Chapter 175

Chapter 175

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Chapter 175

Why could it be? Although he had done this countless times, there seemed to be something different this time around.

As Yuder slowly pushed off the much thicker gloves than what he used to wear, he had the feeling as if he was undressing in front of Kishiar.

The gentle ambiance that had filled the carriage while they talked about walks and funerals had somehow dissipated. The moment his right glove dropped onto his lap from within his fixed gaze, the once taut atmosphere reached its peak.

Kishiar graciously extended his palm upwards. If not for the situation, his movement might have been mistaken as an invitation to dance. But in his other hand, he held a holy emblem and a white purification stone. Yuder glanced at the offered palm, then slowly placed his right hand on top.

That was the moment. When the two hands overlapped, an indescribable tingling sensation spread from his palm throughout his body. As Yuder's hand instinctively began to withdraw, long fingers clamped around it like a trap, stopping the movement.

“...”

Yuder reflexively glanced at his captured right hand. Objectively, it was a cool temperature, but strangely it felt as hot as fire on his skin.

Manifestation had surely ended, yet why?

Could it be because their eyes, staring at each other, flickered red like blazing flames? Or...

Within the boiling silence, Kishiar slowly parted his well-formed lips.

"Are you afraid?"

"Pardon?"

"I asked if you tried to withdraw out of fear."

Again, and also this time.

He could, somehow, guess the words that were left unsaid.

"No, it's not that."

"Then why did you try to evade it this time? My assistance."

Yuder inhaled deeply, trying to ease the tension from his stiff right hand. As strength left his hand, Kishiar's clamping fingers opened like a sprung trap.

"I felt a strange sensation..."

"A strange sensation?"

Kishiar's gaze calmly studied Yuder's face. Yuder summoned some strength into his abdomen and murmured quietly,

"It's been a long time since I've been touched barehanded, that's probably why. Just... really that's all."

The gaze that seemed to pierce through his mind finally softened.

"A sensation... a sensation, you say."

With those words, Kishiar’s eyes narrowed as they looked at Yuder's fingers, which had again slightly curled in response.

"Do you still feel it now? That sensation."

Yuder looked down at the large hand of Kishiar that held his. The shivering sensation had now disappeared, but the paradoxically cold yet hot warmth and the churning in his stomach remained.

"I...I'm not sure."

Bowing his head, Yuder added cautiously,

"It might... It seems like it."

"I see, so it might be related to the second gender manifestation."

Kishiar stared at their overlapped hands with a thoughtful expression, then added his other hand, which held the holy emblem, on top, completely enclosing Yuder's hand as if it was a shell. Cold sweat began to bead from his completely encased hand.

"And now?"

"Was there such a part?"

"Do you want me to sift through it and send it over when we get back?"

"Please."

When Yuder nodded, Kishiar smiled faintly.

"So, even in a situation like this, your inability to contain your curiosity... I rather like that aspect of you."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Of course it is. What could be a higher compliment than that?"

A playful expression finally surfaced on Kishiar's face after he said that.

"I've been lavishing you with praise, aren't you planning to return the favor? It's customary to do so."

"It's hard when you demand it out of nowhere, especially when I didn't ask for it."

"So, does that mean there's nothing commendable about me? I'm a bit shocked."

Despite knowing that wasn't what he meant, he made a show of acting aggrieved. Yuder put his glove back on his completely healed hand. Glancing outside the window, he noticed they were nearing the grounds of the Imperial Knights, where the Cavalry was stationed.

Kishiar, too, looked outside following Yuder and put the now dull purifying stone and the holy emblem back in his pouch. The faint sound of the carriage rumbling on the road filled the silence.

"... I think you're handsome."

Just when they were about to reach their destination, Yuder slowly voiced a thought. Kishiar's bewildered gaze seemed to prick his cheek, but he didn't meet his eyes.

"... What did you say?"

"I often think that you're very handsome."

"I know that but... Wait. Was that your answer to when I asked if there was nothing to compliment about me?"

Really? Was that really it? Kishiar, unable to believe it, questioned multiple times if there were no other compliments, but Yuder remained silent until the carriage stopped in front of their accommodations. Always the one flustered by Kishiar's words, seeing him flustered gave Yuder a certain sense of satisfaction, akin to revenge - a feeling he intended to keep a secret.

"We have arrived."

Before Kishiar could press further, the coachman disembarked from the carriage and courteously opened the door.

Due to the approaching dusk, there was not a soul passing by in front of the Cavalry. The two of them alighted from the carriage and entered the building.

"Follow the hallway on the first floor to the east, and you'll find the medical division. We've put up a sign, so it should be easy to find."

As if the previous talk of compliments never happened, Kishiar, bearing the demeanor of a Commander again, pointed towards the east and spoke. As Yuder nodded and passed by him, he stopped and turned to look at Kishiar.

"Do you have any more questions? Or if you want me to accompany you, just say it. I'm a Commander who has nothing to offer but good looks, but I can at least do that."

"Why would you say that? You have other merits as well."

"Oh? Like what?"

He was a man whom Yuder had always admired and followed since his previous life. If asked to list his merits, Yuder could honestly talk until dawn. However, he simply couldn't say all those things in front of the man himself.

Unable to voice his inner thoughts, Yuder swallowed and looked up at Kishiar's pale face.

"The fact that you are the only one who can command me, Commander."

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