You've brought quite a lot. Where did the courier bird come from?

It came from Nathan. He said he arrived at the destination first and has been doing well for five days.

According to Kishiar, Nathan Zuckerman, who had reached the destination alone, was secretly investigating whether there was any information related to Diarca or the Crown Prince. Incredibly, within less than five days, he seemed to have uncovered something significant related to their goal.

"Though he hasn't written much, as he's still investigating, the fact that Nathan is certain of it suggests it's not just trivial information."

Yuder had worried that the unexpected onset of his heat period, which had cost him five days, might hinder their overall schedule. However, it was a relief that it hadn't. Yuder's previously grave expression softened slightly. Kishiar offered him a fruit with a smile.

"I went to the river and found quite a lot of Quaron ripening nearby. I've only brought the ones that looked good... Would you like to try one?"

Quaron, a winter fruit resembling raspberries, was a favored winter sustenance for wild animals. Yuder popped the clustered, bright red berries into his mouth. Each tiny berry burst with a clean, tart flavor as he chewed. Although different from cultivated fruits, Yuder was accustomed to this taste, having often picked such winter fruits, including Quaron, during his childhood in the mountains.

"It seems to be good," he noted.

"Please, Commander, have some too," Yuder offered.

Regaining his composure, Yuder noticed that the Quaron Kishiar had been holding were all gone.

"I'm fine. I've caught some fish, so I should get ready to cook them."

Considering Kishiar's high status, it seemed inappropriate to ask him to do more than just bring the fish, which were surprisingly large and numerous for being caught alone in the river during winter. Even if he had used his powers, the catch was impressively large.

Yuder looked at the pile of fish and shook his head.

"I'll take care of that. Just rest."

"I'm still affected by the heat, but I'm not a patient. I grew up in the wild. I can prepare them more quickly."

Kishiar burst into laughter at his words and then nodded in agreement.

"Alright, do as you wish. But I won't stop myself from watching and helping, alright?"

Of course, Yuder didn't object to that. But there was hardly any need for assistance. Yuder changed into fresh clothes and took out a small dagger intended for such miscellaneous tasks.

He skillfully cleaned and cut several fish, summoned water for washing, and then sliced them neatly. He skewered them and cooked them over the fire, controlling the flames with his fingertips to grill the fish to perfection without burning them.

The fish, now deliciously cooked and aromatic, were sprinkled with the juice of the remaining Quarons. The strong tartness of the berries, though different from raspberries, was effective in masking any fishy taste.

As he finished and looked at the pile of grilled fish, Kishiar asked,

"Is it done?"

"Yes. You can eat now."

"There was no chance to help."

Well, hadn't he said so?

The grilled fish Yuder had prepared was made entirely in his own way; it was neither aesthetically beautiful nor exceptionally tasty. Nevertheless, Kishiar ate every piece of fish Yuder offered him without any refusal. Sitting on the ground, eating grilled fish without chairs or a table, might have seemed a humble sight, but watching Kishiar, one wouldn't think so.

In fact, even Yuder, who was used to such modest cabins and simple meals, felt like he was sharing a very special experience.

It seemed Yuder wasn't the only one who felt that way.

"Hmm... Somehow, I feel like even if this were all a dream, I'd believe it," Kishiar mused.

Yuder remained silent.

"When I caught your scent carried by the wind five days ago, my head felt dizzy. But now, here I am, comfortably sitting and being treated to a meal you prepared yourself. If I had to choose which feels more like a dream, it would definitely be this moment."

It was the first time Kishiar had spoken of the moment five days ago when Yuder's heat had just started. Yuder belatedly recalled the Alpha Awakener mercenary he had dealt with.

'That guy. I had forgotten about him...'

Though Yuder had managed to handle the situation somehow, the scene Kishiar must have witnessed was likely not a pleasant one. Yuder, about to apologize reflexively, swallowed his words upon seeing Kishiar's red eyes. Instead, he offered his portion of fish to him.

"Please, eat this."

