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Turning Chapter 1024
🕑 Added 2024-03-26 11:56:55 +0000 UTCChapter 1024
When Yuder received the final page's translation from Enon, he had mentioned to Yuder, "This might be the real one for you." It was likely because he also judged that some of the content written here seemed similar to what Yuder had experienced. As Yuder continued to gaze at the last line, lost in thought, Kishiar asked in a low voice, "Besides that, did the pharmacist say anything else?"
"He said that he couldn't guarantee whether everything written in this journal was true or not, but at least it seemed that the First Duke Tain and Luma believed all of the First Emperor's words."
Reading it, Yuder felt that those words were not wrong.
"I see. That means... unlike the First Duke Tain, Blake van Tain, or Luma, the pharmacist himself didn't completely dismiss the possibility that some of the information written here might not be entirely true."
"...Is that what it means?"
As Yuder was thinking about what difference that made, Kishiar opened his mouth.
"We should consider that what's written here is a highly personal recollection written long after the First Emperor passed away. Time dulls everything. And..."
Kishiar reached out his hand and pointed to the part of the First Emperor's last words on the final page.
"This part. Blake van Tain wasn't with the First Emperor from the beginning when he was passing away. He had gone far away and returned midway, and it seems he saw and heard the Emperor leaving his last words to Luma from a distance. If that's the case, it's highly likely that these last words are not his entire statement either. Don't you think?"
"...Ah."
Yuder nodded, staring at the part where Kishiar's fingertip was pointing.
"That... makes sense. Then, the information about the full statement or the circumstances before and after would be..."
"Archmage Luma would have known better. I don't know to what extent he shared that information with Blake van Tain, but we already know that their opinions diverged midway and they conducted research in different directions, right?"
"..."
The deeper he thought about it, the more difficult it felt. As Yuder frowned, a faint, cold smile appeared on Kishiar's lips.
"Well, we can't know the information that only Luma possessed. Unless we return to the capital and find some related information in the place he researched, which only the pharmacist knew about."
However, it was uncertain whether that information would be there or not. Even Enon, who was said to have been created by Luma's hands, didn't know, which was why he didn't add anything more about it even after translating the journal.
"So, let's put aside what we don't know and briefly summarize the information we can obtain from this last journal entry for now."
Kishiar moved his hand placed on the translated paper and raised one finger.
"First, Blake van Tain wanted to find a way to get another 'chance' to revive his father. That's the 'chance' directly mentioned by the First Emperor, and for now, it seems most fitting to understand it as similar to the 'chance to play a second game' that you experienced."
"Yes."
Kishiar raised a second finger.
"Second, based on the contents of the journal and his actual history that Baron Koelt informed us about, it seems that Blake tried to find a way to turn back time and became interested in the lost history before the Great Destruction. Afterward, it appears he developed his research to focus on unraveling the secrets of the monsters appearing from beyond the cracks. Until the very end, he seemed to firmly believe that the secrets of the cracks and monsters could be related to turning back time. Then..."
Kishiar paused for a moment, trailing off, then slowly opened his lips again.
"There might have been information in the history before the Great Destruction about someone else who had gone back in time or obtained a second chance. Perhaps Blake and Luma both showed interest because there was a story related to monsters or cracks in that information. Well, this is just speculation up to this point."
"No, I think it makes sense."
"Now... lastly, third."
Kishiar raised a third finger. Unlike the first and second times, he didn't speak right away and remained silent for a very long time.
"Commander?"
Only after Yuder called out to him, unable to wait any longer, did Kishiar finally open his mouth. His low, sunken voice flowed out softly.
"If the contents of the First Emperor's last words written here are true, it seems that he roughly anticipated when and how he would die. He only said that Luma gave him that chance, but he didn't reveal how or in what way it was given, so we still don't know... but we can now make a guess that his short life might have been the price for obtaining a second chance."
"..."
Yuder turned his head. His gaze met the red eyes that had been staring straight at Yuder from the beginning, as if looking only at him and not the journal.
Those eyes were sunken and dark to a level he had rarely seen before.
Since when had he been looking at him with such eyes?
A cold wind blows like a blade striking down on his neck. A sensation like heavy stones pouring down all at once engulfed him.
However, that emotion did not originate from Yuder. It was clearly conveyed through Kishiar's eyes...
'...'
The moment he thought that far, the red eyes instantly disappeared between the closed eyelids. At the same time, the sensation that had poured down like a blow to Yuder's chest also vanished without a trace.
The man who had closed his eyes leaned his head against Yuder's shoulder and buried it. It was a position where Yuder could no longer see his expression, but his exhaled breaths were heard the closest and loudest.
Thump, thump, thump.
His heart was beating strongly. Never in his life had he felt such a strong urge to say something, anything, right away. The tremendous emotion that the man in front of him had been feeling, even though it had disappeared as if it had never existed, was definitely real. Knowing that the emotion had simply stopped being conveyed only to him, but still remained intact in Kishiar's heart, how could he just move on as if nothing had happened? He had to say something, following the perceived cause.
