Even the shocking fact that Kishiar had decided to leave him behind momentarily vanished from his mind as he, Yuder, opened his mouth carefully.

"I feel I may not be someone fit to be your close friend... May I ask why you think otherwise?"

"The only way that occurred to me to forge a bond without a transaction was that."

Prince Ejain responded concisely.

"You're from the Empire, and you've no intention of leaving the Cavalry. If we part ways now and happen to meet again someday, you'll likely not even bother to recognize me. Isn't that so?"

He wanted to ask how he knew so much about him to make such a claim, but to be frank, Prince Ejain wasn't wrong. He had no plans to leave the Cavalry, nor to bring up their current encounter should they meet again someday.

Watching Yuder respond in silence, Ejain let out a faint smile.

"There aren't many relationships that can be formed and maintained despite differences in status, location, age, and everything else. A lover or a friend. That's about it. I want to hold onto the hope that, after surviving and returning safely to my home country, I can casually resume our relationship when I meet you again someday. That's why I've chosen to be friends. Does this answer your question?"

'Hope.'

Yuder felt an odd sensation from the last word mentioned in his lengthy speech. Hope is an anticipation for the future. The future was the most valuable asset Yuder had reclaimed after living an entire life and coming back.

He vividly remembered the joy he felt at the moment he realized he'd reclaimed his future and hope. As his gaze wavered slightly, Ejain continued speaking.

"You taught me that you can't get what you want by staying as you are. If I've forced someone to change by making them feel destiny beyond luck, then I should share the responsibility."

'It doesn't seem like giving advice should imply responsibility...'

Anyway, it seemed like even Prince Ejain needed hope, no matter what form it took.

What remained for a prince who had lost all his followers and whose life was under threat was a slender hope for the future. Yuder knew he would make it, but he couldn't help thinking that the prince might need a concrete, new hope to keep moving forward.

'Yes. After all, I intended to help... For changing the future, maintaining a good relationship with Prince Ejain and Nelarn would be necessary.'

In truth, if it was revealed that he'd proposed to be friends with someone like Yuder, the one who stood to lose was unequivocally Prince Ejain. Aside from the somewhat peculiar Kishiar, most of the imperial family members and noble class only established such relationships out of necessity. Despite knowing this, the fact that the royal Ejain humbled himself to propose friendship to a common-born Cavalry member would undoubtedly make others think the prince had lost his mind.

'Like Kishiar...'

What if Ejain, who seemed to be changing in a slightly different direction than his past life, became a somewhat peculiar royal, showing similarities to Kishiar? Even if he may not be hailed as a perfect king as he was in his previous life, wouldn't it be better for him?

After a thin sigh, Yuder opened his mouth to answer the waiting prince.

"Understood."

"Really? You can't back down."

It was a relationship where he didn't know when he would see him again. What was this thing that kept him tethered? When Yuder nodded, a brighter smile than the one he had seen at first sight bloomed on Ejain's lips.

"I am delighted to have made a great friend. It is the best harvest I have acquired since coming to this Empire. In fact, even in Nelarn, I have never asked anyone to be my friend first. So, even if my approach is clumsy, I hope you, with many friends, will consider it."

It was a shocking thing to hear. It was the first time in two lives that he had been told he seemed to have many friends. He thought it was a joke, but Prince Ejain's expression felt sincere.

'Maybe I, as seen through others' eyes, have changed a lot from before...'

Swallowing a strange feeling of unfamiliarity with himself, Yuder observed Prince Ejain, who looked much happier than expected. It was a strange sight, someone wanting to be his friend and showing joy that it was accepted.

"I didn't know you would be so happy."

"Of course, I'm happy. I mentioned it considering the possibility that it might not work out until the end."

"If I had refused till the end, would you have accepted it?"

"Hmm. At that time... I would have tried to take advantage of being a friend."

'Advantage?'

He wondered what that meant, but the next answer that flowed out was quite a spectacle.

"You know that one cant be lovers alone, but friends can be?"

"Excuse me?"

"Even if you said no, you're already my friend. If you had refused, I would have been a friend on my own."

"What are you..."

Facing Yuder, who was speechless at what seemed like nonsense, Prince Ejain flashed a refreshing smile.

"If you ever come to Nelarn, make sure to find me. I will treat you with all the courtesies befitting a friend."

"...Understood."

He wondered if such a day would ever come, but for now, he replied affirmatively. Prince Ejain extended his hand with a peculiar expression.

"Then let's shake hands one last time. We're friends."

"..."

Yuder slowly reached out and shook hands with Ejain. The tight grip and smiling lips felt entirely different from the emotionless face of the young King who had greeted the Commander of the Cavalry in his previous life.

Not long after, all the Cavalry members had finished their preparations and stood in front of the path to return to the Great Sarain Forest. From afar, the mages of the Western Mage Union were still busy with their site rebuilding, and Yuder watched the figures of his companions who he should be bidding farewell.

He felt like he could walk with them right now, but the fact that he had to let them go made him feel frustrated.

"Yuder. We'll be back soon. Take care."

"Don't worry too much!"

The members, unaware of Yuder's feelings, patted his shoulders with bright faces, but all that increased were unpleasant imaginations.

And finally, Kishiar stood in front of him. He sent a cold gaze toward the face hidden beneath the cloak and hat, and the attractive lips showed a difficult expression and slightly lifted.

"Hmm... I see you're still not convinced."

Of course not. Unless he suddenly became Kishiar, how could he genuinely accept this situation? It was excessive to ask for acceptance, though understanding why he had decided to leave him behind was possible.

When Yuder did not respond, the smile on Kishiar's face deepened.

"But somehow... I find it rather pleasant to be worried about so sincerely."

"..."

Yes, this was how Kishiar La Orr had always been. Yuder repeated this fact in his mind about ten times, suppressing the swell of emotions. It had been so long since he'd felt this way that it evoked memories of a time shortly after he'd joined the Cavalry in his previous life.

"So, my assistant finally seems his age. How adorable."

"I haven't done anything, but there must be many things you find cute."

"Hahaha."

Laughing, Kishiar slipped something into the pocket of Yuder's overcoat and turned away.

"I'll see you again in three days. Watch over Priest Lusan and the others well."

Yuder put his hand in his pocket and lightly examined the object that had been inserted.

'This is...'

The item that Kishiar had slipped in was none other than the candy he'd been forced to accept a few days ago. But this time, it wasn't just one piece - there were three.

Yuder held his breath as he looked down at the three colorful candy wrappers rolling around in his palm, then up at the sky. He felt a mix of absurd emotions and a strange queasiness, as if he couldn't maintain his composure unless he did so.

"Commander."

The only man who could hear his whisper-like call turned his head in response. Yuder watched him quietly for a moment, then lowered his eyes.

"If you return even slightly injured, I will never listen to such an order again."

"..."

"Please be careful."

Kishiar's face was obscured by his hat and his expression was unreadable. He stood still for a moment as if pricked by Yuder's words. Only after someone else called out to him did he turn and follow his companions.

The densely grown trees of the Great Sarain Forest quickly swallowed their figures. Even after they had completely disappeared from view, Yuder remained in place for a long time.

Strictly speaking, he was not alone, yet strangely, his heart had grown cold. It was as if winter had come to him alone, a familiar yet disconcerting sensation.

Yuder realized a little late that this sensation was something he always used to harbor in his previous life.

---

"You're going to help with this? Can you do it?"

"Yes. It's just a matter of rebuilding the roof, isn't it?"

After his companions had left, Yuder began to help the mages repair the collapsed buildings. The mages, who had been half in doubt, were astounded at Yuder's abilities.