When Yuder entered the Commander’s office, still lost in thought, what greeted him was Kishiar holding a massive brush, surrounded by an enormous sheet of fabric spread across the floor. The moment he saw the bold, sweeping script across the white cloth—Return of the Northern Swordmaster to the Capital—all the tangled thoughts in his head evaporated instantly.

“Is Sir Zuckerman returning today?”

“No. Tomorrow. It needs time to dry, so I started now.”

Kishiar began carefully adding the word Welcome next to Return, forming each stroke with effortless precision despite the brush being the size of a human head. Once he completed the last character without a moment’s hesitation, he stepped back a few paces to admire his handiwork.

“How is it? Should be visible enough, don’t you think?”

“Yes. I believe even the main hall of the Imperial Guard could see it.”

No doubt the Imperial Guard would have quite the reaction upon spotting it.

“I’m going to hang it with flowers, like a curtain, to make it even more dazzling. He might come through the rear gate, so I’ll put up the same thing there, too.”

That level of foresight—considering even the possibility that the subject might sneak in through the back—was so typically Kishiar. Yuder couldn’t even imagine what kind of face Nathan Zuckerman would make walking through that display.

If it were me, I’d use my ability to jump the wall the moment I saw it from a distance...

“But something seems to be bothering you. You looked serious when you came in.”

Kishiar asked calmly while tidying the brush and fabric. Despite having his back turned and focusing on calligraphy, he somehow still noticed. It was always baffling.

“I feel like it’s getting harder and harder to hide anything in front of you, Commander.”

“Call it the power of love,” Kishiar said with a wink.

“So? What is it?”

“Mm...”

Yuder decided to start with the less serious part first.

“After morning training, I gave the tea powder bottles you prepared to Gakein and Kanna. They were... a lot more thrilled than I expected.”

“Oh. I visited the pharmacist yesterday, so I assume he got his then. I’m guessing he was pleased, too?”

“Yes. Almost shockingly so... You were right.”

“Told you so.”

Kishiar nodded knowingly, smiling with satisfaction.

“So that makes three used, and two left. Who are the remaining ones for?”

“No one. I gave two to Inon, and one each to Kanna and Gakein, so there’s one left. I’m keeping that one as a reference for the next batch.”

“Next batch?”

Kishiar’s interest was clearly piqued.

“Inon and the others were disappointed at how little there was, so I thought I’d just make more. The ingredients will be a bit different, but I can still do it.”

Yuder added that Inon had told him to bring a new batch within two weeks, which made Kishiar’s face light up like a blooming flower.

“Amazing. Share joy, and good fortune returns. If you need anything—any ingredients—just say the word. I’ll make sure you get it, no matter what!”

He even nonchalantly mentioned ingredients exclusive to the Imperial greenhouse, going so far as to say the Empress would approve without hesitation once she heard the reason.

“That won’t be necessary... but thank you.”

Now it was time to talk about the more important matter. As Yuder helped Kishiar lay the fabric out in a sunny spot to dry, he began.

“While I was speaking with Kanna, we saw the new recruits training. She mentioned that Fay seems to have a strong admiration for Gloena.”

“......”

Kishiar’s hand briefly paused.

“I didn’t know until I heard that, but now I’m thinking maybe their bond was deeper than I assumed even in the previous timeline.”

“What makes you think that?”

Yuder shared what he remembered of Fay and Gloena from his past life.

“They didn’t join at the same time like now, but both were recruited to the Capital HQ because of their unique abilities. Eventually, they became the Vice Commanders of Discipline and Intelligence.”

They hadn’t been appointed at the same time. Gloena had been promoted first, due to the high priority on protecting her, and Fay’s promotion came later. Back then, it didn’t seem like they spent time together privately beyond their official duties—but now, Yuder knew better. Even working solely as comrades, one could form deep bonds and hold serious feelings.

Come to think of it, after Gloena died, Fay started volunteering for more and more missions. He even dropped all the respectful formality he used to show toward their senior Vice Commander Ever. Every time Yuder returned briefly to the Cavalry from an external mission, Fay seemed increasingly detached, reporting without emotion. He didn’t speak a word to Gloena’s successor.

At the time, everyone was changing, so Yuder hadn’t thought Fay’s behavior was anything unique. But now that he looked back, he let out a quiet sigh.

“...I can’t be certain the admiration he shows now was the same in the previous cycle, but it seems highly likely.”

It was too late to change the past. But the thought of what if I had known lingered momentarily.

“I never fully understood why Fay suddenly betrayed me. I always assumed it started with his ties to Southern forces. But if it all began with Gloena’s death...”

“Then it makes sense.”

Kishiar nodded.

“Some answers are so close that once you discover them, you wonder how you ever missed them. But what matters isn’t why we didn’t know—what matters is what we do with what we now know. Don’t you think?”

That was true. Yuder nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

“Fay still seems entangled with the Southern forces, but if he comes to value the Cavalry more than those ‘friends,’ then history doesn’t have to repeat itself.”

“This time, I believe it won’t.”

“Then that’s enough.”

A faint smile appeared on Kishiar’s lips.

“After hearing this, I no longer feel it’s meaningful to investigate whether he was a spy before joining. That’s one less burden on us—very good news. I should thank Kanna Wand and remind myself to keep working hard to ease my aide’s mind.”

He was already working harder than anyone else in the Cavalry. If he did any more, it would be surprising if he didn’t die from overwork.

But Yuder knew Kishiar was only saying that to reassure him. So he said nothing and responded with a quiet, appreciative smile.

“I also had a discussion with Inon about my grandfather. I’ll share it on the way to the trial. Oh, and here’s the summary he gave me yesterday.”

He handed over the roll of papers Inon had given him. Kishiar accepted them readily.

“Something to read on the way, perfect.”

“Also, Inon asked when he might get to see the relic, Voice of Dreams.”

“I was about to bring that up. I’ll be retrieving it soon.”

“Kanna and I are planning to examine my grandfather’s relics tomorrow night. If we have it by then, I was thinking we might have her read it too.”

“Hmm. That’s an intriguing idea. I’ll see about applying a little pressure to the Court Mage Office.”

They still hadn’t figured out how to use the relic. According to Kishiar, the researchers couldn’t let go of their desire to study it further, so they kept making excuses to hold onto it longer.

“Oh, and someone from Nellarun is expected to attend the trial today. I plan to meet with them afterward. From what the Sun Palace reports, it’s apparently a familiar face.”

“Is that so?”

If someone had come from Nellarun, they were almost certainly a close aide to Crown Prince Ezein. And among those, there was only one person who could be considered familiar enough to be described ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) that way.

The attendant, Melvern. That must be it.

As they prepared to leave, Kishiar threw a deep blue coat over his crisp white uniform and gestured for Yuder to come closer. Yuder assumed it was to fix his collar—but instead, Kishiar wrapped a piece of unfamiliar cloth around his neck. It was a dark blue scarf, the same shade as Kishiar’s outer coat. With a quick knot, he’d tied it into something resembling a tie. Yuder thought it might look strange with his Cavalry uniform, but when he glanced in the mirror, it didn’t.

“...What is this?”

“The wind’s strong today. Didn’t want your neck to get cold.”

It looked like a ploy disguised as concern—but knowing Kishiar, the part about not wanting him to catch cold was probably sincere too.

This is definitely going to start rumors...

But what did the words of others matter? Yuder briefly touched the cloth at his neck... and decided not to take it off.