"What are you referring to?"
"I've heard that those who manifest second genders periodically emit a scent from their bodies, both during and after the manifestation."
Emitting a scent from their bodies—it was a roundabout way of saying they experienced heat.
"It hasn't happened within our Cavalry yet, but wouldn't accidents occur if people are in close proximity during such periods? As a place where many awakened gather, I believe this is an issue you should consider, Commander, for the sake of the future."
Furthermore, it was absolutely necessary to quickly establish a system for organizations with a particularly high ratio of awakened individuals, such as the Southern Army, and for the country, where more and more awakened would live together in the future.
'In the past, laws could only be established after numerous accidents had occurred.'
Two years had passed since the Red Stone fell, and until now, the number of awakened had not been significant. However, as time went on, the number of awakeners steadily increased, and the types of abilities diversified. Along with this, the number of those who manifested second genders also rose, leading to many accidents due to unavoidable reasons.
A considerable amount of time was needed for people to recognize, familiarize themselves with, and find ways to cope with such a new phenomenon. The same went for those who manifested second genders.
The notion that those who manifested a second gender must be separated from others for a while. That one should not carelessly encounter Alphas or Omegas during heat. Even such basic information was unknown to everyone at this point.
Normally, someone would have to suffer for such knowledge to spread gradually, but Yuder didn't like that approach.
"Accidents caused by the manifestation of second genders… That's a valid point."
"If there are no rules in place when an incident occurs, handling it will be too late."
These regulations must be established as early as possible—while the Cavalry was newly formed and everything was still in its developmental stage, and before anyone could threaten Kishiar's position.
"Understood. I was already in the process of creating internal regulations with the help of jurists, so there should be no problem adding this. I'll take it into consideration."
"Thank you."
"But how did you, a non-manifested individual, think this far ahead?"
Yuder couldn't exactly reply that it was because he would manifest as an Omega in the future, so he lied.
"I heard about these matters before joining the Cavalry, so I wanted to propose it."
"I see."
No matter how intelligent Kishiar La Orr was, he couldn't deduce the absurd truth that Yuder possessed memories of the future. Kishiar easily accepted Yuder's explanation.
"We've talked all the way here. It's late, so let's meet again tomorrow."
During their conversation, they had unknowingly returned to the place where they first met.
Glancing up at the starry sky and estimating the time by the position of the moon, Kishiar turned away before receiving Yuder's farewell.
He was refreshingly indifferent, not the type to suggest spending the night together.
Yuder watched silently until Kishiar's figure completely disappeared into the darkness.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Red Stone had fallen from the sky one day. Some believed it was a message from the gods to humanity, while others thought it was a stone from another world. Yuder, however, held neither belief.
"Evidence is clear. I only trust what I see with my own eyes." That was his principle.
So, it wasn't strange that he had a different thought as he stood before the Red Stone the following day—an anomaly he had witnessed and experienced firsthand.
'Could it really be an object from another world?'
"Yuder, what's wrong?"
Gakane, standing beside Yuder, asked with concern in his eyes.
"Are you affected by the energy the stone is emitting?"
"No."
Yuder no longer cared about the energy emitted by the Red Stone. Although the air grew heavier and his skin tingled as he approached the stone again, it was much less intense than the day before.
It wasn't just Yuder who had adjusted. Kanna, who had barely managed to reach this distance yesterday, seemed much calmer today.
'She seemed to blame herself for not being able to help yesterday. But there's no need for her to worry.'
Kanna had been somber all the way back to their lodgings the day before. Despite her lack of combat abilities, they had gone to great lengths to bring her here. Yet, when they needed her most, she hadn't been able to assist. It was understandable.
But considering the fact that her arm might have vanished if she had touched the stone—as Gakane's shadow had—it was fortunate for everyone that she hadn't.
'The issue today isn't the tingling energy... it's the stone itself.'
Yuder's seriousness stemmed from one simple fact: all his attempts to move the Red Stone had failed.
Before coming today, he had cut a piece of an extra blanket from their lodgings and placed it in a small bag. His plan was to use his power on the stone, as he had done the day before—forming it into a sphere of dirt and ice—and then attempt to make contact while covering it with the cloth.
