Even in the dark, Yuder moved through the house as if it were second nature. Whenever his golden eyes flashed, dented lanterns sparked to life, and the thick layer of dust that had built up over time was swept away in swirling balls of wind that flew out the door. He opened a small box on the shelf, grabbed a handful of mana stones, and tossed them lazily. They flew on their own into the small mana heater and began to glow.

After roughly tidying the place up, Yuder looked around. Kishiar, watching him with bright eyes like he wouldn’t let a single action go unnoticed, quickly stepped closer.

“There’s really nowhere for a guest to sit except the dining table. I’m sorry. If it’s okay with you, please sit there.”

“Why are you apologizing? I’d have been grateful to sit on the floor.”

Kishiar sat immediately at the table chair. Though Yuder had never thought the table and chairs small when using them alone, they looked positively dainty with Kishiar seated there.

...Let’s hope the legs don’t break.

What was one supposed to do after inviting a guest? He hadn’t felt this awkward when Kishiar entered his quarters at the Cavalry’s headquarters, but perhaps being back in this house after so long dulled his usual thinking.

Since the journey took a while... food or drink comes first, probably.

Awkwardly, Yuder asked, “Are you perhaps thirsty?”

“A bit.”

Kishiar rested his chin in his hands on the table, answering cheerfully.

Cold water could be served immediately, but Kishiar liked tea. He was the kind of person who, given even a moment of peace, would enjoy tea wherever he was.

Yuder pulled a travel cup from the provisions Shuseiner had packed, filled it with water, and set it before Kishiar.

“Please don’t drink it right away. Wait just a moment.”

“Hm?”

Yuder opened the pantry, recalling the layout. In the corner sat a jar filled with brownish powder. As he opened the lid, the dry scent of herbs and a faint sour note wafted out. He scooped a little into the cup. As one of his eyes gleamed gold again, the water heated rapidly, steam rising, and the powdered herbs inside steeped quickly, turning the liquid a curious reddish hue.

“What’s this?”

“Here, when people want to warm up during winter, they drink this. It’s made by drying and powdering various autumn herbs and berries.”

“Never heard of it. What kind of herbs go in?”

The herbs and berries varied year °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° to year, but one constant ingredient was a herb called Abca. When Yuder said this, Kishiar looked intrigued.

“I know that one. I think it’s used in some liquors as an ingredient.”

“Yes. It’s usually used to help fermentation. But it’s abundant here in autumn, and it generates heat in the body, so it’s used in this mix. It’s not exactly what you’d call proper tea.”

“To me, it feels like a brilliant infusion of practical wisdom. Did you gather the ingredients yourself?”

“Ah, yes.”

Where else would he get it? Like the others in this area, Yuder had foraged and prepared it himself.

“Now that I think about it, I remember using my ability to help dry and grind it. I think that’s why it was easier to make that year.”

“Let me take that back then.”

Kishiar solemnly declared, “This is going to be the best tea I’ve ever had.”

At this point, it seemed Kishiar was prepared to praise anything Yuder brought out. Yuder shook his head and pushed the steeped cup toward him. Then he filled his own cup with water and added the same powder.

“...Just drink it.”

“Let me prepare myself a little.”

Why that required preparation was unclear, but Kishiar lifted the cup, inhaled the aroma deeply with his eyes closed, and exhaled like a priest offering prayer at an altar.

Finally, he took a sip and let out another long, contented sigh. His eyes, revealed beneath long lashes, shimmered with an almost entrancing glow.

“Could I... have some of this to take back with me?”

“...Are you serious? It’s really not that good.”

“It is. Truly delicious. Of course, only if you’re willing...”

How could anyone say no to that expression?

Feeling equal parts disbelief and exasperation, Yuder nodded in the end.

“No. If you want it, I’ll give you the whole thing. Take it with you.”

“Really? All of it? Are you sure?”

“Yes. It’s so common here that we throw out the leftovers in spring. Take as much as you like before we go back.”

Thanks to added preserving herbs, it would stay drinkable for two to three years, though most people remade it yearly. It was easy to make and not worth selling.

“Thank you.”

But Kishiar held that unremarkable powder—something Yuder had never given a second thought—as if it were a priceless gift. Watching the man’s radiant smile, Yuder momentarily forgot what he was supposed to do next. He only remembered when Kishiar had nearly finished his tea.

Ah. Food.

They’d eaten most of what Shuseiner packed during the journey. If they wanted a proper meal, they’d need new supplies.

Hunting would be hard in winter... I should probably head down to the village.

While calculating that, Kishiar downed his last sip and lightly tapped the table with a satisfied sigh.

“This table... and the chairs too. They all seem handmade. Am I right?”

“All the furniture in this house was made by my grandfather.”

“He must’ve been quite skilled.”

“Yes. I remember villages always contacting him when they needed repairs or new buildings.”

And whenever his grandfather went out for such jobs, he took Yuder along. While other kids might have played together, Yuder found it more fun to watch and imitate his grandfather. Not that those kids cared about a stranger who came and went—they mostly avoided him.

Or maybe they were a little scared.

Some tried to talk to him, but none of them could run as fast or climb trees like he could. Of course they’d find him no fun.

Sometimes his grandfather would ask if it wasn’t more fun to play with other children, but Yuder always shook his head. Running through the mountains, observing his surroundings, climbing trees or swimming in the river filled his days—what more did he need?

Back then, it had felt like enough.

“Impressive. I wasn’t too bad at tree climbing or swimming myself, you know.”

Until seeing that smiling face, Yuder had never questioned it.

He recalled the childhood portrait of Kishiar he’d seen at the palace. If that angelic-looking boy had ever reached out his hand and asked him to play, would he have been able to say no?

Maybe... I might have learned back then that there were more fun things than being alone.

It never happened, and never would—but Kishiar la Orr had a way of making even impossible things feel tantalizingly real.

Yuder stood up.

“I should go get something for us to eat.”

“Where to?”

“If you go down a bit, there’s a village I used to visit to sell wood and herbs. The shops should still be open. I’ll grab some meat or eggs. It won’t be much...”

“Sounds great.”

Kishiar stood up immediately.

“You’ll let me come too, of course?” 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Before Yuder could say anything, a wave of glowing light washed over Kishiar’s face. His hair turned a deep gray like Yuder’s, his eyes lightened to golden brown, and his striking features softened to a more ordinary look.

A new disguise artifact, different from the brown-haired one he usually used.

“With this, no one will know I’ve been here.”

Yuder had only one answer.

“...Yes. Let’s go.”

As they descended the mountain, Kishiar asked about everything he saw. Yuder had to explain when he began selling wood, what herbs he gathered, and more. By the time they reached the village, Kishiar had drawn from him even the names of towns, people, and the age Yuder had been when he began trading with them.