Before long, the people Enk and Kishiar had mentioned arrived. Nathan Zuckerman was among them. Of course, in addition to them, so many others followed behind that it was difficult to memorize all their names, and they filled the long table to capacity.

They sat wherever they liked, regardless of rank or status, and greeted Kishiar with unreserved familiarity.

“Duke. Through letters, it always felt like you were still here, but it’s truly delightful to see your face again.” 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

“Haha. The feeling is mutual.”

“Life in the Capital must’ve suited you. You don’t just look well—you’re practically glowing.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“And the person beside you is the famous... surely the first guest you’ve ever personally invited to Peleta, yes?”

Once the basic greetings had gone around, questions turned toward Yuder. It wasn’t because they genuinely didn’t know who he was, but rather to ensure the stranger at the center of attention wasn’t left out.

And to subtly show that they already knew who I was, too.

He didn’t find it unpleasant. After all, he had come fully prepared to accept whatever their intentions were. Yuder opened his mouth with a composed face.

“Yes. I’m Yuder Aile, aide to the Commander of the Cavalry.”

“Oh! I’d wanted to introduce you myself first.”

This time, before Kishiar could cut in, Yuder introduced himself—leaving Kishiar exaggeratedly disappointed. The others laughed at his theatrics. The person who had asked the question stifled a chuckle and replied:

“Hmm! Then would it be appropriate to call you Baron Aile?”

“I’m more comfortable with my position than my title... but like Sir Zuckerman, you may call me by an honorific if you prefer. Whether it’s my given name or surname, I don’t mind either way.”

Not just the one who asked, but others who had been listening reacted in surprise to Yuder’s answer. It seemed most of them hadn’t expected such a reply.

As the murmuring began, Kishiar cut in with a smiling face.

“Isn’t it fine as long as the sentiment and intent are conveyed, no matter what he’s called? Strictly speaking, the correct way would be to call him the greatest hero of the Orr Empire, the pillar of the Cavalry, a man of unparalleled skill and beauty, and the one to whom I’d like to dedicate all my affection—but that’s a bit... long, isn’t it? So I usually just say he’s my aide, or Yuder.”

“...Pardon?”

Any disappointment at missing the chance to introduce Yuder himself was rendered meaningless. The statement flowed so naturally that people blinked, looked at each other, then opened their mouths in surprise.

Yuder had expected them to laugh or find it absurd. But unexpectedly, no laughter came. Instead, the people exchanged meaningful glances, nodding as if they shared some understanding. Then, an elderly man with stylishly swept-back white hair spoke up on their behalf.

“I see. I understand that it truly doesn’t matter how you’re addressed. In that case, this old man shall call you Sir Yuder. After all, the name most long used probably holds the most of the person in it.”

Others followed, each declaring what they would call Yuder.

Each had their own reasons, and all were equally sincere.

Only then did Yuder realize something. No one here considered Kishiar’s words to be a mere joke. Not even the Cavalry, who followed Kishiar with absolute trust as their commander, showed this level of seriousness. These people clearly knew that their lord imbued meaning even in words that seemed meaningless.

Here, in this place, Kishiar truly was the perfect master of Peleta.

The fact that all these people followed Kishiar alone with such loyalty sent a weighty shiver running down Yuder’s spine.

Soon after, the meal began. Kishiar spoke to Yuder several times in a way reminiscent of meals at the palace. He would explain the names of unfamiliar dishes or push his own portions to Yuder, urging him to eat more—things that could easily seem odd. Yet not one of the retainers of Peleta showed the slightest doubt.

It was fundamentally different from pretending not to see. They quietly observed how Kishiar treated Yuder, and without disrupting the meal, they too began speaking to Yuder politely, just as their lord did.

Durney, the stablemaster, was younger than Yuder had expected. A friend of Mick Shuden, he certainly lived up to the reputation of loving alcohol. Drinking beer freshly delivered from a local brewery, he grinned with a flushed face and chattered about Mick to Yuder.

“It’s truly tragic when someone who loves alcohol so much has a body that can’t handle it. Then again, loving monsters while not being strong enough to face even one... it’s about the same.”

“He was a great help to me in both the West and South.”

“Ah! I heard a bit about what happened in the West. Actually, Mick used to act all cocky, saying the Duke needed someone like him. But after meeting you, Sir Yuder, something must’ve changed—he’s much more polite now.”

Was that so? It was hard to relate, considering he had only met Mick twice.

“I was curious about you since then. I’m glad to finally meet you in person. Haha.”

The Knight Commander of Peleta, Weliven, was a broad-framed old man. Though Yuder didn’t think he was Swordmaster-level, Nathan Zuckerman—seated beside him—treated him with great respect.

Well, it’s not like there’d be another hidden Swordmaster. And not all positions are determined solely by skill.

When the story of Yuder and Meghna’s sword match in the South came up, Weliven listened with keen interest and asked Yuder to spar with the knights during his stay in Peleta. Despite his rough appearance, he seemed curious and emotionally expressive.

The person who most surprised Yuder was Shuseiner, the chef and retainer trainer. The dapper old man who had said earlier that he would call Yuder “Sir Yuder” turned out to be him. As it turned out, he had a prosthetic leg and had come with Kishiar from the Capital.

“I used to work at the palace long ago. I lost a leg on the way here, unfortunately... but I don’t find it inconvenient. If someone asked whether I’d still choose to come to Peleta, I’d say yes a hundred, a thousand times. Though whenever I say this, Lord Helrem finds it absurd... Oh, you know who Lord Helrem is, don’t you?”

“Yes, of course. He’s been a great help to the Cavalry.”

“Haha. If not for his magic and the Duke’s sword, I’d have never made it to Peleta. They’re the saviors of my life.”

To a casual listener, it might sound like a heartwarming old story. But Yuder, who had buried dozens of assassins on the way here, quickly picked up on the implication.

So, when Kishiar first came to Peleta as its Duke, he must have faced assassins and nearly died.

He had considered the possibility that someone like that might exist. But to see the reality before his eyes stirred his thoughts more than expected.

It was likely because of Kishiar, sitting there smiling as always, and naturally echoing Shuseiner’s words.

Seeing evidence of all the time it must’ve taken for that man to become who he was now left a bitter taste in Yuder’s mouth. Yet, at the same time, there was a reluctant sweetness in learning something he hadn’t known. A contradiction—but that was always the case with Kishiar, and Yuder swallowed the feeling with practiced ease.

Everything Yuder of his past life had yearned to know—without even knowing why—lived and breathed here now. That emotion, so long forgotten it felt foreign, Yuder quietly savored again.

The meal that followed was plentiful but neither extravagant nor excessive. Though the number of dishes was small, each was flavorful and clearly made with care and thought. Those eating also seemed to recognize this and treated the food with respect. No one left leftovers or showed gluttony.

They were frugal people who knew how to show consideration while dining with others.

It was far more comfortable and pleasant than those noble gatherings where people only mocked and fought while obsessing over lavish meals.

As the meal ended with a dessert of soft bread dipped in honey, Kishiar turned his gaze to Yuder. Their eyes met in the air—just briefly—and a soft tenderness flickered between them before fading. Then Kishiar addressed his gathered retainers.

“Thank you all for welcoming us. While I’m in Peleta this time, I plan to truly rest, as if I’ve come home after a long time—together with the precious guest I’ve invited. Which means that while I’m here, Yuder Aile is not my aide, but someone to whom I will devote my entire heart. I trust you all understand what that means.”

“......”

“These are days that have come at last after too long a wait. I don’t want to miss a single moment. So if you have something to say, please say it not to the guest—but to ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) me.”