Chapter 896
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Chapter 896
At the same time, Yuder Aile was meeting guests on behalf of the Commander.
"The crack was also sighted in Tuban."
"Yes. At first, we thought it was a mere illusion since nothing significant occurred after the sighting. However, our lord became deeply concerned after hearing similar incidents occurred in other regions. Hence, I was dispatched here."
Tuban. It was the last of the four areas of concern that Yuder and Kishiar had reviewed together. While the other three had reported in early, Tuban remained silent, even as one by one, reports of unusual cracks emerged from neighboring regions. Eventually, unable to hold back any longer, they sent someone.
This showed that Tuban's lord, despite his well-known pride and stubbornness, could not overlook the advantages that other regions were gaining by dealing with these strange cracks.
Yuder, feeling a sense of satisfaction with how things were unfolding, replied calmly without showing his inner delight.
"I see."
"I've heard that the Cavalry, First Princess Myra of the Herne Duchy, and the Imperial Southern Army have sent reinforcements to Mclara, Sluban, and Alsara to assist with security... Do you think Tuban should receive the same?" The envoy from Tuban couldn't hide his true intentions. Despite being the last to arrive, he transparently revealed his desire for the same support that other regions had received.
Of course, Yuder knew it was necessary for the future, but his nature didn't allow him to easily yield to such greedy demands.
"Well, we'll see about that."
"Excuse me?"
As Yuder leaned back languidly on the sofa, staring impassively, the young envoy from Tuban, who had been looking down on the Cavalry, showed a flustered expression. The Cavalry members, standing behind him, silently exchanged glances and smirked.
'How dare he think it's that easy to get what he wants.'
'Yuder's at it again. That guy will definitely leave crying. Maybe we should prepare a handkerchief for him in advance.'
As they anticipated, after a brief moment, the envoy from Tuban, drenched in what seemed to be a mix of sweat and tears, left the office, drained. Though he managed to secure the desired support, the cost involved actions that the lord of Tuban would certainly not appreciate. Was it really a gain?
Yuder knew Tuban's situation too well to refuse, and even casually mentioned the name of First Princess Myra El Herne, making it impossible for the envoy to decline. Watching the envoy's retreating figure, Yuder let out a cold laugh internally.
'I'll give them what they need, but they shouldn't underestimate the Cavalry.'
The lord of Tuban, in his previous life, hindered the Cavalry several times with his noble-class mentality. This time, Yuder intended to break his spirit right from the start.
Such people only heed when shown a lesson. Now that they've been put in their place, from now on, those who came in confidently, thinking they would end up like Mclara, will at least try to be polite.
"Do I have any more appointments today?"
"No, there weren't any until a while ago... but someone unexpected visited while you were meeting the envoy from Tuban."
"Who?"
"It's me."
Answering Yuder's question was General Gino, appearing at the doorway. Dressed much more casually than before, the general, without his adjutant Meghna, showed a gentle smile.
"I heard you regained consciousness, but I was worried not having seen you in person. I'm glad to see you in good health. Have you been well?"
"Of course, General. Had you informed us in advance, we would have sent someone to escort you."
"No need. It's proper for me to come and wait since I'm the one with a matter to discuss. Why trouble busy people when my own two legs serve me well? Sometimes, with age, one desires to converse with the youth."
His words were light, yet the underlying meaning was not so.
‘He emphasizes his coming alone for a reason, certainly.’
Yuder inferred that the General's matter required secrecy and gestured subtly. The Cavalry members guarding the interior were dismissed, and the door was closed, leaving only General Gino and Yuder inside.
Yuder gestured lightly towards the door, using the power of wind to block any sound, and then spoke.
"Now, no one outside can hear our conversation. Please, speak freely."
"I've heard you are barely twenty... It's hard to believe. At your age, I loathed the responsibility of my family so much that I ran away with just a sword in hand."
"..."
"If only someone like you had appeared sooner. But it seems God hasn’t completely forsaken us. Before my death, I am fortunate to see someone like you and the Cavalry."
"Your praise is too generous."
"Not at all. Everyone who saw you and the Cavalry on the day of the hailstorm would think so."
After speaking, General Gino paused to catch his breath. His eyes, usually not sparing with praise, darkened.
"But... is the Commander of the Cavalry well? I heard through letters he is recovering...."
"Yes. He is currently avoiding contact with the outside for various reasons, but there is no need for concern. He will recover soon."
"That's a relief. I was genuinely worried if his condition was more serious than reported."
A sincere look of relief appeared around the General's wrinkled eyes.
