"The land south of the desert, which we call the Southern Nation, is made up of countless small tribes that sometimes clash and sometimes live in harmony, freely according to their own customs. Though we share a common language and religion, it’s hard to call it a single nation like this Empire. Each tribe has its own traditions, lifestyle, and beliefs, and they consider each other children of the same moon and treat each other with respect."

After Gohum's explanation, Aym opened his mouth.

"The tribe that our trading company originates from, the Navi Manaik tribe, has long valued this freedom and mutual respect. But... the current state of the Southern Nation is quite strange."

"What exactly feels strange about it?"

In response to Kishiar’s question, Gohum continued explaining.

"There have always been some militant tribes that, due to their proximity to the desert and border with the Orr Empire, have insisted that we must achieve the ‘Union of the Stars’ and stand against the Empire. But their ideas were never taken seriously by the majority of the other tribes living further away. However, now, even tribes that have never expressed such opinions are starting to support that idea. There are even rumors of them threatening or attempting to subdue opposing tribes through force."

‘...Union of the Stars?’

It was a phrase Yuder had never heard before. Just as his eyebrows twitched at the unfamiliar term, Kishiar swiftly dug deeper, asking sharply.

"What is this ‘Union of the Stars’ you’re referring to? I’d like to hear more in detail."

"Ah. That’s a term from an old legend passed down among our people."

Gohum spoke fluent Imperial. Her pace slowed slightly as she struggled to translate a few words, but she still answered the question with calm clarity.

"A long time ago, our ancestors—called the ‘Twenty Stars of Origin’—crossed the desert from the North and came South under the same moonlight. But it’s said they were cursed during their journey, cursed never to be together again. In order to break that curse, they split and led their followers, forming the first twenty tribes. They swore that when the curse was lifted, they would reunite and ‘return to the same root.’ That oath is called the ‘Union of the Stars.’"

A steady smile crossed Kishiar’s lips.

"That’s quite an interesting story."

It wasn’t just Yuder who remembered—at that moment, everyone likely recalled the interrogation where Gloe had used the ‘Truth’ card on Aton.

Aton, the priest of the Black Moon and blood relative of the Wolf-Eyes chieftain, had once mentioned an ancient pre-cataclysm record—The Last Emperor’s Chronicle—secretly passed down in his tribe. And in that record, he had said this:

‘If our goal is achieved, we might finally be freed from this long-standing curse. We’ll finally have a true leader who can unite us. Maybe... maybe even a king...’

Was this “long-standing curse” he spoke of the same as the “curse of eternal separation” Gohum just mentioned?

Before Yuder could voice the question, to his surprise, Mick asked it for him.

"What exactly is this curse of eternal separation? That name sounds downright ominous."

"Well, those who believe in the legend say that the curse is the very fact that no one has united the Southern tribes for the past thousand years. We personally don’t believe it, but..."

According to Gohum, there had been those over the past thousand years who attempted to unify the Southern Nation.

"Now and then, fools claiming they would lift the curse would invade or absorb other tribes. But none of them succeeded. The other tribes would always band together to stop them."

"Then there must be tribes opposed to this current push for unification as well."

"Yes. The problem is that even those tribes are strangely quick to change their stance or go quiet this time."

The Cat’s Whiskers tribe, which Gohum and Aym belonged to, was quite small and lacked presence in the Southern Nation.

"Because of that, no one has tried to force us to change our views yet. But with the way things are going... I fear it’s only a matter of time."

Gohum’s expression darkened.

"This is not a good thing. Forcing such different people together always leads to trouble... And even the Black Moon Order, which used to mediate between tribes in times like this, hasn’t been acting as they usually would—perhaps because of the emergence of these so-called ‘Chosen Ones.’"

"Honestly, it feels like the Order is actually fanning the flames."

Aym added his opinion. Like Gohum, he removed his cloak, revealing a face that was so similar it left no doubt they were from the same tribe.

"...That’s why we wanted to say this. The trade Your Grace has proposed can’t ignore the current political climate in the Southern Nation. It won’t be an easy road."

Gohum concluded. Kishiar slowly looked over the two faces staring at him with concern... and smiled brightly.

"Hmm. As I thought—I chose my people very well."

"......."

"You two are honest and brave. Accepting a trade deal with the Empire, knowing all these difficulties, requires real courage, guts, and a desire for peace. I appreciate your honesty. And I have only one thing to say in response."

To the two merchants, whose eyes widened at the unexpected reaction, Kishiar said clearly:

"I started this because I’d already calculated everything—including the risks. I’ll make sure you don’t regret the deal."

"Ah..."

A faint look of admiration surfaced on their faces.

"The Cavalry... Your Grace, you knew all of this already, didn’t you?"

"Any merchant knows this: the more people need a product, and the more peaceful the roads are to sell it, the better. What I want is the same as you. If this deal goes well, I have nothing more to ask for."

He said it obliquely, but the message was unmistakable.

Kishiar, the Cavalry, and the Empire want peace.

And to establish that peace, they would make this trade with the Southern Nation work—at any cost.

"And so, if you’re ready... shall we begin drafting the trade agreement? We can continue the details afterward."

Gohum bowed her head.

"Let’s do that."

"Everything I’ve said today will be included in the agreement exactly as it was. So you don’t need to worry about me changing my words."

At that, the merchants’ faces lit up. The words of the only brother of the Emperor, the Cavalry Commander, and the new Sword Master—Kishiar—carried enormous weight. Everyone present knew it, and so did Kishiar himself. That was what made his words effective.

Yuder felt a strange thrill.

‘Even if things in the Southern Nation ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) aren’t going the way they wanted, even if they came here planning to hand over some intel... they’re still Southerners. They must have worried that this choice could harm their homeland.’

They would’ve feared their actions might lead the Southern Nation down a bad path, and had likely planned to keep their distance after giving just a bit of info.

But now, thanks to Kishiar, they couldn’t walk away. He was turning them into true allies. He understood exactly what they feared and what they wanted.

At Kishiar’s signal, Mick Shuden reached into the bag he’d set by his feet and pulled out a rolled bundle of papers.

"Good thing I brought plenty of these ahead of time."

It was the highest-grade contract used by merchants—on par with the sacred covenant scrolls used in temples.

"Now then. It’s time to reveal exactly what product I’ll be entrusting to you."

Kishiar took something out from inside his coat. All eyes turned to him. What he revealed was a small vial of transparent reagent, barely the size of a finger.

"A suppressant that can help subdue the awakening and heat symptoms of Second-Level Awakeners. This is the fifth refinement, and it arrived from the capital just today."

Gohum and Aym’s eyes widened.

Everyone knew about Second-Level Awakeners by now. But the suffering they endured wasn’t yet widely understood. Kishiar gently swirled the vial in his hand as he spoke.

"There aren’t many who need this now—but the number will grow. And because the heat symptoms repeat at regular intervals, it’s something they’ll need for life. That’s why setting up a proper sales route is essential."

The merchants were smart. Without taking their eyes off the vial, Gohum swallowed hard.

"...Understood. This will be a phenomenal product."

"This is only the beginning. As I said, more items for Awakeners are in development."

Mick’s pen moved swiftly across the paper. He expertly documented everything discussed that day and completed the first draft of the contract, then handed it to Kishiar and Gohum to review.

After they both checked and signed it, a radiant light shimmered from the paper—signifying a formalized agreement.

"The details on regional distribution rights and commission percentages are on the second page—you can go over that with me. His Grace has entrusted that part entirely to Shuden."

"Understood."

Gohum nodded and exhaled deeply.

"Now all that’s left is to do everything we can to make this deal a success... We’ll give it our best."