"Mages have always been notoriously bad at naming. If it's going to be a strange name anyway, it's better to leave your name in it."

"..."

"Isn't it cold? It's quite chilly."

"I'm fine."

"Did you rest well last night? There were many things to check again before leaving, and I regret not having had the chance to look them over. Ah, I also received a report that the pharmacist Enon has arrived. Did you meet him?"

"Yes, I met him. I rested well at night, too."

The excessively sweet voice was bothersome, but fortunately, no one around seemed to be paying much attention to their conversation. Yuder hesitated for a moment before cautiously speaking.

"Did you rest well last night, Commander?"

"No."

Kishiar's eyes sparkled as if they had been waiting for those words.

"So when we join up with Nathan and get on the wagon, I plan to catch some sleep there."

"Ah, yes. That's good."

"There's no need to move quickly like on the way here, so it worked out well. You know that you must ride with me, don't you?"

"I... didn't know."

"Don't forget it now."

Yuder blinked silently, and Kishiar laughed lightly.

"Isn't there anything else you're curious about besides whether I rested well? I thought you'd ask by now."

'Ah.'

Only then did Yuder remember something he'd momentarily forgotten, mesmerized by Kishiar's appearance.

"... What have you decided to do with that monster from yesterday?"

He should have asked this first, but he forgot. Kishiar elegantly gestured toward a pile of luggage.

"Do you see that box wrapped in black cloth?"

"Yes. ...Have you decided to take it with us?"

"I've summoned some people from Tainu who know about monsters. We'll examine it properly there and then decide how to dispose of it."

His decisive voice was impeccably clear.

"The Mages will think we've discarded it, so keep it a secret even in Tainu."

He lightly brushed Yuder's left eyelid and turned away.

As the time to depart drew near, the Cavalry members shared their farewells, each filled with regret. For the first time, the Eldore siblings, who were separated by this incident, couldn't hide their gloom, and Ever was worried about young Jimmy, who would stay behind. However, Jimmy was excited and his cheeks flushed at the thought of carrying out an extermination mission in the vast Great Sarain Forest.

Yuder glanced up at the Western Mage Unions base building one last time. He didn't feel particularly sorry, but the fact that no one here had died this time gave him considerable satisfaction. Savoring the sensation, which seemed to warm his previously unnoticed hungry stomach, Yuder turned away.

The small base soon disappeared, hidden by the lush green forest of Great Sarain Forest.

---

"My lord! We finally have news from the Great Sarain Forest region."

Tainu's Lord Baron Willhem sprung up at the call, his eyes rolling anxiously.

"Is that so? Did they handle the base matter well? The Duke of Peletta? No, what about the Cavalry and those Western Mage Union rascals? And why was the news so delayed? I clearly told them to contact me at least once a week!"

Baron Willhem had never felt so impatient in his life. Recently, a series of events had befallen him, all of which seemed unbearably harsh for someone who had lived diligently without fault.

Without warning, the Cavalry member, known as Yuder, suddenly appeared in the Great Sarain Forest and silently vanquished the massive monster that had strangely emerged. That much could be accepted. But why was Duke Peletta Kishiar, who was supposed to be in the capital, present there? And why had the Western Mage Union not interfered with them?

Ever since Emperor Keilusa boasted of the achievements of the Yuder and Duke Peletta, Baron Willhem's days had been as painful as sitting on a bed of thorns. Day after day, angry messages mixed with rage from Duke Tain, blaming his incompetence, came flying his way, and the nobles and commoners of the west resented the house of Tain for not stopping the monster in time. Naturally, as the fame of the Emperor, Duke Peletta, and the Yuder grew, the blame and finger-pointing were directed at Baron Willhem, who managed Tainu.

Adding to his troubles, the knights sent late to defend the honor of the house of Tain did not even report properly, and his anxiety reached its peak. He spent his days in fretful anticipation, waiting for letters, often lashing out in anger at anyone within reach.

He hoped that Duke Peletta truly did not possess the divine sword. He wished that the news of the giant monster was nothing but an exaggerated rumor, and that in reality, the situation had been a complete disaster, resulting in many deaths. The secret trading post of the house of Tain should never have caught their eyes.

However, the expression of his attendant, who stood before him with the newly arrived news, was as pale as a ghost. Seeing his hand holding two letters trembling, Baron Willhem, filled with anxiety, commanded him to read quickly.

"M-My Lord, the knights we dispatched to the Great Sarain Forest... That is..."

"What is it? Don't tell me they discovered our trading post?"

The truth within the first letter, read in the attendant's faltering voice, was worse than that. Baron Willhem was shocked to learn that all three knights he had sent were killed in an ambush, and that Yuder, who had recovered the bodies, had sent the results of their investigation in a letter. He fainted momentarily from the shock.

Upon awakening, he learned from the next letter, which he hadn't fully heard, that the Commander of the Cavalry, Yuder, and other Cavalry members were planning to come to Tainu together. He fainted once again.

None of the things he had wished for had come true. Baron Willhem, a devout follower of the Sun God, lay cursing the deity's indifference, but he was scarcely allowed any rest. This was because of the command sent by the Duke of Tain.

'Chase the audacious Awakeners who dared to kill the knights of the house of Tain and stole their belongings. Using the stolen information, they will surely go to the Tain's middle trading post if they intend to harm us. And somehow invite Duke Peletta to find out how much of the rumors about the divine sword or Yuder are true, and what they know about our secret trade.'

The stern command from the Duke of Tain contained a threat that Willhem's safety could not be guaranteed if he failed again. Though it angered him that the duke only gave commands without providing the necessary manpower or funds, he had no choice.

"My Lord, Yuder and the Peletta Knights have just passed through the city gates. They will arrive here soon, so please prepare yourself."

"Understood."

Baron Willhem, his face having grown haggard in just a few days, dressed himself and went outside. He planned to meet Duke Peletta first and, under the guise of thanking him for the achievements of Yuder in the Great Sarain Forest, invite him to his mansion.

But when the horses and carriages that had run across the road stopped in front of him, and those who seemed to know nothing of courtesy or decorum clambered out, even the astute Baron Willhem could not help but become momentarily dazed.

"Ah, thought I was going to drop dead from exhaustion. Finally, we can take a rest!"

"Is this Tainu?"

"I'm a bit thirsty now... Where's the bathroom?"

Oh, God. Were these filthy and rude commoners really all members of the Cavalry? No matter how much he railed against it, the scene before his eyes remained unchanged. Standing behind Baron Willhem, the priests and knights could not hide their discomfort and confusion as an unusually striking tall man disembarked from the carriage.

He stood a full head taller than even the well-built knights, but his movements were more graceful, and he possessed a beauty that captured one's attention and would not let go. As Baron Willhem watched the man brush back his windblown hair and slowly close his red eyes, he found himself unexpectedly entranced and let out a subconscious sigh.

'I can't believe it. That man is the very same dissolute Duke...'

Up to now, the most representative information Baron Willhem had about Duke Peletta was stories of him being a dissolute and foolish Duke. Up until now, he hadn't found the other parts of his character even worthy of consideration.

But the man before his eyes was so radiant and overwhelming. Was he truly the problem child of the imperial family, that had been said by the Duke of Tain to be unworthy of serious consideration?

While Baron Willhem was lost in confusion, another person exited the carriage from which Duke Peletta had emerged. This one was a particularly pale youth with bloodless skin, only noticeable by his exceptionally black hair.

'Who is that? A servant... or an aide?'

In Baron Willhem's wonderment, the youth turned his head and looked straight at him. Baron Willhem felt a chill run down his spine as he met the gaze of that one eye covered in black spots. It was an eye that simultaneously drew and repelled attention, displaying an outstanding ability to induce discomfort.

As Baron Willhem unwittingly averted his eyes, the youth spoke to Duke Peletta, who then purposefully strode towards where Baron Willhem stood. The rowdy Cavalry members quieted as he moved.

"Are you Baron Willhem?"

"Yes, I am... Joseph Willhem. It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace."

Though he stumbled a little, Baron Willhem managed to greet the Duke with practiced etiquette.

"I hear from the guards at the gate that you wished to meet us."

"Yes. You have come a long way from Great Sarain Forest to Tainu; how could I, as the lord, remain idle? On behalf of all the citizens of the Empire on the western border who can now sleep peacefully thanks to Your Grace and the Cavalry, I wish to express my gratitude. I beseech you to accept it."

There had been no slip of the tongue so far. Baron Willhem reviewed his words and looked up from his reverent gaze. Kishiar was watching him with an inscrutable face. In truth, even before the Cavalry's arrival, he hadn't expected this proposal to be rejected. But now, seeing Duke Peletta's face in person, he felt uncertain and inwardly conflicted. If such a thing did happen, what could he say to the Duke of Tain?

Baron Willhem clutched at his racing heart as if in joy, scrutinizing the parting lips of Kishiar. And the next moment, the exceedingly elegant and beautiful man transformed into a serene face that appeared devoid of any thoughts, nodding and smiling broadly.

"Excellent! I've been worrying about where to sleep, so I'm truly thankful for your offer. Isn't that right, assistant?"

"Yes."

As the Duke asked, his arm casually draped around the shoulder of a black-haired man standing beside him, the man silently nodded in reply.

"Make sure to accept that favor."

"..."

Baron Willhem's first impression of the Duke of Peletta, who was considered to be very difficult contrary to rumors, noisily collapsed at that moment.

"I've gathered quite a bit of fatigue on the way. I'd like the evening meal to be prepared monastically... Ah, are you planning a party, too? Then I'll need to prepare new attire. Where will I be staying?"

"Ah, the... the guest house... has been prepared."

Still unable to completely detach himself from the discrepancy between his initial impression and reality, Baron Willhem clumsily responded, to which Kishiar chuckled and nodded.

"The guest house! That's good. It should be tolerable. I don't have many people in my current retinue, but personally, I don't like cramped spaces. Too much external attention and interference are bothersome. I trust you'll understand."

"Ye, yes... I understand."

"Ha ha ha. I get the feeling that you and I will get along quite well."

Kishiar burst into an endlessly light-hearted laugh, his eyes twinkling. If not for his appearance that seemed to fit anything he did, his attitude would have been so frivolous that he might have been dismissed at once. Baron Willhem remained stunned even after they had been led away to the guest house and disappeared, only snapping to attention after quite some time at the call of his attendant. A massive shock and relief had simultaneously struck his head.

"...My lord. Are you alright?"

"Heh. The rumors were not wrong at all."

"Yes?"

"It's nothing."

Baron Willhem offered his thanks to God with a lighter heart. He secretly commanded those who were attending the Duke of Peletta and the cavalry not to miss anything that they said or did.