After Enon left, intelligence agents flooded in as if it was a shift change.

"Yuder! We heard you took on a secret mission and got injured! Is it true?"

Externally, he was supposed to be on leave for personal reasons, but it was obvious how they had found out. Gakane, who was caught between the Eldore siblings and seemed half out of his mind, was likely the source of the information.

'Getting whatever information they want without regard for the means is a good quality for an intelligence agent, but… perhaps I should give Gakane more training so he isn't so easily swayed by his colleagues.'

In the end, he decided to let it go. At least it appeared that Gakane's involvement in the secret mission hadn't been discovered.

Kanna, who had seen a lot of blood, was still in the medical division, but other than being drained, Gakane had no significant injuries. So it didn't seem like he'd been through anything major.

From Yuder's perspective, who had expended a lot to save Gakane, it was a huge relief. Not long ago, he had sustained life-threatening injuries in the West; another injury would have likely resulted in a condition far more serious than Kanna's current state.

"Why aren't you answering? Is it true?"

"I can't answer."

"Why?"

"Because it's a secret."

"So it is true!"

He wondered if they had come to protest that only Gakane was called in from among the intelligence agents, but instead, they gifted Yuder some snacks. It was butter cookies, apparently popular in the capital these days. The Eldore siblings teased Devran, who had turned bright red, saying it was the first time he'd ever bought such an awkward gift.

They all shared the cookies and had a brief exchange of information about the Awakeners from the Star of Nagran they had each been observing.

Firstly, they had been exceptionally well-behaved, aside from when they went to treat the Crown Prince. No conspicuous actions like drinking or causing a scene. Their outings were almost solely for buying groceries. They seemed pious enough to be considered pilgrims, and that was indeed how they were perceived by those around them.

"But, no matter how quietly they live, people talk amongst themselves, you know. And I happen to be very good at eavesdropping."

Devran, who had been highly praised for his keen observational skills and became an intelligence agent, lifted his chin confidently.

"I can guarantee that one of them is being ostracized."

"Really? How did you find out?"

Devran gleefully answered Hinn's question.

"I've been helping out at the grocery store they frequently visit whenever I have some free time, observing them. Except for the old man who they called Sage, the four of them usually shop at specific times, making them easy to observe."

"Wow, you still have the energy to do such tasks even after Cavalry training? Impressive, Devran."

"What are you talking about? Do you know how hard it's been to skip training without getting caught...?"

Devran caught Yuder's eye and stopped short, picking up on the social cues.

'Right. If he remembers who drafted that training program, he'd better watch what he says.'

But Yuder decided to generously let it slide. Training was important, but fieldwork for intelligence was even more so. No one knew Devran was skipping training as long as he didn't admit it, which was impressive in its own way.

"Ahem! Anyway, one out of the four is always left out of the conversations. He doesn't seem to fit in with the group. The other three also seem to somewhat ignore him."

"Is it a personality issue?"

Devran frowned at the question.

"No, that might be a part of it, but it seems to be more about his abilities."

"Abilities?"

"Of course, people won't talk about it openly. But, you know, there's a certain atmosphere when Awakeners discuss their abilities. Everyone knows that, right?"

Devran looked at them as if to say they should obviously know.

"The one being ostracized has a power that others find highly repulsive, that much is clear."

Devran said he had only deduced that much about the reason for the ostracism.

Yuder pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Devran, can you describe the appearance of the guy who's being ostracized?"

"Huh? Sure! He looks a bit red-skinned, like someone of southern descent. And he has a long scar on one ear. He looks somewhat timid, but I haven't heard anyone call him by a name yet. He's always on the outskirts, so I haven't had the chance to hear his name."

It was certain. The Awakener being ostracized within the group was undoubtedly the future 'Sage' that Yuder knew.

But wasn't that guy's ability just to mildly influence other people's moods? He was an individual who used his words well to make his rather mundane power effective, so why was he being ostracized for it?

'...Could it be that the ability I know isn't his real power?'

He hadn't even considered that the confession he had received before death could be a lie. Clearly, he needed to investigate further.

"Could you focus more on learning about him in the future?"

"The ostracized guy? Why?"

"There are some points that concern me. You've given me information I didn't have before. It might be a bit of a burden, but please do it."

Hearing that he had provided information even Yuder didn't know, Devran's face flushed slightly with emotion. The Eldore siblings caught on and teased him, but Devran paid them no mind.

"Alright, leave it to me!"

Beside the enthusiastic Devran, Gakane mumbled with less confidence.

"Uhm... I've only been able to know when those people come and go because I've placed shadows on them, so I haven't really delved deeper. What should I do?"

