"Was I wrong?"
In the past, he had said something similar yet different to Yuder, who had come to this place earlier than anyone else and simply declared his intention to join the Sul Division.
"Your talent leans heavily towards the Jung Division. It's a good thing to recognize the direction of your own talents before anyone else."
How strange it was to hear different words in the same place from the same person. Indeed, the future he had already known was changing due to his choice.
"Actually, I came here to tell you that I've decided to choose the Shin Division instead."
At Yuder's words, Kishiar tilted his head as if trying to gauge his sincerity.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"What's your reason for choosing the Shin Division?"
"I've thought that I want to move more towards the Shin Division rather than the Sul Division while undergoing training."
"Hmm. Even if your talent would blossom much faster and greater if you were to go the way of the Sul Division?"
It seemed like a question that could read the future. However, Yuder didn't panic this time and calmly answered as he had prepared in advance.
"Isn't it possible that the opposite result could happen as well?"
"That's true."
A smile appeared in Kishiar's red eyes.
"Usually, when people are challenged like this, they would hesitate and reconsider at least once, thinking they've come to a conclusion after careful thought. But it seems your opinion won't change, so it doesn't matter. Fine, I'll process your application to the Shin Division."
It was such a clean and straightforward response that it almost felt surreal. Yuder somehow felt a sense of emptiness.
He vividly remembered that Kishiar had made him the deputy commander responsible for the entire Sul Division for no apparent reason, almost simultaneously as he had entered the division. Because of that, he had thought that he would be suspicious and not accept him if he chose the Shin Division.
However, there was no such indication in Kishiar's attitude at this moment.
"Normally, you would have to sign the documents yourself, but that'll be after some other matters are settled."
Kishiar didn't say what those other matters were. However, Yuder knew what they were.
'The time to receive a family name is approaching.'
He had received a family name not long after joining the Cavalry in the past. It was unprecedented for hundreds of new family names to be created and bestowed within a few months.
Most of them were created without sincerity, taking names from their birthplaces or from the scriptures, but there still existed an insurmountable gap in status between those who had a family name and those who didn't.
Looking back now, it was remarkable that the emperor had allowed such a thing. The opposition from the nobles must have been fierce; how had he handled it?
Yuder didn't have many memories of the previous emperor, who had passed away just before he became the commander of the Cavalry, and who was now the current emperor.
All he could remember was that the previous emperor had been the half-brother of Kishiar La Orr, the only blood brother; that for several years before his death, he had been so ill that he hadn't even shown his face properly in front of his subjects; and that the crown prince who had inherited the throne after his death had been adopted rather than a biological son.
Having lived in the mountains, he hadn't even known the face of the lord governing the village he lived in, let alone the emperor's.
The only time he had seen the emperor's face was during the one and only initiation ceremony in the Cavalry.
"Is there something more you want to say?"
While Yuder was thinking, Kishiar seemed to sense that he had more to say and asked him. Yuder stared at him for a moment and impulsively opened his mouth.
"Your Highness, why…"
"Call me Commander."
He interrupted abruptly. His relaxed red eyes shone with mischief.
"According to Orr's law, status does not take precedence over position. Of course, there are many who ignore this, but as long as I am here, the title of Commander is enough."
"Ah, yes. Commander, may I ask why you created this place?"
"This place? Do you mean this building, or the Cavalry?"
He asked like that even though he knew exactly what Yuder was asking. Yuder had always disliked that sly aspect of him. Feeling an odd sense of déjà vu, Yuder opened his mouth.
"Of course, the latter."
"You're the first person to ask me that directly. Even the Emperor didn't ask about the reason."
There was no hint in his expression that he found Yuder's question audacious or presumptuous.
"The reason I created the Cavalry? It's simple. Power must flow in the right direction. If you try to forcefully block or eliminate it, you will inevitably pay the price for disrupting harmony. As someone with an ability like you all, I thought I needed to create a path for this power before it could harm the empire. And since I was the only Awakener among the imperial family member, I thought I was the most suitable. That's all there is to it."
