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Turning Chapter 934
🕑 Added 2024-02-25 06:00:52 +0000 UTCChapter 934
Before departing from the south, he last encountered Yuder. What had he proclaimed then? He had boasted loudly that he, too, was a knight of this empire and could legitimately receive support from his family and the imperial knights.
And what had been Yuder's response to that?
"Do you think the Imperial Knights, the Crown Prince, and your father would readily help if they heard news of a crisis in the south?"
His cynical reply wasn't born out of a mere desire to contradict whatever Kiolle said. It was as if he had foreseen the current situation with his own eyes, being extremely objective and confident.
For a mere twenty-year-old commoner, he spoke as if he knew everything.
At that time, Kiolle had simply reacted with sudden anger. He was aware that, unlike the public praise for his family and the imperial knights, people spoke ill of them behind their backs. Nevertheless, he firmly believed that his family and the knights were established for the glory of the empire and that no one could be more dedicated to the Orr Empire than they were.
Until now.
"..."
Earlier, Duke Diarca had mentioned that the hailstorm day hadn't really caused significant damage.
But would he have said the same if he had been in that temple on that day? If there were no damages to the peasants or the buildings, does that make it any less terrible?
Kiolle remembered the surreal feeling he had when watching monsters pour from the dark skies. He recalled the fear he felt watching the Star of Nagran fight fiercely among themselves, the shame he felt seeing the Cavalry members protect the non-Awakeners, and the indescribable sense of injustice when he was insulted and slapped by the raging Crown Prince.
The emotions Kiolle felt that day were not fake. They were not trivial enough to be dismissed as insignificant. Even now, thinking back on that time made him feel unjustifiably embarrassed and terrified.
The hailstorm day might have ended with objectively minor damages, but that was only because the Cavalry members, and those monsters like Yuder Aile and Duke Peletta, were there. Anyone who experienced that day couldn't deny this fact.
Kiolle lay sprawled out, staring at the ceiling in a gloomy shock, struggling with his thoughts for a long time.
‘Ah, I don't know. Anyway, I should be reflecting on my actions now, but what else can I do?’
Perhaps his father's words were right.
There have been a few ominous incidents in the empire lately, but as his father said, they always ended without significant harm. Yuder had warned that a new disaster might strike the south, but wasn’t he the one preparing for it?
Having seen the incredible abilities of the Cavalry members, he was confident that if they took action, everything would be resolved just like on the hailstorm day. Maybe he was just overly worried, making a fuss over nothing.
"Yes. That must be it."
It's not Kiolle's fault he was here by his father's command. Even if Yuder Aile appeared, what could he say to Kiolle, who had already said his piece and was now confined?
"..."
But as he lay there, staring at the ceiling, images of what he had seen in the south kept haunting his mind, repeating over and over.
The Cavalry members, taking the hail on their bodies and bleeding, were protecting Kiolle, the non-Awakener, from the monsters. Their calm voices asserted it was their duty.
The look in Yuder's eyes as he firmly stated that neither the imperial knights nor Diarca would come to their aid.
And Kiolle himself, who had burst out in anger at that moment.
"...Aaaah!"
Kiolle thrashed about, rising to his feet. He clutched at his head, tormented.
"Why must I endure this!"
This place was safe. The terrifying experiences in the south had faded like a dream upon arriving in the capital. According to Duke Diarca, there was no need for pointless worries, and no better place than this to live without them. But what was causing these persistent uneasy feelings?
Perhaps due to Kiolle's loud voice, there was a brief commotion outside the door. Then, a knock, and a servant peeked in.
"Sir Kiolle... are you alright?"
"What? I didn't call for you, leave."
"I'm relieved you're not unwell. If you can't sleep, the chief attendant asked me to give you this..."
The servants were used to dealing with Kiolle's antics, especially when he was confined for misbehavior. They knew well what the youngest and irritable young master liked.
The servant brought a stack of books. Naturally, they weren't text-heavy or complex but simple novels with large illustrations. Kiolle saw a valiant knight on the cover of the top book.
