Chapter 880

"Luma, after creating me, didn't pursue further research into souls. He started focusing on studies about reversing time. There might still be records of his previous research at the Hill of Abundance, but that's about all I can recall right now."

If what was said was true, then it was indeed necessary to visit the Hill of Abundance, which once served as Luma's workshop.

'Of course, that won't be possible right now...'

Luma, who not only studied time reversal but also the relationship between body and soul, what had he experienced and what had he desired? Did his research overlap significantly with the mysteries unfolding before Yuder, or was it merely a coincidence?

'Initially, I sought to understand why I was able to return by reversing time, and in the process, I encountered Kishiar wearing white gloves and came this far. According to Enon, it seems Luma conducted his research in the opposite sequence.'

Regardless, this was not something Yuder could conclude right now. He decided to put aside these thoughts and focus on the immediate tasks at hand.

As he lay prostrate on the floor, Enon reacted with great alarm.

"What, what's this? Why are you doing this? Are you crazy?"

"I had promised to lie down and express my gratitude to you once I recovered. Thank you, Enon. No, big brother."

"Who said to actually do it for real?! Get up this instant! A fellow who's barely had his limbs attached for long doing such...! Don't embarrass me, get up quickly! Hey!"

Enon, ranting wildly at the air, pulled Yuder's arm. It was ironic that Enon, who had initially suggested such an action, was now upset by its actual execution. It was nonsensical, yet so characteristic of him.

"Then how am I supposed to express my gratitude?"

"Just do it! However you can! Properly!"

"Treating you right is indeed challenging."

"I'm the one who's got it tougher! You damned rascal!"

Despite Enon's earlier tolerance, he ended up grabbing both of Yuder's cheeks. It wasn't painful, but Yuder feigned a slight wince, considering Enon's feelings. He observed Enon's face, now flushed red in the ears and neck, and felt a sense of relief at the lively expression that surfaced.

Enon, who had been discussing spirits and Luma moments ago, seemed indifferent now, but his usually expressionless face appeared somewhat different today, slightly unsettling.

'Knowing how sensitive Enon reacts to mentions of Luma, his calmness might have felt strangely peculiar.'

Well, if sacrificing his cheeks could break that overly objective expression and bring back his usual lively self, it was a small price to pay.

"...Um, Pharmacist? Yuder? I've brought lemons, but I heard some unusual noise inside... May I come in?"

While Yuder was being jostled with his cheeks still in Enon's firm grip, Gakane's voice came from beyond the barrier of wind Yuder had created. Enon, still clutching Yuder's cheek, grumbled and shouted, "Come in!"

Gakane cautiously opened the door and peered in. Seeing Yuder's stretched cheeks, he blinked several times, then, instead of shock, let out a sigh of relief.

"Oh my, I was startled. I thought something had happened to Yuder again. Glad it's nothing serious. Here, Pharmacist."

On the beautiful ceramic plate Gakane brought were lemons, sliced whole with the peel for easy eating, and beautifully arranged with forks like a fan. Enon looked at Gakane as if seeing him anew.

"You... you're quite something. Was it Gakane, your name?"

"Yes."

"If only this fellow could be half as perceptive as you."

"Thanks for the compliment, but please don't say that. I actually prefer that Yuder isn't someone who just reads the room like me. Everyone has their own strengths, don't they?"

Gakane scratched the back of his head, smiling amicably. Enon clicked his tongue and then released Yuder's cheek, picking up a fork.

"Thank you. But I still have some things to discuss with this guy."

"Ah, I see. I'll leave you two then."

After Gakane left, Enon, munching on a lemon, began speaking.

"...That one, quick to catch on but lacking in confidence."

"He has improved quite a bit, though."

"That one? But, well... I see why you keep him around. Such types often break early."

People usually thought the good-natured Gakane was tolerating the gruff Yuder out of kindness, but Enon said the exact opposite. It wasn't just because he knew about Yuder's past, which was more mature in spirit than Gakane's. Enon, who could see through lies and truths and understand the essence of beings, must have seen the true nature of their relationship.

They were close colleagues and friends from the time they joined the Cavalry together, but also, from the perspective of Awakeners, Yuder was guiding the still inexperienced and aspiring Gakane.

Kanna too had grown under Yuder's training, but Gakane, with much stronger aspirations yet less confidence and overly selfless, needed someone strong to grab him by the scruff and lead him to find stability and grow comfortably. Therefore, Yuder had been carefully leading Gakane, ensuring he could follow without losing his way. That's why, even if it wasn't outwardly visible, Gakane too relied on Yuder as a mentor or senior in his own way.

Yuder replied with a faint smile on his lips.

"It used to be like that. But this time, it won't be."

"Just like I thought, he's someone from your past life, like me or yourself."

Enon, realizing Gakane was connected to Yuder's previous life, turned his gaze towards the closed door.

"By the way, were the events that happened this time something you already knew about?"

"In a way, yes, but also no."

Yuder knew there would be internal strife in the Star of Nagran. However, in his previous life, these events happened much later, and many of the other occurrences were different in both process and outcome.

Yuder reflected on the changed and failed events, yet here he was, sitting unharmed. When he discovered three cracks in the sky, which turned into one after Hosanna's death, everything felt incredibly distant. His mind was half-crazed with the thought that he must solve this, unable to see anything else, and it seemed like everything was rushing towards failure.

"Even now... it might just be a brief respite, an unknown moment of leisure between failures."

The number of cracks might have decreased from three to one, but the occurrence of the abnormal cracks was undeniable. If two such cracks appeared in quick succession, there was a high chance of another disaster striking the south soon.

Whether it be earthquakes and tsunamis like those Kishiar had prepared for, or something else entirely.

After sharing these thoughts, Yuder looked down at the ground, continuing his speech.

"But it's strange, after waking up and meeting others on my way down here, I don't feel as despondent as before."

"..."

"Well, of course, I'm still concerned about that incomprehensible dream with the white gloves and whether the Commander will recover... But anyway, the situation now seems quite different from what I had thought when I last saw the crack. No, significantly different."

Yuder muttered absentmindedly, then took a short breath with a huff.

"Am I being too lax because there were no deaths on our side, or did I actually suffer more mental than physical damage?"

"...Realizing that despairing in advance changes nothing is a good thing. Why worry about something so pointless? Didn't you say you've already prepared for it?"

Enon, responding brusquely, forcefully shoved a lemon into Yuder's mouth.

"Your Commander is neither dead nor internally shattered, so he should recover somehow. Eat this, and next time you encounter those white gloves in your dream or wherever it may be, just ask everything. That seems the most certain way."

"But they told me not to come back there."

"And you said you don't know how you got there in the first place, right?"

Enon snorted scornfully after his sharp remark, looking at Yuder who was unable to respond.

"Then you might end up going there again someday. If there's a connection between these abnormal cracks and your dreams of that fellow, the likelihood is even higher. Of course, I'd go crazy if you went in the same half-dead state as this time, but the first time you went, you weren't in such a condition."

"..."

"Ask when you see him. You said whatever you asked, he answered."

"...It's not that easy to just... Ugh."

Before Yuder could finish speaking, the lemon shoved into his mouth stopped him. He chewed on the sour lemon, wincing as it made his nose tingle. Enon laughed loudly at the sight.

"What's the harm! At least thinking that way is better than nothing! This is what you get for talking nonsense after all the trouble of saving you."