Chapter 554

She had no intention of failing the mission entrusted to her.

"No one's getting past this point, no matter who they are. I'll make sure of it."

The lack of clear information on the awakened intruders was because they had meticulously hidden their true forms and infiltrated indirectly through manipulation.

At first, they had used small animals that anyone would let their guard down around. They successfully controlled a person through these animals, causing a domino effect—like a contagious disease—that sowed chaos among those guarding the Sun Palace, allowing them to easily achieve their goal.

They probably wouldn't have chosen this method had they known about Kanna, but it was clear that Kanna needed to employ a completely different method of reading to discover more about them.

She couldn't bear it—not being of any help, especially when it was something well within her abilities, not something that pushed her physical limits.

'I've really become a full-fledged member of the Cavalry, haven't I?'

But what was so odd about wanting to accomplish a task entrusted to her because she alone was deemed capable of doing it?

Kanna thought of the insignia of the Deputy Commander of the Cavalry that she treasured and kept close to her heart. Being true to the Cavalry was nothing strange. It was, rather, something to be proud of.

Her formidable will surged within her, spreading even more widely in accordance with its master's will.

She needed to read further. Faster, more precisely, and gather more useful information. About the past, the present, and even what would happen in the future through all of it!

"Over there! Below that wall...!"

As Kanna sprinted and pointed to one side, Nathan Zuckerman immediately leaped forward, sword in hand, with an entirely different level of energy. He moved as if weightless, precisely skewering a small something that had tried to hide in the intricate walls and dark floor.

What was revealed beneath the blade was a single rat.

"Over there too!"

"Be careful, Adjutant Zuckerman!"

Following Kanna's direction, Gakane immediately dispatched a shadow to locate and kill another rat in the vicinity. Both rats expelled a red mist from their mouths just before dying, but no one present was fazed by it.

"Two rats. This can't be all of them."

"The rats are numerous and small, making them ideal for scouting. They probably haven't found the Emperor yet."

"Can you read the locations of all the scattered rats?"

"Questioning whether I can do it or not is meaningless at this point. Of course, I will."

Even as she panted for breath, not a single crack appeared in the resolve present in Kanna's voice. Nathan Zuckerman looked at the two Cavalry members, who had once anxiously followed him around like children, with newfound awe.

"Very well, proceed then. If you can pinpoint their locations, it's better for us to gather and eliminate them quickly rather than disperse."

"Yes. Now that we have a lead, I'll continue reading."

"Kanna! Before we go again, you're sweating a lot. Take this."

Gakane took advantage of a brief moment to hand Kanna a handkerchief, then surveyed their surroundings.

"Even if you locate the direction of the invading rats, they are too small and fast to chase down. From now on, instead of killing them, I'll focus on spreading my shadows widely to act like a net, blocking any escape routes."

"Killing and protecting you two will be my responsibility."

Roles were quickly and efficiently divided. Kanna rejected Gakane's offer to carry her if she got tired, stuffing a handkerchief into her nose as she yelled in a nasal voice, "Follow me!"

...

Meanwhile, the trio was chasing hidden intruders within the palace.

Several 'healers' had gathered in a guest room located in the most remote corner of Bright Palace, where the Crown Prince resided. They were staying overnight under the pretext that the Crown Prince's treatment was taking longer than expected, but this, of course, was an excuse.

Although they had entered the palace as healers, they were actually Awakeners. And tonight, they were obliged to do something different, acting upon a request from a high-ranking noble who had summoned them here.

The Awakeners sat in a circle, holding hands, their eyes closed as they twitched and occasionally moved their bodies significantly while continuing to use their abilities. Among them, one Awakener opened his eyes with a start, panting and frowning.

"Damn it. Can't get a proper read on it. At first, it spread faster than I thought, but now it's almost entirely vanished... I can't really tell, but the ones we're dealing with seem like they might be from the Cavalry."

"How many are left?"

"Still over ten."

"Isn't that good enough? The important work is supposed to be done by Diemon, anyway. You just need to shake them up a bit and find the location."

"Damn, but they're too fast... Ah, we lost another one!"

One of the Awakeners complained with a scowling face and a cough.

Diemon, who had been sitting quietly with a timid face, turned his head as his name was mentioned. He wanted to join the conversation, but no one made eye contact with him. While he hesitated, the Awakeners had moved on to another topic.

"Juve. Is the barrier you planted still intact? How is it?"

"It's fine as long as the object I infused my power into isn't broken."

"How are they finding us so well? Is it really the Cavalry?"

"No way. There's no chance they knew we'd be involved. How could they?"

Uneasiness flickered among the Awakeners. As worry began to spread subtly, another Awakener raised his voice to shift the atmosphere.

"Look, we're just doing what we were asked to do. No one knows we're here. The Sage said this was necessary for all of us, so why wouldn't we do it?"

"Well, that's not... that's not the point."

"We could end up failing our mission, and everyone we've sent out could die."

"The Sage must've thought of that, too. Just do as you're told. Do you think opportunities like this come easily?"

"It's easy for you to say when you're not doing much..."

One of the grumbling Awakeners glanced towards the closed door.

"When exactly is the Sage returning? It seems like the conversation with the Crown Prince is taking too long."

"The Sage was extremely pleased to be staying with the Crown Prince. It's natural for their conversation to be lengthy."

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and the person they had been waiting for finally appeared.

"I apologize for the delay."

"Sage!"

"No need to apologize, Sage!"

As the Sage returned, the Awakeners regained their composure. With bright smiles, they collectively welcomed the Sage's return.

The sage listened to the voices of those eagerly reporting the progress of their tasks and encouraged them with a warm tone.

"It's alright. There is nothing wrong with the work you are doing. Even if you fail, it's not your fault. As you have always done, I'm certain that you'll achieve what you aim for this time as well. Trust in each other, and trust in yourselves."

Hearing this voice that seemed to be a blend of all the warmth and trust in the world, the eyes of the Awakeners immediately softened. For a moment, they all forgot why they had been anxious just a minute ago.

The atmosphere among the Awakeners, now refocused on their tasks, had completely shifted.

"One of the objects containing sealing power has shattered. But there are still others remaining, so we should be fine."

"I'll channel more power."

"Two more rats have died. But... ah, I think I've figured it out. The location of the mysterious door they are guarding!"

The Awakener who was sensing the movements of the rats rapidly rolled his eyes behind closed lids and shouted with difficulty. The mood grew tense, but the Sage responded calmly.

"Well done. Now send a rat infused with the blood of a bird there. And Diemon."

"...Yes."

"Your turn. Are you ready?"

Diemon exhaled a shaky breath. He was caught between tremendous fear and exhilaration, knowing that the Sage had faith in him.

'No matter how much the others belittle my abilities, calling them petty and akin to a petty thief, I am the chosen one in the end.'

"Yes. As long as the location is confirmed, I can send the 'little bird' that I've summoned to observe all that happens there."

"Very good."

The sage smiled at Diemon.

"Now! Burst the rat!"

As the shout of the one controlling the rat resounded, everyone in the room felt a minor explosion of energy.

Diemon also closed his eyes, summoning all his strength to fully utilize the 'ability to control monsters' that he had duplicated.

...

Keilusa La Orr abruptly regained consciousness amid faint darkness.

He realized, to his immense surprise, that the terrible pain that had tormented him for so long was no longer there.

'Have I finally died?'