Chapter 887

A carriage that ran on its own power and a door that could traverse through space. Among the abilities possessed by the Awakeners, these were all existing abilities. Abilities related to teleportation had already existed; the deceased Hosanna and the Eldore siblings had them, and they would continue to appear frequently. The power to momentarily accelerate carriages or horses to the speed of the wind was also known in Yuder’s previous life.

However, if these abilities could be permanently harnessed through magic tools, what changes would ensue? Yuder couldn't fully imagine it, but if it was as Kishiar said, a tremendous transformation across the continent seemed likely. For the first time in a long while, he felt a meaningful chill run down his spine and then fade away.

'But for such a day to come...'

There were still immediate tasks to attend to.

Yuder's gaze hardened, a slight change from before, which Kishiar noticed with a smile.

"Your eyes seem resolute. What are you thinking about?"

"I'm not sure if the magic tools you mentioned can truly be created, but the prospect of witnessing a world unlike any we've seen before is exciting. That's why... I've resolved to do my part until that day comes."

"Weren't you already working diligently before?"

"It's different now. Before..."

Yuder paused mid-sentence, a fleeting epiphany crossing his mind.

'Yes, back then...'

"Previously, my focus was on preventing a repeat of the old game. But now... I yearn to see a future beyond what I know."

Indeed, more precisely, he longed to see a future brimming with peace and new possibilities, a stark contrast to the decaying world Yuder remembered.

Was it possible for one's heart to change so profoundly, simply by desiring to see more? The will to see the world created by Kishiar and Emperor Keilusa, who survived and not dying, were part of this. But the existence of new magic tools seemed to offer a more tangible shift in perspective.

As Yuder spoke, Kishiar nodded, seemingly understanding.

"The desire to change the past and the curiosity to see the future both provide ample motivation to live earnestly in the present. However, I suspect the latter brings more joy."

"Joy... I see."

This was a convincing reason. Yuder wasn't one to optimistically speculate without basis, but this perspective was indeed more intriguing and promising.

"So, when do you plan to rise and join us? Ever and the other members are lamenting that they might forget what you look like."

"Really? I thought everyone preferred my absence."

Usually, subordinates prefer working without their superior. Yuder recalled his time as a Cavalry Commander; his presence often filled the members with tension, rendering them stiff and uncomfortable, hence he seldom worked alongside them. However, Kishiar was different. He was popular among the lower ranks, often disregarded by those above.

It wasn't just his amiable personality or his leniency towards mistakes that made him popular. Kishiar was a beacon of hope and confidence for those who followed him.

Even in his previous life, when Yuder had been less attentive to the Cavalry, the shadow he cast over his members was significant. How could he say such a thing?

Yuder, suppressing the urge to speak, shook his head.

"Perhaps in other places, but the Cavalry is different."

Kishiar's lips curled into a mischievous smile. Despite his words, he seemed quite pleased to hear that the members missed their leader.

"Indeed. I'm actually eager to join everyone. But as you can see, I still require excessive sleep. It's proof that my vessel has not fully recovered. Once I can reduce it to the sleep duration of an ordinary person, I plan to descend."

"About that, I've fully recovered myself, so perhaps now would be a good time to examine your internals. I intended to mention this when you awoke."

"Now?"

"Yes."

As Yuder replied firmly, Kishiar pondered for a moment and then nodded.

"Alright. But don't overdo it. Just a check."

"..."

Yuder couldn't promise that. Nevertheless, he nodded slightly and changed his position. He stepped out of the bed and placed his hand on Kishiar's abdomen, who lay flat. Closing his eyes and following a now-familiar method, he soon felt changes in his body.

Unlike before, when dark red vein-like streaks spread over his hand as the process progressed, this time he felt a stirring power beyond his hand, reaching beneath his abdomen.

The image of the dark red veins spreading over the belly flashed in Yuder's mind.

'...Not pain, not yet. Just a flow.'

It was okay. With that thought, several colored energies surfaced over Kishiar's abdomen, spreading rapidly like a map. The speed was remarkably faster and smoother than before, which had presented some resistance as if rejecting an intruder.

Even though the process of opening up to each other had sped up over repeated interactions, this level of speed was unprecedented. Kishiar blinked in surprise.

"...It's much faster than before."

"Indeed."

It seemed that surpassing the limits of using the power of the Red Stone on the Hail Night had indeed changed his body. Not only had the total amount of power increased, but the ease and speed of handling the original form of the Red Stone's power were incomparably faster than before.

'If it's a good thing, then so be it...'

For now, the priority was to examine Kishiar's internals. Yuder cleared his mind of distractions and focused on the scene unfolding before him.

The four powers that occupied Kishiar's internals remained in the same positions as before.

The white divine power, the blue aura, the golden magic, and the red Awakener's power.

However, unlike before, when these powers maintained a semblance of balance, intertwined yet evenly spread, now each was significantly diminished and faint. As all the powers had decreased, the vessel-like heart clustered near the solar plexus had also shrunk in size, and the protective Awakener's power enveloping it was barely discernible.

'Perhaps this is the reason for the slow recovery.'

Power tends to accumulate and recover over time. Thus, Kishiar's assertion that recovery was merely a matter of time wasn't entirely incorrect. However, Kishiar found himself in a peculiar situation, where the vessel, on the verge of cracking, was being protected and held together by the power of the Awakener, which he had wrapped around it using his own abilities. It seemed inadvisable for this state to persist for too long.

'Then, perhaps replenishing the power of the Awakener first would be the better course of action.'

Kishiar himself had mentioned that any imbalance among the four powers, whether an increase or decrease in any one of them, would be problematic. But it might be more crucial to restore the power protecting the vessel. After all, a strong core is essential for any further action.

Yuder shared this line of thought with Kishiar.

"So, if you agree, Commander, I propose we contact the capital and arrange for the remaining Red Stone mediums stored in the imperial palace to be brought here as quickly as possible."

There were several mediums left in the imperial palace, aside from those Yuder had used during the Emperor of Keilusa's Awakening operation. If they could transfer the pure power contained within these mediums to Kishiar, it would significantly expedite the replenishment of the Awakener's power in the vessel.

"The energy within me is part of it, but when it comes to the power of the Awakener, your judgment has never been wrong. Very well. I shall contact His Majesty immediately."

"I'll fetch paper and a quill for the letter."

"No, that won't be necessary."

"Commander?"

"Actually, His Majesty and I have been communicating through a faster, more secret method."

Kishiar said this and then, softening his eyebrows, he smiled playfully.

"You, of all people, should know what that means, right?"