Turning
chapter-212

To express vague worries would only invite danger in return. There was no need to make a fuss every day just because one was worried. Yuder had merely been waiting in silence, but it seemed that his demeanor appeared extremely calm to others. He recalled a particularly serene expression on his face and absently stroked his chin.

"When I heard the Commander's words, I assumed that this cycle would end quickly. But isn't it lasting far longer than expected?"

"Indeed, it is lasting quite long this time."

Nathan Zuckerman nodded in agreement.

"Yet it still hasn't surpassed the longest duration."

"What was the longest period?"

"One month. It was two years ago."

Two years ago. Around the same time that Kishiar had awakened. Yuder could not even begin to imagine Kishiar of that era, who he only knew from stories, and who he could never truly know. Giving up on this fruitless effort, Yuder raised his head. Nathan Zuckerman was still sitting upright, looking straight ahead.

"Does the cycle lengthen when his physical condition is poor?"

"No. Rather than that…"

Nathan Zuckerman's words trailed off, and his eyes darkened.

"It is known to lengthen when the power does not dissipate properly."

"Dissipation, you mean…"

Yuder recalled the small potion Kishiar had shown him.

"Isn't that why he drinks the potion? That's what I heard… But even after taking the potion, are there times when the dissipation is particularly good or bad?"

Nathan Zuckerman did not immediately answer. Just as Yuder was about to give up on waiting for his response, a soft, low voice resonated in the room.

"That is…"

"Oh, you're already here."

At that moment, the aura in the inner hallway surged, and Kishiar appeared. The man, who usually kept his aura well suppressed, was releasing it so much today that it could be felt from afar. He was, as always, dressed in a white uniform. Yuder was captivated by Kishiar's beautiful face, which looked freshly washed and still damp. His appearance was already eye-catching, but today the combination of dampness and languor made him even more devastating.

"You're here."

Nathan Zuckerman promptly rose from his seat and bowed. After Yuder also stood and greeted him, Kishiar's gaze moved towards the desk. He scanned over the classified pile of letters, the pile of chocolates on the tray, and the single cup of tea, before his red eyes returned to Yuder.

"Were you two chatting?"

"Sir Aile had a question, so we were briefly engaged in conversation."

"It seems you've become quite friendly in my absence. I feel a bit jealous, Nathan."

"…"

Where in this cold silence could there be jealousy? Yuder read from Nathan Zuckerman's silence that he shared the same thought.

"Was there anything urgent to confirm while I was asleep?"

"Nothing urgent. The sequential tasks are over there for your review."

As Kishiar's adjutant, Nathan Zuckerman primarily handled the communications related to Kishiar's territory of Peletta, but that was not all. Besides managing Peletta's Knights, he received all sorts of secret communications through various channels when Kishiar was absent. Seeing how he managed to handle such a volume of work while also attending to Kishiar, Yuder couldn't help but admire him.

‘He might have done something else as well...’

Kishiar, who slowly approached the desk, skimmed through the piles of paper laid upon it. As he unrolled the scroll on top, he suddenly froze his fingertips.

"Beltrail Shand Apeto is critically ill."

"Wasn't he imprisoned in the Regien Tower?"

"It seems someone poisoned his food. It's unlikely he'll survive today - perhaps he's already departed for the long journey."

While countless individuals paid their penalties from the House of Apeto, Beltrail, naturally the greatest sinner of them all, also faced his judgment. He was stripped of his entire fortune and sentenced to 15 years in prison, leading him to Regien Tower, where most noble criminals were incarcerated.

In reality, the grand judges aligned with the Emperor argued that he should be imprisoned in the most remote land at the edge of the empire. However, the opinion of the House of Apeto that the punishment was too severe for someone of unstable mind was accepted, and instead, an agreement was reached with the confiscation of his property. He was to be sent to the Regien Tower within the capital.

The result of his punishment became the significant standard to conclude all the matters surrounding the House of Apeto. It was a victory for the Emperor and Kishiar, publicized far and wide.

