Turning
chapter-643

"Hmm. When an opportunity presents itself, how can one refuse? Come over here and let's look at this together."

'...Opportunity?'

Yuder's gaze shifted to the door through which Nathan Zuckerman had just exited.

'So, he didn't really go to help the kid splitting firewood but left to ensure it was just the two of us?'

If it was between those who trusted each other implicitly, such a move wouldn’t be problematic. But whether such a level of personal trust existed between him and Yuder...

'In my previous life, definitely not. And in this life...'

Previously, Yuder had warned Nathan Zuckerman to be wary of him and to protect Kishiar. Nathan found the strange request somewhat amusing, yet he had faithfully followed it until now.

It was understandable that Nathan had shared information and advice with Yuder, citing the need to protect Kishiar. Yuder had often seen Nathan wear a peculiar expression whenever he saw him with Kishiar. Naturally, Yuder believed that Nathan, despite his complicated feelings, would maintain a proper distance.

However... the change in Nathan's inner thoughts might have been deeper and more significant than Yuder anticipated.

In his previous life, Nathan Zuckerman rarely left Kishiar's side, especially after the manifestation incident. His protectiveness had only intensified, always trying to guard Kishiar from a distance whenever Yuder came to report.

For Nathan to leave his post on his own accord, without any official reason or Kishiar’s command, was unprecedented.

'Even after witnessing my heat a few days ago, he made this decision? Can it be true?'

Such an event would normally lead Nathan to heighten his guard around Yuder, not lessen it. Yet, it seemed the knight's judgment was contrary to Yuder's expectations.

Mixed feelings swirled within Yuder: a desire to tell Nathan not to let his guard down so easily, and a complex appreciation for Nathan’s silent show of trust.

"Why that expression? Are you disappointed that Nathan left?"

At that moment, Kishiar, quick to notice, inquired. Even while smiling, his eyes were scanning every subtle reaction from Yuder.

"No, it’s just...it feels unusual for Sir Zuckerman to leave us alone. Of course, I would prefer it if we could interpret the papers more closely together."

Yuder cleared his mind. As he sat down beside Kishiar, a faint scent wafted from him, tickling Yuder's skin in a welcoming gesture before dissipating.

"Think positively. It’s rare for someone like Nathan, who seldom shows his heart, to demonstrate his intentions this way. It’s a sign of his trust and regard for you."

Of course, it was natural. Warmth and contentment seeped through Kishiar's voice.

Yuder, staring at the indecipherable script, suddenly spoke up.

"Truthfully, I thought he should be more wary of me. While I don’t dislike being acknowledged, it does worry me a bit."

"What a world this is."

Kishiar exclaimed with exaggerated surprise, breaking into laughter.

"I’ve seen you strive for recognition, but to be uneasy about it is something else. Well, my assistant, who has declined the Deputy Commander position several times, is a remarkable person. It’s like seeing that resolute side of you again, and it kindles a sense of nostalgia."

"It’s not a joke."

"I know."

Kishiar's eyes softened.

"But have you considered that Nathan, knowing you say such things, ultimately had no choice but to trust and leave?"

"What do you mean by that..."

As Yuder slightly furrowed his brow, a finger gently approached, smoothing the crease with a soft press.

"No matter how much one tries to stay alert, if the other shows only perfection, leaving no room for doubt, and then goes a step further to say it’s okay to be even more vigilant... In such a case, even I would have to admit defeat."

Yuder wondered if Kishiar already knew about the conversation he had once had with Nathan Zuckerman. It seemed impossible, yet his words were as precise as if he had been there.

"Nathan and you have quite a few similar traits in your personalities. I've always thought that the two of you could become good friends. It seems like you've already started scheming together behind my back, but I mean even better friends than that."

'...'

What's so good about becoming friends? The notion that having a similar temperament to his was hardly a compliment to Nathan Zuckerman, was it?

And why was Kishiar talking about this, smiling as if he was more pleased than anyone else? Did he actually enjoy the fact that Nathan Zuckerman and Yuder had conspired to share information about him?

These unclear thoughts flitted through Yuder’s mind, but he remained silent. Yet, the significance of Nathan Zuckerman having left them alone seemed to have almost entirely dissipated.

"Well then, shall we take a closer look now?"

Kishiar carefully placed a bundle of papers between their knees, making sure it was also visible to Yuder.

The papers, fragile as if they could crumble at any moment, transformed in Kishiar's hands. As if possessed with a will of their own, they gently rose, easily shedding the layers of time that had bound them, separating into five distinct sheets.

"First, I’ll read through them, and then we’ll start interpreting."

With that explanation, Kishiar turned his gaze to the first sheet. Yuder observed as his red eyes calmly and quickly scanned the page.

The man meticulously went through the first, then the second, and the third pages. It took quite some time to flip through and read all five pages, an unbelievable feat considering it was ancient script.

After reviewing the pages, Kishiar looked down as if digesting the content, and then, a while later, his gaze lifted again. He reached into his bag and pulled out a small book. A glance at the cover revealed it was a book on ancient grammar.

"When did you manage to pack that?"

"I brought a thin one, thinking it might be useful. I've never been beaten when it comes to preparedness since childhood. Though I’ve recently realized that even that preparedness can falter in the face of someone who is truly earnest."

Kishiar joked as he opened the book, placing it next to the ancient paper, comparing and scrutinizing several points. Only after completing this task did he close the book and turn to Yuder.

A deep breath followed a long pause.

"This is really... incredibly significant. Now I understand why someone wanted to tear it apart and keep it separate."

Yuder was ready to listen. He tensed, waiting for the words that would follow from Kishiar’s mouth.

"I had only briefly skimmed the document, so it couldn't be said that I had read it in its entirety. However, to summarize, the First Duke Tain, Blake Van Tain, seemed to believe that the section you discovered during your monster research might be the key to the answer he was seeking."

After speaking these complex words, Kishiar pointed his finger towards a certain part of the unfolded paper.

“Some ‘cursed beings’ had the ears of a rabbit, the wings of a bird, the tail of a dog, and the claws of a mole. Others bore the eyes of a cat and the scales of a fish. 'The Word of God' speaks of these mixed beings as coming from the world of the Black Moon. I long believed this to be a falsehood. Yet, as time passed while I compared and collected similar entities, my thoughts began to change.”

Silence followed.

“The cursed monsters sent by the Black Moon. Where did the curse originate? Where did the Word of God begin? What is the Black Moon? When I pondered these questions, I suddenly realized a certain truth.”

His words were a string of concepts that defied conventional understanding. Even if mages were known for their lack of piety, they didn't usually stray this far from general reasoning. It was almost as if questioning where the sun rose or why water flowed.

'Perhaps being from the early days of the nation, his common sense differed from ours.'

While Yuder pondered this, Kishiar quietly continued as he turned to the next page.

“I have seen all the processes by which my father’s unbelievable achievements were exaggerated into legends. When humans need to comprehend an inconceivable reality with their own strength, or wish to pass down knowledge that should endure for future generations, they create ‘legends.’ Thinking in this way seemed to reveal the answer.”

Kishiar hesitated briefly after saying this.

“Is 'The Word of God' truly the word of a god?”