"Perhaps this place needs more of such individuals."
"It's better to cut off those who enter with ill intentions early."
"If they had ill intentions, they wouldn't dare to step up against the Imperial Knights, risking their lives. Especially against the Diarca Duchy."
"..."
At those words, Nathan fell silent. A hint of amusement flickered in Kishiar's red eyes.
"It was an interesting spectacle indeed. Almost a shame I couldn't share it with you."
Knowing how much Kishiar detested the nobles, and the four major ducal houses, Nathan sighed at the sight of his master's rare, genuine smile.
"You seem to have enjoyed it immensely."
"Enjoyed it… Yes, I suppose so."
It was fun and unusual indeed. His attention was drawn to him from the start. With such murmuring, Kishiar stood up from his seat.
"By the way, Nathan, were there any messages while I was out?"
"Yes, a message had arrived from the Sun Palace."
Nathan retrieved a short letter from the leg of the courier bird that flew in just before their guest arrived and handed it to his master.
The Sun Palace, a place where only the Emperor of the Orr Empire could reside, had its insignia, the sun emblem, stamped clearly on the wax seal of the rolled-up letter.
Kishiar took the letter, broke the seal, and quickly read through it.
"Hmm. As soon as the induction ceremony is over, they want me to bring the Red Stone."
"Isn't the induction ceremony the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes, it's a tight schedule."
Kishiar threw the paper into the central furnace. The paper, thrown into the flames of the magic stone burning in a rainbow of colors, was burnt to ashes in an instant without leaving any trace.
"Retrieving it isn't the problem. It's just that the system here isn't fully established yet. I'm a bit worried about what might happen if I leave for too long."
"You shouldn't push yourself too hard. The Peletta Knights are on standby, so if you tell me the number of people you need, I'll get them ready."
Kishiar turned his head towards Nathan. He frowned and smiled as if he had too many worries.
"You worry too much, Nathan. Lately, I've been thinking that even my late mother would have worried less about me."
"Since your awakening, everyone has been more concerned about you. They fear you might overexert yourself."
"I know my body best."
Kishiar cut off his adjutant's words quietly.
"So far, there hasn't been any problem."
"I apologize if I overstepped."
"No, it's alright. And about the knights... Yes, prepare about five."
"Five is too few. Then I should go with you too......"
"You need to act on my behalf here. Who else will receive the message from the Sun Palace?"
"But..."
Transporting an unknown object called the Red Stone with only five subordinates was too risky, even if Kishiar himself was involved.
"I have to return quickly, so I can't move heavily. And it's not just five knights, I plan to select a few from here to participate in the mission."
"From here... do you mean?"
Despite knowing that this group had been painstakingly established by his master, concern inevitably crept into Nathan's voice. Kishiar responded with an expression as if he understood his worries.
"Didn't you just see? Given a bit more time, there are those who believe he could win against you. After observing for a while, I've noticed that there are many with quite interesting abilities. They are people who have gained power through that stone, so they might be of some help. In many ways, it is also the best opportunity to make the name 'Cavalry' known to the world."
The decision had already been made by the master. Once Kishiar made a decision, he was not one to change his mind.
Nathan looked at him for a moment before bowing his head.
"I understand. So, do you plan on taking him with us?"
"I am considering it."
Kishiar smiled faintly as he spoke about Yuder.
"I want to see just how much power he possesses that he's so confident. His attitude of not caring whether he's a noble or an imperial family is quite intriguing. Don't you think it would be rather amusing to prod him a bit?"
"I hope your interest does not escalate excessively."
Worry was etched on Nathan's icy expression. Kishiar rarely took a deep interest in anything, but when he did, he pursued it relentlessly until he had resolved it.
Until now, this trait of his master hadn't caused any major problems. However, he thought there might be trouble for the first time if this interest were to deepen towards the commoner they had just met.
Too little was still known about those who had awakened their power two years ago. As long as the extent of this man's power remained uncertain, it was crucial to prevent any potential dangers to his master.
