"If passing through is this simple, anyone could infiltrate the First Wall. Isn't His Majesty too exposed to danger?"
"No, that's not the case. The First Wall is more secure against outside intrusion than any other."
"How so?"
"Well..." Nathan began, but stopped mid-sentence, his attention drawn to the massive gate looming ahead.
"We've arrived at the Black Pigeon. You'll learn more about the walls as you gain experience."
The Black Pigeon was one of the more prominent institutions in the second district. A bustling complex of buildings, it was alive with officials and visitors moving between them. Messenger pigeons darted ceaselessly from open windows and rooftops, each with a small tube attached to its leg.
While not actually black, the constant flurry of these birds likely explained the institution's name.
Nathan briefly conversed with the guard at the entrance, then returned.
"We need to head to the Inner Palace, which handles the affairs of the Imperial Palace. Shall we?"
As Yuder had suspected, Nathan was here to deliver the Emperor's directive and await any necessary responses. Since the Inner Palace was one of the closest buildings, they were almost at their destination.
"Wait, just a moment. Sir Nathan!"
Kanna's voice rang out from behind, stopping them in their tracks. She stood still, her head bowed low as she spoke.
"I... I feel unwell. Could I rest here for a moment? There's no need for all of us to go, right?"
Kanna's face was pale, and she looked genuinely sick. But Yuder wasn't fooled. Her odd behavior since their arrival at the Imperial Palace had been too suspicious, and he was certain her sudden illness was feigned. Nathan seemed to share the sentiment, his head tilted slightly as he regarded her with calm skepticism.
"...It might be dangerous for you to stay here alone."
"No, it won't be. We're in the second district; who would harm me here? I just need to sit on that bench over there for a little while. I'll be fine. But... is that not okay?"
Sweat glistened on Kanna's brow as she stubbornly shook her head. Nathan fell silent, clearly debating whether to press her for the real reason behind her behavior.
'He must be unsure how to handle this, since she's not from his department,'
Nathan, as the adjutant to Duke Peletta, technically wasn't part of the Cavalry. Dealing with someone outside his own sphere was always tricky, and Kanna was a newcomer, no less. It made sense that he wouldn't know how to approach the situation, especially since time was of the essence.
'Besides, he can't afford to waste much time considering we have a place to visit
Yuder came to a quick conclusion.
'It's better if I stay behind.'
Nathan wasn't known for being particularly eloquent, and while Yuder was no master of conversation either, he had a better rapport with Kanna. If anyone could get her to speak honestly without causing a scene, it would be him.
The reason behind Kanna's reluctance to enter the Inner Palace remained a mystery, but her hesitation suggested that whatever troubled her had something to do with that place. It was clear to Yuder that staying behind and speaking with her would be the best course of action to uncover the truth.
"I'll stay here with Kanna. Wouldn't that be acceptable?"
"..."
"No, no, it's fine, Yuder! You don't need to—" Kanna hastily interjected, but Yuder cut her off gently.
"Kanna, it's dangerous to leave an unwell comrade alone, no matter where we are. But if there are two of us, even Nathan would worry less."
Kanna fell silent, meeting Yuder's gaze. She was quick-witted enough to realize it would be better to compromise and heed his words rather than stubbornly insist on being left alone. However, before she could respond, other squad members stepped forward.
"Hey, if Yuder doesn't have to go, I'll stay here and protect Kanna, too,"
"Yeah, me too. We just have to sit and wait here, right?"
"I want to help as well. I won't move an inch from this spot."
As more squad members voiced their desire to stay, their chatter grew louder. Nathan furrowed his brow.
"Your camaraderie is commendable… but I can't leave everyone behind," he said, his tone firm. "If you're really unwell, Kanna, it would be better to ask for help from the Commander's assistant. Yuder, I'll leave this to you."
Nathan wasn't a fool. He had caught on to the hidden meaning in Yuder's suggestion and judged that it would be best to leave Kanna in his care. He likely understood that with the entire squad present, Kanna would remain tense and reluctant to speak, but with just Yuder, she might lower her guard.
By mentioning the Commander's assistant as a reason for leaving Yuder behind, Nathan also neatly cut off any further argument. There was no room left for discussion.
