Peleta—an impoverished, quiet domain on a particularly desolate stretch of the northern coastline of the Orzen Empire.

So barren and devoid of development potential that it was considered utterly unworthy of being the domain of a duke, a rank among the noblest of nobles.

It was little more than an exile’s wasteland—poor and shabby.

And yet, what Yuder was seeing now bore no resemblance to such a reputation.

"Welcome back, Duke. Sir Zuckerman."

"We’ve been awaiting your return."

Under the modest but solidly maintained fortress walls, young soldiers stood at attention with spears in hand, sharp and disciplined. Recognizing Kishiar, they saluted without hesitation. Their eyes were full of emotion, but not one of them let it overpower them or abandoned their post in excitement.

They’re clearly well-trained.

They hadn’t been here during Yuder’s previous life. Back then, he had scaled the walls in the dead of night and never passed through the official entrance. Had guards like these been stationed then, sneaking in would have been a far greater challenge.

Sensing Yuder’s gaze, some of the soldiers looked at him in return. He wore a black cloak with a hood over his Cavalry uniform, pulled low enough that it would’ve been difficult to identify him on sight.

"And who is the person accompanying you, sir?"

"Baron Yuder Aile. Member of the Cavalry and my one and only aide."

Before Yuder could even respond, Kishiar answered smoothly.

"A hero who saved both the West and the South, finally arriving in the North to enjoy his first proper vacation—let Peleta give him the finest welcome it can offer. Enough to make its host proud. My honor rests on you."

With a flourish of his chest as if showing off a prized treasure, Kishiar’s theatrics left the knights momentarily dumbfounded—then bursting into laughter.

"Hahaha! Of course, sir."

"We’ve heard all the rumors about the Cavalry’s hero from the Peleta knights. For the Duke’s honor, that’s no trouble at all!"

Without even needing a command, the soldiers moved in perfect sync.

"Haah!"

With sharp swings, they clashed their spearheads in a striking rhythm—ching, ching—crossing the blades and raising them high to form a ceremonial archway for the guests to pass through.

"Baron Aile, welcome to Peleta!"

"May your vacation here be /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ joyful!"

"...Thank you."

Even with Yuder’s awkward response, they beamed just like Kishiar.

Kishiar responded with generous clapping and gestures of praise, bowing slightly to pass under the crossed spears. Nathan Zuckerman, expressionless as ever, followed his master with identical posture.

After a moment of hesitation, Yuder followed suit, walking beneath the archway and officially entering the domain.

Across two lifetimes, this was the first time he’d entered a town in such a ridiculous and extravagant manner. It was so absurd that the memories he’d been thinking about moments ago seemed to slip away.

And it didn’t stop there. The same sort of thing continued inside the estate. Every time they passed someone who recognized Kishiar and Nathan Zuckerman, Kishiar would say something like:

“Duke! You’ve returned!”

“Yes. I’ve come to spend my vacation here with my aide.”

“Truly? Then we can’t just sit around! I’ll send a barrel of fine beer to the manor right away!”

“That’s the response I was hoping for. Thank you, Ulli!” 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“It's really the Duke! Today’s bound to be a good day.”

“Oh, Sel. That’ll be thanks to the guest I brought. He’s a very special one.”

“Who is he?”

“Do you know the hero of the Cavalry?”

“...”

There wasn’t even time to tell him to knock it off. And since Nathan Zuckerman made no move to stop Kishiar either, Yuder quickly became the talk of the entire town.

"Is that really..."

"The hero of the Cavalry? Came all the way here on vacation?"

"Can’t see his face under that hood, but he looks way too thin for his height. Did he overwork himself and skip meals?"

"What are you talking about? Would our Duke let that happen?"

What was most remarkable amid the chatter was the total absence of fear or nervousness toward high-ranking nobles.

Yuder, well acquainted with the instinct of commoners to bow and scurry away at the sight of power, was genuinely taken aback.

These people didn’t abandon their posts or slack off. Their cheerfulness didn’t override their sense of duty. There was a solid, knight-like trust embedded in them.

Even though Kishiar had been away for a while, he was clearly still their reliable protector, and their faith in him hadn’t wavered—whether he was present or not.

It’s... kind of like the Cavalry.

Although technically, the Cavalry came after, so it would be more accurate to say that the Cavalry resembled the people of Peleta.

Once that thought took root, the unfamiliar and awkward faces began to look strangely familiar. Even Yuder was surprised by how quickly that shift occurred.

“Duke! I thought you’d head straight to the manor—what are you doing lingering here?”

Fortunately, before Yuder was forced into any more spontaneous greetings, a savior appeared.

A stern-faced middle-aged woman jumped down from a carriage that had come racing from the castle. Her booming voice sent the crowd scattering at once. Kishiar, watching the scene with a grin, raised his hand.

“It’s been a while, Enk. I’m glad to see you looking well.”

“What’s the use of looking healthy on the outside when I’m burning up on the inside?!”

Her harsh voice might’ve intimidated most people, but not Kishiar. He deflected her sharp stare with a smooth smile and a shrug.

“You always exaggerate.”

“Exaggerate? If I could, I’d split my chest open and show you! You didn’t even send word while that duck roast I prepared got cold! Nathan! You were with him—why didn’t you bring him straight home?”

“......”

Even as she smacked him on the back, Nathan Zuckerman remained silent. Yuder felt a strange sense of déjà vu. She seemed to be the second person after Helrem who was allowed to treat Nathan like a child.

“Haha. Come, you should introduce yourself. This is my aide, Baron Yuder Aile. Yuder, this is Enk, the steward who’s looked after Peleta in my absence.”

Only then did Enk turn toward Yuder as if realizing he was there. Yuder half-expected a barrage of blunt words aimed his way, but she surprised him by greeting him in a calm and formal manner.

“Baron Aile, I had heard in advance that you would be arriving. I am Enk, steward of Peleta Castle. I deeply apologize for displaying such undignified behavior upon your first visit.”

“...No, I—”

“There’s no need to say anything.”

Before Yuder could continue, Enk cut him off firmly.

“You weren’t the one who left a guest standing in the street without explanation—it must’ve been our dear Duke’s doing. You don’t need to explain a thing. I understand completely.”

“......”

“Haha!”

Kishiar, beside them, let out a sheepish laugh as if he’d been praised. Enk narrowed her eyes and shook her head with exasperation, then strode to the carriage and opened the door. Her booming voice followed as she extended a hand toward Yuder.

“Please get in. I’ll escort you comfortably to the castle.”