The man lifted his staff, embedded with a transparent magic stone, and moved slowly. With each soft tap of the staff meeting the ground, the color drained from Kanna's face.
Noticing this, Yuder reached for the hood hanging on Kanna's uniform and pulled it over her head. As the large hood concealed her face, Kanna gasped softly and swallowed hard.
"Don't say a word," Yuder murmured, just loud enough for her to hear, before stepping forward to face the approaching man. His movement naturally positioned him to shield Kanna behind him.
"What's going on here?"
"Who are you?"
Despite not knowing Yuder's identity or status, the man spoke down to him. It was clear he viewed Yuder with disdain.
"I am Yuder Aile, of the Cavalry. And you are?"
"The Cavalry?"
The man tilted his head, as though hearing the name for the first time. A moment later, he let out a sound of realization.
"Ah, yes. That group formed by His Grace, Duke Peletta..."
He left the rest unsaid, but the contempt in his tone was unmistakable. Yuder's eyes narrowed as he glanced briefly at the man's gloved hand.
'Twice now, he's ignored my question. In the past, I would've forced him to his knees...'
The urge to act was strong, but the sound of Kanna's shaky breathing behind him held him back.
"There's no need for pleasantries. The woman behind you is from my household. She committed a crime recently and fled. We've been searching for her, and now that we've found her, I will take her. Move aside."
Kanna's trembling breaths abruptly stopped. Yuder glanced back at her briefly before fixing his gaze on the man again. The man's ruthless tone sharpened as he saw Yuder's calm demeanor.
"Didn't you hear me? I said, step aside."
"Heh, didn't you hear the Count's words? Step aside!" echoed the servant standing beside the man.
Yet, Yuder remained motionless, not budging an inch.
"Are you deaf?"
"There's no need for you to handle these lowly creatures yourself, Master. Let me—"
"Can you prove it?" Yuder interrupted, his voice cutting through the air.
"What?"
"How can you be sure the person behind me is the one you're looking for?"
The moment Yuder's deep, ominous voice rang out, a palpable chill swept through the air. Everyone watching felt an unsettling intensity that made them shiver.
The man who introduced himself as Yuder Aile seemed out of place, like a misplaced piece in an otherwise perfect puzzle.
Two pitiless eyes beneath jet-black hair. The dark shadows beneath them were menacing, as if merely meeting his gaze could strip away one's soul. His ghostly pale face only added to the unease.
This ominous aura around Yuder was so intense, it became impossible to look away. Until now, no one had paid him any attention, but once noticed, everything about him seemed strikingly different.
Though standing right before them, Yuder felt like a shadow—insignificant at first glance, but on closer inspection, consuming, like the darkness itself. Someone in the crowd swallowed nervously.
Who was this man? Those unfamiliar with his name began to wonder.
"Sir…You cover her with a hood to hide her, and now you want to argue?" the servant stammered, trying to regain his footing. His voice trembled, and without realizing it, he had shifted to a more respectful tone.
"You appear out of nowhere, trying to claim her without confirming if she's the person you're looking for. I didn't know a nobleman from the palace had the privilege of taking anyone within the imperial grounds without so much as introducing himself," Yuder continued, showing neither fear nor hesitation. His cold words rippled through the onlookers.
"A nobleman from the palace?"
"Did he just say a nobleman was trying to take someone? Who is it?"
The crowd's attention was now squarely on the Count. His servant paled as the weight of the onlookers' stares pressed on him.
"M-Master..." the servant muttered, clearly unnerved.
Contempt and anger flashed in the Count's eyes, eyes that bore a striking resemblance to Kanna's. If there had been no witnesses, he would have likely acted as he pleased. But now, in front of the Black Pigeon, one of the busiest areas in District 2, his hands were tied.
With the crowd's eyes on him, he had to consider his status and dignity.
"It seems there's been a misunderstanding. My servant misspoke. I am Hank Gallon, a Second-Class Official of the palace," the Count introduced himself, his tone still condescending but more measured, mindful of the crowd.
Yuder searched his memory. The name Gallon sounded vaguely familiar.
'Gallon... Yes, he's a Count. That much is clear.'
