After smoothly eliminating one troublesome candidate, the rest of the test proceeded in a rather solemn atmosphere. No one else dared to make a fuss over their disqualification notices.

However, the atmosphere surrounding the testing area had completely transformed.

The candidates who had originally come to take the exam had not paid much attention to the two judges sitting in the corner of the room. The judges were known to be existing members of the Cavalry, but they had deliberately concealed their names and their appearance was sufficiently nondescript.

But as it turned out, one of them was none other than the famous Yuder Aile.

"Good heavens! The very man who rose from a commoner to receive a baronetcy from the Emperor was here and not in the capital?"

"I've never seen anyone handle such colossal power so effortlessly. If it isn't Yuder Aile, who single-handedly demolished half of the Great Sarain Forest, who else could wield such power?"

"That's a terrifying force. And to think that he's not even a Deputy Commander but just an assistant to the Cavalry Commander… Can I really join this Cavalry?"

Wind and earth. It was already a remarkable feat to wield these two arduous natural elements at once, yet he managed it all while preventing anyone nearby from interfering.

After effortlessly sending a candidate flying, not a bead of sweat appeared on his face as he returned to his seat. His demeanor reminded people of a predator guarding its territory. Those who felt pricked by his aura couldn't help but get goosebumps, while others looked on in awe.

Unsurprisingly, after the day's testing was over, numerous Awakeners flocked towards the judge's seat where Yuder had been sitting.

But Yuder was already gone.

"Huh? He's not here..."

"He was definitely sitting here just a moment ago; where did he go?"

"..."

"Everyone looks disappointed. Shouldn't we go down and chat a bit?"

While candidates wandered around the judge's area with glum faces or sought out other Cavalry members they had tested with, Yuder was watching them from high up in the sky.

Despite floating in the sky, not a single gust of wind stirred around him, and he seemed as stable as if he were standing on the ground. Had his floating been powered by the wind, it would have been difficult to remain so steadfast and tranquil.

'And ascending this quickly without anyone noticing would've been difficult as well.'

The force that had shot him up into the sky as soon as he had risen from his seat was all thanks to Kishiar, whose hand he was currently holding.

Yuder turned his head toward the man who must still be exerting a considerable force to keep them afloat.

"If we go down now, people will become curious about your identity as well, Commander."

"That's a valid point."

Despite exerting immense energy to keep both of them floating at the same height, Kishiar's face appeared utterly relaxed. Apparently, his reservoir of power could easily handle it.

The man, wearing a neat smile, tilted his head.

"Shall we leave the testing area and descend? If you're scared, hold on tight."

Kishiar began to walk leisurely through the empty air, as if strolling on flat ground. Although there was nothing underfoot, walking alongside him felt as if some unseen force was supporting them—as if invisible land and stairs existed.

While Yuder was accustomed to running on the wind, this experience was unfamiliar but not frightening.

The warm sunlight pushed back the chill of winter air. Long, pale fingers covered in gloves aimlessly swayed between moments of comfortable silence. Surely, there had never been more than a few people in this world who had enjoyed such a simple yet extraordinary walk.

The only regret was... due to the gloves Yuder wore, the warmth of their clasped hands couldn't be felt directly.

"Why do you keep fidgeting? Are you uncomfortable?"

"No."

Perhaps sensing Yuder's disappointment, Kishiar paused in his steps and turned his head. Hesitant, Yuder released the gloved hand he had been holding. Before Kishiar's gaze could change subtly, Yuder quickly pulled off his glove and stuffed it carelessly into his pocket, then spoke.

"I was just debating whether to take off the glove. Now that I have, may I hold your hand again?"

"Ah..."

Kishiar chuckled once more.

"So that's what it was. Of course, it's fine with me."

This time, Yuder took the initiative, sliding his fingers back into Kishiar's hand.

"Isn't it cold?"

"It's fine."

Even though Yuder's hand, warmed by the insulating glove, met Kishiar's colder hand, it felt unexpectedly pleasing.

"Are you not uncomfortable with my rough hands?"

"Why would I be? Haven't I said they make you even more intriguing and charming?"

Kishiar grinned, teasingly. Yuder, rather than returning the smile, looked down at their clasped hands.

"I also think that's what makes it even better."

For a moment, Kishiar was silent but then subtly tightened his grip on Yuder's hand. In response, Yuder exerted even greater force. A new warmth circulated between the concave parts of their palms—a small, warm space that no chill could invade.

Amidst this pleasant silence, Yuder took a quick glance at Kishiar's smiling face.

'Now would be a good time to say something.'

They were alone, high up where nobody else's gaze could reach them; no need to worry about the opinions of others. It was perhaps the best time to discuss the subtle changes he noticed in Kishiar.