"Haha. Are you worried that I might get hurt?"
"…I am aware that such a situation is unlikely, but there is always a possibility."
"Do not worry, Nathan. If there were things that could harm me so easily, there would be no reason for all this trouble."
Kishiar patted Nathan's shoulder lightly.
"Life is tedious, always needing to forcibly express what is stored within, no matter what. Compared to that, this is natural and interesting."
"Well, now you should go rest too." After Kishiar said this, Nathan bowed his head in acknowledgment, retreated from the living quarters, and entered another room prepared for him.
Even after his loyal adjutant disappeared, Kishiar remained standing still in front of the central fireplace, not retiring to his bed.
Unlike the red flames of wood-burning fire, the fire fueled by a magic stone emitted a mystic multi-colored glow, not giving off any smoke or ash, and burned for more than ten days with just a handful of stones.
Moreover, it didn't require ventilation, making it possible to create such a beautiful fireplace.
When it was first invented, those familiar with wood-burning fires and mages had treated it as magic. However, it had now become a common sight everywhere.
That's why Kishiar had specifically instructed to install this fireplace in the center of his dwelling.
Would the outcome of his creation here be perceived as this fire? The answer remained unknown.
—---
Two days later, a ceremony of conferring last names took place in the open space in front of the accommodations where the Cavalry members stayed, with more than half of the entire Cavalry members in attendance.
It was a special event that had been held only a few times in the empire's history of over a millennium. The faces of the Cavalry members who were to receive a last name directly from the emperor were filled with awe.
'Reality may be humble, but still.'
As one of them, Yuder stood in his black uniform. Ideally, the emperor himself should have attended an event such as a conferment ceremony, to bestow the names or last names in person.
However, the number of people to be conferred was too large, and the emperor had already been absent from political discussions for several years, citing health reasons.
Therefore, the ceremony took place not in the imperial palace, but in a small open space in front of the Cavalry building, and Kishiar La Orr, the commander of the Cavalry, stood on the stage with a decree bearing the emperor's seal, not unlike his usual posture when making announcements to the Cavalry members.
Yet, even that was enough to inspire awe in the Cavalry members. Receiving a title meant rising above being a commoner. They were liberated from many strenuous duties of commoners, received many benefits, and could pass on their last names to their families.
In other words, they could establish a lineage. Although they were not on par with the nobility who owned territories and titles, in other words, they could become nobility if they acquired those as well.
When a commoner became a knight, one of the few professions that they could aspire to rise in status, and received the title of 'Sir', they couldn't pass on that title to their family, so this was an incomparably greater benefit.
Receiving a last name meant exactly that.
"Moreover, it's a last name given by His Majesty the Emperor himself. It's unbelievable."
As names were called one by one and individuals stepped forward, Kanna, who was next to Yuder, patted her cheeks with an awe-struck face.
"I'm not sure if we really deserve all this, we haven't done anything yet."
Of course, they deserved it. They would become accustomed to receiving more rewards every time they completed a significant mission later on.
In Yuder's case, who had been a commander, he had received territories and titles directly from the emperor. He even received several mansions in the capital.
He had received so many precious treasures, servants, and all sorts of honorable titles that eventually, none of them seemed to have any meaning. Looking back now, it seemed like a laughable memory.
"Yuder. Aren't you happy? Smile a bit more."
"...I am happy too."
Kanna lowered her voice and whispered, perhaps because Yuder's expression seemed dull as he recalled the past. He replied, but she seemed unconvinced.
"Does that look like a happy person's face? I don't think so....."
"Next, Kanna."
"Yes!"
Fortunately, at that moment, Kanna's name was called. Yuder watched Kanna go up on the stage.
"I confer the honorable last name, 'Wand', to Cavalry member Kanna."
"T-thank you. I accept the last name."
Kanna Wand. Kanna, who had received a new title, turned around with tears welled up in her eyes and bowed. That was the only scene that didn't exist in the past.
"Next, Yuder."
