Episode 710

The garden of Baron Conche's mansion, which they had entered surreptitiously, was as quiet as it had appeared from above.

At first glance, it looked like a fairly decent noble's mansion, but upon entering, it was unmistakably eerie. The flowers and trees had been long neglected, overgrown with weeds, and not a single window was open. The curtains were tightly drawn, making it impossible to peer inside.

For Yuder and Nathan Zuckerman, this was a welcome circumstance.

'It's likely the southerners did this to hide, but it makes our inspection easier.'

Yuder approached a pile of rubbish in a corner of the garden, which he had observed from above, and found a burnt saddle.

"If this belongs to the Second Prince, there should be a coat of arms or a mark indicating its owner somewhere."

"I'll inspect it."

Nathan Zuckerman immediately began examining the partially destroyed saddle. After brushing off the ash and turning it inside out, he finally found what they were looking for.

"Here it is. Four waves and a spear. The coat of arms of House Herne."

On the less damaged inner side, there was the coat of arms of House Herne – four undulating waves and a winged spear in the center. Yuder, examining it, was confident his suspicion was correct.

Even if the Baron Conche family was related to the Ducal House of Herne, they could not use its coat of arms. This was more conclusive evidence than anything else.

'They must have planned to burn it immediately.'

Nathan Zuckerman lifted the large saddle effortlessly with one hand, slung it over his back, and secured it with a strap he had produced from somewhere. This was an excellent method, preventing the hands from being obstructed and reducing the risk of losing the item.

Having secured the saddle so it wouldn't fall, Nathan pointed to the pile of burnt rubbish.

"Should we not inspect the rest? There might be more items related to the Second Prince."

"If you think it will take time... but if you're confident, go ahead."

"Understood."

The knight immediately began sifting through the blackened lumps.

"Then I'll head to the stables."

"If there's any trouble, signal me right away."

Without looking back, Nathan quickly responded, and Yuder watched his retreating figure for a moment before moving on.

'Working with someone without needing to give further instructions feels oddly refreshing.'

It had been the same when he went to the fighting arena with Kishiar, but this time the feeling was slightly different. Yuder walked towards the stables, experiencing an unfamiliar yet pleasant sensation.

After confirming there was no one inside the stable, he cautiously entered. The white horse at the far end seemed a bit excited, stamping its hooves.

He had thought of sedating it if it caused any trouble, but thankfully, it wasn't that agitated. Yuder noted that there were a total of five horses in the stable and slowly walked deeper inside.

'Are these creatures asleep?'

Most of the horses had their eyes closed. Approaching the closest brown horse and tapping its sensitive ears and eyes elicited no reaction, which felt different from them being asleep.

Observing their abnormal state, Yuder recalled the southerner who had first entered. Despite the short time since his entry, the horses had quickly quieted down. The feed troughs were empty, indicating they hadn't been fed anything.

Then, there was only one conclusion to draw.

'The old servant of the Second Prince mentioned that the missing servant was particularly adept with horses. If that person I saw earlier is the same one, and if he’s related to or an associate of the southern merchants we are pursuing... it's very likely that he is also an Awakener.'

In Yuder's previous life, in the Cavalry, there were quite a few Awakeners who excelled at handling animals. There were differences in the types of animals they could handle and the effects, but calming a distressed animal was relatively easy for them.

Yuder turned his head towards the horse at the very back, the only one with open eyes. Among the five horses, the white one in the furthest position rolled its hooves a few times in its spot, looking at Yuder with suspicious and uneasy eyes.

'Its breathing and all, it's quite agitated.'

The creature was a head taller than the other horses and had a glossy sheen to its fur as if it had just been groomed, quite different from the other horses whose fur appeared dry and brittle. It seemed like the perfect horse to fit the expensive saddle found outside.

Judging by its muscular legs and the condition of its mane, it was clearly a noble steed at first glance.

