Turning

Chapter 782

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Chapter 782

That day, the weather had been dismal from the start. Dark clouds loomed since morning, casting an ominous aura, and true to that foreboding feeling, his father suddenly dropped a bolt from the blue.

“Kiolle. You have been confirmed as the representative of the Imperial Knights to head to the South. His Imperial Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince have consented, so prepare immediately to depart tomorrow.”

“What? Father, what do you mean? To the South?”

“Have you not heard the disturbing news coming from the South? It is related to that.”

Kiolle, of course, had heard about the events in the South. Monsters appearing suddenly in the heart of cities, someone from the Herne Ducal family dying, the feats of the Cavalry, and Duke Peletta turning out to be not just the owner of a divine sword, but a swordmaster and so on.

He hadn't paid much heed to the Cavalry’s exploits, given the monstrous Yuder Aile in their ranks, nor was he much stirred by Duke Peletta's rumor, not having witnessed it firsthand. The rest, who lived or died, seemed irrelevant to him.

He knew that his father, Duke Diarca, planned to send someone in light of these events... but he never imagined he would be the one chosen.

They all barely concealed their subtle shock and envy at Kiolle. Especially the third sibling, who received the least attention from their father, seemed almost capable of igniting someone with his glare.

Kiolle, proud to a fault, wasn’t fazed by such stares, but he was indeed reluctant about the situation. That was the issue.

Whenever Duke Diarca sent Kiolle out of the capital, it was usually to punish him for some mischief. The last time he left the capital, it was a forced training trip to the East, an experience he preferred not to recall. The very thought of that incident was enough to jolt him awake from sleep.

'I hate leaving the capital! The roads are muddy, sleep is uncomfortable, everything is just inconvenient! And besides, he is there too!'

That demon of the Cavalry! Yuder Aile! Remembering him, Kiolle involuntarily shivered. The deeply ingrained fear was always effective, no matter when or where.

After much contemplation, Kiolle attempted to decline as politely as he could.

“Father, I truly appreciate your words, but wouldn’t one of my elder brothers or sisters be more suitable for this task?”

“So you express your reluctance to leave home in such a manner. I don’t expect you to do it perfectly, of course. But in the current situation, there’s no one more suitable than you, the only member of our family in the Imperial Knights.”

Duke Diarca saw through Kiolle's shallow pretense at once. As Kiolle fell silent, a sense of vindication flickered in the eyes of his envious siblings. However, they failed to notice the significant change in the way Duke Diarca looked at Kiolle.

“But… I am currently the escort of His Highness the Crown Prince. How uncomfortable he would be without me.”

“His Highness the Crown Prince has already agreed to let you go.”

“Really, Father?”

Even the surrounding attendants, who the Crown Prince distrusted and often treated harshly, had quickly agreed to send him away? Kiolle found this hard to believe.

“You’ve realized that your selection signifies His Highness the Crown Prince’s deep concern for the imperial citizens. It’s a relief that those arrogant healers, at the very least, seem to have restored His Highness’s mind to its former clarity.”

“...”

“The Emperor’s approval has already been given, so stop your nonsense and quietly prepare to leave.”

‘Damn it…!’

Kiolle, unable to defy his father, reluctantly agreed. Duke Diarca observed this with a thinly veiled satisfaction, his eyes narrowing into a pleased smile.

“Stop there, Kiolle.”

As he was slipping away after dinner, Kiolle was caught by his third brother.

“Don’t get too arrogant because Father has taken a slight liking to you after the last incident. This is merely a test. Do you think you can hide your foolish nature just because you act a bit more mature?”

Had it been the old times, Kiolle would have retorted, but since becoming unable to speak harshly to others, his patience had forcibly grown. As Kiolle, frowning, attempted to ignore him and move on, his brother’s face reddened with anger.

“No matter how much you're favored, you can't take the eldest brother’s place! Remember the lowly origins of your mother!”

“…”

At these words, Kiolle stopped dead in his tracks. He turned to look at his brother, clearly angry, but again, he didn’t retaliate. His level of patience was entirely different from what it had been just a year ago.

Unknowingly sensing Kiolle’s growth, the third brother flinched, but Kiolle, desperately clinging to his vow, spoke up.

