Aware that there was no benefit to stalling, Kiolle took a seat without resistance. Yuder was the first to speak.
"After we last met, I conducted my own investigation into those healers. I want to first confirm whether the people I found out about are the same ones who frequent that place before we continue our discussion."
"Alright, go on."
Yuder recounted the numbers and descriptions of the Awakeners from the Star of Nagran he had personally observed. Listening with the utmost caution, Kiolle clenched his fist and yelled, "That guy!" as soon as Yuder mentioned the actual sage who appeared to be middle-aged.
"He's the leader of those healers."
"Is that so? Then the people I described are all associated with those healers?"
"It seems so..."
Kiolle looked at Yuder with eyes filled with suspicion, caution, and a hint of fear. Knowing exactly what he must be thinking, Yuder kindly broke the silence.
"You must be wondering how I found out about their appearances and attire when I haven't received any information. I assure you, it's not as frightening as you think."
Startled, Kiolle tensed up and recoiled.
"I didn't read your mind to find out, of course. There are methods for these things. Stop wasting time with unnecessary thoughts and answer my questions."
"..."
"Do you know their names?"
"I... don't remember. Although I vaguely recall the name the leader mentioned when he introduced himself..."
Kiolle trailed off, shaking his head, but a moment later he seemed to remember and lifted his face.
"…Jinen? Chinen?"
"Have you not investigated these healers since we last met?"
"What does remembering their names have to do with investigating them? What's important is what they're doing, not their names, which could be aliases for all we know."
Kiolle snapped back, clearly embarrassed by his own foolishness.
Yuder looked at him disdainfully and moved on.
"So, what peculiar activities have you noticed about them?"
"...None. They've come a few more times to treat the Crown Prince since then, but..."
According to Kiolle, the 'healers' always visited on scheduled dates, accompanying a chamberlain into the Crown Prince’s chamber. They then spent about an hour in the dimly lit room, filled with lit candles, mumbling something around the peacefully sleeping Crown Prince. That was the entirety of their 'treatment.'
After listening to Kiolle's account, Yuder paused to think before speaking.
"Do you know what they're saying during those times?"
"I don’t. They speak in whispers so soft even the chamberlain can’t hear. Unless the Crown Prince tells us, there's no way to know."
"You never personally attended to observe?"
"..."
Kiolle's expression twisted. He seemed to struggle for breath, his face flushed with humiliation and rage, before he finally answered.
"I had initially intended to, but His Highness... forbade me. Then those con artists looked down on me... and had the audacity... to make a disrespectful offer..."
Although it was hard for him to articulate each word without violating some vow, it was not difficult to surmise his meaning.
Initially, he was unable to attend because the Katchian side had refused his presence. Later, although the situation improved slightly, Kiolle’s pride was wounded and he became furious when the healers themselves offered him the opportunity to join them.
‘Just hearing the rumors gives me a good idea of how that man is faring in the Crown Prince's palace.’
The common workers of the Bright Palace, where the Crown Prince resided, must have felt as if they were walking on thin ice, as though there were two Crown Princes.
‘Anyway, it's clear that Kiolle is not as trusted by Katchian as I thought. I would have done the same if I were Katchian, but still…’
"You're a bodyguard and yet you can't even enter the Crown Prince's bedroom. Doesn't that just mean the Crown Prince doesn't trust you, and that's why others are treating you that way? If you're in such an ineffective position, I might have to reconsider our collaboration."
"What are you talking about? You think I'm the only one who couldn't go in? All the other knights were the same! Even the servants couldn't enter at first! You're still saying this when I'm the one chosen to protect His Highness today? I even verified the identity of those guys for you!"
Indeed, Kiolle was quick to flare up, speaking without reservation at the slightest provocation.
"In the first place, the reason I became His Highness's bodyguard was because there was no one else who could bridge the gap between the Bright Palace and the outside world! I was the one who first had the privilege of greeting him when he refused even meals and stayed in his bedroom during hard times, before those quack healers arrived!"
"Hmm, I see."
"Who do you think rallied the demoralized guards and servants? Who comforted His Highness, ensured that meals were delivered consistently, and took care of the broken mirrors and utensils? Who's keeping an eye on those fraudulent healers? Me, it's me! Do you think I could do all that without his trust? How dare you, when you know nothing...!"
Noticing how sensitive Kiolle was to the phrase 'a bodyguard who doesn't have his lord's trust,' Yuder could make even more precise conjectures about Katchian, who had been reclusive since the assassination attempt.
‘So, before meeting those healers, he stayed in his room, refused meals and contact with anyone, and even broke things. He's more volatile than I thought.’
It was not a completely unfamiliar story. In his previous life, Katchian sometimes shut himself in his room after his western reconstruction policy failed. Without any given reason, he postponed state affairs and confined himself for two or three days, ordering that no one be allowed near him. Even Yuder, who executed the Emperor's most secretive orders, had no idea what happened in there.
