"Gakane, are you worried about what Yuder might be doing inside?"

Hidden under a veil of darkness conjured by his shadow clone, Gakane abruptly turned his head at the sound of Kanna's unexpected words.

"Huh? What?"

"You've been staring at the path leading inward, looking lost in thought. Even without asking, it's obvious you're concerned."

There was no hint of scolding in Kanna's softly whispered words, as she gazed at her comrade. Exhaling a sigh, Gakane cracked a smile.

"Yes… You're right. Whatever he's up to, if he's come this far, it must be a highly important task. I can't help but be a little worried."

"It's only natural. No one knows better than we do how careless Yuder can be with himself. I'm also really worried."

Their mission was to protect the Sun Palace. They knew very well they shouldn't divert their focus to other matters, yet it was impossible to completely erase concern for their comrade. Gakane felt a mix of shame that his weakness had been so easily spotted and relief that his companion was the considerate and tight-lipped Kanna.

"But it'll be fine. It's Yuder, after all."

"Yes… you're right."

Both of them found themselves visualizing Yuder's face. In their Cavalry, his name had become a symbol of absolute trust. Everyone believed that if Yuder took the lead on something, failure was not an option.

And they also felt a sense of pride that Yuder had sought their help in such a situation.

"So, let's focus on what we're here to do. It won't do to get distracted and overlook something important."

"Haha… True. Speaking of which, I should detach a portion of my shadow clone to scout the surrounding area."

Gakane awkwardly maneuvered his hand, causing a part of the shadow covering the floor of the dimly lit corridor to shake and detach, standing before them. Kanna exclaimed in awe.

"Wow, so you can do something like this now? That's amazing."

"No, it's not that impressive. Not when you consider how much you and the others have progressed."

Scratching his head, Gakane suddenly paused and turned. An inexplicable sense of unease emanated from the silent darkness beyond.

"Gakane? What's wrong?"

"I thought I heard something. Didn't you?"

"What sound? I didn't hear anything."

"It's a strange feeling… Can you use your ability to check what's happening outside, Kanna?"

"I'll try through the wall."

Kanna touched the wall beside her. But just as she closed her eyes to activate her ability, hurried footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor.

Instantly, Gakane sent Kanna behind him and stepped forward, expanding the size of the shadow clone that enveloped them. Almost simultaneously, the owner of the footsteps came into view. A bloodied young servant stumbled forward, shouting.

"Emergency! Emergency! Intruders are outside! The knights have been attacked! Take me to the chief attendant at once!"

"What?"

Both Gakane and Kanna widened their eyes in disbelief. Gakane quickly retracted his shadow clone and approached the man.

"What happened?"

"I don't know… Intruders… The knights have been attacked…"

The man continued to shake, his eyes vacant and unfocused. To reassure him, Gakane moved a bit closer.

"We're just temporary guards. But intruders? Where did they appear from?"

"I don't know. Let me see the chief attendant!"

At that moment, Gakane's fingers, which were about to move reflexively, flinched. Alongside, Kanna firmly grabbed the hem of his garment. Her other hand was leaning on the wall.

"Kanna?"

"That person is strange."

"What?"

"I just read information through the wall. There are many knights hiding here besides us. But now... I can't read any information from them. And I can't sense anything from that person either."

"Ah... really?"

"Huh?"

This time, it was Kanna who looked surprised.

"The chief attendant explicitly said not to let anyone pass this point. If that man works under such a figure, he would have received emergency instructions to report through another means, just like us. Yet, he insists on seeing the chief attendant..."

Gakane furrowed his brows and scanned the man up and down.

"...Don't you find it odd that he keeps repeating the same thing?"

"Indeed."

As their eyes met and they concurred about the eerie peculiarity of the situation, the bloodied attendant suddenly shouted, "Let me see the chief attendant!"

"Sorry, but that's not possible. Stand back, Kanna. I'll restrain him."

"Okay."

As Kanna drew her dagger and took a few steps back, a shadow clone burst forth from Gakane. With a formidable punch, it sent the bloodied attendant flying down the corridor.

"Argh!"

The flying attendant writhed on the ground but couldn't get up. Yet, moments later, a red blob suddenly shot out of his gaping mouth, flying toward Gakane like light.

"...What is that?"

Gakane instinctively expanded his shadow to block it. His body moved ahead of his thoughts, thanks to his rigorous training.

A loud noise reverberated as if something had collided and exploded against the shadow clone. The ensuing shockwave shook the entire floor. Gakane rolled back a few times, barely regaining his posture with a cough.

"Gakane!"

"I'm fine. Are you?"

"I'm okay too! But what was that just now?"

"I have no idea. He spat it out when I knocked him down... Did he lose his mind?"

"Seems so. I'll read him again."

Gakane used his shadow clone to restrain the man and dragged him closer. Kanna touched the man's blood-stained clothes and activated her ability.

"Are you getting any readings now?"

"Yes, now I can read... Wait a minute..."

Kanna's eyelids trembled. A moment later, a gasp of shock escaped her lips.

"This man is a genuine attendant!"

"What?"

"He had run out to investigate the intruders we were warned about earlier. But then someone he was helping spat out a red blob just like the one we saw..."

Before Kanna could finish, she suddenly lifted her head. More footsteps were approaching from the direction she had turned to look.

"Intruder…"

"An intruder!"

"We must see the chief attendant…"

Over ten individuals appeared, dragging their feet. Like the attendant they had knocked out, they were all muttering similar phrases. Their eyes were vacant, unfocused. Moreover…

"It seems we have actual knights among them this time," Kanna murmured, her face pale but composed. Among the staggering figures approaching them, several were clad in armor, and others wielded swords.

"Kanna, do you think these people are being controlled by someone?"

"It's likely. Remember that thing we saw earlier? It probably does this to them."

"It's odd that we can't hear anything from outside in a situation like this. And while there should be other knights besides us, none have shown up... Magic can't be the cause."

"It's the work of Awakeners. There's no doubt about it."

Both were certain that more than one individual was involved. A glance between them was enough to confirm their shared conviction.

"We may not know who they are, but one thing is certain: they aren't infiltrating the imperial palace with good intentions. Let's stop them all and find out who's behind this. They can't be far."

"I'll read the information, locate the Awakeners, and send a signal to Yuder's side. I'm not sure if it will reach him under these circumstances, but…"

"Understood."

"Be careful, Gakane! Those people are real servants and knights."

"Don't worry."

Relying solely on swordsmanship would make it difficult to counter the multiple palace knights with years of experience. But Gakane had always had a shadow to steadfastly protect him.

'Incapacitating them without killing will be difficult. However... it oddly doesn't seem impossible.'

Gakane briefly glanced at Kanna, who was leaning against a wall with her eyes closed, before drawing his sword. Simultaneously, shadow clones arose around him. It was at this moment, as he was sizing up his staggering foes and tensing every muscle in his body, that—

"...So, you're here."

A familiar voice unexpectedly echoed from the adjacent corridor. Startled, both quickly turned their heads to see a new face and simultaneously exclaimed, "Sir Zuckerman?"

"When did you get here…?"

"I assure you, it's really me. You don't have to be so wary. I was here ahead of you to escort the Duke."

Nathan Zuckerman casually flicked the blood off his sword. Both Kanna and Gakane watched the droplets fall, rendered speechless.

"I heard you two would be holding down the fort, which had me worried. But it appears there was no need for concern after all."