"What are you referring to?"
"I've heard that those who manifested second genders periodically emit a scent from their bodies both during and after it manifested."
Emitting a scent from their bodies. It was a roundabout way of saying they were in heat.
"It hasn't happened in our Cavalry yet, but wouldn't accidents occur if they are in close proximity during such periods? As a place where the awakeners gather, I believe it's an issue you should consider, Commander, for the sake of the future."
Furthermore, it was absolutely necessary to establish a system quickly for organizations with a particularly high ratio of awakeners, like this Southern Army, and for the sake of the country where more and more awakeners would live together in the future.
'In the past, laws could only be established after numerous accidents had occurred.'
Two years had passed since the Red Stone fell, and until now, the number of awakeners had not been that great. However, as time went on, the number of awakeners steadily increased, and the types of abilities diversified. Along with this, the number of those who manifested second genders also increased, leading to many accidents due to unavoidable reasons.
A considerable amount of time was needed for people to recognize and familiarize themselves with a new phenomenon and find a way to cope with it. The same went for those who manifested second genders.
The notion that those who manifested a second gender must be separated from people for a while. That one should not carelessly encounter Alphas or Omegas in heat. Even such basic information was unknown to everyone at this point.
Normally, someone would have to suffer for such information to be gradually disseminated, but Yuder didn't like that.
"Accidents caused by the manifestation of second genders... That's a valid point."
"If there are no rules when an incident occurs and requires handling... it will be too late."
It must be designated as early as possible. When the Cavalry was newly formed and everything was still possible, and when there was no one to threaten Kishiar's position.
"Understood. I was in the process of creating internal regulations with the help of jurists anyway, so there will be no problem adding this. I'll take it into consideration."
"Thank you."
"But how did you, a non-manifested, think this far?"
He couldn't reply that it was because he was the one who would manifest as an Omega in the future, so Yuder lied.
"I heard about these things before joining the Cavalry, so I wanted to propose it."
"I see."
No matter how smart Kishiar La Orr was, he couldn't deduce the absurd truth that Yuder had memories of the future. Kishiar easily accepted Yuder's answer.
"We've come this far while talking. It's late, let's meet tomorrow."
While they were conversing, they had unknowingly returned to the place where they first met.
Glancing up at the starry sky and estimating the time by the position of the moon, Kishiar turned away even before receiving Yuder's farewell.
He was refreshingly indifferent, not the type of person who would suggest spending the night together.
Yuder watched silently until his figure completely disappeared into the darkness.
The Red Stone fell from the sky one day. Some thought it was a message from God to humans, while others believed it was a stone that flew in from another world. Yuder was neither of these.
"Evidence is clear. Or, I can only believe what I see with my own eyes." That was his principle.
So, it wasn't strange that he had a different thought in front of the Red Stone the next day, an anomaly he had witnessed and experienced firsthand.
'Could it really be an object that came flying from another world?'
"Yuder, what's wrong?"
Gakane, who stood by Yuder's side, asked with a concerned look in his eyes.
"Are you affected by the energy the stone is emitting?"
"No."
He no longer cared about the energy that the Red Stone emitted. Although the air became heavier and his skin tingled as he approached the stone that day, it was considerably less intense than the previous day.
It wasn't only Yuder who had become accustomed; Kanna, who had barely managed to reach this distance yesterday, seemed much calmer today.
'She seemed to blame herself quite a bit for being unable to help yesterday. There was no need to worry.'
Kanna had been gloomy all the way back to their lodgings yesterday. Despite her lack of combat abilities, they had gone to great lengths to bring her here, yet she hadn't been of any help when they needed her most. It was understandable.
But, considering her arm might have disappeared if she had touched the stone, rather than just Gakane's shadow, it was fortunate for the others that she hadn't.
'The issue today isn't the tingling energy... it's the stone itself.'
The reason for Yuder's seriousness was simple: his attempts to move the Red Stone had all failed.
Before coming here today, Yuder had cut out a piece of an extra blanket back at their lodgings and put it into a small bag. His original plan was to apply his power to the stone, forming it into a sphere of dirt and ice as he did yesterday, and then attempt to make contact by covering it with the cloth.
