Turning Chapter 1129

Chapter 1129

Yuder felt the emotions flowing from Kishiar. They were complex and numerous emotions, too many to read completely, but much more discernible than before.

Surprise, as if feeling that what he had just heard was true. Deep sadness that followed, and anger directed at an unknown target. But within that, there clearly existed pain and ecstasy similar to what Yuder felt.

His joy and happiness that existed unchangingly like an unextinguished light, though faint from being secretly hidden.

All born because of Yuder Aile.

He was truly satisfied to be able to feel that fact.

Yuder looked at the face of the man who must be feeling the same emotions transmitted to him, took a deep breath, and opened his mouth again.

"According to your method as I know it, you would have wanted the chosen special piece to stay well hidden until it could fully demonstrate its ability, then fulfill its role on its own. If it had just gone as you had prepared everything for, it might have turned out as you wished."

"..."

"But the piece didn't move."

Kishiar had arranged Yuder to protect the Cavalry, but at the same time, he had arranged the Cavalry to protect Yuder. In other words, he had set up a relationship where both could benefit and grow together, and it had actually happened to some extent. Yuder, who became the Cavalry Commander, was able to gain the experience he lacked and honor that no one could touch, and the Cavalry grew greatly centered around the continent's strongest awakener, proving to the whole world that awakeners were useful beings.

But had he really raised Yuder to that position just to make him live as the Cavalry Commander for life? Yuder didn't think so. Based on his experience of playing countless tactical games with Kishiar, he wasn't someone who wanted such a simple path for his special piece.

'He probably thought I would leave the Cavalry once I had matured to some extent.'

Would someone like Kishiar really have discovered the potential for a wise ruler that no one knew about in Emperor Katchian? It made more sense that he had hoped that when Yuder grew enough to realize that fact, the special piece would break through the walls that had been hiding it on its own, and he had bought time with such a wish.

'Of course, setting aside the fact that the bait he used for that was himself.'

Unlike the time when he had no title or honor, after building sufficient fame as Yudrain Aile and dealing with political opponents while learning how situations unfolded, it wouldn't have been too difficult for Yuder to leave the empire on his own feet. By then, the Cavalry had already become an indispensable pillar of the empire, and along with that, the usefulness of awakeners had become widely known throughout the continent, eliminating the atmosphere of indiscriminate persecution.

What did it matter if Emperor Katchian tried to stop him? Even if there might be some shaking if Yuder left, the survival of awakeners themselves was no longer threatened as before, so if he wanted, he could really go anywhere and do anything.

However, Yuder chose neither option.

Without anyone telling him to do so, he clung to the Cavalry until death without letting go. While not particularly coveting money or honor, he only wanted to maintain the one thing that the man he had killed had left behind.

So he became the empire's human weapon, Katchian's dog.

'Probably... that's where things started to go wrong from what was expected.'

A special piece can move anywhere when the time comes, and can attack the enemy from anywhere. That means if lucky, it could even take down both king pieces in one go. What about the substitute piece? That piece could replace the dead king's piece, so it was a piece that could use attack methods only possible for the king's piece.

But what would happen if a piece that should move so freely doesn't move?

Isn't it no different from a dead piece, just existing on the board?

"What happened because the piece didn't move is the piece's fault. That's what I think."

"..."

The lips under his palm moved as if wanting to say something. Yuder lowered the hand that had been blocking his lips, signaling that it was okay to speak now. Kishiar, who had been blankly opening his lips that were still flushed red with remaining heat, slowly muttered.

"...Do you perhaps know the origin of the special piece and substitute piece?"

"No."

It was unexpected words, but he wasn't surprised. Kishiar was always like that.

"The concepts of the two pieces existed from long ago, but the names they were called and the rules for using them differed by region. The one who established them as they are now and unified them under one name was the great minister Farnacius."

Information about that name flashed through Yuder's mind.

"You mean the person who said there's no tool that makes stories as easy as tactical games?"

"Yes. He was an excellent politician and an outstanding tactical game player, but he lived very unluckily in his private life. His beloved lover Shelanaria was assassinated by political opponents, and the Secret Emperor, who was the only one to recognize his ability, was severely injured in an accident during battle and was in a coma for 7 years. Because even the position of empress was vacant, Farnacius had to lead the empire alone for 7 years, carrying out the emperor's great work by proxy."

"He was... quite unlucky."

"But even as she was dying, Shelanaria left behind information and evidence to help Farnacius, protecting him. The emperor eventually woke up and expressed great gratitude to the minister who had protected him and the empire."

One could say that everything ended well in the end, as he didn't die, maintained his honor, and received rewards. When the emperor tried to bestow rewards, Farnacius asked for no other reward than help in spreading tactical games more widely.

"As part of that distribution method, he integrated the rules of tactical games that had not been unified until then, and gave a single name to pieces that had been called by various names..."

"Were those the special piece and substitute piece?"

"Yes. There are a few more besides those, but."

After saying that, Kishiar raised the corners of his lips very slightly.

"In fact, the rules Farnacius set for the special piece and what it can do symbolize Shelanaria. It's meant to honor his lover who bravely acted without regard for infiltrating enemy territory herself to protect her loved one, only to have her identity revealed and be assassinated. Then who do you think the substitute piece represents?"

Even if only for a moment, a piece that can replace the fallen king's piece.

That would be...

"Farnacius himself, I suppose."

"Yes. Farnacius, who endured 7 years amidst numerous dangers while carrying out the duties of the emperor who couldn't wake up. Despite being an unrecognized noble's illegitimate child, he became a minister through ability alone, and even rose to the position of acting as emperor, yet didn't covet more and remained loyal to the end. He could be said to be the substitute piece itself."

Usually in such a situation, most people would have become blinded by greed, acting as if they had become emperor. However, Farnacius didn't indulge in excessive greed. He never forgot that his role was merely the emperor's spokesperson at most, remained loyal, and wisely led the empire even amidst danger, which is why he came to be called a great minister.

"..."

While Yuder was lost in thought, Kishiar broke his silence and continued speaking.

"The reason I told this story is... because I wanted to say that's why those two pieces can coexist within one piece."

As Yuder said earlier, there's no rule that a special piece and substitute piece can't be used simultaneously on one piece. It's really difficult, but if the conditions are met, it's possible. If successful, it would mean an extraordinary piece appearing, but the reason such an unfair piece wasn't prohibited was thought to be simply because it was too complicated and difficult for anyone to use.

But Kishiar shook his head and said that wasn't it.

"Farnacius clearly knew that if two pieces were contained simultaneously, a piece that could break all rules could appear. Knowing this, he deliberately made it possible and set very complex and detailed conditions. He recorded that process in his autobiography, and then wrote this."

A low voice echoed in Yuder's ears.

"-Together, we could do anything. But now our paths have been divided into this world and the next, so we can only be together again in this small board, in a momentary eternity."

A momentary eternity, the only thing that could unite lovers separated into this world and the next. That contradictory phrase remained particularly deeply in his mind. Yuder repeated the phrase in his mouth. Kishiar exhaled deeply and leaned his head against Yuder.

"The fact that I know this story means that the 'me' who placed expectations on you also knew this story. While outwardly showing nothing... looking at it now, it's really shameless beyond measure. Don't you think?"

"..."