"You've been busy lately. It's fine."

"Still, I did find out that lately they've been spending more time and going more frequently to the palace than when we first started watching them. Though it seems like useless information now since they haven’t returned to their lodging for days..."

"No, no, Gakane! Thanks to you, we have the courage to make a move."

Pretending to scold him for only playing around, the Eldore siblings patted Gakane's shoulder. Gakane looked worried as he asked,

"Courage? What courage?"

"What can we do with these powers?"

The siblings, who had developed their abilities to not only possess unparalleled strength but also to teleport objects on their own, grinned wickedly.

"If they haven't returned home for days, and Gakane's power lets us know who's coming and going, isn't this the perfect time to sneak in for a little observation?"

"That's way too dangerous!"

"So, we're just going to miss this opportunity?"

"Yuder, say something!"

Yuder took a moment to consider and finally made up his mind.

"Indeed, this seems like the most opportune time to take action."

"See? I knew Yuder would agree. Trust us, we're completely confident."

"Then I'll leave this task to the three of you. And if possible, bring back small items from there. Kanna may be able to help us with them."

"Understood."

The siblings readily agreed.

The intelligence agents, having finished all the snacks, each left a comment of concern for Yuder's health before leaving the room. Only Gakane remained, seeming a bit hesitant.

"Gakane, do you have something to say?"

"Um, it's about that secret mission we just completed."

"You don't need to apologize for almost blowing our cover to Hinn and Finn."

"No, no, it's not that."

Yuder wondered what else Gakane could have on his mind, sensing that it was something entirely different. After a moment of hesitation, Gakane clenched his fist and spoke.

"What do you think, would Sir Nathan Zuckerman be willing to teach me swordsmanship?"

"Nathan Zuckerman?"

"During this mission, I noticed... he's incredibly skilled with a sword! I've never seen a knight so proficient."

'Ah, right. Nathan Zuckerman did defeat the final monster on his own. He must have displayed his true skills.'

Seeing Gakane's eyes filled with genuine admiration, it was evident that he'd discovered Nathan Zuckerman's mastery of the sword.

"I know I'm not a member of the Peletta Knights, so it might not be appropriate for me to ask, but... I still want to. The thing is, I don't know where to find him usually. I've been looking but haven't seen him."

Being Kishiar's assistant, Yuder had often seen Nathan Zuckerman. Gakane seemed to be banking on that.

Gakane had always been more obsessed with becoming stronger than any other member. Although he had primarily focused on training his shadow clone, considering his past efforts to become a knight, it seemed possible he had been intentionally avoiding swordsmanship.

'If he's genuinely willing to learn... Kishiar would undoubtedly facilitate it.'

Kishiar, more than anyone else, encouraged the growth of his subordinates and enjoyed teaching himself. Considering this, Yuder thought that Nathan Zuckerman, who had reached the pinnacle under such a person, was unlikely to refuse.

"Alright. I'll pass the word along when I see him."

"Thank you!"

Gakane got up, his face blooming like a freshly-watered rose. He was about to leave in high spirits when, unluckily, he almost bumped into Kishiar standing right outside the door. Gakane froze in surprise.

"Commander! I didn't know you were there. I apologize."

"It's alright. You seem to have had a pleasant conversation."

"Well, haha, it's not confirmed yet, but Yuder agreed to help me with a request."

Kishiar's eyes softened as he looked at Gakane.

"Good to hear."

"Yes, I'll take my leave now. Yuder, rest well!"

"..."

After Gakane left, the tall man stepped over the threshold, which felt unusually small compared to his stature, making a one-person room feel like it was made for half a person.

Yuder observed Kishiar's pristine face that showed no signs of fatigue, despite having recently received divine power from Lusan.

"How was your trip to the palace?"

"Good. His Majesty said he wants to see you once you're fully recovered. It seems he wants to thank you properly."

Kishiar's answer was consistent with his usual demeanor. Yuder continued to observe him while taking in the faint fragrance that emanated from him the moment he sat down.

Even though his demeanor seemed utterly calm, was that truly the case on the inside as well?

Yuder had never felt the need for this uncontrollable 'connection' as much as he did right now.

And the moment Kishiar seemed to sense something strange and looked up to meet his gaze, Yuder felt something intensely grip and release his chest in an extremely brief moment.

It was emotion.

However, it wasn't Yuder's emotion. The intensity of the feeling was so strong that it almost felt like pain, and Yuder was perplexed upon realizing that such powerful emotions were storming within the man who appeared so beautiful and tranquil.