Melvern Clant.

Yuder reviewed the information he knew about him. Though he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he’d heard that Melvern had suffered a serious injury just before leaving the Empire. But now, Melvern looked perfectly healthy, his expression endlessly bright and calm.

‘Well, I suppose it makes sense. Even though his identity as a spy ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) was exposed, he not only survived but was allowed to remain by the one he serves.’

He had originally been a spy sent from Duben, an enemy of Nellarun. Moved by the character of Second Prince Ezein, whom he had been assigned to monitor, he abandoned his previous allegiances and chose to live solely as a loyal attendant. However, his secret had been revealed in the Great Forest of Sarain.

In Yuder’s previous life, Melvern would have already been a dead man. But in this life, he had survived intact, retained his position, and had even been dispatched once again to the Empire.

Though he had pledged genuine loyalty, it was no easy feat to place trust in someone with a background as a spy. And yet, the current Ezein had become someone capable of doing just that. The transformation struck Yuder as something just as stark and unexpected as the changes surrounding Kishiar.

“Ah, now that I see you in person, I almost forgot—I was ordered to congratulate you on receiving the hereditary baron title! My apologies for forgetting! Truly, congratulations.”

“No need. Thank you.”

Melvern’s eyes sparkled as he continued quickly.

“Your tremendous feats have been a hot topic even in Nellarun. When news arrived that not a single casualty occurred during an unprecedented disaster in the southern seas of the Empire thanks to your efforts, you wouldn’t believe how astonished—and concerned—our Crown Prince was.”

“You overstate it. It was not something I accomplished alone.”

Despite Yuder’s reply, which would have daunted most, Melvern wasn’t discouraged in the slightest.

“Yes. I know. The great heroes of the Cavalry and the legendary accomplishments of your Commander—now the Master of Seogwang—are undoubtedly worthy of praise as well! But I simply wished to convey how deeply moved and concerned His Highness the Crown Prince was for you, his dear friend...”

Melvern continued heaping praise upon Yuder.

More accurately, he focused on how much Prince Ezein had admired, worried over, and longed to emulate the feats of “his dear friend, Baron Yuder.”

At first, Yuder remained silent, expecting the conversation to eventually get to its main point—but no matter how long he waited, Melvern showed no sign of stopping.

‘I’ll need to cut this off at some point.’

“The trial is about to begin. Let’s speak further afterward.” 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

They were meant to meet again after the trial anyway. Giving him a meaningful glance, Yuder signaled the message. Melvern let out a soft “Ah,” and smiled sheepishly.

“I’ve held you up far too long in my excitement. My apologies.”

“It’s fine. We’re heading the same way. I’ll escort you to the guest seating.”

“Ah, I won’t be sitting in the guest section, Baron.”

Puzzled, Yuder soon understood. Melvern hadn’t come to observe the trial under official arrangements.

“Officially, I haven’t yet entered the Empire. But His Highness wished dearly to witness today’s trial, and His Imperial Majesty of Orr kindly granted permission for me to visit in secret.”

So Melvern was here not as Nellarun’s emissary, but under a false identity. That explained why he had initially kept his face hidden under a cloak.

“I see.”

“To be honest, I also felt it might be easier to speak with you here than if I visited the Cavalry directly. I didn’t want to blunder in nervousness and disappoint His Highness.”

What does that have to do with anything? Yuder was about to dismiss the thought—until he suddenly paused and looked more closely at Melvern’s face.

‘Wait... now that I think of it...’

Ever since they reunited, there had been another subtle change in Melvern that Yuder hadn’t initially noticed.

It wasn’t just that he’d recovered from his injuries.

There was a faint, strange energy lingering around him—something intangible but undeniable.

Yuder focused on the source of that faint aura and soon found his answer. A rare expression of surprise crossed his face.

“Have you... Awakened?”

“That’s right! You recognized it just by looking—truly, you are the Empire’s greatest Awakener.”

Melvern acknowledged it cheerfully.

“After recovering from my injuries and returning to Nellarun, I Awakened. A few others who owed their lives to the Empire’s Awakeners back then also Awakened around the same time. It was like a miracle.”

In the previous life, those people had disappeared before ever stepping onto the stage of history.

But now, they had survived—and even Awakened.

It was nothing short of astonishing.

Melvern lowered his voice as he spoke more discreetly about the current status of the other Awakened individuals.

“Once His Highness ascended as Crown Prince, he began establishing a new organization. It hasn’t been formally announced yet, but all of us who Awakened back then—including myself—will soon be a part of it.”

“That would mean...”

“Yes. A group akin to the Cavalry will soon be born in Nellarun.”

Even in the previous life, Nellarun had been one of the first nations to model such a force after the Cavalry.

Since the king himself was an Awakener, there had been little public opposition.

But it had lacked strong, trustworthy Awakeners capable of bearing responsibility, which had always been a weakness.

‘That’s why Emperor Kachian had been so wary, fearing I might defect to Nellarun.’

This time, however, the organization would be formed more quickly, and around loyal, capable individuals. Things would be very different.

As Yuder considered this, Melvern continued.

“The only reason we were able to remain by His Highness’s side after Awakening without causing disruption is thanks to the Cavalry. His Highness always says so—meeting you, Baron, was the greatest fortune of his life.”

That line carried the deepest sincerity of anything Melvern had said so far.

Yuder looked at the smiling Melvern and gently shook his head.

“I didn’t help him in any way. If things went well, it was because His Highness is someone who listens carefully, even to the smallest words of others—not because of me. But regardless, congratulations.”

Congratulating someone for becoming an Awakener.

Even that felt strange and unfamiliar now, so different from before.

“Thank you, Baron. I’ll show you my ability briefly after the trial.”

“You can?”

“Yes. Before I left, His Highness informed His Majesty the Emperor of my ability and received permission for me to demonstrate it to you.”

What kind of ability could possibly require such prior agreements?

Yuder’s curiosity was piqued.

‘If Kishiar didn’t mention it, he likely doesn’t know either.’

But Melvern, smiling brightly, clearly had no intention of explaining in advance.

“It’s not a dangerous combat ability, so please don’t worry. But I promise—even someone like you will be surprised!”

Just then, the distant chime signaling the start of the trial rang out.

It was finally time to enter the courtroom.

“...Very well. I’ll see you afterward.”

“Yes.”

Melvern pulled his cloak back over himself and vanished silently, moving swiftly like the former spy he was.

Yuder entered the courtroom.

Inside, every seat was packed with people.

The Vice Commanders standing behind the royal seats on the right side looked at him with glad expressions—only to pause and tilt their heads in puzzlement.

“Yuder! You’re a bit late... hmm?”

“What’s that around your neck? Catch a cold or something?”