Turning-Chapter 929

"...I met the white glove again."

The hand that had been holding Yuder stiffened for a moment — then slowly relaxed.

Kishiar must have somewhat expected it, waking to see Yuder’s unusual reaction.

But no matter how much one anticipates something, the reality is always different.

Hadn’t Yuder himself just now realized that painfully?

In Kishiar’s silence, Yuder continued speaking.

"Even after living through two lives... there were still so many things I didn’t know.

Especially about you, Commander — it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that most of it, I only learned after returning."

"......"

Kishiar’s past.

The dreams he had wished for.

The many secrets he had hidden from the world.

And even the countless walls and masks that had concealed his inner self.

The man Yuder thought he knew at first, and the one now before his eyes, were completely different.

If he had not returned to the past, he would never have known these truths — not for eternity.

And because of that, Yuder had finally come to realize a certain truth he might have otherwise missed forever.

"...Did you learn something you wish you hadn’t?"

Kishiar asked quietly.

His voice was so calm it was hard to read any emotion from it.

Still leaning against the hand cradling his face, Yuder slowly but firmly shook his head.

"No."

Had it been Yudrain Aile, he might have answered yes.

Even if Yuder, who had returned and was once wary of Kishiar, had been asked the same question early on, his answer might not have been very different.

Because back then, even if he had known the truth sooner, he wouldn't have believed it.

To eyes unwilling to trust, no amount of evidence — no matter how logical, no matter how clear — would have mattered.

Nothing would have truly been seen or heard.

But now — now it was different.

Because Yuder loved Kishiar la Orr, and because he could now trust, without doubt, that Kishiar loved him as well — when the glove was stripped away, Yuder could recognize and believe everything.

No matter how painful and difficult that truth was.

Because now, he had learned how powerful a thing faith could be — even faith without tangible proof.

"All that happened was that I learned something I had to know eventually."

"......"

"And that I now have even more things to do."

Even as he spoke, the hand covering his face continued to grow wet.

His voice was utterly steady, his expression unchanged — and yet, strangely, the hand felt soaked.

Perhaps it was because the man before him wore an even more pained expression than Yuder himself.

Yuder felt the tears, remnants of the dream's agony, gradually lessen.

What grew in their place was a new, far ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ stronger and firmer resolve.

Explaining everything that had happened would not be difficult anymore.

But to do so, he would first have to tell the story he hadn't managed to tell yesterday.

And Kishiar wasn’t yet fully ready to listen.

So time was still needed.

Yuder inhaled deeply.

His body trembled faintly, a reflex — then the tears stopped completely.

He pulled away from Kishiar’s arms and wiped his face roughly.

"I'm fine now. More importantly..."

The grotesque sights he had seen in the dream.

The "more important" thing the hand in the white glove had tried to show him — how should he convey it?

He was organizing his thoughts when, suddenly, a dull thud echoed from afar.

Another thud, thud.

The moment he realized it was the sound of someone knocking forcefully at the door, his nerves tensed instinctively.

In his mind rose the dark shadows that had writhed in chaotic madness.

No way.

Even as the uneasy feeling surged, Nathan Zuckerman’s voice came from beyond the door.

"—Commander. I apologize for the intrusion, but we have urgent news. Are you awake?"

Kishiar glanced once at Yuder’s sharply hardened face, then replied calmly.

"Yes. What is it?"

"Just now, a message arrived via House Hern’s communication network — an urgent request for assistance from the sea.

In addition, multiple emergency letters have arrived from Cavalry members stationed in other regions.

Deputy Commander Meghna Curlieva and related members of the Southern Army have also sent word that they are on their way here."

Nathan’s voice grew heavier, conveying the seriousness of the situation.

"—It seems you should meet with them immediately."

Even before he could explain it to Kishiar, it seemed the thing Yuder had feared was already beginning.

"...A disaster."

At Yuder’s murmur, Kishiar turned his gaze toward him.

"Actually, that was exactly what I was about to say.

I was going to tell you that what we've been preparing for... is finally coming."

"Is that also part of what you learned through the white-gloved hand?"

Kishiar, perceptive as ever, immediately grasped the hidden meaning.

"Yes."

"I understand. If there’s nothing critical I need to know right now, you can explain the rest afterward.

Fill me in when necessary."

Kishiar rose from the bed.

Yuder quickly threw on his clothes, preparing to go out, while watching him.

There was not the slightest hesitation in Kishiar’s movements.

The gentle, pained look he had worn earlier, even the soft scent that had wrapped around Yuder, had all been cleanly, completely tucked away — as if nothing had happened.

His usual way — separating public and private matters cleanly.

But there are times when even that perfect facade cannot hide everything.

Yuder felt a faint shard of emotion drift into him — not so much emotion, but a sharp sting resembling pain — leaking from Kishiar.

Knowing that he wasn't truly unaffected — how could he just turn and leave because the situation was urgent?

Maybe before, he could have.

But not anymore. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Yuder hesitated — then called out.

"Commander."

Kishiar turned, tilting his head slightly.

He looked as if he had nothing at all to do with the pain Yuder had just felt from him.

Instead of mentioning that emotion directly, Yuder drew in another breath and spoke again.

"...Kishiar."

The man who had been gazing at him with unwavering, commander-like eyes blinked — just once, in slight surprise.

And in that moment, emotions he had carefully sealed away spilled out.

"...That's sudden. What is it?"

Maybe it was the first time he had ever called Kishiar by name — clearly, directly, meeting his gaze.

But now, there was no sense of insult or awkwardness.

It was just them, alone — no one would hear or care how Yuder called him.

And Yuder knew — now, calling his name was the only way to fully convey what he felt.

"As you said — what matters now is to deal with what’s happening.

But before we go — there’s something I have to say."

"What is it?"

"I’m glad you’re here today."

"......"

Kishiar froze — just slightly, lips parted.

Facing the red eyes that stared at him, Yuder continued, clear and firm.

"I don't even fully understand myself why I cried earlier.

But I know this — whatever truths I learned today will only help with what we have to do.

They won’t become chains that hold me back.

I hope you’ll believe that, too."

For a moment, Kishiar seemed about to say something — but only moved his lips slightly before lowering his eyes.

"...Yuder..."

"I’ll be honest.

In my previous life, I couldn’t stop what’s about to happen today.

That failure haunted me more than almost anything else.

But this time, I intend to succeed."

"...I know.

That’s why we’ve been preparing together."

But Kishiar still didn’t know what Yuder had seen — the deep, grotesque darkness, the creatures writhing desperately through a narrow crack.

Even Yuder — who thought himself prepared for anything — had been paralyzed when he saw it.

Maybe those unknown things were monsters in some sense.

The instinctive fear and helplessness he had felt was eerily similar to the sensation of facing monsters that resisted all human power.

The white-gloved hand must have been showing him what he had to face.

Thinking of them again, Yuder’s gut turned cold, nausea rising.

The feeling that even the belief in victory could crumble away — that helpless despair — he knew it too well.

But he had no intention of being consumed by it.

Because now — here — Kishiar la Orr stood with him.

And even “over there,” there was someone who intended to help his will, however possible.

"Yes. Exactly. That’s why we’ll stop it."

"And after that..."

Yuder looked straight into his face — and spoke the final words.

"I’ll come to save you."