"I appreciate your offer... Can I have a moment to think it over?"

Gakane couldn't outrightly reject the mages goodwill, nor was it his place to independently make a decision about such a critical matter. He slightly bowed his head, his face displaying polite consideration. Kishiar gave a small nod, seemingly applauding his judiciousness.

"Yes, of course. It's not like we're expecting to leave immediately. Please consult with the others and then give us your answer. We will step outside for a while."

One by one, the mages exited the room, allowing the Cavalry members to freely discuss amongst themselves. Just before Lorna, the last one to leave, could step out, Yuder approached her and spoke softly, lowering his voice.

"May I ask you something quickly?"

"Oh, yes. What is it?"

Lorna seemed surprised, blinking in response to Yuder, who had been silent up till now, initiating the conversation.

"I recalled hearing about the Western Mage Union from another mage I knew when you mentioned it. Might I know the name of your leader who is here...?"

"Ah It's Micalin Punt. Despite being recommended for a senior position in the Pearl Tower, he chose to stay with this secluded union, prioritizing his research. He is a great mage."

Perhaps Yuder's mentioning of having heard about them previously sparked some goodwill, for Lorna's expression noticeably softened.

'As I thought.'

Ever since they introduced themselves as the Western Mage Union and mentioned their leader, Yuder had been vaguely recalling a letter given to him by Thais Yulman. Now that he had heard the name Micalin, he was certain. These were the very people Thais Yulman had mentioned.

'I didn't expect to encounter them so soon. I thought I wouldn't meet them until at least the second dispatch troop arrived, and we'd officially started the subjugation.'

Though unexpected, an early meeting wasn't a bad thing. Especially in these circumstances. He narrowed his eyes slightly before breaking into a smile.

"...Yes, hearing the name has jogged my memory. The person who told me about him also said he was a great man."

"Did they?"

Yuder replied cheerfully, unaware that his unexpected smile had melted the last wall in the mage's heart, a woman who seemed to know nothing of the word 'smile'.

"It seems like fate that we would meet in such a place. Thank you for your answer."

"Not at all. We should... see you later."

With an unexpectedly gentle demeanor, a stark contrast to their initial encounter, Lorna exited the room and closed the door. As the loud voices and rustling of the mages gradually distanced, the Cavalry members, who had been maintaining silence, collectively released their pent-up breaths.

"Phew."

"Yuder, what did you ask her?"

Kanna, who had been standing next to Yuder, took off her crumpled hat and asked.

"The name of the Western Mage Union's leader."

"Why?"

"Before we came here, Mr. Yulman wrote a letter to him."

After replying succinctly, Yuder turned towards Kishiar.

"Commander, what do you think about their proposal just now?"

Considering the Pelleta knights and Ejain's attendants who were following at a distance, the prospect of joining with the mages could be troublesome. However, it was also true that their familiarity with the geography would likely ensure Ejain's safety during their journey.

Regardless of the decision, Yuder planned to meet Micalin Punt and deliver the letter given by Thais Yulman. Whether this would occur before or after Ejain's departure, depended on Kishiar's decision, so he asked.

However, Kishiar, as usual, did not answer straight away. He silently gazed at him. Despite his eyes being obscured by the cloth that hung down to his nose, the sensation of his gaze was surprisingly clear.

"...Commander?"

Upon calling him again, Kishiar finally turned his head slightly towards the other members.

"Well, it seems both options have their merits. Any opinions?"

"I will follow the Commander's opinion."

"Me too."

All members except Yuder and Priest Lusan said they would follow Kishiar's words. Even Prince Ejain, after a moment's silence and consideration, answered, "I think it would be alright to go with the mages."

"To meet those who entered the Great Sarain Forest to accompany me, we must travel the trade route inside the forest leading to Hisnu. It seems to me, aiming for safety at least until the halfway point would make things more comfortable for everyone."

"I see. Then Yuder, what's your opinion?"

Turning back towards Yuder, Kishiar appeared calm and relaxed as usual. Comforted, Yuder voiced the argument he had wanted to make since earlier.

"I believe it would certainly be advantageous for us to accompany the mages."

"Certainty, not an opinion. Why?"

"Because of this letter."

Yuder took out the letter given by Thais Yulman from his pocket and briefly showed it.

"It is a letter of introduction given by Yulman out of worry for our first external mission as the Cavalry. He wrote it to Micalin Punt, the leader of the Western Mage Union, who is said to be here. They've been acquainted for some time."

Their team, being the first dispatched group, had to join the second team as soon as they completed escorting Prince Ejain. To carry out the subsequent mission successfully, a cooperative relationship with the established powers in the West was essential.

