At the same time, Yuder stood in front of the Northern Cavalry branch.

‘They really did hang a bow and arrows...’

It had bothered him that he hadn’t properly visited the Northern branch since arriving in Peleta. Today was likely his last chance, so he came alone—and right above the entrance, boldly displayed, were a bow and arrows that immediately caught the eye.

‘Unless I’m mistaken, that looks like the one I used that day...?’

He stared at the display and sighed. Part of him wanted to take it down immediately, but he left it be and knocked on the door. The members, having already been informed of his visit, opened it wide with eager smiles.

“Oh! The divine archer who strikes the enemy of the sun has finally arrived!”

“...Should I just leave.”

His cold, expressionless tone chilled the air, and the members quickly changed their attitude.

“No, no! Please, come in! I mean—please come in, sir!”

They hurried him inside, helped him out of his coat, and seated him in front of the warmest fireplace in the largest lounge. Yuder had been slightly worried that some of them might be experiencing side effects from the fight, having pushed their abilities to the limit that day—but thankfully, it didn’t seem like that was the case.

“Yuder, you saw the bow we hung at the entrance, right?”

“It looked like the one I used back then.”

“That’s right! You recognized it! We got it from Captain Weliven. Do you know how much he tried to avoid giving it to us? I never knew he had such a petty side.”

“In the end, we won. We beat the Peleta knights’ reps in three out of five card games.”

“It was rough. Thank goodness Edin’s move worked in the last round.”

Yuder looked down at the warm drink someone had slipped into his hand as he listened to the saga of how they secured the bow used by Yuder Aile. Honestly, he wasn’t sure it was worth all that effort—but seeing their sparkling eyes, he decided not to say anything.

“When Pieni returns, we’re going to discuss adding a new emblem to our uniforms—a mark with the bow and arrows beside the Cavalry insignia. The symbol of our branch!”

“I haven’t seen the other branches, but I think ours is the best. It’s big, well-equipped, close to Peleta—it’s perfect! What does the Vice-Captain think?”

The Northern branch was located in a small village not far from Peleta—just a short ride away. It was built from a remodeled old fortress, making it feel more grand than the other branches. Its training grounds and dormitories closely resembled those of the main HQ.

In addition, it was equipped with excellent communication facilities for easy and fast contact with other branches and the central command.

‘Feels like a midpoint between the Peleta fortress and the Cavalry HQ.’

In his previous life, the Northern branch had been located far from Peleta. The Southern one too. Back then, many regions were hostile toward the Cavalry, so their bases had to be hidden away in remote areas—leading to massive resource waste. Even after they expanded and moved closer to large cities, the Northern branch had still been extremely distant from Peleta.

Compared to that, the base Kishiar had carefully built here was a perfectly chosen location for a branch to truly function.

‘...But I can’t say that outright.’

Yuder looked around at the grinning members and finally spoke.

“Hard to say. I’d have to test it myself. You all look so energetic—why don’t we go to the training yard for a round of sparring?”

“...Huh?”

“You said you wanted the bow as part of the emblem. Then you all should be good with a bow, right? Grab one each and follow me.”

“I-I don’t even know how to shoot...”

“You’ll learn now.”

For speaking too soon, the members were dragged into a round of quick sparring matches with Yuder at the training ground. After a chorus of screams died down, Yuder retrieved the letters that had arrived for him at the branch from other regions. He hadn’t received any communications during Kishiar’s rut, and now a small box was filled to the brim with letters just for him.

“I’m off.”

“Farewell... and please, don’t come back...”

The members lay collapsed like corpses, moaning. In an atmosphere entirely opposite from when he had arrived, Yuder smirked and walked out proudly.

“...Yuder!”

He had stopped briefly to check his horse when someone called his name. Turning his head, he saw Edin—one of the recently downed knights—standing unsteadily, his face drained.

Yuder blinked, wondering what this was about. Edin fidgeted with his hands, hesitating, then stepped closer and whispered:

“Um. That day when we were fighting the monsters... I think I... I saw someone?”

“......”

“I mean. It looked like... the Commander...”

Yuder recalled how Kishiar had been watching him since the moment he fired that final arrow.

‘So he saw him.’

“But... that person, um. You’ve got a second mark too, so you’ll get what I mean, right? He looked like he was... well, in that... state. You know... the kind only second-marked people can sense...”

Edin’s voice grew softer and softer, and his face flushed red.

“The feeling was faint, and I didn’t have time to think about it back then—I just went down and focused on fixing the situation. But later, when I thought about it... It hit me that the person I thought was on a mission with you was actually there. So... maybe...”

He clearly wanted to ask Was he in rut? but couldn’t bring himself to say it. Yuder nodded for him.

“You’re probably right.”

They hadn’t told the Northern members about Kishiar’s rut—not because they weren’t trusted, but ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) simply out of discretion. And now that everything was over, Yuder figured it was okay to confirm what a sharp-eyed member had already figured out.

“I knew it! So that’s why only you came out that day...”

Even after receiving confirmation, Edin’s expression turned even more grim. His face shifted between red and pale as he seemed lost in thought. Eventually, he shut his eyes and asked:

“Uh... Yuder. I know this is super personal, but, um. Did you come to the North during your vacation because of, like, pressure from above or anything?”

“......”

Yuder couldn’t even guess how that conclusion came about. But since it was a question, he decided to answer it.

“Do I look like someone who does things just because I’m told to?”

“No! Not at all!”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“It’s just... I started thinking about how both you and the Commander were gone at the same time. And I know you’re both doing so much for second-marked people, but still... What I saw that day, the Commander’s expression was just so...”

“So, what.”

Edin lowered his head and let out a tiny groan before whispering:

“I don’t know how to say it. It’s just... it felt like he was completely focused on you. Like he saw nothing else.”

Yuder blinked in surprise.

“I mean, yeah, you’re his most trusted aide, so... I get why he’d watch you that way. But the feeling I got was just... different. The more I thought about it afterward, the more I couldn’t shake it. So I figured... even if I’m wrong, I should tell you.”

‘What is he even saying...’

Yuder had no idea what point Edin was trying to make—but at the same time, he sort of got it. At the very least, he understood that Edin had sensed something intense in Kishiar’s gaze and was worried about Yuder because of it.

So he nodded.

“Alright. But can I ask something?”

“Anything!”

“If I understand correctly, you felt the Commander’s expression while watching me was intense enough to make you worried. So does that mean... you felt he looked dangerous?”

Edin paused. Then, slowly, he shook his head with great emphasis.

“...No. Not at all. That’s the problem.”

Yeah. That’s what Yuder figured.

With a faint smile, he said calmly,

“Then whatever you were worried about... you don’t need to be. I came here because I wanted to, and I did what I wanted.”

Edin stared at him in awe for a moment, then slowly raised his brows, his mouth parting with realization.

“...Oh! So you knew everything... I worried for nothing. That’s a relief... really...”

“......”

“I didn’t tell anyone what I saw, okay? And I won’t! Ever! If you need my help—anytime, just say the word!”

He gave Yuder a hearty slap on the back, followed by a completely unnecessary formal Cavalry salute, and stood with determined resolve.