Chapter 876

Even in the most hostile of nations, as long as trade is not entirely forbidden, clandestine exchanges between civilian merchants are an inevitable occurrence. For the merchants of the Southern Lands to travel north of the desert, they must cross it unless they use ships, a journey fraught with danger and not easily undertaken without considerable preparation.

The midlands served as secret rest and resupply points, carved out over many years by these merchants. Scattered across the vast desert, several such areas existed. Some were known even to the people of the Empire, but most were kept and managed solely within certain Southern merchant circles. Knowledge of these shortcuts, where monsters rarely appeared, was as valuable to the Southern merchants as the goods they traded.

Nathan Zuckerman took over the search for Nahan when it became clear that even with Kanna's information, the location of the midland he passed through was uncertain. Traveling alone, without accompaniment, he scoured the desert's edge for days until he finally discovered Nahan's belongings.

"Nathan. You must already know about the merchant group managing that midland called the 'Entrance of the Sunset', right?"

"Yes. Anman Noon... In the Imperial tongue, it translates to 'Owl's Wing Merchant Group'. An old and renowned organization, they seem well-known in that region. The owner isn't just an ordinary merchant but belongs to a prestigious family in the South. That's probably why a single merchant group could own an entire midland."

"The Owl's Wing, then. It's likely they took Nahan from there."

"The chances are higher that they disposed of a suddenly deceased body rather than taking a living person."

"In this situation, the likelihood doesn't matter. You know that."

Consider Hosanna. On the brink of exhaustion, rampage, and death, he managed to send Nahan to the desert, achieving what everyone deemed impossible. Awakeners can make the impossible possible, and so could Nahan.

"Prioritize the possibility that he's alive in your investigation. Also, find out which region of the South the owning family of the merchant group is based in."

"Understood."

The base of the merchant group was likely Hosanna's intended final destination for Nahan. This meant the mysterious Southerners searching for Nahan might be there as well.

Whether they were related to Nahan's birth mother or not was now irrelevant. The only thing that mattered was whether Nahan somehow survived or died.

Nahan knew too much from this battle. He learned of Kishiar's past memories, read the important memories of the core members of the Cavalry, and even discovered information about the 'previous game' of Yuder Aile.

Kishiar thought his own memories being read were relatively unimportant. Even if they contained significant events, most were things of the past, with little influence on the future.

However, Yuder's memories and the visions they might have sparked were different. They contained information that, if acted upon, could turn the entire world upside down.

If someone who knew all this survived and crossed into the South, Kishiar dared not speculate what might follow. That's why it was crucial to ascertain Nahan's fate, at all costs.

With these thoughts, Kishiar lifted his deep-set eyes.

"Nathan. Next time, it would be wise to take Kanna, Elle, and Nipollen with you, instead of going alone."

"Nipollen? You mean the cat boy?"

For the first time, the knight, who rarely showed blood or tears in front of anyone but his lord, furrowed his brow and hesitated.

"I've never heard that the desert climate is bad for cats, but it might still be dangerous."

"Let it be as it has been until now, with you handling everything alone. The reason for sending the other three is to see if there might be other Awakeners among the merchants who own that midland."

Nathan Zuckerman's expression changed slightly as he surmised the implication of the other Awakeners' reaction from his lord's thoughts.

"Understood. I can't instantly recognize other Awakeners on sight, but it's certainly worth investigating."

"Yes. And now there's more to ask Aton, who's underground."

"You should still rest. Please take it easy with Baron Aile."

Kishiar, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected advice, pressed his lips together and let out a softened smile.

"To hear you say such things, I've certainly lived to see a lot."

"I'll make sure to handle everything you've entrusted to me while you rest."

"Good. Just don't overexert yourself. You hardly need sleep, but you're still healing from that injury."

Kishiar's gaze shifted to Nathan Zuckerman's arm. During the Hail Night, Nathan had stealthily moved around, saving many with his sword, but had been bitten on the arm by a monster. Though a swordmaster, he was not invincible. That wound meant a moment so dire that had Nathan not intervened, someone else would have died in his place.

What would have been a fatal injury for an ordinary person was merely a tooth mark for Nathan Zuckerman, treated with ointment and a simple bandage, barely noticeable under clothing. Kishiar hoped his adjutant would not prioritize duty over recovery.

Nathan glanced nonchalantly at his arm where his lord's gaze lingered and bowed in gratitude.

"Thank you for your concern, but the wound has almost healed, and I've resumed training. I must stay healthy to serve you for a long time."

With that, he turned and left, disappearing as silently as he had arrived, leaving just two people in the room.

Kishiar chuckled softly, musing over Nathan's words.

"What a reassuring thing to say..."

The resolve not to become a burden and to take care of himself for his lord was evident. Such words, not usually spoken by him, must have been influenced by Yuder's recent injuries and actions.

Looking down at Yuder's pale face lying beside him, Kishiar exhaled.

The thought of someday hearing Yuder say the same seemed extravagant at the moment. But imagining it was surely harmless.

Kishiar secretly set it as a small goal in his heart to hear such words from Yuder someday. In fact, there were quite a few goals related to Yuder etched in his mind.

Although some dreams are known to be unattainable, people continue to dream them, knowing the joy they would bring if they ever did come true.

Yuder's hope for an early awakening was not fulfilled, but his wish to rest deeply and wake up refreshed, unlike during his time in the West, seemed somewhat realized.

Then, what about Kishiar La Orr from the previous game?

Did he, too, project dreams onto Yuder's sleeping face, silently laying them there like the present him?

Were these dreams so heavy and profound that, even in death, they lingered, lurking in the darkness, unable to vanish completely?

'The pharmacist said my soul is normal. So, this being isn't a part of my current self.'

Yet, Yuder was certain that this entity was another Kishiar. Even though Kishiar had only heard stories, he could distinctly feel his own identity.

It was a different feeling from what Yuder directly experienced and sensed. From deep within his instincts, Kishiar understood this through the attitudes and actions shown to Yuder, and the way answers to questions were interpreted – all too clearly.

'Figuring out how to explore this... that's the crux of it now. It would be nice if it not only reached out to Yuder but came to me as well.'

The thought of meeting another version of himself could have been chilling, but there was no such hint in Kishiar's eyes. His shadow, lost in thought while gently stroking Yuder's arm, remained cast in the same place until almost dawn.