Turning

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Chapter 122

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?"

"..."

The boy, who had been so bold until now, found himself unable to speak when the moment to discuss came. In the silence, Yuder waited for him to gather his words, sighing as he glanced around.

"I don't have an abundance of time either. The only reason I followed an unknown noble like yourself here is because you're an Awakener, nothing more, nothing less. If you have nothing to say then perhaps it's time we..."

"How...how did you know I was an Awakener?"

The boy cut himself off mid-sentence, surprised by the question.

"No one else knew..."

"You felt it? What kind of ability?"

"I can't quite tell what kind of power it is. I only sensed it when you used it."

At Yuder's words, the boy shivered for a moment and let out a small sigh.

"I...I can make only the person I want hear my voice. It's not much of an ability. I used it just a little while ago when I was speaking to you, so I wouldn't attract attention... I see. You can sense that."

After saying this, the boy raised his head, revealing his eyes which had been hidden beneath his large hat. He looked surprised, but his demeanor was now noticeably more composed.

"My name is Revlin Shand Apeto. I'm the third and youngest child of the Apeto family."

Yuder had guessed he was the child of a notable family, though he had not expected him to be of the Apeto Duke's lineage. Despite being surprised by the identity of his significant counterpart, Yuder didn't show it on his face.

Emboldened by Yuder's composed demeanor, the boy, Revlin, continued to speak.

"Not long ago, didn't someone in your Cavalry get kidnapped or almost got kidnapped?"

'What is this about?'

It had been a while since he'd encountered someone who consistently made such unexpected comments. Yuder narrowed his eyes at Revlin's tense expression.

"Why do you ask?"

"I can give you information about that incident. In return, let me meet Duke Peletta."

The kidnapping incident Revlin was referring to was undoubtedly what happened to Devran. Yuder already knew the Apeto family was behind the incident. However, he had never imagined a member of the family would directly appear before him with such a proposition.

For now, Yuder was relieved that Revlin had chosen him out of all the Cavalry members. But whether to accept his offer right there and then was a separate matter.

Revlin, perhaps interpreting Yuder's thoughtful gaze as suspicion, quickly added more words.

"I know you may find it suspicious, but I don't mean any harm. My family means nothing to me now."

"And how are we to believe the information you'll provide will be of use to us?"

Yuder veered the conversation, scrutinizing Revlin. If the information Revlin was offering was no more useful than what they already knew, why would they accept the deal? Revlin, seemingly prepared for such skepticism, opened his mouth with a determined look in his eyes.

"It'll definitely be useful. The Apeto family is conducting research to eliminate the 'Blood of Blessing'. Kidnapping and collecting Awakeners is a part of that. I believe Duke Peletta will find this information interesting."

'...Blood of Blessing?'

It was a peculiar word that seemed both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. As Yuder tried to jog his memory, Revlin gazed at him with tired eyes.

"There's only one thing I want in exchange for the information. It's a small favor. If you could free just one person whom I cannot save myself... then I can do anything."

"... You're asking me to save someone?"

"Yes. He was my bodyguard. He's also an Awakener, but now he's..."

Unable to finish his sentence, Revlin bit his lower lip until it bled, a flash of deep fury crossing his eyes.

"I'll tell you the details later. Just please, pass this message to Duke Peletta."

"If you wanted to meet the Commander, you could have said so when he was in the VIP seat earlier. Why go through the trouble of finding me now?"

"I couldn't let my second older brother find out. He's the one who brought me here. Actually, I had to leave quickly, so I need to go back before he starts looking for me."

A wave of anxiety could be felt from Revlin, who was anxiously glancing around. Yuder looked down at the boy who was tightly clutching the hem of his cloak, awaiting his response, and nodded, signaling his agreement.

"I will pass your message to the Commander."

"Really?"

"But if this deal goes through, how do you plan to meet the Commander?"

"You can contact me through Jack, the gatekeeper of the Apeto estate. I can meet if we set a time. I just have to say that I'm stepping out for a bit. There's someone I need to save, so please come as soon as the decision is made, preferably tonight."

