Chapter 888
"You, of all people, should know what that means, right?"
Of course, there was nothing else to guess. Yuder knew very well what Emperor Keilusa's ability was.
The Emperor had the power to imbue a specific object he touched with his energy, allowing him to see and hear what happened around that object. This ability was perfect for gathering information about distant enemies or for communicating with his beloved Empress without direct contact. However, the downside was the limited duration of its use.
After training with Yuder, he began to enhance this ability, but such powers seldom leap forward rapidly. When Yuder left the capital, the maximum range of the Emperor's ability was only around the vicinity of the capital.
'I was sure of that... Has it developed further? Is it now possible to connect from the capital to the south?'
Seeing Yuder's expression, Kishiar pulled something out of his pocket with the grin of a child who had succeeded in a prank. In his palm lay a small gem brooch, uncut to maintain its natural shape and dazzling in its redness. Such an exquisite item, held by someone of Kishiar's stature, wouldn't raise any suspicion.
"Thanks to an outstanding teacher, His Majesty's abilities have significantly improved. I heard he's been testing how far he can communicate with the help of others, and now, it seems, he can reach even here without issue."
"So, does that mean... he can now see and hear everything in the Empire at any time?"
"Well, in theory, yes. But as the distance increases, it still remains difficult to see and hear 'at any time.' Currently, for such long distances, the imbued energy in the object is made to last as long as possible, limiting his observation to once a day, for a very brief period."
This meant that Emperor Keilusa had become much more precise and delicate in gauging and utilizing the amount of his power in objects. Even Yuder, who had rigorously trained him, hadn't anticipated such rapid progress.
"His Majesty was using our communication not so much for important exchanges, but as part of his training to develop his abilities. That's why even you were kept in the dark. He was quite embarrassed about it."
"So... when exactly is this once-a-day opportunity to communicate with His Majesty?"
"His Majesty's evening reading time. Since his days as a prince, he always had his own reading time in the evening after finishing his daily tasks. It's been his pleasure."
Emperor Keilusa, often buried in his work, could not always adhere to fixed waking, sleeping, and meal times. However, the one routine he strictly maintained was his reading time after dinner. Despite his busy life as an emperor, he always managed to find time for reading alone, showing his profound love for books.
"That time is reserved just for him, with even the chief attendant staying outside. It's the ideal time for him to practice his ability without anyone watching. Using his long-distance ability is exhausting, and it takes him a while to recover."
"I see."
"It seems that time is approaching soon, if my senses are still functioning correctly."
Even though Kishiar had woken up later than usual and was still not fully recovered, his extraordinary senses were functioning well. The man smiled as he checked the expensive magic clock on the table and gripped the brooch tightly.
"Do you have any message for His Majesty?"
"Well... I'm relieved to see His Majesty training diligently, and I hope he doesn't overexert himself."
Intensifying training to foster progress is commendable. However, if one's physical condition falls below half of the usual, it becomes challenging to respond to unforeseen emergencies. What a regrettable situation it would be if, due to training, one couldn't exert strength in real battles.
Particularly for Emperor Keilusa, who was holding his ground in a world full of adversaries, intelligently conserving his energy was not just important, but essential.
Kishiar nodded in agreement, as if sharing this sentiment.
"Good advice. Anything else? Both His Majesty and the Empress were quite worried when they heard you had been asleep for two weeks. Her Majesty even mobilized all connections in the South to ensure that the honor of the Hero of the West was not tarnished by this incident."
Despite Yuder's severe injuries during the hailstorm, the fact remained unchanged: he failed to stop Hosanna and missed capturing Nahan. The Empress was reportedly the most furious when Duke Diarca's faction tried to use this as leverage to attack.
Yuder knew that the Emperor and Empress had joined forces behind the scenes to protect the Cavalry from disgrace. However, he hadn't realized that his own honor was also included.
'My honor, as if that matters... I wouldn't mind being spoken ill of.'
But he knew better now not to say such things.
So, the appropriate response would be...
"....Then, please tell His Majesty that I am now well and he needn't worry. ...And that I am truly grateful for their concern."
It felt peculiar to be the subject of such worry and concern, not just from others but also from the Emperor and Empress. It wasn't a bad feeling, though.
It was different from when he had helped with Emperor Keilusa's awakening; this time, they were genuinely upset and angry for him, even though his injury was unrelated to them.
"Alright. I will convey your message. They will be pleased to hear it."
Kishiar's eyes sparkled.
Gauging both the landscape outside the window and the magic clock, he reached the right moment and confidently grasped the brooch, beginning to speak.
"Beloved Majesty, fortunately, I am awake at this hour and able to contact you directly. I hope you are in good health in the capital. ...Not sure if you are watching, but today I have my assistant at my side. He woke up yesterday, unwrapped the bandages energetically, and even managed to take care of some outdoor tasks. He asked me to convey his sincere thanks for both Your Majesty's and Empress' concerns and to assure you that you need not worry anymore. Such a considerate and polite heart, isn’t it? Thinking about how envious Your Majesty must be of me for having such a capable assistant, it brightens my days."
"..."
It had started as a proper and elegant greeting... but as the words flowed, something seemed increasingly amiss.
Yuder looked at Kishiar with a wry expression, but Kishiar's shameless words continued unabated.
"But even if Your Majesty covets talented individuals, I would prefer not to hear any more suggestions about using this incident as an opportunity to summon my assistant to the imperial palace. I do not deny that it could be a choice beneficial for the safety of both Your Majesty and the assistant, but if that were to happen, I would be utterly devastated. If Your Majesty truly cherishes and loves me as a brother, Your Majesty would never repeat such a sorrowful suggestion. My assistant also agrees, so please understand this."
"....Just wait a moment. Did His Majesty actually say that? When…”
The idea of selecting personnel from the Cavalry to guard the palace was not surprising, as it had been a topic of discussion before he left the capital. However, the inclusion of him as a leader in this was a different matter.
Of course, Yuder had no intention of accepting the offer, but this was the first he heard of such discussions. As Yuder looked perplexed, Kishiar winked and chuckled softly before changing the subject.
"Since Your Majesty said last time that unnecessary formalities were unwelcome, I won't drag this out and will get straight to the point. ...For the quicker recovery of my condition, I need the medium that is kept there."
"..."
"This is based on my assistant's assessment after examining my internal state, and I too think it's worth a try. However, moving it here is considerably risky, so it will require discussion and ample preparation. We will send a letter soon regarding this. Please prepare in advance, Your Majesty. Until we meet again, please stay healthy."
After finishing his speech with not a single lapse in his precise voice and pronunciation, Kishiar placed the brooch back into his pocket and exhaled.
"That should have gotten the message across. According to the last letter, the longest His Majesty can hear me is just a bit longer than now."
"Was what you said earlier true?"
"Absolutely. While you were bedridden, out of excessive worry, His Majesty proposed sending you to the palace as a new solution, thinking it might be better for everyone."
"I have no intention of going."
"Right?"
Kishiar nodded, as if he had expected this response.
"Of course, I believed you would say that, which is why I mentioned it just now. His Majesty spoke out of concern, so don't worry. It's merely a worry, not an obligation."
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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.'
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."
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."
Check out the new project 2:
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.'
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