Turning-Chapter 883

In the end, the guard from Makla returned with six Cavalry members, five Imperial Special Task Force soldiers, and, within that short time, twenty more troops sent by General Gino’s side. His departing figure was no longer full of worry and anxiety—it now brimmed with hope and relief.

But Yuder didn’t smile as he watched him go.

This is probably only the beginning.

The description of the abnormal rift the guard had given matched exactly what Yuder remembered from his previous life. It appeared briefly and vanished just as quickly—so quickly, most who saw it assumed they’d made a mistake or had a hallucination. Then, when disaster struck later, they’d suddenly start claiming they had seen strange signs beforehand.

Could anyone really say with certainty that the rift seen near Makla that morning was the first? Yuder was certain it wasn’t.

After the Sharloin incident, other rifts must have appeared elsewhere. They just weren’t seen, or weren’t reported up the chain and got buried.

Kishiar had clearly remembered and taken full advantage of what Yuder had told him about Makla’s lord—specifically, that he loved money. The lord’s behavior, as described by the guard, proved it.

Kishiar had already greased the wheels in the four cities Yuder had pointed out. If the lords of those places heard about what happened between Makla and the Cavalry...

Then the reports of abnormal rifts that had gone unreported until now will start pouring in one after another.

It was no exaggeration to say that noble lords were all bundles of pride. For them, having to request outside help for something strange that happened in their own territory was shameful. Especially if that help had to come from a relatively new organization like the Cavalry.

But even in his past life, the Lord of Makla had made the decision to host a Cavalry branch simply because of the money. He wasn’t someone you could call a good person, but he was the kind of petty materialist who would follow through on what he was paid for—no more, no less.

Thanks to his quick report to the Cavalry, his territory would be protected, and he’d ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) even receive extra support, including funds. If that rumor spread, not only the other three major cities but surrounding lords would start paying attention and follow suit.

The beginning is always the hardest. But once the first break in the dam happens, the rest flows easily.

"Yuder. Are we really okay with sending just that many for support? What if monsters appear like they did last time...?"

Ever, who had returned after seeing the group off, asked with a concerned tone.

"If we were certain that the rift would only appear in Makla, then yes, concentrating all our forces there would be the right move."

"Ah... so, you think more will appear in other places too, right?"

"That’s what it seemed like, based on my conversation with the Commander."

Yuder couldn’t explain the full basis for his conviction, so he used Kishiar as a shield. Whenever his instructions involved Kishiar’s name, most of the Cavalry members accepted them without question.

"Ah, the Commander... I see. Right, it’s not like abnormal rifts are only going to appear in one place. Then we’ll need to spread our forces carefully."

"We don’t know how things will unfold yet, but if more incidents like today’s happen, I’ll leave the deployment of reinforcements to you. Is that alright?"

"Of course. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe that’s why the Commander issued that order."

"That order?"

"Ah... you didn’t hear? He ordered support personnel to be called in from the other branches."

The word support personnel sparked something vague in Yuder’s memory. He recalled something Kishiar had said last night, when they’d been speaking and Yuder had been half-asleep.

—If things go the way you described, I don’t think the current staff in this branch alone will be enough. So I’ve made some preparations. In a way, it’s lucky we just started recruiting for the second round of members...

Right. Kishiar had said he was preparing in case the Southern branch staff weren’t sufficient. This must’ve been what Ever was referring to.

Looks like I didn’t need to worry...

"I think I remember hearing about that. So, how’s the support situation coming along?"

"Better than expected. Especially from the Eastern and Western branches—even among the newly accepted recruits, there were volunteers. I’m a little worried since they haven’t completed training yet, but... it seemed like the Commander thought it wouldn’t be a problem. After all, the new recruits here in the South were a huge help."

"...True."

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Accepted recruits from the East and West, huh?

A few familiar faces he’d met while traveling came to mind.

If it’s someone like Gloena or Marin, they’d be a real asset now. Though I’m not sure Marin ever actually made it to the Western branch after meeting us...

"But Yuder. Are you really okay now?"

"As you can see—I’m fine."

"That’s such a relief. After that hailstorm day, all we heard was that you were bedridden. I was so worried. I haven’t even seen the Commander’s face properly since then either..."

"The Commander will... soon be back on his feet."

Even Yuder couldn’t help hesitating when talking about Kishiar. It had only been a couple of hours since he’d come down, but already the urge to return to Kishiar’s side was starting to rise again.

"Right? I hope we get to see him again soon. Please tell him we all miss him."

"I will."

Ever gave a bright smile and said he had things to do, then left. Yuder rejoined Gakein, who had been watching nearby. Inon, meanwhile, was nowhere to be seen.

"Inon?"

"He said he’d heard enough and left ahead."

"So what about you? What are you doing now?"

"Training... is what I’d like to say, but I haven’t gotten permission for that yet. I don’t have a sword master, and Kanna’s not around either, so I’m just helping others however I can."

"...Zuckerman and Kanna aren’t here? Where’d they go?"

That made Yuder turn his head in surprise.

"Not just those two—Elre and Nipolen went with them. They left this morning... I’m not sure of the details, but it seemed like the Commander gave them a mission."

"The Commander did?"

"Kanna said it might take a few days. So I’m guessing it’s somewhere far. You didn’t know?"

Nathan Zuckerman, Kanna, Elre, and Nipolen. It was a strange combination in many ways.

For all four of them to be sent out together...

Are they searching for Naham?

A shapeshifter, a scout... and the fact that Nipolen was sent despite the danger caught his attention. If they had to send Nipolen, then it was likely for Awakener detection. And the only task that matched that profile right now... frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Kishiar wasn’t the type to throw people into dangerous missions without good reason. He probably sent Nathan first to test things, and once he was convinced, sent the rest.

He must think the chances that bastard is still alive are high.

The image of Naham’s crumpled form beyond Hosanra’s impaled body came to mind. At the time, it had been hard to believe he wasn’t already a corpse.

But somehow, Hosanra had sacrificed his life to shove Naham into a loophole that let him survive.

"......"

"Yuder! You must still be a little tired after just waking up, but if you’re up for it, do you want to walk around a bit outside?"

Just as Yuder clenched his fist while staring at the ground, Gakein cheerfully slapped him on the back and spoke.

"Don’t you want to see how things have been going around the branch while you were asleep? A lot happened during the hailstorm. And there are still a lot of people who haven’t seen you yet. I thought it might be good to meet them."

Maybe he was saying it because he noticed the shift in Yuder’s expression—but either way, the attempt to lift his spirits wasn’t unwelcome. The urge to return to Kishiar was still there, but... it wouldn’t hurt to check things out with his own eyes first.

Yuder slowly nodded.

"...Alright."

"Nice. Good decision!"

Gakein, excited like a giant puppy, tugged Yuder along. Outside the branch was far livelier than inside. But more than anything, what stood out the most...

"...What’s that huge pit?"

"Hahaha! I knew that would catch your eye first!"

Gakein burst out laughing as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

"That’s the amazing masterpiece Helrem and Alik created together during the hailstorm."

"A masterpiece...?"