"Well, it wouldn’t be right to keep a guest standing—please, have a seat so we can talk properly."

Weliven offered Yuder a seat and brought out two cups. It was a modest tea brewed with dried berries, the kind commoners often drank.

‘I used to drink this a lot during the winters when I was young, too.’

The small red berries, which grew abundantly in autumn, could be dried and enjoyed throughout winter. They had a warming effect, making them perfect for cold, windy days.

‘I didn’t expect to see this here... I wonder if Kishiar ever drank it, too.’

As Yuder took a sip, reminiscing, Weliven slowly opened his mouth.

"The reason I remembered that man named Fay is because of the village name listed on his application. That village was founded by people who had fled from various places—it’s so remote and obscure that even most Northerners wouldn’t know of it. The majority of its residents have Southern blood."

Just from that, Yuder understood what he was trying to say.

‘In other words, it was a village where Southern-mixed people like Naham and their descendants gathered.’

There were many remote, uninhabited, and dangerous lands in the North. Such places were often beyond the government's reach, and people fleeing for various reasons sometimes risked their lives to hide there. Though perilous without protection, some were willing to disappear in that way.

Most villages formed like that didn’t last long. But “most” meant there were exceptions—like Fay’s hometown. From what Weliven said, while the village had little presence now, it had been incorporated into administrative records and was functioning adequately.

"How did you come to know of that village, Commander Weliven?"

"My younger sibling married someone from there. If not for that, I wouldn’t have known what kind of place it was either."

A faint smile touched Weliven’s lips.

"As you might imagine, no matter how much time has passed, people in the know still tend to avoid those from that village. So its residents generally keep their distance from outsiders... and yet, to think an Awakener came from there and even took the Cavalry entrance test—it caught my attention."

Yuder hadn’t known. He had never heard that the Fay from his past life came from such a village.

‘But... now I understand why Weliven said Fay reminded him of Nathan.’

A closed-off village of Southern descent. Someone born and raised there, who came out to develop their abilities. It was understandable that it would remind one of Nathan Zuckerman.

"From what I saw, he seemed a bit timid, but considering where he’s from, it’s understandable. Still, once given a task, he seemed the type to work diligently. He’s young, and I thought he might be worth giving a chance in the Cavalry. But... pardon me, did that boy cause some kind of trouble? Or is he connected to the anomaly this time...?"

"No. Not at all."

Not yet, anyway. Who knew what would happen going forward?

‘There could be something even Weliven doesn’t know about that kid.’

Yuder opened his mouth to reassure the commander, who looked worried that Fay might be a problematic person.

"Please don’t worry. I’m deeply grateful to you and the head cook for helping with the Cavalry recruitment. I’m only looking into Fay for personal reasons."

"I see..."

"By the way, is your younger sibling still living in Fay’s hometown?"

"No, they passed away long ago. It was an accident."

A bitter expression briefly appeared on Weliven’s face before quickly vanishing. Yuder immediately bowed his head.

"I asked an inappropriate question. I’m sorry for your loss."

"It’s all right. It’s been a long time. Ha ha. Still... if Baron Aile wishes to inquire about how that recruit lived in his hometown, there are ways I can help, even without my sibling."

Weliven was more perceptive than he seemed.

"And what might that be?"

"Though my sibling has passed, their spouse and children still keep in touch with relatives in that village. So all it would take is sending a letter to get some answers. Shall I arrange it for you?"

According to Weliven, the deceased sibling’s family were discreet and understanding enough to help if told it was for official business. In such a closed and small village, it would be harder not to know someone who had come out to join the Cavalry.

‘That’s a relief, honestly.’

Yuder immediately asked him to do so, and Weliven sent someone out without hesitation.

"I’ve asked whether they’ve heard anything about someone named Fay. Just wait a little longer. By the time we’ve finished our tea, we should have a response."

"Thank you."

"No need for thanks. If you’re a valued guest of the Duke, then you’re just as much a valued guest of mine. It’s no trouble. If I’d known this would come up, I might’ve said something to Fay when I realized he was from that village."

"Sorry?"

"Ah, my apologies. Actually, my sister-in-law’s name is also Fay. People in that village tend to give their children common names deliberately, and apparently about half of them are named Fay."

Weliven explained that one of his nieces was named Faila, a name derived from “Fay.” Since her nickname was also Fay, technically, there were two Fays in his household.

‘Still... you’d think he would’ve mentioned that there was a new recruit from his hometown, but he didn’t. Impressive restraint.’

As he finished his tea with that thought, Weliven spoke up again.

"Actually, I’d been looking forward to seeing when Baron Aile might spar with our knights... but then this whole affair happened. It’s truly a shame."

"Ah..."

Now that he mentioned it, Yuder remembered that conversation from the first day he arrived in Peleta. But he’d been sticking close to Kishiar ever since and hadn’t had a chance to spar with the knights.

"Nathan said that Baron Aile was incredible at handling monsters, but even more so when dealing with assassins. Our knights rarely face human opponents, so I’d hoped they could learn something by seeing you in action—but alas, the heavens didn’t favor us."

"Sir Zuckerman said that?"

"He said a lot, actually. From what I can tell, he holds you in very high regard. The fact that he wasn’t fazed at all after showing you the full extent of his abilities proves how much he trusts you. {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Ah! Of course, I don’t mean anything beyond that!"

"......."

"I only meant—it’s been a while since I’ve seen him talk that much or hold someone’s skills in such high esteem. Like... a hero with their left and right hands, shoulder to shoulder with their liege, that sort of thing."

Even if he hadn’t said it so defensively, Yuder would never have misunderstood. But since Weliven went out of his way to clarify it wasn’t like that, the atmosphere grew a little awkward. Yuder let out a small sigh and nodded.

"I also hold Sir Zuckerman in great trust and esteem. I’ve learned a lot from both his character and his skill, which he never flaunts. I think your comparison to a left and right hand is quite fitting. I’ve occasionally felt the same."

"Truly?"

Weliven’s face brightened. He looked like a proud parent hearing praise for his child. Yuder could clearly see how much he cherished Nathan Zuckerman from that expression.

Just then, the response to Weliven’s letter arrived. He’d seemed ready to continue talking about Nathan, but with the letter in hand, he composed himself and turned the topic back.

"A reply has arrived. Let’s take a look."