Kishiar La Orr had taught Yuder many things.
How to stand in the position of the Cavalry commander, how to endure in a court filled with hyenas, and even how to live as an Omega and an empowered person after awakening.
There had been times when he resented him for unilaterally passing on too much burden to him, but his thoughts changed slightly when it was about time for him to die.
Kishiar La Orr had definitely chosen Yuder as the commander among the more than 300 members with some kind of will in mind. However, it was unclear what he hoped for in making that choice.
Did he really not know that Yuder would become the lion to take his life when he handed over the position of the Cavalry commander? Could he, who was well aware of the imperial and noble families' circumstances, have not known that such an order would come down?
With Kishiar's abilities, he could have certainly escaped death by running away beforehand or, on the contrary, killed Yuder. But he didn't. Yuder discovered that fact too late to ask him why he had acted that way. The dead couldn't speak.
However, now he might be able to understand his intentions without receiving the burdens he offered. To do that, he first had to avoid killing him as before.
"I’m wondering when will the top Cavalry candidate finally arrive? It's about time you showed up. Did you finally make your decision?"
Kishiar spoke to him casually with a smile. His tone was far too relaxed for an imperial noble to address a commoner, but Yuder was not surprised. He already knew his personality.
"Yes. But if you were about to leave, I'll come back another time."
"No, it's fine. I didn't have any plans, I was just about to go out for a while and come back."
Kishiar stepped back a few paces with a smile.
"Come in."
Yuder had an unusual experience of stepping into the place as a guest, where he had once used it for a much longer time. The space, hastily constructed but considering it was for an imperial family member, showed the efforts of the artisans to match its dignity.
The high-domed ceiling was above the floor covered with the highest-grade carpet from the Southern Mountains without any gaps. The central furnace, fueled by magic stones from the North, looked more like a beautiful sculpture than a furnace.
The majestic bookshelf that filled an entire wall and the black marble desk beneath it exuded an awe-inspiring presence that one would hardly dare to touch.
What about the beauty of the dozen or so paintings depicting ancient myths handed down in the Orr Empire?
The white annular stone walls adorned with the paintings shone brilliantly in five colors even without light. Visitors who witnessed the spectacle were naturally drawn into a sense of awe, as if they were standing before a temple altar.
Of course, Yuder, who was all too familiar with the scenery, merely glanced around once without feeling any surprise.
Instead, his gaze was drawn to the upper part of the stone furnace that emitted red and blue flames.
A transparent gemstone, carved to appear as if it were floating in the air, served as a sword stand, and on it rested a single, massive sword.
'The Divine Sword Orr.'
At first glance, it was clear that this was not a sword meant for ordinary people to use. Despite being stored within a scabbard that contained all manner of sacred power, magic, and the technique of different races, the energy it emitted was extraordinary.
The sword, which merely observing seemed to sharpen one's senses with its keen aura, was none other than the Divine Sword Orr, said to have been bestowed upon the first emperor who founded the Orr Empire by the messenger of the God.
Those without imperial blood could hold the sword. However, being able to hold it did not mean they could wield it.
The Divine Sword was famous for being extremely particular about its user's abilities and qualities. Throughout the thousand-year history of the empire, there had been fewer than ten people who were able to wield the sword.
And Kishiar La Orr was the only person of his time chosen by the Divine Sword Orr.
After his death, no one else had appeared who could wield the sword even until the day Yuder died.
The proud Divine Sword, which even Yuder, who boasted unparalleled abilities, couldn't touch. Since no one but the chosen one could move the sword, it remained forever in the Pelleta Duchy's estate, where Kishiar La Orr had last resided.
Due to its demanding nature, even the nobility rarely knew what the Divine Sword looked like. It was only natural, as Kishiar had not frequently carried or used the sword even after being revealed as the chosen one.
Why did the Divine Sword choose Kishiar if it wouldn't be properly used by its chosen master? If the sword knew that it would part so quickly with its owner, would it have made the same choice?
Occasionally, he wondered about this, but it was as unknowable as Kishiar's intentions.
