"Commander!"

When Kanna raised her voice in surprise, Kishiar revealed himself from the darkness, smiling.

"What were you talking about?"

After Kishiar appeared, Lorna seemed even more intimidated than when she had faced Kanna. Having just heard from Kanna about the events that had just transpired, Kishiar glanced down at Pethuamet, who was still scratching at the iron bars, and then turned his eyes toward Lorna.

"Lorna Beit, do you have anything to add to what Kanna said?"

"...No, I'm sorry."

"It seems you've grown comfortable with yesterday's success, but I would like you to keep in mind that it is not yet time for such comfort. You still need to learn to discern what you should and shouldn't say to someone who has just regained their footing."

"I was... rash."

Lorna merely bowed her head, offering no excuse. Seeing her trembling fingertips and not daring to look directly at Kishiar's face, Yuder began to wonder how Kishiar had treated the mages before, to prompt such a reaction.

"Go out and tell Micalin about this."

"...Yes."

It was only then that Lorna seemed to breathe again, quickly rising from her seat and leaving. Kishiar did not take his eyes off her until she was completely out of sight. Only after hearing the distant sound of a door closing did he finally turn to face Kanna and Yuder.

"Anyway, about the emotions of a monster... strange information. Have you ever read about this before, Kanna?"

"No, this is my first time hearing of it too. It's not so much emotions, but more... a feeling that's hard to explain."

Kanna explained that the information read from Pethuamet felt more like a powerful instinct, although it was too brief to say definitively. Yuder reached out slowly towards Pethuamet, who was hanging on the iron bars. The creature tilted its body to follow Yuder's hand and then recoiled, its short legs flailing. Yuder found the scene pathetically reminiscent of the massive Pethuamet. Kishiar also slightly furrowed his brow at the sight.

"It might be dangerous, so come back."

"It's fine. I'm sure, as Kanna said, this monster doesn't seem to harbor any hostility towards me."

"What should we do?..."

At Kanna's perplexed question, Kishiar fell into momentary silence. He seemed uncertain whether to immediately eliminate the unknown element or to verify it before moving on.

"Yuder, what do you think, from the subject's standpoint?"

"I... "

Yuder opened his mouth and then closed it again. Although he was taken aback by the expression of sensing kinship, he realized that there were those in the world who could command monsters and that more would emerge in the future. What would be so different about this? Thinking of it as an extra ability, he felt surprisingly eager.

'What if... I could use the power that this Pethuamet has, like those Awakeners who handle monsters?'

Yuder recalled the ability of Pethuamet that Lorna had mentioned.

Absorption of strength, and discharge.

At that moment, a thought suddenly struck his mind, sending shockwaves through his consciousness.

'Perhaps studying this monster's ability could help with Kishiar's vessel problem. Even if not, maybe it could help find answers related to what happened to me after absorbing the power of the Red Stone...'

It was merely a hypothetical scenario. However, Yuder was engulfed by an astonishment so distinct that it made him wonder why he hadn't thought of it just moments before. It was as though a new path, hitherto unseen, had revealed itself before his eyes. Looking down at the little Pethuamet that squirmed and wriggled along his fingertips, Yuder opened his mouth again.

If you ask for my opinion, I believe it might be wise to ascertain the correlation between the transformation that occurred to me and this monster before making a decision on its disposal. Wouldn't it be better than leaving an uncertain element unattended?

...

Of course, I mean if there's a way to verify it without risk.

Without risk.

Kishiar, who had quietly responded, turned his gaze toward the cage holding the Pethuamet.

I agree with not leaving uncertainties, but we'll have to think about it a bit more.

They left behind the Pethuamet, crying out with small squeaks, and exited the storeroom. Yuder sensed the inquisitive glances of his comrades but feigned ignorance. Kanna felt the same.

Afterward, Kishiar gathered the rarely assembled members to inform them that he would be leaving tomorrow and that there were changes in the personnel staying in the Great Sarain Forest.

