"Your life?"

Kishiar's eyes seemed to shift slightly. Was it Yuder's imagination? After blinking once, those red irises met Yuder's gaze again, looking no different than usual.

"Were there many moments when your life was in danger? Or is it... the time I'm thinking of?"

It was clear what Kishiar meant by 'that time.' It had to be the last day of Yuder's life that he had seen in his dream.

Although framed as a question, Kishiar seemed fairly certain about what the answer would be. Yuder responded with a face as impassive as possible.

"It's the time you're thinking of. There haven't been many occasions when someone in another country would try to save my life."

"Not many, you say."

Kishiar repeated Yuder's last words as if muttering to himself. His expression remained unchanged, but something about the eyes shadowed by golden lashes seemed to darken. Yuder quickly added another comment.

"To clarify, aside from that one time, I've never received such an offer. I hope you don't misunderstand that this happens often."

"Ah... I see."

Kishiar finally gave a small smile.

"It's clear that Prince Ejain possesses exceptional judgment in recognizing talent. With that in mind, it doesn't seem strange for you to want to repay the debt. I understand completely."

However, even after his words were done, Kishiar's hands, holding the magic artifact and relic, remained stretched out, unmoving.

"Is there anything else you're curious about?"

"It's not that I'm curious, but... No, never mind."

Uncharacteristically for a man who could skillfully find out anything, Kishiar hesitated and backed off.

"It makes me uneasy when you say that. Please, just say what's on your mind."

"Anything, you say? Truly?"

"Yes."

"..."

No reply came. Instead, Kishiar's eyes squinted slightly in the silence. As Yuder wondered if he had said something wrong, Kishiar reached out and gently touched his cheek.

"Hmm... Saying 'anything is fine' seems to be too risky. You'd best avoid being so careless."

"Why is it careless to say I can answer any question you have?"

"That's what I mean."

Kishiar responded with a faint, bitter smile.

"If I take your words to mean 'anything,' who knows what I might end up doing."

"That's a strange thing to say."

Of all things, "not knowing one's limits" hardly suited Kishiar. Wondering if he was trying to divert the conversation because he didn't want to talk, Yuder spoke again.

"Let's change the topic then."

"Hmm?"

"I'd like to know what you're thinking. Is it alright to ask that?"

At that, Kishiar blinked a couple of times before bursting into laughter. His laughter didn't die down for quite some time in front of Yuder, who frowned slightly.

"Ah... I doubt there's anyone better than you, my assistant, at extracting confessions."

"Why do you laugh as you say that?"

"It's a surrender. Ill tell you."

Raising both hands, Kishiar signaled his surrender, and the smile around his eyes deepened.

"My thoughts are simple. Firstly, I was thinking how nice it would be if you were sitting beside me instead of across from me..."

Without another word, Yuder immediately rose and moved to sit next to Kishiar.

"Yes. And what else were you thinking?"

The smile finally vanished from the gaze that felt ever closer, ever deeper.

With a small sigh, the man who had lost his playful demeanor lowered his eyes.

"I thought I wanted to hold you."

Was that all he intended to say?

Or was there another question lurking?

It was uncertain, but for some reason, it felt like even if asked further, he wouldn't reveal more.

Staring at Kishiar's idle hands, Yuder remained silent for a moment. Despite saying he wanted to hold him, Kishiar made no move to do so. Finally, Yuder gently raised his hand.

As soon as his black-gloved fingers touched Kishiar's shoulder, something dropped with a soft clatter. Turning his gaze, he found it was an old hand mirror and a seashell.

'Those precious things.'

Before he could even open his mouth, the man whose hands were now free pulled Yuder into an embrace tighter than ever before.

Feeling the slight pressure on the nape of his neck and the tickle of hair against his skin, all other thoughts seemed to vanish from his mind. Yuder exhaled deeply and leaned his own head against Kishiar. Despite being just a hug, it felt as if all the tension and fatigue that had built up throughout the day washed away.

'It's not because the medicine Enon gave me is finally kicking in...'

Rather, it was because deep down, he had been yearning for this moment while they talked.

Yuder caressed Kishiar's cheek, lifted his head, and their lips met. After a lingering kiss, what he smelled was his own scentundeniably intense. It felt so apparent even to himself that he realized his heat period wasn't far off.

'I wish it would come before we leave the capital... But who knows.'

Just then, as Kishiar welcomed Yuder's scent and further entwined their tongues, he collapsed entirely onto the sofa, interrupting his thoughts.

"Haah"

Though it was the case yesterday as well, every time Kishiar sensed the scent that increasingly slipped from Yuder's control, he seemed reluctant to let him go. When he himself smelled it, it was merely a mild scent, but to an Alpha, it may have felt differently.

Yuder felt the scent of Kishiar, who had also been quite forthright with his own scent.

The sharp, flaming desire he sensed was so vivid. Amidst the unhesitant touches, nothing else seemed to matter.

