“Not long ago, a Duke of our Empire claimed he was swindled by Southern merchants. Do you happen to know anything about that case?”

At Kishiar’s question, Gohum finally collected herself and nodded carefully.

“Ah, yes. We’ve heard about the trial involving Duke Ta-in. It was quite a well-known story among Southern merchant caravans traveling to the Empire.”

Gohum added that it had caused quite a stir among the Southern traders. However, none of them knew who the culprits were or which tribe might have backed them. Even the name ‘Aton,’ which Duke Ta-in kept shouting, wasn’t particularly unique among Southerners—so they had no way to narrow down who it could have been.

“Even commoners in the Empire introduce themselves by village or region in place of a surname, don’t they? It’s the same for us. Names alone aren’t enough. You must attach the affiliated tribe or group to complete a full name. In my case, I usually say ‘First White Whisker of the Yellow Cat, Gohum Wanman.’ Of course, that’s the Empire’s translation, so it sounds a bit awkward.”

‘So that’s like when Aton called himself “Aton Jin of Moonshade at Wolf Rock.” I thought that part after the name was a surname, but I guess it’s not exactly that.’

Kishiar seemed to be thinking the same thing, nodding thoughtfully.

“I see. I’d heard as much, but it’s still fascinating to hear it directly. Thank you.”

Gohum smiled at his courteous response.

“Not at all. But why do you ask about that incident now...? Ah. Do you think the ones we’ve caught today may be involved in it?”

“To be honest, yes. There’s a high possibility.”

The impostors who had been using the Shuden Company’s name. And at the same time, they might be the very individuals suspected of swindling Duke Ta-in. Gohum, who likely hadn’t made the connection yet, looked visibly disturbed.

“In that case... I’ll take an even closer look at them.”

“That would be appreciated. If our suspicions prove correct, we’ll have much more to discuss.”

The prison door opened. As they continued deeper, muffled voices became audible from behind another heavy door. This area wasn’t guarded by common soldiers—it was manned by Northern Cavalry members.

The soldiers, standing with perfectly upright posture, saluted as Kishiar approached. Inside, from behind the thick door that blocked outside view, loud voices echoed:

“All we did was borrow another company’s name! Is that really worth throwing us in prison? There are tons of people like us out there—!”

“Exactly! Are you doing this just because Shuden Company said so? Is this the level of the Orr Empire?”

“We’ll pay a fine! Just let us out! We’ll never come back!”

These shouting voices clearly belonged to the Shuden impostors.

“Haha. Sir Zuckerman must have brought them in quite gently, huh? Not even the slightest hint of fear or remorse. Makes me, the real Shuden merchant, feel a bit insulted.”

Mick murmured with a grin and a clenched fist. Yuder silently agreed with the sentiment.

‘Nathan Zuckerman really does handle things in an incredibly gentlemanly way.’

If these guys had met Yuder first, this prison would probably be dead silent—like a rat had never even been in it. But Nathan’s approach wasn’t bad either. Thanks to it, the prisoners underestimated the danger they were in and had no clue the others already suspected their real identities.

Kishiar stopped in front of the door. At his signal, Nathan Zuckerman pulled out two pouches from his coat and handed them to his lord.

“These are the items confiscated from the prisoners, and those recovered from Peleta—separated by pouch.”

Opening one and peering inside, Kishiar let a crooked smile touch his lips.

“Indeed. As expected, the items are made in the same manner. Only Nathan and I will go in. Yuder and the merchants should remain here and observe through the upper viewing window.”

“Understood.”

Yuder didn’t object. It was clear that the reason he was being kept outside was both to protect the others and to keep him as far away as possible from the monster-derived materials used in the items.

A concern that only Yuder could understand—no one else in the world could sense such a thing.

Those guys weren’t nearly strong enough to pose any threat to Kishiar. And with Nathan Zuckerman at his side, even less so. Yuder folded his arms and took position, offering a calm response.

“Go ahead. If you require my strength, just look this way.”

Just before stepping inside, Kishiar turned his head and met Yuder’s eyes.

“...How reassuring.”

With a faint smile, the man entered the prison alongside Nathan. The loud voices inside immediately hushed. Kishiar smiled politely at the stunned men.

“Nice to meet you. So you’re the ones who spread these faulty goods across the entire northern Empire. We’ve been looking for you for quite some time.”

“...T-The Duke of Peleta?”

“Oh? You recognized me at first glance? I suppose I have become famous.”

Kishiar sat casually in the chair Nathan had brought, gazing leisurely around at the stunned faces. There were seven of them in total, and just as Nathan had said, they were mostly Southern in appearance. Meanwhile, Yuder turned to the merchants beside him.

“Recognize anyone?”

“Nooo~ Not at all?”

Mick replied lightly, pushing his glasses up with playful flair. But Gohum didn’t respond right away. She bit her lower lip with a troubled expression, then finally opened her mouth with difficulty.

“...That man on the far right. I’ve seen him before in the middle desert region.”

“Oh!”

Mick’s eyes sparkled. Yuder followed up calmly.

“Do you recall what tribe he belonged to?”

“If I’m not mistaken... the Eyes of the Wolf. But...”

At that moment, Kishiar inside the prison overturned both pouches, spilling their contents noisily on the ground. Everyone’s attention shifted to him, and Yuder missed the rest of Gohum’s sentence.

“You should recognize these. I doubt you’d forget the very goods you sold yourselves.”

“All this fuss over some cheap junk? You, a high noble Duke, came here for this?”

