Kishiar didn’t say anything. But Kiole could clearly feel that he was listening to him. Just knowing that the man was truly paying attention somehow made the tight tension in his chest loosen a little.

Kiole licked his dry lips, the result of all his nervousness, and continued speaking.

“If I had to say whether I liked that change or not... I think I did. No, I did. Yes.”

Sometimes, while speaking, the vague feelings or thoughts you had become more certain. That was what this moment was for Kiole.

It wasn’t just “I think it was good.” It was definitely better. Because the changed version of himself felt much more like a true knight than the person he’d been before.

The thrill of that moment—when he’d stood up with convicts behind him and blocked the whip—still burned clearly in his memory. Maybe it was because the physical pain had faded so quickly. But the more time passed, the more that moment seemed to shine in his mind.

“I see. That was an impressive answer. I understand your change a little better now.”

At last, Kishiar nodded and replied.

Was that enough of an answer? Kiole let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He’d been so focused on answering that his speech had completely lost the polished tone of a noble. He’d thought even if it doesn’t make sense, there’s nothing I can do, but it had worked out. He was grateful.

“Do you remember—back during the harvest festival party, when you came to find me and delivered Yuder’s message?”

Kishiar suddenly changed the subject. Strangely enough, it was the same moment Kiole had just recalled earlier.

“Yes, I remember.”

“Do you remember me telling you then that I’d repay that debt someday?”

...Did he? Kiole had been so tense back then, trying to relay the message without drawing attention. He was still reeling from the shock of helping Yuder Aile—because of the oath—and had been overwhelmed dealing with his third brother’s scolding afterward. He couldn’t clearly recall what Kishiar had said as he left.

“I’m sorry. I don’t really remember that part...”

“I think now is the right time to repay that debt.”

Kishiar chuckled, unfazed.

“You’ve decided to walk this path on your own, so you’ll need help. While you’re pursuing your goal, think about it—and tell me what kind of help you’d like from me. If it’s something I can do, I’ll do anything.”

“...What?”

“I’m saying this now because I think you’d actually accept my help. Help is only meaningful when the other person is willing to receive it. Otherwise, no matter how much you want to offer it, you can’t.”

It was a stunning offer. And yet, hearing it so suddenly made his mind go completely blank. Kishiar seemed to have expected that, and gave Kiole space to think.

“Th-thank you for the generous words, but... when you say ‘anything,’ the scope is so wide I don’t even know where to start...”

“Hm. Then how about I give a few examples? Say... if you wanted to inherit the title of Duke Diarca without anyone knowing—”

“No! Absolutely not!”

Kiole cut him off with a jolt, practically shuddering. Kishiar blinked in surprise and tilted his head.

“Truly?”

“Yes!”

“Haha. I actually already heard that’s what you told Yuder. Still, I couldn’t think of a better extreme example to show you the extent of what I can do.”

Well—if nothing else, the Duke of Peleta’s sincerity came across crystal clear! So clear it nearly gave him a heart attack!

Kishiar winked and raised one finger.

“Then let me give you some examples you might genuinely like. First, I can go with you when you meet His Majesty, and help you achieve your goal. His Majesty isn’t someone who gives special treatment just because I’m family, but he does respect my judgment and my way with words. I’d be a real asset.”

“Huh...”

Meeting the Emperor—an encounter that made his knees tremble just thinking about it—with the Duke of Peleta at his side? From the start, he’d be acknowledged by the Emperor’s inner circle. The pressure would be incomparably lighter.

‘Isn’t that like bringing the answer sheet with me?’

As Kiole swallowed hard and shifted his gaze, Kishiar gave a short laugh and raised a second finger.

“Second. I can ensure your personal safety. The Cavalry is a place your family can’t touch. You could stay there for a while, comfortably. It’s located within the same grounds as the Imperial Guard, so it has the advantage of making it easy to contact people from that circle—or outsiders.”

...This too was incredibly tempting.

No matter how badly Kironne la Diarca might want to find him, could even he dig through the Cavalry’s stronghold? Besides, Kiole had already been inside it once and knew firsthand that the facilities were much better than expected.