Days passed in a flurry of tasks, and finally, the day arrived when they would set out to directly participate in the second round of recruiting members for the Cavalry.

The party consisted only of Kishiar, Yuder, and Nathan Zuckerman. Though their departure appeared humble, with only three horses instead of a carriage, to those who knew of their individual strengths and abilities, the scene didn't seem modest at all.

"Yuder, take care on your journey!"

"If any issues arise, call for me at any time. I'll come running."

Choosing to leave at dawn to avoid attracting attention, those who came to see them off were limited to the three Deputy Commanders and Alik Pelgin, the disciple of Thais Yulman. Amid the early morning gloom, Alik, shivering in the cold, sniveled as he handed something to Yuder.

"Eheh, t-take this. It's medicine improved by both my master and the pharmacist of the Cavalry, as well as a prototype of an Awakener control device that I've tried making. Eheh."

"You seem like you have a cold. Wouldn't it have been better for you to stay with your master?"

At Kishiar's teasing question, Alik gave a bitter smile.

"My master loves his morning sleep, you see. And he stayed up all night making medicine because of me, so what can be done about his fatigue?"

His shoulders, disciplined like those of a well-trained slave, seemed a bit lonely.

Yuder opened the cloth bag that Alik had given him and sneakily inspected the medicine and control device.

'I saw the first prototype once... It was better than I expected.'

The heat period stabilizer for Awakeners who had manifested second genders, was a white tablet. It was developed by augmenting the medicine that Thais Yulman had already created. The first prototype had been tested on an Alpha Awakener who was experiencing a heat period and had consented. Remarkably, the overpowering scent and abnormal arousal almost disappeared within a day of taking the medication.

The heat period itself took several more days to completely end, but the dramatic improvement of symptoms alone was an incredible feat. So, Thais Yulman had recently embarked on research for mass production of the second-generation prototype, and Yuder had asked for some samples in advance.

'You never know what might happen.'

While the master was busy making medicine, Alik focused on researching the control device. His first prototype was a modified version of the necklace-type control device traditionally used by mages. At a glance, it looked like an ordinary accessory, a far more moderate and beautiful design compared to control devices from his past life, which resembled spiked shackles or dog collars.

The first prototype, built on the principles of control devices for mages, halved Alik's power. Of course, it had no effect on Yuder, but Yuder thought it would be useful enough to ask for a few more before they left.

The intended users would not be him, but others they might encounter in the future.

"I did put in three more control devices since you asked... Next time, when I make the second prototype, I'll make sure it's more refined," Alik said, his eyes still filled with disappointment that the control devices had no effect on Yuder.

"I promise to make something that will work on Yuder as well."

"It looks like we can depart now."

Nathan Zuckerman, who had just finished inspecting the horses, reported to Kishiar. All the luggage was already well-secured on the horses.

Yuder mounted his horse and glanced at Kanna, Ever, and Steiber. They each waved, their faces full of resolve.

They didn't leave the front of the Cavalry Headquarters until the three horses had disappeared from sight.

"Our first destination is Hartan, right?"

"Yes."

The Eastern region, where a second batch of Cavalry recruitment was held and where a branch was simultaneously being established, was a place Yuder had already visited. The small village, which was the hometown of Devran and where Yuder first encountered Nahan, was conveniently located despite its underdevelopment.

It wasn't far from Odequia, the central city and stronghold of the Diarca Family. There were also many fairly developed cities nearby. The reason the area hadn't developed despite its favorable location was the rugged mountains and bandits. However, since the last incident, the bandits had disappeared, creating an opportunity for development. They heard that Zachlis Hartan, who went from being a provisional lord to a new lord, was taking advantage of the opportunity and putting a lot of effort into road construction.

It was a region where the lord was highly favorable toward the Cavalry and was well-located. It had plenty of space for buildings and significant potential for development.

It couldn't have been better. The establishment of the Eastern branch was progressing faster than in any other region, except for the West, primarily because the Zachlis faction had readily agreed when asked in advance about the branch's formation.

"How do you feel about going back?"

"I am a bit curious to see how much it has changed."

The group moved smoothly, with no one struggling, making their journey remarkably fast. They arrived in Hartan earlier than expected, and what greeted them was a throng of people far more bustling than before.

"This is the place for recruiting Cavalry members, right?"

"Look over there. They've already started building the branch building!"

The once serene village, abundant with fields, now had a substantial inn and a fair number of respectable shops. The guards who were maintaining the roads throughout the town no longer had the same unfriendliness and laziness; their faces were taut with discipline.

Yuder stopped one of the guards and requested to be guided to where the lord was. The guard didn't recognize the three individuals dressed in dark robes, but he instantly recognized the button Yuder extended, which was engraved with the Cavalry's emblem.

"Welcome!"

Like a bolt of lightning, Zachlis Hartan rushed out from the castle where the lord resided, greeting them with a composed face.

"It's an honor to see you again. The first dispatched members from the Cavalry are also staying in the castle, so you'll be able to see them if you come with me. Please, follow me."