Turning
chapter-409

Having thrown off the cumbersome formal top and donned a cape made of a material that didn’t reflect light, the part that had previously appeared to be pinned like fabric caught as an ornament unfurled, revealing a hood.

Enveloped from head to toe in black clothing and with a hood covering Yuder, he had become an entirely different person from just moments before.

“Good. Perfectly like a night guest. No one will think you were a person at the party,” Kishiar joked, straightening the hood that obscured Yuder's face, with a playful smile. Yuder opened the window, confirmed that no one was patrolling the area, and then leaped, gripping the upper frame.

“I shall be back.”

“Be careful. The rumors of how long I've been playing around here all depend on when you return. Don't forget that.”

Kishiar, who had draped Yuder’s discarded formal top over his arm, gracefully waved his finger and blew a kiss.

The sensation that had been heightened almost faltered at the princess-like gesture. Yuder merely nodded once in silence, then bounded up to the roof, stepping on the wind.

Today’s plan basically involved those in the security management team handling the auction house, while those left in the mansion took care of the party, surveilling those involved with the secret trade of Duke Tain as well as the Star of Nagran. But the auction house, defended only by the Cavalry and the Knights of Peletta, was far riskier than the secure party.

Considering this, more personnel were sent to the security management team, but now with the variable of the southern merchants, all agreed, including Kishiar, that this alone was not enough for assurance.

Therefore, one person, possessing both the quickest mobility and reliable skills, was given a special mission: to move freely between the two groups, distract the attention of others, and provide support in an ever-changing situation.

This role went to Yuder Aile, who had regained his great strength.

Everything that day was like a perfectly orchestrated play, started a week ago when Pruelle completed the list and handed over the party schedule.

Yuder first became Kishiar's partner at the party, feigned inability to dance, and made contact with Marty to gather information. Meanwhile, Kishiar danced with the Baroness, captivated the nobles' attention.

The nobles, ignoring Kishiar dancing with the Baroness, only felt a base excitement towards the gossip of Yuder and the following Duke of Peletta heading for the lounge, without questioning what they were doing there.

Perhaps by now, they were all gathered and chattering about what lascivious act might be occurring in the small lounge. Unfortunately for them, Yuder was not there.

The next goal was to quickly retrieve his sword from the mansion while Kishiar stalled in the lounge and swiftly move to the security management team.

Yuder recalled Kishiar's voice, instructing him perfectly on everything from his steps to the speed of his drinking. From the disappearance of Baron Willhem, Kishiar dancing with the Baroness, drawing everyone’s focus, and finally both of them conspicuously heading to the lounge, leaving an impression that no one could doubt his absence – nothing had differed from what Kishiar La Orr had anticipated.

All was as if pieces on a board that he had arranged.

If everyone at the party knew that the instruction had gone so far as to make Yuder Aile move in a direction of speaking as little as possible, they would have been astounded. Yuder faintly twisted the corners of his lips into a smile.

Yuder realized anew that Kishiar had considered even such things, and he felt as if he had glimpsed a trace of the man's path through life.

"To deceive others perfectly, one must first look where no one would think to look."

Yuder, who had hidden in the shadows and quickly traversed to where the annex was located, landed lightly on a tree, a good hiding spot. It had been easy to get this far, as most of the guards were focused around the main building and entrance.

When he reached out his hand and exerted his power, a sharp whistling wind swept through the entire garden, shaking the grass.

"Yuder?"

A moment later, someone who had received the signal appeared. A blue-haired boy with small, mischievous, yet lovable eyes, Finn Eldore.

Finn looked up at Yuder standing on the tree, grinned, and waved the long sword he was holding. It was Yuder's sword, taken from his lodging. As Yuder was about to jump down from the tree, Finn lowered his head and spoke softly.

"No, stay there for a moment. I'll give it to you with my ability!"

As he said this, a mist-like energy flowed from Finn's hand, and in the blink of an eye, the sword disappeared and reappeared in Yuder's hand.

Holding it for the first time since the sheath had broken in the Great Sarain Forest, and it had been lying dormant in an ordinary temporary sheath, Yuder felt his blood run hot. He attached the sword to his waist with practiced ease and spoke.

"It seems the speed is similar even when using the teleportation ability alone rather than with two. You've practiced a lot."

"I knew Yuder would understand! You have no idea how hard I've worked. Doesn't your faith soar?"

Finn laughed brightly and joyfully.

"But... what was the signal you sent earlier?"

"Ah, I wanted to tell you about the stories I heard while observing the targets. Nothing special, but I thought it would be best to let you know before we start today. We have to move right away, so I thought it would be better to write it down and slip it into the sheath. Look at it on your way."

At those words, Yuder looked down at the sheath and saw an additional small piece of cloth tied to the red string attached to the handle.

"Thank you."

"Thank you? Huh? So don't cancel the recruitment offer if the information in there is nothing special? They're Awakeners, but I barely saw them move."

A faint smile emerged at Finn's innocent and nonchalant appearance, who seemed to have been most worried about that part.

"...Ah! And there's one more thing I have to tell you."

"What is it?"

Finn made a humming sound and scratched his head.

"Kanna is back finally... but not here right now."

"What do you mean Kanna's not here?"

"There was a carriage earlier that tried to come in with the party attendees but was chased away. Turns out that carriage had come from the Great Sarain Forest."

Kanna should have come here sooner from the Great Sarain Forest, but the discovery of a magic ore vein beneath the Magic Spring Ruins changed the situation, delaying the schedule. Yuder had heard that she was really going to depart as soon as that job was finished, but given the time involved, he thought the chances of her not arriving until after this job were higher. That she had arrived today was a surprising event.

"Although I went out late, all I heard was that the carriage had already gone to the security management team, so I came back. It seems that the messenger pigeon's path was a little twisted, causing the communications to cross."

'This is... a welcome variable.'

"Thank you for telling me."

"Are you going now?"

"Yes."

"I wish I could go too. Waiting here for those who may or may not come is less appealing than going to the security management team's place."

"But you will help me with an ability that only you can perform, won't you?"

Finn, who had been openly envious, closed his mouth as he looked at Yuder, who had jumped down in front of him. A moment later, a mischievous expression, shy yet unable to hide excitement, appeared on the boy's face.

"Yes, that's right."

Finn Eldore coming out to hand Yuder the sword was not just because of simple friendship, but part of a plan that had been included since he learned that Finn had become able to use teleportation ability by himself.

Finn, arms outstretched towards Yuder, closed his eyes and exerted his energy.

"Just trust me. No one will notice, and I'll get you perfectly outside the mansion!"

A vapor-like energy began to flow greatly over his small face, drenched in sweat. As that energy grew stronger, covering Yuder, there was an unseen pull, and a sensation as though something was sucking him in.

Yuder, who had closed his eyes with dizziness, realized that he had truly come outside of Willhem's mansion. Not far off, the knights and soldiers crowding around the mansion's back door were busy moving around, unable to even imagine that someone had suddenly escaped from within.

Yuder turned his back to them and crept into the darkness. There was not a hint of hesitation in his movement as he flew onto the rooftop.

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