'So... is the problem the part about possibly having a short life as the price for obtaining a second chance?'
Yuder carefully placed his hand on top of the man's hand, which was sprawled on the journal, and opened his mouth.
"I don't know about the First Emperor, but I haven't really thought that I would have a short life since returning here. Of course, I have no intention of dying in the future if possible... Anyway, if there had been such a possibility, I would have told you long ago."
"..."
"It hasn't been confirmed yet, right? It's just speculation based on old records."
The man who had buried his head in Yuder's shoulder let out a short, listless breath.
"Yeah, that's right..."
At that sound, which seemed like both a laugh and a sigh, Yuder's heart churned like waves for a moment. Had he recovered a little, or was it just a reflexive reaction?
Yuder applied a little more force to his hand that he had placed on top of the man's hand. The person who would have usually turned his hand to hold Yuder's in return showed no reaction.
'If only I had a way with words like Kishiar.'
After a while, he opened his mouth and whispered very softly.
"Even at this age, I still can't control my emotions like this. It's utterly unsightly. I'm sorry for startling you."
"...No, it's fine."
"I felt the emotion of you being startled and not knowing what to do, but it's still my fault for not being able to suppress it right away. So... let me stay like this for a bit. That's okay, right?"
Instead of answering, Yuder nodded.
The sound of the carriage running continued for a long time. The bright sunlight pouring through the window was no different from before, and boisterous voices occasionally flowed in through the gaps. It was a peaceful scene, no different from usual in any way.
The miraculous tranquility that Kishiar, Yuder, and everyone else had created together.
Yuder listened to that sound and slowly exhaled. Then he opened his mouth and spoke.
"Commander."
"..."
"It's a bit awkward for me to say this, having died once and come back, but honestly, I don't really understand with what kind of heart the First Emperor's peaceful last words were made."
"..."
"If it were me, I probably wouldn't have been so peaceful. Perhaps."
"..."
"So, could you please share what you're thinking right now? Whatever it is, I want to know too."
Comments
Liandrin Kamiya
Yuder just holding Kishiar as he works through his fear and preemptive grief 😢
Mares
The death flags were the typical trope things of when a character says "I'll be back" or making plans for the future, etc, right before dying. They're not explicit moments where it feels like someone is going to die, so much as common moments in stories where a character says or does something right before tragedy strikes and they can't fulfill their promises of happiness in the future.
Shivanee
What you say is very possible but while I read and really loved the sea section I'm starting to feel like the only one who didn't see the death flags. 🤣 It felt tense but filled with epicness (for every characters) to me.
Mares
The thing is with this author they don't go the normal obvious routes.... so much like when they were in the sea there were all these death flags and nothing happened (no one died) I'm betting this is another false lead. I'm betting with the way it was phrased that the first emperor must have made some sort of deal to get another chance at life- but Yuder made no such deal. So his second chance must be because of something different.
Kat
YUDER doesn't want to see an early death? Well, he doesn't act like it!!
Kat
@Romina || That sounds an awful lot like what the first emperor said to Luma...
4theLoveofAnime
This actually my thought as well and it would make sense as to why only his hands appear; also, how he doesn’t like Yuder traveling to that dark space he’s trapped in.
Romina
Yes. I remember a previous chapter where Yuder was remembering the past and Kishiar (from the past) said he had bet everything he had in Yuder
Bernie Jay
Poor Kishiar! But I love seeing that he allows Yuder to see all of him, who would have sent everyone away previously rather than show this deepest vulnerability. (I love them so much, your honor.)
Bernie Jay
I agree!!! Yuder is utilizing this second chance to make sure everyone lives, including and most importantly Kishiar! I think their imprint will come into play and they’re both stubborn enough to march into Hell to get the other back, so I’m sure we’re fiiinnneee. (Plus I also need to see their babies so so badly!)
Sarah Mooney
There have been omens and portents before but serysly to come all this way for a tragic ending 😢 💔 like no frigging way... right?? I do not support this choice 😡
rinrin_222
While reading this chapter, I can’t help but think about the difference in physique between them and how Yuder must literally feel quite crushed with Kishiar leaning into him like this lol
Panini-chan
If there was actually a trade-off, I have a hunch that previous game Kishiar was the one who paid the price to give Yuder a second chance.
rinrin_222
Now I’m slightly worried the author is planting a death flag …
Tgcf_fan
Nope, not the death flag ........ please let it be false alarm 🥲
Tgcf_fan
Right!? Its OMEGAVERSE, we need to see babies! 🥹😭😭😭
Shivanee
Aaaah shit, just as I feared reading the last chapter. There is a risk of early death. Okay. At least Yuder said clearly that he didn't want an early death. So that's reassuring. Maybe it's not the same for him because he never consented to a new chance, he just got it. Or something like that. Maybe we won't need to worry about a thing. But if there is a risk, maybe we could use other Kishiar's strangely long lifespan in the crack to extend Yuder's? I don't know, that's the first place my brain went, but something like that!! Yuder can't die! I'm expecting babies and family raising together okay?!?!
