"...Couldn't I have learned the female steps as well?"
"Ha-ha. Like me?"
"Yes."
Kishiar's eyes swirled, sensing the implied meaning behind Yuder's words that he seemed so certain even without hearing anything other than the fact that he could dance.
"Well, I doubt that. If we dance together, you can quickly tell that much. Dancing reveals more about your partner than you'd think."
Finishing his sentence as if singing a song, the man put force into his hands around Yuder's waist and spun him around. The instant their bodies came into full contact, a mysterious, dizzying sensation brushed against them.
Yuder clenched his teeth to suppress the feeling and spoke again.
"So, from what you've seen, I've only learned the man's dance... What else did you observe?"
"Hmm... It seems like you learned it quite a while ago. Or perhaps you haven't danced much since you learned. The evidence is that you remember the basic moves well but you're consistently a little slow in following."
"..."
"Shall I go on?"
It was so accurate it gave Yuder chills.
But on the other hand, he was curious how far Kishiar had deduced. Raising the arm that held Kishiar's hand high, Yuder met Kishiar's scrutinizing red eyes defiantly.
"Yes."
Kishiar chuckled softly, as if he had expected this response. He immediately lifted one leg, hooking it behind Yuder's knee, and pulled, spinning their connected bodies. He then whispered into Yuder's ear while shielding him from Nathan Zuckerman's view.
"Some of your movements are strikingly similar to the way I've learned. Considering that even the same dance can differ in subtle ways depending on the teacher, it's quite an intriguing discovery."
The moment he finished speaking, their bodies completed one full rotation, returning to their original positions. The move was flawlessly executed, as if he had predicted it from the start.
Though Kishiar continued dancing as if nothing had happened, Yuder's mind was full of a baffling impact.
'... Similar movements?'
Of course they'd be similar. Yuder had learned the dance from the man in front of him.
Yet he couldn't figure out what exactly was similar, and that was the problem.
'Do I not get it? Doesn't everyone else dance like this too?'
Kishiar looked at Yuder with the eyes of someone who already knew he was correct. Confronted with this gaze, Yuder's heart pounded, and then an empty laugh escaped his lips.
"...I really don't know, but I see."
"Yes."
Kishiar replied with a sly smile.
As the violin melody that had been rushing passionately toward its climax finally reached its peak and began to recede, they ended their practice and stepped back to exchange pleasantries.
"That's enough for today. Good work, Nathan."
Kishiar lowered his bow and complimented Nathan Zuckerman, who had managed his instrument well despite not playing for a while. Yuder also bowed his head in gratitude toward Nathan.
"Thanks to Sir Zuckerman, I was able to learn well. Thank you for your time."
"...You're welcome."
Nathan Zuckerman's gaze seemed as if he wanted to say something but didn't; however, he quickly packed his instrument and left. Yuder watched him go and then spoke.
"Did you tell Nathan everything?"
"I guess I should say so. He's quite perceptive, so it seemed he had figured out most of it without me even having to tell him."
"Is that okay?"
"Seems like it."
"It's alright. The fact that he accepted the performance request without saying anything means he has his reasons. Don't worry too much. If he really opposed it or disliked it, he would never have responded the way he did."
Kishiar grumbled with a smile, as if asking how much Nathan understood about how anxious and stubborn he really was. To Yuder, Nathan Zuckerman was a knight who would accomplish any seemingly impossible task if Kishiar commanded it. However, Kishiar's assessment of Nathan's personality seemed slightly different.
"In that case... understood."
Although he replied in agreement, Yuder thought he would need to meet Nathan personally to discuss matters soon.
Dressed in his usual attire, Yuder briefly explained the day's agenda and plans to Kishiar.
"Once the morning training is complete, I plan to trace the source of the information we obtained from the letter of Duke Diarca. Therefore, please understand if I don't return until late in the afternoon."
"Are you going alone?"
"No. I think it's time to use the authority you granted me before."
Before leaving for the west, Yuder had received from Kishiar the right to choose five members to work directly under him. So far, only candidates existed, but now that he had returned to the capital, it was time to officially use that authority.
"Upon consideration, it seems necessary to train specialists within the Cavalry who can collect information. I've almost finalized the list of possible aides."
"Good. Who are you thinking of partnering with?"
"In the west, Gakane demonstrated exceptional leadership, and Finn and Hinn showed excellent abilities in infiltration and catching the enemy off guard. Also, if it's alright to include someone from the medical unit, I’m considering Enon. I'm still contemplating the last spot."
Jimmy was also an outstanding choice in terms of ability, but he was still too young. His face might look young like the notorious Eldore siblings who boasted of being the best in the Cavalry, but he was an extremely innocent and straightforward child. He didn't seem like a good fit for intelligence gathering.
Kishiar nodded approvingly.
"Consider Devran Hartude as well. He was in charge of gathering information in disguise alongside Steiber while staying in the capital this time."
"Is that so?"