"Ah."

The man, with his eyes downcast and lips slightly parted, confidently took the fish, as if he had been waiting to do so from the beginning, with a sly attitude.

But Yuder, instead of feeling ridiculous at this sight, found his gaze continually drawn to Kishiar's red lips and the movement of his throat. Perhaps it was because they had already crossed a line from which there was no returning.

'Thinking such things even while eating...'

It was remarkable how strong a desire still lingered in him, despite the heat not having completely subsided.

It didn't take long for the numerous fish to disappear into their stomachs. During this time, Kishiar gently asked Yuder a few questions.

"Who taught you to cook like this?"

"It's hardly cooking... But I learned how to catch and prepare fish from my grandfather."

"So, you often ate like this where you lived?"

"Yes."

"May I ask what that place was like?"

Though Yuder wasn't eager to answer such a mundane question, he recalled Kishiar's previous curiosity about him. Now, with nothing more to hide, he wanted to answer as honestly as possible if Kishiar wished to know.

"What was it like... It was just a mountain, similar to this place. No, it was taller and deeper."

Though it was not long ago in terms of his physical age, the memories belonged to a place he lived in over a decade ago. Yuder vaguely recounted his old memories of where he had lived.

The small house he shared with his grandfather was a renovated place that once served as a shelter for herb gatherers and woodcutters. The nearest village was a half-day's descent away, making human contact rare and making him more familiar with animals and plants.

Catching fish in the streams and rivers flowing along the mountain range, gathering herbs and wild vegetables, and occasionally eating animals caught in traps were part of their daily routine. Seasonal berries and woodcutting techniques were all things he learned from his grandfather.

In the depths of the forest, a young boy named Yuder had lived alone without any issues, thanks to the skills his grandfather had taught him for surviving in such an environment.

"Weren't you scared living alone until you joined the Cavalry? You were quite young."

"In commoner society, that age is sufficiently old enough to live independently. I never felt scared."

Even deep in the forest where the nights were so dark one could hardly see in front of themselves, Yuder rarely felt fear. Whether it was strong winds pounding against the old door or encountering large wild animals that were difficult to handle alone, he was unfazed. Since his earliest memories, he had been like thisbrave and not overly sensitive to external stimuli by nature.

However, sometimes he would climb to the top of the tallest tree in the forest and gaze into the distance. He would spend long periods contemplating what lay beyond the faintly visible buildings at the foot of the mountain, the plains, and the lush forests in the distance.

After awakening his powers, these thoughts grew increasingly intense. Following the sun across the sky, he felt that beyond its path lay something far more grand and exciting than the mundane life in the forest.

Perhaps beyond that horizon were people with abilities even more extraordinary than his. Maybe he would encounter things he had never even imagined. The idea of spending his life traveling no farther than down the mountain to sell wood and returning seemed dreadfully dull.

"You had such thoughts?"

"Yes."

Kishiar, listening to the story, wore an expression of great interest mixed with a tinge of regret.

"You seem a bit disappointed."

"I can't help but wonder how cute you must have been back then."

"Let me clarify... 'Cute' is hardly a word that would have suited me."

Even if he was more innocent back then, Yuder was still Yuder. No matter how one looked at it, he wasn't the type to be overly praised for his demeanor.

But Kishiar didn't agree; he just smiled silently in response.

Yuder decided to change the subject.

"Shall I finish tidying up the house now?"

"Yes. It was nice hearing about your past. Share more stories with me later."

Yuder couldn't fathom what Kishiar found so interesting about it, but if that was what he wanted...

Silently, Yuder got up and approached a pile of assorted items. Most of the things in the cabin seemed to have been left behind by herb gatherers. Tools with missing parts used for gathering herbs, pieces of torn cloth, and sacks containing dried-up, withered herbs were scattered in disarray.

'Burning them might be best,' Yuder thought as his gaze settled on the sacks emitting a musty smell.

It was then that he noticed something. His eyes casually drifted to a spot and stumbled upon a familiar shape.