The people gathered around the long table, carved from wood, stirred at the words.

"What on Earth has happened?"

"So, everyone who's been captured is going to die? Like the Gayle and Doyle brothers?"

"What happens to us then? Do we have to leave this place?"

"It's all clearly because of Nahan."

As a woman with thorns covering her arms loudly mentioned Nahan's name, all eyes instantly turned to her. Anyone else would have kept their mouth shut, overwhelmed by the tense atmosphere, but she confidently stated her opinion.

"How long has it been since he stirred up trouble in the capital, and now he's stayed in the West to help Ershi? If I had found him with a Cavalry, I would have captured him immediately. This was all foreseeable!"

"..."

Breaking the brief silence was a young man seated diagonally across from her.

"You're speaking nonsense. Have you forgotten that Nahan went there to help relocate the Western base?"

The man's words dripped with sarcasm, causing a timid-looking man seated next to him to shrink his shoulders, looking as though he regretted his choice of seat. However, the woman with thorns on her arms didn't back down and chuckled, holding her head high.

"If he went to help with the relocation, he should have come back as soon as the situation was resolved. I've heard that he plotted dangerous schemes there with others and ousted any colleague who opposed his opinions. And I'm not the only one who's heard it."

"Ousted? What I heard was completely different. Those brothers left that place on their own accord...!"

"Enough!"

Just as their bickering escalated into a full-fledged quarrel, a bespectacled man seated next to the head of the table pounded the surface, silencing both of them.

"Why are you so impatient when the Sage hasn't even spoken yet?"

Then, all eyes turned to one person seated at the very end of the table. The middle-aged man, who until now had maintained his silence with a kind expression, finally spoke with a sheepish smile.

"No, it's fine. Say whatever you want to say. Isn't that why we gathered?"

His voice exuded sincerity. Hearing this, the people who were at each other's throats just moments ago quickly calmed down, muttering apologies. The bespectacled man then asked the Sage.

"Sage, what should we do now?"

It was the question everyone had wanted to ask. The 'Sage,' receiving their desperate gaze, pushed up his worn glasses that had slipped down his nose and spoke.

"Well... the only news we've received so far is one uncertain piece of information that they 'might have been captured,' isn't it? But considering brother Hosanna is there, do you think our brothers and sisters would be so easily caught?"

"That is true, but..."

"All we know is that Nahan tried to help sister Ershi there. We don't know anything for sure. His actions likely came from a heart nobler than any, a true reflection of his character."

"..."

His was truly a soothing voice. As they listened to his cautious opinions, everyone in the room felt their anxieties gradually subside, even those who had been criticizing Nahan.

"To be honest, I'm the one who sent Nahan there. I should be the one to apologize to everyone."

"There's no need for such words, Sage."

Outcries erupted sporadically from all around. The sage waited until their voices had faded before opening his mouth again.

"...Therefore, we will wait a little longer for news from my brother Nahan. We have another brother stationed in the west; let's hope for more concrete information from that end."

"What should we do if everyone, including Nahan, is captured?"

Would they really have to move their base once again? Looking at the eyes of the crowd, filled with fear and anxiety, the sage quietly smiled. His warm grin was so soothing that those who saw it found themselves involuntarily exhaling a sigh of relief.

"Even if that were the case, we will not leave this place. We have already made preparations of our own, given our past experiences."

"Preparations?"

"For a few months now, we've had the fortune of being aided by some individuals. Thanks to their help, Nahan and his men were able to rescue many from the House of Apeto."

At the mention of the Apeto House, many exchanged surprised glances. They all knew that Nahan had ventured into the main residence of the Apeto House to rescue several Awakeners, but they hadn't known the backstory.

"A while back, through that connection, we were approached by someone quite special, who resides right at the heart of the capital. He is young, deeply troubled, and struggling—yet he has reached out to us for help."

The heart of the capital could only mean the imperial palace. Who among those in the palace was young and mysterious enough to seek aid?

There could only be one. The Crown Prince, destined to be the next sun, Katchian La Orr.

Those quick to connect the dots swallowed hard.

"Could it be..."

"I've considered it for a long time. But I've decided to accept this request."

A far greater wave of excitement spread throughout the room, even more so than when they first heard that Nahan and his comrades in the west might be captured. While most were daunted by the current situation, some revealed a strong interest in the tale of a powerful figure in need of their abilities.

The sage looked at each of their faces, lost in their own thoughts, and concluded.

"It's not just about protecting all of us. If my abilities can help someone, anyone, I would gladly offer them. That's all there is to it. And if any of you wish to contribute to such a cause, feel free to approach me at any time."

The room fell silent. No one else spoke, and the meeting came to an end. As many left the meeting room with faces relaxed in relief, one man who had been timidly quiet the entire time paused.

As he looked back pensively at the meeting room he had just left, a passing Awakener spoke.

"Whoa, Daemon, you are relentless! Planning to go back to the sage again? Why, to volunteer once more?"

"Um, no, I—"

"I hate to say this, but maybe it's time to give up. It's impressive that you can copy others' abilities, but they manifest far weaker than the originals. What's the point of continuing this? Even when you copied Gayle and Doyle's abilities, in the end, their roles were taken by Mei. Isn't it okay to just live an ordinary life now? When they need your abilities, they'll surely call."

Daemon’s face flushed. The Awakener patted his shoulder and walked away with a benign smile.

…

The return journey of the Cavalry proceeded as quickly as advancing flames.

Of course, the actual speed wasn’t much different, but the mood made it seem so. With all tasks successfully completed, there was no burden on their minds, and the lack of burden made their steps infinitely lighter. Despite walking and running all day, the members felt no fatigue and laughed.

A few days after their departure, those who had started from the Great Sarain Forest joined the group. Greeting their colleagues whose skin had paled from lack of sunlight due to running through dense forests, the members of the Cavalry happily exchanged greetings.

Yuder also had a hectic reunion surrounded by Gakane, Jimmy, and other members responsible for the Great Sarain Forest.

"Yuder, you’ve fully recovered! I'm so happy to lock eyes with you again. I'm really relieved."

"Hey, Yuder! Can we have a duel tonight? Everyone says I've improved my abilities a lot. You'll be surprised if you see it!"

Though still bandaged from his injuries, Gakane's face was much brighter than before, and Jimmy, who had grown taller, eagerly talked on both sides, making it impossible for Yuder to concentrate.

Standing beside them, the Eldore siblings, reunited after a long time, held hands with relatively calm expressions.

"Let’s test our abilities against each other as soon as we get back, Finn."

"I’ll do better."

"What are you talking about? I'll do better."