Yuder decided to answer honestly rather than skirting around the subject.
“Saying you don’t know isn’t an answer. Haven’t you made bold judgments without fully understanding the abilities of Kiolle and the Imperial Knights? For instance, what about Nathan behind me right now?”
“Well…”
Yuder inadvertently turned his eyes towards Nathan, who was standing behind Kishiar. At the moment, he was unaware that Nathan was a Swordmaster.
However, since he was reputed to have a keen eye for assessing the abilities of others, he needed some time to consider how to respond appropriately.
“I get the feeling that your deputy, Nathan, is so powerful that he could probably defeat all the Imperial Knights we’ve seen today if they were brought here.”
“Ho, did you hear that, Nathan? He’s rating you quite highly.”
Kishiar grinned. Nathan’s gaze also landed on Yuder’s face.
“And what if you were to compare him with yourself?”
“If I were to compare him with me…”
Yuder paused, taking a small breath.
“…I’m not sure if I could win right now, but I believe that could change with time.”
‘I didn't realize how hard it would be to give a modest answer to something so obvious.’
Nathan was undoubtedly one of the top Swordmasters in this world, but Yuder was once a Cavalry commander who had a reputation for being unparalleled.
Although he hadn’t fully developed his abilities at the moment, if he could achieve the same level of growth as before, he was confident he could defeat several Swordmasters.
In the past, it took him nearly ten years to reach that level, but since he was retracing a path he had already traveled, he believed he could grow much faster this time.
“Hahaha. You say my deputy is stronger than the so-called experts of the Imperial Knights, and now you’re confident that he will eventually become weaker than you. Truly an impressive level of confidence.”
Kishiar laughed heartily. Yuder slightly bowed his head, wondering if Kishiar had always been so cheerful.
“So, you’re saying you can't assess my ability?”
“...Yes.”
That was all Yuder could say.
“Hm, I see.”
Fortunately, Kishiar didn’t press him further. Yuder felt as if Kishiar’s red eyes were targeting him, like he was an intriguing prey.
“What about the Cavalry as you see it? Can you not speak about that either?”
Just when Yuder thought he would be told to leave, Kishiar asked another question. Yuder was momentarily taken aback.
He could answer questions about individuals, but a response about the entire Cavalry might sound like a critique of Commander Kishiar's actions.
He couldn't understand why Kishiar was asking him, a mere member, something that should be asked of other important figures.
“Well... I think there might be someone else who could give a better answer.”
“Of course, I’m asking others as well. But I’m asking you because you seem to have a good eye. There’s no hidden agenda, so feel free to answer. Whether it's something you felt during training, anything. Don't worry about being expelled for expressing your concerns.”
“…”
Yuder sneakily cast a glance towards Kishiar's deputy, Nathan Zuckerman, hoping he might put an end to this dangerous conversation. However, Nathan remained silent, staring ahead as if he heard nothing at all.
'I don't remember anything like this happening in the past. I don't understand why he's acting like this all of a sudden. I just need to answer vaguely and get out of here.'
"The Cavalry... is a good place. We all haven't fully realized our power yet, but I believe that with time, as per your guidance, we will greatly improve and establish a system that will contribute to the safety of the empire."
"Really? Is that what you think?"
"Yes."
Yuder knew that future was bound to come. Even after Kishiar's death, the cavalry would develop as he had said, taking its place and becoming an organization more powerful than any other group before.
In a few years, the only ones able to protect the empire, and the world, would not be the knights or the mages, but the Cavalry and the Awakeners. Therefore, he had no doubts when he responded that way.
"Interesting. Everyone else says the opposite."
"Pardon?"
Surprised by his unexpected reply, Yuder blinked. Kishiar, who had finished his tea, slightly turned the teacup to the side. Nathan Zuckerman, who had been standing by, filled the teacup with more red liquid from the teapot.
"They all say that I will fail. They ask how can I do anything with illiterate people and no system in place. It's something no other country has tried, there's no precedent. I have to create rules and a system from scratch."