Yuder, well-versed in the intricate web of noble families due to his past assignments, recalled what little he knew of the Gallon family. They were a quiet, unobtrusive house that had lived in the capital for years, never at the forefront of political drama, but never causing trouble either.
In a calm, steady voice, Yuder responded, "So, you are Count Gallon."
"My apologies for the abruptness, but the woman behind you is undoubtedly a member of my household who went missing. If you allow me to see her face, I can confirm whether my claim is true."
Yuder remained unmoved, noting the Count's careful phrasing. Gallon had referred to Kanna as a "member of his household," not a blood relative. This suggested that whatever connection they shared wasn't something he wanted to reveal in public.
The Gallon family had always been discreet, and though not at the center of imperial politics, their presence in the palace—a place reserved only for nobles with at least five generations of lineage—meant they handled important imperial affairs, though their power was limited. It was clear the Count's pride lay more in his rank than in the pursuit of truth.
But Yuder knew there was more to this story than Gallon was letting on.
Considering Kanna's tense reaction, it was clear she had been uneasy ever since they arrived, perhaps dreading an encounter with this man. Yuder quickly made up his mind and shook his head, his expression bold and unyielding.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible,"
"Excuse me?"
"My companion comes from humble origins and has only recently been granted a last name and recognition from His Majesty. What makes you so certain she belongs to your family, Count? The Cavalry thoroughly verifies the identity of all its members. I find it hard to believe that there's a criminal among us. And what exactly is this crime you claim she committed?"
"...That's none of your concern,"
"Then, naturally, I cannot hand her over. To question my companion is to question the judgment of our Commander, Duke Peletta. Could it be that you have some ulterior motive, Count?" Yuder's words flowed with precision, calculated to provoke.
A murmur spread through the gathered crowd. Yuder's argument seemed logical, but his insinuations were layered with deeper meaning.
Was Yuder suggesting this was a personal family matter? Or hinting at something more sinister, perhaps an underlying scheme against Duke Peletta? Or was it something even simpler—a Count chasing after a woman who had caught his eye?
Count Gallon's hand tightened around his cane as the weight of curious eyes bore down on him.
"How dare you question my master's intentions!"
"You, stay silent," Count Gallon ordered. His previously polite demeanor had darkened, anger simmering beneath the surface. "I've tried to be civil, but your arrogance is unbearable. Do you think you can speak to me this way because of your affiliation with someone powerful?"
"Then answer my question," Yuder pressed, unfazed. "How can the person behind me be a criminal who escaped your grasp?"
"I've already told you, remove her hood and you'll see for yourself," Count Gallon snapped.
"Answer me first. How can I trust you when you refuse to explain anything beforehand?" Yuder's firm response, laced with distrust, visibly pushed the Count to the edge of his patience.
If it were up to Count Gallon, he would have already summoned the palace knights to enforce his will. But with the growing crowd, he hesitated. More eyes were watching now, and every nobleman knew that reputation was everything.
"What's going on? A Count from the palace targeting a woman? In broad daylight, within the palace grounds?" someone in the crowd whispered.
"No, they're from the Cavalry—the group Duke Peletta formed. It caused quite a stir a few months ago," another murmured.
"Why are they confronting a Count, though? Is it a family dispute?"
Every noble values their reputation and safety above all else. Despite the emperor's declining health, every event within the palace reached his ears. The four major ducal families, in particular, were extremely cautious, keenly aware that any misstep could have significan
Count Gallon could feel the stares, the whispers growing louder. His family had long avoided scandal, cleverly navigating palace politics without aligning too closely with any major factions. The last thing they needed was a public spectacle over a runaway girl. Their reputation—built on years of careful discretion—was at risk.
Realizing the precariousness of the situation, the Count decided to retreat, at least for now.
"You said you're from the Cavalry, correct? Today may not be the time, but I will visit your headquarters soon. Once I speak with Duke Peletta, everything will become clear," Count Gallon said, his voice dripping with thinly veiled threat.
But Yuder's expression remained indifferent, his confidence unwavering. He met the Count's challenge with cold, unflinching eyes, as though the threat meant nothing.
The Count clenched his jaw, teeth grinding in frustration.
"I'll remember your name," he muttered darkly, before turning to leave, his servant trailing behind him.