Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Chapter 31

One of the main reasons Yuder had initially paid little mind to the news that a special forces unit was being formed was because he knew the military's morale significantly deteriorated.

The soldiers in front of him lacked confidence in their strength and couldn't imagine a future better than their current circumstances.

How could such people have possibly come together to form a special unit? Could it have been that someone with power secretly helped them establish it by offering a sweet reward? Perhaps someone like the emperor who had promised glory to the special forces while driving Yuder towards death.

Yuder opened his mouth, looking into their eyes.

"This power can certainly be an enormous opportunity. Be sure to understand its value properly so you can grasp the opportunity when it comes. And if you need help with this matter, feel free to seek me out at any time."

"You seem to know more about this power than we do... but how are we to know who to look for?"

Emon asked with a hesitant expression. Instead of replying, Yuder picked up a metal fork that was lying on the table.

A moment later, a thin stream of water swirled above the fork, forming a beautiful spiral. Upon witnessing this, Emon and Sunz's eyes widened in astonishment.

"I am Yuder of the Cavalry."

Yuder purposely didn't mention his rank. It was likely to win him more favor from them.

"I've only been in the Cavalry for a few months myself. I'm not much different from you all. However, I believe in the future that this power can bring about. I hope that you too will come to understand its true value."

That was all. There were no ulterior motives. By stating this upfront, he preemptively eliminated any potential for misinterpretation.

Yuder stood up, looking at Sunz and Emon, who had stunned expressions. He had seen all he needed to see. It was time to leave.

"Thank you for showing me around the village, Sunz. I'll be on my way now."

"Ah..."

Yuder turned his back before Sunz could speak. Young soldiers were laughing raucously, completely oblivious to what had transpired at the corner table.

Even after he had left, the two men behind him sat in silence for a long time, unable to utter a word.

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The next day, the Cavalry, together with the Knights of Peletta, all left their lodgings at dawn. Kishiar was waiting for them in front of the base they had seen last night, alongside General Gino.

"I'm not sure if you all managed to get a good rest last night."

Despite the fact that he had said he was going to drink with General Gino, Kishiar looked completely unweary.

"As I mentioned yesterday, we will start retrieving the Red Stone from today. For today, we will identify the location of the stone and assess the extent to which we can approach it, and gather information."

Yesterday, General Gino had said that a strange energy was emanating from the Red Stone, making it difficult for ordinary people to even approach it.

However, people who were skilled enough to use Aura, particularly General Gino, could approach it quite closely. The Cavalry could not predict how they would perceive this.

"If during the journey, anyone feels it's too difficult to approach due to the strange phenomena caused by the stone, they should stop walking and report to me before starting their descent. There is no shame in descending. That, too, will be helpful in gathering information."

'Well, with General Gino, the Swordmaster, by our side, we wouldn't need to worry about the nuisances.'

"No."

"Me neither. Seems like everyone is fine so far."

Could the Red Stone really be up there? Gakane murmured, looking up at the sky. It was a cloudless, clear day.

"Where did you live? Is it far from here?"

"Hmm... It would probably take a few days to get there."

"That's quite far. It would have been nice to drop by if it was closer, after we finish our business."

Yuder studied Gakane's regretful face, trying to understand his intention. Was it just an extension of him inviting Yuder to visit where he lived?

Yuder himself didn't particularly want to visit the place he used to live, so he found Gakane's words hard to understand. If he were to take a vacation, he could visit, but only to tidy up the house.

In the past, when he became a Cavalry Commander, he had tidied up his original house and spent his whole life in the barracks. He had no longing for the house where he used to live.

"There's not much... to see there."

"But it's where you lived. Don't you want to go back and see it, even for a little while?"

What would Gakane think if he said no here? Yuder was lost in thought and only noticed the approaching presence behind them later than usual.

"Go back where?"

"Commander."

As Gakane startled and tried to rise from his seat, Kishiar raised his hand to stop him. He seemed to have finished his conversation with General Gino and was now alone.

"Did you have other business besides the mission?"

"No, no."

Gakane seemed rather intimidated by Kishiar, their commander. Yuder saw him looking for help and calmly opened his mouth.

"My hometown is around here."

"Hmm. Your hometown?"

Interest flickered in Kishiar's red eyes.

"I see. So it's relatively close, then?"

"Not exactly. The Airic Mountains are quite vast."

"So you were discussing visiting it if it were nearby."

Finally, Kishiar seemed to piece together the conversation that had been going on between Gakane and Yuder.

"Yes."

"I see... Yuder. I remember you didn't have a family, do you miss your hometown?"