After he started ruthlessly cutting off the limbs of powerful noble families, including his own backers like the Diarca Duchy, using assassinations and various means, such episodes became less frequent, but it had happened.
The Emperor repeated such behavior until the 'sage' of his previous life appeared, and it got worse after the sage's death.
When the Awakener King Ejain led Nelarn to rapidly grow and openly confront the Empire, when news arrived that natural disasters had led to increasing resentment towards the Emperor, and even after praising Yuder for his accomplishments, then suddenly confining him to house arrest and forbidding palace entry the next day without any particular reason...
And what about the day Yuder was executed?
‘...He didn't even show up, claiming illness.’
Yuder paused his flowing thoughts and exhaled softly.
At any rate, it was fortunate that Katchian La Orr was not the Emperor right now. However, the fact that both the 'sage' of his previous life and the real 'sage' of the Star of Nagran were by his side meant that Yuder couldn't feel entirely at ease.
"Fine, calm down. Since I've confirmed that the people I found are indeed those 'healers,' I'll also share a piece of information from my end."
"..."
Kiolle, who was about to say something more, quickly fell silent.
Yuder searched his memory and slowly opened his mouth.
"Do you remember when you said those people seemed like frauds because they weren't mages, doctors, or priests?"
"Yes."
"It seems like you were right. Their power lies elsewhere."
"What are you talking about?"
"The same power you see before you, in me."
For a moment, Kiolle swallowed a gasp and choked, breaking into a fit of coughs that reddened his face. Finally regaining his composure, he asked in a voice that was almost a croak.
"Are you saying they're Awakeners?"
"..."
"That's impossible. If my father had known, he would never have let them into the Bright Palace in the first place. And what about the people who introduced us to them? Not one of them ever mentioned this! If they've been lying, I would have found out and never forgiven them!"
‘You don't even know their names, so your forgiveness is meaningless.’ Yuder thought inwardly, knowing Kiolle couldn't hear this response, and opened his mouth.
"Power can be hidden, as much as one wishes."
"I've never heard of someone awakening to a healing power! Even among your Cavalry, there's no one like that! If such a person existed, everyone would already know!"
"Yes, you're right."
When Yuder obediently responded, Kiolle looked skeptical.
"So what is it? What are you trying to say?"
"You still don't get it? What I'm saying is, it doesn't matter if it's not a healing power. If you can make people believe in another power, that's all that matters."
"...What?"
Aware that there was no benefit to stalling, Kiolle took a seat without resistance. Yuder was the first to speak.
"After we last met, I conducted my own investigation into those healers. I want to first confirm whether the people I found out about are the same ones who frequent that place before we continue our discussion."
"Alright, go on."
Yuder recounted the numbers and descriptions of the Awakeners from the Star of Nagran he had personally observed. Listening with the utmost caution, Kiolle clenched his fist and yelled, "That guy!" as soon as Yuder mentioned the actual sage who appeared to be middle-aged.
"He's the leader of those healers."
"Is that so? Then the people I described are all associated with those healers?"
"It seems so..."
Kiolle looked at Yuder with eyes filled with suspicion, caution, and a hint of fear. Knowing exactly what he must be thinking, Yuder kindly broke the silence.
"You must be wondering how I found out about their appearances and attire when I haven't received any information. I assure you, it's not as frightening as you think."
Startled, Kiolle tensed up and recoiled.
"I didn't read your mind to find out, of course. There are methods for these things. Stop wasting time with unnecessary thoughts and answer my questions."
"..."
"Do you know their names?"
"I... don't remember. Although I vaguely recall the name the leader mentioned when he introduced himself..."
Kiolle trailed off, shaking his head, but a moment later he seemed to remember and lifted his face.
"…Jinen? Chinen?"
"Have you not investigated these healers since we last met?"
"What does remembering their names have to do with investigating them? What's important is what they're doing, not their names, which could be aliases for all we know."
Kiolle snapped back, clearly embarrassed by his own foolishness.
Yuder looked at him disdainfully and moved on.
"So, what peculiar activities have you noticed about them?"
"...None. They've come a few more times to treat the Crown Prince since then, but..."
According to Kiolle, the 'healers' always visited on scheduled dates, accompanying a chamberlain into the Crown Prince’s chamber. They then spent about an hour in the dimly lit room, filled with lit candles, mumbling something around the peacefully sleeping Crown Prince. That was the entirety of their 'treatment.'
After listening to Kiolle's account, Yuder paused to think before speaking.
"Do you know what they're saying during those times?"
"I don’t. They speak in whispers so soft even the chamberlain can’t hear. Unless the Crown Prince tells us, there's no way to know."
"You never personally attended to observe?"
"..."
Kiolle's expression twisted. He seemed to struggle for breath, his face flushed with humiliation and rage, before he finally answered.
