verbal check-up.

"Sir Yuder, I heard you used your power extensively yesterday while chasing someone within the mansion before going to the public security management team. Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes."

"The spot on your left eye is still there. What about the back of your hand?"

Yuder quietly removed his glove. A faint black stain remained on the exposed back of his hand. Between them, bright red spots appeared, which Enon and Lusan carefully examined.

"The black stain seems to have diminished since we last saw it."

"But the range of the spots is the same, isn't it? Hasn't it actually increased?"

Enon's sharp gaze was directed at Yuder.

"What do you mean? How much did you use when I told you not to use your power unless necessary?"

"Don't be like that, Sir Enon. Yuder has returned after a hard time."

Lusan, in his innocence, stopped Enon and began to pour divine power into Yuder's hand. As a white light covered his hand, it felt like hot water had been poured from his arm into the inside of his body. Yuder took advantage of the moment to ask Lusan about the people who had lost their memory.

"How are the people under Priest Lusan's care?"

"They're getting along as usual. Is it because of what you asked the Commander yesterday?"

Lusan quickly seemed to realize why Yuder was asking about them.

"That's right."

"When I informed Marty of the appearance and name of the servant that Sir Yuder caught, she was greatly surprised. She never thought that person would have infiltrated here... What happened to him?"

"That person was Marty's lover, as it turns out. Thanks to that, I was able to quickly gain cooperation as soon as I informed him of Marty's survival."

Yuder explained the incidents that Robel had experienced and the circumstances that led him to undertake the reckless infiltration alone. Lusan expressed surprise and regret at the tragic misunderstanding of the lovers, which was distorted by Nahan and his followers.

"For now, Robel has been released with me and brought here. He wanted to see Marty, but... what do you think, Priest?"

Robel desperately wanted to meet Marty, but Marty's opinion was also essential in this matter. They couldn't forcibly make them meet if one side did not want it. Believing that Lusan, who had been taking care of those who had lost their memory the closest, would make the most accurate judgment, he asked, and Lusan opened his mouth with a thoughtful expression.

"Among those who have regained their memory, Marty's condition is indeed the best, but ... it might be difficult right now. Shall I first inform her of the situation and ask her opinion, then let you know?"

"Of course."

If that was the case, it would have been rather appreciated by Yuder.

"Then I should go meet her first since the matter has come up. The divine healing is over, so I'll leave the rest to you, Enon. Call me whenever you need me."

"Alright."

Enon waved his hand dismissively, as if urging him to leave quickly. As Lusan left the room, Yuder felt Enon's gaze on his cheek change, becoming a little more biting than before.

"...Now, tell me honestly. How much power have you used?"

"Other than a slight use to check how much power has returned every morning... only a little when catching Robel yesterday, and a bit within the security management team."

"Why did you use it within the security management team?"

"I briefly escaped the prison to scout outside."

"Oh really... Did you think I'd accept that? Is that a little? Huh?"

The pharmacist's words didn't make sense, did they? A sharp voice came closer, accompanied by a pinching and shaking of the cheek. It felt chilly under the skin, but Yuder obediently offered his face. Losing enthusiasm because his opponent didn't resist, Enon sat down again, his face looking as if he were dying in agony.

"Were you really okay? You took the medicine I gave you that time and suddenly had a fever... and acted all weird, didn't you?"

Unable to utter the word "lust" directly, his words momentarily faltered, but Yuder didn't care and answered obediently.

"Nothing like that has happened since then. I've recovered some power, too. But... sometimes when I use my power, it feels like something is blocking me."

"A blocking feeling?"

"It feels like there's more power I can unleash, but only a much smaller amount comes out. Like a feeling of suffocation, should I say...?"

"You crazy fool. You should have said that first!"

Enon grabbed Yuder's opposite cheek once more.

"...I thought it was a temporary phenomenon at first. I realized it wasn't only yesterday."

The pronunciation was muffled due to the pulled cheek, but the meaning was understood, and the hand soon let go.

"The feeling that there's more power to be unleashed, but something is blocking it, so less comes out... Maybe it's not such a bad sign."

Enon's conclusion, after much thought, was unexpectedly positive.

"It means that the energy-recovering medicine has had its effect after all. Your original power is returning, but the unorganized foreign power is blocking the channel to release it. Hmm, do you know what the channel is?"

"I know."

Knights, Mages, Awakeners, and those with powers need a process to release the inner energy. People often refer to this as a 'channel.' Originally a term used by swordmasters, it's now used by mages, and it wouldn't be long before Awakeners would also naturally use it.

"If your original power had been small, it might not have been so uncomfortable, but since you have enormous power, it's entirely possible. Perhaps I should say, it takes a tremendous amount of time to digest because it is recovering its original strength with a monster-like adaptability, but it also combines the monster's poison and magic power."

"So then..."

"If the desire to heal within you is working properly for now... It might be good to slowly try another method."

"Is there a way?"

"Look at that. The eyes change at the word 'method'. If you wanted to get better so badly, why didn't you listen to the pharmacist?"

Enon, holding his chin, chuckled briefly.

"During this time, I have spent some time observing that small monster in the room of that stone-like knight gentleman. It seems that the monster's power to swallow and digest magic may be in the poison component that replaces its body fluid. So, if my speculation based on your current state is correct... you might be able to use it too."

"..."

What could he mean by that? Enon tilted his head, looking at Yuder's face, slightly frowning in an almost knowing feeling.

"It sounds crazy, but you're surprisingly calm. Do you want to hear more here?"

The answer was obviously predetermined.

...

"Damn it... I had a bad feeling ever since those untimely monsters started disturbing the western outskirts. How could such an absurd thing happen!"

The expensive dishes on the table struck by Duke Tain wobbled, making a noisy sound.

"Those wretched things dare to run amok in Tainu without knowing their place, and now that cowardly Duke Peletta, who had been ignoring it, tries to intercept the situation? That incompetent Willhem closed the gates in fear, and now even the Emperor is showing interest. What to do!"

"Calm yourself."

The man sitting before Duke Tain opened his mouth indifferently. Except for his eyes, his entire body was wrapped in long fabric-made clothes and a veil, but the fact that he possessed the unique red skin tone of the southern people couldn't be completely hidden.

"It is only a matter of that degree. What Your Highness is working on has not yet been revealed to anyone."

"Willhem's being so stupid there, how long can that last! I repeatedly told them to move the goods a day earlier..."

Duke Tain held his head and gritted his teeth. In his shaking hand, unable to contain his anger, was the piece from the dice game he had been playing for a high stake just moments before.

"The intervention of Duke Peletta and the Cavalry might actually be an opportunity for Your Highness."

"Opportunity? What opportunity."