"To receive such praise from a mentor known for his stinginess with compliments… I’m not quite sure what to do with myself. But tell me, General."

"Yes?"

"You didn’t happen to hear the rumor that I’m not the only Swordmaster, did you?"

"...Excuse me?"

General Gino blinked.

"I thought word had already gotten around. That I wasn’t the only one here who’s used aura with a blade."

"Well… I did hear something to that effect, but naturally, I assumed it had been exaggerated…"

It wasn’t strange that General Gino thought so. Ordinary folks, knowing nothing about the sword, had eagerly believed the rumor that two Swordmasters had emerged. But anyone with even a little knowledge of the sword arts would think it was impossible.

There was once a time, it’s said, when there were dozens of Swordmasters just within the Empire alone. But now, you’d be hard-pressed to find ten across the entire continent. The number of those who revealed themselves and actively operated in public was even smaller.

In Yuder’s previous life, the ancient Ordo Empire tradition—“only a Swordmaster may be appointed as a general”—had already been broken after Commander Muker and the very same General Gino. With no new Swordmasters, they had no choice but to appoint others instead.

‘Emperor Kachian took that as a huge disgrace.’

Because of that, Yuder Aile, Commander of the Cavalry, had to personally spar—and fight, really—against Swordmasters from beyond the borders, all to prove that the Empire’s military strength remained formidable even without its own Swordmasters.

So if someone like General Gino, who understood better than anyone the sheer rarity of a Swordmaster, had immediately believed such a rumor, it might have cast doubt on his judgment.

"It’s not an exaggeration. It’s all true."

Kishiar delivered the truth to the general with a bright and cheerful voice.

"The other is none other than my aide, Nathan Zuckerman, standing right here beside me."

Standing just behind Kishiar, Nathan Zuckerman bowed his head calmly, as if utterly indifferent to the shocked stares directed at him by the general and his subordinates. Yuder had briefly wondered how Nathan might feel about his identity being exposed, but surprisingly, he didn’t seem fazed at all.

To be precise, it felt more like—as long as it was Kishiar’s will—it didn’t matter to him whether his power was revealed or not, or whether others believed it. He simply didn’t care.

General Gino stared at Nathan as if he couldn’t believe it.

"My God… You? Really?"

"…"

"I still remember you as the little page boy… I assumed, when I heard you’d become a knight and aide, it was just an honorary position handed out of kindness. How could this be… What in the world happened?"

"It wasn’t luck, General. Nathan’s talent and potential were simply that exceptional."

It wasn’t Nathan who answered, but Kishiar.

"Do you remember, General? When you used to teach me the sword long ago, Nathan would always be watching from behind."

"Ah… Yes. I remember. You insisted your page be allowed to observe, even bet me over it, didn’t you?"

"I did. Even back then, Nathan could copy everything I learned just by watching me go through it again. He had the eyes and instinct of a true swordsman."

Kishiar chuckled like a mischievous child.

"A seed that was always destined to grow simply blossomed in full. I used to lament that such a talent was wasting away at my side, but I’m glad I can finally introduce him properly."

General Gino seemed genuinely moved by those words.

After staring at Nathan Zuckerman in silence, lost in thought, the general slowly nodded and bowed his head solemnly.

"I thought the legacy of swordsmanship in this country had reached its end… But I see now it was my own narrow vision that kept me from seeing clearly. Just as I learned much when you formed the Cavalry, I’m learning again now."

"Haha, I don’t recall saying anything that profound."

"No, you made that remark knowing full well I was about to ask that knight for a demonstration in aura sparring, didn’t you? You preempted me."

"Hmm? Was I?"

Kishiar tilted his head, blinking innocently. He looked entirely sincere.

Even Yuder had to admit that it was probably just as the general said—Kishiar had anticipated it and acted first.

‘Well, there’s no need to demand a demonstration from Nathan Zuckerman just to prove he’s a real Swordmaster. ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) That would be interrogation, not honor.’

"Sir Nathan Zuckerman. It’s truly regrettable—and I owe you an apology—for only now recognizing your talent."

"I don’t believe there’s any need for you to apologize, General. I was taught that a knight’s purpose isn’t to seek recognition from others."

Nathan’s reply was brief, clean, and to the point. Seeing that, General Gino looked at him as though seeing a completely different person, scanning him up and down.

But Kishiar wasn’t finished.

"General. Have you not heard any of the rumors that made it down South? About the Cavalry’s own hero?"

"...Ah. Are you referring to the member who was said to have played a major role in the West?"