Yuder approached slowly, careful not to startle it, and examined its legs. The horse's leg fur showed signs of having been wet and then dried, particularly noticeable due to its white color.

'...But that's not all...'

Yuder's gaze then swept over the pile of hay on the floor. Among the several hoofprints left by the horse's excited pacing and rolling, there were faint red traces.

"..."

Yuder stared intently at the red marks and then slowly shifted his gaze to the horse's hooves.

'The blood started from its right hind hoof.'

It was definitely blood, but it didn't come from the horse.

Rather, the horse had stepped in the blood, leaving a stained imprint.

Yuder was certain this horse was the owner of the saddle burnt outside.

'So the horse was alive, too. We found it because they hadn't killed it yet.'

"Let's go."

Yuder opened the fence and grabbed the horse's bridle. However, the horse refused to follow even when he pulled on the bridle, shaking its head and stamping.

'Clearly, the servant had used a calming ability on this one, but its resistance and fear, being the only one awake, suggested a state of extreme agitation and possibly a weaker influence from the servant.'

From the horse's perspective, its owner had died, and it had been abruptly brought to a strange place, so its wariness was understandable. Even with a calming ability, it wasn't easy to soothe such agitation.

What to do? The horse was too large to be sedated and taken away.

As Yuder pondered, Nathan Zuckerman appeared behind him.

"Why haven't you come out yet?"

"Did you find anything useful in the pile of rubbish?"

"I found a somewhat intact handkerchief and a piece of cloth stained with blood. They don't seem to belong to the Second Prince, but they might be useful if they belong to the murderer."

"Good. I believe I've found the Second Prince's horse."

"This one?"

"Yes. But it's too scared and resistant to leave."

Yuder briefly explained his theory. Nathan Zuckerman's eyebrows slightly furrowed upon hearing that the missing servant of the Second Prince, who had disappeared, might have been an Awakener capable of handling horses.

"I've always thought since seeing the Cavalry members, there really are all sorts of abilities."

"Do you know how to calm or handle a horse in this state?"

"Can't the power of Sir Aile do it?"

"My abilities are primarily specialized in killing. I thought it better to seek the opinion of Sir Zuckerman, who has more experience with horses, than to knock it out from behind and carry it away."

Nathan Zuckerman looked at Yuder with an indiscernible gaze for a moment before letting out a short sigh.

"…That won't work. Please step outside for a moment."

As Yuder stepped aside, Nathan Zuckerman approached the horse. He gently stroked the horse's head and various spots, emitting a few short whistles near its ear. Surprisingly, the horse began to calm down gradually.

After petting the horse until it became somewhat accustomed to his touch, Nathan turned his back. The horse noticed the burnt saddle tied behind him. Extending its neck, it sniffed the charred saddle several times, then shook its body and stamped its hooves.

"Aren't you exciting the horse even more?"

"Horses are much smarter than you think. They recognize and remember their owners and the gear they use. This horse's excitement is probably because it recognized its saddle and recalled what happened to its owner."

Nathan faced the horse again.

"I'm trying to take you home. You're going with the saddle, so it's okay to relax."

Saying this, the knight slowly pulled the bridle. Like when Yuder had pulled it earlier, the horse stood still as if resisting, but then, as if it were a lie, it started walking and slowly moved outside the fence.

It was an unbelievably easy resolution.

"That's impressive."

Yuder sincerely praised him. Nathan seemed a bit embarrassed.

"...What will you do now?"

"Keep a firm hold on the bridle and don't let go. I'm going to wake up the other horses."

"Excuse me?"

Yuder immediately used his ability. The ground rumbled, and the previously quiet horses, as if asleep, all lifted their heads in unison.

"Hee-hee-hing!"

Simultaneously, the main building became noisy.

Hearing the footsteps of people running towards them, Yuder turned to Nathan.

"They'll assume the horses woke up like before and will come carelessly. A battle will ensue, so please stay back to ensure the horse doesn't get injured."

[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."

Check out the new project 2:

[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.'