Chapter 10

Kishiar La Orr had taught Yuder many things.

He taught him how to stand as the Cavalry commander, how to navigate a court filled with hyenas, and even how to live as both an Omega and an awakened individual. There were times when Yuder resented Kishiar for burdening him with too much responsibility. However, as his death approached, his perspective began to shift.

Kishiar La Orr had undoubtedly chosen Yuder to lead the Cavalry out of more than 300 members with some purpose in mind. Yet, what that purpose was remained unclear.

Did Kishiar truly not know that Yuder would be the one to take his life when he handed over the role of Cavalry commander? Was it possible that, with all his knowledge of the imperial and noble families' circumstances, he didn't foresee such an order being given?

With Kishiar's abilities, he could have easily escaped death by fleeing beforehand or, conversely, by killing Yuder. But he didn't. Yuder realized this too late to ask him why he acted as he did. The dead couldn't speak.

But now, perhaps Yuder could understand Kishiar's intentions without bearing the burden he once did. To do that, he would need to avoid killing him as he had in the past.

"I'm wondering when the top Cavalry candidate will finally arrive. It's about time you showed up. Have you made your decision?" Kishiar spoke casually, a smile on his lips. His tone was far too relaxed for an imperial noble addressing a commoner, but Yuder was not surprised. He already knew Kishiar's personality.

"Yes. But if you were about to leave, I can come back another time."

"No, it's fine. I had no real plans, just a brief outing," Kishiar said with a smile, stepping back a few paces.

"Come in."

Yuder stepped inside, experiencing the space as a guest where he had once spent much longer as an occupant. The space, hastily constructed yet with an eye to the dignity befitting a member of the imperial family, bore the clear marks of skilled artisans.

A high-domed ceiling loomed over a floor covered seamlessly with the finest carpet from the Southern Mountains. The central furnace, fueled by Northern magic stones, looked more like a beautiful sculpture than a mere source of heat.

An entire wall was filled with a majestic bookshelf, beneath which stood a black marble desk that exuded such an imposing presence one would hardly dare to approach it.

And what about the dozen or so paintings depicting ancient myths passed down in the Orr Empire?

The white annular stone walls, adorned with these paintings, gleamed brilliantly in five colors even without light. Visitors who witnessed this spectacle were naturally filled with awe, as if standing before a temple altar.

However, Yuder, who was all too familiar with the scenery, merely glanced around without much surprise.

Instead, his gaze was drawn to the upper part of the stone furnace, where red and blue flames flickered.

A transparent gemstone, seemingly floating in the air, served as a sword stand. Resting upon it was a single, massive sword.

The Divine Sword Orr.

At first glance, it was clear that this was no ordinary sword. Even encased in a scabbard imbued with sacred power, magic, and the craftsmanship of various races, the energy it emitted was extraordinary.

The sword, whose mere presence seemed to sharpen one's senses with its keen aura, was none other than the Divine Sword Orr. Legend held that this sword had been bestowed upon the first emperor who founded the Orr Empire by a messenger of God.

While those without imperial blood could hold the sword, simply holding it did not mean they could wield it.

The Divine Sword was infamous for its exacting standards regarding its wielder's abilities and qualities. In the thousand-year history of the empire, fewer than ten people had been able to wield the sword.

And Kishiar La Orr was the only person of his time chosen by the Divine Sword Orr.

After his death, no one else had appeared who could wield the sword, even up until the day Yuder died.

The proud Divine Sword, which even Yuder—despite his unparalleled abilities—couldn't touch. Since no one but its chosen one could move the sword, it remained forever in the Pelleta Duchy's estate, where Kishiar La Orr had last resided.

Due to its demanding nature, even the nobility rarely knew what the Divine Sword looked like. This was only natural, as Kishiar had not frequently carried or used the sword even after it became known that he was its chosen master.

Why had the Divine Sword chosen Kishiar if it wouldn't be properly used by him? If the sword had known it would lose its master so quickly, would it have made the same choice?

Yuder sometimes wondered about this, but the answer was as elusive as understanding Kishiar's true intentions.