However, as he stood before the Red Stone once more, he remembered something he hadn't tried yesterday.
If the Red Stone belongs to this realm's natural world, it shouldn't reject my touch. Yuder could manipulate all natural attributes and materials derived from them—abilities that were crucial for transporting the stone.
So, Yuder secretly attempted to use his power on the stone itself rather than the earth beneath it. But the stone didn't budge.
He was relieved that he hadn't caused an energy explosion like the Eldore siblings had when they tried to use their powers on the Red Stone yesterday. Still, there was no reaction at all.
Yuder's power couldn't directly affect things not born of this world, like the monsters, for example.
When he had tried using his abilities on those creatures—known to come from places where the world's mana was distorted—nothing happened, just like now.
It wasn't a major issue, since he could attack them indirectly, but his weak response to things like ropes made from monster tendons or alcohol mixed with monster blood was a problem.
In the future that existed only in Yuder's memory, a law had been enacted prohibiting awakened individuals from using their powers near the World Sphere. So, it had never occurred to him to try moving something directly in this way—and he regretted that now.
'Well, knowing my power doesn't work doesn't bring me any closer to figuring out how to move this stone...'
Still, now that he knew he couldn't affect it directly, he could focus on indirect methods without hesitation.
'Let's see what Kishiar does, and then I'll try to assist.'
Kishiar had brought a relatively light yet sturdy wooden box and a large shovel to the site that day. Though the knights had transported them, it was Kishiar himself, standing at the edge of the vast pit, holding the shovel now.
"Well, let's try digging a bit."
Having placed the box next to the Red Stone, Kishiar calmly picked up the shovel and approached the stone.
"Captain, are you sure you want to do this alone?"
"Yes."
Gakane looked at the large shovel in Kishiar's hand as if it were a massive weapon. It seemed unimaginable to have someone of Kishiar's rank doing such menial work, but Kishiar was resolute.
"I'm best suited for this task, considering what happened yesterday. It would be absurd if I did nothing while my subordinates worked hard, wouldn't it?"
Gakane, unable to argue with such determination, kept silent.
"Yuder, be prepared to erect a protective barrier immediately if you sense anything unusual, like yesterday."
"Yes."
"Then, I'll begin."
Without further hesitation, Kishiar plunged the shovel into the ground next to the Red Stone. At that moment, Yuder noticed a faint shimmering energy radiating from Kishiar's hand and narrowed his eyes.
'Is it an enhancement ability?'
The shovel sank into the earth with a sound like settling dust, and Kishiar paused for a moment, scrutinizing the Red Stone for any signs of danger. Then, with a single smooth motion, he dug up the Red Stone and swept it into the box.
"Ah!"
The Eldore siblings screamed in unison, while Kanna shrank back, expecting something to happen. Gakane's shadow clone rose swiftly from the ground near his feet.
"..."
But nothing happened inside the box.
"It seems we're in the clear."
Everyone stared at the box with confused expressions. The only ones who remained composed were Kishiar and Yuder.
Relieved, Yuder glanced at Kishiar, who handed the shovel to Gakane.
"It appears as long as we don't touch it directly, we're safe. That's fortunate. Shall we fill the box with water and freeze it to prevent the stone from shifting inside?"
"Can you do that?"
"I can melt it instantly if necessary."
"Hmm... I'd like to see that, but not now. The water created by your ability might trigger another reaction from the stone, like yesterday."
Even though it was secured inside a box, the Red Stone's power remained potent. It soon became clear that General Gino, a Swordmaster, and the Peletta knights couldn't approach the box beyond a certain distance.
Thus, it was decided that the box containing the Red Stone would be stored in Kishiar's private quarters.
"Yuder Aile, carry the box and follow me. Everyone else, return to your lodgings. We'll rest tonight and depart for the capital tomorrow. That's all."
Yuder followed Kishiar's orders, cradling the box that contained the Red Stone. Although it wasn't heavy, the energy emanating from it still weighed down his body, making his skin prickle, just as it had the day before.