Kishiar did not personally attend it, but Yuder saw with his own eyes how the people of Hartan who returned after witnessing the verdict, the Awakeners who had suffered, and Devran rejoiced. He recalled their faces when they finally returned to their homeland after Beltrail's trial, as if they were finally free from their pent-up resentment and anger.

If those who had left quietly in the middle of the night, so as not to bother Kishiar any further, heard this news, what would they think?

Without a doubt, it was a job well done. However, Yuder had to think about what was next. He moved to Kishiar's side and opened his mouth.

"Has it been determined who did it?"

"Of course, there's no evidence. But circumstantially, it's probably Aishes Shand Apeto."

Aishes. If he, who now took control of the family, had wished to eliminate Beltrail, it was completely possible. After all, having him alive wouldn't bring any benefit to the future of the House of Apeto.

"So the first son has officially made his move."

"Yes. The Duke of Apeto is trying to defend, but the Duke still hasn't woken up. It'll be tough for a while. I'm curious about who will win."

Kishiar, who said this, looked much better than he had yesterday. There was no comparison since yesterday Yuder had only seen him when he had finished his work.

Yuder looked at his face and naturally responded.

"Whichever of the two wins, there should be no harm to you, Commander."

"I'm trying to make sure that's the case."

"And so it will be."

Regardless of who won, the future of Duke Apeto was dark, and Aishes wouldn't be able to beat his frail body.

Kishiar chuckled lightly.

"Your assurance is as strong as if you've seen the future."

Yuder paused for a moment but quickly regained his composure.

"Well... my prediction is that the first son will win in the end. Once he takes over the Duke's position, we'll have to wait and see what happens next."

As he muttered, Kishiar slumped into his chair and let out a long breath.

"Nathan, could you make me a cup of tea?"

"Of course. Is there anything else you need?"

Kishiar shook his head.

"Just wait a moment, please."

Nathan Zuckerman, who had nodded to Yuder, left the Commander's office. Kishiar beckoned Yuder closer with a gesture of his hand.

"How have things been lately? It's been hard to check in since I haven't been able to get out."

"Everyone is training diligently. Their morale has risen since the trial of the House of Apeto..."

At Yuder's response, Kishiar suddenly wore an odd expression. Yuder stopped mid-sentence and blinked.

"...Wasn't that what you asked about?"

"No. I was curious about that too. But what I asked about..."

Kishiar trailed off, chuckling weakly as if he found his own question amusing. His red eyes softened.

"...was about you."

Something in Yuder's chest felt tight. He could feel the atmosphere subtly shift.

Unintentionally, his gaze fell to Kishiar's lips before dropping away. Looking at his smile was, for some reason, difficult.

"I am, of course, well. You saw me yesterday, didn't you?"

"That was brief."

"..."

"Very brief."

Nothing had changed since they had admitted their attraction and shared a kiss. Despite the trials they had faced, including the first conflict with the House of Apeto and Kishiar's constant struggles with his own body, Kishiar's attitude towards Yuder had remained unchanged. The only shift was a subtle change in how he addressed him.

Whenever their faces brushed past each other in passing or they locked eyes during conversations about work, the intensity of his gaze was warm yet fierce. It was incredibly difficult to ignore such a powerful pull, strong enough to make one forget the presence of others.

Time and space seemed to melt away in his presence. It had been like this before, but now it was even more intense. Once Yuder looked at him, it was impossible to look away. That precarious feeling was subtly knocking at the back of his mind now.

"Is your work for today done?"

"No, I've just finished sorting."

"That's good."

Not understanding what he meant by 'good', Yuder looked at Kishiar who was smiling at him.

"Then you can stay here a bit longer."

"...Do you want me to stay here longer?"

"If possible."

His answer was light, almost joking, but it could have been serious. Yuder hesitated, unsure of how to respond, before cautiously opening his mouth.

"I will try."

"How?"

His languid voice asked, seemingly teasing.

"Why don't you give me more tasks to do here, Commander?"

Yuder thought this was a pretty good response. However, Kishiar's red eyes, holding a deeper heat than usual, seemed to disagree. He soon tilted his head and spoke, a smile playing on his lips.