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Chapter 744
The nobles, having heard Pruelle's words, suddenly became aware of the identity of the man Ever had knocked down, in addition to the kneeling sage in front of Duke Diarca.
"Those men... were they the culprits behind the recent explosion incident?"
The man still trampled under Ever's feet, Diemon, with his dusky, southern mixed-race complexion and unappealing features, could be considered as such. However, the well-cultured and warm-looking sage did not seem the type to cause such accidents. Moreover, wasn't this sage associated with Baron Renbow, a nobleman?
Yet Pruelle, who nearly became a Duke, did not seem to be lying. More precisely, his status lent an immediate credibility to his words.
As the expressions of those who valued appearances and status over truth began to shift, Duke Diarca spoke up.
"Why ask me about taking them away?"
"I thought all the culprits here, including Baron Renbow, who lies unconscious, came to see Your Grace, Duke Diarca. Since you seemed to be in conversation, I thought it proper to ask for permission. If I have overstepped, I apologize."
"I was merely walking with my son; I had no appointments with anyone. Why Baron Renbow and this man blocked our path, I am also unaware."
"What an insolent act by them. It must have been unpleasant for you. So, Your Grace, you met this man for the first time today?"
Pruelle's naive question was met with Duke Diarca's brief silence. He narrowed his eyes at Pruelle while stroking his beard, not even glancing at the kneeling sage before responding.
"Let's see... I meet so many people that I don't remember when I first met each one. Do you think I should recognize everyone who wishes to meet me?"
Suddenly, the sage's shoulders tensed. He cautiously called out to Duke Diarca.
"Duke Diarca Your... "
"Who is interrupting me? I did not give permission to speak."
Before Kiolle could shout to silence him, Duke Diarca cut him off with a chilling voice that instilled fear even without raising his voice. The sage's complexion changed at the sound.
Duke Diarca, more effectively and quickly than Kiolle's uproar, silenced the sage and then spoke nonchalantly to Pruelle.
"I dislike prolonged disturbances. Speak your mind, if you have something to say."
"Understood. I realize Your Grace must be busy. However, something does seem odd."
"What might that be?"
After a quick glance at the frozen sage, Pruelle smiled slightly and replied.
"According to our investigation while pursuing the culprits, these men entered the Imperial Palace several times as healers with permissions to the Bright Palace... Isn't it strange, Your Grace, that you do not recall them?"
"..."
"Ah, and I have already confirmed through entrance records that Baron Durmand and Baron Renbow vouched for their identities, so you need not doubt that fact."
Ever, unfamiliar with the underlying tensions in the nobles' words, had simply recorded the conversation as she heard it. However, for Yuder and Kishiar, who were reading it, the dangerous undertones of that moment were crystal clear.
To summarize, Pruelle first circumspectly inquired if Duke Diarca had any connection to the perpetrators of the explosion incident. Duke Diarca casually denied any relation to the sage, intending to dismiss the matter. Pruelle then immediately pointed out the contradiction and falsehood in Duke Diarca's response by revealing the sage's identity.
Duke Diarca's side, believing the Cavalry would be unaware of the sage's identity, must have been quite surprised. Pruelle's clever maneuvering, based on his keen understanding of Duke Diarca's tendency to give vague answers and pretend disassociation, was truly remarkable.
However, Duke Diarca, cunning as an old raccoon, did not show any sign of discomfiture at this single attack.
Unperturbed by the murmuring of the nobles shocked by the revelation that the culprits of the capital's explosion were actually the Crown Prince's healers, Duke Diarca replied with a calm demeanor.
"I said I do not remember everyone, not that I didn't know. Now that you mention it, I recall Baron Durmand expressing concern that the Crown Prince seemed a bit weakened after an injury, and out of loyal devotion, wanted to send skilled healers. However, being a man of faith, how could I have been pleased with that? Though I granted them entry, it was against my will. The last I heard was that Baron Durmand, having recently retired to the countryside, passed this matter to Baron Renbow, with whom he had a close relationship."
After saying this, Duke Diarca looked down at the still unconscious Baron Renbow with a feigned expression of concern.
"To think that ordinary healers are actually Awakeners, and nearly caused a disturbance in the capital's security... It would be truly regrettable if true."
Indeed, Duke Diarca had not definitively denied seeing the sage when asked. He had arrogantly countered whether he needed to remember every person he met.
Everyone knew it was improbable that Duke Diarca would ignore someone as significant as a healer frequenting the Crown Prince's palace. However, what mattered was that his explanation did not directly contradict itself. The nobles, in the face of Duke Diarca's calm denial, collectively remained silent.
"Understood. Then it's alright if we take these individuals away?"
"That's why I asked why you're asking me in the first place. If they are indeed the culprits, then just take them. I heard the Cavalry was fortunately nearby when the explosion happened and managed to conclude it without harm, but it seems they let the culprits casually walk around the capital. I understand your concern that this might come to light... But your Commander is Duke Peletta, not Diarca, haha."
Duke Diarca spoke with a tone that seemed to jest, yet wielded words like a hidden blade.
He subtly emphasized the 'fortunate' presence of the Cavalry near the incident, making others suspiciously question that coincidence. Instead of directly denying his connection with the sage, he shifted the focus onto Kishiar and Pruelle. With his smooth rhetoric, he made them the butt of the joke. Pruelle, even he, was lost for words at his natural deflection.
'Sly as they say... The nickname 'old raccoon' isn't for naught. But let's not get entangled. As long as he has denied the connection with the sage, taking him away fulfills our objective.'
Upon the revelation that the sage had been in the Crown Prince's palace as a healer, Pruelle had expected that Duke Diarca would concoct some reason to prevent them from taking the sage away, especially to conceal any deeper connections. However, judging by Duke Diarca's words, it seemed he was content to feign ignorance and allow them to take the sage.
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.'