Turning
chapter-738

'Don't bother about that guy. Next time, just leave him be and let me know what he says.'

While the details of the past between Yuder and Sir Kiolle da Diarca were unknown, that reply had left a lasting impression.

Ever turned his gaze away from Kiolle. Among the nobles near Duke Diarca and Kiolle, only one stood out: their target, Baron Renbow.

Ever scanned the surroundings, searching for the Eldore siblings and Revlin, but the trio was nowhere to be seen. Then, a faint whisper, as if someone was right beside his ear, reached him.

-Deputy Commander. We are not there but on the opposite side, near the watermill.-

Following Revlin's voice, Ever's eyes were drawn to a small ornamental stream beside the walkway by the lake and a pretty watermill beside it. Behind it, three children peeked out, noticing Ever's gaze, and then quickly disappeared.

With a sense of relief, Ever spoke to Pruelle.

"They are over there by the watermill. Can you see them?"

"Ah... Yes. But, Miss Beck, could you perhaps put me down now...?"

Pruelle, still awkwardly held in Ever's arms, murmured with a strained smile. Only then did Ever realize she was still holding her and was startled.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I forgot to put you down. Were you uncomfortable?"

"Not at all. Well, not that I meant you should keep holding me, but now that you have put me down, it's fine. Yes, I'm quite alright."

Though Pruelle's usual ladylike demeanor slipped, fortunately, no one around them seemed to notice. Once on the ground, she took a few deep breaths and, feigning nonchalance, gestured to Ever.

"Let's sit on that bench over there. I'll pretend to feel dizzy, and you, Miss Beck, take out the parasol to shade us and pretend to wipe my face with a handkerchief to avoid attention."

"Yes."

They sat at a safe distance, keeping an eye on Duke Diarca's party.

'Baron Renbow keeps speaking to Duke Diarca, but the Duke's party doesn't seem too pleased. I heard Baron Renbow was part of the Duke's noble faction... Could this not be a pre-arranged situation?'

She wished she could hear their conversation more clearly when, timely, Revlin's voice reached her again.

-Deputy Commander. We can hear them better from our side. It seems like Duke Diarca's party wasn't expecting to encounter Baron Renbow here today. It could be an act from the Duke, but I don't think so.-

"Why?"

Ever murmured, not expecting Revlin to hear and reply, but to his surprise, the answer came from nearby.

"Because there are no other nobles around Duke Diarca and Sir Kiolle."

"I see, but what does that have to do with anything? Could it not be that they deliberately didn't bring attendants to meet secretly?"

"Hmm... Miss Beck. Duke Diarca doesn't need to take such precautions if he doesn't want to. If he had intended to meet Baron Renbow, he could have done so more comfortably elsewhere than in the outskirts of the Fourth Wall District. The fact that he came here with only one of his sons, who isn't even the eldest, and a minimal entourage, suggests that he might genuinely be here for personal relaxation. If other nobles were around, it might be different, but that doesn't seem to be the case now."

"Mmm..."

In other words, in the eyes of the nobility, if there was an intention to meet someone away from prying eyes, this place and situation wouldn't have been chosen.

Baron Renbow continued to speak with a smile, but Duke Diarca's expression remained cold. He looked utterly bored and barely glanced at Renbow.

It seemed that Kiolle, the Duke's son, was more engaged in the conversation with Renbow, although not in a particularly friendly manner, but rather with a sense of caution.

'I'm curious about what they're discussing. If the sages' party is nearby as I expect, where could they be hiding?'

Continuing to wait for intermittent updates from Revlin's side didn't seem efficient. Ever pondered for a moment before coming to a decision.

'It's not bad to watch from a hidden spot without arousing suspicion, but it might be better to move around. Even if it's risky, we need a more detailed understanding of the enemies' movements.'

It was a decision to increase the risk level, but Ever, assessing her and her comrades' capabilities, thought it was a risk worth taking.