"Is the sword fascinating?"
Kishiar spoke to Yuder, who was staring solely at the Divine Sword.
"Normally, people are first captivated by other parts of this room and don't pay much attention to it."
Indeed, it wasn't the reaction expected of an ordinary commoner.
Yuder murmured inwardly. Although the sword was a legendary Divine Sword, it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary ceremonial sword for high-ranking individuals.
It didn't look like a sword that could be used in actual combat, and with the surroundings so grand and extravagant, it was reasonable that people didn't focus on the sword first.
'But for me, that sword always bothered me the most.'
Yuder recalled a memory from long ago. Now, knowing the appearance and abilities of the Divine Sword and the events tied to it in the future, it was natural for his gaze to be drawn to it. However, before he traveled back in time, when he was just a young member of the Cavalry, Yuder had first looked at that sword.
It was possible because his senses, which could feel mana, were so keen that they could penetrate the protective barrier of the scabbard that hid the sword's aura. Back then, Kishiar had shown great interest in Yuder for the first time.
Only then did Yuder finally turn his gaze away from the Divine Sword Orr and look towards Kishiar. With a soft, enigmatic smile playing at the corners of his lips, Kishiar watched Yuder intently.
So far, the gaze on Yuder, who was slightly above average, was one of mere curiosity.
"I just looked at the sword because it gave off an unusual vibe."
"Unusual? In what way?"
At this point, Kishiar hadn't yet publicly announced that he was the owner of the divine sword. That revelation would come later, when he was assigned a top-secret mission to collect the Red Stone.
So for now, it was crucial to feign ignorance while piquing Kishiar's interest.
"Just looking at it, I feel an energy as if it's targeting me. The sword sheath seems to be blocking it, but it can't completely hide it."
It wasn't a lie. In fact, at that moment, he was feeling the sharp energy flowing from the sword throughout his body.
'Somehow, the energy feels even stronger than what I felt before... Am I imagining things?'
In the past, he had felt unusual energy from the sword, but it was never enough to make his entire body feel sore.
Yuder used to possess extraordinary abilities, powerful enough to make people believe that he had no equal in the world. Could the reversal of time have heightened his senses beyond their original level? It was an unknown matter.
Upon hearing Yuder's words, Kishiar's gaze shifted to the sword. A moment later, the energy that had been directed at Yuder disappeared as if it were a lie.
"Hmm. Can you feel the energy diminishing?"
Seeing Yuder's shoulders stiffen, Kishiar spoke with an amused expression.
"It seems you're not lying."
"I've never seen a sword with such power before."
"Really? Haven't you heard of something similar?"
For a moment, Yuder worried that Kishiar had noticed something. Even though he knew it was unlikely, he was briefly tense.
"Everyone knows the story of the founding Emperor and his Divine Sword Orr."
"…Ah."
His worry had been unnecessary. Yuder exhaled softly and nodded.
"So are you saying that sword is the divine sword?"
"Yes. To be exact, I'm the twelfth owner. It's a fussy thing, not allowing anyone but the chosen one to wield it."
Yuder already knew the story. Nevertheless, he feigned surprise as if hearing it for the first time. Kishiar did not doubt his reaction and continued talking.
"I've seen many awakened through the power of the Red Stone, but you're the first to sense energy so keenly. Was it like this since your awakening? Or did you feel more sensitive to mana or other energies than others during your daily life?"
"It's been like this since my awakening."
"I see."
Kishiar nodded, rubbing the area below his lips.
"I should have mentioned this earlier, but I was one of the examiners when you first took the Cavalry test as number 423. Did you know that?"
"You were the one on the far right."
"Yes. You have a rare talent for distinguishing things so precisely. You truly are sensitive to energy."
The main reason Yuder recognized Kishiar was not his sensitivity to energy, but because he had seen Kishiar in that form before. However, Yuder decided not to reveal the truth.
"Back then, I thought your talent was exceptionally suited to both the Shin and the Sul Divisions. But if I had to choose, I thought you would be more suited to the Sul... Was I wrong?"