As you all know, the situation has changed somewhat from what we originally anticipated. Therefore, I will inform you again who will leave for Tainu with me tomorrow and who will stay here to assist in the search and subjugation.

Originally, including Gakane and the Eldore siblings, several from the second dispatch were to stay here, while Kanna and Emun were to leave for Tainu with Kishiar and Yuder. However, Kishiar removed Ever and Finn Eldore from the list, inserting Kanna instead.

Kanna Wand will stay here to gather more information about the village and then come to Tainu. Ever Beck will accompany us to Tainu and lead those there.

Understood.

To Yuder, the changes in personnel seemed to suggest a shift in focus towards tracking the Star of Nagran and investigating the Magic Spring rather than monster subjugation. The members swallowed their surprise, nodding in agreement without objecting to Kishiar's decision.

Kishiar ordered everyone except Deputy Commander Ever, Kanna, and Gakane to return to the base. Upon arriving there slightly later than the others, Yuder saw a familiar face.

Enon?

...

He thought he wouldn't see Enon among the members who had arrived first and that he would have to go to Tainu to meet him, but he was wrong. The man who had been reluctant to leave the capital sat with a few Peletta Knights, his face as cold as ice. Upon seeing Yuder, he immediately scowled.

You... what on earth happened to you?

Enon, who had risen from his seat, pulled Yuder upstairs before anyone could say a word.

This is madness. This is what you call healing? Where's Lusan? Lead the way.

Priest Lusan is lying down right now; he's not feeling well.

What? Why?

Clearly, he hadn't received a detailed explanation of what had happened that day. As Yuder explained what had occurred to Lusan, Enon's expression grew even grimmer.

It's one thing after another. Damn it all.

I heard the Commander called you, but I really didn't expect you to come all the way here.

What was I supposed to do when those knight bastards rushed in, saying you were all dying, and threw me into a carriage without warning?

Hearing the details, it was clear that Enon had not come with the second dispatched unit. Yet, if he had arrived almost at the same time, one could only imagine how hastily he must have rushed. Enon, seemingly bearing great resentment towards Kishiar, headed towards Lusan's room, constantly muttering curses under his breath.

"S-Sir Enon...? When did you arrive?"

Lusan, who had been lying down with a pale face, jumped up in surprise, but Enon held his shoulder down. After examining Lusan's condition, he clicked his tongue and pulled out a few medicinal pills from his pocket to hand over.

"He really did a number on you. Take all of these, and don't use your divine power for a few days."

"I'm sorry. As a priest, I've lost face."

"It's fine. Just rest."

After taking the medicine Enon provided, Lusan fell asleep quickly. They settled down in a spot where they could keep an eye on the sleeping Lusan. Yuder felt Enon's eyes scanning his face, eyes, and even inside, and opened his mouth.

"Enon. Remember the thread you gave me?"

"Why?"

"It was severed this time. I couldn't figure out its meaning, so I wanted to ask..."

Enon was silent for a moment. When he opened his mouth again, his eyes had sharpened.

"As I told you before, it was a kind of amulet. It absorbed and dispersed any shock that would shake the holder's power and soul. So, if it's broken, it means you endured a shock of that magnitude."

It seemed to imply that he had almost died from this incident, but part of it was not easily accepted.

"It didn't feel that dangerous."

"It didn't feel that dangerous? I heard some of it on the way here, but you must really be insane."

Enon, who had coldly deemed Yuder mad, exhaled as he stared into space, seemingly trying not to lose his temper.

"I told you before. No matter how good your innate talent is, there are limits. If you've come this far, is it your wish to die young?"

"Didn't I tell you I still don't believe it?"

"Do you think it matters whether you believe it or not right now?"

Enon, suddenly angry, took a few deep breaths again.

"How on earth did I get entangled with someone like you...? It's driving me crazy."

"...I'm sorry for that."

"If you were truly sorry, you wouldn't have done something like this."