"After the hailstorm, the Cavalry seems to be preparing for more than just the simple reconstruction of Charloin. They are also putting notable effort into securing law and order, gathering information on the strange cracks that appeared in the neighboring cities."
"..."
"I haven't heard the details, but I suspect you all might be anticipating that the chaos of the hailstorm and the preceding disturbances are not the end. That's why I offered support from the Imperial Army without asking anything."
Indeed, General Gino was perceptive. Yuder felt admiration for this person he met in this life, in a similar yet completely different way to Kiolle.
"...Indeed, General. As you've surmised."
"Just as I thought... it's not over yet... If you cannot speak in detail yet, I won't pry. If Duke Peletta, no, the Commander of the Cavalry, has judged so, there must be valid reasons and causes. And that would also be in line with His Majesty the Emperor's wishes."
Yuder silently affirmed, then spoke.
"Is that the only reason you've come all this way?"
"Of course not. I wanted to hear about Duke Peletta's health directly from you, but I also have a troubling matter I wish to discuss. This is actually the main reason."
A troubling matter. Yuder guessed that this was precisely why General Gino had come alone.
‘Well, deducing that isn't too difficult.’
Yuder had already speculated with Kishiar about the potential problems within the Southern Army. After the day of the hailstorm, it seemed General Gino had also noticed something amiss.
"Could this troublesome matter be related to certain individuals within the Southern Army?"
"...How did you know?"
General Gino asked in a low voice.
"Has the Cavalry already...?"
"As you might remember, General, when we first met in the East, a lot happened. Some of those events remain unexplained. We have been keeping an eye on the internal affairs of the Southern Army since then."
He should have mentioned that it was actually Kishiar and Emperor Keilusa who had been monitoring, but he refrained from going into that detail.
Though Yuder hadn't explicitly stated it, his words alone were enough for General Gino to realize that Yuder truly understood his concerns. The General exhaled sharply and opened his eyes, a tension crossing his face.
"So it is... I see. Then I'll cut to the chase. After the hailstorm, I began to suspect that things beyond my control were happening within the Southern Army."
General Gino's suspicion had turned into conviction during the post-hailstorm clean-up.
"I don't know if you're aware, but I sustained minor injuries during the hailstorm. While I was recovering, I entrusted full authority to Meghna, my adjutant. But then, suspicious assassination attempts against her started to occur as if she wasn't meant to be in that position."
"Assassination attempts, you say?"
"I didn't report it officially at first. I thought it was an internal matter that needed to be settled."
Initially, they seemed like accidents. But the assassination attempts on Meghna were relentless yet covert. Fortunately, she not only survived but also managed to turn the tables and catch some of the perpetrators.
In the process, she uncovered a few suspicious issues lurking within the Southern Army.
"The ones who tried to assassinate Meghna infiltrated the deepest parts of the Southern Army effortlessly, knowing too much internal information.
Their forged identities were made to appear as if they belonged to the Southern Army, and even though these identities had been created years ago, no one had noticed. Meghna found out that there were more than one or two such fake identities in the army, and reported to me that these individuals with fake identities had been moving around the South."
Fake soldiers in the Southern Army. Counterfeit identities. Years of suspicious activities.
Yet, despite all this, the General had been unaware. That meant...
"Someone I trusted... or perhaps multiple people, had betrayed me. Realizing that sent chills down my spine."
"Do you wish for the Cavalry's assistance to weed out the traitors within your ranks, General?"
"Yes. I'm embarrassed it took me this long to realize, but this isn't something I can handle with just the special forces. Could you please convey my message to the Commander and ask for help so this old man can atone for failing to properly control the Southern Army?"
Yuder, with a cold yet clear intent, smiled.
"I'm sorry, but... that would be difficult."
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***
"Why was someone like you born into this world to make me so miserable? Do you understand when I say it like this?! You were born with talent for the sword, a bright personality, everything - you must have been laughing at me always lagging behind! Did you even know how pathetic I felt because of your stupid hypocrisy? A genius? What does any of that matter!"
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***
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"..."
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To be able to run so easily like this.
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***
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*
“Don’t mistake spending me rut with you as an invitation to be my mate. You’re merely a plaything to pass the time.”
“I know that. So I hope you’ll soon find a proper mate.”
The dragon finding a good mate and becoming happy was all Kinain wished for in the little time he had left.
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The dragon gripped Kinain’s wrist tightly, as if to break it, and whispered in a low, gloomy voice.
“No. You can’t do that. Even if I find a mate, you’ll still have to remain here.”