Kishiar responded, "That's not a bad response. She's the one who has most keenly felt the need for a Cavalry due to recent events, so getting her support shouldn't be difficult. However, it's a bit unfortunate that she seems to have taken quite a liking to you in the process."

If the high minister's reaction was good, why did Kishiar express regret about her fondness for Yuder? Could there be complications if she ended up liking him?

'I assumed her fondness for me was nothing more than gratitude for lightening her workload. Nothing more, nothing less.'

As Yuder pondered whether there was something he had overlooked, Kishiar, wearing a semi-serious expression, playfully filled him in.

"I really worry sometimes. If one more person advises you to change jobs because you, my assistant are too charming, what will happen? The high minister already has an unusual popularity among younger men and women."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it is. There's even a legendary tale from her youth that says every debutante in the capital's social scene confessed to her."

Yuder briefly recalled the high minister's demeanor. While he couldn't pinpoint what exactly made her especially popular among the younger crowd, she certainly had a calm and composed aura that was hard to find in her peers. But that was it.

What Yuder found most peculiar about the high minister was something else.

'She never showed any surprise or negative reaction while having formal conversations with Kishiar, despite seemingly not having been close to him previously.'

To those unfamiliar with Kishiar, he was usually considered a frivolous man of little intellect. Hence, even a slight departure from that perception would be startling. Many believed that Kishiar was merely parroting Emperor Keilusa.

This was the case with nobles he'd met in the West, and even some young-looking legal scholars they'd encountered earlier displayed signs of discomfort around him.

Unlike them, the high minister remained unfazed. She had initially observed Kishiar for a brief moment but continued the conversation serenely thereafter. Whether it was because she fully understood Kishiar's forthright and insightful nature, or her ability to suppress her astonishment was exceptional, either way, it was quite impressive.

'Not that I expect her to actually suggest that I switch jobs.'

Yuder verbalized his final thoughts succinctly.

"Whether the high minister is popular or not, it's none of my concern. I'm grateful that you consider me so valuable, but you're worrying too much."

The crux of the matter was his last statement, yet all Kishiar seemed to hear was, "I'm grateful that you consider me so valuable."

"Who could be more valuable than an assistant like you? If countless nobles and even the prince of Nelarn and the Emperor heard about this, they would be flabbergasted. To think you undervalue yourself so. Whose fault could that be? Is it mine, as your Commander?"

His voice carried an exaggerated sorrow. It might have been half in jest, but Yuder was momentarily lost for words. Finally, he articulated the response that came to him a beat too late.

"Regardless, I have no intention of leaving the Cavalry. You know this now, don't you?"

He assumed that by now, Yuder would understand the weight of the word 'now.'

The words of the man who had seemed to be jesting a moment earlier abruptly stopped.

"Commander?"

"Yes, that's right."

Just then, a breeze that snuck in through a slightly opened window gently rustled the curtains. The sunlight, which had found its way in, beamed harshly onto Yuder's face, which was directly facing the window. Yuder reflexively squinted, and his eyes caught the fleeting upward curve of the man's lips.

"However, even knowing that, there have been times when I've wondered what would have happened if you had made a different choice, instead of the Cavalry. You would have surely excelled no matter where you were. You have that ability."

"Commander."

"Ah, of course, I have no complaints, as things are perfect for me now. It's just a thought that crosses my mind sometimes."

Strangely enough, despite wearing a cheerful smile, something about his expression seemed to lose its color.

"So, shall we head to the next location?"

…

The Shuden Trading Company building was located quite a distance from the center of Karl Lorwick Street, the hub of all trading houses. Although the building was small, it didn't lack in opulence, befitting a place that specialized in rare and valuable items.

Yuder, accompanied by Kishiar, who was wearing a magic bracelet that rendered his face ordinary, entered the place confidently.

"Welcome—Oh?"

The person who was greeting them widened his eyes as he saw Kishiar.

"My, what a rare pleasure. You have graced us with your presence after such a long time. But today, you're accompanied by someone else?"

As was often the case for those meeting Yuder for the first time, the employee seemed a little uncomfortable around the man with jet-black and pallid features. Kishiar cheerfully pulled Yuder closer by the waist and leaned his head toward him.

"He's with me because we are close enough to be together."

"Ah..."

The employee's attitude shifted instantly.

"Understood. Are you here to buy a gift for your cherished companion? We have some excellent new items in stock..."

"No. That can wait. Where is Lady Justin?"

"Looking for the Lady? She has been out since this morning for an appointment. Oh, could it be...?"

"I'm her appointment. Lead the way."

"Ah, of course."

The employee hurriedly escorted them upstairs. The door to the most lavish room opened, and a rich scent of perfume assailed their nostrils. A young lady, seated amidst a variety of exquisite items and inspecting jewelry, stood up to greet them.