“Cheap junk... Hmm. Is that what you think?”

When Kishiar smiled like that, those unfamiliar with him usually didn’t have time to process what he meant. He gently picked up a tent peg from the pile—an item used to secure canvas—and crushed it like a biscuit.

The shattered peg revealed a hollow core.

“What the...”

The room went cold. Looking down at the fragments, Kishiar spoke without any change in tone.

“The inside was deliberately hollowed out and the two pieces joined together. Fine craftsmanship.”

Next, he picked up a bracelet similar to the one Yuder had once broken. As it shattered, the inside was revealed once more—perfectly hollow.

“Delicate engraving on the inner bead. To carve something this small, it would take years of practice.”

One by one, Kishiar crushed the rest of the items. The impostors’ horrified expressions grew more distorted with each item destroyed.

The most extreme reaction came from the man on the far right—exactly the one Kishiar kept locking eyes with. Just as Kishiar began tearing a paper fragment slowly in half, the man suddenly couldn’t take it anymore and shot to his feet.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

He followed with a stream of angry Southern language. Even without understanding, it was clear from his tone that he was cursing. Nathan placed a hand on his sword hilt, and Gohum covered her mouth in shock. The situation was defused only by Kishiar’s raised hand.

“You’re the ones who said this was nothing but junk. I’m just breaking some junk and commenting on it. Why get so angry? It’s almost like... these are actually very important items.”

“...You knew. You knew everything and still...!”

The man shouted with a contorted face. Still smiling, Kishiar picked up a stray peg from the floor and tossed it gently into the air, catching it again.

“Is that so? What exactly do we know?”

“......”

“That these items emit strange magical energy when broken? That crafting such items would require the complex processes used in artifact-making? That we’re very curious about why such suspicious objects were spread across the North for so long under the guise of junk? ...Well, not really. I’m not that curious. But I am annoyed that my dear citizens were frightened and harmed, and that one of my precious guests nearly got hurt.”

“Ugh...!”

The man couldn’t reply. Even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t have been able to.

Those outside the room could feel the oppressive aura Kishiar was releasing—how much more intense it must’ve been inside. One of the prisoners collapsed sideways, unconscious, but no one dared move.

“We’ve seen items like this in the South before. Those people used them as magical conduits to disrupt local balance and induce manmade disasters.”

Kishiar fell briefly silent, then turned toward the door.

“...But we have someone who won’t be fooled twice by the same trick.”

His gaze pierced beyond the door—directly at Yuder. Those eyes were deep and unwavering. Then, as if nothing had happened, Kishiar turned back.

“It seems you’ve been working hard to turn the North into the South. But unfortunately, it won’t go the way you want.”

The man, who’d barely managed to remain standing, finally collapsed to his knees. It was as if an invisible hand had crushed him. He tried to rise, but couldn’t. Watching him with a flat expression, Kishiar stood.

“Nathan. Since the prisoners have effectively confessed to the suspicious nature of these items, classify this as a major crime and conduct a full investigation. Make the findings known throughout the North so we can respond immediately.”

“Understood.”

Kishiar stepped out of the room—face fresh and light, as if he hadn’t just flooded the place with crushing energy.

“Did you all get a good look at the impostors’ faces?”

“Got a real good look. Thanks to someone showing us quite the spectacle from behind the door, I don’t think I’ll ever forget them—even in my dreams.”

Mick muttered with exaggerated grumbling. Kishiar chuckled softly.

“They looked like the sort that wouldn’t give an answer unless you shook them up fast.”

His gaze passed over Mick and landed on Gohum. She wiped the sweat from her brow, bit her lip, and finally straightened with a firm expression.

“The man who stood firm in front of Your Grace... I recognize him. He’s from the Eyes of the Wolf tribe. And if I’m not mistaken... he’s part of the current chieftain’s bloodline.”

Kishiar stared at her face quietly before smiling.

“Thank you, Gohum. I knew you’d be helpful.”

“...I had heard the Eyes of the Wolf were advocating unification more aggressively than ever, but this... this ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) is...”

“With your intellect, just replaying what I said in there should be enough to reach the answer. Think on it well. That is my first gift to our new partner.”

Gohum left with Mick, deep in thought. The Cavalry members went in to assist Nathan. Only two remained.

Yuder approached the slightly weary-looking Kishiar and spoke softly.

“You’ve been exposed to strong, unpleasant magical energy, and you expended a lot of effort suppressing your aura. You should rest.”

Only Yuder could tell that Kishiar’s aura had not been as precisely controlled as usual. He’d had to suppress stronger energy than he intended, causing the output to fluctuate.

It was reminiscent of the ever-intensifying fragrance around him since arriving in Peleta.

If it were just the scent, it could be blamed on his physical condition. But if the energy itself is growing stronger... that can’t just be called good recovery. It’s abnormal. Perhaps...

“I’m fine.”

Kishiar’s ridiculous response interrupted his thoughts.

“This isn’t a subordinate’s recommendation—it’s a guest’s suggestion.”

Yuder’s tone was firm. Kishiar lowered his gaze and smiled in defeat.

“...When you put it like that, I can’t refuse.”

When they went upstairs, Yuder planned to carefully examine Kishiar’s condition—and share his suspicions.

He took hold of Kishiar’s arm, gently supporting him as they ascended together. The man didn’t refuse the touch.

But before they could reach their resting place, urgent news arrived.

“Duke! Reports have just come in—phenomena identical to the spatial rifts we encountered have appeared and vanished in other parts of the Empire!”