'Had it been the old me, I wouldn't have thought this way in such a situation. It's quite astonishing, really.'

Training with the Cavalry had made Ever realize she was more daring than she had thought. Initially overwhelmed by the responsibility as a Deputy Commander, she now found the burden somewhat enjoyable. It felt like discovering a hidden talent within herself.

'I remember wondering back when I first joined if I would ever face Kiolle of Diarca like Yuder did... Now, facing a great noble doesn't scare me at all.'

She smiled subtly and then spoke up.

"Elle, would it be possible for you to transform again?"

Pruelle closed his eyes as if gauging his condition, then nodded.

"Yes, I can. You want to get closer to Duke Diarca's side, right?"

"Yes. It's risky, but it seems like the best option."

"It's okay. I was thinking the same. You're asking because my ability is best suited for this, right? Just being acknowledged for that makes me feel really good."

Pruelle scanned the surroundings and then grinned, a playful smile that seemed slightly out of character for a lady.

"We'll need to move a bit. The lady will leave her escort behind for a while."

Ever and Pruelle rose from the bench and entered a secluded path, unnoticed by others. Pruelle stepped behind a large tree and reemerged seconds later, transformed into a robust knight, identical in appearance to those guarding Duke Diarca.

"I borrowed the appearance of one of Duke Diarca's knights who was controlling the area by the lake. He wasn't near the Duke at the time, so he's probably elsewhere now. It's hard to maintain the appearance of someone I've only seen once for long, but since knights move around and keep watch, getting close for a short time shouldn't arouse too much suspicion."

"Understood. If there's trouble, run right away. I'll watch and support you."

"That's reassuring. Then, could you please look after Nipollen for a moment?"

Ever gently took the small cat, Nipollen, handed over by Pruelle. Thankfully, due to their previous interactions, Nipollen didn’t resist staying in Ever’s embrace, even in such circumstances.

"I'll be back soon."

With a calm stride, Pruelle approached the area where Duke Diarca was. Ever watched her nervously.

As Pruelle neared Duke Diarca's entourage, a servant trailing behind addressed her. While their words were inaudible, it was apparent from their demeanor that they were inquiring about something. Ever worried if Pruelle’s disguise had already been seen through.

'If that’s the case...'

Ever was ready to dash out, snatch Pruelle, and use her strength if needed. However, after a short while, he saw Pruelle casually finish her conversation with the servant and smoothly integrate herself among them. She slowly relaxed her tense muscles as she saw Pruelle casually turn her head and smile subtly. It was indeed a display of remarkable courage.

Just then, Revlin's voice unexpectedly reached his ears, sounding puzzled by their abrupt change of position.

-Deputy Commander? Where did you suddenly go? You're not in any danger, are you?-

To respond to them, Ever would need to approach the area near the watermill. Holding Nipollen close, she moved carefully to avoid drawing any suspicion from those around.

[BL] Cloudless Sky

Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.

"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."

In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.

"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."

And then there's Han Tae-un, the man who saved Soram and died in all three previous lives. As he did in every life, he comes to Soram's side once again. The Great Rift is approaching soon. It's impossible to resolve it in this life without any preparation. Soram vows to save Tae-un in this life and die himself. At least, he won't let Tae-un save a failure like himself again.

"For now, until then, let's sleep..."

As Soram sluggishly lives his life waiting for that moment, a gradual change occurs in his heart.

'I thought this was a messed-up round... but I want to live a little longer here.'

[BL] Bermuda

Leonardo Blaine, the true war hero of the Raina Logia Empire and the commander of the Armsilver 11th Squad, is dishonorably discharged for disobeying orders during the final battle that could have led the Empire to victory in the territorial war. People criticize and point fingers at him, and after being released on parole from prison, he disappears without a trace.

Three years later, his name has been forgotten by the world. The Council has been persistently pursuing him, but he has proven difficult to capture. Frustrated by this, Hugo Agrizendro, the commander of the Council's army, decides to personally apprehend him.

