“How is Sir Aile's condition?”

“It's nothing serious, but he looks fatigued. I think he can’t properly rest when I'm there, so I made sure he was lying down and then left.”

Kishiar walked ahead without hesitation, answering Nathan Zuckerman's question as he waited outside the lodging. Though he wore a habitual smile, Nathan noticed that his eyes were more subdued than usual and chose not to ask further.

“Have those from Pelleta arrived in Tainu? Where are they now?”

“They are on standby near the mansion, ready to come whenever you call, but Shuden [TL: From the previous Shuden Trading Company] wishes to see you as soon as possible.”

“Time is precious not only for them. It will be difficult today, so tell them to come tomorrow. What's the current situation in Tainu?”

“Since the city gates reopened and the square's entrance restrictions were lifted, things have been as usual. The Tainu Knights and soldiers are not very cooperative, but that seems to be handled well by the Cavalry, so we don’t think we need to intervene.”

“Has any other information come from the place where the Star of Nagran lingered?”

“No. I'm sorry.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. It's natural that tracking those who have hidden a village within the Great Sarain Forest for over a year is difficult. Anyway, there's already an expected answer to where they will appear, so it doesn’t matter.”

However, the absence of Kanna Wand was a bit regrettable. Muttering to himself, Kishiar quickly let go of his attachment. He continued to ask various questions to Nathan Zuckerman, or gave brief instructions, and soon they were approaching the outside of the Mansion.

Suddenly, Kishiar stopped in his tracks.

“Why are you doing this?”

Despite Nathan's cautious inquiry, Kishiar gave no answer, lost in thought, staring somewhere. If it had been before, Nathan would have been alert, but now he did not. He quietly stood behind and waited for his lord to emerge from contemplation.

Kishiar had changed slightly since spending more time in the Great Sarain Forest than planned. He would process work quickly but occasionally stop as he was now, lost in deep thought.

His keen senses, honed from a long life at the bottom, still told Nathan Zuckerman much, even after obtaining a power that no one in the world needed to fear.

According to those senses, Kishiar's sudden deep thoughts were mostly related to Yuder Aile.

His lord's attitude toward that man had crossed a line since what had happened in the Great Sarain Forest. His behavior in Tainu afterward went without saying. Nathan felt an indescribable feeling, hidden behind frivolous yet meticulous actions that most people didn't find strange.

Yet the reason he didn't intervene was not simply because he judged it to be beyond his level. He knew all about how Yuder Aile had defeated the monster alone, the injuries he sustained, and the risks his lord took to treat them.

The Knights from Pelleta who found out how blindly and strangely their lord behaved toward the Cavalry's new assistant were surprised, but Nathan Zuckerman's surprise was a bit special. He had been somewhat at a loss on how to treat Yuder Aile since then. For someone who always acted with clear standards, there had never been a more difficult time.

“Nathan.”

Finally, Kishiar called his adjutant's name.

“Yes.”

“Have you ever disliked receiving praise from me?”

Taken aback by the unexpected question, Nathan was rarely flustered but soon lowered his head, expressionless.

"There was none."

"Yeah. Usually, that's the case... Then what's the criteria, I wonder."

The last words were almost inaudible, but not enough to deceive the Swordmaster's ears. What did the word 'criteria' imply? As Nathan Zuckerman alone did not understand the will of his lord and remained silent, Kishiar softly exhaled and began to walk again.

"That wasn't what I intended to ask you. Forget what I just said."

"...Understood."

Nathan Zuckerman silently followed Kishiar again. Yet, inside the loyal Knight, the existence of Yuder Aile fell into a deeper labyrinth.

The next morning at breakfast, Pruelle, Ever, and Nathan Zuckerman joined them. Although each had met before, this was the first time they were all together, so the atmosphere was a bit awkward. But Kishiar, who had arranged this meeting, was simply composed.

"We need to start working in earnest, so it seems good to know exactly who is who among those who will be on our side. Thank you for responding so quickly to the dinner invitation I sent last night."

"It's nothing."

Pruelle, who had settled separately in a chair with a small cat beside him, cheerfully bowed his head with a smile.

"Sir Aile. How's your body? Did you get enough rest yesterday?"

"Yes, thanks to you."

Yuder, sitting to the right of Kishiar, replied quietly. Ever, who was sitting next to him, finally opened her mouth with a slightly relaxed expression.

"I heard a little about the First Prince from the Commander when he came to assist with Yuder's investigation, but I was really surprised. I never knew you were an Awakener."

"Don't be surprised just yet. This little one here is the same."

Pointing at the cat with an unbelievably casual tone for a noble's son, Pruelle smiled, and a question appeared in Ever's eyes.

"Yes? Wasn't it just a pet cat...?"

Despite several people entering, the cat that had kept its place quietly and without much tension, mewed as if answering.

"That adorable cat is Pruelle's younger brother, Nipollen Van Tain. As you can see, an Awakener with the ability to transform into a cat."

Ever, who had been wearing an expression that she couldn't resist the cuteness of the cat since she first saw it, was deeply shocked.

"Originally, it's afraid of people, but after confirming that it's not very afraid of fellow Awakeners, we decided to take care of it. Prince Pruelle is soon to return to the capital."

"Yes?"

"Your Highness and Sir Aile know that Nipollen is human, but I asked earlier for some more trustworthy people. When we tried it this time, Nipollen seemed fine even in the presence of many Cavalry members. I thought it might be an unreasonable request, but I'm grateful you kindly accepted."

Pruelle stroked the little head of the cat and bowed his head in gratitude. Yuder recalled Pruelle, who had been with the cat when he returned from spending a night in jail, and thought he knew when the 'test' had been.

Ever repeated the word 'yes?' several times, but after hearing Pruelle and Kishiar's explanations, she seemed to finally accept Nipollen's true identity. Nathan Zuckerman, who found himself seated furthest from the cat, seemed content with understanding why, and showed no particular reaction.

"Then, today, at this gathering, we'll discuss to some extent the upcoming operation," announced Kishiar, changing the topic and turning his head towards Pruelle.

"Prince Pruelle brought some rather interesting news this morning."

"Ah, yes."

Pruelle, lifting his head, spoke with a smiling face.

"I believe you already know about the upcoming auction, but I have heard that at the same time, Baron Willhem is planning to host a charity party. That information was conveyed to me last night."