But... seeing that smile, how could he think that it could contain something unknown, even to Yuder?

Instead, what flowed from Yuder's mouth was a slightly different question.

"When do you plan to leave the west?"

"As soon as the second test wraps up. I have some things to take care of, but I don't expect it'll take more than three days."

Kishiar answered without hesitation.

"Is there anything else you need to do?"

"You remember that Baron Koelt has been continuously investigating the documents that came from the fourth floor of the dungeon, right?"

"You're talking about the illustrations and observation notes related to monsters studied by the First Tain Duke?"

"Exactly. After examining all of those, using the ancient language references the Duke had, it turns out he sent all the by-products and corpses of the monsters he studied to some specific regions and places."

It was a detail not thoroughly documented before.

"According to the Baron's speculation, it's somewhere between the west and the south. Since we're heading south after the west, we might as well stop by. There's also another place near there we need to visit."

"Where else?"

"The place where the Crown Prince had someone collect poisonous mushrooms. Fortunately, it's not too far from the previously mentioned location. It's quite remote, but at our pace, it shouldn't take long to get there."

The poisonous mushroom that Crown Prince Katchian had secretly obtained to kill Lenore Shand Apeto—it was a matter that had seemingly come to an end. Yuder had preemptively identified the mushroom with future information and informed Kishiar, aiming to sever the relationship between Apeto and the Crown Prince permanently.

"Did another issue arise from that past event?"

"No, rather the opposite, actually."

A smooth, icy smile floated across Kishiar's face.

"I had ordered a re-investigation of that mushroom. You see, it's not unique to the area where the Crown Prince obtained it, and I found myself curious as to why he would specifically go there to get it."

"So, did you find anything?"

"You know the saying, 'A suspicious man only treads on ground he has walked before?'"

Upon hearing the old saying, Yuder instantly understood what Kishiar was trying to discover.

'He must've suspected that the Crown Prince had deeper ties to that land, and that's why he obtained the mushroom there.'

If Kishiar was willing to go and check the place himself, he must've grasped some sort of clue.

As if confirming Yuder's thoughts, the man continued.

"When the Crown Prince first appeared in the capital, Duke Diarca introduced him as an Eastern-born noble. Specifically, he was said to be the child of the Duke's cousin's daughter. A fine young lord of noble lineage who had lost his parents early but grew up well with the support of the Diarca family. Katchian La Orr was as distinguished—or rather, as undistinguished—as any other candidate for Crown Prince."

By that logic, the Crown Prince should've had no ties to a remote western village. But what was the actual situation?

Yuder was well aware of how deeply suspicious Katchian La Orr was. The Crown Prince wanted to know everything he held in his hands, and he was extremely cautious about anything beyond his control.

There was no way he would've used an unknown poison from an unfamiliar area to discretely kill someone and frame Kishiar.

The Crown Prince must've known that area well in advance.

"That particular area has no known connection to the Diarca family, I presume?"

"Correct. No connection at all. My speculation as to why the Crown Prince obtained the mushroom there may well differ from the actual reason. Someone else might've helped him, or some unknown factor could've played a role."

"But if your speculation is correct, and we can secure evidence to that effect...it would be monumental."

"Exactly."

Kishiar readily agreed.

"When we re-investigated the village where the mushroom was refined, we found out that some nobles had visited there a few years back to spend the summer. Intriguingly, the Diarca family name suddenly popped up. Isn't that enough reason for us to go and verify things for ourselves?"

Indeed, it was. Sending underlings might lead to some oversight, but the odds of that happening were extremely low if Kishiar and he went themselves.

"When did you manage to conduct such an investigation?"

"I only ordered the re-investigation recently. We were just lucky."

A humble remark attributing everything to luck.

Yet that single word calmed Yuder's excitement, allowing his rationality to settle back in place.

…

Feeling something strange, he looked again, only to find Kishiar smiling.

"Well, we've reached the house of Baron Koelt. I've been supervising the test and even exerted some effort today, so after dinner, you should take a rest."

"Will you not be resting, Commander?"

"Of course, I'll rest as well."

Upon hearing his response, Yuder slightly furrowed his brow, then relaxed it.

"...You truly intend to rest, don't you?"

"Oh? You think I'd pretend to rest? Sadly, I don't possess that kind of talent."

The man chuckled, tilting his head playfully. Yuder took a deep breath and looked into his face.

Even behind the mask of face alteration magic, those eyes were focused solely on him. Lips that seemed like they would answer any question he had honestly stared back at Yuder with serene assurance.

"...In that case, may I come and check on you?"

"Of course. You're always welcome."

"What I mean is, would it be alright if I continue to sleep in your room tomorrow, and the days after that?"

At that, for the first time, Kishiar's expression subtly changed.