"I was concerned yesterday that the retrieval might be difficult, but I must congratulate you on its successful completion," said General Gino, stepping slightly ahead to avoid the energy radiating from the box as he spoke to Kishiar.
From the way he was walking, it seemed he intended to accompany Kishiar until they reached his quarters.
"Thank you. I'm glad it was resolved quickly,"
"Thanks to your efforts, our Southern Army will finally be able to leave this place for the first time in two years."
"You must be eager to regain your freedom after all these months," Kishiar remarked casually.
General Gino's expression softened, a faint smile breaking through his usual stern demeanor. The relief of being able to leave this forsaken place had clearly touched even the unflappable general.
"But it's peculiar, isn't it? The stone threatens to explode when touched by a person, yet it's stable inside an object. How did you figure that out?" Gino asked.
"I don't think it's the mere touch of a human that causes it to explode."
For a moment, Kishiar's gaze flicked to the box held by Yuder.
"It's still a working theory," he continued, "but I believe the trigger is Awakeners—like myself or the Cavalry members I brought. It seems to react to direct contact and the use of abilities."
"Ah, I see. So that's why you chose to move it using a shovel and a box—tools that have no connection to Awakeners."
General Gino stroked his chin thoughtfully, nodding as he absorbed the explanation. After a brief pause, he posed another question.
"Then, in theory, someone like me—who hasn't gained any powers from the Red Stone—could touch it without causing an explosion, correct? What do you think?"
"Possibly. But the key issue isn't just who can touch it. Ordinary people may be able to touch it, but they can't get close enough. Awakeners, on the other hand, can approach but can't touch it directly. The safest option was to shovel it into the box, and thankfully, it worked."
"Quite strange," Gino muttered, his brow furrowing as he stared at the box. It resembled a ticking bomb, ready to detonate at the slightest provocation.
"General," Kishiar said, drawing his attention. "We'll depart early tomorrow morning. As we discussed, the Southern Army should begin its withdrawal once you've received confirmation that we've reached the capital."
"Understood."
"And let's skip formal farewells tomorrow. It could attract unnecessary attention."
At that, General Gino sighed.
"So you're saying we may never see each other again after this, and yet you want to leave without even a proper goodbye to an old general?"
Kishiar laughed lightly. "Haha. Weren't all those strategy games we played over the past two days our way of saying goodbye?"
"Considering we haven't seen each other in years, that was the least you could do," Gino retorted with mock indignation, though his gaze toward Kishiar held a warmth reminiscent of a grandfather looking at his grandson.
Yuder suddenly recalled that General Gino, despite his reputation for being upright and reserved, had never married or had children. His entire life had been devoted to the sword and service.
"We've arrived," Kishiar said as they approached the building. "Let's head inside."
Ahead was Kishiar's quarters, a stark contrast to the surrounding village. Unlike the modest, weathered houses nearby, it stood tall—a beautiful mansion made of brick, properly constructed and well-maintained.
Yuder was a bit surprised to find such a well-built mansion in this remote place, but he guessed it was likely a summer villa constructed by someone long ago.
"Take care of your health, Your Majesty,"
"I'm always in good health. But aren't you close to retirement, General? When the time comes, patrol the borders sparingly and visit me in Peletta," Kishiar responded with a gentle smile.
"You always know how to speak so sweetly."
With a laugh, General Gino bowed his head in farewell and turned to leave. Yuder also bowed his head in respect, though, as expected, there was no acknowledgment from the General—a man of high rank wouldn't bother with a mere soldier like him. Yuder quietly watched as the General's figure disappeared into the distance.
He hadn't had the chance for a personal conversation with the General this time, but he wasn't disappointed. It was enough to know that Kishiar had plans to invite the retired General to his side in the future. Their bond seemed deeper than Yuder had initially thought, and as long as Kishiar was alive, there would surely be another opportunity for them to meet.
"Don't feel left out. The General is older than he seems and still doesn't fully grasp the value of the Awakeners," Kishiar remarked quietly, breaking the silence.
At first, Yuder blinked in confusion, not understanding the comment. But then it dawned on him that Kishiar might have sensed some disappointment on his part. Yuder shook his head.
"I'm not upset. If anything, too much attention from him would have been uncomfortable."
He was sincere. A man like General Gino, who had spent his life surrounded by power and high-ranking officials, had little reason to pay attention to someone like Yuder, a newcomer to the Cavalry. To the General, the members of the Cavalry were likely no different from the countless soldiers of the Southern Army—interesting because of their abilities, but ultimately nothing special. The fact that Yuder had joined the Cavalry and received a title didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things.