Building a relationship with the Western Mage Union would be a good start.

"...I see. The sooner we build a bridge of cooperation for the future, the better."

Kishiar's voice lightened, as if he immediately grasped Yuder's intention.

"Alright. Let's do that, and as soon as we step out, we need to make sure they understand that we are the Cavalry."

"How should we address Commander and the Prince?"

At Yuder's question, Kishiar paused in thought.

"For the sake of the mission's security, it's better to keep both identities secret. Once we disclose we are the Cavalry, Kanna Wand and Yuder Aile will take on the role of the representative."

"Understood."

Gakane, finally released from his representative role, seemed relieved and his complexion brightened. In contrast, Kanna seemed to feel the pressure, tightly closing her lips, but she knew this was one of the things she had to get used to as the Deputy Commander.

They had made their decision and stepped out of the room. The clamorous voices of the mages resounded from the area they had initially entered, filtering through without obstruction.

"...So that's what Master Micalin said. We should leave a few people here to monitor and report as soon as that Cavalry or whatever they are comes here, serving also as caregivers in rotation...

"No matter how many times I think about it, I really don't understand. How can the Awakeners have nothing to prey on but what others have been working on for years? Do they even know what it is...

Suddenly, as if by agreement, the entire party came to a halt. Questions and confusion lingered in the eyes meeting each other.

"What is this all about?"

A moment later, Hinn Eldore murmured with a chill.

"Did I hear wrong? Something about Cavalry."

"It doesn't seem like we misheard. I heard it too."

After Gakane responded, silence once again shrouded the group. Yuder noticed Kishiar's lips, hidden under his hat, curling upwards into a discernible smirk.

"We should probably find out what's going on before revealing our identities."

They entered the place where the mages were. Seeing the faces of the welcome guests, the mages greeted them with bright faces.

"Have you made a decision?"

"Yes. But just before we came in, it seemed like you were in the middle of an unusual conversation..."

As Yuder trailed off and looked at the mages, they all stiffened, looking startled.

"Oh, you heard that? Don't worry too much about it."

"It's a story that has nothing to do with you. It's about some vee-ery nasty people who are targeting us."

"Yes, because it's related to what we're studying."

Sorry, but it seems like those vee-ery nasty people are us standing right in front of you. Yuder swallowed a response he couldn't give and slowly asked again.

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand how it's related to your research subject. What does your research subject have to do with the Awakener group, the Cavalry?"

"Huh? You know about the Cavalry as well. Ah, it makes sense. They've been quite notorious recently... That's the thing...

"Hmm. How should I say it? Is it a problem of appropriateness?

"No, that's not it."

"Then what? Cut-ins?"

Amidst the sudden clamor of the mages, Lorna Beit, the only one Yuder recognized by name, stood up and let out a large sigh.

"That has a lot to do with why our leader came here, as I mentioned earlier. I didn't mention it because I thought it wouldn't be related to the current situation in Great Sarain Forest..."

Unaware of their true identities standing in front of her, she proceeded to explain briefly.

The incident in which Baron Willhem refused the assistance of the Western Mage Union and announced that he would cooperate with the newly requested Cavalry, credible rumors that the Cavalry showed great interest in the research subjects of the mages located in Great Sarain Forest, and the incident where the leader Micalin, who had devoted his life to research for many years, rushed to Great Sarain Forest in rage like a wildfire. As this all unfolded rapidly, the members of the Cavalry couldn't keep their mouths shut.

"...So, our leader currently refuses to leave Great Sarain Forest and has instructed us to instead track and collect information about the Cavalry on his behalf. Of course, it's not me but a few colleagues who will stay here who should do it."

"...I see."

It was too absurd to comprehend what response would be appropriate. Yuder pondered if anything similar had happened in his past life and concluded that it might have been possible. If the tension between Baron Willhem and the Western Mage Union still existed much later than the present time, such a scenario could have occurred.

'It's strange how their attitude changed when the Cavalry was mentioned, and it's led to this.'

"Have you considered that those rumors might be false?"

"Hmm... It could be, but without the Cavalry clarifying it personally, do we have to think so positively about them from the start? We've also done our fair share of investigations and it's true that the Tain household requested their assistance."

Lorna replied with a crinkle of her nose.

'So, they know weve been asked to help, but it seems they're not aware we decided to operate independently after rejecting it.'

The misunderstanding was serious. Yuder felt an urgent need to rectify this situation before it became irreversible, so he threw another question.

"Even so, how would the Cavalry know about and be interested in what the Western Mage Union is researching?"

"Baron Willhem and the Tain family must have told them. They are aware of the Magic Spring Ruins, after all."