In his previous life—on the day Yuder killed Kishiar la Orr—

He had hidden his body in the pitch-black darkness, weaving through the treacherous rocks of a deserted coastline to reach this place. It was said, according to someone sent by Emperor Kachian, that a secret passage leading into the castle existed here.

“They said it was a detail discovered by uncovering the original architectural plans submitted to the Imperial Court back when Peleta Castle was first constructed. It might be blocked off now, but even if it is, you should be able to break through.”

That statement had been laughable.

Emperor Kachian had dispatched numerous agents to Peleta to confirm the Duke's alleged treason. Yet despite their numbers, none had found definitive evidence. All they ever brought back was suspicion.

The secret passage to Peleta Castle was no different. Though it clearly existed in the original blueprints, no one had ever located or confirmed it. Peleta was a deceptively difficult and secretive land—a place that left a bad taste in everyone's mouth.

And yet, someone had handed Yuder vague information and said they believed he could do it. There wasn’t a more empty-sounding encouragement than that. But since Yuder knew it was a test for both him and the Cavalry, he had no choice but to accept.

What he /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ hadn’t expected was how easily he’d found it.

The entrance to Peleta Castle’s secret passage was hidden inside the cliff the castle stood upon. From below, the angle made it impossible to see, but upon climbing, there was a spot where the stone’s texture subtly changed. Push against it with enough force, and the door would open—revealing the long, hidden path into the castle’s underground.

No wonder no one else had found it. The cliff was too steep for anyone but the most confident climbers. And even if they reached it, spotting the difference in the dark, hanging by one arm, and pushing a heavy stone with the other—that took a skill level near that of a Swordmaster.

But Yuder, who could command earth and wind effortlessly, was an exception to every rule.

In hindsight, it was impossible Kishiar hadn’t also realized that Yuder could find the entrance easily. And yet, when he had opened the door...

“Shall we go up?”

Yuder reached out his hand, and Kishiar took it. With a subtle pull of wind and the earth’s strength, the path unfolded naturally. Their bodies rose, the rocks shifted, and the mouth of the secret passage opened in the cliff face like a yawning void.

“It opens well,” Yuder remarked calmly.

Just like back then. The inside was dark, but the path wasn’t blocked or collapsed, making it easy to traverse.

Yuder didn’t let go of Kishiar’s hand as they stepped into the tunnel. With no need to stay hidden, he conjured a small flame to light their way and began walking slowly in its glow. The dank, humid air clung to the tunnel walls, and their overlapping shadows swayed ahead and behind them.

In his past life, Yuder had never observed the tunnel so closely—its shape, its smell. And now, Kishiar was walking beside him. He murmured to himself, feeling everything unfamiliar.

“It looks like a natural cave now... but eventually, it splits into different paths.”

The man beside him stayed quiet for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, it does. Two of them lead to the village. Only one reaches the castle.”

From that point on, the detailed schematics of the tunnel became useful. Using only that information, Yuder had once reached the underground storage area on the lowest level of the outer castle.

But the place I assumed the Duke would be... was much further in. The inner castle.

There was no known secret passage that connected directly to the inner castle. There might have been one, but Yuder hadn’t had the time to find it. Instead, he’d taken a risk and exited into the open.

Even so, no one discovered or followed him as he entered the inner castle. It had been night—most people asleep—but there should have been guards on rotation. Yet he hadn’t sensed a single one. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

There were only two possible explanations: either he’d gotten lucky and passed during a shift change... or Kishiar had reduced the number of guards, trusting in Swordmaster Nathan Zuckerman’s abilities.

“At the time, I didn’t know you could use magic, let alone that you were a Swordmaster. I even misjudged what kind of powers you had. But I did know that Sir Zuckerman was a Swordmaster. That much I could safely assume.”

For some reason, even when Kishiar was in the Cavalry, he never kept anyone but Nathan Zuckerman by his side. Yuder had become an exception only through intimacy. Other members, subordinates—none were allowed near his private chambers or office. Everything was left to Nathan alone. It made sense to assume Peleta operated the same way.

If it were any other noble, that might have seemed odd. But it was Kishiar. And Yuder had observed him for too long not to understand.

“May I ask... how did you know Nathan was a Swordmaster? I don’t think I’ve ever heard that part.”

Kishiar’s voice came from behind him, low and curious. Yuder stared into the darkness ahead, then let out a small sigh. The reason he hadn’t explained before was simple. Looking back, it had been the result of childish pride. Nothing more, nothing less.

“It was an accident. As you know, I was younger then... and angry at everyone. Sir Zuckerman was no exception.”

In the early days—after being named successor to the Commander—Yuder had spent his days fighting constantly. He had no trouble beating other members of the Cavalry. Kishiar, no matter what insult was thrown at him, responded with cold indifference. But Nathan Zuckerman had been different.

When Nathan came to teach Yuder the elaborate court etiquette surrounding ceremonial swords, Yuder didn’t attend the lesson properly. Instead, he provoked him—and challenged him to a duel.

Nathan accepted.

“I thought Sir Zuckerman was just an ordinary knight. And he probably intended to go easy on me, beat me quickly, and move on.”

But they’d both been wrong. Yuder had been shocked by how much strength Nathan had kept hidden. And when he realized Nathan wasn’t taking the match seriously, his fury exploded.

In hindsight, that rage wasn’t fair. But it was because Nathan reminded him too much of Kishiar, who never truly saw him.

Had they only fought with swords, Yuder might have been defeated quickly. But he had something else: the early draft of his fusion combat style, combining abilities and swordplay.

Fueled by the need to defeat someone Kishiar had sent, Yuder unleashed his powers. Crude, awkward movements by today’s standards, but enough to catch Nathan off guard.

In that instant, the knight—bitten by the fangs of a young beast—reflexively revealed his true strength.

Aura.

“When my sword clashed with his aura, it shattered instantly. That ended the match. Sir Zuckerman looked very troubled afterward. I was surprised to learn he was a Swordmaster... but I didn’t tell anyone. That’s all.”

Kishiar let out a quiet laugh, the sound hushed and deep.

“If that’s true, then Nathan must have been truly flustered. He’s a man with such composure, he doesn’t even flinch under extreme pressure. For him to accidentally use aura—and show his hand like that? That must’ve been a rare moment.”

Thinking back, Yuder could now understand why Nathan had looked so rattled. But at the time, he hadn’t given it much thought.

“I do feel sorry for it now, but...”

Just as he said that, the end of the tunnel came into view.

Yuder opened the final door and stepped out first, then turned back.

Seeing Kishiar ducking low to pass through the narrow exit—despite his tall frame—made the whole thing look oddly amusing.