Turning Chapter 1024

Chapter 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."