Turning Chapter 818 (Patreon)

Chapter 818

"Assistant."

"Yes."

"Go out and assist the First Princess in escorting those ladies out. They clearly seem unfit to continue attending the funeral."

As the fighting had quieted down, Kishiar's voice effortlessly captured everyone's attention.

Expressions of shock as if questioning the sanity of his action, furrowed brows, murmurs, and whispers filled the air.

Yuder sensed this as the perfect opportunity to make a natural exit. With a single statement, Kishiar could put Duke Herne to shame while assisting Myra and facilitating his own departure. Truly, the art of his eloquence was unmatched.

And Duke Herne, finally acknowledging Kishiar's presence, turned his head.

"What a delight to see your face here."

Despite the impossibility of not having seen Kishiar upon entering, Duke Herne behaved as if he had just noticed him. Beneath his seemingly relaxed gaze lay a thick layer of unfriendly and condescending sentiment.

Yuder surmised that Duke Herne's late arrival was likely a calculated move to snub Kishiar in this manner.

'Given his past behavior, it wouldn't be surprising if his tardiness was just to ingeniously belittle and undermine others.'

Duke Herne's pretense of seeing Kishiar for the first time was undoubtedly offensive. However, Yuder had no concerns for Kishiar. In matters of wit and words, he believed firmly that no one could match the skill of Kishiar La Orr.

And indeed, Kishiar did not betray that belief.

"Oh! Duke Herne. Do you see me?"

"...What?"

"Sigh, what a relief. I was deeply concerned that your late arrival and avoidance of eye contact with others meant you couldn't recognize people anymore. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be the case, and one less worry for the Empire."

Duke Herne's eyes twitched momentarily, a sign of irritation. The southern nobles glanced at each other, their bodies tensing in the suddenly tense atmosphere.

Regardless, Kishiar simply smiled and gestured with his hand.

"But that aside, there are duties to be performed. What are you waiting for, assistant? Why aren't you following my command?"

"Understood."

Yuder bowed in agreement and moved forward. However, as he took a few steps, Duke Herne immediately raised his hand to stop him.

"This is my son's funeral. It's laughable for a third party to intervene in a minor family disturbance. I won't permit you to come any closer. Step back."

"He is not a third party but a distinguished guest. It was I who requested Duke Peletta to come here!"

It was Myra, not Kishiar, who interrupted Duke Herne. Until moments ago, she had been biting her lips in shock from her father's manipulations. But now, her eyes, sharp as blades even through her veil, clearly expressed her stance.

"I ordered their removal before you did, Father. When I said I would have the noisy ones escorted out and you said nothing, wasn't that an agreement with my decision?"

"Do you think all silence implies consent, Myra? Your meddling is excessive. It's understandable given your youth and lack of discernment, but now, step back. What will others think of you?"

"My words are not mere interference but a frank statement concerning the honor of the Herne family. If a word once spoken by a member of House Herne is so easily overturned, who would take Herne's words seriously? This was also something Father himself said."

With a defiant gaze towards her father, Myra boldly continued her speech, loud enough for all to hear. In the heavy atmosphere, akin to the depths of deep waters, no one dared to interrupt their conversation.

However, it was then that Kishiar burst into a loud laughter, piercing the silence.

"Duke Herne always had a way with interesting words! Wondering what others might think? Surely they would see the next heir of Herne as astute and well-educated, much like myself. Isn't that right, General Gino?"

Caught off guard, General Gino momentarily fell silent but soon joined in with a calm smile.

"Yes. I've been thinking the same. The young First Princess's abilities are remarkable. It’s said she played a significant role in stabilizing Charloin, and today proves these were not empty words."

"Truly, a great person comes from great parents."

With this, Duke Herne was put in a position where he could no longer casually oppose Myra's words. Any attempt to dismiss her now and flaunt his own influence would only make him appear ridiculous.

During Duke Herne's momentary silence, Myra drove the final nail.

"As Father says, I am still young. There may be times when my judgment is not clear. However, my sincere desire for the peace of Ashrav and my actions guided by my learning are genuine."

Myra then turned to address Yuder.

"Baron Aile, please assist in the removal of these people. It's a small task to ask of the assistant to the Commander of the Cavalry and the Hero of the West, but it cannot be helped."

This was the first time Myra had addressed Yuder as Baron Aile, a deliberate move to reveal his identity in front of everyone.

The nobles, now fully aware of Yuder's identity, began murmuring with a different undertone. Duke Herne, too, looked at Yuder as if realizing the person he considered no more significant than a pebble on the road was actually a living being.

A mix of discomfort and a hint of interest, along with a look of condescension, filled Duke Herne's eyes as he spoke.

"Aha, so the baron of common birth, the subject of rumors, is here."

"..."

"I've heard much about you. Catching a monster as large as a mountain without laying a hand on it. I was quite curious..."

His words trailed off, but his gaze conveyed a less than favorable intention. Yuder, with a deep and unresponsive gaze, simply looked back at Duke Herne.

Meeting that gaze, Duke Hern smirked and tilted his head.

"Indeed, my daughter speaks truth. Words spoken by a Herne must not be carelessly retracted, and that applies to my words as well. Therefore... perhaps I should add another request for the Hero of the West."

After saying so, Duke Herne cast a nervous glance at Ashrav's mother and the woman who had been slapped, observing them indifferently.

"You may escort them out. But do it quietly, without laying a hand on them, ensuring they leave on their own accord. I haven't seen the Awakeners ones up close, but if you bear the title of 'Hero of the West,' you should be capable of that much, right?"

"Father."

"Myra. I will not tolerate any more disturbances. As you wish."

Most people thought it an impossible request, deliberately set by Duke Herne. Even someone with great abilities, how could they possibly make those women leave quietly without touching them?

But at that moment, Yuder wasn't alarmed by Duke Herne's words. Instead, he was fixated on the violently shaking shadow cast over the coffin of Ashrav. It seemed that no one else in the church was aware of it due to the ongoing events, but Yuder could clearly sense it.

It was a danger signal from Gakane.

Something had happened, or was about to happen.

Simultaneously, as Yuder became aware of this, his skin prickled, and he acutely felt the air sharpen. Something was approaching from outside, heading towards them. Before Duke Herne could finish speaking, Yuder raised his hand high.

"---!"

At that instant, accompanied by an enormous noise, the giant stained glass window at the center of the chapel shattered into pieces.

"Ah!"

People screamed and rolled on the floor. The ground shook, and wind roared through. It was impossible to discern what had occurred as everything flickered black.

The congregation braced for an imminent impact. Many instinctively thought of death.

However, when the trembling subsided and they opened their eyes, they witnessed an astonishing scene.

Despite the massive stained glass window, three stories high, being completely shattered, no one inside the chapel was injured. This was because of a dome-shaped barrier, seemingly formed by water flowing from Yuder's outstretched hand, which protected everyone inside.

"...”

But that was not all. From his other hand, wind swirled fiercely, and the raised ground in front of him seemed to be stopped by an invisible force. The flames that had toppled over the coffin hovered in mid-air, burning nothing and not extinguishing, casting light around.

In a scene akin to a miracle, Yuder turned his head towards Duke Herne, who had fallen to the ground, and spoke.

"Did you just ask me to remove people without laying a hand on them?"

"..."

"It seems everyone can now leave through that hole over there."