It was a textbook answer that made it difficult to object.
Yuder hesitated for a moment before deciding to ask one more question.
"Then, will you be the only one leading the Cavalry in the future?"
"Why do you say that? Are you eyeing this position?"
"Of course not."
If anyone else had heard, they would have rebuked him for his response, telling him to answer properly, please.
As Yuder frowned and answered, Kishiar laughed even louder than before. It was an incredibly joyful laugh.
"Well, for now, that's the case. But once the divisions are established, I plan to select a deputy commander to assist me. With your abilities, you might be able to take that position."
"I would be unqualified."
Yuder answered immediately without a second thought.
"I'm not sociable, and I haven't built close relationships with my fellow members."
"Oh, I thought highly of you, but it seems you have a softer side than I expected."
Kishiar shook his head.
"Sociability and friendship are undoubtedly good qualities, but if I were to choose someone solely based on those traits, I might as well have brought in non-Awakeners. You must remember that the power you possess was not something you were born with. You may be used to your previous life and feel inferior in front of higher-ranking imperial knights or nobles, but in a few years, the situation will likely reverse."
"…"
"Even if you don't understand the meaning of my words…"
"No, I understood."
Yuder couldn't immediately respond because Kishiar's seemingly lighthearted answer was eerily accurate about the future.
He was right. Just as he said, the Cavalry members might feel inferior in front of high-ranking imperial knights or nobles now, but in a few years, the situation changed.
Only the Cavalry could resolve the ever-growing catastrophes, and they broke free from the previous system, experiencing drastic increases in social status, promotions, and power.
No longer could traditional powerhouses like the Imperial Knights or the Pearl Tower mages casually deal with the Cavalry and the Awakeners. The only ones who could suppress them were those with even greater powers.
Take, for instance, the commander, Yuder.
Yuder would challenge any insubordinate member to a one-on-one practice duel. He would beat them down in front of everyone, ensuring they wouldn't dare to act rebellious again.
There were many complaints that it was like dealing with animals instead of humans, but it was the easiest solution, so it couldn't be helped.
But at that moment, those events were still in the past. Yuder thought Kishiar would have a different approach to dealing with the members. But perhaps...
"If you have no more questions, you may leave."
"Ah, yes."
"This room is always open, so if you have more questions, feel free to come by anytime. If I'm not here, leave a message with my adjutant."
Hearing Kishiar's words, Yuder thought to himself.
Yuder had been in this room a few times before when Kishiar was the commander, but there was one difference today: the presence of an adjutant.
Kishiar's famous adjutant, Nathan Zuckerman, who had been with him since he was a prince and not the Duke of Peletta, was absent. Had Nathan been there when Yuder had visited in the past?
As Yuder tried to recall his vague memories, Kishiar seemed to guess something and turned his head, saying, "Ah."
"Come to think of it, you might not know who my adjutant is. He's currently handling matters in Peletta Castle in my stead. Once he wraps up, he'll be coming over. He's not an Awakener, but he's quite skilled with a sword."
'Quite' skilled? Yuder nearly let out a sarcastic laugh but held it back.
Nathan Zuckerman was a Swordmaster. He hadn't been officially recognized, but Yuder had heard it directly in the past and was sure of it. Yuder had even sparred with him. Kishiar's casual comment about Nathan being 'quite' skilled with a sword made Yuder think of him as sly as a snake.
"Understood."
After replying, Yuder left Kishiar's quarters. Finally free from the subtle yet nerve-wracking aura of the divine sword he sensed behind him, he let out a long breath.
'Sigh.'
One thing was certain.
Kishiar hadn't created the Cavalry with the intention of handing them over to someone else from the beginning. In just two years since the Awakeners had appeared, he had an incredible understanding of their tendencies and the influence they would have on the future.
If someone as cunning as him had been in the Cavalry, Yuder wouldn't have failed as miserably as he had in the past. Because Kishiar had a noble lineage and connections from birth.
Why would someone like him suddenly step down from his position as commander and return to his hometown? That was a question Yuder would have to investigate.