This time, Gino’s voice and expression held a subtle tinge of awkwardness. Yuder could easily guess that along with those rumors, he’d likely heard all kinds of scandalous gossip involving him.

"Yes. Without him, even a Swordmaster wouldn’t have been able to handle the downpour of massive monsters so swiftly and cleanly. Not only that, but he’s an exceptional swordsman in his own right. Since he happens to be here today, why not greet him? I believe the two of you have met before."

"...Is that so?"

Gino blinked at the mention that they had met. He looked around the office where many members of the Cavalry had gathered as usual.

Yuder assumed he would be recognized immediately, standing near Kishiar. But the general glanced over him just once, then calmly looked away.

"Hmm…"

Gino’s gaze passed over Yuder and drifted toward unfamiliar faces. His eyes paused for a beat on the members he’d seen during the Red Stone recovery mission.

Finally, his gaze landed on the person who, to him, looked the most "heroic."

It was none other than the Cavalry’s own rose: Kachien Bollenvalt, with her brilliant red hair, sparkling green eyes, charming beauty, and toned physique.

"Is it that one? I remember thinking she was unusually striking even at a glance… With that sort of appearance, I suppose it’s easy to understand—well—why the rumors got so out of hand."

"...Ah…"

"...Pfft!"

As Gino locked eyes with her, Kachien looked horrified, while the surrounding members bit their lips and turned away in a panic. They were clearly struggling to hold back laughter.

"You’re looking in the wrong direction, General. My aide is right here beside me."

"Eh?"

Snapped out of his assumptions, Gino turned sharply, and Kishiar smiled radiantly.

Yuder stood silently, waiting as Gino belatedly turned to him.

"I—wait, him? The young man who supposedly took down massive monsters alone and became famous throughout the capital for his remarkable… appearance? I just assumed…"

The general’s gaze bounced back and forth between Kachien and Yuder. It was obvious he had never once considered that Yuder might be the man behind the rumors.

"You heard the right rumor, but got the wrong impression. My aide has the physique, the power to slay monsters, and more than enough beauty to spare, doesn’t he?"

"Ah—well, I suppose… he is quite tall and… neat-looking, yes, he’s rather handsome…"

Putting aside everything else, calling Yuder Aile "overflowing with beauty" while Kachien was standing right there was… problematic. Trying to salvage the situation, Yuder let out a sigh and finally spoke.

"Commander, I think that’s enough teasing. It’s only making things more uncomfortable."

"Teasing? I’ve never once said anything insincere about my aide."

"If you make the general any more embarrassed, I might have to leave the room."

"Now, we wouldn’t want that."

Kishiar straightened up with a dazzling smile.

General Gino let out a soft sigh, then gave Yuder a small nod of gratitude with a look in his eyes.

After that, the conversation returned to business as smoothly as a flowing river.

Gino decided to stay at the Southern military base in Sharloin, not far from the Cavalry branch, and promised full cooperation with the Cavalry going forward. He seemed to take the potential recurrence of rifts and monsters very seriously.

As he prepared to leave, Gino looked between Nathan Zuckerman and Yuder Aile once more, eyes thoughtful, before offering a cryptic farewell.

"I had begun to think perhaps it was time I retired… but after seeing such talent with my own eyes today, I’m starting to reconsider. Next time, I’ll come visit again—with the aide who, unfortunately, couldn’t accompany me this time."

Once Gino and the others had exited, Yuder used the quiet moment alone with Kishiar to speak up.

"I didn’t realize General Gino was considering retirement. Maybe that’s the reason he disappeared in the previous game as well."

"Could be."

"By the way… do you know who the aide he mentioned is? It sounded important."

If he made a point to mention bringing them next time, it had to mean something.

"I believe it’s Gino’s prized student—his heir. I heard the boy has considerable skill. Some even speculated he might become a future Swordmaster, alongside the Imperial Guard Captain. Gino’s been worried lately because his progress has slowed, so perhaps he wants to broaden his horizons."

‘Gino’s heir, huh. Could it be… that guy?’

Yuder recalled the man who succeeded Gino as the Southern general in his previous life. The first to be appointed general without being a Swordmaster—his appointment had caused quite a stir. Yuder barely remembered his face since the man rarely came to the capital, but his impression of him wasn’t good.

That general had never cooperated well with the Cavalry, and every incident had been more difficult because of it.

‘He wasn’t the only one like that, but just thinking about the Southern Earthquake and what came after still pisses me off.’

"Can you tell me his name?"