But the moment he faced the Red Stone again, he remembered something he hadn't tried yesterday.
If the Red Stone belonged to the natural world of this realm, it wouldn't reject his touch. The ability to freely manipulate all natural attributes and the materials born from them was perhaps the most necessary power for transporting the stone.
So, Yuder secretly tried to use his power on the stone itself, not the earth beneath it. But the stone didn't move a bit.
It was fortunate that he didn't cause an energy explosion like the Eldore siblings who had tried to use their power on the Red Stone yesterday, but there was no reaction at all.
Yuder's power couldn't directly affect things not born in this world, like monsters, for example.
When he tried to use his power against those creatures, known to be born in places where the world's mana was distorted, nothing happened, just like now.
Of course, it didn't matter since he could attack indirectly, but it was a problem that he had a weak reaction to things like ropes made from monster tendons or alcohol mixed with monster blood.
In the future that only remained in Yuder's memory, there was a law prohibiting Awakeners from using their powers around the World Sphere. So, he never thought to try moving something directly in this way, and he regretted it now.
'Well, knowing that my power doesn't work doesn't mean I've found a better way to move the stone...'
Still, he was now free to try indirect methods without hesitation.
'Let's watch what Kishiar does and then try to help.'
Kishiar had brought a relatively light yet sturdy wooden box and a large shovel to the site today. Of course, the knights had handled the transportation, but now, at the edge of the vast pit, he was the one holding the shovel.
"Well, let's try digging a bit."
Kishiar, who had placed the box next to the Red Stone, slowly picked up the shovel and approached.
"Captain, are you sure you want to do this alone?"
"Yes."
Gakane looked at the large shovel in Kishiar's hand as if it were a massive weapon. It seemed unthinkable to him to have the highest-ranking among them do such work, but Kishiar was adamant.
'I am best suited for this task, considering what happened yesterday. It would be absurd if I did nothing while my subordinates worked hard, wouldn't it?'
Gakane could say nothing against Kishiar, who stood firm with such resolve.
"Yuder, be ready to erect a protective barrier immediately if you sense anything strange, like yesterday."
"Yes."
"Then, I'll start digging."
Without hesitation, Kishiar plunged the shovel into the ground next to the Red Stone. At that moment, Yuder noticed a shimmering energy from Kishiar's hand, narrowing his eyes.
'Is it an enhancement ability?'
The shovel, sinking into the ground with a sound like settling dust, paused for a moment. Kishiar stood still, seemingly scrutinizing the Red Stone for any anomalies. Then, in a single swift motion, he dug up the Red Stone and swept it into the box.
"Ah!"
The Eldore siblings screamed in unison. Kanna also shrunk back, seemingly anticipating something to happen. From Gakane's feet, his shadow clone swiftly rose.
"..."
And nothing happened in the box.
"It seems we're in the clear."
Everyone stared at the box with puzzled expressions. The only ones who remained composed were Kishiar and Yuder.
With a relieved look on his face, Yuder turned to Kishiar, who was handing the shovel to Gakane, and spoke.
"It seems that as long as we don't touch it directly, we're safe. That's fortunate. Shall we fill it with water and freeze it to prevent it from moving around inside?"
"Can you do that?"
"I can also melt it instantly if needed."
"Hmm... No, I'd like to see that, but not now. The water created by your ability might trigger a reaction from the stone like yesterday."
Despite being inside a box, the Red Stone was still a red stone. It soon became clear that General Gino, a Swordmaster, and the Peletta knights could not approach the box at a certain distance.
Hence, it was decided that the box containing the Red Stone would be kept in Kishiar's private quarters.
"Yuder Aile, carry the box and follow me. Everyone else, return to your quarters. After resting tonight, we will depart for the capital tomorrow. That's all."
Yuder complied with Kishiar's orders and cradled the box containing the Red Stone. While it wasn't heavy, the energy emanating from the box still made his body feel heavy, and his skin prickled just as before.
