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Turning Chapter 953
🕑 Added 2024-03-02 05:51:13 +0000 UTCChapter 953
It was just before dawn, as the first light of day was about to break, when people first felt the unusual tremors emanating from the depths of the sea and were hastily evacuated. Yuder entered the water a couple of hours later, after the Cavalry had assembled that morning.
Up until facing the fifth and sixth currents, the members of the Cavalry and the Imperial Army still had some energy left. They would hurriedly eat while on rotation, even managing to crack jokes amidst the tension.
However, when it came time to confront the ninth current, things were a bit different.
Unlike the seventh and eighth currents, which had come almost back-to-back, there was a significantly longer interval before the ninth arrived. The sun had begun to set after they dealt with the eighth, and as the night deepened without any news, the members secretly harbored hope that it might have ended there.
"Hey, remember during the hailstorm day? After a while, two of the cracks disappeared, right? Maybe this time, a few of them have... disappeared too?"
This was blurted out by one of the members, who stood facing the sea in wait.
"If that had happened, we would have heard from Yuder by now. The last report said there was no change. Don't get your hopes up," sharply pointed out someone else, but once the conversation started, it couldn't be stopped.
"No, but still, it's been hours since the tremors stopped... Maybe we've almost wiped out all the monsters. Look at the size of that mound over there. You'd believe it if someone said it contained all the monsters caught across the empire in a year."
A weary-faced member pointed towards a pile of monster carcasses not far away. It had reached a size where, if covered with soil, it could be mistaken for a small hill. Someone even joked about taking a post-dinner walk over there. Seeing not one, but five such enormous piles of carcasses, it was hard to imagine anything more could come forth.
"Members, you must be tired."
"Why don’t you eat some potatoes to regain your strength?"
This was suggested by some soldiers of the Imperial Army's Special Forces, who had squeezed into the conversation. They were seated near a campfire set up for those reaching their physical limits. Until just a moment ago, there hadn't been time for much conversation, as everyone was ready to spring into action at any signal. But once the conversation started flowing, it naturally continued.
"But... has the Commander's assistant really been underwater since this morning without coming up?"
"It seems so."
"How is that possible? Others have been rotating multiple times, coming here to replenish their strength and then going back."
"Right. I was wondering about that too. Did he even eat underwater? Isn't it dangerous to force him to keep going without a break...?"
Their questions, a mix of amazement and concern, led the Cavalry members to exchange looks. Truthfully, they too were astonished that Yuder had managed to stay underwater for such an extended period, and equally astounded by the immense power displayed in pushing back the giant currents, not once but eight times.
But all their astonishment culminated in one conclusion.
"It's a pointless question. It's Yuder Aile, after all."
"Well, it's just... Yuder, so maybe that explains it."
"The spirit of the Cavalry should be exactly like that."
What exactly was the spirit of the Cavalry? This was a recurring question among the Special Forces members ever since they met the Cavalry, yet no one had a clear answer.
In that moment, what struck them as amusing was the realization that, having heard it continuously, they were gradually coming to accept it as if they were becoming a part of it.
"Ah, yes. The spirit of the Cavalry... I see..."
"Sigh... Anyway, I wish it would either start again soon or finally come to an end."
These words were muttered softly by someone. This time, none of the members responded.
Kanna Wand and Gakane Bolunwald, standing a little distance away, were also observing this scene.
"Did you ever imagine it would take this long, Kanna?"
"No, I didn't."
Kanna shook her head. Her role had been to constantly travel between different areas, monitoring and adjusting, while Gakane was assigned to protect her, lacking combat skills herself.
"This is serious. Everyone looks utterly exhausted. It's not like the number of people at their physical limit suddenly increased..."
"When you're constantly training, you're too distracted to feel tired, but once you sit down to rest, you don't want to get up again. Even if you still have the energy to train. It's probably a similar feeling to that."
"I suppose so."
Gakane Bolunwald, whose resilience was even acknowledged by Yuder, had never felt the reluctance to rise again in such a situation. However, having seen many colleagues struggle in these circumstances, he could roughly understand it.
'...This really is a problem.'
And Kanna, with Gakane by her side, frowned as she entertained a thought she couldn't voice.
'During training, even if you feel like this, your life isn't in danger. But it's different now.'
