Chapter 48

Chapter 48

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Chapter 48

In the past, Yuder hadn't paid much attention to Kishiar's attire. There were occasionally members with unique abilities who wore odd clothes, so the fact that Kishiar often wore gloves wasn't particularly unusual. However, on reflection, Yuder realized that since his return, Kishiar had never once worn gloves.

As soon as he realized this, naturally, a dream from the night before flashed through his mind.

Could the Kishiar of his previous life have truly suffered the same injury as Yuder during the Red Stone retrieval operation? Could that be why he always wore clothing that covered his body, even needing to wear gloves?

'Come to think of it, whenever I had to meet Kishiar regularly, it was always in the darkness of the night.' REaad updated stories at n/o/vel/bin(.)com

If he had been injured by the Red Stone, there would be a purplish bruise somewhere on his body. Yet, even Yuder, who might have seen Kishiar's body more than anyone else except for his wet nurse, had never noticed it.

Kishiar always appeared out of the darkness and disappeared before Yuder awoke. The fact that Yuder had never found this odd was because, before Kishiar's death, he had simply accepted it as a part of who Kishiar was, and after his death, he had tried to bury those memories in oblivion.

If he had realized something was amiss earlier, if he had taken an interest in Kishiar's condition, could things have changed?

"I said I didn't need any thanks, but isn't that expression a bit much? You're looking at me as if I'm a ghost."

Kishiar, having noticed Yuder's expression, asked him with narrowed eyes. Only then did Yuder manage to calm his shock and complex thoughts, shaking his head.

"No, it's not that... Thank you."

"When someone asks, say it's a reward I gave you for accepting the position of aide."

If Kishiar said it was a reward he personally gave, even if Yuder wore it every day, people around him wouldn't find it strange. Besides, it was even enchanted to be helpful, so not wearing it would be the odd thing.

As Yuder nodded, Nathan, who had been standing behind them, quietly spoke up.

"It seems we will have visitors soon."

"Must be the other members. Nathan, clear away the remaining food."

Kishiar nonchalantly ordered Nathan, one of the continent's top Swordmasters, as if he were a servant. There was plenty to say about such treatment, but Nathan simply followed his orders as if it were the most natural thing.

While Nathan quickly stacked the plates and disappeared into the inner room, Yuder put on the gloves he had received from Kishiar.

They seemed to be made of leather on the outside, but once worn, they felt slick, like a slightly cold liquid adhering to his hand. Even when he clenched and unclenched his fist, there was none of the stiffness characteristic of leather.

"Just as I thought, they suit you well. My judgment was indeed correct."

Kishiar proudly complimented himself with a satisfied expression. Yuder didn't respond. He felt no need to feign agreement with insincere politeness when honesty, however unpleasant, was preferred.

"By the way, did you confirm that none of the other members were injured?"

"Ah, yes. There were none."

Throughout his return journey, Yuder had taken the time to ask his companions individually about any injuries. While some had minor scratches or muscle aches from climbing the mountain, no one else had sustained injuries like his own. It was a relief.

At the time of the explosion, Yuder had been closest to the Red Stone. It was just a few steps away, and he had thought he shielded everyone, but that small distance had created the current outcome.

'Looking back, I should have put up the shield from the beginning.'

Regret filled his mouth with bitterness.

Yuder scanned the faces of his comrades, his gaze stopping at Kanna, whose face was unusually pale.

'...What's going on?'

Her face was as white as a sheet, too pale for someone simply nervous about a visit to the Imperial Palace. Even a casual glance told him something was very wrong.

Yuder approached Kanna slowly, lowering his head after seeing Kishiar head towards the inner corridor to fetch the box containing the Red Stone.

"What's the matter?"

"Ah!"

Kanna, looking as though she had been deliberately startled, stepped back a few paces, casting a glance at the others with sweat beading on her forehead.

"I'm sorry. I, I mean. That is..."

"Kanna?"

"Oh, well... I mean, if I go there... I mean..."

Kanna was trembling, stuttering, a far cry from her usual lively self. Her behavior was puzzling.

"What's wrong, Kanna? Are you not feeling well?"

Upon hearing Hin's worried question, Kanna stepped even further back. Her shaking head revealed a mixture of confusion and fear.

"I mean... do I have to go there?"

"Where do you mean? The Imperial Palace?"

The mention of the Imperial Palace drained Kanna's face of all color. It was clear that she was reacting excessively to the word 'Imperial Palace'.

"Why all of a sudden?"

"No, it's not... I mean... I apologize for talking nonsense."

"It doesn't seem like nothing..."

Finn, standing next to Hinn, tilted his head in confusion. But Kanna closed her mouth. Their conversation was cut short by the return of Kishiar and Nathan from the inner corridor, Kishiar wearing a splendid cape.

"Alright, let's depart now. We'll be riding in a carriage this time, so it'll be comfortable."

Kishiar, holding the box containing the Red Stone, led the way with a calm demeanor, unaffected by the tingling sensation penetrating his skin from the energy of the stone. Nathan and the members hurried after him.

The carriage they would be riding was already waiting at the rarely used back gate. The carriage, large enough to comfortably hold seven people, was emblazoned with the emblem of the Imperial Palace. Its opulence, including the lavish use of gold, was overwhelming.

Even the eight horses pulling the carriage had been replaced with Misty Wind Horse, possibly for fear that ordinary horses couldn't withstand the energy of the Red Stone. This sight drew spontaneous gasps from the members.

"Incredible..."

"Nathan, I'm counting on you to handle the coachman's role."

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