It was a novel about a knight of the imperial knights who, on a secret mission from the emperor, travels the world in disguise, embarking on grand adventures. Kiolle had decided to become a knight after reading this novel as a child.
He lay in bed until the servant left, then swiftly sat up and grabbed the book.
‘It's a masterpiece, indeed. It's always so entertaining, no matter how many times I read it.’
His mood improved as he read his favorite book. But when he reached a well-worn page, Kiolle's gaze halted on a particular dialogue.
"I am a knight. But not just any knight. A knight of the imperial knights is someone who can only become one after swearing to protect the empire."
Usually tasked with protecting the emperor and the capital, but legally entitled to go anywhere in the empire when needed. That was the honorable position of a knight of the imperial knights.
Kiolle stared at that line for a long time. The words he had shouted at Yuder were exactly those from this book.
"..."
Losing interest in reading, he closed the book, and then noticed a faint red dot on his hand, which had been holding the cover. Seeing it, a shiver ran down his spine, as if Yuder's piercing black gaze was watching him.
Kiolle collapsed back onto the bed. But this time, he didn't thrash or become irritable. Instead, he stared at the red dot on his hand for a long time.
Suddenly, he felt he might understand the source of his frustration.
"...Right, that's it. Anyway, I've already boasted to him that I would handle everything... Now that I think about it, if I don't keep my word, I'd be breaking the vow to help, condemning me to eternal sleep, right?"
Yes. That's why he had been feeling uneasy.
In truth, Yuder Aile had never expected Kiolle to be capable of doing anything, nor had he ever insisted that Kiolle must keep his word by invoking the vow. But as soon as Kiolle realized this, his mind eased considerably.
He sprang up from his seat, clenching his fists tightly.
"I am a knight of the imperial knights. What can those guys do that I can't?!"
Speaking aloud, unfounded confidence surged within him. Kiolle decided to abandon the idea of seeking Diarca's support and instead planned to sneak out to meet with Theorado, the commander of the imperial knights.
'The imperial knights are in Seventh Wall District, so there's less chance of being caught.'
Of course, escaping from this place wouldn't be easy, but that didn't worry him much.
After all, this was the home where Kiolle had spent his entire life, and he was accustomed to being reprimanded by his father.
'In the novels, the knights always wait until deep in the night when they are confined, then escape through the window. The commander usually trains late into the night, so he'll surely be there tonight. Good. I'll pretend to sleep and then escape!'
Embracing his pounding heart, Kiolle finally allowed himself a smile.
—
At the same time, in the Sun Palace.
Emperor Keilusa, dining with the Empress, set down his spoon upon receiving an urgent letter from the imperial palace chief attendant.
"Your Majesty?"
"...It's a letter from Duke Peletta. It seems something new has happened in the south."
"Ah..."
The Empress looked worried.
"It hasn't been long since the hailstorm day. Will everything be alright? It's not been long since the injuries were healed..."
"We've prepared until now to ensure it's alright. We must hope for the best."
The Empress sighed and nodded. She knew better than anyone that worrying from a distance, where she couldn't directly intervene, wouldn't change anything.
"Yes. I should help the Duke and the Cavalry members with what I can do."
"That's a noble sentiment, Empress. But I feel a bit left out."
"Excuse me?"
"Aren't you planning to help without me?"
The Empress blinked, then smiled like a small flower.
"Of course, Your Majesty should help too."
Finally, a faint smile appeared on the usually stern face of the Emperor. He held the Empress's hand, read the letter once more, and then set it down.
"Indeed, I've been hearing some unusual things from Duke Diarca's place. It would be good to share some positive news to prevent him from doing anything unnecessary."
The Empress's eyes sparkled, understanding that this meant the Emperor would use his powers.
"Positive news would be..."
"I plan to attend the government affairs meeting myself tomorrow."
Comments
hien
i’m sorry but kiolle preferring to read picture books over novels is so endearing i can’t
Antoinette Kalmus
The core of the man is good! He’s just gotta shed his shitty upbringing like reptile skin!
SchaheraZade
Kiolleeee my cinnamon roll. Must protect him at all cost!
