Hearing that, the Emperor finally judged his brother's words to be true. A younger brother whose ability to mask his sincerity with deceit was perhaps even more remarkable than his hidden swordsmanship. Yet, there was no trace of a smile in his eyes now.

'If it's gotten to this point, he must have had an extraordinary dream.'

Kishiar hadn't elaborated on what dream he had. The Emperor felt no compulsion to press him on the matter.

Instead, the Emperor let out a brief sigh and spoke in his usual calm tone.

"You've recently exerted yourself on my behalf; your body may not yet be fully recovered. If you suddenly had a bad dream, it’s likely an extension of that. You should go back and rest for today."

"Aren't there still matters left to discuss?"

"It can wait. These are issues I can handle on my own."

As if sensing something in those words, Kishiar lifted his head. For a rare moment, the Emperor's face relaxed into a smile.

"Don’t I have a lot of time now?"

Both brothers understood the implications of that statement better than anyone else.

"The human heart is indeed fickle. I thought I was certain about my plans, the reasons for them, and my own desires. But upon reflection, I realize that's not entirely true."

Kishiar's eyelids twitched. The words were the same as when he had brought Yuder to the dinner table to persuade the Emperor. Returning those words, the Emperor looked immensely relieved as he spoke his final words.

"You've helped me so far, now it’s time for the reverse. If you find it hard to rest because of bad dreams or if you have something you want to say, contact me anytime."

Kishiar didn't respond immediately. After closing and opening his eyes slowly several times, the man finally let out a deep sigh and a laugh.

"Thank you for your concern for brother. Finally, it feels real that you have returned to yourself."

"Ah, before you go, take that with you."

The Emperor's gaze shifted to a small box that had been on the table even before Kishiar arrived. The box was marked with a cryptic symbol recognizable only to those who knew the code.

"Is this from Nelarn?"

"Yes. A recent letter from Prince Ejain to Baron Aile was in the dispatch. The artifact we talked about came with it... As you know, I no longer have a need for it. Still, it might be useful for study, so I’d like you to take it."

Ever since safely returning to his homeland, Nelarn’s second prince, Ejain, had been sending frequent correspondence for cooperation. Through close collaboration with him, the Emperor had successfully thwarted the ascension to the throne of other princes from Nelarn who had alliances with the aristocratic factions within his own Orr Empire.

'Although the king still holds on for now... If Prince Ejain solidifies his power base like this, a declaration of surrender won't be far off.'

After returning to Nelarn, Prince Ejain acted with unprecedented resolve. Trusting and appointing those who would truly side with him, he effectively reined in internal enemies, consolidating power swiftly.

Initially lacking only the confidence and resolve, the prince had already earned the broad trust of his people. Once that gap was filled, everything else followed smoothly, as if wings had been added.

Although surrounding nations seemed eager to dip their toes into the internal strife of Nelarn, hoping to benefit from its turmoil, they were unlikely to gain anything. Emperor Keilusa recalled the prince's last letter, which had read, "I expect to resolve all matters within a few months without a civil war, and I shall never forget the help we have exchanged."

Contrary to expectations that the situation in Nelarn would escalate into a full-blown civil war among the princes, it had come to an incredibly quick and stable conclusion.

Nelarn was not a vast country in terms of landmass, but its excellent climate and geography had made it a stable core among the small western countries throughout its long history. Although it had recently seen many of its citizens depart due to various problems, this would become a thing of the past once Prince Ejain ascended the throne.

Emperor Keilusa hoped that the prince would become a steadfast ally and was thoroughly satisfied with the current outcome. Blocking the western countries, including Nelarn, where the corrupt nobles of Orr could profit, would undoubtedly benefit the Emperor.

The Emperor felt fairly pleased with these thoughts, but the expression on Kishiar's face seemed somewhat more downcast than before as he picked up and opened a box.

"Is something bothering you?" The Emperor wondered, turning his gaze back to the box.

"Your Majesty, has the prince manifested his second gender?" Kishiar's voice filled the Emperor's ears.

