As he had said, Kishiar possessed a power that was effective even against invisible forces, a fact Yuder had experienced firsthand. Moreover, the potential of this power seemed to increase in such circumstances. If they could combine their strengths as they had done yesterday and today, and if that strength could also be applied to Emperor Keilusa… the chances of success would become exceedingly high.

Although he acknowledged the rationality of Kishiar's words, emotionally it wasn't easy for Yuder to give a quick response.

Kishiar quietly stared at him, as if willing to wait for his answer indefinitely.

Gone were the worry and pain that Kishiar had shown on his face last night. What could Yuder say when confronted by eyes filled with unwavering confidence, trust, and resolve? Eventually, he let out a slow sigh.

"…I can't be sure that His Majesty will heed your words, but for now, I understand."

"Good. It’s naturally my responsibility to persuade His Majesty. Don’t worry.”

With a joyful face, Kishiar hugged Yuder.

"Thank you for giving me the chance to help."

"..."

Yuder closed his eyes, feeling the heartbeat pulsating through their touching skins.

"Let's have a good meal tonight then. Maxia, the chef at the Sun Palace, is exceptionally skilled at creating special desserts. You can look forward to that."

Changing the mood, Kishiar stood up with renewed vigor, turning to find his pen. Yuder watched as he finished composing his message and sent it off via a courier pigeon. Then, Yuder finally spoke softly.

"Commander."

"Hm?"

Perhaps anticipating a complaint from Yuder, Kishiar turned around with a teasing smile. But Yuder had no intention of adding anything more to his earlier decision.

"This endeavor, whether I opposed it or not, is not a result of any 'opportunity' I have given. It is an achievement of your abilities and your efforts for His Majesty the Emperor. So please, think of it that way."

To say that Kishiar had achieved this through mere means would not be right. This was not a matter of choice; it was the result Kishiar had gained based on his own capabilities.

For a moment, the man looked blankly at Yuder, not even blinking. His face then turned serious, a blend of multiple emotions.

"…That's problematic."

"What?"

"I thought I had lost everything, but it seems I still had something left to lose."

Before Yuder could fully understand what he meant, Kishiar stepped closer and kissed him deeply.

…

Up until the moment he summoned Kishiar, the Emperor's mind had been unusually at peace. He had sent his steward to the secret passage through which his brother could enter the Sun Palace and had instructed Maxia, the chef of the palace, to prepare a formal dinner.

When Kishiar responded that he would come with his assistant, the Emperor was not surprised. He remembered the days when he recognized the talent of his then-subordinate Nathan Zuckerman and took him everywhere, treating him like a child playing at being a leader.

'And I also have quite a few questions about that man.'

Yuder Aile, who had been appointed as the assistant to the Commander of the Cavalry, had recently distinguished himself in the western front. He had single-handedly dealt with a massive monster, and Kishiar had gone against his usual character to make all kinds of excuses just to treat and protect his assistant.

After crossing into Tainu, a somewhat tremendous speculation had arisen between Kishiar and him. The Emperor considered it a part of another noble family's scheming, but couldn't help but think it extraordinary.

Indeed, it was extraordinary. All the affairs involving Yuder Aile and Kishiar seemed extremely rare and mysterious in the Emperor's eyes.

For that reason, during the welcoming ceremony, he had discreetly examined the Cavalry but could deduce nothing more than the black-haired young man who alighted from the carriage with Kishiar was likely Yuder Aile. His brief memory from after their previous mission to recover the Red Stone was hardly sufficient to even recognize someone's face.

In any case, he had intended to make proper time to meet the person responsible for the recent accomplishments. It wouldn't be bad if Kishiar brought him along first.

‘I trust Kishiar's judgment of people, but there's always an 'if',’ he thought.

The Emperor felt a mix of relief and bitterness that he could meet the person who had brought about his brother's new changes while he still had the strength to move himself.

And then, just a few hours later, that sentiment completely flipped.

"Your Majesty, I've been waiting."

Yuder descended from a carriage disguised as a simple cart. They were greeted by the Emperor's chief steward, whom they had met once after the Red Stone recovery mission.

The carriage they had arrived in was sent by the Emperor. It didn’t travel directly from the 7th district where the Cavalry was stationed to the 1st, but instead followed a secret passage located in the 3rd district leading to the imperial palace. Though it looked like an ordinary road, it would divert back to the original path if not traversed correctly. Yuder had to put in some effort not to show the strange feeling he had while passing through the secret passage he had used countless times in his previous life.

Kishiar greeted the chief steward with a light smile.

"Likewise, Yuliver. How is His Majesty?"

"He's already waiting for you."

"Very well, let's go. Ah, before that... Though we've met before, let’s introduce ourselves anew since this is a personal occasion. Yuder, this is Chief Steward Yuliver, who has been close to His Majesty since before his ascension. Yuliver, this is my assistant, Yuder Aile. You'll probably see a lot of him, so remember him well."

The old man with impeccably groomed white hair scanned Yuder. It was an incredibly brief moment, but his gaze was so fast and sharp that it stung.

‘I thought so before, but he's really not someone to be taken lightly,’ Yuder thought, maintaining a placid expression. The chief steward soon bowed his head respectfully, as if he hadn't scrutinized Yuder at all.

"It is an honor to meet the hero of the Great Sarain Forest, Sir Aile. I am Yuliver Ark, the chief steward to His Majesty the Emperor."

"I am Yuder Aile of the cavalry."

The last time Yuder was here after the Red Stone recovery mission, the chief steward had not disclosed his official role and had simply guided them without much interaction, disappearing afterward. He must have considered them people he would never meet again.

But now Yuder had encountered him again, this time through Kishiar. Yuliver even subtly indicated that he already knew about Yuder by including the word "hero of the Great Sarain Forest" in his greeting.

What Yuder felt from this was a slight sense of caution, and more subtly, a touch of goodwill.

‘His Majesty the Emperor probably views me the same way,’ thought Yuder.

It's common for subordinates to reflect the thoughts of their superiors. This realization made him acutely aware of the changes between the past and present.

Kishiar confidently followed the Chief Steward into the palace, choosing only passageways where no one was visible. Eventually, the Chief Steward, as if knowing exactly where to go, stopped in front of a door and knocked politely.

The door soon opened, revealing the room inside.

"Come in."

The space looked more like a library than a dining room. The sight of a dining table covered with a flowered tablecloth placed in the middle of bookshelves was quite peculiar.

The Emperor sat at the head of the table. He looked much more gaunt and tired than when Yuder had seen him at the welcoming ceremony. It was obvious at a glance that he wasn't well, making him wonder how he hid it during the ceremony.

The Chief Steward naturally approached the Emperor, bowed his head, and stood behind a chair. There were other attendants and maids to help with the meal, but their number was far less than what one would expect in an ordinary noble household during a meal.

For the Emperor's dining area, it felt surprisingly modest, even to the point of loneliness. Yet, Kishiar approached without any sign of surprise and greeted the seated Emperor.

"Your Majesty, as I've already informed you in my letter, this is my assistant, Yuder Aile."

"Yuder Aile of the Cavalry, at Your Majesty's service."

Yuder immediately knelt on one knee and bowed deeply.

"You may raise your head. Please, take a seat."

The Emperor spoke softly, then looked at Yuder intently, saying, "We've met before, Sir Aile. Seeing you now, I remember."