"Since when have you been watching me?"

Leonardo was calculative and astute, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had been observing Hugo for some time now. However, Leonardo's answer was something that even Hugo had not anticipated.

"From the very beginning."

[BL] The Mist (Same author as Turning)

In the autumn of his 18th year, after winning the high school kendo championship finals, an unexpected accident occurred.

Due to that incident, Kang Mu-heon lost one of his legs, his closest friend, and his promising future. He closed off his heart and shut himself away alone.

A few years later, the world's first real virtual reality game <THE MIST> was announced, where even those with physical disabilities could play in healthy bodies.

By chance, Kang Mu-heon encountered it and began a new life as the mage Kapros, facing unexpected meetings, reunions, and days of change....

***

"Why was someone like you born into this world to make me so miserable? Do you understand when I say it like this?! You were born with talent for the sword, a bright personality, everything - you must have been laughing at me always lagging behind! Did you even know how pathetic I felt because of your stupid hypocrisy? A genius? What does any of that matter!"

Seung-jo's cries stabbed at his heart, wailing as if he were crying even though he wasn't, but there was no time to think further. He quickly clutched my stomach, got up, and ran towards him.

He looked surprised for a moment, but he was desperate.

Just as the car was about to reach us, he shoved Seung-jo hard. Right after Seung-jo fell and rolled away with wide, startled eyes—

Screech!

Bang! With an impact that felt like his whole body was being shattered, he flew through the air.

And in that brief yet long moment of floating in space, he remembered his reflection in Seung-jo's eyes for the last time.......

***

[ Then in THE MIST, may you become the master of infinite possibilities. ]

Whoosh!

When his vision returned after everything went white, he was standing in the middle of a bustling town. Amidst the clamor, countless people were busily going about their business here and there.

He looked down at himself, standing dazed and wearing clothes of unknown origin. When he touched the sleeve, he felt the texture of fabric as real as reality. His hair felt the same, and even when he touched the wall of a nearby house, he could clearly feel the solid, cold surface.

Is this... VT?

It seemed like a joke. It truly felt as if he had come to another world and was touching everything.

As he stood there unable to think due to the shock, he suddenly remembered the biggest reason he had decided to play this game, and snapped back to attention. His two legs were still as they had been when he first stood.

'Can I really walk?'

He first stepped out with his left foot, then very slowly put strength into his heavy right foot. It felt like cold sweat was running down his spine.

And then,

He lifted it,

Moved it,

And took another step to touch the ground again.

So easily. As if there had never been any problem with this leg from the beginning.

"Ah..."

At that moment, something that was neither joy nor emotion shot up his spine. Suddenly feeling a lump in his throat, he lowered his head and leaned against the wall. His right foot, bearing his weight, was doing its job perfectly.

"..."

Holding back the tightness in his throat, he took another step.

It didn't hurt. It wasn't heavy. His leg was no longer a useless piece of wood that ached.

Damn it, to be able to walk so easily like this.

To be able to run so easily like this.

He had wished even in his dreams for the day to come when he could walk and run like this again.

And so he walked again, kept walking, slowly getting faster, until finally he started running like a madman through the entire town.

***

"Kap. ...There seems to be a misunderstanding. That's not what I meant."

Just as he was thinking he should throw a punch, Yu-wan sighed with a troubled look and said.

A misunderstanding? How could it be a misunderstanding when he said with his own mouth that he didn't think of me as a friend?

"I didn't expect to receive such a question suddenly, so my explanation was probably too brief. Let me rephrase."

Yu-wan reached out his hand, his face completely changed from before - intense yet resolute - as he stared at him. As he didn't reject the hand suddenly approaching his face and kept his gaze fixed, his cool large hand touched his cheek completely.

A shiver ran down his spine at that moment.

"I'm sorry to say this to you, but I don't see you only as a friend. ...This is the complete answer."

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