Turning-Chapter 821

"Don't worry. That won't happen."

In front of the flustered Gakein, Kishiar answered kindly with a smile.

"With me here, do you really think one of my own would get taken away over something like that?"

In truth, Gakein’s judgment hadn’t been entirely wrong. It wasn’t a brainwashed fake crown prince they’d subdued, but the real crown prince who had been brainwashed.

"Who could’ve possibly recognized him as the crown prince in that state? The man was unawakened and unable to even grasp his surroundings due to brainwashing. Removing him quickly from a dangerous scene was the right thing to do. You were only following Cavalry training protocol."

"Th-that may be true, but..."

"Even if I had been there, I might’ve acted the same way—or no, maybe even subdued him more harshly. That means your decision was quite restrained. You deserve praise for it."

That didn’t quite sound like something Kishiar would normally say. Their commander had never done anything one could call "rough" in any situation. He was always efficient, preferring a graceful combat style that knocked opponents down before they even realized what was happening—and he had the power to pull it off.

Still, Kishiar was smiling so dazzlingly that it dulled Gakein’s ability to think more deeply about the oddness of his words.

"With you saying that, Commander, I do feel a bit relieved... haha."

"Not just a bit. Feel completely at ease. Even if the crown prince wakes up and tries to find out who did it, he won’t be able to. You did well enough that I don’t regret not arriving sooner. Once today wraps up safely, we’ll talk more about it in detail."

Kishiar lightly tapped Gakein’s shoulder. Following suit, Yuder, who had maintained a strange silence ever since the topic of striking the crown prince came up, placed a hand on Gakein’s other shoulder for a moment before pulling it away.

"...Good work."

Kishiar was already known for being remarkably good at saying the right thing to his subordinates. But his usual compliments were soft words of advice that skillfully pinpointed changes in mindset or improvements in skill—not excessive praise like this.

Yuder was the exact opposite of such a commander. There was even a running joke that the only ones who had never been called out by him in the Cavalry were the cat Nipolen and Commander Kishiar. Having trained under him more than anyone else, Gakein knew all too well how coldly rational and strict Yuder was in his evaluations.

And now, both of them had recognized and praised Gakein Bollenvalt at the same time. That alone made Gakein feel like all his hardship had been worth it.

The southern nobles who had just been making nasty remarks about his appearance. His body, soaked and dirtied from diving and rolling in the sleet. The anxiety he’d felt while desperately trying to alert those inside the sanctuary during the emergency. All of it seemed to melt away in an instant.

‘Yeah... I really do love the Cavalry. I’m so glad I became a Cavalry member instead of a knight!’

Even if it was because he’d unknowingly smacked the crown prince upside the head and tossed him aside—so what?

‘The Commander and Yuder said it’s fine, so it must be fine. And even if it isn’t... well, whatever!’

Gakein Bollenvalt had long since adopted the true mindset of the Cavalry.

"So, other than you, Kurga, Suns, and Emon are still over there handling them, right?"

Snapped out of his emotion, Gakein quickly nodded in response to Yuder’s question.

"To be exact, Naham and the Sage are both using their powers separately and are hostile to us on both fronts. We’re trying to contain the area so that the effects of their abilities don’t reach the unawakened civilians. That’s what we agreed on until you and the Commander arrived."

According to Gakein, the Sage had arrived alone but immediately re-brainwashed several of Naham’s companions upon seeing him, even using a few of the unawakened noblemen he’d originally approached as shields in his resistance.

To accomplish all that in such a short time... His brainwashing ability really was incredible.

"They both seem to think the other is aligned with us. But there’s no need to correct that assumption right away."

Besides, no matter how skilled Gakein and Kurga were, directly engaging with Naham and the Sage was dangerous. Gakein had already experienced that bitterly the last time they clashed in the Capital.

That’s why, unlike before, Gakein made a calm, measured decision.

