The original plan.

Yuder blinked and, a beat too late, recalled something.

‘Come to think of it, I hadn’t planned to spend my entire leave in Peleta...’

Originally, he had intended to spend about half of the break in Peleta, then make a long-overdue visit to his childhood home. That plan had unraveled after the unexpected appearance of the anomaly and other incidents in Peleta extended his stay.

“The fact that His Majesty granted exactly two more weeks surely carries some meaning. I cannot presume to fully comprehend His Majesty’s deep intent, but I suspect it may be tied to the vacation plans discussed during the meal in honor of the Duke’s birthday.”

That night—after their return from the South—there had been a modest dinner among the Imperial family to celebrate Kishiar’s birthday. Yuder had been present by chance. ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) During the conversation, Emperor Keillusa had asked him what he planned to do during his leave.

‘So... both Nathan Zuckerman and the Emperor remembered the answer I gave that day? And that’s why they gave me two more weeks?’

Now that he thought about it, two weeks was neither too short nor too long for a trip from the North to the small countryside village in the Central region and back to the capital. He’d wondered why two weeks exactly—if this was the reason, it made sudden and strange sense.

Yuder turned his gaze toward Kishiar’s face.

His eyes were wide with surprise, and his mouth, slightly tensed, seemed as if he were holding something back. The moment Yuder saw that expression, he realized—

‘...He remembered too.’

Before the break, Yuder had suggested they visit his old home together.

Since Kishiar hadn’t mentioned it again after arriving in Peleta, Yuder had assumed he’d forgotten or let the idea go, just as he had. But that wasn’t the case.

That was the face of a man who had remembered everything but had made peace with letting it go, saying nothing.

‘Now that I think of it, when I invited him to come see my hometown, he looked genuinely happy. So much so that he even bragged about it to the Emperor...’

For the first time, Yuder truly understood both the Emperor’s restriction order and Nathan Zuckerman’s urging. And with it came the unfamiliar feelings of deep embarrassment—and guilt.

‘He must’ve realized I had forgotten. That I’d quietly let it drop. And with the whole situation with his rut cutting into our time, he probably thought there was no point in mentioning it again.’

And he had tried to spare Yuder from these very emotions by pretending not to remember at all.

As silence lingered between the two men, each lost in thought for different reasons, Nathan Zuckerman added one final comment.

“Of course, I understand that the current anomalies and other matters must weigh heavily on your minds. But I believe that, by now, myself and the others are fully capable of managing such things.”

“......”

“So I ask that you consider it.”

Kishiar let out a short sigh.

“So this is what it feels like to get teased and then hit with a crushing blow. Very well. I’ll take my leave.”

After Nathan withdrew with disciplined precision, Yuder finally opened his mouth slowly.

“You knew I’d forgotten about going home, didn’t you?”

“I did. But honestly, I’d kind of forgotten too.”

Kishiar replied with feigned nonchalance.

“Given the rut, the timing was a mess anyway. And there’s no reason to follow His Majesty’s or Nathan’s words to the letter, so you don’t have to go just because they said so. This isn’t the last vacation you’ll ever get.”

It was a gentle way to let Yuder off the hook. A way to frame the forgotten trip as no big deal, to make space for the possibility that Yuder might not want to leave now—and to allow him to decide freely.

Looking at Kishiar’s face—undoubtedly the same one that had been calculating how to ease things over even as Nathan spoke—Yuder let out a soft breath and smiled briefly.

It would be easy to go along with that, to say maybe next time, and take the convenient out Kishiar had offered. But how could he?

“I see. Well, I was actually about to say we should go together... Do you not want to?”

“......”

A man who always had the perfect words for any situation—suddenly at a loss for them.

Yuder savored the sight of Kishiar’s stunned face, committing it firmly to memory as he continued.

“Why do you think I taught the Northern members that joint attack method?”

To give them a secret weapon—something they could use to win, no matter what kind of unexpected situation arose. Only then could he truly entrust things to them with peace of mind.

“Of course, I don’t want to miss a single detail about the anomaly or the disaster reports. But if we spend every second tensed and waiting, we’ll forget what really matters.”

“......”

“You’re the one who taught me that sometimes I need to trust others—and leave things to them.”

“...Yuder.”

Kishiar murmured his name like a soft groan.

“I just want to stop by the old house for a quick visit. What could be so difficult about that? Just leave things to the others for a bit and come along.”

Yuder reached toward Kishiar’s eyes, which now showed clear emotion—surprise, vulnerability—and gently touched them.

“So I’ll ask again. Do you not want to go with me?”

“As if I wouldn’t.”

Kishiar’s eyelashes fluttered under his fingers, then slowly closed. He leaned his head into Yuder’s hand and replied sweetly.

“I’m truly happy.”

In his previous life, Emperor Kachian had issued Yudrain countless restriction orders.

Yuder had never once been happy to receive one.

But this time was different. For the first time, he was genuinely glad to receive such an order.

If it meant he could see Kishiar smiling like this, even if the price wasn’t a restriction but permanent exile, it wouldn’t have mattered.

***

The next day—just before the restriction officially took effect—Kishiar spent one of the busiest days he’d ever had.

He inspected every corner of Peleta. He met again with Mick and the Cat’s Whiskers caravan to confirm the details of their trade contracts. Gohum, receiving a sample box of rut suppressant for Awakeners from the Cavalry, beamed with visible excitement.

“There are some among our tribe who are chosen. They may not have abilities as strong as those here, but we plan to let them test the sample first, and then open formal trade routes based on the results.”

“That’s a good plan. We’d be glad to confirm the product’s effectiveness with those who truly need it.”

“Yes. And as for the impersonators we’ve detained... or rather, the people from the Wolf-Eye tribe...”

Gohum frowned and sighed. Then, steeling herself, she continued with cold, firm eyes.

“After investigating with Merchant Mick, it became clear their intentions were too blatant. There’s no more need to hesitate. We’ll soon be reaching out to other tribes who share our purpose.”

“It’ll be dangerous. You’ll probably need support.”

“We’re fine for now. If we can’t handle that much ourselves, how could we call ourselves children of the stars?”

With that, Gohum pressed her hands together in the way of her people and bowed.

“We won’t forget the trust you showed us. Please continue to look kindly upon us.”

“And I won’t forget your courage. I promise I’ll always be within reach.”

Gohum left. Mick, adjusting his ever-present glasses, grinned proudly.

“After spending some time with her, I’ve come to realize—Lady Gohum’s spirit is remarkably unclouded. It’s rare to meet someone like that in the trade business.”

“She certainly seems so.”

“As for those fools who dared impersonate our caravan—Sir Nathan says they previously pulled a major scam in a Southern-descended village up North. What do you intend to do with them?”

A soft smile rose on Kishiar’s lips.

“One of them seems to be closely related to their chieftain. Must be an important person back home. I suppose I should reach out on their behalf.”

“Ah, contacting the homeland. A very important matter indeed.”

Mick Shuden nodded with exaggerated seriousness, then grinned slyly.

“If the bait’s well placed on the hook, please do share the news. You never know when or where the next windfall will strike—just like those monsters that appeared.”

He jingled a small orb in his hand, made from the polished tooth of one of the monsters Yuder had slain with his arrow.