A deep conviction passed through Kishiar's eyes, as red as the tea.
"There are already plenty of powerful mages and knights in this country, so why am I insistently bringing dangerous individuals into the capital? All I have is my own strength and the support of the Emperor."
After speaking up to that point, Kishiar suddenly smiled.
"And yet, the promising member I managed to recruit says he can leave without any regrets, but he is also the only one who assures me that the cavalry I created is good and will succeed. Isn't it funny?"
"..."
His words were too honest. Yuder had never expected to hear such words from him, even considering his past memories.
For a moment, Yuder doubted whether the words he heard had really come from Kishiar's mouth. However, the duke in front of him was still sipping his tea with a languid smile.
"I've found you quite interesting from the start."
Yuder lowered his gaze to avoid his red eyes, but ended up staring at the cooled red liquid in his own tea cup. He couldn't escape that red color, wherever he looked.
"If someone else had said that, I would've thought it was just a flashy answer. But your eyes, they see things that others cannot, so I somehow want to believe what you're saying."
Saying that, Kishiar stared intently at Yuder.
"So, I hope you won't say things about leaving without regrets next time. That's all I have to say."
Yuder rose, offered his greetings, and left Kishiar's quarters.
An odd sensation overcame him. Who would have thought he would have such a conversation with that Kishiar La Orr? His previous impression of him had been of an enigma, a being whose true nature was unfathomable till the end.
'What are you thinking, Kishiar La Orr?'
Had he always been this ambitious? Or had he sensed something from me?
The man Yuder thought he knew, or believed he knew, seemed strangely different, making him wonder if he had remembered incorrectly.
'He seemed more worldly...and annoying...giving off the impression that his thoughts were inscrutable.'
But one thing was clear: from Yuder's perspective, this Kishiar was not a bad person.
'If things go well like this, there won't be any need to inherit the commander position as before.'
This was certainly a good thing. But the strange sensation he felt seeing Kishiar's unfamiliar aspect did not fade, but deeply lodged in Yuder's mind, lasting until he fell asleep.
"Nathan."
"Yes."
After Yuder left, Kishiar, staring at the chilled teacup on the opposite side, opened his mouth. Kishiar's cup was empty, but the one on the other side remained untouched, just as it had been from the start.
"What do you think of that guy?"
It was an unusual question. Nathan pondered for a moment before answering.
"If I hadn't heard of his background beforehand, I would never have guessed he was a commoner."
He was unmistakably a commoner, an orphan, barely twenty, yet he did not falter in front of Nathan, let alone in front of the noble duke who was as esteemed as the heavens.
Was that all? He seemed to gauge his opponent with an impassive gaze, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
His gaze suggested someone accustomed to evaluating others, and at the same time, someone who had long taken for granted standing in a superior position.
When their eyes met earlier, for a fleeting moment, he reminded him of his fencing master from his childhood.
One might think he lacked manners befitting a commoner, but there was something different about him. The fact that he did not drink the tea and simply left was one thing.
Normally, one would not stand up so dismissively if someone they deemed superior offered them tea.
Even if he has awakened his abilities, it has been only two years. Nathan Zuckerman grew up crawling with a sword, rolling around in all sorts of harsh places.
He had never seen someone show such an attitude towards someone who had trained for much longer and possessed much more.
Normally, most people would shrink in fear and avoid eye contact when meeting him or the duke.
How could a young man of merely twenty exude such a feeling? That man was... In any case, he was not just daring, but odd.
"He might be a spy, so it would be best to investigate."
"Actually, I've already done some investigation. There really wasn't much."
Kishiar chuckled.
"He actively participates in training and his performance is excellent. If he had gone to the Sul Division, I might have immediately offered him the position of deputy commander."
"If I investigate again, I might find something."
"Well..."
The expression of the master, who would usually instruct to proceed meticulously, seemed somewhat nuanced. A strange smile, like he was holding back a laugh, appeared and disappeared from his face.
"Perhaps we need more people like him here."
