Even though it happened so suddenly, everything began progressing smoothly without any confusion, as if it had all been prepared in advance. When news spread that Kishiar would not be leaving his chambers for a while due to health issues related to his Second Trait, people were initially quite concerned. However, after learning that this was something all Second Trait holders experienced, they, like Enk, were reassured.

“Whew. I feel bad saying this when you're already so busy, but... to be honest, having Lord Yuder here when this situation occurred is really fortunate and reassuring for us.”

“Weliven said something similar just now.”

They were Kishiar’s closest retainers, but even they didn’t know much about Awakeners. That’s why, as someone who was not only also an Awakener but one who had awakened a Second Trait, Yuder’s presence felt like that of a top-tier physician to them.

“Haha. I guess we all feel the same way. Anyway, we’ll make sure this news doesn’t leak outside, so don’t worry about that. Please take good care of the Duke.”

Listening to Shuseiner’s banter, Yuder nodded silently and turned away.

Heat cycles were considered commonplace within the Cavalry, but to others—especially those unfamiliar with Awakeners—it could be seen as strange. Even so, Kishiar had chosen to be honest with only his closest attendants about the cause of the issue. In turn, they remained steadfast in their duties, swearing once again to keep the matter secret, just as they always had—without needing to be told.

Though nothing had even happened yet, just that alone made Yuder feel like there was a great wall standing firm behind his back, providing strength.

‘I already gave the Northern branch a brief explanation about the Commander’s absence and delivered Kishiar’s written replies to those who sent letters. That means... for now, my tasks are done.’

Kishiar had ordered all Cavalry members stationed near the abnormal rift zones to continue monitoring their surroundings. If a similar event occurred again, they were to immediately rush to the site, investigate, and report everything to both Peleta and the Capital’s main headquarters. That way, even if something did happen, they’d be able to identify it quickly.

‘And now the Emperor Keillusa’s side will be getting the same information, so we won’t be the only ones struggling through this.’

Once the rift-related data was delivered to the Emperor, the Empire would surely begin taking measures. That would relieve some of the pressure caused by Kishiar’s absence.

‘It may be meaningless to try predicting where rifts will appear... but judging from the trend so far, chances are high that they’ll continue to show up sporadically for a while. If our members can pinpoint the regions where they’re most concentrated, that would be helpful. Even if they can’t...’

It was reassuring to citizens when the leadership of a country didn’t dismiss even minor incidents but instead stayed alert. Yuder already knew all too well how a nation collapses when it fails to provide even that much and lets fear run rampant.

But this time, that wouldn’t happen.

With unwavering faith and certainty, Yuder returned to the Duke’s chambers where Kishiar awaited.

The upper floor of the inner castle, now restricted to only Yuder, was silent as ever. He advanced without a sound and knocked gently on the door to the bedroom before opening it. Inside, he saw a man seated at a makeshift desk.

Draped in his usual formal attire, the man sat slightly reclined in his chair. Before him lay piles of books and papers, and «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the scent of aged ink hung in the air. It was a scene that didn’t suit someone supposedly about to enter heat. Yuder paused for a moment at the threshold.

Come to think of it, it was always this way. No matter how unwell he was, Kishiar always held papers or books in his hands. Unless he was bedridden, his clothes never appeared disheveled. Before, Yuder wouldn’t have thought much of it—but now, it felt different.

Everyone has pride and stubbornness they simply can’t let go of. Maybe this was a part of the pride Kishiar treasured most—so Yuder suddenly thought.

“Did something happen outside?”

Of course the man would’ve already noticed Yuder’s arrival. Seeing that there was no greeting, Kishiar lifted his head and asked.

“Nothing. Everyone understood right away and said they’d cooperate,” Yuder replied with a slight shake of his head.

“As they should. They know I’m not completely absent—I’m still watching and listening from above.”

Kishiar joked, letting out a bright laugh that didn’t suit someone trapped indoors.

“You already handed out all the work. What is it you’re still observing?”

