After the vice-commanders left, Yuder remained with Kishiar.

“What do you make of the situation with House Diarca?”

“If His Majesty has said we no longer need to protect or monitor Kiole, then he must believe there’s no immediate danger to his life.”

In other words, whether Duke Diarca recovered or not, the internal conflict within the family would likely rise to the surface soon. Once the infighting began, the attempted assassination of Kiole—the original trigger—would lose its urgency. Kiorne and the Duke would both be too busy to pay attention to Kiole, so there would be no need for the Cavalry to stay so close.

“The distant enemy versus the one holding a blade to your throat. Of course people deal with the latter first.”

“Quite right. So Kiole will...”

“Knowing Duke Diarca’s character... he probably intended to provide Kiole with a few ‘substitute culprits’—monsters who allegedly tried to harm the Empress—at a convenient time.”

Just like what he’d done when Crown Prince Kachian was tasked with investigating the break-in at the Sun Palace.

“But that plan likely collapsed with this incident. If it were me, I’d use this chance to provoke Diarca and pour fuel on the fire—but His Majesty may have different ideas.”

A mischievous yet chilling smile spread across Kishiar’s lips.

“Well, truthfully, I’d rather dig into what’s around Kiorne la Diarca than waste time with Kiole or the Duke.”

“You suspect something’s ‘attached’ to him?”

Kishiar narrowed his eyes. That was all the confirmation needed.

Kiorne la Diarca—supposedly in seclusion due to illness—had essentially been driven out by his father. Yet according to Ever, he returned to the main estate just as soon as the Duke collapsed. But since when had House Diarca been so warm and accommodating? Since when did the Duke allow an exiled son to return uninvited?

Kiole wasn’t even allowed to follow his father...

It was a declaration. That Kiorne now had enough power to strike his father, and he no longer intended to obey. The bold assassination attempt was laced with both rage and confidence.

Anyone could see Kiorne was behind this. The fact that he acted knowing that meant he was sure he could topple the Duke this time.

In his previous life, Kiorne had taken over House Diarca and emerged as its final victor. He’d probably killed Kiole to do it, and Kishiar had long suspected he’d stabbed his father in the back then too.

But back then, Kachian had backed him.

Now, with Kachian powerless, where had Kiorne found the confidence—and the strength—to strike at his father?

Kishiar held up two fingers.

“I have two theories. Either he’s been influenced by someone from the Wolf’s Eye tribe alliance, like Aton... or...”

He paused, then grinned.

“...my beloved elder brother, His Majesty.”

“Ah...”

Because he’d mentioned the Wolf’s Eye tribe first, Yuder had been momentarily surprised—but he soon realized that was Kishiar’s intent all along. He recalled Emperor Keillusa’s bold declaration before Yuder’s holiday began:

‘I will seize the chance I’ve long considered. The chance to confuse my enemies, to grasp complete control. The chance to test what I’ve prepared. The chance to test myself. And the chance for revenge. There has never been a better time for all of it than now.’

House Diarca—once the strongest and most dominant among the four ducal families.

The pillar that had seemed unshakable now lay collapsed. The inside was in chaos, torn by mistrust and infighting. They looked exactly like the kind of disorder Emperor Keillusa had described.

‘He said everything would be different by the time I returned...’

A chill ran down Yuder’s spine.

Kishiar, catching his expression, teased lightly.

“Of course, I can’t say for certain just yet. I’ll know more when I see His Majesty tomorrow.”

He said that, but his red eyes already held certainty.

“It’s just a shame Nathan’s return is delayed. I would’ve liked to hear his take on things.”

***

Yuder strolled slowly through the Cavalry headquarters, observing his surroundings.

Most people rested a day after returning from leave, but that didn’t apply to Yuder.

“Yuder! You’re back!”

Inside the infirmary, which he hadn’t visited in six weeks, Lusan was alone, grinding herbs. The moment he saw Yuder, his face lit up with genuine delight.

“You’re by yourself, Priest. Has Inon not returned yet?”

“Oh, you haven’t heard? Inon sent a letter—said he still has urgent business and will return a few days later than planned. But it sounds like he’ll be back soon.”

“I see. It must be tough on your own.”

“Haha, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t, but I’m managing. Besides, new people will be joining the ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) medical unit starting tomorrow.”

Lusan had stayed at headquarters the entire time, tending to injuries from training and assisting with interviews for new recruits to the medical division. Naturally, most applicants had prior experience in the temple.

“We’ve selected five people in the first round. When Inon returns, we’ll do the final review together. I heard there are also some temple priests who requested to join the Cavalry like I did. If that’s true, we’ll need to interview them too...”

Though he smiled, there was a shadow behind Lusan’s eyes—likely from how grueling the process had been. Yuder asked lightly, pretending not to know.

“When recruiting new members, there were quite a few... eccentric candidates. Did anything like that happen here?”

“Um... yes, we had a few people who clearly had no idea what the job involved and just came because of some rumor about career advancement. But once we explained things properly, most of them understood and left. The Cavalry members who joined the interviews were a huge help.”

Lusan’s gaze drifted into the air.

“A bit too helpful, actually. I had to treat a few of the applicants afterward... But things settled down after that. Hopefully next time will be better.”

"Too helpful" likely meant those applicants had been aggressive—probably yelling or even cursing when they didn’t get chosen—and the Cavalry members had stepped in decisively. That was exactly why the Cavalry had been ordered to assist Lusan—to handle such incidents swiftly and harshly.

‘Nothing fixes nonsense like a good beating. I should ask who helped him and find out who the troublemakers were...’

His reason was simple. Once he identified the culprits, he’d see if they were still deluded—and then send them a second round of reality as a gift.

For the crime of annoying the Cavalry’s one and only priest, they’d repay it with their bodies.

Unaware of Yuder’s sinister thoughts beneath his calm expression, Lusan simply looked grateful.

“Thank you for coming all the way here out of concern for me.”

“Not at all. I’ll be going now—”

As Yuder turned, Lusan hesitated, then bashfully called out, “Wait a moment.”

“This is a vitality tonic I made all on my own for the first time. I infused it with a bit of divine power, like holy water, using Inon’s method. I wanted to give it first to you and the Commander. Would you accept it?”

Yuder accepted the vial he offered. Inside were pills, slightly lumpier than the ones Inon made.

“I heard rumors that you fought monsters even while on vacation, so I was a bit worried... But now that I see you look well, I’m glad. Please take it when needed.”

My complexion? Was there something on my face?

He wondered briefly, but bowed his head.

“...Thank you.”

Lusan waved him off with a cheerful face. Yuder stepped out of the infirmary, holding the vial. And no sooner had he done so than he ran into a group of energetic figures approaching with excitement.

Stiff, unfamiliar-looking new uniforms. Faces he didn’t recognize.

They were new recruits.

“Ah...!”

The moment they spotted Yuder, all the recruits froze. A few who had seen him before looked overwhelmed, as if meeting a legend, and hesitantly stepped forward.

“Y-Yuder Aile... S-Senior... sir!”

Among them stood the towering Elpokin, the boy Jaek from the Star of Nagran, and Gloena, who wore a pouch of cards at her waist.

But Yuder’s gaze passed them and settled on someone in the back—someone unable to step forward.

Fay. So we meet here.