‘Engaging with the southern countries was something unimaginable currently for the states north of the desert.’

Initially, those who had vehemently opposed engagement with the southern countries began to quiet down gradually as, under Emperor Katchian's resolute will, trade and investment started to flow. Long-standing beliefs were less important than the immediate benefits before their eyes.

Subsequently, envoys from the southern countries became common sights in the Orr Empire and other countries. Visitors from the South to the imperial palace of Orr were, like others, quite interested in the famous Cavalry commander Yuder Aile, but Emperor Katchian did not want Yuder to make contact with them.

At that time, though late, efforts were also being made in different countries to form organizations like Cavalry to accommodate the countless Awakeners who had sprung up across the continent. Emperor Katchian was always on edge, fearing that envoys from other countries, including the South, might extract information about the Cavalry or the Awakener management system.

Although the Emperor was not the originator of the Cavalry, highly praised for being the first to recognize and positively control the Awakener's power, he wanted to hold that glory in his hands for a long time. Even though it was no less prestigious or powerful, Yudrain Aile's activities were mostly constrained and continued only behind the scenes; there was a context for this.

At that time, there was neither the desire to interact with others nor the thought that moving inconspicuously would be better for the future of the Awakener and the Cavalry, so it seemed acceptable. After all, what good would it do to stand out for an institution that existed for Emperor Katchian and the Orr Empire?

But now, that choice seemed regrettable. If more interest had been placed in the South and other matters, work would have been much easier now. The fact that the unknown would not be filled even if time were turned back became increasingly frustrating.

‘It's a shame, but... there's no helping it.’

What was important now was not Emperor Katchian or suspicious southern merchants of the past, but to prevent dangerous goods brought by someone's scheme from spreading throughout the Empire. There was not enough time to focus only on assisting Kishiar and ensuring that he was safe.

Yuder folded his concerns and reminiscences about unknown southern merchants and looked back at Kishiar. The face that had been transformed by a magic tool reverted to its usual smooth and beautiful appearance. But what reflected in Yuder's eyes were traces of faint moisture, twinkling dimly on the forehead beneath the golden hair.

He narrowed his eyes to look more closely at it, and simultaneously Kishiar turned his head and met his gaze. The reflexive smile on his face, narrowing his eyes, was radiant enough that one could not think he had been roaming dangerous places late at night.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"... I was thinking about how the Commander will handle the secret warehouse tomorrow."

Yuder quickly changed the subject.

"Was that really bothering you?"

"One cannot follow without knowing anything, right?"

"That's true."

Smoothly answering, Kishiar took off the black cloak he had been wearing as soon as he stepped into the residence.

"The task is simple. We will go there tomorrow and switch the items."

The man, who had quickly erased traces of his night's outing and returned entirely to his usual self as the Duke Peletta, informed Yuder in a calm voice. Yuder was silent for a moment and then slowly questioned back.

"If I'm not mistaken, I remember there being far too many items in that warehouse for the three of us to handle, right...?"

"That's right."

"Is there a way to switch out all those items in a short amount of time?"

"Indeed. No doubt about it."

Kishiar grinned and gestured. It meant to come closer. Since there was no one inside the lodging, there was no need to speak secretly, but without understanding what he wanted to do, he took a step forward anyway.

"Come closer."

"..."

Yuder sighed and approached right in front of Kishiar. As soon as he did, an extended hand reached out and pulled him in as though dancing, and when he came to his senses, he was seated on Kishiar's knee.

Sitting on the firm thigh, embracing his waist, feeling the touch of hair on the back of his neck, the sensations of his previous life felt overwhelmingly intense.

'...Whether then or now, his way of teasing is utterly the same.'

What had changed, however, was that if it had been before, Yuder would have struggled to rise immediately after such an act. But now, he sighed and obediently surrendered.

If Kishiar wanted to talk in this position, it was not something he couldn't accommodate.

"I thought you'd say something, but you're silent?"

"If you want me to be surprised, I can still look surprised now."

"No. That's fine."

A smiling voice came from right behind his neck. A laugh that seemed to dissolve one's defenses and soften the heart.

Then, a deep breath as though smelling a fragrance came from behind him, and somehow, his mood became utterly relaxed.

'...Ah. So that's it.'

Yuder suddenly realized something. The sensations from this act were not simply due to similar experiences in his previous life. The short and intense contact Kishiar had shown when his magic had overflowed and he had sought Yuder late at night was surprisingly similar to what he was feeling now.

After all, considering that throughout their brief night out Kishiar had used magic and magic tools, even tapping into the power of the Awakener, it must have been more tiring than usual, even though it didn't appear so. Magic was more exhausting to use than other powers.

'The fact that Nathan Zuckerman did not show great concern means there must be no problem, but...'

The moisture he had glimpsed on Kishiar's forehead earlier was undoubtedly sweat, not a mistake.

"..."

In the rhythmic beating of his heart, mixed with irregularly jumping emotions, words were taken from Yuder. He waited for Kishiar's words, his mouth tightly closed.

"...We don't need to prepare anything for the switch. The many items in that warehouse will help us."

"..."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Indeed, he seemed to understand.

Thinking of the numerous magic tools and magic stones piled up inside the warehouse, a spark-like revelation flashed through his mind.

'He plans to use the magic stones and magic tools there to make the switch.'

Magic tools could be used by those with almost no magic power. If one had magic power, they could use the magic within the tools more powerfully and delicately, but even without that, the magic of the magic stones that acted as the core of the tools could easily be harnessed. If it wasn't a disposable magic tool, even if the magic within was exhausted, one could use a similar level of magic stone to reuse it.

And within that warehouse, there were countless magic tools endowed with various powers, and magic stones that could continuously supply energy even when the energy of those tools was exhausted!

Yuder turned his head and faced the playful smile of the man embracing him. This time, he could not help but admire the man's cunning purely.

"…Did you have that idea in the brief moment we entered the warehouse?"

"Don't forget that I have a particular expertise in collecting magic tools. The biggest reason people use magic tools is to easily accomplish things that can't be done with human power."

Among magic tools, the most common were those endowed with the power of storage-related magic that allowed valuable items to be stored in a small space. Next in commonality were tools with camouflage-related magic, which hid nobles' treasures from the eyes of intruders.

No matter how whimsical a new magic tool might be, it could not threaten the supremacy of those two types. For nobles who found it difficult to employ mages, there was nothing as convenient as magic tools.

"With me around, it won't take long, and we can finish the job very comfortably."

Who would have imagined that someone like Kishiar would come in and pull off such a trick? Kishiar, thinking of the incident he would cause tomorrow, added with a low chuckle.

"But for Calanesa... I'm thinking of a more direct replacement. Unlike other items, camouflage alone seems to be difficult."

"The white powder is easy to obtain, so there won't be a problem."

"You always understand twice as much from a single word."

Yuder looked down at his hand with Kishiar and let out a faint, satisfied smile.

'...Just thinking about it is refreshing.'

However, the fact that Kishiar would have to use his strength again tomorrow for that refreshing success was not so pleasing.

The event would take place the next night, so there was time until then. Yuder resolved to visit Hellem and Mick's residence during the day, where Enon might be.

'I'm curious if Ever and the others have found out what Baron Willhem is up to in the security management team.'

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