"So, you've finally arrived."

She seemed less like a trading house manager and more like a dazzling figure commanding the social scene. Her voice had a mesmerizing quality, as did her perfectly styled hair and meticulously manicured nails.

Though she was captivating enough to steal anyone's gaze, Yuder wasn't interested in her appearance. What caught his attention was the familiar scent filling the room.

'It's the same fragrance I often smelled when Kishiar came back from going out...'

Moreover, Yuder had encountered this scent before in this lifetime. It was after he had just joined the Cavalry and had scolded Kiolle and then he had visited Kishiar's office and smelled it. [TL: Chapter 15-16]

The vague memory of feeling uneasy after smelling a perfume that was popular among the high-society ladies at the time flashed through his mind. Had Kishiar visited this place back then?

In an instant, Yuder's gaze, now sharper than before, swept over his surroundings.

Sensing that gaze, Kishiar whispered with a smile.

"The Lady knows who I am. There's no need to be so tense."

"How much does she know about you?"

"Enough to comfortably call me 'Commander' here."

Kishiar's expression remained serene.

"Do you remember when we went to meet Prince Revlin? I had a fake identification from Shuden that allowed me to move freely around the capital. I've often obtained necessary items from here."

"You also sometimes served as my servant, infiltrating parties directly."

From the inner room, a lady emerged, carrying two boxes, one large and one small. She set them on the table, adding to the conversation.

"It was both tedious and thrilling. I've heard so much about you, Baron Aile. It's a great pleasure to finally meet you in person."

"Did you already know who I am?"

"Of course. Company Leader Mick has talked a lot about you. I heard that Madam Hellem took quite a liking to you, and seeing you now, it's understandable."

"Justin, what about the items?"

Kishiar cut her off with a laugh. Lady Justin also responded with a smile.

"Everything you've requested is prepared. You can take them after checking."

The lady sat down and opened the first of the two boxes on the table, opting for the smaller one. Inside was an object resembling a palm-sized mirror. Its surface was discolored in places and showed signs of aging, including some cracks.

"A Mirror of Truth. A genuine artifact."

Kishiar picked it up and examined it from all angles. The moment magic energy flowed into his hand, Yuder felt as if something tightened around the depths of his eyes.

Though no golden light flowed from his eyes, Yuder blinked as he perceived an aura undulating around the artifact in Kishiar's hand.

'...Is that magic?'

Even without an explanation, it was evident. The diminutive, weathered artifact was brimming with far more magic energy than he'd anticipated.

"Yes, it's authentic. Well done."

After a thorough examination, Kishiar placed the artifact back into its box. Yuder thought the next box would contain a similar magic tool, but he was greeted with something entirely unexpected.

"This is the sword sheath you ordered. It's enchanted with Radamantium to withstand an Eucalractium blade, and it's been finely crafted with the highest-grade potions on leather. I've also added some extra gems to go with those you sent me earlier."

Lady Justin presented a long, black sword sheath with a smile.

"It may not look all that extravagant, but I doubt there's a more expensive sheath in this age. Is it exactly as you wanted?"

Indeed, her words rang true. At first glance, the black-painted sheath didn't appear particularly grand. However, a closer look revealed a deep-red gem near the closure, a sight Yuder found oddly familiar. Thin lines of gold and tiny gems around it shimmered with restrained elegance.

That deep-red gem was originally embedded in Kishiar's new sword sheath, which had later come into Yuder's possession. It had been a fixture in the groove of Yuder's previous sheath until it shattered in a battle against a massive monster in the west. It was now back in its rightful place.

'...I thought he simply reclaimed the sheath after recovering it from that battle.'

Yuder stared at the new sheath in silence, recalling the sword that lay dormant in its temporary sheath. The man inspecting the sheath turned his head toward him, smiling.

Their eyes met.

"Well, this is the new sheath. I placed the order when we were in the West, but getting the materials took longer than expected. Do you like it?"

'Do I like it?'

It was not a question of whether he 'liked' it.

It was, quite literally, the best.

Yuder took the sheath from Kishiar with an emotion he found hard to describe. Despite being sturdier than the one he had used previously, it was surprisingly lighter.

"I like it."

"Seeing you finally happy about something—after all the gems and clothes failed to make you smile—also pleases me."

"I was worried I had made something wrong," Lady Justin said, looking somewhat relieved in the face of Yuder's normally emotionless countenance.

"This sheath won't break as easily as the last when you wield your sword."

Kishiar's soothing voice resonated in his ears as he looked at the sheath in Yuder's hand.

"Of course, preventing such a situation in the first place is ideal."

"Yes."

Yuder read the scars the West had left in his eyes and clenched the sheath tightly. A warmth spread through his hand.

"Thank you."