"I like that you're consistent," Kishiar said with a chuckle, as he opened the door to the mansion. The unusually high, arched wooden door was so heavy that most people would struggle to open it with both hands, but Kishiar swung it open easily with one.
"Come in,"
Kishiar's demeanor now was markedly different from the graceful way he had carried himself while walking alongside General Gino.
"...Where should I put the box?"
"Anywhere nearby is fine. You'll have to retrieve it tomorrow anyway."
Normally, the knights of Peletta would have handled such tasks, but they couldn't even approach the box because of the dangerous energy it emitted. This was also why the Cavalry would be leading the return journey tomorrow, with the knights following at a safe distance.
Yuder set the box down in the shadow of a pillar near the entrance, where it wouldn't be easily noticed. As he stepped away from it, the prickling sensation on his skin diminished considerably.
"Then, I'll be heading back now,"
"You've worked hard bringing it all the way here. It would be quite heartless of me to let you leave without at least offering you a cup of tea,"
"No, I really should—"
"Don't tell me you intend to heartlessly refuse a leader who's been without an adjutant for two nights straight?" Kishiar teased, his tone light but insistent. "I can't believe Yuder Aile, who cares so much for his fellow Awakeners, would do something like that."
'Since when did you know that?'
Before Yuder could refuse again, Kishiar had already made his move. He lit the fire in the mansion's parlor, tossing a handful of magic stones into the stove. They crackled and flared to life, quickly illuminating the room and warming the air.
As the light spread, Yuder could finally take in the full view of the mansion's interior. It had the comfortable, airy design of a summer villa, with wooden beams and large windows that let in the evening light.
When the fire had been out, Yuder initially thought the place too old and decrepit for anyone to stay in alone. Yet, upon closer inspection, it was far more well-kept than expected. The interior, though not luxurious, had a cozy, lived-in feel. The emblem of the noble family that had once owned the mansion—a long-tailed blue bird perched next to a shield—was engraved in various places.
"You won't have many chances to drink tea I've personally prepared. Are you still thinking of leaving?" Kishiar asked casually, moving around the room as if he were the rightful owner of the place, despite having only stayed there for two nights.
Yuder watched silently as Kishiar filled an empty teapot with water, placed it on the stove, and skillfully measured out tea leaves from a nearby shelf. His movements were fluid and unhurried, as if this were something he did every day.
"..."
Resigning himself to the situation, Yuder finally sighed and sat down in the chair Kishiar had gestured to in front of the stove. Before long, steam began to rise from the teapot, and a rich, aromatic scent filled the room. Kishiar poured the hot water into two cups he had produced from somewhere and placed them on the table between them.
"You don't seem surprised. Most people are shocked when they see me doing something as mundane as making tea," Kishiar said with a faint smile.
How Yuder wished he could tell him that he had experienced this scene before, that he had shared this very tea many times in the past. But swallowing the bittersweet memories, Yuder simply shook his head.
"I am surprised, in my own way."
"You don't look it," Kishiar noted.
"That's just my face," Yuder replied flatly.
His expressionless face, paired with cold, emotionless eyes, often gave people the impression that he was uncaring, almost corpse-like. It was something he'd heard repeatedly over the years.
"No one's born with such a grim look. You can always practice smiling more. How about in front of a mirror? I can help if you'd like,"
"...That won't be necessary."
"Don't be so quick to refuse."
Yuder found himself wondering how on earth he had ended up having such a ridiculous conversation with Kishiar. Despite his efforts to remain unaffected, he realized with some surprise that he was actually engaging in this absurd exchange.
'I'm letting my guard down,'
"How's the tea?"
Yuder, who had left without tasting the tea made by Kishiar's adjutant Nathan back at the Cavalry barracks, couldn't do the same this time. With some reluctance, he lifted the cup, feeling as if it weighed far more than it should, and took a sip. As if waiting for that exact moment, Kishiar posed his question again.
"I'm from a peasant background. I'm not familiar with the taste of fine tea."
"So, you're avoiding the conversation. Still, finish your tea," Kishiar remarked, his playful tone prodding at Yuder's discomfort.
Yuder's expression tightened. Kishiar's words had hit a nerve, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"...That's not what I meant,"
"I was only teasing," Kishiar said, a trace of amusement in his eyes.
Even though Yuder knew it was a joke, it didn't make the sting of Kishiar's words any less sharp. A dull ache began to form in his head, and he decided it would be best to finish his tea quickly and leave.
"Yuder, How did it feel while you were carrying the box?"
Yuder paused, realizing that this was the real reason Kishiar had brought him here. The question was too direct to be casual.
"What do you mean?"
"When you first saw the stone yesterday, and when you carried it today. Did you notice any difference in the energy? Being so close to it, did anything feel... off?"