"Hmm? Ah, yes... I believe I did hear something about that. He encountered an enemy at the time of manifestation but was unharmed. How did you know?"

"I sensed the scent. The prince's second gender is likely Alpha."

"You can discern that so clearly?"

Though the Emperor himself was an Awakener, he had not manifested a second gender; the concept remained somewhat foreign to him. A bit startled, he looked at Kishiar's face and hesitated for a moment.

Information about Prince Ejain receiving much assistance from Yuder Aile during his perilous journey back to his homeland and becoming friends with him crossed the Emperor's mind.

Yuder Aile was not only the close assistant that his brother uncharacteristically cherished but also a brave soul who had risked his own life to save the Emperor's.

Moreover, Yuder had been the only one to dance with his brother in the middle of the imperial palace.

The only reason that remarkable event had been somewhat accepted among the people was that the two had different second genders...

"..."

Who was Kishiar?

He was someone who had merely smiled when robbed of his rightful position as Crown Prince through covert arrangements and deceitful schemes by the former Empress Dowager. Even in the harsh and desolate lands of Peletta, he had not blamed anyone. He had diligently turned the worthless soil into valuable land.

'So he could have that expression.'

Even though he had felt it through his eyes and skin, everything that seemed so unlikely became astonishingly real for the first time.

The Emperor vividly remembered Kishiar's face when he first opened his eyes after awakening. Kishiar had been holding Yuder, who had been bleeding from his eyes and nose, in his arms.

His gaze was a mess, trembling at his own fingertips, yet he never let go of the other person in his arms. Instead, he rested his head and ceaselessly wiped his blood. That gaze, which had seemed like a fleeting illusion back then, as he had quickly lost consciousness once more, now seemed to reappear here.

Of course, it was but a fleeting moment, barely noticeable except to the Emperor, who knew him as his own flesh and blood. Kishiar soon picked up the box containing the relic and the letter, replying, ‘Since I was going to examine it anyway, I might as well take it.’

"Then I shall take my leave. Your Majesty, please prioritize your health over all else."

"Very well. Once the health of Baron Aile improves, come back. Although I cannot openly grant you a reward, I do wish to convey my gratitude."

After his brother left, the Emperor sighed softly.

Because they were of the same bloodline, he knew for certain. There was no more need to probe or question. His younger brother was completely sincere.

—---

Yuder turned his head at the sound of a knock on the door.

The person who entered, holding a bowl of watery soup and a grim expression, was Enon.

"Here's lunch. Eat."

The way he spoke, it sounded less like something a pharmacist would say to a patient and more like what a jailer would say to a prisoner.

"I was going to go downstairs to eat."

"Just eat it. You're better off not moving to stabilize your eyes."

Arguing with Enon didn't seem like a wise choice, especially considering his already foul mood after learning what Yuder had been up to. Taking the hint from past experiences, Yuder obediently accepted the large bowl of soup. For some reason, it seemed to be made of the same material as the washbasin in the room. Neither the giver nor the receiver commented on this.

"While you're eating, look up here."

"..."

"Follow my finger with just your eyes."

Yuder obediently followed Enon's moving finger with his eyes. The eye that had been bleeding was still a bit swollen, but it was significantly better than before.

"It seems you're mostly healed."

"I told you so."

"Still, you should take your medicine. Also, there's something else we need to talk about."

"What is it?"

"It's about that troublesome task you requested."

It wasn't difficult to figure out what he meant: the healers of the Crown Prince who had been investigated by the intelligence unit. In other words, a matter related to the Star of Nagran. Yuder paused in his eating, prompting a sharp warning from Enon.

"Don't stop. I'll tell you after you've finished."

"Fine."

Only after emptying the large bowl of soup under watchful eyes, and consuming a heap of medicine, did Enon finally open his mouth as he had promised.

"While you guys were separately keeping tabs on those fellows, I also made my inquiries with the help of some contacts. Although there's nothing particularly spectacular, I did hear one interesting thing. Whether it's true or not, I can't say yet."

"Let's decide that later. Tell me."

"It's about the leader of those guys, the one they called Sage. I heard he used to live in the capital."