Although Commander Kishiar was rotating the members based on Kanna's reports, taking into account what they couldn't express verbally, it preserved their physical strength but couldn't prevent their spirits from weakening.
Until now, there had been no time to worry about their spirits loosening under the relentless onslaught, but the sudden lull was problematic. No matter how experienced and skilled, it's impossible to maintain tension indefinitely.
'...Except for Yuder. And maybe Commander and Nathan Zuckerman...'
Kanna glanced at Kishiar and Nathan Zuckerman, who were talking not far away. Her ability, which she had opened to read the influx of information from all around in a shallow and wide manner, allowed her to realize that they, unlike the others, were still in the same state as at the beginning.
From them, she could not sense any exhausted murmurs or unconscious sighs.
Although she knew that a swordmaster possessed extraordinary physical endurance, experiencing it in this way was something she hadn't anticipated. Their mental fortitude was terrifyingly impressive.
'But we're not that extraordinary. Everyone's holding up for now, but if this wait gets any longer... Hmm. I hope I'm not over-worrying.'
Kanna sighed and approached Kishiar. Initially, she had intended to wait until their conversation ended to report, but seeing her colleagues growing more fatigued without any development, she decided it might be better to speak up now.
Indeed, what more could Kishiar do in this situation? But expressing even the smallest worry seemed better than keeping silent, whatever it might be.
That was one of the lessons Kanna Wand had learned after the day of the hailstorm.
"Commander, I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation."
As she approached, Kishiar, unsurprised, turned his gaze towards her. Kanna took a moment to catch her breath, briefly reported on the situation in other regions she had read about on her way over, and then hesitantly brought up the sentiments she had just discerned among her colleagues.
"It seems that after the eighth current, with hours passing without any incident, people are feeling increasingly fatigued. They're not being complacent, but I think that perhaps..."
"Commander! There's news from the sea!"
Just then, a message arrived from a ship stationed at sea. It was a communication sent by Yuder.
"It seems the monsters are about to emerge again. The tremors are intensifying."
"Understood."
Kishiar raised his hand, launching a signal flare from a magic device. The movements of those who had been somewhat lax instantly became coordinated and swift.
Kanna had thought that the Commander would simply turn away, but instead, he turned his head and asked her.
"Kanna, what were you about to say?"
"Eh? Oh...! I was going to mention that the continued waiting seems to be causing a rapid increase in mental fatigue among the other members, and that some response might be needed. But seeing them now... it seems I might have been overly concerned."
"Not at all."
The Commander gave an unexpected reply.
"Really?"
"Maintaining tension for such a long time isn't easy for anyone. The gap after the eighth was long, and this was to be expected."
"Oh, I see. You already knew."
"But knowing and being able to read and feel it as clearly as you did are different matters. Your report wasn’t excessive."
Kanna’s ears reddened slightly. Kishiar continued speaking quietly.
"Even the sturdiest shield will eventually be breached if it keeps taking hits. But if the one holding the shield knows when that might happen, the risk of a fatal blow at the moment of breach is greatly reduced. Wouldn't you agree?"
If one could retreat appropriately, even if damage was taken, it could be minimized. Kanna understood what the Commander was trying to convey.
"...Yes, you're right."
"The ninth will likely be the toughest battle. Be careful."
Kishiar patted Kanna's shoulder and drew his sword. Kanna saluted firmly, still not accustomed to the enduring beauty of the man she had observed almost all year.
Gakane hurried to her side.
"...Kanna! The monsters are coming again soon. Let's go."
"No, Gakane. This time, it's better to stay here instead of retreating."
"What? Why?"
Until now, they had always retreated early to the back when monsters approached, knowing they would not be of help. However, Kanna thought that this battle, potentially the hardest for everyone, might be when they were needed the most.
"Even with utmost caution, there comes a time when you face it. If that time is now, I want to do whatever I can."
Comments
Tgcf_fan
Love to see the growth in everyone 🥹
Chibiyeon
Yuder is Calvary's mascot lol
Shivanee
Is the spirit of the cavalry simply... Yuder? 😆 Yuder has evolved into a spirit that will be central part of the Cavalry's myths for years to come! 😂 Also "all year"?!?! Has it finally been a year?? What a long ass year...