“Third. This one’s something I almost never offer anyone...”

Kishiar paused dramatically, then lowered his voice.

“If you ask me to teach you the sword—as a Swordmaster—I’ll make a special exception.”

“...!!!”

Kiole’s mind, which had been drifting like a tiny boat in a storm, suddenly halted in total shock.

‘The sword? ...He’d actually teach me?’

“R-really?!”

“Yes. If that’s what you want in return for the debt.”

Kishiar answered cheerfully. For a moment, the temptation hit Kiole like a wave. But a sliver of reason—and the survival instinct he’d honed by dealing with Yuder Aile—set off a loud internal alarm.

‘Wait. This is way too generous. Why would he go this far for me?’

All Kiole had done was pass on a message from Yuder Aile. He hadn’t saved Kishiar’s life during some grand disaster, hadn’t avenged his enemies, and it wasn’t a task commanded by the Emperor or anyone else of high rank.

Even the idea of helping him inherit the Diarca title had been shocking—but in some ways, that would at least help the royal family weaken the power of the nobility. That made a certain political sense.

But offering to teach the sword—personally—from someone who had reached the level of a Swordmaster? And to someone he hadn’t even chosen as a disciple? That, to a knight-obsessed Kiole, was more overwhelming than anything.

“...Just so I know—when you say you’ll teach me, what level of instruction are we talking about? Even just how many times... if you could tell me that...”

One lesson? Ten?

Even a single session would be immensely valuable. Back when he’d first started learning under General Gino, he hadn’t understood a word of what was said—he was too inexperienced. But now, he was confident he’d grasp much more.

Kishiar looked at Kiole silently for a moment. Just a brief glance, yet it felt like he’d seen straight through everything Kiole was hiding. A chill ran down his spine.

And honestly, that wasn’t far from the truth.

“The number of lessons doesn’t matter. What matters is the learner’s potential, effort, and how much they’re capable of understanding and keeping up.”

“Then...”

“I don’t offer instruction to raise someone’s level—I offer guidance. It’s up to the learner to walk the path I show.”

Kiole didn’t quite understand what that meant. But one thing was clear: it wouldn’t be just a fixed number of lessons.

“All right, that’s three examples to start. If you want something else, that’s fine too—as long as it’s within my power. I may not look it, but I’m quite capable. Not bragging—just a fact. So think about it freely.”

Kiole swallowed hard and sucked in a breath. All three offers... were too perfectly suited to what he needed right now. Was it really okay to accept something like this? What if it looked appetizing but turned out to be poison? Or... what if it was another test? His head was spinning.

Even Kishiar’s calm face began to look like a beautiful poison.

“You seem nervous. Was the offer not to your liking? Or is there something else that’s bothering you?”

Kiole, still clutching the reins, cautiously asked,

“I... I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand why you’d give me such a generous offer... It just seems too much for what I did that day...”

“Ah. That.”

Kishiar let out a breath and cast his gaze far ahead. There, Yuder was quietly riding his horse. As if sensing the glance, Yuder turned slightly, and Kishiar smiled with his eyes.

Was it just his imagination, or did that smile look like the shy grin of a boy who’d caught the attention of someone he liked?

‘Wait... come to think of it, at that party... those two...’

The memory of them ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) dancing together in formal dress flashed in his mind—along with those scandalous rumors he’d tried to forget.

When Yuder nodded faintly and turned his head away, Kishiar’s smile quietly faded.

“To tell you the truth... you didn’t just help one person in danger that day. You may have saved an entire future that could have gone terribly wrong.”

...Huh? Me?...

“Of course, you won’t understand what I mean. But just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean it’s not true.”

“...I... see?”

“Day by day, I’m reminded just how enormous a debt I owe for what you did then. No treasure in the world could replace the opportunity and time I gained that day.”

And he meant it. That much was clear. Kiole couldn’t make sense of it at all. But Kishiar offered no further explanation.

“If I’m right, we should be nearing our destination. The path leading to the base of the mountain—the one with the cave. Isn’t it that way?”