"It wouldn't hurt to listen to his story in detail and make a decision."
"Understood. I will do that. Oh, and..."
Yuder also brought up another matter he had been contemplating since his time in the west.
"Sir Zuckerman and the Peletta Knights are still tracking the missing Nahan and southern merchants, correct?"
"Indeed. Do you also want to take charge of that aspect?"
There was no need for a lengthy conversation with this man.
"Yes. Actually, during Finn's time in Tainu, he checked their lodgings at my personal request. Although no evidence related to the events at the time was found, there was something that caught my attention. Specifically, I want to investigate that."
"I wasn't aware you were involved in such matters; quite intriguing. Care to elaborate?"
Kishiar's eyes sparkled.
After explaining the conversations he had with his colleagues about selecting aides through his authority, Yuder spoke of the information Finn had found.
"Among their possessions was an emblem featuring a shooting star, a horizon, and a sword. Based on the sketch that Finn showed me, my own investigations revealed that there is a tribe in the south that uses this emblem."
‘Indeed, personal research also involved delving into my own memories,’ Yuder thought.
"Interesting. Do you think you and your team of five can really trace any connections or flows related to that tribe?"
"Given that Finn and I alone have uncovered this much, I don't think it's impossible," Yuder responded, maintaining his composure. After a moment of silence, he spoke again. The words he was about to utter required caution, as they concerned a more immediate future.
"Finding out who is behind them is crucial for foiling another plot, but I also think it's absolutely necessary for what comes after."
"What comes after," Kishiar echoed, seated at his office desk.
"As you've previously mentioned, the plan they were trying to carry out was a complex operation that took a lot of time and effort. Had they succeeded, they could have brought down the entire Empire. Even if the current operation is disrupted… I have a premonition that they will not back down."
The southern merchants initially appeared to be mere lackeys of Duke Tain, vanishing when things turned sour. But in Yuder's eyes, it almost seemed as if the puppeteer of that operation had been their naive puppet.
Even if one were to question and investigate the merchants through Duke Tain, it would likely be difficult to extract any substantial information.
'What can you possibly learn from someone who didn't even know that the southern merchants he had been freely manipulating were actually Awakeners with tremendous power?'
"So, you're saying that, in your view, the ones we are currently tracking seem to be much more formidable and dangerous enemies than Duke Tain himself?"
"Put simply, yes."
Kishiar tilted his head, lightly tapping the edge of the desk with his fingers. Moments later, he looked up and flashed a cold smile.
"Very well. I trust you with this."
"...Couldn't I have learned the female steps as well?"
"Ha-ha. Like me?"
"Yes."
Kishiar's eyes swirled, sensing the implied meaning behind Yuder's words that he seemed so certain even without hearing anything other than the fact that he could dance.
"Well, I doubt that. If we dance together, you can quickly tell that much. Dancing reveals more about your partner than you'd think."
Finishing his sentence as if singing a song, the man put force into his hands around Yuder's waist and spun him around. The instant their bodies came into full contact, a mysterious, dizzying sensation brushed against them.
Yuder clenched his teeth to suppress the feeling and spoke again.
"So, from what you've seen, I've only learned the man's dance... What else did you observe?"
"Hmm... It seems like you learned it quite a while ago. Or perhaps you haven't danced much since you learned. The evidence is that you remember the basic moves well but you're consistently a little slow in following."
"..."
"Shall I go on?"
It was so accurate it gave Yuder chills.
But on the other hand, he was curious how far Kishiar had deduced. Raising the arm that held Kishiar's hand high, Yuder met Kishiar's scrutinizing red eyes defiantly.
"Yes."
Kishiar chuckled softly, as if he had expected this response. He immediately lifted one leg, hooking it behind Yuder's knee, and pulled, spinning their connected bodies. He then whispered into Yuder's ear while shielding him from Nathan Zuckerman's view.
"Some of your movements are strikingly similar to the way I've learned. Considering that even the same dance can differ in subtle ways depending on the teacher, it's quite an intriguing discovery."
The moment he finished speaking, their bodies completed one full rotation, returning to their original positions. The move was flawlessly executed, as if he had predicted it from the start.
Though Kishiar continued dancing as if nothing had happened, Yuder's mind was full of a baffling impact.
'... Similar movements?'
Of course they'd be similar. Yuder had learned the dance from the man in front of him.
Yet he couldn't figure out what exactly was similar, and that was the problem.
'Do I not get it? Doesn't everyone else dance like this too?'
Kishiar looked at Yuder with the eyes of someone who already knew he was correct. Confronted with this gaze, Yuder's heart pounded, and then an empty laugh escaped his lips.
"...I really don't know, but I see."
"Yes."
Kishiar replied with a sly smile.
As the violin melody that had been rushing passionately toward its climax finally reached its peak and began to recede, they ended their practice and stepped back to exchange pleasantries.
"That's enough for today. Good work, Nathan."
