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Turning Chapter 902
🕑 Added 2024-02-14 04:33:53 +0000 UTCChapter 902
“Nice to meet you. I’m Yuder Aile, Assistant to the Cavalry Commander.”
It was a novel experience for Yuder Aile, serving not as the Commander, but as an assistant, to officially greet Gloe and Marin, who had just become members of the Cavalry. Of course, they wouldn't remember the past events.
Even if Yuder was the only one who remembered, it did not mean that these memories were meaningless. To Yuder, they held significant value.
"I would like to first thank those who, despite having passed the selection recently, volunteered to come here. The others will kindly inform you shortly about what you'll be doing here, so don't worry."
"Understood!"
Upon hearing Kishiar's words of gratitude, the faces of the new recruits from the eastern and western branches showed a mix of emotions: gratification, surprise, and excitement. The recruits from the southern branch, already accustomed to the Commander's demeanor, were not as startled.
'It's going to take some time to get used to all the unexpected things they're about to see, different from what they've heard or imagined.'
After the greetings were over, the members began to leave one by one. Yuder called out to Gloe and Marin, who were about to follow their respective branch members.
"Gloe, Marin. Could you stay for a moment?"
"Yes?"
"I have something personal to discuss with you."
Exchanging awkward glances, Gloe and Marin nodded. The other members whispered among themselves with interest.
"Oh... Are they the ones Yuder personally selected this time?"
"Exactly. It's no joke. Have you heard about their abilities?"
"Of course. One can bestow blessings with cards, and the other can make any plant grow instantly, regardless of location or target."
"Is that really true? Wow, that's insane. I'd love to spar with them soon."
"I was thinking the same..."
It was a positive sign that the members expressed a healthy competitive spirit rather than dark jealousy towards the newcomers with interesting abilities. While Gloe and Marin's eyes wavered slightly at their words, Yuder paid no heed.
After all, they too would eventually become just like the others after a year or so in the Cavalry.
When everyone else had left, only Gloe, Marin, Yuder, and Kishiar, who was leaning against the corner of a desk with his arms crossed at a distance, remained in the now spacious room. As Gloe and Marin kept stealing glances at the desk, Kishiar waved his hand with a carefree smile.
"Ah, don't mind me. The conversation you're about to have is with my assistant. I'm just a vase in the room, so to speak."
"A vase..."
Gloe muttered quietly.
Following Kishiar's example, Yuder treated him like a mere decorative vase and spoke without concern.
"It's been a while since we last met. I'm glad to see you both doing well. How have you found the Cavalry?"
"Honestly, until I got to the western branch, I wasn't sure if I could really make it... but it turned out to be a better place than I expected. I still don't quite understand what you saw in me to invite me to the Cavalry, but I wanted to come when you said you needed help."
Marin's candid response was followed by Gloe, who had been hesitating.
"I too... have found every day... enjoyable since I passed. The food is good too.... And... I heard that the blessing I gave you before... was helpful later on...."
"Ah. Yes, that's right."
Gloe's blessing had enabled Yuder to remain unharmed during a sudden onset of heat. While he naturally refrained from mentioning anything related to the heat period when sending updates to his colleagues, he did share how the blessing had been a great help in dealing with a pursuing group of assassin mercenaries.
"If it weren't for that blessing at that time, I would have been severely injured. I haven't had the chance to express my gratitude directly until now."
As Yuder bowed his head in thanks, Gloe was startled and waved her hands in protest.
"No, that's not why I did it..."
"Accept it. Even this vase here thinks it was a worthwhile deed," The giant vase chimed in the distance, making Gloe unsure of how to react and eventually nodding in acknowledgment to Yuder.
"So, why have you kept us here? We're just new recruits... Is there something specific you need us to do?"
Marin asked, raising her hand. Yuder nodded and began to explain.
"Of course, there is. First, Marin. Among the plants you can currently grow, do you have the ability to grow trees?"
"Trees... It's harder than growing brambles, but yes, I can do it."
