Turning
chapter-334

"Most of them were ordinary people, but among them was someone imbued with a peculiar energy."

Kishiar's eyes narrowed.

"Explain in detail."

"When the Cavalry members use their powers strongly, I occasionally feel a unique sensation. Today, while observing those working on the first floor, I felt a similar sensation and tried to chase after the person causing it... but I lost them."

"You lost them?"

"I was certain I was following them, but they disappeared. Looking around, I couldn't determine who I had been chasing."

It was truly astonishing that anyone, let alone Nathan Zuckerman, could lose someone. Kishiar seemed to share the sentiment, reining in his smile and falling deep into thought.

"Do you remember their face?"

"I only saw their back, so I can't be certain."

"What about other distinctive features?"

At that, Nathan Zuckerman's eyelids fluttered. Trying to recall, he remained silent for a moment, then shook his head with a look of both discomfort and bewilderment.

"I thought I knew, but as I try to describe it, I'm not sure. They might have been taller than me, or perhaps shorter... I don’t even understand what I’m saying."

"I have an inkling of who the culprit might be."

Kishiar muttered, turning his head. Yuder caught his gaze and gave a slight nod.

"It seems Nahan has already made his move here."

A heavy tension enveloped the interior of the carriage. As Yuder recalled the last sight of Nahan, Kishiar gently tapped the gift box he had been resting his arm on.

"Thinking about it, this might be a blessing in disguise. Proof that we are on the right track."

"..."

"Both of you, inform all the members about this. I need to meet with Baron Willhem."

While Kishiar went to find Baron Willhem, Yuder gathered the returned Cavalry members. As for the Peletta Knights, Nathan Zuckerman would handle them, so Yuder only needed to inform the cavalry. Members who already knew about Nahan's activities in Great Sarain Forest and the Star of Nagran couldn't hide their tension.

"Could they have infiltrated here as well? How can we identify someone who can use illusions?"

"It's unfortunate that we have so few among us with mental abilities."

Yuder knew why there were so few initial members with mental abilities. Those with abilities hard to visually prove often couldn't even properly submit their applications and were washed out. Kanna had almost met the same fate.

This issue might be alleviated when new members joined, but that time was not now.

"I don't care. If the one who did that to Priest Lusan is already here, it’s a good thing. I've been curious since the days of the Apeto Duchy. This time, I'll definitely see his face and make him pay."

Ever, with her fist clenched coldly, replied. Lusan, who had been wearing a somber expression in the distance, couldn't hide his touched expression.

"Ever..."

"Ah, and Yuder. We also went out today and heard a rather troubling rumor."

As Yuder turned his head in confusion, Ever waited for a moment when the Willhem household's servants were away and lowered her voice.

"Recently, in a village near Tainu, ten lunatics appeared all at once. There were foreigners and empire citizens alike, all of whom couldn’t remember who they were or why they were there."

The mixed group of men and women wandered aimlessly until they were arrested by the security force that had received a report. Yet, surprisingly, such incidents didn't end there.

“I heard that just yesterday, in a nearby village, several similar groups appeared, causing unease among the locals,” one said.

“It sounds like a rumor we need to verify,” another remarked.

“Right? It's possible that these could be the people driven out from the Awakener’s village that Kanna visited.”

Ever, while suggesting it as a possibility, looked quite certain.

“If we investigate these people, we might find clues about where they went.”

“Did you find out where the captured ones went?”

“According to the villagers, if the village lord finds it too challenging to decide, they are transferred to Tainu for a verdict. So, they might already be here somewhere.”

It was a plausible assumption. Yuder nodded and said that he would report it to Kishiar. Although initiating the process might lead to friction with the knights or soldiers inside Tainu, Ever wasn’t one to get intimidated by such prospects, so there seemed to be no need to worry.

“Let me know if you find out more.”

“I will. Yuder, you must be exhausted from following the commander. If you ever need help, just let me know. Sometimes, it’s better to accept assistance from others rather than overstretching oneself, understand?”

“…”

Yuder felt a mix of emotions at the gentle consolation but simply responded with a nod of acknowledgment.

“Is Enon here?”

Taking advantage of the time before Kishiar returned, Yuder headed to the room where Enon was staying. As soon as Yuder knocked, Enon peered out, scanned Yuder from top to bottom, and then opened the door a bit wider to let him in.

“You returned quicker than I expected.”

“There were urgent matters I had to relay to others.”

“What urgent matters?”

The room Enon occupied was a single room, much smaller than the one Kishiar and Yuder were staying in. Yet, compared to the dilapidated pharmacy of the slum where he had previously lived, it was almost palatial.

Briefly explaining the Red Deer Consortium and the Awakener's village in the Great Sarain Forest where Kishiar and Yuder went, and potentially where Nahan was, Enon casually asked,

“I heard about that Awakener village or whatever from others yapping about it. But is this Nahan guy really that formidable?”

“Among the Awakeners with the mental ability I’ve encountered, it's hard to find anyone stronger than him.”

“So, you can't defeat him?”

That was a somewhat sensitive question. After a moment of silence, Yuder shook his head.

“I can defeat him.”

“Then it's settled. From what I've heard, they all seem like Modar types. Better weed them out before they grow too strong.”

Yuder hesitated for a moment at the meaningful statement.

“Modar?”

“You've never heard of him? The mage Modar.”

Of course, Yuder had. But only in old tales and legends. Most stories about him painted Modar as a wicked mage who wreaked havoc upon the world but ultimately faced divine retribution and failed.

“I knew of him... but I never thought he was real.”

“Of course, he was. He ran amok everywhere, trying to create a kingdom only for mages using magic, and eventually got caught and was executed.”

“By whom?”

“By Luma.”

He hadn't known that. Suddenly, Yuder felt both a strong familiarity with the figure from the legend and a sense of distance from Enon. Memories of his past life, when he had never fully believed the information Enon shared, suddenly flashed through his mind.

"...Enon, how old are you?"

"Why do you need to know?"

As Yuder impulsively asked the question, Enon, who was rummaging through a bag placed on the bed, responded curtly. After a moment, he continued, "Didn't my past self tell you about that?"

"You did mention you've lived a long time."

"Hmm... well... why is it that you, who was satisfied with that answer back then, suddenly want to know now?"

Yuder remained silent. How could he tell Enon that in his previous life, Enon had vanished after leaving a letter that hinted he might never return? The fact that he had always been curious but couldn't ask made it even harder. In truth, apart from the brief facts Enon had shared, Yuder knew very little about him. He had simply thought of Enon as the first ally to rely upon.

"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine."

"Do you realize how annoying it is when you say things like that?"

Finally finding what he had been searching for in his bag, Enon approached Yuder, holding something. Yuder saw his own expressionless reflection in Enon's bright yellow eyes.

"Every time you look at me with that distant gaze, as if you know something about me, it really irks me. If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, stop. Before telling you my age, did I, I don't know, die or something?"

"..."

For a moment, Yuder couldn't deny it. To be precise, Enon hadn't died but had left and never returned. However, Yuder couldn't honestly distinguish between the two.

"Is it true?"

Seeing the assurance in Yuder's silence, the look in Enon's eyes changed.

"Did I really die?"

"...You said you didn't believe it."

"I don't. But...!"

Enon, about to shout something, abruptly closed his mouth. He ruffled his hair roughly and took a deep breath.

"...Since you appeared, the world has been changing, becoming different from before. You definitely know something. I'm sure of that."