Turning
chapter-739

-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.

Soon, three people rolling their eyes in confusion spotted Ever. Holding a cat, she paced like a guard waiting for her master and sent two short hand signals downwards.

The meaning was concise:

'No issues with the current situation.'

'Do not divert attention from the target and wait.'

Combined, these signals implied that the situation, with Ever present and Pruelle absent, was not a concern but intentional. Fortunately, the three astute individuals seemed to quickly grasp the meaning. Shortly after, Revlin responded.

-So, Brother Elle has transformed for the third time? Understood. I will wait.-

The boy, who had never affectionately addressed his own brothers as such, casually used this term of endearment for Pruelle, unrelated by blood.

Coming from similar backgrounds as nobles of ducal houses who turned their backs on their parents, it would have been more difficult for them not to grow close. However, the decisive factor in their camaraderie was Revlin being the reason Pruelle first decided to cooperate with the Cavalry.

Their relationship transcended mere friendship, viewing each other as newly found brothers, understanding each other's actions without words. Ever found this sight pleasing.

Meanwhile, Pruelle, transformed into a knight, was witnessing an inexplicable scene.

"Look here, Sir Kiolle. Do you not remember who I am? It's me, Baron Renbow, whom you met just a few days ago! Isn’t it normal for me to greet the Duke when I see him passing by?"

"Why should I recognize who you are, Baron? We’ve already greeted each other; why do you keep insisting on talking to my father instead of me? Why did you keep beating around the bush?"

"When did I ever beat around the bush? I just have something personal to say to the Duke."

Baron Renbow. And Kiolle da Diarca.

The two had been engaged in an unending verbal skirmish, even before Pruelle approached as a knight.

The reason was simple. Baron Renbow, while strolling in Fourth Wall District, had encountered Duke Diarca and approached to greet him, asking to have a private word with him.

Under normal circumstances, the Duke would have either acquiesced to the request, moving Kiolle aside, or quickly ended the encounter by refusing.

However, before Duke Diarca could speak, Kiolle, suddenly suspicious, reacted sharply, turning the situation into an unexpectedly prolonged confrontation. This was what a weary and embarrassed servant, mistaking Pruelle for a knight who had come to intervene, explained.

"Ah, Sir Knight, no need to worry. It's just the youngest master's recent affliction flaring up again."

"Affliction?"

"The symptom where the master suspects everyone around him could be a beast."

"Ah..."

At first, it sounded absurd. But soon, it became clear that the servant's words were accurate.

For reasons unknown, Kiolle seemed to be extremely wary of Baron Renbow, who had approached unannounced and persistently sought an audience with the Duke even after formal greetings. Like a small dog protecting its master, Kiolle stepped in, preventing Duke Diarca from even speaking to Baron Renbow. It appeared as though he suspected any conversation between Duke Diarca and Baron Renbow could lead to an attack.

Despite knowing Kiolle's actions were motivated by concern for his father, his loud voice and childish demeanor did not come across as touching in the slightest.

And, in Pruelle's eyes, it seemed Duke Diarca shared the same sentiment.

"...Kiolle. I too find this situation unpleasant, but raising your voice like this in public is not becoming of your dignity," Duke Diarca chided with a click of his tongue. However, Kiolle, instead of heeding these words, became even more alarmed and turned to check on his father in a frenzy.

"What? Father, are you alright? You don't feel a headache or...any strange sensations?!"

"I've told you several times, I'm fine..."

"Father! Didn't you promise that you would not disregard my concerns for a while, appreciating my worry for you? How can you break your promise so soon? You said you would walk by the lake with only me today!"

"Kiolle, Kiolle... Do you realize how many days have passed since that 'for a while'? It's been several weeks already."

Several weeks would be more than enough time for anyone to consider the term 'for a while' to have been fulfilled. Yet, Kiolle shook his head firmly.

"Still, a promise is a promise! I find this situation extremely suspicious. What could be so urgent that it must be said to my father in my absence? If you won't answer, it surely must be some dishonorable affair, right? As a proud Diarca Imperial Knight, I will not stand idly by in such a crisis..."

"Wait a minute, a dishonorable affair? Such impudent and exaggerated accusations are intolerable!"

Baron Renbow, incredulous, raised his voice in protest. Pruelle fully understood his astonishment.

'The fact that he insists on speaking with Duke Diarca despite having already greeted him must mean, as His Majesty the Emperor speculated, that he's harboring the escaped sage. It seems Duke Diarca has been maintaining a careful distance from both the sage and Baron Renbow, ready to sever ties at any moment.'

If Duke Diarca had intended to protect the escaped sage, he would have found him by now. Baron Renbow and the sage might hope for Duke Diarca's power to shield them, but from the Duke's perspective, there's no reason to unconditionally protect someone who's caused trouble and is on the run. That's why Baron Renbow's approach was evident.

'Such a foolish move. For someone like Duke Diarca, the likelihood of entertaining such sudden requests is extremely low...'

Raised by a gambling-addicted, arrogant, and overbearing Duke who considered everyone, including family, beneath him, Pruelle had become adept at predicting the thoughts of such high nobility.

The leaders of the four great ducal houses were not just heads of their families. They stood atop a colossal noble force that had maintained its position for a millennium. They were individuals who had lived without concern for others' opinions or fear of exposing their weaknesses.

Duke Diarca, who had delivered the final blow to the weakened imperial authority over a long period by snatching the position of the Crown Prince, securing his place as the victor of the next era, would not be short of arrogance - if anything, his pride would only be greater.

‘I had felt it even when I saw him at the last party. Though he seems to hide it well in public, the attitude he revealed when provoked by Yuder seemed no less than that of my father.’

However, Pruelle found it somewhat surprising that such a man was tolerating, albeit with an annoyed expression, the stubbornness of his youngest son. It was said that Duke Diarca, despite finding his youngest son's lack of talent pitiable as he grew older, still found him endearing enough to arrange a position for him in the Imperial Knight.

"So what is it then? Why bother coming all the way here under the pretense of a greeting? What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Why should I explain that to Sir Kiolle? Ah, of course, I am truly sorry for interrupting your precious father-son time, but..."

"If you don't speak, I will suspect your intentions and challenge you to a duel."

"A duel? Sir Kiolle? Really, why are you acting like this? Didn't you see me at His Highness the Crown Prince's palace before! I really don't understand why you doubt my intentions so much!"

"That's exactly why I find it more suspicious! Ugh!"

Kiolle finally removed his glove and threw it down.

"Young master...!"

The servants guarding the surroundings all tightly shut their eyes. Duke Diarca also held his head.

"Kiolle. Do you really have to persist in this..."

[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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