“So? What about it? What does that have to do with this mission? When did I ever say I wanted to take the eldest’s place?”

“What, what?”

“If you have evidence, say it. If not, just go and sleep. Aren’t you ashamed, as a member of the Diarca family, acting like this? Unlike you, who can't even get a word in with Father, I have too much to do and am tired. I’ll be going now.”

It pained him to beat around the bush like this, but to others, his retreating figure seemed like a young man who had matured enough to swallow his anger.

The third brother, not wanting to admit he had been outmaneuvered, belatedly clenched his fist and shouted.

“You... how dare you... Kiolle! Stop right there! You insolent brat. I will... I will reveal your true nature...!”

Regardless of his brother’s ranting, Kiolle gloomily returned to his room to prepare for his journey South. His servants, noticing the newfound sturdiness in their young master, were elated that he was finally entrusted with a major family responsibility, though their congratulatory words fell on deaf ears.

Since he had to leave the next day, Kiolle still had to attend to his duties today. Reporting to the Bright Palace, he met with the knights who would guard the Crown Prince in his absence, and gave them a brief and rather informal handover of his duties.

The Crown Prince, whom he met to bid farewell, looked a bit pale but surprisingly calm and composed compared to usual. Knowing that he had gone to great lengths to save some fraudulent healers recently, Kiolle felt an uneasy twinge even as he observed this.

‘Those frauds haven’t brainwashed Father, that's for sure. But the Crown Prince…’

Kiolle wanted to believe otherwise, but he found it hard to be certain. His mind was uneasy, especially as the Crown Prince before him appeared to be in normal condition.

Recently, the Crown Prince had submitted a report, accusing culprits of an intrusion at the Sun Palace based on a list prepared by Duke Diarca, only to have it rejected. Afterwards, an anonymous tip related to the real culprits, and seemingly involving the Crown Prince's fraudulent healers, mysteriously reached him. Enraged like a wildfire, the Crown Prince vehemently vowed to capture the liar who tried to frame his healers, leading to several attendants being dismissed.@@novelbin@@

The former Crown Prince would have suspected the healers too in such a situation, but he had been uncharacteristically lenient, not even bothering to search for the healers who had left the palace. Besides this, there were several other odd behaviors, but aiding those frauds to escape from Duke Diarca and sending them to the South was the most significant.

‘Could it be… he's already been deceived? Then what should I do? And what about Father…’

His thoughts were interrupted as the Crown Prince spoke.

“Sir Kiolle. I hear you leave tomorrow. It’s an early departure.”

“Yes. My father said the situation in the South is urgent.”

“I’m aware of the situation. It's regrettable, but our imperial citizens are in trouble, and as a pillar of this empire, I must do my part. Don’t forget that you carry my name on your shoulders.”

“…Yes, I understand. I will do my utmost not to bring any dishonor to you, Your Highness.”

“And when exactly are you planning to leave? At dawn, I presume?”

“Yes. I plan to depart before sunrise.”

Kiolle, not realizing that it was unusual for the Crown Prince to ask such questions, naively answered.

“It’ll be tough. I’ve already arranged for your smooth passage through the South Gate. Just show your face to the officer in charge and exchange greetings, and you should be able to leave right away.”

“That’s very considerate… Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Think nothing of it. You are representing me, after all, so this is only natural.”

The Crown Prince smiled. Kiolle swallowed his unease and smiled back.

The next morning, just before dawn, at the city’s last checkpoint, the South Gate guard post.

Even as Kiolle exchanged greetings with the officer in charge and prepared to leave, he failed to notice anything unusual. However, after leaving the capital and reaching the first stop, he went to open the door of the carriage storing his personal belongings and was shocked to find an intruder, like a rat scurrying for cover.

“Who are you!”

He drew his sword and knocked the figure over. Thinking it might be an assassin, Kiolle quickly subdued them and removed the cloth covering the body. To his utter astonishment, the face revealed was the last he expected, prompting him to cry out in shock.

“…Your Highness!”

“Ugh, cough... You dare... do that to me…”

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Read up to the latest chapter (1217) and more than 1000 chapters of BL novels here

[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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[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.'