This time, he wouldn’t overestimate his own strength. He put the safety of his comrades and the surrounding civilians first and calmed anyone who seemed overly agitated. And as a bonus, he made sure their movements weren’t obvious to the enemy.

Updat𝓮d from frёewebnoѵēl.com.

"So until everyone in the area was evacuated and you two arrived, we prioritized holding our ground while keeping contact. As long as we prevent both sides from escaping, we can deal with them however we need to afterward."

It was truly sound judgment. Even excluding the blow to the crown prince’s head, there was nothing to criticize.

Still, Gakein sheepishly admitted that while trying to send a signal to the sanctuary, he hadn’t managed to fully block an ability attack from one of Naham’s Awakeners, and a window had shattered because of it.

"Ah, but Naham does seem to be in worse condition than when we saw him in the Capital."

"You mean his injuries looked more serious?"

"That, and... hmm. How do I put it?"

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Gakein furrowed his brow, sorting through his thoughts, then continued.

"I thought he'd use his power right away on the Sage or the other unawakened ones as soon as he appeared. But he just stood there watching his people drive the Sage back. Almost like... he knew that was the best way to push the Sage further into a corner."

"......."

"Ugh... Just by looking at him, honestly, it wouldn’t be strange if he dropped dead right now... If sheer vengeance alone can drive a person forward, he’s the proof of it."

Gakein shuddered, his face showing genuine revulsion. Then suddenly, as if remembering something, he let out an "Ah!" and added,

"Also, there’s someone on Naham’s side who seemed... strange."

"Strange how?"

"Not quite like the Sage, but he looked really ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) old... Like I’ve seen him somewhere before, too. Anyway, he was an awakened person, but he seemed to have difficulty moving and stayed right next to Naham the whole time. Or... maybe he was being held captive?"

Gakein shook his head, saying he hadn’t been able to see clearly in the chaos.

An awakened man, aged and familiar.

And the Sage, showing up alone.

Yuder stayed silent, an odd sense of déjà vu creeping into his thoughts.

‘Hmm... Could it be...?’

Just then, from the direction of the ongoing battle, another boom echoed. The sound snapped Yuder back from his thoughts.

He realized now wasn’t the time to continue the conversation and immediately turned his head. Kishiar’s crimson eyes met his gaze as if he’d been waiting for it.

No matter what happened, as long as Kishiar was there, Yuder knew there was no need to worry about what was behind him. It had always been that way.

And in those seemingly relaxed eyes of Kishiar, Yuder saw the same level of trust that he himself held.

He’d felt it before too, when monsters rained from the sky—it was a strange, unfamiliar, yet powerful feeling of reassurance.

"Commander. Please give the order. Who should we face first?"

Kishiar smiled, a chill and warmth mingling in the expression.

"Naham and the Sage. Both of them, coincidentally, are troublesome types with mental powers. And I happen to still hold a bit of resentment toward the one who slipped through my hands last time."

Which meant Kishiar wanted to go after Naham.

Knowing full well how dangerous Naham’s abilities were, Yuder felt a flicker of worry—but quickly shook it off.

"Understood. I’ll go take down the Sage."

"You’re quick to the point."

As Gakein’s report ended, a soft blue light began to spread along the blade of Kishiar’s previously dormant sword. At the same time, a golden glow lit up in one of Yuder’s eyes, flickering with wild anticipation for the battle ahead.

Without a word, the two of them sprinted toward the battlefield. Gakein followed behind, cloaked in shadow, guarding the perimeter.

At that same moment, at the rear gate of the chaotic temple, the First Princess Mayra was directing the soldiers when she spotted someone trying to push through the crowd of people fleeing—someone seemingly trying to go back into the temple.

He was limping, so he looked injured, but instead of escaping, he was heading back inside? Mayra grabbed him and turned him around.

"Hey! Didn’t you hear that no one’s allowed to enter?"

The gaunt man flinched and turned his head. Only then did Mayra realize he was from the Southern Nation.

"Do you work in the temple? Or are you a servant of someone still inside?"

"I, I’m..."