Kishiar lowered his bow and complimented Nathan Zuckerman, who had managed his instrument well despite not playing for a while. Yuder also bowed his head in gratitude toward Nathan.
"Thanks to Sir Zuckerman, I was able to learn well. Thank you for your time."
"...You're welcome."
Nathan Zuckerman's gaze seemed as if he wanted to say something but didn't; however, he quickly packed his instrument and left. Yuder watched him go and then spoke.
"Did you tell Nathan everything?"
"I guess I should say so. He's quite perceptive, so it seemed he had figured out most of it without me even having to tell him."
"Is that okay?"
"Seems like it."
"It's alright. The fact that he accepted the performance request without saying anything means he has his reasons. Don't worry too much. If he really opposed it or disliked it, he would never have responded the way he did."
Kishiar grumbled with a smile, as if asking how much Nathan understood about how anxious and stubborn he really was. To Yuder, Nathan Zuckerman was a knight who would accomplish any seemingly impossible task if Kishiar commanded it. However, Kishiar's assessment of Nathan's personality seemed slightly different.
"In that case... understood."
Although he replied in agreement, Yuder thought he would need to meet Nathan personally to discuss matters soon.
Dressed in his usual attire, Yuder briefly explained the day's agenda and plans to Kishiar.
"Once the morning training is complete, I plan to trace the source of the information we obtained from the letter of Duke Diarca. Therefore, please understand if I don't return until late in the afternoon."
"Are you going alone?"
"No. I think it's time to use the authority you granted me before."
Before leaving for the west, Yuder had received from Kishiar the right to choose five members to work directly under him. So far, only candidates existed, but now that he had returned to the capital, it was time to officially use that authority.
"Upon consideration, it seems necessary to train specialists within the Cavalry who can collect information. I've almost finalized the list of possible aides."
"Good. Who are you thinking of partnering with?"
"In the west, Gakane demonstrated exceptional leadership, and Finn and Hinn showed excellent abilities in infiltration and catching the enemy off guard. Also, if it's alright to include someone from the medical unit, I’m considering Enon. I'm still contemplating the last spot."
Jimmy was also an outstanding choice in terms of ability, but he was still too young. His face might look young like the notorious Eldore siblings who boasted of being the best in the Cavalry, but he was an extremely innocent and straightforward child. He didn't seem like a good fit for intelligence gathering.
Kishiar nodded approvingly.
"Consider Devran Hartude as well. He was in charge of gathering information in disguise alongside Steiber while staying in the capital this time."
"Is that so?"
"It wouldn't hurt to listen to his story in detail and make a decision."
"Understood. I will do that. Oh, and..."
Yuder also brought up another matter he had been contemplating since his time in the west.
"Sir Zuckerman and the Peletta Knights are still tracking the missing Nahan and southern merchants, correct?"
"Indeed. Do you also want to take charge of that aspect?"
There was no need for a lengthy conversation with this man.
"Yes. Actually, during Finn's time in Tainu, he checked their lodgings at my personal request. Although no evidence related to the events at the time was found, there was something that caught my attention. Specifically, I want to investigate that."
"I wasn't aware you were involved in such matters; quite intriguing. Care to elaborate?"
Kishiar's eyes sparkled.
After explaining the conversations he had with his colleagues about selecting aides through his authority, Yuder spoke of the information Finn had found.
"Among their possessions was an emblem featuring a shooting star, a horizon, and a sword. Based on the sketch that Finn showed me, my own investigations revealed that there is a tribe in the south that uses this emblem."
‘Indeed, personal research also involved delving into my own memories,’ Yuder thought.
"Interesting. Do you think you and your team of five can really trace any connections or flows related to that tribe?"
"Given that Finn and I alone have uncovered this much, I don't think it's impossible," Yuder responded, maintaining his composure. After a moment of silence, he spoke again. The words he was about to utter required caution, as they concerned a more immediate future.
"Finding out who is behind them is crucial for foiling another plot, but I also think it's absolutely necessary for what comes after."
"What comes after," Kishiar echoed, seated at his office desk.
"As you've previously mentioned, the plan they were trying to carry out was a complex operation that took a lot of time and effort. Had they succeeded, they could have brought down the entire Empire. Even if the current operation is disrupted… I have a premonition that they will not back down."
The southern merchants initially appeared to be mere lackeys of Duke Tain, vanishing when things turned sour. But in Yuder's eyes, it almost seemed as if the puppeteer of that operation had been their naive puppet.
Even if one were to question and investigate the merchants through Duke Tain, it would likely be difficult to extract any substantial information.
'What can you possibly learn from someone who didn't even know that the southern merchants he had been freely manipulating were actually Awakeners with tremendous power?'
"So, you're saying that, in your view, the ones we are currently tracking seem to be much more formidable and dangerous enemies than Duke Tain himself?"
"Put simply, yes."
Kishiar tilted his head, lightly tapping the edge of the desk with his fingers. Moments later, he looked up and flashed a cold smile.
"Very well. I trust you with this."
