Chapter 791
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Chapter 791
"If I... if I further aid the Cavalry... can they save Nahan?" Hossana asked tentatively.
'Indeed, this is the crux of the matter,' Yuder thought, unsurprised. Having assisted the Cavalry and verified the truth, what else could follow but such a plea? However, Yuder did not betray his thoughts and quietly spoke up.
"I fail to grasp your meaning. Do you believe Nahan's life is in peril?"
Hosanna, trembling yet continuing haltingly, said, "The sage, is merciful, or so I thought... but those around Nahan are different. Those who dislike him will not miss this chance, especially after he directly opposed the sage and even suffered injuries. And if the Cavalry is added to the mix..."
Unable to continue, Hosanna covered his face, bowing his head, his breathing ragged with fear.
"It's surprising. Even you know of the deep animosity between those following the sage and those loyal to Nahan within the Star of Nagran."
Even individuals like the brothers Gayle and Doyle, who followed the sage and disliked Nahan, had good relations with Hosanna. Those who knew him generally spoke well of him, so his awareness of this discord was unexpected.
"How could I not know? I have been closer to Nahan than anyone else..."
Hosanna slowly lowered his hands, revealing the fearful and sad eyes of a young man of southern descent.
"In the Star of Nagran, many empathize and align with Nahan, but more do not. Until now, I could confront them, but not anymore. And if the sage's allegiance shifts... who will mediate then?"
This notion of 'mediation' suggested much.
It revealed that Hosanna hadn't lived in ignorance, but rather, had been making efforts to keep the surrounding atmosphere harmonious at Nahan's side.
The most dangerous kind in such entanglements is someone like him – innately good, gentle, and kind. But this shouldn't be mistaken for harmlessness. Hosanna, in his benevolence, would go to great lengths to find ways to favor Nahan.
'A fragile appearance should not be underestimated...'
Help isn't only through great physical strength. Sometimes, a single word can sway hearts and lead to mistakes.
Though thinking this, Yuder remained unmoved in posture and expression and continued, "So you're saying, in your view, Nahan would likely lose if he confronted the sage? Is that a fair assumption?"
"..."
"Then why should the Cavalry intervene in a self-destructive fray, especially to save him? Are you aware of the innocent imperial citizens he's killed, the buildings destroyed, and the suffering he's caused?"
"That is..."
The truth was that the Cavalry would benefit from acting first, given the clear risk of their self-destruction and the looming danger of a disaster in the south. Particularly for someone as unpredictable and dangerous as Nahan.
However, unaware of these broader circumstances, Hosanna's complexion turned deathly pale.
"He argues that Awakeners must be protected unconditionally, while non-Awakeners can be killed without reason. But being Awakeners isn't innate. Yesterday's non-Awakeners could suddenly become Awakeners tomorrow in this world."
The truth was, due to the rare occurrence of Awakenings and the newness of this phenomenon, many harbored misconceptions. There were no predetermined Awakeners; conversely, an Awakener could lose their powers at any moment due to a rampage or injury, becoming indistinguishable from a non-Awakener.
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"So, whom does he intend to protect and whom to kill?"
"..."
Hosanna bit his lower lip so hard that it bled.
"Moreover, even the Awakener siblings he claimed to protect were left to be captured while he fled. You yourself have been abandoned. And yet, you ask to save him using your power as leverage? Is Nahan more important than your own life? It's preposterous."
Hosanna could not counter Yuder's words. He trembled, his shoulders shaking, and in a tearful voice, he murmured, "I know. The crimes committed by Nahan are... grave. But... he wasn't always like that. He saved many suffering Awakeners, sacrificing himself to protect the Star of Nagran, longing for a safe haven for everyone... His only promise with the sage was just that."
Yuder's attention was caught by the mention of a promise with the sage amidst the incoherent sobs.
'According to Kanna's speculation and reports, the sage's brainwashing ability seems to involve subtly embedding simple commands through speech, likely effective only once per person.'
The command 'trust the sage' was presumably ingrained in most Awakeners under the Star of Nagran. Hosanna's reactions so far suggested he was likely under the same influence.
However, Nahan had been subtly opposing the sage for some time. There had been speculation that even this opposition was orchestrated by the sage, but recent events seemed to disprove that.
A sage with brainwashing abilities wouldn't need to use someone like Nahan as a scapegoat to build trust and loyalty within the group. If he could make everyone believe in him completely, why bother with such tedious methods?
Until Yuder fully understood the sage's powers, he considered the possibility that the sage deliberately set up others to take the fall for him. But knowing the nature of the sage's power now changed things.
If Nahan had been fully brainwashed like the others and deliberately made to be the antagonist, he should have stopped when it was time to fulfill his true purpose.
But what was the reality? Nahan's opposition to the sage had grown more intense and definitive. This indicated that Nahan did not fully trust the sage like the other brainwashed Awakeners, suggesting a different kind of manipulation.
Could the key to understanding this lie in the 'promise' Hosanna mentioned?
"A promise with the sage. What is that about?"
"Just, a promise. The one Nahan made when he first met the sage... before everything started, in the desert..."
Hosanna mumbled incoherently, tears still streaming down his face.
Yuder focused on the part about the conversation they had when they first met.
It was said that the sage's brainwashing was attempted only after lightly fooling those who had just entered the Star of Nagran. However, according to the information, Nahan met the sage long before the Star of Nagran was properly formed, in its very early stages.
Yuder was convinced that this promise was the key.
"I'd like to hear more about this story."
Hosanna, with tearful eyes, looked up. Seeing Yuder's serious expression, he appeared confused yet slowly opened his lips.
"...Is this story important?"
"It might be, or it might not be. Don't beat around the bush; just tell it. I'll be the judge of that."
"..."
Hosanna, who had briefly harbored hope, once again dropped his gaze to the ground. Hesitating, he sighed and began to speak.
"To tell you about that promise... I have to break my promise with Nahan. I promised never to speak of the past to anyone again."
"So, you're saying you won't tell?"
"...No. I will tell. But I hope you won't reveal to others that you heard this story. It might seem trivial, but for me, and for Nahan..."
Yuder exhaled shortly and raised a hand in a simple gesture, typically used when making a vow.
"Understood. I swear, except for the Commander, this will remain a secret. Is this satisfactory?"
"...Yes. I trust you."
Hosanna let out a deep sigh, casting his eyes downward.
"Nahan belonged to the nobility of this place."
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Read up to the latest chapter (1232) 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.'