"I understand,"
As Yuder had anticipated, the other squad members, though a bit disappointed, accepted the situation. They offered Kanna words of care before following Nathan into the Inner Palace.
"We'll be back soon, so stay safe and rest!"
Yuder watched until their figures disappeared from sight, then turned his attention back to Kanna. Her face was pale with anxiety, and her eyes flickered with a hint of fear as she glanced at the passing strangers.
"Now that it's just the two of us, can you tell me what's really going on?" Yuder asked, his voice calm but direct.
"What? What are you talking about? Nothing's wrong. I'm just not feeling well..." Kanna stammered, lowering her head.
Yuder sighed softly. Her words were unconvincing, and no one would have believed her.
'I wouldn't have cared in the past,'
But things were different now. Yuder had been the one to bring Kanna into the Cavalry. He felt responsible for her, and for whatever was happening now.
"Did you betray the Cavalry?" Yuder asked quietly, his gaze fixed on her.
Kanna's eyes widened in shock, and her mouth dropped open. "What?"
"Or did you kill an innocent person?" Yuder's voice remained steady, his expression unreadable.
"No!"
"Then there should be no problem, Kanna. I stayed behind to help you, not to interrogate you. Don't you think everyone has noticed your peculiar behavior? The sooner you tell me the truth, the more time we'll have to devise a solution. Whatever it is, I promise I won't be surprised."
Kanna stood speechless, her eyes fixed on Yuder's composed face. She had anticipated that he might try to talk to her, but she hadn't expected him to speak so directly.
Yuder's voice was calm, steady, yet it held a strange power—almost like it carried a weight beyond mere words. The anxiety that had plagued Kanna since their arrival began to feel fleeting, as though it might vanish completely. But the truth was more complicated. If there really was nothing wrong, she wouldn't be feeling this way at all.
She bit her lip, head lowered, torn between speaking up and remaining silent. Finally, she found her voice.
"Really... it's nothing... Not something worth troubling anyone over."
'Saying it's not worth help must mean it's personal,'
He could read Kanna's unease like an open book. In the past, he would've had subordinates investigate and resolve such matters discreetly, but now, without that luxury, he had to rely on his own approach. And that meant pushing forward directly.
"Who is it?"
"Huh?"
"Seeing as you don't want to enter the palace, I'm guessing the problem lies inside. Who is it? Family? A relative? Friend?"
"W-What are you talking about, Yuder?"
"The most likely is family."
The smile Kanna had been forcing fell instantly. Her hands clenched tightly, her knuckles white, as she lowered her gaze, clearly unsettled. Seems like he hit the mark.
"I really don't know what you mean. Just stop... we promised Sir Nathan we'd wait quietly, so I-I'll sit down now."
"Kanna," Yuder said, his voice firm but soft, "a problem for a member of the Cavalry becomes a problem for the whole Cavalry. Sir Nathan has already noticed something is wrong. It won't be long before the Commander finds out. Is that what you want?"
"…"
Her steps faltered.
"We can end this quickly before anyone else gets involved. Tell me, who in the palace is making you act like this?"
The exchange, happening in front of the bustling entrance to the Black Pigeon, was starting to attract attention. People passed by, glancing curiously at the two figures dressed in black Cavalry uniforms. Yuder had expected some notice and intended for this to happen, though he hadn't anticipated a response this quickly.
"But I told you, it's nothing...!"
"Kanna?" A voice from behind her interrupted, making her freeze.
Her jaw clenched, her entire body tensing. Yuder turned his gaze and saw a middle-aged man standing behind her, accompanied by a servant. They had just arrived, their carriage still parked a short distance away.
'That's him,'
He could see it immediately—the resemblance. The man's slightly greying hair at the temples, the golden-brown shade identical to Kanna's, and the strikingly similar facial features all pointed to one undeniable fact: they were related by blood.
The man wore the uniform of the palace's internal managers, his appearance carefully groomed to exude the elegance of a noble. Yet, beneath the surface, his eyes were cold and calculating, giving Yuder an unfavorable impression.
"Kanna," the man said again, his voice dripping with disdain. "I didn't want to believe it, but it really is you. I can't believe it."