Worried that Yuder might say it would be difficult, Revlin quickly retorted, his eyes darting around.

Although Yuder wondered if it was really alright, he knew that from here on out, it was a matter for Kishiar to decide.

"Understood. I will tell him as such."

"Thank you. Really, thank you. ...I just realized I haven't asked your name yet. I'm sorry, I was in such a rush. What's your name?"

The boy blushed with embarrassment as he asked Yuder's name after thanking him repeatedly. While Yuder wondered whether he needed to share his name as well, he decided to reply considering the courage Revlin showed by revealing his real name without any hesitation.

"I'm Yuder Aile."

Until the very last moment before he left, the boy looked back at Yuder several times. The desperate gaze of the boy, who was as beautiful as a doll, unlike a noble boy, deeply embedded itself in his mind.

…

"Interesting. Not only did one of Apeto's sons turn out to be an Awakener, but he's also proposing to betray his own family. If Duke Apeto knew, he would probably feel quite betrayed."

Kishiar's reaction to the report on Revlin Shand Apeto was more succinct than Yuder had expected. Yuder, looking at Kishiar who was still dressed in his pearl-like white formal attire from the Grand Worship and reading the documents, cautiously asked a question.

"Do you believe what Revlin Shand Apeto said?"

"Whether I believe it or not, it's likely true. Besides, you've already confirmed that he is indeed an Awakener, haven't you?"

"Even so..."

"Do you know? Out of 330 Cavalry members, not a single noble has their family member in it."

Kishiar interrupted Yuder's words, softly posing a question.

"Why do you think that is?"

As Kishiar had said, there was not a single member of the Cavalry who had been born into a noble family from the capital. Some, like Kanna, who had grown up in the quarrelsome house of Count Gallon, were children who did not inherit the last name. And then there were the few nobles in the Cavalry, like Gakane Bolunwald, who were from once illustrious, now fallen, local families who had lost their former glory. Faced with a question he hadn't considered deeply before, Yuder felt a bit flustered and opened his mouth.

"Either there were no applicants from noble families in the capital or, if there were, Commander, you didn't choose them."

"The former is closer to the truth. To be precise, it's because there hasn't been a single Awakener, officially, from the wealthy families that are based in the capital."

Kishiar laughed, placing particular emphasis on the word "officially."

"Do you think it's possible that not a single person had awakened in the two years since my awakening? There would be dozens, if only counting families of baronial rank and above."

"..."

It was only then that Yuder realized the meaning behind Kishiar's words.

"So even if they have Awakeners, they're hiding it."

"It's due to the initial unfavorable circumstances. It will gradually change, starting with this festival... Anyway, because of this, the youngest son of Apeto you met is slated to be the first Awakener from a duke's family that I know of. So, shouldn't I meet him myself, including all these considerations?"

In his previous life, after Yuder had become Commander, occasionally young nobles from the capital would apply to join the Cavalry, so he hadn't given this matter much thought.

'At this time, Kishiar was fighting against many more things than I thought.'

Battling a single misinformed prejudice was far more difficult than killing hundreds of monsters. Looking at Kishiar, who seemed nonchalant about changing it soon, Yuder couldn't help but think of him as extraordinary once again.

"So when do you plan to go?"

"Didn't he ask to come as soon as possible? Shall we go now?"

Kishiar put down the document he had been holding and stood up from his seat.

"Are you planning to go directly? That's too dangerous."

"Don't worry. I have quite a few useful friends."

Kishiar laughed as he took out a slim, inconspicuous bracelet from the desk drawer and slipped it onto his wrist. Shortly after, his face and hair color blurred, transforming into an ordinary-looking man with brown hair and brown eyes.

"How is it? Did I transform well?"

Despite his height, broad shoulders, and the same formal attire as before, the change in face gave the impression of dealing with a completely different person. It was said that this feeling was also part of the effect of transformation magic, but looking at the hard-to-adapt appearance, Yuder sighed.

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