"And the largest and tallest tree you can grow?"
"A Guwar tree, I suppose..."
Guwar trees were not exclusive to the west; they grew in the south as well and were often used as natural fences due to their dense growth, despite being thin, reaching several meters in height.
"That should suffice. How big and how fast can you grow them within a certain area?"
"A certain area... It's hard to say. I haven't done it to that extent yet. During the Cavalry entrance exam, I could grow a tree continuously for the duration it took a palm-sized hourglass to empty completely. It died quickly because I grew it in a hurry, though."
Marin's trees, which she had grown using her abilities, lasted just over a week before wilting. The plants she produced, though appearing similar to ordinary ones, had a completely different growth period and life span.
Usually, they grew and wilted much faster than normal plants, but the red thornbush that covered an entire field and led to barren land after her previous life's rampage had lasted much longer.
'Anyway... that should be enough.'
Yuder recalled facing Marin in a previous life. She had rapidly grown towering trees and dense poisonous thornbushes, creating natural barricades to block knights and the Cavalry, thereby protecting her allies with her tremendous power.
If she could use that power here, even to a lesser extent, it would surely be of help in the forthcoming disasters.
"That's enough. From now on, I would like you to use that power in designated places across the south. Is that possible?"
"...Trees in the south? How many am I supposed to grow?"
"As many as your power allows."
"That much? May I ask why trees are needed in the south in the first place?"
Despite applying to support the southern region, they were unaware of the Cavalry's preparations. Typically, support roles were imagined to involve supply or menial tasks.
However, what Yuder expected from them was far from such tasks.
"The Cavalry is currently preparing for the likelihood of various natural disasters striking across the southern region."
"Natural disasters..." Marin echoed, a hint of apprehension in her voice.
"A tree with deep roots and a tall stature can serve as the best wall even in the midst of storms and winds. Sometimes, they can also prevent landslides by holding onto loose soil."
Indeed, this was why her power was needed in the south, where the land was predominantly sandy with few large trees and the terrain was lower than the water level. After hearing Yuder's explanation, Marin pondered for a moment before nodding firmly.
"I understand. I'll give it a try. It seems like something only I can do."
"I, along with the other members, will provide you with the utmost support and assistance. We'll discuss the details as we progress with the work."
Yuder concluded the conversation, allowing Marin to leave first.
Now, only Gloe remained. Sensing Yuder's gaze, Gloe looked troubled.
"I... I can't grow trees or anything like that. Should I just provide daily blessings with my cards to the other members?"
"No. What I have in mind for you is entirely different."
"What would that be?"
"Your cards bestow necessary blessings on those who receive a reading. But, in some sense, the opposite is also possible, isn't it?"
Gloe's expression changed momentarily at Yuder's nonchalant revelation.
"How did you...? I didn't mention that during the entrance exam..."
"No power is entirely positive in its effects. That's just how it is."
He replied, but in truth, he knew this from his experiences in a previous life.
A shadow fell across Gloe's somber face at Yuder's words.
"You're right. Tarot readings are like that. Each card holds dual meanings. Take, for example, the Festival of the Trumpeting Jester I showed before... It can be a blessing that wards off imminent danger, but at times, it can also bring misfortune, making one more noticeable to enemies."
After saying this, Gloe cautiously asked.
"So... what exactly do you need from me?"
Comments
SchaheraZade
Why does it feel like they are more domestic now. Like they suddenly moved from boyfriends to married with a few hundreds of Cavalry kiddos? Can someone just drop the ball on them and say they are married. 😂
Léonie
Let’s admire the writing for a second : the way Marin speaks to Yuder is very unlike anybody else. She speak to him as an equal, like she would talk business with a guy the age of her younger brother, almost fearlessly\crudely. There isn’t the respect, awe, friendliness, contempt or fear that we get usually when one is confronting Yuder. She never saw him fight, train or menace someone. So it is very well written: her behavior is unique and it is coherent, even though she is not a major character. I find it very impressive.