"Is the sword fascinating?"

Kishiar's voice broke Yuder's thoughts as he stood fixated on the Divine Sword.

"Most people are first captivated by other aspects of this room and barely notice it."

Indeed, Yuder's reaction was unusual for a commoner.

Yuder murmured inwardly. Although the sword was a legendary artifact, to the untrained eye, it might have appeared as nothing more than an ornamental sword for the elite.

It didn't look like a sword meant for combat, and with the surrounding opulence, it was understandable why most people overlooked it.

'But for me, that sword was always the most compelling.'

Yuder recalled a distant memory. Now, knowing the Divine Sword's appearance, abilities, and the future events linked to it, it was natural for his gaze to be drawn to it. However, even before he traveled back in time, as a young Cavalry member, Yuder had been drawn to that sword.

It was possible because of his sharp senses, attuned to mana, could penetrate the scabbard's protective barrier that concealed the sword's aura. Back then, Kishiar had shown great interest in Yuder for the first time.

Finally, Yuder tore his gaze away from the Divine Sword Orr and looked at Kishiar. The commander was watching him intently, a soft, enigmatic smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Up until then, Kishiar's gaze on Yuder, who was only slightly above average, had been one of mere curiosity.

"I just noticed the sword because it exudes an unusual aura."

"Unusual? In what way?"

At this point in time, Kishiar had not yet publicly revealed that he was the wielder of the Divine Sword. That revelation would come later, when he was assigned a top-secret mission to retrieve the Red Stone.

So for now, it was crucial to feign ignorance while piquing Kishiar's interest.

"Just by looking at it, I can feel an energy as if it's targeting me. The sheath seems to be blocking it, but it can't completely conceal it."

It wasn't a lie. In fact, at that moment, Yuder could feel the sharp energy from the sword coursing through his entire body.

'Strangely, the energy feels even stronger than before... Am I imagining things?'

In the past, he had sensed an unusual energy from the sword, but it had never been enough to make his entire body feel this tense.

Yuder had always possessed extraordinary abilities—so powerful that people believed he had no equal in the world. Could the reversal of time have heightened his senses beyond their original level? It was an unknown, unsettling possibility.

Upon hearing Yuder's words, Kishiar's gaze shifted to the sword. A moment later, the energy that had been directed at Yuder disappeared as if it had never existed.

"Hmm. Can you feel the energy diminishing now?"

Seeing Yuder's shoulders stiffen, Kishiar spoke with an amused expression.

"It seems you're not lying."

"I've never encountered a sword with such power before."

"Really? Haven't you heard of anything similar?"

For a moment, Yuder worried that Kishiar had caught on to something. Although he knew it was unlikely, a brief moment of tension gripped him.

"Everyone knows the story of the founding Emperor and his Divine Sword Orr."

"…Ah."

His worry had been unnecessary. Yuder exhaled softly and nodded.

"So, are you saying that sword is the Divine Sword?"

"Yes. To be precise, I'm its twelfth owner. It's a fussy thing, allowing only the chosen one to wield it."

Yuder already knew the story. Nevertheless, he feigned surprise as if hearing it for the first time. Kishiar didn't doubt his reaction and continued talking.

"I've encountered many awakened individuals through the power of the Red Stone, but you're the first to sense energy so keenly. Has it always been like this since your awakening? Or have you always been more sensitive to mana or other energies in your daily life?"

"It's been like this since my awakening."

"I see."

Kishiar nodded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"I should have mentioned this earlier, but I was one of the examiners when you first took the Cavalry test as candidate number 423. Did you know that?"

"You were the one on the far right."

"Yes. You have a rare talent for distinguishing things so precisely. You truly are sensitive to energy."

The main reason Yuder recognized Kishiar wasn't just his sensitivity to energy but because he had seen Kishiar in that form before. However, Yuder decided not to reveal the truth.

"Back then, I thought your talent was exceptionally suited to both the Shin and Sul Divisions. But if I had to choose, I thought you would be more suited to the Sul... Was I wrong?"