"I had initially intended to, but His Highness... forbade me. Then those con artists looked down on me... and had the audacity... to make a disrespectful offer..."
Although it was hard for him to articulate each word without violating some vow, it was not difficult to surmise his meaning.
Initially, he was unable to attend because the Katchian side had refused his presence. Later, although the situation improved slightly, Kiolle’s pride was wounded and he became furious when the healers themselves offered him the opportunity to join them.
‘Just hearing the rumors gives me a good idea of how that man is faring in the Crown Prince's palace.’
The common workers of the Bright Palace, where the Crown Prince resided, must have felt as if they were walking on thin ice, as though there were two Crown Princes.
‘Anyway, it's clear that Kiolle is not as trusted by Katchian as I thought. I would have done the same if I were Katchian, but still…’
"You're a bodyguard and yet you can't even enter the Crown Prince's bedroom. Doesn't that just mean the Crown Prince doesn't trust you, and that's why others are treating you that way? If you're in such an ineffective position, I might have to reconsider our collaboration."
"What are you talking about? You think I'm the only one who couldn't go in? All the other knights were the same! Even the servants couldn't enter at first! You're still saying this when I'm the one chosen to protect His Highness today? I even verified the identity of those guys for you!"
Indeed, Kiolle was quick to flare up, speaking without reservation at the slightest provocation.
"In the first place, the reason I became His Highness's bodyguard was because there was no one else who could bridge the gap between the Bright Palace and the outside world! I was the one who first had the privilege of greeting him when he refused even meals and stayed in his bedroom during hard times, before those quack healers arrived!"
"Hmm, I see."
"Who do you think rallied the demoralized guards and servants? Who comforted His Highness, ensured that meals were delivered consistently, and took care of the broken mirrors and utensils? Who's keeping an eye on those fraudulent healers? Me, it's me! Do you think I could do all that without his trust? How dare you, when you know nothing...!"
Noticing how sensitive Kiolle was to the phrase 'a bodyguard who doesn't have his lord's trust,' Yuder could make even more precise conjectures about Katchian, who had been reclusive since the assassination attempt.
‘So, before meeting those healers, he stayed in his room, refused meals and contact with anyone, and even broke things. He's more volatile than I thought.’
It was not a completely unfamiliar story. In his previous life, Katchian sometimes shut himself in his room after his western reconstruction policy failed. Without any given reason, he postponed state affairs and confined himself for two or three days, ordering that no one be allowed near him. Even Yuder, who executed the Emperor's most secretive orders, had no idea what happened in there.
After he started ruthlessly cutting off the limbs of powerful noble families, including his own backers like the Diarca Duchy, using assassinations and various means, such episodes became less frequent, but it had happened.
The Emperor repeated such behavior until the 'sage' of his previous life appeared, and it got worse after the sage's death.
When the Awakener King Ejain led Nelarn to rapidly grow and openly confront the Empire, when news arrived that natural disasters had led to increasing resentment towards the Emperor, and even after praising Yuder for his accomplishments, then suddenly confining him to house arrest and forbidding palace entry the next day without any particular reason...
And what about the day Yuder was executed?
‘...He didn't even show up, claiming illness.’
Yuder paused his flowing thoughts and exhaled softly.
At any rate, it was fortunate that Katchian La Orr was not the Emperor right now. However, the fact that both the 'sage' of his previous life and the real 'sage' of the Star of Nagran were by his side meant that Yuder couldn't feel entirely at ease.
"Fine, calm down. Since I've confirmed that the people I found are indeed those 'healers,' I'll also share a piece of information from my end."
"..."
Kiolle, who was about to say something more, quickly fell silent.
Yuder searched his memory and slowly opened his mouth.
"Do you remember when you said those people seemed like frauds because they weren't mages, doctors, or priests?"
"Yes."
"It seems like you were right. Their power lies elsewhere."
"What are you talking about?"
"The same power you see before you, in me."
For a moment, Kiolle swallowed a gasp and choked, breaking into a fit of coughs that reddened his face. Finally regaining his composure, he asked in a voice that was almost a croak.
"Are you saying they're Awakeners?"
"..."
"That's impossible. If my father had known, he would never have let them into the Bright Palace in the first place. And what about the people who introduced us to them? Not one of them ever mentioned this! If they've been lying, I would have found out and never forgiven them!"
‘You don't even know their names, so your forgiveness is meaningless.’ Yuder thought inwardly, knowing Kiolle couldn't hear this response, and opened his mouth.
"Power can be hidden, as much as one wishes."
"I've never heard of someone awakening to a healing power! Even among your Cavalry, there's no one like that! If such a person existed, everyone would already know!"
"Yes, you're right."
When Yuder obediently responded, Kiolle looked skeptical.
"So what is it? What are you trying to say?"
"You still don't get it? What I'm saying is, it doesn't matter if it's not a healing power. If you can make people believe in another power, that's all that matters."
"...What?"