“Now that I have some time to sit still, I figured I’d revisit the materials I saw in Luma’s archive. Also... some of the investigation reports I commissioned earlier.”

Looking closer, Yuder saw ancient script scrawled like notes across the papers in front of Kishiar. He ignored that—he couldn’t read it anyway—and casually picked up one of the report stacks. Kishiar blinked slowly and softened his brow.

“Ah, that one...”

“A report on the rescued Second Trait Awakeners from the South... When did you start reviewing this again?”

Beltrail Shan Apeto, the now-dead elder priest from House Apeto, had kidnapped Second Trait Awakeners through lies and deceit, subjecting them to grotesque experiments. He had forcibly paired Alpha and Omega Awakeners like breeding animals in an attempt to make them produce offspring.

The reason was the hereditary disease running through House Apeto.

They believed that a child born as a result of a union between two Second Trait Awakeners—who by nature defied their original first trait—might offer a cure for the illness.

Some Omega Awakeners had indeed become pregnant through these experiments. But as far as Yuder knew, none had ever given birth to a living child.

Back when they raided House Apeto, the Alpha Awakeners were rescued fairly quickly. But the Omega Awakeners, who had been smuggled away by Naham using Hosanra’s power, weren’t found right away. It took considerable time to track their traces. The Cavalry only managed to save them after discovering the Star of Nagran’s hidden base near the southern desert.

Those who had been too weak, with powers too undeveloped, had remained in the hideout until the end. Many of them were those missing Omega Awakeners.

‘Last I recall, Debran had taken them to the Capital for treatment after the Star’s base was discovered and the Sage was killed...’

The first section of the report listed the names, basic information, and testimonies of those who’d been treated.

‘Let’s see. Debran... He wrote that, after the Sage died and the brainwashing wore off, most of them feared returning to society and were hesitant to go back to their homelands. He recommended letting them work in the Cavalry until they recovered and regained stability. Not bad.’

Yuder flipped the page while staring at the lines Debran must have written with much effort. The corner of the next page was unusually folded—Kishiar’s method of marking importance when bookmarks weren’t available. One or two folds typically meant something significant.

This one had been folded three times.

‘What is this?’

His eyes naturally dropped to the text on the page.

‘—That Awakener, whose name I didn’t even know, desperately tried not to come near me. They clawed at the wall until their nails broke and they bled. Of course, none of it mattered; there was nowhere to escape in that small prison... But I felt immense gratitude toward that Awakener...’

That page contained testimonies from Awakeners recovering in the Cavalry—specifically, about their experiences during their heat cycles. The entries weren’t long, but the message was clear.

Turning to the next page, Yuder saw statements from Alpha Awakeners who had survived and still worked within the Cavalry. Their testimonies also detailed memories of the heat cycles they had endured.

After reading all the reports, Yuder turned his head. He understood why Kishiar had been reading this—even without asking.

“You wanted to know the worst-case scenarios a Second Trait Awakener might face during heat.”

Kishiar exhaled deeply, eyes fixed on the paper.

“Not just worst-case scenarios... There’s still so much neither of us—and even those who’ve experienced it—fully understand. I just thought I should collect as much information as I can in advance.”

“I think I mentioned it before, but I did a lot of similar research during the previous game.”

To better understand what had happened between him and Kishiar... and to learn how to help other suffering Second Trait Awakeners, Yuder had sought out and interviewed countless people.

“There was only one conclusion. Offspring between two Second Trait Awakeners are exceedingly rare. Even if a pregnancy occurs, it usually ends in miscarriage. And even in the rare case a child is born, most die shortly after. I never found a child who lived past the age of three.”

Well, maybe some were born after Yuder had died.

“Back then, there were even rumors within the Cavalry that Second Trait Awakeners might not be permitted to have healthy descendants at all. That’s roughly how rare this is. Of course, Beltrail’s experiments produced results more often than expected... but the outcomes were the same.”

“They were,” Kishiar murmured, slowly nodding.