"Do you have any plans in mind?"

"No plans."

Kishiar's response was succinct. However, his eyes were shining like a predator waiting for the right time to strike.

"But if my guess is correct, thanks to the people we brought today, we might soon get what we want."

The auction will be held again because of the people brought today? Yuder's eyes narrowed at the very significant statement, and he became lost in thought. Ever also wore an expression that seemed to say she almost understood.

"Commander. It seems time for the other members who were outside to return, so I will take my leave. Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy delicious tea and cookies."

"What nonsense. This is but a trifle for saving many with your sharp observation. I appreciate the proper guidance today."

After Ever left, Yuder looked down at the almost empty cookie plate and swallowed the last remaining tea. Kishiar seemed to be waiting and lightly tapped the handle of the teapot.

"Would you like another cup? There's still some left."

"I'm fine, thank you."

"How were the cookies Nathan brought? According to Baron Willhem, they are a popular product that every noble family in Tainu sends someone to buy."

The thought of Nathan Zuckerman mingling among the servants lined up to buy cookies, beautifully garnished with dried fruits and decorated with colored sugar powder, was not something he wanted to imagine. Even if it was for the sake of pretending to be decadent, having a swordmaster like him run such an errand was something only Kishiar would command in this world.

"They were fine."

"Perhaps it's because of the fruit, but the first taste was too tangy for my mouth. Next time I'll have to order them to change it to chocolate."

"You plan to order more?"

"Shouldn't I have a good reason if I'm going to send my adjutant out often? Stores where you have to stand in line for a long time are quite suitable for that purpose."

He couldn't say anything more to that. Yuder put the last remaining cookie in his mouth. While it was certainly tasty, his mind was filled only with the last words Kishiar had said before Ever left.

If the auction was to be held today because of the people who had lost their memories, how could that possibly happen? Numerous possibilities filled his head and repeated their busy movement.

"What are you thinking so hard about?"

"I was pondering how your earlier words could come to fruition."

"Was that so intriguing to you?"

Kishiar smiled as if there was no helping it, propped his chin, and answered.

"Simple. It's because of the unrest I will cause."

Only then did Yuder finally understand his meaning.

The existence of those who had lost their memories meant an internal division among the Awakeners in the village of the Star of Nagran. If there were people like Nahan and his comrades who would stop at nothing to avenge others, then conversely, there would have been those who harbored great resentment because of this matter.

Internal opposition and conflict were the best factors to cause members to lose their prudence. Tainu's noble families and Baron Willhem were more likely to experience confusion much quicker and more powerfully than Kishiar had initially expected.

Then, the paths to choose would also narrow, and after that, things would unfold faster than they had anticipated before coming to Tainu.

"...I see. Understood."

"You're quick to understand, which is great. Would you like to eat more cookies as a reward?"

"..."

Yuder shook his head. But Kishiar, with a tender smile that said not to refuse, opened the second box of cookies.

"Hm?"

But he immediately paused without moving the snacks and looked inside the lid. There, a small folded note was secretly attached.

"Nathan left one more thing for us to see."

"What does it say?"

"It says that the ones we were going to meet here will arrive in Tainu soon. It worked out well."

Kishiar quickly read the note and turned his gaze back to Yuder.

"Remember what I told you? That we would meet some monster experts in Tainu?"

"Yes."

"They are the ones coming from Peletta. Once they arrive, it would be good to call pharmacist Enon and see them all together."

They were monster experts from Peletta. Even reflecting on his previous life's memories, their identity was not easily guessed. Yuder felt a faint tension and nodded.

"I will pass on the message."

The next morning in Tainu began with a different feeling. Sensing a faint tremor like an earthquake, Yuder, who had opened his eyes alertly, looked around and saw Kishiar, who was already awake.

"Did you feel it, Commander?"

"It's not near here. Seems like an explosion occurred quite far away."

Rising from his seat, Kishiar opened the window and looked out. In no time, he returned with three small messenger birds in his hand.

"The report is quick... let's see where."

While Kishiar read the notes from a small pouch hanging from his leg, Yuder gave water to the birds that cocked their heads.

"There has been a mysterious intrusion at the Tainu Security Management Team building and the Red Deer Consortium building we visited. The culprits haven't been caught, but they are being pursued now, and it seems a few guards and prisoners were injured."

The other reports were nearly identical. They were all sent by the Peletta Knights, who pretended to frolic and observed the situation outside Tainu.

"It must be the Star of Nagran."

"Yes. But we can't know if those who invaded both places had the same intention."

Yuder guessed that at least those who invaded the Tainu Security Management Team were undoubtedly looking for the ones who had lost their memories. Whether they meant to kill and silence them or find and rescue them belatedly was unclear, but sadly, they were a step too late. The memory-lost ones were already here.

"Things started earlier than expected, but Baron Willhem won't contact us right away. Shall we feign ignorance and take our time here today? We can call the firstborn in the evening."

Kishiar smiled, folding the letter neatly. Moments later, only a small amount of ash remained in his palm.

Yuder rested all day with Kishiar. Kishiar, not caring at all about the noisy movements happening in the main building, played card games or chatted with other members in the reception room. Despite any sinister looks from Baron Willhem's servants, he remained by his male lover's side, laughing cheerfully; he was the very picture of a libertine duke.

When evening came, Pruelle, cradling a cat and a book in his arms, came to dine with them. With polite manners, he thanked them for inviting both himself and the cat to dinner, then took care of his younger sibling's meal first. Watching the cat open its tiny mouth to eat before picking up his spoon, he looked more like a parent than a sibling.

"Your Majesty. You must have heard about the explosion incident today."

"Of course."

"It seems that Baron Willhem was in contact with the capital all day about the matter. My father seemed extremely angry that he still couldn't catch the people who killed the knights in the Great Sarain Forest, on top of Tainu being violated."

"The fact that you're here means it's no longer a concern."

"Yes. Thanks to the confusion, it was easy for me to get in touch with those I know."

The people Pruelle knew in Tainu were those who had worked under Baron Willhem for a long time, along with some nobles. During Pruelle's brief stay in Tainu as a child, these individuals had helped him and his siblings with compassion. They readily shared information without suspicion, at the request of a prince who wanted to know about the local situation.

"My father, through Baron Willhem, appears to have secretly hidden smuggled goods at a midpoint in Tainu and then redistributed them to the capital and the southern regions. In the south, he mainly sent 'horses brought from the west.' Though they called them horses, what they actually were... you can probably guess."

"People, I suppose."

"Yes."

Pruelle, who had answered succinctly, looked down at the meat he had been slicing and stopped moving. For a fleeting moment, a complex emotion passed over his expressionless face.

"According to the information... there are 'horses' that have not yet been 'distributed' at that 'midpoint' in Tainu. There probably aren't many places to hide living horses. So, I've marked a few places that are likely to be used as bases, according to my guess."

Pruelle handed over a book he had brought to Kishiar. It was a thick history book.

"This book is famous for detailing the history of the western area and Tainu. It was written by one of the ancestors of the House of Tain. The places are marked inside."

"Such a precious gift, thank you."

"It's nothing. But... I heard that unfamiliar guests arrived at the outbuilding yesterday. May I ask what happened?"

The rumor about the people they had brought from the security management team yesterday had quickly reached the main house.

"They're related to those who killed the knights in Great Sarain Forest. We suspect that their minds were shattered by some ability and then abandoned."

"...Such an ability exists?"

Surprise flicked across Pruelle's face.

"Then today's intruders at the security management team were because of..."

"It could be